Dec 23

Christmas Memories–Music

Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Christmas 2011

Christmas is the season for beautiful music and music is a big part of my life. I play both the piano and organ and I have been the organist at Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, for nearly 46 years now. We have a beautiful church with very good acoustics.

The Christmas Eve service is particularly beautiful at Zion. The church lights are dimmed while the congregation sings Silent Night by candlelight. Each member holds their own small candle.

We used to go Christmas caroling when I was in Luther League, back in the 1960s. Caroling was a lot of fun. We visited shut-ins at their homes and in nursing homes. One of the stops was at the home of Vic and Chloe Bollenbacher. They lived on the Ohio/Indiana State Line.

There were usually several carloads of carolers and sometimes we went on some very cold and snowy evenings. We once parked along the side of a road and I stepped out of the car into a ditch full of snow.

Most folks invited us into their homes to sing. We had some good singers in our group. Among them were Susie Brandt, Karen Westerberg, Diane Humbert, Kirby Stetler, and Tim Green. We sang 4-part harmony and we sounded pretty good. I usually sang alto. Afterward we were often rewarded with delicious home-baked cookies. When we were finished caroling we usually went back to the church where there were more cookies and hot chocolate.

I made my musical debut was when I was about 3 or 4 years old. My church musical career did not start as an organist or pianist, but as a vocalist. I sang a song for a New Year’s Eve service in our church basement. I remember being scared to sing but my neighbor Cindy had put a beautiful pink and blue teddy bear on top of the piano. I kept looking at that little bear as I sang. Afterword Cindy gave me the teddy bear. I named the bear “Smiley” and I kept him for many years, until he wore out.

I eventually worked my way up and became the organist at Zion. The position of church organist means job security. I have yet to know of anyone wanting to take over my job. I have heard that the heavenly rewards are good, too.

Karen at Zion's organ, 1993

Kendra Miller, our church pianist, and I enjoy playing piano/organ duets. I don’t remember when Kendra and I started playing duets together but we have played together long enough that we seem to be of one musical mind. It often just takes a glance to convey what we are thinking.

Kendra & Karen, Christmas Concert 1995

Last Sunday evening we gave a Christmas concert at Zion. Kendra and I performed several concerts in the 1990s, but none since. Originally our concerts featured only piano and organ duets. This year’s program featured our duets as well as piano and organ solos, vocal numbers and readings. One number consisted of two pianos and the organ. A good number of people attended and everything went quite well. It was a great way to celebrate the birth of Jesus and feel the Christmas spirit.

To perform our duets we strive to achieve several things:

Playing the same song at the same time.

Both playing at the same tempo.

Beginning an arrangement at a reasonable tempo. Some songs seem to accelerate as we play. There is one beautiful Christmas song that we played once but will probably never play again. We refer to it as “The Train Wreck Song”. That song somehow picks up momentum and by the end of the song we are speeding along, but not playing in unison. It has a way of going out of control. Just like runaway train.

Beginning and ending a song at the same time. However, things occasionally go awry in the middle. There are just some songs that you don’t want to get “lost” in. This has happened a couple of times and it gives me panicky feeling every time. It can be very difficult to get back together again. The “lost” one has to find the right measure and join the song again. He Shall Feed His Flock and The Hallelujah Chorus seem to be the worst offenders. It must be something about Handel’s music!

Karen & Kendra, 1995

Having the piano and organ in tune with each other. Duets sound best when they are. The temperature in the organ chamber is important because it affects the pitch of the organ. Our pipes are in a little room with an outside wall.  At Zion the piano and organ will be in tune as long at the temperature in the chamber is around 70 degrees. That is why the chamber door is left open in the winter, to bring warm air to the pipes.  And that is why we don’t play duets in the summer.

This has been a look at some of the behind the scenes worries of an organist and pianist.

Joy To the World, The Lord Has Come!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

 

Dec 20

Tombstone Tuesday–Emil F. & Myrtle E. Brandt

This is the tombstone of Emil and Myrtle Brandt, located in row 10 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed BRANDT, Myrtle E., 1906-1981; Emil F., 1900-1954.

Their obituaries:

Countian Dies Assisting with Church Service—Emil F. Brandt, 55, of two miles south of Willshire in Blackcreek Township, died following a heart attack while assisting with communion Sunday at the Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga. His death occurred shortly before noon.

A farmer, Mr. Brandt was a native of Blackcreek Township, born May 1, 1900, the son of Louis J. and Marie L. Schultz Brandt. On January 26, 1930, he married the former Myrtle Pierstorff, who still survives.

Also surviving are a brother, Lewis of Wapakoneta; a sister, Mrs. Stanton Daily of Willshire; two half-brothers, Carl Brandt of Fargo, ND and the Rev. Frank Brandt of Oak Harbor, O.; and a half-sister, Mrs. Mary Altenbernd of Wolverton, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at the residence at 2 p.m. Wednesday, and at 2:30 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, with the Rev. Waldo Byers officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at the Zwick Funeral Home at Decatur, Ind., after 7 this evening. The body will be removed to the residence where friends may call after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and until the time of the services Wednesday. (The Daily Standard, 20 Dec 1954:1)

According to the church records at Zion, Chattanooga, Emil Friedrich Brandt was baptized on 3 June 1900. The sponsors were Friedrich Kuhn Jr. and Maria Kuhn. He was confirmed on 30 May 1915 by Rev. W.F.H. Heuer. Emil and Myrtle were married at Zion, Chattanooga. Witnesses at their wedding were Victor and Erma Pierstorff.

Brandt Rites Set Tuesday—Mrs. Myrtle Brandt, 75, 1013 Hawthorne St., Celina, died at 1:40 a.m. today at Joint Township Hospital, St. Marys.

She was born Dec 28, 1906, in Hopewell Township, the daughter of Le Roy and Catherin (Hoenie) Pierstorff. On Jan. 26, 1930 she was married to Emil F. Brandt, who died Dec. 18, 1854.

Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Beulah Pierstorff, Rockford, and Mrs. Ruth Pierstorff, Wapakoneta; plus a number of nieces and nephews. Three brothers and one sister are deceased.

Mrs. Brandt retired in 1972 from the Mercer County Auto Club where she had been employed 16 years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, and a member of its women of the Church.

Funeral series will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Zion Church with the Rev. Gary Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Monday at W.H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina. The body will be taken to the church at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to lie in state until the hour of cervices

WH Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina, had charge of arrangements. (The Daily Standard, 14 Mar 1981:3)

Brandt Rites Held—Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtle Brandt, 75, 1013 Hawthorne St., Celina, who died Saturday at Joint Township Hospital, St. Marys, were conduced Tuesday afternoon at Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga. The Rev. Gary Anderson officiated and Mrs. Gary Anderson presided at the organ. There was congregational singing.

Pall bearers to the church cemetery were Tom and Hubert [sic] Brandt, Otto Jaeger, Robert Casey and Harold and Ron Stetler. (The Daily Standard, 18 Mar 1981:3)

 

 

 

 

Dec 16

Christmas Memories–Family Gatherings

Christmas dinner at the Cornelius & Hilda Schumm home, c1963.

Some of the best holiday memories come from family get-togethers. When I was young we went to each of my grandparents’ homes for a Christmas celebration.

The Schumms usually gathered for an evening meal sometime between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We were all able to sit around their dining room table, which was set with Grandma’s good china. Grandma and Grandpa had an old round oak table and they put all the leaves in it for the Christmas dinner. About thirteen of us were able to sit and eat at the table. Grandma was usually too busy serving to sit and eat with us.

Grandma Schumm fixed most of meal herself, but I think my aunt Amy may have helped her a little. We usually had beef for our holiday meal. Come to think if it, I don’t think Grandpa would eat chicken. Grandma always had corn and she made a delicious pineapple pie. I wish I had that pineapple pie recipe.

After the meal Grandma would always pass around a dish of chocolates. Sometimes she served white wine in pretty little wine glasses on a silver tray. These were festive and rather fancy events. I still have the pair of garnet pierced earrings that Grandma Schumm gave me one year as a Christmas present.

Grandma Schumm (Hilda) passing the chocolates around.

As I recall, the Millers usually got together in the afternoon for their Christmas dinner and gift exchange. There were a lot of people in that little house. There was no way we could all sit at one table there. There were card tables set up in just about every room. I remember that Grandma Miller often gave us younger kids the BIG box of 64 Crayola Crayons and a coloring book. I always looked forward to getting that new box of crayons. It looks like I got a story book in the photo below.

Christmas at the Carl & Gertrude Miller home, c1953.

I was too young to remember sitting on scary Santa’s lap at my first Miller Christmas. I have been told that was the day I fell and hit my head on the corner of the sofa and had to get several stitches. I still have the scar on my forehead. No wonder I was crying. I probably had one major headache.

Scary Santa holding me, 1952. (Santa, aka Uncle Kenny)

Looking at those old photos, it appears that Santa was very good to both families.

 

 

Dec 13

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob Hoffmann

Jacob Hoffmann, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio

This is the tombstone of Jacob Hoffmann, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The grave marker is inscribed: Jacob Hoffmann, Gest [died] 24 Jan. 1875, Alter [age] 52 J [years], 2 M [months], 2 T [days]. Text Eb 13.14.

The Family Register section of Zion’s old church records gives quite a bit of information about Jacob Hoffmann and his family:

Jacob Hoffmann was the son of Valentin and Catharina Hoffmann. He was born 22 December 1822 in Fechingen, Rhein-Prussia, Europe. He was baptized there and confirmed there in the year 1837.  In 1846 he married Caroline Hoffmann, daughter of Jakob and Margaretha Hoffmann.  Caroline was born 16 October 1823 in Fechingen. She was baptized there and was confirmed in 1838.  The couple immigrated to North America in 1849 and settled in Mercer County, Ohio. Their son Ferdinand was born 4 January 1847 in Fechingen. He was baptized there and confirmed in Mercer County.

Caroline died 18 July 1912 and she is also buried in row 6 of Zion’s cemetery. Ferdinand married Barbara Schott in 1867 at Zion. Barbara was the daughter of Michael and Catharine Schott.

There is also information about the mother of Jacob’s wife Caroline in Zion’s Family Register: Margaretha Hoffmann was born 20 November 1796 in Bibingen, Rhein-Prussia. She was baptized and confirmed there.  She married Jakob Hoffman in the year 1820. They had 9 children, 5 of them dead and 4 living at the time this was writing on 27 April 1863. In 1849 she and her husband Jakob immigrated to America and settled in Mercer County, Ohio. Jakob died 30 March 1863.

In 1860 both Hoffmann families were living next door to each other at Skeels Cross Road in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. Skeels Cross Road is about 4 miles south of Chatt.  [1860 US census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll M653_1009:358]

Dec 09

Dear Christine, Clara and Wavil, 1944

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob & Regina (Rueck) Rueck

Last Friday’s blog ended with the probing question, who were the two grand-nieces that were enumerated with Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck in the 1900 census.

The two grand-nieces, Rosa and Regina, were the daughters of Johann Georg Rueck and his wife Ida Emma Schewrel. Johann Georg Rueck (1858-1944) was Jacob Rueck’s nephew, the son of Jacob’s older brother Johann Georg.

Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck and family were not the only Ruecks that immigrated to America in the late 19th century.  Two of Jacob’s nephews also immigrated to America. They were the above mentioned Johan Georg Rueck and his brother Jacob [middle initial was either R or L]. Jacob [the nephew] married Jacob and Regina’s daughter Regina.

Yes, it is confusing. There were two married couples named Jacob and Regina Rueck. There was Jacob Sr and his nephew Jacob and there was Regina (Gross) Rueck and her daughter Regina (Rueck) Rueck.

Back to the grand-nieces. The 1900 census tells us when and where they were born. Rosa was born in Indiana in March 1884 and Emma was born in Oregon in May 1886. This gives us a good idea of when Jacob [the nephew] moved to Oregon. He would have moved some time between 1884 and 1886. Jacob [the uncle] and his family moved to Oregon about the same time, most likely in 1884. We know that families often traveled and moved together.

The following letter was written to my great-aunt Clara (Miller) Reef in 1944 from her aunt Regina (Rueck) Rueck. Regina was Christine (Rueck) Miller’s sister. Christine was Clara’s mother and she lived with Clara for quite a few years before she passed away.

Canby Oregon
14 June 1944

Dear Christine, Clara & Wavil,

At last I find a little time to write a few lines, but it is rather a sad letter for Uncle George Rueck passed away last Sat. morning. His heart has been giving him more trouble the last 5 or 6 months. The Dr. told Rose a month ago that he was in the last stage of his sickness, but he was up and around until the last 4 days.

I am glad to say the last few months he read his Bible dayly [sic]. Our Minister held the funeral services. I know we will always miss him when we go to Wecoma. Sister Katie could not go with us. Her leg is bothering so much lately. It is hard for her to get around.

How is Mother? I sure hope the warm weather will make her feel better and how are you feeling? Margaret and Christine both had the stomach fluh [sic]. I stayed with Christine a few days, for I had to go to the Dr. anyway. Then Margaret took sick so I had to hurry home. Of course garden and housecleaning had to wait but we have our garden pretty clean now. It is growing nice. The weather is nice and warm. The first cutting of the alfalfa hay is all in. They are starting on the canary Peas. This is such a slow job. The vines can’t handle them fast enough. The trucks are lined up sometimes for 2 or 3 hours, night and day work. There is not much news of the relatives. All are pretty well except for minor ailments. How are all of the folks in Ohio? I will try and write to Maggie and Carline soon too. So will close with love to all.

From Regina & family & Dave

David, Carl, Margaret, Christine, Jacob Jr. Rueck

Uncle George would have actually been Regina’s first cousin, her father Jacob’s nephew who is mentioned above. George lived in Wecoma. Since Regina was married to her first cousin (George’s brother), George would have also been her brother-in-law. Dave was probably Regina and Christine’s brother.

Some others mentioned in the letter: Rose was Uncle George’s daughter; sister Katie was Regina’s sister; Margaret and Christine were Regina’s daughters; Maggie and Carline were Christine (Rueck) Miller’s daughters.

Regina wrote a lot of letters to her sister Christine over the years. She wrote to Christine in German and to Clara in English. Unfortunately I can only read the English letters.