Joseph Schrag (Schrack)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Miller In Gondrexange and Imling, And At Rhodes (Bachat) At The Time Of Death
• Occupation: Unskilled Laborer In 1827 At Time Of Peter’s Marriage
• Religion: Amish
• Residence: 1797, Rhodes, Moselle, FR
• Residence: 1799-1807, Gondrexange, Moselle, FR
• Residence: 1811, Imling, Moselle, FR
• Residence: 1822, Rhodes, Moselle, FR
• Residence: 1826, Rhodes, Moselle, FR

Notes:

At the time of Joseph’s brother Jean’s marriage in 1797, he was living at Moulin Les Bachats near Rhodes. Bachats is attached to Rhodes, 9 km north of Gondrexange. There is a walled Anabaptist cemetery at the edge of town, bordering a cow pasture, where Pelsy, Esch, Abresol families, and more, are buried.

The 'ferme des Les Bachats' at Rhodes is still operational and maintains an inn. It is located on a peninsula in L'Étang de Stock (Stock Pond). A bachat is a feeding trough for cattle, indicating that it may have once been a dairy farm.

Joseph married his first wife, Marie Engel at Alzing farm near Gosselming in 1798. Very soon after they were living at Gondrexange, for their first and only child (Joseph, who lived only 5 years) was born there. Marie died there, possibly as a result of child birth complications. A second time Joseph went to Alzing to marry his second wife, Marie Neuhauser, but returned to Gondrexange to live and work. Their first three sons and one daughter (Anne, who evidently died as an infant) were born between 1801 and 1806.

Joseph and his wives could have lived at Domaine Ketzing for a time, a nobleman’s possession, who hired workers to farm and run the mill, blacksmith workers, brick kilns, etc., but this isn’t documented. Living quarters were provided in the woods some distance from the main chateaus. Today one can find a few foundation stones of buildings, and the remains of a well that served the workers. (2012) There was no persecution of Anabaptists during this time at Ketzing, as the Duke of Lorraine protected them. Today Ketzing is owned by an insurance company: a newer building is used for training seminars. The domaine is part of the forestry department and the chateaus provide lodging for hunters.

But more than likely the family lived at the mill in Gondrexange, since Joseph was the miller there for a number of years from about 1800 to 1811.

By 1811 the family had moved to Imling near Saarebourg. They lived at one of the three mills along the Saare River, Remeling, when their first daughter was born. The other two mills were Rimling, and Rot (Roth) (also called Rotmuhle). All three mills were situated side by side along the banks of the Saare. Eleven years later Joseph and Marie were back at Bachats, and were there in 1826. No doubt they lived there continuously until Joseph’s death in 1830. Marie was still living in 1826, but what happened to her after that is still unknown.

“Joseph Schrack, 33, miller, ...witnessed the civil birth record of Johannes Gascho, Born on 8 Jan, 1806, son of Joseph Gascho, lease-manager of the agricultural property called Canardiere in Gondrexange, and Katharina Swalter.”

“Gondrexange had two mills, one was sacred for the construction of the Marne-Rhine canal. It is logical that in a given period an Anabaptist was a miller. Joseph Schrag from Bellegarde, commune of Bistroff, had the mill turned from about 1800 to 1807. He was married to Marie Neuhauser who gave him several children in Gondrexange. Did he then go to Rhodes where he died in 1830?

“His sister Catherine, born in Oderfang, Saint-Avold, married the mill boy Joseph Oyer in 1804 and went to Niderhoff's mill. Joseph Schrag was probably replaced or was he in competition with André Schertz enumerated in 1809 as head of the family. He was the son of Christian Schertz and Elisabeth Reitiger. The only act that reveals his presence is his testimony at the death of his father at the age of 55 years.”

Birth:
Belgrade farm. Commune of Grostenquin. Belgerade (Bellegarde) farm was built around 1818 according to Jean-Claude Koffel.

Residence:
Living at Moulin les Bachats at time of brother Jean’s marriage.

Residence:
At the mill in Gondrexange where four children were born.

Residence:
Lived at the mill Remeling near Imling at the birth of Magdelaine in 1811, was still there in 1813 according to source 1056.

Residence:
Living at the mill at Bachats at time of Johannes and Catherine’s marriage

Died:
“On Apr. 5, 1830, Joseph Serack, 58, miller, a native of the farm called Belgrade [canton of Bistroff], Moselle, husband of Maria Neuhauser, died in Rhodes. The death was reported by son Peter Serack, 27, miller at Dompcevrin, Meuse.”
(Translation by NASL)


Buried:
Most probably in a burying ground on the farm/mill Bachats.

Joseph married Maria Engel on 13 Aug 1798 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR. Maria (daughter of Christian Engel and Catherine Marie Ritzieker (Regsecker) (Lithzieker)) was born in 1774 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; died about 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Maria Neuhauser about 1800 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR. Maria (daughter of Nicolas Christian Neuhauser and Catherine Marie Ritzieker (Regsecker) (Lithzieker)) was born about 1772-1773 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; died after 1826. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

“Today, 19 Prairial VII of the Republic [or June 7, 1799], before me, municipal agent of the commune of Gondrexange, canton of Réchicourt, department of Meurthe, appeared Joseph Scarg [sic], miller at the said Gondrexange, who, assisted by Jean-Baptiste Molnoy [spelling from signature], 44, and Pierre Adrian, 32, also of Gondrexange, declared that Marie Eingle, his wife, gave birth today, at 1 a.m., in his house in the said Gondrexange, to a male infant which he presented to me and to whom he has given the first name of Joseph.  After this declaration, which Jean-Baptiste Molnony and Pierre Adrian have certified conforms to the truth of the presentation of the infant named above, I, by virtue of the powers vested in me, have prepared the present document which Joseph Scrag [sic], the baby’s father, and the two witnesses have signed with me.  Done at Gondrexange, the year and day as given.  Signatures: Joseph Schrag, Adrian, J.B. Molnoy, and thiébeau.”
(Kindly note that the spelling of the first bureaucrat put in charge of civil record keeping at Gondrexange is atrocious, for common French words as well as for given names and surnames that are Germanic in origin. NASL)

“37. Year XIII of the Republic, the 20th day of the month of Pluviôse [20 Pluviôse XIII = Feb. 9, 1805], before us [the editorial we], mayor of the commune of Gondrexange, officer in charge of civil recordkeeping in the said commune, department of Meurthe, canton of Réchicourt and municipality of the said Gondrexange, appeared Joseph Schrack, the father, and François Thiebeau, who have declared to us [the editorializing plural again] that, the 20th of the current month, Joseph Schrack, aged five years and six months, son of Joseph Schrack and of Marie Eingle, living at Gondrexange, died the 20th of the present month of Pluviôse, about 4 p.m., in the house of the said Joseph Schrack, and those making the declaration signed the present document with us [ditto], after it had been read aloud to them.
Signatures: Joseph Schrag, François Thiebeau.”

Birth:
Probably at the mill in Gondrexange. 19 Prairial VII of the Republic (translated by NASL)

Died:
At age 5 yrs. 6 mo. (20 Pluviose XIII)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: In French
• Occupation: Farmer In Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL 1850-1875
• Occupation: Miller At Cheppe Near Dompcevrin In 1829
• Occupation: Miller In Butler Co., OH (And Perhaps Farmer?) 1832-1850 (Possibly worked with the Flenner mill, since his brother Peter lived at one time near the Flenner family.)
• Religion: Amish, Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1826, Blâmont, Moselle, FR
• Residence: 1829, Dompcevrin, Meuse, FR
• Residence: 1829, Cheppe, Dompcevrin, Meuse, FR
• Immigration: Spring 1831, Le Havre to Baltimore
• Residence: 1831, Lancaster Co., PA
• Census: 1840, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Naturalization: Sep 1844, Butler Co., OH
• Census: 1850, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1832-1850, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Census: Oct 1850, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Residence: Oct 1850, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Residence: Nov 1850, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1860, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 11 Aug 1870, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

“John Schrock, a native of Lorraine, was of German ancestry, but was educated in French, which he spoke like a native. He was wedded to a lady of Lorraine, Miss Catherine Saltsman, and when the couple were the parents of two children, Joseph and his sister Catherine, they came to America in 1831 leaving the port of Havre in the spring. The passage across the boisterous Atlantic consumed forty-four days. They at length disembarked in Baltimore, Md., very much fatigued from the hardships they had endured during the long journey. From there they went to Lancaster, Pa., and a year later, in 1832 removed to Ohio, and located on a farm which the father operated, and in connection with it rented a mill, which he managed very successfully, it being the business in which he was most proficient. While living in Butler County, Ohio, the family was increased by the addition of three children, namely: John, Peter and Magdalena, who were bright and intelligent, and their mature years have not disappointed the fond expectations, which their parents conceived of the little French-Americans. In the autumn of 1850, Mr. Schrock and his family removed to Tazewell County, Ill., and located near Pekin, taking up wild land, but subduing it by patient industry until at their decease they were surrounded by numbers of broad acres well cultivated and supporting numerous fine domestic animals. During life they were members of the old Amish Church, and died in that communion. The father entered into his rest in his seventy-fourth year and the mother in her fifty-seventh."

(Although the newspaper article said Johannas rented a mill, I’m wondering if in fact he might have managed a mill owned by the Flenner family. Daniel Flenner bought a mill site in 1812 and sold it in 1853, according to the book “Woodsdale’s Story” by Doris Page. Johannas and his family lived in that area during that time. Amishmen Iutzi and Augspurger are mentioned also in connection with the mill. (DB)
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Newspaper article 20 Apr 1935 (at event of son John’s death)
“...Back in Ohio lived Johannes Schrock, German born and also a follower of Menno. Schrock found Ohio pretty well settled, but from the Mennonites in mid-Illinois he heard of a growing new land where acres were cheap and crops were abundant. So Johannes Schrock with three horses, pushed through from Trenton, Ohio, to Pekin and looked at this new west. He liked it. He left one horse here and drove the other two back to the Buckeye state. Arriving, he told the anxious wife, who had been Katharina Salzman in her girlhood days in Germany, that they were moving to Illinois. To Joe, the oldest youth, was given the task of driving through with the horses and cattle and what goods they had. The father and mother took the rest of the family to Cincinnati where they took a boat down the Ohio to Cairo and up the Mississippi and Illinois to Pekin.

Joseph’s son, Jonathan, was later able to point out to his family an American elm tree along the road west of Bloomington where Joseph had camped under his wagon the last night of his trip from Ohio. He had the reputation of being an excellent marksman.
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“The [Johannes Schrock] family located in a log house on what is now the Allen Miller farm five miles east of Pekin. They were made at home by the Mennonites here and kindly neighbors; and because they were honorable and thrifty, they prospered.” ,
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Johannes and his family were counted in the 1850 Butler Co. census and were still there in October. They turn up in Tazewell in November. Land records seem to indicate John made a trip to Illinois prior to taking the family in November, since he had made arrangements to purchase land from the Niewkirk family before arriving. The sale was completed in December 1850. He likely stayed with the Christian Ackerman family and happened to be there when the census taker knocked and was counted again—twice in 1850!
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From John Garber information, Walter Ropp records:
“Danny Garber, whose death by blood poisoning followed a threshing accident, should come in about here. My old Uncle Christ Ropp, who remembered everything that ever happened around there, said that his grave was the first one in the Railroad Cemetery. John Schrock, six months older and much like him said, "I know your Uncle 'Crysthel' had an awful good memory but there's one time when he was mistaken. It was the third one." And now that they are both gone these twenty years, who is going to settle it!”

Bishop Samuel Gerber many times officiated at weddings and funerals of East Bend Mennonite Church members in the early 1900s. While living in Tazewell County, the Schrocks were surrounded by Gerbers and Ropps, including Bishop Samuel Gerber and Bishop Andrew Ropp. The families were obviously close neighbors and friends, and attended church together. So it was natural for both Bishops to be involved in the marrying and burying of these people, even after they had moved to Champaign County.

When Johannes and his family first lived in Tazewell Co., they probably worshipped in the old Railroad School just across the road from Johannes’ land. W. A. Ropp writes about the school: “This school was begun about 1840 and continued to operate until 1872 or 1873 ... about the year 1835, a company was organized to build a railway eastward from Pekin--the grade was finished nearly to Tremont when the panic of 1837 stopped the work. A primitive log school house was built near the newly-graded roadway and was named the Railroad school, altho there was no railroad within a hundred miles.

“Most of the land already had been taken up by settlers, for it consisted of some small, rich, open glades just lying round to let the sunshine in, and a good grade of timberland covered by a magnificent growth of hardwoods and elms--tall, straight and clean-trunked--that gave the township the name Elm Grove.

“The first settlers were families from a number of eastern states and several German families, immigrants from the Upper Rhine country... they said they were Amish. These folks came rapidly and bought out the earlier eastern settlers, so that by 1845 the neighborhood was predominantly German. Some of the early families were the Youngs, the Hodgsons, the Griggs, several Nieukirk families, three Garber families, six Ropp families, and the Unsickers, Sommers, Schrocks, Heisers, Kings, Yordys, Litwillers, Hochstettlers, Birkeys and a few others.“
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The only known photo of Johannes has sometimes been purported as his passport photo. However, according to Wikipedia: “In Europe, general peace between the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1815) and the beginning of WWI (1914), and development of railroads, gave rise to international travel by large numbers of people. Passports were not usually required; there were limited wars which caused some exceptions.” And, photos would not have been used in 1831--photography in its infant form came later--about 1839.
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Joseph Staker, in his discussion of the Schrock family, describes the land on which they settled: “The Schrocks (and Salzmans) lived on ‘ministerial’ land they had purchased from the State of Ohio. On Jan. 7, 1796, the Ohio Company set aside Section 29 in each of the ten townships of its second purchase for the support of religion. This set a precedent. When John Cleves Symmes made the Miami Purchase on Oct. 15, 1788, it included parts of Hamilton, Butler, and Warren counties. Congress approved his purchase but followed the earlier model by reserving Section 29 in each of the three counties for religious purposes. The State of Ohio was authorized by Congress in 1833 to sell or rent unused parts of each Section 29. The money from sales was invested, and churches within the boundaries of the original township received the interest and rent income until 1968.”
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In Ohio, the family worshipped with the Augspurger congregation, where Johannes’ brother, Peter, was a minister. This group was the more conservative of the two congregations near Trenton (the other being made up mostly of Hessian Christians who were more “liberal,” using buttons on their clothes rather than hooks and eyes). No doubt the Augspurger group followed the customs of kneeling for prayer and foot washing with communion, since the East Bend Mennonite Church in Champaign Co., Illinois, continued these customs well into the 1940s.
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John and his brother Peter, and Catherine’s father, Michael Salzman, purchased adjoining land in Section 29 of Lemon Township. In 1855 John sold 81+ acres to John Shertz.










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With regard to John Schrock in their household, John and his family were counted in the 1850 Butler Co. census and were still there in October. They turn up in Tazewell in November. Land records seem to indicate John made a trip to IL prior to taking the family in November, since he had made arrangements to purchase land from the Niewkirk family before arriving. The sale was completed in December 1850. He likely stayed with the Ackermans and happened to be there when the census taker knocked, and was counted twice in 1850.
Donna }

Birth:
Date is according to marriage record. Aug 17, 1801 has been used by Willard Smith.

His father Joseph was the miller at Gondrexange during the birth years of his first children, so Johannes was likely born at the mill in the village. No birth document has been found. Nearby Ketzing estate housed many Anabaptist farm workers, so there were probably connections between the Schrag family and other Anabaptists living at the estate, and perhaps products from the farm were processed at the Gondrexange mill.

Residence:
At time of his marriage was living in Blâmont

Residence:
Miller at Cheppe, Commune of Dompcevrin. The mill was destroyed in 1914 during the war, only ruins remain. More than likely lived at the farm Chanteraine.

Residence:
48°56'11.53'' N / 5° 29' 35.00'' E A small village next to Dompcevrin that included Cheppe mill.

Immigration:
On ship list name recorded as Jno. Gerrard. Family lore says the trip lasted 44 days.

Residence:
No information found about the family’s time in Lancaster Co., PA

Census:
#155 (Brother Peter was listed also at #155)

Naturalization:
Two men vouched for John Schrock: Michael Saltzmann and Jacob Taylor.


Census:
Counted again, John Shrock, age 50, being in the household of Christian Ackerman

Census:
House #1175, Family #1316

Residence:
Living with wife Catherine, Joseph, Catharine, Peter, John; next to the Michael Saltzman family

Residence:
Left Ohio to settle in Illinois

Census:
Page 176: John Shrock, age 60, farmer, b. France; John age 17, farmer, b. OH; Magdalene age 16, b. OH.

Census:
Page 18: John Schrack, age 70, farmer; Jacobine, age 53, keeping house, born in Baden.

The information below doesn’t belong to Johannes. Does it belong to his son John?
Real Estate valued at $8000, Personal Estate at $2000. Living in the same dwelling were John, Jr., age 30, farmer; Phoebe, age 24, keeping house; Peter 3; Catharine 2, and Daniel 5/12. This family was living next to Peter Unzicker family in dwelling 119.

Buried:
Railroad Cemetery (not documented, but the most likely)

Johannes married Catherine (Elisabeth) Salzman on 8 Apr 1826 in Blâmont, Moselle, FR. Catherine (daughter of Michael Salzman and Catherine Hirschy (Hergi Hirschine)) was born on 27 Oct 1804 in Sarralbe, Moselle, FR; died in Mar 1858 in Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johannes married Jacobina (Phebe) King on 1 Feb 1861 in McLean Co., IL. Jacobina (daughter of Johannes King and Jacobina “Phoebe” Reidiger) was born on 14 Sep 1814 in Baden, GR; died on 21 Mar 1896 in Livingston Co., IL; was buried on 23 Mar 1896 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Apprentice Miller At Robert-Espagne 1827. Miller At Cheppe Near Dompcevrin, Meuse 1828
• Occupation: Farmer In Butler Co., OH
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Paralytic Stroke
• Residence: 1828-1830, Dompcevrin, Meuse, FR
• Immigration: 1831, Baltimore, MD
• Ordained: 1832, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Residence: 1832, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• PURC: 22 Mar 1845, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Census: 1850, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• Naturalization: 8 Oct 1855, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH
• PURC: 1 Apr 1856, Butler Co., Lemon Twp., OH

Notes:

Obit: HERALD OF TRUTH - October 15, 1887 - pp 318,319
SCHROCK. - At his home in Trenton, Butler County , Ohio, father Peter Schrock of a paralytic stroke brought on by old age, aged 85 years, 2 months and 20 days. He was faithful member of the Amish Mennonite Church, whose biblical teachings were his delight and guide until the close of a life which had reached beyond the scriptural limit. He leaves a wife, one son, eighteen grandchildren and one great - grandchild. His former wife, two sons and five daughters preceded him. The funeral services were held at the Mennonite Church by Pre. Werri, J. Yoder and P. Kinsinger.

Eight children were born to Peter and Magdalena, none to the second wife, Magdalena Rediger.

Peter served as a minister while living in Butler Co., OH. When the local church divided in 1835 over friction brought about by German Hessians arriving on the scene, Peter Schrock and Jacob Augspurger remained with the Augspurger group. Peter held meetings in his brick home and his descendants still call the front room of the home the “church room.” In 1863 a meeting house was built in St. Clair Township on Gephart Road. At about the same time the Hessian group was incorporated as the Apostolic Mennonite Society and they purchased land on Wayne-Madison road from John Good to be used for a church site and cemetery. Both meeting houses stood into the 1900s and the cemetery is still used today. After separating in 1835, the two congregations merged again in 1897.

In 1862 Peter attended the first Diener-Versammlung in Wayne Co., OH, where 400-500 people from up to 900 miles apart attended. On the agenda was the proper manner of baptism, the role of deacon, and the particular Butler County friction about luxurious dressing, musical instruments and worldly entertainment--all of which were voted as not permitted.

Peter's grandson, Homer, gave Willard Smith information about Peter's descendants. He is known as H.H. Schrock Implement Dealer, 801 Yankee Road, Middletown, Ohio, living in Butler County Ohio, where Peter first made his home. According to descendant, Jim Schrock, Peter established Fairview Farm (on SR63 between Monroe and LaSwordsville) about 1833, as that date was on the barn at the property. The farm and buildings no longer exist.

Among the records kept by Peter’s descendants, there appears the following 1916 recipe for beer:
5 gal water 6 oz hops Boil 1 hr. - 5 gal water 2 qts malt extract and 2 lb sugar Boil 20 min and cool to 60 add 3 cakes of year and ferment 48 hrs. Bottle as soon as fermented color w/2 oz carmel to 5 gal.

Peter had requested in his will that no appraisement be made of his estate, but on 1 Oct 1887, Executor’s Letters from the Judge of Butler Co. ordered that an appraisement be made. Among other items in Peter’s personal estate and property (made by John Good, F. Weaver, and Joseph Eicher) were the following:

Buggy, wagon jack, wheel barrow and ladder; tools; barrels, boxes and kegs; 19 bushel ear corn at .40 cts per bu. and 11 bu oats at .30 cts.

Loans due the estate included $370 from Sam’l Augspurger, with the notation “doubtful collection.”
Peter Schrock, Jr. and John Augspurger each owed $5000 (being a part of the purchase money on real estate sold by order of court).

Birth:
Probably at the mill in Gondrexange. (26 prairial an 10)
“The birth of Pierre Schrack, son of Joseph Schrack, miller, and Marie Neuhauser, took place on 26 Prairial X which should be converted to June 15, 1802, according to the most reliable conversion chart. The boy was born at 3 a.m., and the father dutifully registered the birth with local civil authorities later that very same day by carrying the newborn to the mayor's office. The two mandatory witnesses were not Anabaptists, and neither was a miller like the father. This tells me that the Schrack family may have been recruited to town to run the local mill -- there had to be a good source of water available -- and found themselves isolated from fellow believers, who, if available, would have been recruited by preference to witness the document. (Neil Ann Stuckey Levine)



Residence:
First two children were born here

Immigration:
Arrived in the spring with wife and first two children, along with brother Johannes and his family, and the Michael Salzman family. Included in the group was Jacob and Betsy (perhaps Barby?) Zimmerman, who were likely his wife’s parents.

Ordained:
Amish congregation, served after Bishop Krehbiel retired.

PURC:
After fulfilling two lease agreements for the then Ministerial Lands (first leased the south 81+ acres on 5 Jan 1829, then leased the north 81+ acres on 23 Mar 1833) Peter purchased from the State of Ohio the 162 76/100 acres he called Fairview Farm. This farm was sold in 1988 and no longer exists. It was on Rt. 63 (Formally R.R. #1 and the Hamilton Lebanon Rd.), Middletown, Lemon Township, once in view of LeSourdsville that lay to the west.

Census:
John Forney was living with the Peter Schrock family.

PURC:
Purchased 210 acres from Samuel and Susan Hull that was Woodsdale farm. The presend day address is 4870 Augspurger Rd., Hamilton, St. Clair Township. The home and bank barn can be seen from the highway on high ground overlooking the Great Miami River.

Died:
Gravestone date. Probate recording of his will says he died the 10th day of September 1887

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery #20 (Date supplied by Jim Schrock)

Peter married Marie Zimmerman on 25 Aug 1827 in Robert-Espagne, Meuse, FR. Marie (daughter of Jacob Zimmermann and Elisabeth Becker (Becher,baechler?)) was born on 17 Apr 1801 in Emmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, GR; died on 31 Dec 1862 in Trenton, Butler Co., OH; was buried in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Magdalena Rediger after 1868 in Butler Co., OH. Magdalena (daughter of Christian Reidiger and Magdalena Stalter) was born on 25 Oct 1829 in Hengstbach, Zweibrücken, GR; died on 23 Apr 1896 in Gridley, McLean Co., IL; was buried on 26 Apr 1896 in Gridley, McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Cholera
• Residence: 1828, Dompcevrin, Meuse, FR
• Immigration: 1830
• Residence: Abt 1835-1840, Butler Co., OH
• Census: 1850, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Andrew was in America by 1835 when his first child was born, but even though various descendants give his immigration date as either 1830 or 1831, Andrew’s name is not on the Baltimore ship list as traveling with his brothers Johannes and Peter in 1831.

“Andrew and Anna lived about four miles west of Washington (Section 18?), Tazewell Co., IL. They had to drive or walk approximately ten miles to take a ferry to get to Peoria. He started to build a large brick home, but passed away before it was finished. Children Andrew and Mary, who were young, carried all the brick for this home, which is still standing with little repair.

“One night Andrew, Sr. stayed with a neighbor who had cholera. The same night he became sick with cholera and died before morning, leaving a family of small children, the oldest sixteen, the youngest was born after his death. One of the children in later years finished the large brick home, using the original plans, half of the second story was planned to be used for church services.

“The Schick farm joined the Schrock farm and near these farms lies an old cemetery where the Andrew Schrocks and Joseph Schicks are believed to be buried.”


The guardianship bond (for $10,00) for Andrew’s children, dated 10 Aug 1857, reads as follows:
Know all Men by these Presents, That we Anna Schrock, Peter Guth, Johannes Schrock and Joseph Schrock...for the use of Anna Schrock, Andrew Schrock, Mary Schrock, Peter Schrock and Madaline Schrock, minor heirs of Andrew Schrock, late of said County, deceased....

Document contains signatures of Peter Guth and Johannes Schrag (Anna’s brothers-in-law), Joseph Schrock, her nephew; and the mark of Anna Oyer Schrock.

Birth:
Probably at the mill in Gondrexange. NASL: Messidor XII or July 3, 1804. Witness to Andrew’s birth record: Antoine Bouquely 36 years old, maçon (stone mason); second witness Hubert Barthelemy 40 years old, both living in Gondrexange.

Translation of birth document by Neil Ann Levine: (confirmed 18 Apr 2011):

Mayor's office in Gondrexange, arrondissement of Sarrebourg, 14 Messidor XII of the French Republic [July 3, 1804], birth certificate of André Schrack, born the same day, about 8 a.m., son of Joseph Schrack, miller, and Marie Neyehouser, living at the said Gondrexange. The sex of the infant has been recognized to be male. The baby has been presented to me by the witnesses, Antoine Honquet [spelling taken from the man's signature], 36, mason, and Hubert Barthelemy, 40, school teacher, both living in the said Gondrexange. And following the declaration made to me by Joseph Schrack, father of the child, they have signed [the document]. Prepared according to law by me, Joseph Thiébeau, mayor of the community (commune) of Gondrexange, serving as public official for recording vital statistics of citizens (l'état civil).

Residence:
Was witness there to birth of brother Peter’s son Peter.

Immigration:
according to F. S. Unzicker letter to H. H. Schrock

Residence:
The first four children were born in Ohio, but the fifth was born in 1843 in Illinois.

Census:
#203 Andrew Schrock, age 45, born Germany, farmer, $2000
Ann, age 35, b. Germany; Joseph 15, b. OH; Susan 13, b.OH; Anna 10, b. OH; Andrew 7, b. IL; Mary 5, b. IL; Peter 1, b. IL.

Buried:
Guth Cemetery (located along the road in Sunnyland Plaza) Sunnyland, 8 Bridgate St, on Route 8. Guth Cemetery
http://graveyards.com/graveyard/?id=3497
http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/tazewell/zGuth.html
(See Mennonite Heritage December 1976 for list of interments)

André married Anna Oyer in 1830 in Turquestein, Meurthe, FR. Anna (daughter of Jacob Oyer and Suzanne Shertz) was born on 31 Aug 1815 in Niderhoff, Moselle, FR; died after 1877. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Although no death document has been found to date, Anne could have died as a child, but she also could have been on the immigration ship to Baltimore, as there is a 27-year-old Anne on the manifest with Marie. There is no information in America about them up to this point that has been found.

Birth:
Birth record gives names of parents as Joseph Serach and Marie “Reiscker.”

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Cholera
• Immigration: 1831, Baltimore, MD
• Residence: Abt 1832, Wayne, Ashtabula Co., OH
• Residence: Aft 1832, Butler Co., OH
• Residence: 1838, Congerville, Montgomery Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Magdalena and Christian lived in the country near what became Congerville, Woodford Co., IL. They had eight children.The parents and three children died of cholera, five survived. (One source includes a daughter Nancy, b. 1840 in Congerville, who died of cholera.)

“Early medical works and other accounts unite in stating that its (cholera) characteristic symptoms were first, extreme and greatly offensive purging, soon followed by vomiting and severe muscular cramping, rapidly terminating in a complete physical collapse, which very few of its victims ever survived. It was said if the patient could survive the collapse stage, his chances for recovery were very good, but only an extremely small number withstood this terrible physical strain. the pioneer physicians applied the name ‘rice-water evacuations’ to the first stage.”

Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, April 1930: “…Then came next the worst and most extensive of all the local cholera outbreaks, that of July and August, 1855. The total number of deaths of this period will never be known, and can only be approximated.”
——————————————————
"Husband, Christian, died 2 Aug 1855 of cholera, in his log cabin home. Three days later Magdalena died, 5 Aug, followed by the death of her nineteen year old daughter Barbara, and a few hours later by her six year old son John. These deaths left four orphaned children, who were placed in separate homes. What trauma the surviving children must have suffered.

“Grandfather’s brother, Joseph, was made administrator over the family and at various times the children related the good care they received from their Uncle Joe...Uncle Joe Smith looked after the needs of the family often supplying them with choice meats which commanded very little price on the market. Their Uncle Valentine Maninger, being a cobbler, provided boots for the family and their clothing was largely home-spun.”

"The Lydia Oyer material says that Magdalena Schrock Smith died on the Saturday following her husband's death. The perpetual calendar shows that to be August 4. There has been much discrepancy about these dates of death. This family is listed on p. 124 of Milo Custer's Asiatic Cholera in Central Illinois, 1834-1873". Journal of Illinois State Historical Society 23 (April 1930): 113-162. Others who died in the same community were John Lantz (August 5), Jonas Kaufman (August 6) and Bishop Daniel Zehr (August 11).


From the Magdalena Schrock presentation June 2010 at Schrock Immigrant Day in Metamora, IL: Great Great Grandma Mary Oyer's account:

“…all four [died] of cholera in a short space of time, from Wednesday afternoon when Grandpa [died.] [He] contracted it in Bloomington the day before. There was a funeral for him on Thurs. - the rest all well yet, but by Sat. night Grandmother went at 12 o'clock and Barbara a half hour later and John, 6 yrs. old Monday morning at 3 o'clock. No funeral held for them. The rest all sick with cholera. Those who took sick at Grandpa's funeral were Andrew Schrock, Grandma's brother and Mrs. Ulrich. …This is the way my father gave it more than once and said how sad it was for them.”

Birth:
Father, Joseph Schrag, living at the mill Remeling, between Saarebourg and Imling. Mother’s name given as Marie Rixsiker (surname of her stepmother, Catherine Marie Rugsegger.) Jean-Claude Koppel in his 2017/18 book says Magdalena was born at the Rotmhule in Sarrebourg, but birth record says the family was living at the mill Remeling. Perhaps they are one and the same.

Immigration:
The ship list with Johannes and Peter and families lists Madeleine Gerrard, 19, within the Schrag families that arrived in Baltimore in 1831.


Residence:
Lived on the acreage of her brother Peter

Buried:
Probably on unnamed cemetery on their land. (Congerville, McLean Co?)

Magdalena married Christian Smith (Schmitt) about 1833 in Wayne, Ashtabula Co., OH. Christian (son of Joseph Schmitt and Freni (Veronique) Gerber) was born on 31 May 1810 in Bisping, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; died on 2 Aug 1855 in Congerville, Montgomery Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Joe Staker Says Cholera. I Find No Source For That. Could be from child birth.

Notes:

From an unpublished manuscript written by Verna Belsly in the 1980-90s. }

Birth:
Before 1819. Birth date could be earlier than 1815 if she married in France, but the probability is that they married in Ohio.

Buried:
Belsley-Kamp Cemetery

Barbara married Joseph “Red Joe” Belsly before 1834 in Butler Co., OH?. Joseph (son of Christian Pelsy and Catherine Verkler (Wirckler)) was born on 28 May 1802 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR; died on 24 Dec 1872 in Spring Bay, Washington Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Worth Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite Then Apostolic Christian
• Immigration: 30 Apr 1831, Baltimore, MD

Notes:

“Joseph Schrock, a well-to-do and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Montgomery Township is located on section 22. The village of Congerville, which was begun in the spring of 1888, is situated on a portion of his farm.* He owns about 320 acres of land, which is divided into two farms. Some of this land was bought in 1864, in which year he first came to this county, buying wild land and improving it with fences, trees, buildings, etc., and as fortune smiled upon him, purchasing more land, which he also improved until he is now very comfortably situated. Before coming to Montgomery Township, he resided some seven years in Roanoke Township, which was the second place in which he had located after coming to the state of Illinois in 1850.

“...reared in Butler County, Ohio, and attended the common schools of the district through the winter, and in the summer assisted on the farm and in the mill, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of agricultural matters, and getting a good insight into business transactions while an employee in his father's mill. He was of legal age, but unmarried, when he came to this state. While a resident of Tazewell County, he was united in marriage with the lady of his choice, Miss Magdalena Guingerich, a country-woman of his....” ,

“Mr. and Mrs. Schrock are good, intelligent German people, industrious, thrifty, and provident, and although not mingling in political matters, yet make excellent citizens, and are worthy members of the New Amish Church.” (Apostolic Christian)

According to Illinois Public Land Purchase Records found at Ancestry.com, Joseph Guingerich purchased 20,000 acres of land between Oct 1861 and Mar 1869, paying $224,000.

Joseph Guingerich, his father-in-law, along with Peter Farni, built a mill in Woodford County (near Farnisville, Mackinaw River area).

The first Joseph and Magdalena Schrock reunion was held in 1949. Several Pekin Schrocks and Tillman Smith attended, but did not return other years. So it became known as the Jonathan Schrock reunion.

*The History of Congerville (page 10, 17) tells the story of the town’s original intention of being named Schrock and the ultimate decision to name it Congerville.

Birth:
In Dompcevrin, Meuse, France where his sister was born. However, Frederic Schwindt says he was not born in the village of Dompcevrin, but at some other place within the broader territory of Dompcevrin.

Immigration:
Information from quarterly listing of Baltimore arrivals. Exact date and ship are unknown.

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Cemetery (Dells)

Joseph married Magdalena Guingerich on 8 Jun 1852 in Tazewell Co., IL. Magdalena (daughter of Joseph Gingerich and Magdalena Guerber) was born on 29 Nov 1830 in Enroute To America, at sea; died on 29 Nov 1922 in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 30 Apr 1831, Baltimore, MD
• Census: 1860, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Catherine’s gravestone has “Katherine” as the first name spelling, however, the birth document spells it with a C.

After her husband’s death, Catherine signed her right to administer Joseph’s estate to her brother Peter. The Schrock family remembers that Peter cared for his sister and her children in some manner until Catherine married her second husband about a year later in March of 1865.

Birth:
NASL: On Dec 18, 1829, Catherine Gerard was born to Jean Gerard, 28, miller at Cheppe, and his wife Catherine Saltzmann, 26; neither witness was a relative; the document was filed on the day of birth, which took place at 4 a.m.

Immigration:
With her parents and brother

Census:
Farmer Joseph Oyer, 39, France; Catharine, 29, France; and four more children born in Illinois.

Census:
Christian and Catherin Kauffman

Died:
Gravestone gives death date as May 16, 1893

Buried:
Old Apostolic Cemetery (or Kaufman Cemetery) name is Katharina Kaufman on stone

Catherine married Joseph Oyer about 1848 in OH Or IL. Joseph (son of Johannes “Hans”/Jean Oyer and Catherine Kennel) was born in 1820 in LaGarde, Chateau Salins, Moselle, FR; died on 3 Apr 1864 in Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Christian Kaufmann on 12 Mar 1865 in Tazewell Co., IL. Christian (son of Joseph Kauffman and Barbara Wenger) was born on 25 Jan 1825 in Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg, GR; died on 26 Dec 1908 in Minier, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On a Revised 1973/83 listing of the Mennonite Cemetery in Butler Co., OH, by Hazel Neubrander, there is a notation for Lot #48, “Two Unknown Children died migrating west.” It is the only such notation on the list, and thus one could assume that Johannes and his sister, Jacobine, were the two children.

However, an earlier burial ground on the farm of Jacob Augsperger is a more likely burial place for the children.

Notes:

On a Revised 1973/83 listing of the Mennonite Cemetery in Butler Co., OH, by Hazel Neubrander, there is a notation for Lot #48 “Two Unknown Children died migrating west.” It is the only such notation on the list, and thus one would assume that perhaps Johannes and his sister, Jacobina, were the two children.

However, an earlier burial ground on the farm of Jacob Augsperger is a more likely burial place for the children.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Railroad School?
• Occupation: Farmer, beekeeper
• Religion: Amish Mennonite. Attended A Methodist Church in Pekin After Marriage And Before Moving To Fisher.
• USR1: Chronic Interstitial Nephritis (Kidney Failure)
• Residence: 1850, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 27 Jul 1860, Malone Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1862, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1864, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: Abt 1890, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1898, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• PURC: 1904, Fairview, MI
• Residence: 1905, Fairview, MI
• Residence: 1907-1922, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obituary: Gospel Herald, 20 April 1922, pg 63
Schrock.--Peter Schrock was born, Aug. 1, 1839; died at his home in Fisher, Ill., April 5, 1922; aged 82 y. 8 m. 5 d. He was united in marriage to Anna Garber Jan. 8, 1860, who preceded him in death twenty years ago. To this union 8 children were born. Two preceded him in death. He leaves 6 children, 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 brother. He accepted Christ as his Savior while young and united with the Mennonite Church. He was a faithful member until death. Funeral services were conducted April 7, by Bro. S. S. Zehr and Bro. Sam Gerber. Text, Gal. 2:20.
—————————
“Peter Schrock had long, white whiskers and told one of his grandsons, "You'd be a fine feller if you'd let your whiskers grow." After Peter got older he would sit in his big chair in the sitting room with his spittoon by his chair. He had a jack knife with the words "Peter Schrock, Fisher, Illinois" made in the handle. He used this to cut his chewing tobacco. He also whittled a great deal. Peter raised pigs and kept bees--from 10-15 hives. Peter wasn't able to establish himself as a prosperous farmer like his brother Joseph, or a successful businessman like his brother John, but he left a legacy of compassion and kindness to his descendants.

“Sometime around 1885-1890 a real estate agent appeared in Fisher and persuaded Peter and his two sons, Samuel and Joseph, to buy some uncleared timberland in Fairview, Michigan [village of Mio nearby]. Peter went ahead and sometime later Sam and Joe and their families chartered a freight car and moved to Michigan. Sam and Joe, their livestock and furniture, rode in the freight car and the women (evidently including Lena and Ella) and children rode in a passenger car.

“The Schrocks managed to clear a few acres of land and planted it to Buckwheat. They had the buckwheat ground for pancakes at the mill in Mio. There were beautiful big rainbow and speckled trout in great abundance in the Au Sable river about on and one-half or two miles south of their house...Fish and buckwheat cakes were two important items in the Schrocks’ diet....On the north side of the small buckwheat field was the Sam Schrock house and on the south side of the field was the Joe Schrock house....Pete’s father [Sam], mother and oldest sister Katie worked for other people whenever they could to make a little money. Ellen would help when there was a new baby in the community or when extra help was needed with housework, etc.”

“After a few years Peter moved back to his home in Fisher, IL; Joseph and his family moved to Defiance, OH; and Samuel and his family moved to CO.”

















—————
Then, in the January Term A.D. 1919, Circuit Court, Champaign County, IL: George Bowman, Emma Van Dorn and Lucinda Lady, vs. a large number of persons named, including Peter and Anna Schrock; re who is the owner of real estate as follows:
The East Half (1/2) of the Southeast Quarter (1/4) of Section Thirty-one (31), and the West Half (1/2) of the Northwest Quarter (1/4) of the South west Quarter (1/4) of Section Thirty-two (32), all in Township Twenty two (22) North, Range Eight Eight (8), East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Champaign County, Illinois.

The three complaintants say their mother purchased the land in 1904 from John Zehr, and John Zehr had purchased the property from Austin E. Troutman in 19 from a whitacker01; and that Troutman had purchased the land from Peter Schrock in 1900; and that Peter Schrock had acquired title to the said lands by purchase thereof from Geo. S. VanHouten, the owner at that time, in 1893, and that Geo. S. VanHouten acquired title through various conveyances running in an unbroken line duly filed for record from the United States government, with the exception of a deed executed by Thomas Gile who originally entered said land from the United States Government in 1836.}

Census:
Page 261, Dwelling 1902: Peter Shrock age 21, farmer b. OH; Anna age 20, b. OH. (See map at http://www.tcghs.org/images/mp1857LLLG.jpg)

Residence:
Received mail in Fisher from Eureka

PURC:
Bought timbered land

Residence:
Moved family there in the spring of the year. This was noted in a letter from John Schrock (who stayed in Fisher) to Jonathan Schrock in Congerville, dated Sept 12, 1905.

Residence:
Moved back to the house in Fisher and remained until death

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery (Amish Mennonite Cemetery). Undertaker was L. C. Wade of Fisher. Funeral service by S. Zehr and Samuel Gerber

Peter married Anna (Nancy) Garber on 8 Jan 1860 in Tazewell Co., IL. Anna (daughter of John Garber and Eva Caroline Paithe) was born on 30 Apr 1839 in PA; died on 3 Feb 1902 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 5 Feb 1902 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• HIST: ILLINOIS RAILROADS IN 1901 (including Chicago-based) Source: "HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS" © 1901 ©Transcribed by Kim Torp http://genealogytrails.com/ill/cook/railroads.html CHICAGO, PEORIA & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD COMPANY NY (of Illinois), a corporation operating two lines of railroad, one extending from Peoria to Jacksonville, and the other from Peoria to Springfield, with a connection from the latter place (in 1895), over a leased line, with St. Louis. The total mileage, as officially reported in 1895, was 208.66 miles, of which 166 were owned by the corporation. (1) The original of the Jacksonville Division of this line was the Illinois River Railroad, opened from Pekin to Virginia in 1859. In October, 1863, it was sold under foreclosure, and, early in 1864, was transferred by the purchasers to a new corporation called the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad Company, by whom it was extended the same year to Peoria, and, in 1869, to Jacksonville. Another fore closure, in 1879, resulted in its sale to the creditors, followed by consolidation, in 1881, with the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. (2) The Springfield Division was incorporated in 1869 as the Springfield & Northwestern Railway; construction was begun in 1872, and road opened from Springfield to Havana (45.20 miles) in December, 1874, and from Havana to Pekin and Peoria over the track of the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville line. The same year the road was leased to the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad Company, but the lease was forfeited, in 1875, and the road placed in the hands of a receiver. In 1881, together with the Jacksonville Division, it was transferred to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and by that company operated as the Peoria & Springfield Railroad. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific having defaulted and gone into the hands of a receiver, both the Jacksonville and the Springfield Divisions were reorganized in February, 1887, under the name of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, and placed under control of the Jacksonville Southeastern Railroad. A reorganization of the latter took place, in 1890, under the name of the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. Louis Railway, and, in 1893, it passed into the hands of receivers, and was severed from its allied lines. The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad remained under the management of a separate receiver until January, 1896, when a reorganization was effected under its present name - "The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois." The lease of the Springfield & St. Louis Division having expired in December, 1895, it has also been reorganized as an independent corporation under the name of the St. Louis, Peoria & Northern Railway (which see). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoria,_Pekin_and_Jacksonville_Railroad#History
• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Stroke
• Residence: 1903 / 20 Apr 1935, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Newspaper article

”The founder of a great family died in Pekin today: John Schrock, of 714 South Ninth Street. He was the father of twelve children, eleven of whom survive along with 25 other descendants; but only one of the 36 is left to carry on the good name of Schrock.
“Religion brought this grand old man to Pekin. Back in the Vaterland a man named Menno Simon founded a religion which has brought honor upon him and to this day they call his followers “Mennonites.” A century ago there was a group of them around Pekin among them the Ropp families.
“Johannes Schrock was eight years old in 1851 when the family came to Pekin, for he had been born March 26, 1843. That trip was often recalled by Mr. Schrock; and the older he became the better he remembered those days of children; and the less he recalled the fleeting things of yesterday. The family located in a log house on what is now the Allen Miller farm five miles east of Pekin. They were made at home by the Mennonites here and kindly neighbors; and because they were honorable and thrifty, they prospered.
“As John grew older he worked out in saw mills, grist mills, and brick yards. He could do a tremendous day's work, even in the days when a big day's work was expected of all men. He himself carried from the saw mill every tie and plank for the first bridge over the river here--the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville R.R. bridge. Three men would be assigned to such a job nowadays and work only half as many hours. They told of him that he could cut with an axe and rack five cords of wood in a day. Four men wouldn't want to do that today.
“On December 3, 1865, he married Barbara Rediger and the two established one of the most respected homes in the county. Twelve children were born to them, and all but the last (who died in infancy) live today to mourn the passing of the father. They are: Peter Schrock, Pekin; Mrs. Katherine Ropp, Pasadena, Calif.; Daniel Schrock, Pekin; Bina Schrock, Pekin; Mrs. Sarah Ringwald, Pekin; Mrs. Ida Gueber, Pekin; Frances Schrock, Pekin; Edward Schrock, Pekin; John W. Schrock, Pekin; Mrs. Belle Thode, Pasadena; Mrs. Barbara Heisel, Pekin; and Aaron Lester, deceased.
"In 1876, Mr. Schrock bought the home east of Pekin in which the first child born in that home still lives. He is Edward Schrock, president of the Farm Bureau. The family looks to it as the old family home.
"In 1903, the sons built a nice home at 714 South Ninth Street for the parents and they moved to town. There they lived in comfort. Mrs. Schrock died on Aug. 3, 1911. Although Mr. Schrock was near 70 then, he has clung to life for 24 years more. He was a man of excellent character, good habits, and moral strength, and to this is attributed his long years. Three years ago on his 89th birthday, he spaded in his garden. On his 90th birthday the family gathered for a great reunion and celebration, but he took pneumonia that day. None expected him to survive; but he lived; and he even weathered another attack of pneumonia this winter. Even till yesterday he was up; but two strokes had weakened him and death came to him quietly at 7:15 this morning in his 93rd year.
"Death of Mr. Schrock removes one of the links with Pekin's pioneer past. He lived in the day when pigeons came in flocks that shut out the sun; when wild turkey were in abundance; and deer were to be shot in the woods. The turn of his life has seen the coming of the modern age; but thru it all there has been no change in the fact that a man of honor and honest and clean living thrives best. His children today rise up to bless his memory.
“Memorial services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Noel’s. Friends may call at the residence till 11 a.m. It is asked that no flowers be sent. Burial will be at Lakeside cemetery.,

“The Pekin centenary 1849-1949: a souvenir book commemorating 100 years of community progress in the city of Pekin, Illinois”
http://www.archive.org/stream/pekincentenary1800peki/pekincentenary1800peki_djvu.txt

“Meanwhile, Pekin's growth became faster and faster. In 1858, Bitzer' s lake was drained to make right-of-way for the new Peoria, Pekin and Jacksonville railroad (later the Chicago, Peoria and St. Louis, and today the Chicago and Illinois Midland). The depot was built up on piling where Bitzer' s lake had been, and much of the track there was tresteled. The 16-foot ravine cutting across the river front area was filled, and the bridge over it destroyed. The city had subscribed $100,000 to get the railroad and other improvements.”

Residence:
714 So. 9th. St.

Died:
7:15 a.m.

Buried:
Lakeside Cemetery, ministers Rev. Geo Gundy of Meadows and E.V. Young, pastor of the First M.E. church, Pekin. Mrs. A. B. Shacklette presided at the organ and Dick Groen, soloist sang “Lead Kindly Light,”, “Crossing the Bar,” “Old Rugged Cross,” and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.” Pallbearers were Edward Schrock, Herbert Ropp, Lawrence Gueber, Roland Heisel, Maurice Ringwald, Ernest Saal and Clyde McQueen.

John married Barbara Rediger on 3 Dec 1865 in Pekin Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Joseph Rediger and Anna Schmidt) was born on 29 May 1844 in Washburn, Woodford Co., IL; died on 3 Aug 1911 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried on 5 Aug 1911 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Census: 1880, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1890, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1920, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Died:
Year - grave stone reading. Exact day - According to the Eureka Times, a weekly paper, she died between February 26 and March 5.

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery (see photo)

Magdalena married Joseph Yoder on 18 Dec 1866 in Meadows, McLean Co., IL. Joseph was born on 18 Dec 1841 in Munich, Bavaria, GR; died on 18 Jun 1928 in Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• Immigration: 1831, Baltimore, MD

Notes:

May 1867 HofT OBIT of son Christian?: “ On the 5th of April, in Butler Co., of consumption, CHRISTIAN, son of Peter SCHRACK, aged 18 years, 6 months, and 29 days. He was buried on the 7th. C. G)

Birth:
NASL: “On Dec. 5, 1828, at midnight, in Dompcevrin, Meuse, Peter Garard was born to Peter Gerard, 27, miller at the mill in Cheppe outlying Dompcevrin, and Maria Zimmermann (“Semarmane”), 23; the corroborating witness was André Gerard, 23, living at the same mill in Cheppe, paternal uncle of the newborn; the civil birth record is dated the following day.”

Immigration:
with his sister and parents

Buried:
Trenton Mennonite Cemetery #30

Peter married Elizabeth K. (Lizzie) Augsburger on 13 Mar 1856. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Augsburger and Magdalena Elisabeth Kennel) was born on 26 Jan 1837; died on 28 Aug 1874 in Trenton, Butler Co., OH; was buried in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Elizabeth Augspurger on 14 Jan 1875 in Butler Co., OH. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Augspurger and Magdalena Elizabeth Augspurger) was born on 27 Aug 1844; died on 16 Feb 1912. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Magdalena’s two sisters, Maria and Frana, came to Illinois from Ohio for a visit. None of the three sisters were well, and Frana’s illness ended in death. Soon after this Magdalena and Arthur moved back to Butler Co., OH, to be with the Schrock family. After Arthur’s death Magdalena took her four small children to live at Fairview farm, but later she moved into a house owned by Peter in Trenton. She managed to send the two oldest boys to the Mennonite school in Wadsworth, Ohio--a school conducted in German for young men of eighteen and older.

In the fall of 1877 Magdalena became ill and died in January of 1878 after a lingering illness. Peter K. Augsburger was administer of the estate, and the family possessions were auctioned. Appraisers were F. V. Weaver, Philip Burger, and John V. Good. There were debts owed to the estate by John Schrock (Note dated Feb 10, 1879 for $450; and one dated Feb 28, 1879 for $130.40)--probably Magdalena’s brother. Some purchasers listed were: Peter Schrock, Samuel K. Augspurger, Daniel K. Augspurger, John K. Augspurger, Joseph Augspurger, George and Herman Augspurger, Jacob A. Augspurger, Joseph Rupp, Mrs. John Schrock, John Schrock, W. Kennel, John Salzman.

After their mother’s death the three older boys started out to make their own livings and the younger children became the wards of William B. Jotter. Anna went to live with the Peter K. Augspurger family, and Mary went into the home of a family named Bender.

Birth:
NASL: On June 7, 1830, Magdalena Gerard was born to Peter Gerard, 26, miller at Cheppe, and Maria Zimmermann (“Semarmane”), 25, at 1 a.m.; neither witness was related to the father (ni parens ni allies au pere) by birth or marriage; the record was filed on the day the birth took place. [The ages for Peter Gerard are as given in the records.]

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery #31

Magdalena married Joseph Arthur (Otto) Salzman on 13 Nov 1853 in Butler Co., OH. Joseph (son of André Saltzman (Salzman) and Anne Catherine Hodler) was born on 25 May 1825 in Blâmont, Moselle, FR; died on 1 May 1871 in Butler Co., OH; was buried in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On August 8, 1874, the Court of Probate, at Hamilton, in the County of Butler, granted Mary’s older brother, Peter Schrock Jr., the Administration (responsibility) of settling her estate. By fact of their oaths, B. F. Thomas, John Schrock (Mary’s younger brother), and C. K. Augspurger (a first cousin of her husband Christian), agreed to the terms defined in the Letters of Administration for Mary’s estate.

Birth:
Fairview Farm

Died:
1874? H. H.’s chart

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery #32

Maria married Christian Kinsinger on 5 Mar 1861 in Butler Co., OH. Christian (son of Rev. Joseph Kinsinger and Magdalena Augsburger) was born on 17 Sep 1836; died on 21 Oct 1868; was buried in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Remained single.

Buried:
Augspurger Cemetery

Notes:

Fanny Shrock, age 19, was living in Tazewell County, IL with her sister Magdalena Salzman, at the time of the 1860 census.

Notes:

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery #36

John married Emelia Augspurger on 12 Nov 1867. Emelia (daughter of John Augspurger and Jacobina Holly) was born on 8 Feb 1849 in Butler Co., OH; died on 21 Dec 1928 in Butler Co., OH; was buried in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Remained single

Buried:
Augspurger Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Consumption

Notes:

Obit: HERALD OF TRUTH - May 1867 - Page 78.
On the 5th of April, in Butler Co., of consumption, CHRISTIAN, son of Peter SCHRACK, aged 18 years, 6 months, and 29 days. He was buried on the 7th.
C. G.

Remained single.

Birth:
1846, source 195, but obit calculates to 1849

Buried:
Augspurger Cemetery

Notes:

Died in infancy.

Notes:

He fathered 17 children, who lived mostly in California.

Birth:
Date from Willard Smith, place from Don Roth.

Joseph married Elizabeth Rediger on 23 Nov 1858 in Tazewell Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Benjamin Reidiger and Barbara Ehresman) was born on 5 Sep 1839 in Wurttemberg, GR; died on 25 Mar 1861 in Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Mary Risser on 5 Dec 1861 in Woodford Co., IL. Mary was born in Feb 1840 in FR; died between 1920-1930 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Birth:
Date calculated from census

Census:
Washington Twp. page 61

Buried:
Guth Cemetery. Record shows her name as Susannah Schrack, so she must not have been married. She is buried there with her father.

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: More Than Likely At Child Birth, Since Baby Mary Died On The Same Day.

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, June 1874
"March 4th, in Livingston co., Ill., Anna Stalter, wife of Lewis Stalter, aged 34 years. Services by John and Joseph Rediger. She leaves a husband and 6 children to mourn their loss.


Elizabeth died at about 6 mo. and Mary died at birth the same day as Anna, her mother. All children were born in Spring Bay, Woodford Co., IL.

Birth:
Date calculated from census

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Anna married Ludwig (Louis) Stalter on 11 May 1861 in Tazewell Co., IL. Ludwig (son of Magdalena Stalter) was born on 25 Nov 1841 in Trippstadt, Palatinate, GR; died on 15 Oct 1914 in Hanna City, Peoria Co., IL; was buried in Gridley, McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Blacksmith In Missouri
• Census: 19 Jun 1860, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1868, Lamar, Barton Co., MO
• Census: 1880, Doylesport Twp., Barton Co., MO
• Census: 15 Apr (?) 1910, Medicine, Lincoln Co., NE
• Census: 10 Jan 1920, Paris Twp., Linn Co., KS
• Residence: 1924, Portland, Multnomah Co., OR

Notes:

From Schrock Farms: Family information about the Andrew Schrock (1804-1855) decendents.

“Sam always referred to his mother as “my poor widowed mother” and would often cry when he mentioned her. She was not actually widowed but instead left her husband in Missouri and came to Phelps County with her 5 children by Immigrant Train. (According to Aunt Ruth, Grandpa’s mother and her two daughters rode in the passenger car and the three boys came in the baggage car!) Her husband stayed in Missouri, worked as a blacksmith, visited Nebraska, but never lived here. While here, he used to sit in Sam’s gas station, barefooted, much to his son’s irritation.
“Sam’s two older sisters were big, strong, healthy women who lived in a dugout in Phelps County and later moved away from the area. Lizzie moved to Wyoming and Lena moved to Chappell, Nebraska. They farmed and raised their children by themselves.
“There is a photograph included (in the book) of my great-grandparents and their 3 children. According to the family myth, the youngest son had to be situated between his parents as they could not agree to sit closer together.
“It is not known what became of my great-grandfather. My mother remembers when the family told him good-bye during the 1920s and he walked off down the road and was never heard from again. Uncle Sammy thinks he drowned himself in the Columbia River. He used to say that he would do that when the time came. The family advertised for information about him out in Washington but nothing was ever heard.”

Context of Andy’s death from Sacramento Bee:
Feb 6, 1925: Heavy rains were causing flooding in Sacramento. The Sacrament and American Rivers were high and streets and homes were flooded. Nearby Paradise received 9” of rain in 24 hours. The flooding was widespread.

The President was Calvin Coolidge and a Rowanite 7th Day Adventist from Hollywood was the prophet of doom, saying calamity would strike on Feb 6 and bring the end of the world.

On Saturday Feb 7, 1925, the Sacramento Star newspaper announced it would merge with the Bee on Monday of the next week.

Birth:
according to F. S. Unzicker letter to H. H. Schrock

Census:
p.61. House #675, Family #663:Anna Schrock, head of household, age 45. Farmer. Value of real estate $6000; Value of personal Estate $1000. Born in France. Susan age 23, Ann age 20, Andrew age 17, Mary age 13, Peter age 11, and Madelene age 4. Neighbor on one side was farmer Joseph Rich, age 70., and on the other side was the Joseph Shick family, with real estate valued at $2000 and personal estate at $500. Numbered with the family was Lewis Lis

Residence:
according to F. S. Unzicker letter to H. H. Schrock

Census:
Andrew and wife, with daughter Magdalena

Census:
District 0178. Andrew Schrock, age 67, head of household, farmer. Widowed. Mother and father born in France, with French as mother tongue.

Census:
Dist. 125, sheet 3. Andy Schrock, age 77, general farming. Owns his home.

Residence:
According to friends of the Schrock family Andrew went to Portland, OR, in 1924. The family did not hear from him again, according to F. S. Unzicker letter to H. H. Schrock.

Died:
Sacremento County Hospital

Buried:
Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery Potter’s Field. Burial stie is in Sec. 5-B SSW Potters Field, Tier1, Gr. 156.

Andrew married Magdalene Schick on 25 Oct 1866 in Tazewell Co., IL. Magdalene (daughter of Joseph Schick and Magdalena Augspurger) was born on 10 Jan 1849 in Butler Co., OH; died in 1941 in NE; was buried in Holdrege, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 9 Jun 1880, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 20 Jun 1900, Remington, Carpenter Twp., Jasper Co., IN
• Census: 1910, Island Park Twp., Ransom Co., ND
• Census: 1915, ND

Notes:

Obituary of Mary Hoffman in Logansport Press, Wednesay, December 12, 1945.
Mary Hoffman Rites to be Thursday at Bruce Lake Church 
    Final rites for Mrs. Mary Hoffman will be at 1 o'clock at the Community Church in Bruce Lake Station. The Reverend Darwin Lavengood will officiate and burial will be Mt. Hope Cemetery, Logansport.
   The body is now at the Harrison Funeral home, Kewanee and will remain there until Thursday morning when it will be taken to the home of a daughter, Mrs. Frank Hendricks, Bruce Lake Station.
 

Birth:
Mary was about 10 years older than Henry

Census:
Washington Twp., p. 61. Listed, age 13.

Census:
Married to Henry Hoffmann. There was a Mary Schrock, age 68, living with them.

Census:
Henry was a farmer and Charles was farm laborer.

Census:
Federal Census: The children were listed, with no information about them.

Census:
Henry was listed in the Dakota State Census

Buried:
Mt. Hope Cemetery

Mary married Henry Hoffman on 5 Jan 1879 in Tazewell Co., IL. Henry was born on 18 Feb 1857 in GR; died on 18 Mar 1924 in Kewanna, Fulton Co., IN; was buried in Logansport, Cass Co., IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Census: 1860, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1910, Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE
• Census: 1920, Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE

Notes:

OBIT:

Peter Schrock retired armer and resident of Upland for the last 17 years, died early today at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alfred Stutzman, 254 Ninth Avenue, following a 4-days' illness, at the age of 90 years. A native of Illinois, Mrs. Schrock came to Upland from Nebraska, Mrs. Schrock died here in 1930.

Surviving besides Mrs. Stutzman are two other daughters, Mrs. J. J. Jantze, Upland, and Mrs. J. E. Troyer, Aurora, Nebraska; two sons, John E Schrock Upland; and F. W. Schrock, San Diego; a sister, Mrs. Mary Hoffman, residing in Indiana, 13 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. He was a member of the Upland Mennonite Church. Funeral arrangements, in charge of the Stone Mortuary, are incomplete.

1870 census - he is in Tazewell, Illinois
1880 cenus - they are in Tazewell, Illinois

1910 census -they are in Hamilton, Nebraska
1920 census - still in Hamilton, Nebraska


Their children all lived in California except for one in Aurora, Nebraska.

Census:
Washington Twp., p.61. Listed as age 11. Living with his mother and brother

Buried:
Bellevue Memorial Park

Peter married Magdalena (Lena) Unzicker on 13 Nov 1873. Magdalena (daughter of Valentine Unzicker and Magdalena Schertz) was born on 19 Dec 1853 in Butler Co., OH; died on 14 Oct 1930 in Upland, San Bernardino Co., CA; was buried in Ontario, San Bernardino, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Birth:
Source 4 gives the year as 1857, but Magdalena was born after her father died in August 1855, so the year must have been 1856.

Census:
Washington Twp., p. 61. Listed as age 4.

Died:
Source 288 says Lena died comparitively young--35 to 40 years.
Willard Smith’s ms. of Johannes’ family gives the year 1946, but that must be incorrect because supposedly David remarried in 1910.

Magdalena married David D. Augspurger on 31 Dec 1874 in IL. David (son of David Augspurger and Elizabeth Schertz) was born on 16 Oct 1852; died on 21 Jul 1935. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Apostolic Christian

Notes:

Birth:
Gravestone says 1835

Buried:
Christian Apostolic Church Cemetery

Mary married Frederick Fellrath on 7 Dec 1858 in Peoria, Tazewell Co., IL. Frederick was born in 1836 in Alsace, FR; died on 21 Nov 1894 in Harper, Harper Co., KS; was buried in Harper, Harper Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Cholera

Notes:

Barbara was engaged to be married at the time of her death to a Dan Garber.

Died:
On the 14th or 17th, at age 19 of Cholera

Other Events and Attributes:

• MILF: Y
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Complications Of Typhoid Fever
• Residence: Abt 1863, Waldo, Livingston Co., IL

Notes:

Peter was 6 weeks old when the family moved to Illinois from Butler Co., OH (this doesn’t match Woodford Co. History information) in a two-story house on 80 acres of land (the house was still standing in 1968 owned by the Schrock families who ran Schrock Apple Orchards).

The family settled near Congerville, IL. After his parents and several siblings died of cholera, Peter was left with one older sister, Mary, and four younger siblings. They were all put out to live with other people. Peter lived with a Garber family (probably his father’s sister). Mary, his daughter later told of her father, age 17 at time of the epidemic, working the field and wanting desperately to have companionship, but being rejected because of others fearing cholera. He went to a house and asked for a drink of water. The woman opened the door a crack in order to hand out a cup of water and then closed the door. It was very hard on him, with no conversation or sympathy.

“A few years after their marriage, Peter Smith purchased and moved to an 80 acre farm in Waldo Township, near Meadows. The land which was level had to be tiled as fast as possible, because after the corn crop would be destroyed by standing water. This they did as rapidly as they could finance it. A small apple orchard was planted, with Winesap, Sheepnose and other varieties.”

In later years, Peter lived in Roanoke, IL.

“The closing days of Grandfather’s life were memorable. His mind was remarkable clear, especially his last day on earth. He seemed to realize or expect that today he was going to leave them. He thanked Dr. Monroe saying, ‘I know you’ve done everything you could to restore me to health, but my time has come to go.’ (The doctor went to a window, to hide his tears.) during that day he admonished the family to shun evil and follow godly convictions. (He spoke to them in German.) He would often fall asleep perhaps in a semi-conscious state. Each time upon awakening, he would have further words of advice or instruction, and often asked, ‘Is it not yet five o’clock?’ The last time he awoke he was in a gloriously triumphant state. ‘I see into Heaven! Oh, what a glorious sight! If only I could show it to you! I wish I could take all of you with me.’ Then followed more admonitions especially to his three little boys. He placed his hand on ‘Johnnie’s’ head and said, ‘If only I could take you along, before you grow up to cope with the evil and the temptations you have to meet.’ At 5:00 p.m. he drew his last breath.” ,

Peter was a friend of Valentine Maninger and they joined the Union Army together in 1861.

Peter’s brother, Joseph, was named administrator of Peter and Barbara’s children after they died at a fairly early age.

Birth:
Some sources give 20 June 1837

Residence:
80 acre farm near Meadows

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Peter married Barbara Neuhauser on 3 Feb 1861 in Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Peter Neuhauser and Anna Maria (Mary P.) Schmidt (Peterschmidt)) was born on 21 Feb 1840 in Butler Co., OH; died on 24 Mar 1881 in Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Tuberculosis

Anna married John M. Garber on 28 May 1858 in Tazewell Co., IL. John (son of John Garber and Eva Caroline Paithe) was born in 1836 in OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish, then Apostolic Christian

Notes:

Magdalena and Peter had three children, but all of them died before Lena remarried. After remarriage, the Maningers moved to Harper, KS and became New Amish (Apostolic Christian). They had eight children.

Buried:
German Apostolic Church Cemetery

Magdalena married Peter Neuhauser on 21 Oct 1860 in Tazewell Co., IL. Peter (son of Peter Neuhauser and Anna Maria (Mary P.) Schmidt (Peterschmidt)) was born on 8 Jul 1838 in Butler Co., OH; died on 26 Aug 1864. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Magdalena married Valentine (Valtin) Damien Maninger on 11 Oct 1866 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL. Valentine was born on 26 Sep 1835 in Dittwar, Baden, GR; died on 4 Jul 1913 in Harper, Harper Co., KS; was buried in Harper, Harper Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This family moved to Harper, KS, and joined the Apostolic Christian Church.

Buried:
Christian Apostolic Church Cemetery

Joseph married Barbara Roth on 18 Dec 1863 in Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Nicholaus Roth and Katharine Habecker) was born on 25 May 1847 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 1 Sep 1920 in Burlington, Alfalfa Co., OK; was buried in Harper, Harper Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• MILF: Y
• Occupation: Engaged In Farming With Brother-In-Law, Peter Sweitzer, On Section 2 Of Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

In 1879 had post office in Cooper, IL. Later lived in Paxton, IL.

Christian enlisted in the Civil War and was at Memphis. He never united with the church.
History of Tazewell County, p. 542, says Chrisitan “united with the (Omish) Mennonite Church in 1867.” Christian served in the civil War in Co. G, 108th Ill. infantry.

“For some cause or other he apparently was considered a sort of ‘black sheep’ in the family.

Christian remarried in 1914 and lived 10 years more--the longest lived of his parent’s children.

Birth:
History of Tazewell Co. gives date as 8 Jan 1846

Died:
Date given by Don Bishop Smith

Christian married Jacobine (Phoebe) Sweitzer on 13 Feb 1873 in Tazewell Co., IL. Jacobine (daughter of Jean Suisse (Sweitzer) and Marie Engel) was born on 12 Jun 1847; died in 1912. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Cholera

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: East Washington Mennonite Church
• Residence: Marshall Co., IL
• PURC: 1860, Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Christian Belsly, as described by grandson Louis Phillips (in an unpublished ms. later included in John Robert Belsly’s “The Descendants of Joseph “Red Joe” Belsly”)

When I saw “I Remember Mama” some years ago I thought of our Chris. It seemed to me his philosophy of life should be put in print to be remembered over the years. Chris was my grandfather, my mother’s father. That does not lend anything to his stature but it may perhaps explain some of the peculiar things that I do once in a while.

Chris’ father “red Joe” lived to see his section of the country well settled and wealthy and he did much to bring about the change. He came here poor but at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest farmers in the country. This of course was all during the early life of Christ but it had much to do to make its mark upon his life. He soon began to realize that from the possessions his father had he wouldn’t have to work and at the early age of eighteen he decided that a life of leisure was what he should have. “Red Joe’ would have Chris get up every morning and run down to the barn and pump water for the livestock “Red Joe” thought it would make Chris healthy and hardy but it only served to make him rebellious against family discipline and to develop his theory of independence.

Early in his married life Chris trained Mary as few wives were trained. His clothes were always laid out on the bed ready for Chris to put on. If he wanted something at the table he didn’t ask for it. He simply held his knife straight up and Mary would know what he wanted and see that it was started on the way to him. There was no idle chatter at the table when Chris was there but when he was finished with his meals he got up and went into the bedroom—or hammock in the summertime—for a nap. Then the children would cut loose as all children will. Mary and all the children loved Chris but he ruled with an iron hand.

Chris had long anticipated the time when he would have the control and income from his father’s land and it was indeed a blow to his pride to find when “Red Joe’s” will was read that to a large degree he had been bypassed and most of the land was willed to the children of Chris. Of course as all the children were minors Chris was the man who handled the finances. Since he was justified in taking considerable of the income for the care and maintenance of the children, his income was no small item for those days.

Deer Creek, which was Chris’ home town, was quite a baseball town. They had a local team which would play neighboring teams and would take on traveling teams. When this happened they would usually bolster the team with some extra good players from other towns and would often bring out special ones from Peoria if they thought the competition warranted it. The management of the Deer Creek team lined up a game with the Kansas City Gems which was an organization made up of Negro players. For this game the local management secured the talent of some exceptional players and though they didn’t expect to win they didn’t think they would be beaten too badly. The Negro boys were players who were capable of defeating almost any team that most towns would put on the field. Chris, true sportsman that he was, made a trip over to Danvers where the team was playing the day before their game at Deer Creek, saw the manager, and for forty dollars had the assurance that the Gems would lose the game. Then he hurried back to Deer Creek and had no trouble in placing two hundred dollars at even money that Deer Creek would win. That looked fine for Chris except that the Gems won. Since the manager left town before the game was over Chris never did find out how that came about, but it was rumored that another true sportsman had given the manager fifty dollars to win.

Chris would always have the best groomed and well trained horse in the community. Before driving into the business part of town he would pull over to the side of the road and whistle a little tweet, tweet, tweet and sit there until the horse went to the powder room in typical horse manner. The boys in the family had good spirited horses but they wouldn’t be trained like Chris’ horse, much to his chagrin. His work horses were always strong and good pullers and many a time Chris would bet a little on the loads they could pull.

For many years Chris was a member of the school board which ran the rural schools. He was interested because he usually had several children in school. Chris’ children were perhaps a little better students than many who attended the rural schools and were entitled to good grades. However, the fact that Chris was on the school board often brought the complaint from envious neighbors that the good grades were given the Belsly youngsters for that reason. Most of the children received some additional education at Eureka College which was close to the family homestead. The fact that they got along well with their work there would lead one to believe their good grades were justified.

Chris had one story that he told to the school children every time he had a chance. The story was that when he and his father were driving to Chicago one early spring when the roads were pretty well broken up they came to this sign: TAKE CARE OF THE RUT YOU CHOOSE—YOU WILL BE IN IT FOR THE NEXT FIFTY MILES. He would refer to that and then say, “Would that we could say to every young man and every young woman, Take care of the path you choose—you will be in it for the next fifty years. Choose a path of vision and courage with a goal you have to reach for and your life will be a pleasant and profitable adventure.”

————————————————————————————————

Christian was raised by his step-mother, Barbara Engel, and is said to have been a very spoiled person. He never learned how to handle finances, and as a result his father, Joseph, left his estate to Christian’s children.

————————————————————————————————

“In 1860 Christian purchased land near Deer Creek, IL, where he and his wife lived and raised their family. They attended the early East Washington Mennonite Church. They had nine children...When the first son (second grandchild) was born, Grandpa Red Joe drove from his homestead in north Worth Township to see his first grandson. The parents had already chosen a name for the boy, but Grandpa Red Joe said his name is Joseph, so that is what he was named. It was that first grandson who later inherited the Red Joe homestead. When he married Ida Foster they moved to that homestead where they raised their family. From him, the homestead went to his son Maurice and today (1983) Maurice’s son, Clifford owns it.”

————————————————————————————————

“The story of Christian Belsly (1835-1915), the only son of 'Red Joe', illustrates the circular nature of some of the family relationships. 'Red Joe' distrusted his son Christian's easy nature. Relatives considered the only child to be spoiled.

Christian found a prospective wife during a visit to his uncle Peter Schrock at Lemon Township, Butler County. She lived in the next house on Salzman Road. The ceremony was conducted by minister Nicholas Augspurger at Trenton in Butler County Nov. 18, 1856.

'Red Joe' showed his displeasure with his son by declining to present the groom with the customary gift of acreage from the family farm. Christian was forced to make his own living. He and his new wife first lived at Spring Bay, and in 1860 he purchased land in Deer Creek and started his own farm. When Christian's first son was born the following year, 'Red Joe' insisted that his grandson be named Joseph. Christian consented.

When 'Red Joe' died on Christmas Eve 1872, his nine-page will divided his sizable fortune into 33 units that took six years to disperse through the probate process. He chose to leave his widow $2,000 but only 80 of his 2,000 acres. Son Christian, who expected a life of leisure, was left only 120 acres and a payment of $150 a year for 20 years. The family farm on Lourdes Road passed more or less intact to the namesake grandchild.

In the end, Christian and his wife ran a prosperous farm and raised nine children. He served as a school director and commissioner of highways in Deer Creek. He and his wife are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery at Deer Creek.

“The wife that son Christian Belsley found in Butler County was his second cousin Mary Schertz, who was born in Butler County in 1837. She was the oldest of three daughters of John Schertz and Catherine Engel, who lived on Salzman Road in Lemon Township. 22 John Schertz was the business partner of John Stecker/Staker, and his daughters were trained in business and accounting. No doubt Mary Engel made an appropriate partner for the errant son of 'Red Joe' Belsley.”

Birth:
Verna Belsley says 1836 in a letter to H. H. Schrock in 1961. Robert Belsley’s book gives the date as 31 Jul 1835.

Residence:
Lived there two years following his marriage

PURC:
Lived on the land and raised nine children

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery

Christian married Mary Magdalene Schertz on 28 Oct 1856 in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. Mary (daughter of John Schertz and Catherine Engel) was born on 3 Mar 1837 in Lemon Twp., Butler Co., OH; died on 28 Nov 1911 in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Apostolic Christian

Notes:

John and Catherine lived near Gridley, IL, for several years, then moved back to Congerville and John farmed in Kansas Township.

Birth:
1858?

Died:
At her home (Woodford County?)

Buried:
Apostolic Church Cemetery

Catherine married John J. Zimmerman on 17 Dec 1876 in Woodford Co., IL. John (son of Michael Zimmerman and Katharina Naffziger) was born on 13 Mar 1853; died on 6 Jan 1934; was buried in Fairbury, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On 11 Jun 1880 they lived in Montgomery Twp., but lived in Kiowa, Kansas most of their married lives.

Died:
Willard Smith gives month as July

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Cemetery

John married Rosa Witmer in 1879. Rosa was born in 1853 in IA; died in 1938; was buried in Burlington, Alfalfa Co., OK. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At her death Lydia left an eighteen month old daughter.

Birth:
Gravestone date. 1 Jan 1857 according to Source #271

Buried:
South Apostolic Christian Cemetery

Lydia married Samuel Louis Roth in 1881. Samuel (son of Andrew Roth and Anna Zimmerman) was born on 11 Apr 1859 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 12 Aug 1927 in Fairbury, Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Fairbury, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Apostolic Christian Church
• Residence: 1900, Cissna Park, Iroquois Co., IL

Notes:

Census of 8 Jun 1900, Joseph, a farmer, and his family were living near Cissna Park in Ash Grove Township, Iroquois County, IL. When he retired from farming, he moved to Goodfield, IL.

Died:
At his home.

Buried:
Apostolic ChristianCemetery (Dells)

Joseph married Mary Catherine “Minnie” Irons on 1 Sep 1881 in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL. Mary was born on 24 Apr 1862; died in 1934; was buried in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer, apple orchards
• Religion: Apostolic Christian Church
• Residence: 1865, Farnisville, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

At his death, Jonathan’s estate totaled $205,162.23--divided among his eight children at $16,956.03 each.


On October 1, 2000, I attended the Jonathan Schrock Reunion in Carlock, IL. This was the first contact I had with the Joseph Schrock (oldest son of Johannes) family. I received the following information:

“In October and November of 1947, Ada Marie Schrock wrote “Portrait of Father” which pertained to her father, Jonathan Schrock. He passed away shortly after she completed the writing. The following are excerpts from “Portrait of Father.”

I think the reason for Father’s condition is just pure weariness of life--he is tired of it all. At 80, he’d still had his fine dairy herd in which he took a great interest, but he was forced to sell his cows when the war came and took his herdsman away. After that he could not find a reliable man--”What’s the matter with people nowadays!” Father would storm. “Nobody knows how to work, nobody wants to, they’re no good anymore now. When I was young...,” etc. In those days, he still had Mother to listen to him. When she died three years later, he did not shed a tear that we saw. But, he soon began to droop noticeable. He looked lost and defeated and sad. For that reason, I wanted to stay with him, even though he made me feel just about as sad by looking on. But I gained something of lasting value through the experience of walking with him through the lonely years.

“I used to wish he had some absorbing hobby. That he would have learned to knit like Mother, or weave beautiful bedspreads like a dear old departed friend of his had, or make hooked rugs, or carve, or whittle, or anything, so he could keep his mind occupied and feel needed. But Father couldn’t be bothered with “little things.” He had been interested in doing only big things that required strength because he had always been so strong and well. He had not planned for old age, and loneliness for the “old days” gripped him often. He had seen a great many changes in his lifetime of 86 years, but he loved the old days best--the days when he began to farm his mother’s land, with nothing to his name but an old blind mare and a horse with “heaves”--but then, he had been young and confident. He lived with his mother. She was glad to have her too-large house occupied, for she was alone then. A little town had sprung up, rather suddenly, not far from their back door because of the railroad that had just been built through the farm. That was before fences were constructed along the rights of way, so swinging gates were built across the tracks to protect the livestock. Trains were forced to stop and open gates in order to pass through his mother’s property.

Also, in those good days, his mother used to bake loaves of bread in a great brick oven outdoors. She made it of flour from their own wheat, which they had ground at the local mill. They cracked grains for their cereal, too, between large stones. Sugar was “dear” so they used mostly crude molasses for sweetening. Molasses was plentiful and cheap. Their apple pies never saw cinnamon except on rare occasions. Well-to-do people used it more frequently. They “boiled down” apple butter in a large iron pot outdoors, with a fire built underneath it. And then there were days and days of walking behind a plow--those were the days of the walking plow. One had ample time for long and serious thought then. At harvest time, Father was obliged to walk behind the crude reaper and bind the sheaves by hand. He boasted about this ability to keep up with the reaper. Father walked much in his lifetime. He thought nothing of walking several miles to “meetin” on Sundays--come mud or snow. He visited the churches around, and listened earnestly to the preachers who traveled about. They came and went a great deal in those days.

Father did not marry until he was almost thirty, and then he married a frail and delicate little French girl who had come to America with her parents in her early teens--she was a far cry from the typical farm woman. Brought up in a household of servants, she hardly knew how to keep house on a farm, especially in America where everything was so different and rugged. But she was very optimistic and loved life. She managed well, with the hired girl Father insisted upon having.

After Father had accumulated enough money, he bought 40 acres of hilly land and planted almost all of it in apple trees. He grafted and budded many of the trees himself. He had wonderful success in growing fruit, and he loved the work that went with it. His apples were exceptionally fine. It seems he always walked about with the deep pockets of his coat bulging with apples, and he ate them incessantly. He used to hand them out to children he passed along the way. they learned to look at him expectantly as he approached, which always amused him. “Children need apples,” he would say. He thought nothing of taking a bushel of apples to a family with many children because their parents couldn’t afford to buy them. People came from far and wide to buy Father’s apples. Although he asked a good price for them, he always filled the baskets to overflowing, for he loved to give a good measure. He was right when he said folks remember a good measure much longer than the price they paid for a basket of apples. the same people came year after year.

Work came easy with father. He loved to work and was proud of the fact that at quite an age he could outwork any of his boys. His boys were amused at that. Always an early riser, he would often get up before dawn and go about from chore to chore singing his favorite hymn at the top of his voice. The music floated far and wide in the crisp and still morning air. We hoped the neighbors appreciated it! He had a fine voice, and sang a beautiful old-fashioned tenor at sings and when his family sang hymns together.

He seemed immune from petty hurts and never bore a grudge, and no one ever gave sounder advice, or quicker sympathy, help and comfort in distress than he. When any of US looked sad, or down and out, he was quick to ask in kindness, “Is anything troubling you?” This made it easy to confide in him. We learned to be grateful for Father. He made many sacrifices throughout his lifetime to keep his children’s faith in “The Way”--and in the Heavenly Father who had called him into service. No child of his must ever lose faith because he himself had failed to walk straight. He set a good example. He had grievous faults and failures, but his sorrow and remorse over them served only to strengthen and encourage his children. One learned to be tolerant, and to know that no one is perfect.

Sin was a different matter, however. to commit sin after a true conversion, deliberately and intentionally, was in Father’s eyes an abomination--and hardly forgivable. Such a man denied the power to overcome, which God promises to all who turn to Him.

Father had an eye for the beautiful and would stand in awe before a bed of flowers. He often carried flower seeds in his pockets to sow along the road during his long walks. “Flowers look pretty along a road,” he would say.

Living in the age he did, with its many and rapid changes, life was sometimes a problem for Father. He did not adapt himself easily or readily to the new, but then, he even hated new clothes. he sort of grew into his clothes and felt “at home” in them after a time. One had to use the greatest of tact and mental skill to get Father into the notion of needing a new coat, or new shoes, or a hat. After one succeeded in that, there was still the problem of getting him to wear them. He looked fine in good clothes. Six feet tall, broad of shoulders, and straight as a candle, even at eighty odd years. But, that meant nothing to Father. He had always been conservative, and had saved too long throughout his lifetime to spend money for what he termed “unnecessary things.”

But he was sentimental, too. We have three old ramshackle buildings near our house which Father never consented to have torn down. why, one had been his mother’s kitchen! We couldn’t hurt him, so we planted honeysuckle bushes to hide it. Another, he finally decided to give up for the lumber in it that could be used. “But save the roof,” commanded father, “That’s a good roof, and it might come in handy some day. People don’t build good roofs like that anymore.” We wished, with a sort of desperation, that we knew where we could put a good roof in order to save it!

A sadness that i can’t explain steals over me, at times, when now I see Father lying so peacefully--but thin and white and almost lifeless against his pillows. I do not regret so much that he is about to pass away. In fact, I long for the time of his deliverance. I think it is because his going seems more than the death of one weary old man who is my father. He seems to be taking so much with him--a whole long lifetime of experiences--and it seems, in fact, like a whole generation is marching out of the picture, leaving US behind with only shadowy memories of something great and good and genuine that one filled our world.”
--------------------------------------
“The Apostolic Christian Church was built in Farney in the 1870s. It was called the “Mackinaw Dells Church”. It still stands there. It’s cemetery was once called the “Mackinaw Dells Cemetery”. If you go on the road north past Slabtown Cemetery, under the railroad tracks, and another quarter mile, you reach this cemetery which is on the right. It is still in use. Jonathan was a member of the Mackinaw Dells church, which is now called the Congerville Church.”

Found in the family notes compiled by Alta Heiser Detweiler (no date) is the following notation about Jonathan Schrock:
“Joseph’s son Jonathan lived on this Schrock farm until his death. I remember my grandfather John visiting his cousin Jonathan at Congerville a number of times. He was impressed with the large orchards of fruit trees which Jonathan cared for. In fact, on one of these visits Jonathan gave Grandpa a sweet cherry tree which he (Grandpa) planted in my orchard,and we still enjoy sweet cherries every year (of the birds don’t get them).”
--------------------------------------------------
“Dad and Mom lived the early years of their married life in a little house immediately north of the Congerville water tower on the west side of the street. Dad had referred to these as the happiest years of his life. Here, the four oldest children were born: Noah in 1892, Jesse in 1894, Nettie in 1896, Nima in 1900. After Grandpa Joseph SCHROCK died in December of 1901, Dad and Mother moved to the present home known as the SCHROCK homestead where Grandma lived. Grandma had an addition built on the house and reserved two rooms for herself but had her meals with us. I have fond recollections of visiting with Grandma and reading to her out of the Bible storybook. She passed away in 1922 when I was 13 years old.

I also vividly remember her children visiting her; they were a very interesting family, tremendous conversationalists. And when those four SCHROCK girls came to visit, Aunt Katie, Aunt Maggie, Aunt Mary, and Aunt Susan; then you know Uncle John Sutter, they had relatives at Goodfield, the Helderles, and they came more often, and I could just sit and enjoy that night with Uncle John Sutter. They were all good and never lost their tongues. After Naomi, the following children came along: Ada in 1902, Mae 1904, Joseph 1906, and Alvin 1909. Ada was the first death of the children. She passed away December 18, 1955. Noah passed away April 6, 1976.

During the lifetime of our parents, tremendous changes occurred; even during the lifetime of the children of the children for that matter. Father told of keeping up with his station at 12 years of age; binding bundles of grain by hand. About this time he saw the first self-binder that Grandpa bought from George Hacker, an implement dealer in Eureka.

Mother told of the streetcars in Peoria being on tracks but pulled by horses. She worked in Peoria for $3.00 a week and saved money. Instead of buying a new hat she would take some shoe blacken and go over the hat she had and perk it up a little.

They told of the first electric lights they ever seen and automobiles. The first autos. In the horse age, automobiles were kind of a nuisance. The horses became frightened when they met a car and sometimes had to be held by their bridles. Father used to say, "Here comes one of those cars at a gallop." The first practical car for mass distribution was a Model T Ford. I remember when Noah got his first car, a 1915 Ford Model T. It was the first year they had electric lights on them. He sometimes took the children to German school that was held in Goodfield. Mary Nohl was the teacher. Later when Noah got a car, it had quite an innovation, a windshield wiper. A handle came through the windshield. You turned the handle to wipe the windshield.

Jess got a Model T in 1917. He went out to teach our sisters how to drive this car. These cars were open touring cars, which had side curtains for bad weather, and the tops could be put down in nice weather. This was seldom done but it made for a nice breeze. Our first family car was a Nash purchased about 1922. This was the year the hard road was built through Congerville.

7.02-7

Father used to tell about an outside oven Grandma used. These ovens were constructed with a brick floor. A combustible material was placed on the bricks, with a hole situated at one end. This floor was covered with clay. The fire inside would bake the clay so we had a self-contained situation. After the oven was formed, they would burn wood in the oven and then rake the coals out, put the bread in which would bake from the heat in the bricks and clay.

Noah writes in his memoirs of the simplicity of life. He states that our parents were very conservative. Father made his own lye by placing straw on the bottom of a V-shaped box that had a trough at the bottom. Wood ashes were placed in this container. From time to time water was poured over the ashes. This produced a dark brown liquid, which was lye, and from this our soft soap was made.

In October, Father would send someone to Carlock with two and a half bushels of white dried corn to grind into fine white meal. This was our winter supply for corn mush and corn bread. Mother would place a large black iron kettle on the stove about 4 p.m. and heat the water to a boil and begin to add the meal until it was the right consistency. This was served with milk and sugar and was delicious.

What mush was left over was put in bread pans about 3 inches deep. By morning it had set enough so it could be sliced and fried. At noon sometimes we would have corn bread and milk. Sometimes we had fruit dried in the sun or dried in a dryer we had built for this purpose (Jess SCHROCK mentioned that the dryer held 5 bushels of fruit at one time).

Dad, always concerned for our health went to the woods each spring and dug up some sassafras roots. The peelings were used to make tea. We were put on this tea to thin our blood. In the wintertime your blood was supposed to thicken up you know. When nose bleeding began, it was the signal that the thinning was enough. Mother had a large assortment of homeopathic remedies, which she resorted to. Father had a grape vineyard, planted an apple orchard, and he also raised pears and peaches.

I've made some notes during the years regarding father's physical fitness. You remember that late in life he still walked erect. He was taught to do this by a man in Kansas who got after him for slumping. Dad minded him and he thought it was a good investment. The man's name was John Habaker. I must have thought at that time those notes were worth writing down. In the fall of 1931, a few weeks before father's 70th birthday, he picked 12 bushels of Willow Twig apples in 59 minutes using a long ladder, possibly 20 foot.

In the same fall, while picking apples, he very carefully set his ladder. The ladder fell forward... mind you... and he fell backwards; as he fell he reached down and caught the rung of the ladder below his feet. It might have saved his life. Resetting the ladder he resumed his apple picking. It may have taken the kink out that he had in his back. In the fall of 1932 father was picking apples and the ladder turned in such a way that the bottom went up and the top went down. He just turned and walked back up the ladder in the other direction.




7.02-8

Father spent his 75th birthday in the timber working on wood, and on his 80th birthday he helped haul straw. On his 81st birthday it was cold and he worked outside most of the day. He passed away December 3rd, 1947 at age 86. Mother preceded him in death passing away on August 10, 1944 at the age of 76. Pa was never the same after Mother's passing... a lonely man, ready to go home.

There were interesting and humorous things that happened as the family was growing up but time does not permit. I do want to say a few more things. Father had a deep concern for the young people as to the company they closely associated with. The wrong kind of companionship can be disastrous. His advice was to try to associate with decent people. He used to say, "Be somebody or nobody."

While many changes have been mentioned one thing is much the same, little children are about like they were then, innocence, curious, original personalities. Children are still children; parents be of good cheer when children go through changes which we hope are only stages, sometimes we can think this too will pass.

Editor's Note: The tape now reveals that there was some additional story-telling from various people at the reunion. Much to my regret, most of it cannot be understood, as the speakers were too far from the tape recorder. Following are those portions that can be heard.

Jess SCHROCK related that Aunt Minnie as a young girl remembered when she saw her first train go by which was the Big 4 line. Also, Grandma's sister Aunt Anne, who married Joe Sommers had no children. The SCHROCKs became heirs to her farm. They went to look it over; John and Joe from Kansas, Uncle Dave and Father. I drove them in my Model T to Tremont to see the farm. I later told Noah that I took the Big 4 down to Tremont, he said "You took the train?" I told him it was the Big 4 SCHROCKs.

Alvin SCHROCK related that John Zimmerman said that those stiff white collars were so high up the neck that you had to stand on a stump to spit over the top of one.

Someone said that her sister, Barbara, was the only one who inherited Grandma's red hair. Someone else said that they had a lock of Grandma's red hair. Alvin SCHROCK said he had red hair when he was little.

Nina SCHROCK related that her Dad was so disgusted when someone commented that he was still very erect in his old age. He said, "They don't know that I'm so stiff that I can't bend."

Don Schrock related (in 2010) that he never saw his grandfather smile--and there was no idleness, or he’ll have you picking the hairs off grasshoppers. He also said thetwo younger brothers started the seed corn company in abot 1947 and the fertilizer in about 1951. One brother “went like a freight train and the other kept putting on the brakes.”

Don Schrock: “When I was in 7th grade I made a map of every house in Congerville and knew the name of every person who lived there (and some of the dogs?)”

“Jonathan had fruit orchards and made many barrels of wine each year. He sold wine quite widely. He had a wine cellar in his Congerville house with 12-15 barrels full. He also had seven buggies--the last one purchased for 25 cents. Asked why he bought the seventh one, he said he couldn’t pass it up for 25 cents.” --Don Schrock}

Residence:
At age four moved with family to a farm two and one-half miles east of Farnisville. Congerville was later built on part of this farm.

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Cemetery (Dells)

Jonathan married Naomi Gerber on 26 Jan 1890 in Peoria, Tazewell Co., IL. Naomi (daughter of Christian Gerber, II and Elizabeth Zimmerman) was born on 17 Jul 1868 in FR; died on 10 Aug 1944 in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
At home

Magdalena married John Sutter on 11 Apr 1886 in Woodford Co., IL. John (son of Joseph (Josef) Sutter (Suttor) and Magdalena Zehr) was born on 6 Sep 1859; died on 2 Dec 1938 in Paulding, Paulding Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary and Nathan first lived near Eureka, then moved to Wolcott, IN, then to Latty, OH, and finally to Fort Wayne, IN.

Family/Spouse: Nathan Gudeman. Nathan (son of Frederick Gudeman and Anna Minger) was born on 1 Jun 1867 in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Apostolic Christian Church

Notes:

Parents of three children.

Died:
Obituary in Metamora Herald - 10 Sep 1948

Buried:
Imhoff Cemetery

David married Elizabeth Detweiler on 17 Jan 1893 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of John Detweiler and Elisabeth Gerber) was born on 27 Sep 1873 in Congerville, Woodford Co., IL; died on 6 Apr 1951 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Carlock, McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This family first lived in Congerville, later moved to Oakville, Ia. and from there to Latty, Ohio, later to Fort Wayne, IN (1936). They had 13 children (listed in source .)

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery

Susanna married Paul Gerber on 6 Apr 1892 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL. Paul (son of Christian Gerber, II and Elizabeth Zimmerman) was born on 31 Aug 1864 in Lorraine; died on 6 Apr 1944 in Fort Wayne, Allen Co., IN; was buried in Latty, Paulding Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In her father’s estate papers, Lena is listed with heirs as “Melinda.”

Family/Spouse: Coswell. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1900, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1910, Pontiac, Livingston Co., IL
• Residence: 1917, Peoria, Peoria Co., IL
• Census: 1920, Peoria, IL

Notes:

Had ten children.

Birth:
Date on Gravestone

Census:
Listed as four years old, living with her parents

Census:
Lsted as Joseph 'Stacker,' a 35-year-old harness maker in the household of wagon maker Daniel Steiner, 43. His birthplace is listed as Ohio, and that of his parents as Lorraine.

Census:
They appear as harness maker Joseph 'Stacker', born in Ohio in September 1844; Katie, born in Illinois in June 1857; living with six of their children (they had 10).

Census:
Living with her sister Mary and her husband, Henry Bloom

Residence:
City Directory shows Catherine, wid. Jos, 515 5th Ave., and Irene Stecker at the same address

Census:
Kathryen Stecker, 61, widowed daughter Maimie Paith, 31; daughter Irene Stecker, 23, son Fred, 35, Verna Paith, granddaughter, 11; Bennie Paith, grandson, 8; Juanita Schafer, granddaughter; Gale Schafer, 6, granddaughter.

Buried:
Pleasant Grove Mennonite Cemetery

Catherine married Joseph Stecker on 14 Dec 1882. Joseph (son of Nicholas Staker (Steker) and Magdalena Eimer) was born on 12 Sep 1844 in Butler Co., OH; died on 6 May 1905 in Tazewell Co., IL; was buried on 8 May 1905. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1910, Pontiac, Livingston Co., IL

Notes:

Census:
Sister-in-law Kathrine Stecker, 53, born in Illinois to parents from Pennsylvania and Germany; Henry Bloom, 59; his wife Mary Bloom, 50.

Mary married Henry Bloom on 22 Jul 1886 in Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Year calculated from marriage document

Peter married Emma Ann Wood on 10 Aug 1898 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Bell (L. M.) Strubhar on 2 Jan 1893. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Orval Stamm. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Railroad School?
• Occupation: Farmer In 1885, Later Carpenter And Painter
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Old age-died in his sleep
• Residence: 19 Feb 1885, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1891, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock, -- John Schrock, was born near Delavan, Ill., May 28, 1862; died near Fisher, Ill., July 28, 1951; aged 89 y. 2 m. He accepted Christ in his youth and was a member of the Mennonite Church from then until his death. He was a charter member of the Eat Bend congregation at Fisher. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Mary Birkey, of Morton, Ill. To this union two children were born. Albert, preceded him in death thirty-four years ago and his daughter (Fannie-Mrs. J.A. Heiser, Dec. 17, 1950). Surviving are his wife, 8 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. His 3 brothers and 4 sisters preceded him in death. N. N. Roeschley conducted the funeral services at the East Bend Church.

Birth:
Another source says Delavan

Residence:
At time of marriage

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Mary Birky on 19 Feb 1885 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Andrew (Andréas) S. Birky and Veronica (Fannie) Sutter) was born on 19 Sep 1862 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 24 Mar 1954 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 26 Mar 1954 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish/Mennonite
• USR1: Old Age
• Residence: Abt 1898, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 1900, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1907, Thurman, Washington Co., CO
• Residence: 1914 and 1921, Thurman, Washington Co., CO

Notes:

Obit: (Mennobits)
Schrock.- Samuel, son of Peter and Mary (sic) Schrock, was born July 16, 1864, near Pekin, Ill.; passed away at the home of his son, Dec. 31, 1943, after a lingering illness; aged 79 y. 5 m. 15 d. He was united in marriage to Ellen Zendner who passed away 21 years ago. He was a member of the Thurman Mennonite Church and enjoyed attending as long as his health permitted. He was a devoted, kind father and was very fond of little children. He leaves to mourn his departure, his son (Peter, Thurman), 3 daughters (Mrs. Levi Schlabach, Mich.; Mrs. Irl Hicks, Calif.; and Mrs. Roy Gibboney, Thurman), 2 sisters, an aged brother in Ill., and another brother in Ohio, 23 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Thurman Mennonite Church, Jan. 2, 1944, by Bro. Aaron Unternahrer. Text. Num. 23:10.

Call not back the dear departed.
Anchored safe when storms are o'er.
On the borderland we left him.
Soon to meet and part no more.
When we leave this world of changes,
When we leave this world of care,
We shall find our missing loved one
In our Father's mansion fair.

Sam and his family moved to Thurman in the fall of 1907--just missed being there when a distant relative of his, Joe Schrock (ID. 2334), served as minister of Thurman Mennonite Church.

But Sam and his family were in Thurman when. . . .
“Tragedy struck the Thurman community on Sunday afternoon, 10 August 1924, when a tornado destroyed the Henry Kuhns' farmhouse four miles (6.5 km) east of the town. Four families, consisting of 27 persons from the Thurman Mennonite Church and the surrounding community--the Garretts, Yoders, Birkys, and Kuhns--had gathered at the Kuhns' home for a harvest celebration dinner. After finishing the meal, one of the men spotted a tornado to the north, in the direction of an adjoining ranch. Henry Kuhns and eight other men left to see whether help was needed. When they observed that no buildings had been hit, the men returned to the Kuhns' farm just as another tornado was bearing down from the west, directly at the farmhouse where 18 women and children inside were apparently unaware of the approach of the intense, 100-yard-wide funnel. As the men came to within 200 yards of the front gate, the Kuhns' house "trembled as if a giant unseen fist was shaking it." After a few seconds, "the structure was ripped apart and its occupants hurled into the air." Ten of the 18 people died while the other eight were injured; nine of the ten deceased were children. The dead were removed from the wreckage to the David Rediger home, and the injured were cared for by neighboring families. The tornado was said to be one of the worst catastrophes ever to occur in Washington County, and the outdoor funeral, which attracted more than 1,000 persons, was the largest that the community had ever witnessed.” http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/T5961.html}

Census:
Sam, Ellen, and three girls listed. Sam’s work was day laborer. Lived two houses from his parents, Peter and Anna Schrock and four houses from his sister Lydia Either and her family.

Residence:
In The Fall Of The Year

Residence:
Named (along with P.A. Schrock, Chris and John Zendner) in Washington Co., CO, Akron Weekly Pioneer Press (1921 June) in District Court and Notice for Publication about homesteading matters.

There is also a news article about the Mennonite congregation of Thurman giving a nice donation of $111.25 to the Red Cross, which was sent for relief work in Northern France. “These people do not believe in war so they sent their money as specified. Those contributing were: N. M.(?) Birky, $5; Joseph Ruby, $25; Joe Yoder, $1.50; Mike Ruby, $5; Joseph Unternahrer, $15; Frank Unternahrer, $5; Sam Schrock, $6; Aaron Ruby, $5; M. L.Schultz, $5; Anna Schultz, $5; Mrs. J. S. Zook, $1; F. W. Hoffman, $5; Joe Hoffman, $2; L.L. Schlabach, $5; A. Z. Birky, $2; John B. Yantzr, $2; S. L. Proops, $3; David Redeger, $5; Simon Schultz, $3; Joe Unternahrer, $1.75.

Buried:
Thurman Cemetery

Samuel married Helénè (Ellen) Zendner on 29 Apr 1888 in Fancy (Farny?), Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. Helénè (daughter of Christian Zendner and Barbe Marie Schrag (Serach) (Gerard)) was born on 8 Apr 1865 in Foug, Toul, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR; died on 21 Dec 1922 in Denver, Denver Co., CO; was buried in Thurman, Washington Co., CO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish/Mennonite
• Residence: 1904, Fairview, MI
• Residence: 1924, Evansport, Defiance Co., OH

Notes:

When still at home with his parents and brothers, one day while cutting wood in the woods, Joe accidently chopped off his own thumb or finger with his axe. Because they were quite a distance from home the father wrapped what was left of the finger with his red bandana to stop the bleeding, then put the piece of a finger in his shirt pocket. That evening when the day’s work was finished they went home and washed the wound, put the finger back in place and wrapped it. The finger grew back and I remember seeing his hand when he visited Grandpa as an old man, and I couldn’t tell which finger was cut.

Lived in Michigan. However, some of the family migrated to Defiance, Ohio in the early 1900s.

Birth:
FAG says Hopedale

Died:
FAG says 18 April

Buried:
Lockport Cemetery

Joseph married Anna Salomi King on 26 Mar 1890. Anna (daughter of Phillip King and Barbara Powell) was born on 21 Jan 1869 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; died on 9 Sep 1948 in OH; was buried in Stryker, Williams Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish/Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Eicher. ? Lydia Anna, daughter of Peter and Anna (Garber) Schrock, was born Mar. 26, 1868, near Pekin, Ill.; died Feb. 6, 1938, at the home of her sisters, Ella and Lena Schrock, at Fisher, Ill.; aged 69 y. 10 m. 11 d. She had been an invalid for nearly seven years, following a stroke of paralysis, and bore all her suffering with much patience. She accepted Christ as her Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church while young, and continued in the faith throughout her life, being a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church of Fisher, Ill., at the time of her death. She was united in marriage to Christian Eicher, May 7, 1887. To this union 2 daughters were born: Mrs. Lulu Cook of Fisher, and Mrs. Lela Alexander of Owossa, Mich. She leaves besides the daughters and sisters, 3 brothers (John Schrock of Fisher, Samuel Thurman, Colo., and Joseph of Defiance, O.), 3 grandsons, 1 great-grandson, and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held from the home, also the East Bend Mennonite Church, conducted by Bro. Allen Miller of Pekin, Ill., and Bro. Harold Zehr of the local church. Burial in the East Bend Cemetery.
——————————



Email from Justine Oct 2007:
Mom (Alta Detweiler) said that Chris and Lydia Eicher were living in or near Pekin. She has the feeling that he was not a farmer, so perhaps they lived in town. The parents and the two little girls had just finished supper and Chris said that he was going out. Lydia never saw him again. She got word to her brother, our Great Grandpa John Schrock, and he went right over. Grandpa and some other men searched for him all day, thinking he may have fallen in the night, or even got hurt somehow. For several days after that Grandpa searched, but to no avail. Aunt Lyd was of course devastated, and shortly after, moved to Fisher, because she had no means of support. She reported that she and Chris had not had an argument, and she could not believe that he just up and left. Mom isn't sure of the date of this event. Lulu and Lela were both young, and it was after 1891, because Grandpa Schrock was living here. It must have been around the turn of the century, because Grandma Heiser was born in1889, and Lulu was about 10 years younger than her, Mom thinks. What a mystery! Maybe someone in Chris' later life knew he was from Pekin, and returned his body there. Seems like someone who knew the Schrocks would have heard of his death , or seen his stone, and told us.  Mom thinks Lydia died in the early '30s and was considered young when she died. So it is entirely possible that Chris died in 1943. Mom said it completely ruined Aunt Lyd's life, and she rarely ever smiled after that. }

Birth:
Peter’s family Bible gives birth month as April

Died:
At the home of her sisters

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Lydia married Christian Eicher on 7 May 1887 in Secor, Woodford Co., IL. Christian (son of Peter Eicher and Veronica (Fannie) Stuckey) was born on 18 Nov 1865 in Mornington, Ontario, Canada; died on 2 Apr 1943 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Railroad Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Completed 8 Grades
• Occupation: Operated A Small Town “Hotel”, More Like A Boarding House In Fisher, IL.
• Occupation: Telephone Operator
• Religion: Amish/Mennonite
• Baptism: 2 Jun 1895, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Census: Apr 1930, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1935, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1940, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 6 Apr 1940, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock, -- Ella, daughter of Peter and Anna (Garber) Schrock, was born near Delavan, Ill. Nov. 7, 1876; died at the Hansen Convalescent Home, Gibson City, Feb. 8, 1951; aged 75 y. 3 m. 1 d. She moved with her parents to the Fisher community at the age of 15 and with the exception of a few years spent in Michigan, she lived the rest of her life in this vicinity. She accepted Christ as her Saviour in her teens and united with the Mennonite Church and continued faithful until her death. She leaves to mourn her departure 1 brother (John, Fisher, Ill.), 8 nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. Three brothers and 3 sisters preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at the East Bend church in charge of Harold Zehr.

Never married. Ella was at one time a member of Anchor Mennonite Church, but on 19 Mar 1944 moved her letter of membership to East Bend Mennonite Church. After her sister Lena’s death, Ella’s mental health deteriorated and she was institutionalized for a few months, was then taken to a nursing home where she died.

Birth:
Gravestone date. 1876 Obituary date.

Baptism:
East Bend Church by Peter Zehr

Census:
Head of Household, age 53, renting property. Proprieor of a hotel. In the house were Lena age 44, sister; Lydia Eicher, sister age 62, and 6 roomers ranging in age from 19 to 37.

Residence:
Sangamon Street close to the Methodist Church

Residence:
Sangamon Street close to the Methodist Church

Census:
Head of household, age 63, completed 8 grades of school; operator of hotel/apartments - the building was rented, not owned; 0 income in 1939, but had income from other sources.

Died:
Nursing Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery. Funeral service by Harold Zehr and J. A. Heiser.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Completed 6 Years
• Occupation: Telephone Switchboard Operator
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Cancer
• Census: 1930, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1935, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 1940, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1940, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock. --- Magdalena M., daughter of Peter and Anna (Garber) Schrock, was born near Eureka, Ill. Aug. 20, 1885; died at the home of her niece (Mrs. Charles Cook), in Fisher, Ill., June 27, 1950; aged 64 y. 10 m. 7 d. At the age of nine she moved with her parents to the Fisher community, where she spent her entire life except for seven years, when she lived at Fairview Mich. She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour in youth, united with the Mennonite Church, and was a faithful and consistent member until death. She leaves one brother (John) and one sister (Ella) both of Fisher, Ill., and many other relatives and friends. Three brothers and 2 sisters preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Church, with Harold Zehr in charge.

————
Lena worked for some years as a telephone operator in Fisher. She and sister Ella ran a boarding house “hotel” in Fisher as well.

Residence:
Sangamon Street, close to the Methodist Church

Census:
Magdalena, sister to head of household, age 54; completed 6 years of school; in 1935 lived in the same house; telephone switchboard operator. Amount of wages received in 1939-$650.

Residence:
Sangamon Street, close to the Methodist Church

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Carpenter And Building Contractor
• Residence: 1935, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
“Peter Schrock, 75, well-known retired building contractor, died suddenly at 8:45 o’clock Sunday evening at his residence, 706 Bacon street, of a heart attack.
“Mr. Schrock, who underwent a major operation about five weeks ago, had seemed to be in good health until shortly before the attack. He and his wife had eaten Sunday dinner at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Walter E. Schaefer, 810 S. Eighth street.
“Shortly after they returned home, he complained of feeling ill and the family physician was called. An hour after the doctor left, Mr. Schrock was stricken, falling from the side of his bed where he had been sitting.
“The deceased was born in Woodford County, IL on Jan 29, 1867, a son of John (son of Johannes) and Barbara Rediger Schrock. His marriage was to Alice Bahn at Aurora, Neb. on Feb 20, 1901.
“Surviving beside the wife and daughter are two brothers, Ed and Will Schrock, both of Pekin; six sisters, Mrs. Catherine Ropp, San Franciso, Calif., Mrs. R. H. Thode, Pasadena, Cal., Mrs. Charles Heisel, Mrs. Herman Gueber, Miss Frances Schrock and Miss Bina Schrock, all of Pekin.
“A brother, Dan, and a sister, Mrs. Sarah Ringwald, preceded him in death.
“The body was removed to the Preston and Jackson Funeral home where friends may call until time of services at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. R. E. Buford will officiate.

Residence:
708 Bacon Street. Peter built the house with help from brothers Dan and Will.

Peter married Alice D. Bahn on 20 Feb 1901 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. Alice was born on 14 Nov 1872 in IN; died on 14 Mar 1957 in IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1935, Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., CA

Notes:

Residence:
There in 1937 as well

Buried:
Lakeside Cemetery

Catherine married Aaron D. Ropp on 23 Nov 1886 in Tazewell Co., IL. Aaron (son of Jacob Ropp and Elizabeth Schlegal) was born on 11 Jul 1861 in IL; died on 28 Oct 1904 in Pekin, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Carpenter
• Residence: 1935, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Daniel Schrock Funeral Services Saturday at 2:30
Funeral services for Daniel Schrock, prominent Pekin carpenter, who died unexpectedly at St. Francis hospital yesterday at 12:10 p.m., will be held from the Noel funeral home Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock.
Altho Mr. Schrock had been in comparatively poor health for some time the exact condition of his health--even to the last few moments of his life--was unknown to a great many of his friends.
About two weeks ago he was taken to the hospital, and last Friday a major operation was performed. Following the operation many complications developed, and his life ended Thursday at noon.
Daniel Schrock was born in Elm Grove township Jan. 16, 1869, the son of John and Barbara Rediger Schrock.
He never married, and is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Peter Schrock, Ed Schrock, Pekin; Mrs. Catherine Ropp, Pasadena; Miss Bina Schrock, Mrs. Sarah Ringwaldt, Mrs. Herman Gueber, Pekin; Mrs. Belle Thode, Pasadena; Miss Frances Schrock, William Schrock, and Mrs. Charles Heisel, Pekin.
Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. E. V. Young of the First Methodist Church of which the deceased was a member. Burial will be in Lakeside cemetery.
The body was removed to the residence at 714 S. Ninth street and until Saturday noon friends may call there.
--Cemetery Book 8 lists Daniel-son-Jan.16, “1870”-July 15, 1937

Dan and his brother Will (John W.?) were carpenters, and in the winter they worked for an ice company, making and cutting big blocks of ice on Bailey Lake with horses.

Residence:
And in 1937 at 714 S. Ninth Street

Died:
Jul, according to Judy Rediger

Buried:
Lakeside Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1935, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Died:
At age 71.

Notes:

Family/Spouse: Adam Ringwald. Adam was born in May 1873 in IL; died on 20 Jul 1931 in Pekin, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in Pekin in 1937.

Family/Spouse: Herman L. Gueber. Herman was born in Jun 1871 in GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Worked In Skipper & Block Dept. Store, Pekin, IL

Notes:

Never married.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Member Bethel Mennonite Church, Pekin, IL

Notes:

Family/Spouse: Nellie E. Williams. Nellie was born on 6 Sep 1881; died on 2 Aug 1925. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1937, Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., CA

Notes:

Margaret Elizabeth according to Source .

Family/Spouse: Robert H. Thode. Robert was born on 22 Sep 1881 in IL; died on 1 Jan 1964 in Orange Co., CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Charles Heisel. Charles was born in 1882 in IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source gives dates as born 25 Sep 1888 and died 18 Mar 1889. Buried in Railroad Cemetery.

Buried:
Railroad Cemetery: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Schrock&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=25343574&df=all&

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Member Deer Creek Methodist Church
• Residence: Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1939, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

This couple had no children.
They lived in a house on highway 150 between Goodfield and Morton,

----------
Eureka Times, Woodford County (weekly paper)
March 5, 1914

Mrs. C. A. Pepper has been at Goodfield considerable since the death of her mother, Mrs. Joseph Yoder. Mr. and Mrs. John Yoder who have been living in Ohio the past two years will return and keep house for father of Mrs. Pepper.

Mrs. John Yoder of Fayette, Ohio, visited her parents in Eureka.

Mary married Charles Andrew Pepper on 13 Feb 1895 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL. Charles (son of Major Pepper and Elizabeth Galbraith) was born on 17 Jan 1872 in Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL; died in May 1946 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Deer Creek Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Age 3 years, 3 months

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery--no stone today

Notes:

Eureka Times, Woodford County (weekly paper)
March 5, 1914

Mrs. C. A. Pepper has been at Goodfield considerable since the death of her mother, Mrs. Joseph Yoder. Mr. and Mrs. John Yoder who have been living in Ohio the past two years will return and keep house for father of Mrs. Pepper.

Mrs. John Yoder of Fayette, Ohio, visited her parents in Eureka.

Died:
at the home of his daughter Mrs. Robert Reel

Buried:
Olio Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Matilda (Tillie) Finley. Matilda was born on 29 Aug 1873; died on 12 Aug 1950 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Leukemia
• Residence: 12 Jan 1920, Pulaska Twp., Williams Co., OH
• Residence: Aft 1920, Hamlet, IN

Notes:

Buried:
Crown Hill Cemetery

Joseph married Wilhelmina Antoinette Punke on 20 May 1902 in Woodford Co., IL. Wilhelmina was born in 1874 in Panola, Woodford Co., IL; died on 16 Apr 1930 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; was buried in Knox Twp, Starke Co., IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Lumberyard In Goodfield, IL In 1930
• Religion: Congerville Mennonite Church

Notes:

William and Katherine had no children.

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery

William married Katherine Heiser on 20 Oct 1926. Katherine (daughter of Christian W. Heiser and Elizabeth Zehr) was born on 14 May 1885 in Allentown, Morton Twp., IL; died on 23 Jan 1934 in Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Deer Creek Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Mrs. Mary Saltzman on 27 Jan 1940 in Keokuk, IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Woodsdale Farm

Buried:
Trenton Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Lina Augspurger on 19 Feb 1884. Lina was born on 29 May 1862 in Overpeck, Butler Co., OH; died on 4 Jun 1946 in Middleton Butler Co., OH; was buried in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

There is a problem with the dates of this couple.

Family/Spouse: Samuel Goldsmith. Samuel was born in 1866; died in 1944. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Had six children:John, Chris, Peter, Anna, Joseph, and Mary.

Family/Spouse: Christian Kinsinger. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
12 Sep 1953?

Veronica married Charles Pearson in Nov 1886. Charles was born in 1865; died in 1943. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Maud Haley (Halsey?). Maud was born in 1874; died in 1932. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Benjamin Franklin Stolzfus in 1898. Benjamin was born in 1866; died in 1938. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Never married.

Buried:
Walnut Hill Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Millwright, Inventor

Notes:

Married Sophia Davish in 1890’s.

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Millwright, Farmer

Notes:

Buried:
Forest Lawn Cemetery

Peter married Annie Mary Elizabeth Taylor on 21 Apr 1897. Annie was born on 28 Mar 1875; died on 10 Apr 1942; was buried in Mt. Pleasant, Frederick Co., VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Merchant

Notes:

Children: Nina b. 3 Aug 1889; Ray b. 30 Mar 1891

Buried:
Woodlawn Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Sarah Hobbs. Sarah was born on 20 Sep 1865; died on 18 Jul 1949; was buried in Toledo, Tama Co., IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Troy Cemetery

Anna married Emil Peter Kennel on 27 Dec 1887 in Blue Ball,Butler Co., OH. Emil (son of Johannes “Little John” Kennel, Jr. and Emilie Iutzi) was born on 6 Dec 1862 in Butler Co., OH; died on 22 Apr 1941. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery

Mary married Elmer D. Conrad on 2 Jun 1897 in Hamilton, Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Obituary gives the year as 1864, but gives age at death as 72.

Notes:

http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/butler/cemeteries/madison/st-peters.txt

SCHROCK, John W. b. 14 Aug 1884, d. 8 Jan 1956.
Myrtle, M. 1895-10 , husband, John W.

ST. PETER'S CEMETERY
Butler County, Ohio
St. Peter's cemetery is located beside the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Trenton, Madison Township, Butler County, Ohio, on the left hand side of Hamilton Street, two blocks north of the intersection of State Street and Hamilton Avenue. The Church was organized by a group of fifteen immigrants from Germany in 1859. Before the Church building was erected, the group met in the old Trenton school house from 1855 until the church was dedicated in 1861. The cemetery was organized in 1859.

Buried:
St. Peter’s Cemetery

John married M. Myrtle Miller on 18 May 1922. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Catherine Oyer in 1892. Catherine was born in Jun 1864; died before 1900. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Fannie Ehresman on 25 Oct 1889 in Seward, NE. Fannie (daughter of Christian Ehresman and Magdalena Wagler) was born on 6 Aug 1860 in Livingston Co., IL; died on 31 Jan 1934 in Hutchinson, Reno Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Magdalena Stalter was the only parent named on his birth entry.

Family/Spouse: Mary Dubois. Mary was born about 1875. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died at about 6 mo. of age.

Notes:

Died:
Died at birth, same day as her mother

Notes:

Grew up in Barton Co., MO, near Lamar. After marriage moved to Holdrege, NE, area. After William died, Magdalena moved to Chappell, NE, farming and raising her children alone.

Buried:
Fairview Cemetery

Mary married William Valentine Unzicker on 14 Feb 1888 in MO. William (son of Valentine Unzicker and Magdalena Schertz) was born on 17 Jun 1865; died on 20 Mar 1929 in Julesburg, Sedgwick Co., CO; was buried in Julesburg, Sedgwick Co., CO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The couple was married in the “famous” brick house four miles west of Washington, IL. [This would no doubt be the house that Andrew

“At some point, Lizzie and her husband were divorced. Edward was living in Mervin, MO in 1914 according to his father’s obituary so they must have been divorced by that year.

“Mom remembers that Lena Unzicker and Lizzie King left the area for points west. She remembers that Lizzie loved men and had a house on the edge of Holdrege, possibly a house of “ill repute.”

Left Holdrege area and lived on 1280-acre ranch twenty miles north of Cheyenne, WY, with a large herd of cattle.

Buried:
Lakeview Cemetery

Elizabeth married Edward King before 1889 in IL, and was divorced before 1914. Edward (son of Phillip King and Barbara Powell) was born on 23 Nov 1863 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Rancher
• Religion: Methodist
• PURC: 1911, Holdrege, NE

Notes:

Lived at Holdrege, NE.

From the book Schrock Farms:
“Sam Schrock Sr. married Helen Sauer and rented a 1/2 section called the Gwinner place 3 miles north of Holdrege. The ground was very sandy. He raised corn and fed cattle and hogs. He was very successful. During the dry years, 1930s, he could raise corn in the sand hills while the corn in the black soil dried up. In 1925 he thought he would retire and move to town and so he built a large lovely 2 story home. He just couldn’t sit around so he bought an old hotel in Ragan and one in Atlanta and used the lumber to build a large building on 4th Ave., the Schrock building, for many businesses. He also built the first filling station in Holdrege on the main highway about 1927. Later, he built a building where the Elks are now and also where the Taste of Country restaurant currently is. He built the first lock plant for frozen meat and built the building where the Cozy Inn restaurant is on 4th.
“Sam I bought the ice plant and delivered ice to the railroad and people would then by his ice. He also bought the livestock sale barn. He was in his 80s at that time. He also built an IGA grocery store on 4th Ave. It no longer exists. During the World War II, when housing was short, he remodeled many old houses and apartments. He also went back to farming when he was in his 60s and 70s. His wife, Helen, died when she was 79 in the 60s and 4 years later he married Margaret. He was in his 80s. She lived for 5 years and died in 1969. He was 99 when he died.”

PURC:
A “sand hills pasture” farm of 1000 acres 12 miles north and 3 miles east of Holdrege.

Buried:
Prairie Home Cemetery

Samuel married Helena Sauer on 23 Oct 1903 in Holdrege, NE. Helena (daughter of Peter Sauer and Augusta Berg) was born on 29 Jul 1883 in Hedrick, OA; died on 17 Sep 1962 in Holdrege, NE; was buried in Holdrege, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Riverside Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Minnie E. Long. Minnie was born on 2 Nov 1879; died on 25 Mar 1965; was buried in Heyburn, Minidoka Co., ID. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Gering, NE
• Residence: Burley, ID

Notes:

Buried:
Riverview Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Lois Miller. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1920, Island Park Twp., Ransom Co., ND

Notes:

Census:
Federal Census

Buried:
Oakwood Cemetery

Charles married Abbie Jane Gray on 17 Dec 1902 in Jasper Co., IN. Abbie was born on 24 Mar 1879 in Jasper Co., IN; died on 19 Oct 1948 in Lisbon, Ransom Co., ND. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1910, Blackford, Jackson Twp., IN
• Census: 2 Jan 1920, Redlands, San Bernardino, CA
• Census: 1930, Redlands, San Bernardino, CA

Notes:

Census:
Federal Census

Census:
Florence was not listed--could have been married.

Family/Spouse: Herman C. Robbins. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1920, Logansport, Cass Co., IN
• Census: 3 Apr 1930, Logansport, Cass Co., IN

Notes:

Census:
Federal Census: Besides Harvey and Amelia were: Davey (Harlan), age 8; Mary, age 7; Rodney, age 5.

Census:
Listed were: Harvey, age 45, born in IN; Amelia, age 42; Harlan, age 18; Mary, age 15; Rodney, age 10; Mary Hoffman age 83, widowed mother-in-law.

Buried:
Mt. Hope Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Harvey Daggett. Harvey was born in 1884 in IN; was buried on 27 Sep 1956 in Logansport, Cass Co., IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Protestant, Church Of God

Notes:

Frank married Julia Pearl Ellsworth on 1 Dec 1898 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. Julia was born on 11 May 1880 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE; died on 26 Jun 1966 in Oceanside, San Diego Co., CA; was buried in San Diego, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer, 1910 Census
• Religion: Protestant, First Mennonite Church, Upland, CA
• Census: 1910, Hamilton Co., NE
• Census: 1920, Hamilton Co., NE
• Census: 1930, Ontario, San Bernardino, CA

Notes:

Buried:
Bellevue Memorial Park (Mausoleum)

John married Nancy Pearl Zehr on 4 Jan 1904 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. Nancy (daughter of Joseph Zehr and Elizabeth Yoder) was born on 5 Feb 1883 in IL; died on 3 Oct 1951 in Upland, San Bernardino Co., CA; was buried in Oct 1951 in Ontario, San Bernardino, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: http://www.hansenhome.us/familyhistory/schrock/p7.htm
Matilda Ann Schrock was buried at Ontario, San Bernardino, California, USA. She was Protestant, First Mennonite Church, Upland California. Matilda Ann Schrock was also known as Tillie.1 She was born on 23 May 1881 at Washington, Tazewell, Illinois, USA.2,1 She was the daughter of Peter Schrock and Magdelena Unzicker.1,2 Matilda Ann Schrock appeared on the census of 1 June 1900 in the household of Peter Schrock and Magdelena Unzicker at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA.1 Matilda Ann Schrock married Alvin Stutzman on 10 January 1901 at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA; This record was unsourced as 10 Jan 1900, which is too early as Matilda was still single in the 1900 US census. A year of 1901 is more consistent with the 1910 and 1930 US censuses.3,4,1 Matilda Ann Schrock and Alvin Stutzman appeared on the census of 15 April 1910 at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA.3 Matilda Ann Schrock and Alvin Stutzman appeared on the census of 1 April 1930 at Upland, San Bernardino, California, USA.4 Matilda Ann Schrock died on 19 April 1980 at Upland, San Bernardino, California, USA, at age 98.2

Matilda married Alvin D. Stutzman on 10 Jan 1900 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. Alvin was born on 26 Jan 1876 in Walnut Creek, Holmes Co., OH; died on 29 Jul 1958 in Ontario, Canada; was buried in Ontario, San Bernardino, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Protestant, First Mennonite Church, Upland, California

Notes:

Obit: http://www.hansenhome.us/familyhistory/schrock/p7.htm
Emma L. Schrock was buried at Ontario, San Bernardino, California, USA. She was Protestant, First Mennonite Church, Upland, California. She was born on 17 June 1883 at Fon Du Lac, Fon Du Lac, Illinois, USA.1 She was the daughter of Peter Schrock and Magdelena Unzicker.1 Emma L. Schrock appeared on the census of 1 June 1900 in the household of Peter Schrock and Magdelena Unzicker at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA.1 Emma L. Schrock married John J. Jantze on 4 July 1901 at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA. Emma L. Schrock died on 13 May 1972 at Upland, San Bernardino, California, USA, at age 88.

Emma married John J. Jantze on 4 Jul 1901 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. John was born on 20 Jun 1871; died on 1 Jun 1970 in Upland, San Bernardino Co., CA; was buried in Ontario, San Bernardino, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: http://www.hansenhome.us/familyhistory/schrock/p7.htm
Katie M. Schrock was buried at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA. She was born on 5 October 1885 at Washington, Tazewell, Illinois, USA.1 She was the daughter of Peter Schrock and Magdelena Unzicker.1 Katie M. Schrock appeared on the census of 1 June 1900 in the household of Peter Schrock and Magdelena Unzicker at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA.1 Katie M. Schrock married John E. Troyer on 26 November 1903 at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA. Katie M. Schrock died on 15 September 1973 at Aurora, Hamilton, Nebraska, USA, at age 87.

1. [S476] Peter Schrock household, US Census 1900, Hamilton, Nebraska, population schedule, Aurora, ED 66, sheet 6B, dwelling 119, family 119.

Buried:
Aurora Cemetery

Katie married John E. Troyer on 26 Nov 1903 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. John was born on 6 Nov 1876 in Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN; died on 14 Mar 1970 in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE; was buried in Aurora, Hamilton Co., NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Family/Spouse: Emma Marie Ehresman. Emma was born on 24 Feb 1871; died on 23 Feb 1963. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daniel married Anna May Brindle on 24 Feb 1903. Anna was born on 7 May 1883; died on 6 Apr 1975. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Joseph Jacob Sommer. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lydia married Emil A. Sommer on 13 Aug 1908. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Magdalena married Albert Weyeneth in 1878. Albert (son of Jacob Weyeneth and Elizabeth Koehler) was born in 1851. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in Hutchinson, KS, possibly moved to Kansas City where he may have worked with a saddlery company.

Louis married Rhoda Murphy (?) on 16 Feb 1892. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ida married Charles A. Miller on 15 Sep 1889 in Harper, Harper Co., KS. Charles was born on 3 Oct 1868 in Richland Co., OH; died on 12 Jan 1945 in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died at age 16.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• Residence: 1886, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1921, MI

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, June 1955:
" Mary, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Neuhauser) Smith, was born near Gridley, Ill., Dec. 31, 1861; passed away at her home near St. Johns, Mich. May 27, 1955 aged 93 y. 4 m. 27 d. She accepted Christ as her Saviour in her youth and united with the Waldo Mennonite Church near Flanagan, Ill. On Jan. 15, 1880, she was united in marriage with John P. Oyer. To this union were born 11 children, 8, of whom grew to maturity (Edward H., Eureka, Ill.; Daniel S. (deceased September, 1954), Lydia, at home; Emma (deceased May, 1951); Noah (deceased February, 1931); Elmer J., Fisher, Ill.; Edna , at home; and Esther-Mrs. Cyril Smith, St. Johns). Besides her aged husband, who was unable to attend the funeral she also leaves one brother (C.H. Smith, Eureka, Ill.). Two brothers and 3 sisters preceded her. In 1886 she moved to Woodford Co., Ill., and was a member of the Metamora Church until 1921 when the family moved to Michigan, where she continued her activities at the Bethel Mennonite Church as long as health permitted. She had been in frail health for several years, but was able to be about the house until the last week of her life. A few hours before her departure, she enjoyed a visit from her pastor, joining in the prayer in which she especially remembered the church, the pastor, and other individuals. Shortly afterwards she peacefully passed away. Funeral services were held at the Bethel Church on May 31, in charge of J. M. Landis. Her favorite psalms (90 and 91) were read. Burial was made in the Washington Township Cemetery nearby."

This family moved to and lived in Michigan.

Birth:
near Gridley

Buried:
Washington Township Cemetery

Mary married John Paul Oyer on 15 Jan 1880 in Gridley, McLean Co., IL. John (son of Joseph, Jr Oyer and Anna Peterschmidt) was born on 27 Feb 1858 in Farmdale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 10 Aug 1957 in Midland, Midland Co., TX; was buried in Pompeii, Gratiot Co., MI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• Residence: Larned, KS
• Residence: 1895, Hesston, Harvey Co., KS

Notes:

Obit:
King, -- Anna, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Neuhauser) Smith, was born near Congerville, Ill., Aug. 4, 1863; passed away at the Bethel Hospital, Newton, Kans., Nov. 25, 1949; aged 86 y. 3 m. 21 d. In 1885 she was married to Samuel B. King and moved from Illinois to Kansas, where they found their home near Larned. Ten years later they located on a farm near Hesston, which was their home until the time of her husband's death in 1942, after which she lived with her daughter (Mrs. Ephraim Risser). Theirs was a happy home, where many relatives and friends found hospitality. At the age of fifteen she was converted and was a sincere and faithful member of the Mennonite Church from her youth. After moving to Hesston, however, she learned a deeper love for God and His Word and for the souls of mankind. She was always ready to testify to the deep peace and assurance of salvation which she enjoyed and which she cherished for others. A faithful attendant at all church services, she served as Sunday-school teacher at the Pennsylvania Church for more than forty years. She maintained a keen interest in Christian missions and daily interceded in this behalf. In addition to her husband, she was preceded by her eldest son (Ezra). Surviving are 8 children (Emma Risser, Hesston, Kans.; Frank, Chicago, Ill.; Elmer, Eureka, Ill.; Grace Shellenberger, Wichita, Kans.; Alvin, Hesston, Kans.; Samuel, Dhamtari, C.P., India; Chauncey, River Falls, Wis.; and Bessie Yoder, Kalona, Iowa), 24 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one sister (Mrs. J. P. Oyler, St. Johns, Mich.), and a brother (C. H. Smith, Eureka, Ill.). Funeral services were conducted at the home by O. O. Hershberger and at the Pennsylvania Church Nov. 27. Interment was made in the Pennsylvania Cemetery.

Lived in Hesston, KS.

Buried:
Eastlawn Cemetery (Pennsylvania Cemetery?)

Anna married Samuel Bartholomew King on 5 Mar 1885 in Gridley, McLean Co., IL. Samuel (son of David Henry King and Barbara Zook) was born on 30 Jun 1861 in Congerville, Montgomery Twp., Woodford Co., IL; died on 2 Aug 1942 in Newton, Harvey Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in Hutchinson, KS.

Magdalena married Emanuel King on 30 Dec 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Smith, Christian H., son of Peter and Barbara (Neuhouser) Smith, was born June 8, 1867, near Meadows, Ill.; passed away at his home in Eureka, Ill., Jan. 2, 1958; aged 90 y. 6 m. 25 d. Although he had been ailing for several months, his condition became serious only about a week before his death. On March 31, 1893, he was united in marriage to Mary Imhoff at Metamora, Ill. She preceded him in death, May 22, 1939. To this union were born seven children, the oldest two dying in infancy. Surviving are 5 children (Edward L., Wheaton, Ill.; Martha, Lulu, Mrs. Ralph Ulrich, and Mabelle, all of Eureka, Ill.), and 3 grandchildren. In his early youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church, of which he remained a faithful member until death. Funeral services were held Jan. 5, in charge of Wesley E. Jantz. Burial in the Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Mary Imhoff on 30 Mar 1893 in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL. Mary (daughter of John Imhoff and Mary Smith) was born on 27 Feb 1871 in Spring Bay, Woodford Co., IL; died on 22 May 1939 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived near Archibold, OH.

Buried:
Lockport Cemetery

Peter married Fannie Gautsche on 2 Feb 1897. Fannie was born on 1 Feb 1873 in Butler Co., OH; died on 26 Oct 1948 in Williams Co., OH; was buried in Stryker, Williams Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer

Notes:

Obit:
Smith. - John J. Smith was born near Gridley, Ill., April 5, 1874, died at his home near Ashley, Mich., May 16, 1924; aged 50 y. 1 m. 11 d. On Dec. 28, 1899, he was married to Catherine E. Smith of Metamora, Ill., to which union were born three sons (Willard, Tilman, and Milton), and one daughter (Dorothy). His wife's health failing, he with the family, moved to La Junta, Colo., in the winter of 1914, where Sister Smith died March 19 of the same year. During the following two years he was manager of the Sanitarium Farm at La Junta. On Dec. 23, 1915, he was married to Elizabeth H. Bergey of Souderton, Pa. To this union was born one son, George. In the winter of 1916 the family again moved to their farm near Eureka, Ill., where they remained until moving to Ashley, Mich., four years ago. Converted when a young man, Bro. Smith was always faithful worker in the Mennonite Church. For nearly twenty years be served as superintendent of the different Sunday schools with which he worshipped. A devoted husband and loving father, he was known for his upright Christian character wherever he went. During his last illness from tuberculosis he bore his suffering patiently, talking frequently of that Home over yonder where sickness, pain, and partings, are unknown. Besides the companion and children he leaves three sisters (Mrs. J. P. 0yer, Mrs. S. B. King, Mrs. E. J. King), and two brothers (Chris H. and Peter J.). Funeral services were held at the home church near Ashley, May 18, in charge of the home minister, Bro. George Sommer, and Bro. Peter Ropp of Imlay City; and at the Mennonite Church near Roanoke, Ill., May 20, in charge of Bros. H. R. Schertz and Ezra Yordy. Interment in cemetery nearby.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

John married Catherine Ethel (Katie) Smith on 28 Dec 1899 in Metamora Twp., Woodford Co., IL. Catherine (daughter of Bishop John Smith and Magdalena Schertz) was born on 19 Jun 1879 in Metamora Twp., Woodford Co., IL; died on 19 Mar 1914 in La Junta, CO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth (Lizzie) H. Berry on 23 Dec 1915 in Sellersville, PA. Elizabeth was born on 7 Nov 1886 in Franconia Twp., PA; died on 15 Jun 1979 in St. Johns, MI; was buried in Pompeii. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died young.

Notes:

Perhaps Samuel died in 1867 instead of 1877 if all three children of Peter died before Magdalena married Valentine Maninger.

Buried:
Gridley Cemetery

Notes:

John grew up in Illinois, moved to Harper, KS at the age of 22, becoming a more or less unsuccessful business man. Neither he nor any of his brothers cared for the seemingly eccentric faith of their parents so they broke away from the church entirely and never affiliated with any other religious group. He was an innovator living on a farm and from time to time got into side ventures which usually failed. He placed his farm as collateral for his loans and in 1922 was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1922.

From the book Kansas, published by Standard Publishing Company, Chicago (page 223):

John L. Maninger, a prominent farmer of Harper county, Kansas, is a native of Illinois, born at Gridley, June 2, 1868. He is a son of Valentine and Magdalena (Smith) [Schrock] Maninger. The father was born at Baden, Germany, September 29, 1834, and came to America in 1859, locating at Metamora, Ill. He was a shoemaker and followed that occupation until the Civil war broke out. While a resident of Metamora, he met Abraham Lincoln, who frequently came to that place in connection with his law practice, and Mr. Maninger and Lincoln, became very good friends, and frequently went on hunting trips together, in the vicinity of Metamora. When the war broke out, Mr. Maninger enlisted, as a private in Company A, Seventeenth Regiment, Missouri infantry. He took part in a number of important engagements, and was severely wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, receiving five gun shot wounds during that engagement, one bullet passing entirely through his body, another one, he carried with him, to his grave. After recovering from these wounds, he was unfit for the regular duties of the soldier on the march and in action, and was then detailed on the hospital corps. He served in that branch of the service until the close of the war, making his term of service, in all, three years and eight months. He then went to Gridley, Ill., where he worked at his trade for a time, and later bought a farm in that vicinity and engaged in farming. In 1885 he came to Kansas, and bought 4890 acres of land, one mile south of Harper. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising and prospered. He bought additional land, and at the time of his death, July 4, 1913, he left each of his eight children, 160 acres of improved farm land. He was married October 22, 1867, to Mrs. Magdalena Neuhauser, a native of Butler county, Ohio, born April 27, 1841. They were the parents of eight children as follows: John L., the subject of this sketch; Frank; August; Emma; Joseph, William; Edward, and Frederick, all engaged in farming in Harper county. John L. Maninger received his education in the public schools, and has made farming the occupation of his life, and thoroughly understands the business. He was married November 29, 1889, at Harper, Kans., to Miss Priscilla Weyenett. She was born at Roanoke, Ill., August 30, 1870, and is a daughter of Jacob Weyenett. To Mr. and Mrs. Maninger have been born seven children: Silvia, Jesse, Eunice, Emily, Mattie, Clara, and Fern. Mr. Maninger is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Democrat.

John married Priscilla Weyeneth in 1889. Priscilla (daughter of Jacob Weyeneth and Elizabeth Koehler) was born in 1870 in IL; died on 3 Nov 1954 in KS; was buried in Harper, Harper Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Frances Dotterer. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Gravestone gives year as 1874

Buried:
Harper Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Bertha Aust. Bertha was born in 1882; died on 16 Mar 1959; was buried in Harper, Harper Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Barth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Matilda Stoker. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Harper Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Rose Anna Dufield. Rose was born on 30 Jan 1882 in IL; died on 25 Nov 1960 in KS; was buried in Harper, Harper Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mable Diest. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mina Berg. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]