Happy New Year All! Before I continue on with the history of the Nordmeyers, I visited with Bill Martini the other day, and we discussed family history in depth, sharing stories and anecdotes that have been passed down through generations. He is going to take the research to the next level and visit Limerick, Ireland, a beautiful city steeped in history, where some of the Quinn/Hayes families lived before they immigrated to America seeking better opportunities. This journey not only holds significance for Bill personally, as he seeks to uncover his own roots, but also has the potential to enrich our understanding of the family’s heritage. One of his goals is to connect with some of the relatives who still reside in the area, perhaps even meeting distant relatives he has yet to know, which could lead to discovering long-lost familyconnections. We will keep all of you informed about his findings and any interesting developments that arise from this exciting venture.
Side Topic:
Another note that I would like to mention to all of you is quite fascinating to me. In preparing for my sharing of the family information with Bill Martini, I was scrolling through some Irish birth certificates from the 1800s when something unexpected caught my eye. Imagine my shock when I saw that some parents of Irish heritage named their daughters, Beesie. That was my childhood nickname that Grandma Bessie lovingly gave me, and seeing it on those old documents sent me spiraling down a memory lane filled with warmth and nostalgia. The story goes that Grandma wanted me to be named Barbara, but that did not happen, so she affectionately called me Beesie. Doing some research, I discovered that this name is actually a derivative of Elizabeth, a name steeped in history and significance. Grandma Bessie’s Christian name is Julia Elizabeth, a perfect blend of classic names that reflects our family’s heritage. Interestingly, Beesie seems to have a whimsical charm that captured my grandmother’s heart, and the only one who calls me Beesie today is my cousin Gary Bonomini, who knows all of our stories from the past.
Nordmeyer History continued…..
As I have told you in earlier posts, I have been researching family history for over fifty years, delving deep into the stories and legacies of my ancestors. In doing so, I spent many hours collecting information from some of the tombstones in St. Martin Cemetery in Yorkville, a place filled with echoes of the past where countless lives have left their marks etched in stone. One tombstone in particular, that of Anna Nordmeyer, caught my attention; she died in 1909 at the tender age of 16, a young life cut short far too soon. I was taken aback, as Grandma Dorie never mentioned her to me during our many conversations, and I found myself puzzled when I first laid eyes on the grave. I had always wondered what had happened to Anna, what her story was, and why it seemed so forgotten. During the years I lived with Grandma Dorie from 1966 to 1969, following Grandpa Mike’s passing in 1966—my brother Mark Kirchgassner shared some of that time with me, also staying with our beloved Grandma—I always thought I would remember all the stories she told me during those precious moments. However, no recollection of Anna ever came back to me, leaving a nagging curiosity about our family’s history.
The following is a brief summary of Anna’s life story as documented in the publications of the US Census, The Journal Press and The Dearborn County Register. Much of what is documented about Anna occurred in the year 1909, a pivotal time in her life that was marked by significant historical events and personal challenges. During this year, the world witnessed remarkable advancements, such as the introduction of commercial aircraft, with the first plane sold to eager aviation enthusiasts, paving the way for the future of air travel. Additionally, Pope Pius X made headlines as he became the first Pope to ride in an automobile, signifying a shift in the cultural and religious landscape of the era. Meanwhile, Typhoid Mary, a seemingly ordinary individual, was identified and quarantined, highlighting the public health concerns of the time and the far-reaching effects of infectious diseases. Typhoid fever had a lasting impact on the Nordmeyer family, as it caused another death in the family. This year also encapsulated and set the stage for Anna’s brief journey in life and now she leaves a legacy behind that prior to this blog was unknown to the family.
3/20/1893 Anna Nordmeyer is born to Herman and Mary Folzenlogel Nordmeyer of Yorkville, Indiana. Anna is named after her sister also named Anna who was born in 1891 and did not survive infancy. Anna attended St. Martin’s School and received the sacraments Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Penance and Last Rites of the Catholic Church by the age of 16.
4/16/1909 Anna Nordmeyer entertained a number of friends Sunday evening in Yorkville.
5/28/1909 Frances Hornback and Anna Nordmeyer, Gus and Tony Hornback, attended a dance at Ed Yuhlman’s, Dover, Sunday evening.
6/11/1909 Jacob Hornbach entertained a crowd of young folks at his home last Sunday. Those present were Minnie and Gert Hornbach, Mrs. Kiefer, Lena Sucher, Carrie Hornbach, Anna Nordmeyer, Josephine Wiedolf, Carl Nordmeyer, Ed and Frank Wiedolf from here and Joseph Knue of Dover. Amusements of all kind were indulged in, and at a late hour all departing hoped to meet again.
7/22/1909 Anna Nordmeyer entertained Anna Widoff of Indianapolis and Gertrude and Frances Hornback from here Sunday evening.
7/29/1909 Dora Nordmeyer (Grandma Dorie) (Anna’s younger sister who is eleven years old) is quite ill with typhoid fever.
8/6/1909 Dora Nordmeyer is slowing improving from typhoid fever.
9/3/1909 Anna Nordmeyer is seriously ill with typhoid fever.
9/17/1909 Anna Nordmeyer still seriously ill with typhoid fever.
10/1/1909 Obituary-Anna Nordmeyer a well known young lady of Yorkville died at the home of her parents of Herman and Mary Nordmeyer on Friday, October 1, at 3:40 AM after a lingering illness of six weeks. at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 20 days. She leaves a father, mother, four brothers and five sisters to mourn her loss. Anna was a generous and kind hearted girl, always cheerful and full of life. She was born at Yorkville, Indiana on March 20, 1893, and christened at St. Martin’s Church. The last sacraments were administered by Rev. Father Baron after which he spent most of his time in prayer and holy meditation. The funeral services were most impressively conducted Monday, October 4, at 9:00 AM. Rev. Father Baron, who preached a touching sermon, the funeral being largely attended. Her remains in charge of John Andres and Son were interred in St. Martin’s Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
10/1/1909 Obituary-Anna, daughter of Herman and Mary Nordmeyer was born March 1893 and died October 1, 1909. She suffered six weeks with typhoid fever and pneumonia later. Funeral services were held Monday in St. Martin’s Church, conducted by Rev. C. P. Baron. Six classmates served as pallbearers to the last resting place. Mr. and Mrs. Nordmeyer wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to many friends for kindness and expression of sympathy in their bereavement.
Typhoid fever was a serious illness that took the lives of about 20 percent of those who contracted the disease, making it a major public health concern during the times when sanitation practices were lacking. The fever was primarily caused by the lack of sanitation and running water that we take for granted today, leading to contaminated food and water supply. It was a painful disease characterized by high fevers, abdominal discomfort, and severe fatigue, and it easily spread from person to person, particularly in crowded living conditions. A person could carry and spread the bacteria without exhibiting any symptoms, as was notably the case with Typhoid Mary, who became a notorious example of asymptomatic transmission. This silent spread made controlling outbreaks exceedingly difficult. Public health measures were eventually implemented, but it wasn’t until a vaccine was researched, developed, and approved in 1948 that a significant tool was made available to combat this life-threatening disease. The vaccine’s introduction marked a vital advancement in the fight against typhoid fever, ultimately reducing its incidence and saving countless lives.
Life can be mysterious, filled with twists and turns that often leave us not understanding how things occur. Anna became ill after Grandma, but only Grandma recovered and Anna did not, creating a stark contrast between their fates. Reflecting upon this moment in time, the Grandma Dorie I remember was resilient and never complained about any ailments, embodying a spirit of strength that was truly inspiring. I never recall her being ill at any time; if she was, she never uttered a word about it. My sister Essie Adams once said that during her own recovery from many accidents, she looked to Grandma Dorie as a role model, refusing to give in to the pain that threatened to hold her back. The strength and wisdom Grandma Dorie imparted to us forged a foundation upon which we built our own resilience, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, there is always the possibility of hope and recovery, a lesson that continues to resonate within our family’s story.
Another story about Grandma Dorie’s resilence…..she told me that even after receiving the telegram that Dad was critically wounded in battle on October 27, 1944, she maintained her daily routine: attending Mass, lighting a candle, and milking the cows. She said she didn’t have a choice as a war was raging and everyone needed to do their part. It was much later she discovered how close Dad had been to death. John Schweisthal, Dad’s comrade, got him by Army jeep to a field hospital quickly after suffering critical wounds to the chest, liver, and lungs, which undoubtedly saved his life. As the original medical report charted that Dad’s blood pressure was 0/0 upon arrival. Can’t get any lower than that! No doubt in my mind that it was a miracle that Dad recovered in the Army hospitals without complications. He then set sail from Paris, France on Valentine’s Day, 1945, disembarked in Massachusetts, took a train to Colorado for rehabilitation and finally made it back to Yorkville, Indiana on the 5 July of 1945…..WOW! Grandma Dorie prayed everyday for him……
As you now know, Grandma Dorie and Dad narrowly survived life/death situations that could have ended differently. Today, I believe, because of their fortitude and Grandma’s prayers, I am part of a ‘Kirchgassner Strong’ family—71 members and counting, five generations out from Grandma Dorie.
Once again as I end another blog, all I can think is—— “Blessed be God.” Fan Go Maith!
PS Today, as this is blog is published, Floyd Trossman is recovering from a bout of the shingles and Tony Trossman from a recent surgery. Please keep them in your prayers for a quick recovery.