Wisconsin: Gustave Henry Schmerse

1. Gustave Henry (Heinrich) Schmerse born 17 Mar 1873,¹⁾ Farmer, married (1) 15 Feb 1900, in Juda, Wisconsin, Mary Louise Wolf, born 18 Dec 1879, Juda, Wisconsin, died 27 Apr 1927,¹⁾ married (2) 1928/29, separated 1952, Martha Pommering, born about 1875. Gustav died 1 Nov 1958, Monroe, Wisconsin 53566. Gustav and Mary were married in the home of the brides parents. Dad's courtship was limited and very short. I'll tell this little joke on dad: after seeing my mother for 2 weeks straight he bought some heart candy, and on one of them it said: Will you marry me? The place was dark, so dad lit a match so mother could see it well enough to read it, she knew what was on his mind, well in about 2 month grand dad Wolf had a son-in-law, and with no education and bare hands they set out to make a new life for themselves. They started farming on uncle Henry's farm about 3 miles north west of Monroe. After living there 1 year uncle Henry and aunt Hulda decided to farm for themselves. The folks moved to a farm in Cadis - those were hard times. In 1909 they moved from the farm east of Juda way down to the farm that Dad bought 3 ½ miles south east of Orangeville. Hills, ditches and stones, the house and barn were built during the Civil War, 1865 and 1867.
Mary, our mother, gave us all the love that was within her heart. A great deal of the time she was not well. She never ate a meal in a restaurant, or never was in a beauty shop. She worked far beyond her health and strength. We all owe her a debt of eternal gratitude for her undying love for all of us. Our father had good health and was strong, and always wore a moustache. Dad loved us all in his own way, but he never let us know it unless we were real sick. Let us all thank our parents for the heritage that has been passed on to us thru hard work, and bitter tears. Theirs was not at all easy.
Our Father was sort of old fashioned modern, just think of the moving from that good farm east of Juda to the hills and ditches and stones. I'm sure he thought there was gold in those hills. They worked and slaved and done without for themselves, to give us a stepping stone. Mother lost her health, and later Father lost his, but in the meantime, Dad became modern in spots. He installed a reservoir and had running water to the barn, but not to the house. He had one of the first silos in the community, he bought a Fordson tractor, which shocked him many times while touching the spark plugs. It was an agrivation, but he loved it, I can still hear him sing in the field while driving the tractor thru the whine of the tractor. Mother would help milk by hand 10 cows, those summer evenings sultry, after a hard days work, hoeing in the garden, doing a big wash for 9 of us. Water had to be lugged in, heated in the wash boiler on the wood range in the kitchen, and lugged out again to the wash house. The washing machine was powered by mother until dad got a gas engine and rigged it up. The clothes had to be hung up on the clothes line, in the winter time a path had to be shovelled in knee deep snow. All the little chicks were raised with setting hens. We had a large orchard, lots of apples were canned, many vegetables were put into the cellar, for the cold long winter. Mother mended out clothes patch upon patch. These were hard times, milk had to be hauled to the cheese factory twice a day. Folks in that age didn't need to go bowling, golfing for exercise. There was no forced bussing, to school we had to walk. Most of the work was done by hand. Our home built in 1865 during the Civil War, was a shelter and a home for all of us, we had winter, spring, summer and fall. Regardless how rushed the seasons seem today, we celebrated Chrismas on Dec, 25th the same as we do today, in this modern age. Are we any happier than we were then? Let us thank our God for the parents that he gave us all and for the heritage which is ours to come and go as we please. The future is ours to choose, to a certain extent. The present belongs to the future and the future belongs to the present. Good health ist better than richess.
Children by Mary Louise Wolf:
2. i Alvina Marie Schmerse born 18 Jun 1901.
3. ii William Fredrick Schmerse born 3 Nov 1902.
iii Alma Schmerse born 1 Jul 1904, Juda, Wisconsin,¹⁾ died 4 May 1906, Juda, Wisconsin. She had blue eyes and dark hair. She fell in the stock tank and drownd - the shock to the parents took many years to get over.
4. iv Edwin Gustave Schmerse born 15 Nov 1905.
v Ervin Chester Schmerse born 6 Feb 1907, Juda, Wisconsin,¹⁾ married 25 Jan 1933, Irma Gertrude Bowen, born 27 Nov 1912. Ervin died prior to 1996, Visalia, Fresno, California. Ervin Chester was born Feb. 6, 1907: I was rather young at that time, and the morning was cold, Mother said I kicked a hole in Dr. Giffords satchel, and I caught a cold right away. Mother said I had blue eyes and dark hair. We all had all the childhood deseases and then some, we all attended Brush Creek School, approx. 1 mile from our home. The school structure was stone, 100 years old. One teacher taught all 8 grades, we learned a lot, I learned that all that glitters is not GOLD, and the moon is not made of green cheese. I remember seing Halley's Comet, I was about 5 years old. On sundays we went to Bethel Evangelical Church at Afolkey. During our growing up there were no electric lights, no television, mud roads, dust in the dry summers. But we all grew up to be respectful of our parents, some more than others. At the age of 19 I left home and worked on farms. I married and we started farming 4 miles west of Monroe. We farmed there at the Rock House Dairy farm, in 1934 we headed for the GOLDEN WEST. We had 2 dairies, 4 orange groves, and now (1981) I am down to selling Real Estate & Wall Street. We had have the privilege to see much of the U.S. and some of the outside world. We have lived in Visalia, California, for 16 years.
Irma lives prior to 1997: 2215 1st Street, Monroe, WI 53566-1273, USA
316 3rd Ave, Monroe, WI 53566-1273, USA
5. vi Walter Henry Schmerse born 27 Dec 1908.
6. vii Harold George Schmerse born 1 Apr 1911.
7. viii Ray Herman Schmerse born 28 Feb 1913.

Second Generation

2. Alvina Marie Schmerse born 18 Jun 1901, Cadis Township, Monroe, Wisconsin,¹⁾ married 20 Dec 1921, Clarence L. Stubbe, born 2 Oct 1900. Alvina died 5 Jun 1991, Freeport, Illinois. She had brown eyes and dark hair, she was not very tall at that time, and she wore the soles of her feet off carrying her brothers around. So what do you say HATS OFF to a great sister. She attended Brush Creek grade school, one room (one) teacher, she taught all eight grades, $80.00 per month and did all the janitor work. We learned at lot, the school house was stone, 100 years old. Alvina and Clarence reside at 1467, So. Deming Ave., Freeport (in 1981). Clarence is also an insurance salesman.

Children:
8. i LaVerne Stubbe born 6 May 1924.
9. ii Clarice Stubbe born 28 May 1927.
iii Lyle Terry Stubbe born 5 May 1929, died 24 Jul 1949. Deceased from an accident.

3. William Fredrick Schmerse born 3 Nov 1902, Cadis Township, Monroe, Wisconsin,¹⁾ married 14 Mar 1925, Edna M. Schwartzlow, born 19 Jun 1904, died 3 Mar 1980, El Centro, California. William died 17 Mar 1984. He always wanted a bicycle, so at the age of 2 days old he started pedalling - but he never got the bicycle. Bill got all of his education in a one room school and graduated with a diploma of hard knocks. He worked on a farm for uncle Henry and aunt Hulda. He drove a fine little sorrel mare, and a spiffy buggy, he was the envy of those had to drive cars. Bill and Edna started farming in Sylvester Township, they farmed for many years. They resided at 2120, 18th St., Monroe. Bill also spends much time in California after Edna's passing. Since moving to Monroe he has a hobby of making many lovely toy wagons. He, also, made a toy merry-go-round, which he had merchandized.

Children:
10. i Jackolyn June Schmerse born 25 Mar 1928.

4. Edwin Gustave Schmerse born 15 Nov 1905, Juda, Wisconsin,¹⁾ married (1) Sep 1933, separated 1939, Helen Carey Davis, married (2) 1941, separated 1943, Addie Mae ?. Edwin died 21 Mar 1965, Rosehills, Whittier, California. He was a happy go lucky kid, sometimes mischievious, but not bad. He had sand fingers, and his money seemed to flow right thru his fingers. He was severely sick at times, but somehow managed to recover. He went to Brush Creek School, that was the extent. He got a car on his own, and tinkered with it quite a lot even when it wasn't necessary.

Children by Helen Carey Davis:
i Mary Helen Schmerse born about 1935, married R. Earl Smith.
11. ii Roscoe Edwin Schmerse born 24 Jul 1937.

5. Walter Henry Schmerse born 27 Dec 1908, Juda, Wisconsin,¹⁾ truck driver, married 14 Mrz 1928/35, separated, Kathryn M. Lentz, lives 1996, Freeport, Illinois. Walter died 29 Jun 1983. He has brown eyes and brown hair, I must say that he was the best kid the folks had. He never got into mischief. He chased a hoop in front of a stick with a cross piece all over and never complained he was tired. He was good at it. When he was a kid, Dad bought a 1916 Tin Lizzie with a brass radiator that out shone the sun. We all packed all 9 of us, Mother and Dad and Ray sat in the front seat, the rest of us sat catch as catch can. Sister Alvina always got to sit on the seat and one or two of us pressed her dress for her while sitting on her lap. Well, Walter finally wore out the hoop, and had to go to school, later graduated, helped on the farm, and later married. Walter lives (in 1981) at 1225, W. Harrison St., Freeport, Illinois. He is working part time, as a guard at Micro Switch. On his tombstone they had carved a long truck (a semi), with "Walt" written on the door of the cab.
Kathryn:
328 W Elk Street, Freeport, IL 61032-5447, USA

Children:
i Walter M. "Wally" Schmerse married Cathie Bates. Walter lives 1996, Freeport, Illinois. No children.
2370 Oriole Drive, Freeport, IL 61032-8453, USA

6. Harold George Schmerse born 1 Apr 1911, Orangeville, Illinois,¹⁾ Farmer,²⁾ married 28 Feb 1934, in Orangeville, Illinois, Pauline Peck, born 9 Dec 1912. Harold was born on the old homestead, he arrived just in time to help with the spring works. His brown eyes and brown hair, he went to Brush Creek Grade School with the rest of us. As a kid he was never as strong as the rest of us, so the folks decided to send him to high school. He rode horse back for 3 ½ miles each way. After the second year he discovered he was smelling horsey and the girls didn't take to it, so he quit high school shortly after Mother passed away, and Harold was made chief cook, and he held that position until Dad married Martha. It wasn't too long until he left home, and for 4 years he worked for W.R.Angle, and he discovered a cute gal, and hang it all - they were married and moved on Dad's farm. This was in the heart of the great depression and the dollar was about the size of the moon. We all went thru these years. They farmed 2 years and bought a blacksmith shop and sold Massey Harris machinery. Later they moved to a farm at Durand, Illinois, which they had made into a super farm and show place. Their son and Betty bought the home place (in 1981), that hard work, sweat, and bitter tears as well as much joy and happiness built as their heritage to their family. Harold and his grandson Tim started "Schmerse Lawn & Garden", a small store and shop, where they sell lawn and garden equipment, chainsaws and trimmers and do all kind of repair works. As a hobby, Harold has a collection of over forty old gasoline engines, ranging from one horsepower to six horsepower. Some of them are quite old, the oldest is a 1903.
307 W Main Street, Durand, IL 61024-9581, USA

Children:
i Nancy Lee Schmerse born 11 Mar 1935, Durand, Illinois 61024, married 20 Sep 1969, Ronald Giese, born 24 Mar 1936. No children.
12. ii Jimmy Roger Schmerse born 5 Mar 1936.
13. iii Susan Diane "Sue" Schmerse born 12 Mar 1944.

7. Ray Herman Schmerse born 28 Feb 1913, Orangeville, Illinois,¹⁾ married 27 Jan 1935/38, Margaret Mae Schrader, born 1910, Dakota, Illinois 61024,³⁾ retired clerk-typist,³⁾ died 9 Aug 1993, Visalia, Fresno, California.³⁾ Ray lives 1996, Visalia, Fresno, California. Ray, with brown eyes and dark hair, is the baby of the family. It seemed like never would grow up, as the folks gave him more attention than any of the rest of us. I don't know if that has an advantage, I sorta think a pushing into the deep end will teach to learn to swim sooner. He attended Brush Creek School, the same as the rest of us. Helped at home for a few years. It seemed that father and the new step mother, were (fiddent dit,) didn't fit with the two boys Harold and Ray, so they left home at a tender age to seek their fortune in the hard cruel world. Ray trucked for quite a while with his brother-in-law, some times he would meet himself comming back. One sunday they were in a terrible accident, and Ray had his girl friend with them, and Ray broke his neck, and both wrists to please his girl friend. Some later this same belle from Dakota, Illinois, became his one and only wife. They farmed a year or so then loaded up their worldly goods and came across the pairie in the Mayflower to California. Later Ray did a stretch working for Uncle Sam, in the air force, ground crew. Well in 45, month later, he came home, their daughter had been born and she didn't know who he was, so they got acquainted.
Margaret worked for the Tulare County Library.
1920 S Encina Street, Visalia, CA 93277-4859, USA

Children:
i (Daughter) Schmerse. Died as infant.
14. ii Vickie Lynn Schmerse born 22 Nov 1944.

Third Generation

8. LaVerne Stubbe born 6 May 1924, married 29 Jul 1944, Betty Whitbecker, born 12 Apr 1924.

Children:
15. i Larry Stubbe born 23 Mar 1945.
16. ii Patricia Stubbe born 3 Jan 1947.
17. iii William Stubbe born 24 Feb 1948.

9. Clarice Stubbe born 28 May 1927, married 16 May 1948, LaVerne Koester, born 5 Nov 1927.

Children:
18. i Angela Koester born 10 Oct 1948.
19. ii Deanna Koester born 14 Apr 1954.
iii Dan Koester born 11 Jun 1955.
iv David Koester born 29 Sep 1958.

10. Jackolyn June Schmerse born 25 Mar 1928, nurse, married 17 Nov 1951, Robert Johnson, born 27 Mar 1923, government job. Jackolyn lives 1981, El Centro, California.

Children:
20. i Roxann Johnson born 21 Dec 1952.
ii Scott Lief Johnson born 20 Aug 1954, married 4 Jun 1977, Leilani Ferreira, born 12 Dec 1954. Scott lives 1981, Napa, California. He has degree from Fresno State, makes loans for P.C.A.
Leilani has degree from Fresno State, teaches High School English.

11. Roscoe Edwin Schmerse born 24 Jul 1937, Inventor, married 29 Jul 1955, separated 1996, Beverly Tarr, born 4 Mar 1937. Roscoe lives 1996, La Miranda, CA 90638. He worked for United Asphalt Company in 14660 Industry Circle, La Miranda, California 90638, USA (in 1988). Roscoe invented a cotton swab on stick that won't puncture the eardrum (US Patent 5127899).
15948 Alicante Road, La Miranda, CA 90638-3234, USA

Children:
21. i Cheryl Schmerse born 14 Dec 1956.
ii Roscoe Edwin Schmerse Jr. born 20 Jul 1964, lives 1996, La Pine, OR 97739, USA. lebt 1992 in Anaheim Hills (CA 92807), 1996 in Sunset Beach (CA 90742). 1996 auch in Fullerton (CA 92634, (714)447-8060)?
52591 Sunrise Blvd, La Pine, OR 97739-8914, USA

12. Jimmy Roger Schmerse born 5 Mar 1936, Dakota, Illinois 61024, married 4 Jul 1958, Betty Joan Lovett, born 4 May 1938, Rockford, Illinois 61024. Jimmy lives 1996, Durand, Illinois 61024. Jim and Betty Schmerse sold the family farm in July, 1995. After August 5 1995, their address will be 11056 Center Road, Durand, Illinois. They will live here while their new house is being built.
15550 Freeport Road, Durand, IL 61024-9607, USA

Children:
22. i Timothy Lee Schmerse born 26 Jan 1959.
23. ii Thomas Lane Schmerse born 3 Dec 1959.
iii Tamela Schmerse born 25 Jan 1961, married Kent Ganshirt.
24. iv Tina Schmerse born 30 Jan 1962.

13. Susan Diane "Sue" Schmerse born 12 Mar 1944, Durand, Illinois 61024, married 8 Sep 1963, Russel Sarver, born 10 Jan 1940.

Children:
i Steven Sarver born 3 Jul 1969.
ii Cynthia Sarver born 7 May 1971, married 7 Aug 1993, Roy McMullen.

14. Vickie Lynn Schmerse born 22 Nov 1944, married 10 Apr 1968, Roger Gorman. Vickie lives 1981, Gladstone, Oregon.

Children:
i Jeffery Allen Gorman born 29 Jul 1970.
ii Deborah Lynn Gorman born 2 Dec 1972.

Fourth Generation

15. Larry Stubbe born 23 Mar 1945, married 30 Aug 1964, Mary Ann Horstmeier, born 15 Jul 1945.

Children:
i Todd Stubbe born 16 Jun 1968.
ii Tracey Stubbe born 4 Jun 1971.

16. Patricia Stubbe born 3 Jan 1947, married 25 Jun 1967, Gaylon Wilson, born 11 Feb 1947.

Children:
i Kimberley Wilson born 3 Oct 1968.
ii Debbie Wilson born 26 Jul 1971.
iii Timothy Wilson born 10 Jul 1974.

17. William Stubbe born 24 Feb 1948, married 19 Oct 1968, Nancy Ruebendall, born 18 Jan 1948.

Children:
i Jeffery Stubbe born 23 Aug 1970.
ii Michael Stubbe born 25 Feb 1973.
iii Gregory Stubbe born 14 Jun 1978.
iv Randall Stubbe born 19 Nov 1979.

18. Angela Koester born 10 Oct 1948, married 16 Jul 1973, Jim Ferguson.

Children:
i Sabrina Ferguson born 26 May 1977.
ii Dennis Ferguson born 15 Jul 1978.

19. Deanna Koester born 14 Apr 1954, married 27 Dec 1973, Jim DeSutter, born 27 Aug 1952.

Children:
i Jason DeSutter born 21 Dec 1979.

20. Roxann Johnson born 21 Dec 1952, married 16 Jun 1974, Russell Hays, born 9 Dec 1950. She attended Fresno State for 3 years and finished in San Jose. She works part time in a Dept. store.
Russell has degree from Fresno State, makes training films for Pullman-Kellogg in Houston, Texas.

Children:
i Brian Lief born 7 Sep 1978.

21. Cheryl Schmerse born 14 Dec 1956, married 13 Nov 1976, Cecil Allison, born 16 Aug 1950.

Children:
i April Allison born 1 Jan 1978.

22. Timothy Lee Schmerse born 26 Jan 1959, Rockford, Illinois 61024, married 30 Sep 1978, Pamela Joy Crown, born 30 Jan 1956, Peru, Illinois. Timothy lives 1996, Durand, Illinois 61024. Startet "Schmerse Lawn & Garden" in Durand together with his grandfather in 1982.
404 E North Street, Durand, IL 61024-9521, USA

Children:
i Jeremy Lee Schmerse born 18 Nov 1979, Rockford, Illinois 61024.
ii Joshua Luke Schmerse born 5 Aug 1982, Atlantic, Iowa.
iii Amy Jo Schmerse born 2 May 1985, Rockford, Illinois 61024.
iv Andrew James Schmerse born 16 Feb 1993, Rockford, Illinois 61024.

23. Thomas Lane Schmerse born 3 Dec 1959, Rockford, Illinois 61024, married 19 Sep 1981, Julie Ann Cassidy, born 20 Sep 1961, Freeport, Illinois. Thomas lives 1996, Ridott, IL 61067.
1287 N Markel Road, Ridott, IL 61067-9732, USA

Children:
i Jason Michael Schmerse born 24 Jun 1979, Freeport, Illinois.
ii Justin Morgan Schmerse born 4 May 1984, Rockford, Illinois 61024.

24. Tina Schmerse born 30 Jan 1962, married David Miller.

Children:
i Kelsy Miller born 2 Aug 1989.
ii Kody Lee Miller born 20 Jun 1995.