The 1880s

Hermann Dietrich Ehlmann marries Carolina Friedricke Sophia Bull August 1, 1880

Herman Ehlmann helps found Zion Lutheran Church

From the History of Zion Lutheran Church

In the meantime the number of Lutherans in this district grew, for many of them the distance to the Immanuel Church in St. Charles was too far, difficult to travel and the number of children rose from year to year. So the 5th district decided to ask for a peaceful separation from the original church to be a self-sustaining congregation and then their pastor. This was granted. On the 28th day of July 1884 15 voting members residing in this distinct convened and became a self-sustained church, which was named: german Ev Lutheran Zions Congregation in and around Harvester, Mo…It was a meaningful assembly for our congregation, which took place on the 28th of July 1884 in our school, presided by pastor Graebner. With the best, and heartiest wishes from our church on this day the Zions congregation with 15 members of the 5th District was founded. These are Hermann Ferenkamp, Wilhelm Boenker, Heinrich Dierker, Heinrich Barklage, Johan Moehlenkamp, Dietrich Thoele, Heinrich Thoele, Hermann Thoele, Herman Ehlmann, Heinrich Ehlmann, teacher Walter, Heinrich Luerding, Hermann Schuermann, Gerhard Schrage, W. Meier.

The Herman and Heinrich Ehlmann’s listed above I believe can be found on the 1905 Plat Map in Section 18 , Survey 1784, each owning approximately 100 acres. Their property is just south and west of property owned by William H. Boenker and west of Survey 285 which contains properties owned by both William H. Boenker and Henry Heitgerd. Why is this important? Our great-grandmother, mother to our grandmother, Clara Heitgerd Ehlmann was Wilhelmina Boenker.

Census for 1880

Herman Diedrich age 53
Mary, age 47
Caroline, age 19
Fred, age 13
Henry age 8

Our Dietrich is found in the family of his sister, Mary Amling (Ermeling), a widow, age 33, along with children, Henry, age 14, Lizzie, age 13, Emma, age 8, Herman, age 10, Annie, age 6, Fred, age 4 and Ida age 2.

On January 18, 1882, the widowed Anna Maria Ehlmann Ermeling married Frank H. Kaase. Maria and Frank went on to have seven children together and he died in 1910.