Ancestry of Sheila Altenbernd A trip into the past.....(Akers, Altenbernd, Atkinson, Braun, Dudley, Elert, Herrell, Martin, Miller, Reeder, Reidy, Shannahan, Stoerker)

Carl Conrad Altenbernd^1,2

M, #53, b. 6 September 1883, d. 27 September 1963

Pedigree

Relationship: Granduncle of Sheila Sue Altenbernd

Father*

Friedrich Wilhelm Altenbernd b. 23 March 1831, d. 28 August 1905

Mother*

Katharine Hill b. 15 December 1842, d. 23 April 1913

Charts: Philipp Bödker Descendants

Carl was born in Kansas, USA, on 6 September 1883.^{3,1,4,5,2,6,7,8} He was the son of Friedrich Wilhelm Altenbernd and Katharine Hill.

Photo of Carl and Will Altenbernd taken by Morris circa 1888 Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, USA. Original photo in the possession of Sheila Altenbernd (#172) as of 2023.⁹

Carl and Will Altenbernd
About 1888

Photo of Carl and Will Altenbernd in 1888. Original photo in the possession of Sue Myers (#130.)

Carl and Will Altenbernd - 1888

     Photo in 1888.
     They was a student at Kaw Valley, District No. 12, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, in 1898.¹⁰
     The following information is from the records of John Altenbernd.

Carl married Mattie Gerstenberger of Eudora. Carl farmed what had been the southern half of the original Wilhelm Altenbernd farm. Carl built his own house about half a mile south of the original homestead. Carl was born at home as were all of the Altenbernd children.
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The LDS Social Security Death Index indicates that Carl was issued his social security number in Kansas.

Carl worked. He worked as Farmer.
Carl Conrad Altenbernd was listed as Friedrich Wilhelm Altenbernd's son on the 1900 Federal Census in Eudora Township, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, enumerated 11 June 1900.¹¹

His birth date was listed as September 1883, age 16. He was born in Kansas. He was single . His father was born in Germany. His mother was born in Germany.¹¹ His occupation was student. He was able to read, able to write, and able to speak English.¹¹ He attended school for 8 months.¹¹

Photo of Altenbernd Family (About 1905)

Left to Right Back Row: William, Emil Holzel, Fredericka Hoelzel, Fred, Mary (Fred's wife), Carl, Louise

Left To Right Front Row: Frank Hoelzel, Katharina Helzel, Wilhelm (Father), Magadalina, Katherine (Mother), Louis

Children: Hildegarde Hoelzel, Francis Hoelzel circa 1905. Original photo in the possession of Sheila Altenbernd (#172.)¹²

Altenbernd Family Picture

Altenbernd Family (About 1905)

Left to Right Back Row: William, Emil Holzel, Fredericka Hoelzel, Fred, Mary (Fred's wife), Carl, Louise

Left To Right Front Row: Frank Hoelzel, Katharina Helzel, Wilhelm (Father), Magadalina, Katherine (Mother), Louis

Children: Hildegarde Hoelzel, Francis Hoelzel

The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 11 December 1908

Louis Altenbernd
Of Sabin. Minn, is going to furnish 2,000 bushels of the very best Red River Ohios to parties who will plant them on shares. Mr. Altenbernd will furnish the seed potatoes, will pay one-half the picking, one-half the sacks, one-half of Paris Green in case of bugs -- expect to have a 25-acre a day sprayer on the grounds -- for one-half the potatoes, f. o. b. cars. Will be on grounds at digging time. His experience in the potato business will enable the parties to obtain better prices.
The potatoes will have to be planted on best Kaw Valley land, well tended, planted early and put on early market. Louis Altenbernd expects to be home in a few weeks, where he will sign up the contracts. Anyone wishing to obtain some of the contracts should write his brothers, Carl or Will, R. R. No. 2. Lawrence, Kans., at once. He will not furnish over 200 bushels to any one party. Here is a chance to make some money without any risk. Don't miss the chance.¹³

Carl Conrad Altenbernd married Martha Lydia Sophia Gerstenberger, daughter of Friederich Wilhelm Gerstenberger and Emilie Christiana Thoren, at St Paul's Church or Gertenberger Home, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 20 October 1909.^9,6
The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 29 October 1909

Social Events.
Altenbernd-Gerstenberger.

One of the prettiest weddings of the season occurred last week Wednesday at the splendid farm residence of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerstenberger, the occasion being the marriage of their daughter, Miss Mattie, to Mr. Carl Altenbernd of Kaw Valley. At '2 o'clock Lohengrin's wedding march was rendered by Miss Elsie Koelbing and the bridal party led by little Lelia Gabriel, looking like a fairy strewing flowers along their pathway, Carl Gerstenberger acting as best man and Miss Maggie Altenbernd as bride's maid, took their places under an arch of myrtle and wedding bells, and the vows were taken according to the beautiful rites of the Lutheran church, Rev. Koelbing officiating.
     The bride was handsomely attired in a princess gown of white silk and lace and carried a shower bouquet of bridal roses; the groom wore the usual black.
     The parlor was decorated in white streamers and wedding bells and the dining room in pink and white carnations and streamers. Immediately after the ceremony a sumptuous four-course dinner was served.
     Mattie has grown to womanhood in our midst and is a lady of more than ordinary accomplishments. Carl is one of our best young farmers.
     The solo, "Love Old Sweet Song," by Miss Viola Votaw before the ceremony and songs by Mrs. A. B. Conner after dinner lent special charm to the event.
     About eighty guests were present. Those from a distance were: Mr. aud Mrs. Conrad Altenbernd of Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hoetzel, Mr. Emil Hoetzel of Kausas City, Miss Minnie Thoren of Auckley, Iowa, Charlie Brazil and Carl Gerstenberger of Wichita
A great many useful presents were received. The community joins iu extending our hearty con-gratulations, wishing them a long prosperous and happy life.-B. A.¹⁴

The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 25 August 1910

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS.
Items of Interest Gathered by Our Speical Correspondents.
Belleview.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Altenbernd are the proud parents of a baby girl, born Saturday. Mrs. Altenbernd will be remembered as Miss Mattie Gerstenberger.¹⁵

The following item appeared at Eudora News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 1 May 1913

Card of Thanks
Card of Thanks.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to our friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the sickness and death of our dear mother; also for the beautiful floral offerings,
MRS. FRANK HOELZEL,
MISS LOUISA ALTENBERND,
FRED ALTENBERND,
LOUIS ALTENBERND,
MRS.EMIL HOELZEL,
MRS. ED SCHAAKE,
CARL ALTENBERND,
WILL ALTENBERND.¹⁶

The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 26 June 1913

BIG POTATO YEAR.

Digging Will Start July 5, and Yield Will Be 125 Bushels Per Acre.
---------------
This is a good potato year in the Kaw Valley, according to representatives of the railroad companies who have been investigating with a view to finding what shipping facilities will have to be provided. The Santa Fe Company has estimated that at least 600 cars will be required to handle the crop. The acreage is large in the Valley this year, the weather conditions have been just right for potato growing, and there are prospects of an excellent crop.

The Eudora neighborhood is the place in Douglas county where the most potatoes will be produced. The average yield per acre is estimated at 125 bushels. The Santa Fe railroad estimates the acreage on its side of the river from Bonner Springs to Topeka at 3,305. Fully as large an acreage will be harvested on the north side of the river, and it may run larger. Shipments will start about July 5, and the shipping season will last from seven to nine weeks. The men who are raising potatoes and the acreage in the territory tributary to Eudora on the south side of the river, are as follows:
Kaw Valley.............Acres
Chris Schaake.............40
Wm. Schaake.............10
Carl Altenbernd...........40
Wm. Altenbernd..........60
C. G. Perkins..............25
Link Walters...............50
Jack Hughes...............18
....
Robt. McFarland 12.¹⁷

The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 10 July 1913

Two Modern Country Homes

Carl Altenbernd of Kaw Valley, is completing a fine 10-room modern residence on his farm four miles west of here. The house is north of the main road about a quarter of a mile. The house is thoroughly modern with oak floors, electric lights, etc. It will cost more than $4,000. Tbe home is now being plastered.

Ernest Milburn will soon be at work building a home of similar nature on his farm three miles south of Hesper, which will cost upwards of $4,000. It will be modern in every way.

Frank Sommer of this city has the building of both these homes.¹⁸

The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 18 September 1913

KAW VALLEY.

...

Carl Altenbernd's New house is almost finished.

....¹⁹

The start of World War I caused the United States to institute a draft registration. As the war continued to drag on, they instituted their third and final draft registration. This added men who were between the ages of 18 and 21, and 31 to 45 years of age. It included younger men than the previous registrations, those who were born between September 12, 1897 and September 12, 1900; and added an older group of men, born between September 12, 1873 and September 12, 1888. Carl Conrad Altenbernd filled out a draft card on 12 September 1918 at RFD 2, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, USA. He was employed as a farmer. He was described as medium height and medium build, with gray eyes and dark brown hair. Martha Lydia Sophia Gerstenberger was listed as his nearest relative.²

Carl Conrad Altenbernd was listed as the nearest relative of William John Altenbernd on his WWI draft registration card.²⁰

The following item appeared Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 21 November 1918

EUDORA LOYAL TO THE BOYS IN KHAKI
______________
The city and Township Overscribed Quota in "Seven-In-One" Drive.

The subscriptions totaled over $4,000; the exact quota is $3850. The following in a detailed report:
...

Kaw Valley.
Carl Altenbernd, Don Westhelfer.
Altenbernd, Conrad...........$25.00
Altenbernd, Carl...............$60.00
Altenbernd, Louisa............$19.00
Altenbernd, Wm...............$75.00
....²¹

Photo of Front: Homer Altenbernd, Ed Schaacke, Katherine Young, and Carl Altenbernd
Back: ?, ?, Hugo Hoelzel, Harry Young, and Will Altenbernd circa 1930 near Ed Schaake Farm, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA. Original photo in the possession of Sheila Altenbernd (#172) as of 2023.⁹

Front: Homer Altenbernd, Ed Schaacke, Katherine Young, and Carl Altenbernd
Back: ?, ?, Hugo Hoelzel, Harry Young, and Will Altenbernd
Ed Schaake Farm

Carl Conrad Altenbernd was listed as the head of household on the 1940 US Federal Census of Eudora Township, Douglas County, Kansas, enumerated 13 May 1940. Also living in the household were his wife, Martha Lydia Sophia , and his son, Homer C. His age at his last birth date was listed as 56. He was born in Kansas. He was married. He owned his home. The value of the property was $3500. He did live on a farm. He had not attended school since March 1, 1940. His highest grade completed was 8th.²² His address on April 1, 1935 was Eudora Township, Kansas. He did work the week of March 25 to March 30, 1940.²² He worked 60 hours the week of March 25 to March 30, 1940. His occupation is farmer . He worked in the farming industry. He worked 52 weeks in 1939. His salary was $0 . He also appears on farm schedule 147.²²

ME by John Altenbernd

Ordination Day

Ordination Day was a day to be approached with some degree of fear and trembling as well as with joy and anticipation. It marked the end of a lot of things as well as marking a beginning.
I was 25 years old. I had been in school ever since I was 6, and that had been a long time. There would now be no more of that. While school carries with it a great deal of responsibility, it is still a kind of sheltered responsibility. From here on I would be on my own. Instead of being a student under somebody, I would be the head man.
The farm house in Kansas would no longer be my home. And I did love that place. I had neither the desire nor the natural talent and knowledge to be a farmer, but I did love being there and working on it. There's a great difference between working on a farm and having the know-how to run it. My genes were primarily from the Stoerker family rather than from the Altenbernds, and I was smart enough to know that early on. Any attempt at farming as a living would have been doomed to disaster. I hated leaving the farm, but I've never had regrets for having done so.
I had already accepted the dual pastorate of St. John's and Bethany Churches in Berger, Missouri, so I knew where I was going. July 11 would be my first Sunday there. I had been serving there as student supply during the last few months at Eden, so I had some knowledge of the place and of the people. And although it was a farming community, as was the Kaw Valley of Kansas, it was a vastly different world. Around Lawrence and Eudora things and people were as much urban as rural, not at all the usual stereotype of country people. Berger, particularly around Bethany Church, was very definitely and exclusively rural. I wasn't at all sure I would like Berger, but I had to start somewhere. So this too was on my mind that day.
June 27 was a Sunday. The Ordination service would be that evening at St. Paul's Church in Eudora. Uncle Adolph Stoerker and Aunt Marie, with their daughter Joanne (now Kleuter), were there at the farm house from Aurora, Illinois, where he was pastor. Uncle Adolph was on vacation, and they were visiting my mother. Also there was Rev. Myron Ross, a friend from Eden (black) who had been ordained a year earlier. He was not yet married.
Uncle Fred Stoerker, pastor of Zion Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, and Aunt Hilda would come in that afternoon. He was to

Page 610

be the ordaining pastor. They would be bringing with them his student assistant for the summer, Lorenz ("Ike") Eichenlaub, another old friend from Eden who would be ordained two years later.
Rev. Karl Baur and his wife, Betty, would come from Kansas City in time for the service. Karl Baur had been pastor at Eudora during my teen years, and I had dated his daughter, Joan, who was now married and would not be with them.
Dr. Harold Barr, Dean of the School of Religion at Kansas University, was to be the preacher at the service. He only had to come from Lawrence so he would go directly to the church.
Rev. James McAllister, my roommate my Senior year at Eden, was also scheduled to be there but couldn't make it. He was a Methodist, and he was transferred to Roodhouse, Illinois, from Payson, Illinois, that week. So he was busy moving.
All the ministers mentioned above would participate in the Ordination service, along with Rev. Joseph Polster who was pastor in Eudora at the time. Rev. Polster was a half-educated, boorish, obnoxious man for whom I had little use, but as pastor of the church he could not simply be left out and ignored.
We went to church that morning as usual. It wasn't long before it became obvious that this was going to be a very hot day - and it would remain hot into the evening.
There was a lot of picture taking that afternoon. St. Paul's Church had given me a pulpit robe (Not the one I now have. That one long since wore out), and there was a lot of posing in it for the benefit of other people's cameras, I would wear the robe that evening at the service.
My mother continued with preparations for a reception at the house after the service that evening. With a large front porch and a large lawn on a summer evening, space was no problem.
The service was splendid. Dr. Barr was at his preaching best. Rev. Polster behaved himself. I was afraid he might decide to say "a. few words" somewhere along the line (something he could do with embarrassing frequency, and when he did so it usually was a display of ignorance).
When the time came for my formal Ordination, Uncle Fred called me forth and I stood before him. Uncle Fred was flanked by Uncle Adolph, Rev. Baur, Rev. Ross, Rev. Barr, and Rev. Polster. Uncle Fred asked me, and I accepted, the vows of service to God and to the Church. I then knelt for the laying

Page 611

on of hands. Uncle Fred's hand was on my head, and the hands of the others were on top of his. Uncle Fred then pronounced the words of Ordination.
I then rose and accepted the hand of fellowship and collegiality from each of the ordained pastors before me. I was one of them now. I said a few words of appreciation to them and to the assembled congregation, pronounced the benediction (my first official act as an ordained pastor), and the service ended.
I was very moved by it all, a highlight of my life.
The church was nearly full. St. Paul's congregation had turned out in force for me, only the second son of the congregation ever to be ordained. (Rev. Carl Schmidt was the other one a good many years earlier.) Other friends and relatives were there too. Among them was a surprise - Rev. Theodore Hauck from Higginsville, Missouri, who had baptized me years before when he was pastor of St. Paul's. He had arrived a little late, and we didn't know he was there or we would have asked him to participate in the Ordination.
A good many of them were at the house afterward for the reception, including Uncle Carl Altenbernd and Aunt Mattie, cousins of mine - Homer and Charlotte Altenbernd, Herb and Peggy Altenbernd, Helen and Al Wichman, Irene and John Vogel, and Frieda and Arthur Heck. There was also my father's hired hand when I was a boy, Oscar Russell. He was an old man by then, and I hadn't seen him in years.
I wished my father had lived long enough to have been there.
There was only one negative note in the whole thing. Connie Peters had said she would drive down for the Ordination. I was expecting her. But she neither showed nor called. That hurt a bit.

* * * * * * * * * * *

I was the second son of St. Paul's Church to enter the ministry. Carl Schmidt, brother of Ralph Schmidt, had been ordained in 1930.

( at St Paul's Church, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, on 27 June 1955.)²³

Photo of Carl Altenbernd. Original photo in the possession of Sue Myers (#130.)

Carl Altenbernd

Carl died on 27 September 1963 in Kansas, USA, at age 80.^3,24,1,6,8 He was buried after 27 September 1963 Eudora City Cemetery, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, at.^5,8

His Ancestral File Number is AFN:20NP-13S.⁶

Last Edited=2 September 2023

Children of Carl Conrad Altenbernd and Martha Lydia Sophia Gerstenberger

Helen Amelia Altenbernd+²⁵ b. 20 August 1910, d. 28 September 1992
Herbert William Altenbernd+ b. 1 November 1915, d. 20 March 1999
Homer C Altenbernd+ b. 25 June 1922, d. 18 February 1997

Citations

[S158] SSDI, unknown file number, Social Security Death Index, unknown series (n.p.: LDS - Version 1.13, 1988) . Hereinafter cited as Social Security Death Index.
[S294] "Altenbernd(#53), Carl - WWI Draft Registration"; www.Ancestry.com; unknown repository address. Hereinafter cited as "WWI Draft Registration."
[S7] SSDI, unknown file number, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), unknown series (n.p.: Ancestry) . Hereinafter cited as SSDI.
[S119] Katharine Hill unknown date.
[S242] Unknown repository address, Carl Conrad Altenbernd Cemetery Marker, Altenbernd (#53), Carl Cemetery Marker; READ BY Sheila Sue Altenbernd, ON About 1990.
[S362] Family Search - Ancestral File, online www.familysearch.org, Elizabeth Haynes (4952 Sea Wolf Drive, Santa Rosa, CA USA 95409), downloaded May 30, 1999.
[S485] Friedrich Wilhelm Altenbernd household, June 11, 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Douglas County, Kansas, population schedule, town of Eudora Township, enumeration district (ED) 54, supervisor's district (SD) 2, sheet 21A, dwelling 195, family 194, National Archives micropublication T623 479 , William Altenbernd (#46). Hereinafter cited as Altenbernd, Wilhelm (#46) -- 1900 Kansas Census.
[S1549] Unknown author Complete Tombstone Census of Douglas County Kansas, II Page: 125. (Douglas County, Kansas: Douglas County Genealogical Society, 1989) (Document Source Number: 00053-1989-00-00-01). Hereinafter cited as Complete Tombstone Census.
[S25] John Stoerker Altenbernd unknown date.
[S104] Goldie Piper Daniels, Rural Schools and Schoolhouses of Douglas County, Kansas (Baldwin City, Kansas: Telegraphics, Inc., 1975), Page 112 states these children were school age in 1898, There is also a Maffie Altenbernd and Albert Schaake listed. . Hereinafter cited as Rural Schools and Schoolhouses.
[S485] Friedrich Wilhelm Altenbernd household, June 11, 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Douglas County, Kansas, population schedule, town of Eudora Township, enumeration district (ED) 54, supervisor's district (SD) 2, sheet 21A, dwelling 195, family 194, National Archives micropublication T623 479 . Hereinafter cited as Altenbernd, Wilhelm (#46) -- 1900 Kansas Census.
[S789] Personal knowledge of Sheila Altenbernd (#172) (12230 W Washington Street, Avondale, Arizona 85323) .
[S1812] Wilhelm Altenbernd (#46) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, December 11, 1908, page 3, column 5, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on April 28, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00048-1908-012-11-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S1814] Carl Altenbernd (#53) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, October 29, 1909, page 3, column 4, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on April 28, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00053-1909-10-29-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S1816] Carl Altenbernd (#53) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, August 25, 1910, page 2, column 6, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on April 28, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00053-1910-08-25-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S1823] Katherine Altenbernd (#47) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, May 1, 1913, page 2, column 3, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on May 22, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00047-1913-05-01-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S1828] William Altenbernd (#55) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, June 26, 1913, page 1, column 3, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on May 27, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00055-1913-06-26-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S1829] Carl Altenbernd (#53) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, July 10, 1913, page 1, column 1, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on May 27, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00053-1913-07-10-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S1830] Carl Altenbernd (#53) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, September 18, 1913, page 2, column 2, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on May 27, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00053-1913-09-18-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S292] "Altenbernd(#55), John - WWI Draft Records"; www.Ancestry.com; unknown repository address. Hereinafter cited as "WWI Draft."
[S1827] William Altenbernd (#55) Neighborhood News, The Eudora Weekly News, Eudora, Kansas, November 21, 1918, page 1, column 1-4, www.newspapers.com, viewed at www.newspapers.com on May 27, 2023 (Document Source Number: 00055-1918-11-21-01) . Hereinafter cited as Eudora Weekly.
[S510] Carl Altenbernd (#53) household, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Douglas County, Kansas, population schedule, town of Eudora Township, enumeration district (ED) 23-3, supervisor's district (SD) 8, sheet 8A, dwelling 184, National Archives micropublication . Viewed at www.ancestry.com . Hereinafter cited as 1940 Census.
[S1410] John Stoerker Altenbernd,"Ordination Day" in ME; Page(s) 609-611; Published:.
[S125] Unknown repository address, Carl Altenbernd (#53) Cemetery Marker, Altenbernd (#53), Carl - Cemetery Marker; READ BY Sheila Altenbernd (#172).
[S399] Wichman Service, Lawrence Journal World, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, USA, September 29, 1992,http://mobile.ljworld.com/news/1992/sep/29/wichman_services/. Hereinafter cited as Lawrence Journal World.