Howard H. Hirtzel is not a known relative of mine.  Instead, he was a good friend and brother in Christ who was a fellow member of the First Evangelical Free Church of Las Cruces, New Mexico.  When I first joined First EFC, it was their practice to have their Membership Committee meet individually with applicants for membership, and the evening I met with the committee in about February1972, Howard was one of the committee members who interviewed me.  I knew him from then until his death.  He was a retired home builder in those days who regularly did construction work for people in our church and our community.  He was also a deacon in the church, and he and his dear wife Florence helped set godly examples for us younger members.   They're both in heaven now.

            Fast forward a few years to 2017.  Some other dear friends of both the Hirtzels and my own family, Elliot and Carolyn, have worked in their family business.  Recently Carolyn was attending a conference for their business, and she met a Mr. Kerry J. Hirtzel there.  Howard and Florence came up in the conversation, and the gentleman said he thought he was related.  Carolyn asked me to see what family ties I could uncover, and the result is the ongoing research and history below.

--John M. Gwin, November 2017

1.  Notes from Carolyn's conversations with Mr. Kerry J. Hirtzel at their abovementioned conference.

2.  U. S. Census, marriage, birth, and military records accessed through Ancestry.com and referenced throughout.

3.  Burial information as recorded on FindAGrave.com and referenced throughout.

I.     A Chart Showing How Howard and Kerry Are Related
II.    An Outline of the Known Families of  Howard H. Hirtzel  and  Kerry J. Hirtzel of Shumway, Effingham Co., Illinois

23.00--unk. Hirtzel

24.00--George John Hirtzel, Sr., b. 20 Jan 1833 in Alsace, France; d. 18 Dec 1922; bd. Brown Cem., Shumway, Effingham Co., IL--FindAGrave mem.# 131719794; m. est. 1858 Mary Saloma "Sarah" Ott (b. Jan 1832 in France; d. 1918 in Shumway, Effingham Co., IL; bd. Brown Cem., Shumway, Effingham Co., IL--FindAGrave mem.# 131719886; at least seven ch.;

[listed as George Hirtzel, 67,  b. Jan 1833 in France/France/France, m. 42 yrs., in the 7 Jun 1900 census of Banner Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as George Hirtzel, 77,  b. France/France/France, m1. 52 yrs., in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL, and lvg. next door to Geo. and Anna]
[listed as George Hirtzel, father (sic--should be f-i-l), age 87, wid., b. IL(sic--should be Germany)/Germany/Germany, in the 21 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL, and lvg. w/the fam. of his d-i-l, Anna Hirtzell]

[listed as Salome Hirtzel, 66,  b. Jan 1834 in France/France/France, m. 42 yrs. w/5 of 7 ch. lvg., in the 7 Jun 1900 census of Banner Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Mary S. Hirtzel, 76,  b. France/France/France, m1. 52 yrs. w/3 of 7 ch. lvg., in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL, and lvg. next door to Geo. and Anna]

25.01--George William Hirtzel, b. 8 Dec 1859 in Crown Point, Lake Co., IN (but all census docs so far say b. IL); d. 18 Jan 1913; bd. Brown Cem., Shumway, Effingham Co., IL--Findagrave.com# 131718512; m. ca. 1883-84 to Anna (nee unk.; b. 20 Jan 1861--fr. gravestone photo--in Germany/Germany/Germany; d. 21 Sep 1851--fr. gravestone photo; bd. Brown Cem., Shumway, Effingham Co., IL--FindAGrave mem.# 131718540); Anna states in the 1910 census that she has borne 8 ch., 5 of whom are still lvg.;

[listed as George Hirtzell, 26, b. IL/France/France, in the 1 Jun 1885 Territorial Census of Twp. 112 Range 68, Hand Co., Dakota Terr.]
[listed as William Hirtzel, age 41, b. Dec 1858 in IL/Germany/Germany, m. 16 yrs., in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as George W. Hirtzel, age 50, b. IL/France/France, m1. 27 yrs., in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

[listed as Anna Hirtzell, 25, b. Germany/Germany/Germany, in the 1 Jun 1885 Territorial Census of Twp. 112 Range 68, Hand Co., Dakota Terr.]
[listed as Anna Hirtzel, age 40, b. Jan 1860 in Germany/Germany/Germany, m. 16 yrs. w/5 of 6 cvh. lvg., in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Anna Hirtzel, age 48, b. Germany/Germany/Germany, m1. 27 yrs. w/5 of 8 ch. lvg., in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Anna Hirtzel, age 60, wid., b. Germany/Germany/Germany, in the 21 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.01--Clara L. Hirtzel, b. Jan 1885 in SD; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Clara Hirtzell, age 0 y 4 m, b. in Jan 1885 in Dakota/IL/Germany, in the 1 Jun 1885 Territorial Census of Twp. 112 Range 68, Hand Co., Dakota Terr.]
[listed as Clara L. Hirtzel, age 15, b. Jan 1885 in SD/IL/Germany, in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Clara L. Hirtzel, age 25, b. SD/IL/Germany, in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Clara Hirtzel, age 37, single, teacher, b. SD/IL/Germany, in the 21 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.02--Verna Hirtzel, twin, b. Jan 1893 in IL; d. unk. but bef. 1900; bd. Brown Cem., Shumway, Effingham Co., IL--Findagrave.com# 131756140--"Verna, inf. dau. of William & Anna Hirtzel"; m. never; no ch.; DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE

[not listed in any known census, b. unk./IL/Germany, but claimed by mother, Anna, in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL, to have been b. and d. bef. 1910--this is my best guess at her/his position in the birth order based on the 8-yr. age diff. betw. Clara and Mamie--JMG--now confirmed by gravestone photo and dates of birth of each to have been twin sister of Marna,]

26.03--Marna S. Hirtzel, twin, b. Jan 1893 in IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Marna Hirtzel, age 7, b. Jan 1893 in IL/IL/Germany, in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Mamie S. Hirtzel, age 17, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.04--William G. Hirtzel, b. Sep 1894; d. 1901; bd. Brown Cem., Shumway, Effingham Co., IL--Findagrave.com# 131756072--"William G., inf. son of William & Anna Hirtzel, 1895-1901"; m. never; no ch.; DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE

[listed as William Hirtzel, age 5, b. Sep 1894 in IL/IL/Germany, in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[deceased and not listed in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.05--Howard Harry Hirtzel, b. 4 Aug 1897 in Shumway, Effingham Co., IL; d.  Apr 1983 in Las Cruces, Dona Ana Co., NM;  bd. Hillcrest Mem. Gardens Cem., Las Cruces, Dona Ana Co., NM--Find A Grave memorial # 93234146; m. Florence (nee unk., b. 1903 in IL; d. 1995 in Las Cruces, NM;  bd. Hillcrest Mem. Gardens Cem., Las Cruces, Dona Ana Co., NM--Find A Grave memorial # ); at least two ch.

[listed as Howard H. Hirtzel, age 2, b. Aug 1897 in IL/IL/Germany, in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Howard H. Hirtzel, age 12, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Howard Hirtzel, age 22, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 21 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Howard H. Hirtzel, age 32, carpenter, b. IL, in the 7 Apr 1930 census of Chicago, Cook Co., IL]
[listed as Howard Hirtzel, age 42, carpenter, b. IL, in the 1940 census of Shumway, Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Howard Harry Hirtzel, b. 4 Aug 1897 in Effingham, IL, on his 14 Feb 1942 WW2 draft card registration, res. in Clinton IN]

[listed as Florence Hirtzel, age 26, b. IL, in the 7 Apr 1930 census of Chicago, Cook Co., IL]
[listed as Florence Hirtzel, age 36, b. IL, in the 1940 census of Shumway, Effingham Co., IL]

27.01--William H. "Bill" Hirtzel, b. ca. 1929 in IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as William H. Hirtzel, age 1, b. IL, in the 7 Apr 1930 census of Chicago, Cook Co., IL]
[listed as William Hirtzel, age 11, b. IL, in the 1940 census of Shumway, Effingham Co., IL]

28.00--

27.02--Ella May Hirtzel, b. ca. 1937 in IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; at least one ch.;

[listed as Ella May Hirtzel, age 3, b. IL, in the 1940 census of Shumway, Effingham Co., IL]

28.00--

26.06--Fred Hirtzel, b. Dec 1898; d. 1901; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Fred Hirtzel, age 1, b. Dec 1898 in IL/IL/Germany, in the 15 Jun 1900 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[deceased and not listed in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.07--Fritz E. Hirtzel, b. ca. 1899; d. 1901; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Fritz E. Hirtzel, age 11, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Fritz Hirtzel, age 21, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 21 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.08--Theodore B. "Ted" Hirtzel, b. ca. 1904; d. 1901; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Theodore B. Hirtzel, age 6, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 26 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Ted Hirtzel, age 16, b. IL/IL/Germany, in the 21 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

25.02--George John Hirtzel, Jr., b. 9 Jan 1865 in Crown Point, IN/Germany/Germany; d. 21 Jan 1932 in Summit, Effingham Co., IL; bd. Blue Point Cem.,; m. Mary Bernius (b. ca. 1869 in IL/Germany/Germany; d. unk.; bd. unk.); at least 7 ch.--Mary reports 7 of 7 ch. lvg. in 1910;

[listed as George J. Hirtzel, 46, m2. 15 yrs., b. IN/Germany/Germany, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as George John Hirtzel, b. 9 Dec 1865 in Crown Point, IN, to Geo., John Hirtzel and Soloma Ott; d. 21 Jan 1932 in Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL; bd. Blue Pt., Cem, Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL, on FHL Film No. 1684273]
[listed as George Hirtzel, 55, b. IN/France/France, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

[listed as Mary Hirtzel, 41, m1. 15 yrs. w/7 of 7 ch. lvg., b. IL/Germany/Germany, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Mary Hirtzel, 50, b. IL/Germany/Germany, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.01--Herbert R. Hirtzel, b. ca. 1896 in IL/IL or IN/IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Herbert R. Hirtzel, 14, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Herbert Hirtzel, 24, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.02--Irvin C. Hirtzel, b. ca. 1897 in IL/IL or IN/IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Irvin C. Hirtzel, 13, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Irvin Hirtzel, 22, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.03--Leonard R. Hirtzel, b. ca. 1900 in IL/IL or IN/IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Leneard R. Hirtzel, 10, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Lenn Hirtzel, 19, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.04--John Willard Hirtzel, b. 5 Aug 1902 in IL/IL or IN/IL; d. Sep 1967 [or Nov 1968]; bd. Arborcrest Mem. Pk., Funkhouser, Effingham Co., IL--FindAGrave Mem. # 7730092; m. Viola C. "Retz?" Gaddis (b. ca. 1907 in IL/IL/IL; d. 1994; bd. unk.); at least two ch.;

[listed as Herbert R. Hirtzel, 14, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as John Hirtzel, 17, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as John Hirtzel, railroad boilermaker, 27, m. age 21, b. IL/IL/IL, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Gary, Calumet Twp., Lake Co., IN]
[listed as John Hirtzel, farmer, 37, b. IL, in the 16 Apr 1940 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

[listed as Viola Hirtzel, 22, m. age 16, b. IL/IL/IL, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Gary, Calumet Twp., Lake Co., IN]
[listed as Viola Hirtzel, 32, b. IL, in the 16 Apr 1940 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

27.01--Kenneth Leon Hirtzel, b. 24 Sep 1924 in IL/IL/IL; d. 18 Feb 2007; bd. unk.; m. unk.; at least one ch.;

[listed as Kenneth Hirtzel, 5, b. IL/IL/IL, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Gary, Calumet Twp., Lake Co., IN]
[listed as Kenneth Hirtzel, 15, b. IL, in the 16 Apr 1940 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

28.00--Kerry J. Hirtzel, PRIVATE; m. Beverly (nee unk.), PRIVATE;

29.00--

30.00--

27.02--Dolores Hirtzel, b. ca. 1925 ; d. 18 Feb 2007; bd. unk.; m. unk.; at least one ch.;

[listed as Doloris Hirtzel, 4 y 1 m, b. IL/IL/IL, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Gary, Calumet Twp., Lake Co., IN]
[listed as Deloris Hirtzel, 14, b. IL, in the 16 Apr 1940 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.05--Josephine F. Hirtzel, b. ca. 1906 in IL/IL or IN/IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Josephine F. Hirtzel, 4, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Josephine Hirtzel, 14, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.06--Mildred M. Hirtzel, twin, b. ca. 1908 in IL/IL or IN/IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Mildred M. Hirtzel, 2, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Mildred Hirtzel, 12, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

26.07--Nellie Luella Hirtzel, twin, b. ca. 1908 in Athelm, IL/IL or IN/IL; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m1. 27 May 1930 in Kalamazoo, MI, to Harry C. Stevens (b. London, England ca. 1896; d. unk.; bd. unk.); m2. 19 Apr 1944 in Kalamazoo, MI, to Benjamin Sietsma (b. ca. 1895 in Holland, Netherlands; d. unk.; bd. unk.); unk. ch.;

[listed as Nellie L. Hirtzel, 2, b. IL/IN/IL, in the 30 Apr 1910 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]
[listed as Nellie Hirtzel, 12, b. IL/IL(sic)/IL, in the 7 Jan 1920 census of Summit Twp., Effingham Co., IL]

25.03--Louisa E. Hirtzel, b. ca. 1870 in IL/France/France; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. 1893 in Effingham Co., IL, to Fredrich Ehlers (b. ca. 1866 to John and Elizabeth {Bucholz} Ehlers); unk. ch.;

[listed as Louisa E. Hirtzel, 23, b. ca. 1870 to George and Siloam (Ott) Hirtzel, m. 1893 to Fredrich Ehlers (27, b. ca. 1866 to John and Elizabeth {Bucholz} Ehlers) in Effingham Co., IL, in an Ancestry.com film #001010048 headed "in the Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940"]

25.04--Clara H. Hirtzel, b. May 1875 in IL/France/France; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Clara H. Hirtzel, 25, single,  b. May 1875 in IL/France/France, in the 7 Jun 1900 census of Banner Twp., Effingham Co., IL]