Parsells, Helen

Notes:

Birth:
Details of the birth are not known at this time.

Earle married Steinmetz, Emma Theodora 30 Jun 1903, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. Emma (daughter of Steinmetz, Johann Carl Conrad and Fiegenbaum, Caroline Katherine) was born 8 Aug 1883; died 20 Oct 1976. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: 1896, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA; bookkeeper

Notes:

Birth:
Johann Carl Conrad was the son of Benjamin Steinmetz. His mother's name is not known at this time.

Occupation:
According to obituaries in 1896 for his brother-in-law, Dr. George Adolph Fiegenbaum, J. C. Steinmetz was a bookkeeper. His employer was either the Turner-Frazer Mercantile Company or the Nave and McCord Mercantile Company, both of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Buried:
According to an obituary and his death certificate, John was to be buried in Ashland Cemetery.

Died:
The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for John C. Steinmetz which she reported had appeared on 29 November 1912 in the St. Joseph Gazette, of St. Joseph, Missouri.

John C. Steinmetz, 70 years old, died at his home 7121 North Fifth Street, yesterday afternoon after an illness of several months from a complication of diseases resulting from rheumatism. He was a native of Germany, having been born in Gravenstain, Hessen Cassel, 16 May 1842 and came to this country in 1863, settling in the east. Steinmetz came to St. Joseph in 1868 and with the exception of two years spent in Denver, has continually resided here. He was a bookkeeper for the past twenty-eight years for the Nave-McCord Mercantile Company. His wife, who was the daughter of the late Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, with six children, survive. Adolph H. Steinmetz, local superintendent for Bradstreet Commercial Agency, is a son, the other children are George of St. Joseph, four daughters Mrs. T. E. Arnhold, Mrs. O. H. Mills and Mrs. E. E. Weary all of St. Joseph and Mrs. Earl Parsells of Louisville, Kentucky. Funeral arrangements have not been definitely settled, but will probably be held Saturday afternoon from the home and St. Paul's M. E. Church. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.

According to the death certificate, John died at about 3:55 p.m. at 1121 North 5th Street from "ulceration of the duodenum."

Johann married Fiegenbaum, Caroline Katherine 30 Oct 1873, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. Caroline (daughter of Fiegenbaum, Heinrich Hermann and Kastenbudt, Clara Catherine) was born 31 Oct 1852, Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA; died 11 Sep 1932, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA; was buried 13 Sep 1932, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: May 1870, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
• Census: Jul 1870, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, a minister; Clara, age 47, at home; Mary, age 19, at home; Carri, age 17, at home; George, age 16, a clerk; Anna, age 13, at home; Minnie, age 11, at home; Legette, age 9, at home; Louis Deitch, age 26, a dry goods merchant; and Mike Connelly, age 22, a clerk.

Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, clergyman of the Methodist church, and a citizen of the USA; Clara, age 46, keeping house; Mary, age 20, blind; Carrie, age 17; George, age 15, in school; Anna, age 13, in school; Minnie, age 11, in school; and Lizzetta, age 8, in school.

Buried:
Caroline was buried in Ashland Cemetery.

Died:
Caroline died at 2703 Renick Street about 5:20 p.m. from acute nephritis. According to the information recorded on her death certificate, she had been a resident of St. Joseph for 56 years.

Notes:

Married:
The marriage may have taken place in Holt County, Missouri. Further research on this matter is required.

Residence (family):
In the Social Register of Saint Joseph, Missouri, published in 1903, "Mr. and Mrs. John C. Steinmetz" resided at 1121 N. Fifth. "Rev. Henry Fiegebaum", Mrs. Steinmetz's father, lived nearby at 1123 N. Fifth.

Benjamin married Keckel, Gertrude. Gertrude was born , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
The fact of a marriage has been assumed; details are not known at this time.

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1834, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
• Occupation: Between 1848 and 1889; Minister in the German Methodist church
• Census: Aug 1850, Mascoutah, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA
• Census: May 1870, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
• Census: Jul 1870, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA
• Census: Jun 1880, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
• Residence: Sep 1899, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
• Census: Jun 1900, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
• Residence: 1902–1903, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA

Notes:

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

Immigration:

     Heinrich was about 13 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 10 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 later moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Heinrich's parents and two of his brothers still living at home settled near Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa. By then, however, Heinrich was married and already engaged in his career with the German Methodist Episcopal Church.

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.

Occupation:

     The following autobiographical sketch was published in 1856 in the Experience of German Methodist Preachers, compiled by Adam Miller.

     Experience of H. Fiegenbaum

     I was born on the 18th of October, in the year 1820, in Westphalia, kingdom of Prussia, Germany. In the year 1833 our family migrated to America, and about midsummer my parents with five children landed in New Orleans. This was the year when the cholera raged with such violence, and scores fell victims to it every day. A gracious Providence preserved our lives, and we took steamboat for St. Louis, which we reached in nine days. We did not remain long in the city, but moved to the country, and settled seventy-five miles west of St. Louis, in St. Charles county, Missouri. Here we were in an entire wilderness, on which account no one grieved more than my mother, as she had been converted in Germany, and was now deprived of Church privileges and Christian associations.
     Here we lived five years without a church or preacher. "Alas, children," said mother frequently, "we will all be heathens yet." We children found a manner of life according to our wishes. Hunting, fishing, and roaming through the forests, was our employment whenever we found a leisure hour from our labors; but with all this our heavenly Father watched over us. We had a pious mother. The Sabbath day was not forgotten; for every Sunday we had to read our Bibles, and she made explanations to us of difficult passages.
     I was sorry that we were deprived of schooling, but finally the time came when we were supplied with a preacher. He came from Germany as a missionary to North America. This man was an evangelical Lutheran, and in accordance with the wishes of my parents, I went to him for instruction in the doctrines of the Church, and was confirmed. During the time I was receiving instruction I was awakened, and a few weeks afterward was converted, and felt myself one of the happiest beings on earth. But being left to myself, and not properly understanding the nature of the blessing that I had experienced, nor knowing how to retain it, I fell into a state of indifference and hardness of heart, which continued for five years. Yet God restrained me from outbreaking sins; and as I had, in my confirmation, renewed my baptismal vows and was now recognized as a communicant, I was appointed to an office in the Church; and thus I lived and labored within her pale, a backslider and a benighted sinner, till I was finally waked up through the preaching of Father Swahlen, who was the first German Methodist preacher we had ever seen. He made application to preach in our church, and received permission to do so; but when we found that he was a Methodist the door of the church was closed against him by my colleagues, the trustees. But as he made an appointment and could not get into the church, he took his stand by an old tree in front of it, and preached to the people. His word was not lost upon us: he visited us in our houses, and had he not been a Methodist he would have been received as an angel of God.
     I left this neighborhood and went to St. Louis, where I fell into bad company, and made rapid progress in a course of sin. Yet I still went to Church, sometimes to one and then another, till finally I was told that my sister, who also was now living in the city, had joined the Methodists. Through her I became acquainted with brother L. S. Jacoby, and brother Casper Jost, under whose preaching I was again awakened and converted.
     It was a hard matter to get my consent to be a Methodist, and still harder for me to go the altar of prayer. I was afraid that if I were converted among the Methodists at the altar of prayer I should have to shout; however, when the Lord granted me peace I forgot all this, and my Savior was my all, and in all.
     In my early youth I frequently had strong desires to do something for the cause of God; especially at times when my mother talked to me about Jesus and heaven. But this missionary spirit died in me when I came to America. However, at my confirmation, this feeling - a desire to do something for the cause of God - was waked up anew in my heart, but I could see no way open for me to do any thing.
     When I was converted in St. Louis, the impression again was strong on my mind that I ought to preach; and as I thought over this matter I became very much alarmed, for I now saw the responsibilities resting upon a minister of the Gospel, and the infinite value of an immortal soul. Although the impression was strong on my mind, I felt disposed to shrink from the task. After hesitating some time, and seriously reflecting on this subject, when the providence of God opened the way for me, I started in this great work.
     In the fall of 1847 I was received into the Illinois conference, and from that day to this I have endeavored to publish the word of the Lord. I thank God that I ever found the Methodist Church, and that she received me. In this Church I hope to remain till the Lord shall call me home.

     As a circuit preacher (Reiseprediger), resident pastor and presiding elder in the German Methodist church, Heinrich served during his long and active career in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
     The following biographical sketch appeared in Souvenir der West Deutschen Konferenz der Bischöflichen Methodistenkirche in 1906.

     "Heinrich Fiegenbaum, many years the Nestor of the West German Conference, was born on 16 October 1821 in Ladbergen, Westphalia.  He came to America with his parents in 1834.  He worked on the land and then as a carter in St. Louis.  Here he became acquainted with Methodism and in 1845, after a vigorous struggle for repentance, he achieved sanctifying faith.  He immediately joined the church.  In 1847, he entered into holy matrimony with Katharina Kastenbudt, who over 50 years shared joy and sorrow with him.  He joined the Rock River Conference as a probationary member in 1848; the Southwest German Conference in 1864; and the West German Conference in 1879.  He stood for 41 uninterrupted years in the active ranks and served the following congregations:  Mascoutah, Ill., 1848 to 1850; Muscatine, Iowa, 1850-52; Galena, Ill.,1852-54; Iowa District 1854-1860; Burlington District 1860-64; Pekin, Ill. 1864-1867; Quincy, Ill., 1867-70; St. Joseph District 1870 to 1872; Oregon, Mo., 1872-1875; St. Joseph District 1875-79; Missouri District 1879-83; St. Joseph, Mo., 1883-86; Sedalia, Mo., 1886-89.  In 1889 he entered into retirement, but in the following 15 years he preached well over 500 times.  For 20 of his 41 years of active service he was a presiding elder and was in this office, as in his pastorates, very successful.  He was a born leader, a popular and forceful preacher.  Without the privilege of a higher education, but through diligent study, robust common sense, and a rare power of observation, he cultivated an extraordinary oratorical gift.  In a joyous assembly, he was in his element.  His later years brought various infirmities, but he never lost his confidence.  'With Jesus alone' was his motto in the last days.  And thus on 13 January 1905 he entered into his well earned rest.  His wife had preceded him by a few years.  He was survived by four daughters who follow in his faith."

Census:
According to the 1850 enumeration, the household consisted of "H. H. Fiegenbaum," a 29 year old Methodist minister and "Catharine Fiegenbaum," age 26.

Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, a minister; Clara, age 47, at home; Mary, age 19, at home; Carri, age 17, at home; George, age 16, a clerk; Anna, age 13, at home; Minnie, age 11, at home; Legette, age 9, at home; Louis Deitch, age 26, a dry goods merchant; and Mike Connelly, age 22, a clerk.

Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, clergyman of the Methodist church, and a citizen of the USA; Clara, age 46, keeping house; Mary, age 20, blind; Carrie, age 17; George, age 15, in school; Anna, age 13, in school; Minnie, age 11, in school; and Lizzetta, age 8, in school.

Census:
According to the 1880 enumeration, the household, living on 4th Street, in St. Joseph, consisted of Henry Fiegenbaum, age 60, married, minister; Clara, age 56, wife, married, keeping house; Mary, age 29, daughter, single,at home; George, age 25, son, single, doctor; Annie, age 23, daughter, single, at home; Minnie, age 20, daughter, single, at home; and Lizzette, age 18, daughter, single, at home.

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 three brothers was "...Henry of St. Joseph, Missouri...."

Census:
According to the 1900 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry Fiegenbaum, age 78, head of household, widower, a minister; Anna Fiegenbaum, age 49, daughter, single; Julia Fiegenbaum, age 43, daughter, single, a clerk; and Henry Fiegenbaum, age 32, nephew, single, a salesman; and Mary Fiegenbaum, age 48, daughter, single.
     This enumeration appears to have listed Anna Maria Fiegenbaum, born 3 September 1850, as two separate people: Anna, age 49, and Mary, age 48.
     The Henry Fiegenbaum identified in the census as a nephew is probably Heinrich Fiegenbaum (1868-1954), son of Heinrich Wilhelm and Louisa (Otto) Fiegenbaum.


Residence:
In the Social Register of Saint Joseph, Missouri, published in 1903, "Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum" was listed as residing at 1123 N. Fifth. The family of one of his daughters, "Mr. and Mrs. John C. Steinmetz" and "Adolph H. Steinmetz" resided nearby at 1121 N. Fifth.

Buried:
The funeral was held at the German Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, Missouri on Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. Becker. Heinrich was buried at Ashland Cemetery.

Died:

     The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum which she reported had appeared on 14 January 1905 in the St. Joseph Gazette, of St. Joseph, Missouri.

"Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, a pioneer German Methodist Minister circuit rider of the central west, died at 2:30 yesterday afternoon at the age of 83 years at his home Fifth and Auguate Streets. He was born in Ladbergen, Prussia, 16 October 1821. He came with his parents to America in 1832, landing at New Orleans. Coming up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, the family stopped in St. Charles County, Missouri, where he spent his early life in clearing ground and farming. He lived in St. Charles County for several years but finally went to St. Louis to seek employment. While in St. Louis he was invited to attend a German Methodist revival. He was converted at the meeting and soon entered the ministry, spending the next twenty years of his life as a circuit rider, commencing in the late 40's. His first circuit went out from St. Louis and through central Illinois, returning back to St. Louis. After about eleven years spent preaching as a circuit rider in Illinois, he turned his attention to the west. He was married to Miss Clara Kastenbudt 11 April 1847. She died 2 September 1897. He moved his family to St. Joseph in 1870 at the close of his ministry east of St. Louis. His family has lived in and near St. Joseph since that time. For about eleven years after coming to this part of the state he traveled all through Kansas, Nebraska, western Missouri and Iowa, and as far west as Denver, in the interest of the German Methodist Church. As a result of his work in the west, after coming to St. Joseph, both as a circuit rider and as an organizer, the German Methodist Church became a conference in itself, he being its father. Many times his trips would keep him away from his family for two or three months at a time. He traveled from place to place while preaching a circuit either on horseback or using a canoe and snow shoes. Frequently in the winter time he was taken from one place to the next German settlement in a sleigh. Although he answered requests for English services, he devoted his entire ministerial life to the German Church and in his organizing the conference in this part of the central west he had to find the German settlements during the early days when this part of the country was thinly inhabited. He retired from active service in 1889. After the German Methodist Church became a conference and St. Joseph a district, the Rev. Mr. Fiegenbaum was presiding elder, which position he served for about twenty years. Up to the last ten years of his life he was sturdy, active and always working. Even during his retired years he was always ready to serve his church and was frequently called upon to assist in revivals. He was the first of four brothers, who came to America, to die. The others are ministers. He has two sisters, who married ministers, who are living. They are: Rev. F. Fiegenbaum of Wathena, Kansas, Rev. William Fiegenbaum of Edwardsville, Illinois, Rev. Rudolph Fiegenbaum of Connell, Washington, Mrs. K. Wellemeyer of Warrenton, Missouri and Mrs. William Winter of Kansas City. His brother, Rev. F. Fiegenbaum and sisters were at his bedside when he died. The funeral will be held from the German Methodist Episcopal Church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. Rev. G. Becker will have charge of the services. Burial will be at Ashland Cemetery. The Rev. Mr. Fiegenbaum's wife, Clara (Kastenbudt) died shortly after they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Surviving children are Mrs. C. J. Steinmetz, Miss Mary and Miss Anna Fiegenbaum of St. Joseph and Mrs. Thomas Curry of Oregon, Missouri."

     The following is a transcription of what appears to be a reprint of an obituary for Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum that had been published on 20 January 1905 in the Holt County Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri. The Holt County Sentinel was published by Henry Fiegenbaum's son-in-law, Thomas Curry.

          His Life's Work

     "Death," wrote Faber, "is an unsurveyed land, an unarrayed science. Poetry draws near death to hover over it for a moment and withdraw in terror. History knows it only as a universal fact, philosophy finds it only among the mystery of being, the one great mystery of being not. But we all rejoice in the fact that the light of our Christ hath penetrated this dark shadow, by his promise of 'whoso findeth me findeth life.'"
     Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, a pioneer German Methodist circuit rider of the central west and founder of the Western German M. E. conference, died at his home in St. Joseph, Mo., Friday morning, January 13, 1905, in the 84th year of his age. He was born in Ladbergen, Prussia, October 16, 1821, and came to America with his parents by the way of New Orleans, in 1832. The family came immediately to St. Charles county, Mo., where he spent his early life upon the farm. From here he went to St. Louis to seek employment, and while there he attended a German Methodist revival and was converted. At the same revival a Miss Clara Kastenbudt was converted and on April 11, 1847, she became the wife of Rev. Fiegenbaum.
     Shortly after his conversion he felt that he should enter the ministry, and at once began preparations to dedicate his life to the Master's cause, and in 1847 he was granted exhortor's license and the following year he was given the Okoe, Illinois, charge, until the annual meeting of conference, and his circuit afterward was extended and for several years he preached as a circuit rider in Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota, being in the Rock River conference and doing the pioneer work among the Germans in these various states. His home was in Galena, Ill., having charge of the Galena charge and for six years was presiding elder. During these eight years he traveled mostly by buggy and horseback, and was often in danger of his life from wild animals and Indians, which were plentiful in this sparsely settled country, but his zeal knew no limit, fearing neither weather, beasts or Indians, on he went, carrying the tidings of Salvation to his fellow-countrymen, who had come to America to build themselves homes in our land of liberty. From Galena he went to Wapello, Iowa, where he served as presiding elder for four years; then taking a three years' charge at Pekin, another three at Quincy brought him into the folds of the German conference, then known as the Southwest German conference. By this conference he was sent as presiding elder to the Missouri district, which extended over the western half of Missouri, all of Nebraska, all of Kansas and the west half of Iowa. After serving in this capacity two years, he took the charge at Oregon, Mo., where he worked successfully for three years, after which he again became presiding elder of the Missouri district, whose growth was so rapid as to form two large districts in themselves, and by the year 1878 he brought it before the Southwest conference at Warsaw, Illinois, Bishop Merrill, presiding. At that time there were but 37 ministers enrolled. Of these but ten are now in actual service, 12 are superannuated, and including Rev. Fiegenbaum, 11 have died. The conference included three presiding elders and 3,014 members. He lived to see the fruits of his early work extend until the conference to-day includes over 100 ministers, four presiding elders and 8,000 members. The original conference included the state of Iowa, but since has been transferred to St. Louis. The first session of the West conference was held in the old rock and brick church in St. Joseph, on the same site now occupied by the present German M. E. church. We here give Father Fiegenbaum's early fields of labor in his Savior's cause:
           1848-50, Mascoutah, Ill.
           1850-52, Muscatine, Iowa.
           1852-60, Galena, Ill., P. E.
           1860-64, Wapello, Iowa; P. E.
           1894-67, Pekin, Ill.
           1876-70, Quincy, Ill.
           1870-72, St. Joseph, Mo.,; P. E.
           1872-75, Oregon, Mo.
           1875-83, Presiding Elder, St. Joseph.
           1883-86, St. Joseph.
           1886-89, Sedalia.
     While in Sedalia his health failed him and he retired from active ministerial work and returned to St. Joseph, where he had made his home since 1870, and where he lived up to the time of his death - thus giving 42 consecutive years of labor in the ministry. In his early day labors for the church, his circuits covered large territory, which would keep him away from his family for two and three months at a time, and would travel from place to place on horseback or using canoe or show shoes, and frequently in the winter season would be taken from one German settlement to another in a sleigh.
     He began his ministry when but 27 years of age, and during all these years he gave his life in extending the cause of Christ and building up the church; and though enfeebled from age and physical infirmities, he was ever ready to do what he could for his people. His ambition through life was service for the Master, and np [sic] to the last several years he was sturdy, active, earnest - always working - always busy. Even during his retired years he was frequently called upon to assist in revivals.
     It is a remarkable co-incident in the history of this family - there were four brothers and two sisters - the brothers were all ministers and the sisters married ministers. Father Fiegenbaum is the first of the list to be called home by Him who gave him being.
     The brothers and sisters are Rev. William Fiegenbaum, Edwardsville, Illinois, aged 80 years; Mrs. Katharine Wellemeyer, Warrenton, Missouri, aged 77 years; Rev. F. W. Fiegenbaum, Wathena, Kansas, aged 74 years; Mrs. Mina Winter, Kansas City, Missouri, aged 71 years; Rev. Rudolph Fiegenbaum, Connell, Washington, aged 68 years. The combined ages of the family that are left, aggregate 370 years, something very remarkabse [sic], surely, in one family. His brother, Frederick W., and the two sisters and his surviving children were at his bedside when he died.
     On April 11th, 1847, Rev. Fiegenbaum and Miss Clara Kastenbudt were united in marriage in the city of St. Louis, and on Sunday, April 11th, 1897, in their home in St. Joseph, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The wedding was solemnized in the German M. E. church in that city, immediately following the regular service. Their golden wedding anniversary came on Palm Sunday, and although having reached the golden stepping stone, and true to their early faith, wended their way to the house of God, they found the church a bower of palms. At the close of the regular service, Rev. Harmes, pastor in charge, called the bridal party forward and seating them before the altar, delivered a touching and fitting address to them. Mrs. Dorothea Lahrman and Dr. Heinz, of St. Joseph, the only living witnesses of the marriage in 1847, were present on the occasion of the golden anniversary. Mother Feigenbaum [sic] died September 2, 1897, only a few months following their golden wedding anniversary.
     The surviving children are Mrs. J. C. Steinmetz, Misses Mary and Anna Fiegenbaum, of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Tom Curry, of Oregon. There are also 12 grand-children and three great-grand-children.
     The funeral was held from the German M. E. church in St. Joseph, on Monday afternoon, January 16, 1905, the services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. Becker, the interment being at Ashland cemetery.
     "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of the lord." -- Sentinel, Oregon, Mo., Jan. 20.

Heinrich married Kastenbudt, Clara Catherine 11 Apr 1847, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Clara was born 9 Dec 1823, Osnabrück, Kingdom of Hannover; died 2 Sep 1897, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA; was buried 4 Sep 1897, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1844, USA
• Census: Aug 1850, Mascoutah, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA
• Census: May 1870, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
• Census: Jul 1870, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA
• Census: Jun 1880, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Immigration:
According to accounts published later in her life, Clara Kastenbudt emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1844. She moved on to St. Louis, Missouri in 1846, where she joined the German Methodist Episcopal Church and met her future husband, Heinrich Hermann Fiegenbaum.

Census:
According to the 1850 enumeration, the household consisted of "H. H. Fiegenbaum," a 29 year old Methodist minister and "Catharine Fiegenbaum," age 26.

Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, a minister; Clara, age 47, at home; Mary, age 19, at home; Carri, age 17, at home; George, age 16, a clerk; Anna, age 13, at home; Minnie, age 11, at home; Legette, age 9, at home; Louis Deitch, age 26, a dry goods merchant; and Mike Connelly, age 22, a clerk.

Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, clergyman of the Methodist church, and a citizen of the USA; Clara, age 46, keeping house; Mary, age 20, blind; Carrie, age 17; George, age 15, in school; Anna, age 13, in school; Minnie, age 11, in school; and Lizzetta, age 8, in school.

Census:
According to the 1880 enumeration, the household, living on 4th Street, in St. Joseph, consisted of Henry Fiegenbaum, age 60, married, minister; Clara, age 56, wife, married, keeping house; Mary, age 29, daughter, single,at home; George, age 25, son, single, doctor; Annie, age 23, daughter, single, at home; Minnie, age 20, daughter, single, at home; and Lizzette, age 18, daughter, single, at home.

Buried:
Clara was buried in Ashland Cemetery.

Died:

     The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Mrs. Clara Fiegenbaum which she reported had appeared on 3 September 1897 in the St. Joseph Daily News, St. Joseph, Missouri.

"Mrs. Clara Fiegenbaum, wife of Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, a retired minister of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, died at eight o'clock last night at the family residence, 1123 North Fifth Street, of paralysis. The deceased was seventy-four years old and had been a resident of St. Joseph for thirty years. She was one of the most earnest workers in the church and was beloved by all who knew her. Misses Anna and Mary Fiegenbaum and Mrs. J. C. Steinmetz of this city, and Mrs. Thomas Curry of Oregon, Missouri are daughters of the deceased. The funeral services will be held at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the German M. E. Church, Third and Robidoux Streets."

     The following obituary was published in the The Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, Missouri) on Friday, 10 September 1897:

          A Well Rounded Life.

     One by one the pioneer mothers of Methodism are dropping out, and passing over the great river, to take their places in the ranks of those of an immortality, and we are called upon this week, to record the death of one of the grand old Methodist mothers: The spirit of "Mother Fiegenbaum, wife of Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, of the German M. E. church, burst its mortal fetters and went out to meet the Master, whom she loved so much to serve while on earth, and whom she had devotedly served for over half a century, at her home in St. Joseph on Thursday evening last, September 2, 1897, from paralysis, at the age of 74 years.
     She was a devoted Christian woman. She believed that Christianity presented the true philosophy of life - giving contentment of mind and peace within that this world cannot give nor take away. She was always to be found where duty called, whether it was by her husband's side in his great religious work or at some lonely hut in sweet charity's name. If she quitted her God at the altar, it was to find Him in her domestic duties. She did service as if it was a pleasure or privilege, accepting the thorns with the roses without a murmur. Indeed her life was a candle that wasted and burns itself up shining, so patient was she, so thoughtful, so forgiving, so charitable.
     Clara Kastenbudt was born in Osnabrueck, Hanover, Germany, December 9, 1823. In 1844 she came to America, first locating at Cincinnati. She then came to St. Louis in 1846, and that year she united with the German M. E. church, and it was here that she first met her now bereaved husband, and in this church, where these two were converted, the marriage ceremony was said, Sunday, April 11, 1847. With him, hand in hand, heart to heart, she shared the toils and privations, the joys and the sorrows, in the itinerant ministry, until a few years ago failing health made it necessary for her husband to retire from active ministerial work.
     Her religion was fundamental, and all her life grew out of it. She was probably a greater instrumentality in leading lost souls to Christ than we may be able to comprehend, and how much of her husband's great success during his effective service in the ministry was due to her strengthening and encouraging influence, only eternity will reveal.
     As a true wife and self-sacrificing Christian mother, "Mother" Fiegenbaum might be said to have been a model of perfection. It was the dearest wish of her heart to make her home what it should be, and in this she succeeded in a most admirable manner. Her hospitality was proverbial, and those who partook of it will remember her with the kindest of feelings. She was a true helpmeet to her now bereaved husband, who, in her death, he and surviving children loses one who was tenderness and love.
     She was a most obliging neighbor, and generous toward the needy - never did any one [sic] go away from her door hungry, any [sic] truly it may be said that she was a friend to all, and all were her friends.
     April 11th, of this year, 1897, their golden wedding was celebrated. Some anxiety had been expressed to see the aged pilgrims reach this milestone in their earthly career, which through the mercy of Him, who doeth all things well, was granted them.
     She leaves a husband and four daughters, Mrs. Carrie Steinmetz, Misses Mary and Anna, of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Mina Curry, of this city, to cherish the fond memory of one of the truest and noblest of wives and mothers.
     Funeral services were held from the German M. E. church in St. Joseph on Saturday, September 4, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Charles Harmes, assisted by Presiding Elder Tanner and Bishop Fitzgerald.
     The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the Ashland cemetery.

Notes:

Married:

     The following is a transcription of an article published in The Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, Missouri) on Friday, 16 April 1897.

          Half A Century.
          Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum and
          Wife Celebrate Their Golden
          Wedding in St. Joseph,
          Monday, April
          12, 1897.

          Were United in Marriage, April 11,
          1847 - Recipients of Many Hand-
          some Presents - Telegrams and
          Letters of Congratulations
          Received by the Score.

     This mile stone was reached by Rev. Henry and Mrs. Clara Fiegenbaum of St. Joseph, Mo., on last Sunday April 11th, 1897.
     Cards had been sent out, announcing the coming event with a reception on Monday, April 12, 1897, at their home, 1123 North 5th Street, St. Joseph, Mo.
     Sunday, April 11, 1847, found the bridal party in the house of God in St. Louis, Mo., and at the close of the sermon the minister, Rev. Casper Yost, called forward the young couple who wished to be joined in holy matrimony and then and there pronounced them husband and wife.

     [anniversary photo here]

     Last Sunday, April, 11, 1897, they had reached the Golden stepping stone, and true to their early faith, wended their way to the house of God. It being Palm Sunday, they found the church a bower of palms. At the close of the sermon, Rev. Charles Harmes, pastor in charge, called forward the bridal party, and seating them before the altar delivered a fitting address to them, and in connection read a poem written for the occasion [sic] by Rev. J. A. Reitz, of Junction City, Kansas, Mrs. Dorethia [sic] Lahrman, of St. Joseph, Mo., the only living guest and witness of the marriage in 1847, acting as one bride's maid and Mrs. Dorathea Balcke as the other bride's maid.
     After the wedding ceremony, the bridal party went to their home where a 5 o'clock dinner was served.
     Those present were Rev. F. Fiegenbaum and wife, of Oregon, Mo.; Dr. J. F. Heinz and wife, Dr. H. R. Riemer and wife, Rev. J. A. Mueller and wife, Rev. Chas. Harmes, Mrs. Rev. J. G. K[o?]st, Mrs. Rev. Geo. Schatz, Mrs. Rev. H. Lahrman and Mrs. Rev. F. Balcke, and Miss Eda Heinz, all of St. Joseph, Mo.; Tom Curry, wife, children, of Oregon, Mo.; J. C. Steinmetz and wife, Adolph, Clara, Nettie, Emma, Addie and George Steinmetz, Julia and May Neudorff, Misses Mary and Anna Fiegenbaum and Miss Lydia Gutknecht, of St. Joseph, Mo.
     As early as Thursday the letters of congratulations came rolling in, and by Wednesday, 100 letters and fifteen telegrams had been received. Donations from friends were numerous and expensive, and true to the Golden Standard of our country, the bridal couple received one dollar each for every year of connubial bliss. Rare coins, such as a $2½ gold piece, coined in 1847, and $1.00 gold pieces were found among the presents.
     It would be well to give a short sketch of the lives of this worthy couple.
     Henry Fiegenbaum was born in Ladbergen, Prussia, Oct. 16, 1820; came to America with his parents in 1832, by the way of New Orleans; thence up the Mississippi river to St. Charles county, Mo., and in 1845 to St. Louis, Mo.
     Mrs. Clara Fiegenbaum (nee) Kastenbudt, was born in Osnabruck, Hanover, Dec. 9, 1823, and came to America in 1844, first going to Cincinnatti [sic] and thence to St. Louis, where in 1846 she united with the German M. E. church, and it was then and there that these two hearts met and in the same church where each were converted and joined that the marriage ceremoney [sic] was performed, Sunday, April 11, 1847, that made them one for life - for better or for worse, and in looking back over the years, they cannot but say: Truly, the Lord has been good unto us.
     In 1847 Mr. Fiegenbaum received exhorter's license, and in 1848 was sent out to fill a charge at Okoe, Ill., until conference. He joined the Illinois conference and was sent on the Belleville circuit.
     1848 to 1850 they were stationed at Mascoutah, Ill.; 1850 to 1852, Muscatine, Iowa; 1852 to 1860 in Galena, Ill.; 1860 to 1864 in Wapello, Iowa, Presiding Elder; 1864-1867 in Pekin, Ill.; 1867 to 1870 in Quincy, Ill.; 1870 to 1872 in St. Joseph, Mo., Presiding Elder; 1872 to 1875 in Oregon, Mo.; 1875 to 1883 in St. Joseph, Mo., Presiding Elder; 1883 to 1886 in St. Joseph, Mo., as station minister; 1886 to 1889 in Sedalia, Mo., and finding his health failing him retired from active charge in the ministry and found a home in St. Joseph, Mo., from whence they celebrated their Golden wedding on last Sunday.
     "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint," - has been verified in the lives of these servants of God, and that they may spend the remainder of their lives in sweet communion with that Master and friend in whom they have trusted all these years, and that they may have a glorious golden sunset with a golden sunrise in the better world, is the wish of their many friends, both far and near.


Residence (family):
From 1850-1852 (in Muscatine) and again from 1854-1864, Heinrich served Methodist congregations in Iowa.