Tombstone Tuesday–Louis and Maria Breuninger

Louis & Maria Breuninger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Ohio

This is the tombstone of Louis and Maria Breuninger, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed: BREUNINGER, Louis Breuninger, Born Dec. 15, 1819, Died Nov. 5, 1890, Aged 70y, 10m, 20d. Maria His Wife, Born Apr. 13, 1827, Died June 19, 1910, Aged 83y, 2m, 6d. Louis and Maria were my great-great-grandparents.

According to Louis’ baptism record he was born in Bachlingin, Kingdom of Württemberg to Johann Martin Friedrich Breuninger and Sophia Carolina, born Pfaff.  He was christened Ludwig Friedrich Peter Breuninger. (see “For Whom the Bell Tolls” blog to see a copy of his baptism certificate). He came to America about 1839 and married Maria A. Seckel on 6 February 1851 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I do not know who Maria’s parents were.

According to Louis’ death record he died of la grippe [flu], at age 70 years, 9 months and 15 days. He was a farmer, born in Germany.  (source: Van Wert County Death Records, Book 1:326)

His death and burial were also recorded in the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm: Peter Louis Breuninger was born 15 December 1819 in Bachlingen, Württemberg.  He died 5 November 1890 at 9:00 in the evening of dropsy and was buried on 7 November 1890 in the parish cemetery. He was aged 70 years, 10 months, 25 days. Funeral Text: Rev. 7:13-17.

Obituary: Anna Maria Breuninger, nee Seckel, was born in Wuerttemberg, Germany, April 13, 1827, and died at her home east of Willshire, June 19, 1910, age 83 years, two months and six days. She emigrated to this country when she was 18 years of age, locating in Cleveland.  Feb. 6, 1851, she was united in marriage to Louis Frederick Peter Breuninger, at Green Bay, Wis. They came here in 1867, locating on the farm where she died. The union was a happy one, and continued so until the death of Mr. Breuninger in 1890. Six children were born to the union, namely, Mrs. Louis Schumm, Mrs. Mary Stamm, Peter Breuninger, Mrs. J.C. Schumm, Mrs. Rev. Geo. Schumm and Frederick Breuninger, the latter three deceased. For some time Mrs. Breuninger had been in feeble health and required constant attention. She leaves to mourn their loss, three children, 18 grand-children, one brother at Green Bay, Wis., 87 years of age, and a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, a short service a the home at two o’clock and the funeral sermon at the Zion Lutheran church at Schumm at three o’clock sun time, Rev. Holle officiating. Interment was made in the church cemetery. (source: The Willshire Herald, 23 June, 1910)

According to Zion’s records Anna Maria Breuninger, born Seckel, was born in April 1827 in Württemberg.  She died 19 June 1910 of old age and was buried on 21 June 1910 in the parish cemetery. She was aged 83 years, 2 months and 6 days. Survivors included 3 children, 3 sons-in-law, 18 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 1 brother in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Funeral Text: Phil 1:23.

Louis and Maria had the following children: Frederick (1852-1870), Charlotte (c1855-1905, married George Schumm), Mary A. (1858-1930, married Peter Stamm), Wilhelmina “Minnie” (1860-1899, married John C. Schumm), Sarah H. (1861-1921, married Louis J. Schumm), and Peter L. (1870-1939).

 

 

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