Tombstone Tuesday–Karl F. Schumm

Karl F Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio, d.1893. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Karl F. Schumm, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier Ruhet
Karl F.
Sohn von
H. und [R.]
Schumm
Gest. Den 23
Juni 1893
Alter
3 J, 5M, 8T

Here rests Karl F, son of H and [R] Schumm, died 23 June 1893, age 3 years, 5 months, 8 days.

“Karl” Friedrich Schumm was born at home in Willshire Township on 15 January 1890, the 10th child born to Henry and Anna “Rosine” (Schinnerer) Schumm. Carl’s father was known as “River Henry” because he lived near the St. Marys River and to distinguish him from the other Henry Schumms in the area. Carl’s mother Rosine was the daughter of Friedrich Schinnerer and his first wife Mary Deier.

Karl’s mother Rosine (Schinnerer) Schumm died the same day Karl was born. Zion Schumm’s records indicate that she died of a heart attack at 7:00 in the evening, at the age of 35. I wonder if she actually had a heart attack or if she died from complications of giving birth earlier in the day. Rosine is buried in row 5 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.  

The next day, 16 January 1890, Karl Schumm was baptized at home. Friedrich Schinnerer (the second) and Martin Schinnerer (the second) served as his sponsors.

River Henry Schumm, left to raise his 10 children, including the newborn infant Karl, married a year later. River Henry married Anna Magdalena “Lena” Geisler on 27 January 1891. Karl and his siblings had a step-mother.

Karl Schumm died 23 June 1893 at the age 3 years, 5 months, and 8 days. Zion Schumm’s records indicate that he died in a fall. Van Wert Death Records indicate that he died of a broken neck, [1] likely a result of the fall. Karl was buried on the 25th.

River Henry and Rosine (Schinnerer) Schumm had ten children:
John Martin (1873-1954), married Elizabeth Boroff
Clara Rosina (1875-1936), married Ernest Dietrich
Magdalena Wilhelmina “Minnie” (1877-1958), married Martin Hofmann
Hannah Barbara (1878-1937), married George Merkle
Edward Ludwig (1880-1885)
Gustavus Jacob (1881-1951), married Dorathea Bienz
William Jacob (1883-1967), married Maria Sauer
Sarah Mathilda “Tillie” (1886-1971), married Ernest Theodore Merkle
Joseph Heinrich (1888-1957), married Edith May (Smear) Wise
Karl Friedrich (1890-1893)

River Henry and “Lena” (Geisler) Schumm had 3 children:
Louis Fredrick (1892-1974), married Cora Eva Roop
Herman Andrew (1893-1984), married Anna Goellner
Theodore Gottlieb (1898-1967), married Leona Stetler

 

[1] “Ohio, Couty Death Records, 1840-2001,” Willshire, Willshire Township, Van Wert, Vol. 2:191, no.7, Carl F Schumm, 23 Jun 1893; database with images, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6722-8J?i=532&cc=2128172 : viewed 1 Jul 2019).

2 comments

    • Carol Schumm Piper on July 2, 2019 at 9:23 am
    • Reply

    Thank you for posting this story. Karl was my great uncle – his brother Herman was my grandfather. I’d never heard this tale – so sad!

    1. It is a very sad story. Some families had several tragedies in a short period of time. Thanks for writing.

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