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.)