Marie Klinger and John Borovicka

In 1870. Marie Meyer is living in Ward 2, subdivision 11 of St Louis. She is working as a seamstress ans Frank (16) and John (14) are working as store clerks. Louis (6) is also listed on this census

After the death of Franz Meyer, Marie Klinger married John Borovicka on June 28, 1873.

 John Borovicka served in the 5th Reg't Infantry, Mo Vols during the Civil War.

Benton Barracks

He applied for an invalid pension on December 23, 1863.

John Borovicka and Marie had two children:
Edward (1874-19440 and Julia (1876-1909)

Edward married Alice Gorman. Alice died in 1931, then he married Coletta Bauer
Julia (1876-1909) married  Conrade F. Elrick

In 1880, they are listed as:
John Baravouka: 50, born on Bohemia, working as a stone mason

Mary Baravoulka: 44, born on Bohemia

Lewis Baravoulka: 16 (this is Louis Meyer), working as a shipping clerk

Edward Baravoulka: 6, at school

Julia Baravoulka: 4

John Borovicka died on December 12, 1884. He is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. After John Borovicka died, Marie Borovicka applied for a Widow's Pension on January 22, 1890. No information has been found as to why this cemetery. It is quite a distance from their home in the Soulard area. He would have been qualified to be buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The government would have provided a headstone.

In 1887, 1890, 1893, and 1895 she is listed in the city directory as living at 2416 Elliot Ave.

In 1887, she is living with Edward Borovicka.

May 27, 1896 tornado  Photo by Strauss Link

In May of 1896, a strong tornado struck St Louis leaving a number of people dead List.  It was one of several tornadoes, or cyclones hit the Midwest that Spring.  Several people died in the Soulard Market and the damage in the Lafayette Park area was extensive.  One article states that every church in the vicinity was damaged.  The Compton Hill Congregational opened its doors to any congregation that might need a place to have services until their own church could be repaired.

Julia Borovicka (wife of Conrade F. Elrick) died on October 20, 1909, and was buried in New St Marcus Cemetery. 

Marie Borovicka died on November 15, 1910.

 

Marie Klinger obituary 16 Nov 1910, St Louis DIspatch

See Marie Klinger (July 17, 2013) Link

 

Update to the post about Franz Meyer and Marie Klinger

Francis Trojan

Father Trogan came to St John Neopuk in 1856. There are two records that are of interest:

One: This ____day of of September, 1856, we are here to Baptize John who was born on the 14th day of September, 1856 and who is the legitimate offspring of Francis Meyer and Maria Klinger. Patrons (Godparents) are John Tesel and Magda Bausek

Two: This 13th day of of January, 1862, we are here to Baptize Joseph who was born on the 27th day of December, 1860 and who is the legitimate offspring of Francis Meyer and Maria Klinger. Patrons are Joseph Maschek and Magdalena Bouzek.

They person who transcribed (they are written in Latin) these records did not believe these children were the children of "our" Franz Meyer and Maria Klinker. I disagree, but I am sharing this information so you can can form your own opinion.

This is the death certificate for John Meyer that lists his parents as Franz Meyer and Marie Klinger. It is signed by Amelia Meyer. When Amelia Meyer died, her death certificate is signed by Edward Borovicka. Both John and Amelia are buried in Calvary cemetery.

Franz Meyer and Marie Klinger

Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Franz Meyer and Marie Klinger were born in Bohemia and came to Missouri around 1850. On April 26, 1853, they were married in St Peter & Paul's Church by by Father Simon Sigrist, St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church (Eighth and Allen). The couple is listed as Francis Meyer and Mary Klinger witnesses are Thomas and Barbara Bertscheek. (Source: Rev. Simon Sigrist; He attended Mattis Creek until 1849, when he was called to St. Louis to found the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul (Source:

History of the archdiocese of St. Louis : in its various stages of development from A.D. 1673 to A.D. 1928

Marriage Record signed by Father Simon Sigrist

Their children are:

Frank Richard Meyer (1854-1915) Married Clementine Flach
John Meyer (1854-1925) John Meyer married Amelia Galoskowski

Joseph Meyer (1860)

Louis Meyer (1863-1937)

Soluard
Left: Soulard Market, Middle: Row Houses, Right: Sts Peter & Paul Church Detail

 Photo credit: Soulard Market and Sts Peter & Paul Church: Karrie Bannahan (Some rights reserved)
Row Houses:  Chris Yunker (Some rights reserved)

They lived in the Soulard area. Soulard is an old neighborhood in St Louis.  In this area, there was also a place called Bohemian Hill. You can read about it here: Link

Photo Credit: Parker Botanical - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

 

Frank and John were baptized at St John Nepomuk Church, according to a woman hired by Ruth Meyer Ashford and Dick Meyer to research the Meyer family. This was the first Bohemian Catholic Church built in America. Construction on St John Nepomuk started on May 17th 1854.



These are two records that the researcher found that she says came from St John Nepomuck.  The first is a Baptismal record dated 1-7-1854.  Frank Meyer was not born until February of 1854, so it is unclear what this record means.  The second is a marriage record for Franz Meyer and Marie Klinger.  This is likely a copy that was made for St John Nepomuk's records.

Franz Meyer died on January 8, 1868 and was buried in Sts. Peter & Paul's Cemetery, according to his death record.

This date is confirmed by Marie Klinger Meyer Borovicka's deposition for a Civil War Widow's Pension.

More Puzzle Pieces

My intent was to make the next post about Frank Richard Meyer's parents, but while I was looking through the records I found some correspondence between Aunt Boo (Ruth Davis Emily Meyer) and F Richard Meyer III. In this letter, Dick thanks Aunt Boo for the the "Tribute to the Memory of Ralph Benton Meyer."  If anyone has a copy, please let me know.

In the rest of the information I have, Ralph is identified as Alfred Leon "Ralph" Meyer. Clearly they are not the same person, so I started doing some additional research. I found a birth record for a Clarence Benton Meyer, born on 27 June 1886 to Frank R and Clementine Meyer in the St Louis birth records.

The St Louis Dispatch has an obituary for him on 8 May 1896 (p.2). The obit lists him as Ralph Benton Meyer, 4th son of Frank and Clementine Flach Meyer, age 10. Residence: 2929 Henrietta Ralph was buried in Holy Ghost Cemetery, but he was re-interred at St Marcus, a few days after Arthur Bain Meyer died. (1912)

So, we have identified an unknown son, but the puzzle of Irwin Louis Meyer and Alfred Leon Meyer remains. The only record of Alfred Leon is the birth record and I have not found a birth record for Irwin.  We also need to review any photographs that are labeled Alfred Leon "Ralph" Meyer.

Clementine Flach and Frank Richard Meyer

Clementine Flach married Frank Richard Meyer, the son of Franz Meyer and Marie Klinger, on November 21, 1877 at Holy Ghost Evangelical Church by the Reverend John G Eberhard.

This is the church record of their marriage

Their children are: Ida Estelle Meyer (1878-1949)  married Albert August Stoll, Frank Richard Meyer (1880-1957) married Laura May Hamilton (1882-1944) and Grace Unknown, Arthur Bain Meyer (1882-1912), Eugene Flach Meyer (1833-1933), Irwin Louis Meyer (1888- 1927)  married Docia Davis, Alfred Leon "Ralph" Meyer (1888-1896), Clementine E Meyer (1890-1935) married Nathan Morrison, Elmer Ray Meyer (1892-1945) married Edith,  Leslie O Meyer (1898-1947) married Anna R Griesemer (1903-1936), then Victoria Unknown.

Frank Meyer was a businessman.  The first business was  FR Meyer Company (1872), then Frank R Meyer & Co (1875).  Around 1880, he went into business with Arthur Bain forming the Meyer-Bain Co. which made catsup and other items.  There will more about this in later posts.

Frank, Clementine Flach, Frank Jr, Mrs Wise Ralph, Irwin, Arthur, Eugene  The sign reads "The Hodgen June 13 1895"

The house at 2929 Henrietta.

Ralph Meyer died on May 7, 1896 and was buried in Holy Ghost Cemetery, but he was re-interred at St Marcus, a few days after Arthur Bain Meyer died. (1912).

Lenora Botticher*

Lenora Helen Botticher was born on May 29, 1889 in St Louis, Missouri to John and Lenora Flach Botticher. This was just before the end of the Spanish American War. There were soldiers in Camp Bell in Jefferson Barracks.

In 1004, the city hosted the World's Fair and the Summer Olympics, attracting millions of visitors to the city.

In 1911, she graduated from Washington University.

 She lived with her parents at 4044 Flad Ave. Lenora's Mother, Lenora Helen Flach Botticher died on November 1, 1913. Her father John Louis Botticher died on July 9, 1916. After her father died, she lived at 2929 Henrietta, with her Aunt Clementine, Uncle Frank Richard Meyer and their family.

World War I took place between 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. The US did not enter the war until April of 1917. During the war, there was an increased demand for workers since many men were serving in the military. When they came home, it caused several problems.

Shortage of Jobs

In 1917 the United States had an active economy boosted by World War I. With many would-be workers absent for active service in the war, industries were in need of labor. Seeking better work and living opportunities, as well as an escape from harsh conditions, the Great Migration of African Americans out of the South toward industrial centers across the northern and Midwestern United States was well underway. For example, blacks were arriving in St. Louis during Spring 1917 at the rate of 2,000 per week.[2] When industries became embroiled in labor strikes, traditionally white unions sought to strengthen their bargaining position by hindering or excluding black workers, while industry owners utilizing blacks as replacements or strikebreakers added to the deep existing societal divisions.[3] Wikipedia

Flu Epidemic

State officials first reported on the presence of influenza in Missouri on October 11, 1918. However, influenza had appeared in the state long before that date. By the third week of October, 3,765 influenza cases and 90 deaths had been reported from St. Louis, with 558 cases and 13 deaths being reported for October 16th alone. (Source: The Influenza Epidemic of 181*-1819) Link

Women's Suffrage

In the spring of 1919, the 50th Missouri General Assembly passed the Presidential Suffrage bill, which gave women the right to vote in presidential elections.[1] St. Louis League President Christine Fordyce appealed to the legislature in a speech saying, "fifty years ago my grandmother came before the Missouri legislature and asked for the enfranchisement of women; twenty-five years ago, my mother came to make the same request; tonight I am asking for the ballot for women. Are you going to make it necessary for my daughter to appear in her turn?" Ms. Fordyce's daughter would not have to make the same appeal, as soon suffrage was supported at the federal level.[4] The Missouri legislature ratified the Susan B. Anthony Amendment to the U.S. Constitution during a special session in July of that year.[1] Governor Gardner called a special session and then amendment passed by a vote of 125 to 4 in the House and 29 to 3 in the Senate.[5] Missouri became the eleventh state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment.[1] (Source: Wikipedia)

She could have voted for the first time in the 1920 presidential election. If she did, we don't know if she voted for Warren G Harding or James M Cox.

In 1920, she is teaching school and living with her Aunt Clementine & family.

In 1940, she living in Hamilton Hotel and working as a teacher.

Hamilton House

 Lenora Botticher's Quilt

She died on January 13, 1987, and is buried in New Saint Marcus Cemetery in Saint Louis.

Lenora Flach

Could be Ida, Clementine and Lenora Flach

Lenora Flach was born on 5 March 1858 to Frederick Flach and Cattherine Halte in St Louis, Missouri. Both of Lenora's parents are listed as having been born in Germany. She married John Louis Botticher and they had one daughter, Lenora Helen Botticher. Lenora Botticher was born on 29 May 188 in St Louis. John's parents were George H L Botticher and Alvina Koenig.

In 1880, she is living with her sister Ida and her brother-in-law Gustav Orth.

Lenora Helen Flach was a teacher before she married John Botticher.   She taught third grade at Laclede Elementary School from 1880-1885 (maybe longer) (Source: Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Public Schools)
See photo and a bit of school history here


John Botticher was the son of George Louis and Alvina Koenig Botticher. No record of their marriage has been found, but the 1900 census states that they have been married 14 years.  The same census also said that Lenora had two children, but only one was living.

The 1910 census says that they both grew up speaking German at home (listed as Mother tongue).  They live at 3906 Russell Ave.

 Lenora Helen Flach Botticher died on November 1, 1913. She was buried in New St Marcus Cemetery on November 4th.

John is living at 4044A Flad Ave and working as an inspector for the street department.  His daughter is living with him and working as a teacher.

John Louis Botticher died on July 9, 1916.  John Botticher is buried in New St Marcus Cemetery.