Sophia Schultz (1830-1897)

Magdalena Sophia Christina Schultz was my great, great, great grandmother. Why am I drawn to her story? What is it about this woman that makes we want to know more?

Rostock, 2017

In June of 2017, Patrick and I vacationed across Germany as guests of my Gentzkow cousins: Werner and Christine von Gentzkow and Christoph and Conny Diederichs. They chauffeured us to one family history site after another. One of the highlights was a 2-day stop in Rostock where Jürgen Gentzcke joined us.

Werner von Gentzkow, Karrie Blees, Patrick Blees, Christoph Diederichs, Jürgen Gentzcke and Conny Diederichs.
Christine von Gentzkow took the photo.

St. Petrikirche (St. Peter’s Church) was built in the 13th century and is the oldest of the three, surviving churches in the Hanseatic City of Rostock. Originally a Catholic basilica, the church followed the teachings of Pastor Joachim Slüter in the 1520s and became a leading congregation in the Protestant Reformation.

The beautiful door to St. Petrikirche stood open to welcome us.

As I walked inside the church, I immediately felt a connection to my past; it was a spiritual bond. My ancestors walked in this space, they watched the sunshine stream through the windows and they baptized their babies here.

During World War II, the church was heavily damaged. But the medieval bronze baptismal font survived the bombings. Artist Andrew Ribe created the font in 1512. The bell-shaped cauldron is supported by three, fur-clad bearers. Two rows of figures encircle the vessel.

Sophia’s Baptism

This baptism record is from St. Petrikirche Kirchenbuch.¹Ancestry.com. Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1519-1969 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Magdalene Sophie Christine Schultz baptized 4 Aug 1830, #313. Details are:

• Baptism Number: 313
• Born: August 1, 1830
• Baptized: August 4, 1830
• Father: Diedrich Hironimus Wilhelm Schultz
• Mother: Conradine Agnete Johanna geb. (born/nee’) Mittendorf
• Child: Magdalena Sophia Christina Schultz

The Taufpaten (Godparents) were:

1. Magdalena Margaretha Mittendorf, geb. Nagel [maternal grandmother],
2. die Jungfrau (unmarried woman) Anna Sophie Christiane Mittendorf [maternal aunt],
3. die Jungfrau (unmarried woman) Christine Marie Johanne Nagel [maternal great aunt]

Adulthood

In June of 1857 Sophia immigrated to the United States with her husband Julius Emil August Gentzkow.

Of her life in America, the only description of her that I have found (so far) is in her obituary.²Neighborhood News: Obituary for Mrs. George Gentzkow, Sr. Winona (MN) Daily Republican. July 15, 1897. page 4, column 4. She died in July 125 years ago.

From the obituary, we learn this about her character:

“She was a very earnest Christian woman and a member of the Lutheran church, yet it was her request that Rev. G. A. Cahoon preach her funeral sermon. The funeral took place from the M.E. church and was the largest funeral ever held in this town.”

Rev. Guybert A. Cahoon (1870-1923) was graduated from Hamline University where he received his Doctor of Divinity. In 1895, the Methodist Episcopal Church appointed him to the parish of Minneiska-Beaver-Weaver. He served that parish for three years. During his time at Minneiska, Rev. Cahoon led revival meetings at the County seat,³Neighborhood News: Minneiska. Winona (MN) Daily Republican. January 16, 1896, page 3. preached to large crowds on Sundays,⁴Neighborhood News: Minneiska. Winona (MN) Daily Republican. February 4, 1897, page 3. and spoke to his colleagues about “Christ in the Solution of the Social Problem.”⁵City and Vicinity. Winona (MN) Daily Republican. September 14, 1896, page 3, column 2.

If Sophia was indeed a woman of deep Christian faith, it is no wonder that she requested this passionate 28-year-old pastor to preach her funeral sermon.

Perhaps it is our common faith in Christ that unites us across the generations.