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5. Anna Margarethe "Elizabeth" SCHOH was born on 10 Feb 1856 in Settrup, Hanover, Germany.⁴ (According to microfilm of the Fürstenau church records, this is also the date of her baptism, and she was christened Anna Margarethe Elisabeth.) She was baptized on 10 Feb 1856 in Settrup Anet Fuerstenau Hanover Germany.³ (She likely was baptised at home immediately after birth, with the records at the church in Fürstenau.) Paten: Anna Maria Elisabeth Tebbenhof born Kottmann (wife of Tebbenhof Colon at Settrup) and Hermann Heinrich Evers (Colon at Settrup). She died on 11 Jan 1929 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.⁵

Obituary published in Paxton Record January 17, 1929

Mrs. Elizabeth Sprehe

Another aged member was called to rest in the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Sprehe. After a short illness, she passed away last Friday evening at the age of 72 years, 11 months, and 1 day. She was born February 10, 1856, at Settrup, in Hanover, Germany, where she also spend the days of her youth.
In 1882, she came to this country and made her home in Buckley. The same year, she was married to Fred Sprehe, her surviving husband. The Lord blessed them with nine children; three of them preceded her in death. For many years she lived with her family on the farm. Thirteen years ago she and her husband retired from farm life and made their home in the village. The deceased mother was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church and was a member of our congretation [St. John's Lutheran, Buckley, Illinois] all the years she lived in this community. Fearlessly she confessed her faith in the Lord and always delighted to hear His Word. Regularly she attended divine service and was to her family and to others a truly Christian example. From God's Word she received comfort and strength even in her sickness. She trusted solely in Christ and His merits and in such faith she passed away. She is now with the Lord to enjoy what she believed and hoped.
Her departure is mourned by her bereaved husband, four sons, one stepson, two daughters,
thirty-five grandchildren, one great grandchild, and other relatives and friends. May she rest in
peace.

[This obituary sounds suspiciously as if it might have been written by J.M. Gross. It certainly resembles in style the document he wrote for the Krumwiede family in 1941.]

She was buried about 15 Jan 1929 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.⁶ Section A, Row 13A, Plot 58

Anna Margarethe "Elizabeth" SCHOH and Johann "Friedrich" SPREE were married in 1882.⁸

Subject: Family Pages
Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 16:25:54 -0500
From: DKRUSE@KATIE.COLBY.CC.KS.US
To: lorbar@fortwayne.INFI.net

Greetings again...

I am not certain of the following, because it is from notes that were given to me, but the notes say that Friederich SPREHE and Elizabeth SCHOH were married 24 February 1884. (I don't know if you were aware of the marriage date.) Hmmmm... I just noticed that would not be consistent with what her obituary said about 1882, but then ...

There are several default sources for information on the Sprehe family. One is the Krumwiede Family Reunion Book as begun in 1941 and updated annually at the Krumwiede Family Reunion in Buckley, Illinois. It is not always cited when it applies. Another is the Sprehe Family Records as maintained by Velma Janssen Sprehe, wife of Raymond Sprehe, who provides me with updates as needed.

Johann "Friedrich" SPREE⁹ (son of Johann Friedrich Franz SPREE and Anna Maria PAUL/POHL) was born on 11 May 1850 in Schlichthorst, Hanover, Germany.³ (Schlichthorst is a hamlet southeast of Fürstenau.) He was baptized on 14 May 1850 in Furstenau, Hanover, Germany.³ "Johann Friedrich SPREE born 11 May 1850 at Schlichthorst, son of Johann Friedrich Franz (?) Spree and Anna Maria Paul. Baptized 14 May 1850. Paten: Christopher Spree and Johann Heinrich Paul."
He died on 25 Jan 1933 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois. He was buried about 28 Jan 1933 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois. Section A, Row 13A, Plot 58 Anna Margarethe "Elizabeth" SCHOH and Johann "Friedrich" SPREE had the following children:

+7
i.
Simon Friederich SPREHE⁴ was born on 7 Nov 1877 in Furstenau, Hanover, Germany.⁴ He was in the news in 1895.
October 4, 1895 -- Fred Sprehe Jr. is well satisfied with Jersey City, his new eastern home. He died on 3 Jun 1964.⁴ He was buried in Owosso, Michigan.⁴ Social Security Card gave name as Simon Friederich Sprehe .

Subject: FAMILY PAGES
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 20:48:12 -0000
From: "Vicki L. Minix" <convic@frontiernet.net>
To: <lorbar@fortwayne.infi.net>

Hello Loretta,
I sure have been enjoying your web site! My geneology software has become much fatter because of the info I've gotten from your family pages. Thank you very much!
I just wanted to add to your already extensive information on the Sprehe line. Let's see, I want to make this easy for you to follow. So , let's start with Frederich Sprehe. His son, Simon Friederich Sprehe was my great grandfather, whom I do remember! I was only five when he died but I do remember him sneaking me candies and letting me play with the walker he used to get around that last year. He had the most beautiful voice, deep and rich, and when he spoke he still had a slight German accent. His son, my grandfather, Leo Heinrich Sprehe, was killed in a car accident when my father was only five.
And here's where I can add to your files:

Leo Heinrich Sprehe was married to Carolyn Rose Angle April 29, 1933.
Carolyn, known as Connie, was born January 21, 1911 in Elba, Michigan.
She was the daughter of Louis B. Angle and Ida Mae House.
I am attaching a copy of their marriage license for you to see.

You can add me to your mailing list, if you like.
I am:
Vicki Minix
P.O.Box 413
Concord, MI 49237

and my e-mail is convic@frontiernet.net
Thanks again for all the work you've done on the family lines and for sharing the wealth!
+8
ii.
Frederika Karolina "Minna" SPREHE¹⁰ was born on 10 Jun 1883 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.¹¹ There is a listing in Iroquois County Birth Records to 1916, Q-S, which reads: SPREHE, Minnie | 06/14/1884 | Buckley | John F. | SCHOP, Lizzie S. Elizabeth Schoh is referred to in this manner in several places, and Frederick John Sprehe is often referred to as John Frederick. Similarity of names in the family caused this use of middle names as first names in several instances. However, there is no similarity between the transcription and the date of birth as recorded for this person in family records except that both dates are in June. She was in the news in 1896.¹²
8 Jan 1896 -- Minnie Sprehe was ailing for a few days, but is all right again. She died on 2 Aug 1926 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.¹³

Death of Mrs. H.C. Krumwiede
(Probably The Buckley Chronicle)
Death again entered our midst and bereaved a happy family of its needed mother. He[r] death, due to heart disease, occurred last Monday afternoon. The Sunday before she had attended divine service. Before her relatives and neighbors could be notified of her sudden illness, she had passed away. Thereby we are reminded of that which our church confesses:
"Who knows how near my end may be?
Time speeds away, and death comes on.
How swiftly, ah, how suddenly,
May death be here, and life be gone.
My God for Jesus' sake I pray,
Thy peace may bless my dying day."
The deceased, Mrs. Minna Krumwiede, was born June 10, 1883, at Buckley. Here she was baptized, attended school and was confirmed in the Lutheran church. In the year of 1902 she was married to Henry Krumwiede. This union the Lord blessed with ten children.
By her marriage she also became mother to the eight children of Mr. Krumwiede's first marriage. These she cared for and treated like her own children and was loved and respected by them as though she were their true mother.
She was in poor health for the last few years. Patiently, without complaining, she bore whatever burden the Lord laid upon her. She was a faithful Christian, faithful in the use of God's word and sacrament, and we are confident that the Lord received her soul to enjoy in His glorious presence an everlasting life.
The days of her earthly life number 43 years, 1 month and 22 days. Her unexpected departure is mourned by her sorrowing husband, ten children, eight step children, eighteen grandchildren, her aged parents, five brothers, two sisters, and many other relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

[Again, the obituary for Minna Sprehe Krumwiede sounds as if it were written by J.M. Gross, just as does the obituary for her aunt, the first wife of Henry C. Krumwiede. I have been informed by Herr Gross' great-niece that he did work for the newspaper for a while]

The source for this shorter obituary is not known:

Mrs. Henry C. Krumwiede, nee Spreche, (sic) died very suddenly Monday, August 2. She had been ill for some time, but nobody thought that the end was so near, as she attended divine services at the church the day before. The deceased was born at Buckley, July 30, 1883, was married to Henry C. Krumwiede in 1902, he being then a widower. To this union were born 10 children; she also was stepmother to her husband's 8 children by his first marriage. Her age was 43 years, 1 month and 2 days. She leaves to mourn, her husband, 10 children, 8 stepchildren, her aged parents, five brothers and two sisters. Funeral services were held at the St. John church at 2 p.m., conducted by her pastor, Rev. Braeunig. Enterment at the German cemetery. May she rest in peace.
She was buried about 5 Aug 1926 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.⁶ Section A, Row 13A, Plot 57. Tomstone says "Minna Krumwiede." Her full given name is Frederika Karoline Minna.⁴
+9
iii.
Herman "Heinrich" SPREHE was born on 14 Sep 1886 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.^14,15 (There is a one-year discrepancy between the birth record transcription and the Sprehe family records. The birth record transcription reads: SPREHE, Harmon H. | 09/14/1886 | Buckley | John F. | SCHOP, Lizzie) Old records kept by the family indicate 1887, which would not be possible since he has twin sisters born in August 1887. He died on 7 Aug 1946. He was buried about 10 Aug 1946 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.⁶ Section C, Row 9, Plot 25C. Stone says "Henry H" which is how he was known. He died of liver cancer.¹⁶
Loretta,
Mom's dad had liver cancer when he passed away. Uncle Vic had liver cancer when he passed. Aunt Edna may have had stomach cancer when she passed but Mom is not sure. Mom saw Uncle George when they went out for dinner on Thurs night. I am glad he is doing so well. Tell Peter we said Happy Birthday. Hope all is well with you. Take care.

Linda & Esther (Commonly known as "Henry Herman")
10
iv.
Mathilda Margarethe Mariea SPREHE was born on 25 Aug 1887. She died on 7 Oct 1888. She was buried.⁶ Possibly one of the Sprehe burial sites in the Children's Area of St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois, Section B, Row 2 of the special area.
+11
v.
Lydia Else Louise (Lil/Lillie) SPREHE was born on 25 Aug 1887 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.^11,17 She died on 17 May 1942 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.^11,17 She was buried about 20 May 1942 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.^6,18 Section C, Row 3, Plot 7C
12
vi.
Georg August Christoph SPREHE was born on 8 Dec 1889. He died on 9 Dec 1889. He was buried.⁶ Possibly on of the two burial Sprehe burial plots in the Children's Area of St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois. Section B, Row 2 of the Special Area.
+13
vii.
Heinrich Johann "Wilhelm" SPREHE was born on 15 Feb 1891 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois. He died on 24 May 1960. He was buried about 28 May 1960 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.⁶ Section C, Row 1, Plot 1C. "William Sprehe" He is referred to as "Will John" in the birth record of his son Wilfred.
+14
viii.
Laura Maria Fredericka SPREHE was born on 27 May 1894 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois. She died on 16 Apr 1973 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois. She was buried about 19 Apr 1973 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.⁶ Section C, Row 10, Plot 28C (Name also given as Laura Fredericka Maria)
+15
ix.
Frederick Georg "August" SPREHE⁴ was born on 12 Aug 1896 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois. He died on 1 May 1936 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois. He was buried about 4 May 1936 in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.⁶ Section A, Row 13A, Plot 58. Tombstone reads "August F. Sprehe." (Full Name: Friedrich Georg August. Name is also given as August Frederich. Tombstone has August F.)
+16
x.
Theodore Heinrich Georg SPREHE was born on 7 Nov 1898 in Buckley, Iroquois County, Illinois.^4,15 Theodore's given name is not registered or is unreadable in the county records. The record reads: SPREHE, ? | 11/07/1898 | Buckley | John Frederick | SCHOH, Anna Marie Elizabeth He died on 18 Jun 1949. He was buried in St. Lucas Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.