Curry, William R.

William married Welty, Ethel E.. Ethel was born 12 Feb 1881, New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, USA; died 24 May 1959, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA; was buried 26 May 1959, Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time. The memorial for Ethel E. (Welty) Curry at Find A Grave reports that she was also married to Charles Geiger.

Other Events:

• Moved To: Jul 1857, Holt County, Missouri, USA
• Occupation: Between 1872 and 1925; a printer and publisher
• Occupation: Between 1897 and 1907, Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, USA; the postmaster

Notes:

Occupation:
This biographical sketch was published in 1915 in History of Northwest Missouri, edited by Walter Williams.

     TOM CURRY. One of the oldest newspapers in Northwest Missouri is the Holt County Sentinel, which was established in 1865, and which has been publishing the news, carrying the local advertising, and doing an excellent service in boosting for the welfare of that county for nearly half a century.
     The proprietors are the firm of Dobyns & Curry, and the junior member, Tom Curry, is one of the veterans of Missouri journalism.
     A descendant of Revolutionary stock, Tom Curry was born in Plymouth County, Iowa, October 27, 1856, and has the distinction of being the first white child born in that county. His parents were James Barnes and Mary (Philbrick) Curry. James Barnes Curry was a grandson of Dr. Thomas Curry of Crawfordsville, Indiana, who in turn was a son of Hiram Mirick Curry, who was with General Washington at Valley Forge and a number of years later served also as a soldier in the War of 1812. Tom Curry through his mother is of Danish lineage, being descended from Providenze Montz, who emigrated to this country and settled in Beesontown, Virginia, during the Indian wars.
     Tom Curry was brought to Holt County, Missouri, in July 1857, and with the exception of a brief absence for experience on a metropolitan newspaper that county has been his home ever since. When seventeen years old he began learning the printer's trade as an apprentice on the Missouri Valley Times, when Hasness & Kaucher were its editors and publishers. He also was employed on the old Holt County Press. In 1883 Mr. Curry became a partner of D. P. Dobyns on the Holt County Sentinel, the firm name being changed to Dobyns & Curry the same year, and that title has now existed for more than thirty years. For ten years, from 1897 to 1907, Mr. Curry served as postmaster of Oregon.
     On February 18, 1885, Mr. Curry and Wilhelmina Fiegenbaum were united in marriage, and they have become the parents of two children: Will R. and Anna Helen, the latter now the wife of Johnson J. Rayhill of Milo, Missouri. Mrs. Curry is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Henry Fiegenbaum of St. Joseph, Missouri, her father having been a pioneer minister of the German M. E. Church.


Buried:
The funeral service was held at the Methodist Church. Burial was in Lot-225 First Addition (Thatcher) in Maple Grove Cemetery

Died:

The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Mr. Tom Curry which she reported had appeared on Friday, 20 November 1925, in the Missouri Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri.

The citizens of Oregon learned with much sorrow early on Wednesday morning, 18 November 1925, that Mr. Tom Curry, publisher of The Sentinel, had died about 3:45 o'clock that morning. While Mr. Curry had been in failing health for many years, and especially in most recent months, he had a most remarkable constitution, and remained active in business affairs up to the time of his death. He had been at the office the greater part of the preceding day, and about 8 o'clock that evening had gone to the office on a little business. He returned to his home after a few minutes and about 1:30 o'clock Wednesday morning became ill, and passed away while sitting in his chair, about 3:45 o'clock. Death was the result of heart trouble, from which he had been a patient sufferer for many years. It was indeed a shock to his good wife, who was alone with him at the time. For many years Mr. Curry had suffered from kidney trouble, but he possessed such a wonderful constitution that he carried on his business affairs. Since the death of the late D. P. Dobyns, which occurred 3 July 1924, Mr. Curry had been the sole proprietor of The Sentinel, and it was ever his ambition to maintain it as one of the leading weeklies of the state. Mr. Curry became associated with The Sentinel in August 1883, when he and Mr. Dobyns purchased the paper from W. W. Davenport, and this partnership continued until terminated by the death of Mr. Dobyns. For forty-two consecutive years Mr. Curry has been actively engaged in the production of The Sentinel, having had the management during most of these years, and as a result he had a wide acquaintance throughout Northwest Missouri, and in fact throughout the whole state. It is doubtful if any one man had a bigger acquaintance in the county than he, and he possessed the faculty of making friends of all with whom he came in contact. On 18 February 1885, Mr. Curry and Miss Wilhelmina Fiegenbaum were united in marriage, and during all these years Mrs. Curry has been a most valuable aid to him in his business affairs. Besides the widow, he is survived by one son, Will R. Curry of the Indianapolis, Indiana Star; and Mrs. J. J. Rayhill of Stanberry, Missouri; four grandchildren, and two brothers, Autumn Curry, cashier of the Zook & Roecker Bank in Oregon and Mont Curry of Kansas City. Mr. Curry was born in Plymouth County, Iowa 27 October 1856, being the first white child born in that county. When a child of but two years, his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Curry, removed to Oregon, where he attended our schools and when seventeen years of age began to learn the printing business, being an apprentice of the Missouri Valley Times, when Harness & Kaucher were editors and publishers. He also worked on the old Holt County Press, and a short time he spent in the employ of metropolitan papers, and in 1883 began his connection with The Sentinel. For ten years, 1897-1907, Mr. Curry served as postmaster of Oregon. Funeral services will be conducted from the Oregon M. E. Church, Friday afternoon, 20 November at 2 o'clock, with interment in Maple Grove Cemetery. A complete obituary will be published next week.

The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Mr. Tom Curry which she reported had appeared on Friday, 27 November 1925, in the Missouri Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri.

The funeral service for Tom Curry was held at the Methodist Church in Oregon on Friday afternoon, 20 November. The wonderful hold he had upon the affections of this community was evidenced by the numbers that came out to pay a last tribute to their friend and neighbor, and by the wealth of flowers piled up and about his casket. Every minister in the community participated in the services. Each in turn spoke of the warm sympathy and support he had received from him who had so long been connected with The Holt County Sentinel. Each one spoke of his great heart, his broad sympathies, his democratic fellowship and his ideal home life. The ministers participating in the service were: Rev. Kenneth R. Anderson of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. E. E. Sparks of the Methodist Church; Rev. G. W. Hawley of the Evangelical church; Rev. L. J. Hessel of the German Methodist Church and Rev. T. D. Roberts, a retired Presbyterian minister. Rev. James H. Thompson, pastor of the Methodist Church at Burlington Junction, and formerly pastor of the church in Oregon, delivered the funeral address. It was not a sermon. Out of the fullness of his heart Rev. Mr. Thompson spoke of his long association with Mr. Curry, of the deep and abiding friendship that had grown up between them, of Mr. Curry's contributions to the upbuilding of the community, and of his unselfish life. Rev. Thompson took for his text the story of David and Jonathan, quoting the passage where Jonathan takes leave of the departing David: "And Jonathan said unto David, Tomorrow is the new moon; and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. We shall meet often times, but the seat of this beloved brother will be empty," spoke the speaker, "but the influence of his kindly life, his example as a home builder and a home maker, his work as a member of this community, will live on to inspire others. The cold earth will soon hide his mortal remains from our view, but nothing can obscure our vision of him as memory recalls his every day life and work." It was indeed a message of comfort to the bereaved and a deserved tribute to the good man gone before. Miss Agnes Neudorff of St. Joseph, accompanied by Mrs. Fred P. Cook of Mound City, at the piano sang "Lead, Kindly Light," "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," her rich soprano voice, tender and subdued, thrilling the hearts of the mourning listeners. The active pallbearers were: Robert A. Jackson, W. H. Alkire, Charles W. Glenn, Leonard Botkin, D. B. Kinkel and Will L. Moore. The honorary pallbearers were: Dr. C. L. Evans, Henry C. Cook, Richard T. Dobyns, Morton Dobyns, L. R. Bagby of Craig, George A. Conway of Bigelow, T. C. Byrne of Omaha, Jesse C. Fitts of Kansas City, Will M. Maupin of Omaha, E. L. McDonald of St. Joseph, Ed R. Dobyns of Marceline and Fred Neudorff of St. Joseph. Of the honorary pallbearers six had learned the printer's trade under Mr. Curry's tutorship. At the cemetery the burial service was read, a brief prayer offered and the casket, garlanded with flowers, was lowered into the tomb. Thus were the last sad rites concluded, thus the tribute of tears paid to a neighbor and friend. Tom Curry was born in Plymouth County, Iowa 27 October 1856. While yet an infant, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Curry, moved to Oregon and here the baby grew to manhood, attended the public schools, learned the printer's trade, and for more than two score years was actively connected with the publication of The Holt County Sentinel. In 1883 he became associated with the late David P. Dobyns in the publication of this newspaper and that association continued until the death of Mr. Dobyns a little more than a year ago. For ten years, from 1897 to 1907, Tom Curry was postmaster at Oregon. Mr. Curry married Miss Wilhelmina Fiegenbaum at St. Joseph 18 February 1885. Two children were born to them, Anna, now Mrs. J. J. Rayhill and Will R. now employed on the Indianapolis, Indiana Star. These two, with the bereaved wife, survive him. Two brothers, Montz of Kansas City and Autumn of Oregon, also survive. Father and mother and two sisters, May and Emma, preceded him into the Great Beyond. Four granddaughters, daughters of Mrs. Rayhill, also mourn the death of a grandfather who idolized them.

Thomas married Fiegenbaum, Christina Wilhelmina 18 Feb 1885, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. Christina (daughter of Fiegenbaum, Heinrich Hermann and Kastenbudt, Clara Catherine) was born 30 Aug 1859, Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA; died 22 Nov 1929, Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, USA; was buried 24 Nov 1929, Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• 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:

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:
She was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Died:
The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Mrs. Mina F. Curry which she reported had appeared on Friday, 29 November 1929, in the Missouri Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri.

Mrs. Mina F. Curry, publisher of The Holt County Sentinel, died Friday 22 November 1929 at her home in Oregon, Missouri at the age of 70 years. Death came after an acute illness of about eight weeks, although she had been in failing health for several years. Mrs. Curry leaves to cherish her memory two children, William R. Curry of Oregon and Mrs. Anna Rayhill of Maryville; five grandchildren, Edna, Alice, Lois, JoAn and Helen Rayhill; three sisters, the Misses Mary and Anna Fiegenbaum and Mrs. Carrie Steinmetz of St. Joseph; nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the late home Sunday afternoon and burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery beside her husband, the late Tom Curry, who four years ago, on 18 November 1925, had preceded his wife in death. The Rev. T. E. Arnholt of St. Joseph had charge of the service and the body was carried to its last resting place by John Markt, Dan R. Kunkel, George Gelvin, John Scott, Earl Stephenson and Albert Seeman. Mrs. Gertrude Hinde paid tribute of beautiful song at the bier of her life-long friend and was accompanied by Flora Ann Bunker on the violin. There at the home on that beautiful winter afternoon which was last Sunday, amid the scenes she loved, her couch banked with a profusion of flowers that were her delight in life and in death mute testimony of the high esteem in which she was held, hosts of relatives and friends from Oregon and neighboring towns and other places more distant, gave their last token of respect to one whose life among them had won the love and respect of all. The final rites were simple and beautiful. The Rev. Mr. Arnholt preached no sermon. He talked beautifully and reverently of one he had loved, of one who often had been a welcome visitor in his home. Of one who lived a beautiful and devoted life and had gone on to well-earned rest, and the song by Mrs. Hinde completed the comforting and healing service. An obituary written by Miss Anna Fiegenbaum was read by Mr. Arnholdt. It follows: Mrs. Christina Wilhelmina Curry was born 30 August 1859 at Galena, Illinois, and passed away Friday, November 22, 1929 at her home in Oregon, Missouri, after an illness of eight weeks at the age of 70 years, one month and twenty-two days. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Henry and Clara Fiegenbaum, having been born and reared in a Methodist parsonage, she from earliest infancy was taught the way of life and as a girl of twelve she united with the church where her father was pastor of the little German Church of this city and in which she held her membership until the day the German M. E. Churches united with the English M. E. Churches, and being in poor health, had never placed her letter with any congregation, as she was away from home the greater part of her widowhood. She was married to Tom Curry, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Curry, 18 February 1885 at St. Joseph, Missouri. Coming directly to their home here in Oregon, where they resided until the departure of Mr. Curry which occurred 18 November 1925. To them were born a son, William R. Curry and a daughter, Anna Curry Rayhill. The son, taking up his father's work, made his home with his mother and for four years gave her the best, loving care any son could give his mother - nothing in his power was left undone. The daughter having married J. J. Rayhill, living at Maryville, came over as often as possible, bringing her family of five little girls to cheer and comfort the mother, and how the grandmother did love her babies. And with her passing leaves them the memory of a kind, loving, devoted mother and grandmother. Much of Mrs. Curry's life had been spent in Oregon. Living here as a girl, then leaving for a time, she returned as a bride and here she spent her married life. Here her children were born. Here her husband died and here was laid to rest. Mrs. Curry entered actively into every phase of life in the community. She was identified with the justly famous Woman's Union and a leader in the later but equally famous Chrysanthemum Society. Until the German M. E. Church was absorbed by the English branch, she was active in the local congregation. Also during the time her husband was postmaster, she helped in that office. It was in the home, however, that Mrs. Curry spent most lavishly of her great store of love. Home was her life and she was ever ready to share it with others or to go out to the assistance of those needing her help. She was self-denying almost to a fault. Ever ready to give of her strength to ease the way for others. During her husband's illness over a period of years she was a wonderful companion, uncomplainingly doing all she could for him. For many years it was Mr. and Mrs. Curry's custom to spend their winters in Texas. On one of these trips eight to ten years ago, she suffered an attack of ptomaine poisoning and the decline of her health marked from that time. Undaunted by illness she carried on until about eight weeks before her death. Mrs. Curry even then made a valiant fight to live, but to no purpose and the end came peacefully near the close of the day, Friday, November 22nd. No higher praise can be said of a woman than that she was a devoted and loving wife and mother, a wonderful neighbor and a useful citizen -- and that was Mrs. Curry.

Notes:

Married:
It appears that "Fr. Fiegenbaum" officiated at the marriage. This is probably Friedrich Wilhelm Fiegenbaum, Wilhelmina's uncle and a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Notes:

Birth:
A 1915 biographical sketch of his son, Thomas, noted that:

"James Barnes Curry was a grandson of Dr. Thomas Curry of Crawfordsville, Indiana, who in turn was a son of Hiram Mirick Curry, who was with General Washington at Valley Forge and a number of years later served also as a soldier in the War of 1812."


Buried:
He was buried in Oregon City Cemetery

James married Philbrick, Mary Ellen 15 Oct 1855, Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana, USA. Mary (daughter of Philbrick, Paul and Goldsberry, Charlotte) was born 24 Sep 1830, Licking County, Ohio, USA; died 4 Nov 1916, Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, USA; was buried 6 Nov 1916, Holt County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
A 1915 biographical sketch of her son reported that "Tom Curry through his mother is of Danish lineage, being descended from Providenze Montz, who emigrated to this country and settled in Beesontown, Virginia, during the Indian wars."

Buried:
According to her death certificate, Mary was buried in Maple Grove. This is presumably a cemetery in Oregon, Missouri.

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.

Paul married Goldsberry, Charlotte. Charlotte was born , Vermont, USA; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

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.