Valentine Ziegler, born 2/22/1908 in Wamego KS, son of George Ziegler and Katherine Ringelman. Baptized 2/23/1908 at St. Bernard Church in Wamego KS, by Rev. Albert Heer. Sponsors were Valentine Haspert and Anna Marie Haspert. Notations: Married 10/6/1928 Barbara Desch at St. Alphonse Catholic Church in Chicago IL.
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Valentine Ziegler married Barbara Desch 10/6/1928 at St. Alphonusus Catholic Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago IL, by Rev. Nicholas A. Oehm, C.Ss.R. Witness by Casper Ziegler, Constantine Desch, George Schoenfeld, Andrew Bellinder, Elizabeth Desch, Magdelen Gumler, Amelia Lechman, and Barbara Ziegler.
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4/15/1930 Census; Valentine Ziegler, 22, married at 20, Factory Laborer, born in KS. Resides on Wolfrom St - Front, Chicago, Cook County, IL, and rents for $25.
Barbara Ziegler, 21, married at 20, born KS, Tel. Operator.
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Valentine Ziegler of Glenview beloved husband of Cecile and the late Barbara; dear father of Sr. Barbara Ann, O.S.F., Thomas, John and Mary Ann Owcarz; grandfather of six; fond brother of Elizabeth Bellinder. Barbara, Casper, Peter and Nicholas.
Funeral from Meyer-Simkins. Funeral Home, 6251 Dempster St., Morton Grove, Thursday 10:30 a.m., to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Mass 11 a.m. Interment All Saints. Visitation Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m.
Chicago Tribune, 9/3/1975
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Valentine Ziegler, 67, married, died 9/1/1975 at home in Glenview IL, from a Heart Attach while on a ladder painting his garage. Resided 655 Harmony Lane, Glenview, Cook County, IL. He owned and operated a large gasoline station. Remarried to Cecile soon after his first wife, Barbara died in 10/2/1974. Buried 9/4/1975 in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.
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Letter dated 2/20/1972, from Valentine Ziegler, 655 Harmony Ln, Glenview IL 60025, to Mary Ziegler Rossbach, 1438 Richardson St, Baltimore MD 21230.
Dear Aunt Marie and Family, Last week when I talked to you on the phone you told me that your father's name was Adam and that he married your mother and her maiden name was Bellinder [actually it was Anna Maria Brickman]. What was your grandfather's name? And what was your grandmother's maiden name? Could you go back that far?
What year did you marry Uncle Philip your husband? What year did you come to America? Where did you land? What year did my Dad and Mother leave KOEHLER COLONY in Russia and go down to BAKU? Did they go from BAKU to AMERICA. I know they came to America in 1906. Did you know where our people came from in Germany?
A man by the name of Jacob Ziegler , now dead [d. 1959], from KATHERINSTADT [part Catholic, mostly Lutheran village, Jacob was Lutheran] in Russia lived here in Glenview years ago and he said we came from Switzerland. The Ziegler name means a ROOFER in German. He was a LUTHERAN. I knew him very well, he was a very educated man. He went to high school in Russia and was going to learn to be a Lutheran Minister. He taught me a lot about Russia. All of our old people around here have passed on and I'm trying to write a book about "UNSER LEUTE" our people.
I have a big map of all the COLONIES ALONG THE VOLGA, 104 Colonies. I know we came to Russia in 1763. The leader that brought us into Russia was a DOCTOR WEIGEL. The people left in June, total 25,000, or 8,000 families, and arrived in Russia in Sept. 1763. Katherine the Great was a German Princess woman who married Peter the 3rd. She had him shot and she got to be the Ruler of all Russia until 1796. When we came to Russia we were guaranteed religion, freedom of taxation for thirty years and freedom of Russian army life forever. Each family got 160 acres of land free. We had freedom until 1871.
Then after the Crimea War, the new Czar made our people join the army and taxed us so much and the Russian people wanted our land and the Colonies the Germans built. So we started to move to USA and South America, Peru and Canada. There are 163 books written about our people from Russia.
Did you know a Priest from GOEBEL COLONY where my mother came from? His name was Father Gottlieb BERATZ [see note below]. His aunt* [s/b niece, see note], a Mrs. Elizabeth HEIT [d. in 1972, ten months later] from GOEBEL COLONY, lives close by us and I visit her. She is 84 years old. She got a letter from her three sisters in GOEBEL COLONY and one of them lives in her father's house in the Colony of Goebel. The Russian Government is bringing our people back from Siberia and left them settle about 150 miles from Moscow and they give them pensions and homes to live in. They need the Germans to build up Russia again. Mrs. Heit got 3 letters from her sisters and read them all to me and my wife and my two sisters. Mrs. Heit's husband, now dead [Joseph d. 1948], was a cousin to Mr. Heit [Casper, see Mr. Heit below]. He is from SEMNOFKA COLONY. Mrs. Heit's maiden name is CREIGER. My mother knew her.
Father Beratz wrote a book in 1915 about our German COLONISTS from the Volga and I'm trying now to get it from the Germans from Russia HISTORICAL SOCIETY in Greeley, Colo. The COMMUNISTS killed Father Beratz in 1923 in HERZOG COLONY. Mrs. Heit used to be his housekeeper in SARATOV. I learned a lot from her also about Russia. She came to America in 1911 or 1912 to New York to Topeka, Kansas and we met her and Mr. Heit in Chicago. He was a great musician, HOCKBRED player (DULCIMER in English). He played at my wedding in 1928 [my note, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Chicago, Il] and also played at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary in 1947.
I have been studying about our people since 1919 and now I make speeches to groups about our Germans from Russia. I have read lot's of books and learned a lot in the 52 years I studied. Pete [is Mary's son Peter Rossbach], if you want to read a book about what I'm writing about, write to me and I tell you how to get one. Right now I am waiting for Life Magazine to send me a book about our people from Russia. In 1951 National Geographic Magazine had a big write up in it called CATHEDRAL OF THE PLAINS in VICTORIA, KANS. In 1968 I went out West to see the Church [St. Fidelis] and lots of our German people.
Whenever I go I meet Germans from Russia. There are over 5 million of us in America now. We are a great people and I'm proud to be one. They live in KANSAS, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, etc. They helped build Russia and America, and South America. I could go on writing forever about them and someday I'll send you a book that I'm writing. That's why I want to know from you the questions I asked.
VIC SCHWALL, the great football player from the Chicago Cardinals is one of us. His dad [Victor Schwall d. 1974] and I see each other every week. He is 78 and went to high school and college in KATHERINSTADT and SARATOV in Russia. We talk about Russia all the time, sometimes 8 hours a day. His dad was a very rich man in KATHERINSTADT and his brother Leo was a professor in SARATOV. Mr. Schwall went back to visit his people in 1934 and stayed for 3 months. They took everything away from his DAD and he died in 1938. In 1942 they shipped his mother to Siberia where she died.
Mr. Schwall taught school from KATHERINSTADT down to ODESSA by The Black Sea where Lawrence Welk comes from. He is a German from Russia to NORTH DAKOTA, USA. His folks come from Alacise Lorriane in Germany near the French border. I wonder if Ronnie Ziegler, President Nixson Sect. is related to us Zieglers! I'm going to write him a letter sometime and find out.
Pete, Mary or whoever answers this letter, please write me real soon. God Bless you all. We are Praying for you and do hope God is good to your mother and makes her well again.
P.S. If you know about your DAD'S family let me know. What did you do with your parent's passport? I'd like to read it if you can get me a zerox copy made. We are well and enjoying our retirement. Hoping you are all well and please write soon.
Auf Weider Sein,
Thanks, Valentine & Barbara Ziegler [Signed]
P.S. The Heit family in Denver are OK. Mr. Heit [Casper Heit d. 1972, seven months later] looked good last June when I was there for a wedding. He is 85 years old but in good shape. He likes to talk about life in Russia with me and we spend hours talking. All in our family are well but Chris has had two heart attaches. Our son, John, lost his first wife 2 years ago but he got married again to a girl friend of our daughter Mary Ann and they are getting along just great. John had 2 girls, 4 and 6 years old and his new wife is so good to them. They live about 15 minutes from our house.
My two sisters, Elizabeth and Barbara live close to us. Elizabeth lost her husband, Alex Bellinder, 2 years ago. He died in the Insane Home. Aunt, - Mr. and Mrs. George Rosenbach that died 2 weeks apart [d. 1972, a month ago] from KOEHLER COLONY and Chicago were 92 years old and were married 72 years. What a record. Are they related to your husband? Mr. Rosenbach. Brother John [d. 1972, 2 months later] is still living in Julesburg, CO. I'll be 64 on the 22nd of February and have been retired 6 yrs. and my wife and I are real happy. We see my 2 sisters 3 to 4 times a week and I pray a lot for you. -- End of letter--
*Note: Father Gottlieb Beratz (1871-1921), see link below. His sister would be Elizabeth Beratz Krieger, the mother of Elizabeth Heit (see above link).
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Valentine Ziegler married Barbara Desch 10/6/1928 at St. Alphonusus Catholic Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago IL, by Rev. Nicholas A. Oehm, C.Ss.R. Witness by Casper Ziegler, Constantine Desch, George Schoenfeld, Andrew Bellinder, Elizabeth Desch, Magdelen Gumler, Amelia Lechman, and Barbara Ziegler.
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4/15/1930 Census; Valentine Ziegler, 22, married at 20, Factory Laborer, born in KS. Resides on Wolfrom St - Front, Chicago, Cook County, IL, and rents for $25.
Barbara Ziegler, 21, married at 20, born KS, Tel. Operator.
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Valentine Ziegler of Glenview beloved husband of Cecile and the late Barbara; dear father of Sr. Barbara Ann, O.S.F., Thomas, John and Mary Ann Owcarz; grandfather of six; fond brother of Elizabeth Bellinder. Barbara, Casper, Peter and Nicholas.
Funeral from Meyer-Simkins. Funeral Home, 6251 Dempster St., Morton Grove, Thursday 10:30 a.m., to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Mass 11 a.m. Interment All Saints. Visitation Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m.
Chicago Tribune, 9/3/1975
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Valentine Ziegler, 67, married, died 9/1/1975 at home in Glenview IL, from a Heart Attach while on a ladder painting his garage. Resided 655 Harmony Lane, Glenview, Cook County, IL. He owned and operated a large gasoline station. Remarried to Cecile soon after his first wife, Barbara died in 10/2/1974. Buried 9/4/1975 in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.
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Letter dated 2/20/1972, from Valentine Ziegler, 655 Harmony Ln, Glenview IL 60025, to Mary Ziegler Rossbach, 1438 Richardson St, Baltimore MD 21230.
Dear Aunt Marie and Family, Last week when I talked to you on the phone you told me that your father's name was Adam and that he married your mother and her maiden name was Bellinder [actually it was Anna Maria Brickman]. What was your grandfather's name? And what was your grandmother's maiden name? Could you go back that far?
What year did you marry Uncle Philip your husband? What year did you come to America? Where did you land? What year did my Dad and Mother leave KOEHLER COLONY in Russia and go down to BAKU? Did they go from BAKU to AMERICA. I know they came to America in 1906. Did you know where our people came from in Germany?
A man by the name of Jacob Ziegler , now dead [d. 1959], from KATHERINSTADT [part Catholic, mostly Lutheran village, Jacob was Lutheran] in Russia lived here in Glenview years ago and he said we came from Switzerland. The Ziegler name means a ROOFER in German. He was a LUTHERAN. I knew him very well, he was a very educated man. He went to high school in Russia and was going to learn to be a Lutheran Minister. He taught me a lot about Russia. All of our old people around here have passed on and I'm trying to write a book about "UNSER LEUTE" our people.
I have a big map of all the COLONIES ALONG THE VOLGA, 104 Colonies. I know we came to Russia in 1763. The leader that brought us into Russia was a DOCTOR WEIGEL. The people left in June, total 25,000, or 8,000 families, and arrived in Russia in Sept. 1763. Katherine the Great was a German Princess woman who married Peter the 3rd. She had him shot and she got to be the Ruler of all Russia until 1796. When we came to Russia we were guaranteed religion, freedom of taxation for thirty years and freedom of Russian army life forever. Each family got 160 acres of land free. We had freedom until 1871.
Then after the Crimea War, the new Czar made our people join the army and taxed us so much and the Russian people wanted our land and the Colonies the Germans built. So we started to move to USA and South America, Peru and Canada. There are 163 books written about our people from Russia.
Did you know a Priest from GOEBEL COLONY where my mother came from? His name was Father Gottlieb BERATZ [see note below]. His aunt* [s/b niece, see note], a Mrs. Elizabeth HEIT [d. in 1972, ten months later] from GOEBEL COLONY, lives close by us and I visit her. She is 84 years old. She got a letter from her three sisters in GOEBEL COLONY and one of them lives in her father's house in the Colony of Goebel. The Russian Government is bringing our people back from Siberia and left them settle about 150 miles from Moscow and they give them pensions and homes to live in. They need the Germans to build up Russia again. Mrs. Heit got 3 letters from her sisters and read them all to me and my wife and my two sisters. Mrs. Heit's husband, now dead [Joseph d. 1948], was a cousin to Mr. Heit [Casper, see Mr. Heit below]. He is from SEMNOFKA COLONY. Mrs. Heit's maiden name is CREIGER. My mother knew her.
Father Beratz wrote a book in 1915 about our German COLONISTS from the Volga and I'm trying now to get it from the Germans from Russia HISTORICAL SOCIETY in Greeley, Colo. The COMMUNISTS killed Father Beratz in 1923 in HERZOG COLONY. Mrs. Heit used to be his housekeeper in SARATOV. I learned a lot from her also about Russia. She came to America in 1911 or 1912 to New York to Topeka, Kansas and we met her and Mr. Heit in Chicago. He was a great musician, HOCKBRED player (DULCIMER in English). He played at my wedding in 1928 [my note, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Chicago, Il] and also played at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary in 1947.
I have been studying about our people since 1919 and now I make speeches to groups about our Germans from Russia. I have read lot's of books and learned a lot in the 52 years I studied. Pete [is Mary's son Peter Rossbach], if you want to read a book about what I'm writing about, write to me and I tell you how to get one. Right now I am waiting for Life Magazine to send me a book about our people from Russia. In 1951 National Geographic Magazine had a big write up in it called CATHEDRAL OF THE PLAINS in VICTORIA, KANS. In 1968 I went out West to see the Church [St. Fidelis] and lots of our German people.
Whenever I go I meet Germans from Russia. There are over 5 million of us in America now. We are a great people and I'm proud to be one. They live in KANSAS, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, etc. They helped build Russia and America, and South America. I could go on writing forever about them and someday I'll send you a book that I'm writing. That's why I want to know from you the questions I asked.
VIC SCHWALL, the great football player from the Chicago Cardinals is one of us. His dad [Victor Schwall d. 1974] and I see each other every week. He is 78 and went to high school and college in KATHERINSTADT and SARATOV in Russia. We talk about Russia all the time, sometimes 8 hours a day. His dad was a very rich man in KATHERINSTADT and his brother Leo was a professor in SARATOV. Mr. Schwall went back to visit his people in 1934 and stayed for 3 months. They took everything away from his DAD and he died in 1938. In 1942 they shipped his mother to Siberia where she died.
Mr. Schwall taught school from KATHERINSTADT down to ODESSA by The Black Sea where Lawrence Welk comes from. He is a German from Russia to NORTH DAKOTA, USA. His folks come from Alacise Lorriane in Germany near the French border. I wonder if Ronnie Ziegler, President Nixson Sect. is related to us Zieglers! I'm going to write him a letter sometime and find out.
Pete, Mary or whoever answers this letter, please write me real soon. God Bless you all. We are Praying for you and do hope God is good to your mother and makes her well again.
P.S. If you know about your DAD'S family let me know. What did you do with your parent's passport? I'd like to read it if you can get me a zerox copy made. We are well and enjoying our retirement. Hoping you are all well and please write soon.
Auf Weider Sein,
Thanks, Valentine & Barbara Ziegler [Signed]
P.S. The Heit family in Denver are OK. Mr. Heit [Casper Heit d. 1972, seven months later] looked good last June when I was there for a wedding. He is 85 years old but in good shape. He likes to talk about life in Russia with me and we spend hours talking. All in our family are well but Chris has had two heart attaches. Our son, John, lost his first wife 2 years ago but he got married again to a girl friend of our daughter Mary Ann and they are getting along just great. John had 2 girls, 4 and 6 years old and his new wife is so good to them. They live about 15 minutes from our house.
My two sisters, Elizabeth and Barbara live close to us. Elizabeth lost her husband, Alex Bellinder, 2 years ago. He died in the Insane Home. Aunt, - Mr. and Mrs. George Rosenbach that died 2 weeks apart [d. 1972, a month ago] from KOEHLER COLONY and Chicago were 92 years old and were married 72 years. What a record. Are they related to your husband? Mr. Rosenbach. Brother John [d. 1972, 2 months later] is still living in Julesburg, CO. I'll be 64 on the 22nd of February and have been retired 6 yrs. and my wife and I are real happy. We see my 2 sisters 3 to 4 times a week and I pray a lot for you. -- End of letter--
*Note: Father Gottlieb Beratz (1871-1921), see link below. His sister would be Elizabeth Beratz Krieger, the mother of Elizabeth Heit (see above link).
Valentine Ziegler, born 2/22/1908 in Wamego KS, son of George Ziegler and Katherine Ringelman. Baptized 2/23/1908 at St. Bernard Church in Wamego KS, by Rev. Albert Heer. Sponsors were Valentine Haspert and Anna Marie Haspert. Notations: Married 10/6/1928 Barbara Desch at St. Alphonse Catholic Church in Chicago IL.
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Valentine Ziegler married Barbara Desch 10/6/1928 at St. Alphonusus Catholic Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago IL, by Rev. Nicholas A. Oehm, C.Ss.R. Witness by Casper Ziegler, Constantine Desch, George Schoenfeld, Andrew Bellinder, Elizabeth Desch, Magdelen Gumler, Amelia Lechman, and Barbara Ziegler.
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4/15/1930 Census; Valentine Ziegler, 22, married at 20, Factory Laborer, born in KS. Resides on Wolfrom St - Front, Chicago, Cook County, IL, and rents for $25.
Barbara Ziegler, 21, married at 20, born KS, Tel. Operator.
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Valentine Ziegler of Glenview beloved husband of Cecile and the late Barbara; dear father of Sr. Barbara Ann, O.S.F., Thomas, John and Mary Ann Owcarz; grandfather of six; fond brother of Elizabeth Bellinder. Barbara, Casper, Peter and Nicholas.
Funeral from Meyer-Simkins. Funeral Home, 6251 Dempster St., Morton Grove, Thursday 10:30 a.m., to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Mass 11 a.m. Interment All Saints. Visitation Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m.
Chicago Tribune, 9/3/1975
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Valentine Ziegler, 67, married, died 9/1/1975 at home in Glenview IL, from a Heart Attach while on a ladder painting his garage. Resided 655 Harmony Lane, Glenview, Cook County, IL. He owned and operated a large gasoline station. Remarried to Cecile soon after his first wife, Barbara died in 10/2/1974. Buried 9/4/1975 in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.
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Letter dated 2/20/1972, from Valentine Ziegler, 655 Harmony Ln, Glenview IL 60025, to Mary Ziegler Rossbach, 1438 Richardson St, Baltimore MD 21230.
Dear Aunt Marie and Family, Last week when I talked to you on the phone you told me that your father's name was Adam and that he married your mother and her maiden name was Bellinder [actually it was Anna Maria Brickman]. What was your grandfather's name? And what was your grandmother's maiden name? Could you go back that far?
What year did you marry Uncle Philip your husband? What year did you come to America? Where did you land? What year did my Dad and Mother leave KOEHLER COLONY in Russia and go down to BAKU? Did they go from BAKU to AMERICA. I know they came to America in 1906. Did you know where our people came from in Germany?
A man by the name of Jacob Ziegler , now dead [d. 1959], from KATHERINSTADT [part Catholic, mostly Lutheran village, Jacob was Lutheran] in Russia lived here in Glenview years ago and he said we came from Switzerland. The Ziegler name means a ROOFER in German. He was a LUTHERAN. I knew him very well, he was a very educated man. He went to high school in Russia and was going to learn to be a Lutheran Minister. He taught me a lot about Russia. All of our old people around here have passed on and I'm trying to write a book about "UNSER LEUTE" our people.
I have a big map of all the COLONIES ALONG THE VOLGA, 104 Colonies. I know we came to Russia in 1763. The leader that brought us into Russia was a DOCTOR WEIGEL. The people left in June, total 25,000, or 8,000 families, and arrived in Russia in Sept. 1763. Katherine the Great was a German Princess woman who married Peter the 3rd. She had him shot and she got to be the Ruler of all Russia until 1796. When we came to Russia we were guaranteed religion, freedom of taxation for thirty years and freedom of Russian army life forever. Each family got 160 acres of land free. We had freedom until 1871.
Then after the Crimea War, the new Czar made our people join the army and taxed us so much and the Russian people wanted our land and the Colonies the Germans built. So we started to move to USA and South America, Peru and Canada. There are 163 books written about our people from Russia.
Did you know a Priest from GOEBEL COLONY where my mother came from? His name was Father Gottlieb BERATZ [see note below]. His aunt* [s/b niece, see note], a Mrs. Elizabeth HEIT [d. in 1972, ten months later] from GOEBEL COLONY, lives close by us and I visit her. She is 84 years old. She got a letter from her three sisters in GOEBEL COLONY and one of them lives in her father's house in the Colony of Goebel. The Russian Government is bringing our people back from Siberia and left them settle about 150 miles from Moscow and they give them pensions and homes to live in. They need the Germans to build up Russia again. Mrs. Heit got 3 letters from her sisters and read them all to me and my wife and my two sisters. Mrs. Heit's husband, now dead [Joseph d. 1948], was a cousin to Mr. Heit [Casper, see Mr. Heit below]. He is from SEMNOFKA COLONY. Mrs. Heit's maiden name is CREIGER. My mother knew her.
Father Beratz wrote a book in 1915 about our German COLONISTS from the Volga and I'm trying now to get it from the Germans from Russia HISTORICAL SOCIETY in Greeley, Colo. The COMMUNISTS killed Father Beratz in 1923 in HERZOG COLONY. Mrs. Heit used to be his housekeeper in SARATOV. I learned a lot from her also about Russia. She came to America in 1911 or 1912 to New York to Topeka, Kansas and we met her and Mr. Heit in Chicago. He was a great musician, HOCKBRED player (DULCIMER in English). He played at my wedding in 1928 [my note, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Chicago, Il] and also played at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary in 1947.
I have been studying about our people since 1919 and now I make speeches to groups about our Germans from Russia. I have read lot's of books and learned a lot in the 52 years I studied. Pete [is Mary's son Peter Rossbach], if you want to read a book about what I'm writing about, write to me and I tell you how to get one. Right now I am waiting for Life Magazine to send me a book about our people from Russia. In 1951 National Geographic Magazine had a big write up in it called CATHEDRAL OF THE PLAINS in VICTORIA, KANS. In 1968 I went out West to see the Church [St. Fidelis] and lots of our German people.
Whenever I go I meet Germans from Russia. There are over 5 million of us in America now. We are a great people and I'm proud to be one. They live in KANSAS, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, etc. They helped build Russia and America, and South America. I could go on writing forever about them and someday I'll send you a book that I'm writing. That's why I want to know from you the questions I asked.
VIC SCHWALL, the great football player from the Chicago Cardinals is one of us. His dad [Victor Schwall d. 1974] and I see each other every week. He is 78 and went to high school and college in KATHERINSTADT and SARATOV in Russia. We talk about Russia all the time, sometimes 8 hours a day. His dad was a very rich man in KATHERINSTADT and his brother Leo was a professor in SARATOV. Mr. Schwall went back to visit his people in 1934 and stayed for 3 months. They took everything away from his DAD and he died in 1938. In 1942 they shipped his mother to Siberia where she died.
Mr. Schwall taught school from KATHERINSTADT down to ODESSA by The Black Sea where Lawrence Welk comes from. He is a German from Russia to NORTH DAKOTA, USA. His folks come from Alacise Lorriane in Germany near the French border. I wonder if Ronnie Ziegler, President Nixson Sect. is related to us Zieglers! I'm going to write him a letter sometime and find out.
Pete, Mary or whoever answers this letter, please write me real soon. God Bless you all. We are Praying for you and do hope God is good to your mother and makes her well again.
P.S. If you know about your DAD'S family let me know. What did you do with your parent's passport? I'd like to read it if you can get me a zerox copy made. We are well and enjoying our retirement. Hoping you are all well and please write soon.
Auf Weider Sein,
Thanks, Valentine & Barbara Ziegler [Signed]
P.S. The Heit family in Denver are OK. Mr. Heit [Casper Heit d. 1972, seven months later] looked good last June when I was there for a wedding. He is 85 years old but in good shape. He likes to talk about life in Russia with me and we spend hours talking. All in our family are well but Chris has had two heart attaches. Our son, John, lost his first wife 2 years ago but he got married again to a girl friend of our daughter Mary Ann and they are getting along just great. John had 2 girls, 4 and 6 years old and his new wife is so good to them. They live about 15 minutes from our house.
My two sisters, Elizabeth and Barbara live close to us. Elizabeth lost her husband, Alex Bellinder, 2 years ago. He died in the Insane Home. Aunt, - Mr. and Mrs. George Rosenbach that died 2 weeks apart [d. 1972, a month ago] from KOEHLER COLONY and Chicago were 92 years old and were married 72 years. What a record. Are they related to your husband? Mr. Rosenbach. Brother John [d. 1972, 2 months later] is still living in Julesburg, CO. I'll be 64 on the 22nd of February and have been retired 6 yrs. and my wife and I are real happy. We see my 2 sisters 3 to 4 times a week and I pray a lot for you. -- End of letter--
*Note: Father Gottlieb Beratz (1871-1921), see link below. His sister would be Elizabeth Beratz Krieger, the mother of Elizabeth Heit (see above link).
-------------------
Valentine Ziegler married Barbara Desch 10/6/1928 at St. Alphonusus Catholic Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago IL, by Rev. Nicholas A. Oehm, C.Ss.R. Witness by Casper Ziegler, Constantine Desch, George Schoenfeld, Andrew Bellinder, Elizabeth Desch, Magdelen Gumler, Amelia Lechman, and Barbara Ziegler.
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4/15/1930 Census; Valentine Ziegler, 22, married at 20, Factory Laborer, born in KS. Resides on Wolfrom St - Front, Chicago, Cook County, IL, and rents for $25.
Barbara Ziegler, 21, married at 20, born KS, Tel. Operator.
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Valentine Ziegler of Glenview beloved husband of Cecile and the late Barbara; dear father of Sr. Barbara Ann, O.S.F., Thomas, John and Mary Ann Owcarz; grandfather of six; fond brother of Elizabeth Bellinder. Barbara, Casper, Peter and Nicholas.
Funeral from Meyer-Simkins. Funeral Home, 6251 Dempster St., Morton Grove, Thursday 10:30 a.m., to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Mass 11 a.m. Interment All Saints. Visitation Wednesday 7 to 9 p.m.
Chicago Tribune, 9/3/1975
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Valentine Ziegler, 67, married, died 9/1/1975 at home in Glenview IL, from a Heart Attach while on a ladder painting his garage. Resided 655 Harmony Lane, Glenview, Cook County, IL. He owned and operated a large gasoline station. Remarried to Cecile soon after his first wife, Barbara died in 10/2/1974. Buried 9/4/1975 in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.
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Letter dated 2/20/1972, from Valentine Ziegler, 655 Harmony Ln, Glenview IL 60025, to Mary Ziegler Rossbach, 1438 Richardson St, Baltimore MD 21230.
Dear Aunt Marie and Family, Last week when I talked to you on the phone you told me that your father's name was Adam and that he married your mother and her maiden name was Bellinder [actually it was Anna Maria Brickman]. What was your grandfather's name? And what was your grandmother's maiden name? Could you go back that far?
What year did you marry Uncle Philip your husband? What year did you come to America? Where did you land? What year did my Dad and Mother leave KOEHLER COLONY in Russia and go down to BAKU? Did they go from BAKU to AMERICA. I know they came to America in 1906. Did you know where our people came from in Germany?
A man by the name of Jacob Ziegler , now dead [d. 1959], from KATHERINSTADT [part Catholic, mostly Lutheran village, Jacob was Lutheran] in Russia lived here in Glenview years ago and he said we came from Switzerland. The Ziegler name means a ROOFER in German. He was a LUTHERAN. I knew him very well, he was a very educated man. He went to high school in Russia and was going to learn to be a Lutheran Minister. He taught me a lot about Russia. All of our old people around here have passed on and I'm trying to write a book about "UNSER LEUTE" our people.
I have a big map of all the COLONIES ALONG THE VOLGA, 104 Colonies. I know we came to Russia in 1763. The leader that brought us into Russia was a DOCTOR WEIGEL. The people left in June, total 25,000, or 8,000 families, and arrived in Russia in Sept. 1763. Katherine the Great was a German Princess woman who married Peter the 3rd. She had him shot and she got to be the Ruler of all Russia until 1796. When we came to Russia we were guaranteed religion, freedom of taxation for thirty years and freedom of Russian army life forever. Each family got 160 acres of land free. We had freedom until 1871.
Then after the Crimea War, the new Czar made our people join the army and taxed us so much and the Russian people wanted our land and the Colonies the Germans built. So we started to move to USA and South America, Peru and Canada. There are 163 books written about our people from Russia.
Did you know a Priest from GOEBEL COLONY where my mother came from? His name was Father Gottlieb BERATZ [see note below]. His aunt* [s/b niece, see note], a Mrs. Elizabeth HEIT [d. in 1972, ten months later] from GOEBEL COLONY, lives close by us and I visit her. She is 84 years old. She got a letter from her three sisters in GOEBEL COLONY and one of them lives in her father's house in the Colony of Goebel. The Russian Government is bringing our people back from Siberia and left them settle about 150 miles from Moscow and they give them pensions and homes to live in. They need the Germans to build up Russia again. Mrs. Heit got 3 letters from her sisters and read them all to me and my wife and my two sisters. Mrs. Heit's husband, now dead [Joseph d. 1948], was a cousin to Mr. Heit [Casper, see Mr. Heit below]. He is from SEMNOFKA COLONY. Mrs. Heit's maiden name is CREIGER. My mother knew her.
Father Beratz wrote a book in 1915 about our German COLONISTS from the Volga and I'm trying now to get it from the Germans from Russia HISTORICAL SOCIETY in Greeley, Colo. The COMMUNISTS killed Father Beratz in 1923 in HERZOG COLONY. Mrs. Heit used to be his housekeeper in SARATOV. I learned a lot from her also about Russia. She came to America in 1911 or 1912 to New York to Topeka, Kansas and we met her and Mr. Heit in Chicago. He was a great musician, HOCKBRED player (DULCIMER in English). He played at my wedding in 1928 [my note, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Chicago, Il] and also played at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary in 1947.
I have been studying about our people since 1919 and now I make speeches to groups about our Germans from Russia. I have read lot's of books and learned a lot in the 52 years I studied. Pete [is Mary's son Peter Rossbach], if you want to read a book about what I'm writing about, write to me and I tell you how to get one. Right now I am waiting for Life Magazine to send me a book about our people from Russia. In 1951 National Geographic Magazine had a big write up in it called CATHEDRAL OF THE PLAINS in VICTORIA, KANS. In 1968 I went out West to see the Church [St. Fidelis] and lots of our German people.
Whenever I go I meet Germans from Russia. There are over 5 million of us in America now. We are a great people and I'm proud to be one. They live in KANSAS, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, etc. They helped build Russia and America, and South America. I could go on writing forever about them and someday I'll send you a book that I'm writing. That's why I want to know from you the questions I asked.
VIC SCHWALL, the great football player from the Chicago Cardinals is one of us. His dad [Victor Schwall d. 1974] and I see each other every week. He is 78 and went to high school and college in KATHERINSTADT and SARATOV in Russia. We talk about Russia all the time, sometimes 8 hours a day. His dad was a very rich man in KATHERINSTADT and his brother Leo was a professor in SARATOV. Mr. Schwall went back to visit his people in 1934 and stayed for 3 months. They took everything away from his DAD and he died in 1938. In 1942 they shipped his mother to Siberia where she died.
Mr. Schwall taught school from KATHERINSTADT down to ODESSA by The Black Sea where Lawrence Welk comes from. He is a German from Russia to NORTH DAKOTA, USA. His folks come from Alacise Lorriane in Germany near the French border. I wonder if Ronnie Ziegler, President Nixson Sect. is related to us Zieglers! I'm going to write him a letter sometime and find out.
Pete, Mary or whoever answers this letter, please write me real soon. God Bless you all. We are Praying for you and do hope God is good to your mother and makes her well again.
P.S. If you know about your DAD'S family let me know. What did you do with your parent's passport? I'd like to read it if you can get me a zerox copy made. We are well and enjoying our retirement. Hoping you are all well and please write soon.
Auf Weider Sein,
Thanks, Valentine & Barbara Ziegler [Signed]
P.S. The Heit family in Denver are OK. Mr. Heit [Casper Heit d. 1972, seven months later] looked good last June when I was there for a wedding. He is 85 years old but in good shape. He likes to talk about life in Russia with me and we spend hours talking. All in our family are well but Chris has had two heart attaches. Our son, John, lost his first wife 2 years ago but he got married again to a girl friend of our daughter Mary Ann and they are getting along just great. John had 2 girls, 4 and 6 years old and his new wife is so good to them. They live about 15 minutes from our house.
My two sisters, Elizabeth and Barbara live close to us. Elizabeth lost her husband, Alex Bellinder, 2 years ago. He died in the Insane Home. Aunt, - Mr. and Mrs. George Rosenbach that died 2 weeks apart [d. 1972, a month ago] from KOEHLER COLONY and Chicago were 92 years old and were married 72 years. What a record. Are they related to your husband? Mr. Rosenbach. Brother John [d. 1972, 2 months later] is still living in Julesburg, CO. I'll be 64 on the 22nd of February and have been retired 6 yrs. and my wife and I are real happy. We see my 2 sisters 3 to 4 times a week and I pray a lot for you. -- End of letter--
*Note: Father Gottlieb Beratz (1871-1921), see link below. His sister would be Elizabeth Beratz Krieger, the mother of Elizabeth Heit (see above link).
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