The Lowe Family Tree

EDITOR'S NOTE: Added 12 Aug 2017, This story is a work in progress. In the coming days new story revisions, images, sources, etc. will be added and updated to this page.

Leonard Tobias Schnell* was born 06 Aug 1860 in Liverpool, Medina, Ohio, USA (within the limits of Valley City) to parents Christopher Levin Schnell, 51 and Catherine Rauch, 32.

Sometime before 1870 the family relocated to the northwest corner of Marks & Boston Roads in the small village of Beebetown (officially known as Columbia Township, Lorain, Ohio). Beebetown would become the Schnell family home for the next 80 years.

John is currently assumed to have been born in Sigmaringen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany in 1824 under the name Justus Betzikofer.

While research is still underway, this is all we know of John's early life at this current moment.

Even less is known on his wife Emily Zimmerman. She was born in the region of Bayern, Germany about 1828 and seems that her birth name was Apolonia even though she frequently went by Emily and Emma.

Georgie, brother of great grandmother Edna Rogers, left home at 20 and joined the Army during WWII against his family's wishes. He was assigned to the 91st Cavalry Recon Squadron where he took part in the Africa, Sicily & Italy Campaigns. Even though Georgie was wounded twice he kept returning to the front lines and, according to his brothers in arms, showed no fear. On his way back to base at the end of a night recon mission behind enemy lines in northern Italy, Georgie was struck by pistol fire and killed in the line of duty. He had achieved the rank of Corporal and was a purple heart and bronze star recipient for his heroism and conduct.

UPDATED 05/1/2020: On top of the previous update from 2017 that made use of Ancestry.com's transcribed Württemberg parish registers to identify Rauch birth, marriage and death records, I have added additional footnotes to the bottom of the page to address a few old Rauch family stories that keep appearing. I combed the parish registers for Rauch family members to identify occupations and relationships that hopefully answer some of these longstanding questions.

Born the daughter of a Revolutionary War Patriot, in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Sarah was one of thirteen children raised in the area of Swatara. She married into another patriot family in 1807 in the neighboring area of Harrisburg. They made a home together on a farm in Swatara near her in-laws and raised nine children together. Before 1833 the family packed up and moved to Wayne Township, Ohio where the couple lived out the remainder of their lives.

Born the son of a Revolutionary War Patriot, in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Christian was one of fourteen children raised in the area of Swatara. He married into another patriot family in 1807 in the neighboring area of Harrisburg. They made a home together on a farm in Swatara near his parents & relatives and raised nine children together. Before 1833 the family packed up and moved to Wayne Township, Ohio where the couple lived out the remainder of their lives.

UPDATED 04/29/2020: See Ancestry DNA updates below this story.

Most likely born in New Jersey, almost nothing is known about Lawrence's early life. His father is believed to be Hans Jacob Winkler, but was definitely one of the 3 Winkler brothers who arrived in Philidelphia in 1753 on the ship Neptune (from locations unknown). He married in North Carolina and migrated to West Virginia in 1806 before he finally settled down in Wayne County, Ohio in 1814, becoming a pioneer of Ohio and one of the earliest settlers and founders of Green Township, which wouldn't be formed until 1817. Lawrence and wife Frances had a total of 9 kids and spent the rest of his life in Wayne County, passing away at the age of 77.

UPDATED 04/28/2020: See Ancestry DNA updates below this story.