Tombstone Tuesday–George A. Roehm

George A. Roehm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

George A. Roehm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of George A. Roehm, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier ruhet
Georg A. Roehm
Gest. Den 30 Mai 1901
Alter
38 Y. 2 M. 17 T.
ROEHM

Translation: here rests Georg A. Roehm, Died 30 May 1901, age 38 years, 2 months, 17 days.

George Adam Roehm was born in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 13 March 1862 to Andrew and Friedericka (Guthiel) Roehm, according to Zion Schumm’s records. He was baptized at the church on 14 March 1862, with Mr. & Mrs. Georg Steeger and Mr. & Mrs. G. Adam Kolb as sponsors. [1]

George Roehm’s parents were both born in Germany, his father in Württemberg and his mother in Saxony. His father was a farmer. In 1880 George had four living siblings Catherine, 18; Magdalena, 15, Susanah, 14, and Rosanah, 11. [2]

George married Gertrude Heffner on 21 January 1886 at Zion Lutheran church in Chattanooga. Gertrude was from Chattanooga, the daughter of George and Sophia (Martin) Heffner. George and Gertrude moved to Van Wert County after their marriage and attended Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm.

In 1900 George and Gertrude lived in Willshire Township, where George was a farmer. George and Gertrude had been married 15 years and they had six children, all of them living. George’s parents were also living with them at that time, his father, 86, and his mother 75 years of age. [3]

Things would change drastically for the Roehm family during the next year, when George and two of their children would die. George’s father Andrew would pass away the year after.

According to Zion Schumm’s records, George Roehm died 30 May 1901 of dropsy. He was only 39 years, 2 months, and 17 days old. He was buried on 2 June. His wife Gertrude died in 1933 and has a separate headstone in row 6 of Zion’s Cemetery.

George Adam Roehm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

George Adam Roehm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

George’s tombstone inscription indicates he was 38 years old, which would make his birth year 1863. However, both his church baptismal record and death record state he was born in 1862. I tend to agree with his baptismal record and I believe the tombstone inscription is incorrect. His baptismal record was created shortly after his birth, written in chronological order with the other baptismal records for that year. Additionally, his church death and burial record indicates he was 39 years old.

George and Gertrude had seven children; all were baptized at Zion Schumm:

Eleanore Anna Magdalena (1886-1901)
Selma Sophie (1888-1924), married Fred Althoen
Edwin Andreas (1890-1950), married Alma A. Reidenbach
Carl Georg (1893-1959), married Grace E. Rice
Estella Julia Sophie (1896-1988), married William Chase Winters; married Clarence T. Sears
Marie Friedricke (1899-1901)
Edna Pauline (1901-1991), married Thomas B. Alspaugh

 

[1] Some show his middle name as Andrew, but he was baptized as George Adam, according to Zion Schumm’s records. All other records show his name as George or George A. His baptismal record is the only record I have seen that gives his middle name as Adam.

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 154, p.449B, family 120, Andrew Roehm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 February 2015); from FHL microfilm 1255074, from NARA microfilm T9, roll 1074.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 97, p.9A, dwelling 177, family 190, George Roehns; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 February 2015); from FHL microfilm 1241329, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1329. Note: Their surname is indexed as “Roehns” on Ancestry.com.

4 comments

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    • LInda Roehm on February 24, 2015 at 10:07 am
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    Thanks so much for the info on Georg A Roehm! I married a Roehm, and my Father-in-law was George Walter Roehm! He was a wonderful, hard working, very humble man! A long time active member of Zion Church too!!! Always enjoy your site, and all your hard work!!!!!

    1. You are welcome! I am glad you enjoyed the post. I imagine your husband is a distant descendant or relative of George A.?

    • Frederic L. Zuch on February 15, 2017 at 4:21 pm
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    Thanks for the tombstone post on George Roehm. My grandparents were Selma and Fred Althoen. Most of my information is on the Althoen side. You have provided a lot of info I did not have. Thank You!

    1. You are welcome. I am happy there was some new information for you and that you found it interesting. Thanks for writing!

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