LDS Christian Church Records -- Thun 1905-1906 (Fred's Presence in Them)

I managed to review the LDS church records for Thun, looking for evidence of work Fred did out there. I also knew that it would provide full names of the people Fred worked with, when he often mentioned them by just their last names. The children's blessings in particular would give the parents' names. Now, this is not any exact science as they could have siblings, or reference a grandparent v. their children, but it gives a sense of whom it might be.

For instance, in October 4, 1905, a Brother and Sister Faber are mentioned. This could be Marianna Wyss Faber and Gustav Faber. Margretha Roth Andregg and Peter Andregg could be the Andregg's mentioned in the journal.

More helpful are the names of who gave the blessings or priesthood ordinances, as these tend to correlate with the missionaries, and where the last name matches one Fred mentioned, it is most assuredly the full name of the person mentioned in the record. For instance, we get the first names of these elders:

David Hirschi
Fredrick O. Haueter

We can see on November 16, 1905, Fred gave a children's blessing to one of the Reuser children -- Idah Emma. This event is not recounted in his November journal, reminding one again (like the letters) how much is not captured in the few lines of a journal for a day.

Besides giving a children's blessing, we see that on January 21, 1906, Fred ordained Johann Lugenbuhl to the office of a priest. It notes that this member eventually emigrated to the US (Zion).

Finally, as noted in his journal, Fred did confirm Rudolf Kaufman after his baptism at the hands of John M. Kunz. Conrad Weber, in return, confirmed Rosa Kaufman following her baptism.

I'll provide other church records where they fit and I am able to access them.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - March 1906 (2 of 3)

11 March 1906 - Sunday

Sunday 11 Went to Wimmis after Sunday School and held meeting Bro. Lugenbühl[,] Seever + Sister Seever went with me. We had a fine meeting

[p. 36]

in Wimmis. In evening returned to Dürrenast. Kaufmans came with us. We baptized them after evening meeting. Bro. John M. Kunz baptized them and Bro. Conrad Weber and I Confirmed them on the waters edge.[N3]

12 March 1906 - Monday

Mon. 12th 1906 Went to Wattenwill on buisness; Held Bible Class in evening at Sister Ba[“]ller’s 

13 March 1906 - Tuesday

Returned to Dürrenast Tues. morning. Visited Frau Wolfi on way home. Bro. J. M. Kunz left in afternoon for Solotheren [Solothurn], to preside over that Branch. In the evening Bro. Würsti arrived from Solothurn to take Bro. Kunz’s place in Dürrenast.

14 March 1906 - Wednesday

Wed. 14th Went Trackting in a Village called Hilterfingen.

15 March 1906 - Thursday

Thur. 15th Mar. Bro. Conrad Weber + Wursten and I went to Faulensee

[p. 37]

and visited friend Emil Bishoph rained and was cold + Monday Went to Wimmis

[p. 38]

same day + held Bible Class.

16 March 1906 - Friday

Sat. [Friday] 16 Visited Lügenbuhls in evening.

17 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 17th I went to Wattenwill on buisness, about Sister Nussbaums emigration, It was a warm sunshiny day.

18 March 1906 - Sunday

Sun Mar. 18 Held Sunday School & Meetings in Dürrenast.

19 March 1906 - Monday

19th Mar. Stormy stayed at home and wrote letters.[N4]

20 March 1906 - Tuesday

20th Mar. 1906 Tracting in Snow Storm. Received letter from Pres. Mauss to turn the Thun Branch over to Bro. Conrad Weber, and for me to go to Freiberg, Germany.[N5]

21 March 1906 - Wednesday

21st Mar. Went trackting in a little village east of Thun called Schwendi [Heiligenschwendi].

22 March 1906 - Thursday

22nd Mar. Went to Wimmis and held Bible Class.

23 March 1906 - Friday

Returned back to Dürrenast next day. Has been cold and showing all day, I am sick have a very bad cold in my head and on my lungs.

24 March 1906 - Saturday

Saturday 23rd [24th] Sick in bed all day.

25 March 1906 - Sunday

Sunday 25th Mar. Went to Wattenwill and Held meeting Bro. Wursten went with me, bid farewell to the Saints and friends there. Returned home same day and held meeting in the evening Bro. Wursten and I being the speakers. I gave them my fare well address.

NOTES:

[N3] The Church's records for the Thun Branch corroborate this. The baptisms were for Rudolf and Rosa Kaufman. Fred confirmed Rudolf, while Conrad Weber confirmed Rosa.

[N4] None of these letters have been located.

[N5] This letter has not been located.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - March 1906 (1 of 3)

1 March 1906 - Thursday

Thur. 1st March Bro. [John M.] Kunz and I went to Wimmis

[p. 33]

and held Bible Class.

2 March 1906 - Friday

Fri. morning 2nd Mar. Kaufman’s applied for baptism. Returned to Dürrenast. Wrote letter home in afternoon.[N1] Went to Thun in the evening.

3 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 3 Visited Reusers, and went to Thun to diner.

4 March 1906 - Sunday

Sun. 4th Bro. Andregg and I went to Fruitigen [Frutigen] and held meeting We had splendid time. It was a beautiful day The sun shone bright. We walked It is about Five [hours] walks from Dürrenast[.][N2] We watched a snowslide come tearing down the mountain with a roar. We held meeting in a friend[']s house by the name of [Anna] Schluchter a good Spirit prevailed. Sister [Anna] Schluc[h]ter is seventy six years old and has born twenty four children. She gets about and does her house work yet. They fed us and invited us to

[p. 34]

come again and hold meetings and also to start a Bible Class there, which we will do if possible.

5 March 1906 - Monday

Mar. 5th 1906 Bro. [John M.] Kunz and I went to Thun, and from there commenced a trip into the Oberlands[.] we distributed tracts by the way, Walked to Interlacken [Interlaken] the first day stayed over night at Fabers. 

6 March 1906 - Tuesday

Next day we walked to Brienze [Brienz] and from there took the train to Meiringen then walked to Unterstock and visited Von Almen’s next day returned to Meiringing [Meiringen] had din[n]er with Frau Steiner took train from there Brienze [Brienz], and from there took ship, on Brienzer See to Interlacken [Interlaken] from there took train to Sherzligen[.] A[r]rived home Wed evening 

7 March 1906 - Wednesday

7 Mar. found Pres. J[acob] Mauss + Conrad

[p. 35]

Weber in Lokal waiting for me. Bro. [Conrad] Weber has come to labor with me in this Branch

8 March 1906 - Thursday

Thur 8th Pres. [Jacob] Mauss Bro. [Conrad] Weber, [John M.] Kunz + I went to Thun had our pictures taken[.] Took a boat and rowed on the Lake. Had a fine boat ride for an hour, Then walked to Wimmis and held Bible Class.

9 March 1906 - Friday

Friday morning Pres. [Jacob] Mauss + I went visited Müllers and then returned to Dürrenast, Weather rainy. Cleared up in afternoon Pres. [Jacob] Maus Bro. [Conrad] Weber & [John M.] Kunz + I went to Thun and had dinner and then Pres. [Jacob] Maus left for Biel.

10 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat 10th Mar. Tended to Local buisness.

NOTES:

[N1] This letter is in my possession. Once posted, I'll provide the link.

[N2] The route to Frutigen is approximately around 14 miles away from Dürrenast.