Neumann, Franke Julius

Franke married Diggle, Jane E. 1929. Jane was born 25 Sep 1906; died Jun 1986. [Group Sheet]

1. Neumann, Franke Julius

Other Events:

• Census: 1900, Wymore, Gage County, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Census:
According to the 1900 U.S. enumeration, Rowland [sic] W. Neumann, age 22, born in Illinois, single, and working as a store clerk, lived with his parents, Julius Neumann, a 51 year old merchant, and Amelia C. Neumann, age 44. Also in the home were six siblings: Clarice E. Neumann, age 19, single, working as a book keeper; Mohlon [sic] J. Neumann, age 17, single, in school; Gertrude L. Neumann, age 15, in school; Wilhelmina Neumann, age 13, in school; Cecil H. Neumann, age 8, in school; and Warren R. Neumann, age 4.

Rawland married Franke, Elsie 1903, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA. Elsie was born 29 Dec 1884; died 25 Jan 1940. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Residence (family):
According to a biographical sketch of his father published in 1918, Rawland was married and engaged in the laundry business.

Other Events:

• Education: Henry County, Illinois, USA
• Immigration: 1857, Henry County, Illinois, USA
• Occupation: From 1865; merchant
• Moved To: Mar 1882, Gage County, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Birth:
During the Napoleonic era, Langenlonsheim was part of former German territory on the left (west) bank of the Rhine River occupied and governed by the First French Empire in the Département du Rhin et Moselle. Following the Congress of Vienna (1815), the territory became part of the Kingdom of Prussia. Since 1969, the city has been part of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland).

Immigration:
Biographical sketches of Julius published in 1888 and 1918 reported that he had immigrated with his family in 1857. According to information recorded in the 1900 U. S. census, the date was 1859.

Occupation:

     According to a biographical sketch published in 1888, after Julius Neumann finished attending the public schools in Henry County, Illinois "...he worked on the farm with his father until seventeen years old, and then started in business for himself, establishing a hardware store at Bishop Hill, which he carried on successfully for a period of three years. Next he embarked in the dry-goods trade at San Jose, Ill., and since that time has been in this business, having now an experience of twenty years."

     "Julius Neumann, Mayor of Wymore, and engaged in general merchandising, besides having other important interests in the city, and whose portrait is herewith presented, is one of its most prominent and influential business men. Besides his proprietorship in the Wymore Rolling Mills, he owns the Neumann Block, a beautiful residence on Newton street, and other valuable city property. He holds the warranty deed to a fine farm of 160 acres in Pawnee County, and a whole section in this State and Kansas."

     "Mr. Neumann came to this county [Gage County, Nebraska] in the spring of 1882, and that same year put up a fine brick block on Niagara avenue. In partnership with A. E. Winter he conducted a successful business until the spring of 1888, then, desiring a rest, sold out. Among the men most largely engaged in those enterprises which have furnished an impetus to the business interests of the town, the subject of this sketch has occupied no unimportant position. He has been a member of the School Board most of the time since coming here, and holds the office of President, both of the Building and Loan Association and the Board of Trade. Of the Methodist Episcopal Church he has been a generous contributing member for years, also holding the office of Trustee, and serving on the Building Committee and in other positions where he could do effective work."

     No doubt the successful business mentioned in this account was the Neumann & Winter Mercantile Store located at Wymore, Nebraska. It seems probable that the A. E. Winter identified as Julius's partner was Adolph Edward Winter, first cousin of Julius's wife, Amelia Christine Wellemeyer. Adolph, the son of Wilhelm and Maria Wilhelmine (Fiegenbaum) Winter, was born in Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa in 1857 and in 1884 at Wymore, Nebraska he married Katherine Elma Jaynes. Maria Wilhelmine (Fiegenbaum) Winter was a sister to Christine Elisabeth (Fiegenbaum) Wellemeyer, Amelia's mother.
     At some later date, Julius founded the Julius Neumann Company at Wymore, Nebraska. This is probably the "business establishment" mentioned in a biographical sketch published in 1918:

"March 19, 1882, he came to Wymore, Gage county, Nebraska. Here he built a fine brick block, on Niagara avenue, and here he has been engaged successfully in business since that time. Seventeen years ago he erected his present business block, a two-story building with one hundred foot frontage, the main floor being occupied by his business establishment, in which is the largest stock of general merchandise in the city. The upper story is used as offices by professional men, besides providing headquarters for the local Masonic bodies."

     In addition to the retail dry-goods business, Julius operated a flour mill and built and operated the first creamery in Wymore. He also appears to have had extensive land holdings.

Died:
The date of death has also been reported as 29 March 1927.

Julius married Wellemeyer, Amelia Catherine 3 Jun 1874, Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa, USA. Amelia (daughter of Wellemeyer, Henry Frank and Fiegenbaum, Christine Elisabeth) was born 1 Sep 1854, Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa, USA; died 29 Mar 1930, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
The date of birth has also been reported as 1855.

Notes:

Married:
The wedding took place at the home of Amelia's parents.

Census (family):
According to the 1900 U.S. enumeration, the household consisted of Julius Neumann, head of household, age 51, born in Germany, a merchant; and his wife, Amelia C. Neumann, age 44, born in Iowa. They had been married for 26 years and were the parents of eight children, seven of whom were still living. The children living in the home were: Rowland [sic] W. Neumann, a 22 year old son, single, working as a clerk in a store; Clarice E. Neumann, a 19 year old daughter, single, working as a book keeper; Mohlon [sic] J. Neumann, a 17 year old son, single, in school; Gertrude L. Neumann, age 15, in school; Wilhelmina Neumann, age 13, in school; Cecil H. Neumann, age 8, in school; and Warren R. Neumann, age 4.

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1857, Henry County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Immigration:
Wilhelm and his family settled on a farm near Cambridge, Henry County, Illinois.

Wilhelm married Kehl, Catherine 15 Feb 1832, Meisenheim, Landgraviate of Hesse-Homburg. Catherine was born 18 Mar 1805, Meisenheim, Département de la Sarre, First French Empire; died 4 Aug 1880, Henry County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1857, Henry County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Birth:
Catherine's surname has been reported as either Kohl or Kehl. At the time of her birth, the town of Meisenheim was part of former German territory on the left (west) bank of the Rhine River occupied and governed by the First French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte. Since 1969, the city has been part of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland).

Notes:

Married:
According to biographical sketches of Julius Neumann published in 1888 and 1917, Wilhelm and Catherine married in Catherine's hometown of Meisenheim and settled shortly thereafter not far away in Langenlonsheim. They were the parents of twelve children (nine sons and three daughters); Julius was the eleventh child. Four of the sons (Frederick, Valentine, Charles and Jacob) served in Illinois military units during the U.S. Civil War.

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1845, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Birth:
It is reported that Henry was the second of four sons.

Died:

     Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts provided the following transcription of an obituary which she reports appeared on Wednesday, 16 August 1899 in the Garner Signal, of Garner, Iowa.

     Henry Frank Wellemeyer died at his home in Garner 12 August 1899 of dropsy, aged 76 years, 7 months and 27 days. Funeral services conducted by Revs. C. H. Priebe and W. F. Gleason, were held at his home Tuesday p.m., and his remains laid at rest in Concord Cemetery. Mr. Wellemeyer was born at Hanover, Germany 15 December 1822. He emigrated to the United States in 1845 and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. Here he married Miss Catherine Fiegenbaum, 22 August 1847 and moved to Warrentown [sic], Missouri where they resided for nearly three years. Mr. and Mrs. Wellemeyer could not reconcile the institution of slavery, which then prevailed in Missouri. With their love of personal liberty, they moved to Louisa County near Wapello, Iowa, where they resided until 1875. The rich and cheap lands of northern Iowa induced Mr. Wellemeyer to sell his Louisa County farm and buy several hundred acres of Hancock County prairie. On 4 December 1875 he moved with his family to this county and built their permanent home in Seymour's addition to Concord where they have since resided. Mr. Wellemeyer united with the German M. E. Church at St. Louis in 1845 and for more than 53 years he was an active and consistent Christian in word and deed. He was a public spirited citizen, always ready to contribute his work and mite for the public good. For about fourteen years he was one of the trustees of Concord Township and held the office until ill health compelled him to decline a re-election. During the time he was a trustee he had charge of the Concord Cemetery and his care and work made beautiful his last resting place. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wellemeyer, all of whom live to mourn his death, and seven were present at the funeral to pay the last sad rites to a loving father. His six sons, Frank, William, Fred, Edward, George and Charles acted as pall bearers, tenderly and lovingly laid his mortal remains in the grave. On 22 August 1896 Mr. and Mrs. Wellemeyer celebrated their golden wedding with their children, grandchildren and many friends present with happy greetings. An event which is given to but few in this life. For nearly twenty-three years the writer has been a neighbor and friend of the deceased and during all that time we never knew him to do an unworthy act or deed. He was honorable in all his business transactions and during his last illness he was patient and uncomplaining. It can truly be said that in his death a loving husband and father, a consistent Christian and a good citizen has passed from among us. W. H. Wellemeyer and his sister Mrs. J. Newman of Wymore, Nebraska and Mrs. Minnie Winter, a sister of Mrs. Wellemeyer were present at Mr. Wellemeyer's funeral. Two daughters, Mrs. L. Minden of Preston, Kansas and Mrs. Mary Addicks of Warrentown [sic], Missouri were unable to attend.

     Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts also provided the following appreciation of his grandfather written in 1954 or 1955 by Franz Arthur Wellemeyer.

     Henry and Catherine were married 21 August 1847 in the German Methodist Church at St. Louis, Missouri. Henry age 25 and Catherine age 20. They farmed for three years near St. Charles in Warren County, Missouri. Lisetta Matilda and Frank Henry were born here. The Mexican War was a short war. In order to raise an army of volunteers in a hurry for General Winfield Scott, the Congress of U. S. offered certain lands in Iowa, just west of the Mississippi River FREE, a farm to each volunteer who joined the army. There was a condition, that the farm be occupied. The war ended in 1848 and many of the soldier boys were eager to sell their right to the land. Adolph Fiegenbaum and Mr. Winter hustled up to Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa, 200 miles north of St. Louis on the river, and 'traded around' until they got ahold of some of this land at $3.50 per acre and less. In 1850 Henry and Catherine and two children took over one of these farms and moved to Wapello. That was raw prairie land, no buildings, no fences, they built a log house and were forced to live from the land. They put in a good garden, they had plenty of fuel from the forests along the river, and game was plenty for meat, and there were fish in the river. They had everything but money. Churches and schools were slow in getting started; Lisetta was 13 and Frank 12 when they finally started to school. They completed the six grades in about two winters. Henry and Catherine lived on the Wapello farm for twenty-five years. The first fifteen were successful years, and with the help of the children, the farm was built up and they were prosperous. Then came the Civil War, and after that the 'hard times' when the price of farm products dropped below cost of production. In about 1870 Adolph and Christine Fiegenbaum sold land near Wapello, retired, making their home with Catherine and Henry. The following year Christine died. In 1875 the Wellemeyer family sold their farm and Adolph went with them to the town of Garner, Hancock, Iowa. They built a comfortable home on a ten acre tract west edge of town. Henry started business with 16 year old Edward as a helper. Times were still hard, and our kind hearted grandparents granted a bit too freely, soon had too much money on the books, and being out of funds, sold out at a loss. I must add in fairness to Henry that experience in the lumber business was valuable to him. It made him sharper in his business dealings and no doubt was worth all it cost. He then bought eighty acres of land and rented two or more quarter sections of grassland, got back into farming again. Three of his sons were living at home, Edward, George and Charles. For about twenty years he farmed the eighty acres and ran a herd of cattle on the rented grassland, raised grain, fed steers every year, kept bulls and stallions for the convenience of neighboring farms, milked a string and was generally prosperous -- our grandpa was a farmer. He was born in Prussia Germany 15 December 1822, the second of four sons to Mathew Wellemeyer. The maiden name of his mother was Voestman. In Germany he completed his common school education, attended church with his parents, and became a member of the Lutheran Church by confirmation. He came from farm people. In Prussia every male was trained to be a soldier and served four years starting at the age of 20. At the age of 19 Henry sneaked out of Germany, alone, to avoid four years in the German Army. He came to New Orleans by ship, then by river boat he proceeded to St. Louis, Missouri, here he found employment in a boiler factory where he worked for maybe five years. The German police were looking for him, hence he did not write home until after he received his U. S. Citizen papers, after which he wrote home and refunded the passage money to his father. His height was 5' 8', stocky build, weight about 175. His hair was dark brown as was his beard, no tendency at all toward being bald. His eyes were hazel. At the time of his death, age 77, he had all of his natural teeth and they were sound except for one filling. He was a man of model habits, did not use tobacco, nor did he drink. He enjoyed his meals very much, but was a light eater, used to caution me not to eat fast and admonished me to always quit eating while it still tasted good. I marveled at the cleanliness of the man, his face was clean, his beard trimmed, his nails trimmed, his boots cleaned every night and frequently oiled. If a button came off his jacket he laid it aside, if his overalls were torn, he wore another pair. One day I mentioned to him that the pony which I rode herding the cattle was getting thin, while the 'mounts' which the other men rode into town were often slick and well groomed. "I am pleased, said Grandpa, that you noticed that, and if you will notice a little more, your horse too can have that well fed, well groomed look. The fellows with the nice horses seldom run them as fast as they will go." And he explained that people like horses would work and play in moderation and that horses should be kept well groomed and that men should keep their boots clean and their clothes in repair. If he were talking to us today (1955) no doubt he would say, drive your automobile at a moderate rate of speed, so that the machine will last longer and you will live longer. Henry Wellemeyer always carried a cane, not that he was lame, but every man who buys and sells cattle must have a cane. It seems that a cattleman cannot think clearly, or profoundly, unless he leans on a cane. Thus, the cane has become the symbol or the badge of all cattlemen. Grandfather would buy small lots of cattle at any time throughout the year, often from farmers who were short of feed. These purchased cattle varied greatly in quality. Some were poor, some were average, a few were very good. In the fall of the year other farmers would come to buy a bunch of 20 or more head for their feed lots, which granddad was glad to sell. Only the best of these purchased steers found their way into his feed lot. Grandfather would walk around among his fattening cattle, now and then he would stop -- lean on his cane -- deep in thought -- he was thinking, when and how we should change the ration to get the best gains and the nicest finish. And months later, when the cattle were finally shipped to Chicago, they would sometimes top the market. This means that he received the highest price per pound paid for fat cattle at Chicago that day. To top the market is perhaps as great an honor, and harder to achieve, than to graduate from a college with the award of 'Cum Laude thus you will understand how necessary and proper it was for grandfather to carry a cane. Henry was a member of the German Methodist Church and a member of the church board at Garner. I noticed that grandfather had trouble reading and writing by the light of the kerosene lamp, so I coaxed him to let me read the Des Moines Register to him, and write from his dictation. He and I discussed politics and other news items together. Among other things, I learned that the Republican Party was the best for farmers. (Ha ha) Grandpa said so. Grandfather was chairman of Concord Township Trustees and he planted the evergreen trees in the Concord Cemetery. He died 12 August 1899 age 77 years. The funeral service was held on the shady and spacious lawn at their residence, conducted by Rev. H. Rudolph Fiegenbaum. The family organ was placed on the front porch, hymn books were distributed and all joined in the singing. The service and the singing was in the German language. The obituary was read in English by the English Methodist Pastor.

Henry married Fiegenbaum, Christine Elisabeth 22 Aug 1847, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Christine (daughter of Fiegenbaum, Adolph Heinrich and Peterjohann, Christine Elisabeth) was born 25 Oct 1827, Lengerich, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia; died 1 Feb 1918, Warrenton, Warren County, Missouri, USA; was buried 5 Feb 1918, Garner, Hancock County, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 4 Nov 1827, 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
• Residence: Sep 1899, Garner, Hancock County, Iowa, USA
• Residence: Nov 1906, Warrenton, Warren County, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Birth:
She was born in Bauerschaft Hohne, a "township" of Lengerich.
     Family researchers in Germany have reported the given names as Christine Elisabeth and state that she was born on 25 October 1827. Various sources from the USA identify her as Catherine Elisabeth, born on 6 October 1827. Until this discrepancy can be resolved, I have chosen to use the information from Germany.

Baptism:
Christine Elisabeth was baptized in the evangelical church at Lengerich.

Immigration:

     Christine was about 7 years old when she emigrated from the Hohne section of Lengerich, in the Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia with her father, Adolph (age about 40), her 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, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri about 3 or 4 July. They appear to have settled initially in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri and a few years later moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Christine's parents and two brothers still living at home moved to Iowa and settled near Wapello in Louisa County, Iowa. By then, she was already married and also relocated with her husband to Louisa County, Iowa.

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

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

Residence:
An account of the 50th wedding anniversary of "Rev. and Mrs. William Fiegenbaum," celebrated on 27 September 1899 at Edwardsville, Illinois, noted that one of William's two sisters was "...Mrs. Katherine Wellemeyer of Garner, Iowa...."

Residence:

     According to an obituary for her brother, "Rev. William Fiegenbaum," published on 30 November 1906 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, the deceased was survived by his sister, "...Mrs. Wellemeyer of Warrenton, Missouri...."

Died:

     The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary which she reports appeared on Wednesday, 6 February 1918 in the Garner Signal, of Garner, Iowa.

     Catherine Elizabeth Wellemeyer, nee Fiegenbaum, was born 6 October 1827 in Kirchspiel, Lengerich, Province Westfalen, Prussia. In her sixth year, the family emigrated to America, and after some changes, settled near Warrentown [sic], Missouri. In August 1847 she married to Henry F. Wellemeyer and they began life on a farm near her old home. They soon moved to Wapello, Iowa, and there lived the life of pioneer farmers for twenty-five years. In 1875 the family moved again to Garner, Iowa, and lived here until the death of her husband in 1899. Shortly after this the old home was broken up and after visiting with several of her children, Mother Wellemeyer decided to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. George B. Addicks, at Warrentown [sic], Missouri. Here she lived and worked and waited for the call to rest. The welcome call came on last Friday, 1 February, at the home of her son, Charles L., with whom she spent the last few years of her life. Her death was due to no particular disease and when it came, it was rather like the falling asleep of a tired child, than the usual mode of the grim reaper. Of her ten children, three preceded her to the home beyond. One at birth, Frank H. and H. Fred after long lives of usefulness. Seven still live to mourn her loss: Lizette Minden of Meridan, Idaho, herself a grandmother of seventy years; Mrs. J. Neumann and W. H. Wellemeyer of Wymore, Nebraska; Mrs. George B. Addicks and Charles L. Wellemeyer of Warrentown [sic], Missouri; George L. of Harris, Iowa; and E. M. Wellemeyer at Garner. The funeral was held from the German M. E. Church, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gauger, and the interment took place in the city cemetery, where lie husband, father, mother, children, grandchildren and other relatives. May she rest in peace. Out of town relatives present were: W. H. Wellemeyer and Mrs. J. Neumann of Wymore, Nebraska; Charles Wellemeyer of Warrentown [sic], Missouri; George L. Wellemeyer of Harris, Iowa; Art Wellemeyer and two children of Klemme and Mrs. Ruch Melcher of Waverly.

     The following obituary was published in the Warrenton Banner (Warrenton, Missouri) on 8 February 1918. The college where funeral services were held was Central Wesleyan College, located in Warrenton. Grandmother Wellemeyer's son, Charles Louis Wellemeyer, was a professor of Greek and Latin at the college. While a resident of Warrenton, she had also lived with her daughter, Mary Wilhelmine Wellemeyer, wife of Rev. George B. Addicks, who had taught at the same college and been its president from 1895 until his death in 1910.

          Grandmother Wellemeyer Dead

     After a long illness Grandmother Catherine Wellemeyer died at the home of her son, Prof. Charles Wellemeyer, of College Heights, Friday, February l, at the advanced age of 89 years, 2 months and 25 days. The end came very peacefully Friday morning when she fell asleep, as it were, to awake on the beautiful shore beyond.
     Catherine Elizabeth Wellemeyer, nee Fiegenbaum, was born in Westfalen, Prussia, October 6, 1827, and came to America with her parents in 1834. With them she lived in the typical pioneer home in the wilds of the new world; first near Femme Osage, in St. Charles county, and later in the Hopewell vicinity, Warren county. At the latter place she spent her childhood and young girlhood days. While in St. Louis she came under the influence of the German Methodists; was converted, and joined the church when she was eighteen years old. In August, 1847, she was married to Henry F. Wellemeyer, and they established their home in the Steinhagen vicinity in this county. After several years they moved to Wapello, Iowa, where they resided for a quarter century. In the fall of 1875 they moved to Garner, Iowa, where they made their home until the death of her husband in 1899, two years after the celebration of their golden wedding. The death of her companion broke up the peaceful home of a half century, and after visiting with her sons and daughters for several years, Mother Wellemeyer established her home with her daughter, Mrs. Geo. B. Addicks, in Warrenton. After several years she made her home with her son, Prof. Charles L. Wellemeyer, and even though she had attained to an advanced age, looked after many of the duties of the household. During the past year she was almost helpless. It was then that Prof. Wellemeyer showed her the most kindly and careful attention and devotion, and there was no want that she ever had that was not supplied by him if it was possible. He cared for her, and entertained her in the sunset years of life in a manner that won the admiration of all who knew the conditions in their pleasant home.
     Mother Wellemeyer became the mother of ten children, one of whom died in infancy. Two sons, Rev. Frank H. Wellemeyer, and Henry F. Wellemeyer, also preceded the mother to eternity, each dying at about the age of 60, after long years of usefulness. The following children survive: Mrs. Geo. B. Addicks, and Prof. Charles L. Wellemeyer, Warrenton; Mrs. Lizette Minden, Meridian, Idaho; Mrs. Julius Neuman, Wymore, Neb.; William H. Wellemeyer, Wymore, Neb.; Edward M. Wellemeyer, Garner, Iowa, and George L. Wellemeyer, Harris, Iowa. Thus she saw all of her children, except one, grow to manhood and womanhood, and to years of usefulness. She survived all of her brothers and sisters, and most of the friends of her youth; full of years and honor, and beloved by all who knew her. After many years of usefulness, her spent body yielded to the continuous assaults of man's inveterate enemy, and her restless spirit returned to its rightful estate on the date mentioned.
     Funeral services were held at the College church Sunday afternoon, when the pastor, Rev. Lemkau, and President Kriege of the College, paid her fitting eulogies. The body was then sent to her old home at Garner, Iowa, for burial. Professor Wellemeyer accompanied the remains of his devoted mother to their final resting place.

     Franz Arthur Wellemeyer lived with his grandparents near Garner, Iowa for a few years, beginning in 1890 when he was 10 years old. In 1955, he penned this remembrance of his grandmother.

CATHERINE ELIZABETH FIEGENBAUM WELLEMEYER wife of Henry F. Wellemeyer.

     She was born Oct. 6th 1827, in Prussia Germany, the third and smallest of six children born to Adolph and Christine Fiegenbaum.
     In her sixth year, 1834, the family migrated to America, and settled in Warren County Missouri, where her father was a 'truck gardener', and later the Fiegenbaums moved to a farm near Wapello Iowa.
     Catherine was 64 years old when I first came to live with them, her hair was medium brown, straight and thin on top, with a braid rolled up in the back, her eyes were blue and well apart.
     She was 'Little but Active', had a tremendous capacity for getting work done, was eager, optomistic [sic] and enjoyed it all. She was strong mentally, a clear thinker, a leader, always knew exactly what she was doing and why. And folks just naturally follow a person who 'knows'. She inherited a talent from the Fiegenbaums, she could always remember what she knew at just the time she needed to know it.
     To say that she was religiously inclined is putting it mild, she was SPIRITUALY [sic] GIFTED - a sort of sixth sense - A spiritual power - She daily communed with her God in prayer. Maybe you could call it 'Using the Sub-conscious mind', some might call it a women's intuition. Whatever it was she had it in ABUNDANCE.
     Let me give you two illustrations:
     1st - In the fall of 1891, while I was living with them, Grandmother, one day, came into my bedroom at four o'clock in the morning, woke me up and said "I did not sleep well last night, thinking about my daughter Lisetta in Kansas, I feel they are in deep trouble, won't you hurry down to the depot and see if there is a telegram for me?"
     The depot opened early because of an early morning train, and there it was a telegram for Grandmother, and the message disclosed that Geo. E. Minden, Lisetta's husband, had been killed by lightning the previous afternoon.
     The above happening is true, and I still cannot believe that it was merely a coincident [sic]. Could it be that the sub-conscious minds of the mother and her daughter, somehow operated on the same wave length, so that when the daughter was deeply troubled it disturbed the mother? No doubt, someday, science will untangle the phenomenon of mental telepathy.
     2nd - Grandmother at Prayer Meeting:
     During the 20 weeks of the herding season, I did not get to church on Sunday, however, I was commanded to attend the Wednesday night prayer meeting at church, with the family. The Minister would lead the congregation in a song or two read scripture, then everybody knelt, while one after another of the 'laymen', led in prayer, mostly steriotyped [sic] stuff given in a monotone.
     But, when Grandmother 'let loose' in prayer that was different, she began low and slowly developed her 'word picture' then as her voice grew stronger, she would 'lay it on the line' for the sinner and plead with all of us to turn to the Lord, right now, while he could still be found. - She was never at a loss for the right word, and would cast an almost hypnotic spell over the audience. She was eloquent and passionate in her appeal, and beat any Evangelist or any pulpit man, that I ever heard in the 75 years of my life.
     I mention this as an illustration of her spiritual gifts. She would just sort of dip down into her sub-conscious mind and there it was.

A PIONEER DOCTOR -

     It was in 1870, that the Milwaukee Railroad extended its tracks from Clear Lake westward thru the state of Iowa. And as soon as the rails were laid as far west as Algona, they started running trains. The first Passenger Train to stop at Garner was in the fall of 1870.
     And then beginning in the spring of 1871, the little freight trains started bringing in emigrant cars, moving families, who were seeking new homes on the fertile lands of Hancock County Iowa.
     The Norwegion [sic] People settled at Forest City. The Bohemian People selected farms near Duncan. And the German People, wanting to live near other German speaking people, chose farms in Liberty Township, where they later built a German Methodist Church.
     Thus, in a brief time, maybe ten years, fifty new families moved onto farms in Liberty Township, and the Garner community was being settled at the same time.
     These new families were mostly young people, Some were Newly-weds, they built humble homes, some with dirt floors, They were in debt to the Money-Lenders.
     And then the most natural thing began to happen, into the homes of these happy and courageous young people, Babies were born - Many Babies - Gifts from the Gods.
     Thus, there was an immediate need for Doctors, but no licensed Physician opened up an office in Garner until many years later. And the entire first generation of these pioneer children were born without an M.D. in attendance.
     How did they manage?
     There were two women living in our community, who had the job of doctor forced onto them by popular demand. They were Mrs Joachim Schuldt, near Klemme, and Mrs Henry F. Wellemeyer, living in Garner Iowa.
     MRS JOACHIM SCHULDT, moved to Liberty Township, near Klemme in 1878, age 36, was the mother of several children. She had completed six years of nurse's training in Germany, this training together with natural ability, fitted her to serve as Doctor to the families of the Klemme Community, for a decade or more before a regular M.D. located here, she confined her practice strictly to 'Baby Cases' and the customary fee was five dollars.
     MRS HENRY F. WELLEMEYER, came to Garner Iowa in 1875,age 48. She was the mother of nine children, a clear thinker with natural ability. During her pioneer years at Wapello she gained experience, by doctoring her own children and those of her neighbors, thus, she was the logical choice of the pioneer families in the Garner area.
     As a true deciple [sic] of the 'Great Physician' she went about from home to home, doing good and healing the sick, both young and old, and took as her recompense, whatever the pioneer could pay. She was indeed a MOTHER to her people, and was affectionately called 'Mother Wellemeyer'.
     Her supplies came from a firm of Doctors in St. Louis Mo. with whom she was personaly [sic] acquainted, and thru them she obtained some medical books. She had an open mind and was willing to learn from anyone. She even visited the Winnebago Indians near Forest City, from whom she acquired various roots, herbs and barks, with which she experimented, using [sic] them on herself in small doses.
     Among the many items used by the Indians, I seem to remember just a few - Slipery [sic] Elm Bark - Oak bark - Sassafras leaves - Golden rod roots - Catnip leaves - Peneroyal [sic] leaves - Hops - Flax seed - Senna [sic] leaves - Bay leaves - Dill - Sun flower [sic] seeds - Bees wax and Honey- Tobacco- Sulphur etc. Mutton tallow was used as a base for salves( no vasoline [sic]).
     The DOG DAYS, July 20, to August 31, gave the pioneer families a ruff [sic] time. Often the housewife would assist with the field work such as haying and harvest, it was almost impossible to hire extra help, and besides they had no money.
     Thus, while everybody worked from sun to sun, there was little time left to do up the housework. Maybe it was time to wean the baby, and the older children would slip the young fellow a bottle of sour milk now and then. The next thing we knew, Mother Wellemeyer was called, the baby had summer complaint - many died.
     Now then said Mother Wellemeyer, bring up a healthy gentle cow, and stake her near the house. In the Road cart Mother Wellemeyer carried a sack full of new tin cups. She gave each child a tin cup, so that they could help themselves by milking a cup full of milk from the cow whenever they wished, its better for them than sour milk, and even better for them than water from our shallow wells. I'll wait right here while you fetch the cow.
     Reader please notice: She didn't say 'Better attend to this when you have time'. Heck no - the Little Doctor Lady said 'Go fetch that Cow', and everybody knew that she would stay right there until [sic] the cow appeared and was staked out in the yard, even if it took till domsday [sic].
     Then during 'DOG DAYS', the hams, shoulders, and side pork, Which had been prepared maybe in Feb. or March by pickeling [sic] and smoking, would begin to taste stale, and sometimes start to spoil a bit around the bone. If they kept on eating this partly spoiled meat, someone in the family would get very sick, usually [sic] the head of the house. Mother Wellemeyer then, had a case of 'Ptomain [sic] poison' to deal with. - These are wicked germs, and sometimes its either kill or cure in a matter of hours.
     Then she would order the spoiled meat thrown out, and sent someone to town to buy two or three lambs. You must eat mutton during all of the month of August. Kill and dress a lamb in the evening, next morning put the entire lamb in the oven and roast it, this will give you good eating for two or three days, and then the inter larding of the tallow in the mutton is cooling and healing to the bowels.
     She had advised the Live Stock Dealers in Garner to always have Lambs on hand in August, they were glad to cooperate.
     She was forever telling her patients about 'Hygenic [sic] Cooking' what to eat, what to raise in the garden etc. And told everybody to raise a few sheep every year, so that they could eat mutton in August. August she said, was the month for bowel trouble. Let the field work suffer if need be, the well being of your family should always come first.
     Our Grandfather, Henry F. Wellemeyer, was moderate in all things, but he worried about our Grandmother, she was working too hard, and he did everything he could to make things easier for her, at his insistance [sic] grandmother hired a girl to attend to the routine household duties, and he also hired a local wagon maker to build a two wheeled cart for her to use, all the iron work done by himself.
     Notice the high back of the seat, so that grandmother could sleep on the way home, good springs, wheels slightly taller than buggy wheels, quite a large box under the seat to hold her grip and equipment, blankets and slicker robe these were folded and placed on the seat. - a lantern to hang under the seat was provided. A young black hambletonian [sic] mare was trained to pull the cart.
     The drawing herewith, shows a cross section of the rig, it is not too good (My hand shakes) is not drawn to scale, but will give the readed [sic] some idea of the outfit.
     Grandfather sent a driver with Mother Wellemeyer on all night calls, her son Charles had been doing this, but in 1892 the job was turned over to me. I was 12, Charles was 22, and Mother Wellemeyer was 65, and had been serving the community as Doctor for 17 years - Her Job was heavy.
     She did so wish that an M.D. would locate in Garner. A Doctor Smith tried it, but he was a drunk and never got started. A Dr Schneider came, just out of college, no experience, Mother Wellemeyer had to train him to do the job, while he was a bright man. It took years to get him going.
     One evening as I brought in the herd from the grassland, Grandfather explained, that Mother Wellemeyer had been out on a 'Baby case' most of the day and was now taking a nap, with instructions to call her at exactly 7:30 PM. when I was to drive her 11 miles south west to a farm home where a man had broken a leg. - Grandfather had instructed the man who brought the call, to hang a lantern on the gate post to guide us, and that we would arrive at about 9:30 PM.
     For the first four miles we had a graded dirt road, then we turned off on a diagonal trail, which ran from one farm place to another for miles, making detours around the sloughs and keeping mostly to the higher ground, the farther we went, the fainter the trail, finaly [sic] we saw a gleam of light maybe two miles away. We were there at nine o'clock.
     The patient, a man of 40, lay on a couch too short for him, and in some pain, considerable swelling (not a good sign). The neighbors were anxious to help, brought a bed down from up stairs, set it up, boards were placed over the ropes which usually [sic] served as springs. Neighbor ladies tufted the 'husk tick', thus making a more solid mattress.
     My job was to bathe the patient with castile soap and warm soft water from the reservoir of the kitchen stove.
     Mother Wellemeyer was trying to determine the extent of the injury. The swelling made her job difficult. She would feel of the good leg and then of the bad. The break was between the knee and the ankle. The larger bone was broken off, and the smaller bone partly broken.
     The bones were worked into place, splints were put on to hold them there, his chect [sic] was bandaged where he had a cracked rib, and after considerable more fussing, the patient was comfortable and Mother Wellemeyer was done for the time being.
     We ate lunch shortly after mid-night and then started for home. Mother Wellemeyer wore a heavy coat and a shawl over her head, she leaned against me and went to sleep. The sky was overcast and it felt like rain, no moon, no stars, only the light of our lantern which hung under the cart.
     After driving for an hour, we came to a newly made haystack which I did not remember seeing on our way out. When I stopped the horse, Grandmother woke up. Where are we? she asked. We picked up the worng [sic] trial about a quarter of a mile back, and everything will be alright, go on back to sleep, I will tend to the driving. Nope, said Grandma, when a person is lost its best to stay put till morning, we can't even tell direction without the stars or the moon.
     Grandmother looked at the big watch, which she carried in her hand bag, it was two o'clock, she wound up her watch with a key (it was not a stem winder), rolled up in a nice wool blanket, lay down on the hay and went to sleep, she could always sleep any place and any where.
     While she slept, I put side curtains on the cart, got out the slicker robe, in case it should rain, rolled up in a horse blanket, lay down on the hay and rested. I did not sleep much because, after all this whole mixup [sic] was my mistake.
     I was up at four, it was clearing and day was beginning to break, and one could tell which was east. I got the horse and cart ready to go, Grandmother woke up, and we continued on our way, and Grandmother continued to sleep all the way home.
     I helped with the chores, and then it was 6:30 AM. time to take out the herd to the grassland.
     I have told this story with considerable detail, to show the responsibilty [sic] which fell on the shoulders of that 'Little Person' Mother Wellemeyer. There was no hospital to go to, and no other doctor to call. If the leg of this patient had been damaged beyond repair, Mother Wellemeyer was prepared to amputate right then and there.
     It was just two years later after their Golden Wedding that her husband, Henry F Wellemeyer, died August 1899 - age 77 years.
     Henry F. as head of the house was calm and kindly, he ordered Catherine his wife to take a short nap after each call, and to save argument, and 'please pa' she did just that, altho maybe she was not too tired.
     Henry and Catherine were a great pair, seemed to understand each other and make allowance for their difference in viewpoint.
     After the passing of her husband, Catherine, gradualy [sic] disposed of her property, broke up housekeeping and spent some time visiting with the families of her several children.
     She made more extended visits in the homes of two of her daughters, Amelia Neumann and Marie Addicks, however the last few years of her life were spent in the home of her youngest son, Charles L Wellemeyer, at Warrenton Missouri where she died Feb. 1st 1918, her age 91 years.
     She had been a widow for 19 years. Her two sons Frank H. and H. Fred. after long lives of usefulness had preceeded [sic] her, her grandchildren had become grown men and women.
     When a person reaches age 91, all of the friends of their Youth are dead and gone. And so it was with the pioneer families, whom Mother Wellemeyer had served as Family Physician, some were dead, others had moved away, and the few who were still living in the Garner area were old men and old women. And the hundreds of Babies which she helped welcome into the world, were grown and scattered widely.
     Thus, the remains of Mother Wellemeyer, were brought back to the church which she had helped build, to be buried by the grandchildren of her former friends, to lie beside her husband, in the shade of the evergreen trees, which he had planted in the Concord Cemetery near Garner Iowa.
     The modest gray casket, containing the light and frail body of 'Our Little Lady' was completely covered with a blanket of red roses, and was easily carried by six old men, pioneers of Liberty Township. (Two younger men carried the casket up the church aisle and placed in on the pedestals).
     Music by the church choir, all nice young people, but none of them had ever known Mother Wellemeyer.
     Rev. A. W. Gauger, the young pastor at Garner, conducted the service, a short very proper routine talk, but no eulogy. The two front seats held the relatives:
          The Ed. Wellemeyer family of Garner Iowa
          Wm. H. Wellemeyer and Mrs Julius Neumann of Wymore Nebr.
          Charles L. Wellemeyer of Warrenton Missouri
          George L. Wellemeyer of Harris Iowa
          Mrs Ruth Wellemeyer Melcher of Waverly Iowa.
          The Arthur Wellemeyer family of Klemme Iowa.
     A monument of Vermont Granite was erected in Concord Cemetery by Mother Wellemeyer shortly after the death of her husband. After her death, Mr and Mrs Julius Neumann, ordered her name added to the face of the stone.
     And as I write this in January 1955, the nine children of this couple have also passed on. And the grandchildren are old men and women, I a grandson am age 75.
     And, dear reader, this monument and its inscription, is all that you would ever know of Henry F. Wellemeyer and his wife Catherine Elizabeth Fiegenbaum, except for the foregoing pages of what I remember of them.
     It was a pleasure to write this story - Arthur Wellemeyer.

Notes:

Married:

     Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts provided the following transcription of an article which she reports appeared on 26 August 1897 in the Hancock County (Iowa) Democrat.

     Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Wellemeyer of this place celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage last Saturday, 21 August. A large number of relatives and friends graced the happy occasion showing their congratulations and good wishes together with more substantial tokens of their regard upon the worthy old couple. At about half-past four o'clock the guests were called in to partake of an old fashioned wedding dinner with their host and hostess. About ninety persons partook of the bounteous repast prepared. After dinner while the friends were gathered on the lawn around father and mother Wellemeyer, a short address was made by Rev. F. H. Wellemeyer, another by Mr. August Beinke of St. Louis, Missouri, which was followed by the reading of a short poem by C. L. Wellemeyer. After the short impromptu program the whole company led by the children again filed past the old people with hearty and heart felt congratulations. It was a very affective scene and one never to be forgotten. Tears flowed on every side, but they were tears of joy. When the invited guests had taken their departure, the children and grandchildren gathered in the pleasant sitting room and closed the day with songs and speeches and happy converse. All in all a most enjoyable occasion. Gifts were as follows: $50 in gold, Mr. and Mrs. Beinke; $50 in gold from the children; $2 in gold each from Rev. and Mrs. C. Schuler, Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Schneider and Mr. and Mrs. John Ulrich; $1 in gold each from Mr. and Mrs. Louis Able, Mr. and Mrs. A. Schneider, Rev. and Mrs. H. R. Fiegenbaum and Rev. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum. One dozen gold coffee spoons in a handsome case from Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Lauf; two gold tablespoons from Mr. and Mrs. H. Woestman; gold crescent pin from Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Gove; chased silver cup and saucer from Mr. and Mrs. William Schneider, two gilded china cups each from Mr. and Mrs. August Grunze and Rev. and Mrs. A. Haefner; one gold salad fork from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schroeder; bread plate from Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Wells and a dinner set in china and glass from the grandchildren.


Residence (family):

     According to a passage from an obituary for Heinrich Frederick Wellemeyer:

The rich and cheap lands of northern Iowa induced Mr. Wellemeyer to sell his Louisa County farm and buy several hundred acres of Hancock County prairie. On 4 December 1875 he moved with his family to this county and built their permanent home in Seymour's addition to Concord where they have since resided.