THE FRANK & BRUNNENTAL VILLAGE NEWSLETTER VOLUME 24 NUMBER 4 CIRCULATION 365 FALL 1995 SHERRIE STAHL, EDITOR -------------------------------------------------- EDITOR'S CORNER: Dear Readers: This month we have so many exciting things to bring all of you. First and foremost is the 1798 FRANK CENSUS (see bottom of page)!! This is something that all of us have been waiting for! Order your copy today from AHSGR!! I want to thank Clarence Kissler for sharing several articles with us and Dr. William Wiest for his help in locating the villages mentioned in the article on page 2. I would especially like to thank Wilhelm Klein of Berlin, Germany, for his translation work on the 1798 Frank Census, and also on the Frank Church Records on pages 10-12. For those of you with INTERNET access, be sure to check out the AHSGR World Wide Web homepage, now posted at the URL or location of: http://www.teleport.com/nonprofit/ahsgr And I would also like to announce that we now have a Frank "homepage" on the World Wide Web, thanks to Clarence Kissler. It can be found at: http://www.colo.com/frank/ Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl, Editor -------------------------------------- ADDRESSES: ------ 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 -------------------------- STORIES IN THIS ISSUE: Editor's Corner, Addresses, 1996 Subscriptions Due.....................p.1 Frank 1798 Census Available From AHSGR.................................p.1 My Life In Exile, by Erna Kissler., Strezhevoy, Russia.................p.2 Queries -- Can You Help Us With Our Research...........................p.4 Family Trees Available - Check Out The Listings!!......................p.5 Obituaries........................................................p.3 & 24 Elledge Family Gains Insight By Tracing, by Sam Kaufman................p.6 Letters From Readers...................................................p.7 Johannes Trupp - 105 Years Old!!! in Hastings, NE!.....................p.8 Translations of Frank Church Records, by Wilhelm Klein............p. 10-12 My Trip To Germany, by Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs......................p.13-16 Picture of Brunnental School Class....................................p.17 History of Brunnental, by Alexander Weber & Anna (Weber) Mueller.p. 18-19 Letter From Entre Rios, Argentina -- HARDT Family from Brunnental.....p.19 Die Welt Post Articles -- (Brunnentalers) continued...............p. 20-24 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRANK -- 1798 CENSUS AVAILABLE: It is with great excitement that I announce the completion of the FRANK 1798 Census which is now available from AHSGR (American Historical Society of Germans From Russia). You can order your census now from AHSGR by sending in your order to: AHSGR 631 D Street Lincoln NE 68502-1199 Cost is $25.00 for members of AHSGR $35.00 for non-members ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ELLEDGE FAMILY GAINS INSIGHT BY TRACING -- By Sam Kaufman, Grandview Herald. The following story was written by Sam Kaufman of the Grandview Herald, and printed on October 12, 1994. Sam interviewed one of our readers, Bernice (Heimbigner) Elledge, who's parents came from Frank, Russia. Bernice had agreed to share her story with the readers. Grandview's Bernice Elledge is intrigued by her family's history. And Elledge is constantly searching out lineage to learn more and more about the struggles, successes and lifestyle of Germans from Russia -a group from which she is a descendant. Elledge is a longtime member and past president of the Central Washington Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Her ancestors migrated from Germany to Russia in the 1700's when Katherine the Great offered land incentives to lure German farmers from depressed conditions in their homeland. Elledge -- formerly Bernice Heimbigner -- has traced genealogy all the way back from the time her ancestors on her mother's side were living in Germany. Through hours of research, and assistance from family members, Elledge has information dating back 10 generations. "I just think it gives you an insight of who you are and where your ancestors come from," she said of her desire to discover family roots. "It gives me a foundation, and I can see what my family has done." Elledge's parents are both descendants of Germans from Russia who met in Odessa, WA, where many of those folks homesteaded. "I heard the town was named by a railroad conductor who came through and was thinking of Odessa, Russia," she said. Her father's side of the family immigrated to the United States near the turn of the 20th century, settling in Walla Walla, and her mother's side followed soon after. Many families of Germans from Russia immigrated to the United States during World War I because they were being taken into war, Elledge said. For years, Elledge's grandparents and parents harvested wheat in Odessa. She left Odessa in the early 1930's, but returns each year for a German festival that takes place in late September. Elledge was born and married on the family homestead in Odessa, and said the house she was born in is still standing, but will probably be torn down soon. She became interested in tracing family roots after her marriage. With the help of an aunt on her mother's side, she was able to to back a long ways -- about 1710 to be exact. Johann Heinrich Kissler and family lived in Penroth, Germany in the early 18th Century said Elledge. But Germany was recovering from a war near that time period, and the land was in a depressed condition, she noted. That was when Katherine the Great invited Germans to come to Russia giving them free farm land, tools and a promise they wouldn't have to go to war for Russia. "I think she knew the Germans were good, solid farmers," Elledge said of the recruitment. Johann Peter Kissler and Johann Casper Kissler -- sons of Johann Heinrich Kissler -- were among some of the first Germans to immigrate to Russia. It took several years of producing and favorable weather conditions, but the family's land was eventually paid off, said Elledge. Still, some groups of Russians didn't welcome the Germans, stealing from them on many occasions, she added. "I think (my ancestors) felt they had come this far already, and that they weren't going back," Elledge said of the anything but warm welcome. The Germans later earned some respect after successful farming, and contributing to Russia, she added. Both sides of Elledge's family farmed near the town of Frank in the province of Saratov. Her father's side came to the United States through Ellis Island in New York in 1899 Her father was born a week after the family settled into a new home in Walla Walla. Her mother's side came to America through Baltimore, and settled in Odessa in 1912. Adolph Heimbigner and Katherine Kissler, Elledge's parents, met when Katherine worked for Adolph's father. The two were married on the family homestead near Odessa in 1928. Elledge said the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was founded in 1968 in Denver. CO. The Central Valley Chapter of Washington State began in 1975. Elledge joined in 1978 and became more involved in 1985 when they had the convention in Yakima. In the mid 1980's she was voted second vice president. She has also served as 1st vice president and president, and is now program chairman. [Bernice is also now serving on the AHSGR Board of Directors - 1995] The group, which meets six times a year, has close to 75 members. They collect information on culture, history, biographies and genealogies. At each meeting, a cultural-related program usually takes place. "There are a lot of folklore stories," Elledge added. She also said the group is always looking for new members, and that anyone can attend. "You don't have to be a German from Russia," she noted. "You just have to have an interest." Elledge also stated that the organization is trying to publicize itself to attract more members. Of the chapters in Washington state, there are about 500 members. For more information, contact Elledge at (509) 882-1344. ----------------------------------- FAMILY TREES AVAILABLE: By Doris (Eckhardt) Evans-- The following listing was put together to aid others in figuring out who has already ordered a family tree chart from Dr. Pleve. * - indicates that chart has been ordered, but not received If you have a chart you have ordered or one you would like to order, let us know, and we will add you to our listing!. AMEN Chart- Dorothy Thomas, 5700 Mount Pleasant Road, Lincoln, CA 95648-9735 BASTRON Chart - Virginia West, 202 Turtle Bay Drive, Branford, CT 06405 BAUER Chart - Barbara Clausen, 1116 NE 65th St., Vancouver, WA 98665 - PAFCLAUSEN@aol.com BORGENS Chart - Gerda Walker, 1840 S. Utica St., Denver, CO 80219 - walkergs@eworld.com BRUNGARDT Chart - Pauline Dudek, 800 East E #3, Hastings, NE 68901 - norm@tcgs.com *DITTER Chart - Ray Koch, 2904 Old Dufer Rd., The Dalles, OR 97058 ECKHARDT Chart - Doris Evans, HCR 1 Box 72, Almira, WA 99103-9754 - EVANSDFE@aol.com *FRICK Chart - Lorraine Frick Goetz, 11543 Rd. W. NE, Marlin, WA 98832 GETTMAN Chart - Sherrie Stahl, 1011 N.W. Glisan #302, Portland, OR 97209 - stahl@teleport.com GRUENWALD Chart - Marie Bandey, 2302 S.W. Chelmsford, Portland, OR 97201 *GUTMANN Chart - Bob Goodman, 4038 Hampton Dr., West Richland WA 99352-5146 HARTUNG Chart - Ray Koch, 2904 Old Dufer Rd., The Dalles, OR 97058 HERBST Chart - Reba Bauer, 123 N. 2300 E., St. Anthony, ID 83445 HERGERT Chart - Alan Hergert, 1833 38th Ave E, Seattle WA 98112-3137 HOFF Chart - Doris Evans, HCR 1 Box 72, Almira, WA 99103, EVANSDFE@aol.com *HOFFERBER Chart - Louise Potter, 306 N. Alder St., Toppenish, WA 98949-1309 KAUFMANN Chart - Ervin Kaufman, 8990 N. Federal #8, Federal Heights, CO 80221 (303-650-6358) KISSLER Chart - Clarence Kissler, 2 Claret Ash, Littleton, CO 80127 - ckissler@usw.interact.net KLEIN Chart - George Klein, 5655 Celestial Drive, Winton, CA 95388-9519 *KNOPF Chart - Jim Knopf, 7510 232 Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98053-7978 - knopf@halcyon.com *KREITZER Chart - Louise Potter, 306 N. Alder St., Toppenish, WA 98949-1309 *KROH Chart - Rod Uhrich, 401 Ivanhoe, Denver, CO 80220 *LEBSACK Chart - Laurence Libsack, Box 65, Odessa, WA 99159 *LEONHARDT Chart - Doris Evans, HCR 1 Box 72, Almira, WA 99159 - EVANSDFE@aol.com PROPP Chart - George Klein, 5655 Celestial Drive, Winton, CA 95388-9519 *SCHAFER Chart - Jim Knopf, 7510 232 Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98053-7978 - knopf@halcyon.com *SCHILLERIFF Chart - Herb Hardung, W. 2311 16th - #91, Spokane, WA 99204 SITZMAN - (RAGAS only) Glenn Sitzman, 5368 Grand Cypress Circle Apt. 204, Naples, FL 33942-5963 STROH Chart - Gerda Walker, 1840 S. Utica St., Denver, CO 80219 - walkergs@EWORLD.com *TRUPP Chart - Marie Krieger, 7533 N. Chatham Ave., Portland, OR 97217 UHRICH Chart - Rod Uhrich, 401 Ivanhoe, Denver, CO 80220-5863 *WACKER Chart - Gerda Walker, 1840 S. Utica St., Denver, CO 80219 walkergs@EWORLD.com WAGNER Chart - AHSGR, 631 D. Street, Lincoln, NE 68502-1199 - AHSGR@aol.com *WALTER Chart - Don Walter, 334 W. Park Place, Spokane, WA 99205-3164 WEIDEMAN Chart - Clarence Kissler, 2 Claret Ash, Littleton, CO 80127 - ckissler@USW.interact.net WEITZEL Chart - (Dan Hoff knows the person to contact for this chart) Dan Hoff, P.O. Box 431 - 2652 Richard, Cayucos, CA 93430-0431 *ZEILER Chart - Gerda Walker, 1840 S. Utica St., Denver, CO 80219 - walkergs@EWORLD.com Many of the Frank families have married into other villages and their lineage then becomes split between two or more villages. If your family lines flow over into other villages, the following people would be good sources for you to contact: NORKA - You can contact Joanne Krieger for information on how to obtain these charts. Her address is 3215 NE 135th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. (tele 503-252-6623) ALBERT, BRUNN, BURBACH, CLAUS, DIENES, EUSEL, FINK, GLANZ, GRUN/GREEN, HAMBURGER, HELZER, HOHNSTEIN, KAHLER, KREIGER, LAEHL, LEHL, PAULI, REISBECK, SCHLEINING, SNIDER, STERKEL, SWINDT, TRAUDT, TREBER, and WEITZEL. KOLB - Norm and Pauline Dudek, 800 East E #3, Hastings, NE 68901 - norm@tcgs.com BEIDECK - Elizabeth Barker, Rt. 2 Box 65 D-3, Tecumseh, OK 74873-9515 - Beideckpaf@aol.com HUSSENBACH - Louise Potter, 306 N. Alder St., Toppenish, WA 98949-1309 WALTER - Jean Roth, 515 N. 79th, Seattle, WA 98103 or Mary Mills, 2226 S. Clermont St., Denver, CO 80222. ------------------------------------ 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. ***BAUER--Eugenia (Bauer) Rainik writes, "My father is Georg Bauer, cousin of Konrad Bauer. My father was born in 1888 in Frank, Russia. My mother was born in 1891 in Frank & her name was Anna Elizabeth Kissler, who's father was Johannes Kissler. I am looking for BAUER relatives (my cousin) in the US (see photo below). On the back of the photo is written "das sind familie Bauer" (also see next column [bottom] for other writing) If anyone has information about this photo or family, please contact: Clarence Kissler, 2 Claret Ash, Littleton, CO 80127. ***STROH or BRAUN??--Marie Saunders writes, "We need some help in identifying this picture (see photo below). We are not sure who they are, but think that it might be either a Stroh or Braun couple. We know they were from Frank, Russia, but that is about all we are certain of. If anyone has information about this photo or family, please contact: Marie & Earl Saunders, 4257 S 2075 W, Roy UT 84067 --------------------------------------------------- MY LIFE IN EXILE, By Erna Kissler, Strezhevoy, Russia (Forward By Clarence Kissler, Littleton, CO) I just received a letter from Erna Kissler, where she has provided us with some "first hand knowledge" about her exile to Siberia & the life in the labor camps during the 1940's. I wonder if she could have even thought of writing such a letter several years ago. Erna Kissler is the daughter of Johannes Kissler and Amalia (Gettman) Kissler from Frank, Russia. Erna currently resides in Strezhevoy, Russia, several hundred miles north of Tomsk on the Ob River. * * * * * You asked about what happened when we were sent into exile, and what I did in the Trudarmiya. First of all, in October 1941, we were taken by horses to the station in Frank. There were boxcars there, being unloaded. They loaded us into them, then we were a month on the way to the station in "Ishim, Tyumen oblast". There we were met by [buyers?], those who picked out the specialists. Since my father was a good blacksmith, he ended up in the village of "Kotochigi, Vikulov region". There he worked in the TGS [?] as a blacksmith. We were given a small house and the 6 brothers and I, the only sister, lived there. We older kids helped harvest grain at the collective farm. In 1942, in February, taken into the Trudarmiya were: father; brother Gerhard, born 1922; brother Ivan, born 1926. We were left alone, and it was so hard. Mother didn't work, I worked at The collective farm, brother Victor, born 1928 went to the villages to work for food. Mama stayed at home. Father and Gerhard ended up in the "Sverdlovsk oblast, the village of Ivdel". They lived in the camp zone like prisoners. They were fed badly. Father got sick and was sent home in 1945. Brother Gerhard stayed there, married Emma, and later moved to Linevo. Then in 1943 I was taken to the "Sverdlovsk oblast, the town of Nizhoy Tagil". For a month we were quarantined in the regional camp. I was lucky, because I knew Russian well. I was put in charge of 150 women and girls. We were sent to the "Lobva station in the Sverdlovsk oblast". There we worked in the timber, cutting wood, loading freight cars and sending them to the factory in Nizhoy Tagil. There in "Lobva" we lived in barracks we made ourselves. The food wasn't bad. I was on the good side of the boss, because we all worked together as friends. I took my crew out in any weather to load the cars. In rain, dirt, snow, we did it all and didn't complain. For that we were treated well, and given additional ration coupons. The women gathered berries and mushrooms in the summer, and we lived well. But then in 1945 we were taken to a factory, where it was bad. The food was band, and the treatment worse. But I was again able to get on the good side of the boss. This was a factory where the women put together boxes for reels which were made in other factories. We tried very hard, so the boss gave me permission to make up lists for additional rations. I worked as his timekeeper. He was a very good man, who understood that some of us women had children at hom, and took great care. It was good that we were in "free marriages," and were our own bosses. We went to movies and dances, but the husbands lived like prisoners, under lock and key. Many of them died. Then after 9 May, Victory Day, we were all sent home in 1946. Then I got married in October, 1946. On 7 April, 1947, our Volodya was born. In 1948 we moved to "Kotochigi", to live with my father, because my husband was ill. On 17 May 1949 he died. I had my son, Volodya, who was 2 years and 2 months old. My son Alexei was born on 5 September 1949. That has been the hard part of my life. It was so hard for me with the children. Father still had 3. We lived with them for 3 years, when I remarried and moved with my husband to the oil factory in "Kalinino". There my daughter Nadia, son [Gena?] were born. Then in 1956, when they removed the repression, we returned to our homeland. They didn't want to let us go to Frank. It was good that my husband was Russian, and we stayed. But the village was unrecognizable. All of the wooden houses were burned. The gardens were all destroyed. It was terrible, but the people began to build again, and it became a good village again, but not like it was. They were going to kick us out again, but the soldiers protected us. We had a great harvest of grain, watermelons. The neighbors took it all away from us. It was terrible, the livestock ran wild, houses were all empty. At night they stole it all. They took it all away from our people, gave us Germans nothing, we who had lost our homes. livestock. They let us take only the most necessary, clothing and food, which was very little. On the way, they gave us rations bread and sugar, and once they gave us hot food. Clarence, brother Ivan ended up in the "Molotov region, village of Kizel". There were mines there. They lived freely in barracks. He worked as a mechanic in the mines. He knew Russian well. He married a Russian woman there, then he moved to the "Lvov oblast, village of Chervonograd", where he worked as a mechanic in the mines. Now he has left for Germany. That is the short version of what you asked about. One could still write a book about all we went through. There is no justice for us Germans, so many of us are going to Germany. Maybe they think it will be better there. I will close with greetings to you all. --Erna Kissler ------- Dr. William Wiest has given us some coordinates to help us find the approximate whereabouts of each of the villages that Erna speaks of in her account. You might want to take the time to find each of these villages on a map of Russia. 1) Ishim, Tyumen oblast--57 latutude, 68 longitude. 2) Kotochigi, Vikulov region--didn't find Kotochigi, but did find something called Vikulovo about 250 miles north-east of Ishim, between the two big cities of Chelyabinsk and Omsk, both of which are at about 55 latitude. 3) Ivdel, Sverdlovsk oblast--61 latitude, 60 longitude, on Lozva River just north of Krasnoturinsk. Linevo--in Bela Russia (White Russia, one of the former 15 republics of the USSR) about 50 miles east of the Polish border. 4) Nizhny Tagil, Sverdlovsk region--58 latitude, 60 longitude, about 100 miles north of Sverdlovsk. 5) "Lobva" station, Sverdlovsk region--NOT FOUND. 6) Kalinino--in Krasnodar region, 10 miles north of Krasnodar, which is in the North Caucasus, west of Stavropol about 150 miles. Stavropol is between the Black and Caspian Seas. 7) Kizel, Molotov region--59 latitude, 58 longitude, about 150 miles northwest of Nizhny Tagil (on west side of the Urals). 8) Chervonograd, Lvov region--In Ukraine about 10 miles east of Polish border, north of Lvov about 75 miles, 50.25 latitude, 24.25 longitude. THE END ----------------------------------------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES--Village of FRANK Alexander Libsack, 84, died Wednesday August 2, 1995, at Box Butte General Hospital. He was born April 1, 1911, at Cambria, WY., to Henry and Anna (Heimbeichner) Libsack. He married Helen Haas at Torrington, WY. on March 14, 1931. They moved to the Alliance area in 1953. He was a farmer. He was a life member of both the: Elks and Eagles, an honorary member of the American Legion, a member of Panhandle Country Music Association, and a member of St. John's United Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife, Helen, of the home; sons, Kenneth of Sunnyside, Wash., and Sandy of Alliance ; daughters, Frances E. Overton of Canon City, CO., and Judy Laursen of Alliance; sister, Freda Batt Potter; 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at St. John's. The Rev. Kirk Shipley will officiate. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the church or to a charity of the donor's choice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. ----------- George Geist-- Portland, OR The Oregonian, Wednesday, Sep 20, 1995 A memorial service will be at 1pm Saturday, Sept. 23, 1995, in the Lincoln City Congregational Church, where he was a member. Mr. Geist died of complications from diabetes August 8 at age 85. He was born Sept. 2, 1909 in Frank, Russia, and grew up in Spokane, WA. He married Carroll Schroeder on Feb 11, 1934; she died in 1985. Mr. Geist was a longtime Portland resident and worked as a stockbroker and secretary-treasurer for Zilka-Smither Co. He retired in 1974 and moved to Lincoln City. He served on the board of trustees of Pacific University. Survivors are his son, Peter of Hood River; daughters, Suzanne Stoval of Simi Valley, CA, and Michal Salzer of Lincoln City; seven grandchildren; and 12 great- grandchildren. Disposition by cremation. Remembrances: the church. Arrangements: Pacific View Memorial Chapel in Lincoln City, OR. ----------- Marie Ann Prichard -- Portland, OR The Oregonian, Saturday, October 7, 1995 A funeral will be at 10AM, Saturday, Oct 7th, 1995 in Adams Chapel of the Riverview Cemetery. Mrs. Prichard died Oct 4th, at age 87. She was born Feb 26th, 1908 in Lincoln, NE. Her maiden was Fahrenbruch. She was a member of Hinson Memorial Baptist Church. She lived in Portland since 1945. She married Lewis G. Prichard in 1937. He died in 1980. Survivers includer her son, L. Paden of West Linn,OR daughter, Alma Coston of West Linn,OR and Patricia Esselstrom of Portland, OR; a brother Fred Fahrenbruch of Billings, MT and 4 grandchildren. Remembrances, Charity of Choice. Arrangements Riverview Abbey Funeral Home. ----------- Genevieve F. Schlenker SELAH -- Genevieve F. (Sprenger) Laney Schlenker, 80, a longtime resident of the Yakima Valley, died Thursday, September 21, 1995, in Selah Convalescent Center. She was born on July 23, 1915, in Tacoma, Washington, to Fred and Anna (Gettmann) Sprenger. Her father was a blacksmith and farmer, whose family had emigrated from Odessa, Russia, in 1849. Her mother, a homemaker, was herself an immigrant, born in Frank, Russia, traveling to America in 1886, when she was eight years old. As a youngster, Mrs. Schlenker lived in Harwood, White Swan, Wapato and Lower Naches, where she graduated from Lower Naches High School with the class of 1934. On May 26, 1936, she married Jared E. Laney from Wenas Valley. Mr. Laney later formed Circle L Distributing Company, with service stations in Yakima, Sunnyside, Kennewick and Spokane. They lived in Grandview, Tacoma Spokane and Yakima, residing since 1950 in Terrace Heights: The couple had celebrated thirty-three years of marriage when Mr. Laney died in 1970. On August 28, 1971, Mrs. Laney married Frank A. Schlenker, from Selah. They resided on Gore Road outside of Selah, and had celebrated twenty years together when Mr. Schlenker died in 1992. Mrs. Schlenker was a talented artist, working with several crafts, ranging from needlework, ceramics, and quilting to watercolor on canvas. She also enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle. Her love of literature, history and genealogy were bolstered by her love for travel. She will be remembered, as well, for her cultivation of the garden peony, and none shall deny her status as a great fan of baseball. She will be greatly missed for her knowledge. humor and quick wit. Her memberships included the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the Wenas Valley Grange. She is survived by some of the many who will miss her, including, daughter, Karen, and husband, Joe Murillo, of Yakima; daughter, Susie, and husband, Joe Moran, of Atlanta, GA, step-daughter, Ruth, and husband, Don Marlin, of Richland; a brother, Howard Sprenger, and wife, Bess, of Zillah; and a sister, (Mrs. Earl) Thelma Tinius, of Tacoma, grandchildren, Bruce Siebol and Rod Siebol, both of Yakima, Candice Rheinschild of Santa Barbara, CA, Joseph, Sasha and Amy Moran, all of Atlanta, Georgia; step-grandchildren, Roxann (Marlin) Smith and Monty Marlin, both of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Britt, Loren and Blaine Marlin of Richland, WA, thirteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Friday, September 29, 1995 at 2:30 p.m. in Shaw and Sons Funeral Chapel, followed by a fellowship in the Bill Greenside Community Room before the concluding service and interment in Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Selah City Library. ---Shaw & Sons Funeral Home. ---------------------------------------------------- LETTERS FROM READERS: By Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl-- I want to thank each and everyone of the readers who take the time to write me with their ideas, questions, and concerns. Here are just a few of the letters that I have received over the past few months: 8/29/95 --Letter From Delbert Amen, Oklahoma City, OK Dear Sherrie, It was good to get the Frank & Brunnental Village Newsletter again. I always enjoy it. On page 24, the article from Die Welt Post, 12 July 1917, where it lists George Brehm, Weatherford, NE (OK?).....that is my Grandfather, my mother's father! They had moved to Washita County, OK in 1915. He did not apply for citizenship until the 1920's. I'm sure he was released from the draft, as it stated, because he never served in the Armed Forces. The article "confirms" information which I thought to be true, and I appreciate you printing this article and others like this. Thanks again. Sincerely, Delbert Amen * * * * * 3/21/95 -- Email from Tonya Flynn -- tflynn@encore.com Dear Sherrie, Thanks for the excellent Frank/Brunnental Village Newsletters I just happened to come across while I was "surfing" the World Wide Web with Netscape. My father, who is visiting me, is enjoying the articles very much and is finding out about many of his childhood friends and relatives through your excellent publication. Please keep up the good work. Regards, Tonya Rhea (Trupp) Flynn (be sure to read the article about Tonya's grandfather, John Trupp, who turned 105 on October 1, 1995 !!!) * * * * * 5/5/95 -- Letter from Betty Brown, Tacoma, WA Dear Sherrie, Every time I get the Frank/Brunnental newsletter there is always an article of great interest to me. Page 4 Queries (Spring 95 NL): My father had a cousin named Jacob Seibel. The family spelled it Seibol. His Social Security paper spelled it Seibel. He was born 5 May 1887 in Alexanderdorf, Naltschik, N. Caucasus, Russia. His parents were Jacob Seibel and Anna Elizabeth Hert. I don't know when he came to the US, but he applied for his social security card in 1927 in Dos Palos, CA. Thanks you Sherrie for your wonderful newsletter. I get more out of it than most any other source. Thanks again, Betty Brown * * * * * 11/20/94 -- Letter from Glenn L. Sitzman, Ponce, PR Dear Sherrie, Jakob Mohrland's account of Russian Germans who starved during the famines of 1920/21 and 1930/--touched me deeply, as I have heard about those famines since my childhood. When, as a little boy, I would complain about food I did not like--say, 1930-32--my father would admonish me, "Eat it; you have cousins starving in Russia who would be glad to have that food." I did not have first cousins in Russia, but I did have second cousins, because both my parents had first cousins over there, and many were starving. Two of my father's uncles at Frank took their own lives in the famine of 1920/21, so as not to consume food that might help to keep some young people alive. Two stories of particular irony relate to starving relatives of my mother's father at Eckheim, on the meadow side. Before 1920 my mother's father sent money for the passage of his brother and all the brother's family to emigrate from Russia to the U. S. A. The brother decided to stay in Russia and used the money to buy a new wagon and team of horses. In the famine of 1920/21 the whole family starved to death. The other story goes back to 1876, when my grandpa was ten years old. At that time his stepfather drove him away from home with a pitchfork. Grandpa went to his oldest sister, but she turned him away, because her husband would not have Grandpa in his house. During the famine of 1920/21 that same sister wrote to my grandpa for help, because they were starving. Grandpa sent all the help he could, but it was not enough to save them. The whole family starved to death. These stories come back to my mind when I hear or read about the famines in Russia. I think others may have family stories about the famines. I believe it might be a good idea if someone would collect such stories, regardless of colony, as a permanent record of that particular aspect of our people's history. If you wish, you may publish my stories as an inducement to others to share their families' stories. Sincerely, Glenn L. Sitzman * * * * * 8/13/95 -- Email from Clarence Kissler, ckissler@usw.interact.net Dear Sherrie, Again, thanks for a great newsletter!!!! The listing of Pleve charts is a great idea. We should have a master listing of all these charts! The article on the Bostron's was great! St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church is my church. I was confirmed there. I will see if I can find some information as a follow-up to a future newsletter. Also, I lived at 505 Tenth Street in Greeley, across the street from the Bostron's. It was great to see the picture of the church. It is now a Mennonite church, and looks great and in good repair. Clarence * * * * * --------------------------------------------------- JOHN TRUPP TURNS 105 ON OCTOBER 1, 1995!!! Here is a letter I received from Tonya R. Flynn concerning her grandfather, John Trupp: "Are you still looking for the oldest person from Frank? Here's an article on my grandfather that was written by Andy Raun, Tribune Staff Writer, and published in The Hasting Tribune on Saturday, Oct. 1, 1994 " * * * * * 104-Year-Old Thinks Of Past, Future John Trupp, a Hastings retiree, spends a good share of his time watching television at home. He enjoys news programs and legislative coverage, and he follows the events of the day carefully. Although he is partially blind and cannot read a newspaper, he also manages to keep track of what's going on and what's being built around the city. The center of Trupp's world is his little house on South Bellevue Avenue. That's where he monitors events and looks after himself, day by day. He's remarkably self-sufficient, taking care of his own laundry and even rearranging the furniture when he feels the urge. He spends much of his time in a wheelchair, but he can do a lot. John Trupp is a man of the present. But a part of him resides in another world--a world he can reach simply by looking out his front window. "I look at this town now and think about when we came over here," he says. "There were no houses here. Nothing. Just open country." Trupp will be 104 years old Monday. He recalls a time when cornfields were prevalent just south of what now is called the Burlington Northern main line--an area now considered close to the heart of town. He remembers Hastings when it was crisscrossed by different railroads' tracks. He remembers the South Side as it was being developed and urbanized--in part with the many houses his family built. He can visualize the roundhouses and brickyards of old, and the multitude of small neighborhood grocery stores that seemed to pop up everywhere. At moments, Trupp seems a bit wistful, looking out his window and remembering a time when Hastings was smaller, he was younger, and he knew and was known by more folks around town. "The people I grew up with are all gone," he says. Trupp was born in Frank, Russia, on Oct. 3, 1890. He moved to the Hastings area with his family in 1892. His family, which of German ethnicity, settled sound of the tracks amongst relatives and other families from Frank. The family lived in Hastings every winter, but spent Aprils through Novembers in western Nebraska, Colorado and other states, thinning, hoeing and harvesting sugar beets. Back in Hastings for a few months, Trupp would do his best to get what he could out of an abbreviated school year. Because of the constant interruptions, and except for a six-month stint in business college when he was older, Trupp never got beyond the third grade. When he was 16, Trupp took a job making horse collars for the Dutton Co., now known as Dutton-Lainson. He first worked blackening and polishing the collars, and later learned to install the buckles. "I would work a whole week for $2.50--10 hours a day, six days a week," he says. When Trupp retired from collar making in 1929, he says, he was making $17 or $18 a week. He took a job as a shipping clerk with Sidles Automotive and stayed with the company until he retired in 1956. Trupp and his wife, Mollie, raised five children in their little house--a three-room homestead house they bought in 1923, then added onto over the years. Mrs. Trupp died in 1969 after a lengthy illness. Trupp's children, grandchildren, great-grandchldren and great-great grandchildren are scattered around the United States. His oldest sons are about 80 years old. He quite driving when he was 96, but at 100 still was mowing his own lawn and riding a three-wheel bicycle around town to do errands. He's slowed down since then. Currently, he takes Meals on Wheels and has a housekeeper come in to help with the cleaning every two weeks. An old friend, Edna Weber, checks in on him regularly, does his shopping and takes him to the doctor's office for quarterly checkups. Trupp says he's looking forward to seeing at least two of his children this weekend when they visit for his birthday. He's hoping they can help him with some projects around the house. Until they arrive, he'll probably be thinking about how the world has changed and how it could be better. Trupp may be wistful at times, but he is not a man consumed by nostalgia. He is a man with opinions for the 1990s. He believes a crackdown on crime is in order, taxes are out of control and the Burtlington Northern underpass can't be deepened too soon. He also believes Wabash Avenue should be widened to four lanes and extended all the way across town as another north-south artery. Earlier this week, Trupp was anxious to take a driving tour of town and see new construction like the North Shore Assembly of God Church. He confesses no regrets about his long life and says he's proud of the family he and his wife raised. Weber, for her part, says she's amazed by Trupp's sharp intellect and memory. Visiting with him always is rewarding, she says."You never cease to learn." ----------------------------------------------- TRANSLATIONS OF FRANK CHURCH RECORDS --- BY WILHELM KLEIN, BERLIN, GERMANY: As always, I would like to thank Wilhelm Klein for his endless hours of translation that he does for all of us. Without his help, I would not be able to bring you this wonderful information!! THANKS WILHELM !! And I would also like to thank those of you who have sent me these records to have translated. When you receive your "family charts" from Russia, often there are additional records which could help others -- remember to share your information!! Also for an example of what the archives in Russia look like.....Ken Hartung, of Vulcan, AB, Canada sent me these 2 pictures of the archives in Engels, Russia. The first photo is of the actual building and the 2nd photo is of the records inside. Although the Frank records have been mostly located in the Saratov archives, this gives you an idea of the way the records are stored. -- Sherrie Stahl [PICTURE] German Archives In Engels, Russia (formerly a grain storage building or grain bank). [PICTURE] Actual German Records In Engels Archives * * * * * * * * * BIRTHS - July 1860 Frank, Russia: Born July 1st (evening at 10:00pm), Baptism 3rd of July, #172 Katherina Elizabeth; parents: Georg FUSS, wife Anna Margarethe b. SCHAEFER, Lutheran colonist. Born July 2nd (noon at 12:00pm), Baptism on 10th of July, #172 Konrad; parents Jakob WALTER, wife Anna Margarethe b. WALTER, Lutheran colonist. Born July 2nd (morning at 8:00am), Baptism on 3rd of July, #174 Magdalena; parents Jakob EISENACH, wife Magdalena b. WAGNER, Lutheran colonist. Born July 2nd (evening at 8:00pm), # 175 stillborn son (no name given), parents Georg ECKHARDT, wife Anna Margarethe b. ZITZMANN, Lutheran colonist. Born July 3rd (evening at 9:00pm), Baptism on 10th of July, #176 Maria Barbara; parents Heinrich STROH, wife Barbara b. UHRICH, Lutheran colonist. Born July 3rd (Afternoon at 2:00pm), Baptism on 10th of July, #177 Anna Margaretha; parents Heinrich HOFMANN, wife Anna Margarethe b. HEINZE, Lutheran colonist. Born July 7th (?evening), Baptism on 10th of July, #178 Georg; parents Friedrich GOETTMANN, wife Katherina Margarethe b. ZITZMANN, Lutheran colonist. * * * * * * * * * * * DEATHS - October 1882 - Frank, Russia: #166 - Jakob HOFMANN, son of Jakob HOFMANN and Maria Katharina b. HIRSCH. Died October 14th, 1882 at 7pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 17th, 1882. Colonist. #167 - Georg EISENACH, son of Heinrich EISENACH and Anna Maria b. WEITZEL. Died October 14th, 1882 at 11pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 17th, 1882. Colonist. #168 - Konrad SAECKINGER (no mention of parents' names. Died October 13th, 1882 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 16th, 1882. Colonist. #169 - Georg EISENACH, son of Kasper EISENACH and Katherina Margarethe b. HOF; Died October 16th, 1882 at 9pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 19th, 1882. Colonist. #170 - Johannes SCHORK, son of Johannes SCHORK and Anna Margarethe b. WEITZEL; Died October 16th, 1882 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 19th, 1882. Colonist. #171 - Konrad KAMMERZELL, (no mention of parents's names); Died October 16th, 1882 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 19th, 1882. Colonist. #172 - Elisabeth KLEIN b. HOF, (no mention of parents's names); Died October 18th, 1882 at 9pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 21st, 1882. Colonist. #173 - Konrad BAUER, son of Johannes BAUER and Elisabeth b. SCHAEFER; Died October 20th, 1882 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 23rd, 1882. Colonist. #174 - Heinrich GOETTMANN, (no mention of parents' names); Died October 20th, 1882 at 11pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on October 23rd, 1882. Colonist. * * * * * * * * * * * DEATHS - Jan./Feb. 1855 - Frank, Russia: #5 - Elisabeth KNOPF, daughter of Valentine KNOPF and Eva b. SCHNEIDER; Died January 21st, 1855 at 12 pm (noon); Funeral held at noon on January 24, 1855. Colonist. #6 - Georg SCHAEFER, son of Georg SCHAEFER and Maria Dorothea b. HOFFAERBER; Died January 21st, 1855 at 8pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on January 24th, 1855. Colonist. #7 - Maria Margarethe WEBER, daughter of Heinrich WEBER and Maria Margarethe b. WIEDERSPAN; Died January 22nd, 1855 at 6pm (evening); Funeral held in the evening on January 25th, 1855. Colonist. #8 - Georg GOETTMANN, son of Friedrich GOETTMANN and Anna Margarethe b. KUEHN; Died January 22, 1855 at 6pm (evening); Funeral held in the evening on January 25th, 1855. Colonist. #9 - Johannes UHRICH, son of Heinrich UHRICH and Anna Elisabeth b. WEITZEL; Died January 26th, 1855 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held in the evening on January 29th, 1855. Colonist. #10 - Jakob KAMMERZELL , son of Konrad KAMMERZELL and Katherina FUCHS; Died on January 29th, 1855 at 4pm (afternoon); Funeral held at noon on February 1st, 1855. Colonist. #11 - Konrad KROENING, son of Konrad KROENING and Susanna b. KLEIN; Died on January 30th, 1855 at 9am (morning); Funeral held in the evening on February 2, 1855. Colonist. #12 - Anna Margaretha LO??ER, b. LEONHARD; no mention of parents names; Died on January 30th, 1855 at 6pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 2nd, 1855. Colonist. #13 - Johannes KLEIN; no parents listed; Died on February 3, 1855 at 5am (morning); Funeral held at noon on February 6th, 1855. Colonist. #14 - Katherina Elisabeth LEONHARD, daughter of Jakob LEONHARD and Christina Elisabeth b. ??; Died on February 4th, 1855 at 7pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 7th, 1855. Colonist. #15 - Gottfried HARDUNG, son of Gottfried HARDUNG and Maria Barbara LOEBSACK; Died on February 9th, 1855 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on Feburary 12th, 1855. Colonist. #16 - Valentin KAMMERZELL, (no parents listed); Died on February 10th, 1855 at 7pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 13th, 1855. Colonist. #17 - Maria Katherina WICHMANN, daughter of Johannes WICHMANN and Maria Barbara b. BATH; Died on February 13th, 1855 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 16th, 1855. Colonist. #18 - Georg GUTMANN, son of Georg GUTMANN and Katherina Margarethe b. HOFFAERBER; Died on February ??, 1855 ; Funeral held ??. Colonist. #19 - STILLBORN BAUER, son of Helfrich BAUER and Katherina Margarethe b. BASTRON; Died on February ??, 1855; Funeral held ??. Colonist. #20 - Heinrich HOFFAERBER, son of George HOFFAERBER and Anna Christina b. LOEBSACK; Died on February 17th, 1855 at 9pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 20th, 1855. Colonist. # 21 - Georg KNOPF, son of Johannes KNOPF and Margarethe b. STRASHEIM; Died on February 18th, 1885 at 12pm (noon); Funeral held at noon on February 21st, 1855. Colonist. #22 - Heinrich SOELL, son of Konrad SOELL and Katherina Margarethe b. TRUPP; Died on February 20th, 1855 at 6am (morning); Funeral held at noon on February 22nd, 1855. Colonist. #23 - Jakob KROENING, son of Johannes KROENING and Katherina Margarethe TRUPP; Died on February 21st, 1855 at 9pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 22nd, 1855. Colonist. #24 - Maria Dorothea LOEBSACK, daughter of Georg LOEBSACK and Dorothea b. WEISS; Died on February 20th, 1855 at noon; Funeral held at noon on February 23rd, 1855. Colonist. #25 - Sophie ZIMMERMANN b. WEBER (no parents listed); Died on February 21st, 1855 at 11pm (evening); Funeral held at noon on February 24th, 1855. Colonist. #26 - Elisabeth Regina GOETTMANN, daughter of Friedrich GOETTMANN and Katherina b. ????, Died ???, Buried ??? (unable to read dates) * * * * * * * * * * * * BIRTHS - July/ August 1857 - Frank, Russia: #130 - Year 1857 (exact dates illegible), Anna Margaretha GOETTMANN, daughter of Valentin GOETTMANN and wife, Christina Elisabeth b. DITTER, Lutheran Colonists. #131 - Year 1857 (exact dates illegible), Anna Margaretha BORGENS, daughter of Georg BORGENS and wife, Anna Margaretha b. GRUENWALD, Lutheran Colonists. #132 - Born July 24th, 1857 at 3am (morning); Baptized on July 29th, 1857; Katherina Margaretha FRICK, daughter of Peter FRICK and wife, Dorothea b. KUESTER, Lutheran Colonists. #133 - Born July 22nd, 1857 at 8pm (evening); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Jakob KLEIN, son of Adam KLEIN and wife, Elisabeth HOF, Lutheran Colonists. #134 - Born July 25th, 1857 at 3pm (afternoon); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Georg STROH, son of Konrad STROH and wife, Katherina b. LEONHARD, Lutheran Colonists. #135 - Born July 24th, 1857 at 8pm (evening); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Jakob HARDUNG, son of Jakob HARDUNG and wife, Christina Elisabeth b. ZITZMANN; Lutheran Colonists. #136 - Born July 26th, 1857 at 8am (morning); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Maria Barbara GOETTMANN, daughter of Heinrich GOETTMANN and wife, Barbara b. DOERR; Lutheran Colonists. #137 - Born July 25th, 1857 at 10pm (evening); Baptized on July 29th, 1857; Catherina Margaretha HOCH, daughter of Georg Heinrich HOCH and wife, Barbara b. UHRICH, Lutheran Colonists. #138 - Born July 26th, 1857 at 8pm (evening); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Johannes WAGNER, son of Nikolaus WAGNER and wife, Magdalena b. BAUER, Lutheran Colonists. #139 - Born July 31st, 1857 at 10am (morning); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Georg HOF, son of Kasper HOF and wife, Anna Margaretha b. SCHAEFER, Lutheran Colonists. #140 - Born August 1st, 1857 at 11:00; Baptized August 4, 1857; Maria Magdalena ZEILER, daughter of Jakob ZEILER and wife, Elisabeth b. STROH, Lutheran Colonists. #141 - Born August 2nd, 1857 at 2am (morning); Baptized on August 4th, 1857; Anna Margarethe STROH, daughter of Heinrich STROH and wife, Anna Margaretha b. ??, Lutheran Colonists. * * * * * * * * * * * BIRTHS - July, 1860 - Frank, Russia: #172 - Born July 1st, 1860 at 11pm (evening); Baptized July 3rd, 1860; Katherina Elisabeth FUSS, daughter of Georg FUSS and wife, Anna Margarethe b. SCHAEFER, Lutheran Colonists. #173 - Born July 2nd, 1860 at 12pm (noon); Baptized July 10th, 1860; Konrad WALTER, son of Jakob WALTER and wife, Anna Margarethe b. WALTER, Lutheran Colonists. #174 - Born July 2nd, 1860 at 8am (morning); Baptized July 3rd, 1860; Magdalena EISENACH and wife, Magdalena b. WAGNER, Lutheran Colonists. #175 - Born July 2nd, 1860 at 8pm (evening); Stillborn son ECKHARDT, son of Georg ECKHARDT and wife, Barbara b. UHRICH, Lutheran Colonists. #176 - Born on July 3rd, 1860 at 9pm (evening); Baptized on July 10th, 1860; Maria Barbara STROH, daughter of Heinrich STROH and wife, Barbara b.UHRICH, Lutheran Colonists. #177 - Born on July 3rd, 1860 at 2pm (afternoon); Baptized on July 10th, 1860; Anna Margaretha HOFMANN, daughter of Heinrich HOFMANN and wife, Anna Margarethe b. HEINZE, Lutheran Colonists. #178 - Born July 7th, 1860 at ? (evening); Baptized on July 10th, 1860; Georg GOETTMANN, son of Friedrich GOETTMANN and wife, Katherina Margarethe b. ZITZMANN, Lutheran Colonists. * * * * * * * * * * * BIRTHS - November, 1868 - Frank, Russia: #288 - Born Nov 12th, 1868 at 9pm (evening); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Konrad HIRSCH, son of Konrad HIRSCH and wife, Maria Barbara b. BETZ, both colonists. Godparents: Konrad BARTHOLOMAE, JAKOB LAPP, colonists. #289 - Born Nov 12th, 1868 at 9pm (evening); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Johannes STEINMUELLER, son of Adam STEINMUELLER and wife, Anna Elisabeth b. ROTH?? (or Rothermel?...paper cutoff), both colonists. Godparents: Johannes STEINMUELLER, Kasper BERNHARDT, colonists. #290 - Born Nov 12th, 1868 at 10am (morning); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Konrad HOFFAERBER, son of Konrad HOFFAERBER and wife, Barbara b. VOGEL, both Lutheran colonists. Godparents: Konrad REITER, Heinrich KAUFMANN, colonists. #291 - Born Nov 15th, 1868 at 11pm (evening); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Katherina WEITZEL, daughter of Heinrich WEITZEL and wife, Anna Margarethe b. KISSLER, both Lutheran colonists. Godparents: Katherina Elisabeth STEINMUELLER, Barbara FRANK, colonists. #292 - Born Nov 16th, 1868 at 3am (morning); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Georg FRICK, son of Georg FRICK and wife, Barbara b. FRICK, both Lutheran colonists. Godparents: Adam BATH, Heinrich STROH, colonists. #293 - Born Nov 19th, 1868 at 5pm (evening); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Johannes UHRICH, son of Johannes UHRICH and wife, Maria Barbara STRASHEIM, both Lutheran and colonists. Godparents: Johannes STRASHEIM, Johannes BORGENS, colonists. #294 - Born Nov 19th, 1868 at 1pm (afternoon); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Anna Margaretha RUSCH, daughter of Alexander RUSCH and wife, Anna Margaretha b. SALZMANN [both of these names are from the village Grimm], both Lutheran colonists. Godparents: Katherina Margaretha SCHEIBER, Barbara KLEIN, colonists. #295 - Born Nov 23rd, 1868 at 1pm (afternoon); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Maria Barbara SCHMIDT, daughter of Georg SCHMIDT and wife, Anna Margarethe b. HOF both Lutheran and colonists. Godparents: Anna Margarethe HOF, Luise ???, colonists. !296 - Born Nov 23rd, 1969 at 12pm (afternoon); Baptized on Nov 24th, 1868 by pastor David in the church; Heinrich WALTER, son of Johannes WALTER and wife, Katherine SOELL [note...the surname of HOF was written in and then crossed out and replaced with the name SOELL], both Lutheran and colonists. Godparents: Jakob SCHAEFER, Jakob BAUER, colonists. ...To be Continued in the next issue.... * * * * * * * * * * DEATHS - January, 1849 - Frank, Russia: #3 - Catharina HADER? , daughter of Heinrich HADER and Elisabeth WEIDEMANN; Died on January 2nd, 1849 at 7pm (evening); Funeral held at midday on January 5th, 1849. Colonist. #4 - Andreas STRASHEIM, son of Andreas STRASHEIM and Maria AMEND; Died on January 3rd, 1849 at 10pm (evening); Funeral held at midday on January 6th, 1849. Colonist. #5 - Heinrich BATH, son of Heinrich BATH and Margarethe REINICK; Died on January 7th, 1849 at 9am (morning); Funeral held at midday on January 10th, 1849. Colonist. #6 - Catharina UHRICH, daughter of Johann UHRICH and Elisabeth HOFFAERBER; Died on January 15th, 1849 at 9pm (evening); Funeral held at midday on January 18th, 1849. Colonist. #7 - Jacob HOF, son of Conrad HOF and Maria ALT; Died on January 16th, 1849 at 7pm (evening); Funeral held at midday on January 19th, 1849. Colonist. ----------------------------------------------- MY TRIP TO GERMANY --- By Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs, Geneseo, KS: The following story, written by Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs, gives us an account of her summer 1995 trip to Germany. Arlene is a German teacher in Kansas, and has visited Germany several times. This trip was especially wonderful, because she was able to visit many of our Brunnental families who now live in Germany today! Sherrie Stahl, Editor * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * May 25--May 29, 1995. Our group arrived at Frankfurt sometime after lunch and upon examining the ABFAHRT schedule, we found that the students could leave for their destination in about 50 minutes and I could catch a train to take me north toward Hemer in about 10 minutes. Hemer was not on the regular line but by pooling our efforts and using a map of Germany, the clerk and I decided I should head for Iserlohn and worry about Hemer later. I changed trains more than once, arrived in Iserlohn, took a bus to Hemer station and from there a taxi to Jaegerstrassela--and arrived about 7:30 P.M..-- tired, a bit warm and grimy, and sans reading glasses--which I never saw again! Maria Maus (born Wacker, daughter of August and Charlotte Becker Wacker, granddaughter of Katharina Weber and Heinrich Wacker) had been waiting for me to call from Frankfurt, but I had not received her letter with the telephone number before I left Kansas. The letter arrived the day after I left the States. I was very warmly greeted as the proverbial long-lost relative, my luggage set into the bedroom, offered a shower (a very thoughtful gesture on the part of a European hostess), which was greatly appreciated.) For supper I tasted my first Russian-German treat--pelmani, which was delicious. This is small rounds of a cross between pie crust and pasta, (related to Maultaschen) filled with a meat mixture. (She had these in her freezer.) Salad and tea completed the meal, as I was more tired than hungry. We spent the entire morning next day looking at pictures, documents, etc., and talking. I'm afraid I didn't get everything written down in my journal, and here I could have used my tape recorder. Another Russian delicacy was introduced - Kalva. It is made of sunflower seeds and pressed into a mass to be spread on bread...has the flavor of chocolate. I was told it had come from Bracken near Paderborn, where there is a Russian supermarket. It had been sent to Maria by Wilhelm Kuester (Kister) who lives near there. We walked to town after lunch and visited the supermarket, which turned out to be a help-yourself affair. You may weigh your produce and make your own price tag on a simple computer-like machine. If you don't take your own containers you must buy plastic or paper bag' for your purchases. Use of a grocery cart is one Mark:, which is returned as one returns the cart. As we were walking to town, Maria was reminded of walking to work for a distance which required a half hour's time at night in the bitter cold winter in the labor camp where she and others were taken. On September 7, 1941, Many from Brunnental, including Wackers and Beckers, Jakob Gruenwald, Adam Goettman (Gettmann), Heinrich Hartung, Hanna Koch, Maria Focht, Jakob Kuester (Kister), Otto Kuester, Anna Wacker (Charlotte's daughter), David Kuester, Heinrich and Wilhelm Kuester were taker by rail to Kazakhstan and by Sept. 9th they were in northern Kazakhstan (Koshtav). Others were in surrounding villages. From there they went by horse and wagon to Ruziavka, where they stayed 1 year and 4 months. Then she was taken to work in a camp near Perm. She chopped trees which were floated down the Kama River. (Oka and Kama rivers flow into the Volga). The wood went to a paper factory. At that time ships were still propelled by wood fires and in summer the prisoners loaded ships. They lived in dormitories and worked 12 to 14 hours a day in shifts. Sometimes they loaded coal. They never washed but cleaned themselves with snow in winter. In winter they warmed themselves by snuggling up to the pipes in the mills where the wood was delivered. Before citizens were taken from Brunnental, they were forced to sign papers which swore they would never return and attempt to claim their property. They were quarantined in the area to which they were transported for a proposed period of 25 years. After about 1955 this restriction was lifted, and they were allowed to move about, but not to return to homes on the Volga. In 1957 Maria and husband (he was also from Brunnental and they were married in camp) moved to southern Kazakhstan. In 1960 Maria's husband (Viktor Maus, son of Theodor Maus and Marta Weber) was killed in a work-related accident, leaving her with a 2 1/2 year old son. She then worked as a tailor in a dressmaking factory. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to the area and they all lived together until the mother-in-law (Marta nee Weber, {1896-1979) died in Kazahkstan. [PICTURE] Helena & Konstantin Maus in Maria's Apartment She and son Konstantin had a 2 bedroom apartment belonging to the state. Konstantin and bride lived with her for the first 5 years of their marriage. He got a separate apartment but in 1989 he came to Moscow and then to Germany. Konstantin is an archaeological engineer. One year later, August 3, 1990, Maria came to Germany also. Everyone stays in a refugee camp until his papers are in order. Maria was in a camp 1 1/2 months and then lived in an apartment several miles from Konstantin. New apartments were being built just two doors away from him, and Maria acquired a 1 bedroom at this place, where she had lived just a few months. This apartment is very nice, with small kitchen, living-dining room, bedroom, bath with shower. She has a small terrace outside living-room French door, with flowers everywhere. Konstantin and Helena have sons Alexander and Paul. Their apartment is in a building for families. It has 2 bedrooms, and the bathroom has bath & shower and washer and dryer. Konstantin and two other men have their own business and Helena works in an office. All are University educated. The present-day government of Germany has assumed responsibility for these refugees who have identification and can prove they were completely disinherited and disenfranchised by the Stalingovernment of U.S.S.R. Now they allow them to settle in Germany, they pay them an allowance for living expenses, attempt to find them work, include them on the rolls of those who qualify for free or inexpensive medical help etc. However, living space is becoming scarce, and money is much slower in coming than it formerly was. Also, regions are necessarily imposing quotas, because of the shortness of space. Everyone is wondering how long the German government will be able to give any kind of aid at all. Konstantin and Helena came by as we were finishing tea and tea became the evening meal, and everyone was urged to eat, eat! Whatever food is available is always gladly shared with, and in fact thrust upon, whoever happens to be present. Saturday morning found us on the way by Konstantin's car to Bielefeld, to see Bertha (Wacker) and family. [PICTURE} May 27, 1996 - Bielefeld, Germany (back row) Maria Maus, Alexander Becker, Tamara Becker, Maria Kiwa. (front row) Bertha (Wacker) Becker and Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs. Bertha was preparing roulade when we arrived, with hair caught back in a kerchief and a large apron over her clothes, as is appropriate for cooking. Bertha is a small woman, and I was told again that this is a Lebsack trait. I felt tall next to most of these people, and I am the smallest in my family! Bertha's father was Eduard Wacker (1894- ) and her mother Luise Lebsack (1893-1955). Paternal grandparents were Konrad Wacker and Katharina Margarete Beck. Her maternal grandparents were Konrad Lebsack and Maria Katrina Kroening (Krening); all were born in Brunnental. Her father's death date is not clear, but he was taken away by the government in 1936 and represiert (absolved of any political action leading to his death) in 1941. Bertha is the oldest of 5 children (1918) and had to help her mother as the family was shipped off to Kazakhstan in 1941. She built a dugout house with her own hands and later a frame house in which the family lived. Her mother was a partial invalid and for the last few years was bedfast and finally lost her legs. Bertha and her mother were never separated until her mothers death in 1955, in Northern Kazakhstan. Brother Eduard (1925) lives in Bielefeld also, but Helena (1922), Heinrich (1927), and Karl (1930) still live in Kazahkstan. Bertha was preparing to make a trip to Kazakhstan, in the vicinity of Perm, to see the rest of her family and to visit her mother's grave shortly after I visited her. Bertha married a widower, Gottlieb Becker, in Kazakhstan in 1950. He had a daughter Erna (1943) and a son Viktor (1946). He died in 1964 and is buried in Soldanasch, Kazakhstan. A story from Bertha concerned the deportation of the Volga Germans from their homeland. At first, many of these people were put on rafts and floated down to the Caspian Sea. They were left there for some time and the Russians intended to sink the rafts and dispose of the people in that manner. Someone, however, came up with the idea that they would make good forced labor and they were rescued and sent to labor camps. And work they did -- everything from mining, factory work, field work, forestry; whatever was needed for the war effort and afterward for collective farming and communal factories. Bertha herself worked in a dairy for 38 years. She, her son Alexander (with wife Tamara and teenaged son), daughter Anna Kiwa and husband and 2 sons, came to Germany from Kazakhstan less than 3 years ago. Son Alexander was the director of a school in Kazahkstan, but as yet has found no such related work. He has an outdoor job and looks very fit. Daughter Anna was a teacher but in Kazakhstan they spoke, read and wrote and taught in Russian and Kazakhstan, and they do not have licences which allow them to teach in German. Additionally, although their spoken German is good, they are not certain of the written. At present they all live together in a 3 story house, which they are fortunate enough to rent from a dentist whose practice is in the lower story. It accommodates them all sufficiently, but Alexander and family will move somewhere else when he finds work. Various persons appeared for the noon meal, which was served by the younger people, while guests and the elders talked. All my pictures, diagrams etc. were on another table in the room in which we ate, and occasionally someone would rise from his place to look over the materials, either to make a change, add a point or to clarify something that was being said. Nothing was very formal. It is very obvious that these people are accustomed to making do with what is available, and formal eating with fancy service is not a priority with them. This made for much more relaxed communications, which suited me perfectly. The only problem was that too many subjects were likely to be discussed simultaneously, making it impossible to record everything...and here a tape recorder was of no use. The noon meal spilled over into tea time, with a lovely torte of about 8 layers, baked by Anna. Before we could get away from the table, some men came in and wanted an evening meal, which was provided. However, there was also a fruit plate, which I found sufficient. It was decided that several of us would have to make the trip to Wilhelmshafen the next day to see "Tante Clara". She is the sister of Bertha's mother Luisa and is 93 years old. Her mind is as sharp as a tack. We went by train. . . Bertha, her brother Eduard, Maria and I. Riding the German trains is always one of my favorite activities, and on Sundays one ticket will accommodate 4 people at one price. We reached Wilhelmshafen about 1 o'clock and Tante Clara's grandson fetched us from the station to an apartment in a large building, which had not originally been built for this purpose. Clara Lebsack (Gruenwald), her daughter Minna, with husband Alexander Felger (Minna confided to me that the name was Voelker but had been changed by some official who heard it differently) have been in Germany since May, 1994. They are already an example of refugees for whom money has not been so readily forthcoming. Alexander does have a job in a hospital. I did not understand if he is a male nurse or does housekeeping and heavy work there.. He is given two meals a day at his work. Clara's grandson and wife live elsewhere in the city, as do a granddaughter and family. They all appeared for a short while to see the visitors. Present also were a husband and wife who had been in Germany less than a month. Unfortunately, I did not get their names as they spoke very little German. They were all from Kazakhstan, and had been born in Brunnental. [PICTURE] (left to right) Minna Felger, Clara (Lebsack) Gruenwald, Maria Maus, Bertha (Wacker) Becker....and a plate of Krebble! -- Wilhelmshafen, Germany, May 28, 1995 Dinner here also turned into a marathon eating activity. At supper time, the younger ladies disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared with greatmounds of krebble, which we ate with schnitz soup. I have attempted to make krebble many times and am not much good at it, and I had not eaten schnitz soup since moving off the farm in 1936! In all cases, we were urged to "Eat,Eat"! Aunt Clara (she is Bertha's mother's sister) and Maria and Bertha went over the Brunnental map but made very few changes. They could recite from memory who live where. When I marvelled at this ability to remember their home from so long ago they all stated that it was an exercise they indulged in many times, sometimes to drive away homesickness. Bertha had worked as a maid for the William Lebsack family in Brunnental as a girl. She gave me all the names and approximate ages. This younger brother of my grandfather and family were sent to Siberia around 1930, after being stripped of all their property. It is believed that they perished there. Clara could name all my grandfather's brothers and all their children. Clara was dressed very warmly, even though it was the end of May. She has had a stroke and had a slight pain in her left arm. The family has had dental work done and has a house doctor who lives in the neighborhood. We again stayed the night, and the talk continued next morning at breakfast, until we left for the train station. I hope this is not the only time I will see these people, as 24 hours is not enough time to learn all there is to know about anyone. We parted at Oldenburg; the rest of the group heading for Bielefeld, and I on my way to Frankfurt. As I rode the train south, I studied the map and decided to stop in Koeln and attempt to find Emma Penner, who had once been reported having died in [Kazahkstan, but recently had arrived in Germany. I had an address but no telephone number. With the help of a sympathetic cab driver, I found the compound where she and her daughter, Eleonora Fischer, live in a one-room apartment. Emma Penner is a daughter of Andreas Lebsack, younger brother of my grandfather, all born in Brunnental. Emma and her daughter have been in Germany less than 6 months and have received no monies from the government as yet. I had only a short two hours with them, but I was urged to have tea. Emma told me the Andreas who lived near church was called "KirchAndreas" and was also related, and I believe this was Clara's brother. This was the end of the part of my Journey to find relatives. I have so many more questions to ask them all and I shall do so by letter, but I intend to make at least one more trip because there are others I did not get to visit. [PICTURE] Koeln, Germany 29 May 1995 -- Eleanor Fischer and Emma Lebsack Penner, recently arrived from Kazahkstan. Editor's Note: Emma (Lebsack) Penner is the sister of the Mrs. Becker who was featured in several interview about Brunnental in previous issues, and is related to many of our BECKER subscribers!! THE END By Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs * * * * * * * * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHOOL PICTURE TAKEN IN BRUNNENTAL -- YEAR UNKNOWN By Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs On the next page is a picture that Maria MAUS shared with Arlene.....this was a class picture taken in Brunnental, year unknown. If anyone can help identify the exact year, please let us know. A woman by the married name of SCHWARZKOPF gave the original listing of names, but Maria Maus, Bertha Wacker and Tante Klara all agreed that the names were correct! Back Row: (left to right)-- Alexander WEBER, Maria STEINMETZ (we called her TaTa), Jakob MEHLINGER (we called him "das schwaerchen"), Emil WEBER, David MEHLINGER, Arnold MUELLER, Wilhelm SCHAUERMANN, Thatja MEHLINGER. 2nd Row: Unknown girl, Heinrich WALTER, Theresa MUELLER (she died young), __?__STAHL, Walja TSCHEPOTJEBA, Karl HARTUNG (we called him "Austrian"), Robert SCHUELZ, Marta BORGENS, Alex SCHWARZKOPF (my husband), Frieda BRAUN (she lived with Frieda MAIER beside the Post Office and was an "exile"). 3rd Row: Maria SEIBEL, __?__ELSESSER (she was half Russian), Teacher FRITZ, Teacher GROHT, Teacher WEIBERT, Teacher BORGENS (Martha's brother), Teacher GRUENWALD, Bertha WACKER (Lenchen's sister), Elvira WEBER. Front Row: Maria WACKER, Martha SCHAUERMANN (sitting up), and Lenchen WACKER. ------------------------------------------------- HISTORY OF BRUNNENTAL - By Alexander Weber and Anna (Weber) Mueller The following account is a statement made on 20 Feb 1955, by Alexander Weber & Anna (Weber) Mueller about the village of Brunnental, Russia (They are brother and sister). Below is a picture taken in 1958. [PICTURE] Pfingsten, Germany May of 1958 -- (left to right: Hergenraeder, Alex Weber, Jakob Mohrland, Willi Braun, David (Franz) Seibel) * * * * * * * We saw each other for the first time in his new home in Eschenau, county Heilbronn. Alex looks a lot like his father David Weber, in size and mannerisms. Each day we could see more similarities. Alex had 2 sisters and 9 brothers at this time. Five were married. Today he does not know where they are or if they are alive In 1941 all Germans were dragged away. Alex wrote home in 1949 and received a letter from a Russian woman, who told him this. In 1940 Alex, at age 21, was taken into the Red Army. He was questioned about the fact that his parents received packages and letters from abroad. "Why?" he was questioned ; "Your parents need nothing and have enough to live on". Alex only answered that he could do nothing about relatives sending things. They did not press him. He himself never read a letter, because the parents burned all, as they were received, out of fear. He only knew that Aunt Anna nee Mueller or Goettmann had written or that mail had arrived from America. For this reason he had these names in his memory and hoped to find someone in Germany who was related. In 1941 he was taken as prisoner by the Germans. The German-Russians were allowed to remain with the German army. Alex had a good buddy named H. Braun with him, also from Brunnental. However, by war's end the two became separated in East Germany and did not find each other again. On a holiday in 1942 and once later Alex was allowed to go with comrades to Wuerttemberg. There he met a woman who had spent 3 years before WWI in Russia. She became a real mother to Alex. After the war she supplied him with clothing and comforted him when homesickness overtook him and when he wanted to give up searching . In Stuttgart is an office (Arbeitsgemeinschaft fuer Ostumsiedler der Russlanddeutschen) where all Germans from the Volga area, Krimea and the Caucasus are registered. There Alex searched for US and other relatives. We, however had not at that time heard of this organization, or we would have found each other earlier. Alex found David Seibel (son of Konrad Seibel) and someone else from Straub. There were no Brunnentalers registered. Superintendant Johannes Schleuning is the chairman for all Russian-Germans. In Wuerttemberg and in Hessen are many refugees or those who have escaped. While we were in Eschenau we wrote a report about Brunnental and sketched the entire village of Brunnental with names from the lower to the upper dam. Pictures of the church and school were added and the entire report published in the newspaper. This was a labor of 3 days, but we were happy to do it because it gave us many memories. However what Alex told us of Brunnental was not good. After we left the village in 1921 there was great famine until the spring of 1922. Hundreds starved and the Bolscheviks left the village alone. Then came the first help from America and the people could plant a bit in their gardens. There were isolated instances of men being shot or sent into exile. Many houses became completely empty, but for the most part the Germans were left to work as they pleased until 1928. Many became rich again, such as all the Loebsacks and Strohs. Stroh's Fritzchen again brought his herd of camels up to 75. Then the Muellers, Beckers (Hampeter), Gruenwalds, Hardt, and Steinmetz's--all those who had formerly been large farmers were sent into the Urals or to Siberia in 1929-1930. In a few hours and with small hand luggage they were shipped away. Of our relatives, none remained except brother David Weber and his family and my sister Marta. They often had to hide, and lived in different houses and with false papers. Brother-in-law Mehlinger and his children were taken away as well as the entire Hohnstein and Aschenbrenner families. The nicest and newest houses were either torn down or made into offices. The tower was torn off the church and the church itself made into a movie house and dance hall. The Communists came with a musical group and only one couple danced. At first no one could bring himself to dance in the church. With time, this changed. In the houses, the people were not allowed to congregate or the Communists were there immediately. In my father's house, there was no one. The houses on either side no longer stood. Baum's house was gone also. In my brother Jakob's house, lived Konrad Seibel. The Goettmanns were also sent into exile. The entire village structure was destroyed. Everyone lived in a different house and moved often to thwart the searches of the Communists. He who felt anxious and suspected he was in danger, silently stole away. In this way, David Weber's father lived 5 years in Crimea until his wife went to fetch him back. Our grandmother Elizabeth Weber, nee Hohnstein, lived in this manner in Brunnental and died there at the age of 81 on June 9, 1932. Each year there were new decrees from the Bolscheviks and the people never knew what changes might be made overnight or whether there would be anything to eat next day. School was held during the winter months. Only religious instruction was forbidden. In the prayer room there were still classrooms. Twice a week Russian was taught. There were still German teachers; among the older ones remained Lehrer Gruenwald and Karl Schultz. For the small children there was a kindergarten. After the large deportation of 1929/30 the collective farming was begun. In the first years nothing went well. Machines broke down and cattle died. Famine came again. Everyone had to work on the collective farms. At the upper dam a large warehouse and cattle sheds were built. A man named Hofmann had the key to these and the authority. Uncle Theodor Maus (sister Marta's husband) worked in the mill. There the children could sometimes quietly take a bit of flour. Everything was strictly controlled and watched. He who worked well was sometimes given a sheep or a pig as a premium. At age 16, Alexander drove a tractor and also received a premium. Each family was allowed to keep 1 cow and 1 pig. The cow was allowed to graze in the collective fields. For those who could still work, it was bearable, until the war broke out with Germany. Parents were not allowed to write to their children or send them packages when they were taken into the army. All connection was intended to be broken, as each child belonged to the state. Now the life of the Germans in the Soviet Union was completely erased from the rest of the world, even though they still lived and worked exceedingly hard. The worst was, however, that they were separated from their children and from each other and were not allowed to know what happened to one another. Now my report has come to an unhappy ending -- however, it is the truth. We can be thankful that those who still lived never gave into despair, during the terrible years. They always made a new beginning and kept the Faith. Alexander Weber was born in Brunnental on 10 Dec 1919 and Anna (Weber) Muller was born in Brunnental on 7 November, 1889. ------------------------------------------------ LETTER FROM SIGART HARDT OF ENTRE RIOS, ARGENTINA: By Sherrie Stahl -- Many months had passed since I had written to Sigart Hardt of Argentina, and I had almost given up hope of hearing from him again, when I received another letter. This is what Sigart had to say: "Dear Sherrie, Thank you for returning the photos. I hope that they served well in investigating your interests. Sherrie, I visited Aunt Marta, the oldest of the three who are still alive. She remembers little since she was just a girl, but she thinks they were in Aleruauia two years until they arrived in Argentina. It seems to Aunt Marta that they arrived in Buenos Aires in September of 1923, but she isn't sure, and possibly it was one year and seven months. The ship that brought them was Krehfelt. If you'll give me a little time I'll send you more information I'm thinking about obtaining. Thanks for the map of Brunnental. You want to know the job of each one in the Hardt family. Those that live in (el carupo): two or more are into agriculture...bakeries and raising chickens. My grandpa Conrad Hardt had chickens, and with this, maintained the family. Uncle Enrique first was in Crespo (along the river) and later went to Buenos Aires. There was work in textile factories and in his free time, he fixed shoes. I don't know if you want to know about the uncles or about my actual family, I have a sister named Lina, who is married to Victor Dorn, and they live in Gilber(?) Of the family Goettmann, Aunt Marta remembers having heard this last name, but I showed her the picture and she didn't recognize anyone. The photos of the school were perfectly seen. They made me happy. What interests me is the Hardt house, if it's the house of Grandpa Conrad Hardt, I want to know if Conrad Hardt had to see with the state of Brunnental. (?) Maria Reifschneider, nee Hardt married Reidschneider. Her daughter married (Gottschling). Maria (Hardt-Reifschneider) married a second time to Enrique Reichert, San Juan 213, Quilmes Provincia, Buenos Aires. Maria Hardt-Reifschneider and her daughter, both (fallesieron) ?. I'm in contact with Diamante (along the river) with the Goettman family (Gettmann) or Dider (Ditter), if I found out something, I'll tell you in our next correspondence. I hope to hear from you soon. Sending this to you with fond affection, Sigart Hardt" ----------------------------------------- CROCK PICKLE RECIPE NEEDED!!! Sharon (Becker) Coursey writes: My family and I have been enjoying "The Frank & Brunnental Village Newsletter" since the printing of recorded conversations of my grandmother, Maria T. Becker. She recounted many memories from her girlhood and later I found tht her memory was impeccable when other published accounts reflected some of the same things she had recalled after so many years. I am also asking for HELP from your readers in locating an old recipe for "Crock Pickles". My grandmother used to make these yearly, but with her passing the recipe was lost. If anyone has this information, please write to me at: Sharon L. Coursey 512 Las Posas Ridgecrest CA 93555 ----------------------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES - From Brunnental: CONRAD LEBSACK, formerly of Vulcan and Champion, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 1995 at High River at the age of 94 years. Conrad was born November 10, 1900 at Brunnendahl, Samara, Russia, where he attended school. In 1911 he came by ship with his parents to Philadelphia, then moved to his uncle's farm in Kansas. They moved to a farm in the Champion area in 1913, and a year later Con went to work for a farmer milking cows, feeding pigs and other chores. He also helped on other farms and his father's farm. Then, in December 1921, he married Katherine Konshuk after a year living with the Lebsack family. They first rented a farm from Bob Tyler, but in 1925 they bought their own farm and began fanning twelve miles northeast of Champion, which is now farmed by Eddie Lebsack. Con retired from farming in 1960 and moved to Calgary. Katie passed away in 1972 and in 1975 Con met and married Pauline Engel. They continued to reside in Calgary until Con moved to the Peter Dawson Lodge in Vulcan in 1985, where he has resided since. Con accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1920. The family attended church in the school house, where there was Sunday school and a Moravian Pastor visited once a month. Con was a member of Vulcan Evangelical Church from 1946 and while in Calgary he transferred to Salem Evangelical Church. Con is survived by two daughters Doris (Ron) Adler of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Helen (Jim) Gray of Carmangay; three sons Vic (Esther) of Champion, Elmer (Erna) of West Bank, B.C. and Edward (Joan) of Lethbridge; a step-daughter, Hilda Grenier of Camrose; three stepsons Fred (Wanda) Engel of Winnipeg, Arthur (Sylvia) Engel and David (Vicky) Engel of Calgary; a sister Bertha Hartung and two sisters- in-law Mary Lebsacks and Katie Konshuk, all of Calgary; 15 grandchildren, thirteen greatgrandchildren, four great-greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces; and nephews. Conrad was predeceased by his first wife Katherine in 1972, his second wife Pauline in 1994, a son Irvin Lebsack in 1959, a grandson Leslie, two brothers, three sisters and his parents. Funeral service was Saturday May 13, 1995 at 1 p.m. at Vulcan Evangelical Missionary Church, with Pastor Alvin Roth officiating. Interment was at Vulcan Cemetery. Casket bearers were Barry Lebsack, Blaine Lebsack, Darrel Gray, Dwight Gray, Brian Lebsack, Allan Lebsack, Laverne Lebsack and Warren Lebsack. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes to the Vulcan Evangelical Missionary Church, Box 669, Vulcan, TOL 2BO would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home, Directors. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- DIE WELT POST ARTICLES --- ABOUT BRUNNENTALERS (...continued from last issue): The following is a continuation of a "listing" which was put together by Martha (Krening) Schafer and Beverly Ruhl, of Denver, CO. They found all of these articles in the German newspaper, Die Welt Post which was read by many Brunnentalers during the early years, both here in the U.S. 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 from these listings. And I would again like to THANK Martha and Beverly for sharing this wonderful information with the readers!!! 26 Jul 1917: Letter to Jacob BREHM, of Hastings, NE, from your father Ludwig BREHM. Dear Children: Brother Ludwig was home 25 May 1917 to 17 July 1917. Your sister has had no word from her husband for 7 months. Also nothing of Uncle John. 26 Dec 1918: Jacob BREHM of Hastings, NE, would like to hear from Brunnentalers. Many died from the flu here in Hastings. Schools and churches have been closed for 2 weeks. 9 Feb 1922: Letter from Brunnental, from Anna Marie HANSCH, sister of Mrs. Jacob BREHM of Hastings, NE. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob BREHM. Father died of cholera 8 Nov 1921, leaving his wife and 3 children from 7 - 13 years of age. Father begged for a piece of bread before he died and Mother couldn't give it to him, as she didn't have any. 21 Jul 1921: My trip to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - 24 Nov 1920 by Pastor Henry BLOCK. 20 Oct 1921: Mrs. Maria BLOCK, wife of George BLOCK, 734 Plum St., Lincoln, NE., died 11 Oct 1921. She was diabetic. She was 51 years old. Survived by her husband and 8 children, 2 sons and 6 daughters. 7 Nov 1918: Letter of 29 Oct 1918, from Superior, NE., from Conrad FOX. We have no German church. Poor church activities. Two people died here in 2 weeks. Would like the address of Henry BREHM. 7 Nov 1918: Jacob HAMBURG of Hastings, NE., died 22 Oct 1918. Churches and schools are closed. Pastor THIEL officiated. He died of flu. Would someone please notify his brother, Henry HAMBURG. Also let Brunnentalers know. 5 Apr 1917: Letter from Brunnental, Samara, from your mother and mother-in-law & children: To Dear Son, George HARTUNG, Lingle, WY., and Anna Margaretha. (Much is cut out or blocked out)...Son Konrad is well. Son John is in the war. (Brother of George) His buddies are Jacob and Henry BECKER, Konrad HART, George SEIBEL, Henry NAGEL, Adam WARD, George HERGERT, Jacob MELCHER, and Adam SCHNEIDER. (These are probably all in Russian Army. This was contained in 2 letters). 6 Dec 1917: Letter of 3 Sep 1917, from Brunnental, from John HARTUNG to his brother George HARTUNG, Pierce, CO. Dear Brother: Be greeted from your dear mother and grandmother, who says, "Dear Son, this is the first letter we received in a year." I came home the 10th of May. I served 8 months on the Turkish front. I am home now because those 40 to 43 years old were sent home. My son Konrad, is on the Black Sea in Turkey. He's OK. Sister Katherine Marg, her Henry, is also there by Konrad. He said he'd serve 10 years if I could go home. Our Jacob is a good house father. Things are OK at home. Also greet Jacob & wife and Jacob SCHMIDT and Jacob KLEIN. From your brother, John HARTUNG, Lena, Mother and Grandmother. 24 May 1917: Letter of 10 Nov 1916, from Brunnental, from your brother Henry EHLENBERGER. Dear brother John EHLENBERGER & family, Rhein, Sask., Canada. I didn't write because I was in Krim for 4 years. I received your address from Pastor Elias HERGERT. Your mother and grandmother says they were all sick all summer. Brother Jacob sold his stuff and went to Aschmalenski, after he helped me to get ready to come back. When I arrived here there was nothing but the bare walls. All the people up to 42 years old had to leave. I will be 46 years old, 26 Feb 1917. I'm not far off. 4 Oct 1917: Those attending the funeral of Jacob GROTH in Lincoln, NE: John BLOCK of Chicago, George WEISS of Scottsbluff, NE., George STEINMILLER of Hawlonton, IA, Henry GROTH of Clairmont, WY., and his brothers Henry GROTH and Henry Jacob GROTH with his son Daniel GROTH of Ft. Collins, CO. Mr and Mrs. Adam YOST and son Samuel and Mr. & Mrs. Christ BLOCK came from Alexander, KS, to attend the funeral in their auto, some 450 miles. They will also go to Sutton and Harvard, NE. 10 Jan 1918: Mrs. Jacob GROTH of Lincoln, NE., will visit friends from Brunnental in CO and NE. Her deceased husband's brother, Henry GROTH, and her brother Henry Jacob of Ft. Collins, CO. Then George LEFFLER in Wellington, CO., George HEIMBICK in Loveland, CO., Manuel BAUMS in Culbertson, NE., Ludwig WEBER in McCook, NE., and Mrs. Henry GROTH of Hastings, NE. 7 Feb 1917: Mrs. Georg WEISS of Bayard, NE., is visiting her sister, Mrs. J.J. GROTH, 1524 S 7th St., Lincoln, NE. 20 Oct 1920: Mrs. John HEIN had surgery for gallstones and appendicitis. She is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob GROTH. 16 Jun 1921: Mrs. (nee KISTER) GROTH, born in Walter, Russia, died 5 Jun 1921 at 86 years of age. After being born in Walter, she later moved to Brunnental. She was the last of her family. Her husband died in 1882. She had a son, Henry GROTH. She lived with John BREHM in Hastings, NE who was also from Brunnental. 13 Nov 1919: Mr. & Mrs. Jacob GROTH of 110 W F St., Lincoln, NE., are going to travel to Portland, OR to visit her brothers Fred and Nick BLOCK. Then on to Ft. Collins, CO to visit Mr. Groth's brother Henry GROTH. 18 Dec 1919: "A Bit About A Trip", by Jacob GROTH, written 15 Dec 1919. I left here 9 Nov 1919, with my wife, going to Portland, OR. Because of the snow, we were delayed 9 hours in Thedford, NE. Arrived in Portland the 13th. We net 2 brothers of my wife and friends. On the 25th we started back. At Walla Walla, WA we saw Aunt GROTH and Henry and Christina BREHM and more friends. Stayed there until Nov 30th. Then on to Alliance, NE and from there to Ft. Collins, CO where brothers Henry and George GROTH live. We stayed there 7 days. As our journey was over, we headed home, arriving the 12th of December in Lincoln, NE. 23 Aug 1917: Picture and write up for the wedding of Mr. & Mrs. John G. HEIN. John G. HEIN married Katherine GROTH in the home of her brother, Fred GROTH. They will live at 1821 S 11th St, Lincoln, NE. They were wed by her Uncle, Pastor John BLOCK from Chicago, IL. Sister of the bride, Margaret GROTH sang. Mrs. H.H. GROTH played "Here Comes The Bride". Wendall GROTH was the ring bearer. Nephew of the bride, Edward BORGENS, played the piano. Mrs. George BORGENS was in charge of food. Miss Leta FLICK and Josephine DOEBLE waited on the bride. 15 Apr 1920: Kasper HERDT and wife left Lincoln, NE. last week to go live in Fresno, CA. Henry GROTH is the son-in-law of Kasper HERDT. 26 Jan 1921: Letter from Pastor Elias HERGERT of Ft. Collins, CO. Adam RUFF and his wife were in a bad accident. She was severely injured. Their son is Fred RUFF who married Amalie SCHMIDT. The mother of Amalie married Conrad ASMUS. I heard from Mrs. Jacob LOEBSACK of Otis, KS. She showed me letters of Brunnentalers who left Russia from Jacob MULLER and many others who fled from Russia. As I hear it, people from Windsor, CO., have already sent aid to these people who fled Russia. 7 Sep 1916 and 5 Apr 1917: Articles by Konrad HERGERT, of Greeley, CO. 28 Sep 1916: Article by Pastor Elias HERGERT. 26 Oct 1916: Jacob HERGERT of Lincoln, NE, married Anna Margarete HOOK on 24 Oct 1916. 9 Aug 1917: Miss Maria HERGERT of 300 G St., Lincoln, NE., left Lincoln to visit her Uncle Conrad HERGERT in Greeley, CO on the 4th of this month. Her father is Henry HERGERT. 30 Sep 1920: Henry HERGERT of Lincoln, NE., was very sick and in bed most of the week. He is now back in the store for Henry J. AMEN. 19 May 1921: J. J. LEBSACK & Henry HERGERT of Lincoln, NE. are back from a trip to McCook, NE. The following applied for the Welt Post: Jacob GIES, Culbertson, NE.; Henry GEIS, McCook, NE.; Jacob WALTER, Haegler, NE.; George DIETZ, Beverly, NE.; Jacob BURKHARDT, Stratton, CO. 27 Sep 1921: Henry HERGERT is very sick since a week ago at this writing of 21 Sep. He has a lung ailment. Hopefully he's better. 5 Apr 1917: "A Trip", by Elias HERGERT of Ft. Collins, CO. Brunnentalers he saw in Cody, WY.: John SCHAUERMAN and his younger brother Jacob SCHAUERMAN; Adam HOFF; Jacob HARTUNG; John KINDSVATER, whose father was Jacob and he is the son of widow Katrina BLOCK; Henry LEHR and his younger brother; Conrad KAUFFMAN of Greeley, CO and George KROENING of Windsor, CO. Others he saw in Colorado: John SCHLOTHAUER, George SCHWINDT, Jacob KINDSVATER & wife Rose nee KISTER, Mrs. George (nee WEISE) KAUFFMAN, George HOELZER, Adam DOERR, Paul UHRICH, Henry NAGEL and his brother Jacob NAGEL and their sister Mrs. Elias HERGERT. 9 Sep 1920: Letter of 2 Sep 1920 from Pastor Elias HERGERT of Ft. Collins, CO.-- tells of Church conference and people he saw from Windsor, CO and elsewhere. The ones from Brunnental he mentions are: Adam POPP & wife; E.J. BECK; Emanuel WACKER; Kasper LAHREY (LOHRIE) & wife and wife of Nicolas NAGEL. 28 Oct 1920: Letter of 20 Oct 1920 from Pastor Elias HERGERT of Ft. Collins, CO. David RUFF went to Denver, CO to buy lambs. George HOFFMAN has his lambs here. In the afternoon, I took a train to Denver, CO. and arrived in time for dinner at George GRUN's house. He tells me of Pastor BOECKER in Denver and also that Karl AHLBRANDT died. 18 Oct 1917: From John LOHRIG of Bison, KS. Jacob HERGERT from Brunnental was killed in a truck accident at Otis, KS. 24 May 1917: Pastor Elias HERGERT of Hardin, MT. has a brother in Russia named John George HERGERT. Also a brother Jacob HERGERT in Portland, OR. 9 May 1917: Pastor Elias HERGERT moved to a new position in Ft. Morgan, CO from Hardin, MT. 20 June 1918: The Travels of Pastor Elias HERGERT. In 1916 I went with the Evangelical Synod of North America as a missionary to the states of WY, MT, and Portland, OR. My home was Sheridan, WY. In the Spring of 1917, many German people moved to SD, MT and WA. I then went to Hardin, MT about 80 miles north of Sheridan. In 1917 I was called to Okeene, OK. My brother, Pastor J. Hergert of Portland, OR., took the call to Farmer, WA for the Iowa Synod. {I believe this was Farmington, WA} 27 Jun 1918: The Travels of Pastor Elias HERGERT continued...On this trip, they didn't have the Brothers at Buffalo, WY, where I visited, Alex KOCH. On to Ft. Collin, CO. My Overland car broke an axle at Kaycee, WY. After all the car trouble I headed for Casper, WY, 87 miles away. A man with a wagon and 6 horses pulled us up a hill. The next day I went through the oil fields and on to Wheatland, WY. Then to Cheyenne, WY. and Ft. Collins, CO. People from Brunnental village that came to visit from Windsor, CO. were: Mr. & Mrs. Jacob DIETZ; Mr. & Mrs. George HARTUNG; Mr. & Mrs. John SCHLOTHAUER; Mr. and Mrs. John WEIDERSPAN; Mr. & Mrs. John HEIN; Mr. & Mrs. John WEBER; Mr. and Mrs. George VOLKER; & Jacob WEIDERSPAN. It rained so hard no others could come out to Emmanuel WEBER's. In town I saw George SCHMIDT (Damme ALT) and saw old Brothers LEBSOCK. When we got back home, on Sunday, I was very sick. Pastor J. P. KAISER took my place in the pulpit. I saw Pastor W. WERNER in Longmont, CO. In Loveland, CO, I saw Pastor AMEND. Going back I saw John GETTMAN, who works for Conrad ECKHARDT in Windsor, CO. 7 Mar 1918: From Henry BECK of Pendleton, OR, dated 27 Feb 1918 to the Editor: I would like the address of William HERGERT who was from Brunnental. His father was Johannes HERGERT, called HERGERT HANNES or SPITZ HANNES. I have important news from Russia for this family. 17 June 1920: An article by Elias HERGERT of Ft. Collins CO: In the article he mentions: Jacob and Henry JERGER who lived in Hardin, MT but now live in Eaton, CO. Also their sister's husband SCHMIDT, but they didn't stay long. Those in Hardin - if only they were here -- Brother in law and wife LACKMAN and Brother in law and sister PROPP. Mr. WALTER from Walter is a beet worker for JERGER. Also mentions: Conrad DEWALD from Eaton, CO and from Windsor, CO: Mr. SEIBEL, Mr. H. SCHMIDT, Mr. SCHNEIDER, and WEISENMULLER. Mr. Christian GALLOWAY from Otis, KS has been a farmer in the US for 33 years. His wife is a SCHAFER from Weisenmuller. They came to visit his brother in law HELGENBERGER. Jacob DIETZ of Kratzke from Galatia, KS now lives in Ft. Collins, CO. Gottfried BECKER and wife Katherine Elisabeth (nee MEHLING) buried their youngest child, born 27 Feb 1920 and died 2 May 1920 of pneumonia....3 months and 4 days old. 23 Jan 1919: Henry BECKER bought a farm 10 miles N of Ft. Collins. Konrad ASMUS bought a farm 3 miles S of Ft. Collins. 20 Mar 1919: Article from Pastor Elias HERGERT, of Ft. Collins, CO. John GETTMAN, a good tenor singer from Brunnental, died in Scottsbluff, NE after surgery. 22 July 1920: Article from Pastor HERGERT of Ft. Collins, CO, dated 15 July 1920: I attended a Pastor Conference the 8th thru the 11th of July in the Immanuel Church in Ft. Morgan, CO. After the meeting, George GIESICK took me to his house. The father of the old mother and my mother were sisters. I also spent time at George HOFFMAN's, son of John HOFFMAN of Brunnental. I was in Windsor, CO to visit George WEITZEL, and John WEBER, and George VOELKER. Also met Adam MILLER from Yakima, WA. John and Jacob SCHAUERMAN and Mr. MILLER mentioned Henry LOOS, Gottlieb GROTH, Jacob KLIPPERT and John SCHAUERMAN, who are prisoners in Germany and would like to come to the US. They would like me to pursue this. 3 Apr 1919: Letter from Windsor, CO 28 Mar 1919: from John George HAMBURG. We recently moved here from Portland, OR. Will be staying with sister and brother in law, John ECKHARDT and helping him as much as possible. 7 Feb 1919: Letter of 30 Jan 1919, from George HOFFMAN, 215 S. Colorado Ave., Hastings, NE. He is originally from Brunnental. He states: We are still better off here than those in Russia. I have 1 brother and my father in law still living in Russia. Do let yourself be heard if you are from Brunnental. I enjoy reading the Welt Post whether it's about the Weiseseit or Bergseit. 30 Jan 1919: Letter of 17 Jan 1919, from Jacob KAUFFMAN of Rifle, CO, originally from Brunnental. My wife's sister, nee BIEL, died 19 Sept 1918 in Pueblo CO 4 days after surgery. She is survived by her husband, John SCHAEFFER, from Friedenburg, Russia. Also 4 children. Wilhelm HOMER is leaving here to go to Scottsbluff, NE to start a shoe repair shop with his brother. The flu has let up some. Haven't had church here for 3 months. Would like SCHNEIDER and GROSKOPF to write. We would like to have seed sent here. Maybe then we would have better crops in Rifle. I sent Greetings to those from Brunnental. 20 Mar 1919: A letter of 9 Mar 1919, from John Kindsvater of Cody, WY, a Brunnentaler. 28 July 1921: An article of 20 Jul, from George HOFFMAN of Hastings, NE about a trip. George HOFFMAN is from Brunnental and his wife an ASCHENBRENNER from Norka. I first went to Lincoln, NE to visit my wife's Uncle Peter ASCHENBRENNER. Then on to Havelock, NE to brother in law, George LEBSACK. Came back to Hastings to prepare for another trip west to Brush, CO to visit widow ASCHENBRENNER. Saw there Emmanuel BAUM, another Brunnentaler. Then on to Greeley, CO to see Wilhelm ASCHENBRENNER. On to Windsor, CO where I missed my friend Henry WEITZEL, but visited George SCHMIDT who lives across the street from WEITZEL. In Denver, CO I saw Henry WEBER, John SEIBEL, John WITTERSCHOW, John DIETZ, Paul UHRICH, and Pastor HERGERT. I then went on to Ft. Collins and Ft. Morgan, CO. At Ft. Morgan I saw Mr. PREISENDORF. Our wives were school buddies. Then to Brush, CO to see FREUHAUFs. His wife is a half sister (or cousin) to my wife. Then back to CULBERTSON, NE to Emmanuel BAUM. 5 Jan 1922: Letter of 10 Dec 1921, from Jacob MUELLER, originally from Brunnental, now in Germany. To J.J. Lebsack of Otis, KS. We arrived in Germany. Those who arrived from Russia; Brother Conrad MUELLER, Conrad HARDT, Henry BECKER, Jacob WEBER, and Karl KLEIN. Also my son in law, David SCHAUERMAN and Henry GRUENWALD. From Brunnental alone there were 73 people. Those from other villages were 130 people. He tells of hardships in Russia. Your brother's wife died in Prison in Katharinastadt, because she was fleeing Russia. Your other brothers are still alive. My wife wants to write to your wife...her letter: Dear Sister in law, my brother Henry Stroh, was shot and the family sent out of their home. This happened in Brunnental, Russia. Your sister, Grete is living with here daughter, Maria Katrina. Her husband died. The young Henry is by the Russians on the Bergseite. He doesn't dare to go home. George SCHAUERMAN was also shot. His wife and 3 children are along in the world. I could write more, but my eyes are filled with tears. From Anna Elizabeth MUELLER geb STROH. 27 Sep 1917: Letter of 10 Mar 1919 from Maria Katherina MOHRLAND of Hyshaw, MT. My father, Henry MOHRLAND, was very sick in the hospital for 3 months. He's at home now. He is a Brunnentaler and sends greetings to all. 27 Sep 1917: A letter of 21 May 1917 from J. D. HARTUNG saying Christian MOHRLAND died. He was from Brunnental. 14 Jun 1917: Letter of 14 Jan 1917 from Brunnental, from your mother and father, Jacob and Katherina WALTER. To George LEIKUM, Lincoln, NE. Dear Children: George, Amalia and Children. Macha visits her father occasionally. She is still in Astrakan. Kat is at her old place in Tashkan. Your old father is not well. He has a lung ailment or possible heart or chest pains. 30 May 1918: George LEIKUM who had left to work beets, was back in Lincoln, NE for his brother-in-law, Christ KLEMUS' funeral. 12 Jan 1922: New arrivals from Brunnental were Jacob MULLER and wife Anna Elizabeth nee STROH. Many others also arrived from other colonies. 21 Jun 1917: A trip of Pastor Elias HERGERT to Hardin, MT. Henry MOHRLANG and his wife Marie Katherina WAMBOLD of Sanders, MT met me at the railroad station. They are Brunnentalers. Mr and Mrs. Friederich WITTMAN of Huntley, MT took me to his father. Also saw Alex SCHAFFER of Belle Fuche, SD. Also Henry FINK and his wife Pauline HEUSCH and my brother Pastor J. HERGERT. Henry MOHRLANG's Uncle Jacob MOHRLANG lives in Park City, MT. I baptized 10 children. On the way home at the station I met George GROSKOPF from Ballantine, WA. As my train was late, I visited with Conrad GROSKOPF. 11 Apr 1918: Elias STEINMETZ and wife Elizabeth nee BLOCK are parents of Christian STEINMETZ of Nekoma, OK, who have one child: Immanuel still in Russia; Anna Marie who is a parent of a child born 15 Sept 1916; George STEINMETZ of Cody, WY. Brothers of Elizabeth BLOCK; Niklaus BLOCK of Portland, OR; John BLOCK and George and Henry BLOCK of Chicago, IL. Christian BLOCK is half brother or cousin. 23 May 1918: Letter from Cody WY of 2 Apr 1916 from George STEINMETZ to my Uncle Nicklaus BLOCK of Portland, OR. 16 Jan 1919: Letter of 29 Dec 1918 from Jacob SCHAUERMAN of Odessa, WA. Henry STEINMETZ had a fire caused from heating stove.(...TO BE CONTINUED...) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE END OF THE FRANK/BRUNNENTAL VILLAGE NEWSLETTER -- FALL 1995