Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
NameChristine Elizabeth DEGELMANN 
Memoage 75 at death
MemoDegelmann plot
NicknameTina5650
FatherAndrew A. DEGELMANN (1873-1948)
MotherEva Catherine BLÜCHEL (1872-1955)
Individual Notes
• George Schaeffer II thinks that Christine is the 4th child born to Eva and Andrew.963
• Informant on her mother’s Death Certificate.2089
• Per Pem’s recollection of his mother, Christine:
Sunday was a day of rest. The roast was in the oven before church, then they would come home, watch a ball game, read the paper and eat. Leftovers were served later for dinner.
Christine never learned to drive.
She was a Girl Scout Leader and a Sunday School teacher; big on volunteering.
She wore dresses until it was acceptable for women to wear pants.
She would spout quotes from the Bible.
Christine was really the “engineer” and she would tell George she wanted something done, and would sternly tell him. He would do it.
She read the Bible a lot, encouraged book reading in her kids.
She was the strict disciplinarian.
Loved her kids and grandkids, she wanted everyone to eat together at the shore.
She would be up baking pies all day, and this gave her horrible varicose veins in her legs.
She was fluent in German, and would instantly go into German with her mom, Eva.
When they moved to Born St in ‘48 or ‘49, at Christmas time, they went in George’s Cadillac and Pem helped by holding the Christmas tree out the window.
She truly didn’t like the Catholic religion. They worshipped idols (saints) and that was going against the word of the Bible. It pained her to see them praying to false Gods.2417
• Per Donald’s recollections:
Christine was a secretary at Franco American when she met George.
Her baptismal records say Christina, but she never liked that name and changed it to Christine. Her nickname was Tini.
Gave birth to Pem at home.2417
• Per Deb Riddell’s recollections:
In the attic at Ocean Grove (beds for all the grandkids were there), Grandma crawled into bed with her newspapers and would fall asleep reading them.
Grandma would only go down to the beach about once a summer, because her varicose veins were too bad. The 3 blocks to the beach were too hard on her legs.2417
• Per Susan Traub’s recollections:
As for a Schaeffer/Degelmann family Bible, I doubt there was one such as you are thinking. I remember after Grandma’s funeral, Aunt Nan and my Mom going through her stuff in the bedroom and I was looking at her Bible, a well-worn, daily-used one with many notations and underlinings. There was no such “family record” page that I saw. I don’t know where it is and have never seen it at Poughkeepsie. My Dad had a diary Grandma kept when he was little, with daily notations of what “Georgie” ate and what they did, but the entries really stopped when Uncle Don was born. Sorry.2425
When I was in high school, I asked Grandma about her family’s arrival in America [since we knew my Grandma Meyer’s arrival story], and she told me her mother [GGDegelmann] told her it was such an awful trip she never wanted it mentioned again and Grandma didn’t ask. Grandpa didn’t know any info either. I think it was the philosophy that “we’re here; it’s a new life; block the past and look ahead.” The only Schaeffer grandparent sibling I knew well was Aunt Alma, especially after we moved to Poughkeepsie, since she lived in Kingston and came to family gatherings at our house. I have vague memories of Uncle Henry and an Aunt [Frances?] who lived next door at Born St. My Dad’s knowledge came from him being the eldest and asking the elderly aunts and uncles info after Grandma died. My parents had contact with Aunt Frances [Gpa’s sister] and her children until she died at age 100+.8839
• Per Susan Traub’s recollections: This is a real find. I remember hearing the name Schiesel as a child and my Mom confirmed just now that they are related. Mom says Elsie Schiesel was a cousin of our Grandma Schaeffer’s and that GGDegelmann was maybe a first cousin to them. Arthur Schiesel was Secaucus town clerk for many years, and seeing as Grandpa was a political person, I’m sure that’s where I heard it.8839
Just as an FYI, I remember the night Grandpa lost the election for Secaucus Mayor [1953?]. We lived upstairs and I was allowed to come downstairs to hug Gma&Gpa before bedtime. I remember people were sad.
• The Ladies Aid Society of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church held its regular meeting Thursday, January 26.
The new officers were installed by Rev. William Reiser, pastor. They are Mrs. G. Schaeffer, president; Mrs. M. Quina, first vice-president; Mrs. C. Terhune, Jr., second vice-president; Mrs. J. L. Schmitt, treasurer; Mrs. C. Oilwerther, financial secretary; Mrs. F. Schmitt, recording secretary. Mrs. W. Reiser was appointed organist and Mrs. e. Wittreich program chairman.8904
• Informant on her mother’s Death Certificate.2089
• Per Pem’s recollection of his mother, Christine:
Sunday was a day of rest. The roast was in the oven before church, then they would come home, watch a ball game, read the paper and eat. Leftovers were served later for dinner.
Christine never learned to drive.
She was a Girl Scout Leader and a Sunday School teacher; big on volunteering.
She wore dresses until it was acceptable for women to wear pants.
She would spout quotes from the Bible.
Christine was really the “engineer” and she would tell George she wanted something done, and would sternly tell him. He would do it.
She read the Bible a lot, encouraged book reading in her kids.
She was the strict disciplinarian.
Loved her kids and grandkids, she wanted everyone to eat together at the shore.
She would be up baking pies all day, and this gave her horrible varicose veins in her legs.
She was fluent in German, and would instantly go into German with her mom, Eva.
When they moved to Born St in ‘48 or ‘49, at Christmas time, they went in George’s Cadillac and Pem helped by holding the Christmas tree out the window.
She truly didn’t like the Catholic religion. They worshipped idols (saints) and that was going against the word of the Bible. It pained her to see them praying to false Gods.2417
• Per Donald’s recollections:
Christine was a secretary at Franco American when she met George.
Her baptismal records say Christina, but she never liked that name and changed it to Christine. Her nickname was Tini.
Gave birth to Pem at home.2417
• Per Deb Riddell’s recollections:
In the attic at Ocean Grove (beds for all the grandkids were there), Grandma crawled into bed with her newspapers and would fall asleep reading them.
Grandma would only go down to the beach about once a summer, because her varicose veins were too bad. The 3 blocks to the beach were too hard on her legs.2417
• Per Susan Traub’s recollections:
As for a Schaeffer/Degelmann family Bible, I doubt there was one such as you are thinking. I remember after Grandma’s funeral, Aunt Nan and my Mom going through her stuff in the bedroom and I was looking at her Bible, a well-worn, daily-used one with many notations and underlinings. There was no such “family record” page that I saw. I don’t know where it is and have never seen it at Poughkeepsie. My Dad had a diary Grandma kept when he was little, with daily notations of what “Georgie” ate and what they did, but the entries really stopped when Uncle Don was born. Sorry.2425
When I was in high school, I asked Grandma about her family’s arrival in America [since we knew my Grandma Meyer’s arrival story], and she told me her mother [GGDegelmann] told her it was such an awful trip she never wanted it mentioned again and Grandma didn’t ask. Grandpa didn’t know any info either. I think it was the philosophy that “we’re here; it’s a new life; block the past and look ahead.” The only Schaeffer grandparent sibling I knew well was Aunt Alma, especially after we moved to Poughkeepsie, since she lived in Kingston and came to family gatherings at our house. I have vague memories of Uncle Henry and an Aunt [Frances?] who lived next door at Born St. My Dad’s knowledge came from him being the eldest and asking the elderly aunts and uncles info after Grandma died. My parents had contact with Aunt Frances [Gpa’s sister] and her children until she died at age 100+.8839
• Per Susan Traub’s recollections: This is a real find. I remember hearing the name Schiesel as a child and my Mom confirmed just now that they are related. Mom says Elsie Schiesel was a cousin of our Grandma Schaeffer’s and that GGDegelmann was maybe a first cousin to them. Arthur Schiesel was Secaucus town clerk for many years, and seeing as Grandpa was a political person, I’m sure that’s where I heard it.8839
Just as an FYI, I remember the night Grandpa lost the election for Secaucus Mayor [1953?]. We lived upstairs and I was allowed to come downstairs to hug Gma&Gpa before bedtime. I remember people were sad.
• The Ladies Aid Society of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church held its regular meeting Thursday, January 26.
The new officers were installed by Rev. William Reiser, pastor. They are Mrs. G. Schaeffer, president; Mrs. M. Quina, first vice-president; Mrs. C. Terhune, Jr., second vice-president; Mrs. J. L. Schmitt, treasurer; Mrs. C. Oilwerther, financial secretary; Mrs. F. Schmitt, recording secretary. Mrs. W. Reiser was appointed organist and Mrs. e. Wittreich program chairman.8904
Census
• 1910 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 7, b NJ. Parents b Germany.5650
• 1920 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 17, b NJ. Parents b Germany.828
• 1930 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 27, b NJ. Parents b Germany.3623
• 1940 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 36, b NJ.6992
• 1920 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 17, b NJ. Parents b Germany.828
• 1930 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 27, b NJ. Parents b Germany.3623
• 1940 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 36, b NJ.6992
Spouses
Memo1504 Vyse Avenue
MemoMaple Farms Nursing Home
MemoDegelmann plot
FatherWilliam Henry SCHAEFFER (1875-1951)
MotherMary BERINGER (1876-1944)
Individual Notes
• George Schaeffer II stated that his father, George, was the fourth child of Mary and William.963
• To my dear little twins
Nancy & Bing
Just received both your letters and it made me very happy. After reading both of them I am convinced that you write better letters than Daddy.
Bing - Don’t shoot any more BB guns.
Nancy - I bet you help mother with the dishes. Or do you?
We will all go Christmas shopping when I get home.
The people up here are still saying what good looking children I have. No one has yet said I was good looking - which convinces me that they must all got their good looks from Mother.
Bing - Don’t shoot any more BB guns.
Grrr.
---------------------------------------
Are you playing with our little Pem? I sure do miss that little guy and can’t wait until I get home.
You all know what a no good shopper Daddy is so if you are disappointed in what I bring you for a souvenir I will take you all out and buy what ever you want.
Tell Mother I miss her very much and will not sleep all the time when I get home (here’s hoping).
Also tell Don & Geo I miss them and that I said they should behave themselves.
So long now and pleasant dreams to-night. Will see you Monday.
Love & Kisses,
DADDY
Not quite as big as BING.2426
• Schaeffer’s close association with the Democratic party is expected to cut deeply into the party vote in the November election.
Two years ago Schaeffer proved his popularity with the Secaucus voters when he polled 2,493 votes in the general election.
Schaeffer, of 260 Born Street, has lived in Secaucus for the past twenty-seven years. He has been an assemblyman in the New Jersey State Legislature for fifteen years, and a member of the Secaucus Board of Assessors for over twenty years. A sales representative for a St. Paul advertising concern, he is married to the former Christina Degelmann, and the father of five children. He is a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and a member of North Hudson Advisory Board of the Salvation Army.2427
• Per Pem’s recollections:2417
George cooked roasts, turkey stuffing, steaks, etc. His round steak was cooked with loads of salt and pepper, then fried in a pan.
Very moral and principled man because of his faith.
Officer in the church (St. Matthew’s Lutheran)
Wore wool suits and fedoras; only tied a tie once, then hung it up.
Wore white shirts for a long time. He went to drip dry shirts at one point. Dukie, the laundryman, would normally wash George’s shirts (the shop was close by)
• Per Donald’s recollections:2417
He was an office boy at Franco American when he met Christine.
Grandpa said on the day he married Christine, women all over town were jumping off bridges.
• Per Deb Riddell’s recollections:2425
Grandpa always wanted his dessert on the porch at Ocean Grove.
Deb and her husband John, were the last ones to see Grandpa before he died.
• Mr. Schaeffer was born June 6, 1903 in New York City moving to New Jersey at age 2. He attended Dickinson Night School. He is a salesman, and has been Secretary of the Tax Committee of Secaucus; President of the 3rd Ward Democratic Club of Secaucus for twelve years. He is a member of the Secaucus Lodge #282 F & M. M, and Craftsman’s Club of Secaucus. He is married to the former Christine Degelman and has four children. He was elected to the Assembly for the first time in Nov 1938 and reelected in 1939.2417
• 4th child.5386
- When Christine became a born again Christian, there was no alcohol allowed in the house. When we went to visit George before he died, all he kept asking for was ice cream and beer, and they kept giving it to him! Another funny story- when my sister was married near Ottawa, George and Christine came, and stayed with us. I let them have my room, but my bed was a twin, so we put a cot right next to the bed so the two of them would each have a bed. When i went to clear the sheets, the cot was never slept in! They had apparently slept together in a twin.7492
• To my dear little twins
Nancy & Bing
Just received both your letters and it made me very happy. After reading both of them I am convinced that you write better letters than Daddy.
Bing - Don’t shoot any more BB guns.
Nancy - I bet you help mother with the dishes. Or do you?
We will all go Christmas shopping when I get home.
The people up here are still saying what good looking children I have. No one has yet said I was good looking - which convinces me that they must all got their good looks from Mother.
Bing - Don’t shoot any more BB guns.
Grrr.
---------------------------------------
Are you playing with our little Pem? I sure do miss that little guy and can’t wait until I get home.
You all know what a no good shopper Daddy is so if you are disappointed in what I bring you for a souvenir I will take you all out and buy what ever you want.
Tell Mother I miss her very much and will not sleep all the time when I get home (here’s hoping).
Also tell Don & Geo I miss them and that I said they should behave themselves.
So long now and pleasant dreams to-night. Will see you Monday.
Love & Kisses,
DADDY
Not quite as big as BING.2426
• Schaeffer’s close association with the Democratic party is expected to cut deeply into the party vote in the November election.
Two years ago Schaeffer proved his popularity with the Secaucus voters when he polled 2,493 votes in the general election.
Schaeffer, of 260 Born Street, has lived in Secaucus for the past twenty-seven years. He has been an assemblyman in the New Jersey State Legislature for fifteen years, and a member of the Secaucus Board of Assessors for over twenty years. A sales representative for a St. Paul advertising concern, he is married to the former Christina Degelmann, and the father of five children. He is a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and a member of North Hudson Advisory Board of the Salvation Army.2427
• Per Pem’s recollections:2417
George cooked roasts, turkey stuffing, steaks, etc. His round steak was cooked with loads of salt and pepper, then fried in a pan.
Very moral and principled man because of his faith.
Officer in the church (St. Matthew’s Lutheran)
Wore wool suits and fedoras; only tied a tie once, then hung it up.
Wore white shirts for a long time. He went to drip dry shirts at one point. Dukie, the laundryman, would normally wash George’s shirts (the shop was close by)
• Per Donald’s recollections:2417
He was an office boy at Franco American when he met Christine.
Grandpa said on the day he married Christine, women all over town were jumping off bridges.
• Per Deb Riddell’s recollections:2425
Grandpa always wanted his dessert on the porch at Ocean Grove.
Deb and her husband John, were the last ones to see Grandpa before he died.
• Mr. Schaeffer was born June 6, 1903 in New York City moving to New Jersey at age 2. He attended Dickinson Night School. He is a salesman, and has been Secretary of the Tax Committee of Secaucus; President of the 3rd Ward Democratic Club of Secaucus for twelve years. He is a member of the Secaucus Lodge #282 F & M. M, and Craftsman’s Club of Secaucus. He is married to the former Christine Degelman and has four children. He was elected to the Assembly for the first time in Nov 1938 and reelected in 1939.2417
• 4th child.5386
- When Christine became a born again Christian, there was no alcohol allowed in the house. When we went to visit George before he died, all he kept asking for was ice cream and beer, and they kept giving it to him! Another funny story- when my sister was married near Ottawa, George and Christine came, and stayed with us. I let them have my room, but my bed was a twin, so we put a cot right next to the bed so the two of them would each have a bed. When i went to clear the sheets, the cot was never slept in! They had apparently slept together in a twin.7492
Census
• 1910 Census: Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 7, b NY. Parents b NY.4987
• 1920 Census: Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 16, b NY. Asst. Cashier, Canned Goods Factory. Parents b NY.6002
• 1930 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 27, b NY. Salesman. Feed. Parents b NY.3623
• 1940 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 36, b NY. Salesman, Beef? Co.6993
• 1920 Census: Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 16, b NY. Asst. Cashier, Canned Goods Factory. Parents b NY.6002
• 1930 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 27, b NY. Salesman. Feed. Parents b NY.3623
• 1940 Census: Secaucus, Hudson, New Jersey. Age 36, b NY. Salesman, Beef? Co.6993
Family Notes
• While George and Christine did not marry in a church, they later attended St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church in Secaucus, NJ.963
Marriage Notes
• Wed at Christine’s brother John’s “new house.”963
• George age 20, of Jersey City, Christine age 21 of Secaucus. Witnesses: Henry Degelmann and Frances Schaeffer
• George age 20, of Jersey City, Christine age 21 of Secaucus. Witnesses: Henry Degelmann and Frances Schaeffer
ChildrenGeorge Beringer (1926-2013)
Donald Degelmann (1930-2014)
(Living, Female)
(Living, Male)
Jonathan Wainwright (Died as Infant) (1945-1945)