The family of John William and Williminea (often spelled Wilhelmina) Schreck is one of four at Salem founded by emigrants from Germany. The other families are those of Doratha Redlingshafer (Lot No. 4, whose husband, George, is buried at Guttenberg), Jacob and Catharine Becker (Lot No. 29) and George Risbeck (Lot No. 45; whose wife, Matilda J. Selders was a Pennsylvania native).
Although the Redlingshafers and Risbecks, who originated in Bavaria, were related in an obscure sort of way, the others were not --- until they arrived in Lucas County. Here, the Shrecks' daughter, Catharine, married the Beckers' son, Peter (also buried in Lot No. 29), and two of the Schreck children married into the extended Redlingshafer family via the Hupps and Rosas (Margaret Anna Redlingshafer, daughter of Doratha Redlingshafer, married Aaron Hupp; and Anna Margaret Redlingshafer, another of Doratha's daughters, married John Rosa). Paulena "Lena" Schreck married Jacob Hupp, son of Margaret and Aaron; and William P. Schreck married Anna Margaret Rosa, daughter of Anna Margaret and John. The Jacob Hupps are buried in the Russell Cemetery, however; and the William P. Schrecks, in Chariton.
All of these families arrived in the United States as Lutherans and as noted in their obituaries, John William and Williminea Schreck remained Lutheran. But living in Lucas County presented problems for German Lutherans because the only early Lutheran congregation in the county, now First Lutheran of Chariton, was founded by Swedes and conducted its services in the Swedish language, effectively eliminating Lutherans who spoke German and English but had no interest in learning a third language.
Most, although not all, of these early German Lutherans found a home within Benton Township's Otterbein United Brethren in Christ class (later congregation), part of a denomination organized during the last quarter of the 18th century in Pennsylvania by German Reformed preacher Philip William Otterbein and Mennonite Bishop Martin Boehm that was roomy enough in its theology to include varying viewpoints (its "liberal" wing later joined the Evangelical Association to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church which in the 20th century was swallowned by the Methodist Episcopal Church to form the United Methodists).
Thrifty Germans that they were, the Schrecks fully utilized their lot at Salem and nine family members are buried here, beginning at the south end with John William Schreck and continuing north as follows:
JOHN W. SCHRECK
SEP. 21, 1828 - MAY 5, 1911
WILLIMINEA HIS WIFE
DEC. 28, 1833 - JUNE 25, 1915
OBITUARY: JOHN WILLIAM SCHRECK
Undated clipping, Lucas County Genealogical Society collection
John William Schreck was born in Saxon, Weimar, Germany, Sept. 21, 1828, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Katie Becker, in Benton Township near Russell, Iowa, on May 5, 1911, at 8:00 p.m. aged 83 years, 7 months and 11 days. Death resulted from a complication of diseases.
Mr. Schreck served his father land three years in the Russia-Franco war. In 1851 he came to America and settled in Tazwell county, Illinois, where he was married on April 20, 1856, to Willimina Kestner. To this union were born 10 children, two dying in infancy. The eight living children are Mrs. Lena Hupp, of Washington township; Mrs. Annie Sassman, of Dallas, S. Dakota; William J. Schreck, of Benton township; John H., of Washington township; Paul D., of Cedar township; Mrs. Lottie Sharp, of Chariton, Ia.; Mrs. Katie Becker, of Benton township; and Mrs. Minnie Duckworth, of Wayne county, with the bereaved wife remain to mourn the departed father and husband. Besides these he leaves 31 grand children and 9 great grand children. There are no brothers and sisters, he being the last of his father's family.
Mr. Schreck came to Iowa in 1860 and settled on a farm in Benton township, living there until 1899, when he and wife moved to Chariton, Ia., where he resided until about two weeks before his death, when he was removed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Katie Becker, his condition being such that his aged wife was unable to care for him.
Mr. Schreck was united with the German Lutheran church when 14 years of age. Near his Iowa home there was no church of his choice. He was well versed in scripture, being a great Bible student and a devoted follower of the Master.
The children were all present at the last sad rites. He was highly regarded by all who knew him, and his death will be mourned by many friends.
Clipping dated 1 July 1915, Lucas County Genealogical Society collection
Mrs. Wm. Schreck of this city (Chariton), passed away at the home of her son, Paul Schreck, in Cedar township on Thursday morning, June 24th, 1915, at 2 o'clock after an extended illness. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. George J. Cornford, were held at the Salem church on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, after which interment took place in the Salem cemetery.
Wilhelmina Kestner was born in Saxon, Wiemar, Germany, on Dec. 28th, 1832. In 1855, she came to America and located at Pekin, Ill. In 1856, she was united in marriage to John William Schreck. In 1868 she with her husband and children came to Lucas County, Iowa, and located on a farm in Benton township where they resided until 1900, when they moved to Chariton and this place was her home until last March, since which time she has made her home with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Schreck were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living. They are Mrs. A. B. Sassman, of Dallas, South Dakota, Paul, Will and Henry Schreck, Mrs. Lena Hupp, Mrs. John Sharp, Mrs. Kate Becker, all of this county, and Mrs. Minnie Duckworth of Corydon, all of whom were present during their mother's illness and death. Mr. Schreck died on May 4th, 1911. Besides her children she is also survived by thirty-five grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.
When fourteen years of age she was converted and united with the German Lutheran church, remaining a faithful and consistent member of the same until her Lord and Master called her to the church triumphant. She was a kind and indulgent mother, always looking after the welfare of the family, and was every ready to lend assistance to others. She was highly regarded by all who knew her, and her demise will be deplored by a host of friends, who will extend sincere sympathy to the sorrowing relatives.
Note these inconsistencies: The Schreck tombstone at Salem Cemetery gives Dec. 28, 1833 (as opposed to 1832, given in the obituary) as Williminea's date of birth and June 25 (as opposed to June 24 as the obituary states), 1915, as her date of death. Lucas County death records give the birth date as Dec. 18, 1833; and the date of death as June 24, 1915. Williminea's obituary also contains an incorrect date of death, May 4, 1911, for John William. And obviously, the name is spelled "Williminea" on the tombstone and "Wilhelmina" in the obituary.
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