Georg & Maria Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)
This is the tombstone of Georg and Maria Grund, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
GRUND
Maria
Ehefr. bon
G. Grund
Gest. Den
9 Marz 1913
Alter 59Y, 3M, 26T
Georg
Grund
Geb. Den
12 Dez. 1844
Gest. Den
5 Apr 1926
Translation: Maria, wife of G. Grund, died 9 March 1913, age 59 years, 3 months, 26 days. Georg Grund, born the 12 December 1844, died the 5 April 1926. Scripture, written in German, is also carved below each name.
Maria Grund’s date of birth was 11 November 1853, as calculated from the tombstone. This agrees with the information in Zion Schumm’s records: Mrs. Maria Grund, daughter of Mr. Johann Rettig and wife Freidericke, was born 11 November 1853 in Marion, Ohio. She died 9 March 1913, at the age of 59 years, 3 months, and 28 days. [There is an age discrepancy of two days between her tombstone and the other records.] She was buried on 11 March in Zion’s Cemetery. Survivors included three daughters, her husband, one brother, one sister, three half-siblings, and five grandchildren. Maria’s death certificate indicates that she died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County and that her mother’s name was Fridrica Goodhil. [1]
Zion Schumm’s records indicate that Georg Grund was born to Johann Heinrich (1809-1875) and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund (1805-1880). Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria had four other children.
Georg Grund died at the age of 81 years, 3 months, and 24 days, as calculated from the tombstone. According to Georg’s obituary and Zion Schumm’s records, Georg immigrated to America with his parents in 1852. There is no record of Georg’s death or burial in Zion Schumm’s records, although it appears he is buried in the church cemetery. Georg’s death certificate indicates he died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County. [2]
According to the records of Zion Schumm and Van Wert County marriages [3], Georg Grund married Maria A. Rettig on 27 March 1874 at the church. Zion Schumm’s records indicate they had the following children:
Anna Katharina Rosina Sophia “Sophie” (b. 14 September 1876; m. Louis Nofer)
Margaretha Magdalene Martha “Martha” (b. 14 November 1879; m. Carl Nofer)
Johanna Katharina Christina “Christine” (b. 13 March 1882; m. Christian Klein)
Obituaries:
Mrs. Maria Grund Also Goes to Her Reward
Maria Grund, daughter of John Rettig and wife was born at Marion, Ohio, November 11, 1853, and died at her home in Willshire township, March 9, 1913, aged 59 years, three months and 28 days.
In her early days she moved here with her parents. She was instructed and confirmed in the German Lutheran church and has been a consistent and faithful member all her life.
In 1783 [sic] she was united in marriage to Geo. J. Grund. To this union three children was [sic] born. Mrs. Louie Nofer, Mrs. Chas. Nofer and Mrs. C.L. Klein.
She leaves to mourn her departure, a husband, three daughters, one brother, one sister, and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral services were conducted from the German Lutheran church at Schumm, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Meyer. [4]
Willshire Township Deaths
George Grund, a resident of Willshire township for more than 70 years, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Nofer, Monday, April 5, 1926. He was aged 81 years, three months and 23 days. He was a victim of pneumonia. He was born in Germany, and at the age of 8 years came to this country with his parents.
He made his home after arriving at a man’s estate on a farm one and on-half mile north of Schumm, which he owned at the time of his death. Mrs. Grund preceded him in death a number of years ago, the only survivors being the three daughters, Mrs. Charles Nofer, Mrs. Louis Nofer and Mrs. Chris Kline, all residents of Willshire township.
Funeral services were held from the Charles Nofer home and from the Schumm Lutheran church Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Jr. Bienert. S.S. Buchanan & Son were the undertakers in charge. [5]
[1] “Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/F6CF-L5H : accessed 3 Nov 2013), Mary Grund, 9 Mar 1913.
[2] “Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F6CF-P9W : accessed 4 Nov 2013), John George Grund, 5 Apr 1926.
[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD24-RVD : accessed 3 November 2013), John George Grund and Mary A. Rettig, 26 Mar 1874; citing Van Wert, Ohio, United States, Vol 4:221, reference 221; FHL microfilm 1015860.
[4] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 13 March 1913 p. 2.
[5] The Willshire Herald, Willshire Ohio, 8 April 1926, p. 1.
