Elizabeth Elsie Lueddecke,
2 December 1891-1 January 1972
Coming just a bare 9 and 1/2 months after the wedding of Otto and Katherine, the birth of their first child, who they called Elizabeth Elsie, must have made it an exciting first Christmas for the loved-up Lueddeckes.
The first child, arriving at a time when many couples are still getting to know each other, must have been a big local event. It is easy to imagine that as the only daughter she shared many of the domestic duties around the house, as well as eventually giving her mother assistance with four growing boys who came in quick succession during the 1890s and beyond.
Probably due to prevailing contemporaneous attitudes we know less about Elsie, as she became known, than her four brothers. What we do know about her seems to be overshadowed by the business success of her husband, Martin Roth. Photographs show her to be an elegant and stylish lady.
The 1910 census records Elsie as living in Arcadia with her parents and four brothers.
In May 1913 the Iron County Register revealed that Elsie was to teach at the local school. In September she was teaching 5th and 6th grades. That November she attended the State Teachers' Association in St Louis.
On June 25th 1914 the Iron County Register reported the marriage of Elsie to prosperous businessman Martin Friedrich Roth, 9 years her senior, who had been living in Kelso Township, in Scott County, in 1910, working as a merchant grocer:
"Roth—Lueddecke
Married—On June 25th, at 1:30 P. M., at the home of the bride's father, Mr. Otto Lueddecke, near Pilot Knob, Mo., Rev. Brand of the German Lutheran Church officiating, Mr. Martin Frederick Roth, of Illmo, Scott County, Mo., and Miss Elsie Lueddecke, of Iron County, Mo. The bride is a well-known school teacher, and has many friends among the pedagogic fraternity of Southeast Missouri, while the groom is a prosperous business man of his home town. They were assisted by the groom's sister, Miss Martha Roth, as bridesmaid, and the bride's brother, Mr. Louis Lueddecke, acting the best man. Being of the hardier sex, I am unable to give an appropriate description of the gowns worn by the two ladies. To me they both seemed radiant in happiness, lovely dressed in white laces, silks and other like material. The groom and his assistant wore dark blue suits, befitting the occasion. After posing in different groups before the unavoidable camera, the happy couple, Miss Martha Roth accompanying them, left on the north bound 3:40 train for St. Louis, and expect to reach Cape Girardeau on Tuesday afternoon by boat from the north. Thence to go by auto to Illmo„ their future home. While in St. Louis they intend to buy their house furnishings, etc. May happiness and prosperity be their lot until a far distant day!"
On 12th September 1918 Martin completed his Draft Registration, describing himself as 'Merchant', his nearest relative being wife Elsie Roth, and declaring himself to be of medium height, stout build, grey eyes, light hair, and with two fingers missing from his left hand. Nothing more is known of this impairment.
By the 1920 census Elsie and Martin had had three children, John William on 8th April 1915, Raymond Theodore on 9th October 1916, and Walton Harold on 9th February 1919.
In November 1927 Martin Roth's Model Grocery shop suffered a burglary after the front door lock was forced. The safe was looted of diamond rings, and also Martin's watch. Other contents were damaged and the store inventory was discovered to be missing.
Photo of three Roth boys fishing to be added here.
The 1930 census lists their house as being worth $3500, along with the recent addition of a brother, Martin, for the three boys, born late in 1927.
In 1930 Walton, aged 11 had a minor but unspecified operation at Southeast Missouri Hospital, reported in the local newspaper.
The Iron Counter Register reported the death of Martin Roth Jr, in July 1931 after a brief illness. He was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Illmo. A death certificate has not been located.
In 1940, the three boys were still living at home, John, now 25, as an office clerk, Raymond, 23, as manager of an electric shop, and Walton, 21, as a grocery shop worker, location not given.
On August 16th 1940 The Register reported, "Since the site of the camp on Mille Lacs Lake is not an established location for the purpose, all bathing facilities are to be found at the lake. Drinking water must be hauled to camp, furnishing a considerable task for Corp. Walton H. Roth and Pvt James G. Childs, who have been assigned to keep the regiment with a full supply. Their quota is around 3000 gallons a day, no small amount."
Note: Elizabeth Elsie Lueddecke Roth should not be confused with her niece, brother Herrman's daughter, Elsie Louise Lueddecke.
Children of Elsie Elizabeth Lueddecke and Martin Friedrich Roth
John William Roth. John William was born on 8 April 1915 in Missouri, United States. He died on 30 April 1982.
Raymond Theodore Roth. Raymond Theodore was born on 9 October 1916 in Missouri, United States. He died on 24 December 2010 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States. He married Unknown.
Walton Harold Roth. Walton Harold was born on 9 February 1919 in Missouri, United States. He died on 21 November 1997. He married Unknown.
Martin Roth Jr. Martin was born in 1927 in Missouri, United States. He died on 21 July 1931.
The first child, arriving at a time when many couples are still getting to know each other, must have been a big local event. It is easy to imagine that as the only daughter she shared many of the domestic duties around the house, as well as eventually giving her mother assistance with four growing boys who came in quick succession during the 1890s and beyond.
Probably due to prevailing contemporaneous attitudes we know less about Elsie, as she became known, than her four brothers. What we do know about her seems to be overshadowed by the business success of her husband, Martin Roth. Photographs show her to be an elegant and stylish lady.
The 1910 census records Elsie as living in Arcadia with her parents and four brothers.
In May 1913 the Iron County Register revealed that Elsie was to teach at the local school. In September she was teaching 5th and 6th grades. That November she attended the State Teachers' Association in St Louis.
On June 25th 1914 the Iron County Register reported the marriage of Elsie to prosperous businessman Martin Friedrich Roth, 9 years her senior, who had been living in Kelso Township, in Scott County, in 1910, working as a merchant grocer:
"Roth—Lueddecke
Married—On June 25th, at 1:30 P. M., at the home of the bride's father, Mr. Otto Lueddecke, near Pilot Knob, Mo., Rev. Brand of the German Lutheran Church officiating, Mr. Martin Frederick Roth, of Illmo, Scott County, Mo., and Miss Elsie Lueddecke, of Iron County, Mo. The bride is a well-known school teacher, and has many friends among the pedagogic fraternity of Southeast Missouri, while the groom is a prosperous business man of his home town. They were assisted by the groom's sister, Miss Martha Roth, as bridesmaid, and the bride's brother, Mr. Louis Lueddecke, acting the best man. Being of the hardier sex, I am unable to give an appropriate description of the gowns worn by the two ladies. To me they both seemed radiant in happiness, lovely dressed in white laces, silks and other like material. The groom and his assistant wore dark blue suits, befitting the occasion. After posing in different groups before the unavoidable camera, the happy couple, Miss Martha Roth accompanying them, left on the north bound 3:40 train for St. Louis, and expect to reach Cape Girardeau on Tuesday afternoon by boat from the north. Thence to go by auto to Illmo„ their future home. While in St. Louis they intend to buy their house furnishings, etc. May happiness and prosperity be their lot until a far distant day!"
On 12th September 1918 Martin completed his Draft Registration, describing himself as 'Merchant', his nearest relative being wife Elsie Roth, and declaring himself to be of medium height, stout build, grey eyes, light hair, and with two fingers missing from his left hand. Nothing more is known of this impairment.
In November 1927 Martin Roth's Model Grocery shop suffered a burglary after the front door lock was forced. The safe was looted of diamond rings, and also Martin's watch. Other contents were damaged and the store inventory was discovered to be missing.
Photo of three Roth boys fishing to be added here.
The 1930 census lists their house as being worth $3500, along with the recent addition of a brother, Martin, for the three boys, born late in 1927.
In 1930 Walton, aged 11 had a minor but unspecified operation at Southeast Missouri Hospital, reported in the local newspaper.
The Iron Counter Register reported the death of Martin Roth Jr, in July 1931 after a brief illness. He was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Illmo. A death certificate has not been located.
In 1940, the three boys were still living at home, John, now 25, as an office clerk, Raymond, 23, as manager of an electric shop, and Walton, 21, as a grocery shop worker, location not given.
On August 16th 1940 The Register reported, "Since the site of the camp on Mille Lacs Lake is not an established location for the purpose, all bathing facilities are to be found at the lake. Drinking water must be hauled to camp, furnishing a considerable task for Corp. Walton H. Roth and Pvt James G. Childs, who have been assigned to keep the regiment with a full supply. Their quota is around 3000 gallons a day, no small amount."
Note: Elizabeth Elsie Lueddecke Roth should not be confused with her niece, brother Herrman's daughter, Elsie Louise Lueddecke.
Children of Elsie Elizabeth Lueddecke and Martin Friedrich Roth
John William Roth. John William was born on 8 April 1915 in Missouri, United States. He died on 30 April 1982.
Raymond Theodore Roth. Raymond Theodore was born on 9 October 1916 in Missouri, United States. He died on 24 December 2010 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States. He married Unknown.
Walton Harold Roth. Walton Harold was born on 9 February 1919 in Missouri, United States. He died on 21 November 1997. He married Unknown.
Martin Roth Jr. Martin was born in 1927 in Missouri, United States. He died on 21 July 1931.
