NÖRDLINGEN,
is a small town in southwestern Germany dating from the Middle
Ages. It now reportedly encompasses the smaller village of Löpsingen.
The church of St. George is in the center of the town, which is
surrounded by an ancient fortifications wall with access gates
and guard towers. One of them is the "Löpsinger Tor"
or Gate to Löpsingen.
Closing
In On A Family Hometown
Leona
Lang, Regina SK, took the last newsletter with her to the Sasketchewan
Genealogical Society and located Nördlingen, Germany on a
map. In the meantime, Denise Gemma, San Clemente, CA, wrote to
tell us that during her and her husband John's dream vacation
to Europe they actually stayed overnight in the town of Nördlingen.
Denise
writes, "It was a pleasant little town and we had a great
meal there. Enclosed is a postcard (reprinted front page) that
shows the wall around town and the gates. We did not see the Lobsinger
gate, so I'll have to let my husband know it's urgent we get back
there to check!"
Nördlingen,
you might recall, is a German village with a history going back
to the Middle Ages. It has a wall completely around it with several
gates leading to other cities and towns. One of the gates was
rumored to be the "Lobsinger Gate" or the gate to the
road that led to the town of Löpsingen. Now, according to
reports we've received, Löpsingen is just a suburb of Nördlingen.
Some people suspect that Löpsingen was the town from which
all persons named Lobsinger originated.
Actually,
there are several spellings of the name: The town itself is known
as Löpsingen, sometimes spelled Loepsingen, for lack of an
"ö" on the keyboard. In Germany and parts of Switzerland,
there are Löpsingers, Loepsingers, and Lobsigers, all suspected
to be the same breed of cat. In France, the name turns up as Lobsinger,
but in some records is also spelled Lopsinger.
At
any rate, speculation has it that a person from Löpsingen
would become known as a Löpsinger, Lobsinger, Lobsiger, Loepsinger...
or whatever once he got to where ever he was going. Just like
people from Canada who arrive in the US are known as Canadians,
no matter what their real surname.
The
problem is, they didn't know they were Lobsingers until they got
where they were going and became known as "Antoine from Löpsingen"
or Antoine Lobsinger. Their original surname (if they even had
one in those days) was lost in the translation. Which means that
Lobsingers could be any number of families of people who moved
from Löpsingen to somewhere else... France, Germany, Switzerland,
The US, or Canada. Fortunately, most all of the US and Canadian
Lobsingers have been traced back to one individual Lobsinger who
lived in Langatte, France.
During
Leona Lang's trip to the Genealogical Society, she stumbled on
a German book published in the 1950s that has pictures of Nördlingen,
including Löpsinger Street and the Löpsingen gate tower.
She sent us some fairly good Xerox copies we'll try to print.
Next, Lang went to the Mormon Church and looked up the various
spellings of Lobsinger on the International Genealogical Index
on CD ROM. She found Loepsingers in Nördlingen, and more
in Wurttemburg. Others appear to have lived in Bapfingen, Goldburghausen
and Trochtelfingen, which although not on the map she had, must
be close by smaller villages. Within the same political district,
she found some Lopsingers, as well. All were "Evangelisch"
church members. A few Lobsingers were listed in Switzerland and
France, and were "Katholisch".
Speculation:
Since the Evangelisch group seems to appear in Germany, and the
Katholisch group in France and Switzerland, could there have been
a religious controversy in Löpsingen sometime before the
16th Century? That's shortly after Martin Luther started the protestant
reformation or revolution (depending on whose history book you
read.) According to our local Lutheran minister, Lutherans were
called "Evangelisch" in the early days. I suspect the
"Katholisch" citizens of Löpsingen split for friendlier
territory in Switzerland and France about the mid 1500s.
In
addition, Leona sent us three names listed in the North American
index. I wrote to Dr. Robert Neu in Annaheim, CA., who informs
us that he is related to the Lobsingers in North America through
the Wolz family, back through the Munie family, and the Gross
family. Magdaleine Lobsinger (daughter of Antoine, son of Etienne,
son of Nicolas of Langatte, France) married Louis Gross. Their
daughter Magdalena Gross married Paul Munie. Their son Joseph
Paul Munie married Christine Germain. Their son August Dominic
Munie was married to Anna Rhein and Johanna Seibel. One of his
wives bore a child named Paul Munie, who married a Wolz.
Which
means that another line descending from Nicolas of Langatte immigrated
to North America besides his great4 grandsons Joseph, Antoine,
and Michel.
Dr.
Neu was not clear on the current connections, but somewhere along
the line, a Thelma Lobsinger (b. 1871) married an Edward Wolz.
We still don't know who Thelma Lobsinger was or who she was related
to. We have no Thelma Lobsinger in the data base.
We
did better checking on a William Joseph Lobsinger, born Nov. 17,
1914 who was married to Thelda Eileen Stapley. We wrote Del Elden
Stapley of Glendale, AZ, who referred his letter to Thelda Eileen
Stapley's daughter, Verna Beckstead, of Tempe, AZ.
She
sent us a nice letter about her stepfather "Bill" Lobsinger,
who had a sister, Josephine Hanlon of St. Cloud, MN. "Bill"
Lobsinger was an adopted child of Joseph A Lobsinger (House of
Anthony).
Finally,
a third lead from Leona was an Amelia Mary Lobsinger, daughter
of Peter Lobsinger. Amelia is from the House of Joseph Carl Lobsinger.
She married George Van Allen and had four children that we are
aware of, but do not have anything on the family to the current
generation of kids.
Leona
also notes that on the original surveyor's map for North Easthope,
Canada, "Count" Joseph's name is spelled Lopsinger,
but in subsequent documents including the purchase of the land,
oath of allegiance and census records, it is spelled Lobsinger.
So the mystery continues...
Along
the covered way of its town wall, one can still circle the entire
town of Nördlingen. View toward Löpsingen gate tower.
(Photo by Wolff & Tritschler)
Guns
-
The Development of Firearms, Airguns and Cartridges:
Hans
Lobsinger Invented Bellows Type Air Gun
In Mid 16th Century
By
Warren Moore, 1963
Published by Grossit Dunlop, N.Y. -
Article Contributed by Art Lobsinger
From
all information available, it seems most probable that the bellows-type
of air gun was first made in Germany in the sixteenth century.
Although there are no existing specimens of this early period
available for examination, it is a recorded fact that Hans Lobsinger
of Nuremberg, Germany invented an air -gun about 1560. Lobsinger
was a noted mechanic, and records show that he had previously
invented an improved form of bellows. In view of this, it appears
highly probable that the first mechanical air gun operated on
the bellows principle.
Bellows
guns have a hollowed-out stock in which the bellows and necessary
operating mechanism are housed. When the gun is cocked, the bellows
is held open by means of one or two V-springs. Pressing the trigger
releases the spring, causing the bellows to compress suddenly.
The resulting rush of air discharges the bullet from the barrel.
The
bellows gun and the sixteenth century wheel lock have certain
characteristics in common, both in outward appearance and operation
of the mechanism. Both of these types are cocked by means of a
spanner or winding crank. On the bellows gun, a square male shaft
located at the butt end of the stock was wound by means of a crank
or lever. This is another factor which points up the likelihood
that the bellows gun was the earliest form of mechanical air weapon.
The
bellows guns were the weakest of all the types of air guns, and
were used principally for target work and indoor shooting. The
most popular form that was manufactured was the German Boizenbuchse,
which means literally "dart gun". These guns were ornate
and expensive to make. They were unbelievably accurate at a range
of about forty feet, and are probably the most accurate ever used
for target shooting. The darts which they shot were specially
made, and so accurate that shooters carefully pulled hairs from
the tail of the dart to make for a truer shot.
It
is unfortunate that there are no sixteenth century bellows guns
available for study. No existing specimens have been authenticated
as being made earlier than the late eighteenth century. The best
known early American air gun was that mentioned many times in
the Journal of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806. while
this is believed to be a bellows-type gun, the wording of the
Journal does not make this clear.
The
bellows pistol shown is a German make dating in the latter part
of the eighteenth century, and the barrel tips up at the breech
for loading. Practically all arms operating on the bellows principle
are long guns, and pistols are extremely rare.
(The
article continues on with information about Pneumatic guns and
more modern developments.)
How
Do You Say Michael Lobsinger - In Chinese?
From
internet reports and
Shaking the Money Tree
by Robert Metz
Multi-Corp.
Inc. takes phrases from column "a" in original Chinese
and puts them in column "b" in English. Ergo, this exotic,
developmental firm is tackling a problem only a computer could
address.
With
its Ziran system, (Ziran means 'natural way' in Chinese) Multi-Corp.
produces and sells a software word processing package in the Chinese
language called Asia Magic, a word processing package similar
to Microsoft Word in English. It works with all the key American
systems: DOS with windows, OS/2, and with the Apple operating
system.
Multi
Corp. is located in Calgary, Alberta. Its CEO is Michael Lobsinger,
who is betting his company will thrive as a seller of Chinese
keyboards using software the Chinese can use today. In his view,
that beats spending years teaching the Chinese to learn English
so that they can use Western input systems.
Richard
Geist, a psychiatrist who follows stocks and publishes "Strategic
Investing" says the software is superior to other Chinese
programs such as Twon Bridge and China Star. Why? Ziran system
software is unique software with a practical means of computerizing
Chinese ideographs.
The
basis of using western software is that when you tap an "a"
for instance, you see "a" on your screen.
The
rub with Asian languages -- Chinese, Japanese, and Korean -- is
that there are so many characters in the language, they can't
have a direct relation to what you tap onto the screen. Simplified
Chinese, for example, has in excess of 14,000 characters. Far
too many for a practical keyboard.
But
Multi-Corp has developed a 10 key coding system representing the
ten basic strokes needed to form every one of the characters used
in all of the major Asian languages. Geist insists that Multi-Corp's
simplified input system can be learned in under an hour by a Chinese
speaking customer.
This
is a significant breakthrough. And there is more to it. Due to
the mathematical algorithms developed to create this novel input
system, MCUAF (Nasdaq) is also said to be able to offer computer-assisted
translation services. Keep in mind, there are dramatic differences
between Western and Eastern languages as the company points this
out.
Multi-Corp.
translates 70 percent of a 100 page document in seconds and is
said to be "slightly faster" than the competition. The
remaining translation is done by human beings. The company does
not intend to sell the translation software. It will continue
to offer a translation service.
In
the meantime, the company has completed the integration of its
Ziran Input System in a world wide web browser. Thus, non-English
speaking customers will be able to scroll onto the Internet, find
out what's there in Chinese, search it, find it, interact with
it, and download it in Chinese.
Multi-Corp's
revenue stream has been growing at 25% a quarter, but the company
is in the marketing stage and has actually lost money through
the nine months ended Sept. 30, 1995. However, there is no debt
and MCUAF has $4 million cash. Lobsinger said the cash cow is
a telephone business licensed in the US in a manner like MCI and
Sprint. The company can deliver a discounted US dial tone to most
places in the world through a Multi-Corp switch located in Miami,
FL.
MCUAF
also has a protocol for debit cards and prepaid calling cards.
Thus world travelers can use prearranged numbers that connect
through the company's switch, and at low rates: "We now have
a system for faxing internationally. It does not use the voice
lines. It uses a digital data line," he said.
The
key question, according to Mr. Metz, a former writer for the New
York Times' Market Place column, is whether the proprietary technology
and the offer to the Asian people of products that can be utilized
in their languages rather than in Western languages will result
in a commercially viable company.
Richard
Geist says this idea is supported by new laws passed in Hong Kong
requiring that all business be conducted in Chinese as of July
1, 1997.
Cautious
though he is, Geist thinks MCUAF will be profitable in 1996 based
in part on the $26 million in revenues anticipated from a finalized
Venture Agreement with Gaozhou Dong Ling Electronics Company,
which is set up to do business in the People's Republic of China.
The
arrangement grants GDEC a five-year, non-exclusive license to
use MCUAF's Ziran Input System technology to manufacture, sell,
and market any product approved by the company. In return, GEDC
will pay a license fee of $3.5 million (US) plus a royalty fee
for each unit of product sold by GDEC. The first phase calls for
Multi-Corp. to produce and supply GDEC with 25,000 units over
the next nine months consisting of computer hardware and software,
including the Ziran Input System.
The
price per unit sold is to be roughly $900. GDEC will manufacture,
assemble, market and distribute the units in the People's Republic
of China.
If
all goes well, Geist notes, the company should have $26,000.000
in revenues from the GDEC deal. With net profit margin of about
19 percent, the company could earn 23 cents a share. In another
area, the telecom side, revenues could range between $20 and $30
million with similar margins.
Geist
predicts a minimum of $50 million in revenues and 45 to 50 cents
in profit. He also looks for a very high multiple: "30 does
not seem unreasonable" for a stock price of $13.50. The stock
was $5 at year end.
Since
the above was posted, Multi-Corp has introduced its first Internet
mail server product, Zi-Mail, which is a complete multi platform,
multi lingual e-mail package that provides translation between
Chinese and English languages.
In
an October 1996 press release, Multi-Corp. Inc. says it is pleased
to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Ziran Asia Pacific
Limited of Hong Kong, has entered into an agreement for the provision
of facsimile services through the Internet with National Computer
Systems Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the national Computer
Board of Singapore. ZAPL will provide Internet facsimile services
to NCS customers from its Hong Kong office.
(Disclaimer:
Information may be severely out of date by the time you read it.
Story is for information only on accomplishments of a member of
the Lobsinger family and not for investment or financial advice)
Dale
Lobsinger Honored
By Society of Quality Control Engineers
DALE
LOBSINGER shown above left in 1956 when he was working full time
as a Quality Control Engineer with United Airlines, and above
right in 1996 when he was honored by the Society of Quality Control
Engineers as one of the pioneers in the business.
In
May, 1996, Dale L Lobsinger, Oceanside, CA., was honored as an
American Quality Pioneer during the 50th Anniversary Conference
of The American Society for Quality Control. The event took place
in Chicago, IL., where 4,200 representatives of the Society of
135,000 members had gathered to honor its pioneers.
Dale,
brother of Lucille and Harold Elmo, is 87 years young. His sister
is deceased now, but Harold is 90, resides in Denver, and often
sends notes to this newsletter.
Dale
is a certified Quality Engineer whose career with United Air Lines
spanned 38 years. His time with United was interrupted only for
a stint in the US Navy during World War II, where he spent 4 years
with the naval Air Transport Service. He left the service with
the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
He
holds Fellow Grade Membership in both The American Society for
Quality Control and The American Association for Advancement of
Science. The American Quality Pioneers 50th Anniversary recognition
booklet says...
"D.L.
Lobsinger graduated from the University of Chicago in 1933 and
soon joined United Air Lines. While there, his duties evolved
into the quality control area when he was asked to study the applicability
of statistical quality control methods to air transportation.
In 1948, he joined the newly formed ASQC and was instrumental
in establishing the Denver Section and was elected its first President.
He quickly took leadership positions at ASQC and was elected ASQC
president in 1956-57. During his tenure, he introduced the first
applications of SQC methods to service factors in air transportation.
These applications became accepted and were consequently shared
with other airlines. He also worked with the U.S. Post Office
to establish more efficient handling of air mail.
In
1956, Lobsinger was named ASQC Fellow and Quality Engineer. In
1958, he was awarded the prestigious Transportation Services Award
by UAL for his work in "developing and disseminating a Quality
Control philosophy that became an integral part of their management
policy."
Lobsinger
can also be credited with publishing many SQC articles in the
service areas, including a chapter in J.M. Juran's 2nd edition
of his handbook on SQC. Lobsinger made the first concentrated
effort to reach top executives in Canada and Mexico in addition
to traveling throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico to educate
and promote the value of SQC."
Nicholsons
Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary
Irene
and James Nicholson
On
June 21, 1996, Irene (Lobsinger) and James Nicholson, Kitchener,
ON., celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Their sons, Richard
and Daniel and wives held an open house celebration in their honor
with many friends and relatives invited.
Irene Frances Lobsinger was born in Ayton, ON., on October 30,
1922, the youngest child of Francis Xavier Lobsinger and Christina
Westenhoefer. Fifty years ago, she and James Nicholson were married,
and the couple raised two sons.
Richard
James Nicholson was born March 3, 1952. Daniel Joseph arrived
July 24, 1958.
Richard and wife Jan now have two daughters, Julie Catherine,
born Aug. 11, 1980, and Kelly Lynn, born March 8, 1985. Daniel
Joseph and his wife Heather have a daughter Stephanie born April
27, 1986, and a son, Craig Daniel, born December 31, 1988. (House
of Louis)
Mill
Steps Lively For Former Walkerton Mayor
By
Lloyd Cartwright
Walkerton Herald-Times
Reflections
Shingles
and Baskets: In the 1940s Walkerton, ON., had a thriving basket
and shingle mill located where the Walkerton Building Supplies
now operates. The industry was owned by Irwin Lobsinger, who had
a work force of up to 10 men. Lobie had started the business with
a small mill behind his service station by the West End Bridge
but by the early 1940s he had purchased almost the whole block
mentioned above and moved the operation there. The Walkerton Herald-Times,
dated Aug. 26, 1943, had a front page story that tells of Lobies'
expanding operation. I quote:
"A
transaction of much importance to this community was the purchase
by Reeve Irwin Lobsinger of the 250 acre farm near Riversdale,
of the late E.J. Connor estate, and which contains much bush land.
He will start cutting operations immediately and proposes greatly
increasing his present output of shingles, basket bottoms, etc.,
which he is distributing to all parts of Ontario. Besides the
above, he is extensively engaged in producing cedar posts, having
got an order the other day for 16,000 of these from one Windsor
firm alone. Walkerton's newest industry is fast becoming one of
the County Town's liveliest industrial set-ups. He is certainly
making the West Ward of Walkerton one of the busiest spots in
the community."
The
story goes on to state that Lobie's dad, John Lobsinger, was a
band sawyer of almost countrywide fame, due to his lumbering operations
on Carlsruhe and vicinity, prior to coming to Walkerton before
1920. It also tells us that Lobie's mother was for many years
the organist of the Roman Catholic Church in Carlsruhe. When Lobie
started making shingles behind his service station, his dad worked
with him to get the operation started. After he moved the mill
to the larger property, he added much equipment and hired more
help. One of his employees was Len Meyer, who helped in the bush
and also did the trucking of both finished and raw material.
Irwin
Lobsinger was a very busy man in those times. He had almost nightly
meetings to attend because of his involvement in local politics,
fire department, fish and Game Club and other organizations, as
well as running a busy store and service station. He was also
a much sought after sign painter. By 1945 he had more than he
could handle and decided to give up the milling business. The
property was put up for sale and purchased by E Faelker.
Lobsinger
Reunion Was Happening To Remember
JOE
AND Genevieve Kapfhamer, Arcola, SK., traveled the farthest distance
to attend the Lobsinger Reunion in Mildmay last June, and will
celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary in December. (House of
Louis)
Report by Dolores Schmidt, Mildmay, ON.
The
Lobsinger Reunion held last June in Mildmay, ON., was a "happening"
to remember. Everyone said they enjoyed themselves and would be
back next year. The word will spread... "If you couldn't
come last year, come next year."
The
consensus of the those attending was to keep the event on a yearly
schedule and focus around Father's Day. The last couple of years,
the reunion has been held the weekend prior to Father's Day, but
both years brought questionable weather. Next June, the event
will be held (at last report, anyway) on the Sunday following
Father's Day. That's an easy to remember time without having to
remember the specific date. More kids will be out of school by
then as well, and maybe more families will be able to attend.
Genevieve
and Joe Kapfhamer came from Arcola, SK., (House of Louis) and
won the prize for coming the greatest distance. They will be married
60 years this December, but celebrated the occasion in September.
They enjoyed meeting all the others and were easily "connected"
with other members of their branch of the family.
Giles
and Irene Lobsinger (House of Louis) came from Stratford. Giles
is 93 and sure doesn't look it!
People
arrived from Sasketchewan, Michigan, and several far flung areas
of Ontario... Niagara to Meaford and Thornbury.
Since
the weather looked "iffy" the reunion was moved into
the Mildmay Community Center Hall and Complex, and used the arena
floor for games for the kids. By mid afternoon, the weather started
to cooperate so a ball game took place outside.
No
Lobsinger get-together would be complete without a Sing-Along,
so thanks to Rick Lobsinger (House of Peter), who tickled the
ivories, and Rosemarie Lobsinger Heisz (House of Peter) who came
up with song sheets, there was lots of homegrown music for all
the Lob-"Singers". Leo Tschirhart (House of Louis) also
presented a Jazz piano concert for the group.
Paul
Lobsinger (House of Peter) of Burlington is also reported to be
an accomplished musician and he's first on the list to perform
at this year's reunion. (Right, Paul???). Anyone who plays a musical
instrument is invited and encouraged to bring it along, as the
Lobsingers all love music and the entertainment will be much appreciated.
Mr.
Ron Wetlaufer from New Hamburg, ON., called to ask if he would
be welcome at the reunion. (Of course!) He was an interesting
addition to the "history department" since he lives
in the house built in 1856 by Count Joseph Lobsinger, one of the
three brothers who immigrated from Langatte, France to found the
three main branches of the North American Lobsinger family. The
other two, Antoine and Michel, settled in the St. Louis, MO.,
and Belleville, IL., area. Wetlaufer said he had a great time
at the reunion and the Lobsingers put on a bountiful and delicious
pot luck buffet... Pot Luck works! Wetlaufer bravely invited any
relatives who wished to visit the "House that Count Joseph
built" to feel free to do so and donated a bed and breakfast
visit to the historic home. That was won by Doreen and Bill Robson.
Some
of the family from Windsor and Dearborn inquired last year, but
didn't make it. Maybe this year!
Quite
a few of those attending brought photos and albums which were
perused by many.
A huge thank you has to go to Bill Robson (Jr?) who capably chaired
the event. His wife Darlene did a great job on games and steering
people around the kitchen and anything else that was needed.
Winners
in some of the games and events are as follows:
Kick
the Shoe - Ages 1 to 4: first, Jordan Chandler, second, Christian
Paliga. Ages 5 to 9: first, Adam Paliga, second (didn't get recorded).
Ages 10 to 14: first, Melissa Robson; second, Vanessa Robson.
Ages 15 to Adult: first, Paul Robson, second, Cathy Goetz, third,
Tom Wickie.
Brendon
Lobsinger won the Peanut Scramble with a total of 77 peanuts.
Foot race in the 1 and 2 year old class was won by Patrick Kehoe;
in the 3 and 4 year old class by Brendon Lobsinger. The 5 to 8
year old class was a three legged race with the team of Adam and
Mathew (last name not recorded) taking first place and Ashley
and Lindsey (last name not recorded) taking second place. The
9 to 14 year old class was a wheel barrel race with Kerri Weiler
and Victoria Tolton taking the honors. In the 15 and up class,
first place went to Amanda Tolton and second was won by Mike Gnepe.
A
Scavenger Hunt was also held, with teams of at least three members
having 10 minutes to complete 10 tasks. Each team was to collect
10 pieces of trash from the park area, find one black stone, pick
one dandelion flower, collect two dry twigs, come up with one
white sock (foot optional), have one brown eyed man sign the instruction
sheet, have one light haired lady sign, do one good deed for a
picnic guest, and have each team member introduce him/herself
to someone new and get their signature. We're not sure, but we
think the winning team consisted of Jen, Justin, Melissa and John
Robson, Christian and Adam Paliga, Amanda, Mike, and Greg Gnepe.
Anyway, the sheet with those names on it have a 1 in a circle
on it, which we presume means first place. If not, sorry...
Cheryl
Harrison, treasurer, and her husband Steve also did a great job
buying treats and goodie bags for the children and items for the
raffle table. There were almost 100 draws, and adults and children
alike had a hard time choosing from the many prizes.
We'd
be remiss if we didn't extend our gratitude to Uncle Frank's descendents
who expanded their annual reunion to embrace all of us and to
all who participated by their presence, activity, generosity and
congeniality.
There
were 30 families from the House of Peter, 17 from the House of
Louis and 2 from the House of George. We hope to improve on that
next June. About 150 people attended, and perhaps the later date
will help improve the numbers this year.
There
was a misconception last year regarding registration. There is
no pre-registration necessary and no one has to pay up til you
show up. But it's nice to know you are coming, and maybe someone
can assist with accommodations or directions if you wish to call
or write ahead of time. However, if it is a last minute decision,
just come on down.
But
if you'd like more information, don't hesitate to contact Bill
Robson, 2 Janet Street North, Mildmay, ON., N0G 2J0, Canada. Phone
(519) 367-5305 evenings or (519) 881-3401 days; or Dolores Schmidt,
5 Peter Street, Box 408, Mildmay, ON., N0G 2J0, Canada.
DOROTHY
AGOMBAR, Hanover, ON., and Giles Lobsinger (93 years young) of
Stratford, ON., visit with Ron Wetlaufer, New Hamburg, ON., who
lives in the House Count Joseph Built.
From
The Mailbag...
Verna
Beckstead, Tempe, AZ, responded to our request for information
on William Lobsinger and Thelda Eileen Stapley. Verna is Mrs.
Stapley's daughter, and step daughter of William Lobsinger. William
was adopted by Joseph A Lobsinger , son of Anthony Jacob Lobsinger.
Verna has some old photos we hope she will loan us for the next
newsletter. Maybe we'll be able to get a glimpse of Anthony Jacob
and a few of the others in that small line of Lobsingers. (House
of Anthony)
Robert E. Neu, M.D., of Anaheim, CA., has sent some information
regarding the descendents of Magdeleine Lobsinger who married
French saddle-maker Louis Grosse back in the late 1700s. Dr. Neu
provided an update on the descendants of this couple to the current
time, and we have asked for just a bit more from him.
Denise Gemma wrote to tell us she and husband John spent a day
in the town of Nördlingen, Germany during their big trip
to Europe awhile back... and never knew that Nördlingen features
a "Löpsinger Gate" and Street. Her postcard photo
of the town is on the front page.
Michael E. Lobsinger, Calgary, AB., sent us a change of address
and a nice contribution to the postage fund. He is the son of
Frank Hugh Lobsinger, son of John Eugene, son of Ignatius Franz,
son of Peter Michael. We probably have another story in this issue
on some of Michael's accomplishments. He operates Lobsinger Management,
Inc., a real estate and development business and is CEO of Multi-Corp.
a computer related business. ( House of Peter.)
Byron Lobsinger, Lake Worth, FL., who is a supervisor for UPS,
reports life is hectic in the package moving industry this time
of year. He and wife Christine are busy with their new baby, the
other two kids, and lots of ball games. (House of Peter).
We have been corresponding with Mark and Cheryl Lobsinger, Lombard,
IL., trying to figure out where the fit into the scheme of things.
So far, they don't. I've had part of their family on a chart for
years, but nothing ever seems to mesh with the rest of the bunch.
Mark is a son of Donn J. Lobsinger who was an electrical engineer.
Donn J. was the son of Elmer Lobsinger, an electrician married
to Mae Gallagher.
Elmer
also had a daughter named Joan who married Jack Ayersman and they
had two children named Kathleen and Maureen.
Donn
J was the father of Dann Lobsinger, Mark, and Margaret Lobsinger
by his first wife Gail Campbell, and two more children, Bridget
and Kathleen (Kitty), by his second wife Rosalee Sellwood Miller.
Mark
is a pilot for Fed-Ex and is interested in finding out more about
how he fits into the family. Since he has the opportunity to fly
to Europe fairly often, we've passed on some tips about where
to look for roots.
He
may fit into one of the "dead end" spots we have on
the family, but we need to know his great grandfather's name first.
All we know about him so far is that his wife's maiden name was
Lichtenstien. Does that ring a bell with anybody out there?
Jenny Lee Lobsinger dropped us a note via the Internet this month.
She is attending college at Geneseo State University in New York.
Parents are Bruce and Julianne Lobsinger, and grandparents are
Melvin and Dolores Lobsinger. (House of Peter)
Michelle Lobsinger, Minneapolis, MN., e-mailed us some information
so we could find out where she belongs in the family jungle. She
is the daughter of Marilyn A. and James J. Lobsinger, and is a
graduate of the University of Oklahoma. A few years ago, she and
a friend were attending a comedy club performance in Oklahoma
City where they met some other people. One of them was one of
my kids, John Lobsinger, who was attending the same performance.
Small world. Michelle and her brother Michael J. Lobsinger are
the grandchildren of Marilyn A. (Thom) and James J. Lobsinger.
We e-mailed her a copy of the data base, but haven't heard from
her since. Maybe the sheer volume squashed her computer. (House
of George)
Harold and Lois Lobsinger, Stratford, ON., write that their daughter
Jennifer married Michael LeSouder on June 1, 1996. They also report
a couple of new grandchildren have arrived in the past 2 years.
(House of Louis)
Michael Walsh, Fraser Lake, BC., has a new project he'd like everyone
to know about. He is producing safety decals for doors that indicate
at a glance which way the door opens. Small photo above. The U
in the word PUSH is in safety green with a palm print in the center.
If you're interested, you can contact him at 1-604-699-6443. Michael
is the son of Len and Teresa (Lobsinger) Walsh of Brantford, ON.
He has been a sawyer for 17 years with the Fraser Lake Sawmills.
(for a brief moment, I thought he said "lawyer.") West
Fraser Sawmills provides wood to all parts of the USA and many
overseas countries, as well. (House of Louis)
Barbara Blancher, Miami, FL., has the unhappy duty of reporting
the death of her husband, Francis. She reports he has been in
a nursing home for some time with cancer and Alzsheimer's. But
other than the obvious troubles, she is a chipper and optimistic
lady who says she still has "lots of blessings " to
count. (House of Joseph Carl)
Dennis and Sheila Lobsinger, Paris, ON., sent us their new snail
mail address via e-mail, and report that they thoroughly enjoy
the newsletter. Dennis is the son of Wilfred and Catherine Lobsinger
and the grandson of Frank and Caroline Lobsinger. (House of Peter)
John and Dolores (Lobsinger) Schmidt, Mildmay, ON., sent us a
whole mess of old photos we hope to run and maybe somebody out
there can even identify the ones we can't. Probably won't make
this issue, however. Too much other stuff. They are pretty good
copies of the originals, so I don't have any idea how they will
print. Dolores and Rosemarie (Lobsinger) Heisz have been trying
to figure out who is who. Most of the photos came from Rosemarie,
who lives in the August Lobsinger house and inherited them.
In
the House of Peter, the first of Peter Michael Lobsinger's children
was Joseph L Lobsinger. No one knows for sure who Joseph L's first
wife was, but everyone assumed it was a lady named Mary Grossman,
who disappeared completely and without a trace following the birth
of her fifth child. No death records, no cemetery lot, nothing.
Now, Dolores says she has found some evidence that might support
the assumption: In the 1881 Bruce County Directory there is a
record of Peter Grossman owning Carlsruhe Concession 14, lot 30.
Dolores says Peter and George Lobsinger also owned land in the
same area and Joseph L had leased land near there. If Peter Grossman
had a daughter named Mary, at least they would have had the chance
to meet. If any of the descendents of Joseph L Lobsinger's first
family ( Francis X; Margaret; Caroline; Catherine; or Joseph)
have any papers - birth certificates, etc., we would appreciate
a photo copy.
Dolores reports her husband John is busy with horseshoes again
this summer - playing them, not installing them, and putting a
new roof on their summer cottage by the lake. They plan on a winter
vacation to somewhere warm this year. Didn't go last year and
wish they had. (House of Peter)
Dawn Heather Lobsinger sent us an e-mail note announcing that
she got married on September 14th to a nice fellow named Christopher
Andrew White. (Send picture and story) She is currently a Ph.
D. candidate in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa. Her
parents are Neil Francis Lobsinger and Virginia Dorothy Roeder
from St. Clements. ON., and Heidelberg, ON., respectively. Her
grandfather was Edward Lobsinger who was married to Kathleen Dietrich.
(House of Louis)
Mary Ann (Lobsinger) Quinn, Bloomfield, KY., wrote to say hi to
her favorite oldest brother. She has finally managed to get her
family all located in the same state. For a long time, she lived
in Kentucky with the kids, while her husband Mike was working
in West Palm Beach, FL., for the phone company waiting on a transfer.
Then he got transferred up there and she had to move back to Florida
to help care for mom, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. Mom is
now in a nursing home since she needs round the clock care, so
Mary Ann finally has her family together again, just in time to
see the oldest couple of kids grow up and leave home. Kristina
is attending Lexington Community College, and Michael is working
and hoping to go to a technical college. The rest of her kids
are doing well in grade, middle, or high school. (House of Peter)
Joan Luciani, Brantford, ON., says her daughter Sharon Thompson
has a new address, so we'll fix that. Other than an address change,
things must be going smooth in Brantford these days... not much
news from Joan. (House of Louis)
Jim Lobsinger, Calgary, AB., is a Hash House Harrier member. Now,
not knowing exactly what a Hash House Harrier is, I had to ask.
It's the name of a team in the league of Active Calgary Hashers,
of course.
And what, you might ask, is a Hasher to begin with? According
to the response we have received from Jim, it is a world wide
running club, established in Malaysia in 1938. He describes it
as a "Drinking Club with a running problem."
The group gets together and sends the "hare" around
to set the trail; then after proper lubrication and preparation,
the "hounds" are set loose to follow the trail, after
which they all sit around and discuss the subtlties of the hunt.
Jim is the son of Dr. William J. Lobsinger and Sheila E Brady.
We found him on the Internet on a page announcing the latest winners
in the current Hashers contests.
We have clubs like that here in Oklahoma, too. Only they have
evolved somewhat, to the point that they now just sit around and
drink. Saves lots of energy when you don't actually have to go
out and run or anything. (House of Peter)
Carol (Lobsinger) Lane, Arnold, MO., sent us some address changes
for a couple of her brothers and her son. We hope we have them
straight now. (House of Michel)
Mary Lou Lobsinger, Montreal, dropped us some e-mail. She is currently
working at the Canadian Center of Architecture in Montreal on
a research fellowship, but her main occupation is as a Ph. D.
student in art and architecture history at Harvard University.
Before going to Harvard, she taught at the University of Waterloo
School of Architecture. She is an architect and artist by previous
training and has done installations for performance works in Tornoto.
She is the daughter of Dr. William J Lobsinger and Sheila E Brady.
(House of Peter)
Clement Lobsinger, Hamilton, ON., writes that he is please to
see so many in the family choosing a vocation with the church.
He notes particularly Bishop Thomas J Lobsinger, and recent ordinates
Father Daniel Lobsinger and Father Wayne Lobsinger. Clement also
has the unhappy duty of reporting the death of his mother, Philomena
Seidel, on August 16, 1995 at the age of 95 years, and of his
father, Alfred E Lobsinger, on December 21, 1995, at the age of
99 years. Father Wayne Lobsinger officiated at both funerals.
(House of Louis)
Art Lobsinger, Hanover, ON., sends some interesting material a
friend of his procured about a Hans Lobsinger who lived in Nuremburg,
Germany about 1560. Hans was reported to be a noted mechanic,
as well as the inventor of the air rifle. Portions of the article
about Hans Lobsinger is elsewhere in this issue. Art is son of
Isadore Lobsinger, son of Peter Lobsinger, son of Jean Louis Lobsinger.
(House of Louis)
Laurier Lobsinger, Kitchener, ON., sent us some postage money,
for which we are grateful. He says he enjoys the magazine and
thanks us for our "trouble" putting it out. (House of
Louis)
Mary L. Hamblin sent a note to tell us that the Hamblins, Allens,
Habers and Tompkins families are all doing fine. She reports that
Alice and Bill Haber had a 50th wedding anniversary on June 1st
and had a party hosted by their 13 kids. We don't have the kids
names, though, so somebody send them to us, with birth dates,
etc. (House of Joseph Carl)
Richard J. Lobsinger, Warren, MI., sends postage and a note on
a new grandchild. (House of Louis)
Carl F. Lobsinger, Warren, MI., says, "Do any of us that
you labor for ever offer enough thanks for the time you invest
in this message of pride in the Lobsinger name? I hope you know
that this newsletter is very much anticipated by so many of us."
Thanks, Carl, we appreciate the kind words. (House of Louis)
Doreen (Lobsinger) Robson, Chesley, ON., reports that they had
an excellent turnout at the Lobsinger Reunion last June 9th, with
135 people in attendance. One couple came from Sasketchewan. Doreen
won a quilt at the reunion, made by Mrs. Victor (Susan) Lobsinger
of St. Catherines, ON. Doreen says Susan makes a quilt each year
to give away at the reunion.
New
Arrivals
Dylan
Scott Gemma
Dylan
Scott Gemma was born September 20, 1995. His sister Marina just
turned three on July 16. No weights or sizes. Parents are John
and Denise Gemma, San Clemente, CA. Grandparents are Reuben and
Anne Schnarr. (House of Louis)
Bryn
Adam Lobsinger
Bryn
Adam Lobsinger was born October 16, 1995. He is the son of Mark
and Donna Lobsinger, and grandson of Harold and Lois Lobsinger.
(House of Louis)
Eric
Daniel Lobsinger
Eric
Daniel Lobsinger was born May 11, 1995, according to grandparents
Harold and Lois Lobsinger. Parents are Larry and Tracey Lobsinger.
(House of Louis)
Jacob
Richard Alaxander
Jacob
Richard Alaxander was born September 2, 1995 to Denise A (Lobsinger)
and Dale E. Alexander. Grandparents are Richard J. and Geraldine
(Schnurr) Lobsinger. (House of Louis)
Lucas
Wayne Yoder
Wayne
and Carol (Grace) Yoder are very happy to announce the birth of
their son, Lucas Wayne, who arrived at 3:20 pm on May 11, 1996.
He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz. Proud grandparents are Leo and Lavern Ruetz
of Mildmay and Mary & Alvin Yoder of Wroxeter. (House of Peter)
Sydney
Marie Binkley
Jason
and Susan Binkley are thrilled to announce the birth of their
daughter Sydney Marie, born June 1, 1996 at St. Joseph's Medical
Center in London, ON. Sydney was born at 9:18 a.m. and weighed
in at 6 lbs, 10 oz. Proud grandparents are William and Jean Gallaher
and Larry and Pauline Binkley. (House of Peter)
Shane
Mark Lobsinger
Byron
and Christine Lobsinger, Lake Worth, FL., announce the birth of
their third son, Shane Mark Lobsinger, born July 3, 1996 at 8:56
pm. Shane weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz and was 21 inches long. Shane
joins brothers Shaun and Stephen at the home. Grandparents are
Catherine and the late John R Lobsinger, Lake Worth, FL. (House
of Peter)
Deaths
and Funerals
Francis
"Frye" Blancher
Francis
"Frye" Blancher, 81, of Miami, FL., was born in West
Branch, Michigan in 1915. Passed away June 2, 1996. He was an
active member of St. Timothy Catholic Church and life member of
the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his
son Patrick (Cindy), daughter Michelle and granddaughter Kim Gonter.
Visitation
was Tuesday, 7 to 9 pm at Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel. Services
were Wednesday, 10 am at St. Timothy Catholic Church. Burial was
in Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. (House of Joseph Carl)
Helen
Bannon
Helen
Bannon, 75, of 317 Queen St., Stratford, ON., died Thursday, December
21, 1995 at the Stratford General hospital.
Born
in Hanover, ON., she was a daughter of the late Michael and Emily
Lobsinger. Her husband, Michael Bannon, died April 15, 1961. She
had lived in Stratford most of her life.
She was a former employee of Allied Signal (formerly Fram) until
her retirement.
She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church
and the CWL of the parish.
Surviving
are daughters, Mary Bannon, Cathy and husband Terry Robinson,
Eileen and husband David Barclay and a son, Patrick Bannon and
wife Adriana, all of Stratford; grandchildren Adam, Valerie, and
Dana Robinson, Amanda and Christine Barclay, Michael and Joseph
Bannon; brothers, Harold Lobsinger and wife Lois, of Stratford,
and Elmer Lobsinger, of Hamilton; and sisters, Bernice and husband
Len Maslen, of Lucan, and Rita and husband Harry Mogk, of Stratford.
She was predeceased by a brother, Earl, in infancy, and a sister-in-law,
Maureen Lobsinger.
Friends
were received at the Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St., Stratford,
from 3 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral mass was held at 9:30 am
Saturday at the Immaculate Conception RC Church. Burial was in
Avondale Cemetery. (House of Louis)
John
Lobsinger, Shannon Tarkington
Exchange Vows At Oklahoma Heritage Center
Mr.
and Mrs. John A. Lobsinger
Shannon
Denise Tarkington and John Allen Lobsinger exchanged marriage
vows in a garden setting of the Oklahoma heritage Center in Oklahoma
City on April 20, 1996. Rev. Scott Bulmer, Oklahoma City, officiated
at the double ring ceremony.
Parents
of the couple are Gary and Carol Tarkington, and Jean Tarkington,
all of Oklahoma City, and Bob and Sue Lobsinger, Newkirk, OK.
Seth
Tarkington, brother of the bride, and Mark Lobsinger, cousin of
the groom, were ushers and Emily Kerran and Kerry Dowdong were
the candlelighters. Maid of Honor was Sunny Weaver, a friend of
the bride. Bridesmaids were Stacey Tarkington, sister of the bride,
Kristi Bradley, and Betty Garza, friends of the bride. Sarah Kerran
was the flower girl.
Scott Bradley, friend of the groom was Best Man. Groomsmen were
Mike Lobsinger, brother of the groom, Gerard Rateau, friend, and
Steve Lobsinger, brother.
Following
the ceremony, a reception was held at the Heritage Center. After
a wedding trip to Fort Lauderdale and a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas,
the couple returned to their home in Oklahoma City.
Both
are graduates of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK., and
are employed as Civil Engineers with Star Building Corporation
in Oklahoma City.
Steve
Lobsinger, Darci Oakley Wedding
Held September 7 In Norman, OK.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Lobsinger
Steven
Richard Lobsinger and Darci D. Oakley, Norman, OK., were married
September 7, 1996 in McFarlin Chapel, Norman.The Rev. Phil Fenn
officiated at the evening double ring ceremony.
The
bride is the daughter of the late Mr. Jerry Oakley, and the groom
is the son of Bob and Sue Lobsinger, Newkirk, OK.
Debbie
Layton, Stillwater, was Matron of Honor and Jim Hill, Phoenix,
Arizona, was Best Man. Bridesmaids were Judy (Lobsinger) Crabtree,
Norman, Shelly Martin, Oklahoma City, Stephanie Craig, Oklahoma
City, and Marsha Lobsinger, Bethany, OK.
Groomsmen
and ushers were John A. Lobsinger, Oklahoma City, Mike Lobsinger,
Wichita, Scott Layton, Stillwater, Eric Gillespie, Norman, Mark
Lobsinger, Norman, Chuck Crabtree, Norman and John F. Lobsinger,
Bethany.
Following
the ceremony a reception was held in the McFarlin Fellowship Hall.
The couple established a home in Yukon, Oklahoma.
The
bride will graduate from the University of Oklahoma in December
with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. The groom graduated from
the University of Oklahoma in 1995 with a Bachelor's Degree in
Electrical Engineering. He is currently employed at Seagate Technology,
Oklahoma City.
AUGUST
LOBSINGER Family: back row, from left - Otilda, Edward, Elizabeth,
Agnes. Front from left: Mary Kramer, Olive, Rose, and August Lobsinger.
(House of Peter)
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