ALBERT married BRINK MILLICENT (EMILY OR MILLIE OR AMELIA) C. in 1905. MILLICENT (daughter of BRINK FREDERICK (ERNST FREDERICK GUSTAV HENRY) and BECKMEYER SOPHIA M. A. (BOKEMEIER BOEKMEIER)) was born on 20 Oct 1883 in Near Hoyleton, Washington County, Illinois; died on 5 Aug 1972 in On way to Washington County Hospital, Nashville, Illinois; was buried in North Prairie Cemetery, Washington County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Millie was a good christian woman with a generous nature and she was well liked by everyone who knew her. She grew up on a farm and was teh only girl of four children. She attended elementary school at a one-room country school but attended the Evangelical school her eighth grade year when she was confirmed into the church.
She married Albert Krughoff and moved to the Kroghoff homeplace where the newly wedded couple shared the house with the older Krughoffs. Millie and Albert occupied the basement rooms and several rooms on the first floor of the house. At the death of the older Krughoffs, the couple continued to live in the house and raised their family there.
Millie had many activities to pass the day. She subscribed to the Chicago Tribune which was delivered by mail and the mail was usually delivered about 1:00 p.m. After reading the news, she enjoyed doing the crossword puzzle. She also played the piano and in later years she had an electric organ. She displayed a china dog collection on the radiator in the living room. Fred Hotz won a blue plastic dog at a picnic and gave it to her and she always kept it in the collection. She liked to listen to the radio soap opera's. Fred Hotz remembers three of her favorites were: Helen Trent, Our Gal Sunday, and Ma Perkins.
Millie liked to work outside in her garden and would rather be there than inside doing housework. She raised vegetables, strawberries, and flowers. She had a rock garden on the side of her house at one time. While she was outside she also took care of the chickens and gathered the eggs in her apron. She especially enjoyed the baby chicks.
Millie enjoyed needlework, especially crocheting. Many samples of her handiwork were found in her house. She also could sew her own clothing.
Often on Saturday she was found in the kitchen baking. In the winter she put the dough on the kitchen radiator to rise. She usually had fresh loaves of bread and coffee cake ready for family or company. She also enjoyed canning the fruits and vegetables from her garden.
On summer evenings after a hard day's work, she and Albert and any family or friends that were visiting gathered on the front porch. Here the family reminised about days gone by. It was their way of passing family history on to the younger oens.
On Sunday she and Albert attended Sunday School and church in Hoyleton at the Evangelical Church where she had gone all her life. She was also active in the Women's Fellowship, and the Adult Fellowship.
Millie corresponded with family left in Germany. During World War II when the family in Germany was in distress, Millie sent care packages to them. It was much appreciated by the German family.
Fred Hotz remembers Millie was always willing to let him build or repair things. He built a wren house when he was young and put a new ceiling in the hall when he was older. She always had praise when the job was finished.
By Carol Hotz in her book, Brink/Beckmeyer Family History 1999

Notes:

FRIEDRICH KRUGHOFF

COME, CHILDREN, LET US GO
THE EVENING IS COMING SOON
IT IS DANGEROUS TO REMAIN
IN THIS WILDERNESS.
COME-STRENGTHEN YOUR COURAGE
TO TRAVEL TOWARD ETERNITY
IT IS THE END THAT IS GOOD

This was a favorite song. And, "Eben-ezer: Hither-to the Lord has helped us," was the life-long MOTTO of Mr. Friedrich Krughoff of North Prairie who, on January 1, 1910, at approximately 7:30 was called Home. On New Year's morning father Krughoff now entered a new Life as dawn came, as he closed his tired eyes to awaken to eternal Light, to everlasting Life. For him now was fulfilled his favorite song: "IT IS THE END THAT IS GOOD." Surrounded by his family whom he loved so dearly; and who were so devoted to the husband, father, grand-father, he, clear of mind, took leave and gently, peacefully slumbered to a better world; The Hereafter. With the turn of one year to that of another (New Year) came the end of his mortal life.

Considering his age, Mr. Krughoff had engaged in and enjoyed unusual vigor; but during the last year some signs of infirmity began to show. Heart disease had developed and for the last four years (with the exception of last year) he had been very ill at Christmas time. In the last three months he was suffering more and more. On Thanksgiving Day he attended church for the last time. Last Thursday evening he complained of servere pain and the physician diagnosed this a severe inflammation of the lungs which his ailing body could not cope with. He understood how things were now, for he said on Friday evening: "This is the last night; now I am going home." He spoke loving words to his children; and, as his son Louis arrived from San Jose, he, being so ill and weak, nodded to his son to indicate to him that he recognized him. Soon thereafter he passed away.

Friedrich W. Krughoff was born November 23, 1829, in Rothenuffeln, Preuss-Minden, Germany, and attained the age of 80 years, one month, and eight days. He was the second- oldest of a family of 12 children and came to this country in 1847, arriving in St. Louis on his 18th birthday. After a stay of one and three-fourth year he traveled to North Prairie which since that time has been his home. In 1849 his sister Christine, and in 1851 his brother Oberst L. Krughoff arrived. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich William Krughoff, as well as brothers and sisters, followed also to the new home the next year.

On August 9, 1855, Mr. Krughoff was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmine Peithmann who, for 54 years, lived with him in great happiness. The wedding took place in the home of the groom's parents, with the Rev. Maul of Plum Hill presiding. They were blessed with 10 children. During the 54 years there was never an instance of death in the entire family; it was the father who was the first who preceded all into eternity. His home-place, the Krughoff farm, became home of the married couple on January 11, 1857, and they lived there since (42 years) in the new dwelling over whose door-way was placed the following MOTTO: "EBEN-EZER." This house still stands on the farm land.

Mr. Krughoff was a devout Christian whose religion was also reflected in his daily living. He was one of the founders of the local Evangelical congregation which was organized 55 years ago (Only Mr. Christ Wiese of Hoyleton is a surviving organizer of the church). As a young man he (Mr. Krughoff) was for a period of time a Sunday School teacher and was a Counselor in the North Prairie congregation which, at that time, was located on the Henry Hartmann farm. Later the Mother-church of Hoyleton Zion Congregation was organized in North Prairie, with a church located on the farm of Friedrich Wilhelm Krughoff, father of the now deceased. The latter was also a member. The two farms which have been referred to (the F. W. Krughoff farm and the Henry Hartmann farm) eventually became the Henry C. Kleeman farm. Mr. Krughoff was elder of the Evnagelical Zion Congregation of Hoyleton 24 years and, for 6 years was an honorary (senior) elder. He was distinctly honored and respected by fellow-citizens and was often appointed to deal with confidential matters.

Honest and upright, friendly and obliging, Mr. Krughoff was well-known for his hospitality. He was a good citizen, trusted friend, and loving husband and father. Whoever knew him learned to treasure and love him.

Mourning the loss of a beloved husband and father are, in addition to his widow, five sons and five daughters. They are: Maria, wife of H. E. Hoffmann; Elisabeth, wife of Charles L. Brink; Fred Krughoff of North-Prairie; Anna, wife of William Elmers of Moweaqua; Minnie, wife of Judge L. Bernreuter of Nashville; Louis Krughoff of San Jose; Lydia, wife of Frank Hake; Edward, Julius and Albert Krughoff of North Prairie. Also morning are 33 grand-children and 2 great-grand children; two sisters, the 82 year-old Mrs. Christine Nagel of North Prairie and Mrs. Louise Kleeman of Hoyleton. She is now gravely ill with bronchial inflammation. The mother of the deceased died in 1880 and the father died in 1887.

The funeral service took place on Tuesday afternoon in the German Methodist Church in North Prairie. The Rev. Schroeder, Pastor of the Zion Evangelical
Congregation in Hoyleton, had a comforting sermon based on I Corinthians 13, verse 13. Pastor F. Austermann had the English funeral sermon. Pastor A. Ludwig read a Bible passage; and Pastor H. Niederhoefer had the Prayer.

Serving as coffin-bearers were: Hy. Hake, Hy. Hohmann, Gottlieb Struckmeyer, Christ Wiese, William Weigel and Fred Breuer.

Close to his home where he had dwelt in happiness and with great blessings, he now sleeps toward THE MORNING OF RESURRECTION.

(Translated from German.)

ANOTHER TRANSLATION OF SAME MATERIAL:


FRIEDRICH KRUGHOFF


Come, children, let us go
The evening is coming
It is dangerous standing
In this wilderness
Come, strengthen your courage
To go to eternity
The end is good.

This was his favorite song and "Evenezer: The Lord has helped us thus far" was the motto of life for Mr. Friedrich Krughoff of North Prairie, who departed on January 1, 1910, at 7:30. (1 Sam. 7:12 samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, meaning stone of help, saying "Thus far the Lord helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again.) On New Years morning Father Krughoff went on to a new life; in his old age it became dawn and he closed his tired eyes to awaken in the realm of eternal light, that of eternal life. Through him his favorite song was fulfilled -- "The end is good." Surrounded by his relatives, whom he loved earnestly, by those to whom he was husband, father, and grandfather, he departed with full consciousness adn slumbered softly and peacefully in the better hereafter -- with the turn of the year came his life's end.
For his age Mr. Krughoff had enjoyed unusual vigor, but in the last years he felt the frailty of age. Heart trouble had developed and for four years (with the exception of last year) he was deathly ill at Christmas time. In the last three months he suffered more and Thanksgiving Day was the last time he went to church. Last Thursday evening he complained about intense pain and the doctor confirmed dangerous pneumonia which the ailing body could not resist.
He knew how it stood with him because Friday night he said: "This is the last night -- now I'm going home." He spoke loving words to his children, and as his son Louis from San Jose came in and he was too weak to speak, he showed by nodding his head that he recognized him. Soon after that he passed away.
Friedrich W. Krughoff was born on November 23, 1829, in Rothenuffelm, Preuss Minden, Germany, and reached an age of 80 years, 1 month and 8 days. He was the second oldest of a family of 12 children and came to this country in 1847, settling in St. Louis on his eighteenth birthday. After a stay of 1 3/4 years, he moved to North Prairie, his home ever since. In 1849 his sister Christine followed him and in 1851 his brother Oberst L. Krughoff. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich Wilhelm Krughoff, and brothers and sisters came in the next year to the new home.
On the 9th of August, 1855, Mr. Krughoff married Miss Wilhelmina Peithmann, whose happy marriage lasted 54 years. The wedding, performed by Pastor Maul from Plum Hll, was held in the home of the bridegroom's parents. The union was blessed with 10 children. During these 54 years there wasn't a single death in the family -- the father was the first to go on to eternity. The couple moved to the home place, the Krughoff Farm on Janfuary 11, 1857, and lived for 42 years in the new dwelling, over whose entrance his saying is mounted: Ebenezer. The old house is still standing on the farm.
Mr. Krughoff was a devout Christian, whose religion proved itself in life. He was one of the founders of the local protestant parish, which was organized 55 years ago. (Now Mr. Christ Wiese from Hoyleton is the only living founder). As a young man he was a Sunday school teacher and admonisher in the North Prairie church which at the time stood on the Henry Hartmann Farm. Later the mother parish of the Hoyleton Zion parish was founded in North Prairie and a church was built on the farm of Friedrich Wilhelm Krughoff, father of the deceased, and teh latter was an active member. The two named farms now form the Henry C. Kleemann farm. For 24 years Mr. Krughoff was the director of the Zion protestant parish at Hoyleton and for 6 years has been the administrator. He was lso chosen by fellow citizens for various honorary offices.
In socil life Mr. Krughoff was sincere and uprighteous, friendly and kind, and the hospitality of his home was well-known. He was a good citizen, a loyal friend and a loving husband and father. Whoever knew him learned to respect and love him.
Besides the widow, five sons and five daughters mourn the loss of their dear husband and father: Maria, wife of H. E. Hoffmann; Elisabeth, wife of Chas. L. Brink; and Fred Krughoff of North Prairie; Anna, wife of Wm Elmers of Moweaqua; Minnie, wife of Judge L. Bernreuter of Nashville; Louis Krughoff of San Jose; Lydia, wife of Frank Hake; Edward, Julius, and Albert Krughoff of North Prairie, as well as 33 grandchildren adn 2 gret-grandchildren, two sisters -- teh 82-year-old Mrs. Christine Nagel from North Prairie and Mrs. Louise Kleemann of Hoyleton, who is sick with bronchitis. Teh mother of the deceased died in 1880 and the father in 1887.
The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon in the German Methodist Church in North Prairie. Pastor M. Schroedel, minister of the protestant Zion parish in Hoyleton, gave a very comforting message from I Cor. 13:13. Pastor F. Austermann gave the English funeral sermon. Pastor A. Ludwig read a Bible passage and Pastor H. Niedernhofer gave the prayer. Serving as pallbearers were: Hy. Hake, Hy. Hohmann, Gottlieb Struckmeyer, Christ Wiese, Wm. Weigel and Fred Breuer.
Near his ome where he lived happily and worked prosperously, he now slumbers until the morning of the resurrection.


1860 Illinois Census - Nashville, Illinois - 9/12/1860
1306/1256Fred Krughkroff30 M Farmer 15,000-1,000Prussia
Mina25 FPrussia
Mary 4 FIllinois
Mina 1 FIllinois
Ernest Krietmire33 MPrussia

FREDERICK married PEITHMANN FRIEDERIKE WILHELMINA CHRISTINE on 9 Aug 1955 in Home of Groom's Parents: Rev. Maul of Plum Hill, Illinois, Presiding.. FRIEDERIKE (daughter of PEITHMANN EBERHARD FRIEDRICH GOTTLIEB (RODEKOPF) and PEPER MARIE LOUISE) was born on 29 Jan 1835 in Unterlubbe, Kreis Minden, Germany.; died on 6 Jul 1910; was buried in North Prairie Cemetery, Washington County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Per Carol Hotz she came to America in 1854.

Notes:

Baptized April 19, 1955

FREDERICK married BECKMEYER SOPHIA M. A. (BOKEMEIER BOEKMEIER) on 20 Apr 1880. SOPHIA (daughter of BECKMEYER HEINRICH WILHELM BOKEMEIER (BOEKMEIER) and EICKMEYER ANNE MARIE KATHERINE SOPHIA) was born on 3 May 1860 in (dob may be March 5, 1860); died on 18 Jun 1934 in Washngton Co. Illinois; was buried in Zion U. C. Cemetery, Hoyleton, Washington Co., Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Carol Hotz lists her name as Anne Marie Luise Sophie b. March 5, 1860.

Beckmeyer Family History by Millie Krughoff for the Beckmeyer reunion.

This sketch was given at teh first Reunion of the Beckmeyer descendants at the park in the village of Hoyleton, Illinois, September 6, 1954; by Millie Brink Krughoff, Author. At the time, September 7, 1954, the Beckmeyer descendants numbered 315 sould of which 35 passed into Eternity.
This sketch of history of our ancestors begins in the 18th century, 162 years ago, in a picturesque village called Hullhorst, in Westfalia, Germany. We have no knowledge of ancestors before that time. In No. 10 the homestead where our story begins on March 21 in the year 1792, our maternal Great Grandfather Christian Fredrich Ludwig (Great) Eickmeyer was born and baptized in the Evangelical church of Hullhorst. Where Great-grandmother Anna Maria Louise Great Eickmeyer was born we do not know, but surmise it was Hullhorst or a neighboring village. Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother Eickmeyer were married May 6, 1814. They made their home on the Great Eickmeyer farm in Hullhorst. There were a number of Eickmeyers in Hullhorst and as far as knowledge could be ascertained, Great Grandfather owned the largest farm--hence the "Great Eickmeyer".
Grandmother Anna Katherine Marie Sophia Beckmeyer (nee Eickmeyer), was born May 12, 1815, the oldest child of Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother Eickmeyer. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical church in and on August 4, 1836 she married Grandfather Heinrich Wilhelm (Korf) Beckmeyer. Grandfather took his bride to his own small farm in Hullhorst, homestead NO. 20, the birth place of our parents and which is operated by descendants of the people who purchased it in 1872.
Of Grandfather Beckmeyer's ancestors we have obtained no inforamtion, but we do know that he was born at Ohlson, (a neighboring village to Hullhorst) on a farm which is operated by a descendant of Grandfather's brother, but who knew nothing of the Beckmeyers. Granfather and Grandmother had eight children, the oldest died the first year of his life. The seven children are: Carl, Friedrichk, Wilhelm Ludwig, Heinrich, August and Sophia.
The narrative that follows I have from my mother Sophia Brink (nee Beckmeyer), who loved to tell about her beloved home and relatives in Germany. Descendants of those same relatives are living in Hullhorst, Germany and as a result of the second world war the Beckmeyer descendants in this country have sent food and clothing to those distant relatives across the ocean, when Germany suffered it's worst defeat in history and so very many people died of starvation due to the after effects of the war.
Our Grandparents Beckmeyer were very religious and pious. The chldren were all basptized and confirmed in the Evangelical church at Hullhorst, except Sophie was was confirmed in Aion Evangelical church at Hoyleton, Illinois. She was eleven years old when they came here. They all attended the state school, much like the parochial school here, regularly. It was called the state school because church and school were under the jurisdiction of the German government. The Beckmeyer children spent their childhood days much like all other normal children in Germany, at that time. They went to school, did chores, and also had their time for play. Although they had few toys they never-the-less had their fun in games. Their greatest fun was skating. They had no skates however so the boys would hammer large headed nails or tacks under the soles of wooden shoes to keep them from wearing away. There was a large pond in Hullhorst which was frozen during the entire winter where the youngsters of the whole village had a hilarious time skating. Today half of the pond is drained dry, and a monument dedicated in honor fo thedead soldiers of first world war, with beautiful shrubbery, and a carpet of grass surrounding, adorn the place where our parents once had a jolly time. In school religioon, reading, writing, and arithmetic were the main subjects. As a rule the teachers were very strick and one teacher took care of the whole school. In church the religious rites were much the same as our Evangelical rites here.
The houses were built very substantial. Some are still standing and in good repair that were built in the seventeen hundreds, among them the Beckmeyer Homestead No. 20. It was here that Grandfather Beckmeyer purchased a water pump, in 1865, it being the first water pump ever purchased in the village is still in good working order. The date is inscribed on the pump with Granfather and Grandmother's initials. I ahve this information from on of our relatives in Germany, Fred Kuhlmeyer, who did a little repair work on the pump in 1950. In the days when our parents were children in Germany, garments for the whole family were made of linen and wool. Flax was raised on the farm, hand processed, and spun in linen thread. The same way wool was spun into yarn for hose, socks, mittens, shawls, etc., or woven into material for garments. The woolen and linen threads were woven on wooden looms in the home. For men a heavier thread, for women and chldren a finer thread. After enought cloth was woven it was taken to a tailor who made garments for the whole family. They were simple and all made after the same pattern. The men wore short trousers, shirts, vests, coats and long, heavy wool hose, which came up over their knees. The women wore linen or wool dresses, all made in the same pattern; plain waist, gathered skirt and we must not forget the apron. it played in important role in the wardrobe. I remember Grandma Beckmeyer always wore an apron and a little woolen shawl around the shoulders and tucked in the belt of the apron. Wooden shoes were worn but mother said, at teh time they left Germany, people were beginning to wear leather shoes. Mother had one pair which were worn only on Sundays. Shoes were not bought in stores, but were made to order by a cobbler. Life in Germany was very simple, and having only a few acres of land, cows were used to pull the plows and other implements to till the soil. The Beckmeyers had a horse or two at intervals. On the Great Eickmeyer farm they had four or more horses. Furniture was simple and not much of it. A rustic talbe, wooden chairs, cabinet for cooking utensils and dishes, and a stove in teh kitchen, no other stove in the house. A large bed in the bed room and roll away beds for the small children. The small beds were rulled under the large one during the day. Meals were simple and wholesome. For the noon meal a stew of vegetables and a small piece of meat were cooked during the morning hours adn at meal time the soup was emptied into a large bowl, set in the center of the table, where all could help themselves to their share; using wooden spoons, hand-made and polished smooth as glass. Sugar was used very little and the fruit was eaten without sugar.
Bread baking was done outside in a stone overn. On baking day a fire was started in the oven and was kept burning until the right empterature for baking, then the coals and fire were removed from the oven and 15 to 20 loaves of bread baked at one time. The bread dough was kneaded in a (Backtrog) Bake trough they called it. The men did the kneading because it was too much to handled for the women. Cakes, cookies and pastries were baked in bakeries. At a funeral the upper grade school children had to sing and for this would receive a bun covered with sugar. Mother's brother August would always bring his bun home and give it to her, and mother would share it with him. What a token of love between borther and sister.
As all normal children do, the Beckmeyer children grew and after confirmation came the question of employement. There was not enough work on the small farm for six boys, and not enough money to send them to college. In those days many young men, yes whole families came to America, where opportunities for business and farming were great. In order to avoid military training, the boys would leave before they were eighteen years. When Carol Beckmeyer reached that age, he too, left his home, parents and brother to come to America with his uncle Carl Eickmeyer. They settled in Illinois where they worked for farmers who were mostly English settlers. In winter tehy split rails for fencing. When the stock law came into effect, the farmers had to fence their stock, which before could roam the prairies at will. After Carl ahd enough money he bought his own farm. Land sold for very little money at that time. Next in line to leave was Fred Beckmeyer, before he was eighteen, he also went to America.
Before I go on I must relate an incident, such as we often read in books, but think it could never happen in real life, but this story is not fiction but fact. When Fred left for America, he sailed from Bremen, but the ship was not quite ready to sail, so Fred took his baggage aboard and in his spare time took a stroll uptown. When he came back the ship had sailed without him but with his baggage. There was nothing he could do but wait till the next ship sailed for America. He did not or could not notify his parents and while they thought him on the ocean he was still in Bremen. But the ship he was to have sailed on, sank during a severe storm, and not a person was saved. When after weeks of waiting for a letter from Fred which did not come, they received word from some source, stating the fact that the ship on which Fred Beckmeyer sailed was lost at sea and everyone on board it. Imagine the shock and grief this notice brought into the Beckmeyer household. their boy, who such a short time ago, was such a care free lad, full of fun, who had great hopes for the future in the new country, dead? He was mourned as dead, by all relatives and friends. A memorial service was held in his honor and August was named Fred it being his middle name. We can only imagine their joy and thanksgiving to the Lord when weeks later they received a letter from Fred stating his safe arrival in America.
William was the next to go, but as Louis was confirmed, (he was 15 years old) it seems the two came to America together. Now by this time Grandmother was talking of coming to America, but Granfatehr would not hear of it. He would stay in Germany. But when Henry also left for the new country and only two children, August and Sophie, were left in teh Beckmeyer household, Granmother kept on talking America, hoping Grandfather might change his mind. Her wish was granted sooner than she had anticipated. About two years after Henry's departure, Louis came to Germany for a few months visit with his parents. No doubt Louis was on Grandmother's side on teh America question and August, the woungest son was confirmed, was fifteen eyars old and might want to join his brothers in America. All this might have had something to do with Grandfather's decision. Be that as it may, Grandfather did make up his mind to come to America. I here quote my mother's words, "One evening father came home from the village and said to mother, "Katherine get ready, We are going to America." The surprise of tehse words, the eagerness to get ready for the journey, the thought of seeing the boys again, but also the sadness of parting with everything dear to them, I leave for each one who reads this episode to consider. After a few days when everything was attended to, the Beckmeyer family bid farewell to Hullhorst, Germany, farewell to relatives and friends and started teh long journey across the Atlantic in September 1872, in happy anticipation of the future. But alas...things do not always turn out as we would want, for during the twelve day (should this be 12 week? wlg) voyage on the ocean, Grandfather Beckmeyer became violently ill and died aboard ship just as land was sighted. The authorities would not allow the remains of Grandfather Beckmeyer to be taken by train to Illinois. Grandfather lies buried in New York and Louis is the only one of the family who knew and saw the last resting place of Brandfather Beckmeyer. Grandmother now had to make the end of the journey alone with her children. They made their first visit with Carl and family on his farm. Mother said when they came to Carl's place and met his wife and children, Anna five and Fred about two years old, she was so taken with everything she saw, (all so different than in Germany) that she forgot for the time being the grief of losing her father, but when her brother Henry came to see them all was told about Grandfather's death, he cried out loud and teh sad experience of losing a loved one came back.
Later the Beckmeyer brothers purchased a farm with Grandmother's money southeast of Hoyleton, Illinois
Fred Beckmeyer had moved to Wichita, Kansas with his family. He came a year or two later for a visit with his wife and child, Nancy. That was the only tiem my mother saw her brother Fred in her whole life, for he had gone to America before my mother was born.
So now we come to the end of this narrative. Grandmother Beckmeyer was reunited with her children, but Grandfather, the head of the clan, was missing. In due time the wounds of sorrow were healed by One in Whom Granmother firmly believe, her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived to see all her children married and have homes of their own. She made her home with August, who inherited the farm. Alvin Beckmeyer, youngest son of August, owns the farm now. Grandmother as I remember her was a true Christian character, and one who could pray and believed in prayer. She passed into Eternity on her birthday, the 12th day of May, 1891, reaching the age of 75 years. Blessed be her memory.
From Brink/Beckmeyer Family History 1999


Poem written by Millie Krughoff for the Beckmeyer reunion:

FAITH OF OUR ANCESTORS

Faith of our Ancestors, true to God
Thro' all the fires of mortal strife,
Holding the promises of old,
Strong in the everlasting life.
Faith of our Ancestors, Oh how strong
Like anchor chains, that would not break,
No matter how the tempest raved,
They always knew that Jesus saved.
Faith of our ancestors, true as steel,
Calm and sweet, their trust in God's Love,
Firmly they trod the upward way,
Until they reached the Home above.
God grant that every Beckmeyer descendant
May have this firm trust and faith,
That the upward way, our Ancestors trod,
Leads to the mansions of our God.

There are eight pages of photographs at the end of the Brink/Beckmeyer Family History of various family members. There is a copy of this book in the Nashville Public Library where you could see the pictures if you like.
Our copy is filed under Beckmeyer. wlg

Notes:

Per Carol Hotz the story passed down through the family says that Frederick Wilhelm Heseman married Mary (Marie) Krughoff who was the heir to the family fortune and the only way she could inherit this fortune was for Frederick Wilhelm Heseman to take her last name. Thus he became Frederick Wilhelm Krughoff.

Emmigrated to America in 1852.

1860 Illinois Census - Nashville, Illinois - 9/12/1860
1287/1237 Frederick W. Krughoff56 M Farmer 4000-3000Prussia
Elizabeth56 FIL.
Henry22 M FarmerIl.
Elizabeth16 FIl.
Mary11 FIl.
Louis Hilderbrand18 MIl.


At the time of their Golden Wedding in 1878, the Krughoff's sent $1000 to the Barmer Mission in Germany. The mother is quoted as saying, "We were married in Bergkirche by pastor Linkmeyer and that evening we walked to Schnathorst to Pastor Volkening's Mission Study Hour. On the way home, we made the vow that if the Good Lord would grant them fifty years of wedded life they would send $1000 to the Barmer Mission." She gave Pastor Rague the money to send to Germany. A Pastor from Germany sent a letter from there to thank her.Florence Krughoff

FREDERICK married KRUGHOFF SOPHIE MARIE (MARY) ELIZABETH on 11 Jan 1828 in Eixen Rolenufel, Berg Kirche, Kreis Minden, Westfalen, Preuszen, Deutchland; marriage performed by Herr Pastor Linkmeyer.. SOPHIE (daughter of KRUGHOFF JOHANN HEINRICH (Geb. Griese) and PRIES ANNE MARIE ILSABEIN) was born on 20 Sep 1804 in Eiksen, Germany.; died on 8 Nov 1880 in Hoyleton Precint, Washington County, Illinois of bronchitis with attending physician B. Burnreuter, M.D., Nashville, Illiinois.; was buried in North Prairie Cemetery, Washington County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Per Florence Krughoff and information she copied from family Bible of F. W. Krughoff, Sr. her date of birth was September 22, 1804.

Information from a letter received from Lina Romming of 4955 Hille 9, Kohlterholz Nr. 9 in Germany - December 1, 1989

Possible connection to Krughoffs in Germany prior to Mary


Dear Family Krughoff,
With hearty greetings I am here with sending photos of old buildings in which your forefathers were born, and where your ancestors were living until they immigrated to the United States.
The houses burnt down about 15 years ago and now nothing is left. Buldings near by have been rebuilt. Current owners are Rohlfing at Rothenuffeln #33.
I got the pictures from them, the Rohlfings. In addition I have established a family tree that a Mr. Herman Stelze from Unterlubbe #40. On May 8, 1803 he married Marie Elizabeth Krughoff, Otis Krughoff's daughter. Herman Stelze died a few years after marriage. Already April 23, 1809, the widow Marie Elizabeth Stelze nee Krughoff. Mr. Johann Cordt (Kurt) Gerling from Hille. Accompany photo has the inscription which comes from the old house. It was built into the new home, which can be seen on the picture.
Second husband, Gerling took on the name Stelze when married. In this marriage many cildren were born, who have married and at this time still live in same vicinity.
In my conservation, to current owner (home place Stelze), Louise Karmeier nee Stelze is 77 years old. Through Louise Karmeier I got the pictures of the old house and tombstone. I made duplicates.
Tombstone is a Elizabeth Stelze nee Krughoff born August 15, 1786 and died January 21, 1867. Louise Karmeier has a living married sister and married daughter.
Finally I am enclosing photo of place Stelze and Louise Karmeier. I am a neighbor of home places Peithman #16 and Huck #1. And our home place was called Rodekopf #8. Further you can get bits and pieces from the Duekers. Many hearty greetings, also from my man.
Lina

Picture descriptions
1. Two wooded squares gables - Entrance to the right of the old house, Krughoff home place - this picture was taken at a wedding.
2. Home Place (Krughoff) where new house stands (Rohlfings Rothenufflen #33) where ancestors lived, southwest view
3. Home place Stelze #40 with the inscription still readable built in 1823, building still standing
4. Erna (on left) and Louise Stelze in front of old house with inscription Stelze-Krughoff
5. Louise Karmeieer nee Stelze new home
6. Johann Cordt (Kurt) Stelze (born Gerling) from Hille. Wife Marie Elizabeth Stelze nee Krughoff. Roethnufflen built 1823, June 4. Builder F. Pohlmann
7. Beams from old house Stelze #40
8. Louise Karmeier Nee Stelze in front of new house with twin grandsons
9. Stelze Tombstone

Tombstone in North Prairie Cemetary reads:

Marie Elizabeth
Gattin von
F. W. Krughoff
geb
22 September 1804
gest
8 November 1880

Notes:

The Peithmann family tree has been traced back to 1380 and was called Poythemann (Wet Land or Fountain). After the Reformation the name was changed, the only family with a continuous record. In May of 1980 the Peithmanns are having their 600th anniversary reunion in Germany at Berg Kirche, the home church at Stathagen.

EBERHARD married PEPER MARIE LOUISE. MARIE was born on 14 Dec 1808; died in 1889. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Among the foreign born citizens of Washington County was Senator F. E. W. Brink, who was born on March 17, 1827 in Westphalia, a Province of Prussia. He left his native country at an early age and came to America, landing in Washington County September 22, 1844. His parents followed a year later. He went to New Orleans as a shipping clerk for 7 years and returned to Washington County on May 6, 1854 and married Carolina Hoffman who had also immigrated here from Prussia. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Fred Brink, Carolina Krueger, Louise Rolf, Mary Cohlmeyer, Henry Brink, Ann Cohlmeyer, Elizabeth Greiman, Rev. Edward Brink, and Flora Cohlmeyer. Frederich was involved in farming and stock-raising. They owned a farm in North Prairie, now owned by the Dueker family. In 1872 they moved to Hoyleton where he and William Weigel owned the Mill.

In politics, he was a democrat. His first vote was cast for Lewis Cass in 1848. In 1874, the Repubican party nominated him for Representative in General Assembly, but he did not accept. In 1876 he was nominated for the office of State Senator on the Democratic ticket for the 42nd District. He accepted the nomination and was elected by a handsome majority. While a member of the 30th Legislature he was honored with the chairmanship of an important committee. In the 31st General Assembly, he was a member of the committee on State Charitable Institutions, the Agriculture Drainage, Miscellaneous and Manufacturing and Labor Committee. He and his wife were life-long members of the Hoyleton Zion Church, of which he was one of the founders.


Newspaper article regarding the original Zion Evangelical Cemetery and Zion Evangelical Church in North Prairie - date of article unknown. (This cemetery is prior to North Prairie Methodist Church Cemetery).

HOYLETON CHURCHMEN HONOR PIONEER DEAD by Grover Brinkman

Back in 1861, a group of eighteen farmers met at the home of Frederick E. W. Brink in North Prairie to establish a new church. Eight acres of land was purchased from F. W. Krughoff for $12.50 per acre, and preliminary plans were made for the building program, which included a church, school, parsonage and "laying-off" a cemetery. Later that year, carpenter Henry Hake was given a contract to build a church 30 x 50 feet, 16 ft. high, with eight windows and a tower. He was to receive $217 for his labor.
The day the tower of the new church was completed, a bad storm leveled the building. Undaunted, the members set about to rebuild the church, completed it in 1863.
Back in those days, when the infant farm congregation was being organized, prices of commodities, compared with today, are little short of amazing. For instance, when the parsonage was ready for painting, the labor amounted to $15. Later a fence was built to enclose the property, each member being required to furnish ten fence posts or contribute a dime. On one occasion, the pastor was compelled to build his own chicken house. Another pastor, desiring a porch on the parsonage, added it himself.
Today this pioneer church is gone, its members long ago having transferred to Hoyleton, but the old cemetery remains. And recently a cemetery committee composed of Rueben Westerfeld, Clarence Hake, Roland and William Beckemeyer, were appointed to restore the long-neglected burial ground, now a thicket of hedge and bramble, dug up by marmots. Many of the old stones were gone, broken or vandalized. So, for the record, a large central marker was erected, upon which are engraved the names of all who are buried here, 85 in number. The oldest grave is that of Marie Westerfeld, born in 1832.
A new chain fence protects the site, which is southeast of New Minden and southwest of Hoyleton. Here is an example of pioneer cemetery restoration that is commendable. Washington County, like its sister counties in southern Illnois, has many of these old burial grounds, most of them completely neglected. Updating the same with a central marker, inscribed with all the names of those buried, seems a fine idea

FREDERICK married HOFFMAN CAROLINE C. (MARIA) on 5 May 1854. CAROLINE (daughter of HOFFMAN UNKNOWN and UNKNOWN UNKNOWN) was born on 7 Jul 1834 in May have arrived New Orleans via ship President Schmidt in 1852.; died on 6 Jan 1909 in Washington County, Illinois; was buried in Zion Evangelical Cemetery, Hoyleton, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John Ernest Henry Buhrman died at sons H. H. Buhrmans home Sun. Age 91 yrs. 3 mo. 9 days. Born in Unterluebbe, Kries Minden, Germany 1837. In 1840 served in German Army. In 1847 he married Augusta Wipperman of the same place. Left Germany September 3, 1852, he, wife, and son came to America accompanied by Fred Buhrman and August Steffen on Steamship President Schmidt. Also on the boat were Wm. Koeneman of Nashville, Ernest Weihe of New Minden, Mrs. Fred Kleeman of North Prairie, Mr. F. E. W. Brink of Hoyleton. They landed 1852 at New Orleans. Buhrman came to St. Louis and his late son, Dr. A Buhrman was born. Moved to Nashville August 13, 1853.

Notes:

He took his bride to his own small farm in Hullhorst, homestead Nr. 20, Westfalen, Germany.

In transcribing descendents from the book BRINK/BECKMEYER FAMILY HISTORY compiled by Carol Hotz 1999 it was sometimes difficult to keep everything straight as spouses names were not given. I used UNKNOWN in place of missing spouse names. I just hope I have interpreted everything correctly. If anyone sees any errors, please contact me. wlgines

HEINRICH married EICKMEYER ANNE MARIE KATHERINE SOPHIA on 4 Aug 1836. ANNE (daughter of EICKMEYER CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH LUDWIG and NIEDERMEYER ANNE MARIE LUISE) was born on 12 May 1815. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical church in Hullhorst, Westfalen, Germany.