Ferdinand Christman Family Bible

Ferdinand Christman Family Bible

Holy Bible in English; U. S. B. Publishing, Toledo, Ohio, 1886

The Bible is now in the possession of the C. G. Brisee Genealogy Library,
Irwin, Iowa.

The family Bible of Ferdinand and Irena E. (Howe) Christman of Shelby Co.,
Illinois.

Bible Marriage Certificate
This Certifies that Ferdinand Christman and Irena E. Howe were united by me
in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony At Rev. A Y Graham on the 19 day of January
in the year of our Lord 1879
In Presence of J. F. Christman Mary Freyburger
Signed: A Y Graham
F. Christman
Irena Howe

Marriages
Mr Ferdinand Christman and Irena Howe were married January 19, 1879

Maud E. Christman and Wm. E. Warthman were married May 30, 1902.

Births
Ferdinand Christmans was born June 6, 1854
Irena Ellen Howe Christman was born Nov. 13,[or 18] 1856

Estella Maud Christman was born March 22 1880
Edgar Christman was born Oct 10 1881
Leonora Christman was born Jan 7 1883
Charles Raymond Christman Jan 15 1885
Ethel Christman was born June 5. 1887
Irvin Christman bornd June 20 1889
Augusta Christman born Dec. 10. 1892
Ada Pearl Christman bornd March 21 1895
_____ Christman (boy) born May 23, 1897
Lawrence Dewey Christman born May 6, 1898.
Howard Ferdinand Christman was born May 18, 1900.

Deaths
_____ Christman (boy) died May 27, 1897
Maud E. (Christman) Warthman died July 31, 1903.
Ferdinand Christman died September 4 1933.
Ada Pearl Christman Sloan Mch. 13, 1942
Irvin Christman May 11, 1950.
Irena Ellen Howe Christman Aug. 4, 1950.

Memoranda
Maud E. Christman married May 31 - 1902
Edgar maried June 18-1918
Augusta married December 26-1917
Ada P married June 8-1923
Lawrence D married October 3 1923
Howard F married august 13-1927
Charley R married March 25-1914

Insertions
2 locks of hair, braided
one labeled Augusta when she was 5 years (light brown)
unidentified (dark/medium brown)

State Marriage Certificate
Marriage Certificate, State of Illinois, County of _____
This certifies that Mr. Ferdinand Christman of Shelby Co. in the State of Illinois
and Miss Irena Ellen Howe of Shelby Co. in the State of Illinois
were at Todd's Point in said County by me joined together in Holy Matrimony
on the 19th day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred
and Seventy Nine
In presence of Julius Christman Mary Freyburger
A. Y. Graham Minister

[News article]
Tuesday March 25, 1930
Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Pogue Married 50 Years
Mr. and Mrs. Charle M. Pogue quietly celebrated their fiftieth wedding
anniversary at their home north of Shelbyville in Monday. They received many
congratulations in the form of letters, air-mail letters, cards and flowers from
relatives and friends from near and far.
On Sunday their three sons, Stanley, Homer and Delmar, and their daughter,
Mrs. E. H. Lumpp, and their families gathered at the Pogue home for a family
dinner. Another daughter, Mrs. D. S. Johnson, of Houston, Texas, was not able
to be present on account of sickness in her family. Near the large table on
which all kinds of good things to eat were spread, was a small table holding a
fifty layer cake baked by Mrs. E. H. Lumpp. The cake measures 22 inches in
height and 38 inches in circumference. Some of the chinaware presents
received by Mr. and Mrs. Pogue at their wedding fifty years ago, was in use
Sunday. Mrs. Pogue still has her wedding dress and showed it to her children
and grandchildren. The dress was made by a Shelbyville dressmaker. At the
time the dress was completed the roads were in bad condition and Mrs. Pogue
came to Shelbyville with her father, the late George W. Longenbaugh, from
Pickaway township on two wheels of a large wagon to get the dress.
Charles M. Pogue and Mary C. Longenbaugh were married March 24, 1880, by
Leonitus M. Linn, Christian minister.

[newspaper obit]
Mrs. Virgie [corrected to Virgil] Sloan
Mrs. Ada Pearl Christman Sloan, formerly of Shelbyville, died at her home in
South Gate, Calif., at 1:45 o'clock Friday Morning, March 13.
Mrs. Sloan was born in Okaw township March 21, 1895, a daughter of the late
Ferdinand and Irene Christman. Her parents moved to Shelbyville a number of
years ago where she graduated from the local high school in the class of 1914.
Following her graduation in nurse's training in 1918, she went to California.
She was married to Virgie [corrected to Virgil] D. Sloan, June 8, 1923, at
Pasadena, Calif.
Mrs. Sloan is survived by her husband and two sons, Richard 17 years old, and
Jack, 15 years old. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. Ferdinand Christman of
Shelbyville, and the following brothers and sisters: Charles, Lawrence and
Howard Christman of Flint, Mich.; Mrs. Augusta Boling of Cincinnati, Ohio;
Edgar Christman, Nora, Ethel and Irvin Christman, all of Shelbyville.

[newspaper article]
Miss Muenter Bride of William James
Wedding vows were exchanged at four o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday,
June 17 [1967], by Miss Carol Ann Muenter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry
Muenter, 830 South oak street, Hillsboro, and William W. James, Jr., son of
Mr. and Mrs. William W. James, Sr., of Springfield, Mo.
The Rev. Dwight O. Weber, pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran church, Hillsboro,
performed the single ring ceremony in St. Paul's Lutheran church, Hillsboro, in
the presence of 250 guests, relatives and friends of the bridal couple and
their parents.
William Roos, organist at St. Paul's church, was at the organ, playing
traditional nuptial music and also accompanied the soloist, M. Wells Huff, St.
Louis, Mo., who sang "I Love Thee" by Greig; "O Perfect Love," and "The Lord's
Prayer."
White gladioli, snapdragons and chrysanthemums in floor length baskets and
urns, placed against a background of greenery, decorated the church altars.
White hurricane lamps, with smilax and white satin bows marked the church
pews.
Harry Muenter gave his daughter in marriage. She wore a lovely gown of white
silk organza over taffeta; beaded Alencon lace motifs accented the high rise
bodice with full Kabuki sleeves. Additional lace motifs were placed on the
floor-length A-line skirt, and continued on the court length Camelot train
attached at the shoulders with two tailored bows. Her full veil of silk illusion
cascaded from a pillbox of beaded Alencon lace over organza. The bride
carried a white leather bound prayer book over which was centered a lift-out
corsage of cymbidium orchids surrounded with white roses and stephanotis.
Mrs. Rudyard K. Rapp, Warson Woods Mo., cousin of the bride served as
matron of honor, and Miss Donna Schnake, Carbondale, also a cousin of the
bride, was bridesmaid. The attendants chose floor-length dresses in mint
green shantung. The empire bodice of each gown was sleeveless with cowl
neckline forming a deep V in back centered with a fabric rose over a bow with
long streamers. They wore green maline veils attached to small pearl
headpieces and carried cascade bouquets of white daisies, moss green bows
and floor-length streamers intertwined with ivy.
Stevens H. Harrison, of New York City, N. Y., served as best man and
groomsmen were J. Howard Piper, of St. Louis, and R. K. Rapp, of Warson
Woods, Mo.
The bride's mother wore a one-piece aqua silk dress with a cowl lace neckline
and cuffs, with aqua accessories.
Mother of the bridegroom wore a two-piece pink silk costume with matching
accessories. Both mothers wore corsage bouquets of cymbidium orchids.
A champagne buffet reception was given immediately following the ceremony
at Hotel Hillsboro, where members of the receiving line stood before a floral
background of flowers similar to those used to decorate the church altars. Mrs.
A. P. Rasche, Jr., of Hillsboro, and Mrs. Thomas C. Hay of Miami, Fla., and St.
Louis friends of the bride assisted at the reception. Mrs. Ann Randle of
Hillsboro, was in charge of the guest book.
The bridal couple left for one week in the Ozarks, followed by two weeks in
New England states, in July. They will be at home, upon their return, at 923 S.
Hanley Road, Clayton, Mo.
The bride is a graduate of the University of Illinois, and is a buyer for Stix,
Baer & Fuller, in St. Louis. Her sorority is Delta Zeta.
Mr. James, a graduate of Harvard University, of Cambridge, Mass., is a trust
officer, employed by Boatman's National Bank, St. Louis. He is a member of
the Noonday Club in St. Louis and of the Harvard Club in St. Louis and New
York City.
Out-of-town guests were present from Springfield, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; New
York City, N. Y.; Chicago, Nashville, Holyeton; Grosse Pointe, Mich.; San
Antonio, Tex., and South Bend, Ind. Included among the special guests was
the bride's grandmother, Mrs. H. E. Schnake, of Hoyleton.

[newspaper obit]
Barnhart Christman
One of Shelby's Oldest Citizens, Called to His Reward.
Wednesday morning, at the old homestead in Okaw township, that has
sheltered and has been the scene of his joys and sorrows for nearly half a
century, Barnhart Christman breathed his last. He was nearly 86 years of age.
Few citizens of the vicinity were better known than he, and he was held in the
highest respect, as an honorable, industrious man, a good neighbor, a kind
father and friend.
Mr. Christman was born in Germany. When about 23 years of age he came to
America and resided for about twelve years at Lancaster, Ohio. He was
married to Regina Roessler, a sister of Capt. Roessler, in 1848, and came to
Shelbyville in 1850. The first year he was associated with Uncle George
Wendling in the blacksmith business. Then he bought land and lived for a
number of years near Brunswick. Later he purchased the farm in Okaw
township that is now the old Christman homestead. He was a quiet man, very
little away from the home he builded and loved. At the hour of death, he
lacked just five days of having lived happily with his aged companion,
fifty-two years. The blow is hard to her, for life had proved a happy companion
with him who was called to his eternal home.
Besides the aged and infirm wife, Mr. Christman left ten children, all grown
up, of course, to mourn. These are: August and Ferdinand of Pickaway
township; Herman of Okaw; Julius of Crwoley, La.; and Barney, of Kirksville,
Mo.; Mrs. Julius Hoppe and Mrs. Dr. I. L. James of this city; Mrs. Nora Roth, of
Llano, Texas; Mrs. Lousa Truitt, of Okaw, and Miss Josephine, who still
remains at the old home. This is a remarkable family - all useful and
successful citizens - and this is the first vacant chair in the family circle. Mr.
Christman also leaves 48 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral will probably be held Friday morning at 10 o'clock at Antioch
church.

[newspaper article, penciled 1933]
Rev. and Mrs. L. W. Evans to Hold Gold Wedding Anniversary Today
Tuesday will be the golden wedding anniversary of the Rev. Leander W. Evans
and Mrs. Evans, beloved Pine Bluff residents. They were married September
26, 1883, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. H. W. Brooks, and the
following year, October 16, 1884, when twenty-two years of age, the Rev.
Evans was licensed to preach.
The record of his life since is one of consecrated, faithful service in the
Southern Methodist church.
Born May 8, 1862 in LaFayette county, he was reared near Texarkana and
joined the church when eleven years of age.
His first pastorate was Chapel Hill in 1885. On account of broken health he
was a local preacher until 1902 when he joined the Little Rock conference and
served the Springhill circuit. Other charges include Chidester, 1904;
Murpheesmorough, 1905; College Hill, 1906-8; Mineral Springs, 1909-10;
Bearden 1911; Sheridan, 1913-15; Carr Memorial, Pine Bluff, 1916-17; Hawley
Memorial, Pine Bluff, 1917-1920; Carthage, 1920-1925. All of these charges
were in the Little Rock conference. During 1931 he served Star City.
When he was superannuated in November, 1926, he located in Pine Bluff, and
in their modest, comfortable home on West Tenth avenue he and his wife,
according to their own statement "plan to live until God calls us to our home
above."
The full record of their lives, however, is not to be crowded into such a brief
and simple account, but like that of many such unassuming heroic pioneers of
the faith in the Methodist church it is written in the lives of and characters of
the men and women who have come under the influence of their faithful
ministry and are themselves living testimony of the greatness of the sacrifice.
And along with the honor and praise due these men of faith is linked also the
appreciation and recognition due their wives-brave companions throughout the
years.
Such for fifty years has Mrs. Evans been. She was born in Shelby county, Ill.,
November 19, 1863, the daughter of William and Catherine Freyburger. She
came with her parents to Arkansas in 1880 and the family home was near
Prescott where she was living at the time of her marriage.
Their children are: Mrs. J. F. Bolls of Texas; Mrs. F. H. Douglas of Tyler, Texas;
Mrs. G. C. Vaughan of Houston, Texas; Mrs. C. E. Whitten of Lewisville; Mrs.
R. G. Vaughn of Little Rock; Mrs. J. O. Lites of Pine Bluff and one son E. A.
Evans of Hot Springs.
This afternoon from 2:30 to 5 o'clock the Woman's Missionary Society of
Hawley Memorial church, will keep open house in their honor in the Sunday
school department of the church and their friends are cordially invited to call
and greet them during these hours.

[Newspaper obit marked September 1923]
Ferdinand Christman Passes Away
Ferdinand Christman, long time resident of Shelbyville, passed away at the
family home on North Third street at 6:00 Monday evening. He had been an
invalid for the past four years, his condition becoming serious a short time
ago. The body was removed to Lantz Bros. Mortuary.
Ferdinand, son of Bernhard and Regina Roessler Christman, was born in Ridge
township on June 6, 1854, one of twelve children. On January 19, 1879, he
was married to Irena E. Howe, who survives. Eleven children were born to this
union, nine of whom survive. They are: Charles R., Lawrence d. and Howard
F., all of Flint, Mich., Mrs. V. D. Sloan of Southgate, Cal., Mrs. Clem Boling of
Wilmette; Edgar, Ervin, Nora and Ethel, all of Shelbyville, Mrs. Eliza Truitt of
Jacksonville, and one brother, Julius of Crowley, La., survive.
Mr. Christman who was a farmer, moved to Shelbyville with his family thirty
years ago. He served as chief of police in Shelbyville for several years.
The funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon at the
home, with burial in Glenwood.

[newspaper obit]
Christman Funeral Service Wednesday
Funeral services for Ferdinand Christman were conducted from the home on
North Third street at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon, with Rev. A. P. Jordan in
charge. Pall bearers were William Reed, Sherman Wilson, Frank Lower, B. P.
Kreig, R. O. Watson and Fabian Boys. A quartet composed of Mrs. R. G.
Newell and Dr. J. H. Hite sang. Richard Neher sang a solo.
The flowers were in charge of Miss Bess Roessler, Miss Maude Hendricks, Mrs.
Tom Headen, Miss Lela Williams, Miss Ida Diddea and Miss Bertha Tallman.
Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery.

[newspaper obit]
Michael Freybarger
Another Pioneer and Soldier citizen, Passed Away at His Home Tuesday, Aug.
26, After a Long Siege of Suffering.
The last roll is called and the spirit of Uncle Mike Freybarger took its flight at
6:30 o'clock Tuesday evening, Aug. 26th. Mr. Freybarger had been a long and
patient sufferer. About three years ago he fell and broke his hip and at that
time he lingered several weeks between life and death, but partially recovered
so as to be able to be up and around. He was a man of great vitality and
energy. During his long siege of affliction and suffering, he was a regular
attendant at his church when it was possible for him to get there at all. We
have often seen him hobbling up the steps at the church and to his
accustomed pew on the front seat after coming through rough and stormy
weather which kept many strong and healthy people away. When any call for
aid which was connected with the church was made, Uncle Mike was one of
the first to give, and his gifts were always liberal. Even in his will it is said he
has made liberal provisions for the church.
Michael Freybarger was the third son of John P. and Johanna Freybarger. He
was born in Schwetzingen near Heidelberg, Germany, on February 23, 1820.
Mr. Freybarger's father was an officer in Napoleon's great army, receiving his
discharge from service shortly before the battle of Waterloo. That part of the
country in which he lived was formerly a part of France but was afterwards
ceded to Germany. In 1831 he emigrated with his family to America and
settled in Erie county, N. Y. Here he lived for three years and then started
west, driving through with the customary outfit of the homeseeker of those
days. On their way west, when in the central part of Ohio, Mr. Freybarger's
father was taken sick and died. The family then stopped near Columbus where
the widow bought a farm, living there about a year when she sold out and
came west. They settled in Okaw township in Shelby county, Illinois. Michael
was the last survivor of this family.
In 1843 Mr. Freybarger was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Johnson, a
step daughter of Elder B. W. Henry, who was one of the pioneer preachers of
Shelby county. To them were born eight children only three of whom are still
living. They are Mary the devoted daughter who has remained at home to care
for her aged father in his declining years, John who has also been a close and
helpful companion to his aged father and William who is engaged in business
at Ellensbury, Washington. He also leaves three grandchildren, Lulu, Walter
and Verlie Freybarger, children of Theophilus Freybargter deceased. They live
with their mother at Decatur. In 1870 Mr. Freybarger laid the remains of his
faithful and devoted wife to rest in the grave. Mr. Freybarger began married
life on his farm in Okaw township, which he still owned at the time of his
death. In the year 1849 during the excitement of the gold finds in California,
he in company with seven others started overland for the gold fields. The
journey was made with ox teams until St. Joseph, mo., was reached when the
oxen were traded for mules. They then started west again, which was on the
7th of May, and arrived in the mining regions of California on the 5th day of
August. He returned to Shelby county in 1851, having been fairly successful
financially by his mining experience.
In September 1861, he enlisted and was mustered into service in the Union
army in the war of the rebellion as a member of the 7th Ill. Cavalry, Co. H. He
remained in the service until the end of the war and had risen from a private
in the ranks to a Lieutenant in command. At the time of his death he was one
of the oldest members of Cyrus Hall Post of the G. A. R. He united with the
Christian church at Old Bethel in Okaw township in 1841, and was baptized by
Elder B. W. Henry. He continued his membership with that church until he
moved to Shelbyville a few years ago, when he moved his membership here.
As a Christian and a citizen he always stood as an example to the rising
generation. He was always on the side of temperance, right and righteous,
and was for God, home and native land. He was as true as steel and as good
as gold.
The funeral was held at the Christian church in Shelbyville at 2:30 o'clock
Thursday afternoon. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Otto, the
pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. A. H. Harrell of Windsor, who has been
his life-long friend and co-worker in the Master's cause in Shelby county. He
was an elder in the church at the time of his death. The church edifice was
filled with sympathizing relatives, friends and comrades to pay the last sad
tribute to him who through death had been summoned to come up higher. The
remains were laid to rest in Glenwood cemetery under the auspices of Cyrus
Hall Post G. A. R. The pall bearers were selected from the officers of the
church and the Grand Army of the Republic, and were Capt. W. F. Turney, S.
H. Wright, J. P. Bennett, W. A. Cook, S. F. Gammil and W. C. Kelley.

[Newspaper article with 1942 date]
Dean Christman and June Boys Wed
Miss June Boys, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. N. D. Boys, and Dean W. Christman,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Christman, were married Wednesday evening at 7 p.
m. at the home of the bride's parents. Rev. A. P. Jordan of Bloomington read
the ceremony.
Preceding the ceremony, John Norman of Monticello sang two numbers,
"Because," and "I Love You Truly." Mrs. Mildred Geisz accompanied him, and
played the wedding march from Lohengrin as the processional.
The bride entered on the arm of her father, preceded by Miss Patricia Mann,
ringbearer, and Miss jean Carnes, her only attendant. They were met at the
altar by the bridegroom and Norman Christman, who served as best man for
his brother.
The vows were spoken in front of the fireplace, on either side of which were
candelabra with white tapers and large baskets of gladiolas, carnations and
feverfew.
The bride wore a gown of white mousseline de soie. It was designed with a
sweetheart neckline, short puffed sleeves and a bouffant skirt. The finger tip
veil was held in place with clusters of seed pearls. She carried a colonial
bouquet of white carnations, stephannotis and gardenias.
Miss Jean Carnes, bridesmaid, wore a gown of blue lace and marquissette.
She carried a colonial bouquet of pink carnations, blue delphenium and
stephannotis.
Miss Patrick Mann, ring bearer, wore pink georgette over taffeta. She carried
the rings in a colonial bouquet of roses.
An informal reception was held following the ceremony. A three tiered
wedding cake and ice cream moulded in the form of calla lillies, roses, and
Easter lillies were served by the bride's friends.
The bride graduated from the University of Illinois and for the past two years
has been teaching at Cusaac school.
Mr. Christman is also a graduate of the University of Illinois and is employed
as chemist by the General Electric Company at Pittsfield, Mass.
After June 8, Mr. and Mrs. Christman will be at home at 7 Second st.,
Pittsfield, Mass.

[church bulletin of week beginning June 19, 1927]
In Memoriam
Stanly William Conn
July 21, 1833 - June 12, 1927
A resident of Shelbyville for 62 years.
A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 71 years; superintendent of
our Sunday School for several years; teacher of the Women's Bible Class for a
quarter of a century; member of the Men's Berean Bible Class; also a member
of the official Baord for years.
Brother Conn was a man of sterling integrity, a wonderful Bible Student,
deeply pious and an exemplary Christian gentleman; respected by all who
knew him and beloved by his brethren in the Sunday School and Church.

[Church Bulletin Sunday, March 30, 1930]
J. Wesley McCann
The passing of J. Wesley McCann is a real blow to the community. He has
been the source of inspiration for all those who knew him, and to his race in
particular he has been a counsellor, a guide and a father. His going is felt by
us all. Yet we rejoice that he has gone to the Glory Land where we will meet
him again.

[Church Bulletin Sunday March 23, 1930]
In Memory
We dedicate this bulletin to the memory of Dr. William J. Eddy, Shelbyville's
beloved physician, most worthy citizen and most noble Christian. "For he was
a good man full of the Holy spirit and of faith." Acts 11:24. No man has given
more liberally to his Church of his time, talent and money, than has this good
man. Shelbyville first Methodist Church will ever cherish his memory.

[Family History manuscript one of two]
My Great Grandparents were Elizabeth (1799 - 1871) and Christian Roessler
(1789 - 1861). (Came 1817 to Am.)
Their children, as you know, were Reuben, Edward, Andrew, Philip, Elizabeth
and Regina.
My grandmother was Regina Roessler (7-19-27 to 11-24-1905) who married
Bernhard Christman (2-14-14 to 8-8-1900) on August 13, 1848.
Their children were:
Elizabeth born J[un]e 7, 1849 died 1931
August Apr. 1, 1851
Herman Jan 30-53 [d.] 1925
Ferdinand J[un]e 6-54 [d.] Sept. 4, 1933
Bernhard Jan 13-56
Julius Jan. 4-61
Josephine Feb 18, 1861 died 1945
Louisa Oct. 30, 62 [d.] Jan 1940
Henrietta Jan 19, 67 died 1918
Oscar May 15, 69
Leonora Aug 15 1870
All deceased

My great great grandfather Philip Christopher Mueller (Miller) came to America
in 1805. My grandmother, Regina Roessler Christman kept a strain of the
lettuce seed from yr to yr that was brought across the ocean in 1805 & Aunt
Eliz Christman Hoppe planted it until her death in 1931.
Grandmother's brother
Reuben Roessler married Catherine Christman who was the only sister of
Bernhard Christman - Making the children double cousins.

[second family history manuscript, as written by Josephine Christman, copied
by Ethel J. Christman on March 1938]
My great grandfather Christian Roessler came from the Kingdom of
Wurtemberg, near Stuttgart. He came to America in 1817.
His children were:
Phillip
Andrew
Edward, married Anna Stumpff
Regina, married Bernhard Christman
Elizabeth, married _____ Pfeiffer
Rhuben, married Catherine Christman

My great, great-grandfather Philip Christopher Müller (Miller) came to America
in 1805. During the Revolutionary war, the Hessians were sold to King George
III of England. The Grand duke of Hessia was a tyrant and Grandmother
Regina Christman's (nee Roessler) Grandfather (Papa's great grandfather, My
great, great grandfather) Müller joined a company to overthrow the
government of Hessia. The conspirators were just ready for action when they
were betrayed. An old man entered where they were and said "children you
are betrayed, burn all the papers in possession". They had time to do this
before the police arrived. Those who were under suspicion were cross
examined many times, with the hope that they might betray them, but none
did. From that time on, my great-great grandfather Müller determined to leave
the Dukedom. He said his four sons should not serve a tyrant. If he remained
there, they would all have to be soldiers, but there was a law that no man
could leave the dukedom. The penalty for leaving the country was ten years
imprisonment. So he had to make people believe he was going to see his
brothers who lived some distance away. He was a wagon maker by trade, and
in getting one ready to travel in, he was asked "why he was taking a wagon".
He told them his brother wanted him to bring it to him. So he prepared
himself for a flight with a one-horse wagon. There was but one man whom he
trusted to not betray him to the police. He had a friend in America who had
written him letters a different times and he resolved to go to that country. In
order to not excite suspicion, he could take only a few of his possessions.
What little would go in his wagon besides his family (his wife & seven
children). In the dead of night, with only this one man to help him, they
started at midnight to cross the Hessian border. He said his heart beat so
fast and hard he feared it would burst, but once outside the boundary, they
were safe. They went to Amsterdam, where they had to stay for three months
before there was a vessel to take them away.
It cost $80.00 apiece to bring them over and he had not enough money to pay
it. So when they landed at New York, people would come to the ship and pay
the passage of those who could not, and they would then have to work until
they had earned that much.
Uncle (P. C. Miller) was the baby when they came over, and my great
grandmother Roessler, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Louisa Dorothy
Müller was six years old.
This was given me by Aunt Josephine Christman Mch 1938 to copy - Ethel J.
Christman.