Person:Adolph Pflüeger (1)

Einbeck was a good sized town in mid 1800's Germany. Located southeast of Hanover in the Kingdom of Hanover, it was the place the surrounding villages called "the big city" and farmers shopped there for essentials that couldn't be found in the surrounding farm country. Along the winding streets, Adolph likely had a cobbler's shop with his father. Farmers needed sturdy boots and leather-working. The rolling country-side is, even now, comprised of small fields and holdings that resemble a colorful quilt from the air.

Adolph served in the army, but rejected the imperialistic ambitions of the government. The political climate affected his choice to emigrate to "Amerika" in 1866, arriving in New York aboard the steamship, "Jenny" 15 February 1867. He must have had a contact in America, since he was headed directly for Hamilton County, Ohio. He was 23 years old, 5ft- 6in tall, broad forehead, round faced, gray eyes and auburn hair. His disposition was excitable, slightly eccentric, but scrupulously honest in his business dealings.

As he settled into the German district of Colerain Township, he made ethnic friends, attended the local Lutheran church and was introduced to available young ladies in the area. He was fortunate to find a bride from his previous locale, Rosina Heise. They set up housekeeping and began dreaming of kids, property and a happy life together. Over time, he bought 17acres on Forfeit Run Road in Sections 25 and 26. It isn't yet clear why Rosina passed away after about 10 years of marriage. She rests in the St. Paul Evangelical Church cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Being a single father of two, Adolph must have soon seen the need for another wife and married Johanna Jacka/Jacke/Jaeckl. All three surname spellings show up in official documents. They were married and later moved to Tipton, Indiana adding three more children to the family. Life together was evidently not endurable. Adolph and Johanna parted company with Johanna eventually supporting herself by cleaning homes, living in West Elwood.

Adolph couldn't live alone and finally married Minnie Granger, resulting in two more children. He must have been difficult to get along with as he parted company with Minnie after a few years. Perhaps he just wasn't cut out to be a nurturing father.

What some refer to as "The Golden Years" turned into the dark years for Adolph. His family became alienated from him and his excitable nature did not serve him well as he attempted to reconcile with Minnie. Living past most of his friends, he made comments to those few left that he was tired of living and intended to "end it all." Living in the Alpine hotel located on South A Street, Elwood, he went to spend the day with Jack Kanter and his wife at their home. As summer waned, it was a nice September evening to spend on the front porch after supper. As the shadows deepened and the conversation lulled, Adolph removed his hat and jacket, stepping down from the porch to disappear around the house. He walked deliberately into the old corn patch at the back of the lot, removing a pistol from his pocket as he entered the withered stalks. One shot was heard, followed by a second... that one ending his misery. Doctor C.C. Cotton was called, but nothing could be done. Son George made funeral arrangements the following morning at the York Chapel with Lutheran pastor, H. Ward Grieb attending. A sad ending to an interesting life. Copyright J.P. Smith, Mesa, AZ, February 2007.

From "German American Names" by George F. Jones: In the late Middle Ages, when surnames were first being assumed, the fundamental profession was agriculture, which occupied about ninety-five percent of the population, rather than the five percent it occupies today in the developed nations. Consequently, a family named Pflug or Pflueger, which is German for plowman, got their name from that family trade. As written records were begun, the digraph "pf", unfamiliar to the scribes, appeared as "f", as in Fleeger and Fleager for Pflueger and in Fister for Pfister. For this reason, care must be exercised in searching old German records, so as to not exclude seemingly misspelled surnames.

1. ↑ Tipton County, Indiana Birth/ Death Records.
2. ↑ Tipton County, Indiana Birth/ Death Records.
3. ↑ Division of Vital Records. Certified Death Record/ Madison Co., Dept. of Health. (certificate #026603).