(Taken from his obituary and family records and transcribed by Michael Bowen, MRB, #47351043)
Gottfried Schlechter, born December 28, 1838 in Plotzk, Bessarabia, died February 20, 1917 near Tripp, South Dakota and buried February 21, 1917 in the Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, South Dakota. Gottfried Schlechter married Elizabeth Hoehn, daughter of John and Christina (Schwandt) at Bessarabia, South Russia on November 20, 1859. He is survived by: wife, one son, Gottfried (Christina Lang), five daughters: Friederika (John Handel) (Scotland, SD), Louise (John Becker) (Scotland, SD), Lydia (John Mayer) (Odessa, WA), Pauline (John Reister) (Streeter, ND), Caroline (George Lehr) (Tyndall, SD), one brother Jacob (Napoleon, ND). A daughter, Magdalena, Mrs. William Baltzer died May 17, 1912. Daktota Freie Presse, Bismarck, ND; Aberdeen, SD; Yankton, SD obituary
Obituaries from the Dakota Freie Presse, 1903-1947, translated by Dr. Horst Fode, March 6, 1917 #2232554.
Gottfried SCHLECHTER
b 28 Dec 1838 Plotzk, Bess
m 1859
d 20 Feb 1917 near Tripp, SD
bur 21 Feb 1917 Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, SD
Beginning in the 1760's and continuing for more than a century, German farmers and artisans migrated to Russia in numbers totaling more than 100,000. These people longed to escape from the economic difficulties of the disastrous Seven Years' War and from sometime religious persecution. Catherine the Great issued a manifesto in 1763 that made alluring promises to all foreigners "regardless of nationality and religion" who would settle the uninhabited regions of Russia. From the first generation on the Russian steppe, carving out the new farms and villages was a harsh, often bitter experience. But hard work was a fact of life for them, and they were a persevering people, industrious much beyond the ordinary. Within a short time they had established thriving agriculture-based colonies. What makes the history of these people unique is that in each new settlement they retained their German culture and way of life. Ultimately, the insistence on retaining their strong ethnic identity left the Russian Germans vulnerable to new troubles. Promises made in the original Russian manifestos were withdrawn, harassment and persecution became widespread. Once again, emigration was the response. From the 1870s into the early twentieth century, thousands of these Germans in Russia left for a new promised land. For most, this meant starting again on the plains of the Americas where, like their forefathers, they began the hard task of being pioneers in a strange new country. And, once again, agriculture was the way of life for the majority, although many settled in cities, also. The hard, backbreaking work was still accepted. The sense of being different was still present. The dream of building a better life was still the strong motivator at home, in church and at work. This time, however, there was a difference. This time these families were finally able to realize their dream. Most of them were able to establish a comfortable way of life for themselves far beyond their basic hopes for freedom from hunger, persecution and fear. Today their descendants can look back in admiration at the accomplishments of their forefathers who were the Germans from Russia.
Three sons of Friedrich (1800-1849) and Friederika (1802-1876), nee Koch, Schlechter, from Murr, Germany via Plotzk, Bessarabia, Russia, decided to immigrate to the New World; namely: Johann Friedrich (1832-1913), Gottfried (1838-1917) and Johann Jacob (1841-1919) Schlechter. Johann Frederick and Friedrika (Wehr) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 29, 1878 aboard the Rhein. Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 8, 1879 aboard the Neckar. Johann Jacob and Magdalena (Bahnmueller) Schlechter and their six children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 12, 1880 aboard the Rhein. The families settled in North and South Dakota, where many of their descendants remain. Source: Oshkosh Northwestern Newspaper.
The Schlechter brothers: Johann F. Schlechter: memorial #83121984; Gottfried Schlechter: memorial #13399187 and Johann Jacob Schlechter: memorial #35518588.
The 1880 US census shows Gottfried (42), Elizabeth (48), Fredricka (18), Louisa (16), Magdalena (15), later Mrs. William Baltzer died 17 May 1912, Lydia (13), Gottfried (11), Paulina (9) and Carolina (7) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. The 1900 US census shows Gottried (Dec 1838) and Elizabeth (Jan 1832) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota.
Grandchildren of Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter include:
GRANDCHILD (SPOUSE) birth-death year
JOHN OCHSNER (JACOBINA WALTER) 1883-1941
LYDIA BALTZER (FRIEDRICH MAGSTADT) 1884-1941
JOHN HANDEL (MAGDELINA RIVINUS) 1884-1963
LYDIA HANDEL 1884-1953
LYDIA OCHSNER (ROBERT ROCKWOOD) 1885-1972
MAGDALENA BALTZER (FRIEDRICK REICH) 1886 -1950
ELIZABETH HANDEL 1887-1911
EMANUEL BALTZER (BERTHA REDMANN) 1888-1972
RICHARD MAYER (NANNIE HALL) 1889-1973
*GEORGE OCHSNER (MARTHA WALTER) 1890-1981
EMMA BALTZER (RICHARD WEIDENBACH) 1890-1979
WILHEIM BALTZER (LOUISE MOGCK) 1890-1970
GOTTFRIED HANDEL 1890-1960
IDA MAYER (ALBERT FRATER) 1891-1972
GOTTFRIED BALTZER (BERTHA MOGCK) 1892-1948
EMANUEL HANDEL 1892-1960
LILLIAN MAYER (LLOYD DAVIS) 1892-1990
JOHN SCHLECHTER (ANNA BALTZER/SOPHIA DIETRICH) 1893-1977
ROBERT LEHR (ELLEN RYAN) 1894-1957
FREDERICK OCHSNER (MARTHA REISTER) 1894-1965
MARIA BALTZER (ROBERT REDMANN) 1894-1976
PAULINE HANDEL (WILLIAM SAYLER) 1894-1986
RICHARD REISTER (CAROLINE HANDEL) 1894-1963
EMMA MAYER (HERMAN KLEMPEL) 1895-1939
ARTHUR LEHR (HELEN REDMAN) 1896-1974
CHRISTINA BALTZER (ROBERT BROSZ) 1896-1969
CAROLINE HANDEL (RICHARD REISTER) 1896-1973
CHRISTINA SCHLECHTER (BENJAMIN BROSZ) 1897-1971
HULDA LEHR (GEORGE LUBBERS) 1898-1995
PAULINA BALTZER (JOHN REDMANN) 1898-1995
LILLIAN SCHLECHTER (GUSTAV MOGCK) 1898-1984
ROLAND LEHR 1899-1900
JOHN BALTZER (EMMA ORTH) 1900-1968
ANNIE MAYER (GARNET REED) 1900-1950
WILHEIM SCHLECHTER (ANNA MEISENHOELDER) 1901-1948
WILLIAM HANDEL (BERTHA DEG) 1902-1977
ESTHER LEHR (GEORGE LANG) 1903-2003
WILLIAM MAYER 1903-1974
HULDA BALTZER 1904-1997
EDWARD HANDEL (BERTHA VEIL) 1904-1962
HEINRICH SCHLECHTER (ELSIE GROSSHUESCH) 1904-1977
ROBERT MAYER (MARY LAWRENCE) 1904-1979
*RUTH LEHR (DIETRICH ORTLAND) 1905-1996
*EMIL BALTZER (HELEN COCHRAN) 1907-1996
ROBERT SCHLECHTER (ALICE DESCOMBAZ) 1907-1981
LORAINE MAYER (ARTHUR HEPPNER) 1908-1933
MARTHA LEHR (WASHINGTON RUMMEL) 1909-1966
RUBEN SCHLECHTER (CLARA SUESS) 1909-1995
*Burial location unknown
Gottfried Schlechter, born December 28, 1838 in Plotzk, Bessarabia, died February 20, 1917 near Tripp, South Dakota and buried February 21, 1917 in the Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, South Dakota. Gottfried Schlechter married Elizabeth Hoehn, daughter of John and Christina (Schwandt) at Bessarabia, South Russia on November 20, 1859. He is survived by: wife, one son, Gottfried (Christina Lang), five daughters: Friederika (John Handel) (Scotland, SD), Louise (John Becker) (Scotland, SD), Lydia (John Mayer) (Odessa, WA), Pauline (John Reister) (Streeter, ND), Caroline (George Lehr) (Tyndall, SD), one brother Jacob (Napoleon, ND). A daughter, Magdalena, Mrs. William Baltzer died May 17, 1912. Daktota Freie Presse, Bismarck, ND; Aberdeen, SD; Yankton, SD obituary
Obituaries from the Dakota Freie Presse, 1903-1947, translated by Dr. Horst Fode, March 6, 1917 #2232554.
Gottfried SCHLECHTER
b 28 Dec 1838 Plotzk, Bess
m 1859
d 20 Feb 1917 near Tripp, SD
bur 21 Feb 1917 Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, SD
Beginning in the 1760's and continuing for more than a century, German farmers and artisans migrated to Russia in numbers totaling more than 100,000. These people longed to escape from the economic difficulties of the disastrous Seven Years' War and from sometime religious persecution. Catherine the Great issued a manifesto in 1763 that made alluring promises to all foreigners "regardless of nationality and religion" who would settle the uninhabited regions of Russia. From the first generation on the Russian steppe, carving out the new farms and villages was a harsh, often bitter experience. But hard work was a fact of life for them, and they were a persevering people, industrious much beyond the ordinary. Within a short time they had established thriving agriculture-based colonies. What makes the history of these people unique is that in each new settlement they retained their German culture and way of life. Ultimately, the insistence on retaining their strong ethnic identity left the Russian Germans vulnerable to new troubles. Promises made in the original Russian manifestos were withdrawn, harassment and persecution became widespread. Once again, emigration was the response. From the 1870s into the early twentieth century, thousands of these Germans in Russia left for a new promised land. For most, this meant starting again on the plains of the Americas where, like their forefathers, they began the hard task of being pioneers in a strange new country. And, once again, agriculture was the way of life for the majority, although many settled in cities, also. The hard, backbreaking work was still accepted. The sense of being different was still present. The dream of building a better life was still the strong motivator at home, in church and at work. This time, however, there was a difference. This time these families were finally able to realize their dream. Most of them were able to establish a comfortable way of life for themselves far beyond their basic hopes for freedom from hunger, persecution and fear. Today their descendants can look back in admiration at the accomplishments of their forefathers who were the Germans from Russia.
Three sons of Friedrich (1800-1849) and Friederika (1802-1876), nee Koch, Schlechter, from Murr, Germany via Plotzk, Bessarabia, Russia, decided to immigrate to the New World; namely: Johann Friedrich (1832-1913), Gottfried (1838-1917) and Johann Jacob (1841-1919) Schlechter. Johann Frederick and Friedrika (Wehr) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 29, 1878 aboard the Rhein. Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 8, 1879 aboard the Neckar. Johann Jacob and Magdalena (Bahnmueller) Schlechter and their six children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 12, 1880 aboard the Rhein. The families settled in North and South Dakota, where many of their descendants remain. Source: Oshkosh Northwestern Newspaper.
The Schlechter brothers: Johann F. Schlechter: memorial #83121984; Gottfried Schlechter: memorial #13399187 and Johann Jacob Schlechter: memorial #35518588.
The 1880 US census shows Gottfried (42), Elizabeth (48), Fredricka (18), Louisa (16), Magdalena (15), later Mrs. William Baltzer died 17 May 1912, Lydia (13), Gottfried (11), Paulina (9) and Carolina (7) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. The 1900 US census shows Gottried (Dec 1838) and Elizabeth (Jan 1832) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota.
Grandchildren of Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter include:
GRANDCHILD (SPOUSE) birth-death year
JOHN OCHSNER (JACOBINA WALTER) 1883-1941
LYDIA BALTZER (FRIEDRICH MAGSTADT) 1884-1941
JOHN HANDEL (MAGDELINA RIVINUS) 1884-1963
LYDIA HANDEL 1884-1953
LYDIA OCHSNER (ROBERT ROCKWOOD) 1885-1972
MAGDALENA BALTZER (FRIEDRICK REICH) 1886 -1950
ELIZABETH HANDEL 1887-1911
EMANUEL BALTZER (BERTHA REDMANN) 1888-1972
RICHARD MAYER (NANNIE HALL) 1889-1973
*GEORGE OCHSNER (MARTHA WALTER) 1890-1981
EMMA BALTZER (RICHARD WEIDENBACH) 1890-1979
WILHEIM BALTZER (LOUISE MOGCK) 1890-1970
GOTTFRIED HANDEL 1890-1960
IDA MAYER (ALBERT FRATER) 1891-1972
GOTTFRIED BALTZER (BERTHA MOGCK) 1892-1948
EMANUEL HANDEL 1892-1960
LILLIAN MAYER (LLOYD DAVIS) 1892-1990
JOHN SCHLECHTER (ANNA BALTZER/SOPHIA DIETRICH) 1893-1977
ROBERT LEHR (ELLEN RYAN) 1894-1957
FREDERICK OCHSNER (MARTHA REISTER) 1894-1965
MARIA BALTZER (ROBERT REDMANN) 1894-1976
PAULINE HANDEL (WILLIAM SAYLER) 1894-1986
RICHARD REISTER (CAROLINE HANDEL) 1894-1963
EMMA MAYER (HERMAN KLEMPEL) 1895-1939
ARTHUR LEHR (HELEN REDMAN) 1896-1974
CHRISTINA BALTZER (ROBERT BROSZ) 1896-1969
CAROLINE HANDEL (RICHARD REISTER) 1896-1973
CHRISTINA SCHLECHTER (BENJAMIN BROSZ) 1897-1971
HULDA LEHR (GEORGE LUBBERS) 1898-1995
PAULINA BALTZER (JOHN REDMANN) 1898-1995
LILLIAN SCHLECHTER (GUSTAV MOGCK) 1898-1984
ROLAND LEHR 1899-1900
JOHN BALTZER (EMMA ORTH) 1900-1968
ANNIE MAYER (GARNET REED) 1900-1950
WILHEIM SCHLECHTER (ANNA MEISENHOELDER) 1901-1948
WILLIAM HANDEL (BERTHA DEG) 1902-1977
ESTHER LEHR (GEORGE LANG) 1903-2003
WILLIAM MAYER 1903-1974
HULDA BALTZER 1904-1997
EDWARD HANDEL (BERTHA VEIL) 1904-1962
HEINRICH SCHLECHTER (ELSIE GROSSHUESCH) 1904-1977
ROBERT MAYER (MARY LAWRENCE) 1904-1979
*RUTH LEHR (DIETRICH ORTLAND) 1905-1996
*EMIL BALTZER (HELEN COCHRAN) 1907-1996
ROBERT SCHLECHTER (ALICE DESCOMBAZ) 1907-1981
LORAINE MAYER (ARTHUR HEPPNER) 1908-1933
MARTHA LEHR (WASHINGTON RUMMEL) 1909-1966
RUBEN SCHLECHTER (CLARA SUESS) 1909-1995
*Burial location unknown
(Taken from his obituary and family records and transcribed by Michael Bowen, MRB, #47351043)
Gottfried Schlechter, born December 28, 1838 in Plotzk, Bessarabia, died February 20, 1917 near Tripp, South Dakota and buried February 21, 1917 in the Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, South Dakota. Gottfried Schlechter married Elizabeth Hoehn, daughter of John and Christina (Schwandt) at Bessarabia, South Russia on November 20, 1859. He is survived by: wife, one son, Gottfried (Christina Lang), five daughters: Friederika (John Handel) (Scotland, SD), Louise (John Becker) (Scotland, SD), Lydia (John Mayer) (Odessa, WA), Pauline (John Reister) (Streeter, ND), Caroline (George Lehr) (Tyndall, SD), one brother Jacob (Napoleon, ND). A daughter, Magdalena, Mrs. William Baltzer died May 17, 1912. Daktota Freie Presse, Bismarck, ND; Aberdeen, SD; Yankton, SD obituary
Obituaries from the Dakota Freie Presse, 1903-1947, translated by Dr. Horst Fode, March 6, 1917 #2232554.
Gottfried SCHLECHTER
b 28 Dec 1838 Plotzk, Bess
m 1859
d 20 Feb 1917 near Tripp, SD
bur 21 Feb 1917 Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, SD
Beginning in the 1760's and continuing for more than a century, German farmers and artisans migrated to Russia in numbers totaling more than 100,000. These people longed to escape from the economic difficulties of the disastrous Seven Years' War and from sometime religious persecution. Catherine the Great issued a manifesto in 1763 that made alluring promises to all foreigners "regardless of nationality and religion" who would settle the uninhabited regions of Russia. From the first generation on the Russian steppe, carving out the new farms and villages was a harsh, often bitter experience. But hard work was a fact of life for them, and they were a persevering people, industrious much beyond the ordinary. Within a short time they had established thriving agriculture-based colonies. What makes the history of these people unique is that in each new settlement they retained their German culture and way of life. Ultimately, the insistence on retaining their strong ethnic identity left the Russian Germans vulnerable to new troubles. Promises made in the original Russian manifestos were withdrawn, harassment and persecution became widespread. Once again, emigration was the response. From the 1870s into the early twentieth century, thousands of these Germans in Russia left for a new promised land. For most, this meant starting again on the plains of the Americas where, like their forefathers, they began the hard task of being pioneers in a strange new country. And, once again, agriculture was the way of life for the majority, although many settled in cities, also. The hard, backbreaking work was still accepted. The sense of being different was still present. The dream of building a better life was still the strong motivator at home, in church and at work. This time, however, there was a difference. This time these families were finally able to realize their dream. Most of them were able to establish a comfortable way of life for themselves far beyond their basic hopes for freedom from hunger, persecution and fear. Today their descendants can look back in admiration at the accomplishments of their forefathers who were the Germans from Russia.
Three sons of Friedrich (1800-1849) and Friederika (1802-1876), nee Koch, Schlechter, from Murr, Germany via Plotzk, Bessarabia, Russia, decided to immigrate to the New World; namely: Johann Friedrich (1832-1913), Gottfried (1838-1917) and Johann Jacob (1841-1919) Schlechter. Johann Frederick and Friedrika (Wehr) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 29, 1878 aboard the Rhein. Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 8, 1879 aboard the Neckar. Johann Jacob and Magdalena (Bahnmueller) Schlechter and their six children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 12, 1880 aboard the Rhein. The families settled in North and South Dakota, where many of their descendants remain. Source: Oshkosh Northwestern Newspaper.
The Schlechter brothers: Johann F. Schlechter: memorial #83121984; Gottfried Schlechter: memorial #13399187 and Johann Jacob Schlechter: memorial #35518588.
The 1880 US census shows Gottfried (42), Elizabeth (48), Fredricka (18), Louisa (16), Magdalena (15), later Mrs. William Baltzer died 17 May 1912, Lydia (13), Gottfried (11), Paulina (9) and Carolina (7) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. The 1900 US census shows Gottried (Dec 1838) and Elizabeth (Jan 1832) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota.
Grandchildren of Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter include:
GRANDCHILD (SPOUSE) birth-death year
JOHN OCHSNER (JACOBINA WALTER) 1883-1941
LYDIA BALTZER (FRIEDRICH MAGSTADT) 1884-1941
JOHN HANDEL (MAGDELINA RIVINUS) 1884-1963
LYDIA HANDEL 1884-1953
LYDIA OCHSNER (ROBERT ROCKWOOD) 1885-1972
MAGDALENA BALTZER (FRIEDRICK REICH) 1886 -1950
ELIZABETH HANDEL 1887-1911
EMANUEL BALTZER (BERTHA REDMANN) 1888-1972
RICHARD MAYER (NANNIE HALL) 1889-1973
*GEORGE OCHSNER (MARTHA WALTER) 1890-1981
EMMA BALTZER (RICHARD WEIDENBACH) 1890-1979
WILHEIM BALTZER (LOUISE MOGCK) 1890-1970
GOTTFRIED HANDEL 1890-1960
IDA MAYER (ALBERT FRATER) 1891-1972
GOTTFRIED BALTZER (BERTHA MOGCK) 1892-1948
EMANUEL HANDEL 1892-1960
LILLIAN MAYER (LLOYD DAVIS) 1892-1990
JOHN SCHLECHTER (ANNA BALTZER/SOPHIA DIETRICH) 1893-1977
ROBERT LEHR (ELLEN RYAN) 1894-1957
FREDERICK OCHSNER (MARTHA REISTER) 1894-1965
MARIA BALTZER (ROBERT REDMANN) 1894-1976
PAULINE HANDEL (WILLIAM SAYLER) 1894-1986
RICHARD REISTER (CAROLINE HANDEL) 1894-1963
EMMA MAYER (HERMAN KLEMPEL) 1895-1939
ARTHUR LEHR (HELEN REDMAN) 1896-1974
CHRISTINA BALTZER (ROBERT BROSZ) 1896-1969
CAROLINE HANDEL (RICHARD REISTER) 1896-1973
CHRISTINA SCHLECHTER (BENJAMIN BROSZ) 1897-1971
HULDA LEHR (GEORGE LUBBERS) 1898-1995
PAULINA BALTZER (JOHN REDMANN) 1898-1995
LILLIAN SCHLECHTER (GUSTAV MOGCK) 1898-1984
ROLAND LEHR 1899-1900
JOHN BALTZER (EMMA ORTH) 1900-1968
ANNIE MAYER (GARNET REED) 1900-1950
WILHEIM SCHLECHTER (ANNA MEISENHOELDER) 1901-1948
WILLIAM HANDEL (BERTHA DEG) 1902-1977
ESTHER LEHR (GEORGE LANG) 1903-2003
WILLIAM MAYER 1903-1974
HULDA BALTZER 1904-1997
EDWARD HANDEL (BERTHA VEIL) 1904-1962
HEINRICH SCHLECHTER (ELSIE GROSSHUESCH) 1904-1977
ROBERT MAYER (MARY LAWRENCE) 1904-1979
*RUTH LEHR (DIETRICH ORTLAND) 1905-1996
*EMIL BALTZER (HELEN COCHRAN) 1907-1996
ROBERT SCHLECHTER (ALICE DESCOMBAZ) 1907-1981
LORAINE MAYER (ARTHUR HEPPNER) 1908-1933
MARTHA LEHR (WASHINGTON RUMMEL) 1909-1966
RUBEN SCHLECHTER (CLARA SUESS) 1909-1995
*Burial location unknown
Gottfried Schlechter, born December 28, 1838 in Plotzk, Bessarabia, died February 20, 1917 near Tripp, South Dakota and buried February 21, 1917 in the Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, South Dakota. Gottfried Schlechter married Elizabeth Hoehn, daughter of John and Christina (Schwandt) at Bessarabia, South Russia on November 20, 1859. He is survived by: wife, one son, Gottfried (Christina Lang), five daughters: Friederika (John Handel) (Scotland, SD), Louise (John Becker) (Scotland, SD), Lydia (John Mayer) (Odessa, WA), Pauline (John Reister) (Streeter, ND), Caroline (George Lehr) (Tyndall, SD), one brother Jacob (Napoleon, ND). A daughter, Magdalena, Mrs. William Baltzer died May 17, 1912. Daktota Freie Presse, Bismarck, ND; Aberdeen, SD; Yankton, SD obituary
Obituaries from the Dakota Freie Presse, 1903-1947, translated by Dr. Horst Fode, March 6, 1917 #2232554.
Gottfried SCHLECHTER
b 28 Dec 1838 Plotzk, Bess
m 1859
d 20 Feb 1917 near Tripp, SD
bur 21 Feb 1917 Congregational Cemetery near Kaylor, SD
Beginning in the 1760's and continuing for more than a century, German farmers and artisans migrated to Russia in numbers totaling more than 100,000. These people longed to escape from the economic difficulties of the disastrous Seven Years' War and from sometime religious persecution. Catherine the Great issued a manifesto in 1763 that made alluring promises to all foreigners "regardless of nationality and religion" who would settle the uninhabited regions of Russia. From the first generation on the Russian steppe, carving out the new farms and villages was a harsh, often bitter experience. But hard work was a fact of life for them, and they were a persevering people, industrious much beyond the ordinary. Within a short time they had established thriving agriculture-based colonies. What makes the history of these people unique is that in each new settlement they retained their German culture and way of life. Ultimately, the insistence on retaining their strong ethnic identity left the Russian Germans vulnerable to new troubles. Promises made in the original Russian manifestos were withdrawn, harassment and persecution became widespread. Once again, emigration was the response. From the 1870s into the early twentieth century, thousands of these Germans in Russia left for a new promised land. For most, this meant starting again on the plains of the Americas where, like their forefathers, they began the hard task of being pioneers in a strange new country. And, once again, agriculture was the way of life for the majority, although many settled in cities, also. The hard, backbreaking work was still accepted. The sense of being different was still present. The dream of building a better life was still the strong motivator at home, in church and at work. This time, however, there was a difference. This time these families were finally able to realize their dream. Most of them were able to establish a comfortable way of life for themselves far beyond their basic hopes for freedom from hunger, persecution and fear. Today their descendants can look back in admiration at the accomplishments of their forefathers who were the Germans from Russia.
Three sons of Friedrich (1800-1849) and Friederika (1802-1876), nee Koch, Schlechter, from Murr, Germany via Plotzk, Bessarabia, Russia, decided to immigrate to the New World; namely: Johann Friedrich (1832-1913), Gottfried (1838-1917) and Johann Jacob (1841-1919) Schlechter. Johann Frederick and Friedrika (Wehr) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 29, 1878 aboard the Rhein. Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter and their seven children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 8, 1879 aboard the Neckar. Johann Jacob and Magdalena (Bahnmueller) Schlechter and their six children arrived at New York from Bremen, Germany on November 12, 1880 aboard the Rhein. The families settled in North and South Dakota, where many of their descendants remain. Source: Oshkosh Northwestern Newspaper.
The Schlechter brothers: Johann F. Schlechter: memorial #83121984; Gottfried Schlechter: memorial #13399187 and Johann Jacob Schlechter: memorial #35518588.
The 1880 US census shows Gottfried (42), Elizabeth (48), Fredricka (18), Louisa (16), Magdalena (15), later Mrs. William Baltzer died 17 May 1912, Lydia (13), Gottfried (11), Paulina (9) and Carolina (7) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. The 1900 US census shows Gottried (Dec 1838) and Elizabeth (Jan 1832) living in Hutchinson County, South Dakota.
Grandchildren of Gottfried and Elizabeth (Hoehn) Schlechter include:
GRANDCHILD (SPOUSE) birth-death year
JOHN OCHSNER (JACOBINA WALTER) 1883-1941
LYDIA BALTZER (FRIEDRICH MAGSTADT) 1884-1941
JOHN HANDEL (MAGDELINA RIVINUS) 1884-1963
LYDIA HANDEL 1884-1953
LYDIA OCHSNER (ROBERT ROCKWOOD) 1885-1972
MAGDALENA BALTZER (FRIEDRICK REICH) 1886 -1950
ELIZABETH HANDEL 1887-1911
EMANUEL BALTZER (BERTHA REDMANN) 1888-1972
RICHARD MAYER (NANNIE HALL) 1889-1973
*GEORGE OCHSNER (MARTHA WALTER) 1890-1981
EMMA BALTZER (RICHARD WEIDENBACH) 1890-1979
WILHEIM BALTZER (LOUISE MOGCK) 1890-1970
GOTTFRIED HANDEL 1890-1960
IDA MAYER (ALBERT FRATER) 1891-1972
GOTTFRIED BALTZER (BERTHA MOGCK) 1892-1948
EMANUEL HANDEL 1892-1960
LILLIAN MAYER (LLOYD DAVIS) 1892-1990
JOHN SCHLECHTER (ANNA BALTZER/SOPHIA DIETRICH) 1893-1977
ROBERT LEHR (ELLEN RYAN) 1894-1957
FREDERICK OCHSNER (MARTHA REISTER) 1894-1965
MARIA BALTZER (ROBERT REDMANN) 1894-1976
PAULINE HANDEL (WILLIAM SAYLER) 1894-1986
RICHARD REISTER (CAROLINE HANDEL) 1894-1963
EMMA MAYER (HERMAN KLEMPEL) 1895-1939
ARTHUR LEHR (HELEN REDMAN) 1896-1974
CHRISTINA BALTZER (ROBERT BROSZ) 1896-1969
CAROLINE HANDEL (RICHARD REISTER) 1896-1973
CHRISTINA SCHLECHTER (BENJAMIN BROSZ) 1897-1971
HULDA LEHR (GEORGE LUBBERS) 1898-1995
PAULINA BALTZER (JOHN REDMANN) 1898-1995
LILLIAN SCHLECHTER (GUSTAV MOGCK) 1898-1984
ROLAND LEHR 1899-1900
JOHN BALTZER (EMMA ORTH) 1900-1968
ANNIE MAYER (GARNET REED) 1900-1950
WILHEIM SCHLECHTER (ANNA MEISENHOELDER) 1901-1948
WILLIAM HANDEL (BERTHA DEG) 1902-1977
ESTHER LEHR (GEORGE LANG) 1903-2003
WILLIAM MAYER 1903-1974
HULDA BALTZER 1904-1997
EDWARD HANDEL (BERTHA VEIL) 1904-1962
HEINRICH SCHLECHTER (ELSIE GROSSHUESCH) 1904-1977
ROBERT MAYER (MARY LAWRENCE) 1904-1979
*RUTH LEHR (DIETRICH ORTLAND) 1905-1996
*EMIL BALTZER (HELEN COCHRAN) 1907-1996
ROBERT SCHLECHTER (ALICE DESCOMBAZ) 1907-1981
LORAINE MAYER (ARTHUR HEPPNER) 1908-1933
MARTHA LEHR (WASHINGTON RUMMEL) 1909-1966
RUBEN SCHLECHTER (CLARA SUESS) 1909-1995
*Burial location unknown
Gravesite Details
Age 79 Years
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
