Fiegenbaum, Friedrich Wilhelm

Other Events:

• Baptism: 18 Apr 1830, Lengerich, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia
• Immigration: 1834, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1850, Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa, USA
• Occupation: Between 1853 and 1914; a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church
• Occupation: Sep 1864; Presiding Elder of the Burlington District
• Moved To: Oct 1902, Wathena, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA

Notes:

Birth:
He was born in Bauerschaft Hohne, a "township" of Lengerich.

Baptism:
Friedrich Wilhelm was baptized in the evangelical church at Lengerich.

Immigration:

     Friedrich was about 4 years old when he emigrated from the Hohne section of Lengerich, in the Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia with his father, Adolph (age about 40), his mother, Christine (age about 37), and four brothers and sisters (ages 13 to less than 1 year). The family is reported to have disembarked at New Orleans, Louisiana in late June 1834 and to have traveled up the Mississippi River, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri about 3 or 4 July. They appear to have settled initially in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri before moving a few years later moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Friedrich, his parents, another brother still living at home settled near Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa.

Census:
The 1840 U.S. census enumerated eight people living in the "Rudolph Feigenbaum" household in Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri.

Census:
The 1840 U.S. census enumerated eight people living in the "A. Frigenbottom" household in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri.

Census:
The 1850 U.S. Census found the Fiegenbaums living in Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa. According to the enumeration, the household was composed of Adolph, age 57, a farmer; Christine, age 54; Frederick, age 21, a day laborer; and, Rudolph, age 14.

Occupation:

     The following biographical sketch appeared in the Souvenir der West Deutschen Konferenz der Bischöflichen Methodistenkirche in 1906.

     F. W. Fiegenbaum was born in the parish of Lengerich, Administrative District of Münster, Prussia on 12 April 1830. With his parents, Adolf and Christina Fiegenbaum, he came to America in 1834. They lived near Hopewell, Warren Co., Mo., until he was 21 years of age. On 19 February 1846, at a quarterly convocation under the leadership of Presiding Elder H. Köneke and Preacher Franz Horstmann, he was converted. On the next morning he received the call to the ministry, but refused, on three grounds: 1. the ministry appeared to him to be a pauper's life, with a salary of only $150 to $200; 2. the responsibilities appeared too great; 3. his schooling was too scanty. After years of struggle and earnest trial, he declared himself willing to accept the call, and in the Spring of 1853 ventured forth. He served in the following fields: Peoria, Ill, 1½ years, 1853-54; Cedar Lake, Ind., 1854-55; Sherrills Mount, Iowa, 1855-57; Freeport, Ill., 1857-59; Salem, Minn., 1859-60; St. Paul, First Congregation, 1860-62; Washington 1862-64; Burlington, Iowa District, 1864-66; Wapello 1866-68; Des Moines 1868-70; Polk City 1870-73. He was then the victim of a nervous disorder and was for several years superannuated and then returned to the ministry: Milton, Iowa, 1876-79; Canton, Mo., 1879-82. He was then transferred to the West German Conference and served Wathena, Kan., 1882-84; Eudora 1884-86; Clay Center 1886-88; Lawrence 1888-92; Oregon, Mo., 1892-96. At this point his health collapsed and he was again superannuated. He gives heartfelt thanks that God has blessed his work. He has no regrets that he served the Lord; he is sorry only that he was not better prepared for the great task before him. His home is in Wathena, Kan.


Occupation:
The first annual session of the Southwest German Conference was held on 29 September 1864 in the Washington Street Church, at St. Louis. Bishop Janes named the presiding elders to the five districts of the new conference: Philipp Kuhl, to the St. Louis District; Gerhard Timken, to the Belleville District; Friedrich Fiegenbaum, to the Burlington District; Heinrich Lahrmann, to the Quincy District; Michael Schnierle, to the St. Joseph District.

Moved To:

     Friedrich Wilhelm retired from active service in the German Methodist Episcopal Church in 1895. He and his wife continued to live in Oregon, Missouri, their last charge, until 1902. Early in October, 1902, the Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, Missouri) reported that Rev. F. W. Fiegenbaum was in Wathena, Kansas to superintend the construction of a residence he and his wife planned to occupy sometime in the middle of that month. On 17 October, the newspaper reported that the couple had move that week to Wathena.

Buried:
Funeral services were held from the home and from the German Methodist Church. Frederick William Fiegenbaum was buried in Bellemont Cemetery at Wathena, where his wife had been buried in 1911.

Died:
The following obituary was published in The Holt County Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri, on Friday, 6 March 1914. The newspaper was published by Thomas Curry, Rev. Friedrich Fiegenbaum's nephew-in-law.

          Death of Rev. Fiegenbaum.

     Rev. Frederick Fiegenbaum, the last of four brothers, all of whom were pioneer German Methodist preachers in the central and western states, died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1914, at Wathena, Kas., where he had lived ten years.
     He was pastor of the Oregon German M. E. church during the years 1892-96, and was an uncle of Mrs. Tom Curry, of this city.
     Rev. Fiegenbaum was nearly 84 years old, and all of the brothers attained about the same age, and were active in the pulpit until within a few years of their deaths. Not only were the brothers Methodist preachers, but their two sisters, who survive, married preachers, one a regular pastor, and the other a local preacher of the Methodist church. The family is widely known in German Methodism in this country.
     Rev. Frederick Fiegenbaum was born in Ladbergen, Germany, April 10, 1830. He came to America in 1832 with his parents, Adolph and Christine Fiegenbaum, and settled in Warren county, Missouri, where he grew to manhood. His early years were spent on the farm. Then he went to St. Louis, where his older brothers and sisters had found employment for him. With them he was brought into contact with a German Methodist revival, and after being converted he felt the call to the ministry, as his two older brothers were.
     Rev. Fiegenbaum had charges in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. There being no German conference when he entered the ministry, he joined the Rock River conference, then later the Southwest German, now the St. Louis conference, and from there he was transferred to the West Missouri conference. His last charge was at Oregon, Mo., from where he moved to Wathena. His wife, who was Miss Louise Otto, and to whom he was married at Wapello, Iowa, when he was 21 years old, died November 30, 1911. The other brothers were Rev. William, Rev. H. R., and Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, the last named for a number of years a resident of St. Joseph, died in that city, January 13, 1905.
     Six sons and three daughters survive, as follows: Adolph H., Washington, D. C.; Louis S. Lincoln, Neb.; Theodore J., Western, Neb.; Benjamin F., Lawrence, Kas.; Henry, Springfield, Neb.; Edward W., Geneva, Neb.; and Mrs. Matthew Sexauer, Ankeny, Iowa; Mrs. Jacob Miller, Wathena. The sisters are: Mrs. Elizabeth Wellmeyer [sic], Warrenton, Mo., age 86, and Mrs. Mina Winter, Casper, Wyo., aged 82.
     The funeral was held at Wathena, Kas., Sunday, March 1, services being conducted from the home and from the Wathena German M. E. church, burial being at Wathena.
     Mrs. Tom Curry, of this city, and Mrs. Carrie Steinmetz, of St. Joseph, who was here visiting, nieces of the deceased, attended the funeral.

     Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts provided the following transcription of an obituary which appears to have been published in a newspaper serving Wathena, Kansas.

     Frederick William Fiegenbaum was born in Ladbergen, Prussia 10 April 1830. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1834 and located in the neighborhood of Hopewell, Warren County, Missouri, which was his home until he was 21 years of age. On 19 February 1846, while attending a quarterly meeting, he was converted and became a member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. the following morning he received a call to enter the ministry, but did not begin active work until the spring of 1853. In 1852 he was married to Louisa Otto, who passed to her reward 30 November 1911. Ten children were born to them, of whom one died in infancy. Six sons and three daughters survive. Mrs. Minnie Sexauer of Ankeny Iowa; A. H. Fiegenbaum of Washington D.C.; Mrs. Lydia M. Howard of Sac City, Iowa; Louis Fiegenbaum of Lincoln, Nebraska; Theodore Fiegenbaum of Western, Nebraska; Mrs. Emma Miller of Wathena, Kansas; Benjamin Fiegenbaum of Lawrence, Kansas; Henry Fiegenbaum of Springfield, Nebraska and William Edward Fiegenbaum of Geneva, Nebraska. He was superanuated in 1895 and lived in Oregon, Missouri until 1902 when he and his wife moved to Wathena. After the death of Mrs. Fiegenbaum, he visited among the children, and in September he came to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Emma Miller. His strength was failing at this time and grew weaker until he finally passed peacefully to his reward 27 February 1914, aged 83 years, 10 months and 17 days. Father Fiegenbaum's presence in the community will be greatly missed. Those who knew him well, even the child on the street, always had a word and a smile from him; he was staunch, and loyal to the last for right and truth, especially anxious always for the upbuilding of the church in the community in which he lived. He never missed going to all the services in the town, when he was able, and was especially strong in his belief that the children had an important part in the church as in the family. The bereaved family will always remember his anxiety and loving thoughtfulness for each alike, and may the Spirit of our Christ, who was Father Fiegenbaum's guide, in all things be ours. The funeral was held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from the house to the German M. E. Church. Rev. E. Crepin and Rev. J. H. Bishop preached in English and Rev. Buechner of St. Joseph in German. Burial was in Bellemont Cemetery by the side of his life's companion, all the children being present. Other relatives in attendance were: Miss Anna Fiegenbaum, Mrs. Steinmetz, both of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mrs. Tom Curry of Oregon, Missouri and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Winter of Topeka, Kansas.

Friedrich married Otto, Louisa 11 Apr 1852, Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa, USA. Louisa (daughter of Otto, Heinrich and Rolfe, Elizabeth Margueretha) was born 13 Aug 1832, Venne, Osnabrück, Kingdom of Hanover; died 30 Nov 1911, Wathena, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA; was buried 3 Dec 1911, Wathena, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:

     The following article was published in The Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, Missouri) on Friday, 18 April 1902.

          FOR FIFTY YEARS.
          Rev. Frederick Fiegenbaum and Wife, of This City. Celebrate
          Their Golden Wedding, Friday. April 11.

     In company with his parents and brothers and sisters, there landed at New Orleans, one fine summer day in June, 1834, bright lad of four summers. From there they took a steam boat, landing at St. Louis where the cannon were booming and flags waving in honor [word obscured] the nation's 42nd birthday. Here they rested for a while, after a nine-weeks journey across the ocean. Then the family proceeded to Warren county, Mo., and engaged in farming.
     This lad of four is today a gray haired veteran in the service of his Master, and has passed his three-score and ten. He was born in Old Prussia, Germany, April 10th, 1830. He remained upon the farm and became a farmer. When 17 years of age he was converted and united with the M. E. church. He felt he was called to enter the service of his Master; but he liked the farm life and felt that he should continue in this work. In 1850 he went with his parents to Wapello, Ia. The lad; the farmer boy is today our fellow townsman, the Rev. Fred Fiegenbaum, who on Friday of last week, April 11th, celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.
     While living in Warren county, one of his neighbors, named Otto, had a nice little girl, and they became acquainted of course; they left the neighborhood, and the families became separated, but they again met in Iowa; the acquaintance was renewed, which in due time resulted in a wedding, and Frederick Wilhelm Fiegenbaum and Miss Louisa Otto, became husband and wife, the ceremony being performed in the German M. E. stone church in Wapello, Ia., April 11, 1852.
     The ceremony uniting these two people was performed by the groom's brother, Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, who on this 50th anniversary was present to renew those bonds that had united these people for those long fifty years. Who amid all the trials and adversities of life had gone hand in hand; heart to heart; soul to soul along down life's rugged pathway - Loving and serving their Master - Loving and serving each other. Feeling all through these years as the 23 Psalm - 1-4 has taught them:
     "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."
     One year after his marriage, he still felt that he should enter the field of the ministry - he felt that he could no longer resist the call, and entered for a four years' course of preparation in Brush College in this state, and in the spring of 1853 he entered his Masters's [sic] service and began preaching at Peoria, Ill., where he remained for nearly two years. On September 13, 1857, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop E. S. James at Rock Island, Ill., September 13, 1857, he was ordained an Elder by Bishop E. R. Ames, at Marion, Ia. From 1853 to 1893 he was actively engaged in the work of the ministry excepting two years, 1872-3, which years he rested on account of health, and in 1873-5 he took a two years' course at Mount Pleasant, Ia. Forty years, service in the Master's vineyard - Many of these years were such as try one's zeal and earnestness. When he entered the service, there were but few railroads; traveling from station to station was chiefly by horseback; the exposures were of such character, that only the strong and sturdy could withstand them. Only his advanced years and with feeble health, incident thereto, caused him to surrender his work, which he did here in 1896. During these 40 year [sic] she [sic] has been stationed at the following places:

Peoria, Ill.........................1853-55
Cedar Lake, Ind...............1855-56
Chirls [sic] Mount, Ia......1856-58
Freeport, Ill......................1858-60
Salem, Minn....................1860-61
St. Paul, Minn..................1861-65
Burlington, Ia., Dist.........1865-67
Wapello, Ia......................1867-69
Des Moines, Ia................1869-71
Polk City, Ia....................1871-73
Wilton, Ia........................1875-78
Canton, Mo.....................1878-81
Wathena, Kan.................1881-83
Eudora, Kan...................1883-85
Clay Center, Kan............1885-88
Lawrence, Kan...............1888-92
Oregon, Mo....................1892-96

     The wife of today and the young bride of 50 years ago, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 13, 1832, and when a mere babe of nine months came to this country with her parents, who settled in Warren county, Mo., thence to Washington county, Ia., then near Wapello, Ia.
     There has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum nine children: three girls and six boys, all of whom are magnificent types of the true, high-minded, honorable, clean citizenship. The children are:
     Minnie Sexauer, whose husband is a farmer near Des Moines, Iowa; they have five children.
     Adolph is a clerk in the war department at Washington; married and has one child.
     Lydia Howard, wife of a farmer, near Sac City, Iowa; they have one child.
     Louis, is a druggist at Geneva, Neb.; is married and has one child.
     Theodore is a druggist at Lincoln, Neb.; is married.
     Emma Miller is the wife of a druggist at Wathena, Kan, they have five children.
     Benjaman [sic] is also a druggist, and in business at Western, Neb.; married.
     Henry is in the hardware business at Lawton Okla; married.
     Edward is the kid of the family and is a jeweler at Geneva, Neb., married.
     In addition to the immediate children, Mrs. Rosana McDougle [sic], of Gowrie, Ia., was here, she being a daughter of Mrs. Sexauer. She was accompanied by her eldest daughter, Mrs. C. W. Piekenrock [sic] and husband of Ellston, Ia. This completed the circle of four generations represented at the anniversary.
     The children are all living and were here to celebrate the anniversary of the wedding of their father and mother. It was just such another glorious April as this - 50 years ago - as brightly prophetic of happiness in their life of activity as Friday last was emblematic of declining years, crowned with peace and honor. That wedding of 50 years ago as other weddings of that time, had little of the pomp and circumstance which grace the nuptials of today. There were no rehearsals, no attendants, no banks of palms and roses, but how much that, solemn service meant, Friday and its memories bear evidence. Father and Mother Fiegenbaum's life here is its own commentary. Its fruitage speaks for it more than eloquence can tell. Their life has been peculiarly blessed. Not a death has broken the circle of their immediate family. Their nine children with their thirteen children enjoyed the 50th anniversary of the wedding of their parents and their grandparents.
     Naturally, Friday April 11th, 1902, was one of joy and thankfulness to these two whose lives have meant so much and who have been greatly and so deservedly blessed. Their home is a modest and unpretentious one, and on account of the limited space the children made their order for a sumptuous dinner and luncheon, which was served at the Lawn hotel, and was most elaborate affair in every detail to which some 50 of the more intimate friends and near relatives were invited, and at their home they with numerous friends came to rejoice with them in attaining what so few attain, not only years, but usefulness.
     Forty-one guests gues's [sic] gathered in the dining room at the Lawn hotel at 1 o'clock. Louis Fiegenbaum, second son of the haypy [sic] couple, had charge of the affair. Rev. Fiegenbaum, of St. Joseph, was the first speaker. He recalled the time when the couple was married by him half a century ago. Rev. John Siekmann, of Oregon, followed with a short address. A. H. Fiegenbaum, a son, then presented the aged parents with a loving cup. On one side were the names of the nine children, all of whom were in attendance. On the other side were the words: "1852 - Wapello, Iowa, Golden Wedding Anniversary, Oregon, Mo., April 11, 1902.
     After the presentation of the cup both the bride and groom made short replies. Robert Montgomery, of Oregon, followed with a few words of congratulation. At the conclusion of the wedding feast the guests repaired to the court house lawn where a photograph of the entire group was taken.
     The children with their families in the order of their ages are as follows:
     Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Sexauer and son, Roscoe, Ankeay [sic], Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Fiegenbaum, Washington, D. C.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Howard and daughter, Genevieve, Sac City, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Louis S. Fiegenbaum and daughter, Inez, Geneva, Neb.; Mrs. [sic] and Mrs. Theodore J. Fiegenbaum, Lincoln, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller and children Louise, Frieda, Wilma, Kenneth, and Katherine, Wathena, Kas.; Mr. and Mrs. Benjaman [sic] F. Fiegenbaum, Western, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fiegenbaum, Lawton, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Fiegenbaum, Geneva, Neb. Other guests were Mrs. Rosanna [sic] McDougall [sic] and daughter, of Gowrie, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Clara Piekenbrock, Ellston, Ia.; the women being grandchildren; Mr. John Otto, Wapello, Ia.; Mrs. Mary Wagner, Ankeny, Ia.; brother and sister of the bride; Rev. H. Fiegenbaum, brother of the groom; Miss Anna Fiegenbaum, of St. Joseph; Rev. J. Seikmann, pastor of the German M. E. church, Oregon, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery, Oregon, and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Curry, Willie and Anna Curry, of Oregon.
     The Fiegenbaum family is a remarkable one in one particular; the family consisted of four brothers and two sisters, all of whom are still living, the sisters being widows, and the four brothers were ministers of the German M. E. church. The eldest, Henry began his ministerial work in 1847, and on the same day of the month, April 11, 1847, he too, was married, and 1897 celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.
     This is the fourth golden wedding to be celebrated in the family. The first that of Rev. and Mrs. Henry Fiegenbaum took place just five years ago Friday in St. Joseph, an interesting ceremony being performed at the German M. E. church. In August, 1897, Henry and Catherice [sic] Wellemeyer, the latter being a sister of the Fiegenbaum brothers, celebrated their golden wedding at their home in Garner, Ia. In 1900 Rev. and Mrs. William Fiegenbaum celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Edwardsville, Ill.
     They were the recipients of handsome presents as follows:
     Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pieckenbrock berry spoon.
     Mr. and Mrs. Sexauer and family, a half dozen solid silver spoons.
     Mr. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum, three souvenir spoons of Washington, D. C.
     Mr. and Mrs. Frank Howard, a gold handled hat brush and two souvenir spoons of Sac City, Ia.
     Inez Fiegenbaum, a bon bon spoon.
     Anna Fiegenbaum, a linen table cover with fancy yellow border.
     John Otto and Mary Waggoner, a fine clock.
     Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery, a silver, gold lined cake basket.
     Mrs. Sophia Good, St. Paul, Minn., a bon bon spoon.
     They also received several pieces of gold money, amounting in all to several dollars.


Residence (family):

     The family moved to Minnesota in the autumn of 1859. They lived for about one year in Salem, Dakota County while Friedrich served a large circuit of five charges. A son was born here. The family was then in Saint Paul for about 2 years, associated with First Church there; another son was born. From about 1862 to 1864 the family lived in Woodbury, Washington County; a daughter was born here. Friedrich served a circuit consisting of six appointments, some of whom appear to have been in nearby Wisconsin.


Residence (family):

     It seems very likely that the family of Friedrich and Louisa Fiegenbaum lived in Polk County, Iowa from 1869 to at least 1880. A brief biography of Friedrich and Louisa's son, Adolph Heinrich, was published in 1880 as part of a selection of biographical sketches of residents of Crocker Township, Polk County, Iowa. The biography reported that Adolph had been a resident of the county since 1869. At the time, he would have been about 14 years old and it seems probable that he would have been living with his parents and siblings. This was certainly the case one year later when the family was enumerated in Ward 3 of Des Moines, Iowa, in the 1870 U.S census. The biography also reported that in 1880, Adolph was teaching in the local schools in addition to supervising the work on his father's farm near Ankeny, where Adolph lived.


Census (family):
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household in Ward 3 consisted of Frederick Fiegenbaum, age 39, born in Prussia, a U. S. citizen; Louisa Fiegenbaum, age 37, born in Prussia; Minnie Fiegenbaum, age 17, born in Illinois, attending school; Adolph Fiegenbaum, age 15, born in Indiana, attending school; Lydia Fiegenbaum, age 12, born in Illinois, attending school; Louis Fiegenbaum, age 10, born in Minnesota, attending school; Theodore Fiegenbaum, age 8, born in Minnesota, attending school; Emma Fiegenbaum, age 6, born in Minnesota, attending school; Benjamin Fiegenbaum, age 4, born in Iowa; Henry Fiegenbaum, age 2, born in Iowa; and William Fiegenbaum, age 6 months, born in Iowa in January 1870.

Residence (family):

     The Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, Missouri) reported that among the new appointments announced at a session of the West German Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at Higginsville, Missouri from 1-5 September 1892, Rev. Fred Fiegenbaum, of Lawrence, Kansas was to become the pastor of the church at Oregon, Missouri. The newspaper noted that he was the brother of "Revs. Henry and William Fiegenbaum, former pastors of the German church in this city."
     On 11 November of the same year, the newspaper reported that Rev. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum were playing host to a week long family reunion. For the first time in eight years all of their children were home at the same time.
     In September 1893, the Holt County Sentinel reported that Rev. F. Fiegenbaum had returned from the German M. E. conference, held at Enterprise, Kansas. He had been reappointed to the church at Oregon, Missouri. And, the church had been moved from the Lincoln, Nebraska, conference district to the Missouri conference district.
     A year later, the same newspaper reported that Rev. F. W. Fiegenbaum would remain at the Oregon, Missouri church for another year. It seems that the pastoral charge included the church at Nodaway, Andrew County, Missouri.

Census (family):
According to the 1900 U.S. census, the household in the West Ward consisted of Fred Fiegenbaum, head of household, born April 1830 in Germany, age 70, emigrated to USA in 1834 (resident of USA for 66 years), a naturalized citizen, married for 48 years; and Louisa Fiegenbaum, wife, born August 1833 in Germany, age 66, married for 48 years, mother of 10 children (9 of whom were still living).

Residence (family):

     According to an obituary for his brother, "Rev. William Fiegenbaum," published on 30 November 1906 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, the deceased was survived by his brother, "Rev. Fred W. Fiegenbaum of Wathena, Kansas...."

Census (family):
According to the 1910 enumeration, the household consisted of Frederich W. Fiegenbaum, head of household, age 80, born in Germany, immigrated to USA in 1834, married for 58 years, retired; and Louisa Fiegenbaum, wife, age 77, born in Germany, immigrated to USA in 1834, married for 58 years.

1. Fiegenbaum, Wilhelmine Christine Elizabeth was born 5 Jul 1853, Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, USA; died 10 Jul 1943, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA; was buried 13 Jul 1943, Ankeny, Polk County, Iowa, USA.
2. Fiegenbaum, Adolph Heinrich was born 7 Mar 1855, Cedar Lake, Lake County, Indiana, USA; died 18 Jun 1930, Washington, D.C., USA; was buried 20 Jun 1930, Washington, D.C., USA.
3. Fiegenbaum, Louis was born 6 Sep 1856, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA; died 12 Sep 1856, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA; was buried , Sherrill, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA.
4. Fiegenbaum, Lydia Maria was born 11 Oct 1857, Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois, USA; died 29 Mar 1923, Sac City, Sac County, Iowa, USA; was buried 1 Apr 1923, Sac City, Sac County, Iowa, USA.
5. Fiegenbaum, Louis Theodore Stephan was born 22 Oct 1859, Salem, Dakota County, Minnesota, USA; died 9 Jan 1919, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 12 Jan 1919, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA.
6. Fiegenbaum, Theodore Johann was born 9 Nov 1861, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA; died 19 Aug 1945, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 23 Aug 1945, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA.
7. Fiegenbaum, Emma Maria was born 16 Dec 1864, Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota, USA; died 26 Mar 1951, Wathena, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA; was buried , Wathena, Doniphan County, Kansas, USA.
8. Fiegenbaum, Benjamin Friedrich was born 7 Jan 1865, Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa, USA; died 20 Jan 1934, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA; was buried 23 Jan 1934, Eudora, Douglas County, Kansas, USA.
9. Fiegenbaum, Heinrich F. was born 10 Jan 1868, Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa, USA; died 6 Dec 1954, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 9 Dec 1954, Springfield, Sarpy County, Nebraska, USA.
10. Fiegenbaum, Wilhelm Edward was born 5 Jan 1870, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA; died 5 Jan 1955, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 7 Jan 1955, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 26 Dec 1793, Ladbergen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg
• Immigration: 1834, Missouri, USA
• Naturalization: 1838, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1850, Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa, USA

Notes:

Birth:
Adolph's date of birth in 1792 has been reported as both December 17 or 19.

Immigration:

     Adolph was about 40 years old when he emigrated from the Hohne section of Lengerich, in the Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia with his wife, Christine, age 37, and their first five children (ages 13 to less than 1 year). The family is reported to have disembarked at New Orleans, Louisiana in late June 1834 and to have traveled up the Mississippi, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri about 3 or 4 July. They appear to have settled initially in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri. They later moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Adolph, Christine and at least two sons still living at home settled near Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa.

Naturalization:

On 2 April 1838 in St. Charles County Circuit Court, Adolph Fiegenbaum, age 44, a native of Prussia and a resident of St. Charles County, declared his intention to become a citizen of the USA.

     I Adolphus Fiegenbaum do declare that I am a native of Ladbergen, Kingdom of Prussia, that I am about forty [sic] four years old; that I emigrated from Ladbergen that I there owed allegiance to King William III King of Prussia, that I am a Carpenter by profession, and that I am married to Cristina Peterjohan, and that I have six children, that I landed in New Orleans in June 1834 and that I intend to settle in the State of Missouri. I further declare that it is my bona fide intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce and abjure forever, all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State and Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to William III of Prussia.
               [Adolph's signature]
     Subscribed and sworn to in open Court, this 2nd day of April A.D. 1838.


Census:
The 1850 U.S. Census found the Fiegenbaums living in Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa. According to the enumeration, the household was composed of Adolph, age 57, a farmer; Christine, age 54; Frederick, age 21, a day laborer; and, Rudolph, age 14.

Buried:
Adolph was buried in Concord Cemetery at Garner, Iowa.

Died:
Adolph died at the home of his son-in-law, H. F. Wellemeyer, in Garner, Iowa, where he had been living for about the last year of his life.

     The following obituary appeared in Der Christliche Apologete, on 29 January 1877.

     Am 11. Januar 1877, des Abends um 10 Uhr, starb, alt und lebenssatt, aber selig im Herrn, Vater Adolph Fiegenbaum. Vater F. wurde geboren am 17. December 1792 in Kirchspiel Ladbergen, Regierungs=Bezirk Münster, Königreich Preußen. In 1832 kam er nach Amerika und ließ sich in St. Charles County, Mo., nieder; von dort zog er nach Warren County, Mo., woselbst er mit seiner Gattin nebst drei seiner Kinder unter der Arbeit Br. Zwahlen's erweckt und nach dem unter der Arbeit des selig entschlafenen Br. F. Horstmann gründlich zu Gott bekehrt wurde, und schloß sich auch daselbst der Kirche seiner Wahl an, der er treu blieb bis an's Ende. Die übringen drei seiner Kinder wurden schon früher in St. Louis, Mo., zu Gott bekehrt. Immer war Vater F. opferwillig, nie machte er Einwendungen, als der Herr einen seiner Söhne nach dem andern in's Predigtamt rief. Endlich kam auch die Reihe an den jüngsten Sohn, auf den der alte Vater sich stützen wollte in seinen alten Tagen; auch er sollte nun das elterliche Haus verlassen. Der Vorstehende Aelteste meinte: Nein, das geht nicht, daß ich den alten Leuten auch noch den entreiße! Doch der Vater war willig, auch diesen noch zu geben. O, welche Opferwilligkeit, ihr Väter!
     In den letzen drei Jahren hatte Vater F. viel zu leiden, indem er sich durch einen Fall derart verletzte, daß er hülflos war und behegt und gepflegt werden mußte wie ein Kind, welches auch gewissenhaft und mit Liebe geschah. Er trug alles mit Geduld und ergeben in den Willen Gottes, wissend, daß dieser Zeit Leiden der Herrlichkeit nicht werth sei, die an ihm geoffenbart werden sollte. Er sehnte sich, daheim zu sein bei seinem Herrn. "Ja," sagte er, "ich möchte nun gerne heim gehen, dann ich habe schon lange darauf gewartet." "O ja," sagte er dann wieder, "ich gehe auch bald heim." Sein jüngster Sohn sagte mehrere Tage vor seinem Ende zu ihm: "Vater, du gehst nun bald über den Jordan." "O," sagte er, "durch den Jordan bin ich schon dindurch." Wenn die Schmerzen groß waren, rief er dem Herrn um Hülfe an. Er hat auch geholfen und alle Leiden ein Ende gemacht.
          Nun ist es überwunden,
          Nur durch des Lammes Blut,
          Das in den schwersten Stunden
          Die größten Thaten thut. Hallelujah!
     Ja, er hat nun übermunden, was wir noch zu überwinden haben. Er ist nun daheim bei siener Gattin, die ihm vor etwa 5 Jahren voran ging in einer lebendigen Hoffnung des ewigen Lebens. Er hinterläßt vier Söhne, die alle auf Zions Mauern stehen und schon manche Seele den Weg zum Himmel zeigten. Nebst dem hinterläßt er zwei Töchter, wovon eine die Gattin des Br. Winter, gegenwärtig Preidiger in Springfield, Ill., und die andere, hierselbst wohnend, die Gattin von Br. Wellemeyer ist, in dessen Hause er starb, und die ihn auch hegte und pflegte bis an den Tod. Alle schauen ihm nach im Glauben und in der lebendigen Hoffnung des ewigen Lebens. Mögen sie Alle wieder vereinigt werden als eine "volle Familei," wo sein Scheiden mehr ist. Welche Freude wird das sein, wenn all mit der blutgewaschenen Schaar einstimmen in das: "Heil sei dem, der auf dem Stuhl sitzt, unserm Gott, und dem Lamm! Amen. Lob und Ehre, und Weisheit, und Dank, und Preis, und Kraft, und Stärke sei unserm Gott von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit! Amen."
     Garner, Iowa.          C. W. Henke

An English translation might read thus:

     On 11 January 1877 at 10 o'clock in the evening, Father Adolph Fiegenbaum died, aged and finished with life, but blessed by the Lord. Father Fiegenbaum was born 17 December 1792 in the parish of Ladbergen, in the administrative district of Münster, Kingdom of Prussia. He came to America in 1832 and settled in St. Charles County, Mo.; from there he moved to Warren County, Mo., where he, with his wife and three of his children, was inspired by the work of Brother Zwahlen and thereafter was thoroughly converted to God by the mission of the blessed, departed Brother F. Horstmann, and embraced the church of his choice to which he was faithful for the rest of his life. The other three of his children had already turned to God in St. Louis, Mo. Father F. was always self-sacrificing and never objected when the Lord called one after another of his sons to the ministry. Eventually it became the turn of the youngest son, on whom the aged father wished to depend in his waning days; he, too, was to leave the parental home. The presiding elder objected: It is not right that I should take him away from the old folks! But the father was willing to surrender this son as well. Oh, what selfless devotion, your ancestors had!
     In the last three years, Father F. suffered much from a fall in which he injured himself in such a way that he was helpless, requiring protection and care as if he were a child, which was done conscientiously and with love. He met it all with forbearance and surrendered to God's will, knowing that the suffering of this time would not be worth the glory that would be revealed to him. He longed to be home with his Lord. "Yes," he said, "I wish to go home; I have waited for it for a long time." "Oh, yes," he repeated, "I am going home soon." Several days before the end, his youngest son said to him: "Father, you are soon going over Jordan." "Oh," he said, "the Jordan is already behind me." When the pain was great, he cried out to the Lord for comfort. He came to his aid and brought the suffering to an end.
          Now is it vanquished,
          Through the Blood of the Lamb alone,
          Which in the darkest hours
          Accomplishes the greatest deeds. Hallelujah!
     Yes, he has now conquered what we must still overcome. He is now at home with his wife who 5 years earlier preceded him into the expectation of eternal life. He left four sons, all of whom stand on Zion's walls and have already shown many souls the road to heaven. He also left behind two daughters, one of whom is the wife of Brother Winter, the current pastor in Springfield, Ill., and the other, living here, is the wife of Brother Wellemeyer, in whose house he died and who also protected and nurtured him until his death. Everyone looks to him in faith and the expectation of life everlasting. May they all be reunited as a "complete family," where his parting is. What joy there will be when everyone joins their voices with the blood-washed flock: "Hail to Him, who sits on the Throne, our God, and to the Lamb! Amen. Praise and glory, and psalms, and thanks, and praise, and strength, and power to our God, for ever and ever! Amen."
     Garner, Iowa.          C. W. Henke

     The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Adolph Heinrich Fiegenbaum which she reported had appeared on 18 January 1877 in the Hancock Signal, of Garner, Iowa.

Died: at the residence of H. F. Wellemeyer, Garner, Hancock County, Iowa, in the evening of 11 January 1877, and the evening of his life -- tired of this world but happy in the Lord, Father Adolph Fiegenbaum, aged 84 years and 26 days. Father Fiegenbaum was born in Perish Ladbergen, Circuit of Muenster, Prussia on 17 December 1792. In 1832 he came to America and settled in St. Charles County, Missouri, and from there moved to Warren County in the same state, where with his wife and three of his children he was truly converted, under the ministration of Rev. Frank Horstmann, and at the same time joined the M.E. Church, of which he was a member to the end of his life. The other three children were converted in St. Louis. In 1850 he moved from Missouri to Louisa County, Iowa, where he resided until about a year ago when he came to Hancock County, Iowa, with the family of Mr. H. F. Wellemeyer. During this last three years Father Fiegenbaum had to suffer a great deal, from injuries received in a fall, rendering him helpless, so that he had to be handled like a child. He bore all of this with great patience and gave himself up to the will of God, knowing that the sufferings of the present are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed hereafter. He had a desire to go home, for he often said, "I would like to go home now, for I have waited long," and then would repeat, "I shall go home." He has now gone to meet his wife who went some five years ago to that better land "where sin and sorrow are no more." His four sons are all living, and are in the ministry; Rev. H. R. Fiegenbaum, at present located here in Hancock County, is the youngest of the four. There are two daughters, one the wife of Rev. Winter, Pastor of a church at Springfield, Illinois; where the father, Professor F. W. Winter, is Principal of the Garner School, the other, the wife of H. F. Wellemeyer of this place, at whose house he died. All hope to meet him again where parting is no more. May they all be united in that world to come, as a full family, to praise the Lord forever. F. W. Henke, Pastor.

Adolph married Peterjohann, Christine Elisabeth 25 Oct 1820, Ladbergen, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia. Christine (daughter of Peterjohann, Johann Hermann and Otterman, Anna Maria Elisabeth) was born Abt 1796, Lengerich, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia; died 17 Sep 1871, Colesburg, Delaware County, Iowa, USA; was buried 1871, Colesburg, Delaware County, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1834, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1850, Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa, USA
• Census: 1870, Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa, USA
• Burial: 1877, Garner, Hancock County, Iowa, USA

Notes:

Birth:
According to other researchers and secondary sources, Christine's date of birth occurred in 1795, 1796 or 1797. The place of birth has been identified as either Ladbergen or Lengerich, in Westphalia, Prussia. Further research is required to resolve this matter.

Immigration:

     Christine was about 37 years old when she emigrated from the Hohne section of Lengerich, in the Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia with her husband, Adolph, about age 40, and their first five children (ages 13 to less than 1 year). Christine's sister, Maria, also made the trip with them. The family is reported to have disembarked at New Orleans, Louisiana in late June 1834 and to have traveled up the Mississippi, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri about 3 or 4 July. They appear to have settled initially in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri. They later moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Adolph, Christine and at least two sons still living at home settled near Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa.

Census:
The 1840 U.S. Census enumerated 8 people living in the "A. Frigenbottom" household in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri.

Census:
The 1850 U.S. Census found the Fiegenbaums living in Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa. According to the enumeration, the household was composed of Adolph, age 57, a farmer; Christine, age 54; Frederick, age 21, a day laborer; and, Rudolph, age 14.

Census:
The 1870 U.S. Census recorded that Christine, age 73, keeping house, and Adolph Fiegenbaum, age 76, unemployed, were living in Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa.

Burial:
Upon her death in 1871, Christine was buried at Colesburg, Iowa. When Adolph, her husband, died in 1877 and was buried in Concord Cemetery at Garner, Iowa, Christine's body was moved to Concord Cemetery to lie beside his.

Died:
The month of her death has been reported as either January or September.

Notes:

Married:

     The record of Adolph and Christine's marriage in the archives of the evangelical church at Ladbergen identified Adolph as a Zimmermann (carpenter) living in the Wester Bauerschaft (district) of Ladbergen. After the marriage, Adolph and Christine lived in Lengerich, Christine's home town, where Adolph supplemented his skills as a carpenter by farming. Lieselotte Fiegenbaum, from her research on the family, has identified Adolph as a Heuerling or tenant farmer.
     Tenant farmers were low on the social scale in Ladbergen at the time. "They owned no land, and they lived in rented houses on larger farms. Every large or middle-sized farm in Ladbergen had one or more tenant houses (in German: Heuerhäuser) scattered over the farm. The highest number on any farm in Ladbergen was seven; two or three was common. Each tenant farm house had its own plot of 7 to 12 acres. The tenants rented the houses and plots for life. The tenant farmers were not the same as sharecroppers or rental farmers in the American sense. They had only a small plot to themselves, and they did not need to give any of the yield to the landowner. They were essentially renters of houses who paid for their dwellings with a small amount of cash and a specified number of days of labor. In the 19th century the tenants were typically relatives of the landowners, but this was decreasingly the case after the turn of the century."


Census (family):
The 1840 U.S. census enumerated eight people living in the "A. Frigenbottom" household in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri. The household consisted of: 5 males (2 at less than 5 years of age; 1 at 5 years to less than 10 years; 1 at 15 years to less than 20 years; 1 at 40 years to less than 50 years old) and 3 females (1 at less than 5 years of age; 1 at 10 years to less than 15 years; 1 at 40 to less than 50 years old).

Census (family):
The 1840 U.S. census enumerated eight people living in the "Rudolph Feigenbaum" household in Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri. The household consisted of: 5 males (1 at less than 5 years of age; 1 at 5 years to less than 10 years; 2 at 15 years to less than 20 years; 1 at 40 years to less than 50 years) and 3 females (1 at 5 years to less than 10 years of age; 1 at 10 years to less than 15 years; 1 at 40 years to less than 50 years).

Census (family):
According to the 1860 enumeration, the household consisted of "Adolph Feigenbaum," age 67, born in Germany, a farmer; "Christina Feigenbaum," age 63, born in Germany; "Rudolph Feigenbaum," age 23, born in Missouri, who was married within the year; and "Elisabeth Feigenbaum," age 23 or 26, born in Germany, who was married within the year. This last person was no doubt the former Elizabeth Ann Krümpel; she and Rudolph, youngest child of Adolph and Christine, had been married in January 1860.

Census (family):
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Adolph Fiegenbaum, age 76, born in Prussia, unemployed, a U.S. citizen; and Christena [sic] Fiegenbaum, age 73, keeping house.

Notes:

Birth:
This man's second given name is reported variously as Hendrik, Hedrich, Henrich and Heinrich. Alternative dates of birth are sometimes given as 9 February or 17 March 1764.

Died:
According to the church records in Ladbergen, Hermann died of water dropsy and was in need of a doctor.

Hermann married Horstmeier, Anna Christine Katharina 20 Nov 1785, Lienen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg. Anna was born 21 Oct 1759, Lienen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg; died 9 Jan 1830, Ladbergen, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Anna was born in Lienen (in the township of Holperdorp), a neighboring village to the east to Ladbergen.

Died:
Anna was 70 years, 2 months and 19 days old when she died.

Notes:

Married:

     The newly married couple lived in the Horstmeier Heuerhaus located in Bauerschaft Holperdorp, a section of the town of Lienen. Their first child was born there. It would appear that within a few years the family had moved. The couple's second child was born in the nearby village of Ladbergen. By 1800, the family had built a house at Ladbergen-Wester 21, located in the section of the village know as "In der Laake." Hermann died in this home in 1829 and Anna passed a year later. In 1840, the house was sold. It may be that some of the proceeds from this sale helped finance Johann Heinrich Fiegenbaum's family emigration to the USA in 1841.
     In addition to being a carpenter or house builder, Hermann Heinrich Fiegenbaum was a Heuerling or tenant farmer. Tenant farmers were low on the social scale in Ladbergen at the time. "They owned no land, and they lived in rented houses on larger farms. Every large or middle-sized farm in Ladbergen had one or more tenant houses (in German: Heuerhäuser) scattered over the farm. The highest number on any farm in Ladbergen was seven; two or three was common. Each tenant farm house had its own plot of 7 to 12 acres. The tenants rented the houses and plots for life. The tenant farmers were not the same as sharecroppers or rental farmers in the American sense. They had only a small plot to themselves, and they did not need to give any of the yield to the landowner. They were essentially renters of houses who paid for their dwellings with a small amount of cash and a specified number of days of labor. In the 19th century the tenants were typically relatives of the landowners, but this was decreasingly the case after the turn of the century."

Johann married Otterman, Anna Maria Elisabeth 29 May 1796, Ladbergen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg. Anna was born Abt 1774; died 17 Feb 1823, Ladbergen, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Ladbergen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg; farmer

Notes:

Occupation:
Johann and his family lived at Hölter 11. Hölter is one of the three 'Bauernshaften' in the village of Ladbergen. A 'Bauerschaft' is an ancient grouping of farms that emerged from the earliest agricultural settlements, and comprised the earliest administrative units of a community. Until the early 1960s, Ladbergen had three Bauernshaften: Hölter, Overbeck and Wester. These settlement areas are still recognized in present day Ladbergen. Recently, the residential sections of the village center have become known by street names and a fourth section of Ladbergen, called 'Dorf' [village] has been created. The number 11 would indicate that this was the 11th farm established in this Bauerschaft. In 1980, Hölter 11 was renamed Ostbeverner Damm 40 and is the home of Lieselotte (Freese) Fiegenbaum.

Johann married Grotholtmann, Catharina Elisabeth 14 Aug 1763, Ladbergen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg. Catharina (daughter of Grotholtmann, Johann Heinrich and Norendorff, Anna Margaretha) was born 11 Nov 1731, Ladbergen, Grafschaft Tecklenburg; died 19 Apr 1816, Ladbergen, Kingdom of Prussia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
From 1813 to 1816, in the closing days of the Napoleonic era, the village of Ladbergen was liberated from French occupation and was governed provisionally by the Kingdom of Prussia, until the formation of the Province of Westphalia.

Notes:

Married:

     At the time of their marriage, Johann was 24 years, 4 months and 11 days old; Catharina was 31 years 9 months and 3 days old.
     At the time of the births of each of their children, the father and mother were the following ages, respectively: Hermann Heinrich, 25 years, 4 days and 29 days & 32 years, 9 months and 21 days; Johann Henrich, 27 years and 8 months & 35 years and 22 days; Cord, 30 years, 10 months and 15 days & 38 years, 3 months and 7 days; Anna Elisabeth, 34 years, 2 months and 7 days & 41 years, 7 months and 9 days; Anna Elsabein, 38 years, 4 months and 13 days & 45 years, 9 months and 5 days.
     Lieselotte (Freese) Fiegenbaum, of Ladbergen, surmises that Catherina Elisabeth Grotholtmann was a sister to Anna Elsabein Grotholtmann (1746-1818), who married Hermann Wilhelm Fiegenbaum (1745-1813) on 5 August 1770.