Johann George Schoettle, born 1841 in Wurttemberg, Germany, was Zion’s second minister (July 21, 1873-Aug. 1877). He was educated at the Barmen Mission School and commissioned by the Langenberg Society as a missionary to America. He was ordained by the German Evangelical Church Society of the West and became pastor of Zion Church in Newburgh, Indiana about 1865. From our records, we know that he married Johanna Juliana Lautenschlager, and they were recorded in the 1870 Census in Newburgh. It showed George, a minister, age 28, born in Wurttemberg, Germany; and Julia, his wife, age 24, born in Prussia. Eliza, a daughter, age one, born in Indiana, must have died young because she was not recorded in their 1880 household. Eva Schoettle, age 58, also lived with him.

While in Newburgh, Rev. Schoettle also served Owensboro’s German Protestants. Commuting to Owensboro from time to time, he preached, celebrated communion, and baptized children. In 1872 he helped Owensboro’s German Evangelicals draft a constitution for our church, and with help from the denomination, he recruited our first pastor, Rev. William Bahr.

When Rev. Bahr, could not adapt to the difficult conditions in Owensboro, Zion was once again in need of a minister. Our board invited Rev. Schoettle to serve as pastor, and he moved his family to Owensboro in July 1873; Zion rented a house for his family for $10.00 per month, and because Zion had no sanctuary, the old German schoolhouse was rented for $6.00 per month for services.

A daughter, Paulina Lissette Schoettle, was born Nov. 15, 1874, baptized Jan. 6, 1875, and died on July 18, 1875. Another daughter, Hermina Augusta Schoettle, was born Dec. 23, 1875, baptized on Mar. 14, 1876, and died July 27, 1876.

Though his personal life was marked by sorrow in his years at Zion, many important achievements were made for the church. During his pastorate, a building site was purchased for $600 in 1873, the first parsonage and our first sanctuary were constructed in 1874. The Sunday school and choir were started, and church attendance increased. He was also instrumental in the purchase of Zion’s first musical instrument, a melodeon, or reed organ. Julia Schoettle organized the Ladies Aid Society with the help of Mrs. Adam Steitler, and the group met for the first time on Sept. 1, 1873. Zion officially joined the Evangelical Synod of the West on Apr. 26, 1874, but sent no delegate because the congregation was too poor. However, in 1875 Zion sent Mr. John Hill as our first delegate.

Rev. Schoettle even wrote the first history of Zion on Nov. 15, 1876. He told of the early attempts to organize the congregation, the financial campaign and the building of the parsonage and first church.

Due to his service to Owensboro’s German Protestants, and considering the many important things that occurred while he was our pastor, George Schoettle must be considered Zion’s founding father.

We know a little about his life after leaving Owensboro from 1880, 1900 and 1910 census listings for his family. From these listings it appears that he spent time in Indiana in the late 1870’s and was a minister in Liverpool, Ohio after that where his family was shown in the 1880 Census. He was shown as a Lutheran preacher, age 38, born in Wurttemberg. His wife was listed as age 34 and born in Prussia. There was also Julia, age seven, a daughter, and Paul, age two, a son; both born in Indiana.

George Schoettle served Emanuel Church in Manchester, Michigan from 1885 to 1906. His 1900 Census listing shows him as a widower minister, born in Germany in 1841. Children, Julia and Paul, are shown along with Amanda, age 19, and Herman, age 16; both born in Ohio.

In 1901, Rev. Schoettle returned to Owensboro to participate in the dedication of Zion’s second sanctuary.

In the 1910 Census he is shown in Paradise Township, Grand Traverse Co., Michigan. George J. Schoettle is shown as a minister, age 68, who was born in Germany. His second wife, Ella B. Schoettle, was age 37 and they had been married for four years. None of his children by his first marriage were shown, but E. Louise was age four and Oswald E. was age two; both born in Michigan.

I do not know with any certainty what happened to Rev. Schoettle after 1910, but I’m still searching.