JOHAN & AUGUSTA ZIRPEL
Folgten Ihren Träumen (Followed Their Dreams)
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
CHAPTER 1 History of The ZIRPEL Surname “Zirpel” a distinguished surname has been traced back to the province of Brandenburg, which we now identify as the birthplace of our modern Germany. Historically it would have been known as Brandenburg-Prussia.1 The surname “Zirpel” first appeared in the medieval time; in addition it was identified with the great and social and economic development in Prussia from the 13th century. One of the prominent families of the region were the bearers of the family surname “Zirpel”.2 The surname “Zirpel” went through a number of changes in the spelling or pronunciation throughout its history. The addition of a phrase at the beginning or end of the root name, particularly for German names, became a quite common indicator of a person’s character, place of origin, or their religious beliefs. During the middle ages, very few people could read or write, so scribes would often record a name simply by how its sounded. Therefore there a number of variations recorded of the surname “Zirpel”. They are Zirpel, Zerbst, or Serbtik, to name a few. During the period of changes, the family surname “Zirpel” moved into Prussia, which has been established as the primary origin of the family surname. The name flourished in this region for several centuries throughout the early middle ages. Later, from the mid 16th century, the family surname migrated to other parts of the continent as the family members had pursued their interests in the military, the religious setting, or in polities. With planned marriages the families gained both in social and economic status, and they were also intermarried with knights and chevaliers. Later the families achieved the distinction of being elevated to the ranks of nobility such as barons. During this period in Prussia there had been very notable members of the family with family surname of “Zirpel”.3 Areas of German settlements in America included Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, California, Ohio, and the Dakota Territory. In Canada, German settlements centered around Ontario and the Prairies. The settlers bearing the family surname “Zirpel” traveled to the new world and established themselves along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries. In our modern period, members of the families with the surname “Zirpel’’ have achieved prominence through their contribution to society, such as those notable personalities whose Social, cultural, and professional accomplishments have been known on both sides of the Atlantic. Research has determined the Coat of Arms below to be most ancient recording for the family surname “Zirpel”.4
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
‘Johan & Augusta Zirpel’ relates Zirpel family history Mona C. Zirpel shares her husband’s family history beginning with Johan, Augusta Zirpel migrating from Prussia WESSINGTON SPRINGS, S.D. - “I promised to write a book for the Zirpel family and get it published.” says Mona C. Zirpel, “I kept my promise.” Beginning with information provided by her husband’s uncle, Erwin Zirpel, She spent 10 years researching the family roots to complete the story in “Johan & Augusta Zirpel” [published by AuthorHouse], which tells the story of her husband’s family roots reaching all the way back to their homeland in Prussia. This book relates the family history of Johan Zirpel and Anna Augusta Sperlich. It speaks of their courage in undertaking the journey to leave their homeland and go to the United States in 1882. Most of the events in the book are in Douglas County and Hutchinson County, S.D. where Johan and Augusta built their homestead as well as two additional brick homes. Johan was one of the 15 members who signed the charter to organize the St. John Lutheran Church originally located in the area of Plainview in South Dakota. He and Augusta were the first couple in the settlement to be married by this church. Life was a struggle in those times. The couple had 12 children, but lost a set of twins as babies and two other children died. It was a virtue of hard work and perseverance that the couple pushed on through all this hardship to raise their remaining children to adulthood. In writing “Johan & Augusta Zirpel,” Zirpel did not simply trace the family tree she did it a such a way as to tell a story, a story that communicates to the present day descendants of the Zirpel family just what their forbearers had to go through to go to America and raise their families there. It tells of the courage it took to leave all that they knew to move to America. It relates their struggles as they lived with the hardships of those times. “Johan & Augusta Zirpel” By Mona C. Zirpel Softcover | 8.25 x 11 in | 262 pages | IBSN 9781496936882 E-Book | 262 pages | IBSN 9781496936875 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Mona C. Zirpel was born in Miami, Florida. She graduated from high school in Wessington Springs, S.D. She married Clyde Zirpel and they had two children – a son, Michael and a daughter, Rebecca – and seven grandchildren. Mona always had a strong desire to be a writer or journalist. She enjoys researching and finding more answers to the questions that come up within her research for her family roots as well as researching her husband’s families. Editor: For review copies, contact: Marketing Services Tel: 888-519-5121 or Fax: 812-961-3133 Email: pressrelease@authorhouse.com (When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address) For interviews, contact: Mona C. Zirpel email: mczirpel@venturecomm.net
About the Author
Mona Clydene (Spear) Zirpel was born in Miami, Florida, lived in several southern states for five years, then family moved to South Dakota. Remaining in S.D. she married; working full time jobs while raising two children. She also has seven grandchildren. She always had a strong desire to be a writer or journalist. In 2000, her poem: A True Friend written after 8th grade was published in the book; The Chamber of Dreams of the International Library of Poetry. She is very passionate about writing and researching her family history. When her children had families of their own, she has spent over 10 years researching and updating her family history as well as her husband & family history. She has been described by family, friends and coworkers as a very energetic person, organized with a goal in mind working on the best quality possible, good hearted, honest and very trustworthy. She is persistent and does not give up easily. She has dedicated the printing of this family history to Erwin Karl Zirpel, who graciously and eagerly assisted her with the use of his paper records. Erwin encouraged her to continue the researching, publish a book and never quit. After this book, she will continue to writing her family & history in a series of books and maybe later try some fiction writing in her retirement.