Tombstone Tuesday–Johann Brinkmann

Johann Brinkmann, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Johann Brinkmann, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier
Ruht in Gott
Johann
Brinkmann
Geb. 26 Juli
1879
Gest. 13 Oct
1894
Alter 15 Jahr
2 Mon 17 Tag

Translation: Here rests in God Johann Brinkmann, born 26 July 1879, died 13 October 1894, aged 15 years, 2 months, and 17 days.

There is a record of this young man’s death and burial in Zion Chatt’s records. The dates and ages in the church record match the dates on the tombstone, but his name is different. The church record shows his name as Wilhelm Heinrich Karl Brinkmann.

The church record indicates that he was born near Berlin on 26 July 1879. Unfortunately it does not give the names of his parents. The record also indicates that the cause of his death was typhoid/nervous fever and that he was buried on 14 July.

Johann Brinkmann’s death is recorded in the Mercer County, Ohio, probate death records, which gives his name as John. It indicates that he died in Blackcreek Township, where he also lived, and that he was born in what looks like Hassoor Ger. Did they mean Hessen Germany?  The county record also indicates that he was a farmer and that he died of “Typ. Malria.” The writing on this record is difficult to read. This record tells that he was 15 years and 1 month of age.  Unfortunately the county record does not give the names of his parents either. [1]

When I first read the church record I thought of Berlin, Ohio, but when I read his county death record I think he may have been born near Berlin, Germany.

Johann Brinkmann, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

I don’t know of any Brinkmanns that lived in the Chatt area but Johann did attend Zion Chatt and took communion there at least once between the years 1893 and 1894. There was a Joseph Brinkman family that lived in Granville Township but I do not know if there was a connection.

Another little mystery in Zion Chatt’s cemetery.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 12 Mar 2017), John Brinkman, 13 Oct 1894; Blackcreek, Mercer, Deaths, Vol. 2, p.261; from FHL microfilm 914954.

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