Katherine (Katie) Schrock

Family/Spouse: Hollis Neel. Hollis was born in Jan 1908; died on 14 Nov 1996. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“Christopher’s middle initial “B” stands for “Burkey,” his mother’s maiden name. We are told that all of the boys of that family used that same initial, apparently proud of the Burkey name.
His parents were Amish. In later years his father became an invalid. This grandfather is remembered by his grandchildren as sitting in his wheelchair by the window so he could look outside. He was a very large person, eventually weighing over 300 lbs; his helpful slightly-built wife had a hump in her back. As was the way in those days, the grandchildren were sent to help these grandparents when they grew older.
They lived in Nebraska which is considered part of the Midwest “Heartland.” At that time small farms raised most of the food products for the nation. The frontier was considered closed in 1890 when Chris was about nine years old. At the close of Civil War, farmers constituted 60 percent of the work force. The farmers settled land in a westward movement; these frontier people did hand labor and used horses to pull simple equipment in contrast to the present corporate farms with huge expensive machinery.
I understand that Grandpa Schrock did not own land but farmed land owned by others. He owned a combine and was hired to work in fields. He was a very tall, handsome person who enjoyed life, but it is said he did not accumulate much money. He was strict with his children. Mother said if one of his children got a spanking in school, Grandpa Schrock would deliver another spanking with a belt at home. If a teacher checked the space titled “Talks too much,” this also meant a spanking at home.
“We have a copy of the Public Sale Notice for the auction that was held by Chris when selling his home. The auction notice states, “Two bedroom, full basement, 3 lots one block west and one block north of the schoolhouse, Lots l, 2, and 3, Block 10. Remodeled only a few years ago, furniture, canned fruit and fruit jars, wash tubs, snow shovel.”
He then moved to the town of Geneva to be nearer his children as he was in ill health because of cancer.
“There was a reunion in the 1980’s of the Christian C. Schrock family, Christ B. Schrock’s parents, at the Geneva Lion’s Club Building in Geneva with about 260 people attending. This family had become widespread as relatives arrived from California, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, and Arizona. This was the first time many had seen each other for a number of years, and some had never met previously. “

Buried:
Salem Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Mary Roth on 19 Feb 1903 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE. Mary (daughter of Christian Roth and Magdalena Wittrig) was born on 15 Mar 1884 in Milford, Seward Co., NE; died on 2 May 1961 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE; was buried in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“While attending church services on Sunday, February 26, 1961, Mary fell ill and shortly thereafter was rushed to the hospital at Geneva. She had a heart attack. As her condition improved, she returned home. She had eaten breakfast and was sitting in her rocking chair when she suffered another attack on Tuesday, May 2, 1961. She died at the age of seventy- seven. In addition to her children, Pearl, Ada, Lena, Harry, Katie, Florence, Floyd, and Gaylord, she had 22 grandchildren and 26 great- grandchildren. One brother and three sisters survived her.

“Her service was held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Shickley on Friday, May 5, 1961, with interment at the Shickley Cemetery. Her obituary stated that she was very conscientious in her attendance of the congregational services, a faithful wife, and a loving mother, a helpful friend and neighbor. The songs used in the service included, “Asleep in Jesus” and “The Old Rugged Cross.”

“Christopher and Mary were married on February 25, 1903, in Shickley, Nebraska. She was almost nineteen, and he was twenty-one. Apparently she lived in Milford, Nebraska, prior to their marriage. We heard that Mary was engaged to another man, but Chris, a handsome man, apparently swept her off her feet and married her. They had eight children, five girls and three boys; however one boy died in infancy. Chris’ mother delivered all the babies of the family and many grandbabies too, being called a midwife. Family members said the doctor was in attendance only two times in the Chris Schrock home, once prior to baby Floyd’s dying and another later when Gaylord had appendicitis. There was no hospital in the small town of Shickley. “

Buried:
Salem Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Minister/Bishop
• Residence: Decatur Co., KS
• Immigration: Abt 1855, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock.-Christian C. Schrock was born in France June 13, 1847; died Aug. 9, 1926; at Shickely, Nebr.; aged 79 y. 1 m. 27 d. He was a member of the Mennonite Church. He was united in holy matrimony to Cathrine Birky at Hopedale, Ill., and lived in matrimony 53 years. To this union were born 13 children, 6 sons, and 7 daughters. He leaves to mourn his departure his loving companion, 6 sons, 7 daughters, 60 grandchildren (7 have preceded him in death), 21 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and a host of friends. Funeral services by Bro. Fred Reeb of Shickley and Bro. W. M. Eicher of Milford.


In 1855, family came from Ugny-sur-Meuse, France, to Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. Moved to near Oberlin, Decatur Co., KS, about 1892; to Vernon Co., MO about 1902. Ordained as a deacon in spring of 1877 for the Roanoke congregation (now Roanoke Mennonite Church). Served at Roanoke, 1877 to about 1892; at the Decatur, KS, congregation, about 1892-about 1902; and at the Stotesbury congregation, Vernon Co., MO, about 1902-1907.

Residence:
Later to Ft. Scott, KS

Immigration:
from Ugny-sur-Meuse

Buried:
Salem Cemetery

Christian married Catherine Birky on 27 Feb 1873 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Catherine (daughter of Joseph Bürcky (Birki) and Maria (Mary) Bircky (Birky)) was born on 28 Jan 1852 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 1 Jan 1931 in Davenport, Thayer Co., NE; was buried in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock - Catherine Birkey Schrock was born at the Morton, Ill., Jan 28, 1852; died Jan. 1, 1931, at the home of her daughter (Mrs. Dan Lichti) near Davenport, Neb.; aged 78 y. 11 m. 3 d. She was united in marriage to Christian C. Schrock in 1873. 13 children were born to this union. She leaves 7 daughters, 6 sons, 70 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 1 sister, 1 brother, and a host of other relatives and friends. Her husband and 8 grandchildren preceded her in death. She accepted Christ in her youth and was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church till her death. Funeral services were held at the home and at the church, Jan. 3, by Bros. Peter R. Kennel, Ben Schlegel and Fred Reeb. Burial in the Salem Cemetery near Shickley, Nebraska.
"We have no dear mother now.
There will be one vacant chair,
We shall long to caress her
When we breathe our evening prayer."

Buried:
Salem Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Vol. XX, No. 26 - September 29, 1927, pages 575, 576
Roth.--Christian Roth was born in Canada Aug. 22,1848; died at Shickley, Neb., Sept. 8, 1927; aged 79 y. 17 d. He united with the Mennonite Church in his youth and remained a faithful member until death. March 31, 1868, he united in marriage with Magdalena Wittrig. This union was blessed with 4 sons and 9 daughters. He leaves his bereaved wife and children, 65 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers, 1 sister, and a host of relatives and friends. His sickness was of a long duration and much suffering. Funeral services at the Salem Mennonite Church by Bro. Abner Yoder of Parnel, Iowa, and Jacob Berkey of Kouts, Ind. May the Lord comfort the bereaved ones.
"Farewell, beloved wife, beloved children, farewell,
I am going to the Savior who maketh all things well.
He well soothe my pains with his loving Hand.
He made in his pity to my suffering and end."

Buried:
Salem Cemetery

Christian married Magdalena Wittrig on 31 Mar 1870. Magdalena (daughter of Joseph Wittrig (Vitrich) and Anna Nancy Gascho) was born on 7 Mar 1851 in Ontario, Canada; died on 20 Jan 1934 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE; was buried on 22 Jan 1934 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Illness Of Long Duration

Notes:

Obit: http://www.mcusa-archives.org/MennObits/34/feb34.html
Roth.-Magdalena Roth (Nee Wittrig) was born in Canada March 7, 1851; died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Chris. Schrock, in Shickley, Neb., Jan. 20, 1934; aged 82 y. 10 m. 13 d. March 31, 1870, she was married to Chris. Roth.

To this union were born 4 sons and 9 daughters. Her companion, one son (Samuel) and one daughter (Maggie) preceded her in death. She leaves 3 sons (Joseph, Daniel, and William), eight daughters (Anna Ropp, Katie Schneider, Lydia Schrock, Barbara Augustine, Mary Schrock, Mattie Eichelberger, Lizzie Stauffer, and Amanda Birky), 66 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers (Daniel and Peter Wittrig), 2 sisters (Barbara Birky and Susie Augspurger) and many friends to mourn their loss. Mother's illness was of long duration, but she bore her afflictions bravely, with a full resignation to the Master's will. The dear Lord saw best to take her home where she had a longing to be. Funeral services were held Jan. 22, conducted by Fred Reeb, Wm. Eicher, Peter Kennel, and Ben Schlegel. Burial in the Salem Cemetery.

"Beautiful rest for you, dear Mother,
Well deserved rest for the true;
When our life's journey is ended,
We shall again be with you.
Beyond this world of sin and woes
With Jesus in eternity."
The Children.

“At the time of her death Magdelena in addition to her living children had 66 grandchildren and 59 great grandchildren.”

Died:
at the home of her daughter Mrs. Chris. Schrock

Buried:
Salem Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Miller
• Residence: 1855, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Immigration: 20 Jun 1855, New York, NY
• Census: 1860, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

The family immigrated to central Illinois in 1855, “to seek refuge, to find protection, and to have a settlement among ourselves.”

Residence:
Farm one half mile east of Roanoke Mennonite Church.

Immigration:
Aboard the John Hancock.

Census:
They lived next door to David Schertz, 54.

Census:
One house removed was farmer Joseph Schrock 28, and Elisabeth, 23, born in Illinois to parents from Arnstead.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Elizabeth Cender (Zentner) on 9 Dec 1845 in Dombrot-sur-Vair, Vosges, FR. Elizabeth (daughter of Christian Cender and Magdalena Eymann) was born on 24 Jun 1821 in Niedernai, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 26 Apr 1892 in Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
(1821-1878) says Levine.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
Witnesses included miller and brother-of-the-groom André Gerard of Robecourt, 32; miller and friend-of-the-groom Joseph Roquit of Chatillon-sur-[illegible]; brother-of-the-bride and miller Chrétien Cender, 22, of Rigny-la-Salle; and uncle-of-the-bride Jean Cender, 40, a cultivator and resident of Écrouve.

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 18
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1844-67, Tazewell Co., IL
• Immigration: Abt 1840, Butler Co., OH
• Residence: 1841, Butler Co., OH
• Census: Jun 1860, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Naturalization: 22 Feb 1865, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: Aug 1870, Gridley, McLean Co., IL
• Residence: 1867-1872, Gridley Twp., McLean Co., IL
• Ordained: 1877, Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 10 Jun 1880, Boynton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1882-1889, Boynton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1889-1903, Decatur Co., KS
• Residence: 1906, Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE

Notes:

Obit: (Gospel Witness, December 1906)
BIRKEY.-Joseph Birkey was born in Germany, Mar. 19, 1828, and died near Shickley, Neb., Dec 6, 1906; aged 78y. 8m. 17d. On January 7, 1851, he was married to Mary Birkey. They lived in this relation for over fifty-five years. To this union were born nine children, three of whom have preceded him to the spirit world. Three sons, three daughters, fifty-three grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren are left to mourn their loss, but they mourn not as those who have no hope. Bro. Birkey was deacon in the Mennonite church for twenty-nine years and was faithful to the trust placed upon him. He was laid to rest on the 8th of December in the Salem cemetery. Funeral services were conducted by Christian Beller of this place and Jacob Stauffer and Joseph Rediger, of Milford, Neb. A great many people assembled to show their love and esteem to one who had lived in their midst and also to show their sympathy to the bereaved ones. As his body now rests in the grave we believe his soul is sweetly resting on the shores of eternal deliverance. Peace to his ashes.

“From 1889-1903 he served churches in Decatur and Sheridan Counties in Kansas, and in Nebraska, the Filmore congregation (now the Salem Mennonite Church).”

According to Harry F. Weber in Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois,
“Joseph was the youngest of the six sons and the smallest, and he was a man of over 6 feet in height and weighed over 200 pounds. In 1850, according to U.S. census files, Joseph Birkey was 22 years old and his brother Jacob was 24, and they were living with their brother John Birky in Tazewell County, Illinois.” From “A Brief Account of the History, Ancestry & Descendants of the John C. Birky Family.”

“The “E” (in Joseph’ name) was assumed by Joseph Birky in later years because there were many others with the name Joseph Birky.”

Birth:
Bavaria cited on his naturalization document

Census:
Burket with wife and five children

Naturalization:
Along with his brother Valentine, citing his birthplace as Bavaria

Census:
Burkey with wife and seven children

Ordained:
Deacon in Hopedale Mennonite Chuirch

Census:
Birky with wife and six children (Catherine married)

Residence:
Do not know when Joseph moved to NE

Buried:
Salem Cemetery

Joseph married Maria (Mary) Bircky (Birky) on 7 Jan 1851 in Tazewell Co., IL. Maria (daughter of Valentin (Valentine) Bircky (Birky) and Elisabeth Unzicker (Hunsiker)) was born on 19 Mar 1833 in Bavaria, GR; died on 28 Oct 1908 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE; was buried in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 19
• Religion: Amish
• USR1: Bright’s Disease
• Immigration: 21 Jun 1849, NY

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey.- Mary Birkey, wife of Joseph Birkey, died at her home near Shickly, Nebr., Dec. 28, 1908; aged 75 y. 9 m. 9 d. Her sickness was Bright's disease. Funeral services were conducted by Joseph Rediger and Jacob Stauffer.

Immigration:
Via Liverpool, on ship Minnesota

Buried:
Salem Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
By A. Ropp

Notes:

Buried:
Sommers Cemetery

Nicklos + Catharina Christner. Catharina was born on 14 Oct 1824 in Bavaria, GR; died on 25 Jan 1905 in OR; was buried in Albany, Linn Co., OR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Knox Butte Cemetery

Notes:

Then with Anna Gaucho: Parents of Magdalena, Joseph, Barbara, Daniel, Elizabeth, Samuel, Susanna, Jacob and Peter Wittrig.

Buried:
Funeral at the “Amish Church”, burial in Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Anna Nancy Gascho in 1849 in Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Joseph Gascho and Magdalena Ingold) was born on 8 Nov 1824 in Bavaria, GR; died on 7 Jan 1912 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Pneumonia

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, February 1912 - Volume IV, Number 45 - February 8, 1912 - page 723, 724)

"Anna Wittrig (maiden name Gascho), widow of Joseph Wittrig, died at the home of her daughter and son-in- law, C. H. Birkey, near Hopedale, Ill., Jan. 7, 1912, of pneumonia. She was taken sick on the day of the funeral of her grand-daughter, Emma Birky, and after an illness of two weeks she also went home; aged 87 y. 6 m. She was a member of the A. M. Church since her youth and remained faithful to the end. She leaves 5 sons, 4 daughters, and a large number of grandchildren, to mourn their loss, which is her gain. She was buried Jan. 9. Funeral sermons by J. C. Birky, Simon Litwiller and Dan Nafziger, all of Hopedale, Ill."

Birth:
Gravestone gives dates as 17 Jun 1824

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery