John Krueger found this small wooden box and shared its contents[1].

Autobiography

Transcription

Feb. 1, 1957

Willhelm Kirmse son of Julius and Barbara Kirmse Was born May 21, 1875 at Farrar Mo. Was confarmt at the age of 14 years had my etucation at Farrar Christian day school, at the age of 18 years I took up the Carpenter trade, in 1901 I made a trip to Alva Okla, whith the entention to file on a clame, put got too late, in 1902 I mad a second trip too the Cherokee Strip to locate me a home, and worket a month at the carpenter trade, but failed agin to establish me a home, in 1904 

I got marriet to Miss Martha Cordes, daughter of Henry and Margaret Cordes, in March 1904 we took the steamboad to St Louis Mo. And by train to Woodward Okla. There contected a Land Egent takin us by horses and Tax Runkey out over the open Prairey to locade us ¼ section of land to estable us a home, finey after days driving he located a ¼ section where I could file on a relingusment South West of Shattuck Okla  all there was on it a sod house 12 X 18, that was all and only 2 miles from the Lutheran Church, so we became members there agin, 

after living there 7 years, in 1910 we decided to change location, we moved to Alva Okla, and establish us a home 4 miles Soth East of where we joyndeed the Lutheran Church again where we lived 35 years, after 40 years retired we Farming, in 1944 we end moved to Alva, and are now living at 912 Third st alva  

We were blest with 6 children 2 boys and 4 girls 1 girl 18 months and 1 boy 17 years old, past on to there eternley home.  All our children are marrit and are blest with 11 childre, and we are all members of the The Zions Lutheren Church of Alva Okla at this time. 

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