Time for some General Blog up-dates and Kunshier news.

 Time for some General Blog up-dates and Kunshier news.  Most of the original family genealogy blogs were written between 2013 and 2015. Since many of those blogs lost, for whatever reason, many of the original pictures, I have attempted to replace them. Sometimes I was successful, sometimes not. In some cases I have added new photos and updated text.

 First I want to remind every one that the Big family with Kumschier, Kumsher, Kunshier, Konschier site which is administered by Kornelia "Connie" Pelz is still active and can be linked. 

The two most recent adds were about Gretchen (Kolbow) Kunshier and Robert James Kunshier which I will include here. 

 Gretchen "Kolbow" Kunshier

Gretchen C. Kunshier, age 40 of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family as the sun set on November 5, 2020. Words can never explain the grace and tenacity Gretchen brought to her fight each day. She had a profound impact on all of us who love her. The love we shared will never leave our hearts. Her greatest talent among many was being a great mother. In the nearly eleven years she was able to spend with her daughter they shared a lifetime of love. It was very evident they were each specifically created to be together as mother and daughter. It was amazing to watch. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Jerry and Marian Tuominen, and Mary Jo Kolbow; aunt Roxan Wilkins, and uncle Peter Nelson. Gretchen is survived by her loving husband Joe; daughter Maija; parents Roger and Jan Kolbow; brothers Jared (Melissa) Kolbow, Jordan (Ashleigh) Kolbow, and Brent (Samantha) Kolbow; grandfather Ronald (Mary) Kolbow; mother and father-in-law Warren and Cheryl Kunshier

         Robert James Kunshier

Robert James Kunshier Age 94 of Forest Lake. Robert passed away peacefully with family around him on January 21st, 2017. He was born January 25, 1922, to Andrew James and Lenore (Sevigny) Kunshier in Forest Lake, MN. He married Hiladore Kloss of Waite Park, MN on September 11, 1948. He was a postal worker, retiring in 1977. He was a member of the American Postal Workers Union, a 60 year, Lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4210, Forest Lake, and American Legion Post 225, Forest Lake, MN. Robert served in the United States Army during WWII from 1941-45. He was a proud member of the 34th Infantry Division of the Red Bulls, and one of the last two surviving members of 150 young men deployed from the unit in Stillwater, MN. The 34th Unit was the first US Army Division deployed to Europe in WWII. He went first to Lisnaskea, Northern Ireland, serving as an Artillery Sergeant, fought in the North African Campaign, then the Italian Campaign, going from Tunisia, North Africa to Anzio, Italy when the Italians surrendered. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. 

Bob was a man of deep faith, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, loved walking in the woods, nature and birds, cooking and playing cards. He was an avid biker, riding 15-30 miles a day until he was 90. He was very sociable, enjoyed trips to the casino and drives around the local countryside. His children provided him with joy rides until he passed, with Him directing the route and never losing his way on the most remote country roads. He is survived by his children, Bill (Cheri) Kunshier, Sauk Rapids, Tom (Terry) Kunshier, North Branch, Debbie (Greg) Houle, Stacy, Mary (Mike) Conroy, Prior Lake, Connie (Steve) Mueller, Forest Lake, Lorry (John) Grove, Oakdale, and Birdy (Steve) Dahl, Plymouth; fifteen grandchildren, Scott (Letha) Kunshier, McKenna Kunshier, Tess (Jake) Moosey, Madison Kunshier, Cassidae Kunshier, Sarah Houle (Ben Findley), Andrew Houle, Christopher Mueller (Jessi Anderson), Brittney Mueller (Joe), Caitlin (Ryan) Anderson, Danielle Mueller, Kelsey (Josh) Englund, Brea Kosman, Taylor Dahl, Aimee Dahl; nine great grandchildren, Cole, Maxwell, Isaac, Logan, Ellia, Hartlee, Ryder, Zaiden, Addlynn. He is also survived by his brother, Dean (Barbara) Kunshier, Forest Lake. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2003, sister and brothers Geneva, Glen, and Richard.

Additional Kunshier info was gleaned from the Forest Lake Times newspaper.

Glenn E. Kunshier of Lake Minnewawa was born Oct. 23, 1927, in Forest Lake to Andrew and Lenora (Sevigny) Kunshier. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1946, serving two years in the Pacific. He returned to Forest Lake and worked as a tile/carpet installer. He married Kay Bohler June 20, 1957. They were married 56 years. In 1977, they moved to Big Sandy, purchasing The Triangle Bar and owning it until 1979. Glenn was self-employed, installing tile and carpet around the McGregor area, until he was in his seventies. He enjoyed traveling with Kay and his daughters to many wonderful scenic destinations. He and Kay traveled to Yuma, Ariz., each winter after retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the American Legion of McGregor. He died May 7, 2013 in McGregor. MN.
He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters, Beth (Dave) Fredrickson, McGregor; and Donna (Rick) Boyer, Aitkin; grandchildren, Jake, Jackie, Cody and Wyatt; great-granddaughter, Issabelle; brothers, Robert and Dean; and sister, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Kunshier.

Kay Kunshier died Oct. 19, 2019

Gordis "Judy" Kunshier was born June 14, 1922 in Västra Fågelvik, Värmland, Sweden. She married Wayne Kunshier on May 6, 1941 and they made their home in Ham Lake, Anoka County, MN. She died on Jun 6, 2016 and was buried on June 9 in Columbus Township, Anoka County, MN.   She was preceded in death by parents Nels and Ida (Emsell) Peterson.

                                                     Gordis "Judy" Kunshier gravestone

Barbara Anne (Kushier) Mudrick was born on February 4, 1935 to  Clyde Conrad Kunshier and Charlene Mae (Hagen) Kunshier. She was married to Raymond Charles Mudrick on Oct 14, 1955. They divorced on June 26, 1980 but are buried together in Stacy Cemetery, Stacy, Chisago County, MN. 

GlenBar

n was born Oct. 23, 1927, in Forest Lake to Andrew and Lenora (Sevigny) Kunshier. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1946, serving two years in the Pacific. He returned to Forest Lake and worked as a tile/carpet installer. He married Kay Bohler June 20, 1957. They were married 56 years. In 1977, they moved to Big Sandy, purchasing The Triangle Bar and owning it until 1979. Glenn was self-employed, installing tile and carpet around the McGregor area, until he was in his seventies. He enjoyed traveling with Kay and his daughters to many wonderful scenic destinations. He and Kay traveled to Yuma, Ariz., each winter after retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the American Legion of McGregor.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters, Beth (Dave) Fredrickson, McGregor; and Donna (Rick) Boyer, Aitkin; grandchildren, Jake, Jackie, Cody and Wyatt; great-granddaughter, Issabelle; brothers, Robert and Dean; and sister, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Kunshier. was born Oct. 23, 1927, in Forest Lake to Andrew and Lenora (Sevigny) Kunshier. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1946, serving two years in the Pacific. He returned to Forest Lake and worked as a tile/carpet installer. He married Kay Bohler June 20, 1957. They were married 56 years. In 1977, they moved to Big Sandy, purchasing The Triangle Bar and owning it until 1979. Glenn was self-employed, installing tile and carpet around the McGregor area, until he was in his seventies. He enjoyed traveling with Kay and his daughters to many wonderful scenic destinations. He and Kay traveled to Yuma, Ariz., each winter after retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the American Legion of McGregor.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters, Beth (Dave) Fredrickson, McGregor; and Donna (Rick) Boyer, Aitkin; grandchildren, Jake, Jackie, Cody and Wyatt; great-granddaughter, Issabelle; brothers, Robert and Dean; and sister, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Kunshier. was born Oct. 23, 1927, in Forest Lake to Andrew and Lenora (Sevigny) Kunshier. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1946, serving two years in the Pacific. He returned to Forest Lake and worked as a tile/carpet installer. He married Kay Bohler June 20, 1957. They were married 56 years. In 1977, they moved to Big Sandy, purchasing The Triangle Bar and owning it until 1979. Glenn was self-employed, installing tile and carpet around the McGregor area, until he was in his seventies. He enjoyed traveling with Kay and his daughters to many wonderful scenic destinations. He and Kay traveled to Yuma, Ariz., each winter after retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the American Legion of McGregor.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters, Beth (Dave) Fredrickson, McGregor; and Donna (Rick) Boyer, Aitkin; grandchildren, Jake, Jackie, Cody and Wyatt; great-granddaughter, Issabelle; brothers, Robert and Dean; and sister, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Kunshier. Edward Kunshier, 85, Lake Minnewawa, died May 7, 2013, surrounded by family.

Glenn was born Oct. 23, 1927, in Forest Lake to Andrew and Lenora (Sevigny) Kunshier. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1946, serving two years in the Pacific. He returned to Forest Lake and worked as a tile/carpet installer. He married Kay Bohler June 20, 1957. They were married 56 years. In 1977, they moved to Big Sandy, purchasing The Triangle Bar and owning it until 1979. Glenn was self-employed, installing tile and carpet around the McGregor area, until he was in his seventies. He enjoyed traveling with Kay and his daughters to many wonderful scenic destinations. He and Kay traveled to Yuma, Ariz., each winter after retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the American Legion of McGregor.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters, Beth (Dave) Fredrickson, McGregor; and Donna (Rick) Boyer, Aitkin; grandchildren, Jake, Jackie, Cody and Wyatt; great-granddaughter, Issabelle; brothers, Robert and Dean; and sister, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Kunshier.

Crex Meadows, Griggs-Cooper Co. of Saint Paul and the Depression of 1930s

Aunt Pat Schanno Schotl talked about the hard years of the Depression when you were lucky to find work. Neighborhood families shared with those that did not have jobs and food.  Everyone learned  to make do and put their dreams on hold. 

From 1929-1931, Aunt Betty Handler worked for the Crex Carpet Company.  She was listed as a "winder", probably a bobbin winder, and later as an "operator". 

Crex Carpet Company on Front Street, St. Paul MN

The Crex Carpet Company went bankrupt in 1933, but the name "Crex" remained.

During the depression and drought years of the 1930s, further drainage and agricultural attempts failed. By 1940, nearly two thirds of the land in the area was tax delinquent. In 1946, the state purchased 12,000 acres of this tax delinquent land to start the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area 

                                                                                                                                 Crex Grass.

           Crex Meadows Visitor's Center

We have family photos of both female and male employees posed near factory buildings. My mother, Bernice talked about working at the American Can Company  before she was married.  She appears with other female employees at the complex of buildings that we have identified as American Can Company.  The years would have been ca. 1936-1937 as she married in 1938, and did not work immediately after her marriage.  In 1940, according to the Federal Census, Pearl was 19, living at home, and also working at the American Can Company.  She had dropped out of school after her sophomore year.  The family may have needed the money as Grandpa Frank Schotl is not listed as employed in 1940 and may have been ill and no longer able to work.

 

The complex is currently owned by Silgan Container Corporation, a world-wide company founded in 1987.  Silgan acquired the company after their merger with National Can Company. 

 

 Mom also talked about family members being employed at the Griggs-Cooper  Company, but we have not been able to find photos or document it. ..Magdalen Horwath was working as a packer....

Griggs Cooper and Company building circa 1890

In 1913, Griggs, Cooper and Company, later famous for its Home Brand products, completed a large modern factory on the corner of Fairview and University Avenues in St. Paul. This location would have been an easy street car ride taking the Rice Street car and transferring to the University car where the two intersected.

The Griggs, Cooper & Company Sanitary Food Manufacturing Plant at 1821 University Avenue West occupies much of the block bounded by University, Fairview, and Thomas avenues.  It was constructed in 1911-12 with additions in 1921 and 1925. Originally a canning factory and candy and cracker manufacturing facility, the building was reportedly the world’s largest canning factory when built.

The original wing, adjacent to University Avenue, was built to house the Sanitary Food Manufacturing Company Plant. The northeast and northwest wings were built as warehouses that provided space for other functions as well. The three wings of reinforced-concrete construction are similar in appearance and are unified by brick and exposed concrete exterior walls. 

The Sanitary Food Manufacturing Company was a subsidiary of Griggs, Cooper & Company. This facility processed or manufactured several “Home Brand” products in addition to crackers and candy, including coffee, tea, spices, extracts, preserves, and canned fruit and vegetables.

In 1940 Elizabeth Horwath, Apple's sister is living at 582 Prior Ave., very near the American Can Company complex. Apple was married to my uncle Len Schotl. 

The Marriage of Rose Kunshier and Frank Schotl and the move to Saint Paul

Frank Schotl has not yet been found in the 1905 Minnesota State Census, so it is unknown

when he moved to Minnesota, but his mother and two brothers, John and Matt are living in Columbus Township on a farm near others from the Neuseidl area of Burgenland.

On the 1910 Federal Census, he is living on Wyoming Road

 and employed as a Cook on Wire Grass Farm #1

Frank Schotl married Rose Katherine Kunshier, on the 8th of November in 1911. They were married in Rose's home or in nearby St. Peter's Catholic Church in Forest Lake. 

Their witnesses were Matt (Mattias) Kreitz and Theresa Pollreis, both from Burgenland families near Monchhof. They are identified on the back of the wedding photo. Theresa later married Berjamin B. Saxe, another Burgenlander. 

 On the 1910 Federal Census, Matt was working on Wire Grass Farm #1 in Columbus

                                   a typical wire grass farm from the Anoka County Archives

 Township. Matt's father, Michael Kreischitz was farming in Columbus Township, Anoka County, according to the 1905 Minnesota State Census.  The family later shortened the name to Kreitz.  The Schotls also owned or rented farms in Columbus township.  The families may have been acquainted in the old country as Michael's place of birth is listed as Deutsch Jahrndorf, Burgenland, Austria.   This area is less than 10 miles from Mönchhof, Hungary where Frank was born.

Theresa Pollreis and Rose may have known each other from school or from St. Peter's Catholic Church in Forest Lake where, according to the 1910 Federal Census, the Pollreis family was living.

Theresa's parents Stephen and Mary Daninger Pollreis were from Austro-Hungary.  Theresa later married Benjamin B. Saxe and they moved to St. Paul where Benjamin was employed as a meat cutter for the Armour Company. (More about the Saxe family later)

After their marriage Frank and Rose moved to Forest Lake.  According to his 1917 WWI draft registration, Frank was working on a farm owned by Jackson Simmons.  At that time he and Rose had 3 children: Martin, Lawrence, and Leonard. 

Before 1920, the young Frank and Rose Schotl family moved to 28 East Maryland Street in St. Paul.  Other family members had already moved to St. Paul and were getting their first taste of an urban life after generations of farm labor and rural life.

As early as 1903, Grandma's brother Charles Kunshier was living at 1377 Edgerton Ave., St. Paul and working as a machinist for Griffin Wheel Company located at 1256 Phalen Blvd., per the 1903 Polk Directory.

In 1910, my Grand Uncle, Conrad Kunshier was working as a laborer in building construction and living with his sister Katie and brother-in-law John Schmidt at 452 Van Buren Street.  This was the area known as Frogtown and was served by St. Agnes Catholic Church at 548-50 Lafond Avenue.  
 
In 1911, my Grand Aunt Mary Schotl Handler was living with her husband John at 37 West Lawson Street with new born daughter Betty.  John was working in a lumber yard.  The house was on the corner of Sylvan Street across the street from Oakland Cemetery. 

The neighborhood known as the North End Neighborhood was a later destination for many of the Schotls and Kunshiers.  They were joining many other working class families who were attracted by the job possibilities and the transportation advantages.

The Church of Saint Bernard, a Roman Catholic parish in the North End neighborhood, was also an important attraction and became a focus for the community.  The brick church was designedby John Jager and built in 1905.  The members were predominantly German or German speaking.  Aunt Pat Schotl  told us that many of the old people, including her grandmother still spoke German in the home.

 For those who didn't work in the neighborhood, the street-car was transportation to nearby factories and downtown businesses. Many of the men were working for the breweries, railroads and at the stock-yards.  They were bakers, barbers, bartenders and truck drivers.  While some of the women worked in factories, many also worked as retail clerks, book-keepers, domestics, laundry-help or did alternations, or are listed as home-makers.

After her father John Handler died on May 22 of 1933,  Aunt Betty was working as a maid at Charles T. Miller Hospital and lived with her mother at 838 Hardenbergh Place.  This address is six blocks South of their original home on Lawson and 2 blocks West of Oakland Cemetery. 

Betty died in January of 1989 and is buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville, MN.  

A Personal Update

Old Woman Eating Corn

After a long layoff from my blog, I have decided to update my status. After many years in Mt. Horeb, I have moved, with Shan, to Mineral Point, WI. We currently reside in a 178 year old cottage on Front St. I am mostly retired but keeping busy with various art activities. The first pic is of my work table. My carvings are currently represented by>TheMineralPointGallery.com<

Shan has taken a position with the Mineral Point Library as the archivist. The archives are open on Thursdays  from 12:00 until 7:30 and on Saturdays from 10:00 until 3:30

Mineral Point Library Entrance

       The Mineral Point Library Archives
  

The Mineral Point Library has been very fortunate to be the recipient of so many wonderful pieces of art.  These paintings, prints, sculpture, carvings and ceramics are an important part of the Library's commitment to support the culture of the community it serves.  Mineral Point has long been known as a home to many creative people – painters, sculptors, ceramicists, craftspeople, writers, poets and performing artists.  The Mineral Point Library Art Collection contains examples of some of the best known visual artists.

Over the years, 70 pieces have been donated either by the artist or by a generous donor.  And while the Library does not have an acquisition budget, it is always interested in acquiring new examples of Mineral Point artists.  For the summer of 2021, an additional 8 pieces from local artists are on loan.

Opening on June 17th, the Art Collection of the Mineral Point Library. Take a self guided tour of three floors of art celebrating Mineral Point and the artists who have called this home. Thirty artists are represented and over 70 works of art. The collection is on display during regular hours throughout the summer.

My Paternal Great and Grand parents

My Paternal Great Grandfather Frederick Glaeve was born in 1841 in Beestland, Demmin,Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. He left Hamburg Germany on 15 Jul 1868 with the destination of New York. 

He was married to Maria "Mary" Fredericka Neberman in 1874. 

Birth of daughter Wilhelmina Marie "Minnie" Glaeve 

on 15 Dec. 1875 in Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois

Birth of Son Frederick Carl Glaeve 02 Apr 1878 • Ridott, Stephenson, Illinois

Birth of last child, daughter Martha Lydia 

Fredricka Glaeve 18 May 1888 • Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois

They continued to reside in Freeport, Illinois.

He died on December 11, 1907, in Winnebago,

 Illinois at the age of 66 and was buried in Winnebago, Illinois.

1841 • Beestland, Demmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

My Paternal Grandmother, Ella Emelia Swartz, was born September 28, 1877 in Pecatonica, Winnebago County, Illinois to Joachim "Joseph" Friederic Christian Swartz and Caroline Dettwiller. 

My Paternal Grandfather, Frederick Carl Glaeve, was born  April 2, 1878 in Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois to Frederick Glaeve and Maria Neberman.  

They were married on November 20, 1901 in Pecatonica. Fred Schwengel and Augusta Swartz were their witnesses. The service was performed by the pastor at St. John's Lutheran. 

Searching for Burgenlanders in Bancroft, Kossuth County Iowa

Why did my relatives, the Schötls, and many families from Mönchhof (now in Burgenland, Austria) emigrate to Bancroft, Kossuth County, Iowa?

After spending the first of our two days to Kossuth County in the County seat of Algona, we spent our 3rd and final day in Bancroft. (see the Algona blog here)

As early as 1882, Catholic families came to make their homes in and around Bancroft.  It was designated as an out-mission of Algona and Mass was celebrated in the Bancroft public school building for the next several years.  In October 1889, Bishop Hennessy directed Father Nicholls to build a church in Bancroft and the 36' x 60' structure was completed October 19, 1890. It was deemed a separate Catholic parish within the Dubuque diocese.

From our research we put together a list of the Burgenlander burials in Kossuth County, many in Bancroft. 

We started with the "Burgenlander's Honored and Remembered" listed by the Burgenland Bunch. We went through and created a spreadsheet of the families who came from the Neusiedl  area villages buried throughout the U.S.  We sorted that for just the Iowa burials. We next sorted that alphabetically by town burial site in Iowa.  What we found is that the Bancroft St. John the Baptist Cemetery has burials from Mönchhof immigrants representing 14 families.  To these we could add others, like the Schotls, who were Bancroft residents but with no burials.

Shan contacted Judy Vaske, the business manager at Saint John the Baptist Church in Bancroft with our list.  Judy agreed to bring the cemetery records and meet us at St. John the Baptist cemetery to locate the graves.

Shan Thomas and Judy Vaske

Shan at the Martin Sanftner grave marker

The cemetery books are very detailed with the graves marked according to the placement in quadrants. A map is posted on a board in the center of the cemetery. The cemetery is in excellent condition and well cared for. 

St. John the Baptist Cemetery Map

Burgenlanders buried in St. John's Cemetery, Bancroft

last name  maiden name   1st name    home village    birth  death           cemetery         place

Deim		Johann	Mönchhof	1865	1941		St. John's	Bancroft
Deim	Rainer	Catherine	Mönchhof	1866	1931		St. John's	Bancroft
Lentsch	Rapp	Rosalia	Mönchhof	1857	1926		St. John's	Bancroft
Rainer		Gregor	Mönchhof	1873	1909		St. John's	Bancroft
Rainer		Lorenz	Mönchhof	1843	1909		St. John's	Bancroft
Rainer	Krenn	Genofeva	Mönchhof	1846	1907		St. John's	Bancroft
Rainer		Martin	Mönchhof	1877	1901		St. John's	Bancroft
Rapp		Franz	Mönchhof	1856	1903		St. John's	Bancroft
Rapp	Zittritsch	Marie	Mönchhof	1859	1942		St. John's	Bancroft
Rapp		Josef	Mönchhof	1870	1928		St. John's	Bancroft
Rapp	Sanftner	Magdalene	Mönchhof	1876	1963		St. John's	Bancroft
Regner		Georg	Mönchhof	1875	1970		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner		Gothardt	Mönchhof	1868	1950		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner	Schwartz	Elisabeth	Mönchhof	1871	1954		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner		Martin	Mönchhof	1862	1932		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner	Rapp	Barbara	Mönchhof	1868	1932		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner		Mathias	Mönchhof	1844	1911		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner	Pöckl	Anna	Mönchhof	1852	1925		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner		Michel	Mönchhof	1856	1908		St. John's	Bancroft
Sanftner	Hoffman	Anna	Mönchhof	1855	1901		St. John's	Bancroft
Lentsch		Melchior	Podersdorf	1882	1904		St. John's	Bancroft
Lentsch		Michel	Podersdorf	1855	1931		St. John's	Bancroft

We were able to locate and photograph all but 3 of the Burgenlander graves. These we assumed were either never marked, marked but missing, or the stone was buried under the grass.

Some of the Burgenlander grave markers at St. Johns the Baptist Cemetery

After we finished at the cemetery and had a little lunch in downtown Bancroft, we headed to the church where we met with Lori Geitzenauer, the Director of Religious Education for St. John the Baptist Church. She helped us search the church records for births, baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials. She took a tremendous amount of time and was very patient with us.

We looked for Schötl/Hoffman records, then Lori showed us other names from our list. More time with these records would give a better picture of this Burgenland group.  

Baptisms at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 

Bancroft, Iowa, July 2015 

• Michael Joseph Schotl, baptised 30 Dec 1897, born 13 Dec. 1897, son of Michael Schotl & Elizabeth Hoffman Schotl
• Michael Mathias Schotl, baptised 30 Jul 1899, born 27 Jul 1899, son of Michael Schotl & Elizabeth Hoffman Schotl
• Franz (Frank) Mathias Schotl, baptised 8 Jul 1900, born 6 Jul 1900, son of Michael Schotl & Elizabeth Hoffman Schotl, god parents Joseph & Lena Rapp
• Mathias Paul Schotl baptised 8 May 1902 born 30 Apr 1902,  , son of Michael Schotl & Elizabeth Hoffman Schotl, god parents Michael & Anna Sanftner                                                           (last name Schotl is spelled Schöttel in Baptismal Records)

Marriages at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 

Bancroft, Iowa, July 2015 

• Michael Schotl to Elizabeth Hoffman, 10 Feb 1896, witnesses Matt Schotl & Teresia Sanftner
• Joseph Rapp to Lena Sanftner, (Franz Schotl god parents) witnesses John Rapp & Anna Green

Burials at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 

Bancroft, Iowa, July 2015 

• Mathias Hoffman, died 6 Oct 1906, buried 8 Oct 1906, age 75

The lesson was how valuable church records can be in genealogy. We knew that Michael Schötl and Elizabeth Hoffman had 4 sons born in Iowa but there was no record of these births at the county. The church records are the only documents we have about the boy's birth dates and given names. 

The parish of St. John The Baptist is nearing its 125th year in 2016 and is currently in the 100th year since the building of the church.  The quasquicentennial celebration is set for July 2nd 2016.  A call for stories, pictures and artifacts has been made by the church's History Committee.  Information can be mailed to PO Box 94 Bancroft, IA  50517.






The Schötls and others didn't stay long in Iowa.  According to the 1905 Minnesota State Census, the Schötl family, with the exception of Frank and Mary, were living in Columbus Township, Anoka County.  It was in the Anoka County records and with the help of the Burgenland Bunch that we discovered that many of their Hungarian neighbors from Mönchhof had settled on adjacent or nearby farms in Columbus Township.