More on Our Ancestors—J.E.Vitt and M.Meinhard

Regarding the European trip, after Siegen Jutta took us by car to Blomberg for a visit at Alexander Meinhard's home. We spent three days with him before he took us to Eur Rail for the trip to Amsterdam. Alexander is a consulting engineer and goes all over Europe on cases. His specialty is making companies more productive. He is a pleasant person and very intelligent. He has done massive research on the Meinhards and has a large data base of Meinhard names and information. He said we were related. I don't know who the common ancestor is.

Both J. E. Vitt and M. Meinhard came to the U.S. after the failure of the Revolution of 1848. Both were involved in the reform movement. Their names appear together on the minutes of the Siegen Cultural and Commerce Society. Both emigrated in 1853. Michael wanted to be an American and had his oldest children study American history and English. Yes, I believe two oldest sons preceded him and the rest of the family by a few months.

Vitt had other family members in Missouri so it was natural he would settle there. The St. Louis and Missouri Valley area became a region with heavy German population. Vitt sold the Roetgen Estate to a Stangier. The Stangier family still owns and operates the home as a country inn as did Vitt. Mrs Stangier gave me and Ilene a tour of the home. The land is very rolling and scenic. Close by is a church that was built for the workers of the estate. It is unique as it is a dual church. One half is Protestant and the other Catholic. The steeple is in the middle. Such churches were to help bring about reconciliation of Catholics and Protestants after the long and bitter religious wars. There is much information about Vitt and Roetgen in articles published by the Siegen newspaper. Some of the information is fiction, but one article, of recent years, is reliable.

According to Helen Meinhard Ford, Vitt purchased two plantations that totaled 1,000 acres. They came with slaves whom Vitt emancipated. The land was divided up among his sons. Noted as a horticulturist in Prussia, Vitt became a breeder of pure bred horses in Missouri.

It is well worth the trip to visit the old ancestral homes. Jutta Achenbach-Kern is a delightful hostess and will do all that is necessary to make your visit a pleasant one. Jutta is a teacher of Englich in the Siegen Gymnasium (High School). Alexander is equally accommodating and gracious. His English is excellent.

Blomberg is another delightful town with an old section that is most interesting. You must have supper at the Die Lantere Restaurant located in the old Michael Meinhard home/bakery. It is Siegen's finest. From where I sat with Jutta and Ilene, I could see the outlines of an old bake oven. I thought about Great Grandfather Michael Meinhard and Great Great Grandfather Jacob Meinhard rising very early in the morning, firing up and putting loaves of bread in this oven.

Jacob Meinhard came over with the rest of the family but died soon after arriving at Troy Grove. He is buried in the family cemetery at Troy Grove.

Bob
(Robert Wilson Meinhard; At my age I am not responsible for any errors.)

The Birthday calendare is almost done

Here's the calendar before some of you gave me corrections. As soon as I can enter them, I'll republish this calendar.

^{Meinhard Birthday and Anniversary Calendar}

Name	Birthday or Anniversary	Age as of Jan 9, 2007
I have several changes not yet posted. Dick
Angela Chaffins	?
Paul Greenbaum	?
Erin & Chris Thompson	?
Shari Farris Rochelle	1/14/1964	43
Gordon Anderson	1/16/1947	60
Richard Meinhard	1/17/1943	64
Matt Meinhard	1/29/1972	35
Karla Capper	2/4/1962	45
Julia Capper	2/6/1961	46
Jeff Capper	2/21/1963	44
Eric Anderson	2/27/1977	30
Donna Meinhard	3/2/1937	70
Steve & Shari Farris Rochelle	3/6/2004	3
Chris Thompson	3/21/1962	45
Donna & Arleon Meinhard/Kelley	3/22/1985	22
J & Robyn Meinhard	3/25/2007	0
Elizabeth Anderson	3/27/1983	24
Jim Kelly	3/29/1956	51
Mari Howard-McGuire	3/30/1996	11
Matt Finnegan	4/3/1963	44
Chris Leopold	4/4/1974	33
Sandra Pellens	4/11/1944	63
Kris Meinhard	4/14/1948	59
Troy & Janet Meinhard	4/20/1996	11
Janet Meinhard	4/23/1971	36
Arleon Kelley	5/5/1935	72
Karl Farris-Chaffins	5/6/1991	16
Matt Greenbaum	5/7/1988	19
Gianfranco DeLuca	5/11/1979	28
Lucy Anderson	5/12/2006	1
McKenna Meinhard	5/13/2000	7
Tim & Deborah Kelley/Moreau	5/20/2006	1
Sam Meinhard	5/21/2000	7
Mark & Brenda Howard	5/25/1998	9
Duncan Howard-McGuire	5/26/1992	15
Lilah-Rose Farris Rochelle	5/29/2005	2
Dianne Farris	5/30/1959	48
Emma Capper/Kelly	5/30/1995	12
Mark Howard	6/4/1962	45
Eli Meinhard	6/5/2002	5
Matt & Shelly Meinhard	6/14/1997	10
Mara DeLuca	6/19/1981	26
Becky & Ted Howard/Greenbaum	6/21/2008	-1
Tate Meinhard	6/25/2003	4
Sara & Chris Meinhard Leopold	6/30/2007	0
Joseph Farris-Chaffins	6/30/1988	19
Dane Finnegan	7/1/1989	18
Lucy Greenbaum	7/1/1997	10
Aja Capper	7/2/1981	26
Scott Farris	7/5/1965	42
Jeff & Karla Capper	7/7/1986	21
Kate Meinhard	7/8/2004	3
Lisa Finnegan	7/10/1966	41
Robyn Meinhard	7/13/1984	23
Doug & Kris Meinhard	8/3/1968	39
Mara & Gianfranco DeLuca	8/4/2007	0
Ani Capper	8/12/1958	49
Steve Farris Rochelle	8/12/1961	46
Brenda Howard	8/15/1962	45
Richard & Sandra Meinhard/Pellens	8/15/1981	26
Eric & Sarah Anderson	8/17/2002	5
Doug Meinhard	8/19/1946	61
Dorothea Anderson	8/19/1947	60
Becky Howard	8/24/1969	38
Scott & Diane Farris	8/24/1992	15
Ian Capper	8/26/1995	12
Lisa & Matt Finnegan	8/31/1991	16
Emily Finnegan	8/31/2000	7
Doris & Roger Howard	9/3/1961	46
Troy Meinhard	9/5/1970	37
Seth Howard	9/9/1981	26
Ian Greenbaum	9/9/2000	7
Roger Howard	9/23/1939	68
Megan Capper	9/23/1985	22
Dianne Farris	10/5/1938	69
Deborah Kelley	10/10/1961	46
Sara Meinhard	10/14/1975	32
David Capper	10/17/1959	48
Debbie Farris	10/17/1963	44
Mallery Farris	10/21/2005	2
Shelly Meinhard	10/24/1970	37
J Meinhard	10/25/1982	25
Linus Farris Rochelle	10/25/2001	6
Kate Howard	10/27/1987	20
Kira Capper	10/31/1997	10
Lexi Finnegan	11/19/1997	10
Erin Thompson	11/22/1961	46
Karen Howard	11/28/1963	44
Sarah Anderson	12/3/1977	30
Tim Kelley	12/9/1963	44
Diane Farris	12/9/1964	43
David & Ani Capper	12/20/1982	25
Doris Howard	12/24/1940	67
Dorothea & Gordon Anderson	12/27/1970	37
Ted Greenbaum	12/28/1953	54
George Farris	12/28/1936	71

private:stream ^{- 1 -} Last printed 1/9/2008 10:34:00 AM

Christmas 2007

From Dorothea:

I am singing in the choir with Gordy at House of Hope—this morning and then tomorrow evening, Christmas eve. I am loving it! Seems funny for us to not have our kids at home. We will not see them until we are in Berlin, on the day after Christmas! We are excited. And then the next day, Eric, Sarah, Lucy, and Mara arrive for a week together. So, we will be sending Schone Grusse to you from Germany in just a few days. And, for now, a very Merry Christmas to all!

We talked to Mara and Gianfranco this morning, who were just coming from church services. Then tomorrow on Christmas eve they both have services beginning at dusk. Then Mara goes to Gianfranco's church, where she will help him with the children's choir for the family service and then sing in the 11 o'clock service. And she says that she feels just fine through all of this! Do all of you know that she is pregnant?!! We are just thrilled!

We have been making plans with Elizabeth for our arrival in Berlin. This year a lot of our family things are on her shoulders. What will eat, little stocking stuffers, German Christmas ornaments. Different for us and really fun! She will be with her German family—Benny, whom some of you met—on Christmas day and Christmas eve. And then we all come.

Eric got another chapter in his dissertation done last week. Getting ever closer! They are in N. Carolina with Neal's family, returning to NYC on Christmas day and then flying to Germany on the next day. Sarah was working on a wonderful video of the kids in her school when I was there last. It had been one of the so-called failing schools a couple of years ago, and now is one of the top 10 schools in all the boroughs, based on test scores. The kids looked so happy and engaged in the video. And then there is Lucy—what can I say! Such a complete joy for me.

We love you!
Dorothea and Gordy

From Doris:

Happy New Year! We had lots eating,…puzzles, (warning: Don't buy artists pictures on puzzles unless is a good puzzle maker too—but the Moose puzzle from Wyoming is done), snowmobiling, snowpeople now populate our back yard, artists and writers were busy writing and delivering messages (birthday wishes, questions about game playing, eating, menus), gifts and surprises that delight and excite, photos taken (already the times and events are fading - do our many photos blunt our ability to remember without aid), hot tub conversation, late night games and movies, talking, laughing, playing.

Now wipe up the tracks, vacuum up the tidbits left, wash the bedding, put
away and put away little treasures and count our blessings as we work.

Loving all of you and sending my greetings, Doris

Oh yes! Special greetings for Mara and her little duplicate. Take good
care!

From Donna and Arleon:

Arleon reported last year that he had temporarily flunked retirement and after 43 years t other endeavors in the Church had come back into “ministry”, i.e. pastoral ministry. Well, it happened again in 2007. You see, Donna had been appointed to a one-fourth time pastoral chre with two churches. After vacation this summer she decided she was just TOO old to be doing two services on a Sunday morning. And she asked Arleon to be her associate—well, the District Superintendent decided to make things kosher—Arleon better be appointed too. So, now he is appointed Alpha United Methodist church, a burgeoning congregation of 12 people on a good Sunday at what he figures must e about one-sixteenth time. He now shepherds a flock the same size as Jesus’. Consequently, he has great financial security, wealth and something to live for! And like Jesus, he will have historic global influence. He reports it is mostly fun.

One of he most exiting things that we are doing together is leading a process to create Elgin’s Future as a community. Donna chairs the organizing committee and Arleon is co-process leader. On Nov. 1, some 56 representatives of 20 of our 22 community organizations came together to envision “Elgin, 2023.” We now have several Task Forces at work on such as Economic Development, Main Street Revitalization and City Beautification, Quality of Life, Community Safety, etc.

Christmas Dinner

Roast Is Done

J Alex and Robyn are spending Christmas in California, first with Rob and Mary in Alameda and then down to Donna and John Banks in Morrow Bay. So now for the first time ever, we spent our Christmas eve dinner at Bruce and Mary Fishbacks—now so regular it is almost a tradition—without our son. Perhaps to compensate, we wandered around downtown Portland and had a Gorge Whiskey at the Hotel.

Brendon and His Cousins

Max and Brendon, a couple of nieces and a husband with their children, and us for the dinner. Not the large gatherings in past years but as usual sumptuous food and wonderfully decorated house.

J Alex Calls Us


The Bread and Ink was written up for Mary’s waffle window featuring Greek waffles. Brendon having switched to zoology is now taking his basic biology sequence. Max is tackling anatomy, sport psychology, and some random classes.
Opening Presents


One of the best Christmas gifts this year came from Sandy, “Music for Compline,” CD of music by Tallis, Byrd, Sheppard, and others. At 400 years old, perhaps a bit dated but I’m probably in heaven.
Sandy