Carl Christian Graupner

Other Events:

• Name: Charles Graupner
• Name: Karl Graupner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26103
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1926, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; accountant

Other Events:

• Name: Paul C. Graupner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26098
• Immigration: 1884, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1899, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Minister
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Minister, Lutheran Church
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1913, Dashwood, Hay Township, Huron Co., Ontario; Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church
• Occupation: 1930, Farmington Township, Oakland, Michigan, USA; minister

Notes:

Rev. P. Graupner, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church was born at Oelsnitz in Saxony, in the year 1869. After enjoying a good education in the higher schools of Stollberg and Chemnitz, he emigrated to the United States when fifteen years of age, settling in Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1887 he entered upon his studies at the Thelogian [sic] Seminary at St. Louis, where he was graduated in 1890. He first charge as minister of the Gospel was in Buffalo, N.Y. On account of failing health, he was obliged to leave his congregation there and take a charge in the country. He accepted a call from Medina, a small town in New York State. Later he removed to Newark, in the same State. After St. Paul's Congregation at Elmira had been bereft, by death of their pastor, Rev. J. Frosch, who had so long served them in the most self-sacrificing manner, Rev. Graupner was called to take his place. This was in 1899. By his consistent life, his earnest endeavor and thoughtful, studious elucidation of the teachings of Christ, he has gained the love and esteem of his congregation and all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Under his guidance this Congregation is making steady progress. As a rule, services are held by him in the forenoon and evening of each Sunday. He conducts Sunday School in the morning. The Ladies Aid and the Young People's Association, connected with the church, convene monthly and enjoy his constant help.

Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.

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Over 300 handmade wood carvings from the 1800s depicting the life of Christ are on display this weekend at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 3225 Roosevelt.

"The Life of Christ Wood Carving Pageant" consists of 15 vignettes from the story of Jesus Christ's life, including the travels of the Wise Men, the flight into Egypt, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and his ascension.

The collection includes hand-painted human and animal figures made of basswood and sugar pine, as well as cardboard backgrounds. The wooden people measure about five to six inches tall, and the animals were carved to scale said Rev. Herbert Graupner, who owns the carvings.

Graupner, a Muskegon resident and the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, said he first put the collection on display in 1986 for the Centennial Anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Congregation and then at the Muskegon Museum of Art.

Graupner explained that his great-grandfather, Karl Graupner, began crafting the pieces by hand in the early 1850s in Dresden, Germany. Karl Graupner spent over forty years creating many of wooden figures and the cardboard scenery he said.

Graupner described the work as interesting and "dynamic," explaining that the figures were extremely detailed.

Herbert said the carvings had an interesting journey to the United States. In an essay, Herbert said Karl gave the carvings to his son, Paul, who decided to enter the Lutheran ministry. When Paul Graupner finished his studies, he thought he was assigned to Victoria, Australia and sent them there immediately.

He later learned that he was actually assigned to Buffalo, N.Y. and the carvings traveled around the world for a year. When the collection was finally returned to Paul, the figures were undamaged but the ocean air had ruined the enamel paint.

Paul also realized that the Lord's Supper scene was missing, Graupner wrote, but it was never found.

In 1895, Karl Graupner fell ill and was advised to take an extended rest from his business. Karl decided to visit his son, Paul, in the U.S. and in the three months he spent visiting, he repainted and added to the collection.

After his father's death, Paul Graupner took the collection wherever he went, including stints in New York, Ontario and Michigan. Paul also took up wood carving and added pieces to the collection.

After Paul retired and passed away in 1950, the carvings were placed into the care of his two daughters, and given to Herbert after one of them died in 1985.


19th Century wood carvings on display at Trinity Lutheran Church, www.Mlive.com 2012

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GRAUPNER - Rev. Paul, Feb. 27, 1950 Sorrento. Beloved father of Clara, Arthur, Carl, Oscar, Louise, Emma and Martha, 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Rev. Graupner is resting at the residence and will lie state at the Jehovah Lutheran Church, corner West Outer Drive and Greenfield, from 11 am Thursday until 2 pm when funeral services will be held. Interment, Glen-Eden Cemetery.

Hobbies:
Paul's father Karl began crafting the nativity by hand in the early 1850s in Dresden, Germany. Karl Graupner spent over forty years creating many of wooden figures and cardboard scenery. He gave the carvings to his son Paul who took care of them and repainted them.

Paul married Emma Bleeke 14 Oct 1891, , Allen Co., Indiana. Emma was born 7 Dec 1871, Monroe, Monroe, Michigan, United States; died 22 Feb 1942, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan, United States; was buried , Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Emma Graupner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26099
• Immigration: 1899, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1900, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Mrs. Graupner Dies Wednesday - Mrs. Emma Graupner, wife of the Rev. Paul Graupner, passed away at seven o'clock Wednesday morning at the University Hospital in An Arbor. Mrs. Graupner was taken to the Hospital on February 22, following a long illness.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at two o'clock from the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, on Middle Belt Road, near Eight Mile Road. Rev. Russell of Northville will officiate and burial will be at Glen Eden memorial Cemetery.

Mrs. Graupner was born December 7, 1871 in Monroe, Michigan. The Graupner family moved here in April 1924, Rev. Graupner having occupied the pulpit of St. Paul's Lutheran Church since that time.

Surviving Mrs. Graupner are her husband, and seven children, Clara and Martha at home, Mrs. Louise Meyer of West Point Park, Mrs. Emma Gugel of Detroit, Arthur of Columbus, Ohio, Carl of Toronto, Canada and rev. Oscar Graupner of Mahnonan, Minnesota.