hitory of church, &Darmstadt, ILL.- part one
book title; History of the Holy Ghost United Church of Christ, Darmstadt, ILLinois-1843-1946
as translated from German script to English in 1968 by;
Emil H. Steinheimer,Darmstadt, ILLinois
for 125th anniversary celebration
typed 1972 for; John P. Weilmuenster,-stillwater, Oklahoma
Our congregation was organized in the year 1843 and the first past ws Siegmund Spies.Dudring his time of serving the first church was built, it was a log church which was dedicated on the 26th of January 1848.the congregation consisting of the following 23 members.
Nickolus Petri, George eckert, Peter Steinheimer,1
Hy Kkoehler, Jacob Stehling, Michael Funk, George Steinheimer, Martin Weilmuenster, Peter Steinheimer,2nd, Michael Juenger, George Peter Bollmeier, Heinrich Knecht, Georger Heberer, George Knecht, Heinrich Schlesinger, Philip Knecht, george Petri, John Winter, Heinrich Schneidewind, Johannes Deschner, John george Weilmuenster, Conrad Benner.
The first German settlers were the brothers Martin and Michael funk coming from Dietzenbach Hessen in Germany, It seems that they came in 1835. Michael returned to Germany to get himself a wife. Coming back with him in 1837 from Dietzenbach were: George Eckert, Nickolaus Petri, wendel eckert, Nickolaus Sturm, Johann Deschner, George Petri.IN 1838 more from Dietzenbach arrieved as follows; George Heberer, Peter Steinheimer 2nd, Peter Steinheimer 3rd, Martin Weilmuenster, george Weilmuenster, Adam Wolf, Michael Juenger, Henry Koehler.
These setters after a 75 day voyage across the sea, first settled in Weilingen, Ohio, but not being very satisfied there, started to migrate here; some on foot and the rest by steamboat.After arriving here some of them bout out the English speaking people or bought Free Congress land which sold as low as 25 cents per acre and as high as $1.25 per acre.
Following these settlers, two larger groups came to settle here bring very lettle along from Dietzenbach. In 1843; Nickolaus, george Knecht, Phillip Knecht, Henry Schlessinger, Henry Schneidewind, George Peter Rothmeier, Henry Knecht, H. Going, Henry Baumgarten, Christian Kuester, Conrad Stehl, Johan stehl.
in 1847, Michel Lehr, Nickolaus Schickedanz, Christoph Schickedanz, Conrad Schaeferle, Ludwig Schlesinger, Henry Triefenbach, Conrad Lehr, Michael lautenschleger, Phillip triefenbach, Johan wagner, christian beckmann, Daniel keim, henry Juenger, Christian Juenger, Georger kiefer, george Koehler.
in 1853a man by the name of Heber and Michael Kirchoefer arrived.
Oxen were the first animals used to do farm work.three yokes of oxen were used to one plow to break up the virgin prairie.they made their first wagons, the wheels were made by cutting down large trees then cuttin discs off the trees or logs.The first houses were built out of logs being one room only serving as kitchen, bedroom and everything else.They also raised their own flax which they spun and then wove into linen which they used for shirts and other apparel.They spun wool to knit socks and gloves and also wove it to use it as clothing.
This settlement soon become known as Mud Creek Prairie but in 1855 the town of darmstadt was laid out and this name has been used ever since.
(to be continued...by c.j.steinheimer