Catherine Marie Ritzieker (Regsecker) (Lithzieker)

Other Events and Attributes:

• EARL: Y
• Residence: 1798

Notes:

Residence:
Alzing

Died:
Paul Auburtin source

Catherine married Christian Engel before 1770. Christian was born about 1730; died in ? 1775 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Nicolas Christian Neuhauser in 1770. Nicolas (son of Jacques Neuhauser and Barbe Geny) was born in 1736; died on 11 Mar 1798 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Birth:
Alking (Alzing?) farm

Died:
Calculated from death document of son Joseph and marriage document of Joseph and Marie Neuhauser. After June 1799 and before summer of 1800

Maria married Joseph Schrag (Schrack) on 13 Aug 1798 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR. Joseph (son of Caspar (Gaspard) Schrag (Gerack) and Barbe Rouvenac (Rüfenacht)) was born on 17 Mar 1772 in Bistroff, Moselle, FR; died on 5 Apr 1830 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; was buried in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Anabaptist

Notes:

Alzing was already mentioned in 1525 as being a farm of the seigniory of Sarreck. In 1556, she was a possession of the counts of Lutzelbourg, then of the count de Custine. Alzing seems to have been in ancient times an important locality. The heart of Alzing remained an Anabaptist community.

Marie is almost certainly part of the Neuhauser family which lived in Gosselming and was well known to Schrag and Engel families--a sister to Jean Neuhauser, who was a witness to Joseph’s marriage to Marie Engel, since Marie’s mother had secondly married Jean’s father, Nicholas Neuhauser.

Her death is still a mystery. There is a Mary Gerrard listed along with Anna and Madeline Gerrard on the ship Baltimore, on which the family sailed to America in 1831. Her age is given as 52, and that fits fairly well with her probable birth date. However, except for a notation by son Peter in his Bible saying his mother died 27 January 1839, there has been no other data found about when (or where) she died, and no mention of her by any family members in America, or researchers finding evidence of her presence in America.

Gosselming (part of Meurthe before 1870 had 795 people in 1836, 542 in 2001) is situated at the extremity of a forest named Selvald, on the left bank of the Saar River, 6 km south of Fenetrange, 9 km from Sarrebourg, and 72 km from Nancy. The farm Alzing is 5 km west of Gosselming.

Birth:
Birth year calculated from son Johannes’ marriage document--she was 53 at the time. No doubt born at Alzing farm.

In a letter dated Aug 16, 1953, Homer Schrock (Ohio) writes to a cousin:
In going thru some of my great grandfather’s papers today (Peter, Sr.) in his Bible it said My mother died 27 January 1839 maiden name Bropfin and was born in Mariabirch. So far I haven’t found his father’s name.


Died:
She was present at Johannes and Catherine’s marriage in 1826.
In a letter dated Aug 16, 1953, Homer Schrock (Ohio) writes to a cousin:
“In going thru some of my great grandfather’s papers today (Peter, Sr.) in his Bible it said My mother died 27 January 1839 maiden name Bropfin [?] and was born in Mariabirch [Merlebach].”

Maria married Joseph Schrag (Schrack) about 1800 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR. Joseph (son of Caspar (Gaspard) Schrag (Gerack) and Barbe Rouvenac (Rüfenacht)) was born on 17 Mar 1772 in Bistroff, Moselle, FR; died on 5 Apr 1830 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; was buried in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Cultivator At Misselhof

Notes:

Named as witness, and brother of bride, on marriage document of Marie Engel and Joseph Schrag. (he was actually a step-brother)

“His parents were “decedes in interval of a few days in ventose (March) of year 6 (1797) of the Revolution. Jean was a farmer at Alzing, with Nicolas Risser. Among 115 parcels of national lands sold on August 10, 1794 (Thermidor 23, year 3), 9 parcels belonging to the Command of Malta were allocated to Schertz.”

Was farming at Alzing with Nicolas Risser at one time. His parents were deceased only days apart in 1798.

He went to Bebing in 1808 with his five children.

Birth:
Alzing

Died:
Misselhof de Bebing (1837?)

Jean married Marie (Anne-Marie Kennel (Kinel) on 10 Dec 1798 in Longeville-les-St. Avold, Moselle, FR. Marie (daughter of Christian Kennel and Anne Schertz) was born on 15 Feb 1770 in Diffenbach-lès-Hellimer, Moselle, FR; died on 1 Feb 1843 in Bébing, Moselle, FR. [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)
—————————————————————
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.
——————————————————————
“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.” ,
——————————————————————
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!
———————————————————————
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.“
————————————————————————
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.
—————————————————————————
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.”
—————————————————————————
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.
————————————————————————
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.










———————————
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]

Notes:

Probably died as an infant.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: 1855 A Miller In Lafauche, Haute-Marne, St. Blin, France

Notes:

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Jean married Madeleine Saltzmann on 11 Mar 1821 in Marimont Les Benestroff, Moselle, FR. Madeleine (daughter of Joseph Saltzmann and Barbara Litwiller (Lidviller)) was born on 11 Apr 1800 in Denting, Moselle, FR; died on 24 Apr 1853 in Lafauche, Haute-Marne, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 7 Jan 1803, Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR

Notes:

Died:
at 39 years of age

Family/Spouse: Barbe Neuhauser. Barbe (daughter of Valentine Felty Neuhauser and Barbe Elisabeth Schertz) was born on 8 Oct 1837 in Lorquin, Moselle, FR; died on 3 Apr 1871 in KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
at age of 26

Notes:

Died:
at the age of 25

Notes:

Birth:
Bebing? FHC Film # 1896732

Christian married Catherine Schertz on 19 Dec 1839 in Lorquin, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Bebing

Died:
at age 89

Notes:

Birth:
Misselhof

Died:
at age 65.

Anna married Christian Suisse on 9 Sep 1852 in Hermelange, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
NEUHAUSER. - On June 12, 1899, at 11:45 P. M., in Livingston Co. Ill., of decrepitude, Deacon Valentine Neuhauser, at the advanced age of 85 yr., 2 m., and 29 d. Bro. Neuhauser was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, on the 14th day of March, 1814. In 1838 he married Barbara Schertz. To this union five children were born, of whom four preceded him to the spirit world. This family was blessed with thirteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. Our deceased deacon's precious days were full of trouble and labor, and he went through many a sad experience before his time came and death relieved him of his troubles. His remains were laid to rest on the 15th, and a large number of relatives and friends from near and far showed him their last respect of love and gratitude. Funeral services were conducted by Daniel Orendorff, from Phil. 1:21-23, and by the writer, from 2 Cor. 5:1-10, after which Joseph Rediger made a few earnest remarks.
JOHN P. SCHMITT.

Died:
at age 85 yr. 2 mo. 29 da.

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Valentine married Barbe Elisabeth Schertz on 19 Oct 1839 in Lorquin, Moselle, FR. Barbe (daughter of Andrés Schertz and Barbe (Elizabeth) Saltzman) was born on 12 Oct 1819 in Lorquin, Moselle, FR; died on 14 May 1886 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston 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]

Notes:

Birth:
Misselhof

Died:
(52) at age 72 years

Jean married Marie Engel (Lange) on 4 Mar 1847 in Wassy, Haute-Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, FR. Marie (daughter of Joseph Engel (Lange) and Elisabeth “Lise” Gerber) was born on 14 May 1815. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Catherine. Catherine was born in 1828. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Maker Of Flour And Meal (Farinier)

Notes:

Also married Helene Salzman in 1877 (daughter of Jean Salzman (1795) and Madeleine Rup (1803).

Christian married Marie Strubhar on 23 Apr 1855 in Wassy, Haute-Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, FR. Marie was born on 29 May 1832. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Old Pa Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Mary Isabelle KingUSA. Mary was born in 1860; died in 1940. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Barbara was the mother of eight of Peter’s children.

Family/Spouse: Joseph Neuhauser. Joseph (son of Jean (Hans-Jean) Neuhauser and Marie (Anne-Marie Kennel (Kinel)) was born on 7 Jan 1802 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; died on 5 May 1842 in Bébing, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barbe married Peter A. Farney on 12 Feb 1860 in Minonk, Woodford Co., IL. Peter (son of Peter Farny and Anne Kempf) was born on 3 Jun 1835 in Wilmot, Ontario, Canada; died on 9 Jul 1903 in Hutchinson, Reno Co., KS; was buried in Sterling, KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Valentin married Anna Ropp on 19 Oct 1867 in Woodford Co., IL. Anna (daughter of Christian Ropp and Magdalena Schertz) was born on 23 Jun 1845; died on 25 Aug 1903. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Valentin married Elisa Elizabeth Saltzmann on 11 Jun 1907. Elisa (daughter of Michael Saltzman and Elizabeth Schrag) was born on 21 Sep 1849 in New Orleans, LA; died on 17 Feb 1920 in Gridley, McLean Co., IL; was buried on 19 Feb 1920 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]