Bernard John Probst

Barney Probst Family

On a cold day on Dec. 15, 1848 Bernard Probst (better known as Barney) was born. It is questionable how much schooling he had, but he continued to farm with his father. After surviving the perils of the Civil War, Barney married Anne Marie Forsman on June 15, 1869. They continued to farm the family farm on his father's original settlement.

Anne Marie Forsman was born Dec. 8, 1851 in Effingham County (probably where Jim Goeckner now lives) daughter of Herman and Gertrude (Sietman) Forsman.

Despite their many hardships in their pioneer days, Barney and Anne Marie fostered a Christian family living amongst their nine children. Their children were: Henry (1870-1939) married Elizabeth Goeckner, Anna (1873-1942) married Barney Goeckner, Barney (1874-1899), Catherine (1877-1905) married Ben Worman, John (1880-1946) married Elizabeth Sandschafer, Gertrude (1882-1959) married Herman Brummer, Joseph Sr. (1883-1934) married Theresa Luchtefeld, Frank (1887-1983) married Minnie Hartke, Allie (1890-1985) married Frances Hartke.

They all attended Bishop School which was started in 1852. At that time they only attended school until the 4th grade. English was not the language spoken or written, as they spoke low German at Home and learned high German in school. They travelled to Teutopolis for Church until the first Church was built at Bishop in 1865.

Six of the children married and continued to live at Bishop. Two boys, John and Joe, married and moved to Island Grove. Barney died at age 25 after being kicked by a horse.

On June 26, 1928 Barney Probst departed from this life while still residing on his homestead and after 59 years of marriage. Because of loneliness and poor health Anne Marie died two months later on Aug. 25, 1928.

BERNARD J. "BARNEY" PROBST

Bernard J. "Barney" Probst, son of Henry and Anna (Gesenhaus) Probst, married Anna Marie "Mary" Forsman, daughter of Herman and Gertrude (Sietman) Forsman on June 15, 1868. They raised nine children. Henry, born June 2, 1870, married Elizabeth Goeckner on October 30, 1894. Anna, born May 23, 1873, married Barney Goeckner on April 18, 1893. Bernard "Barney", born October 16, 1874, Catherine "Katie", born July 15, 1877, married Bernard "Ben" Worman in November of 1904. John, born February 16, 1880, married Elizabeth Sandschafer, on November 14, 1905, (see John Probst family). Gertrude, born September 22, 1882, married Herman Brummer on October 11, 1904. Joseph, born June 23, 1883, married Theresia Luchtefeld, on February 21, 1911. Frank, born on November 11, 1887, married Minnie Hartke on October 21, 1913. Allie, born September 30, 1890, married Frances Hartke on May 2, 1916. Frank and AIlie and families resided at Bishop.

In February of 1910, Barney and Anna bought land in Jasper County from Gottiieb and Emma Gust. This became the site of the home of Joseph F. and Theresia (Luchtefeld) Probst. This same site is now the home of Joseph and Theresia's grandson, Dale Probst and his family.

Barney Probst died on June 26, 1928 and Mary Probst died on August 25, 1928.