Louisa Wilhelmina Florentina (Hartig) Kuhlenschmidt's Cookie Recipe

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Louisa AKA Minnie was my 3x great grandma. She was born November 23, 1863 in Indiana. She married Wilhelm Frederick Kuhlenschmidt on September 4, 1880 at Zoar Evangelical Church in Elberfeld, Warrick County, Indiana. Wilhelm later 'Americanized' his name to William. They had 12 children, only one not surviving to reach adulthood. Minnie died suddenly on June 15, 1927 from a cerebral hemorrhage in Campbell, Warrick County, Indiana. She is buried at Zoar Evangelical Church Cemetery in Elberfeld.

"This is the story of Louisa Kuhlenschmidt's death, based on the recollections of the stories told by Edgar and Raymond Kuhlenschmidt. When her son William's wife was due to give birth to a new grandchild, Louisa went to his home. According to Edgar, Louisa had some skill as a midwife and was called upon to help with the births of grandchildren. When Doris June was born, Louisa came out of the bedroom, asked for her pills, sat down, and died immediately."

I have tried the sugar cookie recipe. The recipe is either 1) very German and does not use enough sugar or 2) just made in a time period when sugar was not as expendable as it is today so portions were smaller. I love that I have her recipe though! I just wish it was in her handwriting.

Sugar Cookies: 2 1/4 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup shortening (not butter or margarine), 5 teaspoons baking powder, 1/3 cup milk, 5 cups all-purpose flour (more or less). To make dough thick enough to roll & cut. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 to light brown.

Springerlies: 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs - Beat until sugar melts. Add: 1 teaspoon Oil of Anise, 2 teaspoons baking powder. Flour till dough is stiff as bread dough (approximately 4 cups all-purpose flour). Roll & cut, let set on baking sheet overnight, Bake until brown.

                                           Minnie's death certificate

Journal entry in Evelyn Kuhlenschmidt Stewart's baby journal, written by Bertha Wiggers Kuhlenschmidt

                                              Wilhelm and Louisa's wedding portrait in 1880                                            

1918 Kuhlenschmidt family reunion held the first Sunday of August every year

                                             Minnie in 1878

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