History in Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Fredrich, Caroline, son August, and Caroline’s parents, Christian and Mary Henker, settled in the town of Mayville, in the township of Williamstown, Dodge County, Wisconsin in 1848, shortly after their emigration from Saxony.

Following is a map of modern day Wisconsin with counties:

Following is a map of the townships in Dodge County, showing location of Williamstown:

According to the Dodge County local history website:

[Mayville] is one of the oldest villages in the county, its history dating back to 1845. It is situated about the center of Williamstown Township, on the Rock River and on the line of the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railroad. In the year above mentioned, Alvin and William Foster and Chester and S. P. May selected the place as their future home. These gentlemen came from Fort Atkinson in the early spring, traveling in a common lumber-wagon, and were searching for a good water-power.

…In order to facilitate the formation of a settlement, the proprietors of the prospective village determined to offer inducements to all who would make their home among them. To that end, they first erected a building for the purposes of a general store, which they offered to any one who would open out of a general stock of merchandise. This offer was accepted by Thomas and Benjamin Palmer, who came to the place in 1847. At this time, there was not a road located, and with their stock of goods, the Messrs. Palmer had to follow the paths made through the timber, avoiding the underbrush as much as possible, and, through difficulties, seek the place of their future residence.

Another offer, made by Messrs. Foster & May, was the gift of a lot to any one who would build and occupy a residence thereon. This offer was accepted by quite a number, and consequently the village grew rapidly at the start.

Those who came to the place were principally from the Eastern States. It was not until about 1852, that the Germans began to make their homes here. This class now forms by far the greatest portion of the community, and many of them, in the past score of years, have amassed considerable wealth.

It was not until 1847, the citizens succeeded in having a post office established here.

The first school was in the winter of 1847 in the cabin of a private family, and in the year following a log schoolhouse was built and school hold therein. As the demands of the country increased, other arrangements were made, until finally, a few years since, the village erected one of the finest and most substantial school buildings in the county--one in which her citizens take a just pride. In this the English language is taught exclusively. For their own convenience, and to keep up a knowledge of the mother tongue, the Germans support from private funds a good school.

The religious element of the community is represented by German Lutheran, German Catholic and Baptist, each having a church building, the latter at present only being occasionally occupied, while in the former regular services are held to flourishing congregations.

Source: History of Mayville, From History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, 1880; http://www.wlhn.org/dodgeco/towns/williamstown/mayville_1880.htm

Between October 1848 and August 1858, Fredrich and Caroline had five more children, all born in Mayville:

Theresa – born/died October 1848

Johan Gottleib (John) – born November 15, 1851

Anna Marie – born September 17, 1853

Carl William – born August 28, 1856

Amilia (Emilie) Christina – born August 27, 1858

Theresa died at birth, perhaps as a result of Caroline’s difficult journey across the ocean. Caroline was 43 years old when her sixth and last child was born.

U.S. Federal Census – 1850 & 1860

Fredrich’s family appears in both the 1850 and the 1860 U.S. Federal Census in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

They appear with an English version of the name, namely “Henry”, versus the German version, “Heinrich”. Fredrich’s name is also spelled “Frederick”.

Following is the 1850 census showing Fredrich, his wife Caroline and their 2 year old son Charles, Caroline’s parents, the Henkers, and possibly Fredrich’s brother or some other relation, Charles.

Following is the 1860 census showing Fredrich, his wife Caroline, their five children, and Caroline’s parents, the Henkers. It is interesting to note that one of the children, Gottlob F (probably Gottlieb Fredrich) will eventually be called John in later census records.

Civil War Service – 1864-1865

Fredrich served the last nine months of the American Civil War (1861-1865). He volunteered and was enrolled September 22, 1864 in Wisconsin Company F, Regiment 5. His regiment participated in the following battles: Hachers Run (February 6&7, 1865), Gettysburg (April 2, 1865), Sezlars Creek (April 6, 1965).

According to the Wisconsin Department of Veteran’s Affaires:

The Fifth Infantry was organized at Camp Randall, Madison, WI, and mustered into the service of the United States on July 13, 1861. The regiment left the state on the 24th of the same month going directly to Washington, D.C.

The regiment was assigned to General King's Brigade then in camp on Meridian Hill in the suburbs of Washington. Shortly thereafter was transferred and permanently attached to General Hancock's Brigade, remaining in the defences of Washington until March 1862, when that part of the army of the Potomac then under the command of General George B. McClellan and to which the fifth belonged, was transferred to the vicinity of Hampton, VA, as a part of the forces to take part in what is known as the Peninsular Campaign, March 17 to September 2, 1862. During the campaign the Fifth participated in many sanguinary engagements. In the latter part of August the regiment returned to Centerville, Virginia, to assist in the support of that part of the Union Army then under the command of General Pope. In the retreat of the Union forces which followed, and the invasion of Maryland by the Confederates, known as the Maryland Campaign, the Fifth participated in the battle of Antietam.

During its whole term of service the Fifth was a part of the Army of the Potomac of the famous Sixth Corps, and took part in the various campaigns in Virginia, including Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Petersburg, Shenandoah Valley, Richmond and Appomattox. Subsequently the Fifth was transferred to Louisville, KY, where the regiment was mustered out of the service, returned to Madison, WI, and was disbanded on the 20th of July, 1865.

Source: http://museum.dva.state.wi.us/His_regiments.asp

Fredrich joined on September 22, 1864, and according to the Civil War Archive website, would have been involved in the following activities of the Fifth Infantry:

· Seven new companies organized September, 1864 and left State for Winchester, Va., October 2.

· At Alexandria until October 20, then Joined Regiment at Cedar Creek.

· Moved to Petersburg, Va., October 1-4.

· Siege of Petersburg December 4, 1864, to April 2, 1865.

· Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, February 5-7, 1865.

· Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.

· Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.

· Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.

· Sailor's Creek April 6. Appomattox Court House April 9.

· Surrender of Lee and his army.

· March to Danville April 23-27, thence to Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C., May 18-June 2.

· Corps Review June 8.

· Mustered out June 24 (three Companies) and July 11, 1865 (Regiment).

· Regiment lost during service 15 Officers and 180 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 132 Enlisted men by disease. Total 329.

Source : http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unwiinf1.htm#5thinf

Fredrich was honorably discharged at the end of the war on June 28, 1865. At that time he was 45 years old, five foot 5 inches tall, had grey eyes and dark hair. His occupation was a farmer.

Lebanon, Lebanon Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin – 1869-1892

Move From Mayville to Lebanon - 1869

In April 1869, Fredrich and his family decided to move north from Mayville, Dodge County, to the town of Lebanon, Lebanon Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

His daughter, Anna Marie, described their nearly 100 mile trip on foot as follows (description dates from 1937 and has been edited for easier reading):

We moved north with oxen, four cows, and a pair of goats. We drove the animals from Mayville to Fond du Lac, then to Oshkosh, Greenville, and New London were we met some acquaintances. We thought we were home, but we had the last 10 miles before us and oh what roads in April. Before we reached our home we had to cross a 3/4 miles of corderoy (the old Lebanon West Swamp Road). We settled on an 80 acre farm with very little improvements.

Following is a map showing their travels from Mayville to Lebanon:

Source: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?gmd:1:./temp/~ammem_nVZ7::@@@mdb=gmd,ww2map

Fredrich’s 80-acres of land were located in Lebanon Township, specifically: the west 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 of Sec.16, Township 23 Range 14 East. Following is a map of Waupaca County and townships.

Insert map of location of land

U.S. Federal Census – 1870

Following is the 1870 census showing Wm. H (this is Fredrich), his wife Caroline, and their five children. It is interesting to note that Fredrich has changed his name to William H. His son, Johan Gottlieb, now appears with the name John.

Life in Lebanon – 1870-1879

On November 18, 1872, Fredrich sold his 80 acres to a Charles W. Heinrich for the sum of $500.00. Fredrich was 53 years old and Charles was 16. Was Charles his son Carl or another relation? Carl eventually appears as William in future census records. We don’t know for sure, other than it was odd that Fredrich would sell his land to such a young boy, especially when he himself was only 53. Future census results show that Fredrich lived with Carl after his wife Caroline died.

Caroline died on May 8, 1879 at the age of 64 and was buried in Nicholson Lutheran Cemetery (renamed to Trinity Lutheran Cemetery) in the township of Bear Creek.

U.S. Federal Census – 1880

The 1880 census includes several children of Fredrich and Caroline Heinrich, and their families.

Following is the 1880 census showing, August, son of Fredrich and Caroline, and August’s family:

Following is the 1880 census showing William (Fredrich), his son William (Carl), and Carl’s wife, Barbara.

Following is the 1880 census showing John, son of Fredrich, his wife Mary, and their daughter Emma.

Following is the 1880 census showing Mary, daughter of Fredrich Heinrich, her husband, John Kunkel, and their children:

Death of Fredrich – 1892

Fredrich died three years after his wife on January 30, 1892 at the age of 72. He was buried with his wife in Nicholson Lutheran Cemetery (renamed to Trinity Lutheran Cemetary) in the township of Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

Insert photo of their tombstone(s)

Fredrich Heinrich’s Children – Third Generation

Albertina (Zempel) and Fredrich Augustust (August) Heinrich – Third Generation

August married Albertina Zempel in 1875 in New London. They eventually moved to Tacoma, Washington, where both died and were buried.

In 1897, August committed suicide at his residence in Tacoma, Washington. A brief obituary was published in the Tacoma Daily Ledger on October 9, 1897, noting his death (by hanging) and the lack of need for an inquest, "the case being a clear one, with only a motive lacking." Tacoma was hit by an economic recession in1895 and many businesses were "wiped out," which may be a possible explanation.

August and Albertina had four children, including one son, Edward Oscar Heinrich, who became one of the world’s first criminologists. For more information on Edward, click here.

Mary (Dauterman) and Johan Gottlieb (John) Heinrich – Third Generation

John, age 26, married Mary, age 21, on April 26, 1878, in Washington County, Wisconsin.

They had ten children between 1879 and 1899:

Emma Amanda

Walter Bernholdt

Elizabeth Dorthea

Anna Caroline Margarethe

Louis John

Ella Marie

Laura Lydia

Martha Barbara

Edna Sophia

Cora Adeline

Following is a photo of Johan Gottlieb (John) Heinrich’s family taken about 1900-1902:

Back: Walter, Emma, Elizabeth, Anna, Ella, Louis

Front: Laura, Johan (John, father), Edna, Martha, Mary (mother), Cora

Mary died in 1906 at the age of 50. John died from stomach cancer in 1928 at the age of 76. Both are buried in Nicholson Lutheran Cemetery (renamed to Trinity Lutheran Cemetary) in the township of Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

Insert photo of tombstone

Inzez Krubsack Bristow (granddaughter of John and Mary via their daughter, Martha) wrote the following in 1992 about her upbringing, her parents and her “Grandpa John”:

My earliest memory of my dear, white haired maternal grandfather was that he was my refuge. How happy I was to see him walking up the hill to our farmhouse in Wisconsin. He was always glad to see me when I'd run to meet him. He'd hold my hand as we trudged up the hill together.

He was a retired widower who no longer lived in his own home- or owned one. He would stay a few weeks with each of his nine married children.

As a small child, I was often left to my own devices, as my mother was an overworked farmer's wife. She took care of my run-about baby brother, Eugene, who got into much mischief. Also, my dearest sister Phyllis, two years older than I, needed, much care. She had been a polio victim in 1921, which left her badly crippled, unable to walk or use her arms. My mother, Martha also did countless farm chores, as well as cooking and baking bread and pastries for all of us. That included one, and sometimes two hired men who worked for my father, Paul. So it wasn't surprising that my mother had very little time for me.

But Grandpa Heinrich always had time for me when he stayed with us. During my unhappy moments, which were many, I'd climb onto his lap and snuggle against his long, white beard. He'd sometimes give me a "ridey didey". Moving his crossed leg up and down as I straddled his ankle and held both his outstretched hands to balance myself. He'd always welcome me in a kindly way, and had time to play with me and listen to my troubles.

Grandpa was a tall, stoop-shoulder man, from much hard work as a farmer in earlier years. He often walked with his gnarled, rheumatic hands clasped behind his back. In spite of being afflicted with what was then called rheumatism; he could carve and whittle intriguing objects with those dear hands. He'd often make a willow whistle for me. He also chopped wood and made kindling shavings for the kitchen and parlor stoves. He started the fires for my mother early each morning, and fed them as needed, during the weeks he stayed with us.

Looking back after more than sixty-five years, it seemed to me that the sun shone more often when Grandpa Heinrich was with us. [His wife,] my maternal grandmother Mary Marie Dautermann Heinrich died when she was fifty one years old. Only one of their children, Aunt Emma, had married before Grandma's death. So Grandpa had a very hard time supporting his family. They had lived on a small farm near Sugarbush, Wisconsin.

Grandpa died of stomach cancer when he was seventy [six], and I was eight year sold. Losing his love and friendship was the greatest sorrow of my young life. He had always been kind, tolerant of my childish foibles, and understanding of my frequent feeling of unhappiness. His presence in our home had been a great blessing to me during my earliest years.

He'd been living with Aunt Anna and her family during his last illness. Her children too, especially my cousin Bernice, the youngest, remembers him fondly. He had planted an orchard of ten apple trees near our farmhouse. It was well cared for as long as he was able to do the work to maintain it. We especially enjoyed the Whitney crab apples and "pear" apples for many, many years. Eating them always reminded us, again and again, of Grandpa. He had also planted a large garden for us, including potatoes, and cared for it. His work had been a blessing to all his family members.

Barbara (Dauterman) and Carl William (Charles) Heinrich – Third Generation

Carl, age 23, married Barbara, age 18, on August 31, 1879 in Washington County, Wisconsin.

They had six children between 1880 and 1899: Lydia, Caroline, Edward, Otto, Herbert, and Carl.

Barbara died in 1904 at the age of 43. Carl died in 1909 at the age of 53. Both are buried in Nicholson Lutheran Cemetery (renamed to Trinity Lutheran Cemetary) in the township of Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

Insert photo of tombstone

The three daughters: Theresa, Anna Marie and Amilia – Third Generation

As mentioned earlier, Theresa died at birth, perhaps as a result of her mother Caroline’s difficult journey across the ocean from Saxony to Wisconsin.

Anna Marie, age 15, married John A. Kunkel, age 28, on April 14, 1869, at the Lutheran Parsonage in New London, Wisconsin. They had nine children. Anna Marie died on March 20, 1947 at the age of 91.

Amilia (Emilie), age 19, married Christian F. Dauterman, age 26, on October 27, 1877, in New London, Wisconsin. They had 12 children. Amilia died on December 10, 1937 at the age of 79.

U.S. Federal Census - 1900

The families of Johan Gottlieb (John) Heinrich and his brother, Carl William (William) Heinrich, appear in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census as follows:

Clara (Klemm) and Walter B. Heinrich – Fourth Generation

Walter Bernholdt Heinrich was the first son and second child of Johan Gottlieb (John) Heinrich. He was born February 28, 1882 in Lebanon Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

His future wife, Clara Klemm, was born March 27, 1883 in Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

Clara’s parents, Augusta (Schoepke) and Carl Ludwig Klemm were originally from Sophienthal Province, Brandenburg, Germany. Augusta Schopeke emigrated to Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin with her parents, Caroline (Dove) and Christ Schopeke, and the rest of their family, arriving May 8, 1869. Their trip from Germany to Wisconsin took four weeks total, as there were delays in Germany and other ports. The boat trip across the Atlantic Ocean took 12 days. They arrived in New York then travelled to Oshkosh by train, to New London by boat on the Wolf River, and on foot from New London to Bear Creek. On September 29, 1869, Augusta Schoepke, age 22, married Carl Ludwig Klemm, age 33. They had twelve children, the eighth being Clara Klemm, Walter Heinrich’s future wife.

Walter, age 23, married Clara Klemm, age 22, in about 1905 at Nicholson Lutheran Church, Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin.

They had seven children between 1909 and 1922:

Marie

Roy

Eldo

Orrin

Lorna

Verna

Florence

Following is a photo of Clara (Klemm) and Walter Heinrich:

Following is a photo of the family of Clara (Klemm) and Walter Heinrich, taken sometime after Walter’s death in 1923:

Back: Eldo, Clara, Roy

Front: Orrin, Marie, Florence, Verna, Lorna

U.S. Federal Census – 1910, 1920, 1930

Walter, Clara and their children appear in the 1910, 1920, and 1930 U.S. Federal Census records as follows:

Charlotte (Meyer) and Orrin Heinrich – Fifth Generation

Orrin was the fourth child, third son, of Clara (Klemm) and Walter B. Heinrich. Orrin was born February 15, 1916 in Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin. He graduated from Antigo High School in 1934 and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1936 until 1939.

Charlotte was the daughter of Mary and Francis-Xavier Meyer. She was born February 14, 1917 in Roosevelt, Bernett County, Wisconsin.

On May 31, 1941, in Davenport, Iowa, Orrin, age 25, married Charlotte M. Meyer, age 24. See wedding photo:

On August 7, 1942 Orrin joined the United States Air Force.

Following is a photo of Charlotte (Meyer) and Orrin Heinrich, taken in about 1942:

During World War II Orrin served as a navigator in the 100^th Bomb Group of the 8^th Air Force, squadron 349, based at Thorpe Abbotts, East Anglia, England. During World War II he performed 16 missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress. His plane was shot down by German fighters on March 6, 1944. He spent 14 and 1/2 months as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft I near Barth in northern Germany, as “a guest of Germany”, as soldiers said. The camp was freed by the Russians in May 1945. He was discharged from the Air Force with the rank of Captain in 1946. As a result of his service in the Air Force he received three medals of Honor: the Air Medal, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War. For further details about Orrin’s service in WW II, click here.

After the war, Orrin and Charlotte operated a mink ranch in the Town of Rolling for 33 years, and remained active in the retail fur business following retirement.

Between 1948 and 1960, they had seven children: John, Mary, Michael, Dorothy, Joseph, Deborah and Lucy.

Following is a family photo taken about 1978:

Back: Michael, Mary, John, Joseph, Dorothy

Front: Lucy, Charlotte, Orrin, Deborah

Click here for additional Orrin Heinrich family photos.

Orrin was a member of St John Catholic Church in Antigo and served on the Finance Committee, and Parish Council. He was also a member of Leland-Tollefson No. 2653, Paul Marms Disabled American Veterans Chapter 3, and Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post No 3, all of Antigo. He enjoyed deer hunting, spending time in the woods, cutting wood and wood working.

Orrin died at the age of 87 on February 16, 2003 in Antigo, Wisconsin. His wife Charlotte is still living on their family farm in Antigo, Wisconsin.