Sunday's Obituary - LeRoy A. Schwemm

Crystal Lake Herald - October 5, 1939

LeRoy A. Schwemm, formerly of Algonquin and well known here, was killed Saturday in a tractor accident on the Public Service Company model farm near Mundelein. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death although the manner in which Schwemm's body got between the tractor and the plow will likely never be known.

Plowing for more than an hour, Schwemm had reached one corner of the field. Whether he was thrown from his seat or was making an adjustment is not known. His body was found in a sitting position with the heavy tractor wheel revolving, it having worn a gaping wound into his side. Mud prevented the tractor from being able to pull the plow over Schwemm's body. Neighbors noted that the tractor had been standing still for more than a half hour with the motor running and went to investigate.

Schwemm was born November 14, 1909 in Algonquin, and was well and favorably known. He was married June 20, 1936 to the former Marion Ebel who with a 6-month daughter survives. Other surviving relatives are: Mr. and Mrs. Wm Schwemm of Crystal Lake; seven brothers - Emil, Edwin, Alvin, Raymond, Gordon, Leslie and Howard and one sister, Esther.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Schwemm home in Mundelein, and at the Lutheran Church in Libertyville. Burial was at Algonquin.

Leroy and Marion Ebel Schwemm with daughter Jean

Sunday's Obituary - Sophie Dehmlow Schwemm

Mother: Marie Doss
Father: Christian Dehmlow

Married: William David Schwemm - Dec 2, 1893

Crystal Lake Herald - January 3, 1957

Funeral Services for Mrs. Sophie Schwemm, 83, of Crystal Lake, sister-in-law of Mrs. John Schwemm of Liberty Street and Mrs. William Schnetlage of North Avenue, were held on Monday.

She was born March 2, 1873 at Bassendorf, Germany, the daughter of Christian and Marie Doss Dehmlow. The family came to this county and became early settlers in Algonquin when the deceased was nine years old.

In 1893 at Algonquin she married William Schwemm, who died four years ago. They farmed in the Algonquin-Crystal Lake-Cary area. Mrs. Schwemm's interests centered in her home, her family and her lovely garden. She was an earnest church worker and a 'good neighbor'.

Surviving are a daughter, Esther, Crystal Lake; seven sons, Edwin, Alvin, Raymond, Leslie and Howard, Crystal Lakel Emil, Cary and Gordon, Lake Geneva, Wis., and four grandchildren. A son, daughter, two brothers and a sister preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held at the Warner Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. Monday and at 2 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Fred Duever officiating. Burial was in the Algonquin Cemetery.

Louisiana, Maryland and A Quick Trip Home

Louisiana

April 30th marked Louisiana's anniversary of statehood. The year was 1812 but Louisana had their first census in 1810 when it was the Orleans Territory.

Check out my blog, Celebrate Your Louisana Heritage, for links to help in your research.

Maryland

Maryland became a state on April 28, 1788. For a list of what census records are available for Maryland check out Maryland Census Records.

The Maryland State Archives holdings span the spectrum of Muster Rolls from the American Revolution to Index of Colonial Probate Records 1634-1777. It takes more than a few clicks to appreciate all the information available online.

If you live in the area the Maryland Genealogical Society has a "Back to Basics Workshop" on June 25th, 2011. The Society website also has an online database "Baltimore City Church Register Transcriptions" and they are FREE!

Going Home (aka A Quick Research Trip)

I try to to visit my mom and sister at least once a year. An email flyer I received this week from the McHenry County Genealogical Society talked about some historical presentations, walks and new publications that were being sponsored this month. Since I could I decided I would. I booked my flight and will be going home to the northwest suburbs of Chicago in mid May.

My sister will be going with me on an "Old Town Algonquin Walking Tour" and then we will be visiting the Cary-Grove Historical Society to pick up a copy of "Images of America: Cary and Fox River Grove.

I will also be spending time at the Barrington Library so I began a list of people I needed to look up. I had also found some errors on Findagrave.com recently, so that was another list. Recently I found one local cemetery listed twice, so a ride to Dundee to visit and document the error is needed.

While I was in Barrington I needed to visit the local funeral home to find out why my grandfather does not have a military marker. I also wanted to stop at the Barrington Historical Society to see if they ever found that box of 'lost Schwemm photos'.

If the opportunity presented itself, would you be ready to take a 'quick research trip'? I am ready for the research trip now I just have to fit in some time to spend with my mom!

Take Care,
Pattie