This chapter documents families in Woods County who have a Perry County heritage.

Family Biographies

The biographies of the following families were taken from two books:“Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County”[1]  and “The First 100 Years of Alva, Oklahoma 1886-1986″[2].  There are more families in Woods County with Perry County heritages such as the Bodenschatz family but their biographies were not in these books. Included are families where at least one spouse has a Perry County heritage.

Margaretha (Meier) Cordes

In 1909 Margaretha (Meier) Cordes, of Farrar, Missouri moved to Shattuck, Oklahoma to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Martha and William Kirmse. When the Kirmses moved to Alva in 1910, Mrs. Cordes stayed at Shattuck and made her home with another daughter, Mrs. Henry (Marie) Lohmann. When the Lohmanns moved to Alva, Mrs. Cordes moved with them and lived with them until Marie’s death. She then again made her home with William and Martha Kirmse. After years of failing health, she died August 30, 1929, and was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery at Alva. Margaretha (Meier) Cordes was born September 21, 1847 in Scheessel, Germany.

Prepared by Norma (Kirmse) Rauh,1976. [1]

Adolph Martin and Lela (McReynolds) Groh

Adolph and Lela were married in the Lutheran parsonage by Pastor Walter Meyer February 2, 1924.  They had both been residents of Alva since childhood. They bought a little grocery store at 505 College which they had for 6 months when E A Mellon started a Piggley Wiggley store in Alva and bought Martin and Keka out. They then took a trip to Missouri. When they came back Adolph went to work for Starr Lumber Yard and Lela took care of Mrs Crouch’s Millinery shop downstairs under Monforts Drug store. After Mrs Crouch closed her millinery shop, Lela helped Mrs McMullen with her millinery shop on the north side of the square. W W Brand of the Railway Express Agency asked Adolph to work for REA. He worked for REA for thirty years when his son Bill took it over for a few years.

During this time Adolph and Lela had raised a family of five children. About this time, World War II had come along and everybody was making victory gardens, so Adolph and Lela started a vegetable plant greenhouse in their backyard. Adolph being raised on the farm loved being on a tractor so he bought a little Fordson and did landscaping in almost every yard including the College Campus and the courthouse square. Adolph and Lela enjoyed this work very much and all of their customers seem to appreciate it too.

Adolph and Lela’s five children were all on the Cradle Roll at the United Methodist Church, attended and were confirmed in the Lutheran Church and graduated from Alva High School. They were Mary Ann, Leon Harry “Bud”, Mae Louise James A. “Jim” and Charles William “Bill”.

Mary Ann went to California and got a government job. She married a sailor boy Hugh V. (Smokey) Davis. They had two boys and a girl, Kenny, David and Anne Naree. Kenny and Deni have three little boys and Anne and her husband Jeff have one little boy. After the war Mary Ann and Smokey moved to Alva. He worked for Goodrich Plumbing for a number of years until they moved to Oregon where they had their own plumbing business until Smokey developed a brain tumor and passed away in November 1975. Mary Ann worked for the Bureau of Land Management where she met and married Alan B. Curtis. They have a home in Eugene where they have both recently retired. Since he has a hobby as a wood collector they do a lot of vacationing in interesting places He has many beautiful varieties of highly polished wood.

Bud was in the navy in WWII. He graduated from College in Seattle then worked on Eniwetok Island for a couple of years then took a trip to Europe where he met a little sculptress Marianne in France. She later came to the USA and they were married. She has a sculpture shop in Los Gatos, California and he drives to nearby Sunnyvale to work for Lockheed. They have a son John Phillipe and a daughter Angelique.

Mae lived in Amarillo, Texas where she and her husband George LaCroix had several restaurant businesses. They had no children. He passed away in 1972. She became a nurse and eventually came back to Alva where she was associated with Beadles Nursing Home until her death from pneumonia in March of 1980.
Jim was custodian for Zion Lutheran School for a number of years then he worked for the Bell Hotel. After it closed up he has been custodian at the Washington School for quite a number of years. He lives at home with Lela.

Bill and Avalon were married in her dad’s home in Wichita Kansas.  Her dad was Harold Atkinson and her mother was the former Alma Graves. She lost her mother at a very young age. Her grandparents B. M. and Bessie Atkinson lived on a farm near Alva until they retired and moved into Alva. Avalon and Bill have a daughter and a son. Chalon is married to Bill Campbell of San Diego California. They have a new home there and a new little daughter Anna Alexandra. Charlie and his wife Debbie live in Yukon, Oklahoma where she is employed in a bank and he works for Western Electric. Bill and Avalon live in Glendale, California where he is Division Engineer for The Santa Fe Railroad. Avalon is employed by the Pacific Telephone Company and works in Pasadena, California.

Adolph and Lela celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1974 and Adolph passed away with a heart attack Sept 25, 1975.

Lea’s painting, China painting Church work and home keep Lela plenty busy at all time. There is no place Leala would rather be than at home in Alva.

Prepared by Lela (McReynolds) Groh, 1987.[2]

Charles August and Louise (Rauh) Groh

Charles August Groh was the third child of Christian Karl Gottfried Groh and his wife Sophia (Bodenchatz) Groh. His parents came over from Germany and settled in Perry County, Missouri. He married Louise K. Rauh whose parents John Rauh Jr. and his wife also lived in Perry County Missouri.

Charles and Louise had seven children in this order: Louise, Ernest and Susie Anna, Adolph, John and Lillian. They lived in Fhrona, Missouri, later in St Louis then they moved to Alva, Oklahoma Thanksgiving day in 1907. Their mother passed away in 1909 and their Dad in 1913.  Mr. Groh had built their home which still stands at 731 Noble. He was a paperhanger carpenter and painter. Some of the interesting things that he did and helped build were: He built the cross on the old Zion Lutheran Church and gold leafed it. He helped build the George Nichols home where McClures now live and the Crowell home on Flynn where Dr. Bierig now lives. He helped with many homes in Alva.

After their mother was gone, the children all did their very best to help keep their family together. After their dad passed away there had to be different arrangements made. Their Aunt Anna Lauer took Lillian to raise.  Their Uncles in the Rauh family shared their homes with Adolph and John. The rest of the children got jobs and worked.  Eventually they all got married and had their own homes.
Louise married Henry Mevert in St Louis. They moved to San Pedro Calif. where they lived most of their lives and they became the parents of three boys and two girls. The children still make their homes in San Pedro area. Louise and Henry both passed away a number of years ago.

Ernest married Anna Brehmer. They had two boys Lester served in the Seabees and Fred in the army in World War II.  Anna and Ernest lived in Visalia California where Anna in her late nineties is still living in a rest home there. Both boys died young and left families of their own.

Susie married Henry Wiebener and they lived on a farm near Springer, New Mexico. They had no children so they had Adolph and John come out and live with them at different times. They eventually ended up in Kansas where they had a factory in Emporia, Kansas and a farm near there. Henry preceded Susie in death by quite a number of years. Susie just passed away in March of 1985 at the age of 91.
Anna married Alex Wagner, they lived on a farm eight miles north of Alva until they retired and moved to town just a few years before Alex passed away in 1966. They had no children but they were a very nice Aunt and Uncle to all of our children Anna is nearing 92 and is living in the Beadles Rest Home.

Adolph and Louise were married in 1924. Our story are told in the Adolph Groh Family Story.

John married Mary Francis, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ed Francis. They lived all their lives together at 726 Third. Mary passed away in April 1979 After Mr Francis’s death, Mrs Francis lived with Mary and John. John has a shop on the back of their lot where he does all kinds of interesting furniture work. He was with the fire department for quite a number of years where he became Fire Chief and City Inspector. He has made many beautiful pieces of furniture for his own home and for other people.

Lillian married Louie Weith of Perryville Missouri. He was a salesman in the Rozier Store there. To this union two daughters and a son were born. Louie, Sr. passed away quite a number of years ago and Louie Jr. just passed away in 1985.

All together this was a family one could be proud to be a part of. They were all brought up to be a part of Sunday school and church and they have all been active in church work where they have lived. They have all done exceptionally well for a group of children who lost their parents at such a young age.

Prepared by Lela (McReynolds) Groh, 1987.[2]

John Henry and Mary F. (Francis) Groh

Thanksgiving Day, 1907, John Groh arrived in Alva, along with his parents, two brothers and four sisters. He was born September 23, 1902, at Frohna, Missouri, moving to St. Louis, Missouri, and then to Alva. He attended schools in Alva and also in New Mexico. After the death of his mother Louise (Rauh) Groh in 1911 and the death of his father Carl A. Groh in 1913, he lived with members of his family and other relatives. After living with his sister Susie Wiebener in New Mexico, he returned to Alva and was employed as a farmhand by uncles and other relatives in the Alva area. He worked at the Champlin Filling Station and then was hired as a mechanic at the Ford garage, where he worked for 11 years. To supplement his income at the Ford garage, he began work as a volunteer fireman in 1939. He was paid only when he attended fires. After a year in this position, he quit at the Ford garage and became a driver with the fire department. Wes Warren was fire chief at this time. In December 1954, he was appointed fire chief of Alva and seven months later, city inspector, in addition to the chief’s duties.

In July, 1966, he retired as Alva’s fire chief and July 1, 1971, as city inspector. After retiring, John spent his time at his favorite hobby – woodworking. This natural talent was used in making tables, chairs, cabinets, picture frames and other furniture. His favorite wood is walnut.

On July 24, 1928, he and Mary Francis were married at the First Christian Church in Alva. They established a home at 726 Third Street, enlarging it and improving it over the years, always with touches of walnut trim or furniture.

Mary Frost Francis was born March 17, 1905, at Alva, the daughter of Ed Francis and Annie Jane Shaw Francis. Mary attended Alva Public Schools, graduating from Alva High School and Northwestern where she majored in music and voice. She also worked as bookkeeper at the Alva State Bank before and after her marriage. Her interests, however, centered around music, giving private voice lessons at her home for a number of years. She also enjoyed being a member of the 20th Century Club in Alva.

Mary was pianist at the Christian Church for ten years. She has two interesting firsts in connection with her church. She was first on the cradle roll and was also in the crib for the first Christian Church Yuletide program after she was born.

John and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 24, 1978. Mary died April 21, 1979.

One anecdote that bears remembering this is a childhood story about Halley’s Comet. When it appeared in 1910, people were in a panic across the country. People were frightened, committing suicide, and upset about the brilliant apparition in the heavens. John remembers his dad taking the children out in the yard one evening and pointing to the sky. He told the children that they should not be afraid of what they saw. The comet was not frightening; it was one of God’s wonders.

Prepared by Norma (Kirmse) Rauh, 1987.[2]

Julius Henry Kirmse and Hilda (Brunken) Kirmse

Julius Henry, son of William and Martha (Cordes) Kirmse was born January 20, 1905 at Goodwin, Oklahoma. Julius was born in a sod house which was on the farm his parents bought in 1904. In 1910 Julius’s father came to Alva and bought a farm southeast of Alva. By Christmas time he with his parents made the move to Alva. In September, 1911, Julius was old enough to go to school. His parents had a neighbor boy come live with them who was old enough to drive a horse with single buggy and also attend the school so that Julius could be taken to school in Alva. This was done until Julius was old enough for driving and caring for the horse or mule. His father had trained a mule called “Old Jack” for single buggy harness. This didn’t make Julius too happy since children at school made fun of the mule. In the spring of 1919 Julius was confirmed in the Lutheran Church of Alva. The year following he attended the rural school called Liberty, District 35.

Julius liked to read factual materials such as radio, electrical and mechanical magazines. His father had by this time installed an electrical lighting system in the home. After bedtime was called and it became quiet Julius often would turn on the light and read until late in the night without his parents’ knowledge. He liked to do mechanical work on the farm, also learned to do welding. Julius worked on the City Service gas pipeline in late fall when it was put through this area. He worked with four head of mules with the right of way crew. With the money he earned he bought one of the first of the two colored model T Fords sold in the Alva area. He attended Lutheran Young People’s Camps in the summers. It was here at camp he made the acquaintance of Hilda Ida Brunken, daughter of William and Clara (Petersen) Brunken of Lahoma, Oklahoma.

On November 1, 1936 Julius and Hilda were married in the Lutheran Church of Lahoma. After a trip to New Mexico they made their home 5 1/2 miles south and one mile east of Alva on a farm which Julius had bought from Fred Lord, and many times since when referring to the farm it was called The Lord’s Place.  Both did much to make it a home. The great cyclone storm of 1939 destroyed all the farm buildings except the house. Here a son Dale William and later a daughter Donna Mae were born. Dale attended school in Alva. He was taken in every morning and picked up in the evenings. The neighbors pooled the transportation of the children, each taking their turn. After the birth of a daughter, Judy Ann, Hilda became ill. Hilda died September 21, 1946 and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery.

Julius now had the care of three small children; Judy ten months old, Donna three years and Dale eight years old. Julius’ mother and sister Norma helped with the care of the children. After eight weeks one of Hilda’s sisters took Judy Ann. Julius kept Dale and Donna home with him. August 19, 1951 Julius married Hildegard Frieda Kletke daughter of Edward Gustav and Ida Louise (Augustin) Kletke. Hildegard was born March 18, 1905 northwest of Alva. At the age of thirteen her parents moved to New Mexico and she attended grade school and the Highlands University High School. She taught in Rural Spanish communities five years and during these five years lived with Spanish families learning their language. Returning to Highland University, she received a two year college diploma, and taught in Cimarron and in Artesia, New Mexico. Several summers were spent in Alva going to Northwestern State. She also attended one summer at Columbia University in New York City. After Julius and Hildegard were married there were many adjustments to be made. Judy Ann came home to be united with the family. The two little girls were very happy to be together. Dale was fourteen years old and finished the eighth grade that year.

In the spring of 1952 Dale was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He attended Alva High School, graduating in 1956, and was salutatorian of his class. He received a scholarship to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and graduated with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering.  He then attended Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa where he received his Doctorate Degree in Chemical Engineering. He married Joyce Naffziger of Peoria, Illinois who was also attending Iowa State. Dale’s first position was on the faculty of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in the Chemical Engineering Department. He teaches graduate students at the University and recently received his Professional Engineering License. They have four children Kevin Dale, twins, Katherine Marie and Karen Hildegard and Kristina Joyce.

Donna Mae attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University. receiving a BS degree in Mathematics. She is married to Marshall Frazer, son of Everett and Genivie {Irons} Frazer of Alva. Their older daughter Amber Joy died in 1972 and is buried in the Alva Municipal Cemetery. Their younger daughter is Dana Renee.

Judy Ann attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater receiving her degree in business. While attending school at Stillwater she met Ron Yordi, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Yordi of Ardmore, Oklahoma. Ron received his degree from the University of Oklahoma at Norman, Oklahoma in Architectural Engineering and is employed with Atlers Construction Company in Oklahoma City. They live in Edmond, Oklahoma. Judy and Ron have two girls, Cori Ann and Carmen Lee.

Prepared by Hildegard (Kletke) Kirmse, 1967.[1]

William and Martha (Cordes) Kirmse

William Kirmse, son of Julius and Barbara (Kraus) Kirmse was born at Farrar, Missouri May 21, 1875. William grew up on a farm, attended Lutheran School and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. German was spoken by the family and was also used in school. Very little English was taught to the children.

William grew up near the Mississippi River. Livestock was marketed by driving stock to the boat landing then they were shipped to St. Louis. As a young man, William was more interested in carpentry work than in farming. At the age of 18, he walked to jobs where buildings were being constructed, stayed at the job during the week and then walked home on the weekends.

In 1902, he came to Alva and did carpentry work. Houses which he helped build were the Gottlieb Kletke, John Rauh, Jr., and Herman Wiersig homes.

In 1903, William went back to Farrar, Missouri and on February 11, 1904, he was married to Martha Cordes, daughter of Henry and Margaretha (Meier) Cordes Friends and relatives implored them not to move to Oklahoma to make their home because people thought Oklahoma was wild Indian country and they feared for the couple’s safety. A few days after their wedding, William and Martha boarded a train for Oklahoma. Instead of settling at Alva, they went to Shattuck, where land did not cost as much. They took up a relinquished claim seven miles southeast of Shattuck. They paid Mr. and Mrs. Chris Pshigoda $1300 for the claim which included the land, a sod house, two horses and a colt, two cows and a calf, six chickens and a wagon. Water for domestic use was hauled from a spring in a 50 gallon barrel on a sled pulled by horses. Wheat was the main crop. Watermelons also grew bountifully. In 1909, William built a frame house on the farm.

Soon, a son, Julius Henry, was born and later a daughter, Edna B. Both children were born in the sod house. Edna died at the age of 17 months and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery at Alva.
After three crop failures, William and Martha decided to sell their land at Shattuck and move to Alva. They purchased a farm southeast of Alva, where their daughter Ella now lives. Fred Lohmann and August Kahnert drove the horses and two wagons from Shattuck for them. William came on the freight train with their machinery and personal belongings. Martha and son, Julius, came by train a few days later arriving at sunset, just before Christmas in 1910. William had purchased the land with the understanding that the former owner would plant the wheat in the fall. since it was a very dry fall and winter, the crop failed. Kaffir corn, planted in the spring, turned out to be a good crop. At Alva, their second son was born, Alwin Karl. He died of a ruptured appendix on September 28, 1928. Here, also three daughters were born, Laura H., Ella A., and Norma M. Their children all live in Alva area.

William and Martha lived on the farm until 1944 when they moved into Alva. They lived at 1122 Fourth and later at 912 Third. Both were active members of the Lutheran Church. William held various offices in the church and was on the building committee for the Lutheran school, dedicated in 1948. Martha was a member of the Ladies Aid of the church. After he retired, William enjoyed working in his shop and making things for the grandchildren. Martha kept busy in the yard and garden. One of her favorite pastimes was piecing quilt tops and quilting them.

In 1954, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and lived to observe their 63rd anniversary. Martha (Cordes) Kirmse was born March 20, 1879, at Farrar, Missouri.  She grew up on a farm near there. Martha died December 9, 1967, at Alva. William died August 4, 1968, at Alva.

Julius Kirmse married Hilda Brunken November 1, 1936 and they lived on a farm southeast of Alva. Their children are Dale, Gainesville, Florida.  Mrs. Marshall (Donna) Frazer, Austin, Texas, and Mrs. Ron (Judy) Yordi, Edmond, Oklahoma.  Hilda died September 24, 1946.  Julius married Hildegard Kletke on 19 August 19, 1951.

Laura Kirmse married Roland Schmidt August 21, 1938. They made their first home at Cherokee, Oklahoma, later moving to a farm south of Alva. They have three children. Mrs. Robert (Arlene) Manning lives at Lawrence, Kansas. Arlene and Bob have two sons, Michael and Jay. Ernest Schmidt married Karen Johnson and they live and farm south of Alva. Their three children are Kurt, Pamela and Mark. Larry died in a plane crash in 1979.

Ella Kirmse married Gilbert Krueger March 2, 1941 and lives on the farm her parents purchased when they moved to Alva. They have two daughters and a son. Larry and Betty Deinlein live at Austin, Texas. Their children are Deborah and Jeffery. John is married to Ruth Mellies and lives at Hutchinson Kansas. Their children are David and Linda. Tom and Martha Mueller live at Ft. Worth, Texas. Stephen and Jonathan are their sons.

Norma Kirmse married Alwin “Bud” Rauh, Jr. 25 Jan 1948. They live in Alva. Their children are Kathleen and Cynthia. Gary and Kathy Earnest live east of Freedom, Oklahoma. and have a son, Sage, and a daughter, Savanah.  Joe and Cindy Randolph live in Perryton, Texas. They have a son, Tobin, and a daughter, Lacee.

Prepared by Norma (Kirmse) Rauh 1976.[1]

Gilbert and Ella (Kirmse) Krueger

Gilbert’s father was born at Freiburg, Minnesota near Fergus falls on October 3, 1882. With his family in October, 1900, he moved into the parsonage at Farrar, Missouri where his grandfather, Rev. John Krueger, was pastor of Salem Lutheran Church for many years until his death November 1924.  His mother, Martha Maire Fritsche, was born in Chemnitz, Germany on December 10, 1884. At the age of 6 years, she came to America with her parents and settled in Perry County near Farrar, Missouri.  John W. Krueger and Martha M. Fritsche were married September 1, 1907 by his father. They were the parents of 6 children, Lucy, Alma, Raymond, Walter, Gilbert and Verna.

Gilbert Krueger attended Salem Lutheran School at Farrar, Missouri. Due to his father’s illness and death at the age of 52, he had to seek employment away from home at an early age. During the summers he worked in Iowa and North Dakota. In June, 1939, he came to Alva, Oklahoma to help in the wheat harvest. He worked for William and Martha Kirmse for several summers. They were the parents of Ella, who later became his wife.

Ella’s parents were married February 11, 1904 at Farrar, Missouri by the Rev. John Krueger, Gilbert’s grandfather, left for Oklahoma. William and Martha first settled near Shattuck, Oklahoma.  In December, 1910, they bought a farm southeast of Alva and lived there till they retired and moved into Alva in December 1944. Ella has a brother Julius and sisters Laura Schmidt and Norma Rauh, all living in Alva, Oklahoma and a sister Edna passed away in 1908 and brother Alvin, September 1928.

Ella was born January 28, 1918 in the house in which she still resides. She was the fifth of six children born to Wilhelm (William) and Martha Cordes Kirmse. Ella Krueger graduated from Zion Lutheran School which she attended for eight years. She also attended Normal High School at Northwestern College. Herbert Gilbert Arthur “Gib” Krueger and Ella Anna Paulina Kirmse were married March 2, 1941 in Zion Lutheran Church in Alva by Rev. Otto Hoyer..  Gilbert and Ella have lived on the Kirmse homestead since they were married, they enjoy farm life and are still active in farming, gardening, sewing, visiting children and grandchildren. On March 2, 1986, they were married 45 years. They celebrated in Fort Worth, Texas together with all their children and grandchildren.

Their children are Betty Jean, John William, and Martha Kaye.

Betty was born November 14, 1942 at Alva General Hospital. She graduated from Zion Lutheran School 1952, Alva High School in May 1961, and Oklahoma State University in 1964. She married Larry E. Deinlein on August 24, 1963. They live in Austin, Texas with their children Deborah Kay and Jeffery Scott. Betty is employed by a law firm and Larry is an accountant and programmer for Veteran’s Administration.

John William Krueger arrived November 1, 1944 at Alva General Hospital, attended Lutheran School eight years. Attended Northwester Oklahoma State University and graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater , Oklahoma.  in May, 1966. Here he met Ruth E. Mellris. After serving 2 years in the army, one of which was in Vietnam, they were married in Edmond, Oklahoma October 12, 1968. They are the parents of a son, David William, and a daughter, Linda Ann. Their home is in Hutchinson, Kansas. John is a Sorghum Researcher for Pioneer Seed Company. with his office near Yoder, Kansas. Ruth is employed by a local bank.

On December 3, 1947, Martha Kaye arrived at Alva General Hospital. She too attended Zion Lutheran School for 8 years, then graduated from Alva High School in May 1965. Martha (Marti) attended Concordia Teacher’s College at Seward, Nebraska, graduating in May 1969. Here she met Thomas Paul Mueller, who became her husband July 12, 1969. They have two sons, Stephen Paul and Jonathon David, now living in Fort Worth, Texas, where Tom is assistant football coach at Texas Christian University. Marti is employed as a receptionist in a dentist office.

Prepared by Gilbert and Ella (Kirmse) Krueger 1987.[2]

Johann Heinrich “Henry” and Marie (Cordes) Lohmann

Johann Heinrich “Henry” Lohmann was the eldest son of Peter and Margaretha (Versemann) Lohmann born August 15, 1883, at Farrar, Missouri. Henry grew up on a farm at Farrar and attended the Lutheran school there. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at the Farrar Church. Henry worked on the railroads around Perry County, Missouri in his late teens. When he was in his early 20’s he moved to Shattuck, Oklahoma and started farming he lived in a dugout for a number of years. In 1906 on November 22, he returned to Farrar to marry Marie Cordes, also from Farrar. They returned to Shattuck to live on the farm where Henry was living.

There two sons were born.  The eldest Peter Heinrich Edmund, born July 2, 1908, died on the farm here at Alva after suffocating in wheat being augered in a bin. His death was on June 27, 1922. The second son, born August 13, 1910, was named Walter William Lohmann. He married Hazel Elizabeth Easterling, April 19, 1945. Her birthday was August 17, 1910.  To this union, two children were born, Roland Ray and Sharlene Gay Lohmann. Hazel Lohmann died on March 30, 1970. Henry and Marie continued to live on the farm at Shattuck until the ill health of Marie made them search for a doctor which they found in Alva. They moved to Alva in 1912, moving to a farm southeast. Here Marie died on March 12, 1915.

Henry then married Lillie Elsie Alma Dubben, in November 1919. They lived on the farm where Henry had lived since coming from Shattuck. Her birthday was September 13, 1896. They also were blessed with two children. Helen Marie Meta Lohmann, born July 1, 1922 and Edmund Frederick William Lohmann, born June 8, 1925. Helen married Paul H. L. Theiss on June 14, 1953. Paul was born August 7, 1921 and they now live at Uniontown, Missouri. They have two children Virgil Dwayne and Eldeen Lorraine. Edmund married Joyce Jean Seel on July 17, 1949. Joyce was born on June 5, 1930. They have a daughter, Sandra Kay. They now reside at Topeka, Kansas. On December 21, 1927 Henry lost his second wife Lillie in death.

Henry’s third marriage was to Anna Margarethe Christine Engelken on January 20, 1929. Anna was born on November 5, 1895 at Independence, Kansas. To this union one daughter Louise Marie was born on November 23, 1932. She married Glenn Ray Schoeling on November 21, 1954. His birthday is August 3, 1931. They have four children: Gary Gay, Dennis Dean, Glenda Louise and Sandra Kay. Henry and Anna’s first priority was their church, Henry and Anna held many jobs at the Lutheran Church. Henry and Anna lived on the family farm until 1949 when they moved to Alva. Henry enjoyed carpenter work besides farming. Anna enjoyed cooking, sewing and quilting. She also visited many shut-ins. Anna moved here with parents from Independence, Kansas, in 1920. Her parents were Henry and Katherine (Ehlen) Engelken. Henry and Anna lived at 1116 Barnes until their deaths. Henry passed away March 18, 1957 and Anna passed away July 29, 1981.

Prepared by Louise (Lohmann) Schoeling. 1987.[2]

Peter and Margaretha (Versemann) Lohmann

Peter Christoper Lohmann was born May 16, 1861, at Scheessel Germany and died on October 13, 1934 at Alva, Ok. Peter came to America at an early age and settled around Farrar, Missouri. There he married Margaretha Versemann on June 17, 1882. She was born in Osterveseds, Province of Prussia Germany on November 14, 1861, she died on November 18, 1933. Her parents were Johann Versemann, born September 29, 1826, and Marie (Brockmann) Versemann. Margaretha came to America with her parents in 1868 they landed at Wittenberg, Missouri, coming up the Mississippi River. After arriving here they settled on a farm near Farrar, Missouri.

Peter and Margaretha Lohmann had nine children, one child the second oldest died of whooping cough in infancy. They raised their family on a farm near Farrar, Missouri. Around 1910 – 1912 they moved to Shattuck, Oklahoma.  Here their eldest son.  “Henry” Lohmann. was living. After living there several years they moved southeast of Alva. Here their five sons also had farms. To this day you can see the towering barns from a distance where the Lohmann’s lived. The five brothers built their barns and also built or remodeled their houses. Peter Lohmann drove his horse and buggy visiting his five sons.

Their children were as follows:

Johann Heinrich “Henry” Lohmann, born August 14, 1883. He married Marie Cordes, November 22, 1906. She died March 12, 1915. He then married Lillie Elsie Elma Dubben, November, 1919. She was born September 13, 1896 and died December 21, 1927. His third marriage was to Anna Margarethe Christine Engelken January 20, 1929, she was born November 5, 1895 at Independence, Kansas.  She died July 29, 1981.  J.H. “Henry” died March 18, 1957.

Johann Friedrich Lohmann born November 7, 1885, died February 24, 1887.

Joachim Friedrich Lohmann, born November 23, 1887, he married Maratha Bertha Dubben on May 7, 1918 she was born September 10, 1894 and died January 31, 1948. Fred passed away on August 1, 1955.

Maria Katherine Lohmann born February 4, 1890, married Herman Miesner April 27, 1911.  His birthday was January 10, 1881 and he died January 11, 1937. Maria passed away December 5, 1978.

Martin Lohmann, born August 11, 1892, married Magdalena Marie Brunkhorst, on November 12, 1916. Her birthday is January 13, 1892. Martin died Oct. 24, 1963.

Martha Anna Hedwig Lohmann, born June 3, 1895. married William Friedrick Carl Dubben, on January 14, 1920. His birthday was January 24, 1888. His death was on July 4, 1973. Martha died on August 30, 1982.

Joachim Peter Lohmann born July 17, 1897, married Frieda Anne Ottille Dubben on August 27, 1923. Joachim died on October 17, 1957.

Theodore Gottlieb Lohmann, born on September 17, 1899. He married Auguste Sophia Engelken on October 22, 1922.  Her birthday was November 7, 1899. She died on February 28, 1979. Theo passed away on March 14, 1983.

Ida Maria Lena Lohmann, born on October 13, 1902, married Sam Fredrich Wagner on June 9, 1929, His birthday was July 23, 1896. His death occurred on February 17, 1937.

Peter and Margaretha Lohmann were life-long members of the Lutheran Church. They continued to live on their farm southeast of Alva, until their deaths in 1933 and 1934. They were farmers all their lives as were their children. The farm they lived on is now owned by a grandchild of their’s and the farms that were once farmed by the Lohmann brothers are now being farmed by their children and grandchildren.

Prepared by Louise (Lohmann) Schoeling, 1987.[2]

Theodore Gottlieb and Augusta (Engelken) Lohmann

Theodore (Ted) Gottlieb Lohmann was born on September 17, 1899 to Margaretha (Versemann) and Peter Lohmann at Farrar, Missouri. He came to Oklahoma on the train with his parents at the age of 13, settling at Shattuck where they remained three years at which time they moved to Alva, Oklahoma and settled on a farm southeast of Alva, where he helped with the family farming.

He was baptized on October 3, 1899, attended the Lutheran School and was confirmed on March 16, 1913 at Farrar, Missouri.

Ted married Augusta Sophie Engelken on October 22, 1922 at the Alva Zion Lutheran Church. They lived on a farm seven miles southeast of Alva.

While riding around one Sunday afternoon in their Model T, his wife saw this farm (which was known as the Fugit Place) for sale and she said that was the home she wanted, so they bought it and lived there until they retired in 1969, moving to 1216 Flynn in Alva.  There were many good times on the farm and some bad times. In 1956, a tornado struck their home partially destroying the house and barn and completely destroying the round top shed and other buildings.

Besides farming interests, Ted and his brothers were well known for the building of barns and round top sheds. They worked together doing threshing and doing all of their own butchering.

Ted and Augusta had seven children: Margaret, Gertrude, Dorothy, Velma, Harold, Robert and Bernice. Margaret married Paul Larison and live in Houston, Texas. They have five living children, three daughters and two sons. Anita married David Harris. David’s children, Susan and John Harris, reside with them in Houston, Texas. Ken and Jeanece (Hall) Larison and sons Bryan and Jon Paul live in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Greg Larison resides in Shidler, Oklahoma. Janet married David Griggs, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They have four daughters, Shauna, Sarah, Samantha and Stacy. Susan Larison and daughter Cari live in Stillwater, Oklahoma. They also had stillborn twin sons on September 29, 1949. Gertrude married Bill Canaan of Alva, Oklahoma. They have two daughters, Vicki and Jan. Jan lives in Alva, Oklahoma. Vicki married Mike Sandefur and they have two sons and a daughter, Ryan, Erin and Justin. They reside in Rowlett, Texas.

Dorothy married T.E. Anderson and live in Elk City, Oklahoma. They have three sons. Tom and Anne (Blackmore) Anderson and sons, Trae, Scott and Bradley of Norman, Oklahoma, Ted and Diane (Hollingsworth Gates) Anderson of Imo, Oklahoma, and children Stephan Anderson of Norman, Oklahoma, Chris and Carey Gates and Chad Anderson of Imo, Oklahoma. Terry and Rebecca (Henderson) Anderson reside in Elk City, Oklahoma.

Velma married Marvin Nordyke and they live in Wichita, Kansas. They have two living sons, Marvin, Jr. of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Russell of Wichita, Kansas. They also had a son, John, born and died March 4, 1955, a daughter, Leann, born and died September 21, 1956, another son born and died May 20, 1959.

Harold and Elizabeth (Becker Veatch) Lohmann live on the home place southeast of Alva, Oklahoma. Harold has two sons and a daughter. Randy and Trayce (Mathews) Lohmann of Sun City, Kansas. They have a daughter, Adria and a son, Garret. Laura Beth married David Hamil of Alva, Oklahoma. They have two sons, Clay and Craig. Michael Lohmann and son Jay Michael live in Alva, Oklahoma. Robert and Velma Jo (Lyon) Lohmann reside in Enid, Oklahoma. They have two daughters and a son. Joy Gosney and daughter, Miranda live in Enid, Oklahoma. Jill married Al Westfahl of Lahoma, Oklahoma. They have a son, Cody and a daughter, Cassie. Jeffrey Lohmann resides in Enid, Oklahoma.

Bernice married Harry Tyree of Alva, Oklahoma. They had a son and a daughter. Rick and Dorothy (Houston) Tyree and their son Jarred reside in Alva, Oklahoma. Linda and her husband, Nelson Tucker and their daughter, Whitney, live in Kiowa, Kansas.

Augusta died February 28, 1979 and Ted died March 14, 1983. They were both active members in the Lutheran Church. At the time of Ted’s death he had twenty-three great grandchildren.

Prepared by Bernice (Lohmann) Tyree, 1987,[2]

Albert A.J. and Viola (Pereboom) Rauh

Albert A.J. “Butch” Rauh was born September 1, 1909, southeast of Alva and died suddenly January 25, 1965 in Alva. His parents were John E. and Caroline (Reinath) Rauh. John E. was born in Perry County, Missouri in 1885; Caroline was born in Richville, Michigan in 1883. Albert had 2 sisters, Gertrude (Rauh) Brune, Enid, Oklahoma and Helen (Rauh) Hatfield, Laurel, Mississippi.
Albert married Viola Ruth Pereboom on May 20, 1934, at Lahoma, Oklahoma. She was born July 21, 1914, at Alcesta, South Dakota to William J. and Lena (Johnson) Pereboom, Lahoma, Oklahoma. She has 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

Albert farmed southeast of Alva where he was born. Along with farming he baled hay for a number of years.

The family of Albert and Viola include 3 sons and 4 daughters. They all attended school in Alva and went on to college.
Mary Lou married Richard Schminke on December 29, 1957, they lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, several years and now live in Richardson, Texas. He works for Southwestern Bell. They have 3 daughters: Diana Marie, Sara Marie, and Cynthia Marie.

John William married LaVerne Ulmer of Guthrie, Oklahoma, on July 29, 1961. He is Pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church in Bay City, Michigan. They have a son John David and a daughter Jennifer Ruth.
Ruth Ann married John McKay on July 5, 1964 and live in Twin Falls, Idaho. Where John is Assistance Manager of the General Building Lumber Company. Their children are John Richard, Jr., Thomas Ogle, Erin Ruth, and Clifton Albert.

Lois Mae married Sam Riggs on August 12, 1961. They have 2 daughters, Marsha Leigh and Lora Michelle. They both are teachers in the Jefferson County School system in Lakewood, Colorado.
William Albert (Bill) married Carolyn Canaan in Alva on December 27, 1969. He works for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Oklahoma City. Their children are Christopher William and Michelle Reine. They live in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Robert Dean (Bob) works in sales department in Moline, Illinois. On February 6, 1982. He married Barbara Jean Timm of Rock Island. They have a daughter, Nicole Elizabeth, and a son, Brian Joshua.
Alberta Joan married Steve Nightengale of Ringwood, Oklahoma on August 3, 1973. They have adopted a baby daughter from Korea, Julie Denise, and live in Tallassee, Alabama. Steve is managing the Research Farms for Auburn University.

Viola still lives on the family farm that holds many pleasant memories for the family. She does much traveling visiting her children and grandchildren.

Prepared by Viola (Pereboom) Rauh 1987 [3]

Alwin and Maria (Wenninger) Rauh, Sr.

Early settlers of the Alva community were Alwin A. Rauh and Maria W (Wenninger) Rauh. Mr Rauh and his father and mother, brothers and sisters came to this community in the early 1900’s, settling on farms southeast of Alva. They were from Perry County, Missouri, which is close to St. Louis. Maria Wenninger came to the U.S. in the late 1800’s from Bavaria, Germany, with her parents and also settled on a farm southeast of Alva.

Alwin and Maria (Wenninger) Rauh were married in February, 1907, near Alva and lived on the farm he and his dad bought when they first came to this area in 1903. They endured many hardships in their early marriage. For one, a tornado completely destroyed their homestead in the spring of 1908. Also, that spring, Mrs. Rauh had her left arm amputated just above the elbow from the result of an infection, but they prospered as farmers and raised nine children, six boys and three girls: Edward, Everett, Russell, Zipporah, Arthur, Margaret, Alwin, Jr., John and Esther. The family was musically talented, spending many entertaining Friday evenings playing the piano, cello, banjo, coronet, and violin.

The parents were believers in education. All attended eight grades in both a country school and the Lutheran school in Alva. At one time seven Rauhs from three Rauh families attended school at Pleasant Valley Country School District 11. They were the only students at the time. Later, the children attended the Northwestern High School and some graduated from Northwestern. Then the older sons attended the University of Oklahoma law and engineering schools. Most of the children stayed near Alva until WW II, but after the war some moved elsewhere.
Edward, now deceased, was an engineer at Oak Ridge during WW II and later worked in Saudi Arabia as an engineer building pipelines. His home base was Tulsa. He and his wife Esther had two daughters, Elizabeth and Deborah.

Everett, also deceased, was an attorney in Alva before WW II with Mr. R.M. Chase, in an office above Central National Bank. After his discharge from the Navy, he remained in California practicing law in Long Beach.

Russell worked for John Deere in Alva before WW II. He and a partner bought the John Deere store during the war, later sold it and relocated at Cherokee in the late 1940’s. He was a dealer there for many years. He married Lorene Shimp of Alva and had two daughters, Leona Mae and Carol Ann.

Zip married Frank Schuhmacher in the early thirties. Together they operated Schuhmacher drugstore with his dad Louis Schuhmacher. During the 1950’s they relocated to Colorado Springs. They had two sons John and Bill. Zip now lives in Metairie, Louisiana, near her son, Dr. John Schuhmacher.

Arthur’s career was as an engineer in Houston, Texas. He served in the Air Force in Germany during WW II. He was a bombardier-navigator in a B-24. He met and married his wife Ermal in Houston. He had three daughters, Laurel, Ermal, Jr., and Ginny. Arthur is deceased.

Margaret, or Mickey, worked at the Woods County Abstract office before and after her marriage to Roland Kletke of Alva. They have farmed and ranched all their lives. Mickey played the organ at the Lutheran Church, and today enjoys golfing, knitting and other crafts. They have two sons Jim and Doug.

Bud worked on the farm with his father before joining the Navy. He as a motor machinist on naval APA’s in the South Pacific. After his discharge, he married Norma Kirmse. They lived on the Rauh farm southeast of Alva and had two daughters, Kathy and Cindy.

Johnny helped his dad farm during WW II and also married Dorothy Mae Dimmick during this time. He continued to farm north of Dacoma. Their children are Sandy, Randy, Mike and Mark. In later years, he has been a cattle buyer.

Esther married Alan Clark and lived in the Alva area, later moving to Dallas and then Amarillo, Texas. She has always been talented with handcrafts, making dolls, stuffed toys and knitted items.
Alwin Rauh, Sr. was active in helping with the farm programs in the nineteen thirties. He and his family also worked on local roads and bridges southeast of Alva working off poll taxes for the family and neighbors. He was a strong believer in the Republican party, John Deere farm equipment and Ford vehicles. Both he and his wife were members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Alva. Maria W. Rauh died in May 13, 1933, and Alwin A. Rauh died May 17, 1949.

Prepared by Kathy (Rauh) Earnest, 1987,[2]

Alwin and Norma (Kirmse) Rauh, Jr.

On January 25, 1948, Bud and Norma Kirmse were married in Zion Lutheran Church, Alva, by the Rev. Otto Hoyer. Norma is the daughter of Wm and Martha (Cordes) Kirmse. She was born April 7, 1924 at Alva. Norma attended Lutheran grade school and Horace Mann High School. While attending Northwestern, she was employed part-time at the Prisoner of War Camp in the payroll department and at the Railway Express Agency. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm southeast of Alva — where Bud’s parents had lived.

In 1967, Bud and Norma moved to 422 Myers. Bud was active in community affairs – Republican Party, Farm Bureau director, East Woods County ASCS director and Woods County Excise Board. They are both active members of the Lutheran Church. Bud has served on various boards in the church and was on the building committee for Zion Lutheran Church which was dedicated in 1974. Norma taught Sunday School and has served on the Evangelism Board and Project Philip. Her interests include gardening, both vegetable and flower. She has also always been a handcraft and sewing enthusiast. Bud and Norma have two daughters, Kathleen and Cynthia.

Kathy attended Lutheran School in Alva and graduated from Alva High School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.  She received her masters degree from Oklahoma University. Kathy taught high school English at Haven, Kansas, Medford and Freedom, Oklahoma. She is married to Gary Earnest, who is employed by Panhandle Eastern and also farms. They have a son, Sage, and a daughter, Savanah.

Cindy attended Lutheran School in Alva and graduated from Alva High School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She taught English and Spanish at the high school in Minneola, Kansas. Following her marriage to Joe Randolph of Perryton, Texas, she taught at Perryton High. Joe teaches at Waka, Texas. and farms. They have a son, Tobin, and a daughter, Lacee.

Prepared by Kathy (Rauh) Earnest and Cindy (Rauh) Randolph, 1987.[2]

Harry and Emma Margaretta (Hacker) Rauh

Harry Alvin Rauh is one of Woods county’s citizens who can truly say, “He has lived here all his life”, Harry was born in Alva, October 23, 1902 in a rooming house,the Pribble Hotel), which is located where the present Alva Public Library now stands. He is the son of Martin John Rauh and Emma Margaretta (Hacker) Rauh. His parents were married at Peace Lutheran Church, Friedenburg, Perry County, Missouri on October, 1901. Following this marriage, the young couple came directly to Alva, County M. Oklahoma Territory. Their personal items came to Ingersoll, Oklahoma, on the freight train and they set up house-keeping in this rooming house hotel. Martin, (Harry’s father) worked at Meixners bakery (right south of Alva) as a bakery helper. Many day’s his pay was a loaf of bread. When Harry was born the baby nurse was Miss Mary Wiersig.

Harry’s father, Martin scouted for farms for his parents, brothers, and sisters, so they could relocate. Martin’s father, Mr. John Rauh and wife Mary (Lang), had several sons, and it was no longer easy to expand the farming operation in Perry County, so Martin located farms they could buy where all the brothers could live close together and exchange labor.

When Harry was one year old, his parents moved to their farm which was located six miles north of Dacoma. On this farm, brothers Alfred and Ernest and sister Edna also lived. There were many neighbors then as every 160 acres had a family living on it and rural schools were three miles apart and each had a great number of students attending all eight grades in them. Harry went to such a school, Pleasant Valley, District # 11, (1 1/2 miles northwest of his home.)

His later elementary years were spent with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Rauh, who lived at 822 Second Street. This was so he could attend the Lutheran parochial school.

The summers between school terms, young Harry would be following horses plowing, barefoot because too much dirt would get into his shoes all day long. About the only farming operations that could be done with horsepower were plowing, then harrowing, then seeding again.

The grain was usually cut with a binder and a threshing machine was used to separate the grain. Harry’s father bought such a machine and custom threshing was done in the area north of Dacoma. Harry became the engineer.

Harry attended the Sweeney Automobile School in Kansas City, Missouri. The first cars were now occasionally seen coming down Fred Lohmann’s hill on the wagon rut roads and going east. His parents returned at intervals to visit their relatives in Perry County, Missouri and there he met Ida Charlotte Popp, daughter of Eberhardt and Louise (Mehner) Popp. On November 27, 1924, they were married at the Zion Lutheran Church, Longtown, Missouri.

The young couple moved to Alva, December 1924, and built a home 1/2 mile west of his parent’s home. Harry farmed with a Wallis tractor and Ida had a large flock of leghorn laying hens, turkeys and a big garden. They aiso milked cows and sold cream.

In 1926, their first daughter, Verna Helen arrived, followed by Dorthy Louise Emma. in 1930. The daughters also attended Pleasant Valley school, later the Lutheran school in Alva and Northwestern high school. Both attended college at Northwestern.

In 1948, Verna and Harold Dubben were married. Dorothy and Joseph Lansdown were married in 1950.

Harry has four grandchildren, Dorothy Jo (Lansdown) Taylor, Cheryl Lynne (Dubben) Brooks, William Joseph “Bill” Lansdown, and Mark Harold Dubben. All 4 grandchildren graduated from the Alva high school. Dorothy Jo graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and took advanced training as a cardiac medical assistant. She worked 10 years in this capacity at St. John Medical Center, in Tulsa. She is working toward a second degree, in nursing, at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Cheryl graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and St Mary’s School of Medical Technology at Enid. She has worked as a medical technologist at Bass and St Mary’s in Enid and Alva Share Hospital. She is presently employed at Moline Public Hospital, Moline, Illinois, where she now resides with her husband, Jack Brooks, who is a practicing attorney there. Bill has attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, is a farmer and carpenter in the Alva area and a member of the East Woods County Soil Conservation and an associate member of the Dacoma Farmer’s Cooperative Board of Directors. Mark was active in the Future Farmers of America program in high school receiving the State and American Farmer awards, he graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and presently is a farmer and cattleman in the Alva area.

Verna teaches at South Barber Middle School, and Dorothy works at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Dorothy’s husband Joe, works for Bell Telephone in Alva.
In December 1968, Harry and Anita (Meier) Schick were married. They make their home at 401 12th street in Alva.

A fourth generation is now in the family group, consisting of Jordan Wade Taylor, Jay William Taylor and Aaron Jon Brooks.

In Harry’s life, he has seen the best of things. Power has changed from horsepower to man walking on the moon. A highlight of his yearly life is Joe, Bill and Mark farming. He is busy helping move machinery and is happiest when taking a sample of wheat to the elevator and being told “it’s ready!”

The grace of God and Harry’s faith in God, shared also by his family has been the guiding factor in his life. He and his family are all active members of the Lutheran Church.

Prepared by Dorothy (Rauh) Lansdown and Verna (Rauh) Dubben. 1987.[2]

John and Mary A. (Lang) Rauh, Jr.

John Rauh, Jr. was born October 5, 1842 near Perryville, Missouri. His parents, John Rauh, Sr. and Elizabeth (Behr) Rauh were born in Bavaria, Germany, January 24, 1814 and September 1, 1819.  In 1840 John Rauh, Sr. with his family left their native Germany and came to Perry County, Missouri. They had six children living in 1888. John Jr., Kunedia (wife of William Haltman) Adam, Elizabeth (Wife of Henry Boxdorfer), Dora (wife of Ferdinand Hoehn), and Annie (wife of Adam Knoll). and Annie (wife of Adam Knoll).

John Rauh, Jr. served in the Civil War as a Union man. In 1860, he enlisted in Company A. Fourth Regiment and served seven months in the Missouri State Militia. He afterwards joined Company B., 8th Regiment and served seven months longer.

On January 3, 1864 he was united in marriage with Mary A. Lang, daughter of John Lang. It is for her family, the village of Longtown, Missouri is named. She was born January 2, 1845 in Perry County, Missouri.  In the same year, Mr. Rauh purchased 160 acres in Perry County and built in 1872 a brick residence (still standing) for the cost of $1,800. He and his wife had twelve children: Louise (wife of Charles Groh): Elizabeth, deceased; William, deceased; Henry, deceased; Pauline, deceased (due to the absence of preventive medicine, they lost three children to diphtheria in one day)! Charles; Emanuel M; Otto, (deceased) Martin J.; Alwin A.; Anna M; and John E. All were members of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. and Mrs. John Rauh Jr. moved to Alva in 1902 following their children’s move to Woods County.  Martin and his wife (Emma) came to Woods County in November, 1901 followed by Emanuel, Alvin, John and daughter Louise and husband Charles Groh. They brought their horses, etc. with them from their Missouri farm with Alvin and Emanuel riding in the boxcar with them to Oklahoma. After coming to Alva, Mr. Rauh and his sons purchased land southeast of Alva where he farmed until he moved to Alva at 822 Second Street. Mr. Rauh passed away July 9, 1915 and Mrs. Rauh on September 6, 1923. They are both laid to rest in the Lutheran Cemetery.

Their following children established home and families in the southeast Alva area. Emanuel married Lena Herold. Martin married Emma Hacker and their family consists of Harry A., Alfred J., Ernest C, and Edna Schuessler. Alwin married Marie Wenniger and after her death Lena Feher Shimp. His family consists of Edward M., Everette C., Russel 0., Zipporah E. Schumacher; Arthur J., Margaret M. Keltke, Alwin A, Jr., John H., and Esther E. Clark. John was united in marriage with Caroline Keinath and their family consisted of Albert, Gertrude Brune, and Helen Hatfield. The children of Louise and Charles Groh residing in Woods County are Adolph (now deceased), John, and Anna Wagner.

Prepared by Verna (Rauh) Dubben 1987.[2]

Martin and Emma (Hacker) Rauh

Martin John Rauh son of John Rauh, Jr. and Mary (Lang) Rauh was born Sept. 20, 1879 in Perry County, Mo. He married Emma Hacker, daughter of John and Emma (Hornberger) Hacker (born on July 18, 1880 in Perry County) in October 1901 and moved to Alva, Oklahoma. the November following their marriage. They took up residence in the Pribble Hotel (which was located on the site of the present Alva Public Library) where Mr. Rauh’s first employment was with the Meixmer Bakery. Wages were 10t a day and the next day a loaf of bread. Their first child Harry A. was born on this location right off the square. They purchased a farm southeast of Alva where Alfred, Ernest and Edna Rauh Schuessler were later born.

Martin and Emma Rauh were engaged in farming and later years in custom threshing. He had the dealership for Massey Harris and the Wallis tractors. They lived on this farm and near his brothers until the early 1940s when they moved to Cherokee. They remained active in farming on a smaller scale until he passed away in July, 1959. Mrs. Rauh passed away in April 1977.

Their family all were farmers in the Woods County area. Harry married Ida Popp of Perryville, Missouri and their children are Verna (Mrs. Harold Dubben), whose children are Cheryl and Mark; Dorothy (Mrs. Joe Lansdown) whose children are Dorothy Jo Taylor and William.

Alfred married Clara Resler of Cherokee, Oklahoma. They have two daughters, Betty (Mrs. Richard Dotter) whose children are Steve, Alan and Lance, and Bonnie (Mrs. Leonard Camp) whose children are Gary and Mike.

Ernest married Helen Neidens of Follett, Texas. They had two daughters: Evelyn (Mrs. J.E. Gum), whose children are Debbie and Mary; and Mildred (Mrs. Fred Newman) whose son is Steve.

Edna married Walter Schuessler of Altenburg, Missouri and their family consists of Harvey Schuessler, who married Shirley Kramer. Their children are Keith, Brenda, and Scott; and Ruby (Mrs. Don Hughes) whose children are Rejeana and Jeanette.

Prepared by Verna (Rauh) Dubben. 1987.[2]

Roland and Laura (Kirmse) Schmidt

Roland Schmidt’s great-great-grand-parents came to the USA. in 1838. They sold all their possessions in Paitzdorf Germany and boarded a ship in Hamburg Germany. They landed in New Orleans, then went up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. In St. Louis, they bought a plot of land in Perry County, Missouri, about five miles from the Wittenburg Landing. Roland was born near Altenburg, Missouri to Ernst Schmidt and Sarah (Muller) Schmidt, September 8, 1911. Roland has an older brother Elmer, two younger brothers Albert, and Edgar and a sister Stella. He went to school in Altenburg, Missouri and enjoyed going hunting and fishing in the hills and creeks near his home. From 1930 to 1934 he worked in Nebraska. In 1934 he came to Oklahoma to work and here he met Laura Kirmse. They were married August 21, 1938 in the Zion Lutheran Church. They moved to Cherokee, Oklahoma where they farmed till December 1943, then moved to a farm four miles south of Alva. Here they farmed mostly wheat and raised cattle. Roland also went Custom Harvesting many years going as far north as Wyoming.

Laura’s parents were Wilhelm “William”  and Martha (Cordes) Kirmse. They were both born near Farrar, Missouri just several miles from the Mississippi River. Laura has one brother, Julius, and two sisters, Ella, now Mrs. Gilbert Krueger, and Norma, now Mrs. Alwin “Bud” Rauh, Jr. Laura was born on Laura’s parent’s farm southeast of Alva on October 31, 1913. Laura started to school in Liberty District 35 then attended Lutheran School in Alva. As a young girl. Laura I helped at home and worked for different people around Alva until she got married.

Roland and Laura have three children, Arlene, Ernest and Larry.

Arlene attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She married Robert J. Manning. They live in Lawrence Kansas where he is Gymnastic coach and P.E. teacher. They have two boys, Michael and Jay.

Ernest attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and is now farming. He is married to Karen Johnson and they live south of Alva. They have three children Kurt, Pamela and Mark.

Larry graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. He was killed in an airplane crash in 1979 on his way home from working as a Deep Sea operator on a drill ship in Northwest Canada. In 1976 Laura and Roland moved to Alva.

Prepared by Laura (Kirmse) Schmidt 1987.[2]

Glen and Louise (Lohmann) Schoeling

Glenn Ray Schoeling was born August 3, 1931, at Fairmont, Oklahoma. He attended schools at Garber and Fairmont, Oklahoma. Glenn moved to the Alva area when he married Louise Marie Lohmann on November 21, 1954. Before their marriage he served two years with the 14th Army, spending one year in Germany. After being discharged he worked as Ranch Foreman at the Van Dyke Ranch at Springer, New Mexico. Louise grew up on the farm where Glenn and she now live. They moved to this farm after their marriage.  Louise was born on November 24, 1932 (Thanksgiving Day). She attended the Lutheran School and worked as the Deputy City Clerk before and after their marriage.

To this union four children were born; Gary Ray born September 18, 1956, he married Beth Ann Frech, on April 14, 1984, her birthday is April 14, 1960. Dennis Dean Schoeling was born January 24, 1958, he married Lesa Mae Houston, November 5, 1983, her birthday being January 20, 1958. they have two daughters Maggie Maye Shoeling born on February 27, 1985 and Morgan Anna born February 27, 1986, both were born on same date a year apart. The two daughters of Glenn and Louise are Glenda Louise Schoeling, born on August 25, 1961, and Sharon Kay Schoeling, born on April 26, 1963. All four children attended school in Alva and graduated from the Alva High School.

The two sons continued in their father and grandfathers’ footsteps of being farmers. The two daughters continued their education. Glenda graduated from Murry State College, with a degree of Veterinary Technician and is working in Topeka, Kansas. Sharon received her degree from O.S.U. in Agr. Ec. and is presently working as Office Manager at As Glenn enjoys cattle he was the first Charolais Breeder in Woods County. He bought his first cows in 1963. Raising cattle and farming wheat is the main work around the Schoeling farm. All are faithful and active members of the Lutheran Church.

Prepared by Louise (Lohmann) Schoeling  1987.[2]

Harvey and Shirley (Kramer) Schuessler

Shirley Ann Kramer and Harvey Gene Schuessler were united in marriage on December 30, 1960 in Zion Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. Shirley was born and grew up in Oklahoma City. Chris and Alma (Koeltzow) Kramer were her parents. She has one sister, Dorothy (Kramer) Kramer. Shirley was graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1960.

Harvey was born in Cherokee, Oklahoma and lived there until the age of seven when his family moved to Alva. He is the son of Walter and Edna (Rauh) Schuessler. His sister is Ruby (Schuessler) Hughes. Harvey attended the Zion Lutheran School, the Alva Public Schools, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Keith Daniel Schuessler was born to Harvey and Shirley on March 17, 1962. Brenda Kay Schuessler was born on October 5, 1964, and Scott Alan Schuessler arrived on December 10, 1965. The family has happy memories living in Legion Heights Addition at 709 N. Sunset Drive for ten years. In 1970 the Schuessler family moved to the Wanda Thilsted farm north of town and lived there until 1973. They then moved to their present home which they built on the west edge of Alva.

Harvey and Shirley opened the Schuessler Insurance and Real Estate Agency in 1973. For two years they operated out of their home. In 1975 they moved in their present office at 1002 Oklahoma Blvd.

On June 1, 1984 Keith was married to Shari Baltz. Brenda was married to Michael Hood on June 29, 1985. Keith and Shari now live in Hutchinson, Kansas where Keith is Production Supervisor for Cargill Salt Plant. Brenda, Mike, and Scott are attending Oklahoma State University.

Prepared by Shirley (Kramer) Schuessler, 1987.[2]

Discussion

Most but not all of the Woods County residents with Perry County heritage in the Alva area became members of Zion Lutheran Church – Alva.  As shown in a previous Chapter: First Members From Perry County, the first Perry County residents arrived in the Alva area in 1901 – two years after the founding of the Zion Lutheran Church – Alva . However, after 50 years, a significant portion of the membership had a Perry County heritage as is illustrated in Chapter: Zion Lutheran Church Council 1949.

Notes

1. Cherokee Strip Volunteer League. “Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County”, 1976.
2. Seekers of Oklahoma Heritage Association. “The First 100 Years of Alva, Oklahoma. 1886-1986″  Curtis Media Corporation, Dallas, Texas, 1987.