Did the LEE or SCHULER families plan their history?

 Family history, the connections between families told in interesting stories. Hopefully my assignment from Amy Johnson Crow’s #52ancestors on “history” will prove interesting and encouraging to my readers. Two totally different families, one from Alabama and the other from Illinois joined lives to produce hard working fun loving descendants. This family was chosen because Rosa Belle LEE and William Lloyd SCHULER named their first son Lee Schuler. The SCHULER family roots are deep in Lockport, Will County, Illinois, since 1850. James Thomas LEE started and ended in Clay County, Alabama.  His descendants cover many states from Maryland and Arkansas. One of Mr. LEE’s occupations was crane operator which is the first name in this article.

LEE – Kimmel, Bedford County, Pennsylvania

LEE, James Thomas “JT” 1886-1970

Relationship to me: father-in-law to maternal uncle

A family photo shows JT as a crane operator at Kimmel, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The family remembers his telling and showing photos of working on a tunnel. The photos include Ray’s Tunnel West. The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened this part of the highway from 1940-1968 to vehicle traffic.  In the 1960s a bypass of about 13 miles was added eliminating some of the tunnels.  Currently this abandoned roadway serves as a nature trail for bikers and hikers.

SCHULER – Illinois & Michigan Canal, Illinois

SCHULER, John 1815-1875 and son Charles 1845-1904

Relationship to me: second great grandfather and great-granduncle

In the 1850 census, John worked as a laborer and lived in Lockport, Illinois. In the 1870 census, John’s son Charles worked as a canal teamster

SCHULER, John 1841-1916 and son Edward 1876-1940

Relationship to me: great grandfather and granduncle

In the 1870 census, John worked as canal captain. Future census’ listed John’s occupation as teamster. In the 1900 census, John’s son Edward worked as a teamster. A search of the I&M Canal records provide pay records to Edward as a teamster.   

SCHULER, William John “WJ” 1871-1965

Relationship to me: direct maternal grandfather

Willie started working on the I&M Canal at a young age as a mule driver; he ended his time on the canal as a steam boat pilot.  In the 1900 census, WJ worked as a boatman. In 1848, the I&M Canal joined the Chicago River with the Illinois River at LaSalle, Illinois, a distance of 96 miles. My grandfather, WJ Schuler, had the privilege of guiding the last boat through the Channahon Locks, Channahon, Illinois, in the early 1900s. Now we enjoy the recreational areas that have been developed all along the path.

SCHULER – Grundy County Speedway, Morris, Illinois

SCHULER, Lee 1933-1985

Relationship to me: maternal 1^st cousin

Lee encouraged and included his family in his hobby of stock car racing. The family worked on the cars and traveled to races on the week-ends. Lee was a late model stock car driver and sportsman with many loyal stock car racing friends and fans.

These men passed along strong work ethics. And their love for their families continues today. I remember JT brining home abandoned baby animals and the family hand raising them. I enjoyed the Schuler canal stories and our bike rides on the trails. I cherish memories of going to the races with family. Three generations later, family members are still active in racing. Now with Facebook, I follow the family in their projects, volunteer or hobby. I read about their school progress including football and music. Our family is still making history.

 Did JT ever think his labor on the tunnels would provide recreation for future generations? Or did the Schuler family foresee the miles of public pathways? Or did Lee Schuler desire to have a yearly week-end named for his racing passion? The Lee Schuler Memorial Race continues every Labor Day at the Grundy County Speedway, Morris, Illinois.

  What is your passion? Share it!

31 August 2025 Lee Schuler Memorial 61 Super Late Model race

Barbara Ann Kampe, artist, -2023

 

Barbara Kampe presented me, her sister, with her painting “Three birds in a bush.” In 2001, I worked as an administrative assistant; Barb offered to spruce up my office. Originally there were three birds in the painting not living up to the artist’s sense of design, so bushes grew up and covered the birds. I never learned which bush hid the birds.

Barb was born in Joliet, Illinois, due to an unexpected snow storm in October my mom and baby sister spent a few extra days in the hospital. With this much excitement, I think the rest of her growing up years were “ordinary.” Since my sister and I are twelve years apart in age, I do not know much about her early life. As an adult, Barb moved from Illinois to Florida. Living in Florida offered her an opportunity to relax, enjoy and pursue her interest in painting. She painted everything from landscapes, flowers to horses. Barb’s art provided her an outlet to express her love for the outdoors. 

This blog was written to express my memories and appreciation for my only sister. Amy Johnson Crow has a program called #52ancestors. . Each week a different topic allows us to think about our families. This is in response to week 10 siblings. We can blog, share a note on Facebook on Generations Café or bury the memories and no one will know what we are feeling. My personal feelings for my sister include the fact that I wish we could have spent more quality time together. Barb came to Georgia several times and I did enjoy walking the sandy beach in Clearwater, Florida.

Barb’s life ended too young and too quickly in May 2023. Her memorial was live streamed for the out of town friends and family. Thank you First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin for your thoughtfulness. Barb’s art was on display. Several of her friends offered comforting words. One of her friends articulated that Barb found comfort in Reading her Bible, especially Romans 8:38 “³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This stirred childhood memories and comforted me. Two of my favorites include John 14:6 “⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “And Mathew 6:33 “³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Relationship to me: Barbara Ann Kampe is my only sibling; see my public trees on MyHeritage.com and Ancestry.com

Happy tree climbing and roots digging,

Selma aka Roots Digger

Elsner and Dunham photos provide clues

 

“Charles” Carl Friedrich August Elsner, 1852-1941

     Years ago, someone gave me, Selma, this 1940 photo of “Charles” Carl Friedrich August Elsner, 1852-1941. Charles lived in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. The photo shows great-grandpa Elsner holding baby Selma on his lap in a rocking chair in his parlor. Why is this important to me? This connects me with my paternal ancestors. If you had time to read my first blog in this #52ancestors series, you will remember that I do not have verbal stories passed down from the families. This tells me great-grandpa cared enough to want a photo with me. In this family, the men provided for their families by working hard. The families were not physically demonstrative as some people today.

     My mom expressed at one time her difficulty in asking for or giving hugs. Mom said, “My father provided for our family, but I never saw him hug anyone.” She added that her father never told her that he loved her, yet she did not doubt his love because of his provision for his family. My own experience with my family of several generations was the same.

     When I went to Lockport, Illinois, (maternal side) with the family, I went outside and played, usually by myself. When I went to Frankfort, Illinois, (paternal side) with the family, I was given the choice to play outside, wonderful old summer kitchen or in the home, Grandpa Kampe had a very large roll top desk.  Between the side drawers, a box of toys included a large top and a wooden turtle with a pull string which keep me playing for hours. Grandpa would set in his rocking chair and watch me play while the adults visited. My son enjoyed playing with the toys; and I have a photo of my son sitting on his great-grandpa Kampe’s lap in a rocking chair. Great memories!!!

Who is Aunt Sarah Dunham? As the generations passed, I received more family photos; so “Aunt Sarah” started my genealogy climb. In the early 1990s, I posted her photo on every site that allowed questions. Was this “Aunt Sarah” by birth or by marriage? In 1993 my conclusion with thanks to P.C. Alger, Ann Eldred and others in New York who shared photos, “Aunt Sarah” was born a Dunham who married a Hickok. With this information, I joined the Dunham family association, again great help from Gratia Dunham Mahony and others. (I am currently a Dunham board member and V.P., check us out) Next challenge is what branch of the family? Thanks to DNA and my Dunham cousins Rich Capen and Christina Strieff, I have been added to the William F. Dunham branch of the family. Please for more family articles, read blogs or contact me.

    Great-grandpa Charles Elsner is probably my favorite photo, yet “Aunt Sarah” deserves credit for introducing me to the world of genealogy with enjoyment of 30+ years and still searching for more family and memories. Thank you everyone!!!

In the beginning...Selma Kampe, 1939, who is she?

     Selma Kampe, 1939, who is she? Who am I? My mom, Mildred Schuler Kampe, told me, “I know nothing about my family. As a child I played with some children that were family, but I never knew how we were related.” Mom would continue by adding that when someone came to the front door, no matter the weather, the children went outside. Mom knew names such as Couch, Thayer, Armstrong, Woodin, Morey because the family would travel from Lockport, Illinois, to LaSalle County, Illinois, to visit “family.” As an adult, it was Wilma Woodin Morey that added connections. In the 1990s when I started genealogy, mom told me that there was no family information anywhere. She was surprised when I added connections to the family names from my research.

     As a child, I was curious, “Where did we come from?” I was told to sit in the corner and keep quiet, don’t ask questions, don’t pester the old people. Until, I met Joey Blackmon and he opened up a whole new world of research using public records such as census and newspapers. Now at 85 years old, I want to keep my research public and encourage others to share. I am in the process of donating all of my collection to a community college museum. My research will never be complete; I  am currently organizing the material as follows:

My six generations include me as generation1 are color coded and numbered. The plan works with both digital and paper folders. My paper folders are third cut, the center tab is for my direct line, the left tab is for my collateral line, the right tab is for surname research. The colors chosen are paternal blue and green, maternal red and yellow.

 Generation 1: Selma Kampe, 1939 - 01, blue, green, red, yellow

Generation 2: Henry Kampe, 1916-1983 / Mildred Schuler, 1919-2008 - 02 blue and red

Generation 3: William Kampe, 1883-1960 /  Selma Elsner, 1887-1928 -  03 blue

                       William Schuler, 1871-1964 / Nettie Couch, 1885-1965 - 03 red

Generation 4: John Kampe, 1847-1917 / Anna Dralle, 1859-1950 – 04 blue

                       Carl “Charles” Elsner, 1852-1941 / Karolina Koppelman, 1861-1933 – 04 green

                       John Schuler, 1841-1916 / Lena Baumgarten, 1842-1916 – 04 red

                       Eugene Couch, 1851-1925 / Laura Armstrong, 1857-1931 – 04 yellow

Generation 5: Fredrick Kampe, 1826-1908 / Charlotte Heumann, 1826-1895 – 05 blue

                       Frederick Dralle, 18131874 / Sophia Sieling, 1825-? – 05 blue

                       Hans “John” Elsner, 1814-1876 / Sophie Wrede, 1819-1910 – 05 green

                       Frederich Koppelman, 1825-1891 / Maria Prestin, 1835-1891, 05 green

                      John Schuler, 1815-1875 / Anna VonGunten, 1819-1887 – 05 red

                      Christian “Charles” Baumgarten, 1804-1868 / Henrietta Ronitz, 1812-1979 – 05 red

                      Elisha T Couch, 1820-18-96 / Jane Dunham, 1923-1906 ‘ 05 yellow

                      Nathan Armstrong, 1831-1895 / Jane Baker, 1939-1879 – 05 yellow

Generation 6: Kampe/Heumann unknown

                       Dralle unknown

                       Frederich Sieling, ?-? / Louise Hohler, ?-? – 06 blue

                       John Elsner,  1780-? / Augustine Adam, 1779-1841 – 06 green

                       Frederick Wrede, 1783-? / Maria Adam, 1789-? – 06 green

                       Ernst Koppelmann, 1791-1846 / Dorothea Strubing, 1798-1875 – 06 green

                       Fredrich Prestin, ?-? / Christine Schween, ?-?, 06 green

                       Johann Georg Schuler, 1792-1860 / Agnes Zimmermann, 1787-? – 06 red

                       Johannes VonGunten, 1798-? / Elisabetha Buhler, 1788-? 06 red

                       Johann Baumgarten, ?-? / ?, 06 red

                       Karl Ronitz, ?-? / ? – 06 red

                       Elisha Couch, abt 1776-1854 / Lucy Loveland, 1778- abt 1854 – 06 yellow

                       William F. Dunham, 1799- abt 1880 / Sarah Metcalf, 1803-1887 – 06 yellow

                       Mathew Armstrong, 1801-1870 / Elinor Nelson, 1808-? in CA – 06 yellow

                       Eldridge Reynolds Baker Sr., 1803-1878 / Lara Woodruff, 1800-1888 – 06 yellow

      Next question; how do I know that fact? Every fact needs a citation; where did it come from even if it is only someone’s tree. Daily I learn new things and/or ways. Now I have family and friends encourage me and hopefully I am encouraging others. My personal “in the beginning…”starts with Genesis 1 and genealogy in Genesis 5, 10, 11 and Matthew 1. My Aunt Eleanor Schuler Boldt taught me Matthew 6:33. She lived her life as a great example to me. As in the Bible, God is interested in genealogy/families; I am also to be interested in individuals.

Christian Schlottmann 1860-1940, Will County, Illinois

Why do I want to know the name of the father of Harry Christian Schlottmann 1896-1946? Harry married Lizzie Dralle in Monee, Illinois in 1916. According to my research, Lizzie was my first cousin twice removed. So, research adds family to my tree.

The following are the records, the bare bones, from me to you as your family researcher, someone who never knew the family.  If YOU know or knew this family, please share YOUR family stories.

My search brought to the surface two men named Christian Schlottmann in Will County as possible fathers; one man was born 1857 the other man was born in 1860. A timeline is needed to separate or conclude that this is the same man.

Records for Harry (1896-1946) suggest that he was born, married, died and lived his whole life in Will County, Illinois. See the U.S. census records for 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940. Harry’s baptismal records may be viewed on FamilySearch.org. My citation: Schlottmann, Herry [Harry] Christian Henry, baptized 31 January 1897, birth 4 December 1896. father: Christian Schlottmann, mother: Marie Buchholz pg 75, image 101 of 504. St Peter's Evangelical Church of Green Garden and St Peter's United Church of Christ, Frankfort, Illinois. Book 2. Family History Library. film #8166731. www.familysearch.org. accessed 4-7 December 2018.

Church marriage records for Harry’s father and mother may be viewed on Family Search.org. My citation: Schlottmann, Christian of Green Garden age 23 & Maria Buchholz of Green Garden age 18, marriage 25 January 1883. pg 292, image 127 of 504. St Peter's Evangelical Church of Green Garden and St Peter's United Church of Christ, Frankfort, Illinois. Book 2. Family History Library. film #8166731. www.familysearch.org. accessed 4-7 December 2018.

According to the church record with the marriage in 1883, Christian was born in about 1860 and Maria was born in about 1865. Another marriage was recorded in 1880 in the same church book. This marriage was between Henry C, born about 1857, and Sophia. My conclusion: there are two men of the same name married to two different ladies with the same surname.

Follow the census records, Henry Christian Schlottmann, born 1857, moved out of state shortly after his marriage in 1880. The probate records for Christian Schlottman who died in 1870 provide information that these were two brothers Henry Christian born 1857 and Christian born 1860.

Keep searching!!! More records are waiting to be found! Heritage Quest provided easy access to probate records for Christian Schlottman who died 1870 in Will County, Illinois. In the 1870 probate packet is Proof of Heirship given by Velna Schlottmann Voigt of Monee, Illinois dated 1941. Velna is the daughter of Christian, 1860-1940 and the sister of Harry, 1896-1946. My citation: Schlottmann, Christian, died 25 December 1870 in Green Garden Township, Will County, Illinois. Will County, Illinois probate case files, ca. 1847-1889; Author: Illinois. Probate Court (Will County); Probate Place: Will, Illinois. Ancestry.com. Illinois Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Illinois County, District and Probate Courts Heritage Quest Accessed 23 December 2018. With so many males named Christian, Velna probably used the earlier will as her proof that Christian who died 1870 was father of Christian who died 1940 who had a son Harry Christian born 1896.

How do I know that. . . Christian Schlottmann, 1860-1940, was the father of Harry Christian Schlottmann, 1896-1946. My assumptions are rooted in the clues of census, in church records, and in probate records. Please let me know if you have other information to add to this search! Thank you!

My searching will never end, for updates check out my Roots Digger tree on Ancestry.com, MYHeritage.com and geni.com.

Happy tree climbing and roots digging,

Selma Kampe Blackmon, aka Roots Digger