Matilda Messinger was born in Germany in 1843. She was orphaned at age seven and came to America to live with her older brother when she was ten. On June 14, 1862, in Connecticut, Matilda married Frederick C. Zimmermann.
The family came by wagon to Dodge City in 1872. Matilda surely questioned her husband's sanity as Dodge City consisted of a sod house and two canvas buildings.
Five children were born to the couple; William, Adeline, Blanche, Clarissa, and Arthur. Unfortunately, only Clarissa survived to adulthood. William and Adeline died as infants, and their graves' location is unknown. On October 11, 1881, Blanche died at age three, causes unknown. She was buried on the home property.
Matilda raised the children and did her part in building a place to be proud. A sad day occurred on June 28, 1886. Arthur was home for summer break from Washburn College in Topeka and was out riding a horse. He was thrown from the horse, pinned to the ground, and instantly died. Arthur was buried alongside Blanche.
Frederick died in 1888 and was buried with his children. Ten years later, Matilda had their graves dug up and moved to Maple Grove Cemetery. Blanche and Arthur share the same stone. Matilda passed away on September 15, 1929, and joined her family in Maple Grove Cemetery.
The rest of the story: F.C. and Matilda's only child to reach adulthood was Clarissa "Clara." She grew up in Dodge City and married John Churchill. After his death, she married George Rose. Clarissa passed away in 1954. Maple Grove Cemetery is their burial place.
Matilda Messinger was born in Germany in 1843. She was orphaned at age seven and came to America to live with her older brother when she was ten. On June 14, 1862, in Connecticut, Matilda married Frederick C. Zimmermann.
The family came by wagon to Dodge City in 1872. Matilda surely questioned her husband's sanity as Dodge City consisted of a sod house and two canvas buildings.
Five children were born to the couple; William, Adeline, Blanche, Clarissa, and Arthur. Unfortunately, only Clarissa survived to adulthood. William and Adeline died as infants, and their graves' location is unknown. On October 11, 1881, Blanche died at age three, causes unknown. She was buried on the home property.
Matilda raised the children and did her part in building a place to be proud. A sad day occurred on June 28, 1886. Arthur was home for summer break from Washburn College in Topeka and was out riding a horse. He was thrown from the horse, pinned to the ground, and instantly died. Arthur was buried alongside Blanche.
Frederick died in 1888 and was buried with his children. Ten years later, Matilda had their graves dug up and moved to Maple Grove Cemetery. Blanche and Arthur share the same stone. Matilda passed away on September 15, 1929, and joined her family in Maple Grove Cemetery.
The rest of the story: F.C. and Matilda's only child to reach adulthood was Clarissa "Clara." She grew up in Dodge City and married John Churchill. After his death, she married George Rose. Clarissa passed away in 1954. Maple Grove Cemetery is their burial place.
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