Photographs
Please share your Schönchen related photographs! For more information, please contact Denise Grau.
Photograph from the collection of the Kansas State Historical Society, Copy and Reuse Restrictions Apply.
Scouts Peter Stoecklein, Jacob Ritter, Nicolaus Schamme, Peter Leiker and Anton Wasinger
This photograph was published in the Hays Daily News, November 11, 1929, with the following caption: Here is a group picture of the five pioneers who came to Ellis county, Kansas, from the Volga region of Russia in 1874. These five men were delegates sent to America by the Volga colonies for the purpose of seeking a location to establish new settlements, as many of the Germans of the Volga region were determined to leave Russia and migrate either to North America or South America. This picture was taken of those men shortly before they left Russia bound for America. Reading from left to right are Peter Stoecklein, Jacob Ritter, Nichlas Schamne, Peter Leiker, and Anton Wasinger. They fulfilled their mission successfully, having come as far west as Nebraska. On their return to their home towns they made a favorable report, on the strength of which the first emigrants left Russia in the year of 1875. Four of the five delegates backed up their judgment by coming to the United States themselves, namely: Peter Leiker, Peter Stoecklein, Anton Wasinger, and Nichlas Schamne. The first three named here remained until they died, while Nichlas Schamne returned to Russia. This photograph published for the first time today, was procured through the efforts of Mr. A. D. Wasinger who, knowing of its existence, corresponded with his sister in Russia, who sent it to him. It is a valuable addition to the historical data covering the history of the early settlements of this colony.
John Wasinger (b. 25 April 1853, Schönchen; d. 12 February 1927, Hays, Kansas) and his wife, Dorothy (Herklotz) Wasinger.
Photograph of the John Wasinger family taken in Hays, Kansas, spring 1915.
Back row, back row, left to right, Margaret (Waldschmidt) Wasinger, Josie (Wasinger) Kuhn, Matilda (Wasinger) Gampper, Julia (Wasinger) Glaze, John Sauer, Katherine (Wasinger) Sauer, John Wasinger, Joe Bahl, Anna Catherine (Waldschmidt) Wasinger, Aggie (Wasinger) Werth Steinbock Reichert, Amelia "Molly" (Wasinger) Staab, Fidelis Sauer, Annie (Wasinger) Bahl, Mary (Wasinger) Rohr, George Rohr, Elizabeth (Wasinger) Dechant, and Rosa (Wasinger) Sauer.
Kneeling adults, left to right, Frank Wasinger, Peter Kuhn, Adolf Staab, Lawrence Wasinger, Nick Wasinger, Alex Dechant, Isidore Reichert, Theresa (Wasinger) Williams
Children on front row, left to right: William Wasinger, Rose (Wasinger) Reichert, Philomena (Wasinger) Goetz, Angelia (Wasinger) Schmidt, Frances (Wasinger) Jackson
Text from images: Frank Schoendaller Born in Russia, July 22, 1862. Died at Hays, Kans., April 30, 1926.
Emilia Schoendaller Born in Russia, July 22, 1872. Died March 22, 1914.
*VC Note: Amelia Schoendaller's maiden name was Ubert rather than Upert
Jacob and Mary (Bieker) Munsch
Text from English image: Benjamin Zimmerman Born January 6, 1863 Died April 2, 1939 Schoenchen, Kansas
Maria Zimmerman, Geborben den 5. Juni 1866, Gestorben, den 22. März 1930
Margaret Munsch and Joseph Ebel 1910
Mr. Joe Ebel, Born in Russia Dec. 4, 1876, Died Bazine, Kansas, June 24, 1943
Two remaining grave markers at Schönchen, Russia. Photographs taken in 2002. Tanja Schell kindly provided the following translation of the grave marker on the left: "Here rest the remains of the WW2 veteran Lindenbaum David Markovich (Tanja's note: his father's name was Mark), born 1921, died 1964 (or 1944?) December, 16." There is another sentence on the marker that is not clear enough to be read. The cross on the grave marker to the right is Russian Orthodox.
View more photos of the former site of Schoenchen (Шенхен) taken by Vladimir Kakorin in 2009.