Sunday's Obituary - Johanna Wehmeier Pahlke

Barrington Courier Review - April 6, 1944

Mrs. Johanna Pahlke, 79, of Barrington, IL at Sherman Hospital in Elgin last Friday. Services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 from the William Foelschow funeral home in Barrington to St. Paul's Church at 2:30 with burial in Evergreen cemetery. The Rev. George P. Ellerbrake officiated.

Mrs. Pahlke was born April 15, 1864. Her husband Gustav preceded her in death in 1930. The couple had farmed near Barrington until about 1916, then moved into town.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J. E. Nordmeyer of Barrington, a son William and a step-son Alvin Pahlke of Barrington; also 6 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. She was a sister-in-law of Mrs. Pauline Friedland of Elgin who died Wednesday of last week and was buried Saturday.

Pallbearers at the services were Edward Wesolowski, Emil Miller, William Miller, Frank Martens, William Nightengale, and Ray Jurs.
 

 
Barrington Courier Review - April 6, 1944


Card of Thanks

We wish to express our appreciation and thanks to all who remembered us in our recent bereavement with floral offerings, cars and either expressions of sympathy or assistance.

Family of the late Johanna Pahlke

Happy Holidays

The holidays are here and I have been absent from my blog! Beside all the shopping and decorating the holidays bring I have actually taken the time do to some research on my family tree. 

While I still am not sure if I have the correct John Outcalt that married Catharine (Dollie) Schultz in either Pennsylvania or New Jersy in 1889 I may have more clues. My biggest regret is that I did not start doing my research at a younger age or that families in general do not always pass on their family history and stories. Why didn't I ask my grandmother about how she celebrated Christmas when she was a child? And while my dad always talked about his grandmother's buckwheat pancakes I never asked  him his favorite holiday memory.

During this holiday season start up a conversation with an older relative about their memories of the holidays. It doesn't have to be an interview. You do not have to find out dates and places and write down your sources. Just talk to each other. Maybe you have heard the stories before but others may not have heard them.

Next week I will have some New Year's Resolutions for Genealogists.

Take Care,
Pattie

Perry, Cathy, Butch, Eddie, Pattie

Pahlke Cousins

1955

Ancestry - Check out 'Recent Member Connect Activity'!

I love connecting with other researchers. I post on message boards, mailing lists, county and state surname lists. I honestly cannot remember all the places I have posted messages and am truly shocked and excited when I receive a reply.

On the other hand, when I use Ancestry I am more focused. I usually have a particular ancestor I am researching and not thinking about 'connecting'. I also hate change and clutter so I keep my home page on Ancestry simple with any new or 'extra' information towards the bottom. What a mistake!

Recent Activity Connectections

The other day I  was not making any headway on the Haag family of Brooklyn when something caught my eye. There on the lower part of the screen was a list of people reseraching names that were familar to me.

 
What was 'Recent Member Connect Activity' and who was researching the Stadler family besides me? Scrolling through the 'Activity' I found messages I had posted on Rootsweb and other researchers with surnames in common with me.

After 'connecting' with a Stadler researcher through Ancestry I browsed more family trees and posted a comment on a family tree of a researcher who was trying to add my great grandmother Johanna Pahlke to a family tree of Pahlkes in Australia.

Setting Up Your Ancestry Connections


Once I was done browsing a number of family trees I started to wonder how Ancestry was able to provide such a great tool.  My two options were 'Learn More' and 'Customize Activity Filters'. The 'Learn More' option will walk you through how Ancestry gathers the infomation. The "Customize Activity Filters' give you the control over how the information is gathered.

Since I want to connect with everyone possible I have left all the options checked. One option I love is being able to track other members who have saved content I entered. I do not mind they have saved it - if I did I would not have posted it on the Internet! What I want to do is contact them to see if they have ADDITIONAL information.

Check It Out
If you are an Ancestry membership and have not paid attention to this feature you could be missing out on some valuable connections. Don't have a family tree posted to Ancestry? You can still benefit from this feature, but your connections may be minimized.

The Speach Family Tree was started by my daughter in law years ago and is an abbreviated version of our family. The portions with the most detail in many cases are my brick walls. I tend to post more information on families I need information on, hoping to connect with others.

So, start connecting through Ancestry.

Take Care,
Pattie

Create a Genealogy Bucket List

I love Jack Nicholson movies. No one delivers the line "Here's Johnny!" like he did in The Shining. The other night I was channel surfing and came across Jack and Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List and it got me to thinking about my own bucket list... my Genealogy Bucket List.

My Genealogy Bucket List

What would be on your bucket list if you had unlimited resources or a time machine? While it is not complete, here are some of the ideas I had.

1. Travel to Sterbitz Germany, home of the Schwemm Family. While I would love to find all the birth and christening records what I would really like is to see Sterbitz and learn a bit about its history.

2. Organize a Keteri/Johnson Family Reunion. This is my mother's family and the majority live in Michigan and Minnesota. Since I am one of the older cousins there are many younger cousins I have not seen since they were young children or never met.

3. Track down the descendents of Gustav Blum's wife, Elsa. Gustav may have been my great grandmother's half sibling. Elsa was in an insane asylum when he killed their two children and himself. I would love to find out more about this tragic event and possibly some family photos.

4. Speak at a National Genealogy Conference. While I realize I have a lot of work to do to be considered for such a spot, it is on my bucket list.

5. Win a spot on Family Tree Magazine's top blog list.

6. Time Travel. If this becomes possible in my lifetime I would love an hour with Matilda Mueller Strunk Blum Schumacher. She may or may not be my great great grandmother. While I am fairly certain she was Gustav Blum's mother (see number 3) I have not been able to prove her relationship with Johanna Wilmeir Pahlke, my great grandmother. Johanna and Gus are referred to as half brother and sister, but I have nothing to prove the relationship. Plus, having been married 3 times, she probably has some great stories!

7. Research at the Salt Lake City library for a week. While I have been there before I find that just being there is inspiring and allows me to focus. I love libraries and that is the ultimate library!

Why Start a Bucket List?

I think atarting a Bucket List helped me focus on what I really want out of my genealogy. Sure, I would like to find every birth, death and marriage certificate for every relative but I would also like to connect with living cousins.

On a personal level I enjoy writing this blog and doing presentations so it is natural to want to kick it up a level or two. Listing it on my bucket list makes the goal more real.

So, sit down and do it - create your Genealogy Bucket List. It will help you focus and set goals for yourself and your research.

Take Care,
Pattie

Unknown Woman, Johanna Pahlke (standing) Florence Schwemm Pahlke sitting with son Newton Pahlke

Newspaper Research, Poison and my eReader

I have spent many hours reading newspapers at the Barrington Library (located in Barrington, IL). The library has the local Barrington paper on microfilm beginning in 1890. It has been a wealth of information over the years and has helped flesh out the Schwemm and Pahlke family trees.

Poison at a Children's Party

Newspaper research helps us learn when, where and how our ancestors lived their daily lives making them more real to us. They become more than just a group of vital statistics. They become members of the family who suffered through family tragedy, celebrated marriages, graduations and birthdays. Some even broke the law!

During my research I found that children's parties were quite often front page news. In the March 7th edition of the Barrington Review there were multiple parties! Here is a clipping from a party my great uncle Fred Schwemm attended.


Barrington Review - March 7, 1896 pg 1

Parties Held During the Week
Miss Homuth's Party

Monday evening about twenty of Miss Rose Homuth's friends assembled at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Homuth to help her celebrate her birthday. Games of various kinds kept those present in a jolly mood until a late hour. "Poison," "I'll Bring Back What I Borrowed," "Keep House," "Fruit Basket," "Roll the Platter," and other games were played. At 10:30 o'clock a dainty lunch was served, girls choosing partners. A most pleasant time was spent by all. Among those present were:

Misses Tillie Hobein, Louisa Sadlic, Emma Schultz, Martha Groff, Maud Cady, Lillie Smith, Ella Homuth, Laura Homuth and Edna Homuth.

E. Weiseman, H. Robertson, Ed Groff, Charlie Schultz, Chas. Schwemm, Walter Homuth, Fred Schwemm, Reuban Homuth, Wilbert Smith and Mr. and Mrs. E. Hachmeister.

POISON is a children's game? While unusual, since it was in the paper I assumed that it was a harmless game which needed to be renamed. After I transcribed the newspaper article into my database I did not think much more of it.

Free Books and my eReader

Today while eating lunch I was browsing for free books on Amazon.com for my Kindle and came across Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium by Jessie H. Bancroft. Since the copyright was 1909 it was FREE so I downloaded it. I wondered if it would have a reference to the game "Poison" and it did! Poison is a variation on the game of Tag, quite harmless and not deadly. I searched Google Books and it is also available there. I also found a book titled "What Shall We Do Now" which contains 500 games and pastimes written in 1907 by Dorothy Canfield.

Over the past few years I have downloaded many free books from Google Books, Barnes and Noble Online and Amazon. The great thing is that I can read them on my computer, my eReader or print out pages of interest to read or highlight.

I have been loading my Kindle with all types of free books. I have histories written at the turn of the century, fairy tales from countries of my ancestors origin and a popular 30 volume series featuring Ruth Fielding. When my grandmother died I came into possesion of a Ruth Fielding book - so I now have a complete series. Just think, my grandmother may have read them!

Over Labor Day I am going to be in Minneasota with Chuck's extended family, I may teach the kids how to play Poison, now that I know the rules of the game.

Take Care,

Pattie

Sunday's Obituary - Gustav Pahlke

Father: Christian Pahlke
Mother: Elisabeth Knoblach

Married: Caroline Justine Gerber - March 3, 1887
Married: Johanna Wehmeier - February 21, 1891

Gustav Pahlke of North Avenue died suddenly Monday of Heart failure, in his seventy-first year. Funeral Services were at Foelschow's funeral home, then a church service at St. Paul;s Evangelicial Church. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

Gustav Pahlke was born October 16, 1859 at Mechlenburg-Schwerin, Germany.

He came to America in 1880 settling on a farm near Barrington. He was married to Lena Gerber on 1885 and they were the parents of one son, Alvin. His first wife died in 1889, and he was married in 1890 to Johanna Blum who survives. Two sons, Arthur and William and a daughter Mrs. Anna Nordmeier survive this union.

Besides the four children, Mr Pahlke also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Anna Schuster of Chicago and Mrs. John Friedland of Elgin, and six grandchildren.

Mr. Pahlke moved into Barrington with his family fourteen years ago and has since resided here.

News Items About Gustav in the Local Papers

Barrington Review - December 10, 1892
Mr. August Pahlke received severe injuries at the gravel pit last Friday, the gravel caving in upon him.


Daily Herald - March 3, 1905
Local News - Schaumburg
Aug. Pehlke and wife of Palatine, on their way to Elgin, visited Fred Salge, during the snowstorm. Fred hooked up two broncos and delivered them safely at Roselle.

Barrington Review - October 8 1908
August Pahlke had a runaway Sunday noon. He was thrown from his buggy and sustained slight injuries.


Barrington Review - December 7, 1916 pg 7
Auction Sale
Williams Peters, Auctioneer

Having decided to quit farming, I will sell my entire farming outfit on my farm located 2 miles southeast of Barrington, 4 miles northwest of Palatine and 3 miles south of Lake Zurich known as the old John Schoppe farm.

Barrington Review - Tuesday, December 12, 1916
Commencing at 10 o'clock a.m., the following described property:

28 head of Livestock

10 cows, 2 with calves by their sides, balance springers and milkers;
13 two year old Holstein heifers;
6 spring Holsteins.
Five Head Horses - 1 black gelding 12 years old wt 1300; 1 gray mare
14 years old,;
One driving horse 6 years old, pair mare colts coming
2 years old.
Two fat hogs.

Large amount of farm implements,
Hay and Feed: 17 ?, tame hay, 30 acres corn in shock, 50 bushels of wheat.

Self-feeder heating stove
Usual terms of sale with 6 months' time of bankable notes.

Free Lunch at noon.

August Pahlke, Proprietor

Barrington Review - December 14, 1916
The August Pahlke farm sale southeast of town was held on Tuesday. The family will move at once to Barrington and occupy the Mundhenke house near North Hawley Street.

Barrington Review - December 21, 1916
August Pahlke and family moved Tuesday from Palatine township to North Hawley Street, after thirteen years of residence on the Schoppe farm.

Memorial Day - Research, Memories and the Younger Generation

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was established on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan. The first celebration of Decoration Day was May 30, 1868.

American Cemeteries Overseas

The American Battle Monuments Commissions was formed in 1923 to twenty-four cemeteries overseas. Check out their website if you have an ancestor that may have been buried on foreign soil.

Memorial Day Memories

While growing up Memorial Day was a welcome reminder that school was almost over. Our summer vacation to Michigan would start to take shape and the some of the weekend would be spent on Fox River at the Picnic Grove which was always a treat. On holiday weekends Aunt Mabel and Uncle Sandy would launch their boat at the Picnic Grove and everyone would go skiing (everyone but me, the non-swimmer).

For my grandmother, Florence Schwemm Pahlke, the days leading up to Memorial Day were busy. Grandma was busy in the basement of her home cleaning and arranging the floral arrangements. Every Memorial Day grandma would decorate the family plots and on Labor Day weekend she would pick up the arrangement. Along the way she would tap one of her grandchildren to help and we did.

Earl Pahlke

Memorial Day and the Younger Generation

The question for me and I am sure other parents and grandparents is how to make sure our children understand that Memorial Day is more than a day off from school, a trip to Busch Gardens or a fishing trip.

It is important to talk to the younger generation about their ancestors who served in the military. We also need to help them understand the sacrifices that have been made by too many families through out American History.

One of my favorite ways to get the younger folks interested in history is through books, movies and television. The premiere of Gettysburg on The History Channel Monday evening would be a great time to watch television as a family.

My granddaughter just introduced me to a new series of books for the 9-12 year olds called "I Survived". Currently the series covers the Titanic, Hurricane Katrina and Shark Attack. I have preordered "I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941" The books are published by Scholastic Paper Books.

Creating a summer reading list with and for a younger person in your life would be a great joint activity this Memorial Day weekend.

Take Care,
Pattie

Sunday's Obituary - Alvin Pahlke

Alvin Pahlke
Son of Gustav and Caroline Gerber Pahlke
Born: Jan 1, 1888
Died: Mar 12, 1965

Married: Caroline Koch on Sept 22, 1916

Barrington Review March 1965

Funeral services for Alvin F. Pahlke, 77, of 507 Grove Avenue, Barrington, were held at 1:30 pm, Monday at the Stirlen Pieper Funeral Home, 149 W. Main Street.

The Rev. John A. Gerber, pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ, officiated and burial was in Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. Pahlke died Friday at the Plum Grove Nursing Home at Palatine where he was admitted three weeks before. Previously he was confined t Sherman Hospital since suffering a stroke on January 5, at his home.

A lifelong resident of this community, Mr. Pahlke was born January 1, 1888 in Palatine township, on a farm which is now part of Hillcrest Acres. He was the son of Gustav and Caroline Gerber Pahlke. He married Caroline Koch in 1916 and the couple established their home in Barrington. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1939.

After being in the painting business for a number of years, Mr. Pahlke started to operate the Barrington Yellow Cab service in 1943. Following retiring eight years ago, he worked in the maintenance department of the Barrington Transportation Company which is owned by his son, Alfred Pahlke who with his family share the Grove Avenue home.

Mr. Pahlke was a member of St. Paul's Church.

Alvin Pahlke with his son Alfred Pahlke


Items of Interest from the local papers about Alvin Pahlke

Barrington Review - October 2, 1919 pg 1

A. F. Pahlke will give a dance at Catlow's hall on Friday evening, October 10th. Music will be furnished by Mr. Pahlke's orchestra, and dance tickets will be 68 cents, plus 8 cents war tax. Ladies are admitted free, with the exception of an 8 cent war tax. The charge for spectators is 31 cents, war tax 8 cents.


Barrington Review - October 15, 1919 pg 8

Alvin F. Pahlke was in Chicago this week and purchased some new instruments
for his orchestra and some of the latest music, and the orchestra is now ready to accept engagements. Phone 46-M, Barrington, IL - Adv.

Cook County Herald - Friday October 13, 1922 pg 1
Graver Haulers' Dance

The Palatine Gravel Haulers will hold their Grand Old Time dance, Seip's Auditorium, Palatine, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 14. Music by Pahlke & Freeman Orchestra. Tickets: Gents: 30¢, Ladies 23¢. Everybody welcome.

Sunday's Obituary - Gustav Adolph Blum

Gustav Adolph Blum
Born: October 14, 1881 - Germany
Died: December 12, 1914 - New York

Brother of Johanna Pahlke

Barrington Review - December 14, 1916
Suicide of Former Citizen

Chicago evening papers of Wednesday published the account of the suicide
in New York City of a former Barrington boy, Gustav Blum, aged about 35, who enlisted in the U. S. Navy when he was about 18 years old. His only remaining relative in this community is Mrs. August Pahlke of the Schoppe farm, southeast of town, who is in Barrington today trying to get by telegraph more definite details of her half-brother's death.

The press item states that Mr. Blum shot his son John, aged 10 years, and daughter Elsie, aged 4 years, and then killed himself. Two weeks ago he wrote to Barrington telling of his hard life at present, for his wife has been in an insame aslym for a year and his children were boarding away from him.

He was very despondent because there seemed no hope of his wife recovering her reason; her grandmother and other relatives were also insane.

Mr. Blum was born in Germany but came to Barrington when a young boy with his mother, Mrs. Matilda Schumacher; who lived on North Hawley street and died four years ago. He always called in Barrington when on shore leave and was here to his mother's funeral.

For several years he had been stationed, as secretary, on the U. S. S. Granite, at the foot of 96th Street, New York harbor. He is favorably remembered here and old friends are sorry that life for him was so tragic. He always took the home paper and kept track of Barrington affairs.

Holidays, 7 Up and Where Did I Put My eReader?

The holidays always remind me how the world has changes since I was young. Holiday meals at Grandma Pahlke's demanded your best dress, ties and polished shoes. Aprons were worn while setting the tables (adult & children's) and cocktails were served to the adults. It was a special occasion from the time you woke up until everyone left with an extra piece of pie or leftover meat.

Mary and I in our Easter bonnets

For better or worse the holidays now are less formal, but just as filled with family traditions and meals. This Easter, Grandma Mary's method of cooking the Easter ham is a hot topic. Mary Steigerwald Schultz was Chuck's grandmother and a fantastic cook.


Grandma Mary's Ham Recipe

Decades ago Grandma Mary was at our house when I was preparing a ham for dinner. I was fussing with basting and covering it when she pulled me aside and told me her secret - 7Up. Forget covering it and basting, just open a bottle or can of 7Up and pour it over the ham.

Over the years I have made slight modifications to the recipe. I have found that using a roster, instead of the oven, steams it more and keeps it extra juicy. Also I have used Mountain Dew and Sprite not just 7Up but never diet pop.

Charles Jr, Mary, Charles Sr. and Carol Schultz

I have been fielding emails from friends and relatives this month to find out the 'secret' of the hams I serve at family gatherings. I have happily shared Grandma Mary's recipe and hope it is passed down through the generations.


Chicago and the 7Up Connection

The other day while picking out my ham I started up a conversation with a woman was also looking over the hams. She mentioned she was from Chicago and I laughed and said so was I. She casually asked how I prepared my ham and I chuckled and said 'with 7Up'. The look on her face was of pure shock - she said she also used 7UP and had never met anyone else who did!

Another Chicago 7(Up) Conspiracy? It truly is a small world!

eReader Update

A week or so ago I read an article about eBooks being more popular than paperbacks. eBooks? Ooops, I couldn't remember where my eReader even was! I brought it to Las Vegas, but had not seen it since I unpacked. I did track it down and remembered I had never finished "Decision Points" even though I truly was enjoying it.

I found that there was an firmware update for my eReader so I installed. I also updated my email options and some internet favorites but just could not get myself to start reading.

For some reason there is still something very foreign about reading a book on the eReader. Maybe I am just overloaded on technolgy in other areas of my life. Or maybe I am too old to 'learn a new trick'.

I have left it on the coffee table, so we'll see.

Take Care,
Pattie

From Amazon:

Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology

Barnes & Noble NOOK Color eBook Tablet

Pandigital Novel 7" Color Multimedia eReader with WiFi - Black PRD07T20W

Sunday's Obituary - Matilda Mueller Schumacher

Born: Matilda Mueller
Date: August 18, 1848 - Salzuften, Lippe-Detmond, Germany
Married: Herman Henrich Strunk on April 24, 1872 - Evangelisch, Salzuflen, Lippe, Germany
Married: Andreas Blum on March 21, 1880 - Evangelisch, Salzuflen, Lippe, Germany
Married: Henry Schumacher - June 22, 1889 - Cook County, IL
Died: January 9, 1914 - German Evangelical Deaconess Hospital, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Barrington Review - January 15, 1914

Mrs. Schumacher Dies of Cancer

Mrs. Mathilda Schumacher of North Hawley Street died in Chicago at the German Evangelical Deaconess hospital at noon last Friday, January 9 and was brought to Barrington for burial. The funeral was held Sunday at St. Paul's Evangelical Chuch on Main Street with Rev. Eugene Wilking conducting the service. Interment was in Main Street Cemetery.

Mrs. Schumacher had been ill since last spring and was taken to Chicago on November 30 for an operation which could not be performed on account of her weak condition. She was suffering from cancer of the liver.

Two months ago her son, Gustav Blum, who is in the United States Navy and is stationed on the battleship, Granite State, at the foot of the 96th Street, New York City, came here to see his mother and with his sister Johanna Pahlke who lives east of town, decided to send the mother to the city for treatment. He then returned east. He arrived in Barrington again Sunday for the funeral.

Mathilda Muller Schumacher was born in Salzuften, Lippe-Detmond, Germany,
on August 18, 1848. When a young woman she was married to a Mr. Blum and they were parents of five children of whom three died when young. Mr. Blum died, and as a widow of 40 years, Mrs. Schumacher came to this country in October 1888. She has sinced lived in Barrington. For two years she was the wife of Henry Schumacher.

Besides the son and daughter mentioned the other relatives are six grandchildren, two in New York and the four Pahlke children.

The Grauenverein of St. Paul's Church, of which Mrs. Schumacher was the treasurer, attended the body.

Enjoy the Holidays and Create a Family Cookbook

Family Gatherings
There are a few times a year when the entire family gathers around the dining room table and shares a meal. Everyone has a favorite main course, side dish or desert from their childhood. Mine was Grandma Pahlke's beef gravy, it was the best. My mother would try and try to make beef gravy like grandma's but there was always something missing. One day grandma told her to 'just add a little catsup' and WHAM! gravy as good as grandma's.

I also loved Grandma's German Potato Salad, Navy Bean and Ham Soup and the list could go on and on. Unfortunately I never had a chance to get the recipes. My mom learned how to make the Navy Bean soup but where would I find her German Potato Salad recipe?

The photo above is of three of my aunts. From left to right they are my Aunt Mabel (grandma's daughter), Aunt Ruth (grandma's daughter in law) and Aunt Sharon (my mother's sister - no relation to grandma).

A couple of years ago I was visiting Aunt Sharon and we were talking about Grandma Pahlke. Aunt Sharon had lived with Grandma when she first moved to Barrington and guess what - she had Grandma's German Potato Salad recipe! Why - because she asked for it!

Family Heritage Cookbooks

How do you start putting together a Family Heritage Cookbook? Just start asking for the recipes served at your family meals. But, more important asked about their history. Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you on your adventure.

* Start by finding a recipe template
* Personalize each recipe, consider adding a biography of the creator
* Review the recipes' instructions and ingredients to bring them current
* Request a picture of the submission
* Decide how to organize the recipes (by family, geography, or type)

If you cannot locate a favorite recipe of an ancestor check out ebay for church cookbooks; your ancestors or their neighbors my have contributed recipes.

What should you do after you have collected all the recipes? That is another article about self publishing!

Take Care
Pattie

Sunday's Obituary - Arthur Pahlke

Born - Dec 8, 1891 - Palatine, Cook County, IL

Father - Gustav Pahlke
Mother - Johanna Wehmeier

Died - Nov 1942 - Arizona

Arthur and Edna Wilkey Pahlke

Barrington Courier Review - December 3, 1942

Funeral services for Arthur A. Pahlke, a native of Barrington and a son of Mrs. August Pahlke of Barrington, were held Wednesday afternoon from the Wolff Funeral home in Elgin. The Rev. Alexander Milmine of Elgin Congregational church officiated with burial in Evergreen cemetery in Barrington.

Mr. Pahlke, 50 years old, died Saturday in a Phoeniz, AZ rest home. He had been in poor health since suffering severe injuries when knocked from an Elgin power pole in 1936. He had gone to the southwest two weeks ago, hoping that the warmer climate would benefit his health.

He had been employed by the Public Service Company until 15 years ago, when he entered the employ of Western United Gas and Electic Company.

He is survived by his widow, Edna; a son Arthur Pahlke Jr., of California; a stepson Robert Wilkey of Elgin, his mother, Mrs. August Pahlke of Barrington; a sister Mrs. Anna Nordmeyer of Barrington and two brothers, William and Alvin Pahlke, both of Barrington.

Background of Arthur's Injuries

Former Resident Escapes Death as Lightning Strikes

Barrington Courier Review - 8/27/36

Arthur Pahlke, 379 Raymond Street, Elgin, a former resident of Barrington,
narrowly escaped death when he was knocked off an electric pole at Liberty and Lilie streets in Elgin on Sunday morning.

Mr. Pahlke, who is employed as a lineman by the Western United Gas and Electric company, and was repairing a power line. He was up on the pole when the bolt struck near the intersection and follwed the line to the pole.

Pahlke was thrown 35 feet to the ground and was rendered unconscious by the lightning strike. He landed between other linemen on the ground who were not injured when the accident occurred and they removed him to the Sherman Hospital, Elgin, where he soon regained consciousness.


An examination revealed a fractured shoulder, spinal injury and numerous bruises. His condition was reported to be improving.

Family Reunions Then and Now Using FindaGrave.com

Grandma's Family Picnics

If my grandmother, Florence Schwemm Pahlke, was alive she would be the family genealogist. Grandma was the center of our family. All family dinners, holidays and birthdays were coordinated and hosted by her.

Every summer there was a Schwemm Family Picnic. I do not know if Grandma organized it on her own, but she definitely seemed in charge. It was the one time of the year when her children's families and her brothers' families would get to together. I was surprised, later in life, to find out that Uncle Emil and Aunt Mae were not my uncle and aunt, but Grandma's cousins!

The only evidence I have of these picnics are six poloroid photos my mom and dad took at one picnic. The first picture is of Aunt Mabel, Grandma, cousin Eddie and cousin Butch. In the second picture we have Grandpa in the middle and I'm leaning against Uncle Emil.

Schwemm Family Reunion - www.findagrave.com


Remembering how much Grandma loved family gatherings I wanted to honor her memory, but how?

Using FindaGrave I was able to bring grandma's family together even though they are buried all around the state of Illinois. I have created memorials for her parents, grandparents and siblings. Once done I was able to 'connect' them so they are all accessible from their father Fred Schwemm's memorial.

Fred Schwemm


Fred Schwemm's parents were Joseph and Julia Emme Schwemm. He was married twice, first to Alice Pierce then after her death to Emma Rethmeier (my great grandmother) and had a total of seven children. I now have a family tree created on Fred's memorial page that other relatives and researchers can access.

What is nice is that these are live links that will take the user to their memorials. If I click on Fred's father Joseph Schwemm I bring up his memorial page and all of Fred's siblings!

While it may not be a family reunion or picnic like grandma had, it is a way to connect her family and remember those summer days at Langendorf Park in Barrington.


Take Care,
Pattie
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