Wanner

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Biography of Anna Maria Schmid Wanner

Wanner Family about 1895

This biography of Anna Maria Schmid Wanner was in a family history book that belonged to Golden Rulon Andra and was given to me by his daughter. I did not have this biography and am happy to share it.

“Anna Maria Schmid Wanner, my grandmother, was born in [Holzgerlingen], [Württemberg], Germany on the 21 of January 1849. She was the daughter of Jacob Friedrich Schmid and Solome Notter. Her mother died when she was two years old. She then had a stepmother who was very cruel to her. They were very poor, and she would go to her grandmothers place and pick over potato peelings for the want of food. She ate the potato peelings for food.

“She started school at the age of six. For years the people in Germany couldn’t grow a thing, and the schools had to feed the children soup in school.

“She was a member of the Protestant church.

“Her father was a linen weaver, and grandmother would walk miles and miles at night through the dark woods to deliver the linen to different people. She had to carry it on her head. She often would be afraid, but she always prayed, and never was harmed.

“She married John George Wanner on the 6th of June 1870. From this union was born to them 5 sons and 5 daughters. They buried 2 sons in Germany. They were married only a short time when her husband called to go to war.

“It was the custom for the women to do the farm work, cutting the hay with the scythe and putting it up by hand.

“When the children needed shoes or dresses the shoemaker and the dressmaker would come to the home.

“Early in the year 1873, the family moved to Greenkraut [Grünkraut], [Württemberg], Germany.

“In 1891, she and her family were converted to the Morman or Latter-Day-Saint church. In her home she had a large room where she would accommodate the missionaries with food and beds, and help them learn the German language.

“In May 1893, she with her husband and family of seven children left Germany to come to America. They arrived at Franklin County [then Oneida County], Idaho on Sunday the 18th of June 1893.

“She left a brother and sister and father in Germany when she came to America. She had a brother named Carl and a sister, Louise Sophia. Grandmother was the youngest child. She was the only one of her fathers family that joined the Latter-Day-Saint church.

“They lived in Glendale, Whitney, and Preston, Idaho and in 1910 they moved to Logan, Utah. She and her husband did lots of Tempel work for their own dead ancestors as well as considerable donation work in the Tempel for other people.

“She obtained many names from Germany which was promised in her Patriarchal blessing, and the work was done for all of them before her death.

“She took sick in December, and died on the 9th of December 1929 of Pneumonia. Her funeral services were held in the 4th ward of Logan, Utah in which she was a member. She was buried by her husband in the cemetery at Logan, Utah.

“NOTE: Her oldest son preceded the family to America. He came over 1 and 1/2 years before the rest of the family. Thus — they only brought 7 children with them.

“This biography was copied from a letter received from Clara Bodrero, 495 W. 5th No., serveral years ago. She does not remember who sent it to her. Logan, Utah.

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2023 Legislative Session

Brandon Woolf, McCord Larsen, Paul Ross with Idaho State Capitol

This year I was more involved in the legislative process than in the past. There were a few bills I was particularly interested and closely involved. I even helped write a few.

On 3 March 2023 I traveled to the Idaho State Capitol with my friend and Cassia County Prosecutor McCord Larsen to testify on a particular bill related to Public Defense. While there, we took the opportunity to make a number of other calls and visits in addition to the legislators/legislative. This photo comes from one of those visits.

Brandon Woolf is the Idaho State Controller. More importantly he is my friend. He is always out and about in visiting communities and friends. I have run into him in Preston, Soda Springs, Malad, Burley, Rupert, and Boise. Not only do I respect and honor this friend, our families have been friends for generations. Brandon is from Preston, where my Andra, Nuffer, and Wanner lines are all from. I have ran into Brandon at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, the Rodeo Days Parade (also in Preston), and even the Independence Day Breakfast in Preston. It has been a small world and an oddity that I run into this guy as much as I do.

He took us through and shows us the new Transparent Idaho website. He is pretty excited for this website to continue to be rolled out and outfitted with all information for Idaho government. That is not just state, but every taxing district from cities, to counties; from cemetery districts to school districts.

The highlight was catching up between old friends (and Aggies). For the occasion, we snapped this photo from Brandon’s office. Somehow it seems enchanting. My beloved state, a phenomenal Idaho Constitutional Officer, friendship, and a beautiful Capitol. My experience with Idaho is that we are in good hands.

As for the legislation we were working on that day, well it was a disappointment. Representatives Weber and Cannon apparently were more interested in passing a bill than getting it right. We have tons of clean-up, which is always harder the second or third year than at the beginning. I have many, many reservations on the bill generally and don’t think it cannot be cleaned up but for a rewrite. But they didn’t care about that either. For a state that is independent, local control, and willing to do things different, this bill flew in the face of all that. It centralized power, removed local stakeholders, consolidated processes, ignored processes, and all at the same time wildly underfunded. I hope I am wrong, but I think it will get worse before it gets better.

Other bills were introduced too late and didn’t get too far. Others passed through unmarred and become clarifying law. The updates of bankruptcy related law all seem to have failed. But we will try again next year. Too bad it does not pay, it is hard doing all this on your own dime and sacrificing your gainful employment.

We were able to do lunch with our local Representative Clay Handy and visit with Representative Doug Pickett. Senator Kelly Anthon was kind enough to introduce us and welcome us from the Senate floor. We were unable otherwise to meet up with him.

Idaho is still small. I hope we do not lose the small state legislature, the gentleman’s creed, and the ability to do business. Please like Brandon keep hope in government when it is sometimes hard to keep hope in such a process.

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Andra Sunday Drive

Mary and Bill Andra

I actually have no idea what this photo was taken for, where at, or what occasion. Based on the car behind, I presume this is mid to late 1960s. William Frederick Andra and Mary Louise Wanner Andra. My Great Grandparents through their daughter, Colleen. Both lived long enough that I have various memories with them, even though I was fairly young and grew up more than 2 hours away from them. I remember playing Cribbage with Grandpa Andra. I remember playing Aggravation with Grandma Andra. They are my two Great Grandparents I have yet to write a history on. I have not done so because of the sheer amount of photos I have for them. Some day.

This photo caught my attention. Let’s say it is the summer of 1966, that makes Bill 68, Mary 65. They look happy, content. They look healthy, both lived to be over 90. As my hair thins, it reminds me of Grandpa Andra. I think I have his hair and cowlicks. This is a good photo of Bill and Mary Andra, whatever year.

Kill the dandelion.

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1908 Wanner Family Photo

Regina Nuffer Wanner with her children in 1908, Willard John and William Christoph and Golden (not clear which is which of the three), Mary Louise in the middle row, and Serge Nuffer, Rulon, and Eva Virtue Wanner on the front (all l-r)

This is another version, colorized, of this photo, but with Regina and others looking less directly at the camera. The above version obviously has some blemishes in the original.

Regina with William and Willard in the back and then Golden, Mary in the middle, holding Serge, then Rulon, then Eva.

I have written previously on this Nuffer/Wanner family. This photo was taken to send to George Wanner while he was serving a mission. This photo is slightly different than the copy I previously shared in that Regina is looking at the photo.

George was called to serve his second mission in the fall of 1907, the second time leaving a pregnant Regina, this time with six children. Baby Serge was the last of their children to be born 8 March 1908 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho. George was set apart on 29 October 1907 to serve in the Swiss and German mission. George completed his mission and set sail for the United States. He departed Liverpool, England on 9 December 1909 and arrived in Preston on Christmas Day 1909.

It was during this mission that George served in Meissen, Germany and taught the Christiana Wilhelmina Andra family. That family joined the church and immigrated to Preston. George and Regina’s daughter, Mary, later married Christiana’s son, William Andra. A direct blessing for serving a mission that rewarded the missionary for generations and still continues.

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Downey Idaho Postcard

Postcard of Downey, Idaho

The above photo caught my attention for various reasons, but I reflected upon my Naef relatives in little Downey. Every time I drive past Downey I think of them. The only one I ever knew personally was Ralph Gail Naef (1926-2009). We corresponded and talked about family history, he even came to our wedding reception in Farmington, Utah (he lived in Salt Lake). I even stopped and found the graves of Alma Katherine Scheibel (1889-1969) and Charles Daniel Naef (1884-1964) in the Downey cemetery.

I previously shared the biography Kate wrote of her mother, my Great Great Grandmother, Regina Friederike Nuffer Wanner (1869-1942).

I referenced Charles’ father Jacob Ira Naef as the first President of the German Branch in Glendale, Idaho.

I republished the story of Regina’s granddaughter, Delores Anderson, Kate’s daughter.

I also gave some of Kate’s history in the biography of Regina and John George Wanner Jr (1870-1947).

Looks like it is time to provide a fuller story of Kate and Charles. Until then, here is a photo of young Kate with Regina.

Regina Nuffer and Alma Katherine Scheibel
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Wanner Reunion

Wanner Family about 1895, back (l-r): Mary, Christine, George, and Pauline; front: Anna, Fred, Louisa, Wilhelmina, Gottlob, and John Wanner.

In 2019, I stopped to visit my Uncle Larry Andra. He had a number of photos there that I had not seen before. Two of them are below.

I am a descendant of John and Anna Wanner through their son George, John George Wanner Jr, or Johann Georg Wanner. I have written of George and Regina’s family. Their daughter Mary is my Great Grandmother. I have also written of George’s parents, my 3rd Great Grandparents. I am familiar with this family. I was intrigued by these photos, although not of high quality.

Wanner Reunion, John Wanner sitting, standing (l-r) are George Wanner, Charles Nuffer, Gottlob Wanner, Jeff Bodrero, and Fred Wanner

John passed away in 1922, so this photo obviously predates that. If this photo was roughly 1920, that puts George at 50, Charles at 49, Gottlob at 34, Jeff at 53, Fred at 39, and John at 75. Which could very well be the time frame.

With this photo is a photo I believe from the same occasion of the ladies of the family.

Wanner Reunion, Anna Schmid Wanner sitting, standing (l-r) Mary Carter Wanner, Wilhelmina Wanner Bodrero, Mary Wanner Wagstaff, Regina Nuffer Wanner, Louisa Wanner Bodrero, Christine Wanner Nuffer, and Rebecca Hicks Wanner

If we assume the same time frame as above, the photo is in 1920, this puts Mary Carter Wanner at 38, Wilhelmina at 33, Mary Wanner Wagstaff at 47, Regina at 51, Louisa at 41, Christine at 48, Rebecca at 28, and Anna at 71. Which, again seems to coincide pretty well.

To help those not related.

John & Anna Wanner – married in 1870.

George & Regina Wanner – married in 1898.

Charles & Christine Nuffer – married in 1894. Charles and Regina are siblings, who married siblings, Christine and George.

Mary & William Wagstaff – married in 1896. He is not in the pictures.

Louisa & Jeff Bodrero – married in 1898.

Fred & Mary Wanner – married in 1903.

Pauline and William Crossley – married in 1904. They are not present. She passed away in 1921 before her father in 1922. Perhaps this is when she is ill in 1921?

Gottlob & Rebecca Wanner – married in 1908.

Wilhelmina & Moses Bodrero – married in 1907. Moses and Jeffrey are brothers, so another set of siblings married siblings, Louisa and Wilhelmina! Moses is also not in the pictures.

Two died young, so 7 of the 10 children made it to this occasion, whatever and wherever it occurred.

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Paris, Idaho

Paris Idaho Tabernacle and James Ross

One year ago I took the four kids to go on a sightseeing tour. Amanda did not feel up to the trip and I just needed to get of town and reduce cabin fever. We went on a trip to various locations, but here are some pictures from 25 July 2020.

I had not been to Dingle, Idaho, where my Grandmother is buried for quite a while and none of my children had memories of being there, so that was our first stop.

One of our first stops was at Register Rock State Historic Park. It is located near Massacre Rocks State Park outside American Falls, Idaho.

Hiram and James Ross at Register Rock State Historic Site

On the way we stopped at Teuscher Square in Bancroft, Idaho.

Lillie, Aliza, and James Ross at Teuscher Square, Bancroft, Idaho.

We found our way to Dingle and took a picture with my Grandmother’s grave in Dingle, Idaho.

Lillian, Hiram, James, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) and Ivan W Lloyd (1919-2011) on 25 July 2020.

Then we stopped in Paris, Idaho. I took a picture of the Bear Lake Court House but apparently the photo didn’t save. I am disappointed as it has now been torn down. But we snapped some pictures with the Paris Tabernacle.

Lillie Ross beside Paris Tabernacle
James, Lillie, and Hiram Ross beside Paris Tabernacle.
James and Lillie Ross goofing off on north steps of Paris Tabernacle.

Afterwards, the kids had to play on the playground at the Paris Elementary School, just east of the Paris Tabernacle.

Hiram and James Ross at Paris Elementary playground.

We traveled through Logan Canyon and stayed in Logan, Utah, that night.

James, Hiram, Lillie, and Aliza Ross at Bear Lake Overlook.

I previously wrote of our visits to the Logan Cemetery to visit family and notable graves. Those include our Nelson, Wanner, and Andra relatives. Also, graves of Benson, Thatcher, Nibley, Parker, and Maughan.

Then we bedded down for the night for the trip through Cache Valley and home on the next date.

Hiram, James, and Lillie Ross already fast asleep in Logan, Utah.
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Andras at table

Millie Andra, Wilma Wanner, Colleen Andra, Donald Andra, Dale Andra, and June Andra

I don’t know this occasion. I don’t know where it is either. All siblings and a first cousin, Mary Louise Wanner Andra and Willard John Wanner are siblings. Wilma appears to be wearing a Preston High sweater.

I wanted to share the photo. It gives a little insight into the Andra and Wanner families.