Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Fabulous Fourth on Peaceful Acres

I’ve been struggling to find reasons why I should celebrate the 4th of July this year.  Since such a large part of our ancestral family immigrated to our shores AFTER the initial July 4th in 1776, why do we celebrate?  

From 1790 to 1906 if you immigrated to America and you wished to be a citizen, there was a process that was followed.  First you had to declare intent of citizenship.  These papers are often referred to as “First Papers”.  They could be filed any time after the immigrant arrived.  In this declaration the immigrant would renounce allegiance to foreign governments and that they had resided in the country long enough to apply for citizenship (2 years from 1790-1795, 5 years from 1795-1798, 14 years from 1798 to 1802, and 5 years from 1802 to present).

Next came “Final Papers”.  After you had filed your intent of citizenship and had resided the required number of years, you could petition the court to become a citizen usually at your towns closest court.  After all the requirements were completed, the immigrant was then sworn in as a citizen and issued a Certificate of Citizenship.  Easy Peasy now you’re a Citizen of the United States.  

And while many could and did relish celebrating American holidays, I wonder if the Bourscheidts, especially Peter ever missed what they gave up.  While I know they went to German Catholic Mass and enjoyed a large community of Germans in and around Peoria, did they ever miss any German celebrations?  

4th of July at Peaceful Acres, 1951

For the Bourscheidt’s celebrating the 4th of July meant celebrating at Uncle Paul and Aunt Florence’s Peaceful Acres.  In 1951 there was a large group of family gathered to celebrate with them.  

The person who wrote on the back of this photo was unsure of who some in this photo are, but they have identified the following.  In the first row we have; Regina (Bourscheidt, wife of Norbert), Mary, Ed, Aunt Florence, Betty, Norbert holding Mike & Randy and an unknown lady behind him, our Jean holding I believe Rita,  then Joyce holding a child, the next identified person is Joan holding Pamela and then there’s our Lois holding a child and Hank on the end.  

In the second row we have Uncle Paul, Geraldine, Aunt Betty, Charles Helen and Rita Bourscheidt.  

In the third row is Paul, Uncle Oscar, Aunt Clara, someone unknown, then our Frank Burd and next to him our Ann Burd then an unknown person, Felix, Aunt Marie, then an unknown person Milton, Barb several unknowns and Ann Bourscheidt, another unknown, Uncle Fred, Aunt Sally unknown person, Norbert Sr., Unknown, Rita, Uncle Al and Aunt Gertrude. 

For them July 4th meant family time, fun and yes celebrating the United States of America.  May we all have a reason to celebrate tomorrow, whether it’s celebrating the colonies independence from England or being together as a family, may we all have a fabulous Fourth of July.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

The Whole Picture

Frank Burd, Ann Burd, Peter Bourscheidt, Katie Bourscheidt, Oscar Bourscheidt, Emilie Betty Bourscheidt

To conclude our tour of 11 S Parkside Avenue, Chicago, Illinois I bring to you a wonderful photograph of the Bourscheidt’s and the Burd’s. 

For some reason I like looking at photos of Frank and Ann pre-Jean, either together or taken separately.  Here we have a lovely photo of them side by side. Frank in his suit with his starched collar.  And Ann with her simple but dainty and light-weight blouse.  In my opinion though it’s her skirt that catches my eye.  Such a simple A-line skirt, but with those buttons outlining the pockets your eye is drawn to the middle of her body and it has a slimming effect.  

Next we have Peter in his matching suit, waistcoat and pants.  I just love his bowtie.  In all the photos I’ve seen of Peter he seems almost larger then life to me and I imagine he was an extremely boisterous and charismatic individual.  And his moustache! Why I bet in person it was just mesmerizing. Holding her own next to him is his wife Katie.  She married Peter several years after Frank and Oscar’s mother Emma died which I’m sure came with challenges.  Her dress is so light in the photo that it leads one to believe that it was white.  At that time white for any age woman during a warm month was appropriate.  

Finally we have Franks older brother Oscar Bourscheidt and his wife, Emilie who later in life went by Betty.  Oscar looks equally handsome in his high starched collar, waistcoat, jacket and pants.  Betty like Ann has a a simple light-weight blouse and A-line skirt.  You can’t tell as much detail on them in this photograph, but I bet there was much.  She and Ann seems to be looking at the photographer while everyone else seems to be looking elsewhere.  

While there is no date on this photograph the fact that Cousin Jean has named Frank and Ann to both be Burd, leads me to believe this is photograph was taken after their wedding which was July 26, 1916.  From this angle you can see the entrance to the apartment behind them, a big door paned with glass, common to that time frame in architecture.  And while we no longer have Frank, Ann, Peter, Katie, Oscar or Betty with us, I think it would be fun to recreate this photo somehow using Bourscheidt descendants.  Anyone want to meet me in Chicago to take a photo? 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Bourscheidt Men

Oscar Bourscheidt, Peter Bourscheidt, Frank Burd

I just love this photograph.  Here we have the Bourscheidt men. And even though I think that this photo was taken after Frank and Anna got married, July 26, 1916, I like to think of our Frank as still being a Bourscheidt.  I’ve never really questioned why he was adamant about changing his name.  I know that he would have mail go missing in Chicago as many did not like those of German descent in Chicago.  But I now wonder if guilt from Leo’s death could have truly driven his desire to change his name?  Frank changed his name in 1916 and since Anna never changed hers from Bourscheidt to Burd, I’m inclined to think that his name change was completed before they were married. 

Here we have Oscar, eldest of Peters son’s with Emma and Frank the middle born in front of the apartment building that I believe Frank and Anna resided in, 11 S Parkside Ave, Chicago.  I love how dressed up all three of them are on this nice sunny day.  I hope that they were getting ready do something fun.  Oscar a dashing man, gentle in both his speech and manner, husband of Betty (Amelia), who looks a bit hot in this photo with his hat tipped back allowing his father to take him by the arm.  And patriarch of the Bourscheidt Clan, Peter.  In most photos I’ve seen him in he has this look, head tilted just a smidge, with a smile on his face.  I wonder what kind of hat he’s holding in his hand?  And our handsome Frank with hands in pockets looking as if he’s speaking to the group.  I love how you can see his watch fob there by the pocket of his pants.  

While they are three very different men in character and mannerisms, they are Bourscheidt men all the same.  Happy Father’s day Peter, Oscar and Frank!  

Photograph is courtesy of Cousin Jean Bourscheidt. 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Girls Day

Anna (Wenke) Burd, Katie Bourscheidt, Emilie “Betty” Bourscheidt

I often think I was born in the wrong time.  I mean I do enjoy technology and all the benefits it brings us, but I feel my heart is in another time.    Possibly here with Anna, Katie and Betty is where you might find me.  I never thought I’d be able to locate where they were but my day was about to get interesting.  

This photo came from Cousin Jean Bourscheidt’s scrapbook.  On the back it says , Emilie, Oscar’s Wife (She went by Betty), Katie, Uncle Peter’s wife, Ann, Frank Burd’s wife.  Since she wrote wife in designating Ann in the photo I think that this photo was taken after Frank and Anna got married.  

After Leo’s death in 1908 Frank left Peoria several years later.  Grandma always said that Anna was a seamstress, but I never thought to ask what she did when she lived in Chicago.  

Anna and Frank got married July 26, 1916. I know Frank had been living in Chicago for some time, I”m not sure about Anna.  Perhaps she only moved there when they got married, but from July of 1916 until Jean was born the Burds lived in Chicago.  

OK so here’s where my day got really exciting!  I was researching and trying to find more out of when she might have moved there, but haven’t found any documents to substantiate prior to the 1920 census.  

Frank & Ann lived in the highlighted area

On a whim I wanted to see where in Chicago that Anna and Frank lived.  So I looked at the census document and noticed that they lived in Ward 35 and that the street listed was S Parkside.  I found a nice little map of the ward and then started looking for Parkside.  When that wasn’t apparent, I went back to the census and on the original document it says that their part of Ward 35 was 2276. The streets that border this area are Madison, going East – West and Lotus or Weller both going North South.  So taking Lotus and Madison, I did a map search and then started looking at streets.  And I found it!  South Parkside Avenue.  

At the top of the photo is the street Frank & Ann lived on – S Parkside Avenue

Parkside is just a couple blocks from Columbus Park.  Which is one of Chicago’s larger parks.  On a whim I decided to look at the Satellite and street views.  When I put my little google person on the map, I was amazed at what I was looking at.  In fact I think think my first response was WHAT THE DUCK!  Ok, there wasn’t a duck but you get my meaning.  Because I was looking at the building that Anna, Katie and Betty were standing outside of. 

How can I be so sure you ask?  Look at the windows in both photos.  Same concrete casements!  It’s now called the Madison Renaissance Apartments.  Located at 11 S Parkside Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60644.  

While we might not know much about Frank and Anna’s life in Chicago, I’m happy that we know more about where they lived while they were there.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

80! Years Young

Raymond Miller and Carl Jorden at Be-Ma-Quat, Ball Club Lake, Minnesota

Tomorrow is a special day.  Tomorrow, my dad, your in-law, uncle, or friend turns 80.  It’s almost baffling to me that this is occurring.  To me I’m still young so how could my dad be turning 80?  I’m sure to him it might feel the same way.  

Time is a funny thing.  It is simply the progression of events from the past to the present into the future.  And while many of us would like to stop time, it is unstoppable.  I would like to stop time on this photo of Raymond and Carl, holding that huge Northern.  Be-Mah-Quat at Ball Club Lake was a great place to go and learn about fishing.  And did we learn!  

I’ve learned a lot of things from my dad.  How to correctly start a camp fire, how to put up a tent, how to drive on ice, how to make ghoulash and how to change a tire.   The most important things I would say I’ve learned from him is the faith in the Lord that he has shared with me and his perseverance.   As many do, my family has seen it’s share of struggles.  But my father’s integrity and perseverance taught me that when you are trustworthy, honest and do the right thing even when it’s not easy you can accomplish much. 

So tomorrow, as you start your 80th journey around our sun, may you know how loved, appreciated and treasured you are Raymond Miller.  May you have a great day and a wonderful year.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

March 6, 1925

Wilbert Wilkins & Aaron Porch March 6, 1925 Douglas Kindergarten

I just love this photo.  Such precious faces captured forever by our cousin Jean Bourscheidt.  It reminds me of a photo that Kansas native might have taken in his early years.  I found this gem in the scrapbook Jean took along with many other photographs of her students.  On the back she wrote, Aaron Porch, Wilbert Wilkins, March 6, 1925 Douglas Kindergarten.  I’m thinking that Aaron is on the left and Wilbert is on the right.  

I think he boys are sitting on the steps, in front of an entrance to the school.   The expression on their faces, Wilbert looks so happy to have his photo taken.  I just love their clothing.  Aaron, so dapper in a sailor suit.  Both boys have stockings and “short pants” And while Wilbert’s shirt has some tears to it, he is there at school ready to learn.  And his hands!  I just love how he has them positioned between his legs, like he was nervous to have his picture taken and just didn’t know what to do with them.  

Since Cousin Jean put their names on the photo, I thought I’d see what I could learn about the boys.  

Aaron Porch, was born March 7, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama and died March 5 1985 in Peoria, Illinois.  I found that when he registered for the draft in 1941 that he worked for the Peoria Malleable Casting Company.  He was 5’10” and weighed 180 pounds.  He along with his wife, Fannie B are buried at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.  

Wilbert Wilkins was born February 11, 1921 in Peoria.  He too registered for the draft in February 1942 at the age of 21.  When he registered he was 5’9” and weighed 169 pounds.  At the time he worked for Walgreens Drug Store.  Wilbert died June 21, 1976 at the age of 55.  His obituary stated that he was an Army veteran of World War II and had last been employed by the Jefferson Hotel.  He was survived by one daughter, Miss Margaret Ann of Chicago and one brother James Collins of Peoria.  He is buried in an unmarked grave in Springdale Cemetery, in Peoria.  

An educator can touch your life in ways that you remember forever.  I hope that these two thought fondly of their time with our Cousin Jean and all that she taught them.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Bernard and Tressie

When our George D. Wenke and Mary Beutel Wenke traveled to start a new life in Nebraska, George’s sister Meta, and her family, husband Henry and children Katie, Bertha, Bernard and Karl went with them.  After George’s death, Mary returned to Peoria with her children Rena, John, Otto and our Anna to be near her family.  But that didn’t mean the Nebraska family was forgotten.  

Here we have Bernard and his wife Tressie.    Bernard was born June 15, 1887 in Guiderock, Nebraska.  The 1930 census lists him as an assistant cashier at a bank and we have a photo taken with his sister Katie which confirms this.  I’m not sure when he and Tressie married, as I can find no marriage date.  Records show that they had 2 children, Kathleen born about 1919 and Francis “Bud” born September 8, 1927.  And on his obituary his name is spelled Wickman! I wonder how and why they changed it from the the original spelling?

Bernard Wichmann
Tressie Wichmann

I just love these photos.  Taken to be side by side.  Together always.  I imagine that perhaps they were taken for their engagement or perhaps on their marriage.  Based on the style of her hair and dress I would estimate the photos were taken in the between 1915 and 1920.  

Bernard died September 6, 1966 and Tressie died December 12, 1996.  They are buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Jewell County, Kansas.    Jewell is just 17 miles straight south from Guiderock.  

I’m not sure who’s writing is up above, but it could be that of our Jean Jorden.  As I go through all the different family photographs I’m constantly struck by how, one person will write on the photos who’s in it, what they were doing the date, etc.  And another person will write nothing.  PSA for today is always write who the subjects of your photos are so that not only you can enjoy the photos but any who come after you can as well. 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Emma Jorden Schroeder

The youngest of the children born to Carl Jorden, I and Amelia Deppe,  Emma was born in Missouri on January 14, 1897.  Emma married William “Billy” Schroeder, date and place unknown.  Billy was a veteran of World War I. Their union produced 4 children; Edwin born in 1921, Herbert born in 1922, Tiny born in 1923 and Alfred born in 1924.  Alfred fought in World War II and died at 20 years of age March, 1945.  Emma herself died September 14, 1939 at 42 years old.  

I know little about Emma, except that our Bill spent a great deal of time with them after his mother Regina left the family.  Five boys would have been a lot for anyone to handle but something tells me that Emma did it with grace and strength.  I just love this photo taken of her.  It appears to have been taken around 1915 based on the type of dress she’s wearing and her appearance.  She would have been 18 then, just starting out on her life.  

While we can’t tell what type of jewelry she’s wearing it appears she has some sort of brooch or bobble there at her neck.  I find myself wish I could see her bow as it appears quite large.  And the lace of her skirt and shirt are exquisite.  With just a hint of her shoe, I feel somehow we could tell more about her were we able to see her shoes.  And her pose is that which mimic’s her sister-in-law’s Regina with Emma’s brother our Bill.  While Regina had her hands clasps, Emmas pose is open and welcoming as if to say “I’ve saved a spot for you.”  Thank you for the chair Emma and for all the care you gave our Bill.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Emma Bourscheidt January 19, 1894

I have always wondered about Emma.  Probably more then I’ve wondered about others in our family.  Emma Schaefer was born March 11, 1863.  I’m not sure where she was born, but she and her parents lived in Peoria.  On November 15, 1885 at 22 years of age, she married Peter Bourscheidt in Peoria, Illinois.  And after 9 years of marriage and three sons, she died on January 19, 1894 at the age of 30 from complications of child birth and is buried in Peoria.  The newspaper reports that it is a very sad bereavement,  it to me sad doesn’t even begin to describe what Peter and his boys were experiencing.  

I like to imagine that Emma was swept away by the dashing and foreign Peter.  A person who had lived an exciting life serving in the German Army, then lived in Paris training to be a furrier and finally traveled to America to visit his brother and decided to make a life in America for himself.  And to give him the gift of three boys perhaps was an even bigger honor.  

Oscar was the oldest and was born in 1888.  Then came Frank born in 1891.  And finally Leo in 1894.   When she died, Oscar was 5 and Frank was 3.  How they must have missed her.  And how lost Peter might have been for now he had two young sons and an infant to care for. and a wife to mourn, who I hope was the love of his life.   But life brings all sorts of people into our lives and love in different ways.  

Peoria Journal Star

Jean took me once to where Emma was laid to rest.  She is in a lovely little part of the Saint Joseph’s Cemetery tucked into the back she lies between her parents, Charles who died in 1901 and Josephine who died in 1904.  Then on the other side of Josephine is her oldest son Oscar and his wife Emilie.  And behind her is her youngest, Leo.  

I hope some day to learn more about Emma Schaefer Boursheidt, especially more about her parents and where they were from.  But until that day comes, I will think fondly of the short time she had with her family and the impact she had on their lives. 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Out of Focus

Sometimes things in our lives get fuzzy, out of focus and hard to see.  Even though we’ve got a plan and headed in what we think is the right path God tends to say “this is the path you should be on”. There are times the voice of what we WANT is louder then the one telling us what we NEED.  While it’s sometimes easier to see when it’s not happening to us, when being out of focus does occur, we need those people around us who can bring things in our lives  back into focus.  

This past year was especially difficult.  We’ve lived though a pandemic!  Which has made things  change and continue to change for many of us.  After having covid a year ago, I found my focus often straying.  I would discover that I had been sitting not really noticing the computer, book or sometimes even person in front of me.  I also found myself being scared.  Not wanting to leave my house or my office, which for an introverted person sounds like heaven.  But I discovered that while I enjoy being alone it’s not healthy.  As I prepared for today’s post I found myself thinking about times when other people in our family might have had out of focus times.  Suddenly things became clear who I should focus on today.  

Here we have an out of focus photograph of Frank and Anna Burd.  Based on the style of their clothes I believe it was taken between 1915-1919.

Frank and Anna Burd had a very out focus existence both together and separate.  I’m sure many around them did not see the logic in their pairing, but for whatever reason they stayed together and made it work.   During a time when divorce was becoming more common, Frank or Anna could have walked away at any time. Frank had already walked away from the church, so I don’t think is the reason he stayed with Anna.  While i can wonder and speculate about what they were thinking the facts remain that together they stood.   Though good times and bad, when things were sharp and clear or when they were fuzzy and out of focus Frank and Anna stood together until Anna died January 17, 1962.