Schoppenhorst-Stilke, Sophia Elisabeth Christina

Other Events:

• Confirmation: 1852, Holstein, Warren County, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Confirmation:
The confirmation of "Sophia Stilke" was recorded in the register of the German Evangelical Church on Charrette (known since 1957 as Immanuels United Church of Christ).

Buried:
She was buried in the cemetery located south of and next to the brick church dedicated in 1884 as the German Evangelical Immanuels Church of Holstein and know since 1957 as Immanuels United Church of Christ.

Died:
The death of "Sophia Aufderhar," wife of "Wilh. Aufderhar," was recorded in the register of the German Evangelical Church on Charrette, at Holstein, Missouri. Her age was given as 39 years, 3 months, 26 days.

Sophia married Aufderhaar, Heinrich Wilhelm 22 Aug 1856, Warren County, Missouri, USA. Heinrich (son of Aufderhaar, Johann Heinrich Wilhelm and Fiegenbaum, Anna Elisabeth) was born 3 Oct 1832, Ladbergen, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia; died 9 Jan 1877, Warren County, Missouri, USA; was buried , Holstein, Warren County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
The marriage of "Heinrich Wilhelm Aufder Har," of "Teklenburg" and "Sophia Christina Elisabeth Schoppenhorst-Stilke," of "Teklenburg" was recorded in the register of the German Evangelical Church on Charrette, at Holstein, Missouri (known since 1957 as Immanuels United Church of Christ). "Heinrich AufderHar" and "Ludwig Stilke" were witnesses at the ceremony.

     There is a question raised by the dual surname of the bride in this record.
     This couple's first child, Wilhelmina Elsabetha, died in infancy in 1858. In the record of that death from the same published church archives, the mother is identified as "Sophia Shoppenhorst (Stilke)." In all subsequent records relating to the births and deaths of her children, when her maiden surname is given, it is simply Schoppenhorst.
     In the published records of the church at Holstein, Sophia is never specifically identified as a widow, as was the case for a number of brides in the years preceding and following the entry for Sophia's marriage in 1856. Between 1840, when the church's death register begins, and 1857, the only entry for someone with the surname Stilke is for "Christina Elisabeth Stilke, nee Schröer," who died on 3 July 1856 at the age of 54 years, 2 months. No additional information about relatives was provided. The first male bearing the Stilke surname in the death register is Ludwig, who died on 10 April 1866 at the age of 60 years. The register states that he was born on 16 September 1806 "in Lauenburg."
     Interestingly, a Ludwig Stilke was the sponsor at the baptism in 1859 of "Wilhelm Ludwig Aufderhar," the second child of "Wilhelm Aufderhar" and "Sophia nee Schoppenhorst."
     Rather than indicating a previous marriage, Sophia's dual surname may hint that although she was born a Schoppenhorst, she was raised in a Stilke household from an early age. An example of this occurrence may be found in the case of another member of the family. Frederike Charlotte Begemann was born 1 January 1866 in Truxton, Lincoln County, Missouri. Her mother passed away in 1868 and her father remarried later that same year. Frederike eventually ended up living with her mother's brother, Adolph Wehrmann, in Higginsville, Lafayette County, Missouri (at least 140 miles away, as the crow flies). At her confirmation in the local church in 1880, her name is given as "Friederike Begeman-Wehrmann."
     At present, this remains pure speculation. A closer examination of the church, census and other records for Holstein and the surrounding area may answer these questions more satisfactorily.


Census (family):
According to the 1860 U.S. enumeration, the household (assigned to the Holstein post office) consisted of William "Aufderher," a 27 year old master mechanic, born in Prussia; Sophia "Aufderher," 22 years old, born in Prussia; Lewis "Aufderher," age 1, born in Missouri; A. "Hosenjager," an 18 year old mechanic, born in Missouri; and, Fredrick "Hosenjager," a 23 year old gunsmith, born in Prussia.

1. Aufderhaar, Wilhelmina Elisabetha was born 1 Nov 1857, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died 12 Mar 1858, Warren County, Missouri, USA.
2. Aufderhaar, Wilhelm Ludwig was born 27 Dec 1858, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died 12 Jan 1862, Warren County, Missouri, USA.
3. Aufderhaar, Anna Christine was born 24 Sep 1861, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died 9 Nov 1872, Warren County, Missouri, USA; was buried , Holstein, Warren County, Missouri, USA.
4. Aufderhaar, Bertha Elisabeth was born 2 May 1864, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died Yes, date unknown.
5. Aufderhaar, Maria Christine was born 30 Jan 1868, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died 10 Dec 1890, Warren County, Missouri, USA; was buried , Holstein, Warren County, Missouri, USA.
6. Aufderhaar, Hermann Heinrich was born 19 Feb 1872, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died 18 Jan 1930, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; was buried , Holstein, Warren County, Missouri, USA.
7. Aufderhaar, Friedrich Wilhelm was born 8 Nov 1875, Warren County, Missouri, USA; died Yes, date unknown.