The Armbrust family was from the Rhineland Palatinate in southwest Germany. Originally, four or five Armbrust brothers left Germany in 1848 and traveled to Waverly, Ohio. They came from Germany during what later became known as the "German Revolution of 1848." At that time, there was not a single united Germany. There were principalities, which each had their own kings. These kings would often designate one religion as the official religion, and anyone practicing a different religion could be in danger. Phillip Richard Armbrust, Sr., was a minister in the "Church of the Brethren," which had to conduct its services in secret. He was put in prison for some time because he preached repentence. They told him they would release him if he would leave Germany. So, he and his brothers left to come to America, "under cover of night," a statement from a family Bible that remained in Germany. The brothers arrived in Waverly, Ohio, just before winter set in. They had enough money to purchase land in the area near Givens Station, Ohio. They purchased tools but could not build a house. A native Indian man who lived nearby showed them how to build a lean-to, which got them through the winter. The next year, one of the brothers left to join the California gold rush and never was heard from again. Later, another brother went to Oregon. Our family in Ohio has had contact with the Oregon branch, and some of them attended a reunion many years ago. A while back, a history was available at one of the reunions and contains some information that members of the Oregon branch wrote down from a family Bible, which is still in Germany. They traveled to Germany in the 1950s or 1960s and met family members there. The original Armbrust brothers maintained correspondence with family members remaining in Germany. Phillip Richard Armbrust, Sr., and Kathern (Frey) Armbrust were born in Germany and died in Waverly, Ohio, only a short time apart, leaving orphaned Phillip Richard Armbrust, Jr., and his six siblings. The children were taken into different homes by friends of the family. Phillip, Jr., lived in the neighborhood of Givens Station where he grew to manhood, and near the home of his future wife, Mary Brust. In later years, Phillip Jr., and Mary moved to Washington Court House, Ohio, where they engaged in farming and where they and their sons operated the Cloverleaf Dairy and a greenhouse until the death of Mary. Phillip, Jr., remained on the farm until his ill health caused him to retire. He had been ill for about a year and was in the White Cross hospital for some time, after which he lived with a son near Washington C.H., where he remained until his death on February 16, 1948. He was 84 years old. Unfortunately, we have no history of the Frank Brust and Margaret Farney clan (Mary Brust's parentage) to offer at this time. NOTE: Rosemary Drummond and Carol Frey have compiled a family history, that Bob Frey researched and wrote. They are now in the process of having it bound. When that book becomes available, we will post a brief synopsis of it on this page and the contact information where it can be purchased. So check back again soon. |
