THE FRANK & BRUNNENTAL VILLAGE NEWSLETTER Spring 1995 Issue (May 1, 1995) Volume 24, Number 2 Circulation 357 ------------------------------------- ADDRESSES Frank/Brunnental Newsletter: Sherrie Stahl, Editor 4189 NW Spoon Place Portland OR 97229 sherriestahl@comcast.net Frank Data Bank Contact Doris Evans EVANSDFE@aol.com Brunnental Data Bank Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl 4189 NW Spoon Place Portland OR 97229 sherriestahl@comcast.net Website: http://www.brunnental.us/brunnental/index.html ------------------------------------- EDITOR'S CORNER----- Dear Readers: This month we are especially happy to bring you several articles written by those of you who exhibit the quality of "sharing"!! It is through SHARING that others are finally "finding those missing connections". I am sure, as more and more records are received from the Russian archives, there will be more "success stories" to tell -- it is indeed an exciting time for all of us! We are also fortunate in finding a "lost family" living today in South America, and I hope this can be a "continued article" in upcoming issues. I feel that as more and more of us read these stories, we will realize that many of our relatives did survive the 20's 30's & 40's! If you had knowledge of any relatives that may have gone to South America, please write us and tell us what you know. Maybe we can help you find your family! And lastly, we have discovered more and more families from Frank and Brunnental who are leaving Russia and moving to Germany. Just in the past several months, I have been notified of many new names and addresses. These people will have many stories to tell, and will be looking for relatives in the US! Editor, Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl -------------------------------------------------------------------------- IN THIS ISSUE: Editor's Corner , News, Addresses......................................p.1 Master Listing of Email Addresses For the Internet. ...................p.2 Computer Corner ---- Downloading Software & Searching..................p.3 Queries--Can You Help Us?.............................................p. 4 Obituaries .......................................................p.5 & 23 The WACKERs from Frank..............................................p. 6-8 The Eckhardt Book -- Available June...................................p.8 Sharing Your Family Tree (The ECKHARDTs From Frank)................p.9-12 The HARDTs now living in Argentina, South America................p.13-15 The History of Brunnental 1918-1941----by Jakob Mohrland...........p.16-22 Die Welt Post Articles ---(Brunnentalers).........................p. 23-24 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING ISSUES: ---The BASTRON Family from Frank, by Virginia West ---The Story of My Life, By Alex Gutmann--Canada ---Update on the FRANK info coming out of Russia ---Germans From Russia in Portland, OR ---Update on Brunnental Poem---Who we've found!! ---Passenger Listing,---- "S.S. Stubenhuk" (those from Frank) ---Story of Anna Marie Hartung, of Calgary, AB, Canada. ---Escape From Brunnental, by Jakob Hartung, AB, Canada. ---BAUM family from Brunnental ---Families From Rusajewka & Andrewka, Kazahkstan ------------------------------------------------------------ HUSSENBACH HISTORY NEEDED: We received this request from another village newsletter editor: "As editor of the Hussenbach Review, I would appreciate hearing from any of your readers having knowledge of Hussenbach (Linewo-Osero) which is near to Frank, or Hussenbach (Gaschon), sometimes known as NeuHussenbach, which is close to Brunnental. We are attempting to build a historical file about these two villages. We will be most anxious for any descriptions, documents, or pictures. Any documents or pictures will be returned to their owners as soon as they are scanned to disk. Send to: Paul A. Lais (editor), Hussenbach Review, 21111 118th Place E Graham WA 98338-8829. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOUR TO RUSSIA: Dr. William Wiest is again going to be your tour guide to the Volga on July 11th through August 3rd, 1995! If you would like more information about this tour please contact: Pam Davis Willamette International Travel 118 SW First Avenue Portland, OR or call her at (503) 224-0180 1-800-821-0401 (toll free) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MASTER LISTING OF EMAIL ADDRESSES ON THE INTERNET: For those of you who have a computer, a modem, and are now connected to the "INTERNET", I want to let you know about the MASTER LISTING of Germans From Russia who have E-mail addresses. This "listing" was started as a sort of SURNAME & VILLAGE exchange - so that Germans From Russia could communicate with others via Email. The following is a list of all people from this master listing who I felt might be researching surnames from the village of FRANK or BRUNNENTAL or a village which was close-by. Because of the intermarriage between villages, many of us claim several villages as our ancestral village. This listing includes the following: 1) Name 2) E-mail address 3) Villages being researched (area). 4) Surnames being researched. 5) Address (optional) Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl stahl@teleport.com Brunnental, Frank, Walter, Kolb, Norka. Gettmann, Greenwald,Kissler, Klippert & all surnames from Frank &Brunnental. ---------- Nancy Nelson McCormick drmac@selway.umt.edu Norka. Miller, Hohnstein. ---------- Jackie (Propp) Read JREAD@ACAD.CC.WHECN.EDU Schilling (Sosnovka), Hussenbach (Linevo Ozero). Propp, Zinn, Eichner, Schreiber. ---------- Doris Eckhardt Evans EVANSDFE@aol.com Frank, Kolb, Walter, Huck. Eckhardt, Hoff, Zeiler, Lebsack, Amen, Wagner, Sitzman, Gruenwald. ---------- Ramona J. Koch, 75017.3255@compuserve.com Morgentau, Miller, Kana, Moor, Schoenfeld. Koch, Klein, Kraft, Schlegel, Moore. ---------- Norman Dudek* norm@tcgcs.com Kolb & Frank--Village Coord. for Kolb. Achtziger, Adam, Adler, Barth, Bauer, Becker, Benzel, Betz, Brautigam, Brigan (Bruhan), Brungardt, Cechman, Christel/Kristel, Daut (Thaut), Ditz (Dietz), Egevald, Engelmann, Fogel, Frickel, Fromm (Frosch?), Geisel, Hartung, Heim, Helm, Henkel,Horst, Ils, Kanzler, Kechter, Kempel (Kembel), Kerschbaum, Koch, Kolb, Librecht, Mai, Manz, Meier, Meininger, Melchior, Miller, Minkh, Propp, Rehn, Reiber, Rogel, Rosenov, Rupp, Rutt, Scheuerman, Schneider, Schreiner, Schumacker, Shefer (Schafer), Schaefer, Schilreff, Schildref, Stamm, Streck, Stromberger, Thiel, Thorn, Ugert, Walter, Weber, Wilhel, Wurttemberger, & Zilg. ---------- Ms Corliss L Traut DDTW42A@prodigy.com Frank & Norka. Eckhardt, Eckhart, Traut, Trautt, & Reifschneider. ---------- Arthur E. Flegel 73014.2714@compuserve.com Norka. Reuscher, Schnell, Burbach, Heiser, Miller. 1895 Oakdell Drive, Menlo Park CA 94025 ---------- Jeffrey M. Breiwick breiwick@orca.akctr.noaa.gov Frank & Walter. Krening, Amend, Mohrlang, Gies. ---------- Lauren Brantner lbrantne@blue.univnorthco.edu Walter & Frank. Brethauer, Bretthauer, Kister, Melcher, Dorn, Beck (Walter); Eckhardt, Kissler. 19795 Weld County Rd. 50 1/2, La Salle CO 80645, (303) 284-7861 ---------- Pamela Jordan (Pam) dp629@Cleveland.freenet.edu Tscherbakowka, Swesda, Frank Altergott, Bauer, Frick, Woch, Wogg, Waugh. ---------- Glen A. Frederick, 73312.3705@compuserve.com Norka. Miller, Hein, Popp, Schnell, Fisher. ---------- Rod Fierstein RodF765436@aol.com Norka. Feuerstein, Hohnstein, Ensel, Heuser. ---------- Bill Frees bfrees@wgc.woodward.com Kautz,Kraft, Hussenbach,Wiesenmueller. Bauer, Buxman, Fries, Geist, Gradwohl, Haffner, Hardt, Heimbigner, Hoffman, Keller, Kreutzer, Loose, Martin, Ostwald, Ruppel, Schlotthauer, Schreiner, Temple. ---------- Tracy Hume--Village Coordinator for Kraft MC_TRACY@MASH.COLORADO.EDU Kraft, Beidek. Neb, Lauck. ---------- Bob Schleiger (Schleicher) schleiger@fc.hp.com Norka. Keiser, Kaiser, Kiser, Schleicher, Schleiger, Schleicher, Pauli, Pauly, Pauley, Schmer, Schmeer. ---------- Otto and Emmalene Kopf OKOPF@aol.com Frank & Galga. Bernhardt, Bastrom, Eberhardt. ---------- John I. Spady (Portland, OR) jspady@teleport.com Norka. Spady, Hessler, Bott, Weitzel, Schmeer, Yost, Yeager, Bauer, Loos, Krieger. ---------- Rodney J. Fink RJ-Fink@bgu.edu Dietel & surrounding villages & general Saratov region. Krug, Reinhardt, Erbes, Fink. 148 Fawn Ridge, Macomb IL, 61455, Ph (309) 833-5192, fax (309) 837-1140 ---------- Sergej Kindsvater kindsvaters@rferl.org Grimm, Franzosen, Dietel. Kindsvater, Fritzler. Address: Widenmayerstr. 13 ,80358 Munich Germany ---------- Elaine McDowell elmcdowell@delphi.com Frank. Lapp, Walker, Gettman, Bath (Bott), Hoffman. ---------- Jim Knopf knopf@halcyon.com Frank. Knopf, Schwartzkopf, Meier, Schaeffer, Uhrich, Kissler, Bender, Ryon, Loose, Wasemiller, Karp, Fromm. ---------- William M. Wiest* wiest@reed.edu Rohrbach, Worms (Odessa); Friedrichsfeld (Stavropol); Brunnental, Wiesenmueller (Volga), Miller, Stephan, Frank. Wiest, Croissant, Kreusant, Schuh, Schue, Fuhrman, Buxman, Buxmann, Helfenbein, Elfenbein, Greb, Weber, Mohn. ---------- John & Marcella Wark JWARK@aol.com Norka. Adams, Fritzler, Helzer, Hohnstein, Miller, Mohr, Sauer, Schaffer. ---------- Steven Smalley nstn1635@fox.nstn.ns.ca Jagodnaja Poljana. Schreiner, Kromm, Conn, Schilling. ---------- Kathryn Drozdik joe@helix.net Jagodnaja Polyana. Helm, Konschuh, Schneidmuller, Schneidmiller. ---------- Susan Hess 76263.2104@compuserve.com Kransojar, Russia. Weber, Veller, Schweigert. ---------- Robert V. Baker wulf@teleport.com Norka. Baker, Becker, Baecker, Klaus, Blum, Yost, Rosh, Reichert. ---------- Loren Sauer sauer@plains.nodak.edu village of interest? Sauer, Aman. ---------- August L. Bauer august.bauer@network.com Kolb, Morganthau, Gnadenthau. Bauer, Miller. ---------- Terry Sterkel tsterkel@pipeline.com Laub, Stahl, Messer, Norka. Sterkel, Starkel, St:arkel, Staerkle, Starkle, Hohnstein, Merk, Shuhman, Langmacher. ---------- Robert G. Zimbelman 73241.2315@compuserve.com Frank. Trupp, Bath. 15608 Yellowhorn Court, Rockville MD 20853, (301) 570-9427 ---------- Patty Dietz Pat406BMT@aol.com Walter. Dietz, Kister ---------- Elizabeth (Sinner) Barker pafbeideck@aol.com Beideck Village Coordinator. All surnames for Beideck. ---------- Paul A. Lais (Hussenbach Newsletter) 74741.1010@compuserve.com Hussenbach (Gaschon), NeuHussenbach, Huck. Lais, Leiss, Leis, Niederhaus, Zweitzig, Dietz END OF LISTING ------------------------------------------------------ COMPUTER CORNER --- DOWNLOADING FILES & SEARCHING: By now, some of you have "explored" the German/Russian Digital Library on the INTERNET that we introduced you to in our last issue. And hopefully, you have had time to check out some of the files, and download a few to your computer. Some of the files are very large, especially the books that are "online" (yes, I said BOOKS). We all read a book now and then, but I have no intention of trying to read a book on my computer screen, and I certainly wouldn't want to fathom the idea of even browsing through a book "online" or "printing out" an entire book on my printer. That is where "search software" solves the problem! "Search software" can literally search for a word or group of words in a "computer file" or "group of files" in a matter of seconds. It can then tell you every place in that file where your WORDS are found. It's like putting a bookmark in each spot.....imagine scanning a book in seconds and finding every mention of the SURNAME or VILLAGE you are researching!! Currently the PIXEL computer at Virginia Tech has a repository of "software programs" that can be downloaded to your computer. If you *FTP to the PIXEL, you can download any one of the many "software programs" available . One of these programs, which you can use for searching, is DtSearch (version 3.0). You will find it under the "Programs" section of the German/Russian Digital Library, and its filename is: dtsw.zip Remember though, DtSearch is a shareware program which costs $150. Remember, you can download this software and try it out free for 30 days, but if you want to keep it and use it, you must register and pay the $150. There are other "full text retrieval packages" that are equally as good, and some that are better. They each have different capabilities and different prices. It is wise to check around and talk to people before selecting the one that is right for you. The "FTRS" (full text retrieval software) is used to go out and scan through every file or group of files on your computer. In other words after it has processed all the files, it literally KNOWS the exact location in every single document of every single word, so that when you do a "search", it doesn't have to look at any of the documents themselves. It already knows where each word is and can immediately give you all the "hits" or places where the word is that you are searching for. For example, I used DtSearch to "index" all my files on my computer.....which took only about 1 minute. Then I "searched" for the surname of "Gettman" and found 25 hits. The FTRS was able to tell me every place, in every file on my computer, where the word Gettman appeared. I could then immediately check out each of these "hits"--- in other words, I clicked on each hit and it took me directly to that file on my harddrive where I could read that portion of the text where the word "Gettman" appeared. For anyone who is "serious" about researching large files or databases, Full Text Retrieval Software is a must!! You will be able to download any file from the German Russian Digital Library and search these files at your leisure, over and over again. As we gather more and more databases from people, we will be able to search out more and more information. Be sure to check out other places on the German Russian Library -- remember there is a listing for the village of Brunnental which shows names, births, & deaths of everyone in the Brunnental Data Bank. (In the next issue we will talk about preparing your GEDCOM files to go in the "digital online library".) -------------------------------------------------------------------- QUERIES --- CAN YOU HELP US WITH OUR RESEARCH??? Send in your queries -- we want to help find your missing relatives! Include all information that you might have that would be helpful in solving your puzzle -- include names, birth and death dates, and places where they lived & include a picture, if available. SEIBEL-- Karl Groth of Paderborn, Germany is looking for his relatives -- the family of Jacob Seibel. Jacob Seibel left Brunnental, Russia in 1921 & emigrated to the US. He left behind his first wife, Susanna (Rhein) Seibel b. 1901/02, who couldn't enter the US because of disease.(see picture of Susanna to the right which was taken in 1972) Susanna (Rhein) Seibel, also had an Uncle Gottlieb Rhein (or Heinrich?) and wife Olga, with children: Andreas, Albert, Ewald, Anna & Maria ,who were to have come to the US also. If anyone has information about either of these families, please contact: Sherrie Stahl, 1011 NW Glisan #302, Portland, OR 97209-3215. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BUTERUS-- Looking for the family of Jacob Andreas Buterus born 1894 in Walter, Russia. He served in WWI, but didn't return home because he was taken prisioner of war. He later came to America and his wife's name was Emilia. They had 4 children: Karl Friedrich, Herz David, Ella Luisa, and Ella Lenora. This family was to have lived in Lincoln, NE. at one time and Jacob Buterus may have died in 1991/92. Jacob Buterus's relatives are now living in Frank, Russia & are trying to find any remaining family in America. If anyone has information about this family, please contact Clarence Kissler, 2 Claret Ash, Littleton CO 80127. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (picture of family.....needs identification???)- The only identification that was found with this picture was, "Second Cousin, Henry Horst". If anyone has information about this family, please contact: Doris (Eckhardt) Evans, HCR 1 Box 72, Almira WA 99103-9754. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES: Jacob Greenwalt Jr. -- Odessa, WA.The Odessa Record, Odessa, WA., 2 Mar 1995 Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 1, for Jacob Greenwalt Jr., a lifetime resident of northwestern Adams County, at Christ Lutheran Church in Odessa. Mr. Greenwalt died on Saturday, February 24, 1995. He was 85 years old. He was born on October 4, 1909, in the Menno area, the son of Jacob and Carolina (Hochstatter) Greenwalt. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at the rural Ferderer School. He began working on the family farm at ann early age. He married LydiaKulm, of Schrag, on June 31, 1931, and in 1932 they moved to the present farm south of Batum. He was among the first dry land irrigator farmers in the Batum area. He retired from farming in 1974, but continued to live on the farm until his death. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Odessa. Mr. Greenwalt is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lydia, at the home; six sons, Walter E. Greenwalt, of Lynwood, Wash.; David Greenwalt, of Odessa; Leo Greenwalt, of Moscow, Idaho; Robert Greenwalt, of Odessa; Melvin Greenwalt, of Ritzville, and Marvin Greenwalt, of Moses Lake; 18 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; one brother, Herman Greenwalt, of Palouse, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pastor Scott Jurgens officiated at the funeral. Interment was at Odessa Cemetery. Strate Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. It is suggested memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or a memorial of choice. * * * * Robert Dean Eckhardt Hastings Tribune, 4 Mar 1995, Hastings, NE. Robert Eckhardt, 68, of 315 S. Delaware Ave. died Friday, March 3, 1995, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. W.C. Westman officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery. Mr. Eckhardt was born March 13, 1926, to Carl and Leona (Eggers) Eckhardt in Hastings. He graduated from Hastings Senior High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. He was discharged as a Gunner's Mate 3rd Class. On May 31, 1947, he married LaVonne Huelle in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was a grain inspector for Hastings Grain Inspection for 30 years, retiring in 1989. His wife died Sept. 12, 1978. He was a member of VFW, American Legion and Eagles, all of Hastings. Survivors are one daughter, JoLene Johnson of Hastings; two sons, Richard and Roger, both of Hastings; one sister, Betty Jones of Hastings; and seven grandchildren. Memorial may be given to Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Oncology Department. * * * * Marie C. Arnold --Yakima, WA Marie C. Arnold, 88, of Yakima, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994 at Chinook Convalescent Center. She was born March 21, 1906 in Frank, Russia to Conrad and Katherine (Woitt) Lesser. On October 2, 1944, she married William H. Arnold in Seattle, WA. Marie was a homemaker and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #289 and Eastern Star Syringa Chapter 38. She was a chairman of the Eagles youth activities and drill team for many years. Marie enjoyed deep sea fishing, camping and especially her family. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lucille and Terry Barnett of Spokane; 2 grandchildren, Rick and Randy Barnett; great grandchildren, Stephanie, Brian, Katrina and Whitney Barnett; also a brother William Lesser of Dothan, Alabama and numerous neices and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband William H. Arnold on January 31, 1989, 6 brothers and 1 sister. Funeral Services will be Friday, December 30, 1994, 2:00 P.M. at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. Burial will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the American Lung Association c/o Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. * * * * Alfred Rupp "Alf" (December 2, 1927 -- April 12, 1995) Lethbridge, AB, Canada (Tribute by Alvin Vaage-----Submitted by Ken Hartung) Alfred Rupp was born on Dec. 2, 1927 to David and Anne Marie (Hartung) Rupp & was raised with his two sisters Emma and Ella on the family farm, east of Champion. Alfred received his schooling at Sanderson & Harmony School & Calgary Tech. On October 30th, 1948 Alfred married Gloria Gatenby of Champion and they had 3 sons, Jim, Dale and Gordon Rupp. Alfred was a very community minded person & this is attested to by the number of projects and associations he was involved with---The Harmony Telephone Line, the Champion Hall Board, The Lions Club, The Recreation Board, the Rural Fire Assn., The Champion Legion, & most recently the Mine Road Water Co-op, the Champion Pioneer Club, & the Southern Alberta Antique Auto Club. We all remember Alf as an avid sports participant in curling and baseball. Alf also followed the rodeo circuit and attended the Antique Car Club functions throughout Alberta. Now please do not let me give you the impression that Alfred's family and farm played second fiddle to his community involvement and hobbies. His meticulous farming practices were greatly admired by his neighbors and his wisdom and advice was held in high esteem. In the fall of 1992, Alf and Gloria moved into Champion due to Alf's illness. Alf's work days now took on a different appearance and with his daily visits to the farm, he assumed a more managerial role. He also continued on with his responsibility of training the hired help. Alf will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and many friends and neighbors. Survivors include his wife Gloria, their children Jim & Trudy of Bonneville, Dale and Louise of Champion, and Gordon and Ann of Champion; nine grandchildren; and two sisters, Emma and Fred Hildabrandt and Ella and Ian Walker all of Calgary. * * * * Theodore Kissler -- Greeley, CO Memory Folder -- January 6, 1995 In memory of Theodore Kissler, born June 27, 1919 and died January 4, 1995. Funeral Services at Allnut Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, at 10:30AM on January 6th, 1995. Officiating is the Rev. Doyle Karst. Interment Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley, CO. Pallbearers: Jim Kissler, Kyle Cox, Paul Voss, Jimmy Kissler, Kevin Cox, and Martin Mathews. [Ted was the youngest son of Conrad Kissler who was the author of the article entitled, "My Life As A Soldier In The Russo- Japanese War".] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Wackers From Frank, Russia ----- by Esther (Wacker) Smith: (Submitted by Doris (Eckhardt) Evans) This story was written by Esther (Wacker) Smith and was printed in A Little Book of Wacker-Walker Stories, Edited by Lynne Garell. I was notified by Willard Wacker that Esther (Wacker) Smith had died on 21 January 1995, in Loveland, CO. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * During the reign of Catherine the Great, a pact was formed between Russia and Germany that some of the young German people would be chosen to migrate to Russia for the purpose of tilling the soil. This pact was mutually beneficial because in Russia there were vast areas of uncultivated soil, sparsely settled; while Germany, comparatively small, was densely populated. The Russian peasants were unskilled in, and is-inclined to the occupation of farming. It was agreed upon in this pact that the German people would settle in communities where they would continue their way of life according to their German heritage. So, there were German churches and schools, etc. There was very little communication between the German and the Russian people. Inter-marriages were frowned upon and almost never hear of. It was also stipulated in this pact that German men were not to serve in the Russian Army. Our father, Conrad Wacker Jr. was uncertain of the date his and our mother, Katherine's ancestors first migrated from Germany to Russia; but definitely several generations before their births. According to the best of my recollections the above is what our father, Conrad Jr., related to some of his children. Conrad Wacker Jr. (1866-1954) and Katherine Marie Hoff (1865-1953) were born in Russia of German parentage. Conrad Jr. was the oldest of Conrad Wacker Sr. and his wife Barbara's children. Katherine Marie Hoff was a little girl of only six years when her mother died. Her oldest sister, sixteen, took charge of the household affairs, until their father married again. Katherine loved her oldest sister very much; later in life they were parted, never to see each other again. She said their step mother was a "good mother" to the family. Katherine re-called that her father was "strict" and that he had a good "singing voice". He taught his children religious songs; and, as was customary in their community during the Christmas holidays, he gathered work hard, anxious to please her employers, and tried to "better herself" and thus find better jobs. Now it so happened that at about this time of her life, a man whose name was Conrad Wacker Sr., who was quite a prosperous farmer with a year round hired man for the fields, needed a maid servant for the house. So it happened that Conrad Sr. hired this "likely" looking girl with experience and good recommendations, as a maid in the Wacker family. Katherine was pleased to have been accepted to serve in such a nice family. And before very long, as a "bonus", she became aware of a well mannered, handsome chap, who was Conrad Jr. She was thus inspired to become more than ever efficient and she was eager to please! Result - Conrad noticed her - he finally saw her as a person! On Katherine's half day off she sometimes visited her girl friends who were mostly married, and made it plain that she should be finding a husband. It seems that most girls were getting married between the ages of seventeen and twenty. To their hints Katherine replied, "No, I will not marry until I find the right man; one who does not swear, smoke or drink, knows how to read and even write. And he also has to be pretty good looking!" Conrad Jr's. parents thought well of Katherine, and when they saw the bashful, blushing glances these two young ones exchanged. They were pleased and encouraged the attraction these young people had for each other. They were thinking it was about time for their oldest son to take a wife, and where could he find a more suitable one? Katherine Marie Hoff became the wife of Conrad Wacker Jr. in about 1887 or 1888. Conrad Wacker Jr. was corresponding with a young relative living in or near Culbertson Nebr. In his letters this young man described America the beautiful, the land of the free, in glowing colors! Conrad was impressed; his imagination and spirit of adventure were stirred. When Conrad Jr's. and Katherine's oldest son, George, was a baby, the Russians must have forgotten some of the terms of the German-Russian pact, for they were beginning to draft the German men into the Russian Army. Conrad Jr. had strong feelings against this-and he thought about the letters from his friend in America, and thought now would be the time to cross the Atlantic Ocean to America, the land of the free. Katherine shared this feeling. But, to persuade Conrad Sr. was another matter! For Conrad Jr. as the first born, according to tradition was the son who would stay with his father and eventually assume the responsibility of managing the family's affairs. Then too, there was little George, their beloved little grandson- -one can see why Conrad Sr. would not consent to his son's wish to migrate to America. man. (I do not know if this was actually a law in that country at that time or not--but it was tradition and accepted.) One evening Conrad Wacker Sr.--weary of his son Conrad's relentless "nagging" about migrating to America, thought he had a solution to the problem! So he said, "Children, your mother and I are going to our bedroom, and no one is to enter until bidden to do so." In a little while the door opened and the whole family entered the room. "Now", Conrad Sr. said, "son Conrad, I believe I have found a way to end this ceaseless argument you and I have regarding your desire to go to America. I have hidden a button in this room; if you guess correctly with one guess only, you have my consent to go to America; if you guess wrong, one guess only, you are to stay, and there will be no further discussion on the subject". Conrad Jr's. face turned pale; his future depended upon this! Being of a deliberate, thoughtful nature, he was not to be hurried: he remained poised, as he looked slowly about the room, his eyes seemingly not missing a thing. the room, with it's bed perfectly made up with grandma's white spread, was breathlessly still; and all eyes were upon him. At last Conrad Jr. solemnly and slowly pointed his finger to the foot of one of the bed posters and said, "there is the button"! Conrad Sr. dropped his hands to his sides and said, "A promise is a promise. Son Conrad, you have my to go to America. (I felt sorry for our grandpa Conrad Sr. when I heard this story). Now, Katherine was pregnant again; but she was unafraid--she was brave and willing to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in a ship; she did not want her husband to serve in the Russian Army. There was much to be done now! Katherine said the three week's sail across the Ocean was really quite pleasant. She was checked every day by the Ship doctor and she had a clean white bed. She felt safe, and confident that all was well. Little George was approximately two years old now, and entertained the passengers. Conrad Jr. & Katherine with their son George, arrived in Culbertson Nebraska on May 1, (1891?) and moved into the hay loft of a barn on the property of one of Conrad's relatives. Katherine said, "It was a beautiful, roomy hay loft, with big windows where one could see far into the distance. There was a good roof, and the sweet smell of new wooden floors, and a good stove, and we were happy?" Katherine soon created this simple abode into a cozy, comfortable home. She sang as she lifted freshly baked loaves of bread--with their tantalizing smell--out of her oven. It was into this home that David Wacker, son of Conrad Jr. and Katherine Wacker, was born, on May 10th, 1891. ----------------- Picture: Back row: Solomon, David, Ben, George, Reinhold. Front Row: Reuben, Conrad Jr., Esther, Katherine Hoff Wacker, Herbert, Will. August is in the foreground, in front of Esther. THE END (see next page for family group info) --------------- The following bit of genealogy is taken from the Eckhardt files prepared by Doris (Eckhardt) Evans. The Barbara, referred to in Esther's story as Conrad's wife, is Barbara Eckhardt, daughter of Johann George Eckhardt. 1. CONRAD WACKER6, (Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. 9 Mar 1866, Frank, Russia, d. 19 Aug 1954, Loveland, CO, m. 1887/1888, Frank, Russia, Maria Katherina Hoff, called "Katherine", b. 11 May 1865, Frank, Russia, d. 19 Feb 1953, Loveland, CO. Daughter of George Hoff and Anna Margaretha Zeiler (1840-1871). Con and Katherine immigrated to the US in 1891, arriving in Culbertson, NE, 1 May 1891, and lived with some of Con's relatives in their hay loft during those first days in the US. Through the years the children, with the exception of David and Esther, changed the spelling of their name to Walker. After this immediate family of their birth, this genealogy will refer to them as Walker. Children:1 1 i George Albert Wacker, b. 5 Dec 1889, Frank, Russia. 2 ii David Wacker, b. 10 May 1891, Culbertson, NE. 3 iii Benjamen Wacker, b. Mar 1894, Culbertson, NE. iv William Wacker, b. Feb 1896, Culbertson, NE, d. 1919 at age 22 during a flu epidemic. 4 v Solomon Wacker, b. 24 Dec 1897, Culbertson, NE. 5 vi Reinhold Wacker, b. Sep 1899, NE, d. 1983. 6 vii Reuben Wacker, b. NE. (lives in Illinois) 7 viii Herbert Wacker, b. CO. 8 ix Esther Wacker, b. 1906, Loveland, CO. 9 x August Wacker, b. Loveland, CO, (lives at Crystal Lake, ID. 2. DAVID WACKER 7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. 10 May 1891, Culbertson, NE, d. 26 Ded 1951, Loveland, CO, bur. 30 Dec 1951, Loveland, CO, m. 9 Jan 1919 Loveland, CO, Martha Wegner, b. 4 Jul 1895, Fremont, NE, d. 30 Nov 1944, Loveland, CO, bur. 4 Dec 1944, Loveland, CO. Daughter of Herman Wegner and Mary Freye. Children: 10 i James Wacker, b. 18 Jul 1921, Loveland, CO. 11 ii Regina Wacker, b. 19 Feb 1928, Loveland, CO. 12 iii Karren Wacker, b. 16 Jul 1934, Loveland, CO. 3. BENJAMEN WALKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. Mar 1894, NE, m. Mary Braun, Mary died in 1919 during the flu epidmic. She is a sister to Nettie Braun who married Henry Wacker, Benjamen's Uncle. Ben m., div., #2 Grace. m.#3 Eva Jane. Children: 13 i Arvilla Walker, b. 1918. 4. SOLOMON WALKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. 24 Dec 1897, Culbertson, NE, m. 22 Aug 1928, Crofton, NE, Esther Mischke, b. 1 Jan 1893, Yankton, SD, d. Jul 1984, Yankton, SD. Daughter of John Mischke and Sophie Doering. Children: 14 i Lois Jean Walker, b. 30 Aug 1933, Yankton, SD. 5. REINHOLD WALKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. Sep 1899, NE, d. 1983, m. Ruth Walker. Children: 15 i Betty Ann Walker 16 ii Mary Ruth Walker 6. REUBEN WALKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. NE, m. Gladys Black, called "Grace". Lives in Illinois. Children: i David Walker 17 ii Sharon Walker 7. HERBERT WALKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. CO, m. Frances Smith. Children: 18 i Lyne Walker 19 ii Pamela Walker 8. ESTHER WACKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. 1906, Loveland, CO, d. 21 Jan 1995, m. Merril Smith. Children: 20 i Kathryn Marie Smith. 9. AUGUST WALKER7, (Conrad Wacker6, Barbara5, Johann George4, Johann Jakob3, Konrad2, Jacob1), b. Loveland, CO, m. Helen Walker. called "Liz". Lives at Crystal Lake, ID. Children: i Tamara Walker, m. Woody Little. 21 ii Sandra Walker -------------------------------------- The above genealogy was taken from the DESCENDANTS OF JOHANN JACOB ECKHARDT Researched and compiled by Doris Eckhardt Evans This book was compiled with the help of hundreds of Eckhardt descendants and by using Dr. Pleve's chart showing the first Eckhardt in Frank, Russia, and his descendants. It contains 6,900 direct descendants, through ten generations---if spouses are included, over 11,000 names. In most cases the parentage of the spouses is also listed. The Eckhardt book has over 500 pages and includes photographs of the early 1900's where available. A condensed chart by Dr. Pleve is included as well as a personalized descendancy chart for the person ordering the book. The book is bound with a spiral binding in order to keep down the cost. The purchase price of this book is $45.00. Copies will be mailed shortly after the first of June. This book may be ordered by writing to: Doris Eckhardt Evans HCR 1 Box 72 Almira, WA 99103-9754 If you are an Eckhardt descendant and do not have your information sent to Doris, you still have this next week to get your information to her !! ----------------------------------------------- Sharing Your Family Tree: First, I would like to share a letter I received from Virginia West, whick was sent to me after she read the last issue of this newsletter --- March 16, 1995 Dear Sherrie, I must tell you how delighted I am with The Frank Village Newsletter's most recent edition (Winter 1994/95). Through your sharing along with Doris Evans, Barbara Clausen and Marie Bandey, I believe I have found my original ancestor that came to Frank, Russia!! Let me explain: I had asked RAGAS to search my family tree. I just received in the mail today from RAGAS, my ancestry back to Bernard Bastron, born 1775. He had a son Valentin, born 1798. The translation of the 1798 Frank Census, that you printed in the Winter Newsletter, shows Family #60, with Bernard Bastron, age 24 in 1798, and son of Johnn Ludwig Bastromi, age 58. I believe you have published the name of my original ancestor to Frank! You can imagine my delight. I have corresponded with Doris Evans and Barbara Clausen in the past and I just can't express how much this has helped me. All sharing is really useful, but this was sensational. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Virginia West P.S. My mother, Katarina Bastron, was born in Frank, Russia in September of 1904 -- and at age 90, is still alive in San Jose, California. After having received Virginia West's first letter in March, she has since sent me her story about the BASTRON family with all the information she received from RAGAS! Virginia's wonderful story with pictures will be carried in the next several issues of the newsletter!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Along these same lines of "sharing", I received this story by Doris Eckhardt Evans: The following 4 pages are the first three generations of the Eckhardt family that came to Frank, Russia. The Eckhardt family was charted by Dr. Pleve. The completeness of this family tree is only due in part to the information that was contained in the Eckhardt tree, but many other charts were instrumental in clarifying names and lines. The lineage for Anna Margaretha Sitzman was taken from the Stroh chart done for Gerta Stroh Walker. The information on No. 2 Johann Georg Eckhardt's wife, Anna Margaretha Wacker, was put together from the Kissler chart that Clarence Kissler commissioned Dr. Pleve to put together. Information from the Amen chart that Dorothy Hoff Thomas purchased, also contained information on Johann Paul Wacker and his wife Anna Margaretha Kissler, confirming that Anna Margaretha Wacker was the daughter of the Johann Paul Wacker in the 1798 Frank Census. (Portions of the 1798 Frank Census reads: Johann Paul Wacker, age 57, his wife Anna Margarita Kisler, age 56. sons: 1. Johann Kasper, age 24, and his wife Maria Barbara Hoberger, age 18 with their son Johann Heinrich, age 6 months. 2. Johann Heinrich, age 20; 3. Johann Paul, age 17. 4. Johannes, age 16.) The information on Barbara Eckhardt No. 4, was found on the Stroh chart. The information on Johannes Eckhardt No. 5 and No. 14, Magdalena Eckhardt was taken from information on the Wagner chart at AHSGR. Maria Barbara Eckhardt, No. 8 was added to the Eckhardt lineage after the Borgens chart, that was obtained for Gerda Stroh Walker, was studied. No. 11 Andreas Eckhardt fit in with the information on the Amen chart supplied by Dorothy Hoff Thomas. Other charts that were used in preparing this genealogy were the Gettmann chart commissioned by Sherrie Gettman Stahl; the Bauer Chart done for Barbara Clausen; the Herbst chart done for Reba Bauer and the Hoff chart supplied in part by Dan Hoff and Dorothy (Hoff) Thomas. All of this is the best example that I can think of as to why the sharing of our information that is received out of Russia benefits everyone of us. When you combine your information with others, your lineage is bound to at least double. If you have purchased a chart from Dr. Pleve, I think it would be a great idea if you would send your name and address to Sherrie. That way she could publish the list of charts that are out there. Just remember, your chart could help to fill out someone's unanswered questions - and vice versa! I hope you enjoy the example below of preparing a family tree from MANY SHARED CHARTS!!! --------------------------------------- DESCENDANTS OF JOHANN JAKOB ECKHARDT OF FRANK, RUSSIA -- by Doris Eckhardt Evans 1. JOHANN JAKOB (1) ECKHARDT: b. 15 Aug 1743, Nidda, Hesse, Germany, m.#1 Ernestina Maria, who d. bef. 1767. m.#2 bef 1781, Russia, Anna Margaretha Sitzman, (Zizmann), daughter of Nicolaus and Maria Sitzman b. 1750. Jakob was of the Lutheran faith and followed the trade of tanner. He arrived from Darmstadt, Germany in Oranienbaum, Russia, on 18 Sep 1766. (Oranienbaum is not far from Saint Petersburg.) According to one source, the first Eckhardt in Frank came from Nidda with his three sons. The research done by Dr. Igor Pleve, professor at Saratov State University, confirms the three sons, and also adds two daughters. It does not establish the maiden name of his first wife. It would follow that if he arrived with his three sons, then he must have arrived after 1784. It is likely that he moved to another village from Oranienbaum before he moved to Frank. It is noted by the research that Dr. Pleve has done, the Amends also arrived first in Oranienbaum in 1766, and moved to the Colony Walter in 1767 and didn't move to Frank until 1788. Children by Anna Margaretha Sitzman: i Maria Magdalena Eckhardt, b. abt 1770, Russia, m. 1788, possibly Frank, Russia, Pastor David Flickner. 2 ii Johann Georg Eckhardt, b. 18 Aug 1770, Russia 3 iii Conrad Eckhardt, 31 Oct 1772, Russia 4 iv Barbara Eckhardt, b. 1782, Russia. 5 v Johannes Eckhardt, b. 1784, Russia THE SECOND GENERATION ECKHARDTS FROM FRANK, RUSSIA 2. JOHANN GEORG (2) ECKHARDT: , (Jacob1), b. 18 Aug 1770, Russia, d. 27 Jan 1840, Frank, Russia, m. Frank, Russia, Anna Margaretha Wacker, b. 23 Feb 1769, d. 27 Jan 1840, Frank, Russia. Daughter of Johann Paul Wacker b. 1741, Darmstadt, Germany, and Anna Margaretha Kissler, b. 1742. (Johann Paul and Anna Margaretha Wacker arrived at Oranienbaum the same time as Johann Jacob Eckhardt on 18 Sep 1766.) Another account of this genealogy said that Conrad (Johannes Georg was referred to as Conrad in this recollection) was said to have had seven sons. Dr. Pleve diagrammed six sons, and one daughter. Another daughter was added when we received additional information on the Stroh family. Children: 6 i Johann Konrad Eckhardt, b. 1795 or 1796, Frank, Russia. ii Anna Margaretha Eckhardt b. 1798, Frank, Russia m. Adam Willman b. 1798. 7 iii George Eckhardt, b. 1800, Frank, Russia. 8 iv Maria Barbara Eckhardt, b. 1802, Frank, Russia. 9 v Jakob Eckhardt, b. 1805, Frank, Russia. 10 vi Heinrich Eckhardt, b. 7 Jul 1887, Frank, Russia. 11 vii Andreas Eckhardt, b. 23 Jul 1811, Frank, Russia. 12 viii Paul Eckhardt, b. 1814, Frank, Russia. 3. KONRAD (2) ECKHARDT, (Jacob1), b. 31 Oct 1772, d. 22 Nov 1840, Frank, Russia, m. Anna Maria Trupp, b. 1774. Johann Jakob is the only child of Konrad Eckhardt and Anna Maria Trupp listed on the Eckhardt chart by Dr. Pleve. Magdalena was added from information received on the Wagner families. Children: 13 i Johann Jakob Eckhardt, b. 1798, Frank, Russia. 14 ii Magdalena Eckhardt, b. 1808, Frank, Russia. 4. BARBARA (2) ECKHARDT, (Jacob1), b. 1782, Frank, Russia, m. Hartmann Zeiler, b. 1779, Frank, Russia, d. 1845, Frank, Russia. Son of Andreas and Clara Elisabeth Zeiler. Children: 15 i Jacob Zeiler, b. 1805, Frank, Russia. 5. JOHANNES (2) ECKHARDT, (Jacob1), b. 16 Mar 1784, Frank, Russia, d. 30 Oct 1852, Frank, Russia, m. bef 1811, Frank, Russia, Magdalena Wagner b. 1789, Frank, Russia, d. 1857, Frank, Russia. Daughter of Johannes Philipp Wagner and Anna Marta Kling. (Kasper Eckhardt, son of Johannes and Magdalena Wagner, is the only child listed on the Eckhardt chart by Dr. Pleve. Anna Katharina appears on the Amend lineage chart by Dr. Pleve. It would appear that the Johannes Eckhardt lineage was limited to showing the first son on Dr. Pleve's Eckhardt tree.) Children: 16 i Kasper Eckhardt, b. 17 Jul 1811, Frank, Russia. 17 ii Anna Katharina Eckhardt, b. 1816/1817, Frank, Russia. THE THIRD GENERATION ECKHARDTS OF FRANK, RUSSIA 6. JOHANN KONRAD (3) ECKHARDT, (Johann Georg2, Jacob1), b. 1795/1796, Frank, Russia, d. abt 1857, Frank, Russia. From the hand written history of Conrad Eckhardt, it relates that, "One son was named Conrad Eckhardt who started the trade of tannery. He married a girl whose maiden name was Klein who was of German Nationality. They had 3 sons and 4 daughters. He caught 2 fish in the Medwediza River which were the largest on record." Dr. Pleve's chart shows that Johann Konrad was married twice. The name of his first wife is not shown. His second wife is shown as Sibilla Ils b. 1808. Children: 18 i Conrad Eckhardt, b. 1820, Frank, Russia. 19 ii Maria Magdalena Eckhardt, b. 1822, Frank, Russia. 20 iii Anna Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 1825, Frank, Russia. 21 iv Katharina Eckhardt, b. 1832, Frank, Russia. 22 v Heinrich Eckhardt, b. 26 Sep 1830, Frank, Russia. 23 vi Jacob Eckhardt, b. 1839, Frank, Russia. vii Maria Margaretha Eckhardt , b. 13 Jan 1840, Frank, Russia, d bef 1850, Frank, Russia. viii Maria Barbara Eckhardt, b. 17 Feb 1842, Frank, Russia. 24 ix Anna Maria Eckhardt , b. 25 Mar 1844, Frank, Russia. 25 x Katharina Eckhardt , b. 1850, Frank, Russia. 7. GEORGE (3) ECKHARDT, (Johannes George2, Jacob1), b. 1800, Frank, Russia, d. 8 Nov 1857, Frank, Russia, m. Anna Katharina Lapp, b. 1804, prob. Frank, Russia. Children: 26 i Heinrich Eckhardt, b. 1820, Frank, Russia. 27 ii Jacob Eckhardt, b. 1822, Frank, Russia. 28 iii George Eckhardt, b. 1829, Frank, Russia. 29 iv Johannes Eckhardt, b. 25 Jan 1832, Frank, Russia. v Andreas Eckhardt, b. 13 Jan 1840, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. vi Maria Dorothea Eckhardt, b. 21 Aug 1841, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. vii Anna Katharina Eckhardt, b. 29 Feb 1844, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. 8. MARIA BARBARA (2) ECKHARDT, (Jacob1), b. 1802, Frank, Russia, m. Johann George Borgens, b. 1803, Frank, Russia. Son of Herman Borgens and Maria Hopp. Children: i Katharina Elisabeth Borgens, b. 1822, Frank, Russia, m. Haas. 30 ii Gottlob Borgens, b. 3 Jul 1825, Frank, Russia. 31 iii Margaretha Borgens, b. 1827/1830, Frank, Russia. iv Maria Dorothea Borgens, b. 1829 Frank, Russia, d. 20 Sep 1855, Frank, Russia, m. 27 Jan 1850, Frank, Russia, Johannes Strasheim, b. 1828, Frank, Russia. v Heinrich Borgens, b. 1831, Frank, Russia, d. 11 Feb 1843, Frank, Russia. 32 vi George Borgens, b. 28 Jun 1834, Frank Russia. vii Barbara Borgens, b. 1836, Frank, Russia, d. Frank, Russia, m. Bernhardt. 33 viii Andreas Borgens, b. 13 Jan 1839, Frank, Russia. ix Johannes Borgens, b. 22 Aug 1841, Frank, Russia, d. in childhood.. x Anna Maria Borgens, b. 30 Oct 1845, Frank, Russia. 9. JACOB (3) ECKHARDT, (Johannes George2, Jacob1), b. 1805, Frank, Russia. Some of his years were spent elsewhere, but he returned to Frank in 1841. After his return Jacob served the Frank community for 43 years (1841-1884) as school master. He married Barbara Elizabeth Pappelheim, b. 1811, Doenhof, Russia, d. 1894, Frank, Russia. On the death certificate of Mathilda Eckhardt Wacker, her Mother's name was recorded as Mathilda Pappelheim. Children: 34 i Amalie Eckhardt, b. 1829, Frank, Russia. 35 ii Scharlotte Eckhardt, b. 1831, Frank, Russia. iii Maria Katherina Eckhardt, b. 1832/1833, Frank, Russia. 36 iv Matilda Eckhardt, b. 4 Dec 1837, Sarepta, Russia. 37 v Adolph Eckhardt, b. 15 Mar 1840, Frank, Russia. vi Paul Ferdinand Eckhardt, b. 14 Feb 1843, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. 38 vii Henrietta Eckhardt, b. 1854, Frank, Russia. 10. HEINRICH3 ECKHARDT, (Johann Georg2, Jakob1), b. 7 Jul 1807, Frank, Russia, d. 1888, Frank, Russia. m. Barbara Leonhardt, 1813, prob. Frank, Russia. From his granddaughter Margaret Owens, we learn that "He went by the name 'OX Eckhardt'. He was well off, and had lots of oxen." Children:. 39 i Heinrich Eckhardt, b. 6 Nov 1833, Frank, Russia. 40 ii Anna Maria Eckhardt, b. 12 Mar 1838, Frank, Russia. iii Konrad Eckhardt, b. 24 Feb 1840, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. iv Maria Barbara Eckhardt, b. 4 Jul 1843, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. 41 v Anna Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 1846, Frank, Russia 42 vi Jakob Eckhardt, b. 9 Apr 1850, Frank, Russia. 43 vii John George Eckhardt, called "George", b. 13 May 1853, Frank, Russia. 11. ANDREAS (3) ECKHARDT, (Johann Georgs2, Jacob1), b. 23 Jul 1811, Frank, Russia, m. #1 Anna Margaretha Pfeif, b. 16 Dec 1815, Frank, Russia, d. 27 Mar 1842, Frank, Russia. m.#2 Regina Amen, b. 1819, Frank, Russia, d. 1890, Frank, Russia. Daughter of Jacob Amen and Anna Margaretha Trupp. Children by Pfeif: 44 i Jakob Eckhardt, b. 12 Jun 1839, Frank, Russia. ii Katharina Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 2 Feb 1842, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1846, Frank, Russia. Children by Amen: iii Peter Eckhardt, b. 4 Mar 1843, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850. iv Katharina Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 1846, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1854, Frank, Russia. 45 v Friedrich Eckhardt, b. 6 Sep 1851, Frank, Russia. 46 vi Katherina Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 10 Mar 1854, Frank, Russia. vii Katharina Elisabeth Eckhardt, b. 1857, Frank, Russia. 12. PAUL (3) ECKHARDT, (Johann Georg2, Jacob1), 1814, Frank, Russia, d. 28 Sep 1855, Frank, Russia, m. #1 Anna Maria Wolsborn, b. 11 Jul 1815, d. 16 Aug 1846, Frank, Russia. m.#2 unknown. Children: 47 i Georg Eckhardt, b. 16 Dec 1834, Frank, Russia. 48 ii Karl Eckhardt, b. 14 Sep 1837, Frank, Russia. 49 iii Anna Maria Eckhardt, b. 7 Dec 1839, Frank, Russia. iv Maria Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 21 Jul 1842, Frank, Russia. 50 v Johann Paul Eckhardt, b. 18 Nov 1844, Frank, Russia. Children by 2nd wife: vi Maria Matilda Eckhardt, b. 1850, Frank, Russia, m. Adolph Eckhardt, son of Jacob Schoolmaster cross reference numbers from Adolph. 51 vii Jakob Eckhardt, b. 27 May 1853, Frank, Russia. 13. JOHANN JAKOB (3) ECKHARDT, (Konrad2, Jacob1), b. 1798, Frank, Russia, d. 1835, Frank, Russia, m. Barbara Spreier, b. 1796, d. abt 1857, Frank, Russia. Children: 52 i Johann George Eckhardt, b. 1818, Frank, Russia. 53 ii Margaretha Barbara Eckhardt, called "Barbara" b. 1821, Frank, Russia. 54 iii Anna Margaretha Eckhardt, b. 1823, Frank, Russia. 55 iv Jakob Eckhardt, b. 1828, Frank, Russia. 56 v Conrad Eckhardt, b. 1829/1831, Frank, Russia. 57 vi Maria Katharina Eckhardt, b. 1834, Frank, Russia. 14. MAGDALENA (3) ECKHARDT, (Konrad2, Jacob1), b. 1808, Frank, Russia, m. Frank, Russia, Johannes Wagner, b. 7 Dec 1807, Frank, Russia, d. 1887, Frank, Russia. Son of Philipp Wagner and Regina Leonhardt. Children: 58 i Johannes Wagner, b. 11 Dec 1827, Frank, Russia. 59 ii Paul Wagner, b. 6 May 1832, Frank, Russia. 60 iii Heinrich Wagner, b. 28 Jun 1835, Frank, Russia. 61 iv Magdalena Margaretha Wagner, b. 30 Apr 1839, Frank, Russia. 62 v Jacob Wagner, b. 10 Mar 1842, Frank, Russia. vi Conrad Wagner, twin, b. 23 Oct 1844, Frank, Russia, d. bef. 1849, Frank, Russia. vii Maria Katharina Wagner, twin, b. 23 Oct 1844, Frank, Russia, d. bef. 1850, Frank, Russia. 63 viii George Wagner, b. 1847, Frank, Russia. 64 ix Conrad Wagner, b. 1849, Frank, Russia. 15. JACOB ZEILER (3) , (Barbara2, Jacob1), b. 1805, Frank, Russia, d. 1840, Frank, Russia, m. Barbara, b. 1808. Children: 31 i Maria Katharina Zeiler, b. 9 Jun 1827, Frank, Russia 16. KASPER (3) ECKHARDT, (Johannes2, Jacob1), b. 17 Jul 1811, Frank, Russia, d. 1888, Frank, Russia, m. Anna Maria Strasheim , b. 1813, d. 1888, Frank, Russia. Children: 65 i George Eckhardt, b. 1833, Frank, Russia. 66 ii Kaspar Eckhardt, b. 31 Mar 1836, Frank, Russia. iii Anna Maria Eckhardt, b. 1840, Frank, Russia, d. 1850, Frank, Russia. iv Maria Barbara Eckhardt, b. 1841, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. v Jakob Eckhardt, b. 1844, Frank, Russia, d. bef 1850, Frank, Russia. 17. ANNA KATHARINA (3) ECKHARDT, (Johannes2, Jacob1), b. 1816/1817, Frank, Russia, d. 1890, Frank, Russia, m. Peter Amen, b. 1814, Frank, Russia. Son of Jacob Amen and Anna Margaretha Trupp. Children: 67 i Anna Maria Amen, b. 1835, Frank, Russia. 68 ii Heinrich Amen, b. 24 Feb 1839, Frank, Russia. 69 iii Caspar Amen, b. 1846, Frank, Russia. 70 iv Anna Margaretha Amen, b. 1850, Frank, Russia. THE END ------------------------------------------------------------ THE HARDT FAMILY FROM BRUNNENTAL -- NOW IN SOUTH AMERICA!: By Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl--- Over the last several years, as I have been collecting data for the Brunnental Data Bank, I have heard several versions of a story about the HARDT family which was to have perished at sea on it's way from South America to the US. This had always interested me, as I wondered how many families from Brunnental had travelled to South America, and if any of them currently lived there. The following is an account, as best we know it, of the HARDT family who went to Argentina and lives there today in the Entre Rios area! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The story about the Hardt family begins while listening to the tapes from Mrs. Maria (Lebsack) Becker. Mrs. Becker mentions that the Hardt family consisted of Conrad Hardt and his wife, Maria Becker. [picture---- not available on internet of Maria Becker (1876-1930) & Conrad Hardt (1874- 1944)] During the interviews, Mrs. Becker referred to a Henry Hardt, who owned the Lafka (store), and you will remember that when Casey Haas visited Brunnental in 1993, he took pictures of both the Lafka and Heinrich Hardt's home, made of brick, that is still standing today. In fact, Mrs. Becker recalled that Conrad Hardt owned the whole block and all of his children, including Henry Hardt, had houses in that block. There was also a butcher shop, she remembered. Then several months ago, I received a listing of all of the articles that had appeared in the Die Welt Post which made mention of the village of Brunnental. Imagine my surprise, when I saw the HARDT name. This is what the article said: Die Welt Post -- 12 Jan 1922: New arrivals from VOLGA AREA in Heilsberg, Germany---People From Brunnental: [other names mentioned...please turn to page 23 & 24 for entire listing of all families] * Henry Hardt & wife, Maria Dauffest & child, Maria. * Konrad Hardt & wife, Maria Becker, & children, Alex, Karl, Sara, David, Emma, Berta, Marta, Amalia. * Maria Reifschneider (nee Hardt) & daughter Maria. What an interesting thing to see these names mentioned in the Die Welt Post....telling us that several Hardt families had ARRIVED in Heilsberg, Germany at the begin ning of 1922. Also in this listing of families were other families that we already knew had made it to the US, or who had stayed in Germany and were still living there. This gave us hope that possibly the HARDT family was still alive. Then from an entirely different source, I received a "query" for the Spring 1994 issue from Casey Haas, requesting information on a Maria (Dautffest) HARDT. When Casey had been in Brunnental, Russia in 1993, he had met a Hartung family who was "distantly" related to Maria (Dautffest) HARDT. This family believed that Maria had come to the US. and were hoping to make contact with her. Then I received a picture of a HARDT family living in South America. This was sent to me by Mary (Weber) Lenox, who's mother, Marie (Steinmetz) Weber, had been part of the same group of Brunnentalers who "arrived in Heilsberg, Germany in 1922" --- you will recall the story of her Steinmetz/Weber family, "Escape From Brunnental in 1921/22" which appeared in the Summer 1994 issue. Mary Lenox suggested that I contact another relative, Rose Marie (Kalinski) Sitzman, from McCook, NE, who might be able to give me more information. I wrote a letter, and waited. I received a warm reply from Marie, along with 6 addresses in Argentina of different members of the HARDT family. Rose could only tell me that she had found these in her mother's [Emma (Weber) Kalinski] old address book, which was in the possesssion of Marie's eldest sister, now living in Lincoln, NE. She wasn't sure what years her mother had corresponded with the HARDT family, but thought it could have been as late as the 1980's. I then decided to try out the "power" of the INTERNET. I had only been "online" for a couple months, but I knew that the INTERNET was a way to connect with people all over the world, and I was curious if I could get any results with my computer. So, I "gophered" with the search word of ARGENTINA, and found an Argentina Discussion Group, where I posted a message, asking for help. I explained that I was doing a "historical project", trying to find all the descendants from a tiny village in Russia, and that they were of German descent and spoke German. I explained how they had left Russia in the 1920's and some had settled in the Entre Rios area of Argentina. Then I anxiously waited for answers! To my surprise, I received back 2 responses. One was of special interest, because the gentlemen's father was a historian, and he was also going to go to the Entre Rios area to visit his father over the Christmas 1994 holiday season. I then "emailed" him again, giving him all the information that I had on these families, and told him I would like him to obtain "current addresses" so that I could write letters. After the holidays I finally received an email message telling me that the HARDT family was alive and well, and that they welcomed "correspondence" from anyone who would like to write. And so with the help of Terri Schmidt-Crosby & her husband Ed, we were able to put togethera "German" letter requesting information on the Hardt family. Our German letter was sent on January 30, 1995. It took several months before we received a response: -------------------------------------- Aldea San Antonio 8 March 1995 Dear Sherrie (Gettmann) Stahl, I've received your letter and forms [family group forms]. My grandparents------- Conrad Hardt was born 7 June 1874 and Maria Becker was born 6 May 1876, both born in Brunnental, Russia. They married in 1892. Maria Becker died 13 May 1930 by diabetes and Conrad Hardt remarried Margarete Baldruschad on the 2nd of February 1933 in Urdinarrain, Entre Rios, Argentina. Conrad Hardt died on 17 Nov 1944 in Urdinarrain, Entre Rios. I speak German, but I write German badly. I hope you understand my letter and excuse all my mistakes. Heinrich Hardt (the son of Conrad) and his wife Maria Dautffest, are dead. They lived in Buenos Aires. [Address of a Henry's son and daughter enclosed]. My father, David Hardt [son of Conrad Hardt] died on the 24th of Dec. 1983 of a heart attack. Heinrich, Alexander, Karl, David, Maria, Sara and Emma have all died. But Berta, Martha, and Amalia are alive. I am sending pictures with names. Our church is evangelical. The schools are national and teach in Spanish. Our village is 95% German people and all people speak Spanish, with scarcely German. The youngsters don't understand German. I want to write in Spanish because I am better able to tell you more about my family. You want to know my family: On the 21 Oct 1967 I was married to Esther Margareta Michel, and we have two boys age 26 and 16. The eldest son, Daniel Roberto Hardt was born 22 Dec 1968 and he married Viviana Schultheis on the 15 May 1993. The other son, Claudio Gabriel Hardt studies electronics like the eldest son. You have reported that the family HARDT was owner of a store (Lafka) in Brunnental. The Hardt family was owner of a village quarter! Tell me all about your family and Brunnental. I live 7 kilometers (about 4 miles) ouside of the village of San Antonio. I am a farmer. In Argentina, the agricultural yeild is small, but with hard work we can live. I invite you to come to Argentina. There is a lot to tell. With friendly greetings, SIGART HARDT Enclosed with Sigart Hardt's letter were many pictures of the Hardt family. Let me share some of these pictures with all of you. (three pictures not available on internet--see below) 1. Amalia (Fuchs) Hardt & David Hardt (son of Conrad) 2. Heinrich Hardt (son of Conrad) & Maria Dautffest 3. Sophia Grauberger & Karl Hardt (son of Conrad) Map of Entre Rios Area not included on internet: The area where the Hardts live in Argentina, is just north of the large city of Buenos Aires. As Sigart Hardt has told us in his letter, two of Heinrich Hardts' children actually live in Buenos Aires. Above is a map of the Entre Rios area, showing the many German villages. You will see the villages of Urdinarain and San Antonio marked with an arrow. If you or anyone in your family would be willing to help us with Spanish translation, please contact Sherrie Stahl, editor. We are hoping to continue our correspondence with Sigart Hardt and other families in South America. If you know of any of your family that went to South America, let us know! The End --------------------------------------------- THE HISTORY OF BRUNNENTAL 1918-1941: By Jakob Mohrland Once again I would like to THANK those who undertook the "translation project" of 78 pages of German text: Jo Ann Kuhr -- Pages 1-2 Marie (Trupp) Krieger -- Pages 3-40 Donald Herzog -- Pages 41-78 As you remember from our last issue, Jakob Mohrland was just starting to tell us about about the clothing of the Brunnental Farmers, and how the clothing was made from the sheep's wool. * * * * * * * * * * * ...CONTINUED FROM THE LAST NEWSLETTER... This is what took place: The wool was pulled apart by hand by the wives. Then loosely placed in layers in a basket about the size of a page and the thickness of 3 fingers. The wool was then scratched (scored) with two curry-like cardingcombs, the size about 25 centimeters by 30 meters with a handle on it. The one carding comb with the handle is laid down on the bench, and then one puts a layer of wool down. Then one takes the second carding comb and goes over it, back and forth many times, until the wool gets looser. This wool is then laid into a basket and is ready for spinning. I also want to say that many times a great amount of wool must be worked to be ready for spinning. It sometimes takes weeks for this work to be completed. Much wool must be prepared for felt boots. Felt boots were a great necessity for the families in winter during very cold weather. There is no better footwear than felt boots in cold weather. Yes, one could say, that without sheep there is no warm clothing for the winter season. Many felt- cloth boot makers were in Brunnental. Those boots were mainly made in late fall and winter. Making the felt boots was hard work in warm damp rooms. As far as I know, felt boot making was only done by men. And this work was done by oil lamps. There were no electric lights in Brunnental. Spinning of the wool took weeks of work. In some houses, one could count 3 spinning wheels. After the spinning, the yarn with 2 threads was turned together on a spinning rod. Then the twisted yarn was removed from the spools and wound onto a reel and then the hank was taken from the reel and dyed according to one's wishes. Then it was dried and rolled into a ball. Then the yarn was ready for knitting. Now, everything which needed to be knit was knitted -- often taking the entire winter to finish the work. I want to say again that the farmer's wives and daughters did a great amount of work to clothe the family. The women had the housework for the entire year, and the care of the many children besides. It was a difficult hard lot for the wives. The housewives and daughters were able to work the many sided tasks because they didn't have to work the entire day, but also were busy during the long winter evenings, energetically knitting or patching clothes. In order for a change, the woman and girls sang many songs, religious and folk songs. Often, neighbor women and girls joined the group, brought handwork and sang vigorously together. Yes, at that time, there was no radio yet and no television -- but also no poverty! The girls didn't have things easy then, they had to remain in the house in the evenings and help with the work. The rules were strict. The girls could only go out with their parent's permission. It was so different from today when 15 year-olds can rent a room and undress or live together. It would have been unthinkable then, also the thought would have been bad for the girl. But the end of 1929 and the beginning of 1930, during the expropriation of the independent farmers and forced collectivism and first, right after the abolition of the church, rules were changed and the customs began to deteriorate. I will report about that later. Burning-Material Supplies of the Brunnental farmers: The supplies of burning materials for the Brunnental farmers was already always difficult, that's the reason I want to report about it. First, I will add, that there was no forest far and wide near Brunnental, and coal for heating wasn't available either. On the other side, one needed much material for heating during the long and often very cold winter. In Seelmann, there was enough wood to buy, but for burning it was just too expensive. As I have mentioned many times, most of the farm buildings in Brunnental were built of wood. Whenever a building needed to be changed, enlarged or completely town down, the used lumber was used for heating material. But this quantity did not cover the usage of the farmers. Other methods had to be found for establishing a permanent supply of heating material. As long as the farmers were independent and the barns were filled with animals, there was enough manure deposited; and out of this manure, the farmers could make the so-called "manure wood" used for firewood. The Brunnental citizens had a much more difficult time procuring burning material after the expropriation at the end of 1929 and the beginning of 1930, since the farmers didn't have any more animals; and with no animals, there was no manure; and with no manure, there was no manure wood. I will talk about this later. So I will describe the manure wood production briefly and show you that this manure wood, even though it may be hard to grasp, was nevertheless an excellent material to burn. It was so common in Brunnental to separate the farmsteads into a front yard and a backyard. The barns for the animals were always in the backyard. The manure, which was collected during the long winters, was always set in front of or behind the barn. The manure piles were either round or rectangular, and were about 5-10 millimeters in diameter. During the winter season, the manure pile increases & sits perpendicular on all sides. Accordingly, much snow is thrown on the manure pile.During the warming of the manure, the snow fuses the manure, and the manure rots very fast. By spring, when the animals leave the barn to go to the willows, the manure pile is up to 3 meters high. The manure stands there until after the spring seeding. By the middle or end of May, the manure is rotted through and through and is like a layer of bacon from the bottom to the top. Then the manure is made into manure wood. It goes like this: The manure is hauled by transport business with horses to a vacant place, separated and divided into equal parts of about 50 centimeters in height. Then water is sprinkled on it, evenly and repeatedly, several times. Now 2 or 3 horses on a long line, are driven on this manure surface in a circle until the manure was pliable. Then the surface of these manure piles were trampled flat with the feet of many people to the height of about 15 centimeters, then finished with a manure shovel, by cutting into squares of about 25 x 30 centimeters and set into rows. After 8 - 10 days, when the cut squares were somewhat dry, they were set into large long piles or round piles. These set-up piles were usually hauled into sheds before the harvest, and piled high to the top. In addition, I wish to say that the heating power of the manure wood is about like peat. Now I wish to return once more to the year 1927: As I have already said, in 1926 the land groups had been reassigned. My father went from Group 8 to Group 1. This group lay directly on the east side of the village. The first harvest in 1927 for Group 1 turned out very well. It was good all the way around. My parents were able to purchase new things. My father purchased a new reaping-machine (winder- machine). He bought wood in Seelmann and throughout the entire house, he put new flooring. The horse barn received a new roof and many other buildings were improved. In any case, the farmers were again filled with hope, and had lots of ambition to improve their households much better. Also the year 1928 gave the Brunnental farmers a very good harvest. They were able to sell many grains. The granaries were filled for future use and everyone believed they would have a better future. But the farmers and all the people of the Volga made this calculation without giving thought to the "landlord". The landlord was Stalin. Stalin had other plans for the farmers. He wanted to create an industrial state out the existing Russian agricultural state. For that purpose, he needed much grain so that he could purchase machines from foreign countries. He needed these machines to build up modern factories and plants. He needed to do this without incurring any costs. In order to carry out these plans, Stalin and his henchmen in the Kremlin thought to destroy the farming. In a few words, these plans were declared: the total annihilation of the private property of the farmers through forced collectivization. These plans were carried out by Stalin with the most severe consequences that any of the farmers at that time, has experienced. Thus it began: in 1928, as I have said before, the farmers had a rich harvest and could still carry on with their business as before. Now the politicians of the local soviets (at that time known as municipal soviets), quietly divided the Brunnental farmers into three groups, according to the prepared plans of Collectivization by order of Stalin. The first group were the wealthy, the second group were the middle farmers, and the third group were the poor farmers. In the first group were the farmers that had a lot of property, for example, the owners of a mill, those that had 6 Fordson tractors, many cattle and the most beautiful and valuable homes, and so forth. To the second groups were those farmers who possessed up to five horses and very little property. Most of them in this group used tools and equipment to farm their land. The third group, were the poor farmers who had one or two horses, and virtually nothing else. This group also included those farmers who worked rented land. The division of the farmers into 3 groups was accomplished by the municipal courts along with the politicians and communists. In one bold stroke, all this came to pass by November of 1928. All the farmers, the most wealthy that belonged to Group 1, the so- called Kulaks, had to leave all their possessions, without any warning, in the middle of the night. They were allowed to take only hand baggage. These families were allowed to be taken in by friends and relatives. All property, home, farm buildings and machines and the other agricultural tools, the barns along with the cattle, the silos full of grain, were now in the hands of the Collective Management. Now the communists, and those who had little inclination to work, screamed that now we will annihilate you blood suckers. Now everything belongs to us. Now we will never have to work for these Kulaks. I will report on this later. On the 30th of March 1929, on my birthday, my father had to provide a team of horses to take these so-called Kulaks to the railroad station at Krasny- Kut. Yes, there would be many other teams of horses provided for these farmers. On the 30th of March 1929, the thawing of the snow had begun, and there was water standing in the ravines. The people carrying their luggage and meager belongings became wet. The Brunnentaler Kulaks were all sent to northern Russia in the region of Kotlas, and there they perished in the forest. I will report to you now of the Kulak families that I know that had to leave at that time. I do not remember the names of all of the families. 1. Friedrich Stroh -- His house and entire farm became the office of the Brunnental Collective No. 1. 2. Konrad Loebsack , farmer (also called Manuel's Konrad) -- His farm became the office of the grain warehouse of the Brunnentaler Collective Farm No. 1. 3. Wilhelm Loebsack, farmer (Konrad and Wilhelm were brothers) -- His farm was taken over by the MTS Mashinen-Tractor-Station. 4. Heinrich Stroh, farmer -- His premises became the MTS office. 5. Alexander Hardt, farmer and engineer -- His premises became the Municipal Court Building. 6. Heinrich Hardt, farmer and merchant -- His premises became a market. Alexander and Heinrich Hardt were brothers and had a mechanized mill. 7. Johannes Hoelzer, farmer and windmill owner -- His premises became a clubhouse and horse stalls for the Collective No. 1. The mill was dismantled in 1932 and the wood taken to the Collective. 8. The Fein family, who possessed 2 windmills -- They were dismantled in 1930 and the wood taken to the Collective. 9. The Spiegel family -- owners of windmills 10. The brothers Hardt, powered windmill owners -- these mills were in service until 1941. 11. The Hohnstein family, farmers and smiths 12. The Linker family, farmers and owners of a tavern. 13. The Uhrich family, farmers. 14. The Gruenwald family, farmers. 15. The Seibel family, farmers. 16. The Melcher family, farmers. 17. The Goettmann family, farmers. 18. The Schaefer family, farmers. 19. The Becker family, farmers. 20. The Koch family, farmers. And many others. As far as I can recall, in one swoop, the 30 families were taken away on March 30, 1929. And how did matters continue? The Collective farms were financed and established by the properties and wealth of the exiled families. The Proletariat now said that all belongs to us. In time, everything in the house, furniture and housewares, were dispersed. Everything belonged to us! The houses and administration buildings were passed on to the Collective Administration. The present large grain supply was immediately shipped to the State. Now the mean rascals (the Kulaks) were gone and now they were using pressure on the other farmers in order to compel them to join the Collectives. The farmers were not at all prepared, for the grain was high in the fields and it appeared that it would be a bountiful harvest. They had also hoped that they would not need to join the Collective. They allowed the farmers to reap the crops and when the harvest had been brought in and placed under cover, then the Collective Management put pressure on the farmers, by compelling them to work day and night so that they would join the Collective. Since everything didn't happen as they expected it to, one said, "Well, Comrade Farmer, if you don't join now, you will have to deliver to the State, such and such Pud of grain (1 pud = 63.5 KG or 130 lbs.) in 24 hours or pay so and so many rubles to the State". They worked the farmers day and night until the last bit of grain and the last ruble was delivered. Finally, the imposed tax was applied at a high rate, until the farmer finally was compelled to join the Collective Farm. Now Brunnental was established into two Collective Farms. The Oberdorf was No. 1 Collective Farm, and Unterdorf was No. 2 Collective Farm. Each Collective Farm had five field brigades. (later, also tractor brigades) Each Collective Farm had a chairman, a field manager, and a business manager with an office accountant. All brigades had a leader and a floor manager. At the end of 1930, 90% of the Collectives were shut down. In the spring the Collectives planted the first crop. The field brigades had been given horses and equipment, that which had been taken from the Kulak farmers. But things didn't go according to plan. The farmers who knew about agricultural business, no longer had any say. Those that had something to say, knew little or nothing about agriculture. In spite of this, the politicians planted the seed. According to the PLAN: It was generally known how many hectares of land that each Collective was composed of. A portion of the grain was confiscated by the government, according to the number of hectares of the Collective. The portion of each hectare was very high. The seeding of the crop was done in a very faulty manner, so the 1930 crop was quite lean. But the State's plan was as stated before. When the crop was harvested, the State's share of the grain was fulfilled first. But the entire harvest wasn't enough to fulfill the State's requirement. Now I will tell you how the Collective Farmers were cheated! One was not paid in money, but in so-called "labor coupons". He who did a day's work, received one labor coupon. Soon contract labor was introduced. With contract labor one could earn more than a day's equivalent work, or less. This unit of contract-labor was paid off at the end of the year in kind. That's the way it went! Whenever the Collective Farm had a very good harvest and could fulfill the State's plan, and also had the seed for the next year's crop, and had an excess of grain, each Collective Farmer received a share of the grain according to this contract-labor units. A Report about the Establishment of the MTS - Machine-Tractor-Station: Because of the faulty work and mismanagement of the fields in 1930, the crop was meager. The State still received their share of the harvest and nothing was left over for the Collective Farmers. Yes, those people who at first praised the Collectivization by the Communists, now complained that they were in need. Even the Communists and Politicians remarked that as soon as the Kulaks were driven away, the "bread" disappeared. They also remarked that one must earn his "bread" by work and sweat. Now I will turn to another topic. Part of the overall plan for Collectivization, was the establishment of the Machine-Tractor Stations (MTS), which was done at the very outset. This MTS was built in Brunnental to service three villages: Brunnental, Streckerau, and Marienberg. The MTS building was constructed of the wood that was obtained from the farm buildings and mills of the farmers that were sent away. The mission of this station was to service and repair all of the agricultural machines, tractors, thresh machines, and automobiles for all the Collectives of the three villages. The building was built in short order and equipped with machines and tools. The attendant necessary tradesmen were engaged: locksmiths, blacksmiths, joiners, and mechanics. If the necessary tradesmen were not available, they were either sent to school or apprenticed. The MTS was located at the southern exit of the village. A mechanical workshop was located there, a gallery for the blacksmiths and the joiners, a warehouse for spare parts, garages and five machine galleries, as well as a building for inflammable substances. This MTS did not belong to the Collective Farms. It was a business established by the State, and also equipped with the necessary machines and tools for the maintenance of all the agricultural machines, as well as tractors, threshers, autos and farm vehicles. The Director and the Party were politically responsible; the technical responsibility was that of the master-mechanic, the Director, and the Party. The duties became more involved and expanded the more machines assigned to it by the State. The MTS tradesmen were workers that the office had assigned. All were paid in cash, and all of the expenses were paid by the State as well as the machines and spare parts. 1930 -- The First Year of the Collectives: The director of the MTS had divided all the tractors and agricultural machines among the three villages according to size and arable land. The tractor drivers had been trained at the MTS and were ready when needed. They were paid by the Collectives with work units and in part by cash. The harvest in 1930 was very bad, and the Collective farmers received no pay for the entire year. The State's share could not even be fulfilled due to the poor harvest. Therefore, there was no pay. In spite of that, the Party people said that the farmers had hidden grain from the harvest of 1929. Because of that, the last pound was farmers from the last of 1929 and beginning of 1930. The farmers were worked day and night to utter exhaustion. In any case, the end of 1930 brought hunger and need to the Brunnentaler's home. They had barely survived the famine of 1921-1924, and had not as yet forgotten that time. The farmers were afraid that these times would return. How right they were -- very hard times were ahead of them. In the fall of 1930 and the first part of the year 1931, an infectious disease broke out among the horses, resulting in an excess of mucus in the sinuses and nasal cavities. Because of that, most of the horses had to be shot. Now the Collectives in Brunnental had fewer draft animals. How was one to plant the seed in the coming spring of 1931 with so few horses? The MTS station had, up to 1931, been delivering a few tractors. The tractor factories could not keep up with the demand. To this day, I have no memory as to how many tractors had been delivered to the MTS station at Brunnental in 1930 - 1931 for the 3 villages, but there were very few. Fortunately, the first ones delivered were 6 Fordson tractors which the wealthy farmers bought from America in 1926. In 1931, they were still in good working order and were used for the 1931 spring planting. These 6 Fordson tractors were but like a drop in the bucket. But what could one do? The few horses that survived the sickness were not enough to take up the slack. We went to the newly established dairy farms and harnessed the dairy cows to pull the plows and seeding machines. But it wasn't all that simple! The cows had to be trained to be harnessed so that they could be taught to pull the plows and seeding machines. In addition to that, they were not well nourished since they had not been receiving nutritional feed. Even the families of the farm workers were starving. For their labor in 1930, they had not received any labor coupons. The brigade leaders were compelled to secretly feed the people from the seed allotment until the harvest. Even at that, seed was stolen and buried in the field, or somehow hidden in the homes. Of course, this was all strictly forbidden. If a person was caught, Stalin's judges fined him the equivalent of 5 to 10 trouser pockets of grain. Now I will change themes. Since the government and the Communist party believed that the farmers had either buried or hidden a lot of the grain, search teams were formed, at the most, three or four men in each brigade. The leader was always a member of the Party; the others either sympathizers and or party members. The search teams always came during the night, and they were like bloodhounds. They went to the farmers who they imagined had some grain. They were armed with cudgels. They were iron bars about 3/4 " thick and about five to six feet in length. At the very end was a hollow cone-shaped structure with four holes bored into it. When the search team would plunge it into a hay stack, under which would be hidden a sack of grain, the grain would fall into the hollow area, therefore, exposing the contraband grain. These methods were also used to probe snow drifts or into the earth. With these weapons, the search teams were put to work, always during the night. They would knock on the farmers door, and when the door was opened and a lantern lit, the search team went to work. They searched everything thoroughly. Whether anything was found or not, a report was written up, and the farmer had to sign the results of the report. Most of the time nothing was discovered, sometimes a crock of sauerkraut, but not even a crumb of bread. Then they would ask the question--Why is it that a family with several people, apparently in good health, live here? What do you live on? Frequently, in a day or two would be another search. Sometimes something would be found. From 1930 until the end of 1932, our family was searched often. One time in the autumn of 1932 we were searched 6 times during the night. But nothing was found. In a fury, the search team tore up the entire new floor in the entire house that my father had laid. Because they didn't find anything, they would have like to take the clothes right off our backs. My father had to go to the municipal court every day for an entire week. He was supposed to tell them where the grain was hidden. Since he could not reveal where the grain was hidden, there was nothing to reveal since nothing had been hidden. He was fined to deliver 100 PUD (1 Pud = 140 lbs) of grain and pay 500 Rubles within a week's time. This fine was an impossibility for my father. He could not deliver the grain, because there wasn't any. Not only that, there hadn't been any money for a long time. In fact, we have been starving for months. The search team continued to search our home. For quite some time, we had been living on sauerkraut, and occasionally our friends would give us something to eat from their meager rations. Otherwise, we would all have starved to death. After a period of time, they told my father that because he had not voluntarily discharged his duty to the State, they would confiscate everything that he still owned. We had nothing left with the exception of our home, summer kitchen, and a few pieces of furniture. All of the other buildings had already been torn down and taken by the Collective. So, on the following day, a Commissar came and took everything that was in the house; the furniture, bedding, and even our clothing, except that which we were wearing. They also took the wall clock, water pails, and cooking pots. That was a low period for us! This happened to many families. All goods were taken and auctioned in order to pay our debts to the State. Better said, our goods were all sold for less than their value. A neighbor lady bought two pails and two cooking pots at the auction and gave them to us. We were not allowed to participate in the auction. We didn't have any money anyhow. My parents had helped the neighbor lady several times in the past when she was in need -- and now she helped us. Yes, my dear readers, these times are very hard to describe. So much happened that words cannot describe them. The Stalin sympathizers have done their work thoroughly and will do so, long into the future. In the fall of 1932, my father was arrested and taken to prison in Seelmann. In the middle of December, my father, for not fulfilling his debt to the State of 100 Pud of grain and 500 Rubles fine, was sentenced to 10 years. In February 1933, he came home for two days. He was allowed to bid his family good-bye and then had to go away. Where, no one would tell us. My mother was now alone with seven children. My oldest brother was 21, my oldest sister 19, I was 14, my youngest brother 5, a sister 3, and twins 15 months old. My mother said to us: "now only starvation is before us." We have not had a letter from the State as to where our father had been sent. A year later, 1934, my mother heard in a round about way, that my father had been in the Ural Mountains for the time since we last saw him. In May 1933 he had an accident while felling a tree, and since that time had died of starvation. My mother was never notified by the State. The End of The Brunnental Church: Now I will report to you about the end of the Church in Brunnental, as well as the end of religious freedom. As I had reported earlier, the Brunnental congregation in 1926 added stoves to the summer kitchen, paid for by the people, so that worship services could be help during the winter. Since the church, at that time, was separated from the State, the people had to support the church financially. That arrangement was fine until 1929. But this did not please the State at all! In order to eliminate the church entirely, the State had placed a lot of pressure on the church officials. The Collectivization during the years 1930-1931 resulted in the condemnation of private property, and now the final stroke of death had to be rendered to the church. Now the Stalin sympathizers launched a vicious campaign against the clergy and the church members, in order to let the people know that the church and all the pious people were cause of so much privation and suffering during the two years of Collectivization. By the end of 1931 and the first part of 1932, the church was effectively stifled. The churches were now closed and remodeled for the use of a club house and dance hall for the youth. Pastor Grasmick and Schoolmaster, Samuel Mehlinger, disappeared and were never seen again. That was the end of the Brunnentaler's church which to this day remains empty. As I had previously stated, the people of Brunnental, for the most part, were church going people. And there was also the Brotherhood, who held prayer meetings twice a week in private homes. Those pray brothers, as we called them, during that time when the churches were locked up, held worship services in the homes on Sundays. But even these people were a thorn in the side to the State. For that reason, many of the Brothers were arrested and sent away. But there was still a small flicker of light in the corners that kept the spark of religion alive. Some of the faithful would secretly baptize a child or conduct a burial service. And these people, too, went the way of the other faithful. Now it came to the point, were the people hardly ever mentioned the church or their belief in God, let alone even thinking about it. The church and Christianity in Brunnental was now dead! The people had turned to Communism, and most of all, the younger people. In June 1934, on a beautiful summer day, six men were taken from the joiner workshop, from the 1st and 2nd Collective farm, and sent to the church, in order to remove the three church bells and tear down the steeple. I was sitting on the steps of the school entrance directly across the street from the church, and witnessed the attack on the church tower and bells. The men first dismantled the cupola and then part of the steeple. Then they dismantled the steeple so that the cross, which was about 60 feet long, was now free and it hurled to the ground. There they loosened the supports of the remaining parts of the steeple so that it toppled down on the west side. When it fell, the earth trembled. At that time my body trembled as I witnesses that terrible event. Within the next few days the church had been dismantled to the level of the height of the walls, and a roof was then provided to cover and protect the interior. The church had been built in 1885, and was barely fifty years old in 1934. The building still appeared to be like new and was painted white. The people of Brunnental were very proud of their church. No matter who had gone on a long journey and was returning home, one was overjoyed to catch a glimpse of the church steeple -- it was 130 feet tall -- and one felt a strong attraction to his church and village. After the dismantling of the church steeple, I don't know how I can express it, the village and church tower had a special charm, and a strong attraction to the citizens and travelers...but now, that was gone. From a distance, Brunnental appeared to be a city that seemed to be ill. Because I experienced the final hours of the church with the tower and the steeple, I still see the church as it once existed. My Education -- 1931 to 1932: Now I'd like to tell you about my last years in school. Because of the compulsory Collectivization and mismanagement of the Collective, there was very little harvest in 1930. Therefore, the farmers received meager rations of grain. There was starvation in the fall of 1930 and and winter of 1931. On the 1st of September, 1931, I waspromoted to the sixth grade. Due to the fact that my father, or better said, since our family had not paid the fine of 100 Pud of grain and 500 rubles, I no longer had any winter clothing. I was able to go to school until the cold weather set in. In March, I could again go back to school. In spite of that, I managed to be promoted to the seventh grade. In the fall of 1931 and during the winter of 1932, I could not go to school for the same reason as the year before. I studied diligently at home and managed to pass my seventh grade examinations. Thus ended my education in Brunnental on May 31, 1932. In the meantime, conditions in general deteriorated. The Collective Management, so highly praised by the Stalinists, had utterly failed and there was widespread famine in 1932. There was nothing left for me to do but work for the Collective. I was employed in a field brigade in Collective No. 1. It was the beginning of June, and the spring seeding had just ended. The seed was in the ground. The provisions for the Collectives' field brigades were rather meager. Sometimes there was nothing to eat. In order to alleviate our hunger pangs, we ate straw. Yes, hear readers, you read correctly! We threshed the straw from the harvest that had been threshed the year before. We would obtain about 20 to 30 Kg. (65 lbs) of battered and bruised grain and various grass seeds. We would then wash these kernels and mill them by hand. From this so-called flour, we cooked a mush. Now we could provide something to eat for the people employed by the brigades. One day, my brigade leader, Heinrich Groth, came from the village and told me that I should report to Heinrich Maier at the Brunnentaler MTS. Heinrich Maier was the labor foreman of the MTS. So, one day I went to see him and asked him why he wanted to see me. He told me that the MTS had the intention of establishing an apprenticeship. He escorted me through the workshops and told me that I could decide whether I would like to learn to be a locksmith or a turner. I accepted the offer to become a turner and worked at the Brunnentaler MTS as a turner until 1940. The Second Year of the Collective - 1931: In Brunnental, in 1931, the hypothesis was very favorable to establish four very large vegetable gardens, and each would be about 40 hectares in size. There was an ample water supply at hand to provide irrigation. Many varieties of vegetables were planted, white cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and other vegetables. These gardens produced large yields due to the ample water supply. Because of the large yields, the Collectives could fulfill its quota to the State in grain. The people received lots of vegetables, especially white cabbage. A lot of sauerkraut could be stored up for the winter. The sauerkraut was often the only thing the people had to eat during the winter of 1931. Otherwise, there was nothing! Now I will report to you about the 1931 harvest. This harvest was just as meager as that of 1930. How could it be any different? If nothing was planted on time, then one could expect poor results. Then, too, the few draft animals were too malnourished and weak to do the heavy work, for without adequate feed, the best horse could not work. The few tractors were also not too dependable, often breaking down mechanically. In 1931, we received the first thrash machines that had been allotted to us. They had a cutting width of 12 feet and had been built in Saratov. These machines had only one motor to do the thrashing, but had to be pulled by tractor. Now we come to the 1931 harvest time. There was little to be expected. Everything was put into motion to finish the harvest as soon as possible. It was easier said than done. There was a shortage of draft animals, thrashers and unreliable tractors. Three or four thrashers were pulled by one tractor. The intention was good, but the results were poor. Whenever four or five thrashers, were to work together, there was always one or the other that broke down. There were few spare parts. One can imagine how things turned out. The thrashers in 1931 were of poor quality and prone to mechanical breakdown -- sometimes the drive-chain, sometimes the augur, or the motor would overheat, etc. Each time that happened, the operator had to remove the broken part and take it to the MTS, more often than not in a horse drawn wagon. According to the layout plan of the fields, one often had to drive 10-12 kilometers. Repairs lasted 20 to 24 hours, depending on whether the MTS has spare parts or not. When it so happened that the thrasher was idle, so was the tractor that pulled it. Everything was at a standstill until the operator returned with the spare parts. Now one can picture that the harvest could not be accomplished under these circumstances. Thus a part of the harvest remained in the fields and covered with snow. The crop was just so-so in spite of the fact that a good part of the crop was left in the fields and was lost due to the shortage of thrashers. During harvest time, the people that worked in the fields were separated from the new harvest and provided for. But this was strictly forbidden. It was quietly allowed by the employers, because the official shares of provisions for the heavy work of harvest, was not sufficient. It was evident that the meager harvest again would result in an insufficient share of grain for the workers. And this is what happened! The winter of 1931-1932 was especially difficult for the farmers. The little bit that was harvested, was immediately hauled off to the state. Everything was carefully watched. It was hardly possible to get away with just a few kilograms of grain. The mills were allowed to process the grain into flour with mill- coupons. The mill-coupons were issued only by the Party. In Moscow, Stalin didn't believe that the people in Brunnental had been starving for two years. There were times that people would get wind of others that secretly hid some of the grain, and even that was taken from them, and they were severely punished. But as I indicated, the mills could not produce flour unless the mill coupons were presented. The people were forced to build all kinds of contraptions to process the grain by hand. These mills hadone disadvantage, they made too much noise. The noise was the one fatal flaw. In order to muffle the sound, the mills were placed upon quilts and other types of cushioning material. But the Communist Party members knew that the people had the problem of too much noise whenever they used the mill, so at night they would send spies about the village and eavesdrop at the houses. Woe unto him, whenever the spy caught them milling the grain. The incident was immediately reported. The authorities would attach the house, all provisions confiscated, and in addition, the family was punished. The situation worsened to the point that the people themselves set up a system of sentries in order to warn the people if a stranger would come near their home. But I will tell you that only a few were able to secretly provide for themselves. Difficult times were ahead for the people of Brunnental. The first of the villagers starved to death in February/March 1932. Now I will tell you about the MTS that had now been in existence for two years. I mentioned previously that the MTS workers and the tradesmen were paid in cash. The shop workers were paid by the hour, and the tradesmen paid by the month. The money was provided by the State. Normally the wages were to be paid monthly, but that had not happened since the founding of the MTS in 1929 & 1930. Wages were often three months in arrears. There was always a little cash advance. The Director continually promised the workers that conditions would improve, but that never came about. In any event, the wages were low, and the workers received pay a little at a time. But the only way they could survive was with money. The worst part for the MTS workers, was that even if they had money, there were no provisions to buy. In other words, one can say that the MTS workers had a more difficult time of it than those who were employed by the Collectives. There was a grocery store that was established only for the MTS workers. Now and then, they could buy bread or flour, but only when it was available. But at that time, there wasn't anything in stock. ...Continued in the next newsletter..... ------------------------------------------------------------- DIE WELT POST ARTICLES ABOUT BRUNNENTAL: The following is a "listing" which was put together by Martha (Krening) Schafer & Beverly Ruhl of Denver, CO. They found all of these articles in the German newspaper Die Welt Post, which was read bymany Brunnentalers during the early years, both here in the US and abroad. These articles now give us much wonderful information about our relatives during the "hunger years" in the early 1920's. I would love to hear from anyone who finds "NEW" information on their family! And I would like to thank Martha & Beverly for sharing this information with the readers!!! 12 Jan 1922: New arrivals from Volga Area in Heilsberg [Germany]----People from Brunnental: -Karl KLEIN and wife Marie (nee BECKER). -Henry BECK and wife Elizabeth LEONHARD & 3 sons: Alex, Karl, William. -Marie BENDER (nee KLEIN). -George SEIBEL. Jacob HERGERT. Henry HOHNSTEIN. -Widow Maria GETTMAN (nee WEBER) & children, Marie, Anna, Marta, John, Minna. -Benjamin KUSTER [KISTER] and wife Anna Marie STEINMETZ & child, Victor. -Marie STEINMETZ -Jacob MULLER and wife Anna Elizabeth STROH & children, Karl, Jacob, Emilie. -Henry GREENWALD and wife Marta MULLER. -Henry HARDT and wife Maria DAUFFEST & child Maria. -David SCHAUERMAN and wife Maria MULLER and 3 children, Emma, Maria, Minna. -Konrad HARDT and wife Maria BECKER and children, Alex, Karl, Sara, David, Emma, Berta, Marta, Amalia. -Maria REIFSCHNEIDER (nee HARDT) and daughter, Maria. -Konrad MULLER and wife Anna WEBER and 8 children, Konrad, Anna, Berta, Arnold, Marta, Minna, Emma, Otto. 30 Jan 1919: George BECKER sold his house at 1224 S. 8th St., Lincoln, NE. for $2235. He'll be leaving here to farm with his brother. 23 Jan 1919: Henry BECKER bought a farm 10 miles North of Ft Collins., CO. 30 Jan 1919: Letter of 17 Jan 1917, from Jacob KAUFMAN of Rifle, CO: He is originally from Brunnental. The sister of Mrs. Jacob KAUFMAN, Mrs. John (nee BIEL) SCHAFFER, died 19 Sep 1918 in Pueblo, CO 4 days after surgery. She is survived by husband and 4 children. Mr. SCHAFFER is from Friedenburg, Russia. 2 Jan 1919: Letter of 13 Mar 1918, from Andrew FLOTTO of Brunnental. To Son-in-law, Jacob BREHM & wife. "Your BREHM parents and all children are well. Ludwig is home. Your in laws and sisters and children (HAUSCH & KERNER) are still well. Your God Parent (EHLENBERGER) [OHLENBERGER] is a widow again, living with her son Henry." 17 Mar 1921: John Brehm died in Hastings, NE. He was a Brunnentaler. 6 Oct 1921: Letter from Brunnental, 27 June 1921, from your father, Andreas FLOTTO, to Jacob and Maria Katherina (nee FLOTTO) BREHM, of Hastings, NE. "Dear children and grand-children. We, your parents, are still alive. John was sick with fever all week. Your brother and brother-in-law, Jacob, hurt himself loading and died 24 Dec 1920." 3 Apr 1919: Letter of 23 Mar 1919 from C. J. BECK of Scottsbluff, NE., 28 Feb 1919: "We left Otis, KS to work for a man near Lewellen, NE. As there was dirty work going on, my wife, I and children, went on to Scottsbluff, visiting my brother-in-law, Henry ROTH. Staying here 19 days. On Sunday went to church. Afterward visited Henry LOOS. As I arrived home, my wife and family were sick in bed. My oldest daughter died 18 Mar. She was 8 years, 2 months, and 12 days old. These people live here from Brunnental: Old man Henry LOOS, George HAMBURG, Kasper LURL, Nick NACHEL [NAGEL], and Immanuel WALKER". 4 Apr 1916: Letter of 5 Nov 1917, from Brunnental, from Anna Lis and children. To Conrad BECK, Otis, KS. "To you dear son-in-law and daughter-in-law and children. Also your parents. Haucher is lucky to be at home again. Jacob was home in May and is gone again. Henry was here for a couple of weeks with his family. Brother-in-law, MOHRLAND is at home yet and won't have to go again. He also sends greetings." 12 Sep 1918: Letter from Jacob MAUL from Neu Mohr. Letter starts with a poem about letters being sent and arriving at their destination. "Dear brother-in- law, Conrad BECK from Brunnental. Received your letter. To let you know we have five children - one son and four girls. We'll let you know we are all back home. We were lucky, but here at home we lost 4 horses and 7 cows. If you can send some money, please do. Now a greeting from me, your brother-in-law, Henry HELIVIG. My wife and I and children are still well. Also a word from your brother-in-law, Jacob HERGERT: my mother has been sick all winter. I beg why doesn't my sister, Amalia write? Isn't she living near you?" 29 Mar 1917: Mr. & Mrs. Peter BECKER, 102 G. St., Lincoln, NE announce the arrival of a baby girl. 4 Oct 1917: John BECKER of Sutton, NE., is very sick with stomach cancer. He was visted by a friend Conrad BREHM and brother Henry BECKER, both of Lincoln, NE. 20 June 1918: Henry GEORGE and family were in Friend, NE., to visit Mr. and Mrs. Henry BECKER. 5 May 1918: Mr. & Mrs. George BRAUTIGAM and 2 children were in Omaha, NE., enroute back to McCook, NE., where they visited his niece, Mrs. Henry Brautigam. 9 May 1918: Letter from Frank, Russia, dated 20 Nov 1917, to Henry BRAUTIGAM, of Lincoln, NE., from Alt Donhof. "To Dear children: The old grandmother is seriously sick. We received the money from Henry and Katherine Elizabeth (?), but no letter. Why don't you write? We are your parents--Michael STORGER." 12 Dec 1918: George BRAUTIGAM of McCook, NE., want address of George Maser, to let him know John HOFF died. He was the husband of Elizabeth BRAUTIGAM. On 6 Oct 1918, Conrad BECK of Otis, KS., ordered the Welt Post for his in laws in Brunnental. 11 Apr 1918: From Nekoma, OK., 29 Mar 1918. BAUME KONREDJIN (CONRAD), is also home from the Army. He is sick. From Elias and Elizabeth STEINMETZ. 25 Apr 1918: Immanuel BAUM, Culbertson, NE., ordered the Welt Post for his father-in-law John HELD of Weisenmuller, Russia and brother, Peter BAUM in Brunnental, Russia. 17 Oct 1918: On 6 Oct 1918, Conrad BECK of Otis, KS., ordered the Welt Post for his in- laws in Brunnental. 21 Nov 1918: Adam BECK, 435 H. St., Lincoln, NE., is very sick with flu for the second time. 20 Feb 1919: Letter of C. J. BECK of Otis, KS. As many complaints from readers from Brunnental, I'll try to please George HOFFMAN in Hastings, NE. I will be leaving Otis this week. I will possibly be gone to my brother-in-law in Scottsbluff, NE (Henry ROTHE). The flu only got one person here. 31 Mar 1921: Henry BECK of Pendleton, OR., asks for address of Gottlieb SCHAFER from Brunnental. He is suppose to be in Argentina. His father, Gottlieb SCHAFER was a schoolmaster and is now deceased. 7 Jun 1917: Letter from Maria Katharina (nee BREHM) & husband Konrad HOFFMAN to Jacob BREHM and wife, Maria Katherina & five children of Hastings, NE. "Dear Brother and Sister-in-law: My husband, Konrad is having trouble with his legs. We don't know where he's at. Andreas KENNER is home for a month visit or leave. Dear sister-in-law: Your brother was here on leave for a month. Also your sister, Anna Marie is well. To be continued in the next newsletter..... -------------------------------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES: David Greenwalt, Kennewick, WA: David Greenwald, 90 passed away February 18, 1995, at McBurney Adult Family Home. He passed gracefully with family at his side. David was born in Brunnental, Russia, on April 14, 1904, the son of Conrad Martin Gruenwald and Anna Katrina Miller. Anna Katrina died in Russia in 1907 as they were coming to the US with their family. Conrad, a widower, then married Marie Klein in 1908, also formerly from Brunnental. They established their home in McCook, Neb. in 1908, and later homesteaded in Lingle, Wyo. They then moved to Portland, Oregon. There he married his wife, Helene Hartung on December 21, 1939. They then moved to Toppenish, Wash., where they made their home for 26 years. Upon retirement they settled in Portland, Oregon, and then later moved to the Kennewick area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Anna Katrina (Miller) Greenwald, his step-mother Marie (Klein) Greenwald, brothers Conrad, Wilhelm and Victor Immanuel, and sisters, Edna and Esther. He is survived by his wife, Helene Greenwald; daughter Judy Urrutia;grandchildren Diahann Howard and Carla Urruita; sister, Marie Bandey; three nieces, Jean Lienhard, Marlene Burns, and Connie Geck. He will be remembered for his knowledge of family history, his passion for farming, love and dedication to his family. David's memory will be cherished by all who had the opportunity to know him. Many of his friends and community were blessed through the uplifting messages he conveyed to them. Memorial services will be held at his daughter's home on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 11 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy/Hospice. ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE END OF THE SPRING 95 NEWSLETTER!