Oellien, Anna Helena

Other Events:

• Immigration: May 1889, USA

Notes:

Birth:
At the time, Strückhausen was a town in the Wesermarsch region of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg (Großherzogtum Oldenburg). Today, the town is not far from the cities of Brake and Ovelgönne, in the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), in the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland).

Immigration:

     Sailing aboard the S.S. Rhein, Christian and his new wife, Anna, departed Bremen, Germany on 15 May 1889 and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on 30 May. On the passenger list, Christian was identified as a 25 year old merchant and Anna was 23 years old. They shared a single piece of baggage.
     Traveling by train, they arrived at Fairmont, Nebraska on 3 June and continued on to Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska where they located on a small farm southeast of Ohiowa owned by Christian's uncle, Henry Hopken, who had immigrated to Nebraska in 1868.
     According to the 1920 U.S. census, Anna Hopken immigrated to the USA in 1890. Based on other documents, it would appear that this date is in error. The 1920 enumeration also recorded that she had became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1911, the same year as her husband.
     In the 1930 U.S. census, the year of her immigration was recorded as 1889, the same as her husband's.


Buried:
The congregation was founded in 1887 as St. John's German Lutheran Church. The congregation changed its name in 1945 to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and ceased holding services in the German language. In 1954, the name changed again, to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Died:

     The following is a transcription of an obituary provided by Sandra Sue (Hopken) Miller.

          Death of Mrs. Hopken

     Mrs. Anna Helena Hopken was born July 24, 1867, at Struckhausen, Oldenburg, Germany, the daughter of Gerhart and Eliza, nee Hauvakam, Oellien. Her mother died when Anna was only nine months old. She later had a stepmother. In infancy she was baptized in the Lutheran church and was later confirmed in the same faith.
     April 23, 1889, she was united in marriage to Chris Hopken Sr. of Wittbeckersburg, Oldenburg, Germany. Having decided to make America their home, they journeyed the following month on their honeymoon to the United States, coming to Ohiowa, Neb., June [9?], 1889, and making their home with a great-uncle, Henry Hopken, on a farm near Ohiowa.
     Enduring many hardships, a few years later they started farming for themselves near Ohiowa, where they lived until 1903, when they purchased a farm a few miles north of Bruning. In February, they moved adjoining this farm to the new home they had built, the result of saving and hard labor. Their home was their pride and joy until their passing.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Hopken were born twelve children, seven daughters and five sons. Two daughters died. Bertha passed away in infancy and Frieda when she was ten years of age.
     April 23, 1939, Mrs. Hopken had the privilege of celebrating her golden wedding with her husband. The following year, on their fifty-first wedding anniversary, Mr. Hopken was called to his eternal home. Mrs. Hopken then carried on her farming with son Chris.
     Mrs. Hopken's friendly smile and cheery attitude were recognized by all who knew her. She was always happiest when among her children and their families and her friends.
     She was a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and attended services regularly until failing health deprived her of attending. She was a kind and loving mother and always taught her children what the dear Lord did was best and to leave everything in His hands.
     Her death came as a shock to the community, although she had been in failing health for a number of years. She was privileged to live an active life, her mind being alert up to her passing, which came suddenly at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, September 23, 1948, at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 30 days.
     She is survived by five sons and five daughters, Henry of Bruning, Louise (Mrs. Fred Schoeder) of Geneva, Chris, at home, John of Bruning, Ben of Martland, Anna (Mrs. Fred Heinrichs) of Carleton, William of St. Paul, Neb., Martha (Mrs. Verne DuBois) of Strang, Alma (Mrs. Herman Ohnesorge) of Strang, and Elsie (Mrs. Ernest Reinsch) who since her husband's death, with her sons, has made her home with Mrs. Hopken. Grandma took pride in doing all she could to help rear her grandsons. She also leaves twenty-four grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one brother living in Germany and a cousin, Mrs. Warner Tyson of Ohiowa, besides a host of friends who will all miss her.
     The funeral was held from the South Lutheran church near Ohiowa at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, September 26, the church being well filled with relatives and sorrowing friends. Rev. H. J. Diekhoff officiated. The choir sang "The Old Rugged Cross," "In the Garden" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." Her five sons and a son-in-law, Fred Schroeder, were pallbearers. Granddaughters and committee of Lutheran aid ladies were flower bearers. A deluge of beautiful flowers covered her grave in the South Lutheran church cemetery.

Who fed us from her gentle breast
  And hushed us in her arms to rest,
And on our cheek sweet kisses prest?
  When sleep forsook our open eyes
Who was it sang sweet lullabys
  And rocked us that we should not cry?
Who sat and watched our infant head
  When sleeping in our cradle bed
And tears of sweet affection shed?
  Who taught our infant lips to pray,
To love God's holy word and day,
  And walks in wisdom's pleasant way?
When pain and sickness made us cry,
  Who gazed upon our heavy eye -
And wept for fear that we should die?
  And can we ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
  Who wast so very kind to us?
Oh no, the thought I cannot bear,
  And if God please our life to spare
We hope we shall reward thy care
  When thou are feeble, old and gray
Our healthy arm shall be they stay,
  And we will smooth thy pains away.
And when we see thee hang thy head,
  'Twill be our turn to watch thy bed,
And tears of sweet afection [sic] shed -
  And say sweet peace our Dear Mother.

Anna married Hopken, Christian 23 Apr 1889, Strückhausen, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. Christian (son of Hopken, Johann Gerhard and Haferkamp, Margareta E.) was born 26 May 1864, Strückhausen, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg; died 23 Apr 1940, Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Census (family):
According to the 1910 enumeration, the household consisted of Christ Hopkin, a 46 year old farmer born in Germany; and his wife, Anna Hopkin, age 43, born in Germany. They were the parents of 10 children, all born in Nebraska and all still living; however only nine were recorded as living in the household: Henry Hopkin, age 20 and working on the farm; Christ Hopkin, age 17 and working on the farm; John Hopkin, age 15 and working on the farm; Benjamin Hopkin, age 13 and attending school within the last year; Anna Hopkin, age 11 and attending school within the last year; Willie Hopkin, age 9 and attending school within the last year; Martha Hopkin, age 5; Freda Hopkin, age 3; and Alma Hopkin, age 1.

Census (family):
According to the 1920 enumeration, the household consisted of Chris Hopken, Sr., head of household, a 56 year old farmer, born in Germany; his wife, Anna Hopken, age 52, born in Germany; and their four daughters: Anna Hopken, age 21 and single; Martha Hopken, age 15, single and attending school; Alma Hopken, age 11, single and attending school; and Elsie Hopken, age 8, single and attending school.

Census (family):
According to the 1930 enumeration, the household consisted of Chris Hopkins, age 65, born in Germany; his wife, Anna, age 63, born in Germany; and three of their children: Alma Hopkins, age 21 and single; Alsie Hopkins, age 18 and single; and Chris Hopken, Jr., a 37 year old farmer and single. Chris, Jr. was the only one who was listed with an occupation. The enumerator had some difficulties spelling the names of members of the household.

1. Hopken, Henry Garret was born 9 Dec 1889, Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 30 Aug 1957, Hebron, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA.
2. Hopken, Louise Gesina Anna was born 18 Jul 1891, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 20 Mar 1963, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
3. Hopken, Christ John William was born 4 Mar 1893, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 12 Oct 1962, Strang, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
4. Hopken, John George was born 30 Sep 1894, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 30 Oct 1962, Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA.
5. Hopken, Bernard Herman was born 24 Nov 1896, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 23 Feb 1976, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
6. Hopken, Anna Marie was born 2 Oct 1898, Nebraska, USA; died 4 Oct 1975; was buried , Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA.
7. Hopken, William Gustav Karl was born 20 Nov 1900, Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; died 8 Jul 1965, Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, USA; was buried 10 Jul 1965, Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
8. Hopken, Bertha was born 5 Jul 1903; died 5 Jul 1903; was buried , Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
9. Hopken, Martha Barbara was born 8 Jul 1904, Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA; died 16 Sep 1981, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
10. Hopken, Frieda Maria Johanna was born 21 Sep 1906, Nebraska, USA; died 19 Aug 1916; was buried 21 Aug 1916, Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.
11. Hopken, Alma Lina Caroline was born 30 Oct 1908, Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA; died 27 Oct 1957, Strang, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried , Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA.
12. Hopken, Elsie Tina Marguerite was born 25 May 1911, Bruning, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA; died 7 Feb 1999, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 10 Feb 1999, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA.

Gerhart married Hauvakam, Eliza. Eliza died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.