The Family
The Trip to Nebraska, September, 2009
The Trip to Nebraska, September, 2009
Here's an update on the whirlwind trip through Nebraska by two of Konrad's
great-grandchildren.
We began the trip Thursday, Sept. 17th, with me peering down the airport
hallway, talking to Rick via cell phone while he attempted to traverse the
entire airport in an effort to make the flight to Lincoln. He had flown in from
Atlanta, and, of course, the two gates were as far apart as could be. He came
running up with one minute before the door was locked and we were the last two
on the plane. This was a small, 50-seater, and we had made sure we had seats
side-by-side in order to talk. The flight was about an hour and a half, but it
seemed short as we caught up on each other's lives and our family history and
stories.
We rented a car (we both just loved the Lincoln airport - 4 gates, 1 counter for
Delta - uncrowded) and thanks to my pre-loading addresses and places, my son
Michael's GPS unit (the TomTom) led us directly to Karen's house. She, of
course, is the granddaughter of your Uncle Jack, another great-grandchild of
Konrad. We got to know each other and shared family stories. What's interesting
and common to us all, among other things, is that we all remembered Mutti. Karen
had not read Uncle Erich's JAHN I book, so I sent her a copy when I got back. We
went out to dinner, had a great meal, we took her home, and Rick and I took off
about 7:30 PM, heading north. Karen not only vowed to do JAHN II justice, but
has since made calls to the archives in Lincoln, looking to understand what we
can about Die Weltpost, the German-language newspaper that her Grandpa Jack
edited after he left the ministry at Wisner. She called her sisters in Seattle
(Jackie) and San Francisco (Suzy); Jackie now wants to come and do the 'loop'
trip as we call it, as does Karen's cousin Mike in Alaska, as does Karen.
Rick and I headed north, realizing that we wouldn't be stopping at Cedar Bluffs
since we couldn't see a thing, so we found a motel in Fremont and spent the
night. After breakfast the next morning, Friday, we found Union Cemetery and
Theodore Jahn's grave. We speculated that the church must have been directly to
the west, where Paul infamously burned down several buildings, learning from
Richard that in the leaves were the witches.
Our next stop was Oakland and we found the street where the church building in
which Konrad and Mutti were married was now serving as a house (moved there in
the 50s). We did not have time to talk to anyone but took pictures of the two
houses that looked very much like the old parish house. Next stop: St. John's
outside Lyons where we visited the graves of Konrad, Mutti, William H. Going and
Caroline Rabe. We stopped at the old Going estate and chatted briefly with the
roofer (his job) who lives there now.
Next stop - Altona. All was as I remembered it in 2005. We walked around the
site of the old church where Dora and Jack were born. The pastor I had talked to
in 2005 who gave us permission to look in the church records had since died and
was buried in the church cemetery. It looked like the parsonage had been sold or
rented, probably to help maintain the buildings. The old school, built in 1931,
was there and in the filing cabinet, I looked through the books and once again
confirmed that the missing minutes from Konrad's years were not there. Before we
left, I noted that there was a lower drawer which I opened and more church
record books appeared. I looked through them: 1930-something, 1950-something,
and so on. Then, about second or third book from the bottom of the drawer, I saw
a small notebook with no cover. There were handwritten notes on the first page
and I recognized the handwriting instantly. It was Konrad's and it was dated
September 4, 1887, the first congregational minutes ever taken (Konrad was the
first pastor who had a church building there). It was right after he was
ordained and installed at Altona and before he married Mutti. Looking through
the small notebook, it contained minutes from every meeting during Konrad's
years there and all in his handwriting - which at his age then is much more
legible than later! Needless to say, we were stunned by the discovery. After
taking pictures, we put the minutes back in their place. Here are our ancestor's
handwritten minutes which have just sat there unprotected for over 120 years and
we found them! We were ecstatic, of course, and headed to Norfolk.
We drove into the former Hospital for the Insane and parked by the old
buildings. We walked around, took pictures, and then were accosted by a security
guard who wanted to know what we were doing, especially taking pictures. There
are HIPAA laws regarding patient privacy, so I mentioned that I had been in
correspondence with the HIS director there. That diffused things somewhat and I
proceeded to tell our story, eventually walking him to the car and showing him
the chapter on Norfolk. We ended up shaking hands and I thanked him for not
arresting us. And off we went.
We headed to Grand Island and found a motel. But we weren't yet done for Friday
and we headed off to Worms where we had the long-anticipated beer at the
Nightcrawler Bar. Here we sat in what was the store that Mutti must have
frequented to buy various goods. She and the family had lived across the street
from what is now the bar. We then headed back to the motel in Grand Island for a
good night's sleep for tomorrow's activities.
Saturday morning we headed west to Amherst, then north to Watertown, or at least
what's left of Watertown. I showed Rick the 'town' first, then we drove to where
Immanuel Lutheran had once stood. We explored the area, then with cameras
running, heading into the famous 'draw' where Richard would tell Paul the wolves
were waiting. We found no wolves, but as we descended, Rick peered into the side
of the draw and made an amazing discovery - a three-sided brick structure which
Rick believes is the foundation to the outhouse! We descended to the floor of
the 'draw' and discovered that it was the dump! Many old cans and bottles were
there, as well as a couple of old washing machines.
We drove to Kearney, found and photographed the building that used to be
Anderson's studio where the Jahn's had their pictures taken, then back to Worms,
where we had some food at the Nightcrawler Bar and a few beers as we watched
Nebraska play (was it Virginia Tech?). As we walked in, everyone was wearing
red, every TV was on the Nebraska game, and we definitely stood out! After
chatting a bit with the bartender, a lady sitting near us asked if I said I was
from Minnesota. Well, the conversation began, and when she learned what Rick and
I were up to, she immediately left for home and brought us each a copy (which
she signed) of her father's book, "The Man from Worms." I'll add Rick's summary
of our meeting with her: we met a lady whose grandmother was friends with Mutti.
I had with me a postcard from her grandmother to Mutti in Natoma (about 1909)
but didn't realize it till the next morning. The lady's name was Mary and her
dad built the truck stop in Grand Island, and it's still there. She attends the
Lutheran church in Worms. They are having their 135th anniversary on Nov 1st,
and they asked us to come and say a few words. It turns out Mary's grandmother's
brother was the pastor at Worm right before Konrad!
We attempted to visit the local Worms historian referred to us by Mary, but he
was gone. We drove through St. Libory trying to find the creamery, but no luck.
Then back to Grand Island and a motel. Breakfast the next morning, drove to the
airport and off we took - a great time was had by all!
Click to enlarge the above: the web site promotion and ordering page (picture only), the sales of Jahn II as of 3-7-08.
Comments from Readers
"The books arrived on Monday .... I've been reading and am now up to page 145. It's a fantastic book."
"Got the Jahn book two days ago. I've spent 4 hours on it, mostly on Konrad. This is an amazing piece of work.... The Jahns here - my mom and sister - couldn't believe it. There is so much stuff here! Konrad - poor guy - comes alive.... More later. Can't wait to look at Gustav."
"THE book arrived …I must say that my jaw dropped still another foot as I began browsing through your masterpiece….You have done an impeccable piece of research, and I am in awe over what you have done."
"Paul--I got your book finally! It's beautiful!!! They did a wonderful job of binding and the cover is awesome! I've already started reading it... Thank you for all your hard work putting it together."
"I am absolutely amazed at the wealth of information that you have not only uncovered, but have also allowed your readers the joy of understanding the historic background of every entry.... Thank you for a treasure to keep referring to…. I knew that you were determined, but not how well that determination could reveal [itself]."
"Paul - I just received your publication - - GREAT - - I'll have to spend some sleepless nights and try to digest what you have so diligently researched....A great effort on your part and a very substantial insight into what my Dad had started. Kudos and hopefully a continuation of your digging into the history of yours and my family history and lineage..."
"The Jahn II book arrived today.... I was quite impressed in thumbing through it."
p. 105, 7th line from the bottom, 'Kustav' should be 'Konrad'
p. 116, line above the letterhead, 'provids' should be 'provides'
p. 156, 7th line from the top, 'Frizt' should be 'Fritz'
p. 186, 2nd line from end of section Der Gratulant, 'produces' should be
'produced'
p. 218, 2nd line from bottom, 'surround' should be 'surrounding'
p. 242, last line, name should be 'Dorothy Von Fange Werner'
First Come, First Served! 9 NOW AVAILABLE!
Order your copy of the original History of the Jahn Family by Erich Jahn, published 1983!
These have been generously donated by Bob Jahn in support of the publication of Volume II.
Limited numbers, order now! For each copy of the original book only, send a check for $25 ($20/book, $5 shipping, more if you'd like to help with the costs)
made out to Paul von Fange, to Box 8015, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 55108
Every dollar received will go to the translation of additional German text for the next edition.
THANK YOU BOB!
Started June 15, 2004 Last Updated: May 28, 2010
Gustav Jahn and his wife Dorothea von Dieskau
Born in Sandersleben, then to Züllchow,
north of Stettin, head of the Züllchower Anstalten
Look at the Information Coming in from Family Members HERE!
The Books Written by Gustav Jahn HERE
Jahn Family Pictures HERE
We need translators of these documents HERE (thanks Marge!)
Eight days in June, 2005, 2237 miles driven in Nebraska/Kansas, temperatures in the high 90s, low 100s, a cracked windshield courtesy of a Cornhusker stone - what a great trip! Learn more about our tracing the path of Konrad Jahn
 |
  |
 |
| Konrad Gustav Jahn | The Jahn Family History by Erich Jahn | Dorothea Ulrike Carolina Hedwig Jahn |
The Jahn Genealogy
Erich Jahn wrote The History of the Jahn Family in
1983. I have begun assembling additional information for another book. The boldfaced complete names
below are the subject of The Jahn Family
Volume Two. Please contact me via email if you have copies of letters, documents
or stories to contribute.
Or, please add your comments here: Guest Book
All the level 3s are Gustav's children.
All the level 4s are Gustav's grandchildren and none are living.
All the level 5s are Gustav's great-grandchildren
Names in blue are descendants already
contacted - 19
descendants to date!
Names in
red are descendants I am trying to contact
5 descendants/spouses I'm hoping to hear from
Descendants of
Johann Andreas Wilhelm Jahn
1 Johann Andreas Wilhelm Jahn
.. +Carolina Wilhelmina Louisa Blankenberg
.. 2 Karl Wilhelm August Jahn
.. 2 [1] Gustav Wilhelm Jahn
...... +Anna Friederika Wapler
.. *2nd Wife of [1] Gustav Wilhelm Jahn:
...... +Dorothea von Dieskau
....... 3 Anna Dorothea Jahn
........... +Karl Wilhelm Kuhlmann
............ 4 Karl Gustav Kuhlmann
................ +Louise Lina Antonie Margareta "Margareta" Pfretzcher
................. 5 Ingetraud Kuhlmann
................. 5 [2] Gisela Kuhlmann
..................... +Denis Daniel
............ 4 Dorothea Lisette Ulrika "Dora" Kuhlmann
............ 4 Ulrich Heinrich Kuhlmann
................ +Julie Helene Friderika Luise Margarethe Baring
................. 5 Dietrich Carlos Adiopho "Dieter" Kuhlmann
..................... +Hedwig "Hedi" Scholz
...................... 6 Irene Kuhlmann
.......................... +Guido Beier
........................... 7 Claudio Beier
........................... 7 Carolina Beier
............................... +Brian
...................... 6 Ricardo Kuhlmann
.......................... +Silvia Lipp
........................... 7 Mariana Kuhlmann
........................... 7 Andrea Kuhlmann
...................... 6 Regina Kuhlmann
.......................... +Joachim Heifler
........................... 7 Rafaela Heifler
........................... 7 Tobias Heifler
................. 5 Ilse Anna Carolina Kuhlmann
................. 5 Heinz Ulrich Kuhlmann
............ 4 Gertrude Kuhlmann
............ 4 Gustav Friedrich Wilhelm Kuhlmann
................ +Kerstin Thorbjornsen
............ 4 Ruth Luise Kuhlmann
................ +Wilhelm Wehse
....... 3 Konrad Gustav Jahn
........... +Freda Christine "Mutti" Going
............ 4 Gustav Wilhem Theodor "Jack" Jahn
................ +Ruth Wilhelmina Niemeier
................. 5 [3] Naomi Theodora Jahn
..................... +Jack Leikam
................. *2nd Husband of [3] Naomi Theodora Jahn:
..................... +Thure E. Peterson
...................... 6 Jacqueline Naomi Peterson
.......................... +Roger McKee
........................... 7 Karin Ruth McKee
........................... 7 Katherine Naomi McKee
........................... 7 David Jahn McKee
...................... 6 Karen Ruth Peterson
.......................... +Larry Lusk
...................... 6 Suzanne Peterson
.......................... +Gary Davis
........................... 7 Mollie Davis
........................... 7 Jordan Davis
................. 5 Ruth Augusta Jahn
...................... 6 Michael Swanson
................. 5 Dorothy Elizabeth Jahn
................. 5 Bernice Virginia Jahn
............ 4 Dorothea Ulrike Carolina Hedweg Jahn
................ +John George Justinus Von Fange
................. 5 Meta Frieda Von Fange
..................... +Walter Herman John Hieber
...................... 6 Victor Paul Hieber
...................... 6 Arleen Dorothea Hieber
.......................... +Thomas Lee Hitchcock
...................... 6 Charles Walter Hieber
.......................... +Linda Lee Schwartzkopf
........................... 7 Paul Charles Hieber
........................... 7 Andrew John Hieber
............................... +Susan Moira Spizzirri
........................... 7 Rebeccah Hannah Hieber
............................... +Daniel Craig Lawson
........................... 7 Elizabeth Rachel "Libby" Hieber
........................... 7 Chloe Ann Hieber
........................... 7 Aaron Michael Hieber
................. 5 Walter William Gustav Von Fange
..................... +Lydia Moreno
................. 5 Theodore Richard Ernst Von Fange
..................... +Verda Emma Sophia Kroeger
...................... 6 Karen Anita Von Fange
.......................... +Bryce Lowell Clausen
........................... 7 [4] Steven Lynn Clausen
............................... +Michele Rodenbaugh
........................... *2nd Wife of [4] Steven Lynn Clausen:
............................... +Andrea Lippe
........................... 7 Krista Lee Clausen
............................... +Corey Allen Blakemore
...................... 6 Sylvia Ann Von Fange
.......................... +Martin Smith
...................... 6 [5] Howard Alan Von Fange
.......................... +Rose Lane Warnick
...................... *2nd Wife of [5] Howard Alan Von Fange:
.......................... +Jacqueline Diane Jordan
........................... 7 Sarah Diane "Sadie" Von Fange
............................... +? Maupin
........................... 7 Paul Richard Von Fange
...................... 6 Susan Diane Von Fange
................. 5 Arthur William Paul Von Fange
..................... +Bettie Ruth Jacobs
...................... 6 John Arthur Von Fange
.......................... +Cynthia Elaine Kunkle
........................... 7 Joanna Rae Von Fange
........................... 7 Suzanna Christine Von Fange
........................... 7 Marianne Ruth Von Fange
........................... 7 Samuel David Von Fange
...................... 6 Janice Ann Von Fange
.......................... +Paul Darrell Massatt
........................... 7 Elysha Ann Massatt
........................... 7 Joshua David Arthur Massatt
........................... 7 Sarah Elizabeth Massatt
........................... 7 Daniel James Massatt
........................... 7 David Luke Massatt
...................... 6 Steven Neil Von Fange
...................... 6 Curtis Alan Von Fange
.......................... +Michelle Marie Lawrence
........................... 7 Christina Joy Von Fange
........................... 7 Jonathan David Arthur Von Fange
........................... 7 Kimberly Grace Von Fange
........................... 7 Stephanie Hope Von Fange
................. 5 Erich Alvin von Fange
..................... +Esther Magdalene Bertha Ziegelbein
...................... 6 Paul von Fange
.......................... +Sharon Cynthia Montry
........................... 7 Steven John von Fange
........................... 7 Kathryn Anne Montry von Fange
........................... 7 Michael Montry von Fange
...................... 6 Ruth von Fange
.......................... +Joel Laverne Vore
...................... 6 Lois von Fange
.......................... +Russell Dean Balsman
........................... 7 Erich Russell Balsman
........................... 7 Benjamin Michael Balsman
........................... 7 Jonathan Dean Balsman
...................... 6 Jana von Fange
.......................... +Lennon Dennis Federer
...................... 6 Judith von Fange
.......................... +David Dever Bray
........................... 7 Adam Christopher Bray
........................... 7 Isaac Christian Bray
........................... 7 Hannah Christine Joelle Bray
................. 5 Dorothy Ruth Von Fange
..................... +Harlan Ernest Werner
...................... 6 [6] Catheryn Dorothea Werner
.......................... +David Lee Thomsen
........................... 7 [7] Brian Douglas Scott
........................... 7 [8] Robert Michael Scott
...................... *2nd Husband of [6] Catheryn Dorothea Werner:
.......................... +Douglas Edward Scott
........................... 7 [7] Brian Douglas Scott
........................... 7 [8] Robert Michael Scott
...................... 6 Gerald Harlan Werner
.......................... +Nanci Ellen Ernes
........................... 7 Erik Michael Werner
............................... +Amanda Lynn Stringer
........................... 7 Ingrid Ann Werner
...................... 6 [9] Janet Ruth Werner
.......................... +Gary Eugene Karlin
........................... 7 Brandon Werner Karlin
........................... 7 Austin Eugene Karlin
........................... 7 Hunter Reid Karlin
...................... *2nd Husband of [9] Janet Ruth Werner:
.......................... +Charles William Husted
................. 5 Eugene Konrad Von Fange
..................... +Elizabeth Hilton "LIbby" Gass
...................... 6 Ellen Elizabeth Von Fange
.......................... +Gregory John Duerksen
........................... 7 Alek Charles Duerksen
........................... 7 Erika Beth Duerksen
...................... 6 Eric Eugene Von Fange
.......................... +Joyce Elaine Young
........................... 7 Daniel Eugene Von Fange
........................... 7 John Eric Von Fange
........................... 7 Andrew Dayton Von Fange
........................... 7 Elizabeth Joy Von Fange
...................... 6 Thomas Walter Von Fange
.......................... +Karen S. Dunham
........................... 7 Jesse Conrad Von Fange
........................... 7 Stephen James Von Fange
........................... 7 Karie Elizabeth Von Fange
........................... 7 Katherine Grace "Katie" Von Fange
...................... 6 Kathryn Ann Von Fange
.......................... +Thomas Martin Fruehwirth
........................... 7 James Michael "Jimmy" Fruehwirth
........................... 7 Margaret Louise "Maggie" Fruehwirth
...................... 6 Stephen John Von Fange
.......................... +Sharon Leigh Chichester
........................... 7 Joshua Von Fange
........................... 7 Jesse Eugene Von Fange
........................... 7 Brian Matthew Von Fange
...................... 6 Elizabeth Jane "Betsy" Von Fange
.......................... +Daniel James Murphy
........................... 7 Carolyn Grace Murphy
........................... 7 Christine Elizabeth Murphy
........................... 7 Rebecca Lynn Murphy
............ 4 Richard Friedrich Karl Jahn
................ +Martha W. Pallmer
................. 5 Richard Pallmer "Dick" Jahn
..................... +Anna Ruth Jones
...................... 6 Richard Pallmer "Rick" Jahn
...................... 6 David Warren Jahn
.......................... +Ann Clark Smith
........................... 7 Janna Lindsey Jahn
...................... 6 Janna Elizabeth Jahn
................. 5 Mildred Ann Jahn
..................... +John DeWitt Ramsey
...................... 6 Carol Ann Ramsey
.......................... +Kurt Hilsabeck
........................... 7 Lauren Hilsabeck
........................... 7 Nicholas Hilsabeck
...................... 6 Bruce Randolph Ramsey
............ 4 Paul Friedrich Konrad Jahn
................ +Mary Elizabeth Lauff
................. 5 Paul Frederick Jahn
..................... +Joan Martha MacLeod
...................... 6 Gail Jahn
............ 4 Theodore Ulrich Jahn
............ 4 Erich Walter Gottfried Jahn
................ +Bertha Emma Auguste Telschow
................. 5 Marjorie Mae "Marge" Jahn
..................... +Frederick Gustave Timmel
...................... 6 Daniel Jahn Timmel
.......................... +Joanne Moxley
........................... 7 Matthew Timmel
........................... 7 Jennifer Timmel
...................... 6 Paul Stephen Timmel
................. 5 [10] Robert Erich Jahn
..................... +First wife
...................... 6 Erich Lloyd Jahn
.......................... +Sheila Marie Fuller
........................... 7 Crystal Jahn
........................... 7 Melissa Renee Jahn
...................... 6 Ann Marie Jahn
...................... 6 Jacqueline Jenkins Jahn
................. *2nd Wife of [10] Robert Erich Jahn:
..................... +Donna Ott Brewer
................. 5 Lois Marie Jahn
..................... +Robert Edward Ham
...................... 6 Arthur Jonathan Ham
...................... 6 Joel Lee Ham
...................... 6 Sean Edward Ham
....... 3 Gertrud Jahn
....... 3 Ulrich Gustav Jahn
........... +Melanie Schroetter
............ 4 [12] Erna Jahn
................ +Georg Bauer
................. 5 [11] Bernhard Bauer
..................... +Eleanore Schick
...................... 6 Hans Georg Bauer
................. *2nd Wife of [11] Bernhard Bauer:
..................... +Gertrud Paul
...................... 6 Hannelore Bauer
............ *2nd Husband of [12] Erna Jahn:
................ +Hans Stark
................. 5 Hans Guenther Stark
..................... +Ingrid Fischer
...................... 6 Hans Eberhard Stark
....... 3 Friedrich Timotheus Gustav "Fritz" Jahn
........... +Katherine Mathilde Josephine Henriette "Kathe" Richter
............ 4 Gustav Jahn
............ 4 Wilhelm Jahn
............ 4 [13] Franz Jahn
................ +unknown
............ *2nd Wife of [13] Franz Jahn:
................ +Gertrud ?
............ 4 Elizabeth Jahn
....... 3 Karl Gustav Jahn
........... +Martha Mathilde Hermine Maria Poetter
............ 4 Charlotte Jahn
............ 4 Siegfried Jahn
............ 4 Walter Jahn
............ 4 Heinz Jahn
............ 4 Renata Jahn
....... 3 Richard Gustav Jahn
....... 3 Dorothea Marie Hedwig Jahn
...... +Johannes Wilhelm Eduard Rahn
............ 4 Dora Rahn
............... +Werner Korth
............ 4 Hans Joachim Rahn
............ 4 Dietrich Rahn
............... +Martha Liebig
............... 5 Hans Dieter Rahn
............... 5 Hartmuth Rahn
............... 5 Burkhard Rahn
............... 5 Diethilt Rahn
........... 4 Siegfried Rahn
........... 4 Veronika "Roni" Rahn
....... ....4 Bernhard "Manni" Rahn
........... ...+Grete Liebig
.............. 5 Dieter Rahn
.............. 5 Inge Rahn
.............. 5 Peter Rahn
....... 3 Bertha Dorothea Jahn
....... 3 Ludwig Theodore Friedrich Jahn
.. *3rd Wife of [1] Gustav Wilhelm Jahn:
...... +Ulrike Strecker
.. 2 Franz Leopold Jahn
...... +Clara Adelhard Weiss
....... 3 Katherine Jahn
........... +Julius Brandt
............ 4 Louise Brandt
................ +Wilhelm Renner
............ 4 Gottfried Julius Brandt
................ +Heidi ?
................. 5 Dieter Brandt
...................... 6 John ? Brandt
.. 2 Clara Amalia Therese Jahn
.. 2 Henriette Friederika Luise Jahn
.. 2 Wilhelm Friedrich Jahn
.. 2 Johanne Wilhelmine Jahn
.. 2 Ludwig Theodore Friedrich Jahn
====================================
Konrad's Grandchildren: The 17 Jahn Cousins
| Naomi Jahn | Meta Von Fange Hieber | Dick Jahn | Paul Jahn | Marge Jahn Timmel |
| Ruth Jahn | Walter Von Fange | Mildred Jahn | Bob Jahn | |
| Dorothy Jahn | Ted Von Fange | Lois Jahn Ham | ||
| Bernice Jahn | Art Von Fange | |||
| Erich von Fange | ||||
| Dorothy Von Fange Werner | ||||
| Eugene Von Fange |
Institute Letterhead The Envelop Please... Pictures from the Institute Züllchower Anstalten Kückenmühle Anstalten
From the Züllchower Anstalten (The Institute at Züllchow, Pommern, now Szczecin, Poland). This is still in operation today in Züssow, Germany.
paul@vonfange.com