Scherer Family 1896

The above photograph was taken at 7:30 pm 9 July 1896, the story is below.

rear: Mary A (Scherer) Meyers holding Anthony, Henrietta, Ben Meyers, Louise holding Hermigild, Jerome, Fr. Scherer, Albert, and Anna (Bechtold) Scherer. front: Marion Meyers, Elisabeth (Hensgen) Scherer with Romie in front, Hildegard, and Frank Scherer

This is the story behind this picture and that taken on page 2 of this site. The following is from a letter written by Jerome Scherer:
It was Tuesday, July 7th 1896 when I came home from work, and Louisa said to me that Mother was here, and said, that she, Fr. Scherer & Etta are coming to our place, Thursday July 9th for supper and to spend the evening. She is going to have Albert and Mary with their families here too. She wants to see us all, her children, together (once) and as our place is in the middle, she thought our place would be the handiest. She would bring all the eatabels (sic.) with her in the afternoon. So that Thursday, I stopped work a little earlier and Mother was already there when I came home, but Fr. Scherer had to attend some business yet and he would come a little later.

I had the porch decorated with American flags and Japanese lanterns for the occasion. Mother, Louisa, Hildegard & I were sitting in the garden, Mother holding Hermigild. We had a nice quiet chat. Mother cracked some of her jokes in her usual dry manner.

Later on Fr. Scherer and Etta came and Albert and Annie with their children Frankie, Romie & Irene, but they left Bertie & Eleanora, they said they thought it would be too much trouble. I told them that was too bad. I wish they would have brought them.

Now we were still waiting for Mary and Bennie with their children Marion & Anthony. The table was already set. I told all that were here that I spoke to Joe Alfes last evening who lives a few doors down from here that my Mother and all her children are going to be at my place tomorrow evening. As he is an amature photographer, could he come over and take our picture just for fun? He said he would.

As it was almost 7 O'clock and Mary & Ben were not here yet, I said I am afraid it might be getting too late for the pictures, we better have them taken without Mary & Ben, and so we did, in the backyard between the grape vines. Mr. Alfes said if they come we should call him over and he would try it again.

Well about 20 minutes after 7 they came. Bennie could not get away from his work any sooner. I called Joe Alfes over again and we had another sitting at 7:30 PM and it was alright yet.

We all rushed in for supper, prayer being said, we got seated, 15 in all, Mother on one end and Fr. Scherer on the other end of the table. The feast went on. After supper I gave a magic lantern show to the delight of the children, also the big ones. Then we went outside in the garden. I had strips of carpet on the grass, sat on rocking chairs and on the porch, drinking beer and smoking cigars.

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Research and Support: Mark Reinhardt, Lynn Marie Angelo

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