1. Identity & Origin

Clockmaker: Dietrich Koch (signed “D. Koch”)
Associated Family: Heinrich Koch (brother; clockmaker but never signed clocks)
Workshop Location: Stromberg bei Eitorf, North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany
Circa: c. 1845–1860 (mid‑19th century)
Regional Style: Rhenish / Biedermeier

Historical Context:
Dietrich Koch was a rural master clockmaker serving the Sieg River valley. During this transitional period in German horology, many craftsmen acted as master finishers: acquiring high‑quality movements (likely Black Forest‑made) and completing them with locally produced cases, dials, and brass work for regional clients. Production was small‑scale and largely handcrafted.

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2. Mechanical Specifications

Movement Type: 30‑hour, weight‑driven rope‑drive movement
Drive System: Rope and pulley system using hand‑braided cord with lead‑filled brass canister weights (pre‑chain design typical of mid‑century clocks)
Escapement Regulation: “Cow‑tail” pendulum with brass‑faced lead bob
Plates: Solid metal plates, indicating quality construction and durability
Function: Time‑only or time‑and‑strike, depending on configuration; some examples include bell striking for hours

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3. Dial and Case Features

• Roman numeral chapter ring
• 60‑mark outer minute scale
• Regulator‑style dial emphasizing precision
• Ornate brass maker’s plaque signed “D. Koch”
• Case style consistent with mid‑19th‑century regional wall regulators

The signed plaque suggests pride in craftsmanship and strongly indicates a custom or limited‑production piece rather than mass manufacture.

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4. Attribution and Maker Identification

Horological directories list only one confirmed clockmaking family in Stromberg bei Eitorf:

Heinrich Koch

• Listed as clockmaker
• Never signed clocks

D. Koch (Dietrich Koch)

• Signed clocks
• Almost certainly the maker of this Stromberg clock

Because Heinrich did not sign clocks, any surviving clocks marked “D. Koch” from Stromberg bei Eitorf are attributed to Dietrich Koch.

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5. Meaning of “Stromberg bei Eitorf”

Stromberg was a very small rural settlement and not independently recognizable outside the region. The phrase “bei Eitorf” (“near Eitorf”) was added for practical identification purposes. Eitorf was the nearest known market town with postal services, trade routes, and church records.

This practice was extremely common among 19th‑century rural German clockmakers and served as a form of geographic clarification rather than indicating work done in Eitorf itself.

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6. Geographic Clarification

The Stromberg referenced on the plaque is:

Stromberg (Windeck), Rhein‑Sieg‑Kreis, North Rhine‑Westphalia

• A hamlet within today’s municipality of Windeck
• Near Leuscheid and Eitorf
• Not related to other towns or regions named “Stromberg” in Germany

Most Probable Workshop Location:
Within the village of Stromberg itself, likely in a residential farmstead or mixed craft household along the old ridge road between Leuscheid and Eitorf.

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7. Rarity and Significance

• Production was low‑volume and handcrafted
• Few clocks were made; fewer survive
• Signed examples from Stromberg bei Eitorf are rare
• The label strongly supports authenticity, regional origin, and historical value

The Life and Legacy of Frederick Meinhard (1841–1905)

From Doris' geneology work done on Ancestors.com, she gives wonderful details about the Meinhard family story. That story is one of grit, transition, and the pursuit of the American dream. From the decks of a steamship in Antwerp to the battlefields of the Civil War, and finally to the fertile soil of the Iowa frontier, Frederick Meinhard’s 64 years represent a quintessential chapter in our family history.

From the Old World to the New

In April 1854, a twelve-year-old Frederick stood on the deck of the Helicon as it pulled away from Antwerp, Belgium. Traveling with his brother Jacob, he was part of a larger family migration. By the time they reached Troy Grove, Illinois, Frederick was already learning the family trade: milling. He spent his teenage years assisting his father, Michael, in the local mill, a profession that required mechanical precision and physical stamina.

A Soldier of the Republic

Frederick’s life took a harrowing turn at age 20. On March 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company I of the 65th Illinois Infantry. His military record reads like a tour of the Civil War’s most intense theaters:

• Captured at Harper’s Ferry: In April 1863, Frederick was taken as a prisoner of war and held at Camp Chase.

• The Atlanta Campaign: Following his exchange, he served in the 23rd Army Corps under General Burnside. He marched through East Tennessee and participated in the brutal, pivotal campaign to take Atlanta.

• Honorable Discharge: He survived the conflict and was mustered out on May 15, 1865, returning home to Illinois to resume civilian life.

Roots in Troy Grove

Post-war life brought stability and growth. In 1868, Frederick married Marie Henrieta Emelie (Emily) Vitt. Family stories suggest Emily had come to work for the Meinhards, and the two families shared deep roots back in Germany. Together in Troy Grove, they began their own branch of the family tree, welcoming three sons: Henry (1870), Rudolph Karl (1875), and Alfred Oswald (1878).

It is at Troy grove that the Meinhard Family Cemetery commerates the Meinhard ancestry. 

The Great Migration to Iowa

The most significant geographical shift occurred after the death of Frederick’s father in 1896. Seeking new opportunities, Frederick moved the family to Buena Vista County, Iowa.

The move was a calculated success. In Hayes Township, near Storm Lake, Frederick purchased a half-section of land for the then-significant sum of $2.50 per acre. He was only the second owner of this land, having bought it from a man who received the original patent from the federal government. This property became more than just a farm; it was a legacy that Frederick eventually divided among his three sons, ensuring the Meinhard name remained tied to the Iowa soil for generations to come.

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A Final Transition

Frederick’s journey ended on March 24, 1905, at the age of 64. In a poignant historical coincidence, his brother Gerlach passed away on the very same day. Frederick was laid to rest in Storm Lake, Iowa—a long way from the shipyards of Antwerp, but a place he had truly made his own. 

As we reflect on his life, we see a man of service, a builder of industry, and a father who labored to provide a literal "half-section" of the future for his children.

Sandy's Memorial Weekend

Since Sandy passed away peacefully on September 10, we have been busy organizing events and details. Here are a few of those:

Friday Open House

J Alex is hosting an Open House
 on Friday, October 3, 2025, 2–6 p.m. with pizza at 4
 at J Alex & Robyn’s home
, 10161 NW Wellhouse Ln, Portland, OR 97229. Everyone is welcome and at 4 pm, "pizza," will be sharing and toasts. 

Saturday Memorial Service

Our Memorial Service
 will be Saturday, October 4, 2025, 1:00 p.m. at the 
Lake Oswego United Methodist Church
, 1855 South Shore Blvd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

Reception

At the reception which follows after the ceremony, we will have Sandy's perennial favorite waffles from the Waffle Window. They come from our long time friends, the Fishback's, who were our neighbors and who also started the Waffle Window at their Bread and Ink Cafe.

Media Tribute

At the reception we will also have a media tribute of Sandy's life as people meet and chat. Anyone who might have photos and information about them please feel encouraged to share with Chris Mason. He can take anything even if it needs to be scanned. To manage this challenging project, he has set up special access on his Google docs for sharing documents so anyone can contribute. What he does not use for Sandy's tribute we will have for further enriching our recorded family history, particularly helpful are dates and your written info for your docs and photos.

Saturday Evening Dinner

For our Saturday Evening Dinner at 5:00 PM if you choose, join us at BGs Food Cartel in Beaverton. It's a large facility with many food carts surrounding a grassy lawn and a beer hall. A wonderful venue.

Guests and RSVPs

Doug at dougmeinhard@gmail.com is tracking all the RSVP so we might plan food and drink at Friday Open House and Saturday reception.

Events and RSVPs

Doug is also tracking events, the kids' games, gatherings, guests, all RSVPs, and so forth, and he immediately updates any information he receives so everyone has immediate access to people and events. Send Doug all RSVPs or if you are a family member, you may add info and events yourself.

Obituary

I posted Sandy’s obituary at the Gethsemani Funeral Home. If you wish to send a card, send them to J Alex’s address, 10161 NW Wellhouse Ln, Portland, OR 97229. We won't need flowers but I welcome anything I can plant at our my home that I call "the lot" in her memory. Your messages and memories will mean a great deal.

Event Locations

Here's a Google link showing the venues on the map for our key events.
 
With gratitude for your love and support,
 (and I would have to add, tolerance).

Dick 

In Memorium, Sandra K. Pellens–Meinhard 1944-2025

 

My Wife

My dear wife, Sandra K. Pellens-Meinhard (1944-2025), lived a life rich with music, social gatherings, teaching, and a deep commitment to fairness. I was blessed to share so much of it with her. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Roger Owens Pellens and Betty Wistner Pellens. With her sister Judy, Sandy grew up in a home where culture, music, and community were woven into the fabric of everyday life, and I saw that upbringing reflected in her gentle spirit and strong convictions.

I first met Sandy while we were both pursuing graduate studies at the University of Iowa. Our first encounter was far from romantic—in a seminar for graduate assistants, I challenged her on some of her research, and she answered me with a conviction that immediately impressed me. From that spirited debate, our conversations blossomed, leading to tennis matches, ballroom dancing, and, quickly, a deeper commitment. I proposed to her on Valentine's Day, and we were married on August 15, 1981, at the Unitarian Church in Iowa City. We celebrated with a pig roast at Terrace Park, dancing with family and friends all weekend long.

Our only son, J Alex, was born in 1982, and becoming a mother was one of the greatest joys of Sandy's life. Later, when our granddaughters Lexi and Gwyn were born, they became the light of her life. Watching her with them, living so close in Portland, filled her final years with joy.

Our professional paths were intertwined from the start. Together, we built the Institute for Developmental Science and Sandy's teacher group, the Society for the Advancement of Genetic Epistemology (S.A.G.E.). We blended classroom practice with research, always striving to improve cognitive development for children. Our work took us and J Alex to Geneva, Switzerland, and Canada, as we connected with educators and researchers around the world.

Sandy was a positive and influential educator who helped bring developmental research into instruction. In Oregon, she worked as a consultant and administrator for the Oregon Department of Education and various school districts. She also taught IDS courses credentialed by Portland State, Lewis and Clark College, and the University of Portland. Her gift was her ability to insist that teachers see the world through a child's eyes. She had unique talents for encouraging others to grow and empowering them with confidence.

Outside of work, her life was enriched with her participation. Sandy sang with the May Festival Chorus on Cincinnati's Music Hall stage, and later with friends at church and community events. We enjoyed ballroom dancing, and she was a key organizer for the Sesame Club's monthly dances. At home in our house on Burnside, she was a gracious hostess. Holidays were her favorite—she delighted in setting a formal table with her fine china and crystal, making each guest feel honored and special. Her love of Christmas was immense, and she took great pleasure in decorating the house and the tree. The outdoor lights were so warm and inviting that we eventually decided to leave them up all year round.

I'll never forget the time Sandy decided to tackle a Beef Wellington. The mushroom duxelles was perfect, and the process of wrapping it in prosciutto and pastry was ambitious and nerve-wracking. The final result wasn't flawless, but the meal became a legend in our household. It was a perfect reminder of her adventurous spirit, her love of entertaining, and her ability to laugh at herself while making everyone around her feel so welcome.

Sandy was a champion of the underdog and a tireless advocate for fairness. Whether she was on a picket line, working on affirmative action programs, or in the classroom, she lived her values of equality, respect, and opportunity. She carried herself with such warmth and conviction, and I was always drawn to her engaging conversations that blended intellect with compassion.

I am survived by our son J Alex, his wife Robyn (McClain), and our beloved granddaughters Lexi and Gwyn. She is also survived by her sister Judith's children, Matt, Amy, and Becky. She will be remembered with affection by my siblings—Donna Meinhard, Dianne Farris, Doris Howard, Douglas Meinhard, and Dorothea Anderson—and by many friends and colleagues who were touched by her kindness and strength.

Dick

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We have organized a memorial service to be be held October 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Oswego United Methodist Church, led by Reverend Dr. Tom Nolen with Reverend Donna Meinhard and Reverend Arleon Kelly; we will have a reception afterwards.

For your RSVP to any event, send to dougmeinhard@gmail.com. Doug is also sharing the events and guest list at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oijYwvjKMJ9wL9DpVfvNPczmzqHstowHMnphuIe9BiE/edit?usp=sharing. You may always contact me directly at meinhardfamily@gmail.com or richardmeinhard@gmail.com.

Sandra Kay Pellens-Meinhard

The Present

Sandy weighs less than 95 pounds. She eats little, is seldom awake, cannot get out of bed, and requires almost total care of her bodily needs. Her deteriorating mind now only expresses the briefest of comment suggesting a recognition of present people or objects, she generates almost no responses to comments or questions, and she usually keeps her eyes closed and makes no visual contact.

I do not know how to interact with her except to assume she may hear and understand me when I talk to her about the day's events. While with her, I raise her bed and sometime calling one of her friends on Facetime. I could tell that Alice, her beloved superintendent and boss at Molalla River School District, strugdge with her tears as she talked to Sandy. Sandy roused herself and and couple of times uttered something in response.

Severe aphasia throws up a horrible roadblock but from her response, I continue to assume she understands what people are saying. I asked her, "Alice would like to come to Oregon and see you. Would you like that?"

"Yes." but nothing more. So she understands. Perhaps she is withdrawn so she can occupy her thought with her preparation of her future. It is painful for me. The wonderful, cheerful staff at Ciel—always empathetic—provide comforting talk as they feed her and encouragement to me. I could not ask for better caregivers.

Hospice provides a team of physicians, nurses, social workers, hygiene and bathing technicians, and a remarkable pastor, the Reverend Dr. Tom Nolan. I find him unusually intelligent and empathetic. Joan volunteers to come weekly; she sings, performs on her little harp, plays one of Sandy's favorite CDs, and reads a letter or note someone has sent. Her loyalty is remarkable. This supportive team coupled with all my family, make Sandy and myself very well supported. People seem to know.

The Future

I'm in uncharted territory in my role as the husband of Sandy, but in thinking through the future, I have attempted to reflect, investigate, and prepare myself by anticipating future needs and events. I have had some meetings and phone calls and from this a memorial service is taking shape. Most Meinhard family members have a window in mid June so I reserved Wednesday, June 18, for a memorial service and evening dinner. Perhaps with this advance planning we can muster a family gathering that week. Let's continue to talk and see what emerges.

J Alex is taking the lead for organizing a corresponding memorial event in Cincinnati with the Alcoke family. No date as yet. Diane Richardson, a good friend, thoughtful counselor, and a source of Sandy's early family passed away in November.

I'll post some documents outlining the Portland memorial service, venues, participation, a calendar for the week, and gathering arrangements.

Dick

My Good Fortune

For what do I feet fortunate? Here's some things:

• having a successful son and daughter-in-law
• living in a wealthy nation
• living in a free and liberal society
  
• able to be independent and own two homes
• owning a home on a beautiful river
  
• having a Ph.D.
• having an intact family with everyone alive, well, wealthy, and married

They all seem rare or scarce, so I was wondering: what the odds that God would plop me down here on the earth at this time and place with all these things. After all, each seems rare or scarce among humans.

So here's my odds:

1.     Having a son and daughter-in-law earning > $100,000 each: 1 in 100

2.     Living in the top dozen wealthy nations: 1 in 6

3.     Living in a free and liberal society: 1 in 2

4.     Not dependent but able to own two residences (in the city and the country): 1 in 200

5.     Owning a large country wooded lot on a river near a metropolitan area: 1 in 500

6.     Having a Ph.D.: 1 in 50

7.     Family intact (all 12 siblings and spouses alive and married): 1 in 35,000

So, I wonder, what were my overall chances that I would simultaneously have all those things in my life? 

The odds of experiencing all these factors simultaneously—living in Portland, OR with a lot on the Sandy River, having a Ph.D., a successful son, and an extended family of 12 siblings and spouses who are all alive, well, married, and wealthy—are approximately 1 in 1 trillion.

Astonishing Virtuosity in Our Family

Our youngest sibling, Dorothea Anderson, displayed her amazing virtuosity in a May 2024 performance

of the difficult Mendelssohn's Piano Trio #1. The blistering first movement demands considerable technique. Note the tempo

 Here's a clip of this molto allegro agitato :

Here's a snippet of the familiar melodic theme of the 2nd Andante movement, which is to be played "con moto tranquillo."

 

She performed with Emily and Kevin, professional musicians from the Portland Symphony.

 

They both offered us some insights into Mendelssohn's music. Here's Kevin suggesting Mendelssohn has a more melodic nature compared to Beethoven. 

 

 And Chopin as Well

And we enjoyed the unexpected pleasure from Dorotheas of the Op 9, #2 Chopin nocturne..

 

 Dorothea's Passion

How do we develop a passion for a valued activity? Dorothea is perhaps an unusual example of how a passion develops and provides powerful energy to succeed and constantly transcend our activity but still not everyone seems to have even a small passion to develop something in themselves.

Donna Hosted

Donna made the arrangements at Mary's Woods, and the chapel was a wonderful venue for the recital. Donna arranged a reception as well in the large lobby afterwards.

A Post Script on Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn himself was a child prodigy and gifted pianist. He did not write the piano trio for any particular performers, and the trio is considered quite difficult for the piano.  Interestingly, ,Mendelssohn wasn't employed in the traditional sense. He came from a wealthy family, and his passion was music. So he pursued a career in music itself, wearing many hats throughout his life: In his primary role as a  composer, he produced a wide range of works including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, piano pieces, and oratorios.

He was a highly talented conductor, and he championed the works of other composers, especially Bach. He is credited with reviving interest in Baroque music. As a pianist and organist he was recognized as a virtuoso performer. Mendelssohn founded the Leipzig Conservatory and played a role in shaping the next generation of musicians. In fact, he played the piano part at the piano trio's premiere on February 1, 1840, at the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

A Second Post Script from Kevin about Mendolsohnn's in North Portland

Kevin will be performing at Mendelssohn's, which is located at 3955 N. Mississippi. It features classical music and cocktails with an interesting schedule of entertainment such as Musical Theater Karaoke and Operaoke, a commedian/musician, the Portland Men's Choir, the PDX Sax Quartet, and Kevin at some time in the future. Will someone in the family organize a gathering at Mendelssohn's?

 

Memories from Diane Richardson

    My mom (Mildred Woodley) and Sandy's father (Roger Pellens) were brother and sister. Roger and his wife Betty lived next door to our grandparents, Harry and Amanda Pellens. When my brother and I were growing up, Sundays often found us going to Hartwell (Cincinnati suburb) to visit the grandparents. And a big plus was seeing my cousins. (I just went to Google and looked up 8456 Curzon Ave., Cincinnati. Grandma and Grandpa's house is on the left; Betty and Roger's on the right.) 

Grandpa's House on Curzon Ave, Cincinnati

Grandpa's house had a fairly large garage where my brother would hide from his noisy cousins. It also had a chicken coop, and there were chickens when I was really little. Betty and Roger's house had a lot that extended to the street behind it (Anthony Wayne), and their drive was off that street. Their yard was big enough for badminton or croquet.

The Stagecoach

But the highlight was the swing they had in their side yard. It was one of those old glider-types with a bench seat on either end. It became our stage-coach, and the stone patio was our saloon. Since my brother was older, Grandpa trusted him to light the old kerosene lantern, and we would pretend we were in an old Western saloon, etc. When my brother died in 2019 Sandy orchestrated a bouquet, and the card inside reminded us of the good times around the lantern! 

(Here's a picture in the swing taken in about 1988 when we visited Betty and Roger at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The swing is out at the cabin right now awaiting new arms. Unfortunately we can't see the shape of the original arms but they were probably fairly simple since the whole design is rather crude as if homemade. Dick)

England and the Queen

When my first husband Sean and I lived in England Sandy came over and visited, and traveled around the country on her own. I vaguely remember that we drove to York, but frankly, not sure I'm right on that. She spent a few days in London before heading up north to Nottingham, and she told us this story: She was near Buckingham Palace and there was a large crowd because word got out that the Queen was due to appear. She asked a local bobby "Now where is the best place to stand to see the Queen?" to which he replied, "0n your feet, luv, on your feet!” I've never forgotten that.

Mt. Adams

Sandy had an apartment for a few years on Mt. Adams in Cincinnati. I remember one Christmas Sean and I went over, and a bunch of us went around caroling. I seem to recall her parents were there; her dad had a really good voice. His favorite hymn was "Faith of Our Fathers". I don't know if Sandy has a favorite or not.

Another childhood memory—I was jealous of Sandy because she lived next door to my grandparents, and said that she got to bake cookies with Grandma Pellens (I referred to Grandma as "grandma" but to Judy and Sandy she was MoMo.

Aunt Betty's mother and father, the Wistners, lived with Sandy's parents for a time. I remember her name was Bessie and I think his was Will, but not really sure. My dad loved to play cards with them whenever we visited. After a time someone—Uncle Frank?—lived in an attic room. Not sure the relationship there.

And that about does it. I'm enclosing a picture of the "stagecoach crew" taken at our house. Sorry it’s not dated, but I know it’s before 2011, since Judy died in the fall of 2011.

My love to you all,

Diane

Meinhard HFE and Hemochromatosis

 

Our family may have a genetic concern for the hidden risk of Hemachromatosis. Here’s why:

The small intestines extract iron from food by specialized proteins, which attach to iron. The HFE gene encodes for these proteins but it has 5 variants that upset the equilibrium the iron levels. Two variants in the HFE gene, H63D and C282Y, occur in our subpopulation at around 15% and 7%. The HFE gene is sex related, and inheriting both recessive variants produces hemochromatosis. Inheriting only one of the recessive genes causes no problems except that in offspring, there is a significant chance of inheriting two genes of one or two of the variants.

It takes a long time for iron build up to produce iron overload and clear symptoms. The symptoms might be fatigue, weakness, joint pain, perhaps even abdominal pain, loss of sex drive, liver disease, diabetes, heart problems, and sometimes skin discoloration. The body cannot get rid of iron but blood donations, menstruation, and phlebotomies reduce iron levels.

Since Iron buildup may take as much as a whole lifetime before it does damage, knowing genetically whether you have HFE hemochromatosis lets you intentionally avoid unnecessary iron intake (vitamin supplements without iron, maybe cast iron skillets, low iron meats, etc. but these probably don’t significantly effect iron levels) but more importantly, get medical screening and then intervention, if necessary, to reduce your iron levels.

To detect hemochromatosis your physician will begin with two blood tests; ferritin levels give a rough indicator of amount of iron in your body; less than 250 micrograms per liter is good but range is 35 - 463 ng/mL.  My range is 597-633, and they flagged it as high.

The second test is the serum ferritin saturation percent which measures the capacity being used by the iron binding protein in your blood; less than 45% is good.

If these are high, then your doctor may ask for a special MRI, my next step. A liver biopsy produces even more accurate results but an invasive procedure, only deemed necessary in severe cases. If you are asymptomatic, monitoring iron level to stay below 463 may be all you need to do.

If you are a carrier of the HFE gene variants, it may appear in your offspring so be sure to tell them. Since they may have no overt symptoms for many years, only the two blood tests will give advance waning by indicating something might be haywire in their iron system. They can take long term preventative measures to insure their survival until their death date.

 

Dick