STURM STORIES

MICHAEL AND ELIZABETH STURM

Michael and Elizabeth Sturm were born in Alsace Lorraine, France. Their applications for old age pension state that Michael was born in Westhoffen Bas-Rhin on March 2, 1856 and Elizabeth was born in Wangen Bas-Rhin on December 10, 1858. Both of their birthplaces later belonged to Germany.
Elizabeth’s maiden name was either Rhodes or Langel. Both names have been found on documents.
Michael and Elizabeth were married on May 12, 1882 in Westhoffen, France. They had four children. There son, Michael, was born in Alsace Lorraine. They immigrated to the United States in 1889. They were naturalized in Kearney, Nebraska on January 13, 1906. Their daughter, Martha, was born on April 23, 1891 in Nebraska. They arrived in Oregon on March 15, 1906 where they resided until their deaths.
Both Michael and Elizabeth could read and write German.
Their first home in Oregon was on a farm three miles south of Blooming, Oregon. They later lived in Cornelius and in Hillsboro, Oregon. Michael was a farmer and Elizabeth did not work outside the home. At the time they applied for their old age pensions, Michael was 77 years old and Elizabeth was 75 years old. They were renting a small three room house in Hillsboro, Oregon. Michael had been bedfast for three years, suffering from the amputation of a leg. Elizabeth had heart problems and high blood pressure. Her legs were badly afflicted making it very difficult for her to stand on them.
They were granted their old age pensions on January 26, 1934. Michael died on March 15, 1937 in Hillsboro, Oregon. He was buried in Blooming Cemetery on March 18, 1937. Elizabeth died in 1945 in Oregon.

Research and story by Ruth Lewis

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