Happy Birthday to Nancy Bowen Lacke Matis

Nancy is the daughter of Mary Jane Riley Lacke and grand daughter of Thomas Percy Riley.  Sorry Nancy, but this is the only picture I have of you, taken at your cousin Robin Riley's wedding in 1980.

She is married to Jeffery Matis and they have two children.  They live in Godfrey, IL just down the street from her parents.

After googling her, I found this from March 2011:

Nancy Matis from Alton/Godfrey was awarded the Appreciation Pin which recognizes an adult member who has

delivered outstanding service to at least one Service Unit.

- Girl Scout Volunteer for over 30 years

How has Girl Scouting positively impacted your life? “I’m still in it. I was my troop’s treasurer forever. 

Now I’m my Service Unit’s Cookie Manager. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Troop Leaders. 

leader was exceptional, and most of today’s leaders are the same.”

Nancy and her parents belong to the First Presbyterian Church in Alton IL. She is currently the Treasurer.  It is amazing the journey the search for infomation can take you.  This church was founded in 1831 and here is an interesting video about their history.

WALTER MARTIN BRUEGGEMAN'S BIRTHDAY

Walter was born on this day in 1903.  He was the eighth child of Ernst and Emma Brueggeman.  He was born in Hillards, Ohio.  He died in 1989 in Washington, DC.  Walter is buried in Glendale Cemetery in Akron near his parents.

August Brueggeman AKA Gus

I have new readers from the August Brueggeman (son of Ernst August) branch.  I thought I'd share a picture or two that include Gus.

Dora and Gus

Maybe a reader can provide more pictures and info to share here???

Another Google Find for Ezra Riley

I am pretty sure this is "our Ezra" (article on the left).  I could find no other Ezra Rileys in the 1881 or 1891 census in Birmingham.  Ezra lived in the Aston section of Birmingham during this time.  He contracted with this Architect named Hopkins to erect 36 houses and cottages in the Chain Walk, Lozells.

This from the Birmingham Gazetteer that lists all the Street names.   Chain Walk is a lane in Lozells which runs from Lozell Road to Birchfield Road.  This is very close to where Ezra lived in Aston.
Here are some more pictures of the area:

"Houses ready for demolition in Chain Walk, a road with a 
pronounced gradient, joining Lozells Road and Birchfield Road."

Happy Thanksgiving

Best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy Thanksgiving. 

It pays to Re-Google

While waiting in a doctor's office today, I re-googled Ezra Riley on my IPad.  I haven't googled him in a long time and I found something new.   Ezra received a Patent in 1873 while he was the manager of Pontnewynydd Iron Works in Wales.

From Wikipedia: The puddling furnace is a metalmaking technology used to create wrought iron or steel from the pig iron produced in a blast furnace. The furnace is constructed to pull the hot air over the iron without it coming into direct contact with the fuel, a system generally known as a reverberatory furnace or open hearth furnace. The major advantage of this system is keeping the impurities of the fuel separated from the charge.

Pictures of Bud Bischoff as a Child

Here are a couple of more pictures from Bud's video tribute.  I've edited them so you can see him better:

Sunday Special: Victor Brugge & Gordonville, MO

From time to time, I google members of the family tree.  I found the following references to Victor Brugge (son of Martin Brueggeman) about his time in Missouri.  Who would have thought we could learn about his chicken purchase!

From the Southeast Missourian:

June 29, 1924

The Rev. Victor Brugge is installed as pastor at Christ Lutheran Church at Gordonville: in charge of at installation service is Rev. E.H. Melzer, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. He comes to this area Texas where he had been doing missionary work.

September 22, 1924

Rev. Victor Brugge and  Rev. Cal Walther attended a conference in Jackson  Thursday.   Rev. Brugge has purchased 150 white leghorn chickens.

Oct 11, 1924

Don't forget you can click on this to make
large so you can read easier.

June 12, 1927

The Rev. Victor Brugge, pastor of Lutheran church at Gordonville, has accepted call to pastorate of Lutheran church at Memphis, Tenn., of which his late father was pastor until short time ago; Brugge was released by Gordonville congregation at meeting last Sunday.

Photo Storage Idea &/or Christmas Idea Paper Coterie

First, I am not affiliated with this company but I am in love with their memory keeper boxes. They would make a great gift.
I created this one to store precious old photos safely. 

back   spine   front

They are 13 inches tall and 9.75 wide and a couple of inches deep.  It is such a high quality product and ships very quickly.  They are currently offering a promo code (HAPPYBIRTHDAY) that gives you a $30 credit to be used on any thing they sell (journals, these boxes and lots of other things.

 I was able to make this one for Max for Christmas for $19.18 including shipping:

back   spine   front

If you don't want to go to any trouble, they have many already designed.  Here is one I did for Christmas and all I did was type what I wanted on the spine:

Anyway, visit Papercoterie.com if you like.

Thomas Robert Riley?

My first blog post last year was about the birthday of Thomas Roberts Riley (son of Ezra Riley, father of Sid Riley).  He was born November 18, 1858. He lost his mother when he was only 5.
I received this picture from Theda Hill.  It is unidentified but I am almost certain it is Thomas Roberts.  It is printed on glass with silver on the back.  This technique was only used for a few years which would match up with Tom being this age in the picture.  I read recently that during this time were often taken when a loved one died.  It sure looks like Tom.  I showed the picture to Max and asked him who he thought it was and he immediately said Tom.  Sorry about the quality but I don't want to use a flash.  The picture is in rough shape which is to be expected for a 148 year old picture.  I need to find someone who can conserve it.

Happy 1st Birthday to the BLOG!

It is hard to believe that I started this blog one year ago today.  This best part has been all the extended family that I have been able to get to know through their contributions to our shared family history.  Thanks to all:  David Reinhardt, David Riley, Lisa Savon, David Glawe, Pam Carlton, Ann Hilliard, Chris Flynn, Alice Neal, Theda Hill, Eugene Brueggeman, Liz Marshall, Katie Buzzuco, Jean Heimlich. Kathleen Compton,  Marsha Veltri, Donna and David Leigh, Betty Krausman, Tom Riley, Ray Riley, Chris Mould, and forgive me I left you off my list.


I think Dad thought that I would have run out of things to write about a long time ago.  Hopefully, we will keep discovering new treasures to share.  The biggest thing coming up will be the April release of the 1940 Census.  


Keep in touch by sharing family memories and photos!!  I can't keep it up without your help.

Over the river and though the woods....

Thanksgiving 2008, our last in Ellijay

I am sure you are all making your Thanksgiving plans.  We haven't spent a Thanksgiving in Atlanta in years.  We are all heading to Lake Keowee.  
What are your traditions?  Do you call it Dressing or Stuffing?  We're stuffing but Mark calls it dressing.  What are your must have dishes to make your Thanksgiving meal perfect?

Eric Bischoff Photos from West Point

Phil from the Funeral Home that handled Bud's arrangements so kindly sent me the pictures used in the video so I can share them with you.  Since I wrote recently about Eric, I wanted to start with these two:

One last Veterans' Day Post

Yesterday, our church had a Chili Cook Off  to honor our veterans.  My mother organized and put on this wonderful event.  I wish I had pictures to share. It was very well attended and several men spoke about their service.


What I learned, I want to share with you:  Ask a veteran to tell you about their service!    I think there are stories that haven't been told.  Give someone a chance to share it if they want to (or can).  

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." 
- John F. Kennedy

Bud Bischoff: Video

There is a video full of pictures of Bud and his family here.  You will have to wait a minute or two to get into the pictures (after the Funeral Home intro).
From Bud's memorial page, written by Lance Factor (son of Emma Louise Bischoff, grandson of Emma Brueggeman)
Dear Donna and Family,
It is with deep sadness that I received the news of Bud's passing. I have many good memories of visiting your home, enjoying your hospitality and also Bud's sense of humor. He always seemed to have a good joke to tell. I can now remember only one or two, which I will keep in memory, but there were many. 
On one visit I recall that Bud took all of the kids for a ride in his new car. I believe it was a 1957 black and white Mercury sedan, absolutely sparkling and flashing in its newness. We drove around Zanesville, taking in the sights and feeling as if we were on fun holiday trip. 
I think Bud had a gift for enjoying the small pleasures of life, like telling stories about life in Akron, his service in the Army, and things in general. I know Bud had a sterling career as a teacher, and being a teacher myself, I can understand the rewards of that profession. But I also remember Bud's hardware store and some of the men who came to visit with him. They had respect for his knowledge and friendly ways, and so did I.
Later on I came to understand and admire Bud's devout Christian faith. It sustained him through sad times, and I know that you shared all of that with him. It is written that faith, along with hope and love, are virtues, and virtues are qualities that people exercise in concrete ways- adding to the lives of others. It is a gift and blessing to have a person, like Bud, in one's life. I will always remember him.
With deepest sympathy, 
Lance Factor, Knox College,Galesburg, Il

RIP: Luther "Bud" Bischoff November 7, 2011

When researching the post on his sons, I came across Bud's recent obituary.  His service was yesterday.

 Luther "Bud" Bischoff 95 of Zanesville, passed away peacefully at Adams Lane Care Center at 5:25 PM on Monday, November 7, 2011. He was born April 30, 1916 the son of the late Walter and Emma (Brueggeman) Bischoff. 

He was the owner of England Hardware for more than 20 years before embarking on an 18 year teaching career, retiring in 1981. He earned his Bachelor's degree From University of Ohio and his Masters Degree from Xavier University; Luther was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and The American Legion Post 29. 

Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Donna (Knowles) Bischoff whom he married January 1, 1942; daughters, Ellen (Don) Brozio and Erin (Douglas) Strauss; brother, Harold Bischoff; and sister, Juanita Slater; and seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents Luther is preceded in death by his sons, Eric and Greg Bischoff.

Visitation will be Friday, November 11, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church 128 South 7th Street in Zanesville, from 11 AM until time of service at 1 PM with Rev. Mark Matzke officiating, committal service will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park. The Bischoff Family is being served by the BRYAN & SNIDER FUNERAL HOME 2318 Maple Ave. In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society . To share memories and messages with the family, visit Luther's memorial page at www.BryanSniderFuneralHome.com

Eric Lawrence Bischoff - West Point Grad

To continue our Veterans journey, I looked in the book that David Reinhardt sent to me to see who I may have missed.


Eric Bischoff (son of Bud [Luther] Bischoff, grandson of Emma Brueggeman was born in 1942 and died of heart attack in 1984.  From his obit:  He was a 1964 graduate of West Point Military Academy, was a retired captain in the US Army and served in the Vietnam Conflict.

Name: Eric Lawrence Bischoff Birth Date: 27 Nov 1942 Death Date: 29 Mar 1984 SSN: 301362050 Branch 1: ARMY Enlistment Date 1: 3 Jun 1964 Release Date 1: 18 Dec 1973

Here he is in the West Point Yearbook:

Eric's brother, Greg (1951-2005) was also an Army Vet and was a member of James Dickley Post 23 American Legion.

Veterans' Day: Thomas Percy Riley & Thomas Bowen Riley

Thomas Percy Riley (son of Thomas Roberts Riley)
Captain Infantry
Dates of Service 5 Aug 1917 to 7 Apr 1919

According to his obit, he first served on the Mexican Border and later in France with the  26th Division.  Here is info from the obit about his activity with the American Legion:

World War II "Old Man's" Draft Registration:

Thomas Bowen Riley (son of Thomas Percy Riley)
Dates of Service:  4 May 1942 -- 31 May 1946
Last Rank Major
Photos from 1943

Tom and his Aunt Sue in Akron

Lizzie Riley, Sue Riley, Theda Hill and Tom 1943

Thanks to Alice Addy Neal for this picture:

Some More Info on Veterans

Life got in the way of my posting more regularly on Veterans.  I am working only from what records I can find on-line.  PLEASE SHARE MORE INFO if you have any one to add.  It would be great if we could compile a complete record.  This is part one covering Ernst August Brueggeman's children and grandchildren and Martin Brueggeman's grandchildren.


Russell Krausman (son of Louise Brueggeman)  Russell W. Krausmann, a 20 year resident of Sierra Vista (1968-1988) died in Tucson. He was committed to serving his country. He joined the Navy for a four-year hitch following the bombing of Pearl Harbor: He served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a SmSGT. He was a 35-year Department of the Army civilian, retiring as one of the "best known and loved" personalities in Greely Hall in 1987.

Russell W Krausman
Gender:	Male
Birth Date:	23 Jan 1922
Death Date:	11 May 2005
SSN:	577204733
Branch 1:	NAVY
Enlistment Date 1:	5 Jan 1943
Release Date 1:	27 Nov 1945

Russell and his wife, Mary

Muster Roll Records show that he boarded the USS Takanis Bay on 21 Jun 1944 and was still on board on 14 Sept 1945. 

After shakedown, Takanis Bay operated out of San Diego with Fleet Air, West Coast, through the end of hostilities with Japan in mid-August 1945. She tested pilots for carrier operations, and between 24 May 1944-28 August 1945, she qualified 2,509 pilots.


Harold W. Bischoff (son of Emma Brueggeman) He was part of the ASTP program that I wrote about here.


Edwin L. Brueggeman (son of Ernst A. Brueggeman). Ed served in both World War I and II. He was in the Army during World War I and the Navy in World War II. Ed held the rank of Navy Chief Petty Officer and was stationed on the Admiralty Islands north of New Guinea. The story goes that when Ed Jr. was drafted, Edwin remarked that if the government was going to take kids as young as his son, that he would try to enlist and see if they would take someone as old as he was. Esther said, "Go ahead", thinking that the government would never take Edwin. She was wrong! One beloved picture is that of Ed with Lois and Marge wearing the grass skirts he brought home for them! He also sent home banks and candle sticks all made from ammunition shells. Another memory is that of the Army Duck that Edwin used to give rides on Sandy Beach Drive.


Edwin L. Brueggeman Jr (son of Edwin Brueggeman) I wrote about him here.


William Wade Brueggeman (son of Edwin Brueggeman). According to his obit, he was an Army veteran and was in the Army Reserves.   He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Given his age, I would guess he served in Korea.


Paul R. Brueggeman (son of Gus Brueggeman). Look for posts earlier this week.


Norman O. Riley (son of Selma Brueggeman). I have written about Norm's service.
David T. Riley (son of Selma Brueggeman). Served in the Navy.

David on the right

Ronald E. Riley (son of Selma Brueggeman). Served in the Army and I know he was stationed in Germany.

Mark A. Riley (son of Selma Brueggeman).  Served in the Army during the Korean War.

Ramon C. Riley (son of Selma Brueggeman). Served in the Army.

Thomas R. Riley II (son of Selma Brueggeman).  Served in the Army.

Harold W. Darkow Jr. (son of Lydia Brueggeman)

U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 about Harold W Darkow

Name: Harold W Darkow Gender: Male Birth Date: 5 Dec 1925 Death Date: 14 Dec 2006 SSN: 278229329 Branch 1: NAVY Enlistment Date 1: 15 Mar 1944 Release Date 1: 24 May 1946

 Navy Muster Rolls show him on board the USS Burns in June 1944 -  June 1946.  It looks like he spent a very brief time in June 1944 on the USS General H.L. Scott.

 USS Hugh Burns (DD-588), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Captain Hugh Otway Burns (1775–1850), a privateer in the War of 1812.

In Shanghai, China November 30, 1945 doing mail runs between China and Korea

Vernon L. Brugge (son of Rev. Victor Brugge)

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 about Vernon L Brugge

Name: Vernon L Brugge Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, Citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Missouri State of Residence: Tennessee County or City: Shelby Enlistment Date: 9 Oct 1943 Enlistment State: Tennessee Enlistment City: Camp Forrest Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 3 years of high school Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 04 Weight:

Warren M. Brugge (son of Rev. Victor Brugge)

U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 aboutWarren M Brugge

Name: Warren M Brugge Gender: Male Birth Date: 15 Aug 1929 Death Date: 5 Apr 2008 SSN: 414368112 Enlistment T

Otis Frederick Brugge Jr (son of Otis Brugge)
He shows up on the Muster Rolls of the USS Patterson in June 1945 until Nov 1945 and then on the USS Kerstin through June 1946, then USS Waldron through Sept. 1947.