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Cecelia Krumrey Druhe Collection

 Collection
Identifier: A3036

Scope and Contents

The collection is arranged in chronological order. It consists of letters, documents, photographs, and articles relating to Cecelia Krumrey Druhe and the orphan trains of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first three folders contain correspondence and documents relating to the Krumreys, including the agreement between Jacob and Katie and the New York Foundling Hospital. Most of the letters and telegrams dating from 1909 to 1911 are between Katie and Sister Teresa Vincent of the Foundling Hospital before Cecelia’s arrival in St. Louis. However, in November 1910, Sister Teresa wrote to tell the Krumreys of the mix up with Cecelia and another 2 year old girl named Emma. Apparently the jackets used to identify them were switched, however, the girls’ names were also in their shoes. There is also a note dated 17 May 1932, in which Cecelia states that her mother told her she was adopted. The earliest document in the collection is the certificate of origin (heimatschein) for Catherine’s family, the Blum family, of Wargolshausen, Germany, dated 1875. It lists her siblings and their birth dates. There are also receipts from Schrader Funeral Home for both Jacob’s and Katie’s funerals as well as Katie’s will. Other documents include: report cards, Cecelia and Edward’s marriage certificate, an earnest money receipt for the Krumrey property in Ballwin, and letters from Edwards’ life insurance provider in which they need proof that Cecelia Kimmick and Cecelia Krumrey are the same person. Cecelia’s daughter, Mary Ann, conducted genealogical and historical research about her mother. There are two letters concerning her search for her mother’s biological family in New York. In addition, there are two folders of newspaper, journal, and magazine articles about the orphan trains and newsletters from the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America. Please also see the Library for Cecelia’s first communion bible; the Photos and Prints Department for photographs and album; and Museum Collections for her shoes, numbered ribbon, and rosaries.

Dates

  • 1875-1994

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Cecelia Kimmick was born on 22 October 1908. She was placed on an orphan train in New York City bound for St. Louis in October 1910. Jacob and Catherine “Katie” (Blum) Krumrey of Ballwin, Missouri, wished to adopt a little girl and applied to the New York Foundling Hospital run by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. The Foundling Hospital matched children with prospective parents before they were placed on trains west. While on the train, Cecelia and another little girl named Emma were mixed up. The Krumreys did not object to keeping Cecelia and adopted her. Jacob and Katie Krumrey attended St. Joseph’s parish in Ballwin, Missouri, where they were married in 1895. Katie was born in Germany in 1869 and Jacob was born in St. Louis County in 1860. Jacob preceded Katie and death; he died in 1939 and Katie died in 1947. They are both buried in the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery in Manchester, Missouri. In Katie’s will she bequeathed a portion of her estate to her son Joseph O. Hommer. This is the only place Mr. Hommer is mentioned in the collection. Cecelia completed the Stenograph Course at Rubicam Business School in April 1925. She worked at the Bank of Manchester (Manchester, MO) and at the Bank of Maplewood and Trust Company (Maplewood, MO). On 24 June 1939, Cecelia married Edward H. Druhe of Grover, Missouri. The Druhes had three children: Robert E., James H., and Mary Ann. Cecelia died in 1985 and Edward died in 1986. Both are buried at the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery in Manchester, Missouri.

Extent

0.12 Cubic Feet ( (7 folders; 1 oversize folder))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Chronological.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by Cecelia Krumrey Druhe’s daughter, Mary Ann Druhe, in 2014 (accession number 2014-100).

Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2017.

Creator

Title
Inventory of Cecelia Krumrey Druhe
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510