Schroder, Floyd Wilhelm

Other Events:

• Baptism: 12 May 1912, Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; Address:
  St. John's German Lutheran Church

Notes:

Baptism:
He was baptized at St. John's German Lutheran Church. Founded in 1887, the congregation changed its name in 1945 to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and ceased holding services in the German language. In 1954, the name changed again, to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Notes:

Buried:
The congregation was founded in 1887 as St. John's German Lutheran Church. The congregation changed its name in 1945 to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and ceased holding services in the German language. In 1954, the name changed again, to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Heinrich married Hopken, Louise Gesina Anna 30 Nov 1906. Louise (daughter of Hopken, Christian and Oellien, Anna Helena) was born 18 Jul 1891, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 20 Mar 1963, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
The congregation was founded in 1887 as St. John's German Lutheran Church. The congregation changed its name in 1945 to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and ceased holding services in the German language. In 1954, the name changed again, to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Other Events:

• Immigration: May 1889, USA

Notes:

Birth:

     In documents from the USA, his first name is often given as "Christ" or "Chris".
     Some sources report that Christian was born in Norderhofschlag. At the time, I believe this was a community within Strückhausen, a town in the Wesermarsch region of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg (Großherzogtum Oldenburg). Today, the town is not far from the cities of Brake and Ovelgönne, in the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), in the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland).


Immigration:

     Sailing aboard the S.S. Rhein, Christian and his new wife, Anna, departed Bremen, Germany on 15 May 1889 and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on 30 May. On the passenger list, Christian was identified as a 25 year old merchant and Anna was 23 years old. They shared a single piece of baggage.
     Traveling by train, they arrived at Fairmont, Nebraska on 3 June and continued on to Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska where they located on a small farm southeast of Ohiowa owned by Christian's uncle, Henry Hopken, who had immigrated to Nebraska in 1868.
     According to the 1920 U.S. census, Chris Hopken, Sr. immigrated to the USA in 1889 and became a naturalized citizen in 1911. The same date of immigration was also recorded in the 1930 U.S. census.


Buried:
Founded in 1887, the congregation changed its name in 1945 to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and ceased holding services in the German language. In 1954, the name changed again, to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Died:

     The following is a transcription of an obituary provided by Sandra Sue (Hopken) Miller.

          The Late Chris Hopken

     Chris Hopken was born May 26, 1894, at Strusekhausen [sic], near Altendorf in Oldenburg, Germany, a child of pious and good Christian parents. He was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church at Strusekhausen [sic] and grew to manhood there.
     As a young man he served in the army in infantry regiment No. 91, Company 11, from 1884 to 1887. After three years in Oldenburg, Germany, he was united in holy wedlock with Miss Anna Helen Oellien April 23, 1889, in the same church in which he was baptized and confirmed at Strusekhausen [sic]. This union God blessed with twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. One daughter died in infancy and one, Frieda, at the age of eleven. Ten children survive.
     In 1889, the year of his marriage, he emigrated with his wife to America and came direct to Fillmore county, Nebraska, to the home of his uncle, Henry Hopken, near Ohiowa. He worked for his uncle until 1891, when he rented land near farm near [sic] Bruning that he became the owner of, then to his present home on the Strang rural route, where he lived until his death.
     April 23, 1939, he was privileged to celebrate his golden wedding anniversary in the presence of all of his children, grandchildren and many friends.
     Mr. Hopken always enjoyed good health, although fourteen years ago he suffered a light stroke caused by high blood pressure. He rallied and felt better again until three months ago he became very ill, suffering from complications, a rupture, dropsy and heart trouble, that finally caused his death. Knowing death was near, he was well prepared to meet the Lord. Monday evening he called his pastor, receiving once more the holy communion, together with his beloved wife, who joined him in the holy communion with the Lord Jesus.
     He passed away at 4 a. m., April 23, 1940, on his wedding anniversary day. He closed his eyes in a quiet and peaceful death and his soul went his [sic] to his creator. He was 75 years, 11 months and 3 days of age.
     Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, April 25, with a short home service prior to the service at the South Lutheran church. Rev. V. R. Pietzko officiated, speaking in both languages. His sermon text in both English and German was taken from Isaiah 35,17: Behold for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all my sins behind the back.
     A young people's mixed quartet, Bernice Rippe, Darlene Weber, Wesley Cr[e?]dduck and Orville Schroeder, had charge of the music, with Mrs. V. R. Pietzko at the organ. Mrs. Pietzko and Henry Molthan sang a duet in German. The five sons and a son-in-law, Fred Schroeder, were pallbearers, with three grandchildren taking care of the floral tokens. The church was filled with sorrowing friends. Interment was in the church cemetery, where the quartet sang again.
     Mr. Hopken is survived by his wife, Anna, ten children, Lizzie, Mrs. Fred Schroeder of Geneva, Anna, Mrs. Fred Heinrichs of Bruning, Martha, Mrs. Vern DuBois of Strang, Alma, Mrs. Herman Ohnesorge of Strang, Elsie, Mrs. Ernest Reinsch of Strang, Henry of Bruning, Christ, at home, John of Bruning, Bernard of Martland and William of Wymore, Neb., one brother, Bernard Hopken of Strusekhausen [sic], Oldenburg, Germany, twenty-one grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, besides many other relatives and close friends.

Christian married Oellien, Anna Helena 23 Apr 1889, Strückhausen, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. Anna (daughter of Oellien, Gerhart and Hauvakam, Eliza) was born 24 Jul 1867, Strückhausen, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg; died 23 Sep 1948; was buried , Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: May 1889, USA

Notes:

Birth:
At the time, Strückhausen was a town in the Wesermarsch region of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg (Großherzogtum Oldenburg). Today, the town is not far from the cities of Brake and Ovelgönne, in the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), in the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland).

Immigration:

     Sailing aboard the S.S. Rhein, Christian and his new wife, Anna, departed Bremen, Germany on 15 May 1889 and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on 30 May. On the passenger list, Christian was identified as a 25 year old merchant and Anna was 23 years old. They shared a single piece of baggage.
     Traveling by train, they arrived at Fairmont, Nebraska on 3 June and continued on to Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska where they located on a small farm southeast of Ohiowa owned by Christian's uncle, Henry Hopken, who had immigrated to Nebraska in 1868.
     According to the 1920 U.S. census, Anna Hopken immigrated to the USA in 1890. Based on other documents, it would appear that this date is in error. The 1920 enumeration also recorded that she had became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1911, the same year as her husband.
     In the 1930 U.S. census, the year of her immigration was recorded as 1889, the same as her husband's.


Buried:
The congregation was founded in 1887 as St. John's German Lutheran Church. The congregation changed its name in 1945 to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and ceased holding services in the German language. In 1954, the name changed again, to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Died:

     The following is a transcription of an obituary provided by Sandra Sue (Hopken) Miller.

          Death of Mrs. Hopken

     Mrs. Anna Helena Hopken was born July 24, 1867, at Struckhausen, Oldenburg, Germany, the daughter of Gerhart and Eliza, nee Hauvakam, Oellien. Her mother died when Anna was only nine months old. She later had a stepmother. In infancy she was baptized in the Lutheran church and was later confirmed in the same faith.
     April 23, 1889, she was united in marriage to Chris Hopken Sr. of Wittbeckersburg, Oldenburg, Germany. Having decided to make America their home, they journeyed the following month on their honeymoon to the United States, coming to Ohiowa, Neb., June [9?], 1889, and making their home with a great-uncle, Henry Hopken, on a farm near Ohiowa.
     Enduring many hardships, a few years later they started farming for themselves near Ohiowa, where they lived until 1903, when they purchased a farm a few miles north of Bruning. In February, they moved adjoining this farm to the new home they had built, the result of saving and hard labor. Their home was their pride and joy until their passing.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Hopken were born twelve children, seven daughters and five sons. Two daughters died. Bertha passed away in infancy and Frieda when she was ten years of age.
     April 23, 1939, Mrs. Hopken had the privilege of celebrating her golden wedding with her husband. The following year, on their fifty-first wedding anniversary, Mr. Hopken was called to his eternal home. Mrs. Hopken then carried on her farming with son Chris.
     Mrs. Hopken's friendly smile and cheery attitude were recognized by all who knew her. She was always happiest when among her children and their families and her friends.
     She was a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and attended services regularly until failing health deprived her of attending. She was a kind and loving mother and always taught her children what the dear Lord did was best and to leave everything in His hands.
     Her death came as a shock to the community, although she had been in failing health for a number of years. She was privileged to live an active life, her mind being alert up to her passing, which came suddenly at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, September 23, 1948, at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 30 days.
     She is survived by five sons and five daughters, Henry of Bruning, Louise (Mrs. Fred Schoeder) of Geneva, Chris, at home, John of Bruning, Ben of Martland, Anna (Mrs. Fred Heinrichs) of Carleton, William of St. Paul, Neb., Martha (Mrs. Verne DuBois) of Strang, Alma (Mrs. Herman Ohnesorge) of Strang, and Elsie (Mrs. Ernest Reinsch) who since her husband's death, with her sons, has made her home with Mrs. Hopken. Grandma took pride in doing all she could to help rear her grandsons. She also leaves twenty-four grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one brother living in Germany and a cousin, Mrs. Warner Tyson of Ohiowa, besides a host of friends who will all miss her.
     The funeral was held from the South Lutheran church near Ohiowa at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, September 26, the church being well filled with relatives and sorrowing friends. Rev. H. J. Diekhoff officiated. The choir sang "The Old Rugged Cross," "In the Garden" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." Her five sons and a son-in-law, Fred Schroeder, were pallbearers. Granddaughters and committee of Lutheran aid ladies were flower bearers. A deluge of beautiful flowers covered her grave in the South Lutheran church cemetery.

Who fed us from her gentle breast
  And hushed us in her arms to rest,
And on our cheek sweet kisses prest?
  When sleep forsook our open eyes
Who was it sang sweet lullabys
  And rocked us that we should not cry?
Who sat and watched our infant head
  When sleeping in our cradle bed
And tears of sweet affection shed?
  Who taught our infant lips to pray,
To love God's holy word and day,
  And walks in wisdom's pleasant way?
When pain and sickness made us cry,
  Who gazed upon our heavy eye -
And wept for fear that we should die?
  And can we ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
  Who wast so very kind to us?
Oh no, the thought I cannot bear,
  And if God please our life to spare
We hope we shall reward thy care
  When thou are feeble, old and gray
Our healthy arm shall be they stay,
  And we will smooth thy pains away.
And when we see thee hang thy head,
  'Twill be our turn to watch thy bed,
And tears of sweet afection [sic] shed -
  And say sweet peace our Dear Mother.

Notes:

Census (family):
According to the 1910 enumeration, the household consisted of Christ Hopkin, a 46 year old farmer born in Germany; and his wife, Anna Hopkin, age 43, born in Germany. They were the parents of 10 children, all born in Nebraska and all still living; however only nine were recorded as living in the household: Henry Hopkin, age 20 and working on the farm; Christ Hopkin, age 17 and working on the farm; John Hopkin, age 15 and working on the farm; Benjamin Hopkin, age 13 and attending school within the last year; Anna Hopkin, age 11 and attending school within the last year; Willie Hopkin, age 9 and attending school within the last year; Martha Hopkin, age 5; Freda Hopkin, age 3; and Alma Hopkin, age 1.

Census (family):
According to the 1920 enumeration, the household consisted of Chris Hopken, Sr., head of household, a 56 year old farmer, born in Germany; his wife, Anna Hopken, age 52, born in Germany; and their four daughters: Anna Hopken, age 21 and single; Martha Hopken, age 15, single and attending school; Alma Hopken, age 11, single and attending school; and Elsie Hopken, age 8, single and attending school.

Census (family):
According to the 1930 enumeration, the household consisted of Chris Hopkins, age 65, born in Germany; his wife, Anna, age 63, born in Germany; and three of their children: Alma Hopkins, age 21 and single; Alsie Hopkins, age 18 and single; and Chris Hopken, Jr., a 37 year old farmer and single. Chris, Jr. was the only one who was listed with an occupation. The enumerator had some difficulties spelling the names of members of the household.

Johann married Haferkamp, Margareta E.. Margareta died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.

Gerhart married Hauvakam, Eliza. Eliza died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.