NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

Transcription

1 CHAPTER MEETING Sunday May 21, :30 p.m. St. John s Lutheran Church 1701 L Street Sacramento, CA Program DNA Presentation by Lee Macklin The presentation will focus on how to analyze your DNA results. This seems to be the biggest challenge for most people who have taken the DNA test. There will be time for questions so bring them prepared. President's Message It's time to elect our officers for next year. How can you help to serve the chapter? Many of our members have served for many years. Let me know how you can serve. President, Don Schell Chapter Meeting Dates for GRHS Mark your calendars now May 21, 2017**Note change due to Holiday September 24, 2017 November 26, 2017 Save the Date 47th Annual International Convention will be held July 2017 at the Ramkota in Bismarck, ND Hosted by the Dakota Pioneers Bismarck/Mandan Chapter In Memoriam Margaret Mehlhaff Lemmon passed away on August 28,2016 Celebration of Life will be August 27, 2017 at 1:00pm at the Folsom Masonic Center Ron and daughter Susan's mailing address is: 6909 Mercedes Avenue, Citrus Heights, California California District Council German- Russian Heritage Festival is scheduled for June 24, 2017 in the greater Sacramento area city of Roseville, CA. This year's annual California District Council German-Russian Heritage Festival is scheduled for June 24, 2017 in the greater Sacramento area city of Roseville, CA. This announcement is an invitation to all people who are interested in or curious about their recent German- Russian Heritage. The following information and attachments will provide the details of this unique all day and evening Celebration. The Speaker presentations, authentic German food and a host of activities are planned to be interesting, informative and enjoyable. (Editors note: If you are interested in the information for location, registration, and speakers please contact me and I will send it to you.)

2 Germans from Russia Heritage Society Minutes of the March 26, 2017 Meeting The (GRHS) met at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sacramento, California on Sunday, March 26, The meeting was called to order at 1:54 PM by President Don Schell, who led the salute to the flag and opening prayer. There were 16 members in attendance. MINUTES: It was moved to dispense with reading of the minutes and accept the minutes as printed in the newsletter. Michael Schell made a motion to elect Fredricka Nezbeth as secretary which carried. Freddie will fill the secretary position left vacant with the loss of Pat Pederson. TREASURER S REPORT: George Niesl, Treasurer reported a beginning balance on January 1, 2017 of $285.31, an income of $160.00, disbursements of $130, leaving a balance of $ on March 26, OLD BUSINESS: It was suggested that we put a reminder in the next newsletter for members to pay their 2017 chapter dues. NEW BUSINESS: Michael Schell suggested a note be put in the newsletter that donations for the National Chapter of GRHS s Youth Essay Contest will be accepted at the next meeting. Discussion about the chapter s annual $200 donation to the contest was tabled until the May 21 st meeting. Members were asked to consider running for an elected chapter position prior to the May 21 st meeting. Gladys Schmidt, Newsletter Editor and longtime member announced that she will be relocating soon. Michael Schell graciously offered to take over publishing the newsletter. Members discussed the movie Bitter Harvest about Stalin s treatment of the Ukrainian people. The book Like Footprints in the Wind by Pamela Atherstone was recommended by Larry Gunst. Duane Bitter confirmed that Lee Macklin will speak at the May 21 st meeting about DNA testing! [Duane will follow-up on possible fee for this information.] PROGRAM: Duane Bittner shared a short story about life from a North Dakota Guy. Don Schell read excerpts from his cousin Lillian Lippelt Taylor's personal diary during the Pearl Harbor attack. The meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m. followed by fellowship and refreshments. Thank you to Bev Grubbs, Refreshment Chair and all those that brought food to share! NEXT MEETING: May 21 st Topic: DNA Testing Respectfully Submitted, Freddie Nezbeth, Secretary Chapter officers President: Don M. Schell donnorschell@gmail.com Vice-President: Duane W. Bittner gerusbit@comcast.net Secretary: Fredricka Nezbeth cnez67cv@aol.com Treasurer: George & Dorothy Niesl g_dniesl@yahoo.com Member at Large: Michael D. Schell max@maxschell.com Newsletter Editor: Gladys Schmidt hngschmidt@comcast.net Hospitality: Beverly Grubbs No

3 THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE 1948 LEHR ND GOLDEN JUBILEE BOOK EDITED BY DUANE W. BITTNER The late Jacob Bittner was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bittner, who with his family, came to America in 1879 from South Russia passenger lists indicate that Jacob's father, John, with his family left the village of Kassel in the Glueckstal enclave of South Russia. The family traveled to Hamburg, Germany along with 200 or so more settlers from that region and left on the S.S. BERLIN, a steamship bound for the port of Glasgow, Scotland. They came to America via Glasgow, Scotland on the S.S.CIRCASIA, arriving at New York on January, The port in New York was probably "Castle Gardens" located in the Battery section of Manhattan. Jacob was 3 or 4 months old at the time. Jacob as a boy of seven recalls many of the pioneer experiences and hardships of the early settlers. The John Bittners' first settled near Tripp, then in Dakota Territory. They lived here seven years but as the country to the north was being opened to homesteaders, they and seven other families decided to move on to fresher soil. Four of the families shipped their household goods by train to Ipswich while other families drove through. The John Bittners', Fred Ziegenhagels', Fred George and Andrew Lehrs' were the families who went by train. From Ipswich they moved on to Long Lake. Here the men left their families to go in search of a place to locate themselves. After leaving Long Lake they struck out for McIntosh County. After reaching Hoskins they traveled twenty miles north and in this location they decided to stay and make new homes. The men filed claims on the land and went back for their families. Two other men, namely, John Mayer and Valentine Hoff joined their company from Long Lake The making of a house of some kind was John Bittner's first responsibility to his family, along with the rest of the pioneers. A wagon box tipped sideways and two 2 by 4's supported boards covered with sod as a roof. They lived in this shelter until the crop was put in and money earned to purchase lumber for a house. Buffalo bones were sold for $8 to $10 per load in Ellendale. They often gathered a wagon box full a day. Jacob Bittner helped his mother break up the sod for a crop while his sister and father gathered the bones. They used a team of horses and two oxen for plowing and Jacob's duty was to lead them. They purchased lumber with the money from the buffalo bones. This was used for door and window frames. The original eight families who located here helped each other in hauling lumber and building their homes. This was the day of the "Buffalo" and herds of these and antelope were often seen. The shooting of buffalo helped very much in their meat supply. The Pioneer mother couldn't say to dad, "When you go to town bring back some meat from the locker." Those "Pioneer winters " were very severe and plenty of snow made it impossible to travel by team at times. At such times they walked to Hoskins pulling a sled with supplies, flour being one of the main articles of diet. One of the first things a pioneer usually thinks of is his house of worship. These families organized the Evangelical "God Church" congregation. One horse pulled a contraption of apple boxes nailed onto a board about 12 feet long, on which the people rode in the winter time to get to this church. In the summer hay racks and wagons were used, pulled by horses and oxen. On November 26th 1901, Jacob Bittner was married to Pauline Becker by the Rev. F.H. Brockmueller. Witnesses were Jacob Becker and Christ Bittner??? ( GRHS, Feb. 1983) Mr. Bittner was engaged in

4 farming. Then he moved to Lehr and was in the store and implement business. Later he gave up his business and again engaged in farming the land surrounding town, following this occupation up until the time of his death. He passed away suddenly from this life on January 12th, 1944 at South Gate, California. He had attained the age of 65 years and 10 days. His wife, Pauline passed away on Mar 8, 1959 at Lodi, CA. Jacob Bittner was ever an active and useful citizen. He served his community for over 20 years as a member of the Loewenthal School Board. He also represented his community in the State Legislature as a State Representative from 1929 thru To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bittner, 13 children were born, two of them, Bertha and Vernon preceded their father and mother in death. Emma Georing, deceased; Walter, deceased; Ida Ziegenhagel Johnson, deceased; Alma Heinle, deceased; Erna Strohmaier, deceased; Amanda Orth, deceased; Aaron, deceased; Raymond, Lodi, CA.; Roy, Lehr, ND.; Elmer, deceased; Norma Brown, Lodi, CA. deceased; and Roy, the last one in June The following is an obvious spoof on the Political scene in Lehr about the 1920s or early 1930's. The text is original except to correct obvious spelling mistakes: THE LEHR YELLOW JACKET Hurrah for the Lowenthal School Board. The Boys have been doing fine. They took on a C. W. A. project to fix up all the school houses in the district. The School Board put the honorable J. Bittner in as Foreman & Supervisor at $25.00 per week, paid out of C. W. A. funds. This got a little too loud, so Bittner was fired by the local C. W. A. Bittner was president of the School Board and of course was not satisfied with this, so he went to his advisor J. H. Bellon and was advised to go to Bismarck. Bittner then saw Williams, the State Secretary & asked if Mr. Nagel, the chairman of the Local Board, could fire him (Bittner)? Williams told him, Bittner, "That if Nagel can't fire you, I can." The writer knows that Bittner is run by the Whisker Machine. How people change. For 25 or more years Bittner was fighting the Old Whisker Machine. This Machine has strong magnets in it, however, and finally they pulled Mr. Bittner way in. How about it, Jake? We have been asked how long the Machine will still run. We did not know what to say, so asked our Questioner how long he would estimate it, and he said "Till Hell breaks them up". We guess he is right. Hula Reich is raising Holstein Cattle. A. Schill is foreman on Lowenthal School Project. This is the Grading of the street on the west side of the school. We wonder if Schill is run by the same Machine as Bittner is. How about it Schill? The Whisker Gang is getting ready for the next Election. Non Partisan Schill is trying to move the Training School from Mandan to Lehr, so the people around Lehr don't have to go so far to get Holstein Calves. The Wolf around the corner from the Buckskin Street is still hanging he ears down. Someone says, "Look out when he raises his Ears". Well, Folks, who will run for our next Commissioner? How about Jacob Bittner? The King fish will plug for him. Times are getting better. One of our Milk-men now gets seven cents per quart for Milk. No, we take it back; the price is five cents per quart and two cents for delivery. Maybe it is worth two cents to deliver Milk to some people.

5 Rev. H.J. Geigle has been making good headway. He is the owner of three pigs and no feed. President of the Whisker Machine will call a meeting come time next week. All members will please be present. Zeeland is getting a New Bank. If this is to be like some that we know of, we don't care whether Lehr is favored with a new Banking Institution. The President & "Typewriter Man" were in Ashley Tuesday, again. We wonder if there was any more "You write and I will sign" business translated. Martin Helmer, we understand, thinks that too much poor gravel was put on Buckskin Street. This is the end of 'THE YELLOW JACKET: Facts on birth taken from St Petersburg films: /1 Page 696 Reg. 1, Glueckstal Parishes 187x.xls. The following was taken from the Wishek, ND Star of Apr 29, 2009: LEHR NEWS: Greetings from the smallest city situated in two counties. Our little town will be quietly celebrating its 100th year of becoming a "City of Lehr" versus the previous 11 year history of being called the "Village of Lehr". Everyone is welcome to help celebrate. Posters are hung in businesses to announce this historical event. Starting Sunday, the week of May 17, 2009, Marie's Kitchen will be serving "free" frosted cupcakes to the first 100 customers. with each cupcake, a little history will be available to read or take with them. THE HISTORY reads: One hundred years ago, an election was held on May 17, 1909 in the village of Lehr. A council meeting was held the next day on May 18, 2009 in the auditor's office in the building of the North Star Lumber Co. Present at the meeting were: John Rott Sr., Mayor, Lot Lachenmeier, Karl Sattler, Jacob Mack and Jacob Bittner, Aldermen. Previously, a petition of the electors of said Village was circulated to determine the question whether the Village of Lehr shall be organized and become incorporated as a "City" under General Law? The return of such election being before the Council would have the final action. Thirty-four ballots were for incorporaration as a city under General law, seven votes were against it. The council thereby announced, declared and manifested that the territory embraced within the incorporated limits of The Village of Lehr, situated partly in Logan and partly in McIntosh Counties in the State of North Dakota therefore known under the name of the "Village of Lehr" is now incorporated as the "City of Lehr." the Auditor, August H Becker, filed and recorded in the Register of Deeds Office in Logan and McIntosh counties showing the entries made upon the records of such City as to the canvass of the votes and results of such election, whereby such City became so organized and a certificate was filed with the Secretary of State at Bismarck, North Dakota, as prescribed by law.

6 May Eunice Friedrich 9 June Jeffrey Grubbs 1 Dennis Graff 10 George Niesl 16 Marlene (Flath/Flato) Strand 22 Gladys (Neuharth) Schmidt 24 Richard Henricksen 25 Duane Bittner 30 July Pamela (Parten) Atherstone 9 Linda Boehm 14 Ted Strand 20 Larry Gunst 22 Bruce Schweigerdt 22 Monica Bazlen 25 Beverly (Wacker) Grubbs 30 August Cheryl Neil 2 Lilli (Flath) Hendricksen 6 Don M. Schell 8 Jack Jenkins 11 Adrian (Kruse) Jenkins 29 Cindi (Pederson) Jones 30 Birthdays DUES Chapter Member dues for 2017 $15.00 GRHS Membership dues $65.00 GRHS Lifetime Membership dues $ dues are past due!!! We are also accepting donations for the National chapter of GRHS s Youth Essay Contest at the next meeting. Discussion about the chapter s annual $200 donation to the contest was tabled until the May 21 st meeting.

7 Northern California Chapter Membership for year 2017 New Member Renewal Man s Full Name Woman s Full Name Address (Street) (City) (State) (Zip Code) Telephone (Home) (Business) Address Birthday (His) (Hers) His Ancestor Surnames His Ancestral Villages Her Ancestor Surnames Her Ancestral Villages I would like to volunteer: Membership Publicity Genealogy Newsletter Photographer Program Scrapbook Refreshments Make checks payable for $15.00 to GRHS Northern California Chapter and mail to George Niesl, 2117 F Street, Sacramento, CA Membership for International headquarters:, 1125 W. Turnpike Ave, Bismarck, ND Telephone:

8 A special note on parking at St. John s Lutheran Church: There is a parking lot east of our meeting room Oehler hall, but it may be occupied by others, except for two spots available for any of our members who have disabled stickers. For others, we recommend using the several stories parking garage on the SE corner of 18 th and K Streets, which may be entered from K St. Exit the garage from the south side, through the alley to St. John s. This garage is available for our members for the duration of our meeting time, from approximately 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Northern California Chapter, GRHS Gladys Schmidt, Editor 316 Station Court Roseville CA FIRST CLASS MAIL TIME DATED INFORMATION