The following was known about Johann Ferdinand Lill from the Zion Lutheran Church – Alva, Oklahoma 100 year celebration book “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”:
“Johann F. Lill was born on September 24, 1874, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from seminary in Springfield in the year 1898 and was ordained on October 2 of that a same year in Huntsville, Kansas. After a short pastorate, he served as a traveling missionary at Plevna, KS, Nashville, KS, Preston, KS, Stafford, KS, and Alva, OK. How many churches he might have helped organize remains uncertain. His term as a missionary was also brief as by the 23rd of September, 1900, he was serving as a pastor in Dubuque, Kansas. He resigned from the ministry in 1901. (His resignation is listed under “teacher”, so he may have served in a dual role). That is all that is known of Lill.”[1][2]
This chapter documents the results of a genealogical search for more information about Johann Ferdinand Lill that are summarized as a timeline of events.
1874 Birth
When Johann Ferdinand Lill was born on September 24, 1874, in Chicago, Illinois[2], his father, August Franz Heinrich Lill Sr, was 24 and his mother, Therese Reetz, was 19.
Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922
| Name: | Lill |
|---|---|
| Birth Date: | 24 Sep 1874 |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Cook, Illinois |
| Gender: | Male |
| Father: | August Lill |
| Mother: | Theresa Ratz |
| FHL Film Number: | 1287721 |
Discussion
While no first name is given on the birth certificate document, we see from the following 1880 US Census that it is John. And, from other documents his full given name is Johann Ferdinand.
1880 US Census
By 1880, John Lill’s parents and family had moved to Charter Oak, Iowa.
Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head: Son
| Name: | John Lill | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Birth Date: | Abt 1875 | ||||||||||||||
| Birthplace: | Illinois | ||||||||||||||
| Home in 1880: | Charter Oak, Crawford, Iowa, USA | ||||||||||||||
| Dwelling Number: | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| Race: | White | ||||||||||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||||||||||
| Relation to Head of House: | Son | ||||||||||||||
| Marital Status: | Single | ||||||||||||||
| Father’s name: | August Lill | ||||||||||||||
| Father’s Birthplace: | Prussia | ||||||||||||||
| Mother’s name: | Threse Lill | ||||||||||||||
| Mother’s Birthplace: | Prussia | ||||||||||||||
| Neighbors: | View others on page | ||||||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
Information Source
- “1880 United States Federal Census”; Census Place: Charter Oak, Crawford, Iowa; Roll: 335; Family History Film: 1254335; Page: 27A; Enumeration District: 063, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Lehi, UT, USA, 2010.
1885 Iowa State Census
| Name | John Lill | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Year | abt 1875 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Place | Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residence Date | 1885 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residence Place | Charter Oak, Crawford, Iowa, USA | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gender | Male | ||||||||||||||||||
| Household Members |
|
Information Source
- “Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925”; Census Place: Charter Oak, Crawford, Iowa; Roll: 335; Family History Film: 1254335; Page: 27A; Enumeration District: 063, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, UT, USA, 2007.
1895 Iowa State Census
| Name | John Lill |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | Illinois |
| Residence | Crawford Co Iowa, Crawford |
Information Source
- “Iowa, State Census Collection, 1895”; Census Place: Charter Oak, Crawford, Iowa; Roll: 335; Family History Film: 1254335; Page: 27A; Enumeration District: 063, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, UT, USA,,2003.
1998 Springfield, Illinois, City Directory
Johann Lill was still living in Springfield, Illinois in 1898.
Occupation: Student Concordia College. Boards at same.
1898 Graduation
John F. Lill graduated from the Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois in 1898. (From “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”)[2]
1898 Pastor – Huntsville, Kansas
John F Lill was ordained October 2, 1898 at Huntsville, Kansas (From “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”)[2]
Translation
On behalf of the Honorable President Hafner, Candidate Joh. Lill on the 17th Sunday after Trinity was ordained and installed in the congregation by Huntsville, Kansas by the undersigned. H. Voss. Address: Rev. Joh. Lill, Plevna, Reno County, Kansas.[5]
Huntsville, Kansas is an unincorporated community in Reno County, Kansas, and is about 20 miles west of Hutchinson, Kansas.
1899 Traveling Missionary
After a short pastorate, Rev. Lill served as a traveling missionary at Plevna, KS, Nashville, KS, Preston, KS, Stafford, KS, and Alva, OK. (From “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”)
A route connecting the mission churches based on current roads that Rev. Lill.could have taken is shown on the above map. In 1898-1900 the roads were certainly different and the mode of travel would have probably been by saddle horse or horse and buggy. And it would have taken much longer than 3 hours to go the full distance.
1899 Zion Lutheran Church – Alva
The Zion Lutheran Church – Alva, Oklahoma was reportedly organized May 21 of 1899 under the leadership of traveling missionary Johann Ferdinand Lill.
Information Sources
Der Lutheraner, Volume 56, Number 17, 21 August 1900, pages 261-263 as translated by Fred Eggers. From a report of more than 1 1/2 pages entitled Oklahoma: According to Pastor Lill from Kansas, Alva, Woods County, which he had previously been serving, has called Candidate H. Meyer from this year’s graduating class. The congregation organized in Alva is one of 16 members, and there still about 10 families which can be hoped to join. The people are glad that a pastor in her midst, and want to build church and parsonage.. From Alva the new pastor is to be sent out in all directions. The prospects for success are very favorable, because there are many German Lutherans living in Woods County, as Pastor Lill reports.
Der Lutheraner, Volume 56, Number 20, 2 October 1900, page 315 as translated by Fred Eggers. Ordinationtent und Einführungen (Ordinations and Installations) On behalf of the Honorable President Hafner, Candidate Herm. Meier on the 13th Sunday after Trinity in his church at Alva, Kansas (sic), led by J. F. Lill.
1900 US Census
No 1900 US Census record has been found for John F Lill. A record exists for John Lill’s parents and family but John is not listed. And, A record also exists for the parents of John Lill’s future wife’s family
1900 Pastor – Dubuque, Kansas
By 23 Sep 1900, Rev. Johann Ferdinand Lill was a pastor at Dubuque, Kansas. (From “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”){2]
Information Sources
Der Lutheraner, Volume 56, Number 25, 25 December 1900, page 395 as translated by Fred Eggers: Ordinationtent und Einführungen (Ordinations and Installations) On behalf of the Honorable President of the Kansas District, Pastor Joh.Lill on the 15th Sunday after Trinity in his congregation at Dubuque, Kansas led by J. G. F. Kleinhans.
Der Lutheraner, Volume 56, Number 20, 2 October 1900, page 320 as translated by Fred Eggers: Veränderte Adreſſen (Changed Addresses) Rev. Jno. F. Lill, Dubuque, Russell Co., Kans.
The unincorporated community of Dubuque is located on the border of Barton and Russell Counties. It was Polish immigrants who settled the area following the Civil War. Volga Germans settled in the area shortly thereafter, coming from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Most of the Volga Germans in the area attended there. A school was also built near the Lutheran Church. Only the cemetery remains across the road from the ruins of the Lutheran Church.
Information Source
The Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, “Dubuque, Barton/Russell County, Kansas”. Downloaded from http://cvgs.cu-portland.edu/immigration/united_states/kansas/dubuque.cfm on 13 Oc 2017.
1900 Marriage
Rev. Johann F. Lill married Rose Katherine Haas in on 12 Dec 1900, when he was 26 years old and his bride was 21 years old.
| Name: | John F Lill |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Event Type: | Marriage |
| Marriage Date: | 12 Dec 1900 |
| Marriage Place: | Various Counties, Montana; Illinois; Kansas |
| Spouse: | Rosa Haas |
| Church Name: | Immanuel |
| Church Location: | Russell, Kansas |
Locations: Church: Russell County (near Dubuque), Kansas Groom: Dubuque, Kansas, USA; Bride: Plevna, Kansas, USA
Information Source
“U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Records, 1826-1945”; Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Archives; Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, UT, USA, 2015. Downloaded 15 Oct 2017.
1901 Resigned from Ministry
Johann Ferdinand Lill resigned as “Teacher” in 1901 – he may have served in a dual role. (From “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”)
1905 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
Johann F. Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1905.
Marital Status: Married; Address: 2719 Adel Street
1906 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1906. Occupation: Laborer Cudahy Pkg Co, Address: 1605 5th.
1907 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1907.Occupation: Laborer Palmer & Co, Address: 1605 5th
1908 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill is lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1908. Occupation: Laborer Palmer & Co,, Address: 515 Prospect
1909 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill is lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1909. Occupation: Clerk Palmer & Co,, Address: 515 Prospect
1910 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill is lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1910. Occupation: Clerk Cudahy Pkg Co,, Address: 515 Prospect
1910 US Census
Johann Ferdinand Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, on April 26, 1910.
| Name: | John F Lill [John F Gill] |
||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age in 1910: | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1875 | ||||||||||||||
| Birthplace: | Illinois | ||||||||||||||
| Home in 1910: | Sioux Ward 3, Woodbury, Iowa | ||||||||||||||
| Street: | Prospect | ||||||||||||||
| House Number: | 315 | ||||||||||||||
| Race: | White | ||||||||||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||||||||||
| Relation to Head of House: | Head | ||||||||||||||
| Marital Status: | Married | ||||||||||||||
| Spouse’s Name: | Rosenia Lill | ||||||||||||||
| Father’s Birthplace: | Holland | ||||||||||||||
| Mother’s Birthplace: | Holland | ||||||||||||||
| Native Tongue: | English | ||||||||||||||
| Occupation: | Stockkeeper | ||||||||||||||
| Industry: | Packing Co | ||||||||||||||
| Employer, Employee or Other: | Wage Earner | ||||||||||||||
| Home Owned or Rented: | Own | ||||||||||||||
| Home Free or Mortgaged: | Free | ||||||||||||||
| Farm or House: | House | ||||||||||||||
| Able to Read: | Yes | ||||||||||||||
| Able to Write: | Yes | ||||||||||||||
| Years Married: | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Out of Work: | N | ||||||||||||||
| Number of weeks out of work: | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Neighbors: | View others on page | ||||||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
Discussion
The database has John Linll’s parents as being from Holland. However, the original census document gives their birth place as “Hol-Duetch L”
1913 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1913. Occupation: Book Keeper, Standard Oil Company; Spouse: Rose K; Address: 2213 11th
1914 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1914. Occupation: Book Keeper, Standard Oil Company; Address: 612 Pavonia
1915 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F. Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1915. Occupation: Book Keeper, Standard Oil Company; Spouse: Rose K Lill; Residence: 612 Pavonia
1915 Iowa State Census
Johann Ferdinand Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1915.
Marital Status: Married; Occupation: Book Keeper, Standard Oil Company; Residence: 612 Pavonia
| Name: | John F Lill | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | 40 | ||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1875 | ||||
| Birth Place: | Illinois | ||||
| Residence Date: | 1915 | ||||
| Residence Place: | Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, USA | ||||
| Race: | White | ||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||
| Marital Status: | Married | ||||
| Father Birth Place: | Holland | ||||
| Mother Birth Place: | Holland | ||||
| Neighbors: | View others on page | ||||
| Household Members: |
|
Information Source
- “Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925”; Census Place: Charter Oak, Woodbury, Iowa; Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, UT, USA, 2007.
-
Discussion
Note that the census card includes questions about education. According to this Lill had only 3 years of high school and no college. Why would his seminary studies not be counted as college? The reason for this is that at the time when Rev. Lill attended the seminary in Springfield: “It was not until 1918 that completion of eighth grade was required of prospective students, the same year that an additional year of instruction was added to the pre-seminary course of study. The additional courses made it possible for pastors to obtain teaching certificates in states where pastors were not automatically eligible to teach in parochial schools. However, even in the 1920s the pastors graduating from the seminary generally had, except for the pastoral training, only the equivalent of a high school education.” Downloaded from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concordia_Theological_Seminary on 15 Oct 2017.
1916 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
John F. Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1916. Occupation: Book Keeper, Standard Oil Company; Spouse: Rose K Lill; Residence: 612 Pavonia
1917 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
Johann F Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1917. Occupation: Stock Clerk, Standard Oil Company; Spouse: Rose K Lill; Residence: 612 Pavonia
1918 Sioux City, Iowa, City Directory
Johann F Lill lived in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1918. Occupation: Stock Clerk; Spouse: Rose K Lill Residence: 117 S Rustin
1918 World War I Draft Registration
Johann Ferdinand Lill lived in Beadle County, South Dakota, on September 12, 1918. Present Occupation: Clerk Standard Oil Co.; Huron, South Dakota; Nearest Relative: Zena Lill, 117 So Rustin Ave., Sioux City, Iowa.
Discussion
John Lill is living in Huron, South Dakota and uses his employer as his address. And, he lists his oldest daughter, Zena Grace Lill, as his nearest relative who is living at 117 So Rustin Ave., Sioux City, Iowa. Apparently, John Lill is separated from his wife and may be divorced. In the 1920 US Census as shown below, John Lill’s wife lists herself as being divorced.
1920 US Census
No 1920 US Census record has been found for Johann Ferdinand Lill. However. the census record for his wife, Rosa Lill, was found. According to this, Rosa is divorced.
1920 • Sioux City Precinct 13, Woodbury, Iowa, USA
Residence Marital Status: Divorced
| Name: | Rose Lill | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | 39 | ||||||||||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1881 | ||||||||||||
| Birthplace: | Germany | ||||||||||||
| Home in 1920: | Sioux City Precinct 13, Woodbury, Iowa | ||||||||||||
| Street: | No Alice St | ||||||||||||
| House Number: | 115 | ||||||||||||
| Residence Date: | 1920 | ||||||||||||
| Race: | White | ||||||||||||
| Gender: | Female | ||||||||||||
| Immigration Year: | 1882 | ||||||||||||
| Relation to Head of House: | Head | ||||||||||||
| Marital Status: | Divorced | ||||||||||||
| Father’s Birthplace: | Germany | ||||||||||||
| Mother’s Birthplace: | Germany | ||||||||||||
| Native Tongue: | German | ||||||||||||
| Able to Speak English: | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Occupation: | Servant | ||||||||||||
| Industry: | Private Family | ||||||||||||
| Employment Field: | Wage or Salary | ||||||||||||
| Home Owned or Rented: | Rent | ||||||||||||
| Naturalization Status: | Naturalized | ||||||||||||
| Able to Read: | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Able to Write: | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Neighbors: | View others on page | ||||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
1923 St Paul, Minnesota, City Directory, 1923
Joh F Lill lived in St Paul, Minnesota in 1923.Occupation: Watchman Illinois Steel Warehouse Co, Residence: St Paul, Minnesota [To Be Verified]
1926 St Paul, Minnesota, City Directory, 1926
John F Lill lived in St Paul, Minnesota in 1926.Occupation: Watchman Illinois Steel Warehouse Co, Residence: St Paul, Minnesota [To Be Verified]
1936 Death
Several Family Trees in Ancestry state that Johann Ferdinand Lill died in 1936. However, no supporting documentation has been found.
Where
Johann Ferdinand Lill lived in many locations:
Birth: 24 Sep 1874 • Chicago, Illinois; Residence: 1880 • Charter Oak, Iowa Residence: 1885 • Charter Oak, Iowa; Graduation: 1898 • Springfield, Illinois; Ordination:1898 • Huntsville, Kansas; Missionary; 1899 • Alva, Oklahoma; Marriage: 1900 • Dubuque, Residence: 1905 • Sioux City, Iowa; Residence: 1908 • Sioux City, Iowa; Residence: 1910 • Sioux City, Iowa; Residence: 1915 • Sioux City, Iowa; Residence: 1916 • Sioux City, Iowa;; Residence: 1917 • Sioux City, Iowa; Residence: 1918 • Huron, South Dakota,
Future Research
- Determine what Johann Ferdinand Lill Lill did after 1918.
- Document the death and internment of Johann Ferdinand Lill.
- In the 1880 US Census, both of John Lill’s parent’s birthplaces are listed as being born in Prussia. In the 1885 Iowa State Census, John Lll’s father and mother are listed as being from Germany. In the 1900 US Census, John Lifl’s father is listed as being born in Germany. In the 1910 US Census database record, John F. Lill parents birthplaces were transcribed as being from Holland – however the original census document shows their birthplaces as being “Hol-Duetch L”. In the 1915 Iowa State Census record, John F. Lill lists his parents as being born in Holland. Possibly John Lill was trying to minimize his German heritage because WWI was in progress. Further research on John Lill’s ancestors should resolve this issue.
Notes
- See Chapter: Founding of Zion Lutheran Church – Alva
- Fred M. Eggers forwarded the following response that he received from Mark J. Bliese of the Concordia Historical Institute, Saint Louis, MO for a request for any records on the education and service record of Rev. Johann Ferdinand Lill: “John F. Lill was born Sep. 24, 1874 in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, IL 1898 and was ordained in Huntsville, KS on Oct. 2, 1898. He served there until Sep. 23, 1900, at which time he started serving in Dubuque, KS. He resigned from the LCMS ministry in 1901. That is all the data we have on him from our LCMS personal record card.”. This confirms the information provided in the Zion Lutheran Church – Alva, Oklahoma 100 year celebration book “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”, However, no mention is made of Rev.Lill serving as a traveling missionary. Did Rev.Lill possibly serve as a traveling missionary at the same time as he was the pastor at Huntsville, KS?
- Fred M. Eggers also forwarded a copy of an article “DUBUQUE, IMMANUEL’S. Just north of the southern border line of Russell county a colony of Germans settled in the seventies. Among these Rev. R. Erdtmann began preaching as early as 1879. On the 19th of October that year he organized Immanuel’s church at the small inland town of Dubuque. The charter members consisted of Messrs Robert Janne, George Kastorf, August Kluesener, Hermann Lucemann, Heinrich Knabke, Hermann Kluesener, Eduard Rahenkampf, Christian Hilgenberg, George Ansehurz and George Buhler and their families. The first trustees were August Kluesener, Christian AnsohnIctz and Dietrick Knabke. At first services were held In the homes of the members. Shortly afterward and during the pastorate of Rev. Erdtmann ground was obtained for a church and a cemetery. Plans were adopted for a structure 23 by 43 feet, of stone, and with a wooden tower, which was completed and dedicated. The building cost all told $2,000 and is without debt. In November, 1900 the congregation built a parsonage 28 by 30 feet, frame, and at a cost of $1,200. This was all paid for when completed. The congregation has a parochial school with an enrollment of 30 and a Sunday school with a similar enrollment. The cemetery is located opposite the church. The pastors have been as follows: Revs. It Erdtmann, 1883-93; Bracuhahn, 1893-6; H. Westphal, 1896; John Kteinhaus, 1896-1901; C. A. Mcnnenoh, 1901-4; Carl Martin, 1904-7; Friedrich Kasten, 1907. For some time the church was independent served by independent and Missouri Synod pastors. In 1901 it came within the influence of the German Synod of Nebraska in which it is at present enrolled. It has 104 communicant members and property valued at $2,675.” in a book by Ott, Rev. H.A. “A History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Kansas”, Kansas Synod, 1907, p. 187. There is no mention of Rev. Johann F. Lill in this article. However, as noted above, the Ordination and Installation of Rev. Johann F. Lill at the Dubuque, Kansas congregation is led by J. G. F. Kleinhans.
- Der Lutheraner, Volume 54, Number 20, 4 October 1898 As translated by Fred Eggers, October 25, 2017
Note: Rev. Hans Heinrich Christian Karl (Henry) Voss (1860-1939) was Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Haven, Kansas from 1889 to 1900.
A genealogical search for Johann Ferdinand Lill was made to provide a timeline of events in his life. See the following chapter Johann Ferdinand Lill – Missionary.