Wa l ker Fam i ly

Of
Brock ha usen,
Germany
 CHAPTERS

1 - Family History 1

2 - Birth and Early Childhood 13

3 - On To the Seminary 23

4 - The Trip to Germany 31

5 - First Pastorate in Patterson 39

6 - The Years at York 47

7 - The District Presidency 63

8 - Anniversaries and Retirement 67

9 - Epilog 75

INDEX 77
 WALKER FAMILY OF BROCKHAUSEN, GERMANY
Pastor Herman Heinrich Walker’s Family History Journal

1 - Family History

I was told that my grandfather, on my father’s side, was a wealthy farmer, but
during the time of the Napoleonic wars between the French and the Russians going
back and forth, the family lost everything. Since that time they have been very poor. I
cannot say just how true this is because my father never told me anything of this time as
it was of no importance to him. What are all these worldly goods? Only a handful of
sand. The truth is, in my time my grandfather’s house was still standing and there was
quite a bit of land with it - just how much, I cannot say. Everything was so deeply in
debt that father’s oldest brother, who inherited everything, could not hold on to it and
had to sell everything. Then he immigrated to America in 1845, where he settled with
his family in Cleveland, Ohio. His wife’s brother had immigrated in 1839. His name was
Jobst Heinrich Boehning, and he had come from my mother’s hometown. My father’s
oldest brother, my uncle Jobst Heinrich Walker, sold the farm to a man named Priver. In
my childhood, Priver lived in grandfather’s old house. This house stood almost in the
middle of the town of Brockhausen. I often walked by there, but can’t remember ever
being inside it.

Where is this town Brockhausen? If, by any chance, one of my children or

grandchildren should go to Germany to see the homeland of their forefathers, where
would they go to find it? I will write it as clearly as I can so that one could find it easily.
Brockhausen lies in the old kingdom of Hanover and since 1866, it [Hanover] has been
the Preussisch Province of Hanover. Osnabrueck lies on the border of the Preussisch
Province Westphalia. Approximately in the middle of Osnabrueck and Minden, about
eight (8) hours or 25 miles west of Minden or six (6) hours or 18 miles east of
Osnabrueck, lies Brockhausen, fifteen minutes north from the highway which connects
Osnabrueck and Luebbke and Minden in the county of Wittlage. Brockhausen is in the
church congregation of Barkhausen.

Lintorf is the last church district on the east border of Westphalia. The villages of
Lintorf, Wimmer, Hoeringhausen and Darlinghausen belong to this district. Barkhausen
is the second [to] last church district on the Hanover side and the villages of
Barkhausen, Linne, Rabber, and Brockhausen belonged to this community. In later
years, the last two villages branched off and built a new sister church in Rabber. The
street runs through the middle of the town.
 Among other things, I’d like to mention the Melcher family, to whom my beloved
wife belonged; the Stockhause family to whom my dear brother-in-law Friedrich
Stockhause belongs; and the George family, to whom my nephew Fred George of
Cleveland belongs. They all originated from Rabber.

The Wesergebirge (mountains) stretch from Minden west toward Osnabrueck.

The above mentioned villages lie to the north of the church district of Lintorf.
Barkhausen and Linne lie near the bottom of the mountains. The other villages lie a
short distance apart, north of the moors, which stretch toward Bremen.

Brockhausen, at one time, had approximately 1,400 people. Because of

immigration in the second half of the 19th century, it became smaller. After all these
directions, it should be easier to find the land of your forefathers.

Now I will write some more about my family. My grandfather, Gerhard Heinrich
Walker, had three sons. He never said anything about having daughters so I do not
know if he had any.

I wrote about the oldest son, Jobst Heinrich [Walker]. He inherited the farm. I
never knew about the second son’s name. My father was the youngest son. He moved
away with empty hands and very little else to fend for himself. My father’s [middle]
brother moved over the border to Westphalia and worked for a farmer. Then he married
and settled in the town of Offelden. Offelden is about an hour away from Oldendorf, and
about 7 miles from Rabber. This brother died early in his life so I never met him. He left
a wife and five children; two sons (Wilhelm and Heinrich), and three daughters.

As a boy of about 10-12 years of age, I went there several times to bring some
news from my parents. By this time my uncle was already dead. The oldest son,
Wilhelm, came to Brockhausen after his confirmation and learned tailoring. Later, he
immigrated with us to America. After several years had past [passed], he brought his
mother, sisters, and brother to Cleveland. His brother, Heinrich, later was married in
Cleveland to a girl named Angel Alberts. She was born in Brockhausen, Germany. She
was the sister of the wife of my oldest brother, Gerhardt [Walker]. Wilhelm’s oldest
sister became the wife of Wilhelm Weber of Brockhausen who had immigrated at the
same time we did. The youngest sister became the wife of a tailor named Walkemeyer
who was also from Brockhausen. The second sister died soon after she arrived in
America with her mother. Wilhelm later married Marie Melcher of Rabber. Her father
came to America with his family in 1849 or 1850 (I’m not sure), and settled on a farm in
Euclid near Cleveland. Wilhelm became a wealthy master tailor and soon opened his
own business. Upon his death, he left his business to his only son, Frederick, and his
son-in-law, Heinrich Roegge. They became more prosperous as time went by. This is
enough about this uncle and his family.

Father’s oldest brother, Jobst Heinrich [Walker], who inherited the farm, realized
that the farm was too much in debt and that his younger brothers had no means to buy
it or help him with it, so he sold the farm to a man named Priver, and then immigrated to
America with his family in 1845. The first year, he stayed in Baltimore, where he
landed, as he did not have enough money to go any further. After one year, he decided
to travel by canal boat to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his brother-in-law, Hermann
Boehning, met him with horse and buggy to travel to Cleveland. His brother-in-law,
Hermann Boehning, and his wife’s brother and family from Linne (my mother’s
birthplace) had come to America several years earlier and had settled in Newberg near
Cleveland.

My uncle had three sons; Frederick, Heinrich, and Herman, and also five
daughters. The two oldest girls were married in Germany. One married a shoemaker
named Hellman from Brockhausen and the other married a man named Franz. These
two families stayed in Germany for several years, then later immigrated to Newberg
near Cleveland where they settled on a farm.

One of the older daughters married a tailor named Heller, the other married a
man named Uthof, with whom I never became acquainted. The fifth and youngest
daughter [Elsabein, the fifth child, not the fifth daughter] was a cripple and an epileptic.
The first time I ever witnessed a frightening attack of epilepsy was when we moved to
Cleveland and lived in my uncle’s house. First she became stiff. Then slowly the
cramps started working and thick foam started coming from her mouth. Her arms
thrashed about harder and harder until the hands made a fist. We had to put a pillow on
the bed headboard to prevent her from hurting herself. This attack lasted about a half
hour. Afterwards she lay completely exhausted in bed until her strength slowly came
back and she became conscious again. I do not know how this dreadful disease had
come over her. I could never understand such a view of human misery; we should
thank God for our precious gift of good health in body and soul.

My uncle’s son, Frederick, later moved to Black Swamp near Toledo, and that is
all I know about that family. The youngest son, Herman, as a young man, had moved to
Milwaukee, married and later died there. I never saw him after he moved. He also had
a son named Herman, whom I looked up when I was in Milwaukee for a Synod meeting.
He belonged to the Wisconsin Synod. My uncle’s middle son, as a young married man,
 moved to Ulm, Minnesota and tried to settle there. But the Indians drove the settlers
back, and thus he, with wife and child, had to move back to Cleveland. I never met his
family as they lived on the east side of town, and we seldom traveled over there.

Now that I have written about my grandfather and my father’s brother’s family, I
would like to write in detail about my dear father and his family.

My father was the youngest son of Gerhard Heinrich Walker. This name I found
in an old book. His [Gerhard’s] wife’s, Maria’s, maiden name was Herweles. My father
was born on December 14, 1803 in Brockhausen, and resided and worked there until
we immigrated to America in 1854. As a young man, my father worked several years in
Amsterdam, Holland, in a sugar factory and also mowed the grass at the hay harvest.
My father, Christoph Friedrich [Walker], married my mother, Maria Gertrude Schomburg,
on November 18, 1830. Pastor Pagenstecher performed the marriage in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Barkhausen. His bride was the daughter of Idel Philipp
Schomburg and Maria Elsebein (maiden name: Koester). She was born December 1,
1805 in Linne, and baptized on December 8, 1805 in Barkhausen. As a young married
couple, my father and mother found a small house on the north side of town owned by a
farmer named Gerkepott. They stayed there until we left for America. Over the years,
God presented them with nine children, but called home three in their early childhood.
Now I will write the names and birthdays of each of the children.

1. Gerhardt Heinrich [Walker] was born on June 12, 1832, died on December 9,
1902. 2. Maria Eleanore [Walker] was born on June 18, 1834, died on February
19, 1918. 3. Christoph Heinrich [Walker] was born on November 17, 1835, died on
June 1, 1836. 4. Ernst Friedrich [Walker] was born on April 19, 1837, and
died on June 29, 1903. 5. Anna Maria [Walker] was born on April 30, 1839.
6. Johann Heinrich [Walker] was born on March 8, 1841, and
died August 4, 1841. 7. Herman Heinrich [Walker] was born on September
28, 1842 [and died July 4, 1924]. 8. Anna-Maria Elizabeth [Walker] was born on
April 10, 1845, died on April 17, 1916. 9. Maria Klara [Walker] was born on February 12,
1849, and died on May 5, 1850.

I remember this last little sister very well, because as a seven-year-old boy, I had
to watch her as she learned to walk in a rolling walking chair. I also remember her
funeral in our house. It was not easy for my parents to feed and cloth[e] such a large
growing family under the poor conditions that existed. During this time, they were ruled
mostly by the middle ages feudal system. The small farmers were still under the
restriction of the large establishment; and the tenants were still at the mercy of the big
farmers. The tenants were treated as slaves, including their wives and children. They
were told how and when to cultivate the fields; and they still had their own work to do in
the evening. It was true slavery! As a young boy, I had experienced this myself many
times. The only freedom a tenant had was to move from one farmer to the next within
the village; however, no one could leave the village without permission from the higher
authority. Going from place to place did not accomplish anything, for it made no
difference. It depended entirely on the farmer’s personal character. The tenant
received a very small amount of money for his work. It was not enough to live on, a real
starvation wage. It was no wonder then that the people were dissatisfied working under
such conditions.

We rented our house from a farmer named Gerkepott. He had two houses,
besides his own large one; the house in which we lived, and the house in which a family
named Kummer lived. These two families were under the direction of farmer Gerkepott.
He was among the farmers who treated his people decently, like a human being should
be treated.

My parents stayed there for 24 years, probably because my father was a loyal,
hard-working, trusting man, who was honest and sincere in all ways. He never owed
anything to anyone. Generally he was a quiet man, with little to say, but when need be,
he could assert himself very well. During his younger years he had a little temper, but I
never saw him that way. He was a good man with common sense and good judgment.
While in school, he learned to read and write as much as possible. Education in a small
town did not go much farther beyond that. Physically he was a big, strong man, and
through God’s help, he remained that way through his later years.

My mother’s education was limited, because in those days, girls were not
required to learn to write, but through her own motivation, she taught herself to write.
God had given her more than normal intelligence. She had a quick comprehension,
was sensitive, and had a sharing heart. She was also a skillful seamstress and did
sewing for other people. During my student years, she worked with her clever hands for
a tailor to contribute to my support.

In Germany, my mother was also an excellent nurse’s assistant. She was called
to many homes to take care of the sick and often stayed there for many weeks. I
remember a particular case in Brockhausen where a young woman had hallucinations
and eventually had a nervous breakdown. When this misfortune occurred, the town
official looked for a woman who was capable of taking care of her properly, and he
chose my mother. I don’t know just how long she took care of this woman. I only
remember we had to take her dinner to this home quite often, as she could not leave
her patient alone. In short, she was a good, sought after nurse-assistant and advisor.

With hard work, thriftiness, and God’s blessing, my parents had more than most
tenants; they were allowed one or two cows, some pigs and several chickens, but it was
never enough to start their own farm. In those days when you were poor, there was no
way out; you stayed poor. Father wanted to have a better existence for his sons, so he
let the two oldest boys learn a trade. But in those days, you had to pay the master
tradesman for the training and work without pay until the training was completed. My
father did not like his feudal position on the farm. He had grown up as the son of a poor
farmer but at least he had the freedom of not being obligated to anyone. Toward the
end of the 1830's, people were emigrating to the U.S.A. Father’s brother sold his
homestead and left for America in 1845. He wrote that he could make a better living
there, so father got his heart set on emigrating to America also. He would have gone
earlier if he’d had the opportunity, and if mother had agreed. Father was too poor with
his large family to make this expensive trip, and his brother in America could not afford
to send him any money. Mother held back as all her relatives were in Germany. She
was also afraid of crossing the large body of water, and the long difficult trip. Because
in those days, sailing ships were the main form of transportation for crossing the ocean
and it was always a perilous journey.

In my dear mother’s early fifties, she was very sickly and had to take many health
baths. She was afraid she would never reach the far shores of America and felt that the
sea would be her grave. Naturally for father, more than for mother, it was a sad and
discouraging thought. Many of the people in the small German towns knew very little
about America and it was a lot harder to undertake a trip in those days than it is today.
It was a big event when a letter would come from America. People came in large
groups to hear the news from a strange land. By the summer of 1854, we were finally
ready to leave.

Soon after we arrived in Cleveland, there was a big fire in the business district
and several stores were destroyed. Father found work through the winter by cleaning
up the debris from the fire. He was paid 75¢ a day and this seemed like a lot of money
in the eyes of the emigrants. My dear mother soon found steady work with a German
tailor named Mr. Heil who had come from Hessen. She spent many years working at
home, sewing vests and pants for this tailor. My second brother, Fritz, who had learned
the tailor trade in Germany, also found work with the same tailor. At this time, Fritz was
17½ years old.
 My older brother, Gerhardt, learned the trade of bricklaying and soon found a job.
In the winter when they were not able to work outside, he went to Newburg, near
Cleveland, to a friend’s farm to cut trees for firewood. At this time, he was a little over
22 years old. My two sisters, Eleanore, who was 20 and Marie, 15½, were employed by
American families to do housework.

We lived plainly and saved the German way. This made it possible so that after
one year, only a small amount of money was owed. It was my understanding that when
my sister, Elisabeth, and I in later years were able to earn money, we should then pay
our share to the older sisters and brothers, mostly to brother Gerhardt who had put out
most of the money. If my sister ever paid, I don’t know. As for my portion, I was not
able to pay, nor did I ever have to. I went away to college, and in the summer of 1865, I
went to Germany. My parents, sisters and brothers made this possible for me. My
parents never regretted their decision to come to America. My mother had finally
agreed to go even though she was sick during the last years in Germany and was
seasick during the whole voyage. God gave her new strength, new health, and fresh
energy in the new land.

In the summer of 1866, I returned from Germany, bringing with me my mother’s

only living brother. This made her extremely happy. This uncle had a son in Toledo,
Ohio. He stayed with him throughout the winter. When spring arrived, Uncle
Schomburg came to Dover, near Cleveland, where my parents had lived the last
fourteen years. He stayed there until God finally called him home. I don’t know what
year that was.

In the year 1858 or ‘59, brother Gerhardt bought a lot on Penn Street, now West
nd
32 Street, one-half block north of Monroe Street. In the meantime, brother Fritz gave
up his tailoring and became a bricklayer. The two boys first built a one and half story
frame house on the lower end of the lot for their parents. My parents lived in this house
until 1874 or 1875, when they moved to Dover where brother Fritz and brother-in-law,
Christian Fortlage, had several years before bought a farm.

Brother Gerhardt soon opened his own business, where father found work. He
worked there as long as he was able to, or rather as long as the children let him. He
was always a good worker. There came a time when he did not want to work regularly
anymore, but liked to do something. The decision was made that he would move to
brother Fritz’s on the farm in Dover. There he had a little house, a beautiful garden, a
cow, some pigs and a few chickens. There, mother and father could do as they
pleased. Brother-in-law Fortlage moved back to the city after several years, and brother
Fritz and his family kept the farm and looked after their parents very well until the end.

The other children and grandchildren often came to see them. This made them
very happy. My parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on November 18,
1880, after fifty years of love and devotion. The children and their families arranged a
big celebration in their honor. I attended with my wife and children, Marie, Lydia, Martin
and Clara. The whole congregation of Dover celebrated with us. The horses and
wagons were all decorated. The honored couple were driven to church for a festive
service. I sang a festive song which I had composed. The same day, my youngest
brother’s son, Fredrick Otto, was baptized. Pastor Johannes Rupprecht, from Dover,
conducted the service. Pastor Louis Hoelter, from Chicago, and I gave speeches at the
house. Pastor Hoelter’s mother was a sister of my brother’s, Fritz’s, wife. Both girls
were daughters of Heinrich Boehning from Linne, the birthplace of my mother. It was a
joyful occasion for this rare event. God gave my parents six more joyful years together.
They were respected by all who knew them.

On April 20, 1887, came the day of separation. After a short illness, the Lord
called for my mother. On this day, my dear mother’s final hour had come. She was
delivered from evil. This child of God and heir of salvation now entered His heavenly
kingdom for life everlasting. Upon receiving the news about her, I rushed to her bedside
and I found her, to my relief, still alive and conscious and was able to talk to her. She
passed away on the day I just mentioned. I stayed for her funeral. The funeral text was
1st Timothy 4:8. Her remains lie in the congregational cemetery in Dover [St. Paul’s].

From the cemetery, my brother Fritz took our feeble father home with him and he
stayed there until the good Lord called him home. After mother’s death, he never went
back to his own house but was with us another 11 lonely months before he went to rest.
I was able to visit my father only once during this time. Slowly his body stiffened until he
was unable to dress or undress himself.

On March 19, 1888, he peacefully passed away without being sick. The day
before, he was up as usual. In the evening, he said he was tired and wanted to go to
bed. My brother helped him to get ready. Father prayed as usual, “In Christ’s wounds, I
sleep,” and he fell asleep. Brother Fritz asked if he needed or wanted anything. His
answer was, “No.” During the night my brother heard him several times quietly praying,
and in the morning hours he fell asleep, never to wake again. He slumbered quietly and
gently into eternity.

“Blessed is he on whom the merciful, gracious God bestowed such a gentle and
blessed end. Dear Lord, be also merciful to me!” Hearing of my father’s
death, I immediately went to Dover for the funeral. The funeral text was Isaiah
57: 1-2. Pastor John Rupprecht also buried my father. Now my dear parents
rest in peace side by side. Together they had shared 56 years of happiness
and sorrow.

Both of my parents were raised Christians and were instructed by

Luther’s Catechism. Already in Germany they had given themselves to the
Lord Jesus and remained that way all through their life until they took their last
breath.

My dear mother was much better in her speech than father. She knew
with her keen mind and real Christian humility to use her gift in a clever way.
As long as I remember I never saw her angry or heard her use harsh words.
She always enjoyed being with friends and never cared for empty or silly
conversations. She learned through God’s mercy to say only what was
honorable, truthful, righteous and loving. She had the great gift to say the
right words at the right time and in the right manner. Father held back in his
conversation and was very quiet and soft-hearted in Christian feelings and
love for the Lord. They were both of one heart and one soul, but otherwise so
different in their character.

They brought up their children in a religious manner, and God

answered their prayers and gave them blessings. All six children kept their
faith in God and all were respected members of the Lutheran Church, in and
around Cleveland. My dear mother, shortly before her death, expressed how
happy and thankful she was that all her children walked in God’s way in love
and truth. (See III John: 4).

In an earlier year, (the date was not mentioned) my mother wrote a

thankful note on the back pages of her Altenburger Bible. “My dear children, I
have chosen this script, Philippians 3:14-21, as your blessing; that’s why I
kneel. That’s the way you read it, think it over, stay devoted and have faith,
then you shall remain well in the end. God help you, Amen. May the peace of
God that passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus.”

I have read the given scripture passage many times and believe my
sisters and brothers have done the same. He who reads this will want to read
the given passage many more times. I’ll give my own children the assurance that I have
often done the same for them. “Yes, my dear children, the scripture has been given to
us children by my dear mother and father jointly, and I will do the same and pass it on to
you. God help you, amen.” So much for my loving, in God-resting, parents.

Brother Gerhardt married Elisabeth Alberts, from Brockhausen. She came over
from Germany several years later than we did.

Brother Friedrich, “Fritz”, found a mate in Marie Boehning. She and her parents
came to America several years before us from Linne, West Germany. They settled in
Newburg, near Cleveland, on a farm.

Sister Eleanore became the wife of Friedrich Stockhause from Rabber. He and
his parents came to Cleveland several years after us.

My sister Maria and Christian Fortlage, from Brockhausen, took the oath of Holy
matrimony. He came to America several years after us.

Sister Elizabeth married Friedrich Heil. He and his parents came to Cleveland
several years after us. Their homestead was Wimmer, about 20 minutes east of
Brockhausen.

It is now March 13, 1918 and of all my sisters and brothers, at this time, only
Mrs. Fortlage is alive; the others are all reunited with my parents in Heaven.

The first to go was brother Gerhardt. God called him home in December 1902.
He served uninterruptedly on the church council from 1857 on at Trinity congregation on
the west side of Cleveland. He often served the congregation as a delegate to the
synodical conventions.

Brother Fritz died six months after brother Gerhardt. He was a long time loyal
member of the congregation in Dover. Their widows are both still living.

Gerhardt left behind three sons and two daughters: Heinrich, Friedrich, Julius,
Anna (Mrs. Grieve), and Emma (Mrs. George).

Friedrich [Fritz] had five sons and three daughters; Herman, Heinrich, Friedrick,
Christian, Otto, Minnie (Mrs. Mailander), Emma (Mrs. Lampe), and Elisabeth (Mrs.
Meyer).

My younger sister, Elisabeth (Mrs. Heil) was the first one to be called back. Her
hour of glory was on April 17, 1916. She followed her husband who had died several
years before, and she left behind four sons and four daughters; August, Edward,
Richard and Friedrich, Emilie (Mrs. Zensel), Lydia (Mrs. Alberts), Lilly (also Mrs.
Alberts), and Dorthea, who is single.

My older sister, Eleanore (Mrs. Stockhause) followed her to the heavenly

Father’s home on February 19, 1918. Her husband had passed away in May 1917.
These two sisters and their families, as well as brother Gerhardt, were loyal members of
Trinity Congregation in Cleveland. Mrs. Stockhause left behind five children; Friedrich,
Gustav, Sophie (Mrs. Heinrich Luekens), Emma, and Marie. Both younger girls are
single.

My sister Marie [Maria], Mrs. Fortlage, gave life to seven children, three sons and
four daughters; Dietrich, Friedrich, Ernse, Lizzy (Mrs. Theiss), Marie (Mrs. - I don’t know
the name) and Bladine (Mrs. Stockmann), and Regine, who is single. All three sons are
now in heaven. Only Dietrich was married. The other sons died as young men. So
much for my sisters and brothers and their families.

“May God be merciful to all the living, and the blessing of pious grandparents and
parents rest upon them, in this life and in everlasting salvation.”

I’d like to add some more information concerning my immediate family. My wife,
Maria Eleanor Melcher, was born December 15, 1847, in Rabber, in the church
congregation of Barkhausen, Hanover, Germany. I don’t know the date of her baptism.
We were married on Thursday, August 27, 1868 in Trinity Church in Cleveland, Ohio, by
Pastor Friedrich Wyneken. We had eight children, namely:

1. Marie Louise Francesca, born December 7, 1869 in Patterson N.J.; died May
4, 1896 in York, PA.

2. Heinrich Friedrich Constantine, b. March 13, 1873 in Patterson; died

September 2, 1874 in York.

3. Lydia Friedrike Henriette, born June 27, 1875 in York, PA; baptized on
Sunday afternoon July 1, 1875. Died January 17, 1956 in St. Petersburg,
Florida.

4. Martin Friedrich Johannes, born April 2, 1877; baptized Easter Monday in

York, PA. Died July 12, 1967 in Buffalo, N.Y.

5. Clara Marie Henriette, born March 14, 1879; died November 1, 1883 in York,
PA.
 6. Heinrich, born April 4, 1881, and died April 7, 1881.

7. Eleanore Elisabeth Charlotte, born May 12, 1882 and died November 18,
1883 in York, PA.

8. Julius Gerhardt Melcher, born June 10, 1887, baptized June 12, 1887 in York.
Died January 17, 1956 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The almighty God let all our children be born healthy and well-formed, so with
each child our hearts were filled with joy at the first sight of the new arrival. God had
blessed me, personally, with good health all through the years, except in the summer of
1900. The Lord must have found it to be good to bring much sorrow and pain into my
life and the lives of my family. 2 nd Corinthians 1:3-6, Psalm 34:20, Psalm 94:19, Psalm
119:12, Hebrews 12: 6-11.

Of the eight children God had given us, five were taken back and four of these in
their early childhood. Our first born daughter, Marie, was taken at the age of 26. In the
fall of 1883, our daughter Lydia was seriously ill and almost died three times. In the
winter of 1910-11, she had two serious operations and since then has had very few
healthy days. In the fall of 1896 Julius, also, was seriously ill and near death. When all
our hopes had vanished, God heard the calls and pleas from our frightened hearts and
He gave the patient relief and recovery. It was a bitter cup of sorrow for us when in May
1896, God called back our first born, unforgettable Marie, after many months of much
suffering. In spite of her suffering, we had to thank God that finally, on May 4 th, her hour
of deliverance had come.

The bitterest drop in the cup of sorrow, and a big shock for me, was the
departure of my dear, beloved, and loyal wife on June 20, 1902. The feelings deep in
our hearts were very much the same as for our daughter, Marie. After many years of
serious illnesses, and especially after her last illness, we only could thank God with all
our hearts that in His mercy He had finally taken her out of this earthly life into His
kingdom. In the summer of 1900, my only illness was heat stroke and heart
palpitations, which held me back from the pulpit for nine Sundays. So far, Martin has
been the only one to be spared from all serious illnesses. The different illnesses
suffered by my family and the causes of their deaths, I have written about in more detail
in my daily diary at the time it was happening. For that reason, I will now mention it
again. Also, my parent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary which occurred in the fall of
1880, is written about more in detail in the same diary. Looking back on my life, I can
only sing out with the words of David in the Psalm 103:1-5, and my confession, my plea,
and my comfort in my old age are written in Psalm 71: 17; Psalm 18:9; Isaiah 46:4; and
Hebrews 13:5b. My belief in Christianity and my faith are explained in the words of St.
Paul, 2nd Timothy 4:18, in the victorious and triumphal song of all devoted Christians, 1st
Corinthians 15: 55-57. I also join in, in God’s mercy. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, be
praised and thanked forever and ever for his precious words, John 11: 25-26; John
8:51; John 6:40; and John 5:24.
 2 - Birth and Early Childhood

And now, I will give further information about myself, my life and family, in honor
of my God and Savior, to praise His grace and mercy on myself, a poor sinner and an
unworthy human being, and to fulfill the wishes of my dear children.

The Almighty God, Creator of all things, gave me body and soul, eyes and ears,
and all my members, and all my reasons, and all my senses, to poor, honest Christian
parents, Christoph Friedrich Walker, born in Brockhausen, and Marie Gertrude, maiden
name Schomburg, from Linne. Both villages belonged to the congregation of
Barkhausen, in the county of Wittlage.

On September 28, 1842, God let me see the first light of the world in a house we
rented from farmer Gerkepott in Brockhausen. It was also my forefather’s birthplace.

Since 1909, I have had in my possession a picture of that old house with the
straw roof. On my second visit to Germany, I found this house in the same condition as
we left it in 1854. It was a rarity to find any changes in the village. Everything had
stayed the same.

Wednesday was the day of my birth. The following Sunday, October 2 nd, they
brought me to the church in Barkhausen, about three American miles from
Brockhausen. There I received Holy Baptism, the bath of rebirth and the renewal of the
Holy Ghost. As a sinful human child, I became, through the Holy Ghost, a holy child of
God and an heir of everlasting life. It is good that the power of baptism does not
depend on man, not the pastor who is doing the baptizing, but on God’s word.

God gave my parents nine children; I was the seventh. Two boys died in
childhood. So I was the 5th of the six remaining children. A daughter, Marie Klara, was
born Feb. 12, 1849, and died May 5th, 1850. My first clear recollection of her was from
the day of her baptism. I did not see the formal baptism in the church, but I remember
the big celebration and the feast afterwards in our house. For us, the baptism was an
important event. Even the poorest families made this a special day. The Godparents
and closest relatives were present.

The big feast was, no doubt, the more important part of the day for six year old
Heinrich. On this day, they served a variety of foods which were normally not found in
poor families; for instance, cake and luscious rice pudding. I can still see myself
standing along side my father as he gave me some tasty treats. It really left a big
impression on me. I also remember our little Klara in the spring of 1850 when she
learned to walk, and I had to take care of her. I only vaguely remember her being sick,
but her funeral in the first days of May, which took place in our house, has stayed clearly
in my mind.

It was late fall in 1848 when I was six years old, and my dear father was working
in the barn cutting kale into small pieces with the machine to feed the cows. I was
picking up pieces which had fallen and rolled to the sides. While I was doing this, the
school teacher came by and asked my father how old I was. It was the law that children
six years old were required to enter school.

After Easter when the older children and had left, only then were the younger
ones accepted. Since there was only one teacher in the village and many children, they
had to hold a morning class for the older ones and an afternoon class for the younger
ones.

My schooling began after the Easter of 1849. I can remember that my father,
during the winter months, had me stand between his knees pointing out the letters of
the alphabet with his finger, and in this manner taught me to read and spell.

The result of these efforts was that I could read simple words quite well by
Easter. After Easter, I first had to go several times with my twelve-year-old brother Fritz
to the morning class, to familiarize myself with the school, as I was rather shy. I only
attended the afternoon class for one year because my father had prepared me so well.
I also had no difficulty in learning; it came easy to me.

Easter of 1850, I was transferred to the morning class. The children were seated
according to their ability to learn, and only through hard work were we able to advance
over one another. There were no such things as report cards. It was an honor in town
to have the first seat or be the top student in the last year.

The children were always working hard to reach the number one seat. It was
also my highest goal. In the year between Easter of 1852 and 1853, I advanced over
my classmates who would be confirmed with me. So I won the first place seat for my
last school year. At that time, I sat in the third seat on the second bench from the top.
The next boy over me was Heinrich Helms, the son of a master tailor in town. He was a
year older than I and he had won the first place seat for his school year.
 If I could overtake him, I could be certain to have the first place for two
years. This was a rare occurrence and was naturally a double honor. If I
consciously or intentionally strived for the honor to overtake my classmate, I
really don’t know. I don’t think so, because we were good friends. The
ambition was in my heart as well as in my friend’s heart, to strive for the first
seat. Then one day it happened. My classmate over me did not know his
lesson in arithmetic, and as a result he lost his seat. This occurrence is still
fresh in my mind.

The teacher knew how much it would mean to my classmate if he came

under me and also that it would not be easy for him to win back his place. He
gave him several chances to give the right answer but my classmate did not
succeed because of his tension and confusion. I sat on pins and needles and
waited for the question. I had the answer ready. Finally the question came,
and when I answered it, we switch places. I could not decide whether I was
happier with this new honor or sorrier for my friend. I only know that I held the
place until we left for America. Through my leaving, my friend won his seat
back.

It was the custom that anywhere from 12 to 24 boys would sing at a

funeral, depending upon how many the bereaved family requested. We had to
sing two songs in the house of mourning. The teacher stood at the foot of the
casket for the first song. The children stood in a half-circle behind him. For
the second song, the six top students walked to the head of the casket. The
teacher sang the first verse with the remaining boys. The six boys at the head
of the casket, where the pastor stood, sang the second verse. The third verse
was sung by the teacher along with the boys. The 4th, 5th, and 6th verses
were sung alternately.

The teacher and the children walked in procession for the three miles to
the cemetery in Barkhausen where the church also stood. There we sang the
song “This Body in the Grave We Lay.” After the body was laid to rest, they
held a memorial service in the church. All the school boys received a piece of
cake or a little money for their service. The six top students received a double
amount.

I had the third highest seat on Easter of 1854. The two boys over me
would be confirmed on Easter of 1855. If we had stayed in Germany two
more years, I would have kept my first place in school and therefore was not very happy
when I heard that the decision was made for us to go to America. However, if we had
stayed in our homeland, even though I had the first place, I would not have become,
with God’s blessing, what I am today.

In the spring and fall, as long as there was grass for the cows, my brother and I
had to tend them before going to school in the morning. We always had one or two
cows. From the first light of the day until 8:30, we had to be outside. This gave us just
enough time to be in school by nine.

We had to study our homework while tending the cows. As far as I can
remember, we were not given many written assignments. In the afternoon after school,
we had to spin flax on the spinning wheel. During the long winter evenings, several
young people came together in different houses for spinning races and telling each
other stories. It was always a lively time, and the last hour was play time.

I remember from my school days that I often looked through the school house
window to watch my teacher playing the piano. It was the only piano in town. As a boy,
I already had a love for music. We often made flutes out of rice stalks and blew
melodies on them, which we had to learn in school.

In the early fifties, Pastor Louis Harms from Hermannsburg, who did a lot of
mission work, came into our region and brought with him fresh Christian views, so that
all the villages started to green and bloom, especially our town, Brockhausen.

Here, he organized one of the first brass bands. My brother, Gerhardt, played
the horn. I often went with him to listen to him practice. When my brother was not at
home, I often sneaked into his room and tried to blow the horn. But I did not succeed
without a teacher, although I could handle the so-called mouth organ or concertina very
well. From childhood on, I had a lust and love for music, but very little opportunity to
learn it.

It was in the year of 1852; my father had typhoid fever and was deathly ill. I
remember this time well. My mother, my sister Elizabeth, and I were alone at home with
my ailing father. During the afternoon I sat behind the spinning wheel in the living room
while my mother cried in the bedroom with my ill father. When the doctor came and
examined my father, he found that his condition had worsened and he would have to
change his medicine. My parents asked me to go with the doctor to his home to pick up
some new medicine. It was about three-quarters of an hour walk as we did not have a
doctor in our village. The doctor rode his horse and I trotted beside him, doing as well
as a boy that age was capable of. God gave his blessings and with this new medicine,
my father started to recover and became completely well again. This was the only
sickness my father had that I can remember.

My father’s brother wrote that if we could find someone to loan us the rest of the
money for our trip, he and his sons would see to it that the money would be paid back
as soon as we arrived in Cleveland. There were several families that wanted to leave
with us; two of them had a little more money than they needed for their passage, so
they loaned us what we needed. These people knew my uncle well, and knew he would
make the loan good. Mother could no longer hold my father back so declared that she
was ready to leave.

In the spring, we held our first auction and I can still see the people coming to the
house. The second auction was held in the first part of summer. Finally, everything was
ready, and we were able to leave. At that time, there were no trains in the area, and the
trip to Bremen had to be made by horse and wagon. It was about 60 American miles or
a drive of 20 hours duration. Women and children rode on the wagon while the men
and boys, naturally, had to walk. I remember how all the young people at night time had
to sleep in the barn on hay. This was something new and exciting for all of us.

Right after lunch on Wednesday, July 12, 1854, we left our beloved hometown of
Brockhausen. I can still the townspeople gathered around our wagon to say goodbye.
With tears in your eyes, you ask yourself, “How can I leave my beloved homeland
forever?” With no regret in your heart for leaving behind the poor (and sometimes
harsh) living conditions and your mind looking ahead excitedly to the new land and its
opportunities, still there is a part of your heart that already aches and yearns for the
homeland you are leaving behind and may never see again. I can’t remember how
many wagons were needed to carry all the people and their belongings to Bremen. My
oldest brother, Gerhardt, was one of the wagon drivers; Frederick Albert, from
Brockhausen was the wagon leader. Several years later, he too came to America with
his family and settled on a farm in Dover near Cleveland, where today his ancestors still
live. My uncle’s oldest son who lived in Cleveland married a girl named Brinker who
was from Bremen. Her brother owned an inn for immigrants. It was arranged that we
were to stay with him before boarding the ship. We left Bremen on July 19 th and fifty
days later on Thursday, September 7, 1854, we landed in New York. The trip was made
on a small sailboat named ”Wursata.” We had to stay on the middle deck.
 Mother was seasick for the entire seven weeks and had to stay in bed except for
the few times she was able to come on deck. The storms and wind and raw seas had
no effect on my father or the rest of us. My youngest sister and I had to study our
catechism and Bible on a regular basis each day. Elizabeth was two and a half years
younger than I and we both had to recite in front of our older brothers and sisters and
parents.

The rest of the trip went well as far as I can remember, until the very last morning
when a tragedy took place while the ship was sailing into New York harbor. It was
raining and stormy and the pilot came on board with the order to tighten the sails, which
made the ship lay over quite far. Several boys paid no attention to the wind and
weather and the sloping deck as they happily played on the deck. Suddenly there was
a loud scream and one of the boys slipped and rolled down the sloping deck. As
chance would have it, there was a hole in the guardrail where the sailors let the water
run through while washing the deck and they had carelessly left it open. As the boy fell,
he went right through the hole and into the cold water. The ship was traveling quite fast.
The order was given to stop, but it was too late. They could not find the young boy. The
boy’s family did not belong to our group and I did not know where he came from.

On Thursday, September 7th, we arrived in New York and all passengers with
their belongings disembarked on the open pier. We were met by porters who enticed us
to come to their hotels. They pulled our luggage and boxes trying to carry them off so
the astonished immigrants would follow them. The poor immigrants were shocked that
this could happen. Now I will tell you of an incident that I say with my own eyes at the
pier. A young man from Barkhausen had arrived a few days earlier on another ship. He
waited for our ship to land as he wanted to travel with us to Cleveland. He was a former
German soldier who had traveled extensively in Germany. Since he had arrived before
us, he had seen what was happening, and as we arrived, called to us to hold on to our
baggage, so that it could not vanish. He said this in Low German. All of a sudden,
someone hit him in the face with a fist and the blood came running. Evidently the man
who hit him understood Low German and his warnings. After he struck the blow, he ran
away. We kept all of our belongings and that night, stayed in a German hotel. The next
afternoon, Friday, the 8th, we traveled by train to Albany. We stayed there until
Saturday afternoon, when an immigrant train was ready.

The travelers had to take several meals in a hotel where they were given a
certain price to cover meals and lodging. The next day as they were leaving, the hotel
manager demanded double the price. He and his helpers stood in the
doorway with a gun and would not let them leave until the price was paid. My
parents were in an embarrassing situation. They had run out of money and
the family who had promised to loan us money explained that they could no
longer spare any more because they needed the remaining money for
themselves.

But God immediately inspired the hearts of another family from

Brockhausen. They were willing to pay our way out of the hotel. My family
certainly had fallen into a robber’s den and were helpless against them. The
train left soon after lunch and we arrived in Buffalo before noon on Sunday.
From Buffalo, we were to travel to Cleveland by way of steamboat, as there
were no trains in that area. Unfortunately, the boat left only on Monday
evenings. This was almost a two day delay in Buffalo! What should these
poor immigrants do, go back to a hotel and be robbed again like in Albany?
No, never would they enter a hotel! They decided to remain in the train station
until the boat was leaving.

While in the station, the porters tried in vain to persuade the people to
go to a hotel, but only a few families who had ample money went with them,
and only after much persuasion. The majority of the people, among them my
parents, definitely refused to leave the train station. A while later a well-
dressed, older man appeared and talked to my parents for a long time. In my
mind, I can still see him trying to convince them that it was impossible for them
to stay so long in the station with their children. The memory of the bad
experience had frightened them. However, the man insisted that even though
they could not pay, they could still stay at his hotel. He wanted to show them
that there were still Christian hotel keepers in America. Finally he convinced
them, and through much talking and good manners, gained their confidence.
He asked my parents to go with him to get further information and after talking
to the man’s wife, they were assured and convinced that this couple could be
trusted. Anyone who had stayed in his hotel had never regretted it. The man
and his wife kept their word and treated us honestly and fairly. The other
travelers who had gone to the other hotel, now came over to where we were
staying. On Monday, with thankful hearts, we left the friendly hotel people.
Many years later on a trip to Buffalo, I tried to locate these people again, but
had no luck in doing so. On Tuesday, September 24, 1854, after a long, tiring
trip and with God’s protection and His angels at our side, we landed in
Cleveland.

Father’s brother [Jobst “Jacob”] and his sons, and others, were at the landing
pier to greet us. Father’s brother had built an addition on his house where we could live
for the next five or six years. This house stood on the north side, second lot on Monroe
Street. It is now west 30th Street [West 30th was Jersey Street at that time].

I finished the rest of my school years while we lived in this house. In the spring
of 1857, I left there to enter college. A new life began for my family. But before I record
my personal life, I would like to write more about my family. My dear father came to
America with a good portion of borrowed money The trip in those days was very
expensive. The boat trip alone for an adult was 54 gold pieces, and for children under
twelve it was half that amount. Father paid for six adults and two children. It came to
378 gold pieces for the ship’s passage alone, plus all the money for the land travel. We
promised to pay all the money back to the people in Cleveland as soon as we arrived.
We borrowed $200.00 from the bank at 12 percent interest. My uncle and his sons co-
signed for us, and in the course of one year, we had paid off the loan. How was this
possible? By hard work and saving; the rest of the money we were able to borrow
privately at a lower interest rate. We were so happy to get out from under the high
interest rate the bank robbers were charging us.

Soon after we arrived in Cleveland, my sister Elizabeth and I started attending

school. The school was located on the west side of town and was called the Trinity
Congregational School. This congregation branched off a year before from the church
on the east side of town, becoming independent with their own pastor, J. W. Lindemann.
Later, in the year of 1864, this pastor became the first president of the newly founded
Teachers’ Seminary in Addison, near Chicago, Illinois. Lindemann acquired his
education in Hanover, Germany and was probably encouraged by Pastor F. Wyneken to
come to America. Lindemann taught for several years in the Congregational School in
Baltimore, Maryland. He was encouraged by Professor Craemer in order to become a
pastor. After graduation, Lindemann went to the newly established congregation in
Cleveland, Ohio. The first year he taught school, he was a very strict teacher and was
not afraid to use the stick. My opinion today is that his punishment was too harsh.

In 1856, the school hired a new teacher named Joseph Herrmann who was born
in Bavaria, and was Catholic from birth. He came to St. Louis as a tailor. God led
Herrmann to the Lutheran Church, to which he became a loyal, faithful member. He
was thankful for his new found faith and felt he was able to serve the Lord better by
traveling to Fort Wayne to attend the practical seminary to become a teacher, as he was
too old to become a pastor. In the fall of 1856, Herrmann returned to Cleveland to teach
under Pastor Lindemann. Lindemann felt Herrmann’s knowledge was limited and
thought it better for him to return to Fort Wayne for further instruction, even though Mr.
Herrmann was a devoted, loyal, hard-working and God-loving man. Upon Mr.
Herrmann’s return to Fort Wayne, Professor Craemer had a different opinion and felt Mr.
Herrmann did not require further training. At this point, Mr. Herrmann was sent to a rural
area in southern Illinois to teach. Several years later, he left for northern Illinois and
then to a rural area in western Missouri. Wherever he went, the good Lord was with him
and [he] served him well.

In the summer of 1860, I spent my vacation in southern Illinois with my friend

Herrmann as my family did not have enough money for me to come home from St.
Louis. As a student in 1863, I spent another vacation in northern Illinois with Herrmann
and after that, I never saw him again. You probably will wonder why I wrote so much
about this teacher, Joseph Herrmann, but this man had a great influence on my life by
impressing on me the importance of becoming a pastor. Neither my parents nor myself
had any notion this would happen. Pastor Lindemann tried to persuade my brother
Gerhardt to go to the practical seminary in Fort Wayne to train for a pastor, but my
brother declined as he felt he was too old. Pastor Lindemann never encouraged me or
suggested to my parents to let me study, but my dear friend Herrmann did both. He
himself planned to return after Easter to Fort Wayne, and requested to let me go with
him, instead of in the fall which I had intended to do. So it came to pass that we both
went there together.
 3 - On To the Seminary

I was confirmed by Pastor Lindemann on April 5, 1857 in Trinity Church. I

received the confirmation verse Revelation 22:1-2. Written on my confirmation
certificate were the verses Matt. 7:7-8 and Ezk. 16:60.

Soon after Easter, when it was certain that I could leave for Fort Wayne, we
made the necessary preparation, and I also purchased a violin. I was determined to
learn to play. A teacher named Brauer in Cleveland chose the right instrument for me.
In later years he became a music teacher at the seminary in Addison. By the time I left
home, I was able to play the song “Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee.” I really enjoyed playing
the violin.

I don’t remember the exact date we left for Fort Wayne; I only know it was
between Easter and Pentecost. I left my parents, sisters, and brothers with many
blessings and prayers. It was a very difficult trip for me. I left, deeply moved, because
this was my first trip away from home since we emigrated to America. It was like
leaving your homeland and going into a strange world, with strange people. We had to
change trains in Toledo. In all the confusion, we boarded the wrong train; one going in
the direction of Michigan instead of going to Fort Wayne. We left the train at the next
station, and returned to Toledo, and finally made it to Fort Wayne. This, for me, was the
beginning of a new future.

Professor August Craemer was the principal. Dr. W. Sihler was the pastor of St.
Paul’s congregation in Fort Wayne. He came several days a week to the school and
gave special catechism instructions. Every week, the freshmen in Professor Craemer’s
class had to learn parts of the Bible by heart. Only the older students had to know the
meaning as well. Mr. Kunz was a teacher in St. Paul’s congregational school. In later
years, he transferred to St. Louis. He also gave singing and music lessons. In the first
year, I took violin lessons from him.

In October of 1857, there was a general synod meeting in Fort Wayne. Pastor
Schieferdecker from Altenburg, Perry County, MO, debated over nihilism. This was my
first opportunity to meet so many pastors from the Missouri Synod. Among them were
Professor Walther from St. Louis and Pastor Fr. Wyneken, who at that time was
president. This synod meeting left an enormous impression on me and I can still see it
clearly before my eyes.
 In 1858 several students, accompanied by Professor Fleishmann of the teachers’
seminary in Milwaukee, came to the seminary in Fort Wayne. Under this newly
appointed professor, I studied second-year Latin, German, and took violin lessons. I
can’t remember the teacher with whom I studied my first of Latin and German. Mr.
Zuttermeister instructed us in the English language. He presented me with a book for
my outstanding work in his class.

At that time, the seminary was located quite a distance beyond the city limits.
Every Sunday, one older student and one freshman had to stay at the seminary while all
the other students attended church. When my turn came to stay, I always felt the urge
to play the piano in Professor Craemer’s chambers. I never had the chance to sit at the
piano since learning the musical notes while playing the violin. However, I did not know
the corresponding keys on the piano. Also, I was afraid to touch the professor’s
notebooks. The piano was always open, so I tried to play familiar tunes by ear. These
are some of the songs I tried to play: All Glory Be to God On High, Lord Jesus Christ Be
Present Now, Praise the Almighty My Soul Adores. I really never had much opportunity
to use the professor’s piano, so I made very little progress. The result was that it went
very slowly for me. The old saying is, “The appetite comes by eating,” so my desire to
play became stronger and stronger.

When Professor Fleishmann came to our seminary, he brought with him a piano
that belonged to the teachers’ seminary. Only those students who wanted to become
teachers were allowed to use it, so I decided I wanted to become a teacher also. I
informed Professor Fleishmann of my wish, but he granted John Ungemach, one of my
classmates who had the same wish as I, the permission to use it. After graduation,
John took a teaching position in Fort Wayne. The Professor said to me, “You had better
not do that. You stay with your Latin and I’ll stay with my Latin.” He did offer me his
own piano to practice on when he was not present in his room. This was a generous
offer, but I can’t remember ever taking advantage of it.

I’d like to mention another occurrence from that time which had a big impact on
me. A second piano was needed for the students in the teacher’s seminary. The
students and faculty arranged a concert in St. Paul’s Church, which took place in 1859.
Conductor Steger selected the piece, Creation and the Four Seasons. We spent a
good portion of the winter practicing for this concert. God had given me a good-
sounding alto voice. I mentioned this to the director, and he told me that since he did
not have another alto singer, I would have to stay with it until the concert was over. And
so it was that this was the beginning of my throat problem, and in later years, the reason
for my going back to Germany in 1865. It also led to a call to Patterson, New Jersey, in
the Eastern District of our synod.

After I completed two years as an underclassman in the practical seminary in

Fort Wayne, my life took a different direction. In this year, the other boys and I
completed that portion. We were still too young to go into the main seminary so, as
they had done several times before, they sent us to St. Louis to complete a whole
college course.

In June of 1895, Professor Walther came to Fort Wayne on a Synod matter; he

also came to the seminary to examine us. As far as I can remember, it turned out all
right. As the professor invited us to come to St. Louis, we owed him an answer. Then
he asked us, “Where is Manchuria?” We looked at each other. It sounded like a
Bohemian town. The professor just smiled and assured us that even if we didn’t know
the answer, we could still come to St. Louis. This conversation is still fresh in my mind.
We did not care to go there, as we were all too scared of the big college and thought we
could never be able to keep up with the demanding studies there. However, we had to
go, so in September of 1859, we started college.

We were six boys: the twin brothers; Bruno and Theodore Miessler, George
Schumm, Carl Boese, Claus Seuel, and myself. Claus was my old school friend from
Cleveland. Bruno Miessler and Carl Boese left our classes sometime later for different
reasons. The rest of us completed the whole college course and the seminary course
together. My friend Seuel and I traveled from Cleveland to Cincinnati and then on to St.
Louis in the first part of September, 1859. On this trip, we had a bad experience in the
south of Indiana. It was pitch dark when suddenly the train came to a stop. A short
distance away from where the train stopped, the train engineer could see some men
piling logs on the track to derail the train. We were fortunate that the engineer was able
to stop in time. The men were running into the bushes on the south side of the tracks.
When the train came to a stop, the crew and passengers hunted for the men, and
caught one of them. They handcuffed him and he rode the rest of the way to St. Louis
in our car. I never did find out what happened to him in court. I only found out that it
was an act of revenge against the railroad because the railroad had refused to pay the
farmers for several cows which the train had killed.

We six, the so-called Fort Wayners, settled into our quarters, and soon found out
we were not behind our classmates in Latin or in any other subject, however; the first
year in college was difficult. Most of our hours were spent with the Latin teacher,
Professor G. Schick. He was, at that time, a young man and could fly quickly into a
rage. It looked like the good man had a fixed idea that if you hadn’t learned the subject
in his class, then you hadn’t learned it at all, or the right way. Our misfortune was that
we had not taken our Latin with him, so when one of us didn’t know it, he would call him
a “stupid Fort Wayner.” After a while, it became rather unpleasant, and we wanted to
return to Fort Wayne. We mentioned this to the director, Mr. Saxer, but he didn’t let it
come to that. Mr. Saxer taught Greek and treated us with kindness, so we all stayed. It
finally became more tolerable in Prof. Schick’s class. He had to admit that we had
learned something, and he dropped the phrase, “stupid Fort Wayners.” I think, without a
doubt, that Mr. Saxer had something to do with it.

In April, 1861, the frightening Civil War started between the north and south
states. St. Louis was a city on the border. The views of the population were divided
between the north and the south and they were afraid that the city would become a
bloody turmoil, which after a while did, in fact, happen. They closed the seminary and
the students were sent home. During the long summer vacation, I worked in a factory
where we made “zubereimer.” My brother-in-law, Christian Fortlage, was a foreman in
that department.

For military reasons the practical seminary was moved from Fort Wayne to St.
Louis and was combined with the theoretical seminary. At the same time the
“gymnasium,” the college section of the seminary, was moved from St. Louis to Fort
Wayne, which became its permanent location. So in the fall of 1861, I returned to Fort
Wayne to continue my college classes. The Prima class had only three students: Wm.
Stellhorn, Jo.Herzer, and A. Crull. Because of this, we merged with the higher class and
all our classes were taken together. The result was that in the summer of 1862, we
were asked, together with the higher class, to go to St. Louis to study theology. They
gave us this option if we wanted to forego our Prima year. The majority of the students
agreed to go to St. Louis, however, some of us did not want to give up our Prima year.
So, in the fall of 1862, my friend and classmate, Claus Seuel, and I traveled to Fort
Wayne in hope of meeting former classmates there, but none showed up. They had all
decided to go to St. Louis. We, too, were advised to go to St. Louis with the others,
and so we did. In September, 1862, my three-year study as a theological student
began. With God’s grace, I began these studies with an open mind, eager to fulfill my
duties. As Luther has stated, “With God’s prayer is half the study,” and this is the course
I tried to follow with God’s blessing.

After the beginning of my studies, there were not too many days that I did not
read the scriptures, along with the regular morning and evening devotions, and give my
prayers to God. In later years, as a theological student, it was a necessity for me. All
swear words and other disgraceful doings were against my nature! I’m sorry to say that
there were always some boys in college, and sometimes in the seminary, who rather
enjoyed this type of thing, and over the years, many of these boys dropped out of
college or were expelled. Many of them converted, with God’s mercy, to God-loving
students and, I could name a number of this type who showed very little hope in college
of a promising future to do God’s work. It was important and necessary to cleanse our
institution of such godless boys, but it is also important to regard the warning that as
you pull the weeds, you don’t also pull the wheat; Matt. 13 verse 29.

My actual theological instructions were given to me by the honorable Dr. C.F.W.

Walther; a god-loving, loyal, educated student of Jesus; a noble successor of all
Luther’s students and the Apostle Paul. It was a pleasure and delight to study theology
under such a fine, honest, humble man. His goal was not just to have well-trained,
confident theologians, but also good-hearted human beings, steadfast in their belief to
do God’s work.

The prospective theologians had to deliver their first sermons during the Lenten
season in 1863. Professor Walther gave us several sections of the Bible to choose
from, to be arranged into a sermon; the finished work had to be handed in for
examination. I chose the text 2 Cor. 5:21, “God has Him, Who knows no sin.” I also
chose the topic, “Jesus, Our Reconciler.” With hard work, I completed my sermon on
February 17, 1863 and had to deliver it three times during the Lenten season in St.
Louis. The first time was in old Trinity church, the second time in old Emmanuel church,
and I can’t remember the third time.

The first sermon was in Pastor Walther’s old church on Lombard Street. The
memories of this service have not left my mind. Every seat in the church had been
taken. I can still see the people seated in front of me. I knew a lot of members in that
congregation, but in this particular service, I did not recognize anyone. Everything was
blurred before my eyes and I had a terrible fear of preaching, which was natural for all
beginners. I memorized the sermon by heart so that I knew it as well as the Lord’s
Prayer: “Our father, Who are in heaven. . . .” I simply recited, and with God’s help, I
made it through without faltering.

During my college years, I became a soldier in St. Louis. General Price, who
was a former resident of St. Louis, came up with his army from the south. He wanted to
capture the city and the state. This was in the year 1863-64. Every able-bodied man
was called for the state militia and we students also formed a special company. An
officer from the United States Army trained us. He came from the arsenal to the
seminary and swore us in; we were given guns, ammunition and all other needed
equipment. We had to exercise every afternoon for several hours, and at night we had
to stand watch. The General advanced to within 25 miles of the city, then he veered off
to the inner part of Missouri. He probably learned that the city, with its northern soldiers,
was well fortified. So that was the end of my life as a soldier, and we looked forward to
a peaceful end, as we were only sworn in for the county of St. Louis.

In the summer of 1862, while I was home on vacation, some young men in our
congregation organized a company of soldiers. I would like to have enlisted. Several
young men in our congregation, and also in and around Cleveland, joined up in the
107th Ohio Regiment. It was an all German regiment with all German officers. I would
have liked to have joined them, but my beloved parents would not give me permission
to interrupt my studies. But they had to promise me, if by any chance one of my
married brothers would be drafted, that I would go instead. It never came to that. God
had other plans for me, and much better ones.

After three years of intensive study, I was permitted to take my exam for
candidature. After a well completed examination, I was offered a position in Liverpool,
near Cleveland. Unfortunately, I was not able to accept this position, as my throat had
bothered me for some time. With the help of a doctor I tried, but in vain, to heal my
throat. The doctor advised me, under the prevailing circumstances, not to pursue my
work as a pastor and I felt that he was right. Even Professor Walther mentioned this in
one of his letters to the president, H.C. Schwan.

How did this all happen? I mentioned this already in the foregoing pages. In the
year 1858, while I was at the seminary in Fort Wayne, I was urged to sing more than I
should have. At the time when the voice naturally changes, one should sing only a little
and with no strain. In the prevailing circumstances, I had to sing too much with a lot of
strain, and this was the reason for my throat problem in later years.

I did not have a weak throat by nature and God had given me a good strong
voice. My throat problem would not have developed if the good singing teacher, Mr.
Steger, in Fort Wayne, had given me more consideration and also if I had been more
careful in later years.
 At the Pentecost concert, I sang many solo pieces in alto. After the concert, Mr.
Steger organized a men’s choir to practice pieces for the Fourth of July celebration. Mr.
Steger placed me as the first tenor, which I had no experience in, nevertheless, I
enjoyed doing it.

I shouldn’t have sung for a while and I also was not careful in the following years,
as I was not aware of what the consequences would be. I was always fond of singing
and wherever there was singing, if at all possible, I was there too.

Professor Walther had organized a singing group for his own pleasure. It was
comprised of 12 to 16 voices of the congregation and I was one of them. This group
met once a week in the homes of different members to practice a variety of classical
music pieces. It was a delight for the music expert professor and for the singers as well.

Over the years, I used my voice so much I hardly gave it any rest and only
realized the damage when it was too late. I completed my studies with God’s help, and
passed my exams with high marks, but was unable to work in my chosen profession. I
did not mention the problem with my throat to my parents as I hoped the doctor would
be able to help me in the treatment of my throat. I knew what a shock this would be for
my beloved parents, sisters and brothers, as they had contributed to my support at the
seminary. It had been a big sacrifice for them. I could no longer conceal my problem,
and came home depressed and discouraged. I will not describe the grief and sadness
of my parents, sisters and brothers, and other dear friends. In the eyes of mortal men, it
looked as though the real purpose of my studies was completely defeated. After several
weeks of rest and thoughtful consideration, I felt sure I would enter medical school in
Cleveland and study further to be a doctor, where my prior studies would come in
useful. My dear brother, Gerhardt, expressed this thought first. He and all my sisters
and brothers would provide the needed money. It was almost settled for me to leave for
school; that is what we thought, but man proposes and God disposes. How wonderful it
is!
 4 - The Trip to Germany

My school friend and college chum, Claus Seuel, had to go to Holstein, Germany,
his native homeland, for an inheritance matter. The almighty opened the hearts and
hands of many of my friends and they were willing to give me the needed money for a
trip to Germany in hopes that the sea air, mineral water, and God’s help would heal my
throat. On Monday afternoon, August 7, 1865, I left my dear parents, sisters and
brothers with a saddened heart, but full of hope and a spirit to travel. Brother Gerhardt
and sister Elizabeth escorted me to the ship which would take me to Buffalo. My
beloved parents looked at me with crying eyes and praying heart. My dear mother no
doubt remembered her difficult trip in the summer of 1854.

The twin sons of Pastor Wyneken of Cleveland, Martin and Henry, went with me
as far as Buffalo. My friend, Seuel had left several days before me. I traveled from
Buffalo to Albany by train. Once I reached Albany, I traveled to New York City via a
small steamboat that motored down the Hudson River. I arrived safe and sound in New
York City on Wednesday morning, August 9th. Since we wanted to take the trip to
Germany on a sailboat to enjoy the good fresh sea air, we had to wait until Friday,
August 18th.

In the meantime, Traugott Koerner, who had graduated from the seminary in
1865 and was an assistant to Pastor Foehlinger in New York, provided lodging for me.
It just so happened that the new pastor had to give a sermon on August 12th, in
Patterson, New Jersey, which was the Sunday we had to lay over. The pastors in and
around New York City had been holding services with a number of families in this
important industrial city since New Year’s, in the hope of establishing a Lutheran
congregation. Pastor Koerner said to me, “You, Walker, come with me to Patterson.
You can play the melodian there and the singing will sound much better!” Naturally, I
did go with him and played the small instrument the people had there. In the afternoon,
we returned to New York. I did not realize what an effect this short visit would have on
my future.

On Friday the 18th, we drove as far as Staten Island. Because of a strange

superstition held by the seamen, they did not like to set sail on the ocean on Friday.
Therefore, our trip began on Saturday and the whole trip went without incident. I have
recorded this trip in a special booklet. On Monday, September 18, 1865, we anchored
in Bremerhaven.
 We were happy to leave the ship and step on our beloved German soil, our
native fatherland. After a short visit in Bremerhofen with P. Justus Ruperti, the nephew
of our pastor, F. Wyneken, (Pastor Wyneken several years later became pastor of St.
Matthews church in New York), we two traveling companions parted. Seuel traveled to
Hamburg, then on to his home town in Holstein, and I went on to the Osnabruecker
land. We met again in Hamburg the following spring.

I left Bremen on September 21st and traveled by train to Melle where a farmer
with horse and buggy picked me up and we drove through the beautiful mountains,
arriving at ten in the evening at the farm of August Gerkepott in Brockhausen, my birth
place. They looked with surprise and amazement at the newcomer, as no one
recognized me.

When I handed the owner my letter and he and his people found out who I was,
the surprise was even greater; a poor renter’s son who had immigrated to America 11
years ago and now stood before them as a candidate for the ministry. I probably would
not have become this had I stayed in Germany, and to them it was unbelievable. In the
next few days, many questioning visitors came by. I stayed in my home town until my
23rd birthday, which was on September 28th. I left September 29th and traveled to Koeln
(Cologne) to go sightseeing in the city with its famous Cathedral. The next day, I
continued my trip and went to Bonn. I saw this city and visited the university; I also
visited the statue of Ernst Morita Arndts. The following day, I took a boat trip on the
Rhine River to Mainz. This world-famous river with its beautiful scenery and wonderful
legends - - - I can hardly describe this trip. I can only say that this time on the Rhine
River was unforgettable.

I left the boat in Mainz and stayed there until the next day. Then I traveled
through Frankfort to Hanau in Hessen. In the town of Eichen, about three hours away
from Hanau, I personally delivered presents to the parents and sisters and brothers of
Heinrich Heil, a master tailor in Cleveland, which I had promised to do. My mother had
worked for Mr. Heil as a seamstress for a long time. I stayed with these delightful
people for only a few days.

Then I left, by way of Hanau, Frankfort, Wiesbaden and Oberlahnstein, to go to

Bad-Ems, where I was to take health baths, but the facilities were closed. After further
inquiries with the doctor, I traveled the following day to the nearby city of Steeden, and
visited with Pastor Frederick Brunn. He was separated from the state church and
directed, in combination with our synod, a pro-seminary in which he prepared young
Christian men for one or two years, in preparation for further instructions from
our practical seminary in St. Louis. I arrived on Saturday, October 7th in
Steeden. They welcomed me with open arms and real Christian love. Yet I
was only a stranger to them.

At the advice of the pastor, I returned on October 9 th with a written note

from him to Bad-Ems and arranged with the doctor to send mineral water in
bottles to Steeden. This was done on a regular basis. Before I began my
treatment, I accompanied Pastor Brunn to a mission celebration, where
Professor Von Zeschivitz of Giessen held the main service on Ephesians 6:
14-17.

On this short trip, I came through Giessen and on our return trip, we
came to Marburg, where we remained for several hours and we did some
sightseeing. We saw the castle where Luther and Huldreich Zwingli wanted to
work out a basis for Protestant unity. This was in the year 1529. The castle
was, at that time, already converted into a state prison.

I began my treatment on Friday, October 13th. I started by slowly

drinking 3 glasses of the mineral water before breakfast and then taking a
walk in the nearby hills. I did this on a regular basis until November 3 rd. With
a thankful heart, I left Steeden on Saturday, November 3rd. With a thankful
heart, I left Steeden on Saturday, November 4th, with Pastor Brunn. Our trip
took us first to a church dedication in Rade. It was a separated Lutheran
church. On Tuesday, November 7th, I drove from Rade with a pastor from the
town of Kienbusch to Barmen, where he had to hold an evening service for a
small group of separated Lutherans. I stayed in Barmen until Thursday, the
9th, and without any problems, arrived in the evening in Brockhausen.

The Gerkepotts had company who were staying for several weeks, so I
moved in with my cousin Friedrich Schomburg in Rabber. It is about 15
minutes from Brockhausen. Friedrich was my dear mother’s youngest
brother’s son, a decent, respectable cobbler with a wife and daughter. I
stayed with these people throughout the winter months in peace and quiet, but
not without boredom, because of a lack of work and also because I was
without reading material.

On February 2nd, my friend, Friedrich Weber from Brockhausen, and I

made a six-hour trip to the city of Osnabrueck. On February 24th, in spring-like weather,
I left my winter lodging and traveled to Achem and Speckenholz, a short distance away
from Bremen.

Mr. Bischof, the father-in-law of our teacher, Hesse, in Cleveland, lived in

Speckenholz. I had promised Hesse I would visit his in-laws and his father and brother.
They all lived in the same area.

I had received several letters from the young Mr. Hesse in Achem. On February
th
24 , I traveled to Achem and arrived there at 5:00 [p.m.] the same day. I made my
quarters with Mr. Bischof in Speckenholz on the outskirts of Achem. He owned an inn.
The people there were all very good and friendly to me, but I didn’t like the environment
in the inn, although it seemed to be very orderly. I stayed there until April 7 th. I wanted
to go to Hermannsburg where a class of mission pupils would be ordained to go to
Africa. A young man from my home town was in this class.

On Saturday, April 7th, I drove to Verden and in the evening I continued my trip to
Bergen on a mail wagon. I arrived on Saturday morning at 7:30. It was still a two-hour
walk to Hermannsburg. I arrived just in time to see the consecration service.
Unfortunately, the blessed mission pastor, Louis Harms, wasn’t there anymore, as God
called his servant home in the fall of 1865 to receive his just reward, which He has
promised to all his loyal and devoted servants.

I would have been happy to meet this spiritually fulfilled man, because I had read
several of his mission leaflets before we left Germany and through him, my dear parents
were drawn closer to our Savior. He often held mission services in our region. His
brother, Theodore [Harms], became his successor. I stayed a few days at
Hermannsburg in the old mission house and had all my meals with the mission pupils.
On Wednesday, April 11th, they held a service for the mission workers who were leaving.

The next morning, we rode on a wagon through the Luneburger Heide to the train
station in Unterluess and continued our trip to Harburg and Hamburg. We sang quite a
few songs in the rail coach, among them the well-known “Jesus, Lead Thou On.” It was
a moving and touching experience. I felt as if I could have gone directly to Africa. On
Friday morning, April 13th, Pastor Harms held the farewell sermon: Col. 2: 5. The name
of the mission ship was “Kandac.” My traveling companion, Claus Seuel, as had been
agreed, came to this service after sightseeing in the big city of Hamburg. He then took
me to his home in Holstein. I stayed there only until Monday, and then returned to
Hamburg. From there I went to Hannover, where I arrived at the residence of
Pastor Hoger at 12 o’clock at night. He was a former pastor in our synod.
While in Hannover I saw the King and his family, walking in the magnificent
gardens of the palace. On Wednesday, I returned to my temporary home, and
on Friday, May 18th, I left Rabber again and spent Pentecost with Pastor
Brunn in Steeden. On Tuesday, May 22nd, I left for a month to enter the
sanatorium in Bad-Ems to take treatments for my throat. I asked the doctor on
staff who examined me if the damage to my throat would be completely
healed. He replied that the throat would always be sensitive and irritated. In
the following months, I learned that the doctor was correct in his diagnosis.
Through dear Pastor Brunn’s arrangement, I was able to stay in the so-called,
poor people’s quarters. Everything was free for me, but they never treated me
as such, as I had a room for myself and all my meals were served there. The
doctor checked my throat every morning. The treatment consisted of slowly
gargling with the mineral water every morning, then drinking two more glasses
of the mineral water, mouthful by mouthful, and then I had to walk around.
This whole treatment took about one hour. In the afternoon, I had to gargle
again, and drink one more glass of the mineral water; then an assistant
brushed my throat with medicine. I stayed there for four weeks and hoped
that with God’s help, this treatment would help my throat, or at least make it
feel better. I’m sorry to say, I did not see any significant improvement, but the
doctor assured me that there was indeed a change and that I would see the
results later. My treatment had ended. His judgment seemed to be correct.

In the four weeks that I stayed in Bad-Ems, the Prussian-Austrian war

broke out. All the trains were reserved for the military. After I completed my
treatment, I had intended to visit several cities, for instance; Berlin, Dresden,
Leipzig, Wittenberg, Nuernberg, etc. The needed money was given to me by
a farmer named Heinrich Meier from Brockhausen, but I had to forgo this trip. I
left Bad-Ems June 19th, and returned to Steeden to thank the family of Pastor
Brunn for all of their hospitality. On Thursday, June 21st, I traveled directly to
Rabber.

On June 23rd, I received a startling letter that surprised and shocked

me. The letter was in an unfamiliar handwriting, and it came from Pastor M.
Tirmenstein in Port Richmond, Staten Island. It was an offer for a job in
Patterson, New Jersey. I had already forgotten the short visit in Patterson, but
the people apparently had not. I would like to mention what I had written in my
daily journal while I was in Rabber at the time I had received my letter. First I
read Pastor Tirmenstein’s letter and could see that they needed a capable,
loyal worker in Patterson. My courage left me, because last summer I had
seen how much work had to be done to build God’s garden.

Dear God, “How come they chose me?” Through God’s blessings, I
would really like to be loyal but I really don’t know if I am capable of
establishing a new congregation in that city, because right now, I feel so
useless. For the first years, I had plans to be an assistant pastor. This would
be better for my health, and now they offered me this enormous job. My first
thought was, “Dear God, I would like to, but you know I can’t.”

Pastor Tirmenstein wrote that it was a large area with a wealth of

people. The east side was an important field with a large German population,
about eight to ten thousand, and at the present time, there was no Evangelical
Lutheran congregation. He urged me not to lay this offer aside, but give it
some consideration with God’s help. It was also the sincere wish of the New
York Pastors’ Conference that I should accept this position.

I asked God sincerely to show me, a poor human being, His will and I
would be ready to serve Him where and when He wanted me. I knew that this
was a very important assignment, but also that I could not take this position at
this time, as I was, to a certain extent, still obligated to Liverpool. The almighty
God, with His wisdom and grace, led the way so that I could take this position
in Patterson. It was my sincere wish that His will be done to me, the least of
His servants, so that His honor and His name be more glorified and that many
souls may be won for Him.

On Tuesday morning, July 10th, I left Rabber, Brockhausen, and all my

friends over there, to return to America with a saddened heart yet full of hope.
It was not without tears, as I felt this might be the last time that I would see my
beloved homeland. My heart yearned for America, where all my beloved
family and relatives were waiting and where also, I would find my life’s work.
 My route was first to Achem, Speckenholz, and Verden to bid farewell.
Then on to Mulzum, located between Bremen and Bremerhofen. As a special
favor to our dear Pastor Wyneken, I went to visit his brother, who was a
superintendent there. I found this venerable man a true image of our Pastor
Wyneken. It was on Thursday, July 12th that I arrived, and after a short,
pleasant visit, I returned to Bremen Sunday, July 14th, to make the necessary
travel arrangements for myself and a group of travel companions.

A whole group of immigrants from Brockhausen and the surrounding

villages took the opportunity to travel to America with a reliable and trustworthy
man as an escort. Among this group was a family named Bente from the town
of Wimmer. To this family belonged our present day Professor F. Bente in St.
Louis. He was, at the time, a boy of six or seven years old. On Tuesday, July
17th, at 6:30 a.m., we left by steamboat from Bremen to board our sailboat.
We had chosen a sailboat because to travel by steamboat across the ocean
was too expensive for most of the immigrants. As for myself, I wished to have
a longer sea voyage to help my throat.

On Wednesday, July 18th, we dropped anchor while the ship was

inspected to see if everything was in order. Our trip had to be postponed until
July 24th because of a very strong west wind. On July 24 th, a tugboat pulled us
into the North Sea where the wind was quite strong. So began the agony of
our sea journey. And the wish to be home became even stronger.
Unfortunately, throughout the whole voyage, we had to fight against strong
head winds. We had to lay over for a whole week in the English Channel. It
took us seventy days from our departure from Bremen on July 17th until we
arrived in New York on Sunday, September 23rd. Since it was Sunday, we
could not disembark and had to wait until Monday, the 24 th. Pastor M.
Tirmenstein, T. Koerner, and other friends greeted me in Castle Garden as the
pastor of the Patterson congregation.

The same afternoon, we drove from New York through Albany and
Buffalo to Cleveland, arriving on Thursday morning, September 27 th, at six
o’clock. We were greeted with anxiety and fear as many people had given up
hope of ever seeing us again because a rumor had spread that our ship had
sunk. You can imagine the happiness when they saw us again. I stayed with
my parents until November 2nd to recover from the long and exhausting trip.
During the last few weeks of our trip, we were put on short rations. There was
very little drinking water left and that was almost undrinkable.

The evening before I left for New York, my brother Gerhardt invited all
our relatives to his home. He opened several bottles of wine which was most
uncommon. It showed a real sign of love.

The next morning, Friday, November 2nd, my brother-in-law, Christian

Fortlage, his wife (my sister Maria), and my dear father drove me to the train
station. As we drove away, I saw my dear mother standing there with a prayer
in her heart and tears in her eyes.

How much I am in debt for her many prayers, only God knows. I only
know she carried in her praying heart her special young son whom she gave
to the Lord to serve. I always felt a deep love for her. I remember when we
first arrived in Cleveland. I was still living at home and in my last year in
school. My mother was often busy sewing in the evening, while other family
members had gone off to bed. I would feel so very sorry for her that she was
still up. When she gave permission, I would keep her company.
 5 - First Pastorate in Patterson

I traveled with a saddened heart toward my destination and arrived on

Sunday noon in New York. At first I stayed for several weeks with Pastor
Traugott Koerner and assisted him with the preaching. The other pastors were
all at the Synod meeting in St. Louis. Pastor F.W. Foehlinger of New York was
selected to ordain and install me in Patterson. This celebration would take
place on November 25th, the 26th Sunday after Trinity. Pastor Foehlinger also
attended the meeting in St. Louis. After the closing of the Synod meeting in
St. Louis there was another meeting in Buffalo, with delegates of the Buffalo
Synod, to discuss the merging of the two synods.

On Thursday, Nov. 2nd, I received a letter from Pastor Foehlinger with

the news that he would not be back on Sunday, November 25 th, since the
meeting in Buffalo was so interesting, so I should look for another pastor who
could ordain me. This put me in a difficult situation since I had prepared my
first sermon for the first Advent Sunday.

It was not nice of him to do this. Where would I find another pastor so
quickly among the few who were there at the time. Late on Friday evening,
after much difficulty and worry, Pastor Koerner and I were able to locate
Pastor August Ebendick from Stratten Port (now College Point, Long Island),
to engage him for this important event. We left late Friday evening to go to
discuss this matter with him personally. On Saturday morning, we returned to
New York and in the afternoon, I continued my trip to Patterson with lightened
heart. The same evening, Pastor Ebendick followed with several members of
the congregation.

At my invitation, the choir from Trinity church in New York came to

Patterson came to Patterson Sunday morning for the celebration, and to my
delight, added much to the festive service. On Nov. 25, 1866, the 26th Sunday
after Trinity, the festival ceremony was held without an assistant and not in a
church, but in a small hall on West Street. This hall belonged to a
Presbyterian named Andrew Derron, who was a building contractor. He also
owned a planing mill. He stored his finished products in this hall.
 On Sunday morning, the people pushed the stored products aside and
benches were placed in the center. We held our services there until
December 1870, and the good man never took anything for it.

On Sunday, Nov. 18th, as I had done many other Sundays, I drove with
Pastor T. Koerner to Patterson, to an evening service, which at most times he
held every Sunday. As I preached in the morning in New York or Harlem, I
always returned on Monday to New York. This time, I stayed in Patterson. The
following day, Nov. 19th, as I was alone in my new setting, I wrote the following
in my daily journal: “I came here yesterday evening and want to stay; next
Sunday, if God is willing, I will be installed into my new position. But I am
scared and I pray and hope that the Almighty God will be with me in my new
assignment and bless my insignificant work so that this congregation, here in
this city, also can grow and gain and His kingdom can be built among us. This
is my fondest wish. May it be fulfilled! I do not know where I will have my
residence. But I am sure that the Heavenly Father will have a place for His
humble servant. I believe in Him, that He is my God and Father and I am His
child through Jesus Christ. That is the reason that He can’t and will not leave
me.”

The day after my ordination and installation, I wrote the following: “Now
that my work has officially begun, may God glorify His name for the fulfillment
of His kingdom. Dear Lord, help me, and give me strength through the Holy
Spirit for this enormous task. And bless my commissions and omissions.
Bless Your word here on this side that it may be accomplished for what You
have sent and not come back fruitless. Look upon us in mercy and alert a lot
of hungry and thirsty souls, who require a pure sermon and Your Almighty
Word. Amen.”

I began my work in God’s name, despite my concern, with the hope that
God would be with me at my side. My life before my ministry in Patterson now
seemed to have been empty. The people in Patterson received me with joy,
and treated me with honor and respect. How many people were there who
were happy about my arrival and gathered around me? In all approximately
fifteen to twenty people, five of whom were voting members: Gottlob Hiller,
Gotthelf Schwoy, Otto Hennig, Gottlieb Kienzle, and Julius Hermann. All were
delightfully sincere people and wanted to be serious Lutheran Christians. All
were plain, ordinary workmen and laborers.

I soon felt comfortable despite their external, poor circumstances. The

Hiller family furnished a room for me in their home which served as a living
room, dining room, bedroom, and study. The good Schwaebin was, at first,
very hesitant to take in the new pastor. I was only a simple human being and
very undemanding. We related very well with one another. Mrs. Hiller treated
me with real motherly love. In a written note, they assured me a significant
sum of $275 a month. It did not indicate if this included room and board and I
never made any inquiries. This happened approximately one year after the
Civil War, when a dollar was not worth much. Everything was still very
expensive.

The people appreciated my coming and gave me three hundred dollars

and paid my landlady sixteen dollars monthly for my room and board. Where
all this money came from, I don’t know, but it came.

From the beginning, we had the intention to establish a school for the
congregation. The small hall in which we held our services could not be used
during the week and another hall was nowhere to be found. So in the spring
of 1867, we decided to build a two-story frame building. The first floor would
be the school and the second floor would serve as the pastor’s residence. We
were not able to find a suitable site which we could afford, so the honorable
Mr. Schwoy, in self-denial to the congregation, offered his lot which he had
bought about a year before on which to build a house for his family.

Now he stayed with his five children in a rather poor apartment with
limited space and in which he, in later years, died.

In the spring and summer of 1867, we started building on the back of

the lot a two-story frame building 22' x 26'. We left the front part of the lot on
which to build the church at a later date.

For the time being, we rented the front of the lot to a carpenter. He built
his workshop on it. In August, 1867, our building was completed. In the first
part of December, I moved into my new quarters. I had three small children.
The number of students increased in a short time because the non-
churchgoing Germans and Swiss also sent their kids to learn German. They
also learned something much better. They learned God’s word, Luther’s
Catechism and Bible stories.

Many of these children later became faithful members of the

congregation. For two years, I held school five days a week, on a regular
basis. The number of students grew to sixty or seventy; then my earlier throat
problem returned.

Shortly after Easter in the year 1869, Pastor E.G.W. Keyl from
Baltimore came to visit Patterson. At the time, he was president of the Eastern
District. He noticed my throat condition and announced that I would have to
take another job or the congregation would have to hire another teacher. I
could work no longer. I told him that, in my estimation, the congregation was
at this time, too poor to stand a job change, and for that reason it was
impossible to hire another teacher.

I was willing to work as long as possible but Pastor Keyl had already
talked to several members of the congregation, and they would not rest until
another teacher was called. In spite of all my talk that they could not afford it,
they only replied, “God helped us before and He will help us again.” So a call
was sent to the Teachers’ Seminary in Addison, Ill.

In September, the teacher, Johann Heinrich Hargens, began his

position with us and my throat had a rest and slowly improved. Now I would
like to write something about my personal life. The first year, as I mentioned
before, I lived with the Hiller family where I had, as the circumstances
permitted, good service. In the first part of September of 1867, I moved into
the newly built pastor’s quarters and schoolhouse. I lived there by myself and
prepared my morning and evening meals, for better or worse, as they turned
out.

I had my lunch at Mr. Brell’s, who was a member of our congregation

and lived only a short distance away. He was already an older man, and was
an Altenburger Sachsen. I was often absent from my evening meal and, for
this reason, the small dog that I had for company took off because he did not
get his evening meals on time. A second dog I had did the same. The people
jokingly said to me that it must be so bad in my home that even the dogs
couldn’t stand it. I understood the joke.

The people often remarked that they would like to see the pastor with a
wife. That was a justified wish and I welcomed it. I knew and believed that a
devoted Christian spouse – a loyal, respectable mate would be given by God.
So I turned first of all to Him in prayer and I asked him for this gift and also that
my future spouse would not hinder me in the performance of my highly
important position, but would be beneficial to me. Then I went the way of the
fourth commandment and asked my parents if they knew of a suitable young
maiden for me.

The Lord, who hears the prayers of His followers, directed the minds
and eyes of my parents, sisters and brothers upon a young maiden, Maria
Eleanore Melcher. She was the third daughter of Friedrich Melcher and was
born in Rabber, a town next to Brockhausen. Her mother, whose name was
Scherler, was from Brockhausen.

Eleanore was born December 15, 1847 and as an infant, came with her
parents to America. They settled on a farm in Euclid near Cleveland, Ohio.
One of my cousins, Wm. Walker, a tailor, had married the oldest daughter of
Mr. Melcher several years before. There existed already a bond of friendship
between these two families; however, neither Eleanore nor I knew each other.

The Almighty God joined our hearts together and on Wednesday

evening, April 15, 1868, we celebrated our engagement in the house of my
parents in Cleveland.

Not only were both our parents present, but also our sisters and
brothers. Unfortunately, the mother of the future bride had passed away
several years before. After our engagement was announced, we knelt and at
my request, my brother, Gerhardt, said the prayers and pronounced God’s
blessing upon our unity. The day after our engagement, we drove with my
brother, Fritz, to Dover to visit with his family. On Friday, I returned to
Patterson from whence I had left on April 12th, Easter Sunday evening.

Our wedding took place on Thursday, August 27, 1868, in Trinity

Church, Cleveland. Pastor Friedrich Wyneken performed the ceremony in the
presence of many relatives and friends. The brass band of the congregation
played lovely psalms at our entering, and our leaving, and also accompanied
the singing of the hymns.

The banquet took place in the house of my cousin and new brother-in-
law, Wilhelm Walker, where the brass band also played many tunes. The
bride’s father had an excellent meal planned for us and he assumed all of the
expenses. The next day, Friday afternoon, I left with my young bride for
Patterson. My father-in-law Melcher and his only son, Heinrich, drove us in a
horse and buggy to the train station (Heinrich died shortly after of scarlet fever
at the young age of 25).

After a pleasant trip under God’s protection and with His Holy Angel at
our side, we arrived in Patterson on Sunday morning.

I would like to write a few words about my long-departed wife, Eleanore

[Maria Eleanore]. She was the daughter of plane, ordinary, devoted, Christian
parents. Eleanore was born December 15, 1847 in Rabber, and came to
America as an infant with her parents approximately in the year 1849 or 1850.
They settled on a farm near Cleveland. Her father’s older brother resided in
Euclid, Ohio for some time. He had five or six sons from whence the name
Melcher derived. The young girl grew up on her parent’s farm and attended a
rather insufficient congregational school. She was brought up to obey the
Lord’s will.

God had given her a sound mind, and a quick power of comprehension,
a keen judgement, and an unusually good memory. If she had the opportunity
to further her education, she would have been an excellent student. Besides
that, she was honest throughout, strict and truthful. All falseness and lies, all
distasteful conduct was against her heart.
 Since the death of her mother, Eleanore, who was sixteen years old,
together with her younger sister, had kept house for her father. Eleanore in
her own home was a capable, industrious and clever young lady. She was
vigorous and thrifty. She was in all aspects suited and willing to adapt herself
to my meager existence and was satisfied with very little. She soon found her
way in her new position, and in a very short time, won the love and respect of
the people.

She never complained about the various shortcomings which she

undoubtedly had to deal with in the first few years. What she had not acquired
in her education, she soon picked up in her new duties as a pastor’s wife. To
me she was a beautiful gift from God. She was a loyal, capable assistant, not
only in our family but also in the congregation.

My children and children’s children can be proud of their long departed

mother and grandmother. I’d also like to mention that my late wife had a
beautiful and clear singing voice, and used it often to praise God.

Now I would like to write some more of the events which took place in
our congregation. The teacher, Mr. Hargens, who was called in the summer of
1869, accepted a call to Boston, Mass. in the summer of 1871. I had to teach
again during the year 1871-1872. In September 1872, a new graduate, John
Richter, started his position with us.

In the spring of 1870, we received the shocking news that because of

business reasons, we could no longer use Derron’s hall for our worship
services. We searched in vain for a suitable place. In the meantime, we had
to hold our services in the school, which was hidden behind the carpenter’s
workshop. It soon became evident that, for the congregation, this meant not
only going backwards but also downwards. The congregation had increased a
little, but they were still too few to build a church. The need for a church
forced us to have to give notice to the carpenter, who in a given space of time,
had to move out and dismantle his building so we could build our church on
the front end of the lot. It would be a 26' x 45' frame building. At the decision
of the congregation, I placed an ad for help in the Lutheran paper; this netted
us about $600.00, a goodly sum, which we desperately needed.

In 1870, the Sunday before Christmas, the small St. Paul’s church was
dedicated. Pastor F.W. Foehlinger from New York held the dedication service.
We were so happy and thankful for our church, because even though it was
only a modest one, it was still God’s house, with a baptismal font, an altar and
a pulpit. The almighty God, who alone does wonders, showed us once again,
that He hears the calls and prayers of His children.

It is true that when we sing, God thinks better of us, and directs all our
needs for the best – yes, for the best. From then on, the congregation
increased considerably. The bird found a house and the swallow built her nest
to hatch her young, and the word of God bore its fruit. At the end of the year
of 1873, the congregation had increased to fifty voting members. Now that we
had a new church, I organized a choir which I directed; whereby my violin
playing proved to be useful.

The main reason for the slow increase of the congregation had been
the lack of a church; but also, from the beginning we had a view opposite to
that of the Mason organization. It was all unprecedented.

There existed in Patterson, already, two other German congregations.

One of them was the so-called German Presbyterian congregation. This
congregation was, without exception, former Lutherans from Germany. This
congregation was against the Masons, but was in other aspects, very liberal.
They wished and prophesied for our near and infamous end. The pastor of
the other congregation had said openly from the pulpit, that the new
evangelical Lutheran congregation was just a winter flower and would wilt in
the summer. The embitterment of the Masons against me became evident. In
one incident, I had refused to bury a Mason member who had died suddenly,
with jolly music and in a joint service with a Mason chaplain. The dead man
had stayed away from our church. He had a brother who was a member of
our congregation. The hostility of the Masons over my refusal to conduct the
burial was so great that they decided to rough me up. Two men who were
brothers-in-law of one of my most loyal members decided to carry out the
threat. I came to know about their friendly visit as I heard footsteps on the
stairway leading up to my apartment. When it was quiet, I opened my door to
find them standing in the middle of the staircase. They just mumbled
something, then turned around and walked away. God had given them a
coward’s heart. Later, both men became very friendly to me and one of the
men even sent his children to my school.
 6 - The Years at York

In the year 1874, there was a big change in my life. The Lord wanted
me in a different place in His vineyard. Earlier I had received two calls to the
west, one from Michigan and the other from Minnesota. From the latter, they
wrote that it was the wish and advice of Professor Walther that a theoretical
pastor be called, since at this time in Minnesota, there were only practical
pastors.

I had the high regard of a highly respected teacher, the honorable

Professor Walther. His wish and advice was of great importance to me. A
large working field had opened up for me. I was sorry I was not able to
respond to this call. What held me back was the weak condition of my
congregation, because it was my opinion that the congregation was not yet
strongly enough established. Externally, it still was in great need, so if I were
to leave them in this condition, I feared for their survival. Unfortunately, I did
not record the year in my journal, but I believe it was in the year 1868.

In the beginning of the year 1874, the congregation was in considerably

better condition internally and externally. I felt that I would be able to leave
them if I had to, without this same fear. A call came soon and unexpectedly
from a region that was, so far, unknown to our synod. The call came from
York, Pennsylvania.

In those days, York was a city with a population of twelve to fourteen

thousand; the greater portion of the population in this region were German
Pennsylvanians. Four Lutheran churches already existed in York. Two of
them conducted all their services in the English language; the third church had
only a few German services; and the fourth one, the original and oldest, held
all their morning services in German, with the English services held in the
evening. Over the course of the years, because of the language dispute, the
parishioners had left the first and oldest church to start up the other three. In
approximately the year 1871, the pastor, A.H. Lochman of the oldest church,
announced one Sunday that as of the following Sunday, all morning services
would be conducted in English. The church council had made this decision
without first conferring with the congregation and this had provoked many of
the new German immigrants. They resented the unauthorized action and tried
to reverse the church council’s decision but since they did not succeed, they
took their grievance to court.

The process dragged on for several years. In October of 1873, the

verdict was handed down that according to church regulation, the council had
the power to make such changes. The people were weary of this lawsuit and
decided instead to establish a new and all-German congregation.

At the different meetings that were held for this purpose, there were
approximately 15 to 25 men present, sometimes more, sometimes less. But to
whom should they turn? The Lord had already provided. One of the
members, Friedrich Carls, who came originally from the province of Hanover in
Germany, had for several years received the Lutheran paper (Der Lutheraner)
from his father, who was a member of one of our congregations in Indiana.
Friedrich had given this paper to other members to read so they knew
something about the Missouri Synod.

Pastor C. Schwankovsky, in Harrisburg, belonged to the Missouri

Synod. They sent a committee to him with a request for him to conduct a
service in York. When he was convinced that he would not put anyone out of
his position, he decided to accept.

The first Sunday after the New Year, January 4, 1874, Pastor C.
Schwankovsky held his first service in the courthouse, before a great number
of people. Naturally, this also brought many curiosity seekers. A rumor had
spread that a Catholic priest would come. The pastor of the oldest German
congregation had announced openly from the pulpit that the Missourians are,
in many respects, very similar to the Roman Catholics and had explained why
we pastors wear vestments, have a crucifix and candles on the altar, a cross
on the steeple, etc. Such things had become unknown to the Lutheran
people, but this did not frighten away the new Lutheran immigrants; contrarily,
this was evidence to them that we were genuine Lutherans. Everyone came
who wanted to be German and Lutheran; it was a pleasant movement.

Pastor Schwankovsky immediately gave a report to Pastor Claus

Stuerken in Baltimore, who was the Visitor Counsel of the Baltimore district.
He came to York the following Sunday to preach and evaluate the situation.
He arranged that every Sunday, on a regular basis, one of our pastors in
Baltimore, or from the surrounding area, would conduct services in York.
Usually, there was also a meeting to discuss necessary business pertaining to
the rules and regulations of the church, which needed to be put to a vote.
They also decided that a permanent pastor was needed as soon as possible.
Two candidates were nominated: one was Pastor Brand from Washington,
D.C., who had preached there only once, and I was the other candidate. The
people in York had never heard of me, nor seen me, but had expressed their
wish that I also should come there to preach. It was explained to the people
that this was not the proper way and could not be done. Pastor Brand did not
preach there again after he was nominated. Some of the members had talked
about sending a few men to Patterson to hear me preach, without my
knowledge, but it did not come about.

On Sunday, February 15, 1874, an election was held. More than two-
thirds of the votes were cast for me. How was this possible? I was a stranger
to them. They had already seen and heard the other candidate, but they did
know a little something of me. The congregation had asked Pastor Stuerken
many times to describe the two candidates more closely and, if possible
indicate some differences. He replied that he could not make any great
distinction between the two candidates: both were excellent preachers, and
both were loyal, trustworthy, etc. The only difference he knew was that one
was a Platt-German and the other a High-German. This seemed to have been
sufficient for the people, and the results of the vote showed that the majority of
the voters preferred a Platt-German, as many of the voters were Platt-
Germans and originally came from the Provinces of Hanover and Westphalia.
If some of the voters from the south of Germany (Wuertemburg, Bavaria and
Hessen) regretted it, I have not felt it. The people probably soon noticed that it
made no difference to me. The truth is that the Platt-Germans helped me a
great deal, many times. The following is copied almost word-for-word from
records which I wrote in the year 1876, when everything was still fresh in my
mind.

On Wednesday, February 18, 1874, Pastor Stuerken notified me of the

election results. When I read the first lines and realized what this was leading
up to, I was not able to read any further, due to inner turmoil and confusion,
and I had to lay the letter down until evening. In the following weeks, my heart
was not at rest, and my mind was not at ease; I did not sleep well at night.
From the first moment, my conscience troubled me. It was as if an inner voice
said, “You must go there.” I realized immediately what a difficult task this
would be in the first few years. Everything had to be built from the ground up;
the congregation, the church and the school, and all this had to be
accomplished despite disapproval and hostility from other congregations and
the General Synod, because there were already four other congregations in
this small city, and this is the reason why I was afraid to enter this new field of
work. On the other hand, this was a good reason for me to take on this
difficult assignment. I was willing to do my best as soon as I realized that this
was God’s will. I had true faith that if the Lord wanted me at this certain place
in His vineyard, He would give me the needed strength and wisdom to fulfill
the assignment.

I received a call on Saturday, February 21, 1874, but I did not inform my
congregation of this matter at this time. I dreaded to give them the news. On
Monday, February 23rd, I took the assignment and the enclosed letter and
drove to New York to see Pastor Koenig. Pastor Koenig was the successor of
Pastor Foehlinger and was also the Visitor Counsel of the New York District
Conference. I presented him with the documents and asked for his opinion.
After he had read the contents of this letter, he told me I should accept. With
this unpleasant advice, I returned home.

The following Sunday, March 1st, I had to inform my congregation and I

also called a meeting for Monday evening.

Shock and astonishment showed on the people’s faces. After the

service, several of the elders approached me and stated with assurance that
this would never take place. They said the same thing on Monday evening.

I explained to the congregation with sadness, that I felt I had to go. I

had not felt this way on the previous call to the west. I would not leave without
their consent; however, this consent was not to be obtained. The
congregation unanimously announced, “We can’t let our pastor go.” So on
Tuesday, I returned the call with the explanation that my congregation would
not release me. At the same time, Mr. Gottlob Hiller was assigned to inform
the people in York of our decision. All the while, I had the feeling that this was
not the end, and I was right. On Tuesday, March 10 th, upon my return from a
conference, I was confronted with the call again.

The letter from Mr. Hiller had its effect and the people in York were now
firmly convinced that I was their man. Now, for me, this matter was decided.
By returning the call, I had thought that, if this was truly the Lord’s wish that I
should accept this assignment, He would guide their hearts so that the call
would be returned to me. In fact, this is what happened. The matter was now
decided for me.

Now the battle began with my dear congregation, and it was a hard
battle. On Monday, March 16th, we had another meeting. As difficult as it was,
I had to inform my congregation of my standpoint. I tried to explain, to the
best of my ability, from my knowledge of God’s word, why I was so sure that I
had to leave because I felt the Lord of our church called me there, and I had to
respect His wishes. However, the people just would not accept the idea that I
had to leave. Of course, they did not dare to say, “No,” but they would not say,
“Yes,” either. They decided to invite the Counsel, Pastor F. Koenig, to the
meeting on Thursday, March 19th. In the meantime, they encouraged every
member to make an effort to make me stay. The women, also, were very
busy. They drew up a written petition, which was handed to me at the next
meeting, with the understanding that they would not interfere nor voice their
opinions. The meeting was held on the posted day at 7:30 in the evening.
Pastor Koenig conducted the meeting. I spoke very little that evening. I was
not able to; my heart was broken, knowing that I had to leave my dear
congregation which had grown so dear to me, and go to a strange new place
to take over a new congregation with all the hard work involved.

Both situations were very difficult for me, but I also realized that it was
even more difficult for my congregation to let me go. It almost tore my heart
apart. It was close to 12:00 when they finally gave me my release, with much
sadness and tears. Pastor Koenig and I had to give our word that we would
arrange for a hard-working, loyal pastor to replace me as soon as possible,
and I had to promise not to leave before a replacement was assured. I
granted their wish but with their understanding that if any unexpected
happenings called me to my new congregation, I would have to go. Pastor
Alexander Boemer, from New Rochelle, became my successor. In later years,
he used the name Alexander V. Schlichten. On Sunday, April 19th, I held my
farewell service, using 2nd Corinthians 13:11.

On Thursday morning, I departed for my new assignment with my

family: my wife, my two children: Marie and Constantine, and my sister-in-law,
Louise Melcher. Almost the entire congregation of men, women and children,
who were able to come, were at the train station to bid us farewell. They
waved their handkerchiefs in “Good-bye” as long as they could see us. With
sadness, we rode toward Jersey City, where we had to transfer to a
Pennsylvania train which would take us to Philadelphia. We expected to arrive
at 9:00 in the same evening in York. Because of a delay, we did not arrive in
Philadelphia until 4:00. The train to York had already left, so we had to stay
overnight in Philadelphia. Pastor Olaf Schroeder arranged for our night’s
lodging. We left Philadelphia the next morning at 8:00 and arrived safely in
Columbia, where we had to layover for several hours; so we reached our
destination on Friday, April 24th, at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Many
delegates had gathered at the train station to welcome us.

For the time being, we found living quarters with Mr. Friedrich
Greimann. I’m sorry to say that he terminated his membership in our church
during the church erection, because everything did not go his way. He was a
member of the building committee.

The following Sunday, Jubilate, April 26, 1874, I was installed during the
morning service by Pastor Claus Stuerken. The courthouse was filled to
capacity. The same afternoon, I held my inaugural service. It was based on
2nd Corinthians 5:17-21. There was great joy among the people, for the many
doubts, which many people once had, had vanished. Many times they had
been told that they bought a cat in a sack and wouldn’t know what they would
receive. Some of the people wanted to know if I stuttered, because someone
had previously been in Patterson and had heard this rumor. Now they had
seen and heard the “cat” and found it not to be true. All in all, the Germans
were filled with happiness.

So I began my work in God’s name, not without fear, but still trusting in
the Lord. We held two services regularly every Sunday in the courthouse.
Between the first and second service, we held a Bible class. The first time
classes were held was on Trinity Sunday, May 31, 1874. Up until now the
children of the congregation were scattered in different Sunday school classes
at other churches. It was not easy to attract the children and young people,
who were accustomed only to the English language, away from the various
Sunday schools. Naturally, the Sunday school teachers at the other
congregations tried their best to keep the children. However, on our first
attempt it was possible to bring almost all the children and teenagers together.
I also had pointed out to the people the importance of having the children and
teenagers attend our Sunday school. Now it became important to learn
German and to study the Catechism and Bible stories, of which they knew
very little. In addition, they learned songs out of the “Missionharfe” and
practiced choir music.

Before my arrival, the congregation had purchased a piece of land for

$9,000 on which to build a church. There was a house on this property which
would become the pastor’s residence. On April 7th, they broke ground to start
the construction of the church. The contract had already been handed out.
The church would be built with bricks in Gothic architecture, and would be
57½ feet x 102 feet, including the altar and sanctuary. The tower would have
a 12 foot heavy gold-plated cross. The tower and the cross combined would
be 198 feet high. At our meeting on January 31, 1876, one of the trustees, E.
Chr. Grevemeyer, reported that the total cost of the church was $35,921.63.
The galleries in the church were privately paid for by several members of the
congregation at a cost of $900.00. The amount of money we owed on the
above-mentioned date was $12,000.00.

On July 12, 1874, the first cornerstone was laid. Pastor Stuerken and
Pastor Schwankovsky made speeches. In late fall, the roof was installed on
the church, and the dedication of the magnificent house of God took place on
October 17, 1875, the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity. During the week of our
church dedication, there was also a conference of the Baltimore district in
York.

Almost an entire group of pastors came to our dedication and another

500 people arrived on a special train from Baltimore. At my request, the
organist, Mr. Theodore Miller, from Philadelphia, played for the occasion. The
Almighty God had given us an extremely beautiful October day. It was a
magnificent occasion. We all gathered in the courthouse, where I held a short
farewell service. We then walked in a long procession to the church. The
people of the city were amazed and astonished over the large number of
missionaries attending, which included guests from Washington, Philadelphia
and Harrisburg. Also two of my former members, Mr. G. Schwoy and Mr. F.
Wisler, came from Patterson especially for this occasion. At our arrival at the
church, my choir sang the song “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty.” Then the
building contractor, Nathanuel Weigel, presented me with the key. In a loud
voice, I read the Twenty-fourth Psalm, verses 7-10, and opened the church in
the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The moment we entered,
Theodore Miller, the talented organist, began playing jubilantly on the beautiful
new organ. In a short time, the large church was filled to capacity. Then
arose the sound of the mighty congregation. I knelt at the altar and said the
dedication prayer. Pastor Stuerken preached the dedication sermon. We had
another service in the afternoon, which was held by Pastor Brand from
Washington. At the request of the citizens, Pastor F. Kuegele held the service
in the evening in English from John 8:31. Pastor Kuegele, at this time, resided
in Cumberland, Maryland. In later years, he moved to Virginia. It was a
beautiful day. On Monday evening Pastor C. Frinke, from Baltimore,
conducted the service. On Tuesday evening Pastor O. Schroeder, from
Virginia, led the communion service. I administered the Holy Communion.

Up to now, we had a mixed group. It had become known that a

German speaking congregation would be established. All who wanted to
speak in German participated. Among the parishioners were several saloon
keepers, some of the so-called “48's, (people who had been involved in the
1848 revolution in Germany), Rationalisten” and people belonging to a lodge.
All-in-all, people whose first consideration was being German and secondly,
Christian-Lutheran, or the religion meant nothing at all. To weed out those
people was unthinkable during the construction of the church. We had much
unpleasantness and bickering, and as a consequence, many people left. In
1874, 238 received the Holy Communion. Before my arrival, a constitution
had been drawn up but so far, had not been signed. I ignored this until after
the dedication of the church.

In the meantime, I became more acquainted with the people. My

sermons and various other instructions had their effect in silence. They either
accepted them or were against them. After the dedication, I urged the people
to sign the constitution. Not many held back. They had found out that I was
not a “rationalistischer” preacher, which they were accustomed to in Germany.

They had learned and had begun to feel that unchristian living would be
punished by the Word of God. So the field was weeded out. Those who
wanted to be Christian and German Lutheran stayed.

In the beginning of the year of 1875, 112 men had signed the
constitution. A lodge for men and a lodge for women had folded up in the
meantime due to the lack of members. Naturally, I did not earn the friendship
of these “lodge” people.

There were many unpleasant happenings during the construction of the

church. Many ideas, many opinions and many differences had to be ironed
out. We did not always succeed and there were, therefore, many angry hot
heads. Some of them repeatedly left the meetings.

I would like to mention an incident involving an older man, with

distinguished looking grey hair, who was one of the trustees. He originally
came from the vicinity of Osnabrueck, which was also close to my region in
Germany. He came from German royalty (Sir Mr. Grevemeyer) and was an
heir to a great noble estate. He had fallen love with a Catholic maid and to
marry her was impossible under German circumstances. Therefore, he
immigrated with her to the United States and sacrificed his inheritance. He
was an educated, refined man with a firm character and a strong, inflexible
will. At the time, he was a secretary in the courthouse, and he was also very
active in the forming of the congregation. He was still a German, through-and-
through, even after many years in the United States, and he was also a true
Lutheran in spite of his Catholic wife. Because of his love for her, he had
given up his rank and his inheritance from his father, but not his religion. For
many years he did not go to any of the churches, as he felt they were not true
Lutherans. Since the establishment of our church, he had never missed a
service and was an attentive listener. When we discussed the construction of
the altar, he wanted to use only the best of materials, as he felt the altar was
the most sacred part of God’s house, and for that reason, he had sent for
different luxurious designs. Naturally, they were also very expensive. He
showed them to me and announced that we had to select one of them. I
praised him for his eagerness and for the most beautiful designs, and assured
him that I would do my best to assure that we would have a beautiful altar. I
did not conceal from him my strong feeling that we could not afford such an
elaborate altar. As I had expected, Mr. Grevemeyer’s designs were rejected.
Instead, we had chosen one of the plans presented to us by the architect.
This was a big disappointment to the old man. He said that the altar looked
like a bed frame and his eyes should not see it, and he truly believed it.

I felt sorry for the old man, and again and again he asked me how long
it would be until the dedication. When I answered approximately such-and-
such date, he only replied, “I can only attend your services to such-and-such a
date.” I saw how painful it was for him, and I was also heartbroken. All my
talking was in vain. Several weeks before the dedication, he came to see me
again to unburden his heart. I knew the altar was almost completed, and it
was indeed beautiful. I let the old man finish talking, then I asked him to
please come with me. I did not tell him where we were going. I took him by
the hand and, like a child, led him down the stairs without saying a word. My
heart was pleading to God. I led him through the yard and through the church
and stood him before the altar. I asked him to please look at the altar. He
stood there with his head downcast, his eyes closed, and was contemplating
in his heart. After a few minutes, he lifted up his head and looked at the altar
without saying a word. I had arranged for him to see the altar, and the Lord
overcame his anger and frustration. He later said to me, “Now we have to
have candles and a crucifix for the altar.” This was also my fondest wish, and
I hoped it would be fulfilled. Such things were unknown here, so I had to
expect a lot of opposition. Mr. Grevemeyer immediately ordered the objects
from New York and had them delivered to my home. No one in the
congregation had any knowledge of this. I waited for the right moment to bring
this to the congregation, and I found it. The evening before the dedication, we
had another meeting, mainly because of the number of guests we were
expecting from Baltimore. Naturally, all were in high spirits. This was my
chance. I told the people that someone in the congregation had given us for
the dedication, candles and a crucifix for the altar, and I hoped the
congregation would accept this present with gratitude. Thus it was proposed,
supported and passed. No one asked any more about it or said anything
against it. Mr. Grevemeyer had called a plumber, who was waiting in the
church for the outcome of the meeting. As soon as the meeting was over,
word was sent to him and before the people arrived, the candles and crucifix
were fastened on the altar so everyone could see them. No words were said
against them.

From the beginning, we had the intention of starting a school for the
congregation. In the summer of 1874, a barn which stood on the lower end of
the property was converted into a school. A call was sent to the seminary in
Addison, and on September 2nd, the teacher, Friedrich Ruenzel, started his
position. Friedrich Ruenzel, who originally was from Milwaukee, was installed
in the courthouse in the presence of many members of the congregation. For
the time being, I had to assist him in the school, and acquaint him with his
work. Later I assisted him many times.

In this area, a congregational school was something very new and

unknown. On Wednesday, September 2nd, the same morning the school
opened, at 5:30 in the evening God sent His angel to take my little son,
Constantine, into heaven. He was born on March 13, 1873 in Patterson. He
had suffered the whole summer from a summer sickness. Our hearts were
bleeding in bitter pain. It was not easy to talk about. “The Lord giveth, etc..”
The next day we laid the body to rest. Many people from the congregation
were present. Pastor Stuerken conducted the service from Psalm 42:6. I will
see my son again in the light in my Father’s house, he who was so very fond
of me on this earth.

During my life and ministry at York, many experiences brought me both

happiness and sorrow and this has continued until the present day, February
9, 1919. I’d like to mention some of my past experiences. In the beginning of
my ministry at York, an elderly man went with me many times to visit the
people. He came originally from Westphalia. They often called him Father
Strathmann, even though he had no children. He had a way with words, both
in his speech and in the way he prayed; and he enjoyed going with me. He
had been voted in as president of the new congregation. In his Pennsylvanian
belief, this was very important. Such a president was valued higher than a
pastor. He was the rugert (ruler) in the congregation. At least that was his
belief. This old man was very angry about something, but I no longer
remember what it was about. I spoke Platt-German with him many times as
he enjoyed that very much. One day when we were together, he talked very
seriously about things that troubled him. He even threatened to tear up the
charter of the congregation if things would not change; that is how he felt as
president. I tried to explain my view to the old man. I explained to him the
positions of the pastor, president, and board of elders (directors, etc.). I told
him that the pastors of the Missouri Synod did not come without being called
and we would not force ourselves on the people, but once we were called, or
sent there, and sat in the saddle, it would not be easy to push us out of it, or
push us aside. I asked him if he was not convinced in his heart that I had
good intentions, and considered only what was best for the congregation. He
answered with a definite, “Yes.” “All right,” I said, “If you are convinced, would
you promise me that you will, in all situations and confrontations, stay faithful
and steadfast at my side? That we, together, will change the things that are
wrong in God’s eyes?” He gave his promise, and moreover, he kept his word.
I had no more difficulty with him. From then on, he let me handle the Board of
Trustees without interference. I let him preside over the general meetings of
the congregation.

In the earlier years of my ministry, it happened that the deceased body

of a lodge member came into our church for burial accompanied by all the
hocus-pocus of the lodge ritual. I had no knowledge that this man had been a
member of a lodge. As I came to the house of mourning, I was shocked to
see the whole “kit and kaboodle” standing on the roadside with all their lodge
paraphernalia. What should I do? Should I protest on the spot? I did not feel
that was the wide thing to do. I choose [chose] not to say a word, and I
ignored the men. I didn’t know if there was a Lodge Chaplain among them. I
did not se one. The lodge brothers marched in all their nonsense and, under
the command of their lodge master of ceremonies, came into our church and
afterwards came to the cemetery. The following Sunday, after the service, I
apologized to the congregation with deep regrets for this horrifying experience,
and said that I hoped my eyes would never again see such an embarrassing
situation in our house of God. It never happened again.

On Trinity Sunday, 1874, I introduced the hymnal of our synod to the

congregation. I had no problems with it; however, it was not easy to acquaint
them with the rhythm of the music as none of them had ever heard it before.
All they knew was a slow, dragging way of singing, which they were
accustomed to in Germany, especially in the “Rationalisten” time. Over the
years, their way of singing became even slower. Generally speaking, they
knew very few melodies. On my installation day, they only used one melody.
My thoughts were that it was time to change and it did change for the better.

In the spring, we sent out a call for a teacher to the teacher’s seminary
in Addison, as we intended to open our school in September. I told the
congregation that in school, the children would learn the original melodies.
The question came up that what if the older people wanted to learn the correct
melodies along with the children? Also, what if the children sing one melody
and the congregation sings a different melody? Maybe the children should not
sing at all the services. Immediately, the response was that all would like to
learn the correct melodies along with the children. When it finally came time to
practice, it was not all that easy. As soon as we were able to use the
schoolhouse, I held weekly singing lessons in the evening for all who wanted
to come; and many came. I took my violin and played and sang for the people
to show them how the melodies should sound. The majority of the people were
pleased; they learned and sang happily with me. Some of the people just
shook their heads, including my old friend, Mr. Grevemeyer from Osnabrueck.
He could read music and knew it well. He also had a good singing voice.
That is why he liked the old way of singing, which he had learned in his
homeland. It had become very much a part of him and he did not want to
change this in his old age. He often shook his head in doubt and said, “That
does not sound like church music.” I just laughed and ignored it, and did not
let it bother me. After a while, the old man also came and joined us, because
he liked his Osnabruecker pastor very much and enjoyed his violin playing.
The rest of the people felt the same way. After several months, I asked the
congregation if they wanted to return to the old way of singing. They all smiled
and unanimously said, “Never again.”

From the beginning, I directed the mixed choir and continued to do so

for 20 years, even though I always asked the present teacher to share this
responsibility. After 20 years I decided to resign from this job. From the
beginning, I also directed the old and young women’s guilds. At the start of
our new church, we had talked about joining the Synod but I did not push it. I
only advised them to read the Lutheran paper as often as possible to become
more acquainted with the Synod. In the year 1879, we finally joined the Synod
at its meeting at Buffalo. Now I was again eligible to vote as I was in
Patterson. In 1876 as I was boarding the train in York to go to the Eastern
District meeting in Baltimore, I met our Professor Walther on the train. He was
also planning to attend the District meeting. Naturally, he inquired about the
situation of our congregation in York. In the course of our conversation, I
mentioned that I was demoted and was only a consultant to the Synod. The
professor laughed and jokingly said, “If it is a comfort to you, I too am only a
consultant. You see, we give good advice and the others have to carry it out.”
From the year 1882, we participated in the synodical collections on a regular
basis. In the past, we had only occasionally made collections for the Synod. At
the Christmas meeting, I urged the congregation to support a young man
whom I had sent to Teacher’s Seminary in Addison. The young man, William
Wellensick, had immigrated fro Westphalia and was all alone in the United
States. The congregation was willing. During our discussion over this matter,
one of our members made a suggestion and it was agreed upon. This was
that the first Sunday of each year should be designated to collect money for
needy students in commemoration of the fact that on the first Sunday of 1874,
our congregation returned to the old form of Lutheran worship of God’s word.
The people joyfully accepted the proposal of having such a worthy collection
made on this first Sunday each year in honor of this eventful occasion. This
collection was started and continues up to the present time.

Naturally, I was not without a fight with the members of the lodge. The
last memorable fight I had with the lodge members was in the year 1904 or
1905.

The largest battle we had was about the language issue. It had already
started in the year 1874, at the time of the drawing up of the church
constitution. There was a paragraph in the constitution that stated we were
required to conduct all services and meetings in the German language, as
long as two voting members demanded it. This paragraph passed, in spite of
the pastor’s warnings. Under the pastor’s leadership, the constitution was
discussed and accepted. All of this took place before my arrival. At that time,
the people were in such a frame of mind that they would not take any advice
from anyone. Later in the year 1890, after many members had signed a
petition proposing that we have a service in English, the matter was discussed
in our meetings. One of our members, August Hespenheide, announced with
forceful stamping of his feet, that the paragraph had been drawn up in favor of
using the German language and should not be changed. At this point, I tried
to explain at length where this proposal was leading to, if it had to stay in
effect. I read the proposal again at our next meeting, and stated that we would
discuss this matter no further. But I did ask that each individual think about it.
This was followed by long discussions wherein some of the members became
very angry. Finally, they all agreed to have English services two Sunday
evenings out of the month. The place designated for these services was the
schoolhouse, not the church. After this decision was made, the first service in
English was held on January 13, 1895. I gave my sermon from 2 Timothy
3:15-17. At last something had been accomplished. After a while, some of the
members felt that it was an injustice that they had to hold their services in the
schoolhouse while the church stood empty next door. Also, the younger
members were locked out of their own church. So the agitation started again
to have paragraph 8 changed, in order to obtain permission to hold English
services in the church. After long and annoying negotiations, they finally
agreed, at the advice of the county judge, that an amendment should be
added to the church by-laws so that we could hold English services in the
church and also other meetings could be conducted in English. The first
service held in the church using the English language was on Sunday
evening, April 17, 1898. This resolution would be effective for 15 years, or up
to the year 1913, and could only be changed by three quarters of the vote by a
majority. The thought was that after the 15 years had expired, more services
in English would be demanded and have to be granted. The decision of the
people as to the length of time this should stay in effect varied from 5 to 20
years; therefore they compromised on 15 years with the addition that this
regulation could only be changed with a three-quarter majority vote. This was
passed at my suggestion so that we might eliminate the two votes requirement
in the 8th paragraph. In the succeeding years, we finally had peace.

As we were approaching the year 1911, the agitation started again.

Some of the members started to solicit votes to abolish the English services in
the church by 1913. This aroused many members in opposition, and they
worked toward a decision to hold English services every Sunday. At this time,
I was not informed of their doings. After many meetings, on Monday night
January 23, 1911, and with many more than the necessary three-quarter votes
of the majority, a resolution was passed stating that from now on all Sunday
evening services were allowed to be held in English. Although this resolution
was passed on the evening of Monday, January 23, 1911, it could not be
carried out immediately, because the opposition was not in agreement with
this resolution. They held secret meetings and sent a letter of complaint to the
synodical president and requested a councilor. On February 15th, I received a
letter from Acting President Pfotenhauer pertaining to this matter. He informed
me that he had returned the written complaint to the secretary, August
Hespenheide, whose signature appeared on the letter, and had advised him to
contact the district officials because this matter did not belong before the
president’s committee.

On Sunday, February 19th, Casp. Oermann and Gotthiel Beckmeyer

came to see me in the sanctuary after the service. They wanted to know why I
had called a meeting for Monday evening. I told them I wanted to keep the
promise I had made to the congregation at the previous meeting that I would
read them the paragraph from the year 1890. Both men were very angry,
especially Mr. Oermann. We had intended to hold the first English service
(rather than a German service) on Sunday, February 26, 1911, according to
the new agreement. It did not come about. I’d like to mention what I have
recorded in my daily journal, on this particular Sunday evening. “I was not
able to conduct the service this evening, as I was too exhausted from the
depressing experiences of the past few weeks. Several members are
opposed to the English service. They have refused to accept the decision of
the congregation. They under-handedly brought action against me and the
congregation, although it was rejected by the general committee. Therefore
last Sunday, after the morning services, Mr. Oermann and Gotthiel Beckmeyer
came to see me in the sanctuary with questions and accusations. On Monday,
February 20th, both men came to see me again, this time at my home. They
told me that they had hired a lawyer and would bring this case before the
court, and if I still intended to hold the service in English next Sunday evening
they would bring an injunction against me. The accusation which was brought
against me before the president’s committee, and the threats to take me to
civil court, had me so upset and exhausted that I suffered the whole week with
heart palpitations. I told both men, on Monday morning, that if they carried on
in this manner, they would put me in my grave with grief and heartache. Then
they would both look at me with a guilty conscience when I was lying in my
casket. In spite of this, they went out the door with the threat, ‘If you still go
ahead with your plans we’ll bring an injunction upon you.’” Yes, that was the
beginning of my heart problem. After things quieted down, my heart problem
improved, but that was the beginning of it and the damage was done. Many
members suspected this, and repeatedly asked me questions. However, I
avoided a direct answer.

E. Oermann, Gotthiel Beckmeyer (who was called John), and August

Hespenheide were obviously the main radical leaders throughout this
unorderly, unChristian movement. A truly honest and trustworthy man, C.H.
Klaiber, informed me that Mr. E. Oermann had offered a member of the
congregation money to bring this case before the court. This did not happen
because the Lord had called him home. On June 10, 1911, in the same year,
Gotthiel Beckmeyer fell on the way home from work and was dead instantly.
The shock of this tragedy brought this matter to an end.

Mr. Oermann and his colleagues stayed away from all congregational
meetings for many years, and reduced their offerings. Other than that,
everything was at peace and I never heard anything more about it. But in the
last two years, my heart ailment started again and probably will remain, that is
why I hired an assistant in the summer of 1917. May the merciful God forgive
all of those mentioned as I also forgave them.

I’d like to mention a peculiar experience which happened to me during

the first few years of my ministry. On one of my regular visits to a childless
woman, (Mrs. Friedrich Carls), she greeted me with a question. “Mr. Pastor,
why didn’t you bring me my money?” This woman had always talked sensibly,
but lately had shown signs of senility. Surprised, I asked her what she meant
by this and she replied that I had received money in her behalf and had not
given her, her share. After more questioning, the good woman stated, in all
seriousness, that the money had come on a train from Washington, and was
delivered to the courthouse. Then it was distributed among the pastors, who
in turn would distribute it to the members of their congregation. I asked her
where she had obtained this information and she said she had seen the train
passing her house. Also, she had seen me give members who lived in her
neighborhood their portion, and so far I had not given her anything. As time
went on, she repeated this over and over again. All my talking was in vain.
She kept this belief and took it with her to the grave. However, she always
remained friendly toward me. In other matters she always talked sensibly, but
on this subject she was incurable.

My Earnings: Patterson, New Jersey

When I was called to serve this congregation, they had stipulated in a

letter that I would be paid $275, but whether this would include room and
board was not mentioned, and I did not inquire about it. Upon my arrival at the
congregation, I found that my salary would be $300 plus $16 a month for room
and board, and as long as I was teaching school, I was allowed to keep all the
tuition.

My Earnings: York, Pennsylvania

My salary in York was $600 plus free housing. After two years, my
salary was increased to $700 and remained that until the year 1903. When
Mr. Klaiber returned from a synod meeting in Pittsburgh, he had a talk with the
congregation, and my pay was increased to $800. In 1910, at our annual
Christmas party, my salary was raised to $1,000 and remained at that until
May 1918, the year in which I became semi-retired. At this time, my salary
was reduced to $60 per month. From October 1876 until June 1892, with the
consent of the congregation, I taught German at the York Collegiate Institute
(high school), although there was a two-year interruption. I was most grateful
for this additional income; otherwise I would have had difficulty furnishing our
daily bread. Thanks to the Lord for providing.
 7 - The District Presidency

I spent my entire ministry in the Eastern District of our synod, although

in the summer of 1865, the same year I graduated from the seminary in St.
Louis, I was offered a position in Liverpool, Ohio (near Cleveland). I was
unable to accept this position due to my throat ailment. The following year, I
accepted the ministry in Patterson, New Jersey. Patterson is located in the
Eastern District of our synod. Beginning with the year 1876, I attended all the
district conventions, with the exception of the year 1886. I preached the
sermon four times at our district conventions; in First trinity Church in Buffalo
in 1888, and in Trinity Church in Boston in 1892.

I was chaplain eight times:

In 1871, in First Trinity Church in Buffalo,

In 1873, in Washington,

In 1876, in St. Paul’s Church in Baltimore,

In 1877, in St. John’s Church in Williamsburg (now called

Brooklyn),

In 1880, in Trinity Church in Pittsburgh,

In 1883, in Emmanuel Church in Baltimore,

In 1888, in First Trinity Church in Buffalo.

I gave a lecture only once, in the year 1885 in Boston (Roxbury). Here I
was elected, for the first time, vice president and councilor. I was re-elected to
this position in each succeeding election through 1897. In 1899 outgoing
president, P. Brand, was elected vice president of our General Synod. As a
result, I became temporary president of our District. It had an enormous
impact on me as I received the news from the outgoing president. I had no
choice but to accept. I asked God to help me on this important assignment
with his guidance and support, and in the opinion of my brothers in Christ, God
answered my prayers.
 In the following year, 1900, in Zion church in Boston, I was elected
president of our district, with more than the majority of votes. I was reelected
president in 1903 in Pittsburgh; in 1906 in Baltimore; in 1909 in Tonawanda;
and in 1912 in Baltimore. In the year 1906, our Eastern District was divided so
in 1909 in Tonawanda, I urgently asked for my release. The answer was a
definite “NO.” Before the 1912 primary election, my congregation sent a letter
to the Synod with the request to withhold my name from the upcoming election
and the answer was, again, a definite “NO.” In 1915, the district meeting was
held at our congregation. It became generally known that I would not accept
reelection, in spite of the peoples’ plea, so my name was removed from the
ballot.

Unknown to me, my brothers in Christ had planned a ceremony to

celebrate my retire from the Presidency. This service took place on Sunday
Cantate, May 2nd. I’d like to mention here what I had written previously in my
daily journal pertaining to this ceremony. “On Sunday evening I had a big
surprise. My brothers in Christ had arranged a special jubilee ceremony in
appreciation for my 30 years of service in the Synod. I was, as the saying
goes, ‘thunderstruck;’ it was unbelievable! A committed of pastors, delegates,
and teachers escorted me to my seat in front of the altar step. The two Vice
Presidents, August Senne, and Wm. Broecker, preached the sermons; the first
one in German, the last one in English. Pastor F. Ruhland conducted the main
service. After the service, the General Vice President, Brand, who was
representing the General President, F. Pfotenhauer, gave a congratulatory
speech. Pastor J. Sieck gave a short speech in the name of the pastors, and
presented me with a gift of 100 dollars in gold.

The delegate from Baltimore, J. H. Thiemeyer, congratulated me in the

name of the delegates, and presented me with a gift of 50 dollars in gold. The
teacher, A. Schumann, congratulated me in the name of the teachers. I felt
overwhelmed by this high honor as I felt my services were insignificant.
However, my brothers in Christ had done this out of love and appreciation so I
had to accept. I spoke briefly and simply about my inner feelings, and thanked
God for all my blessings. Then came many pastors, delegates, and teachers
to congratulate me in person, with solid handshakes and inspiring words.”
 All praise should be to God, but by God’s mercy, “I am what I am.” 1st
Corinthians 15:10.

Since 1908, I had been the chairman of the Presidents’ Committee, and
I assigned positions to the pastors and teachers. As such, I was the chairman
of the largest and most important committee of the Synod delegates.

From the beginning, with God’s mercy, I had encouraged many young
men to seek a Christian education at our colleges. Two boys from the
congregation in Patterson became pastors; one was Christian Hillert and the
other was the current professor in Bronxville, N.Y., Jo Schwoy. Another one,
J.O. Hennig, is presently a teacher. Another student had to discontinue his
studies due to illness and unfortunately died several years later. Eight boys
from the congregation in York became pastors: C. Ruesskamp; both my sons:
Martin and Julius; Wm. Klahold, H. Oermann, Emil Schwankovsky, Herbert
Melching, Heinr. Daehnke. One young man was disqualified. There is yet
another young man, Earl H. Miller, presently in college. May God grant his
goal. Three boys from here went to the teachers’ seminary; and two had to
discontinue their studies due to illness. The third boy, Wm. Schlake, was in
the school system for several years but due to family circumstances, he had to
resign and go into the business world. Through God’s blessing, he became a
wealthy man and, through God’s mercy, remained an honest and loyal
Christian. He served the Lord in many ways, including the Synod, with his
knowledge, experience, and money. For many years, he resided in the large
city of Chicago.

During the long years that I have been a minister, I received a number
of calls that I had to reject. One call came from Courtland, Minnesota. I was
urgently asked to take over this position because Professor Walther very much
wanted a well educated and well read pastor to come to Minnesota to take
control. This congregation had only had practical pastors with average
education. However, I could not make the decision, as I would have had to
leave my small congregation in Patterson, which was still fighting for it’s
existence.
 During my ministry in York, I again received a number of calls. The first
call was not actually not a call. It was in the fall of 1880 on our return trip from
a large pastors’ convention in Chicago. President P. Beyer asked me if I
would like to accept a position at First Trinity Church in Buffalo. I firmly
declined and Pastor August Senne accepted the position.

The next actual call came in the fall of 1885 from St. Paul’s
Congregation in Baltimore. Then followed a call which I had very little interest
in. On January 28, 1887, I received a call from the Voting Administration of
our Synod. They offered me a position as president of our college in Fort
Wayne. I was shocked as this was more than I expected. However, my
congregation would not hear of my leaving and I therefore returned the letter.
On February 12, the letter was returned to me. In the meantime Pastor
Heinrich Sauer, Secretary of the Voting Administration in Fort Wayne, had
traveled to St. Louis to get permission from Professor Walther to pull me away
from my congregation. I resisted and refused, even though my conference, as
well as the New York conference, advised me to accept this position. I could
not decide and therefore I definitely declined. When this became known, I
received a letter from Pastor F. Sievers in Frankentrost, Michigan. He very
much regretted my rejection.

On October 20, 1887, the same year, I received a call from St. Paul’s
congregation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their current Pastor, E.E. Schmidt, had
accepted a call from Holy Cross congregation in St. Louis. I, too, was a
candidate and was almost called. This was told to me in later years by Mr.
Lang, a teacher who taught classes in the evening. St. Paul’s congregation in
Indianapolis desperately wanted me to be their pastor. I, again, returned this
offer, but on November 2nd, the call was returned to me. At the decision of St.
Paul’s congregation, Pastor Schmidt and a former pastor at the same
congregation, E. [or “C”]. Frincke [Frinke] from Baltimore, wanted to come to
York to pull me away from my congregation. I refused so it did not take place.
Then, for several years, I had a respite from being called.

In October 1902, I received a call from a congregation in Allegheny-

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Again in 1905, a call came from Trinity
congregation in South Brooklyn, N.Y. In September of the same year, I
received a call from the congregation in Lockport, New York.
 8 - Anniversaries and Retirement

My twenty-fifth anniversary as a minister was celebrated on the Twenty-

sixth Sunday after Trinity, November 22, 1891, by my congregation in a special
evening service. Pastor Johannes from Baltimore conducted the service from
Psalm 116: 12-13. Since I have recorded this event in detail in another
booklet, I will not repeat it again. On this occasion, my congregation gave me
a roll-top writing desk, and the congregation in Patterson gave me a revolving
bookcase. I also received various other presents including a beautiful framed
“Congratulations” certificate from the Baltimore Pastor’s Conference. In the
year 1899, I had been a minister here in York for 25 years. I have also written
more in detail about this event in another booklet. In the year 1909, my
congregation celebrated my 35th anniversary in a magnificent way. I received
the gift of a two-month vacation and the money needed for a trip to Germany.
Again, regarding this celebration, I have written in another booklet. My travels
through Germany are written in a special daily Journal. This visit to my
homeland was a beautiful experience.

With God’s blessing, I was able to celebrate my Golden Anniversary as

a minister. On November 26, 1916, my congregation celebrated this event in
a special way. Pastor J. Sieck, from Buffalo, delivered the morning sermon.
Pastor Sieck was an old friend and colleague in the kingdom of God. Pastor
Edward H. Parr, from Harrisburg, conducted the evening service in English. In
the fall of 1897, I had ordained Pastor Parr and since then, he has been a
good friend serving in a neighboring congregation. My two sons assisted in
the service at the altar - my son, Martin, in the morning service, and Julius in
the evening service. This was for me, the greatest joy. My sons and daughter
Lydia contributed a great deal to the success of the celebration. God bless
them for it and for all the love they have given me!

My first congregation sent the teacher, L. Luecke, to represent them,

and they gave me a most precious plaque which was accompanied by a short
speech in the morning service. The young men’s group (youth group) also
hung a plaque in the church beside the sanctuary door. Mr. Phillip Klaiber
presented me with a gift of 400 dollars in gold in the name of the congregation
and its various clubs. My son, Martin, read a number of the congratulatory
cards which had been received in the mail. Pastor A. Schroeder, from
Washington, delivered congratulation wishes from the Baltimore District
Conference. During both services the church was filled to capacity. After the
service, many people shook my hand and had pleasant words for this
occasion. Yes, it was for me a day of honor, thanks and happiness. I had to
think, feel, and say, “Oh, Lord, who am I that you have brought me to this day?
I am unworthy of all this mercy and grace you have given me and still do.”

At this time, I was still taking care of all the work in the congregation
because I was in good health. However, in the month of November, I felt a
tightness in my chest while walking, and during the course of the winter walker
became more and more difficult. Also, the heart palpitations which I had first
noticed in the year 1911 when several members of the congregation had
brought a complaint against in my chest while walking, and during the course
of the winter walking became more and more difficult. Also, the heart
palpitations which I had first noticed in the year 1911 when several members
of the congregation had brought a complaint against me to the president about
the language problem and had threatened to take me to the civil court, started
again. (May the Lord forgive their sins.) Since my heart condition did not
change, even with the help of the doctor, I was unable to continue my
necessary visits. I therefore asked my congregation to give me an assistant.
The congregation was willing. Naturally my wish would have been to call one
of my sons (Julius) as my assistant. But the words of the Lord held me back
(Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, John 4:44). So I recommended Pastor Paul
Succop of New Kensington, Pa. as my assistant and he was later called.
Pastor Succop arrived here in August 1917 and was installed August 19th, the
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity. At first, he took over only the evening services
in English and the primary grades in school. But the tightness in my chest as I
walked did not let up nor did the heart palpitations ease. Due to this illness,
the doctor seriously warned me to take a complete rest. So I decided to retire,
after having completed 44 years of service as minister to this congregation.

On Monday, March 11, 1918, I handed in my resignation to the Board of

Directors. It would become effective on Sunday Jubilate. The following
Tuesday evening, the 12th, a committee from the Board of Directors came to
see me. They tried to persuade me to withdraw my resignation, but I could not
change my mind. It was not only my wish, as I felt a heavy responsibility
would be taken from me, but I also felt that it would be a more beneficial to the
congregation if I let my resignation stand. On Monday, May 6 th, my resignation
was presented to the congregation and was not accepted. They wanted me to
continue as pastor of the congregation. They would relieve me of all
responsibilities and obligations, but with the stipulation that I could assist in the
preaching of my choosing. On Tuesday, May 14 th, a committee from the
congregation came to me (Wm. Grothe, Chas. Strathmeyer, and Heinr.
Hespenheide). They officially announced that my salary would be, thereafter,
60 dollars per month with living quarters in the parsonage, where the new
pastor, Succop, also had moved on February 25 th. On Thursday, May 16th, I
traveled with my wife and daughter, Lydia, to Silver Creek, New York (where
my son Julius was the pastor) and returned again to York on December 4th.
During my stay at Silver Creek, I assisted with the preaching, as my son was
away at camp in Washington doing pastoral work. Since my return, I have
preached every Sunday morning on a regular basis, and have continued
making regular visits to the sick (this was written in March, 1919).

I’d like to mention another event which took place during the time I was
a minister. On May 31, 1918, I received an introductory announcement at
Silver Creek from Professor W. Dau in St. Louis. He informed me that the
facility, including Pastor P.H. Succop in Chicago, and E.E. Schmidt in St.
Louis, had granted me the title of Doctor of Divinity on May 27 th. I was
surprised and astonished at this great honor. The Lord could have let me
dream many things, but I did not expect this action from that respected faculty.
I could not hold back my tears. I felt most unworthy of this rare and high
honor. It was hard for me to comprehend, and I had to call out at this surprise,
“Lord, who am I, a poor sinner, that you honor me in such a way? Keep me in
Your mercy and give me, in Jesus’ name, the joy and the crown of glory of
everlasting life. It there is something good in my life, it is because of you.” I
received many congratulatory letters which always made me very happy.
“God be merciful to me and forgive me all my sins.” Psalm 51:3, 1st Timothy
1:15, Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 73:28, 1st Timothy 1:12.

Continued May 1, 1925

 I’d like to mention briefly a few happenings; one sad and one happy
event. The sad event was the departure of my second wife. Since May 24,
1905, the widow of Pastor F. Wesemann had carried my name. She was a
schoolgirl when I had first met her in 1865 in St. Louis and I had not seen her
since. To my regret, soon after our marriage, she began to show signs of
mental disorder. In the spring of 1917, she had a fainting spell which was
similar to a stroke. In the following years, the attacks became more frequent
and more severe and resembled epilepsy attacks. During the year 1921, the
attacks eased up and became less severe and finally stopped. My wife’s
mental powers were almost gone. Her memory and comprehension were nil;
in that respect she was similar to a child. My wife had been childless but in
the beginning of the year 1890, she had adopted a daughter, who in later
years married and settled in St. Louis.

She and her husband, Emil Schiefelbein, had written us many times
with the wish that her mother could come to stay with them for some time. In
April of 1923, I invited the daughter to Buffalo to take her mother back to St.
Louis. While she was in St. Louis, I had my wife examined by a competent
doctor to determine the severity of her mental disorder. The result of this
examination, which was conveyed to me through Pastor Theo. Laetsch, stated
that my wife was suffering, in the highest degree, from Dementia Senilis, and
there was a possibility that she would become violent at any time; therefore
she should be constantly under observation. He advised us to admit her
immediately to a private or state institution. This was very sad news.

The letters we received from her daughter and husband stated that she
could no longer stay there, and we, here, were not in a position to give my
pitiful wife the supervision she needed according to the doctor’s advice. To
admit her to a state institution was very frightening to me. On September 16,
1923 my daughter, Lydia, traveled to St. Louis to bring my wife back to Silver
Creek for the time being. At present, we have to put all our trust and guidance
in the hands of our Lord. He has never failed us in time of need. He already
had a place prepared for her.

Through the efforts of Pastor F.W. Herzberger, who was a city

missionary in St. Louis, my wife was admitted quickly and unexpectedly to the
Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wisconsin. My daughter had
discussed my wife’s mental condition with Pastor Herzberger and she had
mentioned to him the Bethesda Home in Wisconsin. The missionary was in
close contact with this institution. Lydia asked him if, in his opinion, my wife
would be accepted there. His answer was encouraging and he immediately
sent a telegram to the home concerning this matter. The anticipated answer
was received and on September 24 th, my lovely daughter, with the missionary
in attendance, was able to bring my wife to Watertown instead of Silver Creek.
A big worry was lifted from our hearts.

At the Bethesda home, the patient was willingly accepted and had
excellent care and love until her blessed end. This came sooner than we had
expected. On Sunday, March 2, 1924, I received a telegram from the
Superintendent of the home, Mr. Pingel, with the message that my wife had
gently fallen asleep around 2 o'clock in the morning after a short illness. The
week before, he had informed me that my wife had not been feeling well, but
that he felt there was no immediate danger. He said that if her condition
changed or deteriorated, he would contact me immediately. On Saturday
evening, March 1st, only a few hours before her death, her condition had
unexpectedly worsened. Towards evening of that same Sunday, March 2nd,
my daughter Lydia and my son, Julius, traveled to Watertown to make
arrangements for the funeral. Years before, my wife had requested that she
would like to be buried in the Concordia Cemetery in St. Louis beside her first
husband, Pastor Wesemann.

Although she was born near Bielefeld in Westphalia, Germany, she had
grown up in St. Louis. On Tuesday, March 4 th in the afternoon, funeral
services were held for her in Watertown, Wisconsin. These were conducted
by Pastor Fr. H. Eggers. After these services, my children had arranged for
her body to be sent to St. Louis where we had another service and the burial
Wednesday afternoon. This service was conducted by Pastor Theo. Laetsch.
Pastor F. W. Herzberger assisted at the gravesite.

Everything I had heard from the Bethesda home concerning my wife’s

state of health had sounded positive. She was physically healthy and she
soon became accustomed to her residence and felt right at home. The
superintendent wrote in all his letters, however, that she was like a child and
her mind was blank. She could not understand her condition nor where she
was. She assumed that everything belonged to her and she enjoyed the big
house and the beautiful farm.

Additionally, my wife was not there as a so-called charity patient. I paid

$25 a month for her room and board, and good nursing care. I also paid her
adopted daughter and her husband, Emil Schiefelbein, who lived in St. Louis,
$20 a month for five months which came to a total of $100 even though her
daughter had written us many times that she liked having her mother stay with
her so she could show her mother her appreciation for all the love and
kindness she had given her.

On Saturday morning, March 8th, Julius and Lydia returned home safe
and sound with God’s protection. Lydia especially had given much care and
love to my poor unfortunate wife in the last few years, many times to the
disadvantage of her own fragile state of health, and she did this gladly for the
sake of Jesus. Lydia had to carry much of the burden and had to have a lot of
patience during the many years my wife was stricken with her mental disorder.
May God reward and bless Lydia with His kindness in the will of Jesus.

Continued on May 1, 1926

The above mentioned happy event in the year 1924 was the 50th
anniversary of my congregation in York, as well as my 50th anniversary as
minister of the same congregation. The congregation had decided to
celebrate this double event as near as possible to the date I started in York.
Accordingly the celebration took place the week after Easter, with the main
celebration on Sunday Quasimodogenite. I have written about this celebration
in more detail at the time it took place. It is recorded in my daily book from the
year 1924. At this time, I have to confess that I am not strong enough any
more to write in more detail about this magnificent celebration. I can only
repeat with praise and thanks to the Lord.

The Lord did wonders unto me through my dear children, through my

dear congregation, through many of my brothers in Christ, and other friends. I
am very happy. Lord, I am unworthy, etc. Gen. 32:10, Psalm 115:1, 1 st
Corinthians 15:10.

In June, 1925, my daughter, Lydia, my son Julius, and I again visited

York for a few weeks. Julius had to go to Baltimore for the Eastern District
meeting at Martini Church. I attended only the opening and closing sessions,
accompanied by my daughter, Lydia. Miss Florence Sieker drove us to the
sessions and brought us back both times. God bless her for it.

Continued, November 30, 1926

There are a few things that I’d like to mention. In June, 1926, Lydia and
I spent a few weeks in York again. Martin and Julius were both in St. Louis for
the dedication of the new seminary building. To my regret, I was unable to
make the long trip to St. Louis. I would have liked to have been there. During
our visits to York, we always stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Heinrich
Beckmeyer, long time, loyal members of my congregation and a devoted
Christian couple. For my family and myself they always did wonderful things
with all their love and from their heart.

They knew and practiced in peace the Holy Scripture. “Don’t forget to
do good and help one another.” Hebrews 13:16. This dear friend was
suddenly taken into God’s kingdom, by a heart attack on Tuesday evening,
Nov. 23rd. Our Savior had fulfilled his word unto him. “There are many rooms
in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you, etc.” John
14:2-3. How peaceful to rest in the light of Jesus. “Auf Wiedersehen in
Himmel (Heaven).”

I’d like to mention briefly that almighty God granted me the time to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of my ordination into the ministry. The
ordination took place on Nov. 25, 1866, the 26 th Sunday after Trinity, in
Patterson, N.J. Pastor August Ebendick performed the ceremony in a small
hall.

From October 5th to the 7th this year, the Buffalo District Conference was
held here, in Silver Creek, within my son’s, Julius,’ congregation. There were
many in attendance. The anniversary service was held on Wednesday
evening. Pastor H.B. Hemmeter preached his sermon from Psalm 139:23:
“Examine me, oh God, and know my mind, test me and discover my thoughts.”
My two sons had announced the upcoming celebration to their congregations.
Because of that, many letters of congratulations were received. Most of them
were read openly after the service by Pastor Heinrich Stiencke. I would like to
mention only the congratulatory letter from President F. Pfotenhauer and the
letter from the Concordia faculty in St. Louis. In sincere humility, I have always
truly believed in my heart, “Lord, I am not worthy of all the kindness and
faithfulness that you have shown me, your servant.” Genesis 32:10.

At this occasion, the members of the congregation in Farmham, as well

as here in Silver Creek, presented me with a gift of $60 (3 gold pieces, each
worth 20 dollars). It was a big surprise to me. God bless the givers! On Nov.
25th, the anniversary date of my ordination, my son Martin, his wife, and their
son Paul, came for the afternoon and evening in remembrance of this
important day in my life. This year, Thanksgiving also fell on the same day.
My lovely daughter, Lydia, had prepared an especially festive meal for us.
God bless you, my dear children, for all the things you have done and still do
for your old father.
 9 - Epilog

Herman Heinrich Walker, a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ,

was called to his eternal home on July 4, 1927, at the age of 84 years, 9
months and 7 days. Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Silver Creek, New York on July 6, with Pastors H.B. Hemmeter, F.T. Ruhland
and Francis C. Verwiebe officiating. Services were held at St. John’s Church
in York on July 7th with Pastors Edward Krause, Christian Kuehn, Wm,
Broecker, and Edward H. Parr officiating. Interment was at Prospect Hill
Cemetery, York, Pennsylvania, there to await the glorious Resurrection Day.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from

henceforth:
Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do
follow them.”

- Revelation 14:13
 INDEX

48's [1848 revolution in Germany]53

Achem, Germany 33, 36
Addison Teachers’ Seminary, Chicago, IL 20, 23, 42, 55, 57, 58
Albany, NY 18, 31, 37
Albert, Frederick 17
Alberts, Angel 2
Alberts, Elisabeth 9
Alberts, Lilly Heil 10
Alberts, Lydia Heil 10
Altenburg, Perry County, MO 23
Amsterdam, Holland 4
Arndts, Ernst Morita "Statue" 32
Bad-Ems, Germany 32, 35
Baltimore, MD 3, 20, 41, 48, 52, 53, 55, 58, 63-67, 72
Barkhausen Church District 1
Barkhausen Evangelical Lutheran Church 4
Barkhausen, Hanover, Germany 1, 2, 4, 10, 13, 15, 18
Barmen, Germany 33
Bavaria, Germany 20, 49
Beckmeyer, Conrad Heinrich 72
Beckmeyer, Gotthiel "John" 60
Bente, F. "Professor" 36
Bergen, Germany 34
Berlin, Germany 35
Beyer, P. "Pastor" 65
Bielefeld, Westphalia, Germany 70
Bischof "Mr." 33
Black Swamp, OH 3
Boehning, Heinrich 8
Boehning, Hermann 3
Boehning, Jobst Heinrich 1
Boehning, Marie 8, 9
Boemer, Alexander V. [a/k/a Schlichten] "Pastor" 51
Boese, Carl 25
Bonn, Germany 32
Boston, MA 44, 63
Brand, P. "Pastor" 48, 53, 63, 64
Brauer "Music Teacher" 23
Bremen, Germany 2, 17, 32, 33, 36
Bremerhaven, Germany 31
Bremerhofen, Germany 31, 36
Brockhausen, Germany 1-5, 9, 13, 16-18, 32, 33, 35, 36, 42
Broecker, William "Pastor" 64, 75
Bronxville, NY 64
Brooklyn, NY 66
Brunn, Frederick "Pastor" 32-35
Buffalo, NY 11, 18, 19, 31, 37, 39, 58, 63, 65, 67, 69, 72
Carls, Friedrich 48
Carls, Friedrich "Mrs." 61
Chicago, IL 8, 65, 69
Cincinnati, OH 25
Cleveland, OH 1-4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 16, 18-20, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31-33, 37, 42, 63
College Point, NY 39
Cologne, Germany [Koeln] 32
Constantine 55
Craemer, August "Professor" 20, 23, 24
Crull, A. 26
Cumberland, MD 53
Daehnke, Heinr. "Pastor" 65
Darlinghausen, Westphalia, Germany 1
Dau, W. "Professor" 69
Derron, Andrew 39, 44
Dover (now Westlake), OH 7, 8, 10, 17, 43
Dresden, Germany 35
Ebendick, August "Pastor" 39, 72
Eggers, Fr. H. "Pastor" 70
Eichen, Germany 32
Euclid, OH 2, 42, 43
Farmham, NY 73
Fleishmann, "Professor" 23, 24
Foehlinger, F.W. "Pastor" 31, 39, 44, 49
Fort Wayne, IN 20, 21, 23-26, 28, 65
Fortlage, Anna Maria Walker 4, 9, 10, 37
Fortlage, Bladine 10
Fortlage, Christian 7, 9, 26, 37
Fortlage, Dietrich 10
Fortlage, Ernse [Ernst?] 10
Fortlage, Friedrich 10
Fortlage, Lizzy [Elisabeth?] 10
Fortlage, Marie 10
Fortlage, Regine 10
Frankentrost, MI 65
Frankfort, Germany 32
Franz "Mr" 3
Frinke, C. "Pastor" 53, 66
George, Emma Walker 10
George, Fred2
Gerkepott, August "Farmer" 4, 5, 13, 32, 33
Germany 1, 67
Giessen, Germany 33
Greimann, Friedrich 51
Grevemeyer, E. Chr. 52, 54, 55, 57
Grieve, Anna Walker 10
Grothe, William 68
Hamburg, Germany 32, 34
Hanau, Germany 32
Hanover Kingdom in Germany 1
Hanover Province, Germany 1
Hanover, Germany 1, 20, 34, 48, 49
Harburg, Germany 34
Hargens, Johann Heinrich "Teacher" 42, 44
Harlem, New York 39
Harms, Louis "Pastor" 16, 34
Harms, Theodore "Pastor" 34
Harrisburg 48, 52, 67
Heil, Anna-Maria Elisabeth Walker 4, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17
Heil, August 10
Heil, Dorthea 10
Heil, Edward 10
Heil, Emilie 10
Heil, Friedrich 9, 10
Heil, Friedrich "Jr." 10
Heil, Heinrich "Tailor" 6, 32
Heil, Lilly 10
Heil, Lydia 10
Heil, Richard 10
Heller "Tailor"3
Hellman "Shoemaker" 3
Helms, Heinrich 14
Hemmeter, H.B. "Pastor" 72, 75
Hennig, J.O. 64
Hennig, Otto 40
Hermann, Julius 40
Hermannsburg, Germany 16, 34
Herrmann, Joseph "Teacher" 20
Herweles, Maria 4
Herzberger, F.W. "Pastor" 70, 71
Herzer, Jo. 26
Hespenheide, August 58-60
Hespenheide, Heinrich 68
Hesse "Teacher" 33
Hessen, Germany 6, 32, 49
Hiller, Gottlob 40, 50
Hiller, Gottlob "Family" 42
Hillert, Christian "Pastor" 64
Hoelter, Louis "Pastor" 8
Hoeringhausen, Germany 1
Hoger "Pastor" 34
Holstein, Germany 31, 32, 34
Indianapolis, IN 65, 66
Jersey City, NJ 51
Johannes "Pastor" 67
Keyl, E.G.W. "Pastor" 41
Kienbusch, Germany 33
Kienzle, Gottlieb 40
Klahold, William "Pastor" 64
Klaiber, C.H. 60, 61
Klaiber, Phillip 67
Koeln, Germany [Cologne] 32
Koenig, F. "Pastor" 49, 50
Koerner, Traugott "Pastor" 31, 36, 39
Koester, Maria Elsebein 4
Krause, Edward "Pastor" 75
Kuegele, F. "Pastor" 53
Kuehn, Christian "Pastor" 75
Kummer Family 5
Kunz "Teacher" 23
Laetsch, Theo. "Pastor" 69, 71
Lampe, Emma Walker 10
Lang "Teacher" 65
Leipzig, Germany 35
Lindemann, J. W. "Pastor" 20, 23
Linne, Germany 1-4, 8, 9, 13
Lintorf Church District 1, 2
Lintorf Village 1
Liverpool, OH 28, 36, 63
Lochman, A.H. "Pastor" 47
Lockport, NY 66
Luebbke, Germany 1
Luecke, L. "Teacher" 67
Luekens, Heinrich 10
Luekens, Sophie Stockhause 10
Luther, Martin 33
Mailander, Minnie Walker 10
Mainz, Germany 32
Marburg, Germany 33
Mason Organization [The Masons] 45, 56
Meier, Heinrich 35
Melcher 43
Melcher Family 2
Melcher, Friedrich 42, 43
Melcher, Heinrich 43
Melcher, Louise 51
Melcher, Maria Eleanore 2, 7, 11, 42-44, 51, 68
Melcher, Marie 2
Melching, Herbert "Pastor" 64
Melle, Germany 32
Meyer, Elisabeth Walker 10
Miessler, Bruno 25
Miessler, Theodore "Pastor" 25
Miller, Earl H. 65
Miller, Theodore "Organist"52, 53
Milwaukee, WI 3, 23, 55
Minden, Germany 1, 2
Missouri Synod 23, 48, 56
Mulzum, Germany 36
New Kensington, PA 68
New Rochelle 51
New York City, NY 17, 18, 31, 32, 36, 37, 39, 44, 49, 55, 65, 68
Newberg Heights, OH 3, 6, 9
Nuernberg, Germany 35
Oermann, Casper 60
Oermann, H. "Pastor" 64
Offelden, Germany 2
Oldendorf, Germany 2
Osnabrueck, Germany 1, 2, 32, 33, 54, 57
Pagenstecher, Pastor 4
Parr, Edward H. "Pastor" 67, 75
Patterson, NJ 11, 24, 31, 35, 36, 39-41, 43, 45, 48, 51, 53, 55, 58, 61, 63-65, 72
Pfotenhauer, F. "Pastor" 59, 64, 72
Philadelphia, PA 51, 52
Pingel "Superintendent" 70
Pittsburgh, PA 3, 61, 63, 66
Port Richmond, NY 35
Price, "General" 27
Priver "Mr." 1, 3
Rabber, Germany 1, 2, 9, 10, 33, 35, 36, 42, 43
Rade, Germany 33
Rationalisten [Rationalizers] 53, 57
Richter, John "Teacher" 44
Roegge, Heinrich 3
Ruenzel, Friedrich 55
Ruesskamp, C. "Pastor" 64
Ruhland, F. "Pastor"64, 75
Ruperti, P. Justus 31
Rupprecht, Johannes [John] "Pastor" 7, 8
Sauer, Heinrich "Pastor" 65
Saxer "Director of Languages" 26
Scherler "Mrs." 42
Schick, G. "Professor" 25, 26
Schiefelbein, Emil 69, 71
Schieferdecker "Pastor" 23
Schlake, Wm. 65
Schlichten, Alexander V. [a/k/a Boemer] "Pastor" 51
Schmidt, E.E. "Pastor" 65, 66, 69
Schomburg [Uncle] 7
Schomburg, Friedrich 33
Schomburg, Idel Philipp 4
Schomburg, Maria Gertrude 4-6, 8, 9, 13, 16, 17
Schroeder, A. "Pastor" 67
Schroeder, Olaf "Pastor" 51, 53
Schumann, A. "Teacher" 64
Schumm, George "Pastor" 25
Schwan, H.C. "Pastor" 28
Schwankovsky, C. "Pastor"48, 52
Schwankovsky, Emil "Pastor" 64
Schwoy, Gotthelf 40, 53
Schwoy, Jo "Professor" 64
Senne, August "Pastor" 64, 65
Seuel, Claus "Pastor" 25, 26, 31, 32, 34
Sieck, J. "Pastor" 64, 67
Sieker, Florence 72
Sievers, F. "Pastor" 65
Sihler, W. "Dr./Pastor" 23
Silver Creek, NY 68, 70, 72, 73, 75
Speckenholz, Germany 33, 35, 36
St. Louis, MO 20, 23, 25-28, 32, 36, 39, 63, 65, 69-72
Steeden, Germany 32-35
Steger, "Conductor" 24, 28
Stellhorn, William 26
Stiencke, Heinrich "Pastor"72
Stockhause, Emma 10
Stockhause, Friedrich 2, 9
Stockhause, Friedrich [Jr] 10
Stockhause, Gustav10
Stockhause, Maria Eleanore Walker 4, 6, 9, 10
Stockhause, Marie 10
Stockhause, Sophie 10
Stockmann, Bladine Fortlage 10
Strathmann "Father" 56
Strathmeyer, Charles 68
Stratten Port (College Point), NY 39
Stuerken, Claus "Pastor" 48, 49, 51-53, 55
Succop, Paul H. "Pastor" 68, 69
Theiss, Lizzy Fortlage 10
Thiemeyer, J.H. 64
Tirmenstein, M. "Pastor" 35, 36
Toledo, OH 3, 7, 23
Trinity Congregational School, Cleveland, OH 20
Ulm, MN 3
Ungemach, John 24
Unterluess, Germany 34
Uthof "Mr./Tailor" 3
Verden, Germany 34, 36
Verwiebe, Francis C. "Pastor" 75
Virginia 53
Von Zeschivitz "Professor" 33
Walkemeyer "Tailor" 2
Walker, Angel Alberts 2
Walker, Anna 10
Walker, Anna Maria 4, 6, 9, 10, 37
Walker, Anna-Maria Elizabeth 4, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 31
Walker, Christian 10
Walker, Christoph Friedrich 4, 7-9, 13, 16, 19, 37
Walker, Christoph Heinrich 4
Walker, Clara Marie Henriette 7, 11
Walker, Eleanore Elisabeth Charlotte 11
Walker, Elisabeth Alberts 9
Walker, Elizabeth 10
Walker, Emma 10
Walker, Emma [Daughter of Friedrich "Fritz"] 10
Walker, Ernst Friedrich "Fritz" 4, 6-10, 14, 43
Walker, Frederick 3, 10, 19
Walker, Fredrick Otto 7, 10
Walker, Friedrich 10
Walker, Gerhard Heinrich 1, 2, 4
Walker, Gerhardt Heinrich 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 29, 31, 37, 43
Walker, Heinrich 2, 3, 10, 11, 19
Walker, Heinrich Friedrich Constantine 11, 51
Walker, Herman 3, 10, 19
Walker, Herman Heinrich 4, 75
Walker, Jobst Heinrich 1-3, 6, 16, 19
Walker, Johann Heinrich 4
Walker, Julius 10
Walker, Julius Gerhardt Melcher "Pastor" 11, 64, 67, 68, 70, 72
Walker, Lydia Friedrike Henriette 7, 11, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73
Walker, Maria Eleanore 4, 6, 9, 10
Walker, Maria Eleanore Melcher 2, 7, 10, 11, 42, 43, 51, 68
Walker, Maria Elsebein Koester 4
Walker, Maria Gertrude Schomburg 4-6, 8, 9, 13, 16, 17
Walker, Maria Herweles 4
Walker, Maria Klara 4, 13
Walker, Marie Boehning 9
Walker, Marie Louise Francesca 7, 11, 12, 51
Walker, Marie Melcher (Mrs. Wilhelm Walker) 2
Walker, Martin Friedrich Johannes "Pastor" 7, 11, 12, 64, 67, 73
Walker, Minnie 10
Walker, Paul 73
Walker, Wilhelm 2, 42, 43
Walther, C.F.W. "Dr./Pastor" 23, 27-29, 47, 58, 65
Washington, D.C. 48, 52, 53, 61, 63, 67, 69
Watertown, WI 70
Weber, Friedrich 33
Weber, Wilhelm 2
Weigel, Nathanuel 53
Wesemann, F. "Pastor" 69, 70
Westlake (Dover), OH 7, 10
Westphalia Province, Germany 1, 2
Westphalia, Germany 49, 56, 58, 70
Williamsburg, NY [Brooklyn] 63
Wimmer, Germany 1, 9, 36
Wisler, F. 53
Wittenberg, Germany 35
Wittlage County, Germany 1, 13
Wuertemburg, Germany 49
Wursata Sailing Ship 17
Wyneken, Friedrich "Pastor" 10, 20, 23, 31, 36, 43
Wyneken, Henry "Pastor" 31
Wyneken, Martin "Pastor" 31
York, PA 11, 47, 48, 50-52, 56, 58, 61, 64-67, 69, 71, 72, 75
Zensel, Emilie Heil 10
Zuttermeister "Professor" 24
Zwingli, Huldreich 33