Come with me and let us take a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the land where the cradle of so many of our forefathers and mothers once stood. Those sturdy pioneers, who, with their courage, energy and toil helped to lay the foundation of this great, wonderful and beloved country of ours.
After the trip across the big pond, we arrive at Bremerhaven, a noted seaport of northern Germany situated at the mouth of the Neser River (Vaser) on the North Sea. We leave the dock and take a train to Bremen, an old city, situated about thirty five miles to the south on the left bank of the Neser. It is a very ancient city noted for its City hall and Catskeller, more than a thousand years old, and has many other antique and interesting features. Bremen is a free city and has had its own independent government for centuries.
We leave Bremen and follow the river southward, which traverses through rich marshes, touching any cities and villages on its way. We are now in the Province of Hanover (about 40 miles from Bremen southward). We encounter the city of Neinburg (Neeburg) where a bridge crosses the river. Neinburg is the county seat of the county by same name in which Landesbergen is situated, and now a little more southward, perhaps 5 miles, we arrive at Landesbergen, where the cradle of the Backhouse ancestors once stood. A ferry crosses the river here. Man and beasts all use this conveyance for transportation to get to the opposite shore. The village itself lies to the left - a little inland on higher ground and then stretches like a ribbon along the river for more than a mile. It is classed as a village although it probably has a population close to 2000.
A number of centuries ago, the Bishop of Verden (F dr den ), under whose government was a wide stretch of country south of Bremen, granted to the Earl or Count of Landesbergen some territory for valuable service rendered him. Very likely Landesbergen was a part of this territory and in honor of the Count was called Landesbergen.
A good paved state highway with lovely shade trees on either side, traverses with only one curve through the village. On either side we see massive old farm homes and some more modern, which all seem to give the impression of contentment and thrift. Here and there we see a wagon drawn by horses, or maybe by a team of cows (not oxen). Only the big farmer used horses, where those in more moderate circumstances drove their cows. The majority of the villagers are farmers or Bauers, many who own large estates - grossbauers; a few mechanics, professional and storekeepers in the minority. All the farmers have their residences in the village but their acres are outside in the surrounding country.
The state highway is the main street with only a few parallel and side streets. As we reach the center of the village, to our right there is a good-sized pond, enclosed with a high fence, called the Big Pool, which is filled with water the whole year around. The Big Pool used to be a very necessary and useful asset to Landesbergen, as children were told that all new babies were drawn from this pool by the stork and furthermore, it was the source of water supply in case of fire.
At one end of the pool, a short side street branches off from the main street. At the corner is the Post Office and Zimmerman's grocery. A little further, we enter into the churchyard. In the center stands the stately old church of Gothic design, whose tower and steeple has pointed heavenward and whose bells have called the villagers to worship for more than five centuries. In the churchyard, which used to be the burying ground but not used for that purpose any more, many of our ancestors are sleeping their last sleep. Adjoining the church yard are three grammar schools, with their playgrounds and parsonage and teacher's homes surrounded with lovely gardens.
Now back again to the main street. A number of small houses are grouped around the Big Pool on one side and then at the end to itself, apart from the other buildings, is the old exclusive looking Oldenburg Gausthaus, also called katakaller, as here the town council also met and performed their civic duties. A grocery store was also connected with Gausthaus. Now here is the heart of the village and just a stone's throw across the street is the Bakehauses Hoff, the ancestral home of the Bakehouses in the old and new world. We step across the street to the entrance where two big stone pillars connected by a wide iron gate stand like two sentinels. To one side, is a stone bench overshadowed by a large beautiful linden tree, which has spread its branches across the entrance for more than a century with its cool and lovely shade. Here under the Lindenbaum great-grandfather Bakehouse in his declining years spent many hours with his grandchildren, the Bakehouses and Oldenburgs, telling them stories. He was a great lover of children and they all idolized him.
If the Lindenbaum could talk, I am sure it could tell of many interesting events in the family --- How often a first-born or elder son with his bride, the new mistress, on their wedding day, passed through these portals, or how many daughters on the arm of her betrothed left for their new homes, or when other sons left to take their places in new environments, established new homes, some even brave and courageous started for the New World, never to return again. Now the Lindenbaum with its branches waved farewell and good-luck to them ---. Others were carried through the portals to their last resting place, some full of years, others in the prime of life, and still others in childhood, how then its branches with a low moan waved a last farewell. Now let us enter into the spacious Hoff or yard. A broad walk of cobblestones leads to the house, which sets back quite a little, as if to retain its own privacy from gaze. It is a big, massive structure built of wood and plaster about a century ago, with barn and living quarters all under one roof. The roof used to be of straw with perhaps a stork's nest upon the front gable, but the old roof was replaced with one of tile many years ago. Through the large entrance we enter into the spacious barn, on either side are stalls for the stock - horses and cows. At the rear and across are seven or eight steps leading up to a partition wall with glass panels and doors. Through these doors we enter into the living quarters of the family. First there is a large hall, where wood used to be, also the fireplaces, where in olden times all the meals were cooked, but I think later a separate kitchen took care of this. From this hall, which has tile floor, a side door leads out to the garden and rear of the house. A few steps again take us to the dining room and living room and the different bedrooms, also the parlor or beste stube, for guests.
From the living room through its small paneled windows, we look into the pretty flower garden and the family orchard in the rear of the house, which is surrounded by a well kept green hedge. In the living room a big massive heater, which was fed with fuel from the hall, spreads warmth and comfort for the family. Around the long old oaken table, father and mother with the children, perhaps, held many a family council. In the chambers the wardrobes, linen closets and chests were filled with homespun linen, which mother and daughter spun a nd wove with their own hands.
The Bakehouses were an old, respected well-to-do family. Great-grandfather Bakehouse was mayor of the town during the Napoleon wars - early in the eighteenth century. This was not an easy task by any means. The country then was overrun by French soldiers. One evening a French officer rode on his horse right into the house up the steps of the living room, demanding of the mayor quarters for his regiment, feed for the horses and a large sum of money by morning. If they would not be forthcoming, the town would be set on fire. You can imagine how they must have worked all night to provide the Frenchmen with the necessary supplies and also save the town.
The family was in possession of several old relics. Some of these were the scorched garments of great, great grandfather, who had been struck by lightning. His injured, seemingly lifeless body they buried standing up in the ground, leaving the head above the ground, as they believed that this process would withdraw the electricity from the body. He did become conscious again and lived years after. His scorched garments remained as relics in the family, according to an old belief, that if they were kept the lightning would never come near their dwelling again. (I do not know if they still have these garments.)
The Bakehouses of olden times were of large families. The oldest son, as was the custom, became the main heir when he became of age, or normally at marriage. He received the home; however, was required to pay his brothers and sisters a comparatively small sum of money and also take care of the parents during their life. This was done so the estate should stay together, hence the other heirs were forced to find their fortunes elsewhere.
So, it was, that around the forties in the eighteens, two young sons of Friedrich Dietrich Bakehouse - Carl and Dietrich, out of a family of seven - left their home to go out into the world. Their desire at first probably was to see the big city of Bremen. This, in those days of slow travel, was quite an undertaking, as railroads were not very plentiful. They walked the distance of about 40 miles. I well remember that my mother told me Grandmother Oldernburg, who was a sister of Carl and Dietrich, paid them a visit once in Bremen. She too walked both ways.
***** marginal notation - Karl came to the U.S. in 1842 - ask Dietrich Strohman when Dietrich Bakehouse came - and also when Strohman's came
In due time, they both acquired positions with some well-to-do old patrician families.While there in Bremen, being so close to the seaport of Bremenhaven, their minds probably were filled with a desire to know what might be beyond the North Sea and the great Atlantic, and very likely they also came in touch with many weathered seamen who had been in the New World and told them of the great opportunities that awaited those who possessed courage and love for adventure. Is it any wonder that their desires grew Into action, notwithstanding the sacrifices they might have to bring? They were willing to pay the price --- Hence once more they wandered to their old home at Landesbergen, bade a last farewell to father, mother, sisters, brothers and friends, and then back to Bremen. --- The blessing of kin and friends still echoed in Karl's heart when he (Karl) arrived to make the final preparations for the long journey.
In an old, crude sailing vessel he (Karl) finally left Bremenhaven for the land of promise. Today we cross the ocean in magnificent, mammoth up-to-date steamers in less time than a week or a Lindberg in an airplane in less than two days, but then it perhaps meant months combined with hardships and suffering. They certainly must have possessed courage and endurance. After a long and perilous trip, he arrived at New Orleans, from there Karl went by boat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and then still farther north up the river to the territory of Iowa to Burlington, then to Sigourney. Near Sigourney he (Karl) erected his first log cabin in a comparatively wild country. Indians still roamed around. Most of you know perhaps better than I what happened
In the years to follow, how they found helpmates and by hard work with courage they wrested from the virgin soil an honorable living, and so laid the foundation to independence for children and children's children.
Later Dietrich Bakehouse followed, Dietrich Strohman and family who ventured across the ocean, Mrs. Strohman being a sister of Karl and Dietrich. Theirs also was a very perilous voyage, disappointments and hardships were combined with their venture, but nevertheless they held out and today their children and grandchildren are among us prosperous and much respected. After the Strohmans, Henry and George Oldenburg and Charlotte Oldenburg Dohrman family and then Louise Oldenburg Henke and the Maylands, all branches of the Bakehouse clan.
From a small beginning here the family has grown into a mighty tree, whose branches not only spread over Iowa, but far across the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the sunny south to the Canadian borders.
Back in Germany at Landesbergen, the old home has seen two generations come and go since Karl Bakehouse, Dietrich Bakehouse, their sister Charlotte Dohrman, nieces and nephews left there many, many years ago to be pathfinders for you and me. A widow, Louise Bakehouse, with her three children, now occupies the Bakehouse home, her husband having been the victim of an accident several years ago. Across the street the old Oldenburg Gausthaus still stands, which now is owned by Heinrich Muller and his wife. Mrs. Muller is a granddaughter of Henry Henke.
Time has brought many changes. Modern conveniences have changed the mode of living, but the old Bakehouse buildings have withstood time and weather and still are home to the Bakehouse family abroad. The stone pillars, like two sentinels, still stand at the entrance, and the old Lindenbaum still nods and waves a friendly greeting or a fond farewell as of yore, to the ancestors, so now also to their descendents.
May all the Bakehouse's descendents prosper and be an honor to their ancestors here in the United States, as well as abroad in the Fatherland.
Louise Henke
A Bakehouse descendent in
Sunny California, 1935
.
.
Diedrich Heinrich Strohman was born February 18, 1851 in Landesbergen, a little village in the Province of Hanover, Germany. He was the second oldest child in a family of six children. On September 12, 1856, his father, Diedrich Strohman, his mother Dorette Backhaus Strohman, his oldest brother Fed, his sister Wilhelmina - 3 years old, and baby Henry - 7 weeks old, accompanied by his cousins Henry and Caroline Oldenburg (Caroline was the third daughter of George and Anna Marie Backhaus Oldenburg, and Henry the eldest son of George and Wilhelmina Oldenburg), and his Uncle Henry Strohman, (his father's brother) - all immigrated together to America. From Nienburg, the nearest railroad station, they went by rail to Bremen and then on by rail again to Bremenhaven, where they took passage on a sailing ship for America.
This ship carried them to New Orleans where they boarded a river steamer which was to take them to Burlington, Iowa. On the way they had the misfortune to run on a sandbar and that caused their boat to break up. Since their trunks and chests were below in the ship, they were soon all swimming in the water. The passengers were loaded on another boat, His father and Uncle Henry had a hard time fishing the trunks and chests out of the water. One big chest was lost - it contained mostly bedding and Fred's and Dick's best clothing. (Dick's mother said that they used the chest instead of a table on the ship crossing the ocean). Their destination was Burlington, Iowa, but on account of the river being so low, they could only go as far as Keokuk, Iowa. They had been on the water 7 weeks.
Dick's father hired two teamsters to take the party and their goods across the country to Burlington. Here his father procured a lodging place for his wife and 4 children and Henry and Caroline Oldenburg, at the hotel conducted by Mr. Baker
Now the father, Diedrich Strohman, and his brother Henry Strohman, started out on foot to hunt for his brother-in-law, Karl Backhaus, who lived somewhere near Sigourney, Iowa, in Keokuk County, who they had come to live with. From Burlington they walked to New London, from there to Mount Pleasant, from there to Fairfield, and from there to Richland, then to Lancaster, from there to Jacob's Mills. How long it took the men to walk that distance Dick did not now, but when they reached Jacob's Mill, his father said the sun had set and it was coming night. The miller took them across the river in a boat and told them about where Charles (Karl) Backhaus lived. The road to Sigourney from the mill was a well-traveled road. This road was over White Oak Ridge. When they got over White Oak Ridge, it was dark and the road went down on the creek bottom. Charles (Karl) Backhaus' house was about a half mile away from the Sigourney road. They saw a light off in the distance and they decided to go straight for it. So they left the road but had not gone but a little way, when Dick's father stumbled down the bank of the creek. He called out to his brother Henry, "Stay back, stay back, we can't go on this way". Both men got down on their knees and crawled until they found the road again. They followed the road for about another half mile. The road passed close to a log cabin with a four pane window in it. Mr. Diedrich Strohman called. A woman opened the door and Mr. Strohman inquired for Karl Backhaus. The woman asked in German " Kommit the von Deutchland," Mr. Diedrich Strohman said "ja". The woman said "Den Kommit herein."
The woman was Mrs. John Henry Cassens - she and her children were alone. Charles (Karl) Backhaus lived about a half mile east of them. The Cassens lived in the Dave Voltmer house - called the old Voltmer Place. When Mr. Cassens came home, he escorted the two brothers across the creek and through the timber and showed them a rail fence and told them to follow the fence. He assured the two men they would find the house they were looking for.
Dick's father and his Uncle Henry had been at Charles (Karl) Backhaus' home three weeks, and no move had been made to go for Dick's mother and her children and the niece and nephew. One morning Mr. David Voltmer came and said to Charles (Karl) Backhaus "I am ready to go to Burlington for the rest of the people who came to Iowa with Diedrich and Henry Strohman," But Charles (Karl) Backhaus said in low German "Dot fait nig" "Don't you see the amount of work we got here? We have just finished butchering 30 hogs and they will have to be cut up and salted." Mr. Voltmer said "My wagon is back of the house and we are going to Burlington. It won't do for your sister and family to consume all their money in the boarding house." Then Charles (Karl) Backhaus made arrangements and got ready for the trip to Burlington.
During the whole time that Diedrich and Henry Strohman were gone, Dick's mother did not hear anything of them. At that time the country was very, very wild. His mother was very anxious about them. One day the hotel man told her " If you don't hear from them tomorrow, I'll start out myself and hunt them up." The next day two covered wagons stopped at the hotel. Mr. Baker, the hotel man, told Mrs. Strohman that this was Karl Backhaus and Dave Voltmer and they had come for her and her party. Dick's mother was very much relieved.
The entire party arrived in German (Plank) township, Keokuk county, Iowa three weeks before Christmas 1856. From that time until they built a log cabin for themselves, they lived with the Charles (Karl) Bakehouses. In 1858 they bought 40 acres on the southwest corner of section 5 in German (Plank) township from Diedrich Bakehouse - a brother of Karl Bakehouse and Dorette Strohman - who had several hundred acres. Here they lived for some time and put out an orchard. In 1859 the family welcomed another little girl, Caroline, who was born July 27. The summer of 1862 brought great sorrow, for within three weeks Wilhelmina, Caroline and Henry died of diphtheria. On May 1, 1863 a baby boy was born stillborn. When Dick was fifteen years old he was confirmed in the Evangelical Church of German Creek. On May 1, 1877 Dick, his father and mother moved one and one half miles north of their log cabin home to a log cabin on section 31, just south of the House school which Dick and his father had bought.
On February 24, 1880 Dick and Henrietta (Yetta) Kracht were married and went to housekeeping on the farm with his parents. (Henrietta's parents came from Germany, and she was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father was a doctor). Dick's father died July 9, 1883 at 64 years, 6 months of age.
After a time, on January 5, 1884, a daughter, Emma, was born to them. A few years later, Dick built a comfortable home and a commodious barn. He and his wife were justly proud of their home and farm. His mother died on December 27, 1906, at the age of 87 years, 6 months.
In July 1912 Emma married John Schwenke, a farmer and a carpenter. They lived on the farm and farmed with Emma's father. In 1916 Dick built a new modern home in Sigourney at 408 South Suffleton Street - finished on June 29, 1916 and they lived 27 years here - until the death of Mrs. Strohman on August 27 1943 - happy and contented.
In 1919 Dick Strohman sold his farm to Charles Webb and in January 1920, Emma and John Schwenke and their baby son, John Richard, who arrived at the farm on January 10, 1920, moved to 308 E. Pleasant Valley St. in Sigourney, just across the street from Mr. and Mrs. Dick Strohman. All five, Mr. And Mrs. Dick Strohman, Mr. And Mrs. John Schwenke, and John Richard were very active in church (St. Paul's Evangelical) work as long as they could attend. Emma was pianist for all church services at this church - The United Church of Christ - until the electric organ was given to the church.
John Richard was active in Sunday School, in Choir, and young people's league. He graduated from Sigourney High School in May 1938. He attended Coe College and Chicago Theological Seminary 1944 - 1948. He was ordained in the ministry in First Congregational Church in Des Plains, Illinois October 1945.
Sometime after the death of his wife, Dick lived with his daughter Emma Scwenke. He was quite deaf the last years but his memory was excellent. He always came to church as long as he could. He died November 18, 1949 - age 98 years, 7 months.
John Richard Schwenke married (Betty) Leota Becking. They lived at Des Plains, Ill. while John and Emma made their home in Sigourney. They were celebrated by a surprise on their 50th wedding anniversary in July 1963. John Schwenke died March 18, 1963, age 88 years.
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