I am doing some research on the Verch's and the Matter's from Pearl Creek Township. I am hoping to purchase or find someone who has a copy of the "Immanuel (German) Lutheran Church: one-hundredth anniversary" book.

Also, I am trying to find out any information on Belle E. Verch, who was laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery. We have not been able to determine who she is, but she is buried next to my Great-great-grandfather's sister (Emma Verch).

Thank you!!

Hi,
I'm not related but enjoy searching.

For the church history I would suggest putting a watch on at Ebay and by looking at Abe books. It's not at either of those places now but I have had good luck finding other SD local anniversary books on both of those sites.

As far as Belle E. I wonder if she really is a Verch. Could that have just been an assumption of whoever took pictures of the graves. Have you actually been to the cemetery? When I looked at the headstone picture for Belle on findagrave it says Belle E wife of M Gray born 1856 died 1898.

In the 1895 SD census I found Belle E age 39 in Clyde Beadle with her husband M Gray 51 and their children H.V.14 and Edith G 8.

In 1900 in Carlyle Beadle I found:
Marcellus Gray b May 1844 in NY
Harry V b Nov 1881 Ohio
Edith G. b Aug 1886 SD father b NY mother b Ohio

Ohio Birth and Christening Index has Harry Vernon Gray born 24 Nov 1880 father Marcellus Gray and mother Belle Norton.

1880 census Seneca Ohio Marcellus Gray 35 Belle E 24 and daughter Clara E 8.

I think the correct Harry Gray died in Rapid City in 1968- SS Death Index.

All of this is based on the "wife of M. Gray" phrase and the location in Beadle County so with a comman name like Gray it could be wrong but it is worth following up on.

Barbara

Hello,

Yes, my great-aunt went out to the cemetery and said that it does appear she is associated with the Verch family stone. I just did a search for obit. records and found one for Belle Gray with the right death year in Ohio. I am sending the library there a request for a copy. Hopefully that will answer the question.

Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.

Maggie

Immanuel (German) Lutheran Church: one-hundredth anniversary" book; I will let you know when I hear back from Fran Fritz about purchasing the book.

I will be indexing the book with the help of Sheryl Hickle and Fran Fritz.

Have you found the Beadle County Blog and Genealogy Group website? http://www.greatthingssouthdakota.com/beadle-county-genealog...

The 100-year anniversary book is available at the Huron library:
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH [Belle Prairie Twp] - ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY - 12 June 1983
[compiled by committee], Huron SD library, R284.16_Imm_SDC

The 1983 book is indexed. It is not posted on-line at this time. The IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1883-2008, ONE-HUNDRED TWENTY-FIFITH ANNIVERSARY is not indexed.

from the 1983 book, page & column (letter):
GRAY--NO ENTRIES

MATTER/METTER
MATTER, Carl, 38b
MATTER, Earl, 23b
MATTER, Janet, 27b
MATTER, Velma, 48,38b
METTER, Albert Sr, 39a
METTER, Brad, 39b
METTER, Clifford & Carol, 39a
METTER, Dale, 39b
METTER, Drew & Tammy, 40a
METTER, Heather, 40a
METTER, Jodi, 39b
METTER, LaVonne, 48
METTER, Mike, 39b
METTER, Pearl, 10b
METTER, Randy & Rose Ann, 40a
METTER, Raymond & LaVonne, 40b
METTER, Wade, 39b

VERCH, Anne, 6b,6b,27a,27b
VERCH, Bernice, p27b
VERCH, Carl, 6b,7a,11a,27a
VERCH, Carl & Mae, 44a,6b,9a
VERCH, Frieda, 6b,18a,27a
VERCH, Gus, 6a
VERCH, Gus, farm, 4b
VERCH, Gus, home, 5a
VERCH, Paul, farm, 6a
VERCH, 27a
VERCH, Wallie, 5a