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•No Convriffht, 1978, mhis manuscriot, or tiortions thereof, nay
be reproduced,in whole or in Dart, by mimeosraDh or anv other means,
without the exDressed written oermission of John P. Schmal, but ulease
acknowledge credit to the author of the original manuscript. Not
written for use in Canada, East ^ermanv, Mexico, Union of South
Africa, or Denmark.
DEDICATION! to my grandparentst FRANK AND LENA THEIS, I dedicate
this manuscriot.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in oroduction to» Kenneth R. Batchelor, Richard
L. Kohr, Mrs, Julie Vossen, and Mrs. 3ernadette Sardine-.
TA3LE OF CONTENTS
Pages 1 - 3 Preface
Page 4 Notice to the Reader
^ages *x- 10 A Historical Background! The Early Celts
Pages 10 -14 The County of Luxembourg
p
a g e s 14-- 1 5 The Story of Mettendorf
Pages 1<-- 1 7 Prussian Administration
l a g e s 18- -24 The Theis Family History •% Acknowledgements-
The Ancestry of Nikolaus Theis
Page 10 Theis oedigree chart
Pages 24- -2< The Ancestry of Elizabeth Ewen
D The Ewen Pedigree Chart
age I >y
Pages 2*- -2« Surname Meanings
D - 2 0
ages 2R- ^he Familv in Eurooe
Pages 30- - - } Q Life in C-ermanv .
Pages 38- - 3 0 Instructions for how to read the family charts
"Pgrres kO-^1 (not numbered) The Descendants of Nikolaus Theis
and Elizabeth Ewen
Pag-es ^2-^2 (not numbered) The Descendants of Johann Schreifels
and Margaretha Muller.
Pages 83-84 The Problems in Prussia
Pages K4-8* The Emigration
D
aee 87 The Flight from Bollendorf
Pages 88-QO The First in America
Pages Q0-Q2 On to Minnesota
Pages Q3-97 (not numbered) The Descendants of Michael Ewen and
p
Susanna Sontag
ages 08-101 The Earliest Settlers
Pages 101-105 The Family of Peter Theis
Pages 10 5-109 The Jacob Schaefer Family
Pages 100-112 The Theis Familv Enters New Century
Pages 112-119 The Schreifels Family
Page 113 The Schreifels Pedigree Chart
Pages 114-115 The Ancestry of Johann Schreifels
Pages 120-12 5 (not numbered) The Descendants of Peter Theisen and
Margaret Reiter
Pages 12 5-132 The Theisen Family
Pages 12^-127 The Ancestry of the Theisen Family
Page 128 The Ancestry of the Reiter Family
Following Page 132—Corrections and Additions, and Footnotes,
Note* Please excuse the fact that their are numerous tyoo^raDhical
and grammatical errors in this manuscriot.
 THE FAMILY REC CRD...
"A Detailed History: The Flight of the Luxembourg Families
from the Middle Lands of Europe to North America"

featuring...
the ancestors and descendants of Nikolaus Theis
& Johann Schreifels of Stearns County,Minnesota.

PREFACE I
For nearly two thousand years, a certain cultural group
of peasant-farmers have tilled the fertile soil along the
Franco-Prussian border of Western Europe. Having endured
the ravages of one war after another, these people began to see
that,in the course of time, their survival could only be secured
by emigration to another land. Although these people, our ances-
tors, had been tied to the land for many centuries, the bond was
destroyed by the tremendous political upheavals of the Nineteenth
Century. However, inspite of their desire to leave a war-torn
land, the Theis, Schreifels and other family groups took a giant
step out in a most reluctant way, realizing that they would never
*„ again see the beautiful land from which theyrled.
The wives and children alike could not bear to say goodbye
even to the modest straw-thatched cottages which they had lived in
since their earliest memories, while the peaceful gentlemen took
one last walk through the scenic territory on the outskirts of town.

\
The Sturdy peasant could barely hold back his tears as he looked on
gazing one more time at his native countryside. He had grown up in
this region surrounded by lovely vineyards and awesome forests that
had flourished on the outskirts of each village for centuries. His
parents, and their parents before them, had lived and loved here, talked,
worked and slept here, all the time taking for granted that this tranqui
environment so full of beahtiful greenery would always belong to them.
Q/er and over again, the peasant pondered over his problems. There was
no doubt that sooner or later he would have to take his family and leave
this verdurous landscape to seek a better life for his descendants. But
now he thought to himself, "What will the future bring for my family and
for myself?"
Gie thing was certain. No longer could the desolate farmer with
his poverty-stricken family remain here. A great population explosion,
along with A serious droughts in recent decades and the repressive
actidns of the local authorities, had made life all too miserable.
Relatives and friends who had already gone to the United States w -
were writing letters to their loved ones in Germany. According to these
"advance parties", the immigrant from Luxembourg or the Rheinland would
be able to find work in the large American cities. Still others, however
had gone farther yet into America's Great Northwest and spoke with great
optomism of the fertile lands there.
However, it has never been easy for any human being to desert his
native land and journey to a new and mysterious continent. Arriving
in America would certainly pose a multitude of problems for the unskilt*
German farmer, speaking only in his native tongue. Although the immigr.
arrived in a land free of Prussian rule, the desolate German family, v-i
little money and no supplies, would at first be stranded inthe large
American cities along the Atlantic coast. Farmers they were; and farre
they would stay. So the idea of being left in New York was a thought t

2
could not cherish. Newly arrived in America, the German immigrant
was sure to meet with the vehement hostility of the native-born
American. Because of their ignorance of American life and their in-
ability, in most cases, to speak English, these Luxembourg/German
immigrants became easy prey for "runners" and "shoulder-hitters" who
stood in waiting at America's largest ports for the poor destitute
immigrant seeking a new life in the United States.
In this most vulnerable position, many hapless immigrants were
exploited and eventually reduced to the state of beggars. However in
the manuscript to be discussed b=Low,our ancestors managed to avoid such
embarrassing situations and quickly made their way to German-speaking or
Luxembourg-speaking communities that cropped up in the new state of
Minnesota, formerly a territory. This manuscript gives a detailed descri
tion of the Theis, Schreifels and related families that emigrated from t
Moselle-Rheinland and Luxembourg districts during the 1845-1865 period
to the promised fertile lands in the Great Northwest territories of the
United States. Situated as they had been, in an area of dispute betvea:
Germany and France, and drawing their cultural ideas from both sides,
the people in this area fled the constant wars that had been going on fc
many centuries between the neighboring principalities and the intervene
of the Great Powers who had used this small area in the middle as a
battleground. Their lives now unbearable due to Prussian conscriptior.
and French invasion over the past three centuries, the Theis and SchrefJ
families decided to move on to greener pastures and, most successfully,
they accomplished this feat. Through this study of theirearly history

their flight from Europe, and their building of a new life in America,vt
shall soon have a better understanding for their motives.
 NOTICE TO THE READER
As n o t e d a b o v e , t h i s m a n u s c r i p t w i l l f o c u s upon t h e l i v e s of
t h o s e p e r s o n s who e m i g r a t e d from t h e i r homeland i n t h e Middle Lands
of E u r o p e , p e o p l e of b o t h T e u t o n i c and C e l t i c e x t r a c t i o n , and of both
F r e n c h and German d e s c e n t , and i n p a r t i c u l a r , p e o p l e whose background
i s p l a c e d i n p r e s e n t - d a y Luxembourg.
But i n no way can t h i s m a n u s c r i p t be c o n s i d e r e d a finished
product. As a m a t t e r of f a c t , i t i s t h e a u t h o r ' s hope t h a t , in five, ten
or even twenty y e a r s , someone,perhaps myself, w i l l t r y t o r e v i s e this
narrative. A r e v i s i o n of t h i s f a m i l y h i s t o r y w i l l most c e r t a i n l y be
n e c e s s a r y w i t h i n a few y e a r s . But s u c h c o m p l e t i o n w i l l be made p o s s i b l e
o n l y by t h e c o o p e r a t i o n of a l l r e l a t i v e s . P l e a s e e x c u s e me i f names a r e
m i s s p e l l e d and i f d a t e s a r e w r o n g . Every a t t e m p t h a s been made t o produc
an a c c u r a t e a c c o u n t of o u r a n c e s t r a l h e r i t a g e g o i n g b a c k s e v e r a l g e n e r a -
tions. The f a m i l y i s c o n t i n u i n g t o grow and I would l i k e t o a s k t h a t al]
p e r s o n s of t h e T h e i s e n - S c h r e i f e l s - T h e i s and S c h a e f e r f a m i l i e s p l e a s e t a ' a
n o t e on i t e m s n o t s e e n i n t h i s f a m i l y h i s t o r y and send them t o me: J o h n
P a t r i c k Schmal, 615 Edgewood S t r e e t , Inglewood, C a l i f o r n i a 90302, o r t
Philomena T h e i s o f Cold S p r i n g . Any i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e b i r t h s ,
d e a t h s , o r m a r r i a g e d a t e s i s r e q u e s t e d f o r f u t u r e u s e i n a b o o k t h a t may
one day be p u b l i s h e d i n h a r d - b o u n d f o r m . A l l such s t a t i s t i c s w i l l h e l o
c r e a t e a " f u l l " family h i s t o r y . Nevertheless, with a l l d e t a i l s provided
so f a r , I hope t h a t t h i s can be a n e n j o y a b l e n a r r a t i v e f o r t h e r e a d e r .

M
 A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: THE EARLY CELTS
S i t u a t e d on t h e M o s e l l e R i v e r , s i x m i l e s from t h e boundary
of Luxembourg and 25 m i l e s n o r t h e a s t of t h e c i t y of Luxembourg, the
c i t y of T r i e r ( T r e v e s ) t o d a y l i e s i n t h o Rhine l a n d - P a l a t i n a t e ( R h e i n l a n d -
Pfalz) s t a t e of P r u s s i a i n West Germany, P r o b a b l y t h e o l d e s t German
city, it i s now t h e c e n t e r of a n o t a b l e w i n e - p r o d u c i n g d i s t r i c t . But,
T r i e r i s s u r r o u n d e d by a m u l t i t u d e of s m a l l v i l l a g e s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e
of B o l l e n d o r f , Nussbaum, M e t t e n d o r f , G i r s t , Rosport, Kruchten,
Lammersdorf and K r u c h t e n , t o name a few. From t h e s e c i t i e s came
many German/Luxembourg f a m i l i e s t o America, Among them were t h e
T h e i s , S c h r e i f e l s and T h e i s e n families.
Legend, g o i n g back s e v e r a l t h o u s a n d y e a r s , a s c r i b e s t h e found-
i n g of T r i e r t o t h e A s s y r i a n P r i n c e T r e b e t a , son of King Semiramis
of A s s y r i a . Legend goes on t o s a y t h a t T r i e r - was founded by P r i n c e
T r e b e t a i n t h e y e a r 2053 B.C. No o t h e r German c i t y i s a b l e t o c l a i m
Assyrian ancestry.
From 400 B . C . , t h e i n h a b i t a n t s of t h e a r e a were C e l t i c , The
t r i b e t h a t was known t o h a v e s e t t l e d h e r e was t h o T r e v e r i . These
a n c i e n t C e l t s had roamed a b o u t t h e a r e a f o r many c e n t u r i e s before
t h e a r r i v a l of t h e Roman s o l d i e r s , Thetrancient C e l t s were w e l l - k n o w n
for t h e i r h i g h - s p i r i t s . Famous f o r t h e i r w i t and f o r t h e i r love
of l i b e r t y , t h e y would r u s h i n t o b a t t l e a s i f i n t o s p o r t . The p e o p l e
had come from t h e a r e a of p r e s e n t - d a y s o u t h w e s t e r n Germany between
t h e u p p e r c o u r s e s of t h e R h i n e , Main and Danube r i v e r s . This Indo-
E u r o p e a n , o r A r y a n , s u b r a c e , s p r e a d a c r o s s much of Europe w i t h
u n u s u a l s p e e d , c a u s i n g g r e a t c o n c e r n t o t h e Roman Empire which was
j u s t coming of age.
 When we search for the modern Celts, we are able to find that
the remnants of the Celtic culture exist with the I r i s h , Welsh,
Highland Scots, and Bretons(of B r i t t a n y ) , In France, Germany, and
Spain, we find other t r a c e s of the Celt culture. The Romans had
called t h i s group of people the "long-haired Gauls" because they
did not shave t h e i r beards or cut t h e i r h a i r . The C e l t i c people
had,in fact, strong c u l t u r a l t i e s to the Germanic(or Teutonic)
tribes. But, in the centuries to come, they have intermingled
with many different peoples and are now regarded as a mixed people,
Tacitus said in the F i r s t Century, A.D,, that the "Germanen"
people in t h i s area were "Blue-eyed and defiant in t h e i r gaze.
They usually had reddish-blond h a i r and "finely developed" bodies,
but exerted themselves"only when attacking the enemy." They showed
"no love of d a i l y work and could not endure t h i r s t and heat".
But they could endure hunger and the raw climate,in which they
lived, with great f o r t i t u d e , ^
However, with time, the blood of the Celts was, as mentioned
above, mixed with other n a t i o n a l i t i e s , and one book comments as
follows:2
But, since Tacitus, the blood of the tribesmen of whom
he wrote has been mingling for centuries with that of
Slav and other neighbors from all quarters of the compass,
so that the Germans of today are as mixed and mongrel
n* -Has any other people.
While some of the Celts did have fair-hair and light skin,
many were darker in both complexion and the color of their hair.
They were taller on the whole than most of their neighbors, but not
as tall as the Norsemen Vikings. In 390 B.C., Gallic tribes had
crossed the Alps, sweeping down through Italy to sack and burn tho
great city of Rome, But, the Romans eventually drove them out.
 I

However brave and warlike they were, the Gauls proved to

be no match for the organized Roman armies. For this reason, tho
Romans were able to drive them farther and farther north and
completely out of Italy. The rampaging bands had actually
captured Rome in the year 387 B.C., but by 225 B.C., the Celtic
strength in or about Italy was nearly destroyed in a crushing de-
feat by the Romans at Telamon. After this many of the Celtic
Gauls settled down to a quiet life of agriculture in the Po Valley
and became peaceful citizens of the Roman Empire.

In the meantime, other Celtic tribes continued to roam

the area of present-day France and Germany still in opposition
to the rising power of the Roman Empire. When the Roman legions
of Julius Caesar conquered the land of the Celts in 58 B.C., the
Treveri, still occupying the area of Treves, were placed in
servitude," In 20 B.C., the Romans raised "Augusta Treverorum",
later called Trier, as the capital of the Roman province of
Belgica, It was at this point when a segregation arose between
the Celtic and Teutonic tribes. Due to Caeser's arbitrary decision
to divide Europe into the Gallic domain and the Germanic region,
no other part of present-day Germany ever came under Roman
occupation for an extended period of time. But, Trier, serving
as a Roman military base for expeditions eastward into German
territory, remained in Roman hands for more than four hundred
years.

The Celtic people of the area were slowly absorbed by both

German and Roman elements. Aside from the blood running in the
veins of the present-dayiinhabitants of Luxembourg and the Trier
 r e g i o n , t h e only c o n c r e t e evidence of C e l t i c o r i g i n can be found
in t h e names of brooks, mountains and r i v e r s , as w e l l as in the
surnames of some people.
For t h e e a r l y c e n t u r i e s , A.D., t h e Germanic t r i b e s were
c o n s t a n t l y h a r a s s i n g t h e conquered land. In t h o s e t i m e s , T r i e r ,
according t o h i s t o r i a n s , had n e a r l y 70,000 i n h a b i t a n t s . o In c o n t r a s t ,
the p o p u l a t i o n of T r i e r today i s l e s s t h a n one m i l l i o n . And in the
Seventeenth Century, T r i e r numbered only 3,600 p e r s o n s , exclusive
of C l e r g y ( 1 6 5 1 ) . 4
Beginning i n 200 A.D., a Germanic t r i b e c a l l e d t h e Franks
moved from t h e lower Rhine i n t o t h e Roman province of Gaul. In t h e
process of t h i s movement, t h e i r b r u t e f o r c e began t o e a t away at
the Roman Empire which now began t o show s i g n s of wea!aiess. The
Franks were d i v i d e d i n t o two branches. The S a l i a n s s e t t l e d in t h e
Low C o u n t r i e s on t h e lower Rhine, c l o s e t o t h o North Sea, while t h e
Ripuarians moved i n t o t h e area of T r i e r and Cologne on t h e middle
Rhine. The F r a n k s , along with t h e Alemanni, l e f t d e v a s t a t i o n i n
t h e i r path. The Alemanni(from whom t h e French d e r i v e t h e i r name
for Germans-Allemands) a l s o s e t t l e d i n t h e r e g i o n of T r i e r . In
260 A.D,, T r i e r had been destroyed by t h e Alemanni, o n l y t o be
r e b u i l t by t h e Romans so t h a t i t would s e r v e a s t h e r e s i d e n c e
of s e v e r a l Roman Emperors, i n c l u d i n g C o n s t a n t i n o , t h e G r e a t ,
V a l e n t i n i a n , and G r a t i a n .

F i n a l l y , i n 476, advancing hordes of Teutonic w a r r i o r s over-

whelmed t h e Roman Empire. The i n h a b i t a n t s of t h e Moselle region
became s u b o r d i n a t e t o a succession of F r a n k i s h Kings, f i r s t the
Merovingian d y n a s t y , and secondly, t h e C a r o l i n g i a n s . At t h i s time,
t h e Germanic people had l i t t l e or no conceot of t h e s t a t e as we
know i t in p r e s e n t - d a y t e r m s . The F r a n k ' s h i g h e s t duty was to the

CDSnVGEUS FAMILY WSTOWf CEttltB g

King of the Franks, not to the Kingdom of the Franks. Frankish
soldiers wont into battle only for the honor and dignity of their
leader. In due time, the Merovingians were put out of power by the
more ooDular Carolingian Mayor of the Palace. Cne of these officials,
Charles Marte1(715-741), had defeated the advancing Arabs near Poitiers
in 732 and had thus stopped Arab expansion into Europe. Pepin, the
Short(741-768), was to put the Merovingians out of power during his
reign as Mayor of the Palace. In 751, Pepin elected King of the
Franks. By this time, the inhabitants had become very dedicated to
the causes and ideals of Christianity. The Carolingian dynasty had
had the approval of the Roman Pope when they removed the Merovingian
dynasty from power. In fact, PeDin was responsible for the founding
of the Papal States in 7 56 when he had led a Frankish army into Italy
to defeat the Lombards, another Germanic tribe, Pepin seized from
them a large strip of territory in central Italy. By the Donation of
Peoin, he transferred this territory to the -Pope, creating the Papal
States.

Charlemagne, the greatest of Frankish Vcings(who ruled from 768°

to 814-)was the son of Pepin and turned out to be the greatest of all
Frankish kings. Having waged countless wars, he more than doubled
the size of tho Frankish kingdom. Conquering the Saxons, still anothe:
German tribe, he subsequently forced them to accept Christianity.
When the Lombards threatened Rome again, Charlemagne led an army into
Italy and defeated them. In 803, Charlemagne crowned himself the Iron
Crown of Lombard. Since the collapse of the Western Roman Emoire,
Charlemagne could boast the most powerful state in Europe, stretching
from Barcelona in Spain to the Elbe River of eastern Germany, and froa
Denmark southward to Rome. So, on Christmas Day, 800 A.D. Charlema gn
was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.
 However, t h e C a r o l i n g i a n Empire was s h o r t - l i v e d . Charlemagne,
o r C a r o l u s M a g n u s ( C h a r l e s t h e G r e a t ) , a s King of t h e F r a n k s and Emperor
of t h e Romans, was succeeded i n 814 A.D. by h i s s o n , L o u i s t h e P i o u s ,
The v a s t and s p r a w l i n g s t a t e which Charlemagne had c o n s t r u c t e d began-
a s l o w d i s i n t e g r a t i o n which e v e n t u a l l y led t o t h e c r e a t i o n of t h e
modern n a t i o n s of Germany and Franco.nnHdwevar j i t h e ' e m p i r e that
Charlemagne had r e v i v e d from t h e Roman dominion of e a r l i e r centuries
was t o l a s t i n one form o r a n o t h e r f o r a t h o u s a n d y e a r s .
But, wracked by t h e r i v a l r y of C h a r l e m a g n e ' s d e s c e n d a n t s , the
C a r o l i n g i a n d y n a s t y l o s t a g r e a t d e a l of i t s power. By t h e t r e a t y of
Verdun i n 843 A . D . , t h e g r e a t - e m p i r e of Charlemagne was d i v i d e d i n t o t h r e e
s e p a r a t e k i n g d o m s , t h i s due t o t h e d i s p u t e s between h i s t h e e g r a n d s o n s ,
C h a r l e s , L o t h a r and L o u i s , A f t e r t h i s p e r i o d , o t h e r d y n a s t i e s began t o
t a k e a p r e d o m i n a n t p o s i t i o n i n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of b o t h Germany and
France. B e g i n n i n g i n t h e y e a r 9 6 2 , Otto I of Germany became t h e Emperor
of t h e Holy Roman E m p i r e , a C h r i s t i a n s t a t e r u l i n g o v e r most of present-
day Germany, a s w e l l a s t h e N e t h e r l a n d s and p o r t i o n s of A u s t r i a and Italy.
Not u n t i l t h e T h i r t e e n t h C e n t u r y d i d t h e Holy Roman Empire a c t u a l l y lose
c o n t r o l of n o r t h e r n I t a l y and of Burgundy.

• THE COUNTY <F LUXEMBOURG

W h i l e s u c h Kingdoms a s F r a n c e and England managed t o consolidate
t h e i r powers o v e r t h e f e u d a l l o r d s t h a t r u l e d o v e r s m a l l g r a n t s of land,
t h e H o l y Roman E m p e r o r , i n t i m e , found t h a t t h e s m a l l p r i n c i p a l i t i e s with-
in t h e i r C h r i s t i a n Empire had become t o o p o w e r f u l , practicing a great
d e a l of s e l f - a u t o n o m y i n d e f i a n c e of t h o Emperor-.- Luxembourg, a l o n g w i t h
t h e o t h e r Low C o u n t r i e s ( B e l g i u m and t h e N e t h e r l a n d s ) , s o o n began t o
d i s p l a y a n o u t r a g e o u s and u n c o m p r o m i s i n g s e n s e of independence.

10
*
 In t h e Tenth Century A.D,, t h e c o u n t r i e s of Europe began t o
take shape. Among t h e s e n a t i o n s came about t h e land inhabited by
the people of Luxembourg. Originally called Lucilinburhuc("Littlo
C a s t l e " ) , i t remained only one of t h e hundred or more p r i n c i p a l i t i e s
of t h e Holy Roman Empire. However, Luxembourg, in t h e course of
s e v e r a l c e n t u r i e s , was t o r i s e t o prominense over i t s fellow d u c h i e s .
Qi A p r i l 12, 963, S i g e f r o i d , a noble descended from t h e House
of Ardennes, took c o n t r o l of t h e mighty rock a t Luxembourg. Having
taken c o n t r o l of t h e " L i t t l e C a s t l e " - L u c i l i n b u r h u c - S i g e f r o i d built
a smali.^kingdom t h a t surrounded t h e f o r t r e s s - c i t y of Luxembourg.
Adjacent t o t h e duchy of Luxembourg was t h e Archbishopric of T r i e r
(Treves). However, i t must be n o t e d , a s i l l u s t r a t e d on t h e following
page, t h a t Mettendorf and Bollendorf, t h e a n c e s t r a l homes of t h e
S c h r e i f e l s and Theis f a m i l i e s , r e s p e c t i v e l y , were undepsthesruieodf
Luxembourg d u r i n g tho Modioval P e r i o d .
The w a r l i k e counts of Luxembourg were f r e q u e n t l y a t war w i t h
the Archbishops of Treves in t h e i r many disputes about t h e customs
of t h e lands along t h e Mosollo and claims between t h e two t e r r i t o r i e s .
Che count of Luxembourg even made t h e bishop a p r i s o n e r and was
subsequently excommunicated by t h e Pope. But Luxembourg continued
to gain i n both importance and i n s i z e . And, f i n a l l y , i n 1309, Count
Henry IV of Luxembourg became Henry V I I , Holy Roman Emperor. I t was
Henry's grandson, Emperor C h a r l e s IV, who r a i s e d Luxembourg t o t h e rank
of a duchy. For a w h i l e , t h o r u l e r s of Luxembourg a l s o held o t h e r
t i t l e s , some of them as Kings of Bohemia and Hungary, Luxembourg
a t t a i n e d i t s g r e a t e s t expansion under t h e r u l e of Count Wenzeslas I
(1353-1383), t h e brother of C h a r l e s IV. But, from t h i s point on,
Luxembourg f e l l i n t o d e b t , was mortgaged and pawned,and t h u s passed
through t h e hands of many of t h o more powerful n a t i o n s of Europe.

11
 In 1443, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, conquered Luxembourg.
For the next four hundred years, the people of Luxembourg,ever aware
of their separate entity as a unique nationality, came under foreign
rule. As with the other Lowland countries,' the c people of Luxembourg I
maintained some identity of their past and -never gave up their individu-
ality to any of the occupying powers. From 1443 to 1477, the village of
Mettendorf itself belong- U£GE

ed t o Burgundy. Up u n t i l
1506, Luxembourg i t s e l f aiAKIClUsji

was a Burgundian p o s s e s -
sion. But, as e a r l y as
1477, Mettendorf had been
passed t o t h e p o s s e s s i o n
of t h e A u s t r i a n Hapsburgs
In 1555, t h e Spanish
Hapsburgs took c o n t r o l of
the small v i l l a g e of
Mettendorf,and now t h e
i n h a b i t a n t s found them-
selves under t h e r u l e of
THE THREE PARTITIONS OF LUXE/ABOURG *
the Spanish monarchs of ? * ? T c E D E D TO F R A N C E ^ g C E D E P T O PRUSSIA CEDED TO •BELGIUJA
V & X (TWATY
CTMATY OF IHE WttNEES 1 6 5 * ® OREAW OF VIENNA 18 CTKEATy OF LONDON CSV
*<£f
the I b e r ian p e n i n s u l a . 1^ to

Up u n t i l 1684,the Spanish remained i n firm c o n t r o l of t h e a r e a , u n t i l the

French monarch, Louis XIV, invaded t h e a r e a . From 1684 t o 1697, France
thus took c o n t r o l . B u t , a t t h i s t i m e , Hapsburg c o n t r o l was r e s t o r e d in t h e
area around Luxembourg, Even a f t e r t h e War of t h e Spanish Succession
(1701-1714), t h e a r e a surrounding Mettendorf was s t i l l under Hapsburg
rule. From 1714 t o 1794, t h e A u s t r i a n r u l e r s were i n firm c o n t r o l of
Luxembourg. And from 1794 t o 1815, Mettendorf, Bollendorf, Luxembourg,

12
 and many other v i l l a g e s in the region were under the r u l e of Emoeror
Napoleon I (Bonaparte), For many centuries the fate of Mettendorf and
the other v i l l a g e s was sad. During the Thirty Years' War(1618-1648),
Spanish,Austrian, Hessen, French, I t a l i a n , Dutch, and Swedish soldiers
were tcnown t o have crossed through t h i s t e r r i t o r y , leaving behind them
a desolate countryside. The invading armies had lived off the land as
they moved through the German s t a t e s in t h e i r m i l i t a r y campaigns, and
the end r e s u l t was evident. Towns and v i l l a g e s had been blotted out
while a g r i c u l t u r a l lands had now reverted t o wilderness area. Trade and
commerce were very nearly wiped out. Although no exact s t a t i s t i c s can
bo quoted, i t i s believed that nearly half of Germany's population was
wiped out as w e l l . For-centuries a f t e r the war, the scars of t h i s
h o r r i b l e experience remained. The face of the land had been a l t e r e d ,
and only a f t e r two centuries did the German people banago to erase the
v i s i b l e signs left by the Thirty Years' War,
Mettendorf, likewise, witnessed and suffered from the ravages
of war,as i s mentioned in Klaus Hamper's Chronik von Mettendorf:g

Das Luxemburger Land war im 16. Jahrhundert und spater

5 dor Kriogs-schauplatz fiir die Soldateska fast ganz
Europas: Spanier und Osterreicher, Hessen und Braunsch-
woiger, Franzosen und I t a l i e n e r , Wallonen und Hollander,
Kroaten und Schweden gaben sich h i o r ein Stolldichein.
Wer sich eine Vorstellung von der fnrchtbaren Not der
Bovolfcerung machen w i l l , muss wissen, dass die Truppen
damals nur im Sommer kampften und wahrend des Winters in
don Quartieren lagen.
From a t r a n s l a t i o n of t h e above n a r r a t i v e , i t i s obvious to
see t h a t t h i s area of the Rheinland-Pfalz/Luxembourg region became
a rendezvous p o i n t ( S t e l i d i c h e i n ) for many armies of Europe, And,
Mettendorf was not spared any of tho misery as noted in the expres-
sion, "eine Vorstellung von der furchtbaren Not der Bevolkeriing"—
"an introduction t o the f r i g h t f u l misery of tho people(who inhabited
the a r e a ) . " Alien armies used t h e i r land as both Summer and Winter
Quarters, adding even more t o t h e d i s t r e s s of the populace,
13
 With the-Thirty Years' War ended, the Moselle inhabitants
living in or about Mettendorf or Bollendorf despaired at their
situation. In a state of despondency already, they were not ready
for the next war. Using the words of Herr Hamper:6"Die Kriege
Ludwigs XIV.(1665-1695) und der Spanische Erbfolgekrieg(1701-14)
bringen neue Plagen uber unsere Heimat," Less than two decades
after the disastrous thirty Years' War, new misery was brought
to our nativo land(unsere Heimat). In 1689, King Louis XIV and his
French troops intervened in the Moselle during the War of the
Palatinate Succession. The French ravaged through the area, destroying
many of the archaic structures that had stood for centuries.as proof
of the Roman occupation. While Louis arranged for Vauban, his master-
builder, to erect a great fortress high on the mountainside near
Trarbach(thus commanding a great bend in the Moselle River), he
ordered such monuments as Speyer's Imperial Cathedral to be destroyed
and the whole town was laid in ashes.

Finally, tho peaco of Utrecht was signed in 1713 ending the War
of Spanish Succession, which had begun in 1701. At this time, the
Rheinlanders were freed from the French tyranny and came under Austrian
rule. Under the Austrian rule of Empress Maria Theresia, a time of peace
finally came to this shattered land.
THE ST CRY CF METTENDCRF
The fate of Mettendorf has always been closely tied to the
destiny of both Trior and Luxembourg. It has first been nentioned in
the year 1063 A.D. as "Metendorph" and was considered a Frankish
settlement. Mettendorf has undergone many changes in its name:
In 1222, it was known as Mettendorpht; in 1345, Mectindorf; 1360,
it was villa Metendorp; 1396, Mottindorf; 1451, Mettendoirff;
1563, Meittendorf, and finally in 1621, it is written as Mettendorf,
the name that it still carries today. Although the Church of

14
"Metendorph" was o r i g i n a l l y dedicated on November 1, 1063 by
Archbishop Ebarhard of T r i e r , the r e g i o n ' s p o l i t i c a l affiliation
with Luxembourg remain very strong. But Luxembourg and T r i e r both
were member s t a t e s of t h e Holy Raman Empire.
As one can see on the map(page 12), Mettendorf i s s i t u a t e d
southeast of the c i t y of Neuerbourg,and almost d i r e c t l y north of
Bollendorf. Nussbaum, t h e c i t y from which the Ewen family came,
•lies n e a r l y halfway between Mettendorf and Bollendorf. In 1659,
by t h e Treaty of Pyrenees, France had managed t o e x t r a c t a f a i r
amount of Luxembourg t e r r i t o r y . B u t , i t was not u n t i l 1815, t h a t
Mettendorf and Bollendorf were passed over to Prussian a d m i n i s t r a t i o n .
Tho French Revolution had commenced i n 1789, bringing about t h e
execution of t h e Bourbon King Louis XVI in 1792. From t h i s point on
France found herself a t war with most of Europe. -At war with t h e
Austrian Hapsburgs, F r a n c e ' s Revolutionary troops marched into t h e
Luxembourg area and, a f t e r a long s i e g e , took possession of the
Luxembourg f o r t r e s s . In tho years t o come, successful campaigns
against both the Prussian and Austrian forces c l e a r l y l e f t France
in possession of the former German lands west of the Rhine River.
Until 1815, the people living in the Rheinland region remained under
tho r u l e of Napoleon's French Empire. During t h i s oeriod, the^occupied
t e r r i t o r i e s were organized into seven departments ruled d i r e c t l y by
France, Tho reforms introduced by the French took deep roots in the
Rheinland as i t was obvious t h a t tho French administration was highly
competent and effective in i t s work. But the young male inhabitants
of the occdpied t e r r i t o r i e s were forced to serve in Napoleon's armies.
By the year of 1815, with the t i d e turning against Napoleon Bonaparte,
the local peasants rose in r e b e l l i o n , f i g h t i n g off the French s o l d i e r s
with cudgels and scythes.
15
 1
PRUSSIAN ADMINISTRATIS
With t h e end of t h e N a p o l e o n i c w a r s , t h e C o n g r e s s of V i e n n a ,
in 1815, d e c i d e d t h a t Luxembourg was t o r e g a i n h e r p r e c i o u s autonomy.
To d a t e , none of t h e n e i g h b o r i n g c o u n t r i e s had been a b l e t o assimilate
t h e Luxembourg p e o p l e . T h u s , i n s p i t o of s e v e r a l c e n t u r i e s of foreign
r u l e , t h e duchy of Luxembourg r e m a i n e d a d i s t i n c t p r i n c i p a l i t y in tho
European community. However, i n s p i t e of t h o f a v o r a b l e r u l i n g by t h e
C o n g r e s s of Vienna i n 1815, t h e p o r t i o n of t h o duchy from which t h o
T h e i s and S c h r e i f e l s f a m i l i e s came, met w i t h d i f f e r e n t circumstances.
As a l r e a d y i l l u s t r a t e d on t h e map on page 12, t h e f r o n t i e r s were r e -
a r r a n g e d i n s u c h a manner t h a t Luxembourg l o s t a good p o r t i o n of its
e a s t e r n d i s t r i c t t o P r u s s i a , t h o most powerful of t h e German s t a t e s .
As c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r t h i s l o s s , Luxembourg became a Grand D u c h y . i n 1815.
L i k e w i s e , i n 1839, a f t e r h a v i n g l o s t t h e w e s t e r n d i s t r i c t of its
territory, Luxembourg was r e c o g n i z e d by t h e Powers of Europe a s an
independent n a t i o n . However, e v e n a f t e r t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of indepen-
dence f o r Luxembourg, t h e s m a l l n a t i o n remained i n a v e r y precarious
position. S m a l l tho-ught t h e Grand Duchy w a s , Luxembourg s t i l l hold
ono of t h e m i g h t i e s t f o r t r e s s e s on t h e c o n t i n e n t of Europe.

F o r s e v e r a l c e n t u r i e s , t h e s t r o n g Kingdom of F r a n c e had for

i t s e a s t e r n n e i g h b o r t h e weak and i n e f f i c i e n t Holy Roman E m p i r e . But,
i n 1806, a f t e r a b o l i s h i n g t h o H o l y Roman E m p i r e , N a p o l e o n I B o n a p a r t e
had s e t up t h o C o n f e d e r a t i o n of t h e R h i n e . Although t h e Confederation
was s u b s e r v i e n t t o F r a n c o ' s d e s i g n s f o r t h o d o m i n a t i o n of E u r o p e , it
a l s o formed t h e b a s i s f o r a f u t u r e Germany t h a t would be u n i t e d under
one p o w e r f u l s t a t e . And t h a t p o w e r f u l s t a t e was P r u s s i a . I t was
F r e d e r i c k I I , known a s F r e d e r i c k t h e G r e a t , who had r u l e d from 1740
t o 1786 a s K i n g of P r u s s i a , and molded t h e German s t a t e of Brandenburg
i n t o t h e m i l i t a r y s t a t o tohich would s e r v e a s t h e f o u n d a t i o n upon which

16
Germany's Second Reich would be b u i l t . Although Germany had not y e t
been u n i t e d by t h e middle of t h e N i n e t e e n t h Century, t h e Kingdom of
P r u s s i a served a s a r b u l w a r k ^ a g a i n s t a n y : a g g r e s s i v e French d e s i g n s
a g a i n s t t h e German s t a t e s , e s p e c i a l l y t h e s e s i t u a t e d along t h e Rhine
River. As Emperor of France from 1852 t o 1870, Napoleon I I I became
concerned w i t h t h e i n c r e a s i n g power of P r u s s i a and s e c r e t l y arranged
t o t a k e p o s s e s s i o n of Luxembourg's f o r t r e s s as w e l l as German-ruled
d i s t r i c t s in the Moselle and Rheinland a r e a s ? ; B u t Otto von Bismarck,
the P r u s s i a n Prime M i n i s t e r and S e c r e t a r y of Foreign A f f a i r s , was
ready t o r e s i s t N a p o l e o n ' s a t t e m p t s with f o r c e . As a r e s u l t , the
p l e n i p o t e n t i a r i e s of A u s t r i a , Belgium, Great B r i t a i n , F r a n c e , P r u s s i a ,
and Russia met 3n London t o proclaim t h a t Luxembourg would remain an
independent and n e u t r a l s t a t e . Though t h e g r e a t f o r t r e s s of Luxembourg
would have t o be d i s m a n t l e d , tho i n t e g r i t y , independence and n e u t r a l i t y
of Luxembourg were guaranteed by t h e Treaty of London signed on May 11th
1867, The Grand Duchy was placed under t h e p r o t e c t i o n of a l l t h e Powers
t h a t signed i t . Not u n t i l August, 1914 was t h o n e u t r a l i t y of t h e Grand
Duchy v i o l a t e d f o r t h o f i r s t t i m e . And,once a g a i n , in 1940, t h e f o r c e s
of H i t l e r ' s Nazi Germany v i o l a t e d f o r t h e second time t h e n e u t r a l i t y of
Luxembourg. But,by t h i s t i m o , t h e T h e i s - S c h r e i f e l s - T h o i s e n f a m i l i e s had
been long_:gone-,' Tho l i v e s and t i m e s of t h e i r European a n c e s t o r s and tbe
h a r d s h i p s endured in t h e e m i g r a t i o n a r e t o be d i s c u s s e d in t h e pages t o
co mo.

17

__•___•
 THE THEIS FAMILY HISTCRY
Ch t h e f o l l o w i n g p a g e i s a c o m p r e h e n s i v e p e d i g r e e c h a r t
w h i c h h a s b e e n s o c o n s t r u c t e d t o show t h e a n c e s t r y o f N i k o l a u s
T h e i s , w h o , w i t h h i s b r o t h e r s , J o h n and P e t e r T h e i s , came t o
A m e r i c a i n 1854 f r o m t h e s m a l l P r u s s i a n v i l l a g e of B o l l e n d o r f .
The c h a r t b e g i n s w i t h N i k o l a u s T h e i s , t h e e l d e s t of t h e t h r e e
b r o t h e r s , and t r a c e s h i s a n c e s t r y b a c k o n b o t h h i s p a t e r n a l and
maternal s i d e s .
F o l l o w i n g t h e s t o r y of t h e T h e i s a n c e s t r y w i l l b e t h e h i s t o r y
of t h e Ewen f a m i l y . E l i z a b e t h Ewen, t h e w i f e of N i c k T h e i s , w a s
n o t a l o n e a s s h e p a c k e d u p t o l e a v e t h e F a t h e r l a n d f o r t h e New
World. T o g e t h e r w i t h h e r h u s b a n d and f i r s t - b o r n c h i l d . E l i z a b e t h
was a c c o m p a n i e d by h e r t w o s i s t e r s , C h r i s t i n a ( K r i s t i n a ) and A n n a .

ACKN OWLEDGEMENTS
In w r i t i n g t h i s c h a r t , I must g r a t e f u l l y a c k n o w l e d g e t h e
a s s i s t a n c e and c o o p e r a t i o n o f t h e V e r b a n d s g e m e i n d e v e r w a l t u n g I r r e l
in Echternacherbruck, K r e i s B i t b u r g ; t h e B i s t u m s a r c h i v ( B i s h o p r i c
A r c h i v e s ) i n T r i e r ; Ms. G e n e v i e v e M. S a n d , C l e r k o f t h e D i s t r i c t
C o u r t , S t e a r n s C o u n t y , M i n n e s o t a ; H e r r J o s e p h Mergen of T r i e r - E h r a n g ;
my u n c l e , G e r a l d T h e i s , S r , ; my c o u s i n , Lenny T h e i s ; a n d e s p e c i a l l y ,
my g r a n d f a t h e r , F r a n k J . T h e i s , t o whom t h i s w r i t i n g i s d e d i c a t e d .
F u r t h e r aerenowlodgements must go o u t t o M r s . P h i l o m e n a T h e i s ,
M r s . R e n e e W i l l e n b r i n g , Mr. H e r b T h e i s , and Ms. J o s e o h i n e E l s e n , a l l
of whom g a v e me e n c o u r a g e m e n t i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h i s m a n u s c r i p t .
A l l of t h e a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d i n s t i t u t i o n s and i n d i v i d u a l s h a v e c o n -
t r i b u t e d t o my e f f o r t s . Above a l l , I m u s t p r e s e n t l y a c k n o w l e d g e
t h e e x c e l l e n t work t h a t H e r r L e v e n t e P a s z t o h y of S a a r b r u c k e n ,
West G e r m a n y , d i d when h e r e s e a r c h e d t h e many German f a m i l i e s i n
n u m e r o u s a r c h i v e s i n o r d e r t o h e l p mo t o c o n s t r u c t t h i s and o t h e r
pedigree c h a r t s ,

THEA ANCESTRY OF NIKOLAUS THEIS:

Grandpa N i c k T h e i s was born on S e p t e m b e r 9 , 1821 i n B o l l e n d o r f ,
P r u s s i a , a s m a l l P r u s s i a n v i l l a g e w h i c h t o d a y h a s n e a r l y 1600 i n -
habitants. N i k o l a u s was b o r n s h o r t l y a f t e r B o l l e n d o r f had been
h a n d e d o v e r t o P r u s s i a f r o m F r a n c e by t h e T r e a t y o f V i e n n a i n 1 8 1 5 ,
Ch F e b r u a r y 1 5 , 1 8 4 9 , N i k o l a u s T h e i s m a r r i e d M i s s E l i z a b e t h ( E l i s a b e t h )
Ewen i n t h o c i t y o f N u s s b a u m , L i s t e d on t h o p e d i g r e e c h a r t a s # 1 ,
ho was t h o s o n o f C h r i s t i a n T h e i s ( # 2 ) a n d M a r i a H e r m a n n ( # 3 ) ,

2 . C h r i s t i a n T h o i s , t h e f a t h e r of N i c k , P e t e r and J o h n , had
been b o r n i n B o l l e n d o r f o n M a r c h 1 6 , 1 7 8 8 . A t t h i s t i m e , t h e
s m a l l v i l l a g e was a p a r t of Luxembourg and was u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l
of t h e A u s t r i a n H a p s b u r g d y n a s t y . But when y o u n g C h r i s t i a n was
no more t h a n s i x y e a r s o l d , R e v o l u t i o n a r y F r e n c h t r o o p s o c c u p i e d
the region. Thus f o r most of h i s y o u t h , C h r i s t i a n l i v e d u n d e r F r e n c h
occupation. At t h o t i m e , t h e t e r r i t o r y was t h r e e - f o u r t h s w o o d e d .
For t h a t r e a s o n , u n d e r F r e n c h a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ^ t h i s l a n d of f o r e s t s
was a p p r o p r i a t e l y c a l l e d D e p a r t e m e n t d e s F D r e t s . I t was under t h i s
f o r e i g n o c c u p a t i o n t h a t an i m p o r t a n t m a r r i a g e t o o k p l a c e i n 1810.

The c h a r t i s on page 1 9 ; t h i s h i s t o r y i s c o n t i n u e d on page 2 0 .

18
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 Continued from Page 18.
Records stored in the Standesamt of Echternacherbruck give
the details of this important wedding between Christian Theis and
Maria Hermann. The approximate translation of the document is
mentioned below:

Ch November 14, 1810, at 10:a.m.,before us, Jean

Guillaume Binsfeld, mayor and Official for vital
statistics of the community of Bollendorf, Canton
Echternach, have appeared Christian Teis(Theis),aged
23, weaver, residing in Bollendorf, born in the same
locality on March 16,1788, legitimate son of Mathias
Teis, workman, and of the late Catharina Schmit
(deceased in Bollendorf), the father being present
and consenting,- and Miss Marie Hermann, age 21,
residing in Bollendorf, born in the same locality
on January 8, 1789, legitimate daughter of Jean
Herman and of Susanne Bins, both being present and
consenting,—and request to proceed with tho celebra-
tion of their marriage, publication of which has
(already) taken place, namely: the first on Sunday,
i October 28 of this year, at noon after the Church ser-
vice, and then posted at the main door of the mayor's
house, and the second one on the following Sunday,
November 4, in conformity with the first one. No
objection to this marriage having been made to us,
and after having read all the documents mentioned
above as well as Chapter 6 of the Code Civil,we have
• asked the future bridegroom and the future bride whether ,
they are willing to take one another as man and wife; -
both having answered separately and affirmatively, we de-
clare in the name of the law that Christian Teis and Marie
Herman are united in marriage. Of which declaration we
make a record in the presence of Nicolas Sontag,age 50,
Marichal, neighbor and relative of the spouse, residing
in the same locality and Jean Feltz, age 52, maternal
uncle of the bride, living in the same locality, and
Jean Wagener, age 32, farmer, cousin of the groom,
living in the same locality- after having read the document
t o them, we heard Jean Herman, father of the bride, and
wo heard, Mathias Teis, father of the bridegroom, and
the bride declared that they cannot write. Soo they will
a mark below. The witnesses have signed with us and the
contracting parties.

1815 was the year in which Christian Theis began to live under
Prussian rule. His deathdate is unknown. He was the son of Mathias
Theis and Catharina Schmit(Schmidt). Respectively, they are listed
as #4 and #5 on the chart on page Nineteen. After 1815, Christian
no longer had to live under French rule.This Christian was the father
of Nikolaus Theis that came to America,and is the great-grandfather
of Frank Joseph Theis of this community(CoId Spring, Minnesota).

page 20
|

#3 Born less than a year later after Christian Teis(Theis),

Maria Herman/Hermann, the mother of Nikolaus, Peter and John, was
al^o from a strict Roman Catholic household. Born on January 8,
1879 in Bollendorf,as the daughter of Johann Hermann and Susanna
Bintz, Maria was also raised during her youth under French occupa-
tion. Since she was not male, it was not necessary to serve in the
French Revolutionary Army of Napoleon while the males of the village
was drafted for such service, like it or not. Ch November 14, 1810,
she married Christian Theis. The marriage document, according to the
rules of the territory, was written in French. Her date of death is
not presently known.

#4 The father of Christian Theis was one Mathias Theis, who had
been born on December 29, 1753 in the nearby village of Feilsdorf,
Luxembourg. At this time, Bollendorf, Feilsdorf, Nussbaum, and
Mettendorf belonged to the Austrian Netherlands which took in most of
present-day Bleigum. And he went on to marry in 1785 a certain
Catharina Schmit, who lived in approximately same area.

#5 Catharina Schmidt/Schmit was also born in Bollendorf in 1766.

She died at a young age on January 27, 1794 in Bollendorf.
.#6Johann Hermann(born January 6, 1754- January 6, 1834) was
born, lived and died in Bollendorf. As a countryman or "der dumme Bauer"
he was considered dishonest,drunken and quarrelsome. But this man,like
many others influenced to some extent by the French Romantics, was
actually a civilized citizen. He raised his family well after having
married,on Dec. 27, 1781 (in Bollendorf), Miss Susanna Bintz from
Cberbillig. Having great respedt for the minister and schoolmaster,
his dedication to the Church was strong and he happily gave his consent
(as noted above) to the marriage of his daughter,Maria, to Herr Christiar
Theis. He lived to see the French expelled from his homeland,but witnes-
sed the arrival of another intruder. From 1815 on, the menacing Prussiar
power had finally reached the Rhine and had even passed it. With the
Prussian military came aristocrats and Junkers, who would own most of th<
land. Although their impact was not nearly as great in the region about
Bollendorf, the inhabitants,nevertheless, felt the effects of the Prussi;
aristocracy in many ways to be explained below.

#7Susanna Bintz, born in Oberbillig, on January 15, 1757,

came from quite a distance away before marrying Johann Hermann.
Cberbillig,lying at the junction of the Moselle and Sauer rivers,
nearly twenty kilometers from Bollendorf, is,is very close to the
city of Trior. Today it stands on the German side of the border while
it stood only on the Luxembourg side for many centuries. Having,at one
point in: her life, gone up the Sauer River to Bollendorf, she met, fell
in love with,and married Johann Hermann. And among there children
were Maria Hermann(#3). Susanna (Bintz) Hermann eventually died in
Bollendorf, Prussia on February 28, 1834, not even two months after the
death of her husband Johann.

#8 The father of Mathias Theis, Jr. was Matheis, Theis, Sr., who
was probably born sometime around 1720 in Feilsdorf. His date of
marriage has not yet been determined, but he seems to have married
a girl from the same area, Margaretha Thoma.' Through this marriage^
After marrying Margaretha, he had the following children, all born in
Feilsdorf;

page 21
 The c h i l d r e n of Mathias Theis, Sr. are l i s t e d as following
in c o n t i n u a t i o n of page 2 1 :
l)Mathias T h e i s , J r . ( l i s t e d as #4 on the pedigree c h a r t and
a n c e s t o r of t h e Cold Soring Theis f a m i l y ) , born December
29, 1753 in F e i l s d o r f , Luxembourg of t h e A u s t r i a n
N e t h e r l a n d s , during the r e i g n of Archduchess Maria Theresa.
2)Maria T h e i s , baptized in F e i l s d o r f ( P f a r r e i B a u s t e r t - t h e
P a r i s h of B a u s t e r t ) on June 12,1755,
3)Nicholas T h e i s , baptized November 15, 1756.
4)Eva T h e i s , baptized A p r i l 13, 1758.
5)Johannes T h e i s , baptized September 8, 1761.
6)Nicholas T h e i s , baptized J u l y 8, 1763.
7)Peter T h e i s , baptized on August 18, 1765.
Mathias T h e i s , S r . e v e n t u a l l y died on March 3, 1770 at t h e
age of f i f t y . He died in F e i l s d o r f and was buried t h e r e . He was
survived by h i s w i f e , Margaretha Thoma(#9).
#9 The wife of Mathias T h e i s , S r . and t h e mother of Matheis
Theis, J r . was a woman named Margaretha Thoma, who was born and
likewise died in t h e v i l l a g e of F e i l s d o r f on January 30, 1788. The
names of her p a r e n t s have not been located t o d a t e .
#10 The f a t h e r of Catharina Schmit(#5) was named C h r i s t i a n .
Schmidt. N e i t h e r h i s b i r t h nor h i s death d a t e s a r e known, but on
September 26, 1765,ho was married t o Susanna S c h w e i t z e r ( # l l ) Like
Margaretha Thoma mentioned above, h i s a n c e s t r y has not yet been
traced and t h u s h i s p a r e n t s ' names are unknown a t t h e time of t h i s
writing.
#11 Susanna Schweitzer(or Schweich) was born sometime around
1737 and probably d i e d , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e church r e c o r d s on Nov. 13,
1793 in Bollendorf. We have some i n s i g h t i n t o t h e a n c e s t r y of Susanna's
family on t h e b a s i s of her surname a l o n e . Schweitzer, taken from t h e
Old German word Suedan. i n d i c a t e s "Man from S w i t z e r l a n d " . Although
we can only s p e c u l a t e on t h i s a n c e s t r a l name, i t might be assumed t h a t
soma d i s t a n t a n c e s t o r of Susanna had come from t h e area of Switzerland
to t h i s region and hence was c a l l e d Schweitzer from t h a t day on.
#12 Paul Hermann, t h e f a t h e r of Johann Hermann, had been born
sometime around 1723, After having lived in occupied Luxembourg for
a l l of h i s l i f e , he died on A p r i l 13, 1785 in Bollendorf. The d a t e
on which he was married remains unknown,
#13 Maria Magdalena F e l l e n s , t h e wife of Paul Hermann, and mother
of Johann Hermann, i s v i r t u a l l y unknown. Her d a t e of b i r t h and d a t e
of death was not t o be found in t h e record books of l o c a l p a r i s h e s .
#14 B a l t h a s a r Bins(or B i n t z ) , t h e g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of Nikolaus
Theis, was believed t o have been born in t h e year 1729 in or about
W a s s e r b i l l i g , Luxembourg. Like O b e r b i l l i g , in which h i s daughter
Susanna(#7) was born, W a s s e r b i l l i g i s a f a i r d i s t a n c e from Bollendorf
as standards went in t h e days of t h e horse and buggy. Of course, our
ancestors had no such luxury as a buggy. A s a poor peasant s t r u g g l i n g
to keep h i s family a l i v e , B a l t h a s a r would spend day a f t e r day digging
in h i s f i e l d s . By n i g h t , he would lay in t h e f i e l d t o p r o t e c t
 m

his seed from t h e b i r d s and other b e a s t s . And, back in Ihis period

of the Eighteenth Century, Balthasar and o t h e r peasants could b a r e l y
afford t o keep a h o r s e . I n s t e a d , a couple of lean cows were made t o
t i l l t h e i r f i e l d s . However, the p l i g h t of t h e peasant l i v i n g in
t h i s land was f a r b e t t e r than the s i t u a t i o n which h i s e a s t e r n cousin
faced in t h e duchy of P r u s s i a where feudalism became most r e p r e s s i v e .
Although t h e names of B a l t h a s a r ' s parents are not known, i t i s believed
that h i s a n c e s t o r s may have come from t h e area of T r i e r i t s e l f . His
date of d e a t h remains unknown a t t h i s w r i t i n g ,
#15 Maria Marines, t h e wife of Balthasar Bins (or B i n t z ) , had been
born on February 7, 1721 in Cberbillig,Luxembourg, making her o l d e r
than her husband, B a l t h a s a r , She lived t o be s i x t y - f i v e y e a r s o l d ,
dying on November 4 , 1786 in O b e r b i l l i g , Her p a r e n t s a r e l i s t e d as
#30 and # 3 1 , r e s p e c t i v e l y ,
#16 The f a t h e r of Mathias T h e i s , S r . ( # 8 ) was Nikolaus Theis
who was t h e s y n o d a l i s a t B a u s t e r t , Roughly t r a n s l a t e d , " s y n o d a l i s "
means "church warden" in German, Due t o t h e word's r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h
i t s root form, synod, i t i s h i g h l y p o s s i b l e t h a t N i c h o l a s ( N i k o l a u s )
Theis, headed t h e church c o u n c i l a t B a u s t e r t , P o s s i b l y a l s o , we might
assume t h a t he had c e r t a i n d u t i e s around t h e church grounds and was in
charge of lay maintenance. At any r a t e , i t was obvious t h a t t h e Theis
family, even in t h i s period between t h e 17th and 18th c e n t u r i e s , had
a very h i g h regard f o r t h e i r l o c a l church. Nikolaus died in F e i l s d o r f
on January 4 , 1744,
•%

#17 E l i s a b e t h , t h e wife of Nikolaus T h e i s , i s v i r t u a l l y unknown

to the family h i s t o r y . No d a t e of b i r t h i s known for e i t h e r h e r s e l f
nor for husband Nick. Likewise,no marriage date has been r e g i s t e r e d .
However, t h e r e a d e r should bear in mind t h a t few r e c o r d s before 1723
e x i s t in t h e Bishopric Archives(Bistumsarchiv) of T r i e r , where t h e great
majority of t h e s e p a r i s h books have been h e l d . E l i s a b e t h played t h e r o l e
of mother, r a i s i n g young Mathias and o t h e r c h i l d r e n . But i l l n e s s cut
short her l i f e on March 19, 1728. Her age a t time of death remains
unknown. Nikolaus and E l i s a b e t h , t h e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d p a r e n t s
of Frank J . T h e i s , r e p r e s e n t t h e e a r l i e s t Icnown g e n e r a t i o n of t h e Theis
a n c e s t r a l f a m i l y . Tho namos of t h e i r p a r e n t s a r e s t i l l unknown and
may remain s o .
#30 Hubert Marines and Catharina Weber r e p r e s e n t t h e o t h e r known
pair of Frank T h e i s ' g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d p a r e n t s . Hubert
Marines, t h e f a t h e r of Maria Marines and g r a n d f a t h e r of Susanna Bintz,
was himself born in about 1695 in t h e v i l l a g e of K l e i n i c h . Qi February
13,1718 Hubert was married t o Catharina Weber in t h e v i l l a g e of
W a s s e r b i l l i g . While O b e r b i l l i g today i s on t h e German s i d e of t h e
f r o n t i e r , nearby W a s s e r b i l l i g , with n e a r l y 2000 i n h a b i t a n t s , l i e s along
the Moselle River on t h e Luxembourg s i d e of t h e b o r d e r . During t h e
Eighteenth Century t h e r e seems t o have been a f a i r amount of movement
between t h e two c i t i e s as i s i n d i c a t e d by H u b e r t ' s d e a t h i n O b e r b i l l i g
on December 7, 1752. Hubert Marines was t h e son of Theo Iba 1 Marines,
the g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of Frank J . T h e i s . The
name of h i s mother i s not Icnown.

Pa*e 23
 # 3 1 The w i f e of H u b e r t Marines was C a t h a r i n a W e b e r . It is not
icnown when s h e was b o r n o r d i e d . H o w e v e r , we c a n be r e a s o n a b l y s u r e
t h a t C a t h a r i n a was b o r n i n O b e r b i l l i g , a n d we c a n a l s o s a y t h a t s h e
probably died t h e r e as w e l l . H e r f a t h e r ' s name was J o h a n n e s Weber,
a l s o a g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t g r a n d f a t h e r of F r a n k J . T h e i s ,
a s w e l l a s M i c h a e l B e n e d i c t T h e i s , N i c h o l a s T. T h e i s , M r s . Mary
A s h f e l d , W i l l i a m A . T h e i s , and M r s . B l o n d e n a B l o n i g a n , t o name j u s t a
few of t h e d e s c e n d a n t s i n t h e S t e a r s c o u n t y who make u p t h e s e c o n d
g e n e r a t i o n of t h e T h e i s i n d i v i d u a l s b o r n i n N o r t h A m e r i c a .

T h u s - , a summary c a p s u l e g i v i n g a l i t t l e b i t of s t a t i s t i c a l
i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e icnown T h e i s a n c e s t o r s h a s b e e n c o m p l e t e d . And,
a s t h e r e a d e r c a n s e e , t h a r e i s more w o r k t o d o . If f u r t h e r conquest
of t h e s e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s . i s t o be m a d e ( a n d i t i s p o s s i b l e i n some a r e a s
t o d i g b a c k ) , t h e a u t h o r w i l l n e e d t h o a s s i s s t a n c e of h i s r e l a t i v e s i n t h
form of f i n a n c i a l a i d . So p l e a s e s e n d i n a n y of y o u r o p i n i o n s a n d
s u g g e s t i o n s on t h i s m a t t e r . To d a t e , t h e f a m i l y h i s t o r y h a s b e e n
c o m p i l e d i n s u c h a way t h a t we know of t h e v e r y d i s t a n t a n c e s t o r s and
t h e l i v e s t h e y l e d , b u t t h e t r a v e l s of o n e H e r r L e v e n t e P a s z t o h y from
h i s t o w n of S a a r b r u c k e n t o t h e s e l i t t l e t o w n s o r t o T r i e r , w h e r e t h e
records are held goes without s a y i n g . Without Herr P a s z t o h y ' s h e l p ,
t h i s w r i t i n g w o u l d be n e a r l y i m p o s s i b l e . More w o r k c o u l d s t i l l be
a c c o m p l i s h e d , h o w e v e r , on soma of t h e f a m i l i e s a l r e a d y m e n t i o n e d .
N e x t i n l i n e , we s h a l l h a v e a s i m i l a r n a r r a t i v e regarding the
a n c e s t o r s of t h e Ewen f a m i l y . L i k e t h e T h e i s a n c e s t r y , t h e Ewen f a m i l y
n a r r a t i v e i s sketchy in c e r t a i n a r e a s . Because our a n c e s t o r , Nick
T h e i s , a l o n g w i t h h i s b r o t h e r s , P e t e r a n d J o h n , f i r s t came t o A m e r i c a
a c c o m p a n i e d by a c e r t a i n E l i s a b e t h a n d o n e of h e r n e w b o r n c h i l d r e n ,
t h e f a m i l y o f N i c k ' s w i f e E l i s a b e t h i s l i k e w i s e shown i n t h e f o l l o w i n g
pages.

THE ANCESTRY CF ELISABETH EWEN

E l i s a b e t h Ewen, o n e of f o u r s i s t e r s ' t h r e e t h a t l i v e d a f t e r i n -
f a n c y ) , was m a r r i e d , a c c o r d i h g t o c h u r c h a c c o u n t s , t o o u r a n c e s t o r
N i k o l a u s T h e i s on F e b r u a r y 1 5 , 1849 i n t h e v e r y s m a l l v i l l a g e o f
Nussbaum. Today, Nussbaum, b e l o n g i n g t o t h e Rhein l a n d - P f a l z s e c t i o n
of P r u s s i a i n G e r m a n y , c a n b o a s t of l i t t l e more t h a n t h r e e h u n d r e d
i n h a b i t a n t s , w h i l e B o l l e n d o r f , a k i l o m e t e r a w a y , h a s a p o p u l a t i o n of
1500, A l t h o u g h E l i s a b e t h was b a p t i z e d i n b a p t i z e d i n N u s s b a u m , s h e
was a c t u a l l y b o r n S t o c k i g t , a s m a l l g r o u p of h o u s e s n e x t t o N u s s b a u m .
Sho was b o r n o n J a n u a r y 1 9 , 1 8 2 4 , a l t h o u g h t h i s d a t e h a s b e e n d i s p u t e d .
Her f a t h e r was M i c h a e l Ewen and h e r m o t h e r was named S u s a n n a S o n t a g ,
a v e r y b e a u t i f u l name t h e n a n d n o w ( a s S o n t a g means " S u n d a y " i n G e r m a n .
The p a r e n t s a r e l i s t e d b e l o w a s #2 a n d # 3 a n d t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g c h a r t
on t h e f o l l o w i n g p a g e w i l l g i v e t h e r e a d e r a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of
her a n c e s t r a l l i n e a g e .

#2 M i c h a e l Ewen, t h e f a t h e r of E l i s a b e t h , was a " m e r c e n a r i u s "

o r " T a g l o h n e r " . I n o t h e r w o r d s , h e was a h i r e d - m a n . He had b e e n b o r n
a l s o i n Nussbaum on December 5 , 1797. L i v i n g c l o s e r t o t h e t o w n , h i s
l i f e was o n l y s o m e w h a t b e t t e r t h a n t h e l i f e of t h e p e a s a n t f a r m e r , b u t
h e r a i s e d h i s d a u g h t e r s w e l l i n s p i t e of t h e p r o b l e m s .
I n a l l , M i c h a e l Ewen was m a r r i e d t h r e e t i m e s . Church r e c o r d s
s t a t e t h a t M i c h a e l Ewen f r o m F r e i l i n g e n , a l r e a d y a w i d o w e r ( h i s f i r s t
w i f e was o n e M a r i a M u l l e r ) , m a r r i e d o n J u l y 2 0 , 1815 M a r i a Anna
N e s s i u s ( o r N e s g e s ) , t h e d a u g h t e r of D o m i n i c u s N e s s i u s , a l a b o u r e r , a n d
of M a r i a C a t h a r i n a M u l l e r , from A l t e n h o f f . They h a d t w o c h i l d r e n , h a l f -
b r o t h e r s o f E l i s a b e t h (Ewen) T h e i s ) : T h e o d o r e , b o r n i n 1 8 1 6 , and
M a t t h i a s , who was b o r n a t t h e end of J u l y , 1 8 1 7 . The m a r r i a g e and
 t h e baptisms were both performed in t h e Church of Nussbaum.
However, Maria seems t o have died in a very short t i m e , and
Michael Ewen went searching for another wife t o r a i s e h i s
c h i l d r e n . Sometime between 1817 and J u l y of 1820, Michael
Ewen was married t o Susanna Sontag, h i s t h i r d w i f e . By Susanna,
the mother of E l i s a b e t h , he had t h e following t h r e e daughters:
1) Catharina Ewen, born on A p r i l 20, 1821.
2) E l i s a b e t h Ewen, born January 19, 1824.
3) Anna Maria Ewen, born May 1, 1831.
At t h e t i m e , h i s daughter Catharina married in 1844, Michael
was s t i l l a l i v e . However, h i s e x a c t d e a t h d a t e remains un'cnown
at t h e time of t h i s w r i t i n g , assuming t h a t he did d i e in Nussbaum,
p o s s i b l y in h i s f i f t i e s ,
#3 Susanna Sontag we might p i c t u r e as a happy and b e a u t i f u l
person by reason of her name, Sontag, which means "Sunday". Daughter
of one Mathias Sontag, a forest-ward a t Fleisbach(which a l s o belonged
to t h e Nussbaum p a r i s h ) , she was born May 2, f797 in F l e i s b a c h , which,
at t h a t time belonged t o France, Because t h e French occupied t h e land,
most documents of b i r t h , m a r r i a g e and d e a t h were w r i t t e n in French,
instead of t h e customary German or L a t i n . Again,we can only say t h a t
she was a l i v e as l a t e as 1844,but we do not have an exact d a t e of death

#4 Jacob Ewen, t h e f a t h e r of Michael, was a weaver in Nussbaum,

He was born in a small v i l l a g e of Luxembourg c a l l e d Boefort, but
a l s o known as Beffort or Baaufort. Today Beaufort i s s t i l l in
Luxembourg. The l i t t l e v i l l a g e of 800 people i s s i t u a t e d on a p l a t e u
in t h e " M o e l l e r d a l l " region(Luxembourg's L i t t l e S w i t z e r l a n d ) . Even
t h e n , as now, t h e v i l l a g e had a magnificent view of t h e vineyards and
wooded h e i g h t s t h a t surround t h e o u t e r p e r i m e t e r of t h e town. I t i s
believed t h a t Jakob (or Jacob) was born in 1766. The young weaver
married Anna E l i s a b e t h Borrenbach on February 7, 1791.7 Their f i r s t -
born son, named P e t e r Ewen, was born September l f 1792. His godparents
were P e t e r Thines, " s u t o r " ( o r Schuster-shoemaker) and Maria Weber from
Nussbaum.g Their second born was c h r i s t e n e d Paul Ewen. He was born
on October 1, 1794 and was a l s o baptized in t h e Nussbaum Church,
Present a t t h e baptism as godparents were- P a u l Borrenbach, Landwirt
(farmer or owner of farmland) from Nussbaum, and Katharina Bartz from
N e u - F r e i l i n g e n . Next, Michael Ewen was b o r n , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p a r i s h
book, h i s d a t o of b i r t h i s d i f f e r e n t from t h a t given by other s o u r c e s .
Born on Cbtober 10, 1797, he was t h e t h i r d son born t o t h e marriage
of Jacob Ewen and Anna E l i s a b e t h Borrenbach. His godparents were never
l i s t e d i n t h o church books, a Ch e i t h e r . J a nl tu airsy 1, 1793 or A p r i l 4 ,
1793, t h e son, P e t e r , died in Nussbaum. 1 0 d i f f i c u l t t o determine
which P e t e r Ewen was t h e c o r r e c t person. Ch J u l y 9, 1796, Maria
Petesch, wife of one Jakob Ewen,had died in N u s s b a u m . n So a p p a r e n t l y
t h e r e was a n o t h e r Jakob Ewen in t h o same v i c i n i t y .
The marriage between Anna E l i s a b e t h and Jakob was only J a k o b ' s
f i r s t ( a s f a r a s we 'enow). Jacob r e m a r r i e d in t h e church of Nussbaum
on August 2 3 , 1815, l e s s than two y e a r s a f t e r t h e d e a t h of h i s f i r s t
wife,
#5 Anna E l i s a b e t h Borrenbach was born on J a n u a r y 24, 1765. Before
she had m a r r i e d - J a c o b Ewen in 1791, she had married H e r r Theodor
Wertz(Evertz) from Herbstmuhlen. This marriage took place in about
1789, He died sometime before t h e second m a r r i a g e , Anna E l i s a b e t h

Page 25
 (Borrenbach) Ewen d i e d on D e c e m b e r 2 2 , 1813.

# 6 M a t h i a s S o n t a g , t h e f o r e s t - w a r d a t F l e i s b a c h , was born i n
B e f f o r t v i l l a g e , L u x e m b o u r g . H o w e v e r , h i s b i r t h d a t e i s n o t 'cnown.
Sometime p r i o r t o 1784, h e m a r r i e d h i s w i f e , Susanna G r e i f f . All
t h a t i s p r e s e n t l y known i s h i s d a t e of d e a t h ( J a n u a r y 4 , 1808 i n
Feilsbach.

# 7 S u s a n n a Greiff, t h e w i f e o f M a t h i a s S o n t a g a n d m o t h e r o f
S u s a n n a , w a s m o r e t h a n l i k e l y b o r n i n B e f f o r t a s w e l l ' . S h e may
have been born i n 1758, The n a m e s o f h e r p a r e n t s a r e s t i l l u n k n o w n .
H o w e v e r , t h e g o d f a t h e r o f o n e of h e r c h i l d r e n was a J o h a n n e s G r e i f
t h e s o n of M i c h a e l G r e i f f from B o e f o r d . Assuming t h a t Johannes
m i g h t h a v e b e e n a b r o t h e r of S u s a n n a , M i c h a e l w o u l d t h u s be t h e
f a t h e r of b o t h S u s a n n a and of M i c h a e l .

# 8 T h e o d o r e Ewen i s known t o be t h e f a t h e r o f J a k o b Ewen a n d

t h e r e f o r e t h e . a n c e s t o r of E l i s a b e t h (Ewen) T h e i s . L i t t l e i s known
a b o u t t h e man who w a s t h e g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r o f E l i s a b e t h Ewen a n d
g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of F r a n k J . T h e i s of Cold S p r i n g ,
Where h e w a s b o r n , m a r r i e d a n d d i e d i s un'cnown. And who h e m a r r i e d
i s a l s o unknown. T h u s , #9 i s n o t f i l l e d i n .
# 1 0 M a t h i a s B o r r e n b a c h , t h e f a t h e r o f Anna E l i s a b e t h B o r r e n b a c h
( # 5 ) , w a s b o r n i n a s m a l l t o w n named Prum am S t e i n s o m e t i m e a r o u n d
1 7 2 7 . He m a r r i e d M a r i a D u n c k e l s a t N u s s b a u m on N o v e m b e r 4 , 1 7 5 1 .
He e v e n t u a l l y d i e d a t t h e a g e o f f i f t y o n D e c e m b e r 2 0 , 1 7 7 7 . T h e r e
a r e many v a r i a n t s of t h e name B o r r e n b a c h i n c l u d i n g B u r e n b a c h and
B u r l b a c h . I t m i g h t be n o t e d a t t h i s t i m e t h a t i t w a s q u i t e c u s t o m a r y
far men who m a r r i e d i n t o a l o c a l f a m i l y c a r r y t h e name of t h e f a r m o r
the g i r l ' s family. Chly t w o of M a t h i a s B o r r e n b a c h ' s c h i l d r e n w e r e
given t h e surname Borrenbach a t baptism. The o t h e r s w e r e g i v e n t h e
name D u n c k e l s o r D o n c k e l s . When M a t h i a s d i e d , t h e p a r i s h man w r o t e :
Mathias Dunckels a l i a s Borrenbach d i e d . And when h i s w i f e d i e d i n
1 8 0 1 , t h e p a r i s h man w r o t e ; C a t h a r i n a B o r e n b a c h o r D u n c k e l s d i e d ,

# 1 1 C a t h a r i n a D u n c k e l s , t h e w i f e of M a t h i a s , was b o r n sometime
around 1720. S h e l i v e d t o be q u i t e o l d a n d f i n a l l y d i e d on F e b r u a r y
28, 1801 i n Nussbaum.
SURNAME MEANINGS

By i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e m e a n i n g s of t h e s e s u r n a m e s , i t i s p o s s i b l e
t o g a i n some i n s i g h t a b o u t o u r a n c e s t o r s , y i Many of t h e n a m e s h a v e
r a t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g m e a n i n g s and w i l l be e x p l a i n e d a s f o l l o w s .
T H E I S ( o r T H E I S S ) , a c c o r d i n g t o some s o u r c e s , means " D e s c e n d a n t
of T h e u z o " , a n Old H i g h German p e r s o n a l n a m e . THEIS, o r THISS a s
i t i s a l s o s p e l t e d ( o t h e r v a r i a n t s p e l l i n g s - i n c l u d e THEISS," TESIS.E,
THIESE, THEISS, a n d TEES) may a l s o s i m p l y mean " D e s c e n d a n t of T h e i s "
w h i c h i s a p e t f o r m of t h e L a t i n p e r s o n a l n a m e , M a t t h i a s ( g i f t of
Jehovah). I t i s q u i t e p o s s i b l e t h a t o u r f i r s t a n c e s t o r who a d o p t e d
t h e name THEIS w a s t h e s o n o f o n o M a t t h i a s . The s u r n a m e T I E I S , on t h e
o t h e r h a n d , moans " T e u t o n i c " o r " a G e r m a n " b u t i s - l e s s common i n t h e
Luxembourg a r e a .

Page 26
r%rvr\ f •* n n o H r\r\ Paofl 9X
,me of Compiler ^ j t < I P e r s o n No. 1 on this c h a r t is the s a m e Chart NO •
p e r s o n a s No on c h a r t No . 16
idress— b. ( F a t h e r of No. I ,
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Ity, State. m.
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b. Cent, on c h a r t No. .
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Com. on chart No. .
m m.
F<r«*a**ua, d1"^ n i l °
• of Birth
;e of Marriage
le ef Death (Mother of No. 4} d.
ICI of Death
b. 19
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( F a t h e r of No. 1) d. d.
b. \)tc(f/n t f r 5^l"7^*7 P.d 20
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of N o _. 5)
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(Mother of No. 10.
P-b-Prtiw\. <*m.SVe»n, b. Com. on c h a r t No. _

(Mother of No. 2) d.
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12 m.
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p.b. b. Conu on c h a r t N o . .

CuSahna. Gryerff m. d.
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d.
 Another surname xvhich is mentioned in this manuscript is
THEISEN which, in German, means "The son of Theis11. A variant form
of the word, THIESSSN, is also a French surname derived from Old
French. The surname THCHA.from page 19, is a German word meaning
"Descendant of Thoma^a German form of Thomas(a twin). The very
common name of SCHMIDT, with its variant form, SCHMIT, is the German

HERMANN is a German or Dutch name which seems to derive from the

Old German word, "Hari-man", army warrior. As a surname, it usually
refers to a "Descendant of Herman" The exact meaning of the surname
FELLENS is not yet known. However, FELL is a German word with a dual
meaning. It can refer to a dealer in pelts, hides,etc., or it can
mean a dweller on,or near,a rocky mountain or hill. The word has been
derived from the Old Norse language.
The surname BINS or BINTZ is a German variant of Benz,referring
to a descendant of Binzo, an Old High German personal name. Again,as
we saw with THEIS, this surname is patronymical. A great deal of these
surnames were taken from the father's given name.MANNES is the German
surname for servant or vassal. But again, there is a double meaning.
Sometimes MANNES can refer to a "descendant of Mann", "the dweller at
the sign of the happy man". Final among the Theis ancestral names
is the occupational surname, WEBER, meaning "weaver" or "cloth weaver"
. No German meaning for the surname EWEN has yet been found. Howeve:
in English,Irish and Scotch, the word means to dwell at "the yew trees"
And in Irish and Scotch, it refers to a "descendant of Eoghann", an
old Irish personal name meaning "well-born". BCRRENBACH is likewise
an un'cnown word. There is a village in Germany named Bornbach. Burmann
means 3auer, peasant, or farmer, and Brunn means "Quelle",well or spring
Finally Boran is taken from the German verb form, "geboren", born. As for
DUNCKELS,the surname supposedly indicates a person who is "priggish"
or conceited. Dunkel means self-righteous in German.
SCNTAG, SCNNTAG and other variants of this German word mean
"Sunday" in English. In the case of a surname, SCNTAG may mean
"Descendant of Sonntag" which might have been someone born on a Sunday.
Finally, GREIFF,as a Scotch'and English name, refers to an "overseer",
manager or head wor'cman on a farm.In German, the surname may indicate
one who keeps and maintains his property.
THE FAMILY IN EUROPE
Although we 'enow for sure that Mettendorf was adcnowledged as a
village in 1063, very little is 'cnown about the beginnings of Bollendorf
and Nussbaum. That information is yet to come. A very detailed history
of the area surrounding Mettendorf is described very well by Klaus
Hamoer in Chronik von Mettendorf (1957). The boo'c was published by
Druclcerei und Ver lag in Trier, Germany. In ail honesty, this boo'c could
only act as a supolement to this family history since the vivid details
of the areafe development in all aspects is to be found within Chroni'c
gon Mettendorf. Chly minor excerpts from Kerr Hamper's manuscript
have been taken out and used in this manuscript itself. Because of the
wars that ravaged through Germany's small states over the centuries

Page 28
We find that the baptism, marriage, and death records in many of
our ancestral villages have been destroyed. In Bollendorf itself,
a great fire destroyed a portion of the city after the three Theis
brothers left. In other cities, valuable records survived until
this century when Allied bombers raihed bombs of destruction upon
German soil, Inspite of Germany's tumultuous history, however,
countless records have survived. In 1563 the Council of Trent had
issued an important directive in which Catholic pastors were to begin
keeping parish registries. But,even before this time, many of the
village elders from one place to another were writing chronicles
regarding the various households in their region. Some Germans are
known to have pedigrees extending clear back to the 1200's, 1300's,
or 1400's. Naturally, since these ancestors are not of noble descent,
they are not interesting to anyone but the actual descendants.
The situation is not terribly different in Luxembourg either.
In this small European state, some genealogists have traced their
ancestral lineage clear back to the 1400's or 1500's. Unfortunately,
the same cannot be said for the Theis and related families. Perhaps
someday the lineage will be traced back another century or two. But,
on the other hand, many of the records we would need to find such
data may have been destroyed in such a way that there is never again
any hope that the documents will be replaced. In some of our ancestral
villages,church books have been kept. Many have been lost,but those in
the Bistumsarchiv of Trier scill survive to tell the story. From the
1500's and 1600's, we have countless catalogues of prooarty(Besitzungen),
inventories of gardens, registries of pastures and ploughable land, as
xvell as vineyards and wood lands,and finally even a Lammer list e( lamb-
list) taken in 1605 for Mettendorf. At the moment, such lists are not
available for Bollendorf or for Nussbaum. Oily time and determination
will ever locate them in the future and such data would truly be a re-
warding postscript to this manuscript,
"Das Kartular von 1615", a catalogue or census for Mettendorf,
lists many persons named Theis who lived in that village at the time.
Whether they were related is in question and will probably remain so
forever. Living in one section of Mettendorf was a certain Wilheim
Dunckels, a possible ancestor of Catharina Dunckels, listed as #11 on
page 27. Although Catharina probably came from Nussbaum, Mettendorf
and Nussbaum are only a few kilometers apart from one another. Likewise,
Bollendorf is also close to both cities. At this writing, we must assure
that detailed inventories and census rolls are lost to history, but, wher
some of them turn up, one day, possibly years from now, a more conmlete
history of the Theis and other families will be made possible.

P a ca OQ
 LIFE IN GERMANY
As a l r e a d y known t o t h e r e a d e r , F r e n c h R e v o l u t i o n a r y t r o o p s
had i n v a d e d p o r t i o n s of t h e Rhine land (Rhe i n l a n d ) i n 1792, In d o i n g s o ,
t h e y e n c o u n t e r e d a l m o s t no r e s i s t a n c e a t a l l . Mathias Theis, himself,
w i t h a f a m i l y t o r a i s e and a p i e c e of land t o h e l p f e e d h i s offspring,
was n e a r l y t h i r t y - n i n e y e a r s o l d , w i t h a young son named C h r i s t i a n ,
Christian,himself, was p r o b a b l y n o t more t h a n f o u r y e a r s o l d a t the
time. M a t h i a s showed no g r e a t c o n c e r n f o r t h e s e e v e n t s , f i g u r i n g that
t h e y would be t e m p o r a r y However, on A p r i l 2 0 , 1792, t h e c o n t i n e n t of
Europe had e x p l o d e d v i o l e n t l y i n t o what would become a t w e n t y - t h r e e
y e a r war of u n r e l e n t i n g h o s t i l i t i e s between F r a n c e and t h e r e s t of
Europe. The, F r e n c h L e g i s l a t i v e Assembly d e c l a r e d war on A u s t r i a .
Although F r a n c e was i n a s t a t e of m a s s i v e t r a n s i t i o n , h e r a d v e r s a r i e s ,
t h e A u s t r i a n Empire and P r u s s i a were l i k e w i s e i n a s t a t e of confusion.
S i n c e F r a n c e had been t o r n by c i v i l war f o r t h r e e y e a r s and w a s . t o r n
by.sinternal s t r i f e , P r u s s i a and A u s t r i a a r g u e d o v e r t h e i r own d i f f e r e n c e s
in t h e e a s t . I t was d u r i n g t h i s t i m e t h a t t h e F r e n c h t o o k a d v a n t a g e of
t h e i r v a c i l l a t i o n and invaded t h e R h i n e r e g i o n .
S u d d e n l y , t h o Luxembourg/German i n h a b i t a n t s of t h e a r e a found them-
selves under French occupation. I t seems t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e Gorman
population g e n e r a l l y accepted the a l i e n r u l e , I n t h e a r e a of Bollendorf
and o t h e r r e g i o n s of t h o R h i n o l a n d , b i s h o p s r u l e d t h e ecclesiastical
s t a t e s v e r y i n o f f i c i o n t l y . Tho i n v a s i o n began i n autumn of 1792, w i t h a
F r e n c h p e n e t r a t i o n i n t o t h o Rhino land by a F r e n c h g e n e r a l named C u s t i n o .
Seeing t h a t C u s t i n e * s men e n c o u n t e r e d l i t t l o r e s i s t a n c e , local princes
and t h e i r c o u r t s f l o d . Nono of t h o common i n h a b i t a n t s of t h e R h e i n l a n d
m a n i f e s t e d a d e s i r e t o f i g h t o r d i o f o r an a b s e n t e e l e a d e r . I n a s h o r t
t i m e , C u s t i n o ' s men had t a k e n S p e y e r , Worms and M a i n z . C u s t i n e , however,

Pago 30
did not make any attempt to take Trier, although the Elector of
Trior had been ready to pack his bags and move on, as tho Archbishop-
Elector of Mainz had done. Groups of people in the area about Trier
did make overtures of surrender to Custino but they were ignored.
Qico in control of tho situation, Custino attempted to make tho Rhino
area an occupied territory. Using prominent German collaborators
bo tried to found the"Society of tho Friends of Liberty and Equality".
This attempt to mobilize enthusiasm for tho program of tho French Rev-
olution., and. support—for annexation of tho Rhino land to Franco did not
gain much sympathy among tho Germans of tho area, Tho Germans even
conducted a mass boycott of tho elections hold in February, 1793 to
determine the question of annexation to Franco.
Custino*s occupation was actually short-lived as Prussian and
Austrian forces rallied to regain tho lost territory. When Louis XVI,
former King of Franco, was executed on January 21, 1793, monarchs
throughout Europe became enraged. England had joined tho war. But,
disagreements, along with a lack of cooperation, had allowed France to
once again get a foothold in the Rhine land when, on March 5, 1795, France
and Prussia suddonlymade peace at the Treaty of Basel. Now, France
truly took control of the peasant live in Bollendorf, Nussbaum, and
Mattendorf. Under French influence, the inhabitants received the
benefits of tho French Revolution. Fourteen years of peace would begin
for tho Rhinelanders. The conquerors introduced, little by little, many
of tho "achievements'' from tho rovolution. Titles of nobility and
feudal rights disappeared suddenly, thus tho feudal dues were eliminated.
Peasant proprietorship was established and the French legal system was
introduced, with French as tho judicial language.
But, on tho other hand, the loyalty of the inhabitants to the Roman

Page 3A
 I

Catholic Church made soma of tho people hostile to French rule. "
Church property was secularized. Catholic priests began to loathe
this atheistic regime which had taken away the age-old privileges
of the Church and began to meddle with the internal Church life.
For instance, baptism, marriage, and death documents were no longer
written in Latin, but in French. The Theis family and other peasants
recognized tho certain material gains but became outraged by the
interference of tho French with their customary religious rituals.
Even though a greater part of Germany had become Protestant during
the Reformation, this small area of Germany had remained staunchly
in tho Catholic ojfblt. Now, the French occupation troops were trying
to prohibit religious processions. But, nevertheless, they ware held.
Likewise, monasteries refused to dissolve. Thus it can be seen that
the Church led the vanguard in German resistance against French occupa-
tion.
In Bollendorf,and surrounding villages of our ancestors, old
holidays would still be observed. Decrees ordering the removal of
such "superstitious" relics,statues and crucifixes were sabotaged when
possible. The new municipal government made every effort to have the
local inhabitants obey such rules, but to no avail. In this atmosphere
young Christian Theis grew up. Inspite of government suppression of
•

the Roman Catholic religion, the Theis and other families remained
determined to the end. But,, for fear of the consequences, Mathias
Theis could not speak out and merely droamed of bettor daya as
many of the older men in the community did. Before 1794, this
area, as part of the Austrian Nether lands, was firmly in control of
a Catholic monarchy. But life had changed drastically for many of
the townspeople. However, for the peasant, there was still little
to do but grow his crops and feed his wife and family.
Page 32
 In March, 1796, twenty-seven-year-old Napoleon Bonaparte assumed
command of t h e French armies t h a t were f i g h t i n g in I t a l y . For t h e l a s s t
t h r e e o r four y e a r s , t h e French had been c a r r y i n g on d e s u l t o r y warfare
a g a i n s t t h e S a r d i n i a n s and t h e A u s t r i a n s among t h e d e f i l e s of t h e
Ligurian Apennines and t h e A l p s . His v i c t o r i e s became more and more
common,and,at one p o i n t , h i s armies were within e i g h t y miles of A u s t r i a ' s
c a p i t a l of Vienna. F i n a l l y , in 1797, A u s t r i a and France made peace.
In December, he r e t u r n e d t o P a r i s i n g l o r y , confident t h a t A u s t r i a was
crushed. The v i l l a g e r s in Nussbaum and Bollendorf knew w e l l t h a t France
was and would remain f o r some time t h e i r occupying c o u n t r y . By t h e
e a r l y 1 8 0 0 ' s , Napoleon had become master of a l l of Europe,with undisputed
hegemony on C o n t i n e n t a l Europe. Between 1792 and 1813, A u s t r i a , forever
stubborn, found h e r s e l f fit war w i t h France a t o t a l of f i v e t i m e s .
Before 1800, Germany had been made up of 314 s t a t e s and 1,475 e s t a t e s ,
making a t o t a l of 1,789 independent sovereign s t a t e s . But t h i s
medieval map of Germany d i s a p p e a r e d , thanks t o Napoleon, with 112 s o - c a l l
German s t a t e s which were t o t a l l y a n n i h i l a t e d and absorbed i n t o t h e i r
greater neighbors. Possessions of abbeys, s l o i s t e r s , and former f r e e -
h o l d e r s were suddenly conveyed t o t h e t e r r i t o r i a l p r i n c e s .
In 1801, by t h e T r e a t y of L u n e v i l l e , t h e Rhineland was formally
ceded t o F r a n c e . In 1815, Napoleon I was f i n a l l y defeated in 1815.
Many v i l l a g e r s had been forced t o f i g h t in h i s army, and when t h e t i d e
turned a g a i n s t t h e Snperor, t h e y j o i n e d t h e b a t t l e a g a i n s t him. There
are no s t a t i s t i c s a v a i l a b l e which could t e l l e x a c t l y howmany young
men fought for and died for Emperor Napoleon I a f t e r t h e y had been drafta
from t h e v i l l a g e s in or about Bollendorf. Che t h i n g can be c e r t a i n : not
a l l of t h e youths did come back.

Page 33
m
 I
Inspite of the fact that Europe was in turmoil, with battles
being fought In Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Russia, and
on the sea, Mathias Theis continued to raise hi3 family in the be3t way
he could. Without the luxuries of life, his work was endless. From
the local store in the nearby town, ha might buy a few spices that he
needed and some metal ware. But, other than these items, he found it
necessaryto depend upon his neighbor. Together they could grow the crop
needed to feed the small community with which they were surrounded. In
their, fields and gardens, they grew as many crops as possible. It was
necessary for Mathias,and later Christian, to build their own houses,
and to build the furniture within it. And the clothing of both the men
and woman were the work of several members of the household. Occasional
a travelling craftsman might assist in this work also,
THe livestock owned and the food that the fields provided kept
the families from starving. In time, every house had an oven and a
brewing kettle. The women of the family spun wool into coarse cloth.
In the meantime, men had to tan their own leather. Chce they made their
clothes, they used them till they were worn out. The men in the Theis
family seemed resigned to a certain position in life. They, like their
ancestors, would probably be farmers. Their only other purpose for
living was dedicated to God.
During Napoleon's era, Germany itself had gone through many changes
The Theis and Ewen families had begun to recognize themselves more and
more as persons of Germanic descent. As Austria had clearly lost con-
trol of the Luxembourg region, the inf luances of the French had become
predominant. But,even mora powerful we shall see, became th9 rebellion
against the French superiority. By no means in the catagory of the
average French citizen, Mathias Theis and Johann Hermann,as well as
Jakob Ewen, came to resent their distant relatives that had settled
upon their homeland and forced their ideologies on its inhabitants.
Page 34
m
 In t h e year 1812, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had marched a g a i n s t
the massive Russian Empire. Oi September 15, Napoleon's forces
reached t h e g a t e s of Moscow only t o find an empty and abandoned c i t y .
The Russians had made no formal surrender t o t h e i r enemy and, from
t h a t point, continued t o r e j e c t a l l o f f e r s for a t r u c e with t h e French
invaders. Thus, Napoleon sat i s profound misery, surrounded by t h e
wreckage and d e s o l a t i o n of t h e c a p i t a l c i t y which had been very nearly
destroyed by a v i c i o u s f i r e . Napoleon q u i e t l y lingered among the
blackened r u i n s of Moscow u n t i l November when t h e f i e r c e Russian winter
set i n . Then, he knew, i t was time t o leave.
A l l of Europe had watched as Napoleon had taken on h i s formidable
enemy. Seeing t h e great monarch defeated by t h e peasant army,
Napoleon's s a t e l l i t e s t a t e s deserted him one by one. Napoleon had
received a g r e a t d e a l of support from both Austria and P r u s s i a , n o t
not t o mention o t h e r Germanic s t a t e s . But,now i n e a r l y 1813, P r u s s i a ,
with i t s army of 150,000, joined t h e Russians and began t o fight
Napoleon. Young men in t h e s t a t e s surrounding T r i e r deserted Napoleon'
troops and j o i n e d t h e a l l i e d f o r c e s . Defeated once at The B a t t l e of
Leipzig i n 1813, Napoleon returned t o f i g h t another day. F i n a l l y , once
and for a l l , N a p o l e o n ' s power was broken.
As a consequence of t h e French d e f e a t , t h e Congress of Vienna
took some land away from Luxembourg and t h e region of Bollendorf,,
Mettendorf, and Nussbaum a b r u p t l y came tinder harsh Prussian r u l e .
No longer a French c i t i z e n nor a c i t i z e n of Luxembourg. C h r i s t i a n
Theis had become t r u l y a "German",even though h i s a n c e s t o r s for many
g e n e r a t i o n s had c a r r i e d a Germanic surname. The Congress of Vienna,
in 1814-1815, r e s t o r e d t h e s t a t u s quo of Europe and and t o t a l l y elim-
inated t h o " d e s p o t " t h a t had a r i s e n from France. In b l a t a n t d i s r e g a r d
for t h e n a t i o n a l f e e l i n g s of our a n c e s t o r ' s f e e l i n g s , t h e now-oowerful
s t a t e of P r u s s i a r e c e i v e d t h e g r e a t e r p a r t of t h e Rheinland in order

Page 35
that she might serve as a bulwark against future French i n t r u s i o n s
against t h e German s t a t e s . Austria had now l o s t her claims on t h e
southern N e t h e r l a n d s and Luxembourg, but was adequately compensated
by a more powerful stand in I t a l y . The Holy Roman Empire, which had been
dissolved by Napoleon in 1806, was not r e v i v e d , and t h e German s t a t e s
were s t i l l not a a t r o n g l y - k n i t - n a t i o n a l s t a t e . There was no Germany
in e x i s t e n c e t h e n as we know i t today. In place of t h e Holy Roman
Empire, t h e r e was c r e a t e d t h e German Confederation, which, at t h e o u t s e t ,
was dominated by A u s t r i a . But,for t h e f i r s t t i m e , our ancestors could
t r u l y be c a l l e d P r u s s i a n as well as^Germart'.
But, w i t h P r u s s i a n r u l e , came t h e d r a s t i c changes. Mathias Theis
had been a b l e t o go with h i s f a t h e r i n t o t h o f o r e s t and cut down t h e
wood t h a t was needed for f i r e . They could hunt f r e e l y i n search for
the a n i m a l s . t h a t provided them with meat, shoes and c o a t s . But t h e
Prussian a d m i n i s t r a t o r s came in and cut down t h e wood for t h e s t a t e .
This wood was t o be sold t o f a c t o r i e s , a n d , l a t e r on, would fuel t h e
railways. In t h e decades t o come, I n d u s t r i a l Revolution took p l a c e .
The r a i l w a y s made t h e i r f i r s t e n t r a n c e in about t h e y e a r 1835.
In a d d i t i o n , f r e e p a s t u r e land for t h e c a t t l e of C h r i s t i a n Theis
was suddenly gone. A l l t h o free land was becoming t h e property of
the s t a t e . And a s t h e population grew, t h e land seemed t o shrink.
Taxes were h e a v i e r than ever, and a f t e r t h e churches c o l l e c t e d t h e i r
annual t i t h e s , l i t t l e was l e f t over for C h r i s t i a n Theis and h i s fellow
peasants. When t a x e s could not be paid, t h e church would t a k e g r a i n
or l i v e s t o c k i n s t e a d . - But-Herr Theis, with t h e h e l p of h i s family,
was a r e s o u r c e f u l man,making every e f f o r t to. see t h a t h i s family would
be fed. Although he attempted t o makes h i s a c r e s produce more and more
and meet t h e growing meeds of t h e r e g i o n , mortgages and debts mounted.

Page 36
 *
!

But few men were truly willing to leave the soil that had been
cultivated by his ancestors for countless generations. The man had
to know something about the place tovhich they were going. And, on
not all occasions did a family know enough about America. However,
year-by-year, conditions in the Rheinland were becoming very grim.
Here, a continuous division of the peasant farms had created districts
.of "dwarf economy" and many of tho landless workers during this period
had found it necessary to drift into the towns for work. Meanwhile,
the peasant workers barely needed a plough to cultivate their tiny
patches of property. Already the population of Germany had grown from
25 million to more than 34 million between the years of 1815 and 1845. ±3
A generation of poor farmers was also becoming very large. In
Mettendorf, a certain Nicolaus Schreifels and his wife Catharina Elsen
had produced four children: Maria(born Nov. 6, 1838). Nicolaus(born
Sept. 9, 1840). Margaretha(born April 26, 1841),and Johann(born Oct.
14, 1843). Likewise another family of relatives with Simon Ewen had
produced in Mettendorf a crop of five children born between 1821
and 1828. But crops of children and crops of wheat were two different
things. And, with the occasional bad years, some farmers were on the
vergo of starvation. In BolLendorf, Herr Johann Sontag/Sonntag and,
his wife,Susanna Dederich, were also working on a family. And, in
Nussbaum, Nicolaus Theis and Margaretha Rechtfertig,had produced a
familv of throe between 1831 and 1836. The family of Michael Ewen,
born during the French occupation, was also struggling along in Nussbaua.
With his wife, Susanna Sonntag, they produced a crop of girls.the first
of them being Catharina(born April 20, 1821) who.later married, on
Cfctober 24, 1844,a certain Nicholas(or Nicolaus) Schramm,the son of
the late Johannes Schramm and of the late Elisabeth Lutz from Fersch-
eel ler. . Catharina,herself,had been born in-Stockigt, that small village
mentioned on page 24. The actual chart showing the sketchy ancestry of-
Page 37
the Ewen-Sonntag families. Then, Elisabeth was born on January .L,
1824,followed by Christine Ewen,born on March 4, 1827. Next in line
was Anna Maria,who was born on August 7, 1829,who died on February
12,1830.But a second Anna Maria Ewen was born in May, 1831. Catharina
was confirmed in 1833,Elisabeth in 1838, and Christine in 1841. The
surnames Ewen,Elsen,Sonntag and Theis were very common in both Bollendorf
as well as Nussbaum,and even in Mettendorf.. It might be said that all
such individuals were shirt-tail cousins.
Oi Feb. 15, .1849, the marriage of one Nikolaus Theis,the son of
Christian Theis and Maria Hermann, both from Bollendorf/Sauer, and of
Elisabeth Ewen, the daughter of Michael Ewen and Susanna Sonntag, took
place. Nicolaus Theis was one of four known children b o m to Christian
Theis and Maria Hermann. In fact, Nicolaus was the oldest, followed by
Peter Theis and then John Theis. There ^was,.a daughter, but little is
known about her and she is referred to as Mrs. Scutz, although the spel-
ling remains unclear.
In tho pages that follow we are presented with a list of the known
descendants of Nikolaus Theis and Elizabeth, and, starting, at household
#366, tho descendants of Johann Schreifels and his wife. The pages are
not numbered to avoid confusion for the reader. Instead, there are two
columns of numbers. Tho first column shows the name of the Individuals,
while tho second column lists the heads of the households.
-
As an example, #1 is the ancestor of all(or almost all of) tho
Co Id. Spring Theis'. Listed as numbers #2 through #7 aro his six known
children. WO may pick #5, John Theis, next,and search down the second
column to find #5(which is on tho second page). Listed there are his
children,which happen to be #23 through #30,all of them listed on tho
first column. Among the children of John Theis were Nicholas T. Thhis.
In searching down the second column(to befound on the fifth page), Nik
T. Theis and his wife will be found and all of their children.
Nicholas T. Theis and h i s wife, Mary Z e i t l e r , are l i s t e d in t h e second
column at Household #24,while t h e i r c h i l d r e n are l i s t e d as #76 through
#81.
As s t i l l another example, we have t h e founder of t h e family, M
Nick. T h e i s , w i t h h i s wife T E l i s a b e t h , andL t h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d as
#2 through #7,a 11 i n t h e f i r s t column. John Theis was l i s t e d as #5
in t h e f i r s t column as a child of Nicholas, but on t h e next page he i s
l i s t e d a g a i n as # 5 , t h i s time in t h e second column. Here we l i s t h i s
c h i l d r e n , #23 through #30. Among them I point out Frank Joseph Theis,
#29. However, go down s e v e r a l pages t o #29 in t h e second column,
again Frank Joseph Theis,and h i s twelve c h i l d r e n are l i s t e d below a s
#91 through #102.a 11 l i s t e d on t h e second column. To find t h e c h i l d r e n
of merely one of t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s , we s h a l l pick Renee The3J#, #99.
To find t h e c h i l d r e n of Renee (Theis) Buerman.we look for #99 i n t h e
second column. Below her a r e l i s t e d her f i v e c h i l d r e n , #276-#280
F i n a l l y , w e should note #366, Johann S c h r e i f e l s . who brought h i s
family t o America in 1857. His c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d as #367 through
#374. To pick one of t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s , we look for John S c h r e i f e l s .
#373 i n t h e second column,and h i s c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g . #386
through #395. J o h n ' s c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d on t h e f i r s t column a s #386
through #395. Among t h i s multitude of offspring,we might pick Math
M. S c h r e i f e l s , #388. When we search for #388 in t h o second column,
w e ' l l .£iad.JaJL3L-nam*-wi£h jthtet of h i s wife and t h e i r c h i l d r e n , who
are l i s t e d a s #409 through #413,including #410,Philomena Schreifels.
who c o n t r i b u t e d a g r e a t d e a l t o t h e s e c h a r t s . But,when you l o o t up
*#410 i n t h e second column, i t i s obvious t h a t she married Stephen
Michael T h e i s . The l a t t e r person i s l i s t e d as a Theis descendant.
%toce Stephen 1 i s - $5* I n *h« first'coinrao,--ffcoirrhe-children of both
Stephen M. Theis and'PhilomeSchreifels a r e a l l l i s t e d under t h e
household #54 a s #132 through #138.as both S c h r e i f e l s and Theis
descendants. pa&e 39
 THE DESCENDANTS CF NIK CLAUS THEIS & ELIZABETH EWEN:
1. THE FAMILY CF NIKCLAUS THEIS, born September 9, 1821 In
Bollendorf Prussia; deceased on March 15, 1886 at the
age of 65 in Wakefield Township, Stearns County,
Minnesota, United States.
married(February 15, 1849 In Nussbaum, Prussia).,.
ELIZABETH EWEN, born January 19 1824(according to family
accounts, Jan. 9, 1824) In Stockigt/Nussbaum, Prussia;
deceased November 4, 1909 at the age of 85 in Cold
Spring, Stearns county,Minnesota.
Their children were as follows:
2. Michael Theis, born Feb. 21, 1851, Bollendorf, Prussia.
3. Wilhelm(Williara) Theis, born October 5, 1854, Illinois.
4. Katherine(Katie) Theis, born October 16, 1855, Minnesota.
5. John Theis, born July 7, 1858, Minnesota.
6. Mary Theis, born in 1861.
7. Nicholas Theis, born in 1865, deceased in 1879 at the age
of fourteen from diptheria.
2. THE FAMILY CF MICHAEL THEIS(born February 21, 1851,
Bollendorf, Prussia-deceased April 16, 1926 at St.
N icholas. Minnesota).
married on February 1, 1876 at St. James Church,
Jacob's Prairie, to....
MARGARET SCHAEFER, born June 20, 1854 in Buffalo, New York,
daughter of Jacob Schaefer and Katherine Albert, died
on March 23, 1946 in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
Family notes: When Mrs. Margaret (Schaefer) Theis died on
March 23, 1946^ she was one of tho oldest living residents
of tho Luxembourg Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. At
tho time of her death, she was ninety-one years, nine months,
and three days, boasting a total of forty grandchildren,
seventy-throe great-granchildren, as well as two great-great-
grandchildren ******. Ten of her grandsons served In the
American military service during World War II.
Tho family of Michael and Margaret Theis as follows:
8. John Thois, born January 2, 1877.
9. Katharine Thois, born September 18, 1878.Deceased March 22,1919.
10. Nick Theis, born September 8, 1880.
11. Mary Theis, born Dec. 11, 1882.
12. Joe Theis, born April 6, 1885.
13. Elizabeth Theis, born Feb. 7, 1888. Deceased March 13, 1973.
Elizabeth was a cook for a priest for 49 years.
14. W i l l i a m T h e i s , b o r n J u l y 2 1 , 1890.
15. C h r i s t T h e i s , born May 2 9 , 1893.
3 . THE FAMILY CF WILLIAM THEIS, born October 5 ,
1854, i n t h e S t a t e of I l l i n o i s ; d e c e a s e d , December
9 , 1900, S t e a r n s County, M i n n e s o t a ,
married t o . . . .
ANNA ELLENBECKER, born F e b r u a r y 17, 1857. W i s c o n s i n ;
d e c e a s e d March 2 5 , 1 9 0 6 , M i n n e s o t a . T h e i r f a m i l y
included t h e following persons:
16. N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( b o r n 1 8 7 8 ) , m a r r i e d ( f i r s t ) , Susan F u c h s . . . .
m a r r i e d ( s e c o n d l y ) , K a t i e Decker. H i s o f f s p r i n g by t h e
f i r s t m a r r i a g e i n c l u d e d t h r e e s o n s , Edward, C a r l , and
Marcelus, as well as a daughter.
I7i M i c h a e l T h e i s , m a r r i e d t o C l a r a Hemmesch. M i c h a e l B. T h e i s and
C l a r a had a s o n , G i l b e r t W. Theis,who had a son named Robert
18. Bill Theis. A. T h e i s ( b o r n S e p t . 3,1942-
d i e d S e p t . 1 1 , 1961)
19. John T h o i s .
20. Katio Theis.
21. Elizabeth Theis.
22. Catherine Theis.
4 . THE FAMILY CF KATHERINE (KATIE) THEIS and h e r h u s b a n d ,
FRANK ELLENBECKER, a h a r d w a r e d e a l e r from L i t t l e F a l l s ,
Is not l i s t e d at the present time.
5 . THE FAMILY CF JCHN THEIS, b o r n J u l y 7, 1858, Cold S p r i n g ,
M i n n e s o t a ; d e c e a s e d J u n e 15. 1934, Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a .
m a r r i e d on J a n u a r y 3 1 , 1882, t o . . .
MAGDALENA SCHAEFER, b o r n May 10, 1862. S t e a r n s County,
M i n n e s o t a ; d e c e a s e d , December 7, 1943. Cold S p r i n g ,
a t t h e a g e of e i g h t y - o n o . Miss Lena S c h a e f e r was t h e
d a u g h t e r of J a c o b S c h a e f e r and of K a t h e r i n e A l b e r t .
Their family included t h e following:
23. J a c o b T h e i s , b o m J u n e 7 , 1883.
24. N i c h o l a s T. T h e i s , b o r n J u n e 4 , 1885.
25. Elizabeth Theis,
26. Katie Theis (born February 2, 1890).
27. Michael Theis(1891-1892,died in infancy).
28. M a r y ( S i s t e r C a s s i a , O.S.B.), born January 20, 1893: e n t e r e d
t h e s c h o l a s t i c a t e , a t S t . B e n e d i c t ' s , October 8, 1919;
d e c e a s e d J u n e 1 5 , 1962 a t t h e a g e of s i x t y - n i n e .
29. F r a n k J o s e p h T h e i s , b o r n October 7 , 1896.
30. Mathew T h e i s , b o r n and d i e d i n 1900.
 6. THE FAMILY of MARY THEIS, born 1861, and FRANK KINZER
is as follows:

31. Blondena Kinzer, married to Jacob Blonigan,

32. Frank Kinzer, married to Mary Finken.
33. Elizabeth Kinzer, born Oct, 11, 1886.
34. Susan Kinzer, married to Nick L. Schreifels.
35. Edward Kinzer.

81 THE FAMILY CF JCHN THEIS,born J a n u a r y 2 , 1877, S t .

N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a ; d e c e a s e d March 1 3 , 1958
m a r r i e d on J u n e 1 5 . 1 9 0 5 . S t . C l o u d , t o . . . .
ANNA GAIKE, born March 1 7 , 1 8 8 0 , S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a ,
d e c e a s e d November 9, 1962. T h e i r f a m i l y a s f o l l o w s :
36. A l o i s T h e i s , b o r n J u l y 16, 1907, S t . N i c h o l a s , d e c e a s e d
October 2 2 , 1 9 7 4 , S t . J o s e p h Home, S t . Cloud,Minn.
m a r r i e d October, 1 9 4 7 , S t . A n t h o n y ' s Church, S t .
Cloud.Minnesota,to.,..
ANN MOELLEU, b o r n September 2 1 , 1903, Lyndon Township;
d e c e a s e d , J a n . 2 8 , 1972, S t . Cloud. No c h i l d r e n born
to t h i s marriage.
37. G e r t r u d e T h e i s , b o r n May 1, 1910.
38. F r a n c e s T h e i s , b o r n October 2 9 , 1916, m a r r i e d t o Henry
Moeller.
39. R e g i n a T h e i s , b o r n J u n e 2 0 , 1922.
10. THE FAMILY CF NICK THEIS, born September 8 1880,
S t . N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a ; d e c e a s e d May 2 2 , 1974,
Cold S p r i n g .
m a r r i e d on October 2 7 , 1908 t o . . .
MATHILDA BECKER, BCRN F e b . 15, 1 8 8 9 ; d e c e a s e d May 12, 1974,
Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a .
F a m i l y n o t e s : When N i c h o l a s A; T h e i s d i e d a t t h e age of
93 i n 1974, h o l e f t b e h i n d 24 g r a n c h i l d r e n , 59 g r e a t -
g r a n c h i l d r e n , and o n e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d . N i c h o l a s
and M a t h i l d a d i e d w i t h i n t e n days of one a n o t h e r . Oa
May 1 7 , 1 9 7 3 , t h o Cold S p r i n g Record had a p i c t u r e of
Mr. and M r s . N i c k T h e i s i n a f i v e g e n e r a t i o n p i c t u r e ,
a l o n g w i t h Mr. and M r s . J o h n S c h r e i f e l s , M r . and M r s .
R o b e r t H o l t h a u s , Mr, and Mrs. James G e r t k e n , and t h e i r
g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d d a u g h t e r , C h r i s t i n e G e r t k e n , t h e n one
month o l d .
40. W i l l i a m T h e i s , b o r n May 30, 1911, m a r r i e d E l i z a b e t h S c h r e i f e l s .
41. B a r b a r a T h e i s , b o r n S e p t . 15, 1 9 1 2 , m a r r i e d John S c h r e i f e l s .
42. C a r o l i n e T h e i s , b o r n Jufcy 1 4 , 1 9 1 4 , m a r r i e d C l a r e n c e
Kuebuelbeck.
T h e r e s i a T h e i s , b o r n November 13, 1 9 1 6 , m a r r i e d E d d i e Vogt.

V e r o n i c a T h e i s , b o r n December 2 3 , 1919, m a r r i e d K a r l Edman

 ^ 1

45. L u c i l l e T h e i s , b o r n June 4, 1926, married Davis Bruce.

1 1 . THE FAMILY CF MARY THEIS, born December 11. 1882-
deceased A p r i l 8, 1974. *
married on September 8, 1908 t o . . .
GECRGE ASHFELD. born 1870;deceased May 19, 1954.
Family n o t e : When Mrs. Mary Ashfeld died a t theage of 91
she had 49 g r a n d c h i l d r e n and 112 g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n .
T h e i r c h i l d r e n included as f o l l o w s :
46. Mike Ashfeld, married L i l l i e S c h r e i f e l s .
47. P e t e r Ashfeld, married Caroline N i s t l e r .
48. John Ashfeld, married Irene S t e l t o n .
49. Regina Ashfeld, married Norbert N i s t l e r .
50. Alphonse Ashfeld.
51. Alvina Ashfeld, married B i l l Bogart.
52. T h e r e s i a Ashfeld, married B i l l Arbogast.
53. F r e d i e Ashfeld, married L u c i l l e N i s t l e r .
12. THE FAMILY CF JOE THEIS born A p r i l 6, 1885;
deceased January 1, 1970,CoId Spring,Minnesota,
m a r r i e d , October, 1 9 1 0 , t o . . .
BERTHA BECKER,born October, 1890; deceased 1938, S t . H i c h o l a s ,
Minnesota. Two c h i l d r e n were born t o t h i s marriage,
Agatha and Marcus T h e i s . J o e Theis remarried a f f e r
t h e d e a t h of Bertha.
14, ffHE FAMILY CF WILLIAM A. THEIS born J u l y 2 1 , 1890
who married on September 8, 1914(St, Nicholas Church,
St. Nicholas,Minnesota)....
THERESIA SCHREINER,born August 3, 1895;deceased J u l y 15, 1967.
Their childrenflare l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
54
• Stephen Michael T h e i s . born January 2 , 1916, S t . N i c h o l a s ;
deceased October 12, 1960.
55. Monica T h e i s , born November 30, 1917, S t . N i c h o l a s .
56. Veronica T h e i s , born November 30, 1917, S t . N i c h o l a s .
5 7 . a . Romuald T h e i s , born Feb. 28,1919;deceased A p r i l 19,1919.
58. Edwin T h e i s , born September 4, 1924,St. Nicholas,Minn.
59. Alfred T h e i s , born A p r i l 6,1926, S t . Nicholas,Minn.
60. Alphonse,born A p r i l 6, 1926, S t . Nicholas,Minn.
61. C e l e s t i n e , born,deceased December 26, 1927.
62. Mario T h e i s , b o r n J u l y 2, 1929,St. Nicholas,Minn.
57.b. Roman T h e i s , f i f t h - b o r n of ^ H * ? / * J ? 1 * * ^ ? ^ J ? ^ ! M ,
S h r e i n e ^ , born December 3 , 1920 The c h i l d r e n of t h i s
c o u p l e a r e l i s t e d between Families #60 and #6Z.
63. Rufina T h e i s , born J a n . 28, 1931,St. Nicholas,Minnesota.
64. Joseph T h e i s , b o r n Sept. 4,1932-deceased March 13,1933.
65. Joseph T h e i s , b o r n January 30, 1934,St. Nicholas,Minn.
15.THE FAMIKY CF CHRIST THEIS, born May 29, 1883, S t . N l c h o l a s ,
Minnesota;deceased October 10,1961,St. Cloud.Minnesota.
married,September 6, 1916,Cold Spring,Minn.
THERESIA SCHREIFELS,born June 18, 1898, Cold Sprlng.Mlnnesota.
T h e i r family i s as follows:
66. S y l v e s t e r T h e i s , born January 7, 1925, S t . Nicholas,Minnesota.
67. D e l r o s e , born March 2 1 , 1927.
68. Rose Mary T h e i s , born Sept. 22,1936.
23.THE FAMILY CF JACCB THEIS,born June 7,1883;deceased
September 14, 1962.
married on October 7,1907, t o . . . .
MARY ANN M0LITCR,born December 31,1882 near R o c k v i l l e ;
deceased August 27, 1954, Cold Spring,Minnesota.
T h e i r family i s as follows:
69. C h r i s t i n e T h e i s , born December 25, 1910,married P e t e r J u n g e l s ;
t h i s marriage has an adopted son named Gerald J u n g e l s .
70. A d e l i n e T h e i s , married Thomas Mathies. This marriage has
produced a t l e a s t e i g h t c h i l d r e n .
71. Agatha T h e i s , married Gerhard Birk.
72. Barbaraproduced
T h e i s thirteen
, married children.
C y r i l F i c k e r . This marriage has
73. L o r e t t a T h e i s , married August Brutger.
74. H e r b e r t T h e i s , born May14, 1924,Cold Spring,Minnesota.
75. Dorothy T h o i s , married t o Richard Koloski. This marriage
has produced a t l e a s t f i v e c h i l d r e n .
24.THE FAMILY CF NICHOLAS T. THEIS, born June 4, 1885,Cold
Spring-Minnesota; deceased December 26, 1965,Minot,
N o r t h Dakota.
Married on August 30, 1 9 0 9 . . .
MARY ZEITLER,deceased A p r i l , 1965. Their family i s as follows:
76. M a t h i l d a T h e i s , married to Jack Garmen.
77. L o r e t t a , married Casper Hanson.
78. I r e n e , m a r r i e d Frank Brockey, S r .
79. S y l v e s t e r , who has married and has a t l e a s t four c h i l d r e n .
80. Alvin T h e i s .
81. Raymond Theis,who has at least one son.
 !

25. THE FAMILY CF ELIZABETH THEIS,born May 15, 1887-

deceased November 8.1973.
married, September 17. 1906,
GECRGE MCLITCR, born January 20, 18/8, near Rockville;
deceased September, 1945 at the age of 67, Rockville;
George Molttor was the son of Michael Molitor, born
May 17, 1838 in Cberstgegend, Prussia, and Elizabeth
Schmit, and grandson of Martin Molitor(deceased 1882)
and Mary Hommerding(deceased 1891). Their family is
as follows:
82. Michael Molitor, married to Katherine Theisen. Thfe marriage
has produced three daughters, Iris,Irene,and Phyllis.
83. Peter Molitor, married to Hilda Zimmermann. This marriage
has produced four sons and four daughters.
84. Joseph Molitor,married to Florence tZimmermann. This marriage
has produced more than ten children.
Elizabeth C. Molitor,born November 22, 1907, Rockville,Minn.
86. Genevieve Molitor, married to Al Mumm. This marriage has
produced ten children,
26. THE FAMILY CF KATIE THEIS, born February 2, 1890,
Cold Spring, married November 22,1910, to,,..
HERCNIM0US (Jerome) SCHNEIDER, born September 24, 1880
.. in Hungary; came to America in 1884; deceased May 5, 1951.
Their family as follows:
Leander Schneider, born October 24, 1911.
Lidwina Schneider, born December 22, 1912. Cold Spring, or
December 21, 1913; deceased December 1, 1952, Watkins,
Minnesota.
89. Magdalena Schneidter,born March 10, 1921.
90. Edmund Jacob Schneider, born February 12, 1916.
29.THE FAMILY CF FRANK JOSEPH THEIS, born October 7, 1896,
Cold Spring,Minnesota.
married, October 7, 1919.to,...
MAGDALENA MARIE (Lena) SCHREIFELS, born April 20, 1900,
daughter of John Schreifels and Mary Theisen. Their
family Is listed as follows:
91
» Gerald Christ Theis, born February 22, 1921.
92. Bernadette Margaret Theis, born September 19, 1922.
93. Marie Elizabeth Theis, born September 7, 1924.
94. Juliana Katharine, born March 25, 1926.
95. Angeline Catherine Theis, born May 26, 1929.
 "1
96. Leona Catherine Theis, born June 15, 1931.
97. Elroy John, born April 15, 1933.
98. Delrose Ann, born February 2, 1935.
99. Renee Barbara Theis, born April 20, 1937.
100. Irene Susan Theis, born January 7, 1939.
101. Richard George Theis, born April 6, 1940.
102. Raymond Gerhard Theis, born May 26, 1941.
33. THE FAMILY CF ELIZABETH KINZER, born October 11,
1886, deceased on May 22, 1974 at the age of 87.
married, on June 25, 1907, to...
CHRIST THEISEN(died in 1930), son of Paul Theisen.
Their family is as follows: >
103.f N i c h o i a s Theisen.
104. Esther Theisen, married to Lloyd Holmgren.
105. Adeline Theisen, married to Leo Kramer.
106. Alma Theisen, married to. Douglas Farnquist.
107. Mary Theisen, married to Pat O'Keefe.
108. Kay^ Theisen, married to Calvin Campbell.
109. Frank Theisen.
33. Notes on above-mentioned family. When Mrs. Elizabeth M.
(Kinzer) Theisen. died in 1974, she had a total of forty-
seven grand children and 41 great-grandchildren. As their
names are yet unknown, they have not been listed yet.
Mrs. Elizabeth M.Theisen died at the age of 87 at the Bethany Home.
34. THE FAMILY CF SUSAN KINZER and NICK L. SCHREIFELS,
born 1895,deceased March 11, 1946. Nick L. Schreifels,
the son of John Schreifels and Mary Theisen, married
Susan Kinzer on May 23, 1916 at St. Anthony Church,
Watkins, Minnesota. Their children are listed as
follows:
110. Delphlne Schreifels, married Paul Carson.
111. Mary Ann Schreifels, married Henry Do Id.
112. Delores Schreifels.
113. Frances Schreifels.
37. THE FAMILY CF GERTRUDE THEIS, born May 1, 1910,
married in 1935,to....
ISIDORE MEYER, born September 16, 1902. The following
children were born to this couple:
114. Rose Mary Meyer, born August 6, 1936.
115. Ruth Meyer, born September 4, 1937,
116. Donald Meyer, born September 20, 1939,married on Nov. 25
1965, to Delphine Klisch,who was born Feb. 2, 1941.
117. Kenneth Meyer, born April 17, 1941; diod January 3, 1963.
118. Kathleen Meyer, born April, 1941, St. Nicholas, Minnesota.
119. Caroline Meyer, born June 12, 1943,deceased January 4, 1944.
120. Carol Ann Meyer, born June 12, 1943.
39. THE FAMILY CF REGINA THEIS, born June 20 1922
married,March 2, 1943, St. Nicholas,Minn., to..!.
LEANDER MEYER, born May, 1913. Their children as follows are:
121. Lawrence Meyer, born July 27, 1943.
122. Fred Meyer, born March 27, 1945.
123. Maynard* Meyer, born May 14, 1946.
124. Maxine Mayer, born May 14, 1946.
125. Janet Meyer, born November 8, 1947.
126. lone Meyer, born April 26, 1949.
127. David Meyer, born March 22, 1951.
128. Grace Meyer, born October 21, 1952.
129. Thomas, born November 19, 1955.
130. Theresia Mayer, born Oct. 22, 1956.
131. Gloria Meyer, born May 8, 1960.
FAMILIES #40 through #45, tho families of the children of
Nick Theis and Mathilda Becker have not yet been listed
for the family history.
FAMILIES #46 through #53, the families of the children of
Mary Thois and George Ashfeld, Sr., aro unknown and
are not presently listed,
54. THE FAMILY <F STEPHEN MICHAEL THEIS, born January 2,
1916, St. Nicholas Minnesota; deceased October 12,
1960.
married, Sept. 8, 1941, St. * Boniface Church, Cold
Spring, Minn,, to...
PHILCMENA MARY SCHREIFELS, born August 16, 1915, Cold Spring.
132
Their children are listed as follows:
» Wilfred William Theis, born November 11,1942, St. Cloud,Minn.
133. Eldred Matthew Theis, born August 7, 1944, Richmond, Minn.

_•
134. D e l r o y Roman T h e i s , born August 9, 1946, S t . Cloud, Minn.
135. D e l r o s e V e r o n i c a T h e i s , born J u l y 13, 1948, S t . Cloud.
136. Mary Ann T h e i s , born September 10, 1950, S t . Cloud.
137. E l i z a b e t h Ann T h e i s , born A p r i l 17, 1953, S t . Cloud, Minn.
m a r r i e d on J u l y 2 0 , 1974 S t , Boniface C a t h o l i c Church,
Cold S p r i n g , t o R i c h a r d J . F l a s c h e n r i e m ( b o r n F e b . 2 5 .
1951). *
138. Rose Ann T h e i s , b o r n October 12, 1959, S t . Cloud,Minn.
5 5 . THE FAMILY CF MCNICA KATHERINE THEIS, b o r n November 30,
1917, S t e a r n s c o u n t y . M i n n . ,
m a r r i e d , M a y 8, 1 9 4 7 , S t . N i c h o l a s C a t h o l i c Church, t o . . .
LAWRENCE JCHN HUSCHLE, born J u n e 17, 1921 i n S o u t h Dakota.
Their family i s l i s t e d as follows:
139. Thomas Raymond H u s c h l e , born August 2 , 1948, Eden V a l l e y , M i n n .
140. Lora M a r c e l l a H u s c h l e , born August 20, 1949, Eden V a l l e y , M i n n ,
141. Dorothy M a r i e H u s c h l e , born F e b r u a r y 1 8 , 1951, Eden V a l l e y .
142. L u c i l l e A r l e n e H u s c h l e , b o r n J a n u a r y 9, 1953, Eden V a l l e y .
143. J o h n J e r o m e H u s c h l e , born J u n e 24, 1955, Eden V a l l e y , S t e a r n s
C o u n t y , M i n n e s o t a , w h o m a r r i e d on October 4 , 1975, a t the
Church of E n n u n c i a t i o n , M i n n e a p o l i s , M i s s L i s a S t a n g ( b o r n
A p r i l 15,1957).
143. Dale Edwin H u s c h l e , born J u n e 2 8 , 1958.
144. G r a c e Ledwina H u s c h l e , born S e p t . 2 5 , 1959.
56. THE FAMILY CF VERCNICA THEIS, b o r n November 3 0 , 1917,
St, Nicholas.Minnesota.
m a r r i e d , J u n e 17, 1946, S t . N i c h o l a s , t o . . .
DCNALD HAETER born August 2 6 , 1919 i n S t . Augugta,Minn.
Their family i s as follows:
145. J a n e t K a e t e r , born J u n e 10, 1947, S t . Cloud,Minn.
146. Sharon K a e t e r , born October 19, 1948, S t . Cloud,Minn.
147. Y v e t t o K a e t e r , b o m A p r i l 1 2 , 1 9 4 9 ; d e c e a s e d August 2 5 , 1963.
148. Mary J a n e K a e t e r , born J u n e 10, 1947, S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a .
( C o r r e c t i o n : December 1 3 , 1 9 5 1 , f o r above d a t e ) .
149. B e t t y J a n e K a e t e r , b o r n December 1 3 , 1 9 5 1 . Twin of Mary J a n o
K a e t e r , l i s t e d a s #148.
150. M a r g a r e t K a e t e r , b o r n August 2 7 , 1953, was m a r r i e d on J u l y 2 6 ,
1975 Sauk R a p i d s . M i n n , t o R i c h a r d B u e r s k e n ( b o r n May 2 / ,
1954) S t . C l o u d , M i n n . ) .
151. M a r v i n , b o r n October 30, 1954.
152. M i c h a e l , b o r n F e b r u a r y 1, 1958.
 5 8 . THE FAMILY CF EDWIN THEIS, b o r n S e p t . 4 , 1920, S t .
Nicholas.Minn.
m a r r i e d S e p t . 5 , 1849, Eden V a l l e y , M i n n . . t o
ADELINE NISTLER(born May 9 , 1925, Eden V a l l e y ) . T h e i r
family i s l i s t e d as follows:
153. Anna M a r i e p i e i s , born S e p t . 2 6 , 1952, S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a .
154. Donna Mae T h e i s , b o r n S e p t . 2 4 , 1954, S t . Cloud.
m a r r i e d on Nov. 2 9 , 1975, i n Cold S p r i n g , t o . . .
I r v i n W o l b e c k ( b o r n A p r i l 17, 1950,Sauk C e n t e r , M i n n . ) .
155. T h e r e s i a T h e i s , b o r n August 3 1 , 1 9 5 6 , S t . Cloud.
156. Ronald T h e i s , b o r n June 2, 1959.
157. Thomas T h e i s , born May 2 5 , 1960.
5 9 . THE FAMILY CF ALFRED THEIS, born A p r i l 6,1926,St.
Nicholas Minnesota.
married, June 5, 1951,St. Nicholas, t o . . .
LUDWINA NEU(born Octobar 5, 1 9 3 2 , S t . N i c h o l a s ) . T h e i r family
i s l i s t e d as follows:
158. Roger T h e i s , born May 3 , 1952.
159. D i a n e T h e i s b o r n J u n e 19, 1953, S t . Cloud,Minn. Cn S e p t . 20
1975, s h e m a r r i e d Clement P e t e r T o u r a n d ( b o r n F e b . 2 5 , 1 9 5 1 ) .
160.8 E l a i n e T h e i s , b o r n J u n e 5, 1954. Cn J u l y 12, 1975, s h e m a r r i e d
Ronald R a m l a r ( b o r n October 1, 1951 i n M a l r o s e , M i n n . ) .
161. C a r o l T h a i s , born October 12,1955,who m a r r i e d # 2 3 2 , l i s t e d below.
162. Helen T h e i s , born December % 5, 1956.
163. I r e n e T h a i s , b o r n J a n u a r y 30, 1958.
164. Reynold T h e i s , b o r n J a n u a r y 4 , 1959.
165. L o r r a i n e T h a i s , born J a n u a r y 2, 1960.
166. M i c h a e l T h a i s , born May 4 , 1 9 6 1 .
167. K a t h l e e n T h a i s , b o r n March 3 , 1962.
168. Mark T h e i s , b o r n Ju^" 3 , 1964.
169. Sharon T h e i s , born Feb. 12,1968.
170. Kenneth T h e i s , b o r n J a n . 26,. 1969.
171. Jamas T h e i s , b o r n March 1 7 , 1970.
6 0 . THE FAMILY CF ALPHCNSE THEIS, born A p r i l 6, 1926.
m a r r i e d C c t o b a r 12, 1949 t o . . . , . „. . .,
ALICE NEU(born October 17, l 9 3 0 , S t . N i c h o l a s ) . T h e i r f a m i l y
i s l i s t e d a s follows&n t h a f o l l o w i n g page:
 60. THE FAMILY CF ALPHCNSE THEIS and ALICE NEU,as continued
from t h e previous page;
172. Daniel Alfred T h e i s , born January 16,1951.
173. Robert Joseph T h e i s , born May 2, 1952.
m a r r i e d , Maj- 3 1 , 19/5, to Miss Mary Frank(born
August 10, 1954).
174. David Eldred T h e i s , born June 12, 1956.
175. Nancy Lenara T h e i s , born January 24, 1959.
176. A l l e n Roman T h e i s , born August 27, 1961.
57.b.THE FAMILY CF RCMAN THEIS born December 3 , 1920,
S t . N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a . Qi S e p t . 19, 1950, he married
3 Barbara Dingmann(born Dec. 24, 1923,Farming,Minnesota).
177. Richard T h e i s , born Sept. 5, 1951, S t . (Edoucpj-nnesota.
178. Judy Mae T h e i s , born May 6, 1953, S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
179. S t a n l e y T h a i s , born J a n . 1 1 , 1955, S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
180. Mary J o T h e i s , born February 2, 1956, M i n n e a p o l i s . Oi
October 1 1 , 1975,at S t . Agnes C a t h o l i c Church i n S t .
P a u l , M i n n e s o t a , she married Michael A l l e n V i c h i c h .
181. Lou Ann T h e i s , born A p r i l 1 1 , 1962, Minneapolis,Minnesota,
Oi
62. THE FAMILY CF MARIE THEIS, born J u l y 2 , 1929, who,
m a r r i e d , on August 24, 1950, Mr. RALPH NISTLER(born
J u l y 9, 1929, Eden V a l l e y , M i n n . ) . Their family i s
l i s t e d below:
182. L i l a J e a n N i s t l e r , born November 30, 1952, S t . Cloud.
183. E i l e e n N i s t l e r , born Ap4il 7,1954, S t . Cloud.
184. S y l v e s t e r N i s t l e r , born May 17, 1956.
185. Lois N i s t l e r , born June 1, 1957.
186. Daborah, born October 17, 1958.
187. Brenda N i s t l e r , born February 15, 1960.
188. Stephen N i s t l e r , born May 27,1963.
63. THE FAMILY CF RUFINA THEIS, born J a n . 28 1931, S t .
N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a , who m a r r i e d , A p r i l 24, 1952. Mr.
SYLVESTER JAGIELSKI(born October 1, 1926, S t . Cloud),
T h e i r family i s l i s t e d as f o l l o w s ;
189. Mary Lou J a g i e l s k i , born November 2 4 . 1952, who. on Nov.
16, 1974, m a r r i e d Frad Alan Day(born S e p t . 26, 1952).
190. Johnny J a g i e l s k i , born J a n . 24, 1956, Minaeapolis,Minn.
191. T h e r e s i a J a g i e l s k i , born February 19, 1957.
192. Sandra Jagielski, born Fob. 13, 1960.
193. Martin Jagielski,born July 3, 1963.
65. THE FAMILY CF JOSEPH THEIS, born January 30, 1934, who
married(Feb. 17, 1955 in Sauk Rapids) Frances Pojorski
(born December 3, 1933, Sartell, Benton County,Minnosota).
194. Anna Mae Theis, born June 26, 1955, St. Cloud,Minnesota.
195. Catharine Theis, born May 5, 1957.
196. Linda Theis, born November 7, 1958.
197. Mary Theis, born May 15, 1962. Correction,born Oct. 31,1960.
198. John Theis, born May 15, 1962.
199. Jane Theis, born August 29, 1964.
200. Shiela Theis, born June 30, 1967.
66. THE FAMILY CF SYLVESTER THEIS, born January 7, 1925,
St. Nicholas,Minn.
married, Aug. 25, 1953, at St. Peter's and St. Paul's
Church, Richmond,Minnesota, to...
THERESIA SCHLANGEN(born. October 1, 1929, Richmond,Minnesota) .
Their family is listed as follows:
201. Marlene Theis, born December 17, 1954,St. Nicholas.
202. Marvin Theis, born January 18, 1956.
203. Eetty Ann Theis,, born April 22, 1957.
204. Randy Theis, born April 12, 1959.
205. Doris Theis, born December 1, 1961.
206. Laura Theis, born September 26, 1964.
207. Jeffrey Theis, born May 24, 1968.
67. THE FAMILY CF DELRCSE THEIS, born March 21, 1927,
St. Nicholas,Minnesota, who, on May 1, 1946, married
MELVIN D0CKENDCRF, born March 24, 1920. Thair family
is listed as follows:
John Dockendorf, born Sept. 17, 1946, who, on June 15, 1974,
married Miss Marcene Anderson, born Dae. 8, 1951.
Jane Dockendorf, born February 6, 1949.
Anita Dockendorf, born August 21, 1953.
Michael Dockendorf, born November 20, 1958.
&212. Shelly Dockendorf, born January 2, 1968.
 68. THE FAMILY OF ROSE MARY THEIS, born September 22, 1936,
St. Nicholas,Minnesota, who married GERALD G. RADEN.
BCRN March 6, 1936. They were married on June 23, 1956 in
St. Cloud,Minnesota.
213. Bruce Raden, born March 17, 1957, St. Cloud,Minnesota.
FAMILIES #69 to #86 are not presently listed for the
family history.
87. THE FAMILY CF LEANDER SCHNEIDER (born October 24, 1911)
who married one Katie Schoutz. Their family listed below:
214. Richard E. Schneider, born November 19, 1941, married to
Beverly Schreifels.
215. Donald Schneider, born January 9, 1943.married to Luela
Thomas. They had at least three children; members not
presently known or listed for this family history.
216. Mary Ann Schneider, born October 10, 1950.
217. Mark Schneider, born October 8, 1957.
88. THE FAMILY OF LIDWINA SCHNEIDER, born December 21, 1913,
Colfl Spring,Minnesota;deceased, December 1, 1952,Watkins,
Minnesota.
married Mr. Bill Peters. Their children are listed:
218. Robert Peters, born December 4, 1938,
219. David Paters, born May 6, 1942.
220. Stela Peters, born August 23, 1945.
89. THE MAGDALENA SCHNEIDER FAMILY,born March 10, 1921,
who married Mr. ALPHCNSE SCHANGEN. Their children
are listed below as known:
221. Charles Schangen,boon ofi February 28, 1943.
222. Janet Schangen. born October, 1944, married to Mr. Doug
Fidler. Thxs marriage has at least two children, Dwane
and Lee Fidler. Other children to this marriage not
presently known or listed.
223. Luela Schangen, born December 26, 1946.
224. Joan Schangen, born January 2, 1948.
225. Alois Schangen, born October 18, 1950.
226. A son or daughter,born and died March 14, 1954.
90. THE FAMILY CF EDMUND JACOB and his wife, ALVINA
SCHANGEN, has produced one adopted child as known to dato:
227. Harold Silina Schneider.
91. THE FAMILY CF GERALD C. THEIS, SR. AND COLLETTE
KNESE WILL BE LISTED CN THE F<XLCWING PAGE:
 91. THE FAMILY CF GERALD CHRIST THEIS, born February 22
1921, married on June 3, 1947, to...
COLETTE CECILIA KNESE, born August 3, 1924 in Saint Cloud,
Minnesota, the daughter of Benedict Lambert Knese, who
was born April 24, 1897, and of Selma Frances Fadden
(or Adelia Hammes, her adoptive name), the daughter of
David C. Fadden and Anna M. Post.
Their family is listed as follows:
228. Gerald Benedict Theis, Jr., born August 24, 1948.
229. Anthony Frank Theis, born August 18, 1949.
230. Lawrence Richard Theis, born January 23, 1951.
231. James Delroy Theis, born January 29, 1952.
232. Michael Eugene Theis, born June 29, 1953.
233. Leonard Elroy Theis, born October 8, 1954.
234. Joseph Alexander Theis, born January 9, 1956.
235. Mark Anthony Theis, born February 11, 1957.
236. Mary Ann Theis, born July 3, 1958.
237. Carole Bernadette Theis, born November 29, 1960.
238. Joan AgathaTheis, born May 4, 1962.
239. John Gerald Theis, born May 8, 1963.
92. THE FAMILY CF BERNADETTE MARGARET THEIS, born Sept. 10,
1922, married on June 29, 1943, to...
WERNER J. GARDING,BCRN December 23, 1922 at Lake Henry,
Minnesota, son of John Garding(born April 30, 1877 in
Minnesota; and of Margaret Mehr(born May 3f 1882, in
Saint Martin,Minnesota). Their family is listed as follows:
240. Phyllis Marie Garding, born June 16, 1944, married on Feb,
4, 1967. to
William Gale.
241. Jo Ann Margaret Garding, born August 14, 1945, married on
September 9, 1967, to Vernon H, Brisse.
242. Ronald Doan Garding, born October 18, 1946, married on
June 22, 1974, to Tina M. Olson,
243. Patrick Werner Garding, born March 6, 1948, married on
October 14, 1973, to Nancy Whiteis.
244. Gail Susan Garding, born October 13, 1950.
93. THE FAMILY OF MARIE THEIS AND RICHARD J. V06SEN
IS LISTED CN THE FOLLOWING PAGE:
 93. THE FAMILY CF MARIE ELIZABETH THEIS, born September 7,
1924, married on September 9, 1946, to...
RICHARD J. VCSSEN. Their family is listed as follows:
245. Michael Eugene Vossen, born June 3, 1947, married on May 20,
1972, to Suzanne Trebnick.
246. Thomas Hermann Vossen, born October 15, 1948.
247. Ruth Marie Vossen, born November 23, 1949, married to
Richard Kozitza(on April 22 1972).
248. Patrick Richard Vossen,born April 27, 1951, married to
Kathleen Carroll on Sept. 8, 1973.
249. Marjorie Ann Vossen, born April 7, 1952, married to Mark
Ryan on June 14, 1975.
250. Mary Louise Vossen, born March 23, 1955.
251. Susan Katherine Vossen, born November 21, 1958.
252. Carole Jean Vossen,born Nov. 15, 1962.
253. William Vossen,born May 20, 1967; deceased five days later.
254. John Patrick Vossen, born January 18, 1972.
94. THE FAMILY CF JULIANA KATHARINE THEIS, born March 25,
1926, married on June 4, 1945, to....
EUGENE L. VOSSEN. Their family is listed as follows:
255. Stanjley Joseph, born August 24, 1946 in California;
deceased in Vietnam, May 6, 1968.
256. Elaine Marie Vossen, born April 29, 1950.
257. Janice Irene Vossen, born July 14,1953, married to Mr.
Gary Finseth.
258. Mark Eugene Vossen, born March 22, 1958.
95. THE FAMILY CF ANGELINE CATHERINE THEIS, born May 26,
1929, married on May 21, 1949, to....
MR. HERBERT J. GCHMAN. Their children are listed as follows:
258. Patrician Ann Gohman, born July 6, 1950, married to Robert
Burggraff, on June 14, 1973.
259. Kathryn (Katie) Ann Gohman, born October 17, 1951, married
to Al Stier, on October 7, 1972.
260. Karen Lee Gohman, born September 6, 1953,married to Kevin
Rosenow, on September 6, 1975.
261. David John Gohman, born March 20, 1960.
262. Thomas Glyn Gohman, born February 6, 1963.
263. Melissa Ann Gohman, born May 12, 1969.

96. THE FAMILY OF LECNA CATHERINE THEIS AND GECRGE JOSEPH

SCHMAL IS LISTED CN THE FOLLOWING PAGE:
 96. THE FAMIY CF LECNA CATHERINE THEIS, born June 15, 1931
married on November 4, 1950, to....
GECRGE J.SCHMAL, born September 9, 1915, the son of George
Schmal,Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Mayme) Buttell. Their
family is listed below:
264. John Patrick Schmal, born October 8, 1951.
265. Mary Katherine Schmal, born July 17, 1954.
266. Kathleen Renee(Kate) Schmal, born April 29, 1956.
97. THE FAMILY CF ELRCY J. THEIS, born April 15, 1933,
who married, on September 29, 1953,...
ROSELLA (Rosie) DECKER,born August 24, 1932, ln Pearl Lake,
Minnesota, the daughterof Matthew Decker, born October
13, 1893 in St. Nicholas,Minnesota, and of Mary Theresia
Rausch, born May 22, 189/ in Luxembourg township, Minn.
Their family is listed blow:
267. Clifford Sylvester TEeis, born June 29, 1954.
268. Constance (Connie) Irene Theis, born September 3, 1955.
269. Kathryn Genevive Theis, born June 3, 1958,married to
Thomas Zengen on July 10, 1976.
270. Charles (Chuck) Roy Theis, born April 4, 1960.
271. Christine Barbara Theis, born July 26, 1963.
272. Carla Renee, Theis, born June 13, 1965.
273. Cory John Calif ford Theis, born August 4, 1969.
98. THE FAMILY CF DELRCSE ANN THEIS, born February 2, 1935,
who married Meinrad Torborg. on June 6, 1956. Their
family has produced two children who have been adopted
and are listed below:
274. Douglas Ray Torborg, born January 6, 1966.
275. Debra Ann Torborg, born August 1967.
99. THE FAMILY CF RENEE BARBARA THEIS born on April 20,
1937, who married, on June 16, 1958,....
CLARENCE BUERMAN. Their family is listed as follows:
276. Jeffrey Alan Buerman, born April 21, 1959.
277. Sandra Rose Buerman, born June 13, 1960,
278. Ronald Elroy Buerman, born September 10, 1961.
279. Bruce John Buerman, born January 2, 1963.
280. Brenda Lee Buerman, born March 5, 1964.
100. THE FAMILY CF IRENE SUSAN THEIS AND JCHN BOOR
IS LISTED CN THE NEXT PAGE;
 100. THE FAMILY CF IRENE SUSAN THEIS, born January 7 1939
who married on July 28, 1962,.... '
MR. JCHN BOOR. Their family has produced two children, both
of whom were adopted and are listed below:
281. Catherine Marie Boor, born July 20, 1965.
282. John Francis Boor, born January 6, 1967.
101. THE FAMILY CF RICHARD GCERGE THEIS, born April 6, 1940,
who married on June 25, 1966,....
MISS LARRIE ANN WISKIRCHEN; their marriage has produced two
children,both of whom were adopted and are listed below:
283. Kelly Ann Theis, born May 3, 1973.
284. Scott Richard Theis, born October 4, 1975.
102. THE FAMILY CF RAYMCND GERHARD THEIS, born May 26, 1941,
who was married on November 21, 1964, to...
CARCL SCHREIFELS. This marraige has produced four sons,
all of whom are listed below:
285. Brian Frank Theis, born June 5, 1965.
286. Randall Ray Theis, born June 24, 1966.
287. Glen Richard Theis, born September 29, 1968.
288. Travis Jon Theis, born December 1976.
110. THE FAMILY CF DELPHINE SCHREIFELS, born June 14,
1919, who married on May 2, 1948,....
PAUL CARSCN(born January 7, 1920). Their family is listed below:
289. Mike Carson, born March 11, 1949, born in California
290. Carolyn Carson, born Sept. 13, 1950, born in Fort Worth,
Texas.
291. Lissa Ann Carson, born November 5, 1954, In California.
111. THE FAMILY OF MARY ANN SCHREIFELS, born August 24,
1921, Waktins,Minnesota, who, on May 6, 1915, at Sauk
Center,Minnesota,was married to...
HENRY DCLD. Their children are listed below:
292. Dennis Dold, born September 24, 1945, Glendale,California.
who is married to Miss Karen Holidky, and has ona daughter,
named Shannon Dold.
293. Patricia Dold, born March 17, 1948, Co IS Spring,Minnesota,
who has married one Craig Swanson,and presently has
one son, Erik Swanson,
294. Linda Dold, born December 6, 1949, Cold Spring, Minnesota.

295. Mary Kay Dold, born August 24, 1951.

296. Nina Dold, born April 1, 1955, married to Mr. David Jones,
and presently has one son, Isaac Jones.
297. David Dold, born J u l y 14, 1958. 1
298. J a n e Dold, born February 22, 1961.
112. THE FAMILY CF DELORES SCHREIFELS born J u n e 2. 1923
Watkins,Minnesota, who m a r r i e d , o n August 7 , 1948 i n *
Glendale, C a l i f o r n i a , . . . .
MR. JACOB J . <LlBBY(born J u l y l O , 1926 i n Chio). Their family
i s l i s t e d as follows:
299. J a s o n fcibby, born J u n e 27, 1948, i n G l e n d a l e , C a l i f o r n i a .
300. J a n e t fcibby, born J u n e 20, 1953, i n B u r b a n k , C a l i f o r n i a .
301. J o e (Libby, born J u l y 2 1 , 1956, i n Burbank, C a l i f o r n i a .
113. THE FAMILY OF FRANCIS SCHREIFELS, born February 22
1929, who m a r r i e d on J u n e 27, 1959, i n S a i n t Cloud.Minn.
L CERA INE HARTNICK, born A p r i l 21 1924, Watkins,Minn, foieir
m a r r i a g e has produced t h e following c h i l d :
302. Brian S c h r e i f e l s , born J u n e 3 , 1960, S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
114. THE FAMILY CF ROSE MARY MEYER, born August 6, 1936,
m a r r i e d on J u l y 2 1 , 1955, t o . . .
ELMER HECHTEL(born August 2 5 , 1931). Their f a m i l y i s l i s t e d :
303. G l o r i a H e c h t e l , born May 17, 1956.
304. R i t a H e c h t e l , born J u n e 24, 1957.
305. Michael H e c h t e l , born A p r i l 3 , 1959.
306. Ervin Hechtel, born December 12, 1961.
307. Vernon Hechtel, born January 20, 1963.
308. Allen Hechtel, born April 26, 1964.
115. THE FAMILY CF RUTH MEYER, born Sept. 4, 1937,
married on August 27. 1958. to.....
GERALD GEISLINGER,born Sept. 24, 1935. Their family is listed:
309. Dale Gelslinger, born Nov. 14, 1959.
310. Pamela Geislinger, born April 4, 1962.
311. Sandra Geislinger, born October 29, 1964.
312. Mark Geislinger, born July 24, 1967.
313. David Geislinger, born August 7, 1974.
118. TIE FAMILY CF KATHLEEN MEYER, born April 1941, who
was married May 30, I960, to....
ELMER GEISLINGER(born July Z4, 1936). Their family is listed:
314. Keith Geislinger, born June 4, 1962.
315. Kay Geislinger, born Agust 2, 1963.
316. Elroy Geislinger, born February 22, 1968.
317. Eric Geislinger, born February 5, 1974.
120. THE FAMILY CF CARCL ANN MEYER, born June 12, 1943,
who married on July 24, 1962,...
MR. JCHN SCHWARTZ(born June 16, 1941). Their family is listed:
318. Wanda Schwartz, born May 17, 1963.
319. Kurt Schwartz, born May 19, 1964.
320. Todd Schwartz, born May 3, 1967.
121. THE FAMILY CF LAWRENCE MAYER born July 27, 1943,
who married on October 28, 1969,....
KATHLEEN PIERSKALLA. Their family is listed below:
321. Jennifer Meyer, born January 28, 1971.
322. Mishawn, born July 2, 1973.
122. THE FAMILY CF FRED MEYER and CAROLYN BRAEGELMANN,
Who? were married on February 1, 1969, is listed:
323. Daniel Meyer, born December 7, 1972.
125. THE FAMILY CF JANET MEYER AND JAMES GCSRGER, who
Were married on April 12, 1969, has produced as follows:
324. Mark Goerger, born March 19, 1971.
126. THE FAMILY CF ICNE MEYER AND BCNIFACE SAND, who were
married on September 12, 1970, includes the following:
325. Scott Sand, born January 29, 1974.
128. THE FAMILY CF GRACE MEYER and Robert KLAPHAKE, who
were married on August 12, 1972, has produced as follows:
326. Deborah Klaphake, born January 28, 1973.
133. THE FAMILY CF ELDRED MATTHEW THEIS,born August 7,
1944, who married on June 1, 1968,....
JUDY NECHTEIS, born July 10,1948. Their family is listed
as follows:
327. N i c h o l e D a n i e l l e T h e i s , born A p r i l 1 1 , 1972, P a y n e s v l l l e , M i n n .
328. J a s o n John T h e i s , born March 22, 1974, P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a ,
135,THE FAMILY CF DELROSE VERCNICA THEIS, born J u l y 13, 1948,
who m a r r i e d on J u l y 15, 1967, Cold S p r i n g , M i n n . , , . . .
MR. RICHARD PETER HENNEN(born June 18,1943,Richmond,Minn).
Their family i s l i s t e d as follows:
329. Paula Ann Hennen,born March 3 , 1970, P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n .
330. M e l i s s a Ann Hennen, born S e p t , 16, 1973, P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n .
136.THE FAMILY CF MARY ANN THEIS, born S e p t . 10, 1950,
who m a r r i e d on Dec. 1 5 , 1 9 7 2 . . . . ,
MR. ROBERT MICHAEL HENNEN. T h e i r family i s as f o l l o w s :
331. Wendy Lee Hennen, born May 3 , 1973, S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
332. K a r i Lee Hennen, b o r n May 4 , 1974,Paynesville,Minnesota.
139. THE FAMILY CF THCMAS RAYMOND HUSCHLE, b o r n August 2 ,
1948, Eden V a l l e y . M i n n e s o t a , who m a r r i e d o n A u t . 2 1 ,
1972^ a t Walcins, M i n n e s o t a , . . . *
DCRIS CHRISTINE BRUTGER(born May 2 8 , 1 9 5 3 , W a k t i n s , M i n n e s o t a ) .
T h e i r f a m i l y i s a a l i s t e d below:
333. Anna M a r i e H u s c h l e , born J u n e 15, 1973.
334. Troy R o b e r t H u s c h l e , born J u l y 1, 1976.
140. THE FAMILY CF LCRA MARCELLA HUSCHLE, b o r n August 2 0 ,
- 1 9 4 9 , who m a r r i e d on O c t o b e r , 7, 1972,
ME. ELMER HERMAN BRUTGER(born S e p t e m b e r 6, 1946 a t W a t k i n s ,
M i n n e s o t a ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d below:
335. L e s t e r Vernon B r u t g e r , born December 1 5 , 1974, Paynesville.
1 4 1 . THE FAMILY CF DCRCTHY MARIE HUSCHLE, b o r n F e b . 18,
1 9 5 1 , who m a r r i e d on May 8 , 1 9 7 1 , . . . .
ALFRED NICHCLAS BRUTGER(born May 3 1 , 1 9 4 9 , i n Meeker c o u n t y ,
Minnesota). Their family i s l i s t e d as follows:
336. Bee Ann M a r i o B r u t g e r , born F e b . 2 0 , 1 9 7 4 .
337. J e r e m y „DonBrutger, b o r n J u l y 10, 1 9 7 5 .
142. THE FAMILY CF LUCILLE ARLENE HUSCHLE, b o r n J a n u a r y 9 ,
1953, who m a r r i e d on J u n e 17, 1 9 7 2 , . . .
VERNCN THCMAS BRUTGER(born March 2 6 , 1 9 5 1 , W a t k i n s , M i n n . ) .
Their family i s as l i s t e d :
338. S t e v e n J o h n B r u t g e r , b o r n J u n o 16, 1 9 7 3 , P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n .
339. C r a i g B r u t g e r , b o r n Nov. 14, 1975, P a y n e s v i l l e , Minn.

* 145. THE FAMILY CF JANET KAETER b o r n J u n e 10, 1947,

who m a r r i e d o n October 7, 1 9 6 7 , . . . .
MR. THCMAS PRCM(born May 3 , 1 9 4 7 ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d :
340. Todd Prom, b o r n A u g u s t 2 0 , 1 9 7 1 .
341. Ryan Prom, b o r n August 2 8 , 1 9 7 3 .
J.46. THE FAMILY CF SHARCN KAETER, b o r n October 19, 1948,
who m a r r i e d , August 3 1 . 1 9 6 8 . , , ,
RAY GCHMAN(born December 2 6 , 1 9 4 5 ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d :
342. Rodney Thomas Gohman, b o r n J u l y 5 , 1969.
343. T r a c e y Lee Gohman,born A p r i l 2 4 , 1 9 7 5 , S t . Cloud,Minn.

148. THE FAMILY <F MARY JANE KAETER b o r n December 13,

1 9 5 1 , who m a r r i e d o n J u l y 3 1 , 1 9 7 1 , t o . . .
MYRCN VQIT(born J u n e 6, 1 9 5 0 ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s p e d :
344. Mark L o w e l l V o i t . b o r n December 2 2 , 1974.
149. THE FAMILY CF BETTY JANE KAETER b o r n December 1 3 ,
1 9 5 1 , who m a r r i e d on S e p t . 12, 1 9 / 0 , . . . .
HOWARD VOIT(born Nov. 2 2 , 1 9 5 1 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d :
345
* J a m ! R o b e r t V o l t , b o r n J u l y 2 0 , 1974.
 158. THE FAMILY CF RCGER THEIS,born May 3 , 1952, who
married on June 2, 1 9 7 3 , . . . .
MISS BETTY JEAN FLEISCHHAEKER(Born October 2 2 , 1 9 5 4 ) .
Their family i s l i s t e d as f o l l o w s :
346. W i l l i a m A l f r e d T h e i s , born September 2 3 , 1974.
172. THE FAMILY CF DANIEL ALFRED THEIS, b o r n J a n u a r y 16,
1951, S t . N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a , who m a r r i e d on October
6 , 1$73 ...
DCNNA FRANK(born August 2 9 , 1952, b t . N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a ) .
Their family i s l i s t e d as follows:
347. J e s s i c a Rose T h e i s , b o r n F e b r u a r y 1 3 , 1 9 7 5 , S t . Cloud.
1 8 3 . THE FAMILY CF EILEEN NISTLER, b o r n A p r i l 7, 1954,
who w a s * m a r r i e d on F e b r u a r y 1 0 , 1 9 7 3 , t o , . . . .
STEPHEN JCHNSCN,born A p r i l 12, 1954. They h a v e t h e
following child l i s t e d to date:
348. C r a i g J o h n s o n , born J u l y 4 , 1973.
2 0 9 . THE FAMILY CF JANE DOCKENDCRF, b o r n F e b r u a r y 6, 1949,
who m a r r i e d on March 14, 1 9 7 0 . . . . .
DANIEL H. LARAMIE(born J u n e 1 8 , 1 9 4 8 ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s
l i s t e d as follows:
349. J o h n James L a r a m i e , b o r n J u l y 4 , 1975, S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a .
2 2 8 . THE FAMILY CF GERALD BENEDICT THEIS, b o r n A u g u s t , 2 4 ,
1948, who m a r r i e d on October 7, 1 9 6 7 , . . . .
MISS RENEE LEITHER; t h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
G r e g o r y A l l e n T h e i s , born November 2 0 , 1967.
L a u r i e Ann T h e i s , b o r n J a n u a r y 19, 1969.
C h r i s t o p h e r J o h n T h e i s , b o r n March 2 1 , 1972.
J e r e m y Duane T h e i s , b o r n November 3 0 , 1 9 7 5 .
D a n i e l James T h e i s , born J u n o 15, 1977,
2 3 2 . THE FAMILY CF MICHAEL EUGENE THEIS, b o r n J u n e 2 9 , 1953,
who m a r r i e d on October 4 , 1976, Miss C a r o l e T h e i s , l i s t e d
a b o v e a s # 1 6 1 , d a u g h t e r of A l f r e d T h e i s and Ludwina Neu.

2 4 0 . THE FAMILY CF PHYLLIS MARIE GARDING, b o r n J u n e 16, 1944,

m a r r i e d on F e b r u a r y 4 , 1 9 6 7 , t o . . . *
MR. WILLIAM GALE. T h e i r m a r r i a g e h a s p r o d u c e d o n e son l i s t e d :
W i l l i a m Edward G a l e , b o r n J u l y 19, 1967.
2 4 2 . THE FAMILY CF RCNALD D. GARDING, b o r n O c t . 18, 1946,
who m a r r i e d on J u n e 2 2 , 1 9 7 4 , . . .
MISS TINA M. CLSCN. They h a v e one c h i l d l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
J e n e t t e M a r i e G a r d i n g , b o r n March 2 1 , 1977, C o l o r a d o .
243 THE FAMILY CF RUTH MARIE VOSSEN AND RICHARD
fcCEITZA IS LISTED CN THE PAGE FCLLCWING:
2 4 7 . THE FAMILY CF RUTH MARIE VOSSEN, b o r n Nov. 2 3 , 1949,
who m a r r i e d on A p r i l 2 2 , 1 9 7 2 , . . .
RICHARD KCZITZA. T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
Deadra Kay K o z i t z a , b o r n i n Mankato on September 2 8 , 1974.
Amanda J o K o z i t z a , b o r n March 9, 1976.
2 4 8 . THE FAMILY CF PATRICK R. VOSSEN, b o r n A p r i l 2 7 , 1951,
who, on September 8, 1973, m a r r i e d , . . . .
MISS KATHLEEN MARIE CARRCLL. T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d below:
M i c h e l l e M a r i e Vossen, b o r n J u l y 2 1 , 1975.

2 5 7 . THE FAMILY CF JANICE IRENE VOSSEN, b o r n J u l y 14, 1953,

who was m a r r i e d on S e p t . 15, 1973, t o . . . .
GARY FINSETH; t h e i r m a r r i a g e h a s p r o d u c e d t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d :
Shannon I r e n e F i n s e t h , born i n Inglewood, C a l i f o r n i a on
F e b r u a r y 14, 1976.
2 5 9 . THE FAMILY CF KATIE GCHMAN.born October 17, 1951,
who m a r r i e d o n September 6 , 1 9 7 5 , . . .
MR. AL STIER. T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
S a r a h Lyn S t i e r , b o r n October 2 , 1975.
2 6 9 . THE FAMILY CF KATHRYN GENEVIVE THEIS, born J u n e 3 ,
1958, who, on J u l y 10, 1976. was m a r r i e d t o . . .
MR. THCMAS ZENGEN. T h e i r m a r r i a g e h a s produced t h e f o l l o w i n g :
J e s s i c a Kay Zengen, b o r n J u n e 4 , 1976.
2 8 9 . THE FAMILY CF MICHAEL CARSCN, who, on J u n e 6, 1974,
was m a r r i e d i n T e x a s , t o . . .
NANCY STOVER(born F e b r u a r y 1 2 . 1952 i n M i s s o u r i ) . T h e i r
h a v e been no c h i l d r e n y e t b o r n t o t h i s m a r r i a g e .
2 9 0 . THE FMMILY CF CARCLYN CARSCN, who was m a r r i e d on
November 1 3 , 1974, i n Nevada, t o . . .
STEVE WILLIAMS, b o r n J u n e 2 6 , 1949 i n C a l i f o r n i a . T h i s
m a r r i a g e h a s n o t y e t produced any c h i l d r e n .
2 9 2 . THE FAMILY (F DENNIS ROBERT DOLD, who, on S e p t . 2 0 ,
1 9 6 9 , i n Montgomery, M i n n e s o t a , w a s m a r r i e d t o . . .
KAREN ANN HCLICKY(born J a n u a r y 5 , 1 9 5 0 ) . T h e i r c h i l d
i s l i s t e d as follows:
Shannon Ann Dold, b o r n F o b . 2 2 , 1970 i n Montgomery,Minn.
2 9 3 . THE FAMILY CF PATRICIA DCLD, b o r n March 17, 1948,
who, o n Dec. 1 8 , 1 9 7 1 , m a r r i e d . . .
MR. CRAIG E. SWANSCN(born J u n e 14, 1947 i n M i n n e a p o l i s ) .
They h a v e o n e c h i l d a s l i s t e d below:
Erik Swanson,born Feb. 12, 1976 at Princeton.
2 9 6 . THE FAMILY OF NINA DCLD. b o r n A p r i l 1, 1955, who
m a r r i e d , o n S e p t . 10, 1 9 7 3 , . . .
MR. DAVID C. JCNES(born S e p t . 17, 1 9 5 1 ) . They h a v e one
c h i l d who i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
I s a a c Anthony J o n e s , b o r n F e b r u a r y 1 2 , 1 9 7 4 .
 THE DESCENDANTS CF JOHANN SCHREIFELS & MARGARETHA MULLER:
366. THE FAMILY CF JCHANN SCHREIFELS, born April 12, 1812, in
Mettendorf, Prussia; deceased in Luxembourg Township,
Stearns County. Minnesota, United States.
married(February 3, 1836 in Mettendorf, Prussia)...
MARGARETHA MULLER, born June 14, 1811 in Mettendorf, Prussia;
deceased in Luxembourg Township,Stearns County,Minnesota.
Their children are listed as follows:
367. Nikolaus Schreifels, born January 12, 1837 in Mettendorf.
368. Nikolaus Schreifels, born September 9, 1840 in Mettendorf.
369. Mathias Schreifels, born January 15, 1843 in Mettendorf.
370. Maria Susanna Schreifels, born February 18, 1847 in Mettendorf.
371. Katharina Schreifels, born May 12, 1849 in Mettendorf.
372. Katharina Schreifels, born May 26, 1851 in Mettendorf.
373. Johann Schreifels, born December 7, 1854, Mettendorf, Prussia.
374. Barbara Schreifels, birthdate unknown. Place born also unknown.
Notes on family history: It presently is not understood why
Johann and Margaretha Schreifels named two of their sons,
Nikolaus, and two of their daughters, Katherina. However,
the records are contained on pages 1,27, 47,79, 96,112, and
133 of the Mettendorf Pfarrbuch(the Parish Recordbook for
the local Catholic Church),$howing that all of the above-
mentioned people did share the same two parents.
In the Cronik von Mettendorf. it is stated that seven mem-
bers of this Schreifels family left Mettendorf in 1857
to emigrate from tho Palatinate homeland to a new life in
America. And, in the year 1865, a single Nikolaus Schreifels
followed their example, also leaving the then-at-war military
state of Prussia for the United States. Members of this and
ct other Schreifels families that came to tho United States
duri@g this time all settled in the Luxembourg Township of
Stearns County in the new State of Minnesota.
367. THE FAMILY CF NIK CLAUS SCHREIFELS, born January 12
1837, in Mettendorf, Prussia; deceased August 10, 1921,
Tampa or Kissimmee, Florida.
married on November 29, 1865 at St. Nicholas,
Minnesota, to...
BARBARA ZENNER(deceased Apr±lt27, 1899 in Florida). Their
children are listed as follows:
375. Katharina Schreifels, born December 18, 1866; deceased
May 26, 1874.
376. Margaretha Schrelfels(also known as Maggie), born November
17,1868.
377. Mary S c h r e i f e l s , born F e b r u a r y 2 1 , 1870.
378. Henry S c h r e i f e l s , born J a n u a r y o r November, 1872.
379. J o h n Adam S c h r e i f e l s , bora A p r i l 21,1876.
380. Mathias, Schreifels, born A p r i l 1, 1878.
381. M a t h i a s P h i l l i p S c h r e i f e l s , born October 30, 1 8 8 1 .
382. William Frank S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n September 2 9 , 1883.
383. B a r b a r a Mary S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n December 5, 1887.
368. THE FAMILY CF NIK CLAUS SCHREIFELS: T h i s N i k o l a u s
S c h r e i f e l s i s s a i d t o h a v e m a r r i e d one B a r b a r a
Bauer and had f o u r s o n s , M a t h i a s , J o h n , F r a n k and
Robert. This remains q u e s t i o n a b l e a t t h e w r i t i n g .
369.THE FAMILY CF MATHIAS(Mart:h) SCHREIFELS: The name
of h i s w i f e i s n o t p r e s e n t l y known. However, t h e y a r e
b e l i e v e d t o h a v e had a t l e a s t n i n e s o n s , i n c l u d i n g
the following persons: ( P l e a s e r e f e r t o HCUSEHOLD #679
384. Henry Schreifels. below)
385. William Schreifels.
373. THE FAMILY CF JCHN SCHREIFELS, born December 7, 1854,
Mettendorf, Prussia; deceased February 24, 1926, Cold
S pr ing, Minnesota.
married on Juno 14, 1877,Jacob's Prairie, to...
MARY THEISEN. born October 15,1859,St. Nicholas,Luxembourg
Township,Stearns County,Minnesota; deceased July 4, 1946,
St. Cloud,Minnesota. Their children are listed as
f o 1 lows:
386. Margaret Schreifels, born June 30,1877>St. Nicholas,Minnesota.
387. Peter Schreifels, born November 8, 1879|st. Nicholas,Minnesota.
388. Math M. Schreifels, born July 16,1881f St. Nicholas,Minnesota.
389. Emma Schreifels, born August 24, 1884,St. Nicholas,Minnesota.
390. Katharina Schreifels, born November 28, 1888.
391. John Schreifels, born November 15, 1890,st. Nicholas,Minnesota.
392. Leo Schreifels, born September 11, 1892.
393. Nick L. Schreifels, born October 21, 1894.
394. Theresla Schreifels, born Juno 18, 1898.
395. Magdalina (Lena) Schreifels, born April 20,1900.
 374. THE FAMILY CF BARBARA SCHREIFELS. Barbara Schreifels
married on Bill Theisen. They are said to have had at
least eight children. There is speculation,however, that
Barbara may ba one and the same as ono of the Katharina
Schreifels(#371 and #372) mentioned above, and that they
were married shortly before 1880,by which year they had
had one daughter (Anna, born circa 1877)and one son, John,
born circa 1879. Other children born to the marriage of
William and Barbara Theis include: Paul, William, Katie,
fta?y, and Nicholas.
384.THE FAMILY CF HENRY SCHREIFELS. He is known to have at
least one son. His wife's name is unknown. The one son
is listed as follows:
396. Anton Schreifels, married to Emma Dockendorf. They had one
son named James Schreifels, possibly more.
385.THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SCHREIFELS. The wife of William
is not presently known. He had two known sons as follows:
397. Herb Schreifels, who married Dalores Decker and had saven
children.
398. John W, S c h r e i f e l s , who married Barbara Theis and had a son
named Eugene N. S c h r e i f e l s .
386.THE FAMILY CF MARGARET SCHREIFELS, born J u n e 30, 1877 i n
S t . N i c h o l a s ; died A p r i l 1 1 , 1927 i n S t . Cloud,Minnesota,
married t o . . .
JOE BCLFINGj born March 2 8 , 1875, and died J u l y 5,1917 in
Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a . Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
399. Marie B o l f i n g , b o r n and diad Feb. 10, 1901,Cold S p r i n g .
400. Johanna Bo I f i n g , born and died F e b . 10, 1901,Cold S p r i n g .
401. C a r l BoIfing, born Feb. 20, 1902;deceased March 13, 1902.
402. Marie BoIfing, born November 2 1 , 1903.
403. Annie B o l f i n g , born A p r i l 9, 1905.
404. Marcus B o i l i n g , born May 2 3 , 1906.
387. THE FAMILY CF PETER SCHREIFELS. born November 8, 1879,
i n S t . Nicholas,Luxembourg Township; deceased September 3 ,
1955 i n Cold S p r i n g .
fcmarried on Nov 8 , , 1 9 1 0 , i n Cold S p r i n g , t o . . .
MARY MATHIEU, born October 7,1889 i n Cold S p r i n g ; deceased
on September 2 7 , 1975,St. Cloud H o s p i t a l . T h e i r c h i l d r e n
are l i s t e d following:
4°5. Evelyn S c h r e i f e l s , born November 19, 1915,Cold S p r i n g .
406. Alexander S c h r e i f o l s , born J u l y 1, 1919,Cold S p r i n g .
407. Sylvin Schreifels, born January 10, 1924,CoId Spring.
408. Eldred J. Schreifels, born June 18, 1929, Cold Spring.
388.THS FAMILY CF MATH M. SCHREIFELS, born July 16 1881
Luxembourg Township; deceased March 28, 1950,Cold Spring,
married on June 2, 1908, in Cold Spring, to,,.
KATHERINE SCHNEIDER, born April 27, 1887, Farming Minnesota;
deceased May 20, 1970. Their children listed following:
409. Frances Schreifels, born June 4, 1912.
410. Philomena Schreifels, born August 16, 1915.
411. Clarence Schreifels, born April 25, 1918.
412. Marcellus Schreifels, born October 6,1921.
413. Alma Schreifels, born August 2, 1926.
389. THE FAMILY CF EMMA SCHREIFELS, BCRN August 24,1884;
died July 4, 1950, California.
married on Nov.22,1909,St. Cloud,to...
WILLIAM ROBERT GARRICK, born August 23, 1875 in Cabin
Hill,New York; died July 6, 1951, California.
Their daughter is listed as following:
414. Marguerite Marie Garrick, born Sept. 17, 1911,CoId Spring,Minn.
390. THS FAMILY CF KATHERINA SCHREIFELS born November 28,
1888. She was married on November 22,1909 to...
JOE B. KRUEGER,born April 17, 1883. Winsted,Minnesota;
deceased March 18,1973,Cold Spring,Minn. Their children
are listed below:
415. George Krueger, born Dec. 16, 1910,Cold Spring,Minnesota.
416. Jerome Krueger, born July 8, 1917, Cold Spring.
417. Ce lest ine Krueger, born Sept. 18, 1924.
391. THE FAMILY CF JCHN SCHREIFELS, born November 15, 1890;
deceased August 11, 1977. He married on August 27, 1912...
ELIZA3ETH FINK. Their children are listed balow:
418. Alphonse C. Schreifels, born June 16, 1913.
419. Le Roy Schreifels, born October 24, 1914.
420. Aloys Schreifels, born November 18, 1916.
421. Alvin Peter Schreifels, born June 18, 1918.
422. Eleanor Schreifels, born Sept. 30, 1919.
423. Viola Schreifels, born March 28, 1921,Gold Spring.
424. Rose Mary Schreifels, born Sept. 17, 1936,St, Cl&ud.
 3 9 2 . THE FAMILY CF LEO W. SCHREIFELS, b o r n September 1 1 . 1 8 9 2 ,
Cold S p r i n g ; m a r r i e d on May 2 6 , 1914,to....
BARBARA MATHIEU, b o r n March 6, 1895,Cold S p r i n g ; d e c e a s e d
1976. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
425. L o r e t t a S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n J u n e 4 , 1915,Cold S p r i n g .
426. (Cyrilla Schreifels, b o r n J a n u a r y 16, 1920,Cold Spring.
427. Laverne Schreifils, b o r n A p r i l 2 0 , 1 9 2 1 , Cold S p r i n g .
428. Ronilda S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n J u l y 12, 1 9 2 4 , S t . Nicholas.
429 B B e r n i c e S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n J u l y 9, 1928, S t . Nicholas.
430. Eileen Schreifels, b o r n March 6, 1932, S t . Nicholas.
393.THE HH*JSEH<XD CF NICHOLAS L. SCHREIFELS, b o r n Oct. 2 1 ,
1 8 9 4 , C o l d S p r i n g ; d e c e a s e d March 1 1 , 1946.
m a r r i e d , M a y 2 8 , 1916, S t . Anthony C h u r c h , W a t k i n s , t o . . . .
SUSAN KINZER, b o r n F e b r u a r y 5, 1 8 9 5 , W a t k i n s , M i n n e s o t a . T h e i r
f a m i l y i s l i s t e d above u n d e r HOUSEHOLD # 3 4 , t h e FAMILY CF
SUSAN KINZER & NICK L. SCHREIFELS. The names tf t h e i r c h i l d r e n
are l i s t e d in that section.
394.THE HOUSEHOLD CF THERESIA SCHREIFELS, b o r n J u n e 18 1898,
Cold S p r i n g . She m a r r i e d on September 6 , 1916,CoId S p r i n g , . . . .
CHRIST THEIS,born May 2 9 , 1 8 9 3 , S t . N i c h o l a s ; d e c e a s e d October 10,
1 9 6 1 , S t . C l o u d . T h i s f a m i l y i s l i s t e d a b o v e u n d e r HOUSEHOLD
# 1 5 , t h e FAMILY CF CHRIST THEIS AND THERESIA SCHREIFELS.
Please r e f e r to t h a t section for t h e i r descendants.
395.THE HCUSEHCLD CF MAGDALENA (LENA) SCHREIFELS, born A p r i l
2 0 , 1900. Qi October 7 , 1919, s h e was m a r r i e d t o
FRANK JOSEPH THEIS. T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d a b o v e u n d e r
HTOUSEHCLD #29,THS FAMILY CF FRANK JOSEPH THEIS AND LENA
SCHREIFELS. F o r t h e i r c h i l d r e n p l e a s e r e f e r t o t h a t s e c t i o n .
402,THE FAMILY CF MARIE BCLFING b o r n Nov. 2 1 , 1903 i n Cold
S p r i n g . Ch Nov. 2 1 , 1923, i n S t . C l o u d , s h e was m a r r i e d t o . . . .
MR. GUST SAUER, born March 2 4 , 1 8 9 8 ; d e c e a s e d J u n e 4 , 1973.
T h e i r son i s l i s t e d as follows:
431. Howard J a m a s S a u e r , b o r n October 8, 1933. He m a r r i e d on S e p t . 2 ,
1962, M i s s M a r i l y n C r e e ( b o r n September 8 , 1 9 2 2 ) . No c h i l d r e n
were born t o t h i s marriage.
4 0 3 . A n n i e B o I f i n g , b o r n A p r i l 9, 1905, Cold S p r i n g .
m a r r i e d o n S e p t e m b e r 7, 1 9 2 5 , t o . . . .
FRED GLYNN,born Nov. 2 8 , 1 9 0 0 ; d i e d J a n . 1 3 , 1 9 6 8 . T h e i r
c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
L o i s G l y n n , b o r n A u g u s t 2 2 , 1926, m a r r i e d t o Urban S c h a a f .
R e n e e G l y n n , b o r n May 2 4 , 1 9 2 8 , m a r r i e d t o R o b e r t Lang.

F r e d G l y n n , ^ r . , b o r n J u l y 4 , 1 9 3 1 , m a r r i e d t o Anna M i s i c h .
435. Myrna Glynn, born Feb. 15, 1934,married to James Cassidy.
404. THE FAMILY CF MARCUS BCLFING, born May 23, 1906, Co Id
Spring Minnesota; married on July 11, 1932 to....
ALICE LARSCN,born Dec. 4, 1906. Their son is listed below:
436. Curtis Richard Bolfing, born March 22, 1938.
405.THS FAMILY CF EVELYN SCHREIFELS, born at Cold Spring,
Minn, on November 19, 1915. She married on Nov. 3, 1938
at Mayhew Lake,Minnesota....
HENRY L. FIEDLER . The family of Henry L. Fiedler and
Evelyn C. Schreifels,now residing at Little Falis,Minn.,
include the following children:
437. Dorothy M. Fiedler, born Oct. 10, 1940,St. Cloud.
438. Shirley Ann Fiedler, born Aug. 22,1942,St. Cloud,Minn.
439. John Fiedler, born and died Nov. 26,1943,St. Cloud.
440. Donald J. Fiedler, born Nov. 29, 1944,St. Cloud.
406.THE FAMILY CF ALEXANDER SCHREIFELS,born July 1, I919in
in Cold Spring,Minnesota. Cki Aug. 22,1950,he married...
ALICE D0CKENDCRF,born Feb. 16, 1930. Their children are
listed below:
441. Robert Schreifels, born May 16, 1952.
442. Eugene Schreifels, born June 23, 1957.
443. Thomas Schreifels, burn July 21, 1963.
407. THE FAMILY CF SYLVAN SCHREIFELS,born June 10, 1934.
married May 20, 1948, to....
DOROTHY HIEM,born Fob. 3,1927.Their family is listed below:
444. Infant son, born and died Jan. 20, 1949.
445. Ronald Joseph Schreifels, born March 3, 1950.
446. Gerald P. Schreifels, born June 15,1951.
447. Richard Herman Schreifels, born July 17, 1952.
448. Juliane M. Schreifels, born February 1, 1954;died Nov. 3,1971.
449. Kathleen Rose Schreifels, born Nov. 24, 1955.
450. Randy Lee Schreifels, born Feb. 22, 1957.
451. Timothy Dale Schreifels,born Feb. 17, 1959.
452. David Jon Schreifels,born Oct. 25, 1962.
453. Jeffrey Michael Schreifels,born July 26, 1966
 408.THE FAMILY OF ELDRED J . SCHREIFELS, born J u n e 18, 1929
i n Cold S p r i n g . Qi Feb. 5, 1952, he m a r r i e d . . . .
EILEEN M. RCBEN. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
454. Henry S. S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n Oct. 2 1 , 1952.
455. Marvin J . S c h r e i f e l s , born Aug. 13, 1955.
456. Daniel J . S c h r e i f e l s , born June 25, 1957.
457. Debra M. S c h r e i f e l s , born November 3, 1959.
458. Wayne C. S c h r e i f e l s , born May 26, 1962.
459. Laverne K. S c h r e i f e l s , born Nov.11, 1963. .
460. Marilyn M. S c h r e i f e l s , born October 6, 1965.
461. Marlene S, S c h r e i f e l s , born October 6, 1965.
409.THE FAMILY CF FRANCES THERESIA .SCHREIFELS, born June 4 ,
1912,in Cold Spring;married on June 8, 1937, a t S t .
Bonifaca Church,Cold S p r i n g , t o . . . .
GREGGR SCHREINER,born A p r i l 6,1905. Their o f f s p r i n g as
l i s t e d as f o l l o w s :
•

462. Reynold* Schreinar,born March 20, 1940,St. Nicholas.

463. Ralph Mathew Schreiner, born Nov. 25, 1943.
464. Vernon Michael Schreiner, born Dec. 21, 1944.
465. Sylvester Schreiner, born Oct. 27, 1946.
466. Marion Katharine Schreiner, born Feb. 8, 1949.
467. David Schreiner, born Nov. 18, 1954.
410.THE FKMILY CF PHILCMENA SCHREIFELS, born August 16,
1915, married to Stephen Michael Theis, on Sept. 8,
1941, is listed above under HOUSEHOLD ##54,THE FAMILY
CF STEPHEN MICHAEL THEIS AND PHILCMENA MARY SCHREIFELS,
please refer to that section for the list of their children.
411.THE FAMILY CF CLARENCE JSRCME SCHREIFELS born April 25,
19l8,Cold Spring,married on August 31, 1946, to....
MARGARET BARTHEL, born May 12, 1925. Their children are
listed as fa.lows:
468. John Schreifels,born and died Dae. 12,1947.
469. Marlene Schreifels, born January 27, 1949.
470. Barbara Schreifels, born Sept. 11,1951.
471. Mary Kaye Schraifels, born Dec. 22, 1953.
 412. THE FAMILY CF MARCELLUS PETER SCHREIFELS, born October 6,
1921,Cold S p r i n g , m a r r i e d on August 2 8 , 1945,at S t . Boniface
Church,Cold S p r i n g , . . .
ANNE MARIE BARTHEL, born May 12, 1925,Co Id S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a .
T h e i r family i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
472. K a t h l e e n S c h r e i f e l s , born J u n e 2 8 , 1946.
413.THE FAMILY CF ALMA THERESIA SCHREIFELS, born Aug. 2, 1926,
Cold S p r i n g , h h o m a r r i e d , o n May 2 1 , 1946,at S t . Boniface
Church,CoId S p r i n g , . . . .
ALFRED SALZSR,born S e p t . 7 , 1920,Cold S p r i n g . They had one son
l i s t e d below:
473. Gene Leo S a l z e r , born October 13, 1948;died F e b r u a r y 2 3 , 1969.
'414.THE FAMILY CF MARGUERITE MARIE GARRICK born S e p t . 17, 1911,
Cold S p r i n g , who m a r r i e d on Feb. 2 2 , 1 9 3 4 ( i n Glendale,California
MR. HCRATIO (Ray) SEWARD SIMPSCN.Jr.(Born J a n . 2 0 , 1911,Nebraska-
d i e d March 11 ? 1950 a t San G a b r i e l , C a l i f o r n i a ) . They had one
d a u g h t e r a s l i s t e d below:
474. E l i z a b e t h Ann Simpson, born May 2 9 , 1942, Pasadena, C a l i f o r n i a .
415.THE FAMILY CF GEORGE KRUEGER,born Dec. 16,1910,Cold S p r i n g ,
Minnesota, m a r r i e d on Oct. 15, 1935 a t Cold S p r i n g , t o . . . ,
VERCNICA LARDY(born J a n . 15, 1914,CoId S p r i n g ) . Their f a m i l y
i s l i s t e d below:
475. Donald K r u e g e r , b o r n Aug. 2 2 , 1936,Eden Valley.Minn.
476. E i l e e n K r e e g e r , born Jvfy 12,1937.
477. S y l v e s t e r K r u e g e r , b o r n F e b . 16, 1941.
478. R i c h a r d K r u e g e r , born Aug. 17, 1942.
416.THE FAMILY CF JERCME KRUEGER born J u l y 8, 1917, Cold S p r i n g ;
m a r r i e d on J u n e 30, 1942, RocCcville.Minnesota, t o :
HELEN WEBER, born May 5 , 1921. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d h e r e :
479. LEI l a Mae K r u e g e r , born Nov. 13,1945,Mlnnea p o l l s .
480. C h a r l e n e Ann K r u e g e r , born Dec, 6, 1949,Colorado.
481. Rgger K r u e g e r , b o r n Dec.- 2 1 , 1950, S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
482. Gary K r u e g e r , b o r n Oct. 2 8 , 1 9 5 2 , S t . Cloud.
483. J e f f r e y K r u e g e r , b o r n Aug. 2 , 1 9 6 0 , S t . Cloud.
4 1 7 . THE FAMILY CF CELESTINE KRUEGER, born S e p t . 1 8 , 1924, Co Id
S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a ; m a r r i e d on J u n e 7,1952 i n S t . P a u l , M i n n . ,
to....
LAVCN JCNAS f born Oct. 12,1932 i n Iowa. T h e i r o f f s p r i n g were:
484. K a t h l e e n K r u e g e r , b o r n A p r i l 2 , 1 9 5 4 , S t . P a u l , M i n n e s o t a . S h e marrLs
on C t t . 6, 1953, one R i c h a r d A l b e r t P o e s c h e l ( b o r n June 13,154;
No c h i l d r e n l i s t e d .
 i
.:

485. Margaret Ann Krueger, born June 2, 1955,St. Paul,Minn.

486. Colleen Mary Krueger,born S e p t . 1, 1956,St. Paul,Minn.
487. Michael Richard Krueger,born Cet. 1, 1962,St. Paul,Minn.
488. Lynn Susan Krueger,born S e p t . 4 , 1974,St. Paul,Minnesota.
418.ALPHCNSE C. SCHREIFELS, born June 16,- 1913,was married
t o Magdalen R. Reed(born A p r i l 2, 1919) on A p r i l 20,
1963. He had been married f i r s t t o Helen Holthaus and
had one c h i l d *by Helen before they s e p a r a t e d . He then
r e m a r r i e d Miss Reed.
419.THE FAMILY CF LE ROT SCHREIFELS, born Oct. 2 4 , 1944,who
m a r r i e d , o n May 6, 1 9 4 3 . . . .
MARCELLA VAN HEEL. Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
489. J a n e t S c h r e i f e l s , born A p r i l 25, 1944.
490. Maureen S c h r e i f e l s , born Feb. 28, 1947.
491. E i l e e n S c h r e i f e l s , born J u l y 1,1951.
492. Lavonne S c h r e i f e l s , born Oct. 29, 1952.
420.THE FAMILY CF ALOIS SCHREIFELS,born Nov. 18,1916, married
on May 22 1947 a t F r e e p o r t , M i n n . , t o . . .
MABEL WARNEKE(born J a n . 10,1925 a t F r e e p o r t , M i n n . ) . T h e i r
c h i l d r e n as l i s t e d as f o l l o w s :
493. James S c h r e i f e l s , born June 4 , 1948,St. Cloud,Minn.
494. Ruth Ann S c h r e i f e l s , born June 13,1950.
421.THE FAMILY OF ALVIN PETER SCHREIFELS, born June 18, 1918,
who married J a n . 27, 1 9 3 9 , , , . ,
MARCELLA ANN ARNZEN.born Aug. 19, 1918.They had t h r e e c h i l d r e n :
495. P a t r i c i a Ann S c h r e i f e l s , born J u l y 13, 1940.
496. Dorothy S c h r e i f e l s , born J a n . 10, 1944.
497. David Aloys S c h r e i f e l s , born Nov. 26, 1948.
422.THS FAMILY CF ELEANOR SCHREIFELS born S e p t . 30, 1919,
Cold S p r i n g , m a r r i e d on Aug. 2 1 , 1 9 J 7 a t S t , Anthony
C h u r c h , S t . Cloud,Minn. , t o . . . .
GEORGE SCH0TLE(born Feb. 8 , 1 9 1 2 , F o r e s t Lake,Minn). They
had one c h i l d as f o l l o w s :
498. E l i z a b e t h Ann(Betty) S c h o t l e , b o r n March 26, 1 9 3 8 , S t . Cloud.
423.VIOLA MARY SCHR5IFELS,born March 28, 1921,Cold S p r i n g .
She m a r r i e d on Nov 24, 1938(at S t . Anthony Church, S t .
Cloud).... - ••
WSNDELINE MICHAEL FRUTH(born S e p t . 29, 1915). The FAMILY
CF WSNDELINE MICHAEL FRUTH AND VIOLA SGHREIFELS i s l i s t e d :
499. Donna Mae F r u t h , b o r n J u l y 6, 1939*.
500. Mary Ann F r u t h , b o r n Nov. 2 5 , 1940.
 1
501. R i c h a r d LeRoy F r u t h , born F e b . 1 3 , 1 9 4 5 .
502. Nancy C a t h e r i n e F r u t h , b o r n May 2 6 , 1948.

424.THE FAMILY CF ROSE MARIE SCHREIFELS,born S e p t . 17, 1936;

m a r r i e d o n A u g u s t 6, 1958 a t S t . Cloud t o . . . .
FREDIE HENKLE(born Aug. 1 7 , 1 9 2 8 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d :
503.. Thomas J o s e p h H e n k l e , b o r n May 2 5 , 1959.
504. C a r o l J e a n H e n k l e , b o r n F e b . 12, 1 9 6 1 .
505. C a t h e r i n e J o a n H e n k l e , b o r n Nov. 2 2 , 1962.
506. Timothy Sohn H e n k l e , b o r n A p r i l 18, 1965.
507. Connie J a n i n e , b o r n A p r i l 4 , 1970.
425.THE FAMILY CF LCRETTA SCHREIFELS, born J u n e 4 , 1 9 1 5 ; d e c e a s e d
A p r i l 9 , 1 9 6 0 . She m a r r i e d on S e p t . 1 3 , 1938 a t
Pearl Lake,Minnesota....
MARCUS WEBER. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
Roger Weber, b o r n S e p t . 1 9 , 1939.
S h e r y l Ann Weber, born S e p t . 2 2 , 1940.
LeRoy W e b e r , b o r n J a n . 22,1941.
M a r v i n Weber, b o r n J u l y 17, 1943.
MelVin Weber, b o r n J u l y 17,1944.
Dee Wayne Weber, b o r n Dec. 2 1 , 1945.
S h a r o n Weber, b o r n J u n e 16, 1947.
L i n d a Weber, b o r n J a n u a r y 10, 1 9 5 1 . N o t e : # 5 1 5 & #516 s h o u l d
be s w i t c h e d .
Sandra Weber,born September 4 , 1949.
Thomas Weber, b o r n F e b . 2 , 1952.
L l o y d W e b e r , b o r n J u n e 1 2 , 1953.
426.THE FAMILY CF CYRILLA SCHREIFELS, b o r n J u n e 8 , 1 9 2 0 ,
who m a r r i e d J u n e 8 , 1 9 4 2 ( a t P e a r l L a k e . M i n n e s o t a ) . . .
LEXNARD J 0 S T ( b o r n A p r i l 1 8 , 1 9 2 0 , A l b a n y , M i n n . ) . T h e i r o f f s p r i n g
i s l i s t e d as follows:
Ryan J o s t , b o r n Dec. 2 1 , 1946.
A l l e n P. J o s t , b o r n Nov. 14, 1948.
J e r o m e B e r n a r d J o s t , b o r n A u g u s t 3 1 , 1954.
L o i s Ann J o s t , b o r n J u l y 6, 1956.
 •1 •

427. THE FAMILY CF LAVERNE SCHREIFELS, born A p r i l 20, 1921,

married June 16, 1945 a t P e a r l L a k e , M i n n . , t o . . . .
PHILLIP JOST,born June 10,1921,Annandale,M3nn, Their o f f s p r i n g
included t h e f o l l o w i n g :
523. Renee J o s t , b o r n J u l y 25, 1946,
524. Mary Lee J o S t , b o r n May 4 , 1948.
525. P h i l i p B. J o s t , born J u l y 29, 1949;died Aug. 20, 1950.
526. Kenneth J o s t , b o r n March 15, 1951.
527. Daniel J o s t , b o r n March 10, 1952.
528. Judy J o s t , b o r n Sept. 2, 1953.
529. J o e Ann J o S t , b o r n Aug. 2 3 , 1954.
530. Brenda J o s t , b o r n J u l y 20, 1958.
531. T e r r y J o s t , b o r n Feb. 24, 1960.
428.THE FAMILY CF RXNILDA SCHREIFELS,BCRN J u l y 12 1924 S t .
N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a . They were married on Aug. 3 1 , 192-6 a t
S t , John Cantius Church,St. Cloud. Her husband w a s . . . .
BERNARD J0ST,born Dec. 28,1924. Their c h i l d r e n a r e as f o l l o w s :
532. Carol Ann J o s t , born Aug. 25, 1947.
533. Donna Mae J o s t , b o r n Oct. 1,1950.
534.Byron J o s t , born Nov. 17, 1953.
535. Douglas J o s t , b o r n J u n e 7, 1955.
536. Karen J o s t , born May 2, 1959.
537. K i n i n J o s t , born Oct. 1, 1960.
538. Diane J o s t , born Aug. 17,1967.
429.THE FAMILY CF BERNICE SCHREIFELS,born J u l y 9, 1928,St.
Nicholas,who married on Nov. 12,1949(St, C l o u d ) . . ,
MERRIL CREES(born May 3 1 , 1949).Thoir c h i l d r e n a r e :
539. Robert C r e e s , b o r n August 26,1952.
540. S t e v e C r e e s , b o r n J u l y 27, 1954.
541. J e f f e r y C r e e s , b o r n S e p t . 27, 1958.
542. Mary J o C r e e s , b o r n March 2 1 , 1960,
 430.THS FAMILY CF EILEEN SCHREIFELS, born March 6, 1932,
S t . N i c h o l a s , w h o m a r r i e d on J u l y 1, 195H(at S t . P e t e r ?
Church,St. Cloud,Minn)....
? . 0 3 ^ 7 %'ENZ,born F e b r u a r y 13, 1927. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d
as follows:
543. Gary Wenz, b o r n J a n u a r y 2 , 1952.
544. M a r i l y n Wenz, b o r n J u l y 3 , 1954.
545. C h a r l e s Wenz, b o r n December 17, 1958.
546. Lee R o b e r t Wenz, b o r n Nov. 2 7 , 1 9 6 3 .
432.THE FAMILY CF LOIS GLYNN, born August 2 2 , 1926,
m a r r i e d , August 2 0 , 1 9 4 9 , t o . . . .
URBAN SCHAAF(born May 3 1 , 1 9 2 6 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d :
547. j i m S c h a a f , b o r n J a n u a r y 4 , 1951, m a r r i e d t o M i s s Debie
C o l l i n s ( b o r n J u n e 16, 1 9 5 3 ) . O f f s p r i n g unknown t o d a t e .
548. Tom S c h a a f , b o r n F e b r u a r y 18, 1952.
549. Anne S c h a a f , b o r n A p r i l 10, 1953.
550. Mary S c h a a f , born J a n u a r y 4, 1955.
551. J o a n S c h a a f , b o r n March 17, 1958.
433.THE FAMILY CF RENEE GLYNN,. BCRN May 2 4 , 1 9 2 8 ;
m a r r i e d o n May 2 0 , 1 9 5 0 , t o . . .
R03ERT LANG(born Aug. 2 1 , 1 9 2 6 ) . T h e i r o f f s p r i n g a r e a s follows:
552. Mark Lang, b o r n A p r i l 8, 1 9 5 1 .
553. R o b e r t L a n g , J r . , b o r n J u n e 1 8 , 1952.
554. G l e n n Lang, b o r n Nov. 2 1 , 1954.
555. J o h n L a n g , b o r n March 1 9 , 1956.
556. Anna M a r i e Lang, b o r n Ju-ky 8, 1 9 5 9 ; d i e d J u l y 1 3 , 1959.
557. Marie Lang,born A p r i l 29, 1962.
4 3 4 . THE FAMILY CF FRED GLYNN, J R . , b o r n J u l y 4 , 1 9 3 1 ,
who m a r r i e d o n O c t . 2 . 1 9 5 4 . . .
ANNA MISICH(born March 1 3 , 1 9 3 4 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n i n c l u d e :
Paul Glynn,born Oct. 24, 1955.
D a n i e l G l y n n , b o r n J u n e 1 9 , 1957.
David G l y n n , b o r n F e b . 1 9 , 1959.
Timothy G l y n n , b o r n May 2 8 , 1 9 6 1 .
Amy G l y n n , b o r n S e p t . 2 7 , 1963.
ftbert G l y n n , b o r n November 7 , 1964.
 4 3 5 . THE FAMILY CF MYRNA GLYNN,born F e b . 15 1934, who
m a r r i e d James C a s s i d y ( b o r n Oct. 14, 1927) on J u n e 5 , 1954.
T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
564. K e v i n C a s s i d y , b o r n March 2 2 , 1955.
565. J o h n C a s s i d y , born May 4 , 1956.
566. Maureen C a s s i d y , b o r n March 2 5 , 1958.
567. Joseph Cassidy, b o r n May 17, 1959.
568. Brian Cassidy, b o r n J u n e 2 6 , 1 9 6 0 ; d i e d October 9 , 1960.
569. K a t h l e e n C a s s i d y , b o r n November 17, 1 9 6 1 .
570. B r i d g e t C a s s i d y , b o r n December 2 9 , 1962.
571. James C a s s i d y , J r . , b o r n March 5 , 1965.
4 3 6 . THE FAMILY CF * CURTIS RICHARD BCLFING ( b o r n March 2 2 ,
1938)who m a r r i e d Miss C h a r l e n e Donnick on J u l y 14, 1955.
Their family i s l i s t e d following:
572. K a t h r y n Bolf i n g , b o r n Dec. 3 , 1956.
573. S t e p h a n i e Bo I f i n g , b o r n August 12, 1957.
574. Lynn Bolf i n g , born S e p t e m b e r 4 , 1 9 5 9 .
575. C u r t i s Bo I f i n g , b o r n Dec. 3 , 1 9 6 1 .
576. K i m b e r l y Bo I f i n g , b o r n October 6, 1963.
4 3 7 . THE FAMILY CF DCROTHY M. FIEDLER, b o r n Oct. 10, 1940 a t
S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a , who m a r r i e d ( F e b . 1 1 , 1961 a t L i t t l e
Falis,Minnesota)....
GERALD R. JCHNSCN(born Dec. 1 7 , 1 9 4 0 t o V e r n e r J o h n s o n and
E u n i c e G r a t t o n a t S u p e r i o r , W i s c o n s i n ) . living i n S u p e r i o r ,
Wisconsin,they have the following children:
577. M i c h a e l J o h n s o n , b o r n Oct. 8 , 1961 a t Minneapolis,Minnesota.
578. S t e v e n J o h n s o n , b o r n J u l y 9 , 1963 a t Minneapolis,Minnesota.
579. David J o h n s o n , b o r n S e p t . 2 1 , 1966 a t S u p e r i o r , Wis cons i n .
438.THE FAMILY OF SHIRLEY ANN FIEDLER(born Aug. 2 2 , 1942 a t S t .
C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a ) m a r r i e d on Oct. 19, 1963 a t L i t t l e F a l l s ,
M i n n e s o t a . . . .MR. PAUL K. MCER(born A p r i l 2 ? 1942 i n Minneapo:
t o Ken Moer and W i n i f r e d L o g e l i n ) . L i v i n g i n B l o o m i n g t o n ,
M i n n e a p o l i s , t h e y h a v e o n e known c h i l d l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
58
0. R o b e r t M o e r , b o r n Oct. 2 7 , 1966 a t Minneapolis,Minnesota.
 ••

440.THE FAMILY CF DCNALD J . FIEDLER, born Nov. 2 9 , 1944 a t

S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a , m a r r i e d on J u n e 10, 1967 a t L i t t l e
Falls,Minnesota, t o . . .
ELIZABETH BULLARD(born S e p t . 17,1944 a t M i n n e a p o l i s , d a u g h t e r
of Donald B u l l a r d and G e o r g i a C h a m b e r l i n ) . They had t h e
following child:
581. S c o t t K. F i e d l e r , b o r n J u n e 6 , 1968 a t C a m b r i d g e , M i n n e s o t a .
F a m i l y n o t e : Donald J . F i e d l e r and E l i z a b e t h ( B u l l a r d )
F i e d l e r w e r e d i v o r c e d i n A p r i l , 1 9 7 4 . Donald t h e n r e m a r r i e d
o n e J a c q u e l i n e V a r n e r o n J u n e 1, 1974 i n Iowa. No c h i l d r e n
a r e known t o t h i s m a r r i a g e .
445.THE FAMILY CF RCNALD JOSEPH SCHREIFELS, b o r n March 3 . 1950
who was m a r r i e d on F e b r u a r y 5 , 1972 but s e p a r a t e d S e p t . 2 4 , 1 9 / 4 .
Name of s p o u s e was uhknown. The f o l l o w i n g c h i l d r e n w e r e b o r n t o *
Mr. R o n a l d J o s e p h S c h r e i f e l s :
582. T r a c y Lynn S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n March 3 , 1973,
583. T o n i a Rose S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n August 2 5 , 1973.
446.GERALD P . SCHREIFELS, b o r n J u n e 15, 1951, was m a r r i e d t o
M i s s Ann R e b e r ( b o r n Nov. 2 8 , 1953) on A p r i l 2 6 , 1975...
No o f f s p r i n g p r e s e n t l y n o t e d t o d a t e .
4 6 2 . THE FAMILY CF REYNOLD SCHREINER, born March 2 0 , 1940, who
m a r r i e d o n May 3 0 , 1966 a t S t . N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a . . . .
JOANN EVELYN LINN(born F e b . 16, 1 9 4 5 , S t . N i c h o l a s ) . They had
t h e following offspring:
584. J e n n i f e r S c h r e i n e r , born A p r i l 2 3 , 1 9 6 8 , P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a .
585. Gregg S c h r e i n e r , b o r n S e p t . 2 , 1 9 6 9 , P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a .
586. Lynn S c h r e i n e r , b o r n A p r i l 2 1 , 1973, P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a .
4 6 3 . THE FAMILY CF RALPH MATHEW SCHREINER ( b o r n Nov. 2 5 , 1943)
m a r r i e d o n A p r i l 1 9 , 1969 a t S t . B o n i f a c e C h u r c h , C o l d
6pring,Minnesota,to....
JUDIT ANN DINGMANN(born O c t . 1 0 , 1 9 4 8 ) . C h i l d r e n b o r n t o them:
587
» M i s c h e l l e S c h r e i n a r , b o r n Nov. 10, 1 9 7 0 , S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a .
588. Kris Schrainer, b o r n J u n e 3 , 1974, S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
4641 THE FAMILY CF VERNCN MICHAEL SCHREINER ( b o r n Dec. 2 1 ,
1944),who m a r r i e d ( S e p t . 2 . 1 9 6 8 . S t . N i c h o l a s , M i n n e s o t a ) . . . .
LUCY LINN(born J u n e 2 4 , 1 9 4 6 ) . T h e i r o f f s p r i n g i n c l u d e d :
589. Duane S c h r a i n e r , b o r n J u l y 2 3 , 1969.
59
0. Rhonda S c h r e i n e r , b o r n J u l y 8 , 1972.

Hi. Scott Schreiner, born August 7, 1975.

 4 6 6 . THE FAMILY OF MARICN KATHERINE SCHREINER ( b o r n F e b . 8,
1 9 4 9 ) , m a r r i e d on S e p t . 26 1 9 7 0 , S t . N i c h o l a s , t o . . . .
ELMER FRANK(born A p r i l 3 0 , 1 9 4 5 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e a s f o l l o w s ;
592. Jodee Frank, born J u l y 13, 1974,Paynesville,Minnesota.
593. Bradley Frank, b o r n J u l y 16, 1976, Paynesville,Minnesota.
4 6 9 . THE FAMILY CF MARLENE SCHREIFELS ( b o r n J a n u a r y 2 7 , 1949)
who m a r r i e d on August 4 , 1 9 7 3 ( a t Knox P r e s b y t e r i a n
Church,Minneapolis,Minnesota)....
MR. JCHN EVAN CARSCN ( b o r n Oct. 6, 1 9 5 1 ) . They h a d one c h i l d :
594. C h r i s t i n e C a r s o n , b o r n J a n . 10, 1975 i n M i n n e a p o l i s .
470.THE FAMILY CF BARBARA SCHREIFELS, b o r n S e p t . 1 1 , 1 9 5 1 ,
m a r r i e d o n Nov. 2 5 , 1972 t o . . . .
MR. HCWARD A. CARSCN,born A p r i l 2 , 1944. T h e i r c h i l d r e n
l i s t e d a s known i n c l u d e :
595. J e n n i f e r C a r s o n , b o r n J u n e 14, 1 9 7 3 , M i n n e a p o l i s .
596. C h a r l e s C a r s o n , b o r n J a n u a r y 14, 1976,Minneapolis.
472.THE FAMILY CF KATHLEEN SCHREIFELS, born J u n e 2 8 , 1946,
m a r r i e d a t S t . B o n i f a c e Church Old S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a t o . . . .
MR. ANDREW F . HANSEN, JR( born May 2 7 , 1 9 3 7 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n
included the following:
597. Todd M i c h a e l Hansen, born October 8, l 9 6 8 , S t . C l o u d .
598. ThOi-nas J a m e s Hansen, b o r n J u l y 12, 1 9 7 0 , S t . Cloud.
475.THE FAMILY CF DCNALD KRUEGER(born Aug. 22 1936,Eden
V a l l e y , M i n n . ) who m a r r i e d ( F e b r u a r y 2 3 , 1963 a t W a s h i n g t o n ,
D.C.)to...
3 PHYLLIS UNRUH,born F e b . 2 5 , 1942 i n Oregon. They had t h e following
children:
599. Brent K r u e g e r , b o r n A p r i l 27, 1966,Washington,D.C.
600. Nathen Krueger, born Maryland(on J a n . 26, 1975).

476.THE FAMILY CF EILEEN KRUEGER b o r n J u l y 12, 1937,Cold

S p r i n g , m a r r i e d on S e p t . 2 6 , 1 9 5 7 , S t . B o n i f a c e C h u r c h ,
Cold S p r i n g , t o . . . .
MARCELLUS HANSEN(born S e p t . 2 1 , 1 9 3 5 , P e a r l L a k e , M i n n e s o t a ) .
T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
601. Cindy H a n s e n , b o r n Nov. 1 3 , 1 9 5 8 .
602. Kenny H a n s e n , b o r n F e b . 2 4 , 19.61.
603. R i c k y H a n s e n , b o r n J u n e 9, 1962.
604. D a l e H a n s e n , b o r n A u g u s t 8, 1963.
605. Larry Hansen, b o r n A p r i l 7 , 1965.
606. J e r r y Hansen, b o r n March 2 9 , 1967.
607. Randy H a n s e n , b o r n J u n e 1, 1968.
608. Rodney H a n s e n , b o r n A p r i l 2 8 , 1 9 7 2 .

4 7 7 . THE FAMILY CF SYLVESTER KRUEGER b o r n F e b . 16, 1941,Cold

Spring,Minn.,married Feb. 24, 1960,at S t . Joseph,Minn,to..
ELAINE SCHROEDER(born J u n e 6, 1 9 4 0 , S t . J o s e p h , M i n n e s o t a ) .
Their family i s l i s t e d as follows:
609. D i a n e K r u e g e r , b o r n J u l y 16, 1 9 6 0 , S t . C l o u d .
6101 Donna K r e u g e r , b o r n J u n e 2 7 , 1 9 6 1 .
611. R o n n i e K r u e g e r , b o r n J u l y 6, 1962.
612. C a t h i e , b o r n A u g u s t 1, 1965.
613. C o n n i e K r u e g e r , b o r n A u g u s t 1, 1965.
614. Roger K r u e g e r , b o r n Nov. 18,1968.
615. K e v i n K r u e g e r , b o r n A p r i l 19, 1 9 7 1 .
616. Keith Krueger, b o r n S e p t . 8, 1974.
478.THE FAMILY CF RICHARD KRUEGER(born Aigust 1 7 , 1 9 4 2 . S o l d
S p r i n g , M i n n ) , w h o m a r r i e d on J u n e 2 9 , 1965 a t S t . Anthony
Church,Watkins,Minnesota....
SUZETTA DCCKENDCRF(bom March 3 0 , 1 9 4 3 , W a t k i n s , M i n n e s o t a ) .
They h a d t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d r e n :
617. Duane K r u e g e r , b o r n S e p t e m b e r 3 0 , 1 9 6 6 , S t . C l o u d .
618. D e b b i e K r u e g e r , b o r n S e p t e m b e r 12, 1 9 6 7 , S t . Cloud.
619. Deanna K r e u g e r , b o r n Dec. 2 9 , 1 9 7 3 , S t . Cloud.
479.THE FAMILY CF LEILA MAE KREUGER(born Nov. 13,1945) who
o n Aug 1 4 . 1 9 7 0 m a r r i e d J e f f r e y B l e w e t t . They h a v e h a d
t h e following c h i l d born:
620. Shannon M i c h e l l e B l e w e t t , b o r n J a n . 1 7 , 1976, Boca R a t o n F l o r i d a .
4 8 0 . THE FAMILY CF CHARLENE ANN KRUEGER, b o r n D e c . 6,1949 in
Colorado,who m a r r i e d ( J u l y 28,1971):
WILLIAM BLEWETT,JR. T h e i r c h i l d i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
621. H e a t h e r Lynn B l e w e t t , b o r n A p r i l 1 3 , 1975,Durand,Wisconsin.
489.THE FAMILY CF JANET SCHREIFELS, b o r n A p r i l 2 5 , 1944, m a r r l e f
o n J u l y 1 1 , 1970 t o . . . .
WAYNE ESSELMAN(born A u g u s t 7 , 1 9 4 1 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e :
622. Amy J o e E s s e l m a n , b o r n Oct. 3 1 , 1 9 7 1 .
623. A l l e n J o h n E s s e l m a n , b o r n F e b . 6, 1 9 7 3 .
4 9 3 . THE FAMILY CF JAMES SCHREIFELS ( b o m J u n e 4 , 1 9 4 8 , S t . C l o u £
m a r r i e d o n M$ry 3 0 , 1970 t o
CHARLOTTE LUCKMANN. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
624. Gretchen Schreifels,born May 28,l971,St. Cloud.
625. Derek Schreifels, born August 18, 1973,St. Cloud.
 495.THE FAMILY CF PATRICIA ANN SCHREIFELS", b o r n J u l y 1 3 ,
1940, m a r r i e d on J u n e 1 3 , 1 9 6 1 , t o . . . .
BENNO SCHWINGHAMMER. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
626. Wendy M a r i e Schwinghammer, b o r n March 1 9 , 1962.
627. C h a r y l Ann Schwinghammer, b o r n May 2 3 , 1963.
628. S c o t t A l l e n Schwinghammer, b o r n Dec. 3 , 1964.
629. Amy J o Schwinghammer, b o r n A u g u s t 2 6 , 1967.
630. Craig John, born A p r i l , 1974.
4 9 6 . THE FAMILY CF DCROTHY SCHREIFELS, b o r n J a n . 10, 1944,
m a r r i e d on F e b r u a r y 8, 1964 t o . . . .
PHILBERT MCNT1LEAUX. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
631. W e s l e y M o n t i l e a u x , b o r n November 8 , 1964.
632. Shannon M a r i e M o n t i l e a u x , b o r n November 8 , 1964.
497.THE FfiMILY CF DAVID ALOYS SHCREIFELS, b o r n Nov. 2 6 ,
1 9 4 8 , who m a r r i e d ( J u n e 19, 1 9 7 1 ) . . . .
MISS JANICE RAUSCH. The c h i l d r e n b o r n t o them a r e l i s t e d below:
633. E r i c J o h n * S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n and d i e d o n Dec. 2 , 1973.
I 634. N i c o l e S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n and d i e d O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 4 ( b o r n on Oct. 2 2 ,
and diedon October 2 8 , 1 9 7 4 ) .
498.THE FAMILY CF ELIZABETH ANN(Betty) SCHOTLE, born March 2 6 ,
. 1 9 3 8 , S t . Cloud,who m a r r i e d o n A u g u s t 2 4 , 1 9 5 6 . . . ,
MR. HENRY J . RCDEN, b o r n J u l y 1 7 , 1 9 3 5 , S t . C l o u d . T h e i r
o f f s p r i n g i s l i s t e d below:
635. K a r e n S u e Ro d e n , b o r n Nov. 1 3 , 1 9 5 8 , S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
636. Kevin G e r a l d Roden, born S e p t . 2 0 , 1 9 6 0 , S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
499.THE FAMILY CF DCNNA MAE FRUTH,born J u l y 6 , 1939 i n S t .
C l o u d , who m a r r i e d o n F e b . 7 , 1 9 5 9 ( S a i n t C l o u d , M i n n ) . . . .
JAMES CHRIS McCCMB(born D e c . 2 4 , 1 9 3 7 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e
l i s t e d Jbe-low:
637. Debra L e e McComb,born March 2 4 , 1960, Osseo, H e n n e p i n C o u n t y ,
Minnesota.
638. M i c h a e l J a m e s McComb, b o r n A p r i l 1 2 , 1 9 6 1 , Osseo,Minnesota.
639. P a t r i r k R o b e r t McComb,born March 1 9 , 1 9 6 4 , O s s e o , M i n n e s o t a .
W0. Jeffrey Todd McComb, b o r n May 1 8 , 1965, Osseo,Minnesota.
500.THE FAMILYCF MARY ANN FRUTH, b o r n Nov. 2 5 , 1940, who
m a r r i e d o n Nov. 2 6 , 1 9 6 0 . . . .
LARRY LAMAR WCLFE,born March 14, 1 9 3 8 . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e :
641. B r i a n C h a r l e s W o l f e , b o r n F e b . 1 9 , 1963 i n P e n n s y l v a n i a
642. N e i l Evan W o l f e , b o r n J u l y 1 3 , 1 9 6 7 .
 A

501.THE FAMILY CF RICHARD LEROY FRUTH, b o r n F e b . 1 3 , 1 9 4 5 ,

who m a r r i e d on S e p t . 4 , 1 9 6 5 . . . .
MARY ANN MAILE,born Aug. 3 0 , 1 9 4 5 . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e :
643. R i c h a r d J h n F r u t h , b o r n August 9, 1 9 6 6 , S t . Cloud.
644. R i c h e l i e Ann F r u t h , born October 17, 1 9 6 7 , S t . Cloud.
645. Ryan P a u l F r u t h , b o r n May 9 , 1970, S t . Cloud.
646. R o b e r t a Mary F r u t h , b o r n A u g u s t 1, 1 9 7 4 , S t . Cloud.
502.THE FAMILY CF NANCY CATHERINE FRUTH, born May 2 6 , 1948,
who m a r r i e d o n J u n e 2 4 , 1 9 6 7 ( S t . C l o u d ) . . . .
MR. THCMAS JCHN STUEVE,born F e b r u a r y 1 9 , 1947. T h e i r c h i l d r e n
a r e - l i s t e d below:
647. L i s a M a r i e S t u e v e , b o r n November 7 , 1968,St. Cloud.

648. K i m b e r l y Ann S t u e v e , b o r n J u n e 2 5 , 1 9 7 3 , S t . Cloud.

508.THE FAMILY CF ROGER WEBER, b o r n S e p t . 1 9 , 1 9 3 9 , who
married....
MILDRED KICK,born A u g u s t 12, 1 9 4 0 . T h e i r f a m i l y i n c l u d e s ;
649. S h a r y l Ann Webar, b o r n S e p t . 2 2 , 1 9 6 2 .
650. Gina D e n i s e Weber,born A p r i l 18, 1964.
651. R o g e r Mark Weber, b o r n J u n e 2 6 , 1965.
652. G r e g F r a n c i s Weber, b o r n A p r i l 2 5 , 1967.
510.THE FAMILY CF LE ROY WEBER, b o r n J a n . 2 2 , 1 9 4 1 , who was
m a r r i e d J u n e 2 , 1 9 6 2 a t San G a b r i e l , C a l i f o r n i a t o . , . .
MISS JANET ZIMMERMAN, b o r n A u g u s t 1 5 , 1 9 4 1 , ' R o c k v i l l e , M i n n .
Their children include the following:
653. L a u r a W e b e r , b o r n May 3 0 , 1964..
654. M a r t i n Weber, born October 14, 1967.
655. Raymond W e b e r , b o r n A p r i l 1 2 , 1972.
511.THE FAMILY CF MARVIN WS3SR b o r n J u l y 1 7 , 1 9 4 3 , m a r r i e d
o n A o r 1 1 2 3 , 1966 a t Alma. Wis c o n s i n , t o . . . .
JANICE WALD,born Nov. 1 0 , 1 9 4 4 . T h e i r c h i l d r e n i n c l u d e :
656. T h e r e s a Weber, born S e p t . 8, 1966.
657. D o u g l a s Weber, born A p r i l 6, 1973.
512.THE FAMILY CF MELVIN WE3ER, b o r n J u l y 1 7 , 1 9 4 4 , who m a r r i e d
on J u n e 7,1969 a t M e l r o s e , M i n n e s o t a . . . .
DARLENE MAENING,born J u n e 2 6 , 1 9 4 5 . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d :
658. Wendy W e b a r , b o r n S e p t . 1 6 , 1 9 7 0 .
659. C y n t h i a Webar, b o r n F e b . 1 4 , 1 9 7 3 .
 514.THE FAMILY CF SHARCN WEBER, born J u n e 16,1947,who
m a r r i e d on J u l y 2 7 , 1968 a t A l b a n y , M i n n e s o t a . . .
RICHARD VENSLAND(born August 1 9 , 1 9 4 6 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e :
660. K e l l y J o Vans l a n d , born J a n u a r y 2 8 , 1969.
661. Scott Vensland, born August 2 8 , 1971.
515.THE FAMILY CF LINDA WEBER,born J a n u a r y 1 0 , 1 9 5 1 , m a r r i e d
on A u g u s r 12, 1972 a t D a s s e l , M i n n e s o t a . . . .
MR. WILLIAM STELTCN(born S e p t . 9, 1947).Cue c h i l d i s l i s t e d .
662. S h e i l a J a n S t e l t o n . b o r n March 1, 1973.
516.THE FAMILY CF SANDRA WEBER,born S e p t . 4 , 1949, who m a r r i e d
May2, 1 9 7 0 ( a t A l b a n y , M i n n e s o t a ) . . .
MICHAEL MC£N(born May 3 0 , 1 9 4 6 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n l i s t e d i n c l u d e :
663. C h a r l e n e Mo e n , born A p r i l 2 7 , 1 9 7 1 .
564. T r a v i s Moen, born J u n e 2 2 , 1975.
517.THE FAMILY CF THCMAS WEBER(born F e b . 2 , 1 9 5 2 ) m a r r i e d
on F e b . 8 , 1 9 7 3 i n C a l i f o r n i a . . . .
LORRAINE PENROSE(born Dec. 9, 1 9 5 3 ) . C h i l d r e n b o r n t o them w e r e :
665. M i c h a e l W e b e r , b o r n Aug. 19, 1972.
666. Marcus Weber, b o r n A p r i l 2 6 , 1975.
519,THE FAMILY CF RYAN J C S T , b o r n Dec. 2 1 , 1946, m a r r i e d on
A u g u s t 4 , 1972 a t S u p e r i o r , W i s c o n s i n , t o . . . .
CHERYL JCHNS(N(born May 9, 1950,Range , W i s c o n s i n ) . T h e i r
children are l i s t e d following:
667. Robyn J e a n J o s t , b o r n J a n . 2 1 , 1 9 7 4 .
668. A l l e n P . J o s t , b o r n November 14, 1948.
523.THE FAMILY CF RENEE J C 6 T , b o r n J u l y 2 5 , 1946, who m a r r i e d
on Oct. 2 8 , 1 9 6 7 ( i n Maple L a k e , M i n n e s o t a ) . . . .
JAMES LEJCEIS(bora S e p t . / , 1 9 3 8 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n i n c l u d e :
669. J e n n i f e r L o j o e i s . b o r n March 2 7 , 1969.
670. Wade L a j o e i s , b o r n J a n . 2 6 , 1 9 7 1 .
671. Aaron L o j o e i s , b o r n A p r i l 5, 1973.
524.THE FAMILY CF MARY LEE J 0 S T ( b o r n May 4 , 1 9 4 8 ) , who
m a r r i e d ( O c t o b e r 1,1971 i n H o l l a n d ) t o . . . .
GARRITT MEMEL INK ( b o r n May 7, 1 9 4 5 ) , T h e i r c h i l d i s listed:
672. C h r i s t o p h e r J o h a n n M e m e l i n k , b o r n August 3 1 , 1 9 7 5 .
532.THE FAMILY CF CARCL ANN JCST(born Aug. 2 5 , 1947) who
m a r r i e d on D e c . 2 8 , 1 9 6 8 ( a t Minnetonka B e a c h , M i n n . ) . . .
ROBERT SCHEPARDSCN(born J u l y 1 3 , 1 9 4 4 ) . T h e i r d a u g h t e r
i s l i s t e d as follows:
673. Tina Marie Schepardson,born January 2 2 , 1 9 7 1 .
 533.DCNNA MAE JOST,born Oct. 1,1950, was m a r r i e d a t
Minnetonka B e a c h , M i n n e s o t a on August 7, 1973 t o . . . .
DANIEL FLAHERTY(bom F e b r u a r y 12, 1 9 5 0 ) . No c h i l d r e n
are l i s t e d to date.
543.THE FAMILY CF GARY WENZ, born J a n u a r y 2 , 1952, was
married to....
JEAN LAHR,born A p r i l 2 2 , 1 9 4 9 . T h e i r c h i l d i s l i s t e d f o l l o w i n g :
674. Thomas Wenz, born March 3,1974 a t S t . Cloud and d i e d March 3 ,
1974.
544. THE FAMILY CF MARILYN WENZ, born J u l y 3 , 1 9 5 4 , who
married....
PHILLIP SOWADA. T h e i r c h i l d i s l i s t e d below:
675. N a t h a n Sowada,born August 1, 1975.
552.THE FAMILY CF MARK LANG,born A p r i l 8, 1951, who m a r r i e d
BRASART ( b o r n November 5,1946) i n T h a i l a n d . T h e i r
family i s l i s t e d as follows:
676. M i c h d l e L a n g , b o r n August 1 3 , 1 9 7 2 , T h a i l a n d .
677. Mary Lang, b o r n J u n e 8, 1973 i n T h a i l a n d .
553.THE FAMILY CF ROBERT LANG, J r . ( b o r n J u n e 18,1952) who
m a r r i e d M y r n a - - - - - - - ( b o r n J u n e 14,1952) i n t h e
P h i l i p p i n e s I s l a n d s . They h a v e one c h i l d a s l i s t e d below:
678. D a n i e l C a r l o s L a n g , b o r n March 6,1974 i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s
Islands.
554.GLETN LANG(born Nov. 21,1954) m a r r i e d C a t a l i n a Nazareno
( b o r n F e b r u a r y 1 5 , 1 9 5 4 ) i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s I s l a n d s . No
children are l i s t e d to date.

679. T h i s h o u s e h o l d i s a c o n t i n u a t i o n of FAMILY # 3 6 9 , t h e f a m i l y
of M a t h i a s S c h r e i f e l s and h i s w i f e , C a t h e r i n e Schactcmann.
679. THE FAMILY CF MATHIAS SCHREIFELS(son of Johann S c h r e i f e l s
and M a r g a r e t h a M u l l e r ) and CATHERINE SCHACKMANN i s l i s t e d
as follows:
680. John Schreifels.
681. Mike Schreifels. Michael Schreifels was born 1870;deceased 1939.
682. Henry Schreifels. This person is identical with the person
listed as #384.
683. Joseph Schreifels. Joseph J. Schreifels was born 1873;died 1939.
684. Theodore Schreifels,born May 30,1877;deceased Sept. 25,1959.

685. William Schreifels. This person is identical with the person

listed as #385. William Schreifels was born 1879;deceased 19i4

686. Philip Schreifels.

687. Nick H. Schreifels.

688. Catherine Schreifels.

 687.THE FAMILY CF NICK H. SCHREIFELS (born March 4, 1869
in Luxembourg Township, Stearns County,Minnesota)
married on October 11, 1892 to....
MARGARET JUNGLES (born in 1873 in the town of Luxembourg,
Stearns County,Minnesota,daughter of John Jungles
and Catherine Lutgen). Their family is listed as follows:
689. Math H. Schreifels.
690. John P. Schreifels.

691. George Schreifels.

692. Herbert Schreifels.

693. Welbert Schreifels, died at the age of seveteen years old.

694. Sister Sylvester,a nun in a St. Cloud Hospital.

695. Regina Schreifels,died in infancy.

696. Catherine Schreifels,died in infancy.

697. Margaret Schreifels, died in infancy.

 THE T^oBLEM^ IN PRUSSIA
I n t h e 1830»s and 1 8 4 0 ' s . C h r i s t i a n T h e i s and h i s f a m i l y
had become more and more dependent upon t h e v a g a r i e s of t h e w e a t h e r .
As p e a s a n t s , t h e y needed v e r y l i t t l e from t h e c i t i e s . Occasionally,
they would v i s i t t h e i r r e l a t i v e s i n t h e t o w n s , b u t t h e o n l y r e a s o n
that t h e y r e a l l y needed t o v i s i t t h e towns was u s u a l l y t o p u r c h a s e
a few s p i c e s and some m e t a l w a r e . However, f o r t h e r e s t of t h e i r
n e c e s s i t i e s , t h e y depended upon t h e m s e l v e s and t h e i r n e i g h b o r s . A s -
farmers t h e y c o u l d grow t h e n e c e s s a r y food i n t h e i r f i e l d s and g a r -
dens. The f i e l d s and l i v e - s t o c k c o u l d p r o v i d e t h e n e c e s s a r y food
and c l o t h i n g , and many of t h e rough t o o l s f o r t h e c u l t i v a t i o n of t h e
s o i l were made a t h o m e , a s w e l l a s h o u s e h o l d u t e n s i l s needed f o r t h e
few c o m f o r t s t h e y had i n daiLy l i f e .
. . B u t JUftother* problem a r o s e f o r t h e p e o p l e of t h e r e g i o n , one
t h a t would pose a v e r y s e r i o u s t h r e a t t o t h e t h r e e s o n s of C h r i s t i a n
Theis. As t h e P r u s s i a n a d m i n i s t r a t i o n had t a k e n o v e r i n 1815, t h e y
were s u b j e c t t o t h e laws of t h e P r u s s i a n s t a t e . F a s t becoming t h e
leader o f f a l l German s t a t e s t h a n k s t o i t s v e r y s t r o n g , w e l l - d i s c i p l i n e
army and i t s w e l l - o r g a n i z e d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . A l l a b l e - b o d i e d mon of a
c e r t a i n age w e r e r e q u i r e d t o s e r v e i n t h e P r u s s i a n army f o r a t l e a s t
a y e a r , and sometimes more. But t h e p a r e n t s of many Luxembourg/
Rheinland s o n s d i d n e a r l y e v e r y t h i n g t o a v o i d t h i s and e m i g r a t e d t o
another c o u n t r y when t h e y c o u l d . So t h e f a c t t h a t t h e P r u s s i a n s were
c o n s t a n t l y l o o k i n g f o r young men of t h e p e a s a n t r y t o p r o v i d e h e a l t h y
r e c r u i t s f o r t h e i r growing a r m i e s made t h e T h e i s f a m i l y always un-
easy. What i s more, a s t i m e p r o g r e s s e d , i t couLd r e a d i l y be saen t h a t
Prussia was a b o u t t o embark upon a n e x p e d i t i o n of c o n q u e s t and c o n s o l i d a -
tion i n t h e German s t a t e s i n o r d e r t o become "Number One".
B u t , d i t c h i n g t h e P r u s s i a n a d m i n i s t r a t o r s became o n l y a s e c o n d a r y
problem d u r i n g t h e m i d - 1 8 4 0 ' s . I n Europe, t h e w i n t e r of 1845 was so
severe t h a t a g r e a t many v i n e y a r d s were e l i m i n a t e d . Up u n t i l t h i s t i m e ,
the p e a s a n t s were seldom i n d a n g e r of a c t u a l s t a r v a t i o n i n c o n t r a s t t o
the townsmen. He c o u l d grow h i s own c r o p s , and e v e n t h o u g h h e d i d . t
have t o work v e r y h a r d , a t l e a s t h e w o u l d n ' t s t a r v e . But,now i t might
be hunger t h a t would d r i v e t h e t h e ~ t h r e e _ T h e i s b r o t h e r s t o America o r
othor p l a c e s i n o r d e / t o s e e k b e t t e r land f o r c u l t i v a t i o n , f e r t i l e land
that .would n o t b e t r a y them.
E a r l i e r t h a n t h e s e v e r e w i n t e r problem t h a t had o c c u r r e d , t h e
summer c r o p of 1845 h a d been i n j u r e d by t h e r o t d i s e a s e t h a t plagued
the R h e i n l a n d a r e a 4 But c h a r i t y - and government a i d had p r e v e n t e d a c t u a l
s t a r v a t i o n of t h e t o w n s p e o p l e , a s w e l l a s t h e a c t u a l p e a s a n t s . I t was a t
this t i m e , d u r i n g which many p e o p l e s t a r t e d l e a v i n g P r u s s i a . Then,
for a second t i m e , a g r i c u l t u r e p r o b l e m s came a b o u t .
As we h a v e s e e n , 1845 was a bad y e a r . F i r s t t h e y had endured
a very s e v e r e w i n t e r . T h e n ' t h o S p r i n g of 1845, f l o o d s had sweptdown
the v a l l e y s of t h e M o s e l l e and t h e R h i n e . A n d , f i n a l l y , t h e c r o p of
1845 was n o t v e r y good f o r t h e p e a s a n t . B u t , i n 1846, t h e c r o p was
not much b e t t e r . Two c r o p f a i l u r e s i n s u c c e s s i o n were v e r y r a r e i n
this and i n o t h e r European a r e a s . The f a i l u r e s of t h e p o t a t o and
other c r o p s was i n c O n e i v a b l o a t t h i s t i m e . However, a t c l o s e of a
cold,wet,and s u n l e s s summer, t h e potato-* r o t had begun i n I r e l a n d .
This r o t was n e v e r e x c l u s i v e o n l y t o I r e l a n d . I t plagued o t h e r c o u n t r i e s
of Europa t o l e s s e r d e g r o s . H o w e v e r , t h e p l a g u e s of 1846 ware a c t u a l l y
worse t h a n t h e famine of 1845. At t h i s t i m e , . C h r i s t i a n T h e i s and h i s
sons began t o s e r i o u s l y wonder i f e m i g r a t i o n t o N o r t h America would be
the answer t o t h e i r p r o b l e m s . P e r h a p s t h e y b e l i e v e d t h a t God was pun-
c h i n g them f o r c e r t a i n a i n s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h i n g s d i d n o t g e t b e t t e r .
 Even now, t h e f a m i n e h a d t h e s p r e a d t o t h e p e a s a n t r y .
The h i g h p r i c e o f b r e a d s t u f f s h a d n o t h e l p e d much t o h e l p t h e i r
plight. Many f a r m e r s h a d s t a r t e d o u t from s c r a t c h , b u t t h e f l o o d s
of 1846 h a d d e s t r o y e d t h o u s a n d s o f f a r m s . A g a i n , t h e p e a s a n t s
looked t o w a r d A m e r i c a a s t h e i r o n l y h o p e . BuV., s t i l l , t h e T h e i s
brothers r e g a r d e d t h e m s e l v e s a s P r u s s i a n s , not as Frenchmen nor as
Luxembourgers, Long a g o , t h a t i d e n t i t y had worn o f f f o r t h e T h e i s
family.. T h e y h a d b e c o m e t r u e G e r m a n s i n s p i t e o f t h e i r a n c e s t r y .
A n o t h e r t e r r i b l e w i n t e r t o o k p l a c e i n 1 8 4 6 / 1 8 4 7 and c a u s e d
even more f a m i n e . T h i s b i t t e r w i n t e r r e d u c e d t h e p e a s a n t s v e r y n e a r l y
t o s t a r v a t i o n . T h i n g s w e r e g e t t i n g d e s p e r a t e a n d now o v e n t h e p e a s a n t r y
had b e e n r e d u c e d t o u t t e r s t a r v a t i o n . The T h e i s f a m i l y h a d e v e r y
i n t e n t i o n o f h a n g i n g i n t h e r e and h o p e d t h a t f u t u r e c r o p s would be
better.
However, p o l i t i c a l c h a n g e s added t o t h e p r o b l e m s o f a l l
Prussians. I n 1 8 4 8 , t h e f i r s t of t h e g r e a t M a r x i s t R e v o l u t i o n s
took p l a c e . A I t h o u g h t h e r e was some s u c c e s s a t f i r s t , i t m i g h t bo
said t h a t t h e R e v o l u t i o n s f a i l e d f o r t h e most p a r t . The b o u r g e o i s
Icing, L o u i s P h i l i p p e , was o v e r t h r o w n , and i n some German s t a t e s ,
reform m e a s u r e s w e r e a c c o m p l i s h e d . In t h i s s o - c a l l e d l i b e r a l r e v o l u -
t i o n , c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r e f o r m s w e r e demanded o f P r u s s i a . In a d d i t i o n .
some s o c i a l i s t r e f o r m s w e r e demanded o n t h e i n d u s t r i a l a n d a g r a r i a n
levels. The p e o p l e o f P r u s s i a r e c o g n i z e d t h a t bad h a r v e s t s h a d b e e n
causing f a m i n e , w i t h t h e h e l o of t h e w e a t h e r . And i n t h e c i t i e s r
unemployment w a s t h e m a i n p r o b l e m . As s t r e e t f i g h t i n g h a d b e g u n i n
Berlin, P r u s s i a n King F r e d e r i c k William t o o k s t e p s t o p a c i f y t h e
people. A l t h o u g h t h e r e v o l u t i o n s had c e r t a i n l y b r o u g h t ' a b o u t c h a n g e s
in B a v a r i a , A u s t r i a a n d F r a n c e , t h e y f a i l e d i n many r e s p e c t s and from
this p o i n t on, m a s s e s of p e o p l e began t h e i r f l i g h t t o America. S t i l l
remembering t h e e a r l i e r r e f o r m s b r o u g h t o n by t h e F r e n c h R e v o l u t i o n ,
many p e o p l e y e a r n e d f o r t h a t d a y when t h e s e l i b e r a l m e a s u r e s c o u l d o n c e
again be e n a c t e d a s s t a t e l a w s .
L o o k i n g b a c k t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i n t h e y e a r 1848, most German*
viewed t h e n a t i o n a s a c a p i t a l i s t c o u n t r y . L o o k i n g a t t h e German s t a t e s
as b o t h p a t e r n a l i s t i c a n d b u r e a u c r a t i c , t h e G e r m a n s o f t h e low and m i d d l *
c l a s s e s c o u l d s e e a f r e e e n t e r p r i s e economy n o t l i k e t h a t i n a n y o t h e r
European n a t i o n . The freedom t h a t o u r a n c e s t o r s saw i n America o f f e r e d
new o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e P r u s s i a n p e a s a n t . E v e n b e f o r e t h e 1848
Revolutions, t h e P r u s s i a n people had seen t h a t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s might
be t h e i r l a n d o f o p p o r t u n i t y . U n c h e c k e d by r e p r e s e n t a t i v e i n s t i t u t i o n s
or p o p u l a r p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n g o v e r n m e n t , a b s o l u t i s m c o n t i n u e d t o r e i g n
in a l m o s t a l l o f t h e G e r m a n s t a t e s .

THE EMIGRATION
I n o r d e r t o a c q u a i n t t h e r e a d e r witEr t h e e n o r m i t y o f t h e e m i g r e t i n
from Germany t o A m e r i c a , s t a t i s t i c s w i l l h a v e t o b e u s e d . As most poo:? l a
'uiow, Gorman D r i n c e s d o n a t e d ^ many o f t h e i r a b l e - b o d i e d men t o t h e
British cause i n t h e American Revolutionary war. Many o f t h e s e i n d i v i ^ i a
stayed i n A m e r i c a a n d i n t e r m a r r i e d w i t h t h e l o c a l c i t i z e n s . And,even
long b e f o r e t h a t , a g r e a t many i m m i g r a n t s h a d e n t e r e d t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
P a r t i c u l a r l y P e n n s y l v a n i a , from P e n n s y l v a n i a . F i r s t i t was t h e H e s s i a n * .
and t h e n i t w a s t h o s e from t h e R h e i n l a n d - P a l a t i n a t e . B u t , f o r some r e a s o n ,
the T h e i s f a m i l y h a d b e e n c o n t e n t t o p a s s u p t h e g r e a t e m i g r a t i o n of t h s
Palatinates in t h e 1700's.
Compared t o l a t e r s t a t i s t i c s , German i m m i g r a n t s t o A m e r i c a h a d
numbered q u i t e a b i t l e s s - t h a n 1 0 , 0 0 0 e a c h y e a r . a t l e a s t u n t i l 1 8 2 5 . S o r e
times o n l y a few h u n d r e d w o u l d a r r i v e ; o t h e r t i m e s s e v e r a l t h o u s a n d m l g i r
 arrive in t h e United S t a t e s . But, a f t e r 1825, t h e r e was a step-up
in German immigration t o America. However, t h e Germans were not the
only people leaving Europe. By 1931, t w e n t y - t h r e e thousand people came
from t h e Old World t o North America. Many of t h e s e people were from
Kngland, I r e l a n d and Germany, t o name a few. By 1832, t h e Teutonic
emigration t o t h e United S t a t e s had a c t u a l l y r i s e n past 10,000. In t h a t
year, more t h a n 50,000 people a r r i v e d in t h e United S t a t e s t o seek a new
and b e t t e r l i f e . More and more people began t o a r r i v e from many d i f f e r e n t
countries and Germans only comprised a p o r t i o n of t h e i r number. By 1834,
the Germans who came mado up only 17,000 of t h e t o t a l number of immigrants
to America. And, i n 1837, t h e r e were ' almost 24,000 Germans among
the t o t a l of 78,000 European immigrants t o tne^United S t a t e s . But, in
1839, t h e f i g u r e had dropped and only a t o t a l of 52^000 people had e n t e r -
ed t h e United S t a t e s from Europe, But t h e s e s t a t i s t i c s began t o r i s e
again in t h e I 8 4 0 ' s , and by 1842, over 100,000 immigrants entered t h e
V,S. The a c t u a l f i g u r e t h a t year was 101,000, but suddenly f i n a n c i a l
d i s t r e s s checked t h e flow of .immigrants. Thus, by 1844, t h e number
had again shrunk, t h i s time t o a t o t a l of 74,000 for t h a t y e a r .
However, t h e d e c l i n e witnessed in t h e mid-1840's was t h e l a s t
the United S t a t e s would ever see i n i t s immigrant s t a t i s t i c s . By 1850.
almost 400,000 Europeans had come t o t h e United S t a t e s . The p o l i t i c a l
upheaval of 1848 caused s t i l l another groat i n f l u x of t h e s e immigrants.
Naturally, o t h e r problems c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e movement of t h e s e peoples.
America was now becoming a magnet t h a t a t t r a c t e d many people who were
in search for l i b e r t y , democracy and economic o p p o r t u n i t y . In P r u s s i a ,
itself, t h e p o l i t i c a l r e a c t i o n a f t e r t h e Congress of Vienna(1815) had
brought about g r e a t problems f o r t h e lowly p e a s a n t . In P r u s s i a , as w e l l
as in t h e s m a l l e r Gorman s t a t e s , t h e r u l e r was f r e q u e n t l y engaged in
suppressing any of t h e democratic ideas l e f t over from t h e French e r a .
The f i n a l push was t h e economic d e s t i t u t i o n caused by t h e p e r i o d i c crop
failures throughout Europe. Thousands upon thousands of P r u s s i a n f a r -
mers had seen a d v e r t i s e m e n t s about America. The economic o p o o r t u n i t i e s
that t h e United S t a t e s could o f f e r seemed enormous. N a t u r a l l y , cheap,
good land was most a t t r a c t i v e t o t h e farmers. Some land was even s e l l i n g
for $2 o r $3 an a c r e i n t h e newly opened a r e a s . Companies were w i l l i n g
to s e l l t h e land cheap i n o r d e r t o get t h e s e t t l e r s t o move i n t o t h e
right-of-way of t h e p r o j e c t e d railway l i n e s . But t h e farmers had a I read*-
,.teamed t h a t most of t h e land, in t h e west of t h e United S t a t e s was very
/'fertile land. And t h e y know t h a t , Jn^-addltion t o land being cheap,
the taxes were q u i t e low i n t h i s n a t i o n .
The p o l i t i c a l upheaval, however, sent t e n s of thousands more
to the United S t a t e s . Already, bv t h e end of September, 1847, over
73,000 people had immigrated t o t h e United S t a t e s from Germany.
And t h a t f i g u r e was 40,000 more than t h e number t h a t had come
to America i n 1845 a l o n e . The t o t a l f i g u r e for German immigrants
that year reached 82,473.14 By^that time t h e d i s c o n t e n t e d , h a r d -
pressed workers and farmers from Germany, I r e l a n d , a n d o t h e r European
nations had decided, f o r t h e jnost p a r t , t o leave t h e n a t i v e homeland.
Confusion and d i s i l l u s i o n m e n t were in t h e a i r due t o t h e p r e v a i l i n g
Political c o n d i t i o n s . And now t h e psychological f a c t o r s of d e f e a t ,
frustration, and d e s p a i r were about t o d r i v e many persons out of t h e i r
respective European c o u n t r i e s . For now t h e Theis and S c h r e i f e l s f a m i l i e *
ware content t o watch, but t h e thought of e v e n t u a l l y leaving stayed on th^ri
finds. . -:
Hard t i m e s and c r o p f a i l u r e s had combined with t h e low wages an^
unfair s o c i a l systems In Europe t o make many Europeans Leave. But t h e
failure of t h e 1848 R e v o l u t i o n , i t s e l f , was more'than enough t o cause
 •5

the great flight from Europe in 1848. Suddenly, in a great flurry of emigration,
296,000 immigrants are known to have entered the United States. Obviously, the
majority of these people were coming from potato-starved Ireland and from Prussia.
But, few parts of Europe were excepted. Ia 1848, we actually notice that the
figure of German immigrants coming to America had dropped from more than 80,000
to a total of 62,684.^
But,the reader must remember that many Germans left Prussia without the
authorization to do so. Thus the true figure must be greater. It might be noticed,
as official statistics go, that the German participation in the great emigration was
roughly one-fifth of the over-all flgure(296,000 as noted above). The startling in-
flux of so many aliens during this period gave rise to an outburst of feeling on the
part of many native Americans. Nevertheless, they continued to come, and in even
greater numbers than ever. In 1849, 13,148 Germans came to America.16 American
propaganda about the new western territories had succeeded beyond the wildest dreans
of its initiators.
The statistics have beoo used 3n this section and will be used a few times more
in order to show the reader the impact of the Revolution and crop failures upon our
ancestors and to give an impression of America's appeal at the time. While the immig-
ration to America edged towards 400,000 in I850,the flight from Prussia and other
German states began to reach a peak,and it was during this time that the Theis family
emigrated from the Rheinland-Pfalz to America. To quote statistics in an effort to
show the increase in German emigration, we shall note that in I852, a total of
152,106 Germans entered the United States,followed by 150,094 in l853,and finally
229,562 in 185^.17 The largept wave of German emigration overseas reached Its peak
in 1853-1854. Germans began to leave for,not only America,but other areas of the
world,such as South America. But suddenly ln 18551the German immigration to America,
went on the decrease. Nevertheless, between I85O and I859, close to-one million
Germans migrated overseas. But at the same time, between I850 and i860, the German
population in the torms and cities had swelled from 35.4 million to 37.8 milllonj
but there was no such parallel for those who lived in the countryside.IQ
Before describing the actual events and subsequent flight of the Theis family,
one must try to picture the terrible state of the German farmer. Germany would not
become a unified state until 1871 so Nick Theis and Johann Schreifels, like the max_j
farmers in the Rheinland region, still regarded themselves as Prussians.
Like other farmers in the area, they and their neighbors were still divided into
countless little feudalities. The prevailing economic conditions in Prussia were
bad enough that,combined with the political discontent and the crop failures, It
could be readily seen that a large portion of the population might very well be up-
rooted and transplanted to a new land such as America. It seemed that political
progress ln Prussia would forever be an impossibility. Although Kaiser Wilheim I
and Count Otto von Bismarck-Schonhausen had not yet taken power in 1854, Prussia
had already developed into a strict military state. At this time, the Germans were
already on the verge of war with their neighbors.
A serious agricultural revolution was also causing problems for Nick, who
had only been married in 1849. For one thing,agrarian overpopulation had made
the individual farms grow smaller and smaller,thus lt came to be that small
agricultural holdings predominated throughout the Prussian-Rheinland. Since
Napoleon had been defeated, the Theis and Schreifels families in this area
had to mortgage their farms in order to modernize them. Now the farmer was being
threatened by still another problem1 the diversion of credit from agriculture
to more profitable fields like railroad-building. Thus they were plunged into
financial indebtedness. This too helped to swell the volume of Prussian
departures to America. Now,in the 1850*s, some further crop failures were
continuing to take place again and many of the small farmers were totally
ruined.

Page 86
 1

THE FLIGHT FRCM BCLLENDCRF

When t h e t h r e e known T h e i s b r o t h e r s came o f a g e , N i c k , *>eter
and J o h n h a d t o s e r v e i n t h e P r u s s i a n a r m y . According to t h e Prussian
m i l i t a r y r u l e s , a i l a b l e - b o d i e d y o u n g men w o u l d h a v e t o s e r v e a t t h i s
ti-ae i n t h o P r u s s i a n armed f o r c e s . U s u a l l y t h e y o n l y s e r v e s one v « a r ,
sometimes u p t o t h r e e y e a r s . A l l t h r e e b r o t h e r s j o i n e d u p . W h i l e P e t e r
and N i c k T h e i s j o i n e d t h e m i l i t a r y i n some c a p a c i t y , John T h e i s . t h o
youngest o f t h e t h r e e , j o i n e d t h e P r u s s i a n c a v a l r y , s u p p o s e d l y a s a
bugler. H o w e v e r , t h e m i l i t a r y was no l i k i n g t o a n y o f t h e T h e i s b r o t h e r s .
F o r t u n a t e l y , P r u s s i a was n o t i n v o l v e d w i t h a n y s e r i o u s war a t t h e t i m e ,
just d i s p u t e s with o t h e r c o u n t r i e s .
S o m e t i m e i n 1 8 5 4 , t h e p e o p l e o f - o l i e n d o r f h a d g o t t e n o n t h e bad
side of t h e P r u s s i a n r u l e r s . T h e r e was a P r u s s i a n r u l e a g a i n s t h a v i n g
o v e r t i m e p a r t i e s f o r m i l i t a r y men. H o w e v e r , t h e T h e i s r e l a t i o n s and
o t h e r f a m i l i e s t h a t k n e w them w e l l w e r e h a v i n g a n o v e r t i m e p a r t y . Amid
the t r a d i t i o n d r i n k i n g and l a u g h t e r known w e l l t o B o l l e n d o r f r e s i d e n t s ,
a s t e r n P r u s s i a n army o f f i c e r a r r i v e d t o s u r p r i s e t h e o a r t v . Surldeniv
A bear-drinking f e s t i v i t y turned into a wild escapade. After the
surprise v i s i t , everyone ran for i t . H o w e v e r t h e o f f i c e r managed t o g e t
a hold of young J o h n T h e i s .
But U n c l e J o h n was a s t r o n g man. H a v i n g b r o k e n m i l i t a r v r e g u l a t i o n *
John c o u l d o n l y i m a g i n e what h i s p u n i s h m e n t m i g h t b e . a t t h e h a n d s of t h e
harsh P r u s s i a n a d m i n i s t r a t o r s . Uncle John w r e s t l e d with tho o f f i c e r
and somehow t h r e w h i m i n t o a d i t c h . . Once h e h a d won t h e f i g h t , J o h n
knew t h a t h e w a s i n t r o u b l e . F o r t u n a t e l y , B o l l e n d o r f was j u s t a c r o s s
the r i v e r from L u x e m b o u r g . A i t h o u g h L u x e m b o u r g h a d j o i n e d t h e German
Z o l l v e r e i n ( T r a d e U n i o n ) a n d p r u s s i a n t r o o D S o c c u p i e d t h e c i t v of
Luxembourg, J o h n knew, a t l e a s t , t h a t h e w o u l d be i n a new l a n d .
E l i z a b e t h Ewen h a d s a i d , l a t e r i n l i f e , t h a t t h e T h e i s f a m i l v i n B o l l e n -
dorf was a m e r e s t o n e ' s t h r o w from L u x e m b o u r g ; i n f a c t . a s s h e o u t i t .
they c o u l d h a v e t h r o w n a r o c k i n t o L u x e m b o u r g from w h e r e t h e y l i v e d .
As f a m i l y t r a d i t i o n h a s d e s c r i b e d t h e e v e n t , J o h n T h e i s . a f t e r h i c
v i o l e n t h a s s l e w i t h t h e P r u s s i a n o f f i c e r , jumped i n t o t h e M o s e l l e R i v e r
and swam a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r i n t o L u x e m b o u r g , t h e c o u n t r y of h i s a n c o s t r v . -
The M o s e l l e R i v e r was t h e b e s t known r i v e r i n t h e a r e a b u t i t d o e s n o t
run t h r o u g h B o l l e n d o r f . Actually, the r i v e r that runs closest to
Bollendorf i s t h e S a u e r R i v e r which i s a t r i b u t a r y of t h e M o s e l l e ( o r
Mosel) R i v e r . T h e r e f o r e , t h e S a u e r R i v e r was p r o b a b l y t h e a c t u a l r i v e r
which J o h n t o o k h i s swim i n . I t c e r t a i n l y was a n a r r o w r i v e r , q u i t e
unlike t h e M o s e l l e R i v e r .
Knowing t h a t h e c o u l d n o t r e t u r n t o t h e P r u s s i a n homeland,
John T h e i s d e c i d e d t o come t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . T h u s , h e became t h e
f i r s t member o f t h e f a m i l y t o come t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . Chce o u t of
P r u s s i a , J o h n h a d s e n t a m e s s a g e t o t h e f a m i l y , a s k i n g f o r e n o u g h monav
so t h a t h e c o u l d g e t t o A m e r i c a . Many o f t h e r e l a t i o n s and f r i e n d s
had a l r e a d y b e e n t h i n K i n g o f a move t o A m e r i c a , t h i n k i n g t h a t "omodav.
whether by f o r c e a n d f l i g h t o r p r e f e r e n c e , t h e y w o u l d h a v e t o l e a v e
Bollendorf f o r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . By p e r s o n a l c h o i c e , many o f t h e m
wanted t o go t o A m e r i c a . T h u s , J o h n r e c e i v e d a g r e a t d e a l o f
a s s i s t a n c e f r o m i m m e d i a t e r e l a t i v e s and f r o m s h i r t - t a i l c o u s i n s
in B o l l e n d o r f .

Page 87.
 THE FIRST IN AMERICA
W i t h / s u f f i c i e n t money, J o h n T h e i s managed t o g e t t o New Yor$f
In t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . Chce i n New Y o r k , J o h n h a d t o g e t work. Hero
he s a v e d enough money t o t r a v e l t o C h i c a g o , so t h e r e h e went.
In C h i c a g o , J o h n h e l d on p r e c i o u s l y oh t o t h e money t h a t h e had saved
from h i s worfc i n New York. Cnco i n C h i c a g o . J o h n a g a i n w r o t e and t o l d
the f a m i l y t h a t t h e v s h o u l d s e l l e v e r y t h i n g t h e y had so' t h a t t h e y could
a l s o come t o A m e r i c a .
Almost a l l a t one t i m e , t h e members of t h e T h e i s c l a n l e f t
B a l l e n d o r f , a n d t h e v l e f t w i t h o u t Droper a u t h o r i z a t i o n . Without p e r m i t s
or p a s s p o r t s , t h e T h e i s f a m i l y d e c i d e d t o ma'ce t h e g r e a t move. Along
with t h e T h e i s f a m i l y came t h e "wen f a m i l y . N i c h o l a s T h e i s and h i s
wife, E l i z a b e t h , w e r e a b o u t t o l e a v e and j o i n J o h n i n America.However,
the s i s t e r s and b r o t h e r s - i n - l a w of E l i z a b e t h had a l s o d e c i d e d t o move
on. E l i z a b e t h had one s i s t e r named C h r i s t i n e who h a d m a r r i e d «Stenhen
S l s e n . Her s i s t e r Anna had m a r r i e d a H e r r B i s i n u s hnd e v e n t u a U y had
two s o n s , N i c h o l a s and M a t t h i a s . L i k e w i s e , Nicic had -a b r o t h e r named
p e t e r and a l i s t e r who had become a Mrs. S c u t z ( a c c o r d i n g t o f a m i l y
t r a d i t i o n ) . A l l of t h e s e r e l a t i v e s d e c i d e d t o come a l o n g . Whether t h e y
a r r i v e d i n New York on t h o same b o a t o r n o t r e m a i n s t o be s e e n . From
the Ewen f a m i l y , we f i n d t h a t Stephen and K r i s t i n a (Ewen) ELsen
were on t h e i r way o v e r i n J u n e of 1855. Ocher a c c o u n t s say t h a t t b e
Theis f a m i l y l e f t i n 1854. ^ i n c e t h e p a s s e n g e r a r r i v a L r e c o r d s i n
New v o r k h a r b o r a r e n o t i n d e x e d . t h i s h a s n o t v e t been d e t e r m i n e d .
At any r a t e , t h e T h e i s / w e n f a m i l y was n o t a l o n e i n t h e - f l i g h t
from P r u s s i a . Other f a m i l i e s a l s o l e f t . I n 1856, t h e M o l i t o r f a m i l v
came t o A m e r i c a . M a r t i n M o l i t o r and h i s w i f e , Hary (Hommerding)
M o l i t o r , came from an a r e a v e r y c l o s e t o Nussbaum. In fact, the
M o l i t o r f a m i l y seems t o h a v e come from Obersgegen which i s v e r y c l o s e
to B o l l e n d o r f , w h i l e t h e Hommerding famiLv came from Nusbaumerhohe, a
smalL v i l l a g e t h a t lay on t h e h i l L j u s t above t h e t h e c i t y of N u s s b a u - .
L i k e w i s e , o t h e r Cold S p r i n g f a m i l i e s o r S t e a r n s c o u n t y f a m i l i e s s u p p o s -
edly came a t a b o u t t h i s t i m e . But, t h o s e f a m i l i e s a r e t o o c o u n t l e s s t o
name.
Such e m i g r a n t s came t o America v i a Le H a v r e i n F r a n c e o r t h e v
used t h e German p o r t s of Hamburg and Bremen. C e r t a i n o o r t s i n t h o
N e t h e r l a n d s w e r e a l s o u s e d . With a few farm and h o u s e h o l d i m p l e m e n t s !
Nick and E l i z a b e t h T h e i s , w i t h t h e i r t h r e e - y e a r - o l d s o n , M i c h a e l ,
and o t h e r r e l a t i v e s , were r e a d y t o move o n . N i c k h a d l i t t l e money
as d i d P e t e r , but_p n e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e y loaded u p t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e c a r t s
with t h e s c a n t y p r o D e r t v t h e y owned, and moved on t h e d i r e c t i o n of
e i t h e r A n t w e r p o r Hamburg. A f t e r t h e y managed t o a v o i d t h e D o i i c e ,
Nick and E l i z a b e t h s e a r c h e d f o r a s h i p . T h e r e were p l e n t y of s h i o s ,
but e v e r y o n e o f them was o v e r c r o w d e d . . F o r t h e t i m e b e i n g , E l i z a b e t h
would h a v e t o f o r g e t a b o u t h e r c l a a n l i n e s s . f o r none of t h e s h i p s was
vary s a n i t a r y . The name of t h e s a i l i n g v e s s e l was n o t known. However,
t h e v o y a g e would n e v e r be f o r g o t t e n . P e o p l e w e r e packed l i k e h e r r i n g
in a s h i p w h e r e t h e w a t e r s u p p l y was i n a d e q u a t e and t h e food had a
tendency t o s p o i l t o o q u i c k l y . The t r i p was p r o b a b l y made d u r i n g t h e
f i r s t h a l f of 1854. S t e v e n and K r i s t i n a E l s e n f o l l o w e d f o l l o w e d one
/ e a r l a t e r d u r i n g t h e month of J u n e , 1855.
N i c k and E l i z a b e t h w e r e 33 days on a w r e t c h e d s a i l i n g v e s s e l
in t h e A t l a n t i c Ocean a s t h e y made t h e i r way t o A m e r i c a . ApparentIv;
they h a d met w i t h a p r e t t y good wind and t h u s made good t i m e .

Page 88
The Theis family a r r i v e d in the port of Now York but very q u i c k l y
decided t h a t t h i s large a l i e n c i t y could never make any kind of
home for t h e i r descendants. Knowing t h a t Uncle John Theis had
already s t a r t e d working in C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s . Having sold e v e r y t h i n g
they owned in Germany, Nicholas quickly made h i s way t o Chicago be-
for h i s own funds ran o u t . So. i t was t o Chicago t h a t t h e T h e i s ,
Ewen, and o t h e r r e l a t e d f a m i l i e s moved t o . As land l o v e r s , t h e Theis
family could never e n v i s i o n t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of s e t t l i n g in t h e American
seacoast towns a s some w o r t h l e s s d r e g s . Already, our people could see
that some of t h e i r fellow P r u s s i a n s had l o s t e v e r y t h i n g and were
reduced t o t h e l e v e l of b e g g a r s . ; Such',a t e r r i b l e f a t e proud Grandpa
Nic;c and h i s family could and would never endure in a m i l l i o n y e a r s .
In New York and o t h e r e a s t e r n seaboard c i t i e s , many of t h o s e Germans
who had found i t n e c e s s a r y t o s t a y found small German-speaking commun-
i t i e s i n which t o s e t t l e , t h u s avoiding t h e large E n g l i s h - s p e a k i n g
communities t h a t showed very obvious resentment towards t h e f o r e i g n e r s .
These Germans t h a t chose t o make t h e i r homes in ''foreign s e c t i o n s "
of the l a r g e American c i t i e s posed a s e r i o u s problem t o American labour
because of t h e i r w i l l i n g n e s s t o work for l e s s money t h a n any American
laborer could. Thus, f e e l i n g t h e pinch of t h e unwelcome v i b r a t i o n s
directed a t them by t h e n a t i v e Americans, Nick Theis q u i c k l y r e s o l v e d
that i t was time t o bring h i s family t o Chicago where Uncle John was.
By 1850, t h e United S t a t e s had t r u l y e n t e r e d t h e railway e r a
in e a r n e s t . The use of c a n a l s and stagecoaches were q u i c k l y g i v i n g
way t o s t e a m - r a i l w a y t r a n s p o r t a t i o n . Since t h e Federal Government
owned v a s t a r e a s of t h e wild lands in t h e West and Northwest t e r r i t o r i e s
oif the United S t a t e s , measures were taken which, t h e Government hoped,
would e v e n t u a l l y bring more s e t t l e r s i n t o t h e s e s p a r s e l y s e t t l e d
regions. In o r d e r t o speed up t h e process of t h e westward movement,
the F e d e r a l Government adopted a p o l i c y of g r a n t i n g lands t o s e v e r a l
of t h e s t a t e s i n o r d e r t o h e l p develop r a i l r o a d s .
For t h e moment, Chicago appeared t o be t h e most appealing
rendezvous point f o r our Bollendorf/Nussbaum immigrants. In t h e e a r l v
1840's, a g r e a t many German immigrants had a l r e a d y moved onto Chicago,
and by 1843, o n e - t h i r d of t h e population t h e r e was a l r e a d y made up of
foreign-born immigrants, e s p e c i a l l y Germans. In 1848, Chicago s t i l l
had a mere p o p u l a t i o n of only 10,000 i n h a b i t a n t s . And,with t h e Germans
already t h e r e , a newspaper, t h e I l l i n o i s S t a a t s - z e i t u n g , was s t a r t e d
in t h a t y e a r a s a weekly newspaper. The inf lux continued a t an i n c r e d -
ible r a t e , t h a n k s t o t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n , and in 1850, C h i c a g o ' s popula-
tion reached 29,000.
In a s h o r t t i m e , Nicholas and P e t e r Theis made a long-expected
rendezvous w i t h t h e i r b r o t h e r , John. A r r i v i n g by t r a i n , t h e Theis
Brothers immediately sought work t h a t might finance a n o t h e r t r i p t h a t
would t a k e them s t i l l f a r t h e r west. With t h e i r f a r m e r s i n s t i n c t
for t h e good s o i l , t h e y were confident t h a t t h e t e r r i t o r i a l lands t o
the northwest would provide them w i t h t h e f e r t i l e s o i l which t h e y
needed t o c o n t i n u e i n farming. But, t h e dreams of t h e t h r e e b r o t h e r s
for t h e i r own f r e e f e r t i l e land, upon which t h e y could farm cheaply
would not be r e a l i z e d immediately. Chce again, work was t h e o r d e r of
the day. At t h i s t i m e , Chicago was expanding in a way t h a t few o t h e r
American c i t i e s could. Since a new r a i l r o a d t e r m i n a l was being con-
structed i n Chicago, t h e Theis B r o t h e r s got work in h e l p i n g with t h e
building. .

Pa ft e 89
 While l i v i n g i n Chicago f o r t h i s s h o r t period of t i m e , t h e Thois
c l a n s e a r c h e d f o r a n d e v e n t u a l l y f o u n d a s e l f - c o n t a i n e d German c o m m u n i t y
where t h e y c o u l d L i v e . Hero t h e y c a r r i e d on t h e o l d P r u s s i a n customs
t h a t t h a y h a d b r o u g h t from t h e Old C o u n t r y . T h e i r d i s t r i c t , l i k e most
of t h e German s e c t i o n s o f l a r g e A m e r i c a n c i t i e s , w a s n e a t , c l e a n , and
well-ordered. S p e a k i n g E n g l i s h , and w i t h l i t t l e d e s i r e t o r e a d i t , t h e y
depended u p o n t h e G e r m a n - A m e r i c a n n e w s p a p e r s w h i c h w e r e b e c o m i n g w i d e -
spread i n t h e a r e a . However, t h e T h e i s f a m i l v wanted t o l e a v e t h e c i t y ' s
labor m a r c e t . I n l e a v i n g t h e OLd C o u n t r y , t h e y . h a d n o t w i s h t o c h a n g e
t h e i r way o f l i f e . T h e f a r m l i f e was t h e i r w a y , and t h e y y e a r n e d , o n e
and a l l , t o f i n d t h e f e r t i l e s o i l t h a t was s u p p o s e d t o b e i n t h e
American t e r r i t o r i e s . I t was t h r o u g h t h e g r e a t e f f o r t s of F a t h e r
F r a n c i s X.. P i e r z t h a t t h e D a s t u r e s o f S t e a r n s C o u n t y b e c a m e known
to t h e T h a i s f a m i l y . T h r o u g h t h e h e l p o f t h e German p r e s s , F r . ^ i e r z
was a b l e t o p u b l i s h i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e l a n d w e s t o f t h e M i s s i s s i p -
pi. I t w a s n o t l o n g b e f o r e t h e news from F a t h e r P i e r z r e a c h e d t h e e a r s
of t h e T h e i s f a m i l y t h r o u g h t h e German C a t h o l i c j o u r n a l s i n C h i c a g o .
Recognizing t h i s n e w l y - s e t t l e d r e g i o n of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a s a r i c h
f e r t i l e Land, t h r o n g s o f German and I r i s h C a t h o l i c i m m i g r a n t s q u i c k e d
up t h e i r b e l o n g i n g s a n d made t h e i r way t o t h e c e n t r a l s e c t i o n o f t h e
s t a t e known t o d a y a s M i n n e s o t a .
I n L849, t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n g r e s s had e s t a b l i s h e d t h e T e r r i t o r y
of M i n n e s o t a . At a b o u t t h i s t i m e , n e a r l y f o u r t h o u s a n d w h i t e p e r s o n s
were l i v i n g i n t h o r e g i o n and many I n d i a n s , i n p a r t i c u l a r t h e S i o u x
and C h i p p e w a I n d i a n s . I n 1 8 5 1 , t h e I n d i a n s had g i v e n UD t h e i r right**
to more t h a n t w e n t v e i g h t m i l l i o n a c r e s o f l a n d w e s t o f t h e M i s s l s s i D o l
R i v e r by t h e T r e a t y o f M e n d o t a and t h e T r e a t v o f T r a v e r s e d e s S i o u x .
In t h a t y e a r . C o n g r e s s o p e n e d UD t h i s a r e a t o s e t t l e m e n t . R e a l i z i n g
the i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e s e t r e a t i e s t h a t h a d b e e n made b e f o r e t h e y e v e n
a r r i v e d i n A m e r i c a , t h e T h e i s f a m i l y made p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r t h e i r move
into M i n n e s o t a .

CN TO MINNESOTA
I n 1855, t h e r e was no c o n t i n u o u s r a i l w a y l i n e t h a t led t o
St. P a u l o r a n y w h e r e e l s e i n M i n n e s o t a . . B u t e x p a n s i o n w a s d e f i n i t e l y
underwav. However, i n e a r l y 1854, a r a i l r o a d l e a d i n g from C h i c a g o
to t h e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r a t R o c c I s l a n d a l o n g t h e b o r d e r o f I L l i n o i s
and I o w a ( w h i c h h a d b e c o m e t h e 2 9 t h s t a t e o f t h e U n i o n i n 1846) h a d
been c o m p L e t e d . WhiLe many G e r m a n s , S w i s s a n d L u x e m b o u r g e r s u s e d
this r o u t e i n o r d e r t o s e t t l e i n t o t h e r i c h f a r m l a n d s of Iowa, t h e
Theis f a m i l y , e g g e d o n by t h e u r g i n g s o f F a t h e r ^ i e r z 1 s t a t e m e n t s t o
immigrant E u r o p e a n s , t h o u g h t t h a t M i n n e s o t a wouLd b e s t s u i t t h e i r
needs. S o , i n t h e L a t e summer o f L855, t h s T h e i s f a m i l y d e c i d e d t o
move o n a n d t o o k t h e r a i l w a v t o R o d e I s l a n d . From h e r e , t h e y t o o k a
steamship u p t h e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r and e v e n t u a l l y a r r i v e d i n S t . P a u l ,
Minnesota. From t h e r e , N i c k a n d h i s b r o t h e r s made t h e i r d e c i s i o n
to s e e k o u t t h e l a n d w e s t o f t h e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r . B u t . from t h i s
point o n . t h e y c o u l d d e o e n d u p o n no r a i l w a v o r s t e a m s h i p . Tho f i r s t
attempt t o c o n s t r u c t r a i l w a y s i n and a b o u t S t . ^ a u l d i d n o t b e g i n
until 1861.
F i r s t of a l l , N i c k , John and P e t e r wanted t o f i n d a r e g i o n where
the i n h a b i t a n t s s o o ' c e t h ' i i r L a n g u a g e a n d s h a r e d t h e i r t r a d i t i o n s . Ev
n a t u r e , t h e s e b r o t h e r s w e r e s y s t e m a t i c f a r m e r s who s o u g h t o u t t h e r i c h
r i v e r v a l l e y s t h a t c o u l d be f o u n d n e a r t h e M i s s i s s i p p i P i v o r .

P a g e 90
 •

Uith a c o v e r e d wagon drawn by two oxen, t h e1 T h e i s f a m i l y f i r s t

reached t h e p r o s e n t - d a v s i t e of H e r b T h e i s p r o p e r t y on October L,
1855(or bv October 4 t h , bv o t h e r family a c c o u n t s ) . H e r e , s o u t h e a s t
Of t h e Sauk R i v e r , t h e f a m i l y s e l e c t e d t h e d e n s e l y wooded a r e a s t o
na'xe t h e i r h o m e s t e a d s . They had t h e utmost c o n f i d e n c e t h a t t h e
s o i l h e r e would be t h e b e s t f o r f a r m i n g . A l t h o u g h I n d i a n s , both
h o s t i l e and f r i e n d l y , o c c u p i e d t h e r e g i o n , t h e T h e i s f a m i l y had t o
malce t h e s t o p . Not o n l y was t h e r e a young MichaeL T h e i s t o c a r e
for, b u t , on October 16, L855, K a t h e r i n e T h e i s ( L a t e r M r s . E L l e n b e c c e r )
was b o r n . The t r i p by covered wagon had t a k e n a b o u t two weeks and
E l i z a b e t h was v e r y a n x i o u s t o r e s t , a f t e r h a v i n g been pregnant
throughout t h e j o u r n e y . Tied t o t h e c o v e r e d wagon d u r i n g t h e j o u r n e y
had been a cow which l a t e r s u p p l i e d t h e f a m i l y and speciaLLy t h e new-
born baby w i t h h e a l t h y m i l k . But t h e problems f a c i n g t h e newcomers
were many. To b e g i n w i t h , t h e y had t a k e n u p r e s i d e n c e i n a c o t t a g e
that e x i s t e d on t h e t e r r i t o r y . . However, t h e c o t t a g e leaked..and . d u r i n g
that r a i n y s e a s o n , i t became q u i t e m i s e r a b l e f o r N i c k and E l i z a b e t h .
However, t h e y d i d h a v e an umbra I La which t h e y were a b l e t o put o v e r
the baby and k e e p h e r d r y .
With onLy two oxen and one cow, t h e T h e i s f a m i l y was r e a d y t o
go t o work. B u t , t o t h e i r dismay, i t was n o t e a s y a t f i r s t . T h e y began
f i r s t of a l l by c l e a r i n g t h e f o r e s t s . The d e n s e woods were c l e a r e d
somewhat by g i r d l i n g t h e t r e e s and c o u n t i n g upon them t o d i e e v e n t u a l l v .
But t h i s method of c u t t i n g bark from t h e t r e e s was n o t t o t a i l v e f f e c t i v e .
Some of t h e t r e e s d i d t o p p l e o v e r s o o n e r o r l a t e r . I n some a r e a s , t h e v
actuaLLy c u t down t h e t r e e s b u t Left t o o many stumps I n a g r o u p t o r o t .
But t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e T h e i s f a m i l y e v e n t u a l l y won o u t , and p o r -
tions of t h e i r land became c u l t i v a t e d t h o r o u g h l y . B e f o r e t h e s o r i n g of
L8S6, however, one ox had d i e d . At t h i s t i m e , t h e v had n o t y e t been
able t o supoLy t h e b e s t of g r a i n f o r t h e i r a n i m a l s . Nevertheless,
it was no t u r n i n g back now. Nick T h e i s d e c i d e d t o homestead an a r e a
of 160 a c r e s w h e r e t h e y had s e t t l e d . T h i s a c r e a g e i n c l u d e d a o o r o x i m a t e l r
the e i g h t y a c r e s owned t o d a y by Herb T h e i s and t h e e i g h t y a c r e s owned
bv Elroy T h e i s , b o t h g r e a t - g r a n d s o n s of N i c h o l a s and E l i s a b e t h . Somehow
Nick managed t o g e t t h e money t o g e t h e r a n d , a t Less t h a n a d o L l a r - a n d -
a-haLf an a c r e , N i c k became t h e owner of t h e 160 a c r e s a f t e r p a y i n g t h e
United S t a t e s Government $200.
The p a s s a g e of t h e Homestead Act of 1862 had made land such a s
t h i s a v a i l a b l e p r a c t i c a l l y f r e e t o any a p p l i c a n t f o r c i t i z e n s h i p .
The Homestead A c t , h o w e v e r , r e q u i r e d t h a t t h e s e t t l e r s had t o l i v e on
the farm f o r a p e r i o d o f f i v e y e a r s . L i f e i n t h e woods n e a r p r e s e n t -
day Cold S p r i n g w a s n ' t e a s y , but t h e r e was no g o i n g b a c k t o P r u s s i a
and t h e y a l l knew t h a t . However, f l o u r i s h i n g farms w e r e b e g i n n i n g t o
take shape t h r o u g h o u t t h e whole a r e a of t h e Sauk R i v e r . N e a r l y a l l
of t h e newcomers w e r e , l i k e N i c h o l a s , h a r d - w o r k i n g f a r m e r s . As
CathoLics, n e a r l y o n e and a l l , a s o r t of c u l t u r a l u n i t y developed i n
the CoLd S p r i n g d i s t r i c t . A Lt hough t h e T h e i s f a m i l y was most d e f i n i t e l y
one of t h e f i r s t Gorman f a m i l i e s t o e n t e r t h e a r e a , t h e r e were o t h e r
f a m i l i e s , i n c l u d i n g t h e K i r s c h famiLy which had s e t t l e d n o r t h e a s t of
Cold S p r i n g , t o w a r d s t h e a r e a of RockviLLe. The J a c o b y f a m i l y , s t i L l
welUicnown i n Cold S p r i n g t o d a y , t o o k up r e s i d e n c e e a s t of t h e s m a l l
v i l l a g e , w h i l e t h e F u c h s f a m i l y s e t t l e d n o r t h o f Cold S p r i n g . While
s t i l l o t h e r f a m i l i e s began moving i n a f t e r 1855. t h e T h e i s f a m i l y b e -
came w e l l - e s t a b l i s h e d a l o n g t h e s o u t h e a s t c o r n e r of t h e Sauk R i v e r .
While
p
John T h e i s . l i v e d r i g h t a t t h e e d g e of Cold S p r i n g , h i s b r o t h e r
a t e r T h e i s l i v e d f a r t h e r s o u t h i n t h e a r e a o f Ranges 24 and 25 o f
the Wakefield Township, p r e s e n t l y owned by G e o r g e J . Schmal
Page 91
 I n Germany, t h e T h e i s f a m i l y had s u f f e r e d from t h e problem of
weather which d i d n o t always c o o p e r a t e w i t h t h e f a r m e r . The new
t h r e a t t o t h e f a m i l y now came from t h e n e i g h b o r i n g I n d i a n s . In o t h e r
areas of t h e M i n n e s o t a T e r r i t o r y , o u t b r e a k s of h o s t i l i t v were c a u s i n g
problems between t h e White s e t t l o r s and t h o I n d i a n s . I n t h e y e a r
1P57, n e a r l y f o r t y s e t t l e r s had been kiLLed o r c a p t u r e d by I n d i a n s .
However, t h i s i n s u r r e c t i o n was put down w i t h t h e h e l o of many of t h e
f r i e n d l y I n d i a n s , i n c l u d i n g Chief L i t t l e Crow. B u t . i n L a t e r y e a r s
such I n d i a n s a s L i t t l e Crow t u r n e d on t h e White man. On May 1 1 , 1 8 5 8 ,
Congress a d m i t t e d Minnesota a s t h e t h i r t y - s e c o n d s t a t e of t h o Union.
By t h i s t i m e , t h e p o p u l a t i o n of t h e s t a t e had r e a c h e d a l m o s t 150,000
and had many of t h e I n d i a n s w o r r i e d about t h e W h i t e m a n ' s encroachment
upon t h e i r o l d h u n t i n g g r o u n d s . I n L86L t h e c r o p s of t h e I n d i a n s t u r n e d
out v e r y bad l e y and famine began t o ' Look them i n t h e f a c e . I n L862,
Ehe Sioux u p r i s i n g came a t j u s t t h e r i g h t moment f o r t h e I n d i a n s . .
" The s t o r y o f t h e S i o u x U p r i s i n g i s t o o long t o e x p l a i n h e r e and
took p l a c e i n t h e s o u t h e r n a r e a s of M i n n e s o t a . CoLd S p r i n g i t s e l f
was Lucky i n t h i s i n s t a n c e . The main a c t i o n t o o k p l a c e i n t h e r e g i o n
of t h e v e r y w e s t e r n s e t t l e m e n t of New Ulm o r n e a r t h e r e . New Ulm's
s e t t l e r s had c o m e , f o r t h e most p a r t , a l s o from Chicago i n s e a r c h of t h e
same t h i n g t h a t t h e T h e i s f a m i l y s o u g h t . The r e s e r v a t i o n of t h e I n d i a n s
was a mere n i n e m i l e s beyond New Ulm. As t h e f a r t h e s t German commun-
ity i n M i n n e s o t a a t t h e t i m e , t h i s c i t y was i n g r a v e d a n g e r i n t h e
1862 u p r i s i n g . The s e t t l e m e n t of New Ulm and a c o u n t l e s s other
g r i e v a n c e s g a v e t h e I n d i a n s some g r o u n d s for, d i s c o n t e n t . But, a s n a t e d
above, t h e I n d i a n s d e c i d e d t o go on t h e w a r p a t h a t t h e most a p p r o p r i a t e
time when t h e C i v i l War(1861-1865) had a l r e a d y begun between t h e
s t a t e s of t h e N o r t h ( U n i o n ) and t h e S o u t h ( C o n f e d e r a c y ) . Minnesota, as a
Union S t a t e , had s e n t p e r h a p s a t h o u s a n d o r more men t o f i g h t a g a i n s t
the C o n f e d e r a c y , By 1862, more t h a n t w e n t y t h o u s a n d Minnesota men were
away f i g h t i n g i n t h e r a n k s of t h e Union A r m i e s . T h i s weakened t h e
s t r e n g t h of t h e r e m a i n i n g s e t t l e r s a g a i n s t any I n d i a n c o n f l i c t s and
confrontations. W i t h fewer men t o p r o t e c t t h e i r f a m i l i e s , t h e I n d i a n s
quickly swooped down upon White s e t t l e m e n t s . Some, s e t t l e m e n t s were
t o t a l l y wipad o u t i n t h e m a s s a c r e of 1862 by t h e Sioux and Dakota I n d i a n *
New Ulm i t s e l f w a s n e a r l y wiped o u t by t h e a t t a c k s . Men, women and
c h i l d r e n a l i k e were- s l a u g h t e r e d by t h e I n d i a n s , and many of them were
tortured t o d e a t h . S i n c e M i n n e s o t a , by December 1, 1862, had a l r e a d y
sent a t o t a l o f 11,877 men i n t o t h e Union Army, l o c a l m i l i t i a s had t o
take o v e r t h e men t h a t had gone o f f t o w a r . These l o c a l g r o u p s guarded
s e t t l e m e n t s a g a i n s t t h e . h o s t i l e I n d i a n s . Many of t h e a b l e - b o d i e d men
began t o d r i l l w i t h m u s k e t s and a w a i t t h e w o r s t . In a d d i t i o n / a f o r t
was e r e c t e d c l o s e ' t o t h e Cold S p r i n g a r e a . - S i n c e t h e S i o u x o u t b r e a k
appeared t o be t h ^ , w o r s t I n d i a n r e v o l t i n American h i s t o r y , t h e v i l l a g e
of Cold S p r i n g p r e p a r e d f o r t h e a t t a c k t h a t n e v e r came. The R e d s k i n s
came a s c l o s e a s Richmond where a few random farm c a b i n s were b u r n t t o
the ground. But t h e s m a l l company of m i l i t i a , armed w i t h t h e i r P r u s s i a n
nwskets,were c o n s t a n t l y on t h e a l e r t w i t h t h e i r s m a l l h e a d q u a r t e r s
s t a t i o n e d i n a b a r b b e h i n d Cold S p r i n g ' * p r e s e n t - d a y w a t e r t a n k . ALL
ground t h e a r e a , home g u a r d s would d e f e n d t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e v i L L a g e s .
In Cold S p r i n g , t h e y ' d d r i l l w i t h m u s k e t s . Many p e o p l e , a t t h i i t i m e ,
fled "fco S a i n t C l o u d w h e r e a l a r g e f o r t was b u i l t . . A f t e r a s h o r t p e r i o d
of t i m e , l i f e r e t u r n e d t o normal when t h e I n d i a n r e b e l l i o n was put
down.
On t h e f o l l o w i n g pages a r e l i s t e d t h e d e s c e n d a n t s of J a c o b Ewen
that had s t a v e d i n I l l i n o i s :

Page 92
 THE DESCENDANTS CF MICHAEL EWEN & SUSANNA SCNTAG:
698. THE FAMILY CF MICHAEL EWEN(born December 5, 1797 i n Nussbaum
of t h e F r e n c h R h e i n l a n d ) . . . .
married t o . . .
SUSANNA SCNTAG(born M a r c h 2 , 1797 i n F L e i s b a c h ) .
Their offspring are Listed as follows:
699. C a t h a r i n a Ewen. b o r n A p r i l 2 0 , 1821 i n S t o c k i g t , P r u s s i a ,
m a r r i e d o n O c t o b e r 2 4 , L844, t o N i c o l a u s Schramm,
s o n o f t h e L a t e J o h a n n e s Schramm and t h e L a t e E l i s a b e t h
L u t z from F e r s c h w e i l e r .
700. E l i z a b e t h Ewen, b o r n J a n u a r y 19, L824. F o r t h e f a m i l y o f
E L i z a b e t h Ewen a n d h e r h u s b a n d , N i k o l a u s T h e i s , i p l o a s e
r e f e r t o Household # 1 above.
701. C h r i s t i n a ( o r K r i s t i n a ) Ewen, b o r n M a r c h 4 . 1 8 2 7 , m a r r i e d t o
Stephen Elsen.
702. Anna M a r i a Ewen, b o r n A u g u s t 7 , 1829, d e c e a s e d on F e b . L2, L830.
703. Anna M a r i a Ewen, b o r n May 4 , 1831.
699.THE FAMILY CF CATHARINA EWEN & NICOLAUS SCHRAMM i s n o t
l i s t e d a t t h i s t i m e , but t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s a r e b e l i e v e d t o
be l i v i n g i n I l l i n o i s .
7 0 0 . THE FAMILY CF ELIZABETH EWaN & NIKOLAUS THS1S a r e l i s t e d
i n Household #L, L i s t e d a b o v e .
7 0 I . T H E FAMILY CF KRISTINA EWEN, b o r n M a r c h 4 . 1827 i n
S t o c k i g t , P r u s s i a , d e c e a s e d O c t o b e r 2 7 , 1913 i n I l l i n o i s ,
m a r r i e d i n Germany t o . . .
STEPHEN ELSEN, b o r n L8L9 i n P r u s s i a , d e c e a s e d a t t h e a g e
o f f i f t y - s i x y e a r s o n N o v e m b e r L, 1876 i n I l l i n o i s .
Their c h i l d r e n are Listed as follows:
704. Susanna E l s e n ( 1 8 5 2 - 1 8 6 9 ) .

705. K a t h a r i n a ( K a t i e ) E l s e n ( b o r n November 9 . 1 8 5 4 . d e c e a s e d
J u n e 8 , 18.55, d i e d o n t h e b o a t w h i l e c o m i n g t o A m e r i c a ) .
706. M i c h a e l E l s e n , ( b o r n J u l y 2 8 , 1955, d e c e a s e d J a n u a r y 16,
L937) who n e v e r m a r r i e d .
707. K a t h a r i n a ( C a t h e r i n e ) E l s e n ( b o r n N o v e m b e r L9, 1 8 ^ 6 , d e c e a s e d
A p r i l 3,0, 1 9 2 2 ) . K a t h a r i n a E l s e n n e v e r m a r r i e d and d i e d
in Quincy, A d a m s . C o u n t y , I l l i n o i s .

M a t t h i a s Elsen(born January 26. 1859).

N i c k l a u s E L s e n ( b o r n May L2, L 8 6 0 , d e c e a s e d S e p t e m b e r 5, L865).

He Lena E l s e n ( b o r n N o v . 2 0 , 1862). Helena died as a child.

Anna E l s e n ( b o r n F e b . 12, 1865).

'12. H e l e n a ( o r L o n a ) E l s e n ( b o r n J u l y 1 5 . 1866 and d i e d i n

O c t o b e r , 1 9 4 5 ) . L e n a ELsen b e c a m e S i s t e r F r i e d a .
713. Susanna " l s e n , ( b o r n A p r i l 6,1870).
708.THE FAMILY CF MATTHIAS ?LSEN(born J a n u a r y 26, 1859;
d e c e a s e d August 3C, 1 9 4 6 ) . . . .
married....
MARY SCHPAMER(1867-1950). T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
714. Matthias(1887-1952). M a t t h i a s E l s e n was m a r r i e d t o Miss
Olive S t r a w ( b o r n 1892).
715. M i c h a e l E l s e n ( 1 8 9 0 - 1 9 7 7 ) was m a r r i e d t o M a r i e McAleese
( 1 8 9 8 - 1 9 5 6 ) . No c h i l d r e n were born t o t h i s m a r r i a g e .
716. J o h n E l s e n ( b o r n 1891).
717. Mary S l s e n ( 1 8 9 3 - 1 9 5 2 ) .
718. Anna S l s e n ( 189.5-1960) .
719. N i c h o l a s ELsen( L904- L906) .
7 1 1 . THE FAMILY CF ANNA ELSEN ( b o r n F e b r u a r y 12, 186 5;
d e c e a s e d September 7, 1946),
married... .
HHRMAN E<XLWEG(L86L-L942). T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e L i s t e d
as follows:
720. C h r i s t i n a B o l l w e g ( b o r n A p r i l 13, 1889). C h r i s t i n a m a r r i e d
Mr. Ed S t a t t e l m a n . Their c h i l d r e n a r e not l i s t e d at
t h i s time.
721. Dominic BoLLweg(L89L-1975). Dominic m a r r i e d M a t i l d a Moranz.
722. Susanna B o l l w e g ( b o r n J a n u a r y 16, L893).
723. Katherine Bollweg(born in February, 1895). K a t h e r i n e m a r r i e d
Mr. F r a n k W i n d i s c h .
724. M a t t h i a s B o l l w e g ( d e c e a s e d i n 1 9 6 5 ) . M a t t h i a s was m a r r i e d to
Elizabeth Reiland.
725. Herman R o l l w e g ( 1 8 9 9 - 1 9 6 9 ) . Herman m a r r i e d EveLyn F i s c h e r .
726. John(born 1903). J o h n Bollweg m a r r i e d M a r g a r e t McBride.
727. H e n r y ( b o r n December 10, 1905) m a r r i e d oneMarie T i n n e s .
728. J o s e p h B o l l w e g ( b o r n i n F e b r u a r y , L909). J o s e p h m a r r i e d one
Margaret Gennusa.
7L3.THE FAMILY OF SUSANNA ELSEH(born A p r i l 6, 1870; d e c e a s e d
November 2 4 , 1 9 3 9 ) , who was m a r r i e d t o . . .
WILLIAM DALEIDEN(Born November 17, 1872; d e c e a s e d March 7,
1916). T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
729. C h r i s t i n a ( b . 1 8 9 9 ) . C h r i s t i n a D a l e i d e n d i e d a t t h e age of
t w e l v e from b u r n s .
730. John Daleiden(born June 3, 1899).
731. William Daleiden(born A p r i l 24, 1901).
732. Katherine(born Sept. 15, 1903).
733. Anthony D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J a n . 22,1905).
734. Edward D a l e i d e n ( b o r n August 8, 1907).
735. Mary D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J u n e 2 2 , 1 9 0 9 ) . Mary was m a r r i e d on
J u n e 2 5 , 1950 t o C a r l P u t n e s s ( b o r n March 1 7 , 1 9 0 9 ) .
T h i s c o u p l e had no c h i l d r e n .
736. G e o r g e D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J a n u a r y 1 1 , 1 9 1 2 ) . George was f i r s t
m a r r i e d t o L o u i s a K i e s ( B o r n J u n e 1, I 9 0 6 ; d e c e a s e d A p r i l 2 6 ,
1967) on September 3 0 . 1961. I n A u g u s t , 1968, George
married Louise Warner(born January 31,1920).
714.THE FAMILY CF MATTHIAS ELSEN( L887-1952) ,who was m a r r i e d t o
CLIVE STRAW(born 1 8 9 2 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
737. J o h n E L s e n ( b o r n 1 9 2 2 ) . J o h n was m a r r i e d t o V i r g i n i a CuLver,
who was b o r n i n L920.
738. J o s e p h i n e ELsen(born 1926).
7L7.THE FAMILY CF MARY ELSEN(1893-1952),who m a r r i e d . . .
FRED SCHWARZ(1887-1955). T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e L i s t e d below:
739. Fred S c h w a r z , J r . ( b o r n L9L5-L972).
740. O l i v e Ann S c h w a r z ( b o r n 19L9).
730.THS FAMILY CF JCHN DALEIDEN(born J u n e 3 , 1 8 9 9 ; d e c e a s e d
A p r i l 2 2 , 1975) w h o , i n 1939, m a r r i e d H e l e n T r i s c i l l a ( b o r n
May 1 1 , 1 9 0 9 ) . T h e i r o n e c h i l d i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
741. J e r o m e D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J a n u a r y 16, 1944).
731.THE FAMILY CF WILLIAM DALEIDEN(born A p r i l 2 4 , 1901)
m a r r i e d on J u n e 3 0 , 1928 t o . . . .
MISS MARY GUDGEL(born O c t o b e r 8, 1 9 0 0 ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s
l i s t e d below:
742. B a r b a r a D « l e i d e n ( b o r n May 14, 1 9 2 9 ) . B a r b a r a D a l e i d e n i s
known t o h a v e t h r e e c h i l d r e n : Sandra Lynn, Nancy Ann,
and Andrew.
743. W i l l i a m D a l e i d e n , J r . ( 1 9 3 0 - 1 9 4 7 ) . W i l l i a m drowned a t t h e
age of s e v e n t e e n .
733.THE FAMILY CF ANTHCMY DALEIDEN(born J a n u a r y 2 2 , 1905)
m a r r i e d on O c t o b e r 3 , 1931 t o , . . .
MISS GRACE McALEESE(born March 17. 19LO). T h e i r c h i l d r e n
a r e l i s t e d below:
744. David D a l e i d e n ( b o r n December 7 , 1 9 3 2 ) . He i s known t o h a v e
t h r e e c h i l d r e n , S t e v e n . K e v i n and T o r r a n c e Da l e i d e n .
 * "39

745. DanieL D a L e i d e n ( b o r n Dec. 2 0 , 1938). DanieL h a s t h r e e

c h i l d r e n L i s t e d a s : DanieLLe, Mathew, and Amanda.
746. V i r g i n i a D a l e i d e n ( b o r n May 3 1 , L940) was m a r r i e d t o one
Mr. R o b e r t J u r i s c h and had t h e f o l l o w i n g t h r e e c h i l d r e n :
C h r i s t i n e , Kenneth, Bryan.
747. R i c h a r d D a L e i d e n ( b o r n J u l y 2 1 , 1941). R i c h a r d h a s one son
named J o s e p h D a l e i d e n .
748. Gregory D a i e i d e n ( b o r n November 2 5 , 1943) had two d a u g h t e r s
named Wendy and A n g e l a .
749. James D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J a n u a r y 6. 1946).
734.THE FAMILY CF EDWARD DALEIDEN(born August 8, 1907)
m a r r i e d on J u n e 30, 1934 t o . . .
LENCRE SENNETT(born August 1 6 , 1 9 1 1 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e
l i s t e d below:
750. John D a l e i d e n ( b o r n S e p t . Ll 1935). J o h n I s t h e f a t h e r of two
children.
751. Theodore D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J u l y 13, 1 9 3 6 ) .
752. Mary Sue D a l e i d e n ( b o r n August 16, L937). Mary Sue m a r r i e d
Mr. Tom Denson. They had four chiLdren.
753. R o b e r t D a L e i d e n ( b o r n August 5 , L939). R o b e r t had t h r e e
daughters.
754. Lenore Da L e i d e n ( b o r n November 9, L943) gave b i r t h t o dno
ch i I d ( n a m e unknown).
755. C a r o l D a l e i d e n ( b o r n J u n e 19, 1945) i s t h e mother of three
children.
737. THE FAMILY CF JCHN ELSEN and h i s w i f e . VIRGINIA
CULVER,has produced t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d r e n :
756. Andrew E l s e n ( b o r n 1947).
757. John E l s e n I I I ( b o r n 1948).
758. Paul E l s e n ( b o m 1949).
759. P a t r i c i a ( o r P a t s y ) & S y l v i a E l s e n ( t w i n s born i n 1 9 5 1 ) .
760. Kimberly E l s e n ( b o r n 1956).

761. David S l s e n ( b o r n 1957).

762. Virginia (born 1959).

763. Carol Elsen(born I960).

764. Edward E l s e n ( a n a d o p t e d son).
 739. THE FAMILY CF FRED SCHWARZ, JP.( b o r n 19L5; d e c e a s e d 1972),
who m a r r i e d . . . .
MAPGEUPITE HUMMSL(born 1917). T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d below:
765. Joan S. Hazen(born 1934).
766. Ronald S c h w a r z ( b o r n 1935).
767. Susan S. D r u k e ( b o r n 1944).
768. Stephen Schwarz(born 1946).
740.THS FAMILY CF CLIVE ANN SCHWAPZ(born L9L9) who m a r r i e d
HARRY H E I N , J R . ( b o r n L9L7). T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
769. Karen H. C a l h o u n ( b o r n 1941).
770. Lynne H. T u c k ( b o r n 1946).
771. Terry Hein(born 1953).
772. Timothy(born 1956).
 M

THE EARLIEST SETTLERS

T h e r a i l r o a d h a d b-rough t h e T h o i s and many o t h e r f a m i l i e s
in t h e d i r e c t i o n o f M i n n e s o t a . But m a n / o f t h e i m m i g r a n t s d e c i d e d
to s t a y i n I l l i n o i s . Some o f t h e m w e r e s c a r e d t o d e a t h o f t h e
I n d i a n s a n d d i d n o t want t o meet u p w i t h t h e m . S t e o h e n E l s e n and
h i s w i f e K r i s t i n a Ewen. w e r e e a r l y s e t t l e r s o f W i n f i e L d , Du D a g e
county, I L L i n o i s . S t e p h e n and o t h e r s h a d a r r i v e d i n 1856 and h a d
chosen n o t t o move o n . I n s t e a d , t h e y became known a s t h e e a r l y
s e t t l e r s of c e r t a i n t o w n s i n I l l i n o i s . A s e a r L y a s L849, t h e G a l e n a
and C h i c a g o U n i o n R a i l r o a d h a d p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h e a r e a , b u i l d i n g
a s t a t i o n a t W i n f i e l d . A d e o o t w a s b u i l t i n L854.
However, t h e h a r d y T h e i s b r o t h e r s d e c i d e d t o s t a y i n M i n n e s o t a .
As e a r L v a s L859, t h e y made t h e i r f i r s t p u r c h a s e . 2 0 ° ^ J u l y LS 1859,
John T h e i s . f o r $ 1 5 0 0 0 b o u g h t some l a n d w h i c h h e h o p e d t o u s e f o r
f a r m l a n d . On. M a r c h 3 1 , L960, t h e y o u n g b r o t h e r J o h n T h e i s b o u g h t some
more p r o p e r t y , p a y i n g $ 2 0 0 . 0 0 t h i s t i m e I n J u n e o f 1 8 6 0 , a number
ofAmerican f a m i l i e s w e r e e n u m e r a t e d by t h e F e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t ;
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e F e d e r a l C e n s u s ta-con i n J u n e L860, t h e f o l l o w i n g
h o u s e h o l d s e n u m e r a t e d i n Cold S p r i n g on nage 4 6 :
Tees,Nicolas 4 0 ( y e a r s oLd) Prussia
Elizabeth 36 Prussia
MichaeL L0 Prussia
William 6 Illinois
Cathern 4 Minn.
John L Minn.

T
ees, John 35 Prussia
Cathern 26 Prussia

A w e a l t h o f i n f o r m a t i o n c a n v e t be o b t a i n e d r e g a r d i n g t h e s e e a r l v
vears of t h e ^ h e i s f a m i l y . H o w e v e r , n o t a l l wiLL be d e a l t with in t h i s
m a n u s c r i p t , \ I t i s most e v i d e n t t h a t t h e " " h e i s ( o r T e e s ) f a m i l y w a s
becoming we 1 1 - s e t t Led i n t h e new e n v i r o n m e n t . T h e v h a d b u i l t a l o g
b u i l d i n g t o b o u s e t h e p i g s i n o r d e r do p r o t e c t t h e i r p i g s from t h e b e a r .
H o w e v e r , a l t h o u g h t b e T h e i s f a m i l v h a d managed t o s e t t l e down s u c c e s s -
f u l l y , some p r o b l e m s r e m a i n e d . F l o u r was h a r d t o come b y . Thev would
u s u a l l y h a v e t o p i c e a C O U D I O o f oeoDle who w o u l d d r i v e a t e a m o f o x e n
a l l t h e way t o M o n t i c o i l o o r M i n n e a p o l i s . Those wore t h e cLosest m i l l s
to C o l d S p r i n g , b u t t h e s e m i - a n n u a l t r i p became v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o t h e : *
as t h e y s e n t t h e i r w h e a t t o e i t h e r o f l a r g o c i t y m i l l s t o h a v e i t g r o u n d
into f l o u r . S o m e t i m e s t h e r o u n d t r i p by ox t e a m w o u l d t a k e a s many a s
two o r t h r e e w e e k s .
In t h o a r e a o f t h e T h e i s b r o t h e r s l i v e d many I n d i a n s . ^ome o f t h « T
camped i n t h e r i v e r a r e a n e a r b o t h J o h n and N i c k ' s n r o o e r t v . A l t h o u g h
generaliv f r i e n d l y , tbev v i s i t e d the Nice Theis family a l l too often.
Most o f t h e t i m e t h e y came t o as'c f o r f l o u r , a n d E l i z a b e t h would u s u a l l v
oblige them. Somehow t b e I n d i a n s managed t o o v e r c o m e t h e l a n g u a g e b a r r U
s i n c e t b e v c o u l d sneajc n e i t h e r German n o r c o u l d t b e T h e i s f a m i l v s*v»*k
the I n d i a n t o n g u e . I t was b e c a u s e o f t h e I n d i a n s and t h e v i e w t b e v b a d
of them t h a t E l i z a b e t h ' s s i s t e r s and t h e i r f a m i l i e s h a d r e m a i n e d i n
w r t i o n s o f I l l i n o i s and f o r manv d e c a d e s c o r r e s o o n d e d x / i t h t h e T h e i s
family hy m a i l . O c c a s i o n a l l y , t h e E l s e n f a m i l v w o u l d come t o M i n n e s o t a
to v i s i t . Only g r a d u a l l y w a s t h i s c o n t a c t l o s t .

Page 98
 ELizabeth(Ewen) Theis was very afraid of the Indians. Since
NicX hfld to work the r a i l r o a d during parts of the year, Elizabeth-
vould be l e f t alone, in t h e cabin t o face the curious Indians. Since
Nick was not around most of the time... .Elizabeth olaced a wooden peg
to Locjc the door while he was away. But on several occasions, t h e
Indians got into the house. They were good-hearted people and r a r e l v
meant harm. However, they expected too much from t h e i r German neighbors.
Ch one occasion, an Indian brave came up t o t h e house* Grandma
Elizabeth t r i e d t o bar the door,but couldn't bar i t :ln time. -The Indian
managed to .get one foot in the door. Although most of the Indians
. jwere"itot> «• problem in~that area, t h i s p a r t i c u l a r brave had a gun and
had approached t h e house with the gun very obviously showing. According
to family t r a d i t i o n , t h e Indian heaved and broke into the door.
Grandmother, being scared and alone, ran out of t h e house and s t a r t e d
yelling for her husband, Nick. The Indians in that region had groat
respect for Nicholas since he had never bothere4 them a t a l l . While
She screamed for h e l p at t h e t o p of her lungs,the Indian quickly
left, shading h i s f i s t . But Nicholas, in r e a l i t y , was nowhere near
the scene.
The Indians always expected a helping hand from t h e i r White
neighbors. \Chx one occasion-Elizabeth gave warm milk t o a. sick Indian
child. • Later-i:he child*s fever^ broke,and a few days l a t e r , t h e Indians
thanked her by bringing some meat. -She did not eat t h i s deer meat.
Instead she threw, .the meat t o t h e pigs. .
^Elizabeth, a t a l l and we11-structured" woman, had countless exper-
iences with t h e Indians. One time an -Indian had come t o the house and
got h i s foot in t h e door before Elizabeth- could bar i t . This Indian
.demanded "a^big dish of f l o u r . Elizabeth, in a predicament, decided
to get out.-.the pan and heaped i t up with flour. S a t i s f i e d , t h e Indian
then went h i s wiry;; A few days l a t e r , an Indian lady came back with
some deer meat in "the same pot. However, Elizabeth fod the meat to
the pigs since she f e l t t h a t themeat was clean enough.
The most common; nuisance was the hear. Thejt; would always
coma i n t o t h e barnyard and pick up a whole pig. Constantly t a k i n g off
with the livestock of -the Theis family;the bear became a f i r s t victim
and ,primary victim for t h e local h u n t e r s . The men in t h e family be-
came s k i l l e d hunters in t h e woods. In h i s Later y e a r s , John Theis,
the son of Nicholas, was e s p e c i a l l y good at hunting. Although h i s
hearing was -falling,John Theis had excellent eyesight and was able
to spot h i s victims very e a s i l y . With h i s quick eve for swift move-
ment, he was able t o continue hunting for the b e t t o r oart of h i s
life. ._
It- was Uncle John Theis,; Nick's brother, who could have told the
most Indian s t o r i e s if he had lived to old age. John and h i s wife,
Catherine, lived about t h r e e blocks distance from the present-day
Cold Spring bridge. Nearby, at the edge of town, the Indians had
a small camp where they would meet quite frequently. The fishing
was good at t h a t spot so the Indians would gather there an attempt
to catch the fish going by. Che n i g h t , t h e Indians had a big powwow.
Throughout t h e ceremony, t h e Indian warriors were war-dancing. As
the night went on, drums were beating. All night long the drums went
. on. John knew b e t t e r than t o intervene and staved home, listening to
the long c e l e b r a t i o n . On t h e next morning, Uncle John investigated
the scene and found the scalp of an Indian hanging from a t r e e .
later on, John Theis found out what had happened that night.

Page 99
 In t h a t p a r t i c u l a r - r e g i o n , t h e Chiopowa I n d i a n s were t o be
found i n g r e a t numbers. The .Sioux Indians could be found t o t h e
South. I n t h i s c a s e , a Chippewa brave had been j i l t e d by a Sioux
squaw. A f t e r kidnapping t h e young woman, t h e Chippewa I n d i a n s had
•brought h e r t o t h i s meeting place where they k i l l e d h e r . Uncle
John buried t h e s c a l p a l o n g s i d e t h e body which had been b u r i e d
already.
CO s t i l l a n o t h e r o c c a s i o n . Grandpa Nick had been walking home
from Cold S p r i n g , when, a t t h e t o o of t h e h i l l , he came a c r o s s a
dead Indian and a dead bear. Apparently t h e bear had been shot by
the Indian w i t h an arrow. However, t h e a p o a r e n t l y wounded bear s t i l l
managed t o approach t h e Indian and crushed him with a deadly bear hug.
The Indian, i t seems, had q u i c k l y pulled h i s k n i f e i n an e f f o r t t o
Jjiii t h e b e a r f o r good. The Indian s t r u c k t h e knife i n t o t h e b e a r
and m o r t a l l y wounded h i s foe, however, he himself had been so badly
wounded o r crushed t h a t both died on t h e s p o t . But when Nicholas
came a c r o s s t h i s s c e n e , he l o f t them both lay. From h i s previous
experience, he knew t h a t he s h o u l d n ' t mess w i t h a dead I n d i a n s i n c e
the Indians would bury t h e i r own.
As long as t h e Theis family was able t o get f l o u r from S t . Paul,
the Indians maintained t h e i r unusual i n t e r e s t in t h e German s e t t l e r s
and continued t o pay t h e i r v i s i t s , u s u a l l y asking for E l i z a b e t h Theis
to f i l l t h e i r b i r c h b a r k c o n t a i n e r s with f l o u r . Using racoon and skunk
oil in an e f f o r t t o keeD t h e i r o x - c a r t s from squeaking t o o loudly,
the Theis family had t o continue t h e long journey t o o b t a i n t h e sacks
of flour and o t h e r n e c e s s i t i e s u n t i l Cold S p r i n g i t s e l f was a b l e t o
build i t s own f l o u r m i i l which used t h e wheat from t h e f i e l d s in t h a t
vicinity.
The Indian s t o r i e s exoerienced by our pioneer a n c e s t o r s a r e
all too numerous t o r e p e a t in t h i s manuscript. I t i s e a s i l y t o see
that l i f e h e r e became both t e d i o u s as w e l l as adventurous for t h e
hardy Theis c l a n . As mentioned above, Nicholas Theis made moves
towards t h e a c t u a l ownership of t h e f i e l d s he t o i l e d i n . During t h e
presidential term of Rutherford B. Hayes( 1877-1881), Nicholas had
bought a Large 160 a c r e s for $200 from t h e Great Northwestern RaiLway.
During t h e time t h a t he was homesteading t h e p r o p e r t y , he had b u i l t
a small log shanty t o s l e e p i n t o prove t h a t he was indeed homesteading
the property. While Nick farmed h i s land, P e t e r Theis had a l s o
talcen in an area of 200 a c r e s for h i s own u s e . -John Theis a l s o owned
,160 acres."
Before long, t h e family Lost i t s f i r s t member i n America. At
the age of f o r t y - t w o , John T h e i s , who had liked h i s drank and enjoyed
life t o t h e f u l l e s t , died of stomach cancer. This was sometime before
1870. John and h i s wife, C a t h e r i n e , had never had any chiLdren.
It appeared now t h a t a second g e n e r a t i o n of Theis men was coming of
age and p r e p a r i n g t o t a k e over t h e farming d u t i e s from t h o o l d e r genera-
tion of p i o n e e r s . Ch October 18, 1875, N i c k ' s second-oldest son,
William T h e i s , purchased e i g h t y a c r e s of land i n tho west h a l f of
the Southeast Q u a r t e r of Section 23, Range 30 in Wakefield Township.
This land, i t i s b e l i e v e d , had belonged t o h i s uncle John and was
surrounded by t h e o t h e r Theis homesteads. The o l d e r b r o t h e r of
William, Michael Theis had been an i n t e r e s t i n g c h a r a c t e r with h i s
intense i n t e r e s t i n t h e p e r p e t u a l motion. A farmer and blacksmith
b
7 trade, Michael e v e n t u a l l y lived t o be about seventy-seven y e a r s o l d .
The sons of N i c h o l a s and E l i z a b e t h founded an American family t h a t
boasted of l o n g e v i t y . Some members of t h e family, i n c l u d i n g t h e i r own
sons, have been known t o l i v e oven up t o t h e age of 98 y e a r s . The

page 100
 ]

, n p l t 7y o f the-Theis descendants did live into t h e i r « ^ t i e s

vast
and
f J ^ i * . ™ t r a i t of those robust and hard-working farmers
? S ? a " y t n the f i e l d s for a whole lifetime In an effort t o do
S t f S r T S S supply a country with the food i t needs t o feed alL
* ^ t h o following page i s a rough sketch^ji-the^eader «
impression of the locations of the oW Thais of our famiLy
o L r land-holdings are ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ d S n s of Nicholas and
juch as Elroy and Herb Tiieis r n • | J J *.?. SO n-John Theis took over
th. « « 1 ™ J n f i 0 R ™ r V S f „ nastura and the othar e i g h t / acres for growth
V a r i o u s l c ! U r i h a 0 u i a 3 o r j o h a Theis is to ba discussed below.

THS FAMILY CF w w r a m hrochar of

FnT- many years, the hard-wording r«t«r LH^J. . t„„j 4..

wlo^etlSe orobablr in t h e 1920-s. t h e far^^was^sstroyed by f i r e .

WftWEFlELD TOWNSHIP
T O V I H S H \ P \X2 -NORTH-RANGE 3 o UJEST

(2 F<?j jU. ©j
Ho>ne.

OicL ©
NIckTV'.S ©

' - - w * ^

Nick TK*',S

«7AUA\»

a4 Pro-f. Toe. "nkLstni ^ 0

In 1880, t h e voung f a m i l y of P e t e r T h e i s was g e t t i n g r e a d y t o s t r i l c e o u t
on i t s own. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e 1880 c e n s u s , t h e f a m i L i o 3 of N i c k , P e t e r
and WllLiamCNick^s s o n ) , wore- l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
age p l a c e of b i r t h f a t h e r ' s bp m o t h e r ' s b
THEIS, N i c h o l a s 59 y e a r s o l d Prussia Prussia Prussia
Elizabeth 56 Prussia Prussia Prussia
John 21 Minn. Prussia Prussia
Mary 19 Minn. P r u s s i a P russia
THEIS, P e t e r 56 Prussia Prussia Prussia
Elizabeth 57 Prussia Prussia Prussia
Nicholas 21 Prussia Prussia Prussia
Christopher 20 Prussia Prussia Prussia
Susan 17 Prussia Prussia Prussia
r Mary; 16 Prussia Prussia Prussia
THSIS, W i U i a m 26 Illinois Prussia Prussia
Anna 23 Wisconsin Luxemburg Luxemburg
Nicholas 2 Minnesota Illinois Wisconsin

N i c k and E l i z a b e t h ' s e l d e s t s o n , M i c h a e l , had a p p a r e n t l y moved on

to t h e a r e a of S t . N i c h o l a s i n t h e luxombourg t o w n s h i p . By t h i s t i m e ,
t h e i r d a u g h t e r , K a t i e , had a o p a r e n t l y m a r r i e d Mir. F r a n k E l l e n b e c j t e r ,
whileJohn and Mary b o t h r e m a i n e d a t home. As f a r t h e f a m i l y of P e t e r
Theis r h i s was muchv y o u n g e r t h a n N i c h o l a s ' f a m i l y . As can be s e e n
( u n l e s s an e r r o r had been made by t h e c e n s u s r e a d e r s ) , i t a p p e a r s t h a t
a l l of P e t e r ' s c h i l d r e n had been born i n P r u s s i a , i n c l u d i n g young Marv
who was b o r n p r o b a b l y i n t h e v e a r 1864. A l t h o u g h we h a v e a l w a y s
believed t h a t P e t e r came o v e r a t t h e same t i m e a s N i c k and J o h n T h e i s ,
it seems t h a t had may h a v e a c t u a l l y p u t t i n g o f f h i s j o u r n e y t o America
u n t i l a s l a t e a s 1865. N e v e r t h e l e s s , l a t e o r n o t , by way of c o r r e s p o n d *
with h i s b r o t h e r s , h e knew w h e r e h e was h e a d i n g and e n d e d u p i n Cold
Spring a s w e l l . And, f i n a l l y , a s c a n be s e e n , young W i l l i a m T h e i s was
also tajcing u o t h e f a r m e r b u s i n e s s w i t h h i s u n c l e s and w a j s t a r t i n g h i s
own l i t t l e f a m i l y . A l l t h r e e f a m i l i e s l i v e d v e r y c l o s e b u y . The t h i r d
b r o t h e r of N i c h o l a s and P e t e r , U n c l e J o h n , a s n o t e d a b o v e , had a l r e a d y
died.
While a l l t h r e e o f t h e o r i g i n a l b r o t h e r s t h a t a r r i v e d i n America
were b a s i c a l l y good l n n a t u r e " , t h e y , l i k e a l l of u s , h a d t h e i r v i c e s .
It seems t h a t N i c h o l a s T h e i s , t i r e d t o w o r k i n g a l l d a y i n t h o f i e l d s ,
would o c c a s i o n a l l y go t o t o w n and l i k e d t o hang one o n . Happy and gay
as he downed o n e b e e r a f t e r a n o t h o r ( a s h i s a n c e s t o r s b e f o r e him h a d done
in t h e Old C o u n t r y ) , N i c h o l a s would become v e r y happy and g a y . Singing
away i i r I l l s m e r r v way, h e u s u a l l y d i d n ' t want t o go home, T h u s , Grandm*
E l i z a b e t h would u s u a l l y h a v e t o send h e r son J o h n T h e i s down t o t h e b a r
and f e t c h h i s f a t h e r home. But Grandpa Nick a l w a y s i n s i s t e d t h a t h e ha<
to h a v e one more d r i n k f o r t h e r o a d and s i n g a n o t h e r s o n g . A l l t h i s
t e r r i b l y e m b a r r a s s e d J o h n s u c h t h a t h e vowed t h a t no c h i l d r e n o f h i s wot
ever h a v e t o * b r i n g him home from a b a r i n Cold S p r i n g . J o h n T h e i s , a s we'
as h i s b r o t h e r s , and s i s t e r s , l i v e d u p t o t h a t p r o m i s e u n t i l t h e d a y h e
disd. F o r t h e d u r a t l o n - o f ' - h i s l i f e t i m e , h e h e l d good t o n e a r l y e v e r y
promise h e o v e r made, i f n o t a l l .

Page 102
 Peter, a devout Catholic, had several children by his wife Catherine. •
Among his sons were Chris(who married Catherine Schaefer) and Nicholas Thel3.
Tradition tells that the wife of Peter had spoiled the children. In the long run
this was to hurt that branch of the family.
Peter,however,was a religious man and had becone Joiown a3 Chapel Pete, since
he took care of the Crasshopper Chapel nearby. The Grasshopper Plague, lasting
from 1873 to 1877, had been the purpose for putting up cuch a chapel. During those
horrible years, a pleague of grasshoppers had otripped vegetation of nearly
every leaf. Garden plants were decimated,and even the farmers began to starve,
unable to bring their goods to sale at the local market nor to even feed their own
families ln some Instances. The devastation lasted for five straight cummers. The
chickens, wildly gobbling up the grasshoppers, were affected. The eggs laid by
chickens then had unusually blood-yellow yolk3. The Thei3 family could not talk
themselves into eating these chicken eggs.
The Plague itself was not local at all and had spread throughout the Midwest
states. It has even been said that the millions of flying insect3 began to skim
across the skie3, creating very dense clouds of insects that would darken the
sunlight. And all could hear the roar of the insect wings as they rose from
their devastation to move on to new fields in the region. The roar could
deafen human ears. .
In the year 18?7» urged by the local churches, Governor Pillsburg decreed
a statewide day of prayers far deliverance from thia plight. In a short timo, the
grasshoppers suddenly vanished. And in the old time Catholic piety, the previously
considered vow of the citizens became a reality. -Thus a. grateful public decided
to erect a chapel, standing to thi3 day. This chapel was dedicated to the Blessed
Virgin Mary,on the previous condition that their relief was vouchsafed by the
supernatural. Annual pilgrimages to it for fifteen years took place in thanks.
The chapel wa3 built on a hilltop just outside of Cold Spring. Hero there wa3 a
flight of steep earthen steps up the face of the so-called MarIenberg("Mary's
Hill").
P e t e r Theis became known a s Chapel Pete because he took careof t h e
Grasshopper Chapel for many y e a r s . Like h i 3 mother E l i s a b e t h , P e t e r was extremely
r e l i g i o u s person, s i n c e r e i n a l l h i s b e l i e f s of t h e Roman C a t h o l i c Church and i t s
teachings. As c h i l d r e n , young Frank T h e i s , along with h i s s i s t e r , Hary( l a t e r
S i s t e r C a s s i a ) , frequently had to h e l p t h e i r aged grandmother, " E l i z a b e t h , a3
she very n e a r l y crawled up t h e s t e e p Marlenberg. At tho ago of s i x , Frank
vould find himself walking up the s t e p s n e a r l y everyday while h i s grandmother
Elizabeth crawled. Reaching t h e foundation of t h e old Chapel on t h e h i l l ,
Elizabeth would kneel and thon pray tho r o s a r y .
A few year l a t e r , E l i z a b e t h died a t t h e r i p e of old age of e i g h t y - f i v e
years. But P e t e r T h e i s , t o o , wa_s a man of g r e a t f a i t h and continued even
then to t a k e c a r e of the c h a p e l u n t i l h i 3 l a s t d a y s . Occasionally, P e t e r ' s
grandnephew Frank, along with Mary and other Thois r e l a t i v e s , would scrub
the f l o o r s of tho well-known c h a p e l . They u s u a l l y used l i o , porkrinds and
ashes as soap for t h i 3 task and would make brushes out of g r a s s t h a t had been
tied in a b u n d l e . . Such t a s k s went f a r i n making l i f e of our a n c e s t o r s both
trying and i n t e r e s t i n g , aa e r . l l o s c h a l l e n g i n g .
The main concern of t h e Theis family had been the weather, and, for those
few y e a r s , t h e grasshopper t h r e a t . There was l i t t l e time t o be concerned with
the problems of the world which seemed about a s remote a s Germany was. I n s t e a d ,
their l i v e s revolved around t h e s p r i n g p l a n t i n g , t h e h a r v e s t and t h e r a i l r o a d ,
which r e p r e s e n t e d t h e i r major l i n k t o t h e o u t s i d e world. With t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
of making everything work, t h e family was too busy t o be upset over small m a t t e r s .

Page 103,
 However, some members of the family did not manage to keep
occupied and went another route. Peter Theis had had two sons,
Nicholas and Chris Theis. Chris Theis married a daughter of Jacob
Schaefer, namely >Catie(Katherine) Theis. This _Schaefer family
will bo discussed Immediately bAow this section.
It seems,however, that a certain Fadden family, of Irish
Protestant descendant, settled about a quarter-mile away from the
homestead of Peter Theis. In 1880»s Federal Census, the household
of Aron and Marcena Fadden lived a very short distance from the Peter
Theis family in Wakefield.. Township also. Aron and Marcena, both from
New York,and,before that, Canada, had a family of seven children in
the 1880 census search. But other Fadden families soon made the
headlines of the Stearns county newspapers along with their
neighbors.
The Theis family, serious farmers that toiled the land in order
to make a living, very ra«rely made any fcind of headlines. As regards
the Fadden family, Protestant in a predominately German-Irish Xatho lie
community,they toa~road{i>Very little news. However,on May 5, 1904,
both families made the headlines infamously. In the-COId Spring
Record for May 5th, 1904, the following article was found:
» " Aaron and John Faddens and Henry and Chris Theis,
the "Rockville bandits", captured Friday at Croojcston
by Sheriff Bernick,were brought to this city Saturday
- and lodged in the county jail. They admit not only the
burglary at Weisman Bros.* store and the post office at
Rockville, but also the burglary of the Cold Spring and
Richmond post offices, the robbery of a Rockville saloon
and various other crimes, some a year or "more old. Quant-
ities of the goods stolen at Rockville were found in their
possession.22

This kind of publicity was the last thing that the poor Theis
family needed. As time passed, it became necessary for John Theis
to approach Mr. Honer, the editor of tho local newspaper office,
not to print anymore news of the Rockville bandits. The activities
of the Theis and Fadden gang had caused the people to look down upon
anvone with the name Theis. As the Cold Spring Record had headlined
these various crimes and made a good issue of the problem, the
townspeople approached the "good" Theis family very carefully until
Mr. Honer decided to go along with John Thois.
The Theis boys that had gotten into trouble seemed to have been
descendants of Peter Theis,one of the original three brothers to
immigrate to America. One of Peter's sons, 'Christ Theis, had married
Catherine Schaefer, a daughter of Jacob Schaefer. (Two other daughters
of Jacob had married John and Michael Theis). Another son of Peter
Theis was named Nicholas who may have been the father of the culprits.
Peter also had a daughter named Marv Theis who first married Peter
Pflepsen and had four known sons: Christopher, John,Joseph, and
Richard Pflepsen. By her second marriage to one Michael Zegier, she
is known to have had a son by the same name. By early family accounts,
it was mentioned that the wife of Peter Theis had been too lenient
with her sons and was a woman of bad quality. Not too much has ever
been said of the J.ady and her name was Elizabeth, but her maiden name
is unknown. The boys, raised by this woman, and their sons, became
bandits, and together with a group of Fadden boys, had robbed post
offices in the area until they were eventually apprehended(as noted

Page 104
above)and had t o s e r v e t i m e f o r t h e i r c r i m e s a g a i n s t t h e community.
I n s p i t e o f t h e b a d name t h e y g a v e t h e T h e i s s u r n a m e , o n e - c a n p r o u d l y
say t h a t t h e d e s c e n d a n t s o f N i c h o l a s T h e i s r e m a i n e d h a r d - w o r k i n g ,
peaceful, law-abiding c i t i z e n s . Their l i v e s were never s p e c t a c u l a r
bat w e r e f i l l e d w i t h . . c h a l l e n g e . And, i n d u e t i m e , w h i l e J o h n , J a c o b
and o t h e r T h e i s b r o t h e r s w o r k e d h a r d t o make a d e c e n t l i v i n g , t h e ; -
bad e l e m e n t s i n t h e f a m i l y d i - s a p p e a r e d from t h e a r e a , n e v e r a g a i n t o
return.
THE JACOB SCHAEFER FAMILY
C l o s e l y l i n k e d t o t h e T h e i s f a m i l y s i n c e t h e l a s t c e n t u r y was
the f a m i l y of J a c o b S c h a e f e r , a s h o r t , r o b u s t n a t i v e S a a r l a n d e r who,
a c c o r d i n g t o German e m i g r a n t l i s t s , l e f t S a a r b r u c j c e n i n t h e wajce o f
the 1848 M a r x i s t r e v o l u t i o n . His exact b i r t h d a t e as w e l l as h i s
p r o f e s s i o n i n Germany r e m a i n unknown t o d a t e , a l t h o u g h some d a t a h a s
been c o l l e c t e d by t h e a u t h o r r e g a r d i n g s e v e r a l J a c o b S c h a e f e r ' s
who w e r e b o r n i n S a a r b r u c k e n a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e r i g h t t i m e . Qie
Jacob S c h a e f e r w a s b o r n i n S a a r b r u c k e n o n O c t o b e r 3 , 1823 a s t h e s o n
of Ludwig S c h a e f e r , a 3 6 - y e a r - o l d t a i l o r , and o f D o r o t h e a M e t z i g e r .
(he G e o r g J a k o b S c h a f e r ws b o r n i n S t . J o h a n n - S a a r b r u c k e n o n S e p t e m b e r
21, l « 2 2 a s t h e .son o f M i c h a e l S c h a f e r , 3 9 - y e a r - o l d n a i i - " r n i t h , anrf
of M a r i a M a g d a l e n a S i e g ( o r S c h i c k ) . T h i s p a r e n t , J o h a n n M i c h a e l
S c h a f e r , b o r n o n D e c e m b e r 3 , 1782 i n 5 b e r b a c h ( a n d d e c e a s e d a t t h e a g e
of s i x t y - f i v e o n M a r c h 8 , 1 8 4 8 ) was t h e s o n o ^ a w e a v e r named T h e o f i l
S c h a f e r who h a d d i e d o n J a n . 1 9 , 1 7 9 0 , when J o h * n n M i c h a e l was S t i l l
a youngster. M a r i a S i e g , b o r n o n May 1 0 , 1 7 8 8 i n S c h e i d C a n d d e c e a s e d
at t h e a g e o f 55 y e a r s i n F e b r u a r y , 1 8 4 4 ) was t h e d a u g h t e r o f D a n i e l
Sieg, a h a m m e r s m i t h who d i e d a few d a y s a f t e r M a r i a ' s b i r t h o n
Mav 3 0 , 1 7 8 8 , and o f Anna M a r g a r e t h a R e u t h e r ( 1 7 6 5 - 1 8 2 9 ) . The l a t t e r -
named p e r s o n w a s t h e d a u g h t e r o f o n e G e o r g C o n r a d R e u t h e r . a p o l i c e m a n
in S t . J o h a n n who h a d d i e d i n 1 7 8 3 . and t h e g r a n d d a u g h t e r o f •&
l o c k s m i t h iwmed J o h a n n H e i n r i c h H e e r .
I t i s h i g h l y p o s s i b l e t h a t ( G e o r g ) J a k o b S c h a f e r c o u l d be o n e
and t h e same w i t h t h e J a k e S c h a e f e r v h o came t o S t e a r n s C o u n t y /
Minnesota s o m e t i m e b e f o r e 1 8 5 7 . .Howetfer, u n t J i l f u r t h e r e v i d e n c e c a n
be s u p p l i e d , t h i s c a n o n l y b e a p r e s u m p t i o n . T h e S c h a e f e r f a m i l y ,
q u i t e a b i t l i k e t h e T h e i s a n d Ewen f a m i l i e s , was a b o r d e r l a n d f a m i l y ,
l i k e most o f t h e • • f r o n t i e r " p e o p l e , t h e i r a n c e s t o r s w e r e t h e v i c t i m s
of t h e c o u n t l e s s w a r s f o u g h t b e t w e e n n e i g h b o r i n g k i n g d o m s , i n t h i s c a s e
France and t h e G e r m a n p r i n c i p a l i t i e s . . As t h e c a p i t a l o f t h e S a a r
r e g i o n , Saarbrvicjcen a l w a y s f o r m e d a s e c t i o n o f t h e r o u t e f o r i n v a d i n g
armies t h a t s o u g h t t o c o n q u e r t h e p l a i n s o f L o r r a i n e i n F r a n c e o r
the h i l l s t o w a r d t h e R h i n e R i v e r . The S a a r b a s i n i s t h e m o s t t h i c k l y
oooulated a r e a i n Europe, w i t h a d e n s i t y of 433 o e r s o n s p e r s q u a r e
kilometer in 1933.23
The S a a r r e g i o n i s D r e d o m i n a t e l y Roman C a t h o l i c i n r e l i g i o n
with a l m o s t t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of t h e people belonging t o t h a t f a i t h .
In F r a n c e a n d t h o S a a r ^ 1 6 8 0 - 1 9 4 8 , w r i t t e n by L a i n g G r a y Cowan
(New v-orfc: Columbia" P r e s s , " 1 9 ? U ) . i t i s s t a t e d t h a t t h e S a a r l a n d e r s
are'»an e x t r e m e l y h o m o g e n o u s g r o u o . " D r . Cowan . g o e s o n t o s t a t e : ^

I t i s g e n e r a l l y agreed t h a t t h e e a r l T Saac s t o c k
was o f e a s t e r n L o r r a i n e o r i g i n / F r a n c e / , a l t h o u g h
o f German c u l t u r e a n d l a n g u a g e 7 a n d t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s
l o o k upoft t h e m s e l v e s d e f i n i t e l y a s b o r d e r p e o D l e .

Page 105

_______•
 1

However, the influx of l»bor from Germany in

the early nineteenth century brought with it a
certain amount of Prussian sentiment which is
still felt today.
The earliest inhabitants of the Saar basin were
the Mediomatrici, a Gallic tribe, whose settlement
centered around Metz. However, no concrete evidence
of their existence remains today except in ths names
of brooks, mountains and rivers which are of Celtic
origin....The era of Roman control in the Saar has
left scarcely more trace than did that of the Gauls.
The territory remained sparsely settled and there can
be no question of an intensive Roman culture such as
existed in the nearby Moselle region.
The Germanic peoples began to settle the area in the Fifth
Century. The Alemanni,and later the Franks, who had taken
the city of Trier in 411, began to pour into the Saar valley and
take the place of the native Gauls. In the year 496, the Franks
decisively defeated the Alemanni and took control of the region.
For centuries present-day Saarbrucken belonged to the French
rulers. Over a period of two hundred years, the area gradually
became a part of the Holy Roman Empire, thus falling into the
German orbitA but from 1235 to 1381, the French family of Lorraine
ruled Saarbrucken. The German House of Nassau succeeded in 1381
and, as France grew stronger, the Counts of Nassau-Saarbriicken
looked towards Austria for protection from French interference.
But Austria was preoccupied with the Ottoman threat and with an
intense rivalry that was developing with another German power,
Prussia. In 16?2, French troops occupied the town of Saarbrucken,
and our Schaefer ancestors became subjects of King Louis XIV of
France.
Imperial German troops were able to wrest control of the city
from the French from 1676 to 1678 but it was retaken the following
year after the Treaty of Nijmegen in 1679 handed Saarbrucken back
to Louis XIV, After 1697, however, France only retained Saarlouis,
a small portion of the Saarland, while the remainder of the basin,
including Saarbrucken again came under German rule. Not until 1793
did the French again take the city. The French invaders plundered
the cities, robbing the local population of almost anything movable.
Crops and animals were requisitioned and swiftly carried away. This
vicious reign of terror by the French strongly affected the once
pro-French and pro-revolutionary sympathies of the Saarbrifcken
inhabitants. Prussian troops attempted to retake Saarbrucken
but were forced to withdraw in January, 1794. This gave France a
tenuous possession of the Saar region.' However, the powers of Europe
refused to recognize Saarbrucken as French until 1801. In 1804 the
beoole of the Saar region were provided with a plebiscite. The
Saarlanders were asked whether they accepted Napoleon's being named
as Emperor, of the French. Anyone who did not vote was threatened
with imprisonment. Thus, 38,909 people voted in favor of Napoleon
as Emperor, and 86 voted against.pt
Inspite of the many beneficial effects of the French occupation.

Page 106
the Saarlanders never lost sight of their German heritage.
Although French runs in the veins of nearly every Saarlander,
the inhabitants responded to the Prussian call for rebellion
in 1813. On the^night of January 9,1814, the French troops
evacuated Saarbrucken in the face of an Allied invasion by
General Blucher. The Prussians entered the city the following
day. Never again would the immediate family of Jake Schaefer*s
ancestors see the French in their native town, for not until
August 2, 1870, did the French return with Napoleon III at the
head of their army. And this time, the French retreated after
only a few days, on August 6, 1870. The controversy over
the Saar continued well into this century and remained as import-
ant to French politics as the possession of Alsace-Lorraine was
to German politics and military strategy.
By investigating Pages 83 through 86 above, the reader can
obtain a vivid impression of the Droblems facing the natives in
this area which had now come under Prussian control. The Prussian
Government had issued official bulletins on individuals in these
areas. Sometimes the data was very useful in bringing about the
imprisonment of certain persons. The exact reasons for Jacob
Schaefer's flight to America are unknown today but may have some
connection with the 1848 Revolution. Or, as simply stated so many
times in this and other readings, discontent resulting from the
prevailing political conditions caused the flight to America.
Sometime in 1848, aboard a vessel unknown to our records,
Jake Schaefer arrived in New York City's harbor. At a "booking
office", Jake bought tickets for a steamboat ride up the Hudson
River to Albany. At a very reduced fare (provided for all the
immigrants), Jake then took a "line boat" across the 350-mile Erie
Cpnal with its eighty-four locks. They traveled at a top speed
of only three miles an hour. And, although the trip was costing
him only about one penny per mile, he had to provide his own food.
By this time, his remaining assets were depleted and he took work
in Buffalo. What other members of his family that came over has
remained uncertain to this day. However, we are fairly certain
that he was accompanied by or met with his sister, Elizabeth
Schaefer, in Buffalo,
Jake has been listed in the Buffalo City Directory, 1850-
1851 as follows 1 "Schaffer, Jacob, tanner, N. Case & Co." He was
also listed in the 1853 directory ast "Schaffer, Jacob, tanner,
N. Case <& Co.h. Pine near William? Jacob himself had actually been
captured, with name, age, profession and birthplace, in the 1850
Federal Census which listed him as living in the Fourth Ward of
Buffalo, Erie County, New York as of July 11, I850. He was living
in the household of one Nicholas Brick and his wife Catherine,
both immigrants from Prussia. It is not known if Jake was related
to Mr. and Mrs. Brick, who were 44 and .42 years old respectively,
for Nicholas Brick, like Jake, was a tanner. The couple had four
children, the eldest of them, Catherine, fourteen years old and b o m
in Prussia. However, the second child of the family, Nicholas, was
eleven years old and born in New York. Therefore, it could be safe-
ly assumed that Mr. and Mrs. Brick had been in America since about
1839.

Page 107
 Living with the six members of the Brick family was Jacob
listed in Dwelling ^18 as follows» "Jacob Schaefer, 23 years
of age, male sex, profession or occupation tanner? birthplace*
Prussia. The next household was listed as followsi
name age sex occupation birthplace
Charles Schrott. 28 Male Tanner Baden
Elizabeth " 28 Female Prussia
Solomen 24 Female Baden
Mary 3 Female Baden
In the first days of January, 1850, according to the
records of St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2 58 Pine Street, in
Buffalo, New York, Charles Schrott from Baden had married
Elizabeth Schafer from Prussia. In 1848, the Revolution in
Baden had been a very.serious incident, and the amount of
emigrants from that German state had been enormous after it be-
came evident that^the revolution there had failed. It seems
obvious that Solomen was a younger sister of Charles Schrott, and
that little Mary was either a daughter to either Charles or
Solomen, a niece, or a little sister. One Carl Schrott appeared
in the Buffalo City directories for 1857. According to the probate
indexes, one Charles Schrott, born in Baden, died on July 1, 1909
in Buffalo. It appears that the Schrott family stayed In 3uffalo,
while Jacob Schaefer had different plans. On October 22, 18 50,
Jacob Schafer* from Prussia married Katharin Albert from Eaiern
(Bavaria) in the St. Mary's Church. The witnesses were Carl
Schrott and Pet. Helfrich.
Then, from the baptismal records from St. Mary's Church,
Carl, son of Jacob Schaffer(born in Prussia) and Cath. Albert
(born Bayern), was born on August 17, 1851 and baptized on August
19, two days later. As can be readily seen, Jake's last name has
been spelled numerous wayst Schafer, Schaefer, Schaffer, and so on.
Likewise Katharin Albert has also been referred to as Catherina
Albrecht, Jacob spent several years in Buffalo working in the
tannery with his German friends. While making good harness
leather at the tannery, Jake was preparing his way for a trip
westward to Minnesota where he could take U D farming. While Jake
was tanning hides, his future wife Catherina Albert was working
in an eating place. It was in this restaraunt or cafe that Jake
and Catherina met,although family records also indicate that
Catherina's father may have worked in a tannery as Buffalo City
Directories seem to indicate that several persons named Albert or
Albrecht were working in tannery's about the city.
The next child born to Jake and Katharin was Margaret
Schaefer. She was horn on June 20, 1854 in Buffalo but was not
baptized in St. Mary's. Apparently the young couple had moved on
by this time, taking U P residence in another section of the city.
The Schaefer family then disappears and turns U P in the Stearns
County Minnesota Territorial Census of 1857*
name age sex occupation birthplace
Jacob Schafer 36 Male Farmer Prussia
Catherine Schafer 32 Female Prussia
Carl Schafer 5 Male New York
Margaret Schafer 3 Female New York
Margaret Schafer later became Mrs. Michael Theis, the
daughter-in-law of Nicholas and Elizabeth Theis, as well as

Page 108
the mother of eight children and great-grandmother of 73
great-grandchildren at the time of her death. While only a
couple of years old, her parents moved to a small farm three
miles west of St. Cloud in Stearns County. Although they were
among the earliest pioneers in the area, they are not mentioned
in the County history book. Other persons with the same surname
are mentioned but are not related. In the i860 Federal Census,
the family is listed in Stearns County as followsi
name age sex real e s t . personal e s t . birthplace
Jacob Schaffer
it
35 M 1,000 300 Prussia
Cathern 32 F Prussia
N
Carl H
9 M New York
N Ii
Margaret N ,5 F
Cathern 2/12 M Minnesota
Suddenly, we see that Jacob Schaffer was in ownership of
a thousand dollars' worth of real estate and $300 of personal
farm equipment. The next daughter, born in Minnesota, was
Catherine or Katie Schaefer who later married Christ Theis, the
son of Peter Theis. Finally, on May 10, 1862, Magdalena Marie
Schaefer, who later married John Theis, another son of Nick and
Elizabeth. While the three Schaefer daughters were destined to
marry three Theis boys, Charlie Schaefer(l851-1932) was married
to a woman"named Elizabeth(l86l-1937). Her maiden name is unknown
by the author. Charles Schaefer and Elizabeth became the Parents
ofat least nine children, and Charles became known as Dr. Charles
Schaefer,a respected physician in the county.
When Magdalena Marie Schaefer was only four years old(circa
1^66)f her mother Katherine (Albert) Schaefer passed away, and it
WRS left to old Jake to raise the children. By the use of the —
census records, which seem to contradict one another with regards
to age, we can estimate that Katherine Albert had been born
sometime between 182 5 and 1828 in an unknown city in Bavaria.
Unlike Jacob Schaefer, the ^heis, Ewen, or Schreifels families,
Katherin/had not been a border-line immigrant but had come from
the interior of Germany. From the census taken in 1850, we can
more than likely assume that Jacob Schaefer had been born in 1827.
But, other indications are that he was b o m even earlier, perhaps
as early as 1821. Jacob Schaefer lived on past the age of eighty
to die from pneumonia on January 27, 1907 after having visited first
with his daughters Magdalena Theis(wife of John), and then with
his other daughter, Margaret Theis(wife of Mike). It seemed that
Margaret's family had the flu-which Jacob caught and never recovered
from. Family members stated that he was actually eighty-one when
he died, putting his birth in the year 1826. This cannot be sub-
mitted as definite, however, and perhaps the archives in Saarbrucken,
Germany have the answer.
THE THEIS FAMILY ENTERS NEW CENTURY
The younger generation of Theis family members celebrated the
*oming of the new century by considering retirement. For now, they
too were getting on in their years. Soon the farming would be-
come the responsibility of the next generation. Already, in the
Vear 1000, William Theis, the second son of Nick and Elizabeth,
had died before Christmas. And, within a few years, his wife,Anna,
had also died after taking a fall while on her way to church.
Apparently, in breaking her leg, a blood vessel had been cut open
 I

and she bled to death. In those days at the turn of the century,
only a doctor or a husband could look under those long skirts to
give first aid. But Michael Theis, the firstborn of Nick and
Elizabeth, lived until 1926. With his full beard, the rugged
sharp shooter enjoyed both farming and hunting while maintaining
his great interest in the perpetual motion. A man of many interests,
he was a blacksmith for the local farmers while simultaneously
operating his small farm. His wife, Margaret, one of the Schaefer
daughters, lived to a ripe old age, dying only after World War II
had ended.
Then there was John Theis, truly one of the most honest
and good-natured fellows .that ever walked the face of the earth.
A man who was unable to read or write, John became veil-known
among his neighbors as a man with a very good disposition. A
particularly interesting characteristic of John was his the special
pride he had in everything that he did. When it came to work, he
always took great pains to make everything he did look neat. This
was not always an easy thing to do, but he showed such enthusiasm
for perfection that some of his children and grandchildren later
inherited this attitude. A very tall man with full and bushy
white mustache, John Theis more often a shy and reticent person,
while his wife, Magdalena, was a short, good-hearted person with
a very formal behavior towards most people. But what stands out
most was the deeply Christian belief that both John and his wife
shared with the rest of their family. It was more than likely
their truly religious attitude that made them the good people that
they were. And, in this same spirit, they raised their children
as well.
The marriage of John Theis and Magdalena Schaefer had been
solemnized at Jacob's Prairie on January 30t 1882, After their"
marriage, they made their home about onehalf a mile east of Cold
Spring on the farm that had been homesteaded by his parents, Nick
and Elizabeth Theis. John and Magdalena Marie had eight children,
six of whom grew to adulthood. Five of the six children had their
own families, while their daughter Mary became Sister Cassia.
In 1907, John and his wife decided that it was time for him to
retire from farming. While his eldest son, Jacob, took over the
farm, John and Magdalena moved into Cold Spring. It was cheap
in those days and moving to town was no big issue. Retiring at
the age of fifty, he could settle for one or two cows, and several
pigs and chickens.
For the next twenty-six years of his life, John lived in quiet
retirement, occasionally going out to hunt and fish withhis sons
or grandsons. In these years he became very hard of hearing.
Because of this condition, his wife and family found it necessary to
talk very loudly, nearly screaming at him. John was very amused to
find that the neighbors thought he and Magdalena were fighting
because he had to talk so loudly. Inspite of the decline in his
hearing, John had very sharp eyesight and was a very good hunter.
*n the early summer of 1934, John Theis had become very weak after
having attempted to chase the rats out of his barn. He caught a
bad cold and died on June 15. 1934 of uremic poisoning. According
to his death certificate, John had suffered from cardiac renal
disease for five years and died from this and a combination of
Pneumonia and cardiac failure at the age of seventy-five years,
eleven months and eight days.
Page 110
 The sons and daughters of John and Magdalena Theis made up
UP the second generation of the Theis family born in America,
Jake Theis, married to Mary.Molitor, had owned for some time a total
of seventy-six acres in section 23 of Wakefield Township. In the
meantime, Frank J. Theis was renting the property next to Jake's.
This was a total of 240 acres, also in section 23. 160 acres were
used for pasture and eighty acres for growth. On September 6,
1916, during World War I, Frank, a month away from being twenty-one
years old, met his future spouse at the wedding of his first cousin
Christ Theis. Her name was Magdalena Marie Schreifels, the daughter
of Johann Schreifels and Mary Theisen, whoJ.ike Frank's grandparents,
were pioneers of the Stearns County area. Magdalena (or Lena,as she
is commonly called) was from the nearby Luxembourg township but had
come to Cola Spring for the wedding of her older sister, Theresia
Schreifels. Weddings were always a very enjoyable time in Cold
Spring and they still are. Countless relatives from around the town,
the countryside and from other cities in the state come to celebrate
the happiness of newlyweds. In the next three years, Frank and Lena
had gotten to know each other quite well and decided to marry also.
And, to this wedding, many relatives also came. Those relatives
that were either sick or lived too far away would usually write a
letter of apology indicating that they had wished to be there to
share in the joy. Nevertheless;"many friends and relatives did attend
the wedding inspite of the fact that it snowed a little while
church services were being held at St. Boniface Church in Cold Sprine.
It was a very special occasion, for the next day, Frank's sister was
going to enter the convent. It was no coincidence that nineteen-year-
old Lena Schreifels was being married to Frank Theis on October 7,
1919 which just happened to be Frank's twenty-third birthday. . ~
"•• From the first day of marriage, every day for the farmer in
Stearns County became a serious affair in which he and his wife
had to begin the hard task of working their farm and raising a
family simultaneously. The day after their wedding, with snow on
the ground, Frank and Lena had to get outside to begin picking
potatoes in the garden for their home use. In addition, they had
to get some wood ready to use for fuel in keeping the livestock
warm enough to survive the winter that would soon descend upon
Minnesota. And.then an additional thirty loads of wood were
brought into the house for family use. In all, the couple only
had a few cows and four horses, but as time passed, they would soon
acquire more livestock, as well as chickens and nigs. The work was
never easy, but the instinct for survival is too strong to allow
anyone to complain about the duties of living on a farm. When the
first children began to arrive, they too had their responsibilities.
The average workday might begin at 5*15 when Frank and his first-bom
son, Gerald, would go out to feed the cattle and then milk the cows.
Some days, the family might have to work until eight or even ten in
the evening. However, Sundays and other leisure days would occasion-
ally interrupt the schedule and allow the family to gather in a
loving atmosphere of singing and playing games.
Mother would do the sewing and canning. And this she would teach
to some of the girls in the family". The children would all join
Father in picking beans and peas from the garden. Sometimes, they
would also take cabbage and pumpkins from the garden, because nearly
everything was grown in that garden during the 1920's and 1930*s.

Page 111
Nearly everything was done right there on the farm. The family
butchered their own hogs and sometimes even the cattle. Sausage
would be their own special homemade treaty In later years, Frank
had purchased a team of horses, Polly and Pat. What a pair!
Polly, the mare, was mean horse and gave. Frank a.terrible, time.
Frank would get.so confounded mad At Polly and her nasty habits.
This lazy horse was so lazy that she would just sit back and let
the other horse do the work most of the time. But, after a few
years, Polly contracted cholic and died. A sheep buck also roamed
the farm for quite a few years in search of victims who would get
a sharp butt in the rear end. Eventually, they found it necessary
to get rid of the animal so he was shipped out.
While many of the Theis families settled in various townships
of Stearns County in Minnesota, other members of the family would
move their families to other parts of the state and occasionally
even moved to other states as well. In one case, Nicholas T.
Theis, another son of John Theis, raised his family in North Dakota.
Having worked in a flour mill during his younger years, Nick even-
tually met and married one Mary Zeitler. In 1910, Nick and Mary
decided to move to North Dakota where Mary's brother owned some
property. For thirty-eight years they farmed in the area of
lansford, a city which is only twenty-five miles from the-Canadian
border. In 1Q48, Nick retired and then the couple moved into
Lansford. Finally, in 1964, they moved to Minot where both Nick
and Mary Theis died during 19^5.
While some of the ancestors of the Theis family in Cold Spring
had come from Nusbaum in Germany(the Ewen branch), the Molitor
family of nearby Rockville had come from Nusbaumerhohe and from
Obersgegen. All three of the towns in Germany were next to the
village of Bollendorf where the three Theis brothers had been born
in Germany before their flight in the early 1850's to America.
Js neighbors in Germany, the Molitors and Theis families had left
^jrm^nv for a common reason id coincidentallv sought for a new life
in Minnesota. As neighbors in America, these two families witnessed
the Intermarriage that is common among neighbors. While Jacob Theis
the firstborn child of John Theis, married Marv Arm Molitor from
Rockville, Elizabeth Theis, another child of John, married George
Alitor on Sent. 17,1906. As might be guessed, Marv Ann Molitor
was a sister to George Molitor. Another daughter of John and
<: v ? en * M a r i e Theis, Katie, was married to Heronimous(Jerome)
Schneider who was an immigrant from Hungary. On December 7, 1043
during the height of World War II, Mrs. John Theis died at the age
of eighty-one.

THE SCHREIFELS FAMILY

Like the Molitor ancestry, the Schreifels clan shared a
neighbor-like background with the Theis family, having come from
"ettendorf, another city very close to both Bollendorf and Nusbaum.
According to Chronlk von Mettendorf. the name Schreifels was listed
several times during recent centuries in the ancestral village of
bettendorf. One Philipp Schreifels was listed as an inhabitant
of Mettendorf who did not own his own house. Whether this Philipp
Schreifels is an ancestor of the Schreifels family from Luxembourg
Township, is not known. On the following page is an ancestral chart
showing the ancestry of Johann Schreifels(born December 7, 1854).
uoe
of Compiler *JQt\T\ f. ()Cnn>0-l P e r s o n No. 1 on this c h a r t Is the same Chart No.
p e r s o n a s No._ on c h a r t No . 16
jdress— b. {Fuhmr ol No. 1 ,
Cor*, on chart No, .

lly, State a Philipp Sct-eiffgj m.

Page 113 I • (Father at No. 4) d.
lie-
b. ClRCft I72.0 17
(Mother ol No. 3,
p.b. Se'i m^ricK.Lwif f/ribourf, C O R C oa c h a r t N o .
4 Fripdrirh ^f.tivfifelS m. T a n u ^ r u 2 . 3 J 7 H 1 «
( F a t h e r of No. 2)

18
P-d M e i " f e n J <>rf,(.tjrrfeA\fc mru ^ ( F a t h e r at No. 9 ,
J Birth Com. on c h i r r No. .
Hi i< Birtl
iliiurrlije ElgfiSaket)) Relent m.
tlDnlb (Mother at No. 4) d.
19
(Mother ot No. 9,
b. Cone.. (on chart No. _
?:T„Un»,v Sckreif*\S P-b-^-H-enJorf^Lutwnfeouro,
(Father of No. 1) d. ^ , . ^ ^ ^ 4 ^ 2 . . | « | 7 » d.

20
Pb*Wen«W*,£rancC. b. ( F a t h e r at No. 10.
C O M . on c h a r t N o . .
m.
d. ( F a t h e r al No. 5) d.
d
p- Wi'mneso-tax- b. 21
(Mother at No. 10.
P.b. b. Coot, an chart N o . -
5 \0nna y O a a d a l t t a 'TOariZn m. d.
(Mother of No. 2)
d.
b. jici^ "3, m o 22
P-d b. ( F a t h e r at No. 11,
p.b. Lx_*.ye/r»4»«»o.r a Cone, on chert N o . .
m.
d. December 2fl ,1^1*7 « n (Mother of No. S)
d.
Pd. |>0efh-njorf,Prussia. b. 23
(Mother of No, 1 1 ,
P.b. Coot, on chart N o . .
b.
Tiann Schre,Jefs d.
d.
P.d.
24
P.fcM.ef+ev\Jo»-Fy P r u s s i a b. ( F a t h e r ot No. 12,
Cone, an c h a r t No. .
June I H j S ^ - T V l . n ^ s o t ^ 12 DOtiLbael Sillier m.
1
P < t r u O r u ZM^l926 ( F a t h e r at No. 6)
d.
b, 25
(Mother of No. 12,
P.b. C o n e on chart No. ..
b.
m.
( F a t h e r ot No. 3) d.
d.
b. A u g u s t i , n S 3 26 N:dofauzz\ LuJeG
P.d
p.b. FHer f e n Jor f ,Lu*o»»(l>0Mrq. b. ( F a t h e r of No. 13.
Cone, on chart N o . .
m 13 S^s Arma. LurfeT (Mother of No. 6)
m.
d. Ktov<^l<-r i n , 1SH7 d.
27
(Mother ot No. I i ,
Cont. on chart No.
b.
d. d.
•j (Mother of No. 1)
b P.d.
Tune t*i , ( £ / / 28
b. (Father of No. 14,
Cont. on chart No. .
14 -Lin kefs
( F a t h e r of No. 7)
m.
d.
b. 29
(Mother of No. 14,
p.b. b. Cont. on chart N o . .
"Maria triaaAntPna. LihketS m. d.
J (Mother of No. 3)
d.
30
P.b. WalSc/or*/ 7 P.d b. ( F a t h e r of No. 15,

d.
p.d
15 -Whet
(Mother of N o . 7)
m.
d.
Cent, on chart No. —-

b. 31
( ^ J o s e of No. I)
(SJ»use 1)
g/ ser^- P.b. b.
(Mother of No. 13.
Cont. on chart No.

d.
 Below is a short narrative of the persons described on the
pedigree chart on page 113.
THE ANCESTRY OF JOHANN SCHREIFELS
*1 Johann (John) Schreifels, born December 7, 185*4- in
Mettendorf is listed on the unnumbered page 62. as household
#3?3. As note on the same page, he came to America with his
family in 185"?. As the youngest child of Johann and Margaretha
(Muller) Schreifels, he was not more than three years old when
the family left for America. His parents are listed as #2 and
f3 below.
#2 Johann Schreifels, born in 1812, was variously listed
as a ploughman and as a laborer. Sometime around 185? Johann
made his decision to move the family to the United States to
seek a new live. Born in Mettendorf under French occu' tion,
Johann was raised under the subsequent Prussian rule that has
been described so often in countless narratives above. On
February 3t 1836, he was married to Margaretha Muller in
Mettendorf. As the 1850's approached an end, Johann saw,
as the Theis family had several years earlier, that the time had
come to seek new opportunities in the land of plenty across the
Atlantic Ocean.
#3 Margaretha Muller, the mother of John Schreifels, was
born on June 1^, 1811 in Mettendorf. Little is known of Margaretha
as she died quite young in America.
#k Friedrich Schreifels , born in Mettendorf on July 15, 1769,
lived his whole life in Mettendorf, dying there on April 9, 1839 at
the age of 69 years. Sometime around the turn of the century,
Friedrich had married one Maria Magdalena Martzen. After the death
of his first wife, he was married sometime after 1817 to Margaretha
Rock at the approximate age of fifty.
^5 Maria Magdalena Martzen, the wife of Friedrich, died on
December 29, 1817 at the age of only forty-eight. Little of any-
thing has been found out regarding the Marzen(or Martzen)family.
Her father was named Joachim Martzen while her mother was Maria
(maiden name unknown).
r6 Nikolaus Muller, born August 1, 1785 in Mettendorf, was the
father of Margaretha, the wife of Johann Schreifels I. Nikolaus
himself was the son of one Michael Muller and Susanna Ludes. His
eodfather, Nikolaus Ludes is believed to have been his^grandfather
as well, while his godmother was listed as Elizabeth Muller, from
Holsfeld. Elizabeth is believed to have been either his aunt or his
Grandmother.
#7 Maria Magdalena Linkels, mother of Margaretha Muller, crobably
died i n the 1820's. Certain church records have indicated that she wa?
born in Walsdorf. Little is known of Maria M. Linkels. The name
linkels is derived from the German word "Lir^" which is a nickname
for "ah awkward, left-handed fellow'.' The maiden name of Maria's mother
was supposedly the French surname Malliet. However, her mother's firs-
name is still unknown.
*8 Philipp Schreifels(or Screiffel), born about 1720 in the
village of Seimerich, is the first known ancestor of the Schreifels
•n.- _»-. "i •« l«
family. The name Schreifels Itself la speculation. The word "Scheifel" or
"Schaufel" means shovel,while'^chreier" i3 a herald or public crier.
There is a chance that a person named Schreifels was a person who cried aloud
in public and became known as such. One can only guess how the name must have
come about. At the time of Fhillpp's birth, the village of Seimerich belonged
to the parish of Korperich. Philipp died on December 23, 1780 at the age of
sixty in Mettendorf. He had married young in life,but was a widower by the time
he married his second wife, Elizabeth Reichert. Their marriage took place in 17^9.
#9. Elizabeth Reichert, second wife of Philipp Schreifels and mother of
Friedrich Schreifels, died on January 2, 1812 in Mettendorf. Vhen she died at the
ripe old age of ninety-three years, the world was at war. As she lay dying, a
coalition of nations was being formed to march against Napoleon, the man who had
attempted to create the greatest empire since Rome. If Elizabeth was ninety-three
years old,as the relatives had indicated on her death certificate, this would
place her birth in the year 1719•
THE SCHREIFELS FAMILY(contlnued)
In 1857. the Schreifels family came to America on a schooner. Thi3 journey
took seventy-three days. John Schreifels, the youngest son of Johann and Margaretha
(Huller) Schreifels, wa3 only three years old at the time. They arrived at the port
of New Orleans, Louisiana, and went up the Mississippi River to St. Paul, Minnesota,
arriving hear Old St. Nicholas in 1861. It is not known whether the years between
1857 and 1861 were spent in Dubuque or St. Louis. Upon their arrival in Luxembourg
Township, Johann and Margaretha settled down on a farm close to St. Nicholas and
began to cultivate their land by hand,sometimes using oxen for the heavier work.
The Schreifels families that arrived in these early years of statehold became
known among the most prominent families of the township which was located to the
south of Cold Spring. Along with Johann Schreifels there was his son Mathias
Schreifels and his wife,Katharina Schackmann, who began farming in the vicinity of
the homefarm. In addition, Nicholas Schreifels,the eldest son of Johann and Margarets
also began farming in the Luxembourg Township.
Like the Theis family, the Schreifels' had come at the urging of Father
Francis Pierz, the missionary among the Indians, to this "land flowing with milk
and honey" as the German Catholic newspaper, Der Wahrheltsfreund, called the
region. A number of Schreifels families thus took up farming in various sections
of Luxembourg and Wakefield Townships as the number of families of that surname
increased during the Twentieth Century. Young Johann Schreifels, the son of Johann
Schreifels and Margaretha Muller, was married on June 3i 1877 at Old St. Nicholas
to Mary Theisen, the daughter of Peter Theisen and Margaretha Reiter.
John and Mary. Schreifels retired in 1916 and moved into Cold Spring to spend
their declining years. John died on February 21, 1926 from primary lateral
sclerosis and acute nephritis. After John's death, his wife Mary lived with
several of her sons and daughters until her death ln 19^5 •
By the tine of John's death ln 1926, his brothers Mathias and Nicholas had
already died and a new generation of Schreifels was farming the Luxembourg Township.
These descendants are too numerous to describe in this section of the book. Already,
as early as the 1880 Minnesota census, several of the Schreifels families had been
listed in the census schedules, showing the next generation of Schreifels farmers
who would take over from the three brothers who had come from Germany. At this
time, the elder Johann Schreifels, who died in 188k, was still alive, while
Margaretha, his wife, had died much earlier in 1864.

Page 115

mt^
 Listed in the Luxembourg Township was the following household
N
^e age place of birth father's birthDlace mother
birthol-
Schreifels, Nicholas—K2 years-Prussia Prussia Prussia
Barbara 37 Luxembourg Lux. Lux.
Margaret 12 Minn. Prussia Lux.
Mary 10 Minn, Prussia Lux.
Henry 9 Minn. Prussia Lux.
John 6 Minn. Prussia Lux.'
Matthew 2 Minn. Prussia Lux.
John, Sr. 68 Prussia Prussia Prussia
The household shown above was that of Nicholas Schr eifels, the
firstborn of Johann and Margaretha. Nicholas had served in the Civi
War and later in life settled in Tampa, Florida. The hou sehold next
door to that of Nicholas was listed as followst
Name age place of birth father •s b, o. mother's t
Schreifels, Ma rtin-^O years Prussia Pru ssia Prussia
Catherine 35 Prussia Pru ssia Prussia
John 12 Minn. Prussia Prussia
Nicholas 11 Minn. Pru ssia Prussia
Michael 10 Minn. Prussia Prussia
John H. 8 Minn. Pru ssia Prussia
Joseoh J. 7 Minn. Pru ssia Prussia
Catherine 5 Minn. Pru ssia Prussia
Theodore l\ Minn. Prussia Prussia
William 1 Minn. Pru ssia Prussia
Schreifels, John-35 y years Prussia Pru ssia Prussia
Margaret 30 Minn, Lux * Prussia
Margaret 2 M inn. Pru ssia Minn.-
• Peter 6/12 Minn. Pru ssia Minn.
By 1880, we could see that the Schreifels family was well
situated in the Luxembourg Township. The reader can assume that
the Martin Schreifels listed above was actually Mathias Schreifels,
an elder son of Johann Schreifels and Margaretha Muller. And living
along with his older brother was the youngest member of the immigrant
family, John Schreifels, along with his wife, Mary Theisen(shown as
Margaret) and their two first-born children. John's wife, Mary, was
the daughter of Peter Theisen, discussed in the next section. John
and his family are listed in Household ^373t while the family of
Mathias (or Martin as erroneously noted) is listed in Household £'369
and 4679.
On November 1, 1861 and January 20, 1862, the elder Johann
Schreifels acquired over 320 acres in the Luxembourg Township by
way of U.S. Patent.2< The War between the states interrupted every
aspect of life for the inhabitants of Stearns County. Although they
were German immigrants, many of the freedom-seeking Germans felt
that the cause of the Union was a just one and so a great deal of
Stearns County aliens joined President Lincoln's V/ar against the
Confederate States. Among those to join the war effort was the
eldest Schreifels son, Nicholas. In August of 1862, Nick enlisted
as a private in Company G of the 9th Minnesota Infantry at Fort
Snelling, Minnesota.
Page 116
 When Nicholas enrolled at Cloud on August 16, 1862 for three
years, he was described as five feet and six inches tall, fair
complexion, with brown eyes and very dark hair. Born on Jan. 12,
1837 in Mettendorf, Prussia, his occupation was farmer. From
the time of his enrollment till June 30, 1S€4, he was reported
present on the Company Muster Roll. However, from that point on,
Nick apparently took sick and was confined to the General Hospital
in Memphis, Tennessee. In August, 1863, he had been on police dutr
but in the next year he was in the hospital and appears on most of
the Hospital muster rolls for the duration of the war(September,
1864 and February to May, 1865).
The nature of his sickness is unknown as regimental hospital
records prior to December, 1864 were not usually on file. Nicholas
Schreifels was honrably discharged on June 1, I865 in Memphis.
Returning to Minnesota, Nicholas was married on November 29, I865
at St. Nicholas. His bride was one Barbara Zenner who preceeded
him in death on April 27, 1899.
Nicholas, inipite of some health problems left from the war,
got back to the business of farming and on July 14, I865, purchase!
for 3200 several tracts of land in the Luxembourg Townshio.27
Then, on September 1, I87O, John Schreifels, Sr. and Nick purchased
a small area of land from Herman and Elizabeth Torborg for fifty
dollars.28 However, for reasons unknown to the author, Nicholas
Schreifels decided to go south and spend his declining years in
a state which had fouerht on the Confederate side of the Civil War.
Perhacs it was for reasons of health or because several of his owr.
children had moved down there. At the time of his death in 1921,
Nick was living with one of his sons in Tampa, Florida.
By the year 1900, some of the Schreifels descendants had
scattered to other areas. Three families headed by men named John
Schreifels were listed in Stearns County,one family in Luxembourg
Township, another in Wakefield Township, and the third family in
Rockville. For reasons unknown, the dates of birth given to the
members of the families are all off by several years. For instant
in the household of John and Mary (Theisen) Schreifels, John is
listed as being born in December, 1850, four years off the actual
mark. However, Mary's birthdate is correctly listed as October,
1859. While the dates for Peter(November, 1879), Mathew M.(July,
1881) and Emma(August, 1884) are correct, Katherina's birthdate is
given as November, 1886(instead of November,1888). Other incorrect
birthdates include those of the two youngest children* Teresa
Margaretha(listed as born Oct., 189 5 instead of June, 1898^ and
Magdalena Mariedisted as June, 1898 instead of April, 1900 as a
newborn infant).
Working the soil of"Wakefield Township was a certain John
Schreifels who had been born in December, 1865 in Minnesota. His
wife, Mary(born April, 1864 also in Minnesota) had borne him five
children, Margaretha, Mathias, Catharina, Mary and Alouis between
1892 and 1900. In Rockville, a John Schreifels, born December, 1863
in Germany was married to Anna A. (maiden name unknown), who had beec
born in Wisconsin in June, I865. John,himself, had arrived in the
United States in 1889. Only eleven years in the States, he now h>i
four children, Joseph N., Susan K, Alvis, and Elizabeth M. Schreifel
to assist with the farm duties.

Page 117
 It was most ironic that the youngest child of Johann and
Margaretha Schreifels had continued his farming on the original
Schreifels Property. But, after John and Mary(Theisen) Schreifels
decided to retire by 1918, their sons were ready to take uo famine
in the region of Luxembourg Township as well. Having produced a
good croc of ten children, they were content to live out their live:
in Cold Spring. While John died in 1926, Mary, went on living with
some of her children until she too died in lQ^-5 at the ase of e^ght:
six years. At the time of her death, she was living with her son
and daughter-in-law, Leo W. Schreifels and Barbara (Mathieu)Schrelf<
at 11 McKinley Place North in Saint Cloud. While leaving two of hi
own brothers, Peter J. Theisen of Cold Soring and Math Theisen of
Gildford, Montana, she had been Preceded in death by two of her
daughters, Mrs. Margaret 3olfing(wife of Joe Bolfing) and Mrs. W.R.
Garrick (Emma). In addition, her two sisters, Mrs. John Schoen of
Sioux City, Iowa, and Mrs. Michael Ellenbecker of Cold Soring had a]
died before Mary who had survived to see the end of the European
Theater of World War II end in an Allied victory. At the tine of he
death, Mary left behind, besides several children, as many as 47
grandchildren and a total of Jh great-grandchildren. As a member of
the Christian Mothers Society of St. 3oniface Church, Mary had been
a very religious oerson as her husband had been. However, even to 1
end, Mary had clung to the native language of her parents. At the
dinner table, relatives had recited grace in the tongue of the Old
Country, In an era when our country was at war with C-ernany and mar
of our young men were crossing the Atlantic to fight the Nazi menac?
the use of a Germanic language, even Letzeburgesch(or Luxembourg)
language, was frowned upon by Federal authorities. The fact that
IP,000 freedom-loving Luxembourgers had died in German concentratior
canos made little difference to the American public,.However, as
the daughter of two early pioneers in the Luxembourg community,
Mary's obituary was carried in two county newspapers.20
John and Mary Schreifels had raised a good family of American
citizens well respected in the community. Their son, Leo Schreifels
had met his wife-to-be when he was only six years old. In the old
school house that he attended, Leo had caught the attention of Barbi
Mathieu by dipping her pigtails in the inkwell on his desk. Barbarc
herself,was of French descent. They were married a few months befor
the First World War began in 191^. At this time, the predominately
German-speaking community helo a strong sympathy for the cause of
Kaiser Wiihelm's Germany. Although few Frenchmen were to be found •
the county, there would occasionally be a beer-hall brawl when some
of the Luxembourgers took the French side. And,insoite of the fact
that some of the young fellows of the community were called to figh*
in 1917, many of the old-timers in the area would say that, to all *
tents and purposes, Stearns County was a colony of the German Reich.
Fortunately, however, the community held no such sympathy with the
cause of Adolf Hitler's National Socialism during World W g r II when
numerous members of the Schreifels, Theis and Theisen families went
off to fight for an.Allied victory against Germany, Italy and Japan'
Axis Coalition.
Most of John and Mary Schreifels' children took to farming
from the very start. Their third-born child, Math M. Schreifels,
who had married Catherine Schneider on June 2, 1908 at St. Boniface
Church, had begun farming near Pearl lake for four years. After

Page 118
that, Math and Catherine had moved to a small farm three miles
south of Cold Spring which they occuoied for the next six years.
Then, in 1918, uoon the retirement of his parents, Math acquired
his father's farmhouse in the Luxembourg Township and farmed that
land until about 1947,at which time the couple retired and took
uo residence in Cold Spring as his parents had done before him.
Cne of Math's sons, Marcellus Schreifels, took over operation of
the farm which was sold in about 1949 to Alfred Eraegelmann. Math
died in 1950. Math, like his parents, a religious man and devoted
to his faith, had been a member of the St. Joseph's Men's Society of
St. Boniface Parish, His death was blamed on failing health, complica-
ted by pneumonia.
Math's younger brother, Nick L. Schreifels, died a premature
death in 1946 from a stroke at the age of only fifty-one years.
Following Nibk's marriage to Susan Kinzer in 1916, the couple had
resided on a farm near St. Nicholas, until, eleven years before his
death, Nick became engaged in the stock trucking business in Cold
Spring. Like his brother, Nick had been involved in Church activities
as a member of St. Boniface Court No. 633 Catholic Order of Foresters
and of the St. Joseph Men's Society of St. Boniface Parish. The oldest
brother, Peter Schreifels, lived in Mayhew Lake
Leo W, Schreifels took U P farming in Luxembourg Township as well.
With his wife Barbara and their children, they owned and worked 120
acres of land in section 10 of the township sometime around 1930,
retiring later to St. Cloud. Likewise, after the marriage of Theresa
Schreifels to Christ Theis in 1916, the newlyweds took U P farming in
the Luxembourg Township. For several years he farmed eighty acres in
section ten of that township, renting the property from his mother,
Mrs. Michael (Margaret Schaefer) Theis, until her death in 1946.
Christ was the son of Michael Theis,who was the eldest son of Nick and
Elizabeth (Ewen)Theis. In the meantime, Christ's brother, Joseph J.
Theis, and his wife Elizabeth or 3ertha Becker, owned and farmed
another eighty acres in Luxembourg's section 14 with the help of their
children, Agatha and Marcus. However, Joe's wife died young and he
had to remarry.
As for Lena Schreifels, the youngest in the family, she and her
husband, Frank J. Theis had rented the 240 acres in section 23 of
Wakefield Township(next to Jake Theis' 76 acres) from Frank's father,
John, and then, upon John's death, from his mother, Magdalena Theis.
After his mother's death, Frank purchased the farm from the family
estate. Still another Schreifels daughter, Katherine(Katie) had marrie:
Joseph B. Krueger. They owned eighty acres in section 35 of Wakefield
Township and had the help of their children, George J., Jerome J., and
Celestine N, Krueger, Throughout the Luxembourg and Wakefield Town-
ships, the sons and daughters of both John Schreifels and John Theis
took U P farming. Sometime around the very early 1930's, after their
marriage, Al(Aloys) Mumm and his wife, Genevieve Molitor, rented 120
seres in section 4 of the Wakefield Township from Genevieve's father,
George Molitor. Genevieve (Molitor) Mumm was the daughter of Elizabeth
(Theis) Molitor, granddaughter of John Theis, and great-granddaughter
of Nick and Elizabeth Theis. And Jerome Schneider, along with his
wife, Catherine(Katie) Theis, a sister of Frank J. Theis and daughter
of John Theis, had bought 120 acres of land in section 2 5 of the
v
akefield Township. And so the list goes on of the countless descendant
of Nick Theis arid Johann Schreifels that settled in the Cold Spring
vicinity and took U P farming as a way of life. Following in the foot-
steps of their ancestors, these people have taken upon themselves the
responsibility of helping to feed,not only their own families, but
the families In the community and in the country itself.
rage liv
 THE DESCENDANTS OF PETER THEISEN & MARGARETHA REITER j
773- THE FAMILY OF PETER THEISEN(born A p r i l 17, 182? i n G i r s t , Luxembourg;
d e c e a s e d December 1, 1908 i n Cold S p r i n g , M i n n . , o r i n 1 9 0 1 , a c c o r d i n g t o
t h e tombstone i n s c r i p t i o n ) . He was m a r r i e d on A p r i l 12, I858 i n
Dulxique, Iowa, t o . . . .
MARGARETHA REITER(born December 2 7 , 1829, M e t t e n d o r f , P r u s s i a ; d e c e a s e d
March 13, 1889, Old S t . N i c h o l a s , S t e a r n s ' C o u n t y , M i n n e s o t a ) . Both
P e t e r and M a r g a r e t h a were b u r i e d i n t h e S t . Boniface Cemetery of Cold
S p r i n g . T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d below:
774. Mary T h e i s e n ( b o r n October 15, I 8 5 9 ) .
775. Anna T h e i s e n ( b o r n A p r i l 1 8 6 l ) .
776. Emma T h e i s e n ( b o r n F e b r u a r y 2 , I 8 6 3 ) .
777. P e t e r J . T h e i s e n ( b o r n August 2 2 , 1866 o r August 22, 1 8 6 8 ) .
778. Mathew T h e i s e n ( b o r n October 15, I 8 6 9 ) .
774. THE FAMILY OF MARY THEISEN AND HER HUSBAND, JOHN SCHREIFELS i s
i d e n t i c a l w i t h Household #373 mentioned a b o v e . P l e a s e r e f e r t o t h a t
household f o r t h e names of t h e i r c h i l d r e n .
775 > THE FAMILY OF ANNA MARGARET THEISEN(born i n A p r i l , 1861) who was married
i n May,1881 t o
MR. JOHN SCHOEN. Their children are listed belowi
779. Margaret Schoen.
780. Peter Schoen.
781. Mathew Schoen.
782. Theresia Schoen(who married Val St. Cyr).
783. Fritz Schoen.
784. Richard Schoen.
785. Tony Shoen.
786. Perry Schoen.
787. Marie Schoen.
788. Rose Schoen.
776. THE FAMILY OF EMMA (Maggie) THEISEN(born February 2 , 1863, Old S t . N i c h o l a s
M i n n e s o t a ; d e c e a s e d October 2 3 , 1943 i n Cold S p r i n g , M i n n . ) . She was raarrie
on May 2 0 , 1884 a t Old S t . N i c h o l a s t o . . . ,
MR. MICHAEL ELLafBECKER(born November 1, 1859,Sheboygan c o u n t y , Wisconsin;
d e c e a s e d August 1 8 , ' 1 9 4 0 , Cold S p r i n g ) . T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d belowi
789. Margaret E l l e n b e c k e r ( b o r n May 6 , I885).

790. P e t e r J . Ellenbecker(born June 29. 1 8 8 6 ) •

791. Anna E l l e n b e c k e r ( b o r n November 4 , 1 8 - - ) .
792. Emma Ann E I b n b e c k e r ( b o r n S e p t . 14, 1 8 9 1 ) .
793. John P . E l l e n b e c k e r ( b o r n August 1 8 , I 8 9 3 ) .
W. M a t h i l d a E l l e n b e c k e r ( b o m May 2 , 1 9 0 l » d e e e a s e d J a n u a r y 1, 1 9 7 2 ) . M a t h i l d a
Ellenbecker did not marry,
795. John F . E l l e n b e c k e r ( d i e d i n c h i l d h o o d ) .
Page 120
 777. THE FAMILY OF PETER J . THEISEN(born August 22, 1866{deceased
in 1947) who married on April 30, or June 20, I889 i n S t .
Mary's Catholic Church,Shakopee,Scott County,Minnesota....
MISS MARY THERESE THEIS(born 1868,Shakopee, S c o t t county, Minnesota;
deceased I943 i n Cold Spring,Minnesota). Their family i s
l i s t e d as follows«
796. Mathias Theisen, who was married to Anna Maria Elsensheck. This couple
had four sons.
797. Peter Theisen,who was married to Caroline Kepler. They had about ten
children.

798. Leo P . Theisen(born February 25, I895).

799. Lewis Theisen.

800. Theresia Theisen,who married Peter P . Beringer. They p r e s e n t l y l i v e in

Hunter,North Dakota.

801. Joseph Theisen.

802. A daughter who married Mr. Lawrence J . Hennen of Shakopee.

803. A daughter who married Mr. John Hoppe.

804. Henry N. Theisen(born 1904).

789. THE FAMILY OF MARGARET ELLENBECKER(born May 6, I885, S t . Nicholas,
Minnesota; deceased Sept. 1, 1971,Cold Spring,Minn.).
. . . . m a r r i e d on November 9» 1910 i n Cold Spring t o . . . .
MR. NICHOLAS LEITHES(born November 5, 1881, Jacobs P r a i r i e , M i n n e s o t a ) .
Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
805. Edwin Leither(bor_B December, 19—). Edwin Lei ther was married to Miss Flora
Teiner.

806. Luella Leither,who married Clarence Gohman.

807. Dorothy L e i t h e r , born June 26, 1919»who was married to Clemmens P e t e r s .

808. Joseph Leither,who was married to Rose K a r i s .

809. George L e i t h e r .

810. Gerald L e i t h e r .

811. Robert Lei t h e r , who was married t o Jean Schreiner

790. THE FAMILY OF PETER J . ELLENBECKER (born June 29, 1886 a t S t . Nicholas;
deceased J u l y 27, 1972 in S t . Cloud.
H ewas married on September 22, 1909 t o . . . .
MISS FRANCES KLAESER(born January 29, 1889 a t Melrose, Stearns County,
Minnesota). Their family has been l i s t e d below as follows:
fi
l2. Raymond Ellenbecker (born September 1, 1910 and deceased August 10, 1932).
8l
3. Walter Ellenbecker (born May 29, 1912) who was married t o Catherine
Ivory.
Page 121
814. Mildred Ellenbecker(born Oct. 14, 1914) who was married to Edwin Connor.
815. John Ellenbecker(born November 19, 1916) who was married to Georgia
Aisenbrey.
816. Daniel Ellenbecker(born January 3, 1919) who was married to Jean Nelson.
817. Donald Ellenbecker(born January 3 , I919) who was married to Jean Ehret.
818. B e a t r i c e Ellenbecker(born J u l y 5, 192l),who was married t o Joseph J . Joseph.

791. THE FAMILY OF ANNA ELLENBECKER AND WILLIAM HOLLENHORST. Their children
have been l i s t e d below as follows:
819. Alphonse Hollenhorst.born J u l y 12, I 9 I 3 .
820. Harold Hollenhorst.
821. Roman Hollenhorst. A twin of Roman died in Infancy.
822. Melvin Hollenhorst.
823. Norbert Hollenhorst.
824. Julius Hollenhorst.
825. C e l e s t i n e Hollenhorst(born July 17, 1922;deceased October 5, 1970).
826. Rita Hollenhorst.
827. William Hollenhorst.

828. Thomas Hollenhorst.

829. Jerome Hollenhorst.

792. THE FAMILY OF EMMA ANN ELLENBECK3?(born on September 14, I891,near

S t . Nicholas, Minnesota; deceased on J u l y 26, 1945 in Cold Spring,
Minnesota.
She was married on Sept. 14, 1914 in Cold Spring, Minnesota t o . . . .
MR. DANIEL J . 0STER(born Sept. 16, 1891, Cold Spring, Minnesota,son of John
Oster and Rose Friedman; deceased on A p r i l 20, 1952 In Cold S§ring,
Minnesota). Their f i v e c h i l d r e n have been l i s t e d Immediately below:

Rosemary 0 s t e r ( b o r n September 4 , 1916),

Yvonne 0 s t e r ( b o r n December 26, 1918).

Renee 0 » t e r ( b o r n May 3 1 , 1920).

Delores Oster(bara September 5, 1923).

John Oster(barn J u l y 7, 1925).

793. THE FAMILY OF JOHH P . ELLENBBCKEB(born on August 18, 18931 deceased

February 7, 1971). He was married on June 2 1 , 1921 t o . . . .
MISS IDA BACKES(born November 14, 1894| deceased March 12, 1975). Their
c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d belowi
John E l l e n b e c k e r .
Doris Mae Ellenbecker.

Page 122
837. Anna Lou Ellenbecker.
838. William Ellenbecker.

798. THE FAMILY OF LEO P. THEISEN(born February 25, 1895 i n Cold Spring,
Minnesota; deceased February 13, 1955). He was married on
February 4 , 1920 in S t . Paul,Minnesota t o . . . .
MISS AUGUSTA GRUNDHAEFER(I897-I96O). Their c h i l d r e n have been l i s t e d belowi
839. Rosella Theisen,who was married to Mr. Marc Oster.

840. L i l l i a n Theisen, who was married t o Mr. J e r r y Twit.

841. Lorraine Theisen.

842. Leonette Theisen.

843. Wallace Theisen.

844. LeRoy Theisen.

845. Angela Theisen,who was married to Mr. Jerry Monnens.

846. Harold Theisen.

830. THE FAMILY OF ROSEMARY OSTER(barn September 4 , I 9 I 5 , Cold Spring,
Minnesota;deceased on January 7, 1961, Cold S p r i n g ) . On J u l y 16,
1936, Rosemary Oster was married t o . . . .
DR. HERMAN E. K00P(bora on June 21, 1901 in Brainerd, Minnesota j
deceased January 26, 1971 ln S t . Cloud). Their children a r e
l i s t e d belowi
847. Rosemary Koop(born J u l y 4 , 1937).
848. Kathleen koop(born May 5# 1939) who was married on February 17, 1968 to
Michael Roan.
849. LaMonte Koop(born August 20, 1940), who was married on February 11, I967
to Miss Evelyn Coxson.
831. THE FAMILY Of YVONNE 0STER(born January 26, 1918 i n Cold Spring,
Minnesota) who was married l n Cold Spring on May 12, 1947 t o . . .
MR. ClfiTUS (KIPE) HAFFLEY(born January 6, 1916). Their c h i l d r e n have
been l i s t e d belowi
850. Mark Haff l e y (born April 1, 1955).

851. Ann Haffley(born October 15, 1956).

832.THE FAKLLX OF RENEB 0ST£K(barn May 31, 1920 i n Cold Spring) who
was married on June 16, 1947 a t S t . Boniface Church, Cold Spring,
Minnesota, t o . . .
MR. JOSEPH WILLENBRING(born June 3 , 1918 as the son of Herman Willenbrlng
Lucy S c h u l t e ) . Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d belowi
8
52. Bede Willenbring(barn A p r i l 2 1 , 1948 a t S t . Paul, Minnesota).

Page 123
...
853. Catherine Willenhring(born April 16, 1950 i n S t . £aul, Minnesota).
854. Michael WiHenbrlng(born on March 26, 1955 i n Moorhead, Clay County,
Minnesota).
855. Thomas Willenbrlng(born July 24, I956, Moorhead,Minnesota).

833. THE FAMILY OF DELORES OSTER(born September 5, 1922) who was

married on June 18, 1949 i n Cold Spring t o . . . ,
MR. DENNIS LANG(born May 1, year unknown, i n Richmond, Minnesota, as the
son of Albert Lang and Alma Hemmesch). Their c h i l d r e n have been
l i s t e d below a s follows1
856. Therese Lang(born S e p t . 2 1 , 1950, i n Hutchinson, Minnesota).
857. Margarlte(born May 28, 1952 in Cokato,Minnesota; deceased on January 14,
1967 i n Waverlj,Minnesota).
858. K r i s t i n a Lang(born May 23, 1955. Cokato,Minnesota).

847. THE FAMILY OF ROSEMARY K00P(bom J u l y 4, 1937) who was married on

October 18, I958 t o . . .
MR. RICHARD WARD. Their family i s l i s t e d belowi
859. Kathryn Ward(born J u l y 20, 1959 in S t . Cloud).

860. Charles Ward(born Sept. 11, i 9 6 0 ) .

861. Kevin Ward(bom December 18, 1963).

862. Thomas Ward(born October 27, 1966).

863. Molly Ward(born March 19, 1968).

864. Ann Ward(born June 2 1 , I969).

865. Maggie Ward(bom J u l y 30, 1970).

852. THE FAMILY OF BEDE WILLENBRING(born April 2 1 , 1948) who was married
on Ray 25, 1974 a t C r y s t a l , Minnesota t o . . . .
YV0NK GANG&ESS(barn May 19, 1950 In Rochester,Minnesota). They had one
c h i l d l i s t e d belowi

866. Andrew ¥ i l l e n t r i n g ( b o r n June 17, 1975 i n Ames,Iowa).

853. THE FAMILY OF CATHERINE WILLENBRING(born April 16, 1950) who waa
married on December 18, 1971 i n Cold Spring t o . . . .
BRIAN SCHMUCKER(born June 24, 1947 i n New Ula, Minnesota). Their son i s
l i s t e d belowi

867. Aaron Sch«ucker(bara January 2 1 , 1976).

 856. THE FAMILY OF THERESE LANG(born September 21, 1950, Hutchinson,
McLeod County,Minn.).She was married on April 3, 1970 to...
ORLYN KNUTH. Their children are listed below:
868. Katie Knuth(born Sept. 19, 1971, Cokato,Minnesota).
869. Kari Lee Knuth(born April 9, 1972, Cokato,Minnesota).

THE THEISEN FAMILY

The Theisen family has had its destiny closely tied to the other ancestral
families. For that reason, a study of the historical background at the beginning
of this manuscript is Mghly recommended. In fact, Kreis Bitburg, which contains
both Bollendorf and Mettendorf, belonged to Luxembourg and to the Austrian Hapsburg
dynasty from the late 1600's until 1794(not to mention aui earlier rule by the
Spanish Hapsburgs as well). With the vast amount of Theisen families that live in
or near Stearns County, it is nearly Impossible to conduct a search for one common
ancestor for all the Theisen descendants. For that matter, it is doubtful that there
was a common ancestor for all the Theisens that settled ln Stearns County. Theisen
is a very common surname and is described, along with its variant spellings on page 28
above. Many of the Theisen inidlviduals in Luxembourg Township and St. Joseph are
sometimes considered shirt-tall eousins. But such distant cousins would hardly be
relevant to this writing.
Among all the ancestral families, the Theisen family has stood out as one
incredible family that had the immense capacity to move mountains. Having produced
many American citizens that fought in the World Wars and met with great success in
private business, or as public servants and teachers, the Theisen family has earned
the respect of the community in which it settled.

Our ancestral homeland of Luxembourg is a region of picturesque beauty

and serenity unlike that seen in the more industrial regions of Europe. So
long a battleground between France and Germany, like Alsace-Lorraine, it has main-
tained its proud heritage and autonomy. As one of the smallest and oldest independ-
ent nations in all of Europe, it still maintains an area(999 square miles) that
is even smaller than the small state of Rhode Island. A half-hour auto drive in amy
direction is lia"ble to take the traveler from the center of this grand-duchy to one
of its borders. As already noted in the manuscript, this lovely story-book land of
Luxembourg has suffered enough. As late as the Twentieth Century, in fact, nearly
19,000 Luxemburgers were sent to Nazi concentration and labor camps for their refusal
to cooperate with-the Third Reich.
With more than 130 ancient castles to dot the landscape, tfte miniature
monarchy abounds with woods and forests. For that reason, under French administration
in the early 1800's, it was most appropriately called "departement des Forets."
For centuries, the Luxembourgisch people have refused to join one camp or another,
maintaining far themselves a strong spirit of freedom and self-autonomy, along with
a never-ending desire for the expulsion of all foreign occupation and domination. A
favorite and typical expression is "Mir wolle bleiwe wat air sin" or "We want to re-
main what we are". They have managed to weather the storm. Alongside their
beautiful woodlands stand the wondrous green terrain,which for hundreds of years
fed the people of the region. And today, green vineyards and strong, healthy trees
flourish.
Before the year 1815, the reader must keep in mind that the Schreifels family
of Mettendorf, the Theis family of Bollendorf, the Johannes family of Rodershausen,
the Schackraann and Dockendorf families of Ferschweiler, among the countless other
surnames that dominate Stearns and Meeker County telephone directories and parish
rosters, all belonged to the Luxembourg entity. But,after 1815, with the defeat
of Napoleon Bonaparte and the ascendancy of the Prussian military state, the
destinies of the above-mentioned families was altered dramatically.

Page 125
 In 1800, this small nation was three-fourths wooded. The inhabitants, never
willing to give up their precious autonomy,have maintained their native tongue,
Letzeburgesch,a polyglot mixture of the German, French and Dutch languages. It is spoken
and onderstood everywhere,even though the official language of the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg is French. To a lesser extent, German is also used. By the Congress of
Vienna, Luxembourg lost a great deal of land and was admitted as a member of the German
Confederation. The King of the Netherlands was selected as its ruler under the title
of Grand-Duke of Luxembourg. From this point, the destiny of the Theis and Schreifels
families(located in Prussia) and the Theisen family in Girst/Rosport, Luxembourg went
their separate ways.
Needless to say, the stability of Luxembourg was never much better than that
of the majority of the other membeeetates of the German Confederation(excepting,of course
Prussia and Bavaria). In 1830, a serious revolution took place. As a result of this
event, Luxembourg was divided again between Belgium and Holland. Consequently,a new
treaty was signed on April 19, I839 in London, England,in which the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg was recognized as a member of the German Confederation. In this
treaty, Belgium resigned a portion of Limturg to the Dutch for another slice ef
Luxembourg. But the balance of power in that small section of Europe remained
precarious for the moment. In 1842, Luxembourg was to join the German Zollverein
(Customs-Union), drawing the Grand-Duchy more and more into the Prussian Camp. By far
the strongest of the German states, Prussia(which would later consolidate the smaller
German States into the Second Reich in I87l) took a greater interest in Luxembourg
with a total of six thousand Prussian troops garrisoned ln the great Fortress of
Luxembourg. However, the Revolution of 1848 caused far-reaching consequences in
Luxembourg. Through these events, parliamentary government was introduced into this
small nation. But Luxembourg,itself, remained what we would call a "neutral" state.
The dissolution of the German Confederation finally ended in 1866,five years before
the foundation of the German Reich. Only at this time did Luxembourg gain true independ-
ence from the German neighbor. Thus, the reader can see quite easily that, up until the
1860's, Luxembourg had its own problems that might motivate a person to pick up his bags
and leave the small country.
The Theisen families that settled in the Luxembourg Township of Minnesota
came from the present-day cities of Girst and Rosport,very close to the verylarge
city of Osweiler. Girst,itself, is probably no more than twelve kilometers from
Bollendorf, the ancestral home of the Theis family. In fact, It was John Theis, one of
the three original Theis Brothers who came to America from Bollendorf, who fled into
Luxembourg, living off frogs and berries until he could make his way across Belgium
to get a place on a ship to America. Girst is probably only about ten kilometers from
Vasserbilllg(which is mentioned on page 22 above). Rosport itself is no more than a
kilometer north of Girst. Although the members of the Theisen surname from both
Girst and Rosport have common roots, This section of the book starts with a study of
Peter Theisen, the direct ancestor <?f nearly all the Schreifels/Theisen people mentioned
herein.

THE ANCESTRY OF PETER THEISEN

Although some persons have been able to trace their Luxembourg heritage back
into the l600's and the 1500's,the research conducted for the ancestry of Peter Theisen
has not yet turned up very good results. According to one reliable source,
The Tribunal d'Arrondissement de et a Dieklrch in Luxembourg, there is no record of
one Peter Theisen, born April 17, 1827 in Girst,commune de Rosport, canton of
Echternach. Perhaps his birthdate,as indicated by Peter Theisen's memorial card, is
incorrect and may be off by several years. Inasmuch.no death certificate is to be
found for Peter in the Stearns County Courthouse, no further confirmation of Peter
Theisen's birthplace can be made. However,a further source has mentioned that one
p
eter Theisen may have been born in the village of Born (southeast of Girst), as the
son of Peter(or Jean Pierre) Theisen and Catharina Veldanger. But this record and other
Possibilities have not yet been substantiated nor confirmed by reliable sources or
family sources.

Page 126
 According to the family data available by American members of the Theisen
clan, Peter Theisen, the father of Mary Theisen,and father-in-law of John Schreifels,
was the son of one John Theisen, who allegedly came from a family of six children, all
born in Girst,Luxembourg. No further information has been obtained on John Theisen and
data on that branch of the family remains sketchy today. John Theisen, at some point
in his life married one Margaret Roth, probably from the same region. Their children
are listed as follows!
l)John Theisen,who married and stayed ln Luxembourg.
2)John Theisen,who married Susan Reiter. They later came to America.
3;Peter Theisen, born on April 17, 1827 in Girst. He was married to Margaretha
Reiter in Dubuque,Iowa(April 12, I858).
4)Mary Theisen,who married Peter Hennes.
5;Anna Theisen,who married August IDckert.
6)Michael Theisen,who was married in Iowa. Wife's name unknown.

Many of the Theisen families had come to America and stayed for a short time in
Iowa or Ohio before moving on. With Peter and Margaretha Theisen,the situation had been
about the same. Peter came to America in 1857. Iowa had become a state ln 1846 and was
suddenly becoming heavily settled by Germans, Swiss, Alsatians and Luxembourgers. From
the states of Missouri and Illinois, countless Germans were coming to Iowa. Many native
Americans were coming as well. Most of the Luxembourgers who came saw appeal in Iowa be-
ceause of its good soil and fine climate. The recent discovery of lead-mines in the
neighborhood of Dubuque had drawn to that area many such foreigners who wanted to make
some money before moving on to greener pastures as farmers. Like the Theis families,
they too longed for good farmland
The reader might conclude from this and former readings that these new territor-
ies and States,such as Iowa and Minnesota,would serve as a new homeland for the vast
majority of immigrants,especially Germans. While some of the Irish and German immigrants
had originally resided in states such as Ohio, a great number of them moved on. In no
time at all, incredible numbers of all immigrants seemed to be moving towards Minnesota,
Iowa,Michigan,and Wisconsin.
It might be remembered that the political situation of 1848 had been a moving
factor for these Immigrant EJuropeans. The European droughts,too,had played a role in
this mass exodus. The census $f I85O had indicated that 83,000 Germans were living
in Indiana,Illinois,Michigan and Iowa. At this point, a new factor came into play, one
which would be a blessing to the Immigrants. With the fcalldlng of the railroads,the
United States was opening up the Northwest to settlement. But, some of the immigrants
were content to stop along the Mississippi River where the cities of Keokuk,Burlington,
Davenport and Dubuque were being built. Iowa City and Des Moines were built on the Iowa
River while Council Bluffs rose on the Missouri. The three largest cities,Des Moines,
Dubuque,and Davenport,received a large number of Germans in the first years of Statehood.
The population of Dubuque received such an influx that its population was more than
half-German, but heavily settled also by Luxembourgers.
On April 12, I858, Peter Theisen, more than thirty years old, was married to
Margaret Reiter in Dubuque,Iowa. From this point, they made immediate plans for a move
to Minnesota, where other Luxembourger,euch as their Reiter aeighbors, had settled down.
The Reiters ftrom Mettendorf had already moved into the area of Stearns County. Inevitabl
they settled in Luxembourg Township,as did Peter Theisen.
Margaret Reiter herself had been born ln Mettendorf. Members of her family had
cone to America as early as 1848,along with theyoung Nicholas Schreifels, later to be a
Civil War veteran. Margaret had come from aflfcnily of four children born to Mathias
(Hattheis Reiter)and Maria Feiem. All of the children were born in Mettemdorf and
tte listed here 1
l;Susan Reiter,who married John Theisen(the brother of Peter Theisen).
2^Margaret Reiter,who became a nun.
3)Nlcholas Reiter,who married Anna Eichers.
4)Margaret Reiter,who married Peter Theisen.
Margaret's birthdate of December 27, 1829 has been dupplied by family sources.
Page 127
 ANCESTRAL DATA BETTER FAMILY
For an understanding of the Reiter family and its connection with the
Theisen family, one must read page 128 in the manuscript. Margaret Reiter,
the wife of Peter Theisen, was alleged by family records to have been born
on December 27, 1829 in Mettendorf(the same town from which the Schreifels family
came. It has also been indicated that her father's name was Mathias(Matthels)
Reiter and her mother was Maria Feien(or Zelen). Recent searches into the
Mettendorf birth registry have found otherwise.
On December 12, 1827, one Margaretha Reiter was born at six o'clock in
the morning as the daughter of Mathias Reuter and Maria Zlnnen. Her godparents
at the baptism were Johannes Reuter from Hammerdingen and Margaretha Zlnnen from
Mettendorf. It had been said that Margaretha had a sister named Susan, and
Mettendorf church records mention a sister, Susanna Reuter, who was born on June
14, 1826. Her godparents were Stephan Zlnnen from Mettendorf and Susanna Wagner
from Hammerdingen.
Finally, family records have indicated a brother of Margaretha named
Nicholas. According to St. Boniface Cemetery records, Nicholas Reiter was born
on August 15, 1831. As indicated" on page 128, Nicholas had married one Anna
Eichers, who was born May 10, 1830 and died on January 10, 1882. "Mettendorf *s
registry mentions that a sister named Anna and a brother named Nicholas were
born as twins to Margaretha's parents on August 19, 1831. It is not uncommon
to have discrepancies among family records that separate the actual birthdate
from the acknowledged date of birth.
Margaretha Reiter was married to Peter Theisen on April 12, 1858 in
Dubuque, Iowa. Their first-born child, Mary Theisen, was raised in St.
Nicholas, Luxembourg Township and eventually was married to Johann Schreifels
II (1854-1926). The parents of Margaretha Reiter/Reuter, Mathias and
Maria, were married in Mettendorf on February J , 1825.
According to the Church Register at Kruchten, a small village near'
Nusbaum, Mathias Reuter was born in Hommerding on February 7. 1971 as the
son of Nicolaus Reuter and Margaretha Binsfeld, both of whom came from the
village of Hammerdingen (ail so referred to as Hommerding). The godparents of
Mathias Reuter were Mathias Reuter(Occupatlon: "operarius" or farm-helper)
from Biesdorf, a small village south of Kruchten ln the Vallendar Parish,
and Maria Binsfeld from Bettendorf. Mathias had the following brothers and
sisters 1
1)Margaretha Reuter, born Dec. 28, 1787.
2)Johannes Reuter, born May 23, 1789.
3)Daniel Reuter, born February 14, 1793.
4)Peter Reuter, born May 17, 1797.
Nicolaus Reuter, the father of Mathias and the grandfather of
Margaretha Reiter, waa married in the Church of Kruchten on February 14,
178? to Margaretha Binsfeld, the daughter of a farmer named Mathias Binsfeld
and Maria Bizilius from Hommerding. Nicolaus himself was listed as the
legitimate son of the late Peter Reuter, a tailor, and of Margaretha Martin
from Bisdorff.
ANCESTRAL DATA SCHREIFELS FAMILY
The Schreifels pedigree chart shown on page 113 has been revised to
some extent after the printing of this manuscript. It shall be noted that
the Schreifels families of Stearns County,Minnesota, as far as can be determined
ty the author, all have a common ancestry in Johann Schreifels(1812-1884) and
his wife, Margaretha Muller. However, persons with the surname Schreifels are
known to be living in North Dakota and it Is quite possible that they are not
of this family. The chart on page 113 has already indicatedthat the parents
of Nikolaus Huller(the father of Margaretha) were Michael Muller and Susanna
ludes(listed respectively as #12 and #13).
 Susanna Ludes, the grandmother of Margaretha Muller and great-grandmother
of Johann Schreifels 11(1854-1926), died on March 7, 1826 at the age of sixty-six.
At the time of death she was the widow of one Johannes Marzen from Mettendorf.
Her second marriage with Johannes Martzen/Marzen had taken place on November 28,
1796. Johannes Martzen was the son of Joachim Martzen and of Susanna Frederigs.
At this time she was already the widow of her first husband, Michael Muller,
the grandfather of Margaretha.
We shall also note the marriage date of Joachim Martzen(who is listed
as #10 on the chart). A widower living in Mettendorf, Joachim was married on
March 29, 1762 to Maria Brandeler(or Brandelesch), the daughter of Mathias
Brandeler from Ferschweiler, a small village next to Bollendorf(the native
home of the Theis family). Joachim Martzen died In Mettendorf on January 22,
1792,supposedly at the age of 71(placing his birth sometime around the year
1721). It is possible that the Joachim Martzen who was born on May 29, 1723 is
one and the same as the Joachim listed in the pedigree chart. Joachim was the
maternal grandfather of Johann Schreifels, Sr.(1812-1884). Joachim's parents
were Johannes and Magdalena Martzen from the village of Borig(Borg).
Further information has been compiled about Maria Magdalena (Linkels)
Muller, the wife of Nikolaus Muller and the mother of Margaretha Muller. Maria
Magdalena Linkels died on February 7, 1829 at the fourteenth hour(2tp.m.),
followed two hours later by her new-born son, Mathias. She died at the age of
forty-seven. Apparently, Nikolaus and Maria Magdalena had been producing a
steady crop of children for a long period of time. As early as June 20, 1809,
they had baptized a son, Nicolaus, ln Mettendorf. The godparents of this child
were Nicolaus Linkels from Walsdorf(Maria Magdalene's birthplace) and Susanna
Ludes, the mother of Nikolaus Muller.
It seems that the Schreifels family had lived in the region of
Seimerlch and Mettendorf for many centuries. Chronik von Mettendorf had listed
one Philipp Schreifels who lived In Mettendorf as early as 1615. Family records
indicate that the Schreifels living in Stearns County are descended from three
of the four sons of Johann Schreifels,Sr. and Margaretha Muller. They were
Nicholas, Mathias, and John. The eldest Nicholas(or Nikolaus), born January 12,
1837 In Mettendorf, had originally left Mettendorf with members of the Reiter
family nine years before the rest of the Schreifels family emigrated in 1857.
Thus the Relters are assumed to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in or about
1848. A second son named Nikolaus,born September 9 , 1840 simply disappeared
sometime during or after the ocean voyage. His fate is unknown.
However, as stated unnumbered page 62(THE DESCENDANTS OF JOHANN SCHREIFEIS
AND MARGARETHA MULLER), seven members of the Schreifels family left Mettendorf in
1857. Since Nikolaus, the eldest son born in 1837, came to America in 1848, one
might assume that those who came included the parents, Mathias Schreifels(#369).
Haria Susanna Schreifels(#370), Katharina Schreifels(#37l), Katharina Schreifels
(#372), and Johann Schreifels(#373). The Barbara Schreifels who was listed as #374
is an error in print and did not belong to their family. On page 117, we have seen
that one John Schreifels lived in Rockville ln 1900 with his wife and four children.
He had only been in America since I889. It has been determined that this John
Schreifels and his brother Dr. Leonard Schreifels were second or third cousins to
the children of John and Margaretha. They lived in Stearns County for decades and
eventually moved to some part of Canada during the early part of the Twentieth
Century. Their whereabouts are unknown to this day. It is possible that the surname
Schreifels was so rare in Germany that the few people who carried the name came to
America in the Nineteenth Century for the "Amtliches Fernsprechbuch 16 for Bereich
Rheinland-Pfalz-Northwest" contains no mention of the Schreifels in the village of
Mettendorf or surrounding towns during the year of 1974.

_ P * <r« i ? o »
•••••••••••••••HI
 FURTHER REITER DATA
It shall be recalled that the parents of Margaretha Reiter, who married
peter Theisen, were Mathias Reuter and Maria Zinnen(variant spellings common).
Page 127 and 128 have dealt with the Reiter/Reuter ancestry at great length.
However, Margaretha's mother, Maria Zinnen, we have found, was the daughter of
one Michael Zinnen/Zennen and his wife, Margaretha Koch, who had been married on
December 12, 1785 In Mettendorf. According to the parish register of Mettendorf,
the marriage of Michael Zennen, son of Michael Zennen and of Lucia Zey, with
JJargaretha Koch, the daughter of Johannes Koch and Margaretha Koch,was witnessed
by Christian Gans.from Mettendorf, and Petrus Britz, from Gechler.
The above-mentioned Michael Zlnnen had been born on October 1, 1761 as the
son of Michael Zinnen and his wife Lucia. His godparents at baptism were Michael
Harmesch from Dockendorf and Catharina Hermes (modo Zinnen) from Mettendorf.
A younger brother of Michael was born as Mathias on Oct. 23rd or October 27th, 1765.
The godparents of the latter were Mathias Zinnen and Eva Harmesch from Dockendorf.
As the name Harmesch/Hermes played a very large role in the upbringing ef the
Zinnen youths, lt becomes most obvious that they were very closely related to the
family ln question. And,in fact,when Lucia Zinnen died on November 26, 1788 at the age
of sixty-six years, her name was given as "Lucia Hormisch, wife of Michael Zinnen."
Lucia's son, Michael Zinnen,died in Mettendorf on March. 7, 1822.
Johann Michael Zlnnen, the father of Michael Zinnen and the husband of Lucia
Hormisch, had been born in Mettendorf on October 13, 1735 as the son of Nicholaus
Zinnen and one Christina, having Johannes Michael Hommerdingen from Hommerdingen for
godfather and Maria Zinnen from Mettendorf as godmother. As mentioned above, the
son of Johann Michael Zlnnen, Michael Zinnen had been married to Hargaretha Koch
in December of I785. Shortly thereafter, their daughter, Maria Margaretha Zennen
was born on July 16, 1787. It was this woman, Maria or Margaretha Zennen,as she has
been called variously, who became the aother-ln-law of Peter Theisen,and thus the
grandmother of Mary(Theisen) Schreifels,as well as the great-great-grandmother of
Theresa and Lena(Schrelfels) Theis,among others.
Michael Zinnen and Margaretha Koch baptized Maria Catharina Zinnen on July 3»
1790 in Mettendorf. Her godparents were Gerardus Koch and Maria Catharina Zinnen.
Another child from this marriage, Stephan, died on July 5» 1793 at the age of three
months. As for Margaretha Zennen, born July 16, 1787, she was baptized shortly after
her birth with her godparents listed as Michael Zennen,"a married man" and Margaretha
Koch,"a widow".
CONTINUATION THEISEN HISTORY
Due to the fact that there exists a serious gap ln many of the baptism,marriage
and death records between 1816 and 1829, the search for the entry for Margaret Rel ter's
birth in the Mettendorf church records seemed nearly hopeless,tut somehow the author
was able to overcome the most serious of obstacles and finally pinpoint the birthdate
of Margaretha (Reiter) Theisen. A chart provided on page 129c has made some attempt at
listing the known statistics of the Reiter/Zennen ancestry as of September 1, 1979.
Further research remains at a temporary" standstill until new sources of Information
are provided in the future.
It appears that some of the members of the Theisen family stayed in Iowa after
their arrival in America. One example appears to be the family of John and Susan
(Reiter) Theisen. Very little ia known of those who stayed behind, but census records
have spotted Peter Theisen and his family ln the Cold Spring area as early as I860,
la. the i860 Federal Census Schedules, the household of Peter and Margaretha Theisen
is listed as follows*
HOUSEHOLD #5131 age birthplace occupation
TIESEN, Peter 29
29 Luxembourg Farmer
Margaret 21 Prussia
Mary 8/21 Minnesota
YOUNGEIS.John 24 Prussia -

(Continued on Page 129d) Page 129b

 John P . Schmal P e r s o n No. 1 on this chart is the same
iWe of Compiler. Chart No.
]_219 S . 11th Ave. #14 person as No on chart No . 16
b. (Fiir.er ol Nc. 8,
""""^Cold"Spring,MN 56320 Com., on chart N o , .
L state a Peter Reuter m.
1225 supplement —page 129c (Father at No. 4) d.
ste b.
171 (Mother of No- 8,
P.b. Cont. on chart No. .
Nicolaus Reuter b.
m.
( F i l b . r ot No. 2) d.
d.
b.
p.b. P-d 18.
(Father ot No. 9,
i« if Birth
Com. on c h a n N o . .
j:i el Birth m. Feb.14,1787-Kruchten Margaretha M a r t i n
(ll (MirrU|«
txdDuxtx d. (Moth«r at No. 4)
1:1 J Death
p.d 19
b. (Mother al No. 9,
Mathias Reuter P.b. Bisdorff,Rheinland b. ConL. on chart No._
2.
( F . r k . , rxt a. IS d. d.
b. F e b r u a r y 7, 1 7 9 1 P.d 20
p.' n o mrae.ru__L._ng, nninexano. b. ( F . t b e r ot No. 10,
m Mathias Binsfeld m.
Cont. on chart No.
10
(Fit-tier at No. 5) d.
p.d b. 21
(Mother at No. 10.
P.b. h
Margaretha Binsfeld m.
(MocJi.r ot No. 2) a.
b. d.
22
p.b. P-d b. ( F a t h e r at No. 1 1 .
Cone ao chart No.
d. Maria B i z i l i u s m.
11
p.d. (Mother at No. 5)
d.
b. 23
(Mother of No. 11,
P.b. Cont. or chart No, .
Margaretha R e i t e r b.
d.
d.
December 12, 1827 P.d.
24
N i c h o l a u s Zinnen
p.b. Mettendorf, P r u s s i a
b. (Father at No. 12,
L April 12, 1858 Johann Michael Zlnnen Com. cn chart N o . .
12 m.
i March 1 3 , 1889 (Father ot No. 6)
p.d, S t . N i c h o l a s , Minnesota d.
b. October 13, 1735 25 Christina
(Mother of No. 12,
p.b. Mettendorf .Rheinland Com. on chart N o . .
Michael Zennen
m.
(Father ot No. J)
d.
b. October 1, 1761
p.d 26
P.b. b. (Father ot No. 13,
Com. on chart N o . .
m. Dec. 12, 1785-Mettendor^3 L u c i a Hormisch ( L u c i a Zey) m.
(Mother ot No. a)
d. March 7, 1822
p.d Mettendorf,Prussia b. 27
(Mother of No. 13,
p.b. Com. on chart N o . .
Maria Margaretha Zennen b.
3 d. November 2 6 , 1788
(Mother ot N o . 1) d.
P.d.
b. J u l y 16, 1787 28
P.b. Mettendorf, Rheinland b. (Father of No. 14,
C.nrxt. n« r h , r t Nft.
t Johannes Koch m.
14
(Father ot No. 7) d.
P.d.
b. 29
(Mother at No. 14,
P.b. b. Coot, on chart No.
Margaretha Koch m.
(Mother ot No. 3)
d.
b. d.
30
P.b. P.d b. ( F i l h e r at No. 15,
Cont. an r h . r t Hex-
d.
15
Margaretha m.
P.d. (Mother ot No. 7) d.
b. 31
(Mother of No. 13,
(Spou*. of No. 1) P.b. b. Com. on chart N o . .

J p . 17,1827 d. D e c . x 1 9 o 8 d. d.
Girst,Lux. p.d. Cold Spring,MN p.d.
 This m i s s p e l l i n g of the name i s of some I n t e r e s t , b u t , b y no means i s t h i s unusual.
However, nearly another household i s l i s t e d a s followsi
HOUSEHOLD # 5 1 9 age birthplace occupation
ftESSEN, Peter R, 41 Luxembourg Farmer
Anna M.
Anton
Michael
Paul Farmer
Michael n

F i n a l l y , l i v i n g next door t o P e t e r R. Theisen or "Tiessen" wasi

HOUSEHOLD # 5 2 0 age birthplace occupation
fiLTANA, Mary 75 Luxembourg
TCSSEN, William 22 Farmer

Then i n t h e I865 S t a t e Census for Minnesota, P e t e r T h e i s e n ' s family was

listed a s Household #88 for Wakefield Township,while P e t e r R. Theisen,with h i s wife,Mary
and sons,Anton and Michael, was l i s t e d i n household #102. In Household #102 lived one
Hary Theisen a l o n e . A n d , f i n a l l y In Household #107 was Paul Theisen,along with
his wife, E l i z a b e t h and h i s children,Maria and P e t e r .
I t I s most evident t h a t P e t e r R. Theisen was t h e acknowledged head of family
In t h i s a r e a and was probably an uncle or cousin of P e t e r and Margaretha. P e t e r R.
Theisen,according t o h i s gravestone i n S t . Boniface Cemetery and h i s death
certificate, was born on February 2, 1819 i n Luxembourg. His p a r e n t s ' names a r e
still unknown. A farmer from childhood t o d e a t h , he died on May 7, 1884 a t the age of
sixty-five y e a r s , t h r e e months and f i v e days. His wife,Anna Maria Roaux was
approximately t h r e e years older than P e t e r R . , t h u s born i n about 1816. As i n d i c a t e d
by the deatfit c e r t i f i c a t e s of t h e i r two sons and census r e c o r d s , both Peter R. and
Anna Maria (Roaux) Theisen had been born i n Luxembourg. Their two sons a r e l i s t e d
below(data taken from gravestone i n s c r i p t i o n s and death c e r t i f i c a t e s ) !
l)Anton(Tony) Theisen,born October 17, 1852 i n Luxembourg and deceased
on December 26, 1943 a t t h e age of 91 years,two months and nine days. He had married
Elizabeth Asselborn(born S e p t . 8, I852;deceased April 12, 1910).
2)Michael R. Theisen, born December 5, 1855 In Luxembourg and deceased on
April 12, 1927 i n Cold S p r i n g . His wife was naaed Mary(maiden name p r e s e n t l y unknown)
who was born on A p r i l 26, I858 l n Wisconsin and d i e d on November 22, 1945 i n Cold
Spring.
I t has been s a i d t h a t Tony(Anton) Theisen was born in Rosport, Luxembourg, a
siall v i l l a g e t h a t i s j u s t n o r t h of G i r s t , t h e town from which P e t e r Theisen came from.
Kenbers of t h i s family have s t a t e d t h a t P e t e r Theisen and P e t e r R. Theisen were f i r s t
or second c o u s i n s . Today no concrete evidence has proves t h i s a s y e t , but i t i s
acknowledged by family members. Living with P e t e r R. Theisen i n i860 were two men,
Paul and Michael Theisen, probably b r o t h e r s . I t i s p o s s i b l e t h a t they were both
nephews t o Peter. R. Theisen. Since William was l i v i n g next door, he too would be
considered a b r o t h e r of Paul and Michael Theisen.
In the S t a t e Census for Minnesota i n 1875t t h e household of P e t e r R. Theisen
is l i s t e d i n t h e Wakefield Township as follows 1
THEISEN, Peter R. 55 years old Luxembourg(birthplace)
Anna 61
Anton • 22
Michael 20
Mary 75
William 34
Catherine 25
John 6
Mary 4
Catherina 2
Susan 0 Page 129d
 In this household we find Peter R. Theisen still as the head of the
family. Ages are sometimes calculated incorrectly,se his wife Anna now appears
to be six years older than he. And living with him are his two sons, Tony and
Michael,as well as a woman named Mary that may have been the mother of Peter R. Theisen.
Finally, William Theisen, with his wife Catherine, lived in the same house with their
family. This Catherine(Katharina) was a Schreifels, the daughter of Johann Schreifels
and Margaretha Muller in Household #366. By 1880, the Federal Census listed the
household as follows:
THEISEN, Peter R. 61 years old Luxembourg(birthplace)
Anna Mary 67
Anton 27
Eliz. 27
Peter 3 Minnesota
Michael 4/12

Living nearby was the folio

THEISEN,Paul 47 Luxembourg
Elizabeth 39 Prussia
Mary 18 Minnesota
Peter 15
Mich. 14
Elizabeth 12
Susan 10
Katie 8
Margaretha 5
John 3
By 1880, as we can see, William Theisen had moved out from the Peter R.
Theisen household. Peter R. Theisen lived with h i s wife,now s i x years older than
himself,and with h i s son,Tony,and with Tony's family. In the meantime, Paul Theisen
was r a i s i n g h i s family i n t h e same neighborhood. Paul Theisen had been born on
November 1, 1832 i n Luxembourg, probably Rosport, and died on November 3, 1920. His
wife, E l i z a b e t h , had been born on May 15, 1840 l n Luxembourg and died on May 11, I898
in Minnesota. Living i n t h e same Enumeration D i s t r i c t ( # 1 1 0 ) were the following
Theisen f a m i l i e s . They a r e l i s t e d belowi
1880 CENSUS
THEISEN, Michael 24 years old Luxembourg(blrthpliace)
Mary 22 Wisconsin
Peter 3/12 Minnesota
THEISEN, William 45 Luxes.
Katharine 30 Prussia
Anna 3 Minn.
John l
THEISEN, Anton 27 Luxembourg
II
Elizabeth 27
Peter 3 Minn.
Michael 4/12 Minn.

Michael Theisen mentioned above Is one and the same as Michael R. Theisen,
along with his wife,Mary,who waa born in Wisconsin. Listed below that family was
"illiam Theisen and his wife Katherine Schreifels with their young family of two
children. Michael R. Theisen,as well as his brother Anton Theisen, had been enumerated
on the same page,while Anton's family was also enumerated in the household of their
father, Peter R. Theisen.

Page 129e
 Listed below are the children of Anton and Elizabeth Theisen:
l) Peter R. Theisen(named after his grandfather),born May 8, 1877 and died on Dec.
13, i960. He was married to Mary Knevel.
2)Mlchael Theisen, born February 26, 1880 and died on Jan. 19, i960. He married
Katie Heidgerken.the daughter of George Heidgerken.
3)Susan Theisen,born February 24, 1882,deceased February 13, 1952. She married
Anton Muggli.
Z*)Mary Theisen,born October 12, 1883 and died on Jan. 24, 1947. She was married to
Lucas Muggli.
5^John Theisen,born June 21, I885. He married Helen Bauer.
6)Paul Otto Theisen,born October 9, 1886 and died September 3, 1949. He was Mayor
of Cold Spring and married Clara Heisler.
7)Leonard Theisen,born Nov.10, 1888 and died Nov. 2, 1977. He was married to Agnes
Kasel.
8)Joseph Theisen,born July 12, 1890 and died June 21, 1970. He was married to Etta
Bell.
9)Elizabeth Theisen,born August 20, 1892, was married Nicholas Hies.
10)August Theisen, born Sept. 13, 1894 and died on Oct. 1, 1974. He waa married to
Minnie Meyer,
ll)Julia Theisen,an adopted child,born on January 20, l898,was married to Frank Meyers.

Still living close to Peter R. Theisen and his family was Peter and Margaretha
Theisen,as indicated by both census and deed records. In the Minnesota State Census,
enumerated on May 1, 1875 In the Township of Wakefield,the following household was
tallied 1
THEISEN, Peter 45 years of age Iuxembourg( birthplace)
Margaret 45 Prussia
Peter 8 Minn.
Mathias 5 Minn.
Mary 15 Minn.
Anna 13 Minn.
Anna M. 12 Minn.
Five years later,the same family was enumerated as follows in 18801
THEISEN, Peter 50 years of age Luxembourg
Margaretha 50 Prussia
Anna 19 Minn.
Emma 17 Minn.
Peter (illegible) Minn.
Mathias 10 Minn.

I n t h e 1880's Federal Census, P e t e r ' s family was l i s t e d i n the same Enumeration

District a s Anton, Michael R.,William,and Paul Theisen. However, another Theisen
family had come i n t o t h e p i c t u r e t h i s t i m e . I n t h e 1880 Rederal Census, one John
Tisen( m i s s p e l l i n g ) , twenty-five y e a r s of age and born i n Luxembourg, lived with h i s
Wisconsin-born wife, Anna,and with h i s twenty-year-old wife,Catherina Theison, in
Luxembourg Township. Living i n Wakefield Township was another brother, Michael J .
Theisen, n i n e t e e n years of age and born i n Luxembourg. F o r n * ^ y e a r s , the Theisen
family i n America had managed t o maintain communication with the Theisen family in
Iuxembourg. I t i s commonly believed t h a t t h e ' e l d e s t brother of Peter Theisen, John
Theisen had married one Catherine Schuler. Three of t h e i r children decided to move
to America .
F i r s t e s s e John Theisen,the e l d e s t son and nephew t o Peter Theisen, who had been
™rn on December 9 of 1853 or I856 i n Rosport, Luxembourg, a small v i l l a g e north of
^ s t . At t h e age of f i f t e e n y e a r s , yeung John Theisen came to t h e United S t a t e s i n
18
?1. He came d i r e c t l y t o Cold Spring, where h i s r e l a t i v e s lived, and e s t a b l i s h e d a
age 12<?f
•• m
shoe r e p a i r shop in Cold Spring, which he operated u n t i l he was twenty-one years
of age. B u t , a t t h a t time, John chose t o begin a c a r e e r a t farming close to S t .
Hicholas on a farm l a t e r occupied by t h e Theodore Thomas family. John farmed
his homestead c o n t i n u a l l y u n t i l about 1925, a t which time John and h i s wife Anna
retired t o Cold Spring t o spend t h e i r d e c l i n i n g y e a r s .
On October 9, 1877, John Theisen had taken for h i s wife Miss Anna Biessener.
had been born on January 12, I856 a t S t . Nicholas, Wisconsin, c l o s e t o Sheboygan,
as the daughter of P e t e r and Margaret Biessener, According to other sources, she was
born on January 24, I856. Between t h e age of s i x t e e n and eighteen, Anna came to Cold
Spring and, on October 9, I856, John and Anna were married a t t h e Old S t . Nicholas
Church i n Luxembourg Township. The Attendants a t t h e marriage ceremony were Mrs. Anna
(Theisen) Schoen, a s i s t e r of Mrs. Michael Ellenbecker and of Mary(Theisen) S c h r e i f e l s
and Michael R. Theisen(Deceraber 5, 1855-April 12, 1927), a son of Peter R. Theisen.
John Theisen and Anna Biessener became the p a r e n t s of t h i r t e e n c h i l d r e n , eleven of whom
survived to c e l e b r a t e t h e c o u p l e ' s s i x t i e t h wedding anniversary on October 9, 1937.
These l i v i n g c h i l d r e n included: Peter Theisen of B e r l i n , North Dakota} Michael Theisen,
of Denver, Colorado; Anton Theisen of S t . Cloud; Math Theisen of LaMoure, North Dakota;
Mrs. Theodore Lutgen of Wheat Basin,Montana; William Theisen of S t . Joseph, Miniy
Mrs. Nick Hartraann of LaMoure,N. Dak.; John Theisen, l i v i n g near S t . Nicholas, Paul P.
Theisen,of Cold Spring,and Susan and Elizabeth Theisen, both from Cold Spring. Their
eldest sons, Peter and Nicholas Theisen were deceased a t t h e time,but the couple had
thirty-four grandchildren a t the time of the event.
Less than a month a f t e r t h e i r diamond j u b i l e e , Anna died on November 4th a t
the age of eighty-one y e a r s . She had died suddenly,apparently enjoying good health
until the day before her death when she had developed a c o l d . Anna was survived
by her four s i s t e r s , M r s . Michael R. Theisen, Mrs. Anton Schmitt and Mrs. Michael J .
Theisen,all of Cold Spring,and Mrs. John Mickels of PiIman,Florida. - One brother,
Peter Biessner, a l s o lived in F l o r i d a . More than a year l a t e r , John Theisen a l s o
died on November 14 a t the age of e i g h t y - f i v e y e a r s . By t h i s time, John's daughter
Susan had married t o become Mrs. Wilfred Sauer, while Elizabeth(Betty) remained
single.
John Theisen had a younger s i s t e r , Catherine,and a younger brother, Michael J .
Theisen, both of whom came t o the United S t a t e s i n 1879,eight years a f t e r John had
arrived in t h e New World. Catherine had been born on Sept. 10, 1858-in Rosport, while
Michael J . Theisen was born on March 2, i860. Thus, Catherine came over a t the age <£
21,while Michael was only 19 years o l d . In'3.381, Catherine was married to Leonard
Johannes of S t . Nicholas and the young couple homesteaded on a farm t h r e e miles west
of St. Nicholas. In I885, Leonard had purchased t h e eighty acre farm in Section 19
of Luxembourg Township from Wendelin Merz. They continued to r e s i d e on t h a t farm u n t i l
1912 when they r e t i r e d and moved to S t . Nicholas where Leonard Johannes passed away
on April 8, 1922. Leonardus Johanns(as the name was speUed in Europe) had been born
on December 23, 1846 i n Rodershausen, Prussia(along t h e border of Luxembourg) as the
son of Jacob Johanns and Margarethe Kohnen.
Catherine continued to l i v e in S t . Nicholas u n t i l about 1940,when,due to
her advanced y e a r s , she went t o l i v e a t the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr.
and Mrs. Frank E h d e r l e . She died on January 20, 1942 a t t h e age of 8 3 . Her surviving
children included: Mrs. Henry Vlrnig(Katharina) of Chokio,Minn.; Mrs. Charles Schmit
(Maria) of S t . Cloudj William Johannes of S t . Nicholas,aa well as Mrs. Elizabeth
Dockendorf and Mrs. Frank Enderle(Margaret),also of S t . Nicholas. Two daughters
preceded her in death, Mrs. Theresa Loesch on November 2, 1918,and Mrs. Anne Weyrens
on f ebruary 25, 1914. At the time of C a t h e r i n e ' s death, she waa survived also by 24
grandchildren and 17 g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n .

[OSRNGaESFANHWHlSlORtCaiia

Page 130
 PETER J. THEISEN
Among the children of Peter Theisen and Margaretha Reiter, one son, Peter
J, Theisen had become an outstanding member of the Cold Spring community. While
his three sisters went onto marry residents of the Luxembourg Township, his
younger brother, Mathew Theisen, was married late ln life. Peter J. Theisen
is believed to have been born on August 22, 1868, three miles south of Cold Spring
on a farm later occupied by Frank Krueger. On June 20, 1889, Peter J. Theisen
Has married at St. Mary's Church in Marystown to one Mary Theis, who was born on
June 21, 1868 in Marystown, Minn,,as the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Math Theis,
pioneer settlers of Scott County. For a few years after their marriage, Peter
and Mary farmed the old homestead and later near Wadena. Then, In 1902, they moved
to Cold Spring where Peter operated a saloon. But after a few years, Peter and Mary
returned to farming for eleven more years and then in 1920 they moved to Cold Spring
for a second time where he operated a cement and block factory. He retired in 1936,
three years before their Golden Wedding A n n i v e r s a r y 0 n June 20, 1939.
Peter J. Theisen and Mary had a total of nine children, one of whom died in
infancy. The other children included Leo P. Theisen and Henry N. Theisen,both from
Cold Spring,as well as Mrs. Peter P. Beringer in Hunter, N. Dakota; Mrs. lawrence J.
Hennen of Shakopee,Minnesota; Math H. Theisen ln Milwaukee, Wisconsin; J.J.A. Theisen
and P.A. Theisen of Rockville. At the time of their Golden Wedding Anniversary, they
had a total of 49 grandchildren.
A wealth of information about the many Theisen families in Stearns County
has been compiled In years past. Especially well known are the Theisen families
that settled in St. Joseph or in the St. Wendel Township,including Collegeville.
The information on these families is withheld by the author since there is no
concrete evidence that there is any relationship between the Saint Joseph Theisens
and the Wakefield Theisens. Narratives concerning those who settled in that part
of the county can be found by reading the History of Stearns County, Minnesota by
William Bell Mitchell(H.C. Cooper,Jr. & Co.: Chicago, Illinois, 1915),which is
illustrated and takes up two volumes, or by checking the files of the Stearns
County Historical Society which managed to collect some of this invaluable data.
There is some possibility that there might surface someday some data concerning
the St. Joseph families with the Cold Spring families. But no such data seems
available at this point in time. We might say that the father of most or all the
Theisens in St. Joseph is a man named John Theisen(or Tissen,as census records
indicate). According to both cemetery records and his death certificate, John
Theisen had died on January 5, 1878 at the age of 86 years and six months ln St.
Joseph Village. Thus he was born on or about May 7, 1791 in either Luxembourg
or an area of Prussia very close to Luxembourg. Census records indicate that he
had been born sometime between 1790 and 1792. According to the I860 census,he was
living ln the area of St. Joseph. He had several sons, among them, Michael Theisen
(born April or May of 1835 in Luxembourg; deceased January 24, 1912).
This John Theisen,according to his death certificate,was a farmer. He was
laarried to Anna Maria Maoko(or Maoks.as the spelling is not clear). Anna Maria died
on December 10, 1863 at the age of seven ty( ace or ding to the St. Joseph gravestone
inscription). She had been born sometime between 1790 and 1793 in Luxembourg.
According to the data made available, these Theisen's case to America in I852. Until
about I855, most of thea stayed in Ohio or in Iowa. At that time,many of them moved
to Collegeville,or in some portion of St. Wendel Township.
The death certificate of John Theisen states that he was the son of Carl
Theisen and of Anna Wassier. According to this certificate, they had come from
Prussia. Since John himself was born in 1791,it can be assumed that either of these
Parents were born before the year 1773. In "die Schatzung (tax assessment) von 1779"
of Mettendorf we find that a Peter Theisen is mentioned. Elsewhere, the name Theisen
can also be found in Mettendorf and nearby towns that are adjacent to the border with
Iuxenbourg. Perhaps the Theisen family, with their German name exiginating in the
Rheinland to the east, gradually drifted westward towards Girst and Rosport, in
Present-day Luxembourg.
 FOOTNOTES
Reginald Peck, The West Germans; How Thev Live And Work
(Baeger Publishers, New York, 1970), p. 19,
2
Ibid.
3Helmut Kloth, Moselle(Doubleday & Co, Inc., Garden City,
New York, 1965). p.6.
TEbld.
^Klaus Hamper, Ortschronik Mettendorf Kreis Bitburg
(Breidenmover K.G. Druckerei und Verlag, Trier, 1957), p7 23.
6
Ibid.,P. 24.
^Bistumsarchiv(Bishopric Archives) Trier, Kirchenbuch der
Pfarrei Nussbaum, Band 1, p. 186.
8lbld..-p. 139.
<
5lbid.,p. 167.
}?Ibid.,p. 214; Band 2, p. 213.
Ibid..p. 218.
12
Elsdon C, Smith, New Dictionary of American Names
(Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1973) and Morton E. Feiler,
What's In A Name(New York, 1973) have been primary sources.
1
3Hajo Holborn, A History of Modern Germany l840-lQ45(Alfred
A.Knopf, New York, I969), P.4.
l^Carl Wittke, Refugees of Revolution; the German Forty-
Ejghters in America(University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania),^. 43.
1
5lbid.
Iglbld.
17
Ibld.
18
Holborn.op.cit.,p,122.
W A S related by Frank J. Theis in a letter of January 4, 1974,
and by other sources.
20stearns County Book of Deeds, Book C, p. 255.
21
Stearns County Book of Deeds, Book C, p. 535.
22
Williarri Bell Mitchell, History of Stearns County. Minnesota.
(H.C. Cooper,Jr. & Co..Chicago,Illinois, l9l5J,p. 1213.
2
3laing Gray Corwan.France And the Saar. 1680-1948(Columbia Press,
New York, 1950),p. 15.
2*Hbld..p. 17.
25IM4..P. M .
2
°Recordad in the United States General Land Office, Vol. 150,
pages 89 and 851| Stearns County Book of Deeds, Book F,pp 410-411.
27
Book of Deeds, Book I,page 258.
28
Book of Deeds, Book R, page 369.
29
St. Cloud Times. July 4, 19^5. P. 10. col. 3-^1 Cold Spring
Record. July 4, 19^5t P. l.col. 1.
 ADDITIONS-The following households have been added since
October, 1977. By no means have the descendants of Nicholas
Theis, Johann Schreifels, Michael Ewen and Peter Theisen have
been completely tallied in this manuscript. This is merely an
attempt to name as many of their descendants as possible until
the day arrives in which each and every descendant of the above-
mentioned individuals has been found and recorded. Members of
the family will be most helpful in sending any information on
missing or new members of the family to the author.
THE ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLDS(AND CORRECTIONS):
A sister of Nicholas, Peter, and John Theis was married to
one Chris Schultz* The first name of this sister remains unknown to
date. This is one example of the corrections to be made.
870. THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM THEIS(1854-1900) AND MISS ANNA
ELLENBECKER(1857-1906). This household is identical
with Household #3 listed above on the unnumbered page
41 among the descendants of Nikolaus Theis and Elizabeth
Ewen. Their children „aj-e listed again,as follows!
vSee also Households *917 through #920)
871. Nicholas John Theis. Also listed in Household ^16
A72. Michael Benedict Theis. Also listed ln Household #17.
871a.THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS JCHN ?HEIS(bsm 1877 and
deceased in 1963(See #871b below for exact dates).
married to Susan Fuchs. ^hey had the following
daughter!
873. Genevieve Theis. /Susan died in childbirth^ Genevieve
married one Albert A. Stein and had a family of two girls
and three boys,
871b.THE FAMILY OF NICK THSIS(born December 10, 1877 in
Popple Creek, Minnesota? deceased October 25, 19^3 in
Cold Spring. Minnesota).
married on June 4, 1911 in Gilman,Minn. to....
KATIE DECKER(born June 19, 1877 in St. Nicholas, Minnesota)
Their children are listed belowi
874. Edmund Theis.
875. Selina Theis,
87£. Marcellus Theis.
877. Carl Theis.
872. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL BENEDICT THEIS(born in December,
1881» deceased March 24, 195*0.
married on January 24, 1911 to...
MISS CLARA CHARLOTTE HEMMESCH(bom February 7, 188 5? deceased
December 21, 19^9). Their children are listed belowi
878. Gilbert William Theis(born Oct. 11, 191^).
879. Orvilla Charlotte Theis(born July 17, 1917).
880. Marina(born July 5. 1910;died at ace of six weeks).

Pa*e 1T4
881. Vivian Theis(born July 5. 1919f died at age of two months).
/Clara had contracted the 1918 flu while carrying the
above-named twins/,
882. Ethelyn Caroline Theis(born February 17, 1922).
883. Arthur John Theis(born April 17, 1925).
874.THE FAMILY OF EDMUND THEIS(bom August 19, 1914 in
in Cold Spring). Hewas married on November 14, 1944
in Oakland, California to...
IRENE KUJAWA(born December 20, 1919 in St. Cloud, Minn.,the
daughter of Vincent Kujawa and Mary Gapinski). Their
' children are listed as follows!
884. Mary Kathryn Theis(born Feb. 23, 1947, St. Cloud,Minn.).
885. Victoria Theis(born Sept. 23, 1949, St. Cloud,Minn).
886. Joan Marie Theis(born June 17, 19 52, St. Cloud).
887. Thomas Theis(born March 8, 1955).
888. Marcia Theis(born June 13. 19 58).
875.THE FAMILY OF SELINA THEIS(born January 1, 1918 in
Cold Sprihg). She was married on October 31, 1946
in St. Cloud, Minnesota to...
MR. ALOYS GEERS(born July 3. 1913 in Richmond, Minnesota,
the son of Henry Geers and Elizabeth Vogt). Their
children are listed as follows!
889. Rita Geers(born May 15, 19^7).
890. Allan Geers(born May 13, 1958, St. Cloud).
891. Jane Geers(born May 25, I960, St. Cloud).
876.THE FAMILY OF MARCELLUS THEIS(born September 6, 1921 in
Cold Spring,Minn.). He was married on Oct. 31, 1946
in St. Cloud, Minnesota to...
MISS RITA M. NISTLSR(born April 26, 1920, Eden Valley,Minn. ,
the daughter of Peter Nistler and Agatha Vetsch). Their
children are listed as follows!
892. Michael J. Theis(born August 16, 1955. St. Cloud,Minn.).
893. Jean M. Theis(born July 6, 1958, St. Cloud,Minn.).
877.THE FAMILY OF CARL THEIS(born April 29, 1927 in Cold
Spring.Minnesota). He was married on June 24, 1950 in
St. Cloud, Minnesota to...
MISS JUNE MARIE HELD(born Feb. 6, 1930 in St. Cloud, the
daughter of Ferdinand Adam Held and Clara Mary Berg).
Their four children are listed following!
8
9^. Sharon Ann Theis(born Feb. 21, 1952,St. Cloud,Minn.).
8
95. Bonnie Kathryn Theis(born April 12, 1953, St. Cloud).
896. Carol Marie Theisfborn Dec. 25, 195^, St. Cloud).
Page 135
897. Cynthia Louise Theis(born June 6, 1958, St. Cloud).
878.THE FAMILY OF GILBERT WILLIAM THEIS(born October 11,
191*0. On June 21, 1941, Gilbert was married to...
MISS LEILA ROSALIE KIELTY(born Sept. 2, 1914). Their children
are listed as follows!
898. Robert Arthur Theis(born Sept. 3. 1942; deceased on Sept. 11,
1961 in accidental death while in the service of the air
force in Spokane, Washington).
899. Thomas Bernard Theis(born October 19, 1948).
900. Mary Susan Theis(born August 9, 1954,Cold Spring,Minn.).
879.THE FAMILY OF ORVILLA CHARLOTTE THEIS(born July 17, 1917)
married on January 22, 19 55 to...
STANLEY LEON MATULA. Their children are listed herei
901. Scott Michael Matula(born May 25, 1964).
902. Robert Todd Matula(born Dec. 5, 1967).
883.THE FAMILY OF ARTHUR JOHN THEIS(born April 17, 1925)
who was married to.,..
MISS MARY ANN ZWILLING(born November 19, 1932). Their
children are listed as follows!
903. Timothy Michael Theis(born September 18, 1956).
904. Ivy Ann Theis(born October, 1957).
905. Jon Arthur Theis(born August 26, 1959).
906. Carol Ann Theis(born Sept. 2 5, 196l).
884.THS FAMILY OF MARY KATHRYN THEIS(born Feb. 23, 1947, St.
Cloud). On August 5, 1967 in St. Cloud, she married....
ALAN RESSEMAMbom October 21, 1945, St. Cloud,Minn.,the son of
Joseph Resseman and Matilda A.thman). They had two children*
907. Brian Resseman(born January 24, 1970, St. Cloud).
908. Kristine Resseman(born Feb. 17, 1968, St. Cloud).
889.THE FAMILY OF RITA GEERS(born May 15, 19^7 ,St. Cloud,
Minn.). She was married on January 22, 1968 in Hawaii to....
MR. MICHAEL MANSFIELD(born July 11, 1947,in St. Cloud, the
son of Mirium Monslon Mansfield and Evelyn Elizabeth
Bible). Their child is listed belowi
909. Michela Maria Mansfield(born August 18, 1970 in Anoka,Minn.).
910. THE FAMILY OF ANNA MARIA THEIS(born January 24, 1861, Cold
Spring,Minn.{deceased November 7,1955). She was married to
FRANK KINZER. This household is listed above also as
Household ^6. Their children are listed on the following
page«

Page 136
911. Frank Kinzer, married Mary Finken(also listed as ^32).
9l'2. Lillian(Elizabeth) Kinzer, born Oct. 11, 1886. Lillian
was married to Christ Theisen(Their children are listed
above under Household #33).
tf
913. Blondena Kinzer, married to Jacob Blonigan(also 3l).
914. Susan Kinzer, married to Nick L, Schreifelsdisted under
Households #34 and #393. Their children are listed
under Household #3*0.
915. Edward(Eddie) Kinzerfalso #35).
916. Caroline Kinzer, married to Frank Kramer.
917. Catherine(Katie) Theis(also listed as #20 and third-born
child of William and Anna(Ellenbecker) Theis. Katie
was married to a Mr. Fassett. They had one son, Harold.
918. Elizabeth Theis, the fourth child of William and Anna Theis
(also listed as #21), married a Mr. Skinner and had two
sons, Frances and Jack.
919. William Theis was married to one Theresadast name unknown).
He is also listed as 3ill Theis(^lB) and had one son
named Edward Theis.
920. John Theis(also listed as ^19) died young.
921. THE FAMILY OF JACOB THEIS and MARY ANN MOLITOR is listed
below. This family is also listed above as Household_#23
but more details are provided as follows!
922. Christine Theis(also #69) was married to Mr. Peter Jungles,

923. Adeline Theis, married to Thomas Matheis(also listed as #70).

92
^» Agatha Theis, married to Gerhard Joseph Birk(also #71).

925. Barbara Theis, married to Cyril Ficker(also #72).

926. Loretta Theis, married to August Brutger(also #73).

927. Herbert Theis(also #74).

928. Dorothy Theis, married to Richard KosloskHalso #75).

922.THS FAMILY OF CHRISTINE THEIS AND PETER JUNGLES is
listed belowi
929. Gerald A. Jungles, who has two children, Susan and Cindy
Jungles.
923. THE FAMILY OF ADELINE THEIS AND THOMAS MATHEIS is
Their family is listed on the following oagei

Page 137
930. Leroy Matheis, married to Barbara Albachten. They had four
children, Joan, Julie, Richard, and Jean Ellen Matheis.
931. Melvin Matheis, married to Anna Eichinger. They had three
children! Cynthia, Mathew and Margaret Matheis.
Q32. Earl Matheis, married to Maria Issle. They had three children
named Manuella,. Jeanie,. and Raymond Matheis.
933. Kathleen Matheis.
934. Carol Matheis, married to Richard Albachten. They had three
children! Brian, Duane and Christopher,
935. Thomas Matheis,Jr..married to Mary Lioinski. They had four
children! Sara, Tamara, Thomas Joseph(deceased), and Michael,
936. Ronald Matheis, married to Constance Lies. They had three
children, Jesse, Jeremy and Amy Matheis.
937. Donald Matheis, married to Joy Donnabauer.
938. Joseph Matheis, deceased.
939. Vernon Matheis.
924.THE FAMILY OF AGATHA GENEVIEVE THEIS AND GERHARD JOSEPH
BIRK. Their family is listed belowi
940. John Birk(deceased).
941. Mary Jane Birk(deceased).
942. Margaret Lillian Birk, married to Samuel Eugene Rossi, They
had three children! David Allen, Michael Andrew and
Robert Thomas Rossi.
943. Robert Birk, married to Carmen Catherine Wolfe.
944. Rose Mary Birk, married to David Lemonte Hanson. They had
three children, Debra Ann, Brian Lemonte, and Steaven
Michail Hanson.
945. Raymond Peter Birk, married to Cinda Charlene Schuler,
946. Bernice Adeline Birk, married to Roger R. Bocker. They had
three children! Bonita Ann, Christopher and Jan.
947. Michael Birk, married to Jean Harren. They hadone child
named Todd Timothy Birk.
948. Janice Darethy Birk. She has one child named Jason Ebocher.
92 5. THE FAMILY OF BARBARA THEIS AND CYRIL FICKER. Their
family is listed belowi
949. Mary Jane Ficker, married to Earl Ross. Their children
are Mary Ann, Srelene, Bert, Roberta, and Anna Ross.
950. Lucille Ficker, married to Frank Wruzberger. Their children
were Frank, Hans, Roxanne,and Randolph.

Page 138
 I

951. Marcella Ficker, married Alfred Tabbot. Their children

were Sheila, Mathew, Alfred,Jr., Joseph, Marcia and James,
952. Eileen Ficker, married to Fay Theel. Their children were
Charles, Deborah, and Sherry,
953. Joseph Ficker, married Betty Horstmann. They have one child
named Brian.
95**. Richard Ficker,married to Carol Firmeman.
955. Delrose Ficker, married Edward Fuch. They had the following
children! Theresa and Camilla Fuch.
956. Caroline Ficker.
957. Alice Ficker, married to Samuel Poskek. Their children were
Melissa, Chris, John, Barbara.
958. Roger Ficker, married to Sandy Buckler. They had one child
named Roger William Ficker.
959. Juliann Ficker(deceased).
960. Conrad Ficker, married to Jane Wimmer,
961. Patricia Ficker.
c
62. Kenneth Ficker.
926.THE FAMILY OF LORETTA THEIS AND AUGUST BRUTGER. They
had ten children as well as two twin boys that died
prematurely. Their family is listed belowi
963. Esther Erutger,married to Harold Hickman. Their children are
Millard, Warren, Dyane, and Shannon Hickman.
964. Donald Brutger, married to Linda Blomker. Their children are
Michael, 3ryan, and Any Brutger.
965. Elmer Brutger, married to Lora Huschle. Their two children
are Lester and Karen Huschle. This household is also
listed above under Household #140. Please refer there.
966. Alfred Brutger, married to Dorothy Huschle. This family
is listed above under Household #141.
967. Vernon, married to Lucille Huschle. This family is listed
above under Household #142.
963, Doris Brutger, married to Thomas Huschle. This family is list-
ed above under Household #139.
969, Leon Brutger, married to Rae Ann Covert.
970. Mary Brutger, married to Michael Press.
971. Mark Brutger.
972, Andrew Brutger.

Page 139
 928.THE FAMILY OF DOROTHY THEIS.AND RICHARD KOSLOSKI.
Their children are l i s t e d as follows!
973. Michael K o s l o s k i .
97**. Jeffrey Kosloski.
975. Patrick Kosloski.
976. Roxann Kosloski.
977. Pamela Kosloski.
978. THE FAMILY OF ELIZABETH THEIS, born May 15, 1887, Cold
Spring, Minn.j deceased November 8, 1973 at Rockville,
Minn., at the age of eighty-six.
married on Sect, 17, 1906 at Cold Spring to....
MR. GEORGE MOLITOR, b o m Jan. 20, 1878, near Rockville,
Minn, 1 deceased at Rockville on Sept. 21, 19*^5 at the
age of 67. This family is identical with Household #25
listed above. Their children are listed In order' belowi
979. Elizabeth C. Molitor, b o m Nov. 22, 1907 at Cold Spring.
(listed above as #85)
980. Michael MolitorClisted above as #82),bom Dec. 2,1909.
981. Genevieve Molitordisted above as #86),born Jan. 11, 1911,
982. Joseph Molitordisted above as #34)jborn March 7, 1913.
983. Peter Molitordisted as #83), D O m April 29, 1920 in Rockville.
984. THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS T. THEIS(188 5-1965) AND MARY ZSITLER.tie
daughter of Sebastian Zeitler,(born January 6, 18 58 and
deceased July 23, 1897) and Barbara Lang(l862-1923).
Many members of this family are living in North Dakota at
the present time. This Household is identical with
Household #24. Refer there for the names of their
children.
980. THS FAMILY OF MICHAEL MOLITOR (bom Dec. 2, 1909 in
Cold Spring) was married at Cold Spring on June 26, 1934 ~c
CATHERINE THSISSN(bom March 30, 1912 in Cold Spring,Minn. ).
Their children are listed belowi
985. Dolores Molitor,born May 12, 1935 at Paynesville,Minn.
986. Iris Molitor,bom May 29, 1936 at Paynesville,Minn.
987. Irene Molitor,bom May 29, 1936 at Paynesville,Minn.
988. Phyllis Molitor,born on July 16, 19**2 at Rockville,Minn.
981. THE FAMILY OF GENEVIEVE MOLITOR (born Jan. 11, 1911 in
in Cold Spring,Minn.'). She was married at Rockville
on Seot. 9, 1930 to...
MR. ALOYS" N. MUMM(born June 20, 1905 in Waubay, South
Dakota). Their children are listed belowi
989. Agnes Mumm, born June 13, 1932 at Cold Spring,Minn.
990. Ralph Mumm, b o m April 8, 193** in °oi d Spring. • _
Page 140
991. Raymond Mumm, bom August 21, 1935 in Cold Spring.
992. Mary Jane Mumm, born June 16, 1937 in Cold Spring.
993. Delrose Mumm, born Feb. 22, 1939 in Cold Spring.
994. Daniel Mumm, born March 21, 1941 in Luxembourg, Minn.
995. Alice Mumm, born Nov. 1, 1943 in Luxembourg,Minn.
996. Joyce Mumm, born March 21, 1945 in Pearl Lake, Minn.
982.THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH MOLITOR(bom March 7, 1913 in
Cold Spring, Minn.). He was married at St. James,
Jacob's'Prairie'on June 14, 1938 to...
MISS FLORENCE ZIMMERMAN(born-March 21, 1915 in Albany,Minn.).
Their children are listed belowi
997. James Molitor, born Oct. 12, 1939 in Rockville.
998. Ralph Molitor, born January 2, 19**1 in Rockville.
999. Jerome Molitor, born May 28, 1942 in Rockville.
1000. Bernice Molitor, born Dec. 19, 19**3 in Rockville.
1001. Dennis Molitor, born Oct. 16, 1950 in Rockville.
1002. Mary Lou Molitor, bom Feb. 1, 1952 in Rockville.
1003. Ronald Molitor, born December 7, I960 in Rockville.
983.THE FAMILY OF PETER M0LIT0R(bom April 29, 1920 in
Rockville, Minn.). He was married at Eden Valley .
on October 15, 19**6.to...
MRS. HILDEGARD ZIMMERMAN (born at Cold Spring,Minn, on -
Feb. 2, 1924). Their children are listed as followst
1004. Melvin Molitor, born on Dec. 19, 19**7 in Cold Spring.
1005. David Molitor, bom Feb. 14, 1950 in Cold Spring.
1006. Janice Molitor, born June 10, 1952 in Cold Spring.
1007. Kathleen Molitor, b o m May 3, 1955 in Cold Spring.
1008. Allen Molitor, b o m May 14, 1959 in Cold Spring.
1009. Duane Molitor, born March 16, I96I in Cold Spring.
1010. Linda Molitor, born August 16, 1962 in Cold Spring.
1011. Lisa Molitor, b o m October 6, 1964 in Cold Spring.
98 5. THE FAMILY OF DOLORES MOLITOR AND VIRGIL NEU who were
married at Rockville on September 8, 1953.
Their children were listed as follows 1
1012. Vernon Neu, b o m June 14, 195^.

1013. Steven Neu, b o m Feb. 28, 1956.

iOl**. Sandra Neu, born February 29, I960? deceased July 20, I969).

Page 141
1015. Thomas Neu, b o m July 24, 1963.
1016. Patrick Neu, born March 27, 1970.
986, THE FAMILY OF IRIS MOLITOR AND WILLIAM D. HALLORAN.
They were married on June 22,1957 at Rockville,Minn.
and their children are listed belowi
1017. Susan Halloran,born April 22, I958.
1018. Michael Halloran, born August 10, i960.
1019. Patrick Halloran, born June 11, I962.
1020. William Halloran, born May 10, 1964.
1021. Shiela Halloran, born October 18, 1965.
1022. Randall Halloran, born January 7. 1967.
1023. Richard Halloran, born Sept. 16, 1969.
987. THE FAMILY OF IRENE MOLITOR AND JAMES KRAUS who
were married at Rockville on May 19, 1962 and had
five children listed belowi
1024. Jeffrey Kraus, born Sept. 6, I962.
102 5. Jean Kraus, born Oct. 12, 1964.
1026. Joseph Kraus, born Feb. 22, 1966.
1027. Julie Kraus, born May 7, 1967.
1028. Jay Kraus, b o m Oct. 11, I969.
988.THE FAMILY OF PHYLLIS MOLITOR AND GARY KURR who were
married on Sept. 25, I965 at Rockville and have three
children listed in orden
1029. Dale Kurr,born April 1, i960.
1030. Ryan Kurr, born April 13, 1968.
1031. Scott Kurr, born Sept. 24, 1970.
989.THE FAMILY OF AGNES MUMM AND MELVIN WEIRENS who were
married June 9, 1953 at Luxembourg,Minn, and had
the following children!
1032. Colleen Weirens, born March 9, 195**-.
1033. Thomas Weirens, born June 9, 1956.
1034. Debra Weirens, born July 14, 1959.
1035. Karen Weirens, born Jan. 16, 1962.
1036. Brian Weirens, born Jan. 9, 1967.
990.THS FAMILY OF RALPH MUMM AND PHYLLIS BSNOIT who married
on Aug, 26, 1954 at Rockville and had the followingi
1037. Diane Mumm, b o m August 8, 1955.
1038. David Mumm r born December l*f:f 1957. Page 142
1039. Cindee Mumm, born Jan. 24, 1959.
1040. Kevin Mumm, born June 17, I960.
1041. Ronald Mumm, born July 12,1964.
1042. Marc Mumm, born Sept. 29, 1968.
991.THE FAMILY OF RAYMOND MUMM AND MARY ANN BENOIT who
married Oct. 11, 19 53 at St. Augusta, Minn, and
had the following children!
1043. Pamelia Mumm, born April 19, 1959.
1044. Julie Mumm, born May 26, 1961.
1045. Kay Mumm, b o m May 31, 1964.
1046. Jay Mumm, born May 19, 1967.
1047. Corie Mumm, bom May 3, 1968.
1048. Troy Mumm, born Jan. 11, 1970.
1049. Amie Mumm, born June 20, 1972.
1050. Kris Mumm, born July 26, 1Q74.
. 992.THE FAMILY OF MARY JANE MUMM AND WILBERT SCHERER who
were married Oct. 11, 19 5* at Luxembourg, Minn.
and had the following children:
1051. Dean Scherer, born Oct. 29, 1957.
1052. Sandra Scherer, born January 7, 1961. -=
1053. Laura Scherer, bom Nov. 12, I965.
1054. Jody Scherer, born January 2, 19*7.
993.THE FAMILY OF DSLROSE MUMM AND DOUGLAS GOENNER who were
married Aug. 6, 19 58 at Luxembourg,Minn, and had the
following children!
1055. Kurt Goenner, born Dec. 5, 1962.
1056. Kieth Goenner, born Dec. 9, 1964.
1057. Kevin Goenner, born Dec. 26, 1967.
994.THE FAMILY OF* DANIEL MUMM AND MARION EICHERS who were
married on April 25. 1964 at Cold Spring,Minn.and
had the following children!
1058. Jacqueline Mumm, born Oct. 1, 1964.
1059. Karen Mumm, born Oct. 6, 1965.
1060. Michael Mumm, born June 8, 1968.
995.THE FAMILY OF ALICE MUMM AND JOHN C. WEISMANN who were
married on October 8, I960 at Luxembourg, Minn.
Their children are listed in the following orderi
1061. j0hn Weisnann, born April 1, 1961.
1062. Joseph Weismann, b o m March 28, 1968.
1063. Jason Weismann, born May 30, 1970. Pa*.* un
 996.THE FAMILY OF JOYCE MUMM AND RONALD VESEL who were
married Aug. 20, 1966 at Luxembourg, Minn, and had
the following children!
1064. Jeffrey Vesel, born Dec. 6, 1967.
1065. Melissa Vesel, born June 27, 1970.
1066. Scott Vesel, born August 24, 1972.
997.THE FAMILY OF JAMES MOLITOR AND MARY KOLTSS who were
married at Holy Cross Church, Pearl Lake, Minn, on
April 20, 1961 and have the following children!
1067. Louise Molitor, born March 26, 1962.
1063. Nancy Molitor, born May 20, I963.
1069. Mark Molitor, b o m July 31, 1965.
1070. Debra Molitor, born Nov. 23, 1966.
1071. Barbara Molitor, bom July 13, 1972.
1072. Patricia Molitor, born Sept. 11, 1973.
998.THE FAMILY OF RALPH MOLITOR AND BONNIE LES BALCOMB who
were married at St. Mary Church, Rockville, Minn,
on May 9, 1970. No children listed.
999.THE FAMILY OF JEROME MOLITOR AND JUDY MEIERHOFER who
were married at Eden Valley, Minn, on Feb. 17, 1968
and had the following children!
1073. Michelle Molitor, b o m Nov. 23, 1968. _
1074. Melanie Molitor, b o m July 16, 1971.
107 5. Melissa Molitor, b o m April 23, 1974.
1000.THE FAMILY OF BERNICE MOLITOR AND ALVIN MEIERHOFER
who were married at Rockville on June 19, 1962 and
had the following children!
107*. Sandra Meierhofer, born April 7, 1963,
1077. Randy Meierhofer, born October 1, 1965,
1078. Kieth Meierhofer, born January 28, 1Q70.
1001.THE FAMILY OF DENNIS MOLITOR AND ROSE M3HR who were
married at St. Agnes Church in Roseoe, Minn, on Aug.
10, 1974, They had one child listed belowi
1079. Christy Marie Molitor, born December 23, 1975.
1002.THS FAMILY OF MARY LOU MOLITOR AND LE ROY RADEN who
were married at Rockville, Minn, on Feb. 12, 1972.
They had two children listed herei
1080. Daryl Raden, b o m Feb. 17, 1973.
1081. Julie Raden, born Sect. 16, 1074.
1004.THS FAMILY OF MELVIN MOLITOR AND ROXANNE R0HRBECK
were married at Watkins,Minnesota on August 29,
1970 and have one child listed belowi
1082. Rebecca Ann Molitor, born Dec. 2, 1974.
Page 144
1033. THE FAMILY OF NIKOLAUS SCHREIFELS(bom September 9, 1840 in
Mettendorf and died August 10, 1921 In Florida)
married November 29, 1365 to...
3AREARA ZSNNSR(bom January 2, 1849{deceased April 27, 1809
In Florida). This family is the same as Household -367.
Their children are listed there.
1084. 1084. THE FAMILY OF MATHIAS SCHREIFELS, born June 15, l^^-J.
Mettendorf, Prussia; deceased February 18, 1902, Cold
Spring. Like Nikolaus Schreifels, he was a son of the
elder Johann Schreifels and of Margaretha Muller.
Mathias was married toi
KATHERINE SCHACKMANN, born July 26, 1841; deceased June 28,
1906 in Cold Spring. This' family is also listed above
as Households #369 and #679. Their family is listed
belowi
1085. THE FAMILY 0? JOHN SCHREIFELS, b o m December 24-, 1867 in.
(#680) . St^'Nicholas; deceased May, 1933. K e was married In
May, 1899 at Jacob's Prairie to...
MARIA FSIEN, b o m April 15, 1865; deceased July 20, 19*^0.
Their" offspring are not'listed here.
1086. THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS H. SCHREIFELS,bom March 4, 1869
in St. Nicholas; deceased October 9, 1962. He was
married on October 11, 1892 to...
MARGARET JUNGLES, b o m January 7. 1843 in St. Nicholas; '
deceased January 6, 1939. This family is identical
with Household #687 and their children are listed there.
1087. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL SCHREIFELS(1870-1939). He is the same
as the person listed as -681. Michael Schreifels first
married Catherine 3olfing. When she died, Michael.
was remarried to Ann 3olfing(bom May 26, 1886; deceasrd
in May, 195**-). Their children are not listed here.
1088. THE FAMILY OF HENRY SCHREIFELS, b o m February 7, 1872, St.
Nicholas? deceased in September, 1927.
married on May o, 1901 to...
MISS ANN ZIMMERMAN, born May 26, 1877 in Germany; deceased
on Jan. 19, 1969, St. Nicholas,Minn.
Henry is identical with the person listed as #384 and ^f:
The offspring of this family is not known at this tice.
1039. THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH J. SCHREIFELS, b o m May 5, 1873;
deceased February 2, 1936. He was married to a woman
named Elizabeth(maiden name unknown), b o m October 1,
1866; deceased May 11, 196l. Joe is identical with
#683 listed above. The names of their offspring are unJnc
1090. THS FAMILY OF PHILLIPP SCHREIFELS, identical with #686 above;.
he was married to one Susan Hennen. They lived in St.
Cloud. Their offspring are presently unknown.
1091. THE FAMILY OF THEODORE SCHREIFELS, b o m May 30, 1877; de-
ceased September 2 5, 1959, Cold Spring. Theodore was
married to,...
MISS OTTELIA KRIER, b o m January 9. 1886, Pearl Lake,Minn.;
deceased October 2, 1962. Theodore is identical with
#684 listed above. Their children have not been listed.

Page 145

_••__•_•_____•____________•••••••••__•
1092. THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SCHREIFELS, b o m in 1878 in St.
Nicholas, Minnesota; deceased April 5, 19*^, Cold Spring.
He was married to....
MISS AGNES ZIMMERMAN, b o m in 188 5 in Germany; deceased in
1951 in Cold Spring, Minnesota. William Schreifels is
also listed above as #385 and #685, They had a family,
including a son named Hubert, listed below as #1094.
1093. Katherine Schreifels died at the age of one year.
1094. 1094. THE FAMILY OF HUBERT SCHREIFELS, born on February 7,
1917 in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the son of William
Schreifels and Agnes Zimmerman,
married on June 28, 19*J-5 in Pearl Lake, Minn.,to...
DELORAS DECKER,born February 28, 1923 in Pearl Lake, Minn.,
daughter of Matt Decker(October 13, 1893, St. Nicholas,
Minn., deceased July 8, 1969, Rockville, Minn.) and
Theresa Rausch(born May 22, 1897, St. Nicholas. Minn.;
deceased August 22, I969, Rockville, Minnesota).
Their children are listed as follows!
1095. James Schreifels, born Feb. 23, 19*^-6, St. Cloud, Minn.
1096. Joan Schreifels, born May 12, 19^7, St. Cloud, Minn.
1097. Janet Schreifels, born July 11, 19**8, St. Cloud, Minn.
1098. John M. Schreifels, b o m June 18, 1951, St. Cloud, Minn.
1099. Joseph Schreifels(born April 4, 1953, St. Cloud; deceased
April 15, 1953,St. Cloud.Minnesota).
1100. Jeffrey Schreifels, b o m Sept. 30. 1955, St. Cloud.
1101. Jane Schreifels, b o m April 15, 1957, St. Cloud.
1102. Jacqueline Schreifels, born May 18, 1964, St. Cloud.
1095.THE FAMILY OF JAMES SCHREIFELS, b o m February 23, 1946,
St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was married on October 15,
1966 in St, Joseph, Minnesota to,.,,
MISS LUANNE PHANNESTSIN, b o m December 5, 1946, St. Cloud,
the daughter of Raymond Phannestein and Betty Denbert.
Their children are listed as follows!
1103. Kim Schreifels, b o m February 24, 1967.
1104. Todd Schreifels, born December 31, I969.
1096.THE FAMILY OF JOAN SCHREIFELS,bom May 12, 1947, St.
Cloud, Minnesota. He was married on Sept. 7, 1970 in
Waite Park, Minnesota to...
MR. HARRY VOLT,bom March 28, 19**7, Albany Minnesota, the
son of Alfred Volt and Emma Kohorst. They had one child
listed as followsi
1105. Chad Volt, b o m July 31, 1972 in Fridley, Minnesota.

Page 146

_•__••
 1097.THE FAMILY OF JANET SCHREIFELS, b o m July 11, 1948,
St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was married on August 1,
19**8 in Waite Park, Minnesota to...
MR. DON KLEIN,the son of Alois B. Klein and Catherine Lahr.
They had one child who is listed belowi
1106. Dawn Klein, born May 8, 1971, Saint Cloud, Minnesota.
1098.THE FAMILY OF JOHN M. SCHREIFELS, b o m June 18, 1951,
St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was married on April 10,
1970 in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota to...
MISS JOANN CRUSER.bom April 27, 1950 in St. Cloud, Minn.,
the daughter of Charles Cruser and Rita Patton. They
had one child list belowi
1107. Troy Schreifels, born August 11, 1970 in Duluth, Minnesota.
1108. 1108.THE FAMILY OF MARIA SUSANNA SCHREIFELS, born February
18, 1847, Mettendorf, Prussia. She was married to one
Math Banler and had two sons and one daughter, Ted,
Bernard and Alma Banler. Maria Susanna is listed above
as #370, one^of the daughters of Johann Schreifels and
Margaretha Muller.
1109. 1109.THE FAMILY OF KATHARINA SCHREIFELS,bom May 26, 1851 in
Mettendorf, Prussia. She was married to William Theisen
and is listed above as #372. This household is listed
and discussed on pages 129 and 130 above. Their children
are listed on these pages but no exact birthdates are
known.
1110. 1110.THE FAMILY OF STEVE SCHREIFELS, b o m October 23, 1909 in
Luxembourg Township, as the son of Henry and Anna
(Zimmerman) Schreifels(See Household #1088).
married on November 9, 1938 at Saints Peter and
Paul Church, Richmond, to...
MISS IDA HENNEN, When Steve Schreifels died at the
age of sixty-five years, he- had eleven grandohildren.
St even* a father! Hei'iry" Sehreif els J i§--listed as both
#384 and #682. The children of Steve and Ida are
listed as follows*
Ull. Harold Schreifels.
1112. Stacy Schreifels.
1113. Richard Schreifels of Duluth, Minnesota.
U14. Delroy Schreifels.

1115. Lucille Schreifels, married to Mr. 'Kenneth Miller.

U16, David Schreifels of Anoka, Minnesota.

[117. • Carol Schreifels, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

1118. 1088. THE FAMILY OF HENRY SCHREIFELS AND ANN ZIMMERMAN
is repeated from two page above. Besides Steven Schreifels,
there other children are listed as follows 1
1119. Frances Schreifels, married to John Flashenriem.
Page 147
1120. Tillie Schreifels, married to Michael Ashfeld, who is listed
above as #46, as son of Mary (Theis) Ashfeld, grandson
of Michael and Margaret (Schaefer) Theis, and great-
grandson of Nick and Elizabeth Theis.
1121. Katie Schreifels, married to John Schug.
1122. Tony Schreifels.
1123. Ben Schreifels.
1124. Theresia Schreifels, married to Henry Reiter.
1125. Mary Schreifels, married to Michael Reiter.
1126. Hilda Schreifels, married to Paul Reiter.
1127. Henry Schreifels, who removed to Colorado.
1128. 1128. THE FAMILY OF PETER J. THEISEN AND MARY THERESE THEIS
(also listed in Household #777 above). Their children
are listed below once again in part.
1129. Theresia A.Theisen, born July. 1891, who married a Mr.
Beringer(also listed as #800).
1130. Peter A. Theisen, born Mav, 1893, w ho married Caroline Kepler
(also listed as #797).
1131. Leo Peter Theisen(born February 25, 1895-see also Household
#798).
1132. Joseph J. Theisen, b o m May, l897(also listed as #801).
1133. Mathias H. Theisen, born March, 1899(also listed as #796),
who married Anna Maria Eisenscheck.
Notation to Household #11281 the birthdate of Mary Therese
(Theis) Theisen was June, 1868.
1134. THE FAMILY OF MARLENE SCHREIFELS AND JOHN EVAN CARSON (See
Household #469 above). Their second-born child is
listed belowi
1135. Bryan Carson, born July 16, 1977.
As an example to the reader that corrections are being made
constantly, we shall note the following!
1136. THE HOUSEHOLD OF MATHIAS SCHREIFELS AND CATHERINE SCHACKMANN
(also noted in Households #369, #679 and #1084). Data
on three of their sons is noted as follows!
1137. Michael Schreifels(See also #681 and #1087 above), b o m Sect.
16, I869 in Luxembourg Township; deceased August 8, 1939,
Eden Lake, Minnesota. He married Anna Bolfing(l886-1954).
1138. John Joseph Schreifels or Joseph John Schreifels(See also #683
and #1089 above), born May 6, 1871, St. Nicholas; deceased
December 2, 1939 in Waite Park. Minnesota. He was married
to Elizabeth Schmitt(1877-1961).
/
Page 148
 1139 William Schreifels(Soe also #385, #685 and #1092 above),
born.May 30, 1879, Minnesota; deceased April 5, 1944.
He married Agnes Zimmerman(183 5-1951).
Please use this page to make additions or corrections to
the family tree and send all such data to the author for
incorporation in a future publication,
1140. 1140.THS FAMILY OF PATRICK R. VOSSEN AND KATHLEEN CARROLL
(See Household #243). Their second-bom child is
listed belowi
1141. Earbara Vossen, b o m February 7, 1978 in Arlington, Minn.
1142. CORRECTION NOTED. #299 above is noted as follows! Jacob
(Jay) Libby III, born June 27, 1951.
1143. ADDITION-NOTEDt The marriage of Carl Schrott(from Baden)
and'Elisabeth Schaefer, the sister of Jacob Schaefer,
took place on January 8, 13 50 in St. Mary's Church
in Buffalo,New York. This -arriage is noted on page 10.-..
1144. ADDITION NOTEDi T;:E FAHILYJDF MICHAEL CARSON AND NANCY'
S?0V~^R(Soe Household #239), This family, presently
livin-T in Wasilla, Alaska, has produced one child:
1145. William Michael Carson, b o m September 23, 19?6 in Nome,
Alaska.
1146. ADDITION NOTEDi THS FAMILY OF STEVE WILLIAMS AND CAROLYN
CARSOM(See Household ?2~*2 ) . Their first-born child
is listed as follow;:
1147. Clinton Sheridan 'v'illh-3, b e m Dec. ?, 1977 at Troy,Ohio.
114?. CORRECTION NO^SDi i'2-1 above is noted as follows in
correc e d f o r.~. i Li. .-r.n b o r n N o v e m b e r 5,
3 9 57.
ll4o, CORRECTION NOTEDi ^'275 noted above is Ronald Gerard
Buerman,bom September 10, l°6l.
1150. THS FAMILY0? ANNA MARGARETHA THEISEN(bom August 31, 1861
in St. Nicholas,Minn.{deceased Nov. 8, 1921 in Sioux
City, Woodbury County,Iown ). . . .
married on May 17, 1831 in St. Nicholas,Minn, to....
JOHN ADAM SCHOEN, born August 4, IF 58 in St. Wendel Township
Steams county,Minn. ,the son of Joseph Shoen, b o m
circa 1819 in Germany and of Margaretha Schoen(born
circa 1820 in Luxembourg). John Adam Schoen died
on Dec. 16, 103^ i n Sioux City, Iowa, Their family
is listed below(this family is identical with Household
#77 5 above)«
1151. Margaretha May(same as #779), born June 25, 1882 in St.
Joseph.Minn; deceased Feb. 15, 1965. She married
Mr. John Yearer. They had no issue.
1152. John Benjamin Schoen, born Scot. 28, 1884 in Cold Soring,
Minn..deceased on April 15, 1886.

( UQ
mmm
1153. Peter Blooius Schoen, born Feb. 3, 1886,Cold Soring,
Minn.; deceased MAy 11, I968. Peter Schoen was
married on Sept. 12f 1912 to iiarrarct Hoss. This couple
_, _ had one son.now.livanrr in Florida..
11^4. Emma Theresia Schoen (same as •>732 above), born Sept. 22,
1807 in Eden VnHoy, Minnesota; she was married on
October 23, 1907 to Mr. Valentine St. Cyr. They had
two children, Lucille and Virgil St. Cyr.
1155. Pakratius John Schoen,born May 13, 1889 in St. Cloud,
Minnesota; deceased August -7, 1899.
1156. Mathias Gregor Schoen(same as #781 above), born March 9,
1891 in St. Cloud,Minn.; deceased Sept. 9, 1969.
Matt Shoen was married on August 7, 1911 to Anna Murphy.
This counle had four children, George(now living in New
York stat^, Anna Marie(now living in Illinois), Connie,
and a son who was killed in World War II.
1157. Friederich Leo Schoen, born March 14, 1893 in Sioux City,
Woodbury county,Iowa; deceased on Feb. 10, 1924.
1158. Matheldia Rosalia Schoen, born Sept. 4, 1895 in Sioux City,
Iowa; deceased November 25, 1945. Matheldia married John
Metz,Jr. on June 23, 192 5. This marriage had no issue.
1159. John William Schoen, b o m May 24, 1897 in Sioux City, Iowa;
he was married on Oct. 27, 1915 to Inis Anne Jones.
Their children included Don ?>nd and Marion, as well as
a baby daughter who died at the age of nine months.
11*0. Anton Victor Schoen, born April 20, 1900 in Sioux City,Iowa;
deceased March 15, 1974. He was married on June 11,
1929 to Marie Eunice Nichols. This couple had a son_
named Tom Schoen who did not marry.
1161. Julius Richard Schoen, borr. April 3, 1902 in Sioux City,
Iowa; deceased Oct. 25, 1°3L Julius Schoen married on
Sept. 4, 1922 Miss Treasa Williams. They had no issue.
1162. Maria Theodora, born April 4, 1905 in Sioux City,Iowa;
Maria T. Schoen married John George Wendt on December
271 19^5. They had no issue.
U63. CCRRECT1CN NOTED: Corv John Clifford Theis is the correct
spelling for Corv Theis(#273 above).
1164. CORRECTION NOTED: In Household #269 mentioned above, Mr.
Thomas Longen, tho-husband of Kathryn Genevive Thais,
is not«d as tho corroctod spelling. Addditionally,
their daughter is Jessica Kay Lengen(#362).
1164. CCRRECT1CN NOTED: The correct birthdate for Rosella (Decker)
Thois of Household #97 is August 29, 1932.

ISD
1165. U 6 . 5 . ADD1T1CN NOTED: Tilf> FAMILY OF PATRICK WERNER CARDING
AND NANCY WH1TE1S(Soo # 2 4 3 a h o v o ) . T h e i r f i r s t - b o r n
c h i l d , b o r n i n Sir. C l o u d . M i n n e s o t a , i 3 l i s t e d ho Low:
1166. Jomo P/irrick Cording, b o r n Mny 3 , 1978 i n . S a i n t Cloud.

1167. 11.67. ADDITION NOTED: THE FAMILY a- RUTH MARIE VOSSEN

AND MR. RICHARD KO> 1T7.A(Soo H o u s o h o l d 0 2 4 7 l i s t e d
abovo). T h o l r t h i r d - b o r n c h i l d i s l i s t o d bolow;

1168. N i c h o l Mario K o z i t z a , born Juno 3, 1978 i n K a n ' c a t o .

1169. 1 1 6 9 . ADDITION NOTED: THE FAMILY CF GERALD B THEIS J r

AND RENEE LElTHER(Soo H o u s e h o l d //2 2 8 a b o v e ) . ' '
T h o i r s i x - b o r n c h i l d i s l i s t o d bolow:

1170. S a r a h Renee T h e i s , born Juno 12, 1978 i n Richmond,Minn.

1171. CORRECTION NOTEDi The wedding date of Renco Theis and Clarence
' Buentan(HouGehold fr99) i s June 25, 1958.not ao e a r l i e r
indicated.
1172. CORRECTION NOTEDi Hary Ann Thels(//236) wa3 b o m on July 1, 1938.

1173. CORRECTION NOTEDi Carole B. TheiB(/:'23?) was born Oct. 29, I960.
11?4. CORRECTION NOTEDi Joan Agnes Thels(#233) wa3 born hay 8, 1962.
1175. CORRECTION NOTEDi John Gerald Theis(#239) was born on fey 4, 1963.
11?6. CORRECTION NOTEDi John Francis Boor(#282) was born on Nov. 2?, I966.
11??. CORRECTION NOTEDi In Household #326 above, the vifo of Eldred Matthew Ti=i
Is Judy Nieters(correct spelling).
1178. CORRECTION NOTEDi Travis Jon Theis(#283), the con of Raymond C. Thoic
and Carol "Schreifols.wao born on December 18, 19?6. —
1179. 1179. The second-bom child of Roger Theis and Betty Jean
Flcischhaekcr(SoQ Household #158 abovo) is liotod belowi
1180. JoAnn Theresa Theis. was b o m on February 24, 1978.
1181 1181. The first-born child of Diane TholB and Cleaent Potor Tourand
(See #159 above) is listed aa follows 1
1182. Philip Michael Tourand was b o m April 5. 1978.
1183. 1103. The household of Elalno Tholo and Ronald Raablcr(Sco //l60 abovo)
has produced their first-bom child lioted ao followai
1184. Daniol Robert Rambler was b o m November ?, 1977.
1185. H85. Tho second-bom child of Daniel Alfred Theio and Donna
Frank 13 listed A S follows(Sec Household #172 abovo)1
1186. Craig Daniel Theis, b o m Kay 30, 1978 ln Saint Cloud, Hlnncsota.
110?. 110?. Tho household of Robert Joseph Theis and hary Frank(Soo //1?3
above) hao produced ono child lioted bolow1
1138.. Joel Hichacl Thelo who was b o m on Octobor 29, 1977.

f«i
1189- The deathdate of John Theis, one of the three original brothers who
emigrated from Bollendorf, Prussia before 1855 was January
24, 1871 as Indicated in Book A, page eight, line 2 of the
Stearns county clerk's death record index. John was the brother
of Nicholas Theis, the progenitor of the Cold Spring Theis
family(with few exceptions).
1190. IMPORTANT ADDITION: Nikolaus Theis was,according to church records
in Trier,Germany(Bistumsarchiv),born on September 9, 1821.
According to Stearns county records, he died on March 15, 1886.
However his memory card at-the time of his death stated that
his birthdate was December 8, 1821 and thit hia date of .death was
March 13, l887(See Household #1 above).
1191. NOTATION 1 Katherina (Katie) Theis(noted as #4 above), the daughter of
the above-mentioned Nikolaus and Elizabeth Thels(See Household #l)
married, one Frank Ellenbecker. They had two sons, Edward, who died
at a young age,and William Ellenbecker who married Katie Bellsteln.
11Q2 ^ e offspring of the latter-named couple is unknown presently,
1192. (See also Household #910 for this family). Anna Maria Theis(identical
with #6 above and also a daughter of Nikolaus and Elizabeth
Theis), sister of the Katherina Theis mentioned above(#119l),
was born January 24, 1861 in Cold Spring,and deceased November 7,
1955 in Litchfield, Meeker county, Minnesota. She married one
Frank Klnzer(born December 26, i860 ln Fort Wayne,Indiana;deceased
August 14, 1928 in Watkins, Minnesota). Their children are listed
as followst
1193. Frank N. Klnzer(See above #32 and #911),,bom June 24, 1884 at Cold
Springjdeceased March 20, 1958 in St. Paul,Minnesota). He was
married to Mary Finken(born Nov. 10, 1887).
1194. Elizabeth Klnzer(born Oct. 11,1886;deceased May 22, 1974 ln Litchfield,
Meeker county,Minnesota)was married to Christ Theisen(born June
18, 1886 at Cold Spring asthe son of Paul Theisen; deceased on
December 3» 1930 at Watkins,Minnesota....see Theisen section of
book for this family). See also Households #33 and #912. Their
family will be listed below lnthe second column under #1194.
1195. Blondena. Kinzer , who was married on October 28, 1919 to Mr. Jacob
Blonlgan(born October 29, 1889 in Mantadon,North Dakota;
deceased on Jan. 12, 1956 in Litchfield,Minnesota).
See Households #31 and #913-

1196. Susan Kinzer. The family of Susan Kinzer and Nick L. Schreifels is
listed, or mentioned above in Households #34, #3931and #914.
!
1197. Edward Kinzer, b o m Oct. 21, 1898;deceased Dec. 21, 1921. See also
#35 and #915.
1198. Caroline Kinzer, b o m Sept. 25, 1900 in Watkins, Minnesota, was
married to Mr. Frank Kramer. Their child is listed below
in the second column under #1198.
#1194. The household of Elizabeth Kinzer and Christ Theisen is
listed belowi
1199. Adeline Theisen(born Sept. 5 , 1910).

Page 152

l<M
1200. Frank E. Theisen(born February 20, 1914 at Watkins,Minnesota{deceased
Dec. 29, 1973 in Litchfield)who married Mary Magdalena Heinrichs.
See #109 above.
1201. Alma Theisen(see also #106) married Doug Farnqulst.

1202. Mary Theisen(See also #107) was married first to Roger Anderson
...and secondly to Pat 0'Keefe.
1203- Katherlne(Kay) Theisen(see also #108) was married to Calvin Campbell.

1204. Nick Theisen(see also #103) was married to Elaine Keilty. They had at
least seven children.
1205. Esther Theisen, married Lloyd Holmgren(see also #104). They had at least
1198. T^lI^ouseholiPfs listed after Household #1211
1199. THE FAMILY OF ADELINE THEISEN(bom September 5, 1910) who was
married on November 5i 1928 to....
LEO KRAMER(born May 24, 1905). See also #105. Their children are listed belmi
1206. Robert Kramer (bom Sept. 9, 1929).

1207. Ralph Kramer (bom Sept. 2, 1931).

1208. Mildred Kramer (bom July 26, 1933). "* "
1209. Herman Kramer, died at the age of six months.

1210. Norman J. Kramer(bora February 8, 1937).

1211. Eugene Kramer(born Sept. 14, 1939).

1212. Connie Kramer(born July 18,1949 in Watkins{deceased on July 14,1964 in
Watkins).
1200. THE FAMILY OF FRANK THEISEN(1914-1973) and MARY MAGDALENE
HEINRICKS is listed as follows 1
1213. Darlene Theisen.
1214. Carole Theisen,married to Roger Quinn.
1215. Darryl Theisen.
1216. Carrie Theisen.
1217. Mary Ellen Theisen.
1201.THE FAMILY OF ALMA THEISEN AND DOUG FARNQUIST is listed belowi
1218. Patricia Farnqulst,who married Leo Young.
1219. Snarl Farnqulst.
1220. Renee Farnqulst.
1221. Mary Dee Farnqulst.
1222. Cory Farnqulst.
1202A.THE FAMILY OF MAEY THEISEN,who first married ROGER ANDERSON
listed as follows 1
1223. Terry(Anderson) 0'Keefe (later adopted by Mary's second husband).
1202B.IME FAMILY OF MARY THEISEN,who secondly married Pat 0'Keefe.
By this marriage, she had children named James, Tim, Mary
Kay, Mark and Sean 0'Keefe.
Page 153
 1203. THE FAMILY OF KATHERINE THEISEN AND CALVIN CAMPBELL included
the following childreni Anne, Kathy, Judy, Barbara, Steven,
and one daughter whose name Is presently unknown to the author.
1206. THE FAMILY OF ROBERT KRAMER(born Sept. 9, 1929) who married Alice
Braun, is listed belowi
1224. Marie Kramer, b o m Jan. 13, 1952.

1225- Jeannie Kramer, birthdate unknown.

1226. Geri Kramer, b o m in 1955-
122?. Cindy Kramer, b o m Nov. 28, 1957.
1228. Jeff Kramer, b o m July 23, 1959.
1229. Valari Kramer,born July 23, 1959. (twins).

1207. THE FAMILY OF RALPH KRAMER(born Sept. 2, 1931) who married

MARLENE ANDERSON, is listed1
1230. Diana Kramer, b o m July 24, 1955.
1231. Dennis K. Kramer, b o m Feb. 1, 1957.
1232. Sandra K. Kramer, born Apr. 15, 1962.
1208. THE FAMILY OF MILDRED KRAMER(born July 26, 1933) who married
MR. WALTER RIECHERT, is listed belowi
1233. Charles(Chuck) Reichert, b o m July 18, 1954.
1234. Nancy Reichert, b o m April 15, 1957.
1235. Linda Reichert, b o m Jan. 13, 1959.
1236. Jim Reichert, b o m April 14, 1962.
1210. THE FAMILY OF NORMAN J. KRAMER(born February 8, 1937? deceased
November 20, 1973)AND JANICE AMPE is listed as follows 1
1237. Kevin Kramer,bom on Feb. 22, 1961.
1238. Kenneth Kramer, b o m Jan. 2?, I963.
1239. Julia Anne Kramer, born Sept. 26, 1969.
1211.THE FAMILY OF EUGENE KRAMER(bora Sept. 14, 1939) and SUSAN
MEfER is listed as follows1
1240. Katherine Kramer, born Dec. 1, 1961.
1241. Thomas Kramer, b o m March 17, 1963.
1242. Jennifer Kramer,bom Feb. 24, 1972.
1198 THE FAMILY OF CAROLINE KINZER(bora Sept. 25, 1900 in Watkins)
who married on May 18, 1926....
MR. FRANK KRAMER(born Jan. 30, 1901). They had the following childi
1243. Kathleen Kramer(bom March 18, 1928) was married to Cliff Brandenburg
on May 16, 1953. They have one natural child, Nadine Brandenburg,
born December 3,196l,and three adopted children, Tom and Tim
Brandenburg(twins born on Sept. 29, 1959) and Colleen Brandenburg
(bom Feb. 1, i960).

Page 154
1244. 1244. THE HOUSEHOLD OF KATHERINE THEIS(Born September 18, 18?85deceased
March 22,1919).who married JOHN HENRY NEU(Bom November 1, 1873;
deceased Ottober 14, 1929). Katherine is listed as #9 above, the
daughter of Michael Theis (#2) and granddaughter of Nikolaus Theis
(#1). Their children are listed as followsi
1245. Margaret Neu.

1246. Michael Neu.

124?. Matt Neu.

1248. Anton(Tony) Neu.

1249. Lucille Neu.
1250. Leo Neu.
1251. Gephard Neu.
1245.THE FAMILYOF MARGARET NEU(born April 10, 1898) who married
BEN BREUMMER. Their children are listed herei
1252. Lavinia Breummer.who married Earl Roehbeck.
1253. Leona Breummer.who married Ambrose Hillmeier.
1254. Joyce,who married William Moser.
1255. Dorothy,who married Joel Hillmeier.
1256. Rosemary,who married Jack Holland.
125?. Delores,who married Joe Schmidt.
1246. MICHAEL NEU(bom Oct. 1?, 1900) married on Sept. 14, 1926, Miss
ANNA WALTERS(born Feb. 2, 1904,the daughter of John Walters and Katie
Rousch). No children.
1247. MATT NEU(bom May 17, 1903) married one Adeline Berger first(by
whom he had five or six children),and seoondly, married Catherine
Rambler,by whom he had one daughter,Patricia Neu.
1248A. THE FAMILY OF ANTHONY(Tony) NEU(born Nov. 23, 1908) who first
married(on October 4, 1932). MISS ALVINA LUTGEN(deceased April
29, 1940). By this first marriage,the following children were borni
1258. Edwin Neu.
1259. Arlene Neu.
1260. Delrose Neu.
1261. Elmer Neu.
1262. James Neu.
1248B. THE FAMILY OF ANTHONY or ANTON(Tony) NEU, by his second wife
Lorraine Frances Wlck(born July 29, 1921) is mentioned as follows.
They were married on May 13, 1941. One child was b o m to this marriage:
1263. Allen Neu.
1249.THE FAMILY OF LUCILLE NEU,who married SYLVESTER LOEHR,has produced
at least two sons and two daughters, names unknown to the enthor.

Page 155
 1250. THE FAMILY OF LEO NEU,who married CATHERINE BERGER, has produced
a family of seven(four sons and three daughters).
1251. THE FAMILY OF GEPHARD NEU,who married LUCILLE REISSEMAN, has
produced a family of approximately nine children,names presently
unknown.
1258. THE FAMILY OF EDWIN NEU(born Aug. 24, 1933) who married on
May 20, 1958
MISS PATRICIA BERGER. Their children are listed following 1
1264. Sharon Neu,bom Aug. 28, 1959.
1265. Sandy Neu,bom Sept. 29, 1962(approx.).
1266. Steve Neu, b o m Feb. 25, 1970.
1259. THE FAMILY OF ARLENE NEU(born Sept. 13, 1934) who married on
June ?, 1955...
HR. JAMES WICK(bom March 19, 1931). Their children are listed here:
1267. David Wick,bom Nov. 11,1957.
1268. Douglas Wick,bom July 30,1961;deceased Nov. 2, 19?6.

1269. Diane Wick,bom Feb. 13, 1968.

1260. THE FAMILY OF DELROSE NEU(born Oct. 23, 1936) who married
on Nov. 29, 1958...
MR. ROBERT DESROSIER(who was b o m April 28, 1933). Their children are listed:
1270. Steven Desrosier, b o m Oct. 12,1959.
12
7L Renee,bom Oct. 8, I960.
1272. Duane ,born Feb. 14, 1962.
1273. Janet Desrosier,bom Sept. 8, 1963.
12?4. Kevin Desrosier, b o m March 17, 1973 •
1275. Laura Desrosier, b o m May 10, 1976.
1261.THE FAMILY OF ELMER NEU(born Nov. 3,1938) who married on
June 151 1963.•••
NITA UNDERBURGER. Their children are listed below:
1276. Jeff Neu,bom May 25, 1964.
1277. Mark Neu,bom May 18, 1965.
1278. Paul Neu, b o m May 1, 1966.
1279. Mellne Neu,bom Jan. 9, 1969.
1280. Chris Neu, b o m Oct. 25, 1974.
1262.THE FAMILY OF JAMES NEU(born March 28, 1940, who married
on October 22, 1966.MISS ALICE BERGER. Their two children
are listed herei
1281. Benedict Neu,bom Aug.22, 196?.

1282. Denis*? Neu,bom April 6, 1971.

1263. THE FAMILY OF.ALLEN NEU(born March 12, 1942) who married
on August 3, 1968....
MISS SHIRLEY HANSEN(born April 24, 194?). Their children are listed
belowi
128
3* Pamela Neu,bom August 6, I969.
 1
1284. Michelle Neu,bom Jan. 13, 1971.

1285. Kimberly Neu,bom March 25, 1975-

ADDITIONSi THE NORTH DAKOTA THEIS FAMILY I

24. THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS THEODORE THEIS(bora June 4, 1885 in Cold

Spring, Minnesota and deceased on December 26, 19&5 at the age of
eighty in Lansford, North Dakota, married on August 30, 1909....
MISS MARY ZEITLER, bom on August 13,1885 in Richmond Minnesota(as
the daughter of Sebastian Zeitler, Jan. 6, 1858-July 23,1897, and
of Barbara Lang, Oct. 28, 1861-April 21, 1923);and deceased on April
15. 1965 in Lansford, N.D. at the age of seventy-nine. They were
married for fifty-six years and had the following children:

1286. Mathilda Theis,bom November 18, 1910 in Lansford,N.D. She was married
on January 2?, 1940 to Mr. John (Jack) Garmen(bora Nov. 19, 1906
in Elma,Iowa). Mathilda's full name was Mathilda Barbara Theis at
baptism. They have no children and live in St. Paul. See #?6 above.
128?. Loretta Anna Theis, bom Oct. 16, 1912 ln Lansford, North Dakota. Same as
#77 above.
1288. Esther Theis, bom Feb. 28, 1914.
1289. Sylvester Theis, bom Oct. 10, 1916. Same as #79 above.
1290. Irene Clara Theis, bom Oct. 6, 1919 In Lansf ord, N.D. (same as #78 above).
1291. Raymond Frank Theis, bom Sept. 2, 1924. He is identical with #81 above.

1292. Alvin Theis,bom August 9, 1928.

1287. THE FAMILY OF LORETTA THEIS(bom Oct. 16, 1912 in Lansford,N.D.)

who married on June 16, 1937«...
MR. CASPER HANSON(bom April 24, 1913; deceased on June 26, i960 at age 47
in a drowning accident in Minot.N.D.). Their children are listed herei
1293. Kathryn Marie Hanson, b o m August 24, 1938 ln Minot, North Dakota.
1294. Rueben Hanson, bom Jan. 15, 1941.
1295. Patricia Ann Hanson,bom July 7, 1947 in Minot.N.D.
1288. THE FAMILY OF ESTHER THEIS (bom Feb. 28, 1914 ln Lansf ord, N.D.)
who married on Nov. 30, 1939...
MR. RALPH E. SCHOEBERL. Their children are listed as follows 1
1296
• Steven Schoeberl, bom March 24, 1941 in Rush City,Minn.
1297. George Schoeberl, bom Jan. 22, 1943 in Rush City, Minn.

1298. Mary Schoeberl, bom May 28, 1944.

1299. Teresa Schoeberl, bom Dec. 20, 1946.

1300. Judy Schoeberl, bom Aug. 17, 1948.

1301. Kathy Schoeberl, bom April 15, 1950.

1302. Ann Schoeberl, bom May 27, 1952.

Page 157
1303. Jerry Schoeberl, b o m Feb. 15, 1954.

1304. Andy Schoeberl, b o m Dec. 25, 1956 in Rush City,Minnesota.

1289. THE FAMILY OF SYLVESTER THEIS(bom Oct. 10, 1916 in Lansford,

North Dakota) who,on June 30, 1941, married....
MISS ETHELINA HARREN. Their children are listed belowi
1305. James Theis, b o m Aug. 9, 1943 in Lansford,N.D.

1306. Sylvia Theis,bom Oct. 5, 1945 in Lansford.

1307. Paul Theis,bom August 23, 1947 in Laneford.N.D.

1308. Thomas Theis, b o m Sept. 23, 1950 in Lansford,N.D. Thomas married

Miss Kay Jones on June 28, 1975.
1290. THE FAMILY OF IRENE CLARA THEIS(born Oct. 6,1919 in Lansford,
N.D.) who married,on Oct. 28, 1941
MR. FRANK BROCKEY.Sr.(bom June 23, 1911). Their family is listed
below:
1309. Frank Brockey, Jr. (adopted) was born on Jan. 30, 1938 .

1310. John Brockey, born August 6, 1942 in Minot, North Dakota{deceased

at the age of 24 on July 29, 1966 in Minot.N.D.
1311. Irene Mary Brockey, born June 19, 1947in Minot.N.D.

1291. THE FAMILY OF RAYMOND FRANK THEIS(born Sept. 2, 1924 in

Lansford,North Dakota) was married on Nov. J , 1951 to.,..
MARGARET GUIDINGER. Their family is listed here:
1312. Mary Theis, born and died in infancy ln the year 1953-
1313. Eric Theis, b o m March 18, 1957.

1314. Peggy Theis,bom Jan. 18, 1964.

1292. THE FAMILY OF ALVIN THEIS(bom August 9, 1928 in Lansford,

North Dakota) was married on May 21, 1955 to....
MISS MARILYN SAGGISSOR(or SAGISSOR). Their family Is listed below:

1315. Michelle, born August 19, 1956,was married to one William Couture
on February 1, 1975-

1316. Jeanne Theis, b o m Sept. 3, 1958.

1317. Paul Theis, b o m Sept. 1, 1959.

1318. Mary Beth Theis, b o m June 10, 1966.

1293. THE FAMILY OF KATHRYN MARIE HANS0N(born August 24, 1938 in
Minot,N.D.) was married on July 4, 1959 to....
MR. VERNON HARTLEIB. Their family is listed as follows:
1319. Craig Wallace Hartleib, b o m Jan. 29, I960.

1320. Allen George Hartleib, b o m Nov. 30, 1961.

1321. Teresa Hartleib, b o m Feb. 10, 1963.

1322. Kimberly Ann Hartleib, b o m Oct. 26, 1965.

1323. Lloyd Anthony Hartleib, b o m May 13, 1968.
1294. THE FAMILY OF RUEBEN WALLACE HANSON(bom Jan. 15, 1941),
who married on Sept. 15, 1957
MISS LORETTA HUTCHINS(born 1940). They have three step-children
listed immediately below:
1324. Jodi Ann Hanson, born April 1, 1956.
1325. Toreen Hanson, born August 8, 1958.
1326. Lofty Hanson, b o m August 25, 196l.
1295a THE FAMILY OF PATRICIA ANN HANSON(born July 7, 194?)
who had two children by one MR. MOOEE. They are listed here:
1327. Chad Moore, born January 20,' 19?0.
1328. Lisa Moore, b o m Nov. 7, 1972.
1295b. THE FAMILY OF PATRICIA ANN(HANSON) MOORE who married on
May 1?, 1975 one MR. PAUL MARTINEZ has not yet produced any
children.
1297.THE FAMILY OF GEORGE SCHOEBERL(born Jan. 22, 1943 in Rush
City,Minnesota) by a woman whose name is not listed herein
Includes the following child:
1329. Scottie Schoeberl.
1298.THE FAMILY OF MARY SCHOEBERL(bora May 28, 1944 in Ruth City,
Minnesota) who married one GEORGE RUHLAND include the following:
1330. Kristie Ruhland.

1331. Randy Ruhland.

1332. Brian Ruhland, b o m Oct. 15, 1976ln Eden Valley, Minnesota.

1299.THE FAMILY OF TERESA SCHCEBERL(born Dec. 20, 1946 in rush
City,Minnesota) by one MR. MICH TDYCH Include the following
children born in Zimmerman,Minnesota:
1333. Patie Tdych.

1334. Sherry Tdych.

1335. Frankee Tdych.
I305.THE FAMILY OF JAMES THEIS(bom August 9i 1943) who married
on June 26, 1 9 6 5 . • . .
MISS VICKIE LORENZ have had the following c h i l d r e n in Midland,
Michigan:
1336. Michelle Theis, bom June 25, 196?.
1337. John Theis, bom May 2, 1970.

1338. Stephanie, bom Dec. 19, 1976.

I306.THE FAMILY OF SYLVIA TKEIS(bom Oct. 5, 1945), who was
a a r r i e d on November 6, 1970 t o . . . ,
MR. MICHAEL HERRICK has produced the following c h i l d !
1339. Leo H e r r i c k , b o m June 2, 1977 In Alaaelda, California.

Page 159
 1307. THE FAMILY OF PAUL THEIS(born August 23, 1947 in Lansford,
North Dakota) who was married on December 22, 1971 to...
ROBIN JAEHMING-BOYUM includes the following child b o m in Wayzata,Minn.i
1340. Peter Theis, b o m May 29, 1975.
1309.THE FAMILY OF FRANK BROCKEY, JR.,who was married t« one
MISS KATHY STRUCKNESS, is listed as follows 1

1341. Kristine Brockey, b o m 1958.

1342. Debbie Brockey,born 1959.

1343. Brion, b o m I962.

13^4. Grant Brockey, b o m I963.

1345. Lance Brockey, born I966.

1311.THE FAMILY OF IRENE MARY BROCKEY(bom June 19, 194? in Minot,
Notth Dakota),who was married to KIM LANG, has produced the
following child1
1346. Gwendy Kay Lang, born August 5, I967.
931. THE HOUSEHOLD OF MELVIN PETER MATHIES(born July 13, 1936, Cold
Spring) who was married on January 25, 1964 to...
ANNA CLAIRE EICHINGER(bom June 3, 1942 in Red Wing, Minnesota, daughter
of LeRoy Joseph Eichinger and Monica Matilda Schafer). Their
children are listed as follows with birthdates included1
1347. Matthew Peter Mathles(born Sept. 29, 1964,St. Cloud).
1348. Cynthia Ann Mathles(bom Nov. 30, 1965, St. Cloud).
1349. Margaret Rose Mathies, b o m July 15, 1969 in St. Cloud.
935. THE HOUSEHOLD OF THOMAS MATHEIS,JR. AND MARY LIPINSKI. Their
fourth born child Is named1
1350. Nicole Mathies.

937.THE HOUSEHOLD OF DONALD MATHEIS MARRIED TO JOY DONNABAUER. Their

first-born child has been named as follows 1

1351. Angelina Mathies.

939. THE FAMILY OF VERNON MATHEIS(bom Dec 14, 1951) who was
married on April 8, 1978 to
MARY ELIZABETH EICHINGER (born Nov. 19, 1951). Their are no children
presently born to this couple.
947. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL WILLIAM BIRK(born Feb. 2, 1952) who was
married on July 5i 1975 to...
JEAN MARIE HARREN(born May 27, 1957). Their children are listed belowi
1352. Todd Timothy Birk, b o m August 5 , 1975.
1353. Chad Michael Birk, b o m Jan. 19, 1978.

Page 160
 9 4 8 . THE FAMILY OF JANICE D. BIRK(born December 12, 1953) who was m a r r i e d on
March 2, 1971 t o . . .
THOMAS EBACHER(born November 9, I 9 5 I i n M a s s a c h u s e t t s ) . They have one c h i l d :
J a s o n Andrew E b a c h e r . b o r n A p r i l 2 5 , 1976.
CORRECTION NOTED: E l d r e d Mathew T h e i s was m a r r i e d t o Judy N I e t e r s on June 1,
I 9 6 8 . W i f e ' s maiden name c o r r e c t e d from N e c h t e i s . See Household #135«
1356. CORRECTION NOTED: I n Household #65 above, J o s e p h T h e i s i s m a r r i e d t o one F r a n c e s
P o z o r s k i . Maiden name c o r r e c t e d .
140. ADDITION NOTED. The family of Lora Marcela Huschle and Elmer Herman
B r u t g e r had produced a s e c o n d - b o r n c h i l d :
1558. K a r i n B r u t g e r , born A p r i l 28, I976 i n P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a .
149. The Household of B e t t y J a n e K a e t e r and Howard Volt l i s t e d a s Household
#149 a b o v e , had produced a second c h i l d l i s t e d belowi
1359. Tammy V o i t . b o r n October 18, I976 i n L i t t l e F a l l s , M i n n e s o t a .
I 5 8 . The Household of Roger T h e i s and B e t t y F l e i s c h h e c k e r ( n o t e d above i n
Household #158) has produced t h e i r second and t h i r d - b o r n c h i l d r e n l i s t e d
below(See a l s o Household #1179 a b o v e ) ;
1360. J e n n i f e r T h e i s , b o r n March 22, 1976 i n S t . Cloud.
1361. JoAnn T h e r e s a T h e i s , born February 24, 1 9 7 8 ( s e e #1180 a b o v e ) .
1
1362. 53« Anna Marie T h e i s ( b o r n September 26, 1952 a t S t . Cloud)was m a r r i e d on
O c t o b e r 9 , 1976 t o R i c h a r d Holdvogt. No c h i l d r e n a r e n o t e d .
1363. 2 6 0 . Karen Lee Gohman was m a r r i e * f o r t h e second t i m e on May 19,1979 i n Canoga
P a r k , C a l i f o r n i a t o C o l i n Hinson(born Aug. 20, 1947 i n Vancouver, B r i t i s h
Columbia).
1364. 2 6 5 . Mary K. Schmal was married on Oct. 2 1 , 1978 a t S t . John Chrysostora Church
i n Inglewood, C a l i f o r n i a t o Max Ledesma Warden.
1365. 2 6 6 . K a t e R. Schmal was m a r r i e d on J u l y 2 9 , 1978 a t Loyola U n i v e r s i t y C h a p e l ,
Los A n g e l e s , C a l i f o r n i a t o Michael P a u l P o d e g r a c z ( b o r n December 17,
1953 i n Los A n g e l e s ) .
1366. 2 6 7 . C l i f f o r d S . T h e i s was m a r r i e d on September 1 5 , 1979 a t Mankato, Minnesota
t o S h e i l a K l i n g e l ( d a u . of C h a r l e s and Agnes K l i n g e l ) .
1
36?. 2 6 8 . Connie J . T h e i s was m a r r i e d on O c t . 12, 1979 a t S t . B o n i f a c e Church, Cold
S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a t o Edward D. Mosiman.
•- 150. THE H0USEH0ID OF MARGARET KAETER(born S e p t . 2 ? , 1953) who was m a r r i e d on
J u l y 2 6 , 1975 a t Sauk R a p i d s , M i n n e s o t a , t o R i c h a r d B u e r s k e n ( b o r n May 2 7 ,
1954, S t . Cloud) has produced t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d i
1368. E r i c R o b e r t B u e r s k e n , born S e p t . 17, 1977, Moorhead,Minnesota.
182. L i l a J e a n N i s t l e r ( b o r n November 30, 1952 a t S t . Cloud) was m a r r i e d on F e b .
2 1 , 1975 i n S t . Cloud t o John L o s i n s k i ( b o r n May 2 , 1950 a £ S t . C l o u d ) .
183. THE HOUSEHOLD OF EILEEN NISTLER(born A p r i l ?, 1954 a t S t . Cloud) who was
m a r r i e d t o STEPHEN JOHNSON on F e b r u a r y 10, 1973- T h e i r s e c o n d - b o r n c h i l d
i s noted a s follows1
1369. K e i t h J o h n s o n , b o r n March 2 0 , 19?6 a t F e r g u s F a l l s , M i n n e s o t a .
1370. I 8 5 . L o i s Philomena N l s t l e r ( b o r n on J u n e 1 , 1957) was m a r r i e d on May 2 1 , 1977 a t
S t . A n t h o n y ' s C h u r c h , S t . Cloud, t o Wayne Yamry(born J a n . 14, 1 9 5 6 ) .
1371. 188. S y l v e s t e r N i s t l e r (born May 17, 1956 a t S t . Cloud) was m a r r i e d on O c t . 16,
1976 a t S t . Cloud t o Lea Metzger(born F e b r u a r y 1 5 , 1957 a t S t . C l o u d ) .
They have no c h i l d r e n n o t e d .
tyZ. 194. Anna Mae T h e i s ( b o r n J u n e 2 6 , 1955) was m a r r i e d a t S t . N i c h o l a s on August
2 8 , 1976 t o K e i t h Zempel(born J a n u a r y 1 1 , 1955 i n Montevideo, M i n n e s o t a ) .
No c h i l d r e n have been n o t e d .

Pa*e 161
 1

1373. 209. THE HOUSEHOLD CF JANE DOCKENDORF AND DANIEL LARAHIE(noted above
as Household #209) has produced a second-born child 1
1374. Nathan Laramie, born Feb. 3, 1978 ln Eoulder, Colorado.

1375. 3^6. The year of dca';h for Johann Schreifels, the founder of the Schreifels
family in Cold Spring was I884(at the age of 74 years). The
year of death for his wife, Margaretha (Muller) Schreifels, was
I864(at the age of 53 years). Source: St. Boniface Cemetery.
1376. P0SSI3LE CORRECTION NOTED. Katharina Schreifels(#372 and #1109 above)
is noted,according to her memory card, to have died on June 1,
1902. However, her birthdate, as also noted, was Kay 10, 1850,
which is incorrect as Mettendorf cnurch records can proove. In
March, 18?6 she narried William Theisen

1377. 462. TOE HOUSEHOLD OF RAYNOLD SCHREINER AND ,10 ANN EVELYN LINN has produced
a fourth child listed as follows:

1378. Dona Beth Schreiner, born Feb. 23, 19?6 in Paynesville,Minnesota.

1379. 469. TOE HOUSEHOLD OF MARLENE SCHREIFELS AND JOHN EVAN CARSON has produced
the second-born child listed here:
1380. Bryan Carson, born July 16, 1977 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
1331. I??, Richard Stephen Theis(born Sept. 5, 1951 at St. Cloud) was married
on May 17,1977 at St. Pius Church in Cannon Falls, Minn, to
Connie Jane Wenker(born January 4, 1956 at Breckenridge.Minn.).
No children presently listed.
1382. 179. Stanley Theis, b o m Jan. 11, 1955 in St. Cloud, was married on Kay 20,
1978 at Maternity of Kary Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,
to Kary Jo Connely(born March 6,1955 at St. Paul). No children
have been listed.
THE SCHREIFELS DESCENDANTS. The descendants of Mathias Schreifels(listed above
as #369) and Catherine Schackman are listed as follows. Mathias Schreifels
was the third-born son of Johann Schreifels and Margaretha Muller.
369. THE FAMILY OF MATHIAS SCHREIFELS, b o m June 15. 1843 in Mettendorf,
Prussia; deceased February 18, 1902 in Cold Spring,Minnesota,
was married at Jacobs Prairie to....
CATHERINE SCHACKMAN(born July 26, 1841 in Germany; deceased June 28,
1906). This couple is also listed above as Households #369,
#679, and #1084. Their children are listed belowi
1383. John Schreifels, b o m Dec. 25, I867, St. Nicholas,Minnesota.
1384. Nicholas Schreifels, b o m March 4, I869.
1385. Michael Schreifels.
1386. Joseph Schreifels.
1387. Henry Schreifels, He and his wife are listed above in Household #1088.

1388. Theodore Schreifels.

1389. William Schreifels.

1390. Philip Schreifels.

1391. Catherine Schreifels, died at the age of 21 from tuberculosis.
 1383. THE FAMILY OF JOHN SCHREIFELS, b o m Dec. 25, 186? at St.
Nicholas,Minnesota} deceased May 1, 1933 at the age of
sixty-five, was married in May,1889 at Jacobs Prairie to.
MARIA FEIEN, bora April 15, I865 at Jacobs Prairie,Minnesota; deceased
July 20, 1940. They had ten children(flve boys and five girls)
who are listed below.
1392. Mathias, died in infancy(lived April"
1393. Margaret Schreifels, born May 21, 1892.
1394. Mathias Schreifels, born 1894. Exact birthdate was May 5, 1894.
1395. Katherine Schreifels, died at the age of thirteen.s^e was b o m Apr.l6,l896.
1396. Mary Schreifels. She was b o m on Aug. 15, 1898.
1397. Alois Nicholas Schreifels, b o m April 6, 1900.
1398. Theresa, born March 13, 1903 and died March 19, 1911 when seven years old.
1399. Bernard Schreifels. Bernard was born on May 13, 1903.

1400. Rosina Schreifels, who married Edjrald Hansen(b. 1903) on June 26.1928.
Rosy Schreifels was born Jan. 20, 1905.
1401. Robert Schreifels(1909-1911). Robert was b o m on Sept. 21, 1907.
1384. THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS H. SCHREIFELS, b o m March 4, I869 at
St. Nicholas; deceased October 9, 1962 at the age of ninety-
three at St. Cloud. On October 11, 1892 he was married at
St. Nicholas to.,.,
MARGARET JUNGELS, b o m January 7, 1873 at St. Nicholas; deceased
January 6, 1939 at Richmond(at the age of sixty-five). Margaret
Jungels was the daughter of John Jungels and Catherine Lutgen.
Their nine children are listed below;
1402. * Mathias H. Schreif els, b o m Oct. 10, 1893.
1403. John P. Schreifels, b o m Oct. 29, 1894.
1404. Mary(Sister Sylvester), born April 4, 1897, at Richmond. Sr.
Sylvester,O.S.B. entered St. Benedicts on August 15, 1922
and took final vows on July 11, 1927.
1405. Catherine Schreifels, b o m Nov. 8, 1899.
1406. Regina Schreifels.
1407. George Henry Schreifels, b o m April 23, 1905.
1408. Herbert Schreifels, b o m Oct. 10, 1908.
1409. Margaret, born and died in 1912.
1410. Walbert James Schreifels, b o m Oct. 14, 1916 and died on
February 20, 1933 at the age of sixteen.
1385a. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL SCHREIFELS (bom l8?0-deceased 1939)
who married first CATHERINE B0LFING and had the following
children t
1411. Carl Schreifels.
1412. Anna, who was married to John Nies.
1413. Michael Schreifels.
1414. Joseph Schreifels.
 I
1385b. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL SCHREIFELS whose second wife was
ANNA BOLFING(born May 26, 1886 in Cold Spring;deceased
on May 14, 1954 at the age of sixty-seven in Walte Park).
Their children are listed belowi
1415. Mary, who married one Mr. Fink(first name not known).
1416. Alfred H. Schreifels(born August 29, 1909; deceased July 4, 1975).
Alfred Schreifels married Minnie Krolzek. They had no children.
1417. Agnes Schreifels.
1418. Marcella Schreifels, who married Marvin Nieman.
1386. THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH M. SCHREIFELS(bom May 5, 18?3;
deceased Feb. 2, 1936), who married a woman named
ELIZABETH(maiden name unknown). She was born Oct. 1, 1877 and
died on May 11, 1961. Their children are listed herei
1419. Joseph M. Schreifels.
1420. Peter Schreifels, who married Rose Martz.

1421. Rose Schreifels, who married Edward Heying.

1388. THE FAMILY OF THEODORE SCHREIFELS(bom May 30, 18?? and
deceased Sept. 25, 1959) who was married to..,.
OTHILIA KRIER(born Jan. 9, 1886 at Pearl Lake,Minnesota; deceased
October 2, 1962 at Cold Spring). Their children are listed herei
1422. Mathilda Schreifels, bora Dec. 6, 1906;deceased April 2, 1975.
Mathilda was married to Leo Huberty.
1423. Theodore Schreifels,Jr. was married to Veronica Brutger.
1424. Father Ferdinand Schreifels who read his first Mass on June 6, 1937.
1425. Theresa Schreifels, who married Greg Memke.
1426. Rosie Schreifels(l9l4-1940), married to Norber Kremer.
1427. Clara Schreifels, married to Martin Huberty.
1428. Marcella Schreifels, died in infancy.

1429. Barbara Schreifels, who married Ray Nistler.

1430. Marie Schreifels, who married Jerome Roeser.
1431. Rita Schreifels, who married Leander Ludvig.
1389. THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SCHREIFELS(l878-April 5. 1944) who
was married to...
AGNES ZIMMERMAN(1885-Aprll,1951). Their children are listed herei
1*32. Frances Schreifels, who married Henry Donnay.
1433. John Schreifels, b o m Sept. 25, 1906.
1*3*. Herman Schreifels.

1435. Father Rupert Schreifels.

1436. Elizabeth Schreifels.

 *

1437. Leonard Schreifels. Leonard had eleven children not listed in this book.
1438. Hubert Schreifels, who married Delores Decker. The offspring of
this couple are mentioned above ln Household #1094. Please
refer to that section.
1439» Eleanor Schreifels, married to Richard Bruemner.
1440. Ferdinand Schreifels, born Jan. 6, 1921 in Cold Spring and deceased
on November 30, 1962 at Anoka,Minnesota.
1441. Helen Schreifels, who married Allan Gunderson.
1390. THE FAMILY OF PHILIP SCHREIFELS AND SUSAN HENNEN is
listed belowi
14421 Robert Schreifels. Robert Schreifels died at the age of six.
1443. John Schreifels.
1444. Ray Schreifels.
1445. Alphonse Schreifels,who married Viola Philippi.
1446. Elvina Schreifels, who married Joe Pohl.

1447. Odilla Schreifels, who married Emil Hess.

1448. Olivia Schreifels(twin to Odilla), who married Clarence Allen.
1449. Gilbert Schreifels, who married Genevieve Stellmach.
1450. Martin Schreifels, who married Delores Kummer.
1451. Ervin Schreifels, who married Pearl Allen.

1393. THE FAMILY OF MARGARET SCHREIFELS, b o m May 21, 1892;

deceased Sept. 21, 1972 ln St. Cloud. She married...
JOHN KELLER, b o m July 28, 1890 at Collegeville,Minnesota;
deceased Feb. 10, i960. Their children include1
1452. Loretta Keller, who was married to Clarence Kremer.
1453. Wendelin Keller, who was married to Marian Theisen. They had eight
boys and six girls.
1454. Clarence K e l l e r .
1*55. Adeline Keller, who married Sylvester Schaefer.
1456. IsabeUe Keller, who married Leo Markfort.
1457. Evelyn Keller, who married Tony Markfort.

1458. Vernold Keller, who married Irene Cremer.

1459. Vernon Keller(twln to Vernold).
1394.THE FAMILY OF MATHIAS SCHREIFELS(1894-1960) who married
LIZZIE BRIXIUS. Their family is listed belowi
1460. Celistine Schreifels,who married Linda Hansen.
1461. Eldora Schreifels, who married Marcus Dingmann.
1462. Jaletta Schreifels, who married Ralph Dingmann.

1463. Claude Schreifels, who married Bernadette Kremer.

Page I65
 1396. THE FAMILY OF MARY SCHREIFELS who was married on October 3,
1926 to....
NICHOLAS HUBERTY. Their children are listed as follows 1
1464. Donald Huberty,who married Lucille Hennen.
1465. Annabelle Huberty, who married George Nistler.
1466. Marvin Huberty, who married Mildred Harren.
1467. Rita Huberty, who married Mervin(las± name unknown).
1468. Richard Huberty, who married Rita Block.
1397.THE FAMILY OF ALOIS NICHOLAS SCHREIFELS, b o m April 6,
1900 at Jacobs Prairie; deceased on October 28, 1971 at
Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Alois was married on Sept. 12,
1927 at St. Joseph,Minnesota to....
MISS CLARA MARIE THEISEN, born Jan. 11,1901 at St. Joseph(daughter of
Michael C. Theisen-who died July 22-1927- and of Catherine
Gill,who died in September, 1955. Their children are listed belowi
1469. Gerald Schreifels.
1470. Renee Schreifels.
14?1. Earl J. Schreifels.
14?2. Melvin Schreifels.
1473. Elizabeth Schreifels, b o m April ?, 1935; deceased October 1936.
1474. Violet Schreifels. . ,.
1475. LeRoy Schreifels.
1476. Kathleen Schreifels, b o m March 11, 1940.
14?7. Carolyn Schreifels, b o m December 28, 1943.
14?8. Mary Ann Schreifels.
1399. THE FAMILY OF BERNARD SCHREIFELS and ISABEL STEICHEN(daughter
of Frank Stelchen and Rose Theisen) is listed as follows 1
1479. Ervin Schreifels, who married Arlene Wltzman.
1480. Janet Schreifels, who married Nick Zimmerman.
1481. Eugene Schreifels, who married Ardele(malden name unknown).
1482. Richard Schreifels.

1483. Eldred Schreifels, who married Mary Schuller.

1402. THE FAMILY OF MATHIAS H. SCHREIFELS(bom Oct. 10, 1893 at
Richmond) was married to one Cecil Kron. Their children were:
1484. Juletta Schreifels.
1485. Lorraine Schreifels.
1486. Romauld Schreifels.
1487. Arthur Schreifels, who resides in Seattle,Washington.
1488. George Schreifels,who resides ln Arizona.

L
1489. Ceil Schreifels.
1490. Marjorie Schreifels.
1491. Mathew Schreifels.
1403. THE FAMILY OF JOHN P. SCHREIFELS,bom Oct. 29, 1894 at
Richmond,Minn.; deceased Nov. 15,197* at Melrose,Minnesota.
He was married to....
FRANCES KRON. Their children are listed belowi
1492. Celeste Schreifels.
1493. Victor Schreifels.
1494. Marcellus Schreifels.
Ii495. Cyril Schreifels.
1496. Harold Schreifels.
1497. Iris Schreifels.
1405. THE FAMILY OF CATHERINE SCHREIFELS(bom Nov. 8, 1899 In
Richmond) who was married in 1922 at Richmond to...
SYLVESTER LANG. Their children are listed belowi
1498. Genevieve Lang,married to Dick Ludowese(deceased in 1975).
1499. Shirley Lang,married to Sylvester Miller.
1500. Mildred Lang,married to Ray Geislinger.
1501. Sylvia Lang,married to Harry Weber.
1406. THE FAMILY OF REGINA SCHREIFELS,bom January 26, 1902.
On May 8, 192? she was married to....
ALPHONSE KRON.SR. They had eight to nine children, two of whom are
listed belowi
1502. Delores Kron.who was married to a Mr. Smith.
1503. Roger Kron, who died in January, 1977 at the age of forty-one.
1407.THE FAMILY OF GEORGE HENRY SCHREIFELS,bom April 23, 1905J
deceased March 4, 1967. He was married on April 13, 1931 to...
MISS AGNES PETERS(bom Feb. 28, 1909). Their children are listed belowi
1504. Elvera Susanne Schreifels, born Oct. 27, 1931 in Richmond. She was
married to Charles R. Buchan(born April 5» 1929).
1505. Joseph Schreifels, born and died on Dec. 7, 1932.
1506. Eugene Herbert Schreifels, born Dec. 22, 1934 in Rockville,Minn.
1507. Dolores Katherine Schreifels,born June 7, 1937 In St. Augusta,Minn.
1508. Ramona Elenor Schreifels, b o m May 311 1941 in Kimball.
1509. Jaaes Matthew Schreifels, b o m Jan. 6, 1944 in Belgrade,Minnesota.
1408.THE FAMILY OF HERBERT SCHREIFELS(born Oct. 10, 1908; deceased
December 4, 1975 at the age of sixty-seven) who married
Frances Peters first, and secondly was married to Monica
Sowada. Their family is not presently listed for the book.
1419.THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH M. SCHREIFELS, b o m Feb. 13, 1899 in St,
Nicholas; died ln 1976 in St. Cloud Hospital. His first
wife was Catherine McCourtney.who died on Feb. 8, 1938. On
October 31, 1938 he married his second wife Regina Peroe.
The children by Catherine are listed on the following page.

Page 167
1510. Harold D. Schreifels.
1511. Donald P. Schreifels.
1512. Kenneth Schreifels, who died at the age of forty-nine.
1433.THE FAMILY OF JOHN W. SCHREIFELS, b o m Sept. 25, 1906 ln St.
Nicholas. John was married on Sept. 15,1931 in St. Nicholas to...
BARBARA THEIS(mentioned above as #41. the daughter of Nick Theis and
Mathilda Becker in Household #10). Barbara was born on November
16, 1912. Their children are listed as follows 1
1513. Arlene Schreifels, b o m D e c 13, 1934 in Cold Spring,Minnesota.
1514. Eugene Schreifels, b o m March 26, 1936 ln Cold Spring.
1515. Cyril Schreifels, b o m April 7, 1938 In Cold Spring.
1516. Vernon Leonard Schreifels, born Dec. 23, 1941 In Cold Spring.
1517. Jerome Hubert Schreifels, born on August 1, 1949; died on
April 21, 1967.
1518. Cecilia Schreifels, b o m Oct. 22, 1950 in Cold Spring.
1519. Monica Eleanor Schreifels, b o m March 27, 1952 ln Cold Spring.
1520. Mary Elizabeth Schreifels, born June 15, 1957. Mary was married
on August 6, 1977 at St. Boniface Church, Cold Spring, to
Mike Willemsen(son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Willemsen).
1434. THE FAMILY OF HERMAN SCHREIFELS who was married to
BARBARA BRUTGER. They have two children listed belowi
1521. Melvin Schreifels,who married Lucille Gardner.
1522. LeRoy Schreifels
1436.THE FAMILY OF ELIZABETH SCHREIFELS, born on July 1, 1912,
who was married on September 5» 1933 to...,
WILLIAM THEIS(mentioned as #40 above, a brother to Barbara Theis).
bora on May 16, 1910. Their children inclue the following!
1523. Georgie Ann Theis,
1524. Kenneth W. Theis.
1525. Leonore Theis.
1526. Robert Theis.
1527. Richard Theis,bom and died on the same day in 1942.
1528. Mary Ann Theis.
1469.THE FAMILY OF GERALD JOHN JAMES SCHREIFELS, b o m May 27,
1929 in St. Cloud,Minn. He was married to
JOSEPHINE MUELLNER. Their children are listed as follows 1
1529. Paul Schreifels, b o m May 12, 1966 ln St. Paul,Minnesota.
1530. Diane Schreifels, b o m July 15, 1967 in St. Cloud,Minnesota.
1531. John Schreifels.
1470.THE FAMILY OF RENEE MARIE SCHREIFELS,bom August 7, 1930 in
St. Cloud; died on April 12, 1976 in Minneapolis.Minn.
Sh4 w S married on Nov. 6, 1952 in Sauk Rapids,Minn. to...
ROGER FUCHS(born Jan. 6, 1931 as the son of Alphonse Fuchs and
Ludwina Thelen). Their children are listed on the next pagei

Page 168
1532. Margaret Ludwina Fuchs, b o m Aug. 3, 1953 In St. Cloud.
1533. Marie Clara Fuchs, b o m Feb. 11, 1955. She was married to
Kyle Espeseth.
1534. Susan Catherine Fuchs, born Dec. 30, 1957.
1535. Alan Gerald Fuchs, b o m Nov. 28, 1958.
1536. Jean Kathleen Fuchs, born April 29, i960.
14?1.THE FAMILY OF EARL JOHN SCHREIFELS, born on March 20, 1932
in St. Cloud. He was married on May 25, 1964 in Waite Park to...
JULIENNE REICHENSPERGER.the daughter of Roman Relchensperger and Theresa
Meinz(who was born on April 29, 1904 in Waite Park). The children
of Earl and Julienne Schreifels are listed below:
1537. Therese Marie Schreifels, b o m March 13, I965.
1538. Earl Schreifels, born in March, 1971.
1539. Nancy Marie Schreifels, b o m March, 1974.
14?2.THE FAMILY OF MELVIN MATHIAS SCHREIFELS,bom Aug. 30, 1933 in
St. Cloud,Minnesota. Melvin Schreifels was married on June 10,
I96? at Holy Spirit Church in St. Cloud to...,
SHARON THEISEN(daughter of Bernard and Alice Theisen). Their children
are listed belowi
1540. Milessa Schreifels, born N0v. 16, 1968.
1541. James Schreifels, born Jan. 22, 1970.
1542. Lynn Marie Schreifels, b o m March 18, 1972.
14?4. THE FAMILY OF VIOLET SCHREIFELS, born July 22, 1936 in St.
Cloud. Violet Margaret Schreifels was married on Sept. 7,
1959 at Sacred Heart Church,Sauk Rapids to...
DELPHIN PAUL PHILIPPI.born June 23, 1933(the son of John Philippi
and Rose Lutgen). Their children are l_isted below:
1543. Brian Wilfred Philippi,bom June 25, i960.
1544. Denise Kathleen Philippi, born July 23, 196l.
1545. Timothy Gerard Philippi, b o m July 28, 1962.
1546. Gary Philippi, b o m Feb. 25, 1964.
1547. Todd Philippi, b o m N0v. 12, 1971.
1475.THE FAMILY OF LEROY BERNARD SCHREIFELS, b o m March 29, 1938
in St. Cloud. LeRoy Schreifels was married on July 25, I960 at
Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Gilman,Minnesota to....
CONNIE MARIE MASTEY(born Oct. 23, 1938).Tneir children are listed below:
1548. Randal Schreifels, bora August 23, 1961.
1549. Sherri Schreifels, born Feb. 28, 1963.
1550. Scott Schreifels, bora Feb. 19, 1968.
1551. Lisa . Schreifels, bora May 28, 1969.
1476.THE FAMILY OF KATHLEEN ADLINE SCHREIFELS, who was married on
June 27, 1966 in Sauk Rapids to...
ALEXANDER DEHMER(born August 3, 1936). Their children are listed here:
1552. Daryl Dehraer, b o m Dec. 8, 196?.
1553. Kevin Dehmer, b o m Oct. 27, 1969.
1554. Linda Dehmer, b o m June 27, 1972.
1555. Greg Dehmer, b o m Aug. 6, 1973-
 14?8.THE FAMILY OF MARY ANN M.SCHREIFELS, bom August 2, 1945
ln St. Cloud. Mary Ann Schreifels was married on Sept. 4,
1967 in Sauk Rapids to....
VIRGIL HARREN. Their two children are listed below:
1556. Curtis James Harren.born Jan. 13, I969.
1557. Kristin K. Harren, b o m July 18, 1973.
1506.THE FAMILY OF EUGENE HERBERT SCHREIFELS, bom Dec. 22, 1934.
Eugene was married on Nov. 25, I96I to...
LOUISE MARGARET CROCKER(born June 14, 1938). Their children werei
1558. Paul Schreifels, born in Oahu,Hawaii on April 13, I963.
1559. Kenneth Schreifels, born on August 3, 1965 in Massachusetts.
1560. Jon Schreifels, bom Oct. 25, 1972 in Herndon,Virginia.
1507.THE FAMILY OF DOLORES KATHERINE SCHREIFELS, bom June 7, 193?.
Dolores was married to Theodore Vornbroch and had the
following children 1
1561. Ann Marie Vornbroch, born Oct. 28, 1967 in Laurel, Maryland.
1562. Heidi Vornbroch, bom Oct. 30, 1969 in Columbia,Maryland.
1563. Theodore Vornbroch, Jr.,born March 25, 1971 in Columbia,Maryland.
1508.THE FAMILY OF RAMONA SCHREIFELS,bom May 31, 1941, who was
married on June 29, 1963 to...
JAMES SCHNEIDER,bom August 18, 1938, Their children are adopted
and listed as follows1
1564. Brian Schneider, b o m Nov. 5,1966.
1565. Rebecca Sue Schneider, bom Oct. 25, 1968.
1566. Shawn Michael Schneider, b o m Jan. 8, 1973.
1509.THE FAMILY OF JAMES M. SCHREIFELS,born Jan.6, 1944, who was
married on April 25, 1970 to...
MARGARET DUNNE. Their children are listed as follows1
1567. Catherine Schreifels, b o m Oct. 23, 1970.
1568. Mark Schreifels, b o m June 27, 1973.
1569. Joanna Schreifels, b o m Nov. 25, 1975.
1570. Kevin Schreifels, b o m Sept. 9t 1977.
1522.THE FAMILY OF LEROY SCHREIFELS who married BEATRICE BRAUSEN.
Their children are listed belowi
1571. Brian Schreifels.
1572. Bruce Schreifels.
1573. Timothy Schreifels.
1513.THE FAMILY OF ARLENE MATILDA SCHREIFELS, b o m Dec. 13, 1934,
who was married on September 29, 195* to
ROBERT HOLTHAUS(the son of Mrs. Christine Holthaus). Their children
are listed on the following pagei

Page 170
157^. Shirley Holthaus, born June 12, 1955 in Richmond,Minnesota.
1575. Bernice Holthaus, born April 30, 195&. Bernice Holthaus was married to
Orville Willenbring, son of Mr. and Mrs. Othmar Willenbring. Orville
was born on June 30, 1956. Bernice and Orville were married on
August 14, 19?6.
1576. Jean Holthaus,born April 29, 1957.
1577. James Holthaus, born October 5, 1959.
1578. Ruth Holthaus,born April 29,1961 in Richmond.
1579. Lucille Holthaus, born January 21, I963.
1580. Roger Holthaus, born July 23, 1964.
1581. Daniel Holthaus, born August 22, I966.
1582. Susan Holthaus,born October 19, I967.
1583. Robert Holthaus, Jr.,born August 9, 1970.
1514. THE FAMILY OF EUGENE NICKLAUS SCHREIFELS, b o m March 26, 1936, who was
married on April 7, 1959 at Richmond, Minnesota to...
MILDRED ALICE LUDWIG(born Sept. 8, 1939,the daughter of Joseph P. Ludwig and
Mary Gertken). Their children are listed below:
1584. Alice Mary Schreifels,born July 23,1960.
1585. Allen Joseph Schreifels, born May 23, I963.
1586. Andrew Bernard Schreifels, born October 24, 1964.
1587. Alvina Lorraine Schreifels,born December 4, 1966.
1588. Anton Richard Schreifels, born July 15, 1974.
1515. THE FAMILY OF CYRIL WILLIAM SCHREIFELS, born April 7, I938, who was
married on July 3, 1963 at St. Augusta Church to....
FLORENCE WITTROCK(the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Wittrock). They have
three children listed below:
1589. Wanda Schreifels, born InGermany in October, 1963.
1590. Sandy Schreifels, born in South Carolina in November, 1964.
1591. Cyril Schreifels, born in Pennsylvania in July, I968.
1516. THE FAMILY OF VERNON LEONARD SCHREIFELS,born December 23, 1941, who was
married on June 17, 1963 to...
DORRINE THIELEN(the daughter of Mrs.Loretta Thielen). The children are lfeted:
1592. Karen Schreifels, born June 11, I965 in Paynesville,Minnesota.
1593. Kevin Schreifels, born in December, 1966 at Paynesville.
1594. Keith Schreifels, born in St. Cloud during the Fall of 1973.
1595. Shelly Schreifels, born ln the Spring of 1975.
1518. THE FAMILY OF CECILIA LUCILLE SCHREIFELS, b o m October 22, 1950,
who was married on August 22, 1970 at St. Boniface Church,Cold Spring, to..
ED GERTKEN(born on February 24, 1950,the son of Ben Gertken). The children
are listed here:
1596. Rodney Gertken, born Jan. 16, 1971 in St. Cloud.
1597. Melissa Gertken, born October, 1970 in Paynesville.

Page 171
 1519.THE FAMILY OF MONICA ELEANOR SCHREIFELS,bom March 27, 1952,
who was married at St. Boniface Church in Cold Spring on
September 1, 1973 to....
TONY PELZER(or PLEZER) ,Sr.(the son of Tony Plezer). Their one child
is listed below»
1598. Tony Plezer III, bom in October, 1976 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
1523.THE FAMILY OF GEORGIA ANN THEIS, b o m Feb. 1, 1935, who
was married to one GEORGE HOLTHAUS, b o m Sept. 18, 19 .
Their children are listed belowi
1599. Thomas Holthaus. born May 20, 1955. He was married to Hiss Rebecca
Wltschen(born Aug. 31, 1957) on August 27, 1977.
1600. Debbie Holthaus, b o m Oct. 15, I957V
1601. Steve Holthaus, bom Nov. 28, 1959.
1602. Randy Holthaus, bom Jan. 12, 1961.
1603. Julie Holthaus, bom Feb. 7, I963.
1604. Duane Holthaus, born June 19, 1964.
1605. Lynn Holthaus,born on June 13, I965.
1524.THE FAMILY OF KENNETH W. THEIS, b o m October 30, 1936,
^r,™™ who was married on April Q, 1958 to,,.. A
DOROTHY MAYER(bom Oct. 22. 1938, thedaugfiter of Lawrence Mayer).
Their children are listed belowi
1606. David Theis, b o m May 7, 1959.
1607. Rodney Theis, b o m Oct. 9, I96I.
1608. Jeff Theis, bom Nov. 4, 1962.
1609. Gary Theis, "bom Dec. 28, 1963.
1610. Sheryl Theis, b o m March 10, 1965.
1611. Mark Theis, bom May 19, 1966.
1525. THE FAMILY OF LENORE THEIS (bom July 4, 1938), who married
on June 2, 1959...
DELROY MAYER. Their children are listed belowi
1612. Linda Mayer, born August 8, i960 in Green Bay,Wisconsin.
1613. Wayne Mayer, b o m August 19, 1961.
1614. Lori Mayer, born Aug. 24, 1962.
1615. Brian Mayer, b o m Sept. 2, 1963.
1616. Michael Mayer, bom Feb. 2, 1966.
1526.THE FAMILY OF ROBERT NICHOLAS THEIS, b o m Oct. 2, 1940,
who was married on Sept. 19, 1959 to....
JANET MARY ERPELDING(born Oct. 10, 1940, the daughter of Anton
Erpelding and Ann Pflueger). They have one child .
who is listed belowt
161?. Robert William Theis, b o m March 10, I96I.
1527. THE FAMILY OF MARY ANN THEIS,bom May 12, 19**t who was
married to DAVID REG0USKI. Their two children are listed
on the following pagei

Page 172
 •%

1618. Terry Regouski, born Dec. 20, 19 .

1619. Tim Regouski, bora N 0 v. 18, 19 .

1574. THE FAMILY OF SHIRLEY HOLTHAUS, b o m June 12, 1955,

was married to JIM GERTKEN (son of Mr. and Mrs.
Sylvester Gertken). They have two daughters listed
belowi
1620. Christine Gertken, b o m April 6, 1973 in Paynesville.Minnesota.

1621. Kim Gertken, b o m March 18, 1975 in Paynesville,Minnesota.

ADDITIONS FROM CATHERINE SCHREIFELS & SYLVESTER LANG FAMILY(Household #1405)
1405. THE FAMILY OF CATHERINE SCHREIFELS,bom N 0 v. 8, 1898 or
1899, who was married on May 4, 1922 to...
SYLVESTER LANG,born F e b. 1?, 1900(the son of John Lang and Maria Kost).
Their children are listed below, ln continuation of Household
#1405 listed above*
1622. Genevieve Lang(same as #1498 above), botn Feb. 2?, 1923 in Richmond.

1623. Shirley Lang(same as #1499 above).

1624. Mildred Lang(same as #1500 above).
1625. Sylvia Lang(same as #1501 above).
1622.THE FAMILY OF GENEVIEVE LANG,bora Feb. 2?, 1923, who was
married on June 6, 1950 to...
RICHARD LUD0WESE(born Jan. 20, 1919I died on January 8, 1976 in
Stewart,Minnesota). Their children are listed belowi
1626. Patricia Ludowese, born Feb. 28, 1953 at Stewart,Minnesota.
1627. Mark Ludowese, b o m May 8, 1954.
1628. Kay-Fran Ludowsse, born Oct. 24, 1955-
1629. Kevin Ludowese, born March 1, 1957.
1630. Nancy Ludowese, born March 8, 1961.
1631. Carol Ludowese, born Aug. 1, 1963.
1623.THE FAMILY OF SHIRLEY LANG, b o m May 20, 1926, who was
married on May 11, 1948 to....
SYLVESTER MILLER(born Jan. 13, 1925). Their children werei
1632. Donna-Mae Miller, b o m April 2, 1949. Richmond,Minn.,who was married
on July 27, 1968 to Ronald Kron(bom Aug. 22, 1945).
1633. Thomas Miller,bom Aug. 7, 1950, married on Sept. 16, 1972 to Barbara
May Schloeder.
1634. John Miller, b o m June 23, 1952.
1635. David Miller, b o m Dec. 25, 1953t who was married to Joanne Gertken
on Dec. 28, 19?4. On June 12, 1975. they had a daughter named
Jessica Ann Miller.
1636. Ronald Miller,bom June 18, 1955.
163?. James Miller, bora July 8, 1957.
1624. THE FAMILY OF MILDRED LANG, b o m July 15. 1928 in Richmond,Minn.
She was married on June 21, 1949 to...
RAYMOND GEISLINGER(born Feb. 23, 1918).Their children are listed on
the next paget

Page 173
1638. Jeannie Geislinger.
1639. Mary Geislinger, born Oct. 10, 1953 in Waite Park,Minnesota.
1640. John E. Geislinger, b o m July 6, 195&; died May 11, 1974.
1641. Robert Geislinger, bora D«c. 29, 1957.
1625. THE FAMILY OF SYLVIA LANG, born Jan. 29, 1938, who was
married on Aug. 21, 1958 to...
HARRY WEBER. Their children are listed below:
1642. Steven Weber,born June 21, i960.
1643. Brenda-Lee,born F0b. 16, 1962.
1644. Kathy Weber, born March 16, 1964.
1645. Rebecca Weber, born Dec. 29, I969.
I638.THE FAMILY OF JEANNIE GEISLINGER, b o m April 6, 1950 in Waite
Park.Minnesota, who was married on Dec. 2?, 1969 to...
RICHARD 1 KRAUS. Their children are listed below:
1646. Ricky Kraus
1647. Christopher Kraus,
1648. Jennifer Kraus.
CORRECTION NOTED:

1649. Michael Theis, noted above as #166, was born on March 4, I96I instead
of May 4, I96I. He is the son of Alfred Theis.

1650. Daniel Robert Ramler, the son of Elaine Theis and Ronald Ramler, was
born on November 4, 1977 instead of November 7, 1977. Daniel
Ramler is noted above as #1184 in the ADDITIONS SECTION. "'

121. The third born child of Lawrence Meyer(born July 27, 1943) and
Kathy Pierskalla(born March 26, 1944 in Sartell, Minn.) is
listed below:
1651. Randy Meyer, born June 12, 197?.
122. The second and third-born children of Fred Meyer and Carolyn
Braegelman(born Feb. 7, 194? in Eden Valley, Minn.)
are listed below. They were married on February 1, 1969-
1652. Julie Meyer, born Jan. 9, 1976.
1653. Christa Meyer, born Jan. 9, 1976.
123. The family of Maynard Meyer(born March 14, 1946 in Richmond,
Minn),who was married on Sept. 25, 1976 to Jeanette Schlangen
(born March 16, 1956 in Richmond), has produced the following child,'
1654. Ricky Meyer, born February 15, 197?.
FURTHER SCHREIFELS ADDITIONS:
1414. THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH F. SCHREIFELS(born November 11, 1904 in
Richmond, Minnesota, as the son of Michael Schreifels and
Catherine Bolfing-See Household #1385a.), who was married on
October 23, 1948 in Waite Park to....
DOROTHY RAPHIEWICZ. Their family is listed as follows:
1655. Michael Schreifels.
1656. Kathy Schreifels, married to Daryl.Johannes.

n4
1657. Ronald Schreifels.
1658. Lori Schreifels.
Note: Joseph F. Schreifels died on August 19, 1978 in the St. Cloud
Hospital.
1417. Agnes Schreifels, the daughter of Michael Schreifels and Anna
Bolfing,was married to one Math Fink, Names of their children
remain unknown presently and their marriage date is unknown.
1418. THE FAMILY OF MARCELLA ELIZABETH SCHREIFELS(born December 8,
1923 in Richmond), who was married on April 15, 1950 to....
MR. MARVIN NIEMAN(born June 23, 1926). Their children are listed as
follows:
1659. Robert Nieman(born May 16, 1951). Robert Nieman was married to Donna
Bormes. They had two children, Michelle and Benjamin Nieman.
1660. Ruth Nieman(born August 13, 1952). Ruth Nieman was married to George
Stresses. They have two children, Rebecca and Jerry Stresses.
1661. Dale Nieman, born February 10, 195?•
1662. Brenda Lee Nieman, born March 9, 1964.
1122. THE FAMILY OF ANTON (Tony) SCHREIFELS(born April 30, 1908 in
St. Nicholas, Minn.) who was married on June 24, 1936 to.,..
ERMA DOCKENDORF(born November 2, 1913 in St. Nicholas). Their family
is listed below:
1663. Eileen Schreifels, born Oct. 2, 1937 in St. Nicholas.
1664. James Schreifels, born August 4, 1940 in Cold Spring,Minn.
1665. Lynn Schreifels, born May 22, 1956 in Cold Spring,Minn.
1663.THE FAMILY OF EILEEN SCHREIFELS(born Oct. 2, 1937,St. Nicholas)
who was married on Oct. 13, 1950 in Cold Spring to....
RAYMOND WENNER. Their children are listed here:
1666. Kelly Wenner,born November 5, I960 in Richmond.
1667. Kristie Wenner, born May 7, I962 in Richmond.
1668. Karin Wenner, born February 12, 19 »
1669. Kay Wenner, born October 13, 19 •
1664.THE FAMILY OF JAMES SCHREIFELS(born August 4, J940 in Cold
Spring) who was married to Jeanie Eickhoff. heir children
are listed below:
1670. Scott Schreifels.
16?1. Steven Schreifels.

ADDITIONS:
1672. 124. Maxime Meyer(born May 14, 1946 in Richmond, Minnesota) was
married to Mr. Leonard Nowacki.
16?3 126. lone Miyer.born April 26, 1949, has been married to Mr. Boniface
Sand(born June 5, 1947 in St. Martin).
1674. 128. The two children of Grace Meyer and Robert Klapheg..e(born June 5,
1951 in St. Martin. They are listed below:

1675. Deborah Klaphage, born on January 28, I973 ln St. Martin, Minnesota.
1676. Ryan Klaphage, b o m July 12, 1975 in Richmond,Minnesota.
1677. 883. Arthur J. Theis(bom April 9, 1925) was married on June 11, 1955
to Mary Ann Zwilling.
16?8. The birthdate of Blandena (Kinzer) Blonigan(#31 and #1195 above) is
August 25» 1892 in Watkins, Meeker County,Minnesota.
1679. CORRECTION: The birthdate of Ethelyn Theis is Feb. 1?, 1926.

THE HENRY SCHREIFELS FAMILY-Partial listings:

1088. Henry Schreifels, born Feb. 7th or 8th, 18?2 in St. Nicholas!
(deceased Sept. 15» 192?, St. Nicholas) was married on May 6, 1901 to...
ANNA ZIMMERMANN(born May 26, 1877'in Germany; deceased Jan. 19, I969 in Cold
Spring. They were married in Richmond, Minnesota and had the following
children*
1680. Frances Schreifels^lso listed as #1119 above)
1681. Catherine Schreifels, who married John Schug. They have had three children
whose names are Al, Melvin and Patty. Catherine is also listed as
#1121 above.
1682. Mary Schreifels, who married Michael Reiter.
1683. Ben Schreifels, who married Loretta Theisen. They have a family of four
daughters and one boy. They live in Cold Spring. Ben is also listed
as #1123 above.
1684. Anton Schreifels,who married Ermma Dockendorf. He is listed above as #1122
and his family is listed immediately above this section under
Household #1122 with their children #1663 through #1665.
1685. Steven Schreifels, born Oct. 23, 1909, who married Ida Hennen. All their
children are listed above under Household #1110. Please refer to
that section.
1686. Tillie Schreifels.
168?. Theresia Schreifels, who married Henry Reiter in 1934. He died in July
1975 at the age of sixty-one.
1688. Hildegard Schreifels, who married Paxil Reiter.
1689. Henry Schreifels.
1680. THE FAMILY OF FRANCES SCHREIFELS(born March 14, 1903 in St. Nicholas,
Minn.) who was married on Sept. 23, 1924 at St. Nicholas, to...
JOHN J. FLASCHENRIEM(born February 8/9, 1897 in Jordan, Minnesota;
deceased Jan. 25, 1975 in Mlnneapolis,Minn.). Their children are
listed belowi
1690. Margaret Flaschenilem, born Sept. 9t 1925. Margaret was married first to Ed
Hartmann;secondly to Elmer Fuchs in 1974.
1691. Andrew Flaschenriem, born January 30, 1927;deceased April 16, 1966.
1692. Wilfred Flaschenriem, b o m July 11, 1928.
1693. Cecils Flaschenriem, b o m Jan. 3, 1930. She married Edgar Jones.
 'M >

Agatha Flaschenriem, born May 21, 1931.

Alois Flaschenriem, born Oct. 28, 1932.

Lawrence Flaschenriem, born July 1 0 , 1934.

Hildagard Flaschenriem, b o m April 5, 1936, who married Ray Brown.
Irene Flaschenriem, born April 2, 1938, who married Walter Rohs.
Agnes Flaschenriem, bora Dec. 3, 1939.
Clara Flaschenriem, born May 26, 1941.
Edwin Flaschenriem, born Sept. 20, 1942.

1702. ' John Flaschenriem, born March 1, 1944.

1686. THE FAMILY OF MATHILDA (TILLIE) SCHREIFELS, b o m May 2 7 , 1911,
who was married on Jan. 28, 1930 at St. Nicholas to....
MICHAEL ANDREW ASFELD(born May 30, I909). Mike Asfeld is listed as #46
above, while Tillie Schreifels is listed as #1120 above. Their
children are listed belowi
1703« Rose Maury Asfeld, born August 28, 1930. Rose was married to one Vernon
Loch
1704. Donald Barnard Asfeld, born July 2, 1932.

1705. Delores Frances Asfeld, born March 15, 1934,

1706. Jeanette Hary Asfeld, bora September 6, 1939.
1707. Eugene Henry Asfeld, bora Aug. 6, 1942.
1708. Arthur John Asfeld, born Nov. 2 7 , 1946.
1709. Linda Mary Asfeld, bora May 2, 1950.
1710. Lou Ann Dolores Asfeld, b o m December 1 2 , 1953» Watkins, Meeker Comnty, Minn.
On June 9, 19731 Lou Ann Asfeld was married to John Garding (born
April 14 or 1 5 , 1951, Pearl Lake, Minnesota).
1711. Sandra Jeanette Asfeld, born Sept. 2, 1956. Sandra Asfeld was married to
Mark Lang.
1690. THE FAMILY OF MARGARET FLASCHENRIEM(born Sept. 9. 1925) *»d
EDMUND C. HARTMANN(born March 20, 1917 in S t . Benedict, Minnesotaj deceased
Feb. 6, 1972 at St. Cloud). Their children are not listed. After the
death of Edmund Hartmann, Margaret married Elmer Fuchs.
l692«o THE FAMILY OF WILFRED FLASCHENRIEM(bora July 1 1 , 1928, St. Nicholas,
Minnesota), who was married on Aug. 20, 1955in St. Cloud, to...
JEAN V0UK(born Oct. 1 8 , 1932, St. Cloud; deceased August 4 , 1968,Cold Spring).
Their children are listed belowi
1712. Susan Flaschenriem, born Sept. 26, 1956.
1713• Debra Flaschenriem, b o m Oct. 4 , 1957, was married on Oct. 8, 1977 at
S t . Nicholas,Minn, to John Magedanz.
1714. David Flaschenriem, b o m Nov. 1 7 . 1958.
lfl-5. Linda Flaschenriem, born May 1 3 , I96I.
1716. Karen Flaschenriem, born July 151 1964.

7
1
 1692b. THE FAMILY OF WILFRED FLASCHENRIEM whose second wife was named
Mrs. Ardella (Lahr) Lutgen, b o m Dec. 14, 1933, St. Nicholas.
The first husband of Ardella Lahr was Ignatius Lutgen who died
on Nov. 1 8 , 1968. Ardella Lahr was married to Wilfred Flaschenriem
on May 28, 1971 at St. Nicholas. No children were born to thismarriage.
1694. THE FAMILY OF AGATHA FLASCHENRIEM(born May 21, 1931 at St. Nicholas)
who was married on March 2, 195? to...
LEO KUNKEL(born April 10, 1931). Their children are listed as follows:
1717. Peter Kunkel, born August 8, 1957 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
1718. Mary Kaye Kunkel, b o m Dec. 20, 1958 in Buffalo,Minn.
1719. Tim Kunkel, born Oct. 19, I960 ln Buffalo.
1720. Ken Kunkel, born July 11, I962 in Buffalo.
1721. Leo John Kunkel, b o m May 4, 1968 in Buffalo.
I696. THE FAMILY OF LAWRENCE FLASCHENRIEM(bora July 1 0 , 1934 in
St. Nicholas),who was married on Oct. 17, 1964 in Watkins, to....
MARY ANN FUCHS(born March 30, 1941 in Watkins.Minn.). Their children
are listed below as follows1
1722. Daniel Flaschenriem, born Sept. 6, 1965 in St. Cloud.
1723. Robert Flaschenriem, born Sept. 13, 1966 in St. Cloud.
1724. Jane Flaschenriem, bora Feb. 6, I969 ln St. Cloud.
1725. Nancy Flaschenriem, bora May 10, 1971 in Litchfield.
1726. Lou Ann, born January 27» 1975 in Litchfield.
1699. THE FAMILY OF AGNES FLASCHENRIEM ( b o m Dec. 3» 1939 in St. Nicholas),
who was married on August 6, i960 at St. Nicholas, to....
DAVID HENNSN(born July 16, 1937 in Watkins.Minn.). Their children are listed
below:
1727. Pamela Hennen, bora June 1, I96I in Minneapolis,Minn.
1728. Douglas Hennen, born August 1, 1962 in Minneapolis.
1729. Thomas Hennen, born Aug. 22, 1963 in Minneapolis.
1700. THE FAMILY OF CLARA FLASCHENRIEM, b o m May 26, 1941 in St. Nicholas,
who was married on May 6, I96I at St. Nicholas to....
RAY WITTE,born Sept. 9, 1935 in Luxembourg,Minnesota. Their children are
listed below t
1730. Julie Witte, born Sept. 1?» 1962 in St. Cloud. '
1731. John Witte, born Aug. 13t 1963.
1732. Alan Witte, b o m Sept. 5» 1964.
1733. Mary Witte, b o m April 16, 1968.
173^. James Witte, b o m June 2 1 , 1968, and died young.
1735. Michael Witte,, b o m June 6, 1972.
1736. Infant daughter, who was b o m on Feb. 4, 1978 and died shortly after.
1703. THE FAMILY OF ROSE MARY ASFELD(born Aug. 28, 1930) who was married
to VERNON LOCH. Their children are listed belowi
1737. Douglas Loch, b o m Sept. 28,- 1952 in St. Cloud.
1738. V e m o n Loch. Jr. (Junie), born July 22 , 1954 in'St. Cloud.

1739. Joyce Ixjch.born on February 11, 1957 in St. Cloud.

1740. Mark Lea Loch, born March 2, 1962 in St. Cloud.
1741. Lisa Karie Loch, born Jan. 12, I965 in St. Cloud.
1704. THE FAMILY OF DONALD ASFELD, b o m July 2, 1932 ln Keeker County,
Minnesota. Donald Asfeld was married on Sept. 4, 1954 to...
DELORES WIKKER(born Dec. 19, 1934 in Forest City, Meeker County,Minn.).
Their children are listed below:
1742. Alan Asfeld, b o m June 20, I955 in St. Cloud.
1743. Duane Asfeld, born June 9, 1956 in St. Cloud.
r
\ «i'i. Paul Asfeld, born Karch 16, 1957 in St. Cloud.
1745. Julie Asfeld, born Aug. 1, I959 in Stillwater,Minnesota. Julie Asfeld was
married on Sept. 9, 19?8 to Scott Erickson(born Karch 25, 1958).
1746. Para Asfeld, born Sept. 25, I967 in Buffalo.Kinnesota.
1747. Brian Asfeld, b o m Karch 23, 1970 in Buffalo,Minn.

1705. THE FAKILY OF DOLORES F. ASFELD(born Karch 15, 1934) who was
married in 1954 at Watkins to...
NORMAN J. NISTLER(born Sept. 11, 1931). Their children are listed below:
1748. Michael C. Nistler, b o m June 30, 1955. See Household #1748 below for child.
1749. Daniel A. Nistler, born Dec. 17, 1957; deceased Oct. 25, 19?6.
1750. Jeanne M. Nistler, born Feb. 27, 1959. Jeanne Nistler was married on _
March 11, 1977 at St. Paul,Minn, to Lloyd L. Otto(born Kay 3, 1957).
No children have been born to this marriage.
1751. Susan M. Nistler, born April 21, i960.
1752. Patrick J. Nistler, born Aug. 2, 1962.
1706. THE FAMILY OF JEANETTE ASFELD(bora Sept. 6, 1939 in Watkins,Minn.),
who was married on Oct. 19, 1957 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church
in Watkins,Minnesota, t c . . .
ALBERT LINN(born May 6, 193* in Watkins,Minnesota). They have two children
listed belowt
1753. Debra Linn, born Kay 3, 1958 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
175*. Jeff Linn, b o m March 11, 1964, bom,Minneapolis.
1707. THP FAMILY OF EUGENE ASFELD(born Aug. 6, 1942 ln Watkins), who was
married on May 3» 1969 to....
SHARON HENNEN(born July 15, 1948 in St. Cloud Hospital). Their children are
listed herei
1755. Jodi Lynn Asfeld, b o m June 3. 19?0.
1756. Jill Lee Asfeld, born Dec. 28, 1972.
1757. Michael Patrick Asfeld, born Nov. 24, 1976.
1709. THS FAMILY OF LINDA MARY ASFELD, b o m May 2, 1950 , who was married
on July 1 1 , 1970 to...
MARK SCH0BEN(born May 2, 1950 in Watkins, Minnesota). They have the
following children 1
1758. Scott Schoben, b o m May 31. 1976 in Minneapolis, Minn.
1759. Sarah Schoben, born August 17, 1978.
1710. THE FAMILY OF SANDRA (Sandy) Asfeld, who was born September 2, I956,
and was married on July 26, 1975 at Watkins, to....
MARK LAMG(born July 13, 1955 at St. Cloud). No children are yet listed
for this marriage.
1737. THE FAMILY C? DOUGLAS MICHAEL L0CH(born Sept. 28, 1952 in St. •
Cloud) who was married on Sept. 28, 19?4 in Watkins to....
SHIRLEY PAULS(born Jan. 18,1953). They have one son listed below:
1760. Christopher Loch, horn March 14, 1977 in Litchfield,Minn.
1738. THE FAMILY CF VERNON LOCH, JR.(torn July 22, 1954 in St. Cloud)
who was married on August 23, 1975 in Eden Valley, to....
EILEEN MOEHILE(bom Sept. ?, 1955). They have one child listed below:
1761. Vernon Loch III, born August 30, 1976 in Paynesville,Minnesota.
1739- THE FAMILY CF JOYCE ANN LOCH(born Feb. 11, 1957 in St. Cloud), who
was married on Sept. 18, I976 in Watkins to....
GARY N'OHNER, who was born July 19, 1952. No children have yet been listed
for this marriage.
1748. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL C. NISTLER,born June 30, 1955, who was married
to PAMELA GRCSS(born June 2?, 195"0 • They have one daughter who
is listed below:
1?62. Stacey Marie Nistler, born July 2, 1978.
ADDITIONAL DATA: THE DESCENDANTS CF NICHOLAS JOHN THEIS AND SUSAN C. FUCHS:
8?1a.THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS J. TKEIS(born Dec. 10, 1877; deceased August 25,
1963)i '"'ho was married to....
SUSAN C. FUCHS,born April 12, I885 at Jacob's Prairie(as the daughter of
Jchn Fuchs-com Jan. 28, 1855 in St. Paul,Minnesota and deceased'"
June 9, 1922 in Cold Spring-aid of Anna,who was born March 5» I863
i.-. Cold Spring and died Dec. 29, 1°!;5 in Cold Spring). This family
produced only one child as Susan died in childbirth. The children
of Nicholas Theis' second marriage are listed, above under 871b.
Nick and .Susan's daughter is listod here:
1763. Genevieve Theis, ••-•ho was married to Albert A. 3tein(born September 4, 1905
in Sold Spring, and died on Nov. 25. 1974 in Cold Spring.

1763. THE FAMILY CF GENEVIEVE THEIS AND ALBERT A. STEIN is listed below;
1764. Patricia Stein, born Feb. 19, 1933-
1?65. Loyola Stein, born July 11, 1936.
1?C6. Jim Stein, born Get. 12, 1939.
176?. Roger Stein, born Feb. 5, 1942.
1765. Roland Stein, born Feb. 5. 1942.
1769. John Stein.
1764. THE FAMILY C? PATRICIA STEIN AND JOH.' SOl/fHWELL is listed as follows:
1770. Linda Sc-jthwell, torn July 29, 1967.
1771. Laura, born Feb. 19, 1970.
1772. Leah, torn Dec. , !?__

It 6
 ^J

1765. THE FAMILY OF LOYOLA STEIN AND KEN YOUNKIN has produced the folio-..],...,
children:
1773. Dean Younkin, born Aug. 29, I963.
jy74. Cindy Younkin.
I75, Erigitte Younkin.
[776. Chad Younkin.

1766. THE FAMILY CF JIM STEIN AND PAT OMAN is listed below:
Uf}. Christ Stein.
1778. Tina Stein.
1779. Tasha Stein.
1768. THE FAMILY OF ROLAND STEIN AND COLETTE DANIELS has produced tiro children
listed below:
|l780. Steve Stein.
81. Christ Stein.

1763. ADDITIONAL NOTES: Genevieve Theis was born on October 29, 1903 and
married Al Stein on May 1 1 , 1931-
ADDITION'S FROM THE MARCELLUS THEIS FAMILY(Household £876):
892. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL J. THEIS(born August 16, 1955) w h o was married on
July 3 0 , 1977 to Marcia Enney(born October 23, 1955)- They have one
child listed below:
|?02. Nicholas Byron Theis, born April 21, 19?8.
893. THE FAMILY OF JEAN M. THSIS(born July 6, 1952) who was married on ._
August 2 2 , 19?7 to Al Hennen(born May 15, 1 9 5 8 ) . They have one
child listed below.
[783. Al Hennen, Jr., born May 17, 1978.

iCZ f
 THE S C H R E I F E L S — S C H A C K M A N N CONNECTION
In the year since The Family Record was completed, further data has been
compiled regarding the ancestry of the Schreifels family. In a short
review, the reader may recall that seven members of the Johann and Margaretha
Schreifels family (listed above as Household #366) immigrated to America in the
year 1857* As they had seven children, we can assume that only five of the children
icoompanied the parents from Germany. We know only that Nikolaus (born in 1837),
Mathias, Johann and two of the daughters named Katherine arrived in Minnesota with
the father and mother. Prussian records speak of a Nikolaus Schreifels who left
Mettendorf ln I865. It is possible that he was the second Nikolaus(born 1840 ) in
the family. Reasons for his delay in departure could be numerous. However, it is
most likely that he was serving in the Prussian army and chose to finish his
assignment. It is not known if this Nikolaus over arrived in Stearns County or not.
Due to Civil War Records, we have found that the oldest son of the family,
Nikolaus Schreifels had served in the war between the States. His service is mentioned
on page 117. Sister Sylvester,O.S,B., has described her meetings with Nick, in
which he talked of fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg. In this great battle
fought during the early days of July, 1863» Federal forces locked horns with the
Confederate troops and decisively defeated them in a battle of endurance. Fighting
alongside Nick was Jacob Jungels, who fell at Gettysburg and is buried there today.-
Jacob Jungels was the brother of John Jungels and the uncle of Margaret who married
Nickolaus H. Schreifels, the son of Mathias Schreifels and nephew to"Civil War Nick?
Among the children of Johann and Margaretha Schreifels, several marriages have
been noted. The marriages of the elder Nikolaus Schreifels and of Johann Schreifels,
Jr. have been noted in Households #367 and #373»respectively.

Ths Civil War Record of Nikolaus Schreifels states that he was married to
Baifbara Zenner on November 29» 1865» However, the Civil War record states that
the marriage took place in St. Nicholas, while Stearns County records(Marriage
Book B,page 47-1865) and Church Records state that Nikolaus and Barbara were
married at St. James Church at Jacob's Prairie. The parents of Barbara Zenner were
Philip Zenner and Maria Rausch. Likewise,the marriage of Johann Schreifels and
Hary Theisen took place at Jacob's Prairie (according to Marriage Book E-page 502-
1877).
One daughter, Katharina Schreifels,was married to Theodore Bauler by a
justice of the peace in St. Cloud on September 1, l866(Book B-page 132-1866).
This is a correction of Household #1108 mentioned above. Another daughter,
Katharina Schreifels, was married in March, 186? at Jacob's Prairie to William
Theisen(Marriage Book C-page 14-1867). This Katharina has been erroneously
proclaimed as Barbara Schrelfels(See Household #374). William Theisen(born
Aug. ?, 1841) was the son of John Theisen and Maria Wildinger. Katherina died
on June 1, 1902, while William died on June jj, 1927 at the age of eighty-five
years, nine months, and twenty-eight days.
The third-born son of Johann and Margaretha Schreifels was Mathias
Schreifels (See Household #369). Mathias was married on April 19, 1866 to
Katherina Schackmann(Book B-page 91-1866).

In further correcting some of the conclusions that have proved inaccurate

within this manuscript, It must be stated that the Schreifels family did not
arrive in Minnesota until 1861 or shortly thereafter. At the time of this writing,
we have not yet found where the Schreifels family stayed between 1857 and 1861, but,
in noting the pattern of most German immigrants at this time, It Is assumed that
they stayed for a short period of time in either St. I*uls,Missouri or Dubuque, Iowa
along the Mississippi River. After arriving in Luxembourg Township, the Schreifels
families began to attend St. Nicholas Church. In about 1888, the church no longer
had enough room for the congregation. Thus the erection of a new church was discussed,
^ 1891, Bishop Zardetti dedicated the new church which was incorporated in I895.
**ay of the parishioners were very strongly against going to this new church, I n c l u d e

Page 182
Johann Schreifels,Jr. and Mathias Schreifels. According to some of the senior
citizens of Stearns County, some of the members of the Schreifels family did not
attend church for two years due to this problem. And,when they began to go to
church again, they went to St. Boniface in Cold Spring instead of the new St.
Nicholas Church.
Since most of the bodies in the Old St. Nicholas Cemetery were scheduled to
be removed to the New St. Nicholas Cemetery, Johann Schreifels, it is said, went
to the cemetery late at night and removed the tombstone of his deceased infant
son, John Schreifels. The tombstone,which readi "Johann Schreifels, born January
Zk, 1883, deceased January 25, 1883", is, to this day, still to be found ln the
hayloft of the former Schreifels farm.

MATHIAS SCHREIFEIS AND CATHARINA SCHACKMANN

As noted above, Mathias Schreifels, the third-born of Johann and
Margaretha Schreifels, was married to Catharina Schackmann on April 19, 1866.
Catherina was, according to family records, born on July 26, 1841 as the
daughter of Mathias Schackmann and Katharina Thinnes. The birth registry in
the St. Lucia Catholic Church of Ferschweller, Prussia has confirmed, however,
that Katharina Schackmann was born on July 29, l84l(from Ferschweller
Pfarrbuch, Taufregister, page 79). Her godparents were Katharina Zender and
Johann Thinnes. In I865, Catherina was brought to America by her parents,
accompanied by her two brothers and three sisters.
Six years after the death of her husband.in 1902, Catherina died on
June 28, 1906 in St. Nicholas. She was survived by her mother, Katharina
(Thinnes) Schackmann, who died on July 20, 1908 and was buried in the St, Boniface
Cemetery of Cold Spring.
Katharina Thines(or Thinnes), the mother of Catherina, was born on April 22,
1815 in Ferschweller and baptized the same day in St. Lucia(Ferschweller Pfarrbuch,
Taufregister, page 60). She was listed as the daughter of Johann Thines and
Magdalena Zenner(possibly also Zenne, or Zender). Her godparents were Johann
Fischer and Katharina Zenner, also from Ferschweller. Katharina was one of four
children, the others being Peter, Johann and Maria, all younger than Katharina.

The family of Mathias and Catherina Schreifels has been listed above as
Households #369, #679, and #1084. The numerous descendants of Mathias and
Catherina have been listed in the ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS section of the book.
Great pains have been taken to assemble this multitude of names, and still
completion of this family seems to be years away. For that reason, reorganization
of these families will be necessary in the future.
The family listed below is the family of John Henry Schreifels(also listed
under Households #1088 and #138?) and his wife, Anna Zimmermann. Anna Zimmermann
"as born on May 26, 1877 in Kostenthal, Upper Silesia, Germany on May 26, 1877 and
died on January 19, 1969. She was the daughter of John Zimmermann and Frances Marx
"ho stayed in Germany and died there.
#1088 THE FAMILY OF JOHN HENRY SCHREIFEIS AND ANNA ZIMMERMANN IS LISTED
BELOW1
l?&. Frances Schreifels. The family of Frances Schreifels and John J.
Flaschenriem Is listed below under Household #1680.
1
?85. Catherine Schreifels, born Sept. 9» 1904.
1?86. Mary Schreifels, born Nov. 10, 1905, St. Nicholas,Minnesota.
1787. Bernard M. Schreifels, born January 5. 1907.
l
?88, Anton Schreifels. The family of Anton(Tony) Schreifels(born April 30,
1908) and Eirma Dockendorf Is listed above under Household #1122.

Page 183
1789. Steve Schreifels, born Oct. 23, 1909 in St. Nicholas; deceased
Oct. 9, I975 ln Richmond,Minnesota.

1790. Mathilda(Tillle) Schreifels, born May 27, 1911. The family of Tillie
Schreifels and Michael Asfeld is listed above under Household
#1686.
1791. Theresa Schreifels, born October 15, 1912.

1792. Hildegarde Schreifels, born December 7, 1914.

1793. Henry Schreifels.
1785. THE FAMILY OF CATHERINE SCHREIFELS(Born September 9, 1904)
who was married on Sept. 3, 1929 at St. Nicholas,Minn. to...
< MR. JOHN WILLIAM SCHlE(born on January 4, 1900 in Richmond, the son of
Anthony Schug and Gertrude Kordy). He died on August 19, 1965.
Their children are listed below:
1794. Aloyius Anton Schug.
1795* Melvin Bernard Schug.
1796o Patricia Anne Schug.
1?86. THE FAMILY OF MARY SCHREIFELS(born Nov. 10, 1903 in St. Nicholas),
who was married on Feb. 2, 1932 in St. Nicholas,Minn. to....
MR. MICHAEL REITER(born March 15, 1906 in Rockville/Minnesota, son of
Michael A. Reiter and Elizabeth Boos). Their children are listed herei
1797. Rosella Marie Reiter, born Sept. 26, 1932, Rockville,Minn.
1798. Veronica Reiter, born July 9» 1934, Rockville.
1799. Robert Reiter, born Oct. 8, 1935, Deere Township, Roseau County, Minn.
1800. Michael Reiter, Jr., b o m May ?, 1937.
1801. Dorothy Reiter, born July 26, 1938.
1802. Anna Reiter, born March 231 1941.
1803. Marie Anna, b o m Sept. 5, 1945-deceased Oct. 5, 1945.
1804. Joseph Reiter, b o m Dec. 2, 1947,St. Cloud,Minnesota.
1805. Lawrence Reiter, b o m Sept. 5, 1950,St. Cloud,Minnesota.
1787. THE FAMILY OF BERNARD M. SCHREIFELS (born January 5» 190?)
who was married on June 21, 1938 at St. Nicholas to....
LORETTA THEISEN(bom Jan. 21, 1918, St. Nicholas). Their children
are listed here:
1806. Elenore Schreifels, b o m July 1, l840f Richmond,Minn.
1807. Robert Schreifels, b o m Sept. 27, 1941, Richmond,Minn.
1808. Ervin Schreifels, born Aug. 9, 1943t Richmond,Minn.
1809. Donald Schreifels, b o m July 1, 1946, Richmond,Minn.

1789. THE FAMILY OF STEVEN SCHREIFEIS(born Oct. 23, 1909 at St. Nicholas,
Minnesota; deceased Oct. 9, 1975 in Richmond,Minn.). On Bovember
9, 1938, he was married at Richmond,Minn. to...
IDA HENNEN, born May 27, 191?,Richmond. Their children are listed herei
1810. Harold Schreifels, b o m May 16, 1939. Rockville, Minnesota.

Page 184
1811. Richard S c h r e i f e l s , bom Sept. 14, 1941, Cold Spring.
1812. Delroy S c h r e i f e l s , born June 17, 1944, Cold Spring.
1813. L u c i l l e S c h r e i f e l s , born Nov. 3 , 1946, Eden Valley,Minn.

1814. David S c h r e i f e l s , born May 23, 1951, Richmond,Minn.

1815. Carol S c h r e i f e l s , born July ?, 1953, Richmond,Minn.

1791. THE FAMILY OF THERESA SCHREIFEL3(Born Oct. 15, 1912) who

who married on May 29, 1934 • • •
HENRY REITER(born Nov. 1 1 , 1914 and deceased July 6, 1975 in Cold Spring)
Their children are l i s t e d belowi
1816. Marvin R e i t e r , born Feb. 14, 1937.
181?. Vernon R e i t e r , born August 7, 1938.
1818. Roger R e i t e r , b o m Sept. 19, 1941.
1819. Ronald R e i t e r , born March 1 1 , 1945.
1820. Walter R e i t e r , born July 2 1 , 1946.
1821. Joan R e i t e r , b o r n June 30, 19l;8.
1822. Rena R e i t e r , b o r n November 1 6 , 1950.
1823. D o r i R e i t e r , b o r n O c t . 2 9 , 1 9 5 3 .
1 7 9 2 . THE FAMILY OF HILDEGARDE SCHREIFELS ( b o r n D e c . 7 , 1911;)
who was m a r r i e d on F e b r u a r y 1 0 , 1 9 3 6 a t S t . N i c h o l a s , t o . . .
MR. PAUL REITER(born A p r i l 6 , 1912 i n R o c k v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a ;
deceased October 15, 1976). They h a d t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d r e n :
1821;. R a l p h R e i t e r , b o r n D e c . 2 6 , 1 9 3 7 .
1825. L u c i l l e R e i t e r , b o r n J u l y 1 7 , 1 9 l ; 0 .
1826. E v e l y n R e i t e r , b o r n May 5> 191+4.
1 7 9 3 . THE FAMILY OF HENRY SCHREIFELS who was m a r r i e d t o I d a
K l a s s e n ( b o r n Nov. 2 7 , 1915 i n R o c k v i l l e ; d e c e a s e d J u l y 2 1 ,
I960 in Rockville.
Their family i s l i s t e d below:
1827. Dorothy Schreifels.
1828. Donna Mae Schreifels, who was married to Bob Rothstein.
1829. Patty Schreifels.
1830. Diane Schreifels.
1791;. THE FAMILY OF ALOYIUS ANTON SCHUG(born Dec. 10, 1931),
who was married on July 28, 1959in Rockville, to...
PATRICIA ANNE LIPINSKl(born Feb. 2, 19l;0 at St. Joseph,Minn. )
Their children are listed immediately below:
1831. Lynda Katherine Schug,born Sept. 10, I960, Cold Spring.

1832. Brian Edward Schug, born Oct. 12, 1961;, Cold Spring.

1833. John Lee Schug, born April 12, 1966, Cold Spring.

Page I85
 1795. THE FAMILY OF MELVIN BERNARD SCHUG(born June 14, 1933
at Cold Spring,Minnesota) who was married on Sept. 1 8 ,
1961 in St. Stephen, Minn., to...
CAROL CROPPER(born Sept. 2, 1 % 2 in Minneapolis). Their
children are listed below:
183^. Kelly Schug, born June 8, 1963, Cold Spring.
1835. Justin Schug, born Aug. 14, 1965, Cold Spring.
1836. Robin Schug, born June 1 7 , 1967, Cold Spring.
1796. THE FAMILY OF PATRICIA ANNE 3CHUG(born March 19, 1937
at Cold Spring) who was married on Nov. 21;, 1966 at
dold Spring,Minnesota, to....
DONALD H. DANZL(born Jan. 2 8 , 1941, St. Cloud,Minn.) Their
children are listed as follows:
1037. Raymond Danzl, born July 2 8 , 1967, Cold Spring.
1838. Dean Danzl, born Jan. 2 2 , 1970, Cold Spring.
1839. Jody Danzl, born March 7, 1978, Rockville,Minnesota.

1797.THE FAMILY OF ROSELLA MARIE REITER(born Sept. 2 6 , 1932,

Rockville,Minn.) was married on Sept. 1 0 , 1955 to...
IRVING SMITH. Their children are listed below:
1840. Thomas Smith, born Jan. 9, 1957.
1841. John Smith, born Sept. 17, 1958.
1798.THE FAMILY OF VERONICA REITER(born July 9, 1934,
Rockville, Minnesota) who was married on June 9, 1956 to,
RALPH MATANOWSKI. Their children are listed here:
l8l;2. Mona Matanowski, born Jan. 20, 1957. ~
l81;3. William Matanowski, born April 1, 1961.
181;!;. Donald Matanowski, born May 31, 1962.
l81;5. Monica Matanowski, born June ll;, 1963.
1846. Lisa Matanowski, born April 2 2 , 1 9 6 7 .
1799. THE FAMILY OF ROBERT REITER(born Oct. 8, 1935 in
Deere Township,Roseau County) who was married on
Sept. 7, 1959 in St. Augusta,Minn. to...
ARDIE HINKEMEYER. Their children are listed here:
1847. Kurt Hinkemeyer, born Jan. 2 3 , I960, St. Cloud,Minn.
181;8. Kristen Hinkemeyer, born Feb. 1 4 , 1 9 6 2 .
181;9. Dale Robert Hinkemeyer, born Jan. 1 4 , 1 9 6 4 .
1850. Darren Hinkemeyer, born March 2 6 , 1970.
1851. Douglas Hinkemeyer, born Sept. 19, 1972.
18008.THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL REITER, JR.(born May 7, 1937,
Deere Township) who was married on Nov. 23, I960 to...
PAT BALDWIN. They have two children listed here:
1852. Coriann Reiter, born Aug. 3 0 , 1962.
'I853. Lawrence Reiter, born Oct. 1 $ , 1971.

r*L
 1800b. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL REITER,JR., who was married in
August of 1974 to BONNIE WEBER. Their children are listed:
1854. Madeline Reiter.
1801. THE FAMILY OF DOROTHY REITER(born July 2 b , 1938, Deere
Township,Roseau County,Minn), who was married on Sept. 6,
1963 inSt. Augusta, Minnesota...
ROLAND WELTSTEIN. Their children are listed below:
1855. Peter Reiter, born June 18, 1964.
1856. Michael Reiter, born July 23, 1965.
1857. James Reiter, born June 24, 1967.
1858. Stephen Reiter, born November 8, 1969.
1802. THE FAMILY OF ANNA REITER(born March 23, 1941, Deere
Township,Roseau County,Minn.) who was married on
August iO, 1963 to
ED ZIMMERMAN. Their one child is listed here:
1859. Mary Ann Zimmerman, born Nov. 18, 1963.
1804.THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH REITER(born Dec. 2, 1947 in St.
Cloud,Minnesota) who was married to January 16, 1971 in
St. Augusta,Minnesota to...
JEAN SCHILL. Their children are listed below:
i860. Lynn Reiter, born July 15, 1971.
1861. Jennifer Reiter, born March 12, 1976.
1805. THE FAMILY OF LAWRENCE REITER(born Sept. 5, 1950 at
St. Cloud, Minnesota) who was married on May 5, 1973
at Rockville,Minnesota, to...
COLLEEN RUSSELL. Their children are listed below:
1862. Dawn Reiter, born Nov. 12, 1974.
1863. Scott Reiter, born March 17, 1976.
1806. THE FAMILY OF ELENORE SCHREIFELS(born July 1, 1940,
Richmond,Minnesota) who was marriedon July 18, 1964 at
St. Nicholas to...
DENIS T0RB0RG(born Oct. 1, 1941). They had the following issue:
1864. Keith Torborg, born May 5, 1965, Paynesville,Minnesota.
1865. Randy Torborg, born August 9, 1966, St. Cloud,Minnesota.
1866. Brian Torborg, born July 20, 1969, St. Cloud,Minnesota.
1867. Pam Torborg, born October 7, 1970, St. Cloud,Minnesota.
1807. THE FAMILY OF ROBERT SCHREIFELS(born Sept. 27, 1941,
Richmond,Minn.) who was married on August 31, 1963 at
Eden Valley,Minn., to...
ALICE JOHNSON(born April 17, 1943,Richmond). They had issue:
1868. Warren Schreifels, born June 8, 1964, St. Cloud.
1869. Wayne Schreifels, born May 29, 1965, Paynesville,Minn.
1870. Timothy Schreifels, born July 14, 1969,Paynesville,Minn.
1871. Adam Schreifels, born April 29, 1872, Richmond,Minn.
 1808.THE FAMILY OF ERVIN SCHREIFELS(born August 9, 1943
Richmond,Minn.) who was married on Oct. 9, 1965 at
Sts. Peter and Paul Church,Richmond, Minn.,to...
YVONNE SCHREIFELS(born January 25, 1946 in St. Cloud, daughter
of Frank N. Schreifels and Carola Bellmont). Their
children are listed below:
1872. Troy Schreifels, born June 5, 1967,3t. Cloud,Minnesota.
1873. Terrie Schreifels, born Aug. 12, 1968, St. Cloud.
1874. Dana Schreifels, born March 4, 1973, St. Cloud.
1809.THE FAMILY OF DONALD SCHREIFELS(bom July 1, 1946, Richmond)
who was married on July 23, 1966 in St. Cloud, to...
KAREN THEIS(born Dec. 12, 1946, St. Cloud, Minnesota, daughter of
Marcus Theis). Their children are listed below:
1875. Christopher Schreifels, born May 17, 1967, St. Cloud,Minn.
1876. Kimberly Schreifels, born May 17, 1969, Paynesville,Minn.
1877. Carey Schreifels, born Sept. 18, 1974, St. Cloud,Minn.
1810.THE FAMILY OF HAROLD SCHREIFELS(bom May 16, 1939 in
Rockville,Minn.) who was married on Jan. 29,1966 in
Waite Park,Minn.,to.,.
BEVERLY KREGER(born Jan. 24, 1943 at West Palm Beach, Florida).
Their children are listed as follows:
1878. Ann Schreifels, born July 25, 1967, St. Paul,Minnesota.
1879. Glen Schreifels, born June 14, 1968, St. Paul,Minnesota.
1811. THE FAMILY OF RICHARD SCHREIFELS(born Sept. 14, 1941,Cold
Spring,Minn. ) who v/as married June 20, 1964 at Richmond, to. . .
BETTY WSERES(born Aug. 22, 1942, Richmond). They had issue:
1880. Jeffrey Schreifels, born March 1, 1965, Richmond.
1881. Cynthia Schreifels, born June 15, 1966, Richmond.
1882. Steven Schreifels, born Aug. 30, 1967, Richmond.
1883. Amy Schreifels, born March 31, 1972, Richmond.
1812.THE FAMILY OF DELROY SCHREIFELS(born June 17, 1944, Cold
Spring) who was married on Oct. 10, 1970 at St. Joseph,
Minnesota, to...
LILLIAN SPODEN(born Aug. 13, 1948, St. Joseph,Minn). They had issue:
1884. Rodney Schreifels, born Sept. 10, 1973, St. Joseph,Minn.
1885. Mark Schreifels, born June 27, 1977, Richmond,Minn.
1813.THE FAMILY OF LUCILLE SCHREIFELS(born Nov. 3, 1946 at Eden
Valley,Minn.) who was married on April 10, 1967 at Richmond to
KENNETH MILLER,born Oct. 30, 1940, Richmond,Minn. Their children
have been listed below:
1886. Diane Killer,born May 8, 1968, Richmond,Minn.
1887. James Miller, born April 3, 1969, Richmond.
1888. Luann Miller, born June 10, 1970,Richmond.

f<c*
 1815.THE FAMILY OF CAROL SCHREIFELS(born J u l y 7 , 1 9 5 3 , i n
R i c h m o n d , M i n n e s o t a ) . C a r o l S c h r e i f e l s h a s one son l i s t e d belc
1889. Gregory S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n Aug. 1 2 , 1 9 7 5 a t Richmond,Minnesota.
1816.THE FAMILY OF MARVIN REITER(born F e b . 1 4 , 1 9 3 7 ) who was
m a r r i e d on Nov. 2 S t 1961 t o LORRAINE PERFERST. Their
c h i l d r e n are l i s t e d below:
1890. S t e v e R e i t e r , b o r n D e c . 2 0 , 1 9 6 3 , born in S t . Paul .Minnesota
1891. Ann R e i t e r , b o r n Aug. 1 0 , 1966.born in S t . Paul.
1892. Mary R e i t e r , b o r n S e p t . 9 , 1 9 6 7 . , b o r n tn S t . Paul.
1893. L i s a R e i t e r , b o r n A p r i l 5 , 1974born in St. Paul.
1817.THE FAMILY OF VERNON REITER who was m a r r i e d i n I 9 6 0 in
West Germany t o Rose F r i e d m a n .
They h a v e no c h i l d r e n a t t h i s w r i t i n g .
1818.THE FAMILY OF ROGER REITER(born S e p t . 1 9 , 1 9 4 1 ) who was
m a r r i e d on A n r i l 2 3 , 1966 t o . . .
MADELINE(Mady) LENDWAY. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d h e r e :
1894. Greg R e i t e r , b o r n May 7 , 1 9 7 2 > b o r n in 3t . Paul.Minnesota
l895» D e a n n a R e i t e r , b o r n D e c . 2 8 , 1 9 7 3 , b o r n in St. Paul,.Minnesota.
1819.THE FAMILY OF RONALD REITSR(born March 1 1 , 1 9 4 5 ) who was
m a r r i e d on S e p t . 5 , 1970 t o . . .
JOYCE HINKEMEYER. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d b e l o w :
1896. Todd R e i t e r , b o r n May 1 , 1 9 7 1 , b o r n in S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
in st
1897. Tiffany Reiter, b o r n J u n e 1 9 , 1 9 7 5 . born • Cloud,Minnesota.
1820.THE FAMILY OF WALTER REITER(born J u l y 2 1 , 1 9 4 6 ) who was"'
m a r r i e d on O c t . 2 4 , 1 9 7 5 t o . . .
SHERRY GRESSER. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
1898. A n g e l a R e i t e r , b o r n Aug. 2 8 , 1 9 7 6 , torn in Minneapolis, Minn.
1899. Jacqueline Reiter, b o r n J u n e 1 2 , 1 9 7 8 , born in Anoka,Minn.
1822.THE FAMILY OF RENA R E I ? E R ( b o r n Nov. 1 6 , 1 9 5 0 ) who was
m a r r i e d on J u n e 9 , 1972 t o . . .
PAT WEBER. T h e i r f a m i l y i s l i s t e d h e r e :
1900. K a r i Ann W e b e r , b o r n J a n . 1 6 , 1975..born in S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
1 9 0 1 . P e t e r W e b e r , b o r n D e c . 1 5 , 1 9 7 7 * born in New Ulm,Minnesota
1824.THE FAMILY OF RALPH MICHAEL REITER(born D e c . 2 6 , 1 9 3 7 )
who was m a r r i e d on J u n e 1 3 , 1 9 6 4 t o . . . .
JENKATTK I L L I E S ( b o r n May 2 7 , 1 9 4 4 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d :
1902. A n n e t t e Lynn R e i t e r , b o r n Nov. 7 , 1964.
1903. Brian Paul R e i t e r , b o r n Nov. 9 , 1965.
1901;. Kim M a r i e R e i t e r , born August 2 1 , 1970.
1905. C r a i g Lee R e i t e r , born February 17, 1972.
1906. K a r e n Lee R e i t e r , born February 17, 1972.

m
 1825. THE FAMILY OF LUCILLE REITER(born July 17, 1940) who
was married on July 30, 1964 to...
HOWARD CARLSON. Their children are listed here:
1907. James Carlson, born Nov. 5, 1965.
1908. Tracy Carlson, born Nov. 4, 1970.
1826.THE FAMILY OF EVELYN REITER(born May 5, 1944) who was
married on May 18, 1963 to...
RAYMOND FUNES(born Nov. 11,1942). Their children are listed below:
1909. Kristin Suzanne Funes, born March 5, 1970.
1910. Lisa Rae Funes, born Sept. 27, 1973.
1842. THE FAMILY OF MONA MATANOWSKI(born Jan. 20, 1957) who
was married on Dec. 4, 1976 to...
RANDOLPH ESKIT. They have one child listed below:
1911. Sarah E s k i t .
ADDITIONS—THE HERBERT SCHREIFELS FAMILY
1406. THE FAMILY OF HERBERT SCHREIFELS(born Oct. 10, 1908; de-
ceased on December 4, 1975 a t the age of sixty-seven).
He was married to...
FRANCES PETERS(born in Watkins on January 1, 1912 and deceased
in Rockville). Herbert was remarried to Monica Sowada on
November 17, 1974 after the death of his first wife. He
had no children by the second wife. The children of Herbert
Schreifels and Frances Peters are listed here:
1912. Jeanette Schreifels, born Nov. 21, 1934«
1913. Julian Schreifels, born March 23, 1936. _
1914. Mary Anne Schreifels, born June 15, 1940.
1915. Marvin G. Schreifels, born June 15, 1940.
1916. Bernice, born Jan. 26, 1943 v
1917. Gerald Schreifels, born July 19, 1946 at Sauk Centre, died
on July 11, 1952 in Cold Spring.
1918. Geraldine Schreifels, born July 19, 1946.
1919. Clarence Schreifels, born August 12, 1948.
1920. Nicholas Schreifels, born October 1, 1950.
1912. THE FAMILY OF JEANETTE SCHREIFELS(born Nov. 21, 1934 in
Rockville) who was married on October 19, 1954 in Cold Spring
to...
LINUS DINGMANN(born March 26, 1931 in Cold Spring, the son of
Herman Dingmann and Theresia Holthaus). Their children are'
listed below as follows:
1921. Michael Dingmann, born Sept. 14, 1955 in Cold Spring.
1922. Thomas Dingmann, born Sept. 27, 1956 in Cold Spring.
1923. Susan Dingmann, born March 12, 1959,in Cold Spring.

HO
1924. John Dingmann, born June 13, 1962.in Cold Spring.
1925. Lisa Dingmann, born Nov. 4, 1964,in Cold Spring.
1926. James Dingmann, b o m Dec. 29, 1965 in Cold Spring.
1927. Michelle Dingmann, born Jan. 11, 1973 in Cold Spring.
1913.THE FAMILY OF JULIAN SCHREIFELS(born March 23, 1936 in
Rockville) who was married on Feb. 8, 1964 in St. Cloud to...
SHARON EVANS(born June 21, 1944 in St. Cloud toEugene Evans).
Their children are listed as follows:
1928. Julie, born July 23, 1964 in St. Cloud.
1929. Jill Schreifels, born July 1, 1965 in St. Cloud.
1930. Paul Schreifels, b o m Feb. 20, 1970 at Rockville.
1931. Patrick Schreifels, born Feb. 18, 1971 in Rockville.
1914. THE FAMILY OF MARY ANNE SCHREIFELS(bom June 15, 1940
in Waite Park) who was married on July 26, 1958 at
Cold Spring to...
FRANKLIN B. KAUFMAN(born . ah; Nbv§imbe]?823* 1936 in Watkins, Minn.,
the son of William Kaufman and Appolonia Jungels, the latter
being a daughter of Cornelius Jungels).
Their children are listed here:
1932. Bruce Kaufman, born May 27, 1959 at Norfolk, Virginia in the
Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
1933. Bryan Kaufman, b o m March 5, 1961 at New Orleans, Louisiana, in
the U.S. Public Service Hospital.
193^. Brenda Kaufman, b o m May 17, 1970 at Norfolk Virginia, in the
Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
1915. THE FAMILY OF MARVIN G. SCHREIFELS(bom June 15, 1940 in
Waite Park) who was married on May 2, 1964 at Sauk Centre to...
JANET WIESSER(bom June 22, 1942 at Sauk Centre, the daughter of
Cyril and Bernice Weisser). Their children are listed below:
1935. Jeffery Schreifels, born March 18, 1965 in St. Cloud.
1936. Joy Schreifels, b o m Feb. 9, 1966 in St. Cloud.
1937. Gina Schreifels, b o m March 6, 1969 in Luxemburg, Minnesota.
1916. THE FAMILY OF BERNICE SCHREIFELS(bom Jan. 26, 1943 in St.
Cloud) who was married on August 9, 1969 to...
JOSEPH MOORE. Their children are listed below:
1938. Eric Moore, born June 23, 1972 in Minneapolis.
1939. Christopher Moore, born November 1974 in Minneapolis.
1940. Daniel Moore, born Sept. 13, 1976 in Minneapolis.
1918. THE FAMILY OF GERALDINE(born July 19, 1946 at Sauk Centre)
who was married on Nov. 2 S , 1961 to...
RONALD H0NER(born Jan. 2, 1942 in Cold Spring, the son of Norbert
Honer and Angeline Walkerstarfer). Their children are listed
as follows:
1941. Wanda H o n e r , b o r n May 1 9 , 1962 i n Cold Spring.

Page 191
1942. Steven Honer, born Nov. 27, 1963 in Cold Spring.
1943. Denise Honer, born July 27, 1965 in Cold Spring.
1944. Traci Honer, died at the age of six years.
1919. THE FAMILY OF CLARENCE SCHREIFELS(born August 12, 1948 in
West Union,Minn, at Melrose Hospital) who was married on
May 23, 1969 in Watkins,Minnesota to...
JUDI UNTERBERGER(born Oct. 12, 1947 in Watkins, the daughter of
Eugene Unterberger and Olga Gohman). Their children are
listed a3 follows:
1945. Secky Ann Schreifels, born Feb. 1971 at St. Cloud.
1946. Mark Schreifels, born June 11, 1973.
. . 1920.THE^FAMILY OEr NICHOLAS SCHREIFELS(born Oct. 1, 1950'
at Westport, Minnesota in the Sauk Centre Hospital) who
was married in-Shakopee, Minnesota to...
MARY PERRON. Their child is listed, below: •• • :
1947. Jason Schreifels, born January 2S, 1977 at Guam, Marianna leland
Naval Hospital.
THE THEODORE SCHREIFELS FAMILY
As oneof the many sons of Mathias Schreifels and Catharina
Schackmann, Theodore Schreifels joined with his brother William
in farming the land that made up the original Math Schreifels homestead,
while William Schreif els (See Households #1092 andr/1389 for hia descendar
farmed the original eighty acres of land, four miles south of Cold Sprir
Theodore went on to farm an adjacent eighty acres that was situated no
more than a quarter of a mile from the John and Mary(Theisen) Schreifels
homestead. The childrenof Theodore are described in greater detail belov
1388. THE FAMILY OF THEODORE SCHREIFELS(born May 30, 1677 in
Luxembourg Township; deceased Sept. 25, 1959 in Cold Spring)
was married on February 6, 1906 in Pearl Lake,Minnesota to...
OTTILIA KRIER(born January . 1886 in Main Prairie, Minnesota, as
the daughter of Nicholas Krier and Catherine Pinneman; died
on October 2, 1962 in Cold Spring). Their children snd their
families are listed in greater details below:
1948. Mathilda Schreifels.
1949. Theodore Schreifels.
1950. Paul M. Schreifels, born Feb. 5, 1910. As Father Ferdinand, he was
ordained a Catholic priest on June 6, 1937 at St. John's,
1951. Theresa Schreifels.
1952. Rose Schreifels(Born April 21, 1914 in Cold Spring; died on March
29 1940 at St. Nicholas, Minnesota. On October 10,193^, — '
Schreifels had married Norbert Kraemer. They had no children
during their short marriage. Norbert Kraemer was born in
and died in 1961.
1953 Clara Schreifels.
1954. Barbara Schreifels.
1955. Marcella Schreifels,died in infancy(Feb. 18 to 2k, 1921i.
1956. Marie Schreifels.
1957. Rita Schreifels.
1948. THE FAMILY OF MATHILDA SCHREIFELS(born Dec. 6, 1906 in Cold
Spring; deceased on April 2, 1975in Watkins). She was marrie
on June 6, 1933 to...
LEO HJBERTY(born July 1, 190. in Watkins). Their children are list
1958. Alcuin Huberty.
1959. Ralph Huberty.
1960. Delores Huberty.
1961. Gerald Huberty.
1962. Roman Huberty.
1963. Leon Huberty(born July 3, 1944 in Watkins). He is single.
1964. Mary Ann Huberty.
1949. THE FAMILY OF THEODORE SCHREIFELS, JR(Born June 1, 1908 in
Cold Spring,Minn; deceased Jan. 14, 1972 in St. Cloud) who
was married to...
VERONICA BRUTGER(born in St. Nicholas). Their children are listed
1965. Janet Schreifels.
1966. Allen Schreifels.
1951. THE FAMILY OF THERESA SCHREIFELS(born Sept. 21, 1911, Cold
in Cold Spring) who was married on May 19, 1931 in Cold
Spring, Minnesota, to...
GREGOR' MENKE(born June 18, 190? in Bancroft, Iowa). They have had
six chidren listed below:
1967. Bernice Menke.
1968. Donald Menke.
1969. Vernon Menke.
1970. Marilyn Menke.
1971. Richard Menke.
1972. Charles Menke.
1953.THE FAMILY OF CLARA SCHREIFELS(born February 2, 1916 in Cold
Spring) who was married on June 28, 1939in Cold Spring to...
MARTIN HUBERTY(Bom May 5, 1914 in Watkins). Their children are
listed as follows:
1973. David Huberty(born May 1, 1940 in Watkins;deceased August 1945).
1974. Elaine Huberty(bom July 18, 1941 in Watkins) was married on July
23, I960 to Mr. John Quest. They have no children.
1975. Michael Huberty(born August 15. 19U4 in Tracy, Lyon County, Minn.
who was married on June 21 -, 1975 in Independence,
Wisconsin, to Mary Johnson. They have no children.

Page 193
1976. James Huberty. His family is listed below under Household #1976.
1977. Diane Huberty(born September 25, 1946 in Tracy, Minnesota;decease
on April 24, 1965).
1978. Jane Huberty, born Nov. 13, 1956 in Watkins, Minnesota.
1951+.THE FAMILY OF BARBARA SCHREIFELS(born December 17, 1918 in
Cold Spring,Minnesota)who was married on Feb. 10, 1942
at St. Boniface Church, Cold Spring, to...
RAYMOND NISTLER(born Sept. 27, 1920 in Eden Valley,Minn.) They
have four children listed below:
1979. Kathleen Nistler.
1980. Roger Nistler.
1981. Thomas Nistler.
1982. Kenneth Nistler.
1956. THS F.AMILY OF MARIE SCHREIFELS(born March 16, 1923 in
Cold Spring) who wasnarried on Nov. 14, 1944 to...
JEROME ROESER(born Sept. 25, 1922 in Watkins). Their children
are listed immediately below:
1983. Sandra Rita Roeser, born May 20, 1945 in Watkins.
1984. Cuentin Roeser. His family is listed under Household #1984.
1985. Carol Ann Roeser. See Household #1985.
1986. Peter Math Roeser. See Household #1986.
1987. Jerome Roeser, Jr.(born June 16, 1953).
1988. Mary Kay Roeser(born March 9, 1958).
1989. Teresa Rose Roeser(born July 1, 1959).
1990. Margaret Ann Roeser(born April 6, 1961).
1991. Susan Roeser(born Jan. 17, 1967).
1957.THE FAMILY OF RITA SCHREIFELS(born November 6, 1925 in Cold
Cold Spring) who was married on March 4, 1946 in Cold Sprng
LEANDER LUDWIG(born Sept. 4, 1920 in Eden Valley,Minnesota). The
five children are listed below:
1992. John Ludwig.
1993. Sharon Ludwig.
1994. Paul Ludwig(born Jan. 10, 1953 in Watkins).
1995. July Ludwig(born Dec. 13, 1956 in Watkins).
1996. Robert Ludwig(born June 3, 1965 in Watkins).
1958.THE FAMILY OF ALCUIN HUBERTY(bom July 27,1934 in Watkins)
'was married on April 26, 1966 in St. Cloud to
CAROL ROTHSTEIN((born Oct. 19, 1941 in Rockville). Their children
are listed below:
1997. Tom Huberty, born Jan. 18, 1967 in Watkins.
1998. Jodi Huberty, born Feb. 9, 1969 in Watkins.
 1959.THE FAMILY OF RALPH HUBERTY(born Jan. 12, 1936 in '•'atk<n«
who was married on Oct. 3, 1961 in Cold Sorine to
ARLENE DOUBEK(born Feb. 26, 1940 in Cold Spring).
All their children, born in Watkins, are listed below:
1999. Robert Huberty, born April 27, 1962.
2000. Ronald Huberty, born July 15, 1964.
2001. Duane Huberty, born Oct. 10, 1966.
2002. David Huberty, born April 24, 1968.
2003. Brian Huberty, born May 23, 1971.
I960.THE FAMILY OF DELORES HUBERTY(born March 5, 1938 in W-tkfri
was married in Saint Anthony's Church Watkins on Jan/2
1958 to...
GERALD LINN(born Dec. 27, 1929 at Watkins). Their,all born in
Paynesville, are listed below:
2004. Lois Linn, born Dec. 25, 1958.
2005. Kevin Linn, born July 14, I960.
2006. Kenneth Liim, ourn July 27, 1961.
2007. Michael Linn, born Dec. 29, 1963.
2008. Lori Linn, born April 28, 1965.
1961. THE FAMILY OF GERALD r'U3ERTY(born Dec. 19, 193? in Watkir.
was married in Gilman on June 16, 196k to...
BERNAEETTE ZURR(who was born in Gilman on January 2?, 1AL3*.
They have one child listed here: _
2009. Michele Huberty, born Sept. 5, 1965 in Gilman.
1962.THE FAMILY 0? ROMAN !fUBERTY(born Feb. 25, 19LI in Watkins)
who was married on May 17, 1969 at St. M.artin to...
MARLENE OLMSCHSID(born Nov. 13, 1948 in St. Martin). They have
three children, born in Watkins, 1 is ted'below:
2010. Jeffrey Huberty, born April 6, 1970 in Watkins.
2011. Jason Huberty, born Feb. 9, 1975 in Watkins.
2012. Daniel Huberty, born Feb. 6, 1977 in Watkins.
1964. THE FAMILY OF MARY ANT.' HU3ERTY(born May 18, 1949 in Watkir
who was married in Watkins on Sept. }Q, 1972 to....
RICHARD KESSE(born Oct. 21, 1950 in Watkins). Their four childr
all born in 'Watkins, are listed below:
2013. Steven Hesse, born Sept. 3, 1973.
c. 014. Anthony Hesse, born Oct. 23, 1974.
2015. Randy Hesse, born Nov. 6, 1975.
c 016. William Hesse, born August 9, 1978.
1965.THE FAMILY OF JANET SCHREIFELS who was married on Sept. 8,
1962 in St. Cloud to JAMES OLDGDERG. Their children are:
2017. James Oldsberg, Jr.

1 Of,
2018. Michael Oldsberg.
2019. Christ Oldsberg.
1966.THE FAMILY OF ALLEN SCHREIFELS who was married on March 8 196
in St. Cloud to JUDY OLSEN. Their children are listed here:
2020. Virginia Ann Schreifels.
2021. Linda Ann Schreifels.
2022. Jeffery Schreifels.
2023. Melissa Ann Schreifels.
1967.THE FAMILY OF BERNICE MENKE(born July 4, 1932 in Cold Spring,
Minnesota), who was married on August 20, I960 in Cold ^princ
HERBERT NEESER(born July 8, 1931 in St. Cloud). They have a child~
who is listed below:
2024. Patricia Neeser, born May 20, 1961 in Helena, Montana.
1968.THE FAMILY OF DONALD MENKE(born May 19, 1934 in Cold Spring,
Minnesota) who was married on Sept. 26, 1959 in Mason City,low;
to..AMY LOU PHILLIPS(born August 16, 1937 in Mason City,Iowa).
Their children are listed here:
2025. Michele Menke, born Oct. 28, I960 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
2026. Michael Menke, born June 5, 1963 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2027. Mary Menke, born Sept. 23, 1968 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
1969.THE FAMILY OF VERNON MENKE(born March 2 2 , 1936 in Cold Spring;
deceased on May 5, 1974 in Cold Spring) who was married on
June 6, 1964 in St. Martin, Minnesota to....
IRENE STANG(born Nov. 21, 1940 in St. Martin, Minn.). Their childrer
are listed here:
2028. Todd Menke, born April 29, 1966 in Cold Spring,Minn.
2029. Dennis Menke, born June 12, 1967 in Cold Spring, Minn.
2030. Sandy Menke, born May 10, 1972 in Cold Spring, Minn.
1970.THE FAMILY OF MARILYN MENKE(born Sept. 10, 1938 in Cold
Spring,Minn.)who was married on October 5, 1957 in Cold Spring
LEONARD K0SHI0L(born June 5, 1930 in St. Cloud,Minn.) Their childre
are listed below:
2031. Steve Koshiol, Jr, born Jan. 4, 1959 in St. Cloud.
2032. Timothy Koshiol, born May 5, I960 in St. Cloud.
2033. Douglas Koshiol, born May 10, 1963 in St. Cloud.
2034. Scott Koshiol, born Sept. 7, 1967 in St. Cloud.
1971.THE FAMILY OF RICHARD MENKE(born April 28, 1942 in Cold Spring
who was married on August 14» 1969 to....
RITA LAHR(born Sept. 10, 1941 in Rockville,Minn.). Their one child
is listed here:
2035. Tom Menke, born February 18, 1962 in Rockville,Minnesota.

Pa«e 196
 1972. THE FAMILY OF CHARLES MENKE(born Jan. 19, 1942 in Cold Sori^
who waa married on Dec. 4, 1971 to. yn.ii
JANICE HEDIN(born July 9, 1953 at Klamath'Falls,Oregon). Their
family Is listed below:
2036. .Andrew (Andy) Menke, born April 13, 1973 in Cold Spring,Minn.
2037. Valerie Menke, born May 12, 1975 in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
1976.THE FAMILY OF JAMES HUBERTY(born January 7, 1948 in Tracy,
Montana) who was married on May 4, 1974 in Minneapolis to!..
MARY SEXTON. They have one child listed as follows:
2038. Timothy Huberty, born March 29, 1977 in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
1979.THE FAMILY OF KATHLEEN NISTLER(born Jan. 20, 1943 in Cold
Spring) who was married on Oct. 2, 1962 at St. Nicholas to...
ROBERT SCHLANGEN(born January 1, 1942 in Richmond). Their children
are listed below:
2039. Susan Schlangen, born Nov. 3, 1963 in St. Louis, Minnesota.
2040. Timothy Schlangen, born Dec. 13, 1964 in St. Louis, Minnesota.
2041. Sandra Schlangen, born May 24, 1966 in St. Louis, Minnesota.
1980.THE FAMILY OF ROGER NISTLER(born August 15, 1945) who was
marrM on October 5, 1967 in Cold Spring to....
SHIRLEY HENNEN(born Sept. 10, 1946 in Rockville). Their children
are listed here:
2042. Brian Nistler, born Dec. 5, 1968 in Cold Spring.
2043. Bonnie Nistler, born June 15, 1970 in Cold Spring.
2044. Bradley Nistler, born Jan. 12, 1974 in Cold Spring.
1981. THE FAMILY OF THOMAS NISTLER (born May 18, 1951 in Watkins)
who was married in Richmond on May 20, 1972 to....
ELEANOR SCHLANGEN(born August 28, 1951 in Richmond). They have
two children listed below:
2045. Tina Nistler, born April 2, 1973 in Cold Spring.
2046. Scott Nistler, born July 26, 1975 in St. Cloud.
1982.THE FAMILY OF KENNETH NISTLER(born Jan. 19, 1955 in Watkins)
who was married in Watkins to....
DEBBIE FABER(born Feb. 23, 1953 in Watkins). Their child is listed:
2047. Jason Nistler, born Dec. 2, 1977.
1983.THE HOUSEHOLD OF SANDRA RITA ROESER(born on May 20, 1945in
Watkins) was married on Sept. 12, 1964 to....
PETER MERTEN. Their children are listed below:
2048. Kenneth Merten, born'October 1, 1965.
2049. Sherri Merten, born November 18, 1966.
2050. Laura Merten, born February 21, 1968.

Page 197
2051. D e b b i e M e r t e n , b o r n May 2 1 , 1 9 6 9 .
2052. S t e v e n M e r t e n , b o r n May 2 1 , 1 9 7 3 .
1934.THE FAMILY CF QUENTIN ROESER(born O c t o b e r 1 1 , 1 9 4 7 1 - N a ^ k ^ s
d e c e a s e d on May 1 7 , 1969 i n P a y n e s v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a ) . He"was
m a r r i e d on May 1 7 , 1968 t o . . .
DIANE NORD'-SN. They h a d one c h i l d l i s t e d b e l o w :
2053. Kevin R o e s e r , born Dec. 2 6 , 1969.
1955.THE FAMILY OF CAROL ANN ROESER(who was m a r r i e d on March 4
1 9 4 9 ) who was m a r r i e d on S e p t . 1 1 , 1971 t o . . .
DICK FABER. They h a v e one c h i l d " :
2054. Kelly Faber, b o r n May 4 , 1975.

1986.THE HOUSEHOLD OF PETER MATH R0E3ER(born J u n e 2 0 , 1952)

who was m a r r i e d i n 1973 t o . . . .
ROSELLA SPISKA. Their children are l i s t e d here:

2055. Sherman R o e s e r , b o r n F e b . 2 0 , 197k.

2056. Stacy Roeser, born J a n u a r y 8, 1976.

1 9 9 2 . THE FAMILY CF JOHN LUDV/IG ( b o r . i March 6 , 19U7 i n W a t k i n s )

who was m a r r i e d on J u n e 2 7 , 1970 i n Richmond t o . . .
SANDRA 3RAEGELMANN(born J u l y 0 , 1947 i n R i c h m o n d ) . -
Their offspring are l i s t e d as f o l l o w s :
2057. J u l i e L u d w i g ( b o r n Aug. 1 , 1971 i n S t . Cloud).
2058. S u s a n L u d w i g ( b o r n O c t . 2 2 , 1974 i n S t . Cloud).
1 9 9 3 . THE FAMILY OF SHARON LUDWIG(born May 1 3 , 19!i9 i n W a t k i n s )
who wns m a r r i e d on Aucrust 2 3 , 1969 a t S t . N i c h o l 0 . s t o . . . .
THO' \S GTTIL(born T e c . 1 3 , 19_7 i n F a r m i n g ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e
l i s t e d below:
2059. M i c h e l l e S t e i l , b o r n Nov. 2 0 , 1 9 7 0 .
2060. Janet Steil, b o r n Dov. 1 3 , 1972 i n G o l d e n V a l l e y , Minnesota.
2061. Mark S t e i l , b o r n J u l y 1 0 , 1975 i n Gold V a l l e y , Minnesota.

FURTHER CORRECTIONS TO THE DESCENDANTS 77 TH_ HENRY SCHREIFELS FAMILY:

1791. THE FAMILY OF THERESA SCHREIFELi AND HENRY REII'ZR. .'heresa and Henry
Reiter were married on May 29, 193 : ' a t St. Nicnoias Church. Henry
R e i t e r , who was born on November 11, 191+ in Rockville and died on
July 9, 1975 in Cold Spring,Minnesota. Their sons, Marvin, lemon and
Roger(,i<l8l6,'yi8l7 and -fl8l8) were born in Rockville .Minnesota, -onald
and waiter were born in Cold Spring. Joan, Rena and Dori( -Ic^l, -71322,
and -T1823) were born in Saint Cloud,Minnesota.
1792. THE FAMILY OF HILDSGARDS SCHREIFELS AND PAUL REITER. Their three
c h i l d r e n , Ralph,Lucille and EvelynU'l82E,r/l825, and #1826) were born
in Cold Spring,Minnesota.
1816 "HS FAMILY OF MARVIN REITZR(born Feb. IE, 1937 in S t . Raul,Minnesota)
AND LORRAINE' FUR FURS r( born Ccto'oer 9, 1938 in Kenyon, Minnesota) were married
on November 25, i960. All of t h e i r children were born in S t . Paul,Minnesota
 1 8 1 7 . MR. VERNON REITER was m a r r i e d on J a n u a r y , 1961 i n Enzberg, Germany
t o Rose Friedman(born A p r i l 5 , 1939 i n Enzberg, Germany). They have
no c h i l d r e n .
1818. THE FAMILY OF ROGER REITER(who was born on September 19, 1941 i n
R o c k v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a ) and MADELINE LENDWAY(born October 2 4 , 1942 In
L i t t l e Canada, M i n n e s o t a ) . They were m a r r i e d on A p r i l 2 3 , I966 i n
L i t t l e Canada, M i n n e s o t a . T h e i r two c h i l d r e n were born i n S t . P a u l .
1 8 1 9 . THE FAMILY OF RONALD REITER and JOYCE HINKEMEYER(born on J u l y 12,
1940 i n S t . Augusta, M i n n e s o t a ) . Ronald and Joyce were m a r r i e d on
September 5 , 19?0 i n S t . A u g u s t a , M i n n e s o t a . T h e i r son, Todd R e i t e r
(#1896) was born on May 7 , 1971 i n S t . Cloud, w h i l e d a u g h t e r , Tiffany
R e i t e r , was born on June 19, 1975 i n S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a .

1820. THE FAMILY OF WALTER REITER(born J u n e , 1946 i n S t . Cloud) and SHERRY

GRESSER(who was born on March 10, 1 9 5 4 ) . They were m a r r i e d i n Cold
S p r i n g on October 2 4 , I 9 7 5 . T h e i r f i r s t - b o r n , Angela R e i t e r ( # 1 8 9 8 ) ,
was born in M i n n e a p o l i s . T h e i r second c h i l d , J a c q u e l i n e R e i t e r ( # l 8 9 9 ) ,
was born i n Anoka,Minnesota.
1822. THE FAMILY OF RENA REITER AND PAT WEBER(who was born on May 10, I949
i n S a i n t C l o u d ) . They were m a r r i e d a t S t . Boniface Church i n Cold
S p r i n g on June 9, 1972 and have two c h i l d r e n ( l i s t e d a s #1900 and #1901
a b o v e ) who were born i n S a i n t C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a .
1825.THE FAMILY OF LUCILLE REITER AND HOWARD CARLSON. They were m a r r i e d on
J u l y 30, 1964 a t S t . P a u l , M i n n e s o t a . Their firstborn,James Carlson
( # 1 9 0 7 ) , was born i n S a i n t P a u l , M i n n e s o t a . T h e i r secondborn, Tracy
C a r l s o n ( # 1 9 0 8 ) , was born i n New Ulm,Minnesota.
1793. THE FAMILY OF HENRY SCHREIFELS (born March 4 , 1917 i n Richmond) who
was m a r r i e d on September 2 7 , 1941 t o . . . .
IDA C. KLASSEN(born Nov. 2 7 , 1915 i n R o c k v i l l e ; d e c e a s e d February 2 1 , i960
i n R o c k v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a ) . They had t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d r e n t
2062. Dorothy S c h r e i f e I s ( a d o p t e d ) , w h o was born on O c t . 3 , 1937.
2063. Donald S c h r e i f e l s , born S e p t . 2 1 , 1942 i n Cold S p r i n g .
2064. Donna Mae S c h r e i f e l s , born S e p t . 2 1 , 1942 i n Cold S p r i n g .
2065. P a t t y Ann S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n March 6 , 1948 i n Richmond.
2066. Diane S c h r e i f e l s , b o m F e b . 4 , 1952 i n S a i n t Cloud.
2063.THE FAMILY OF DOROTHY SCHREIFELS who was m a r r i e d i n May, 1962 t o . . .
RICHARD BARTN. They c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s 1
206?. Beth Bartn, born Feb. 20,19 .
2068. Lynn B a r t n , born J u l y 4 , 1 9 .
2069. C h r i s B a r t n , born November 18, 19 .
2070. R i c h B a r t n , born A p r i l , 19 .
2071. J i l l B a r t n , born J u l y 6 , 1 9 .
2072. Tom B a r t n , b o r n October 1 1 , 19 .

Page 199
 2064. THE FAMILY OF DONALD SCHREIFEL3( born on Sept. 21, 1942 in Cold Spring),
was married to one Carol Shanks. Their two children are listed below:
2073. Lisa S c h r e i f e l s .
2074. Michael Schreifels.
2064.THE FAMILY OF DONNA MAE SCHREIFELS(born S e p t . 2 1 , 1942) who was
married on May 9, 1964 a t Immaculate C o n c e p t i o n C h u r c h , R o c k v i l l e , t o . . . .
ROBERT ROTHSTEIN(born December 2 3 , 1 9 3 3 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e a s f o l l o w s :
2075. Jobn R o t h s t e i n , born F e b . 4 , 1966 i n S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
2076. Paul R o t h s t e i n , born J u n e 30, 1967 i n S t . C l o u d .
2077. Mark R o t h s t e i n , born J u n e 2 4 , 1968 i n S t . Cloud.
2078. Michael R o t h s t e i n , b o r n Nov. 2 0 , 1 9 6 9 i n S t . C l o u d .
2079. C a t h e r i n a R o t h s t e i n , born F e b . 1 5 , 1972 i n S t . Cloud.
2080. S t a c y R o t h s t e i n , born A p r i l 9, 1973 a t S t . C l o u d .
2081. Timothy R o t h s t e i n , born S e p t . 2 7 , 1974 i n S t . C l o u d .
2082. Daniel R o t h s t e i n , born S e p t . 19, 1978 i n S t . Cloud.

2065. THE FAMILY OF PATTY ANN 3CHREIFELS(born March 6 , 1948 i n Richmond,

Minnesota) who was m a r r i e d on September 4 , 1970 t o . . .
RICH OAKLAND. T h e i r one c h i l d i s l i s t e d belowi
2083. J a s o n Oakland, born December, 1974.

2066. THE FAMILY OF DIANE KATHERINE SCHREIFELS(born Feb. 4, 1952 in S a i n t

Cloud) was m a r r i e d t o . . . .
SAM WAGGONER. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
2084. B i l l y Waggoner,born t o p r e v i o u s m a r r i a g e .
2085. Dale Waggoner, born t o p r e v i o u s m a r r i a g e .
2086. Brandon Waggoner, born June 2 8 , 1978 i n Kansas C i t y , M i s s o u r i .

FURTHER ADDITIONS OF THE MICHAEL BOLFING FAMILY:

1385a. THE FAKLIX OF MICHAEL SCHRIEIFEIS (1870-1939) and h i s wife wife
CATHERINE B0LFIKG. Their family i n c l u d e d . t h e following -offspring:
2087. Carl(Charles)Schreifels(also mentioned a s #1411 a b o v e ) .

2088. Anna S c h r e i f e l s , who was m a r r i e d t o J o h n N l e s , by whom she gave

b i r t h t o J o Ann N i e s . JoAnn N i e a m a r r i e d L a r r y Leutma. They have
one d a u g h t e r , Anna Leutma.
2089. M i c h a e l S c h r e i f e l s , m a r r i e d t o F r a n c e s New. They had no c h i l d r e n . (#1413).
2090. Joseph F. S c h r e i f e l s . Hia I s l i s t e d below and h i s c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d under
#1655 t o # 1 6 5 8 .
1385b. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL SCHREIFELS and h i s second w i f e , ANNA BDLFING
(mentioned a b o v e ) T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d h e r e :
2091. M a r y ( a l s o l i s t e d above u n d e r # 1 4 1 5 ) . Mary was m a r r i e d t o Mr. Frank F i n k .

Page 200
2092. A l f r e d H. S c h r e i f e l s , who d i e d J u l y 4 , 1976. He had no c h i l d r e e n after
h a v i n g been m a r r i e d o n c e . (#1416)
2093. Agnes S c h r e i f e l s , who was m a r r i e d t o Mr. Matt F i n k ( # 1 4 l 7 )
2094. M a r c e l l a S c h r e i f e l s , ; p l e a s e s e e Household #1418 f o r her d e s c e n d a n t s .
2095- Frank N. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n O c t . 10, 1966in Richmond).
2 0 9 1 . THE FAMILY OF MARY SCHREIFELS who was m a r r i e d t o
FRAM. FINK. T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
2096. Eileen A. F i n k .
2097. Shirley Fink.
2092. THE FAMILY OF AGNES SCHREIFELS and h e r husband MATT FINK produced
a f a m i l y of a t l e a s t t h r e e c h i l d r e n , M a r l e n e , J e a n e t t e , G e r a l d ,
and p o s s i b l y a l s o a d a u g h t e r named L o i s .
2096. THE FAMILY OF EILEEN A. FINK(born A p r i l 3 , 1933) who was
m a r r i e d on J u n e 2 3 , 1956 t o . . . .
EUGENE N. ROTHSTEIN(born October 4 , I 9 2 9 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d h e r e :
2098. Mack J . R o t h s t e i n , b o r n March 15, 1959.
2099. Michael P . R o t h s t e i n , born A p r i l 5 , I96I.
2100. Mary Beth R o t h s t e i n , born J a n . 2 5 , I 9 6 3 .
2101. Mathew R. R o t h s t e i n , born F e b . 14, 1966.
2097.THE FAMILY OF SHIRLEY FTNK(who was born on J u l y 18, 193?) who had
m a r r i e d on August 9 , 1958, o n e . . . .
MB. RALPH HENNEN (who was born on October 29, 1 9 3 3 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n were
l i s t e d a s f d l o w s : T h i s f a m i l y l i v e s i n Eden V a l l e y , M i n n e s o t a .
2102
• Sandra Hennen, born A p r i l 1 5 , 1959.
2103. B r i e Frank Hennen, born October 14, 1962.
2104. Sharon Marie Hennen, born August 4 , 1965.
2105 Suzanne Marie Hennen, born A p r i l 16, 1969.
2106. S h e l l y Ann Hennen, born May 1 5 , 1970.
2095.THE FAMILY OF FRANK N. SCHREIFEIS(born October 10, 1906 i n Richmond)
waa m a r r i e d t o . . . .
CAROLA BELLMONT(born Nov. 17, 1916 In R o c k v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n
a r e l i s t e d belowi
2107. C a r o l S c h r e i f e l s , born October 2 0 , 1943 In Richmond, was e v e n t u a l l y m a r r i e d
on Nov. 2 1 , 1964 t o Raymond T h e i s . T h e i r o f f s p r i n g s h a l l be mentioned
a b o v e u n d e r t h e Household of Raymond T h e i s , # 1 0 2 ) .
2108. Yvonne S c h r e i f e l s , who was m a r r i e d on October 9 , 1965 t o E r v i n S c h r e i f e l s
( # 1 8 0 8 ) . T h e i r t h r e e c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d under Household #1808 a b o v e .

2109. Bldred S c h r e i f e l a ( b o r n on J u n e 3 , 1947) was m a r r i e d t o one Karen Baurae, by

whoa he had two c h i l d r e n , J a s o n ( b o r n 4n Dec. 2 5 , 1972) and Amy
S c h r e i f e l s , born i n A p r i l of 1975.
2110. David S c h r e i f e l s , born August 2 9 . 1 9 5 3 .
2111. La Donna S c h r e i f e l s , born Aug. 2 7 , 1957.
2102.THE FAMILY OF SANDRA HENNEN(born August 1 5 . 195?) waa m a r r i e d on A p r i l y
1978) t o MR. DAVID MAY(born S e p t . 7 , 1 9 5 6 ) . They have one c h i l d :
2112. C h r i s t o p h e r J o h n May,born May 9 , 1978.
 C a r o l i n e : h e i s ( b o r . n on J u l y 16, 1914) has been l i s t e d above a s Nun'— 2
and a s a d a u g h t e r of Mick T h e i s and M a t h i l d a Becker i n Household #10~
Nick T h e i s was t h e son of M i c h a e l T h e i s , who was t h e e l d e s t son of Nick
T h e i s and E l i z a b e t h Ewen, our immigrant a n c e s t o r s . Thus C a r o l i n e ( T h e i s )
Kuebelbeck i s the g r e a t - g r a n d d a u g h t e r of N i c k o l a u s T h e i s ( 1821-1866;', while
her s i x g r a n d c h i l d r e n r e p r e s e n t h i s g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n ' a n d the
f o u r t h g e n e r a t i o n born in America. The family and descendants of C a r o l i n e ' s
b r o t h e r William T h e i s , has been l i s t e d under Household #1436, while t h e
d e s c e n d a n t s of her s i s t e r , Barbara 'Theis, a r e l i s t e d under Household #1433.
~ 2 . THE FAMILY CF CAROLINE THSIS(born J u l y 16, 1914 a t S t . N i c h o l a s , Minn.)
who was m a r r i e d on June 6, 1933 t o . . . .
MR. CLARENCE KUE3ELBECK(born August 30, 1911 a t S t . J o s e p h , Minnesota; d=ce.
on A p r i l 1,195- a t Waukegan, I l l i n o i s ) . C l a r e n c e was the sen of J c s e o h
Kuebelbeck and Louise D e a i n t e r . After t h e d e a t h of C l a r e n c e , C a r o l i n e
was r e m a r r i e d on A p r i l 2 7 , 1957 to Harry J . :homas(who was t o r n in
Athena, O r e g o n ) . The m a r r i a g e of C l a r e n c e Kuebelbeck and C a r o l i n e The
produced one c h i l d who i s l i s t e d below:
2113- MaDonna Mary Kuebelbeck, born March 16, 1935.
2 1 1 3 . THE FAMILY CF MADONNA MARY KUE3EL? ECK (born on March 16, 1935 in Cold
S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a ) who was m a r r i e d on February 14, 1953 a t Waukegan,
llxir.oio to. . . .
MR. Al.uYISlUS SYMAI L A( Lorn on June 16, 17-31 in Morton, R e n v i l l e c o u n t y ,
M i n n e s o t a , a s the sun J I Thomas Symalla and Lenora E u t n e u e r ) . Their
c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d i m m e d i a t e l y below:
211-. E l i z a b e t h M. Symalla, bcrn August 19, 1953 in G r e a t Lakes, Illinois.
2115- V a l e r i e Ann Symalla, born cn Mover.ber 26, 195^ in Great Lakes, I l l i n o i s .
Cn December 9. 1979, V a l e r i e was r.-arried t o Alan Fere h e , who was t e r n
on December 22, 1954 in . C a r t e l l , Minnesota.
2116. J o s e p h Cal S y m a l l a , l o r n on J u l y 3, 195" in Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a . 'oseph
was m a r r i e d on Co t o rer !•'-, 1 9 7 " in Norfolk, V i r g i n i a to Hiss Ann
Reide(who was born on December 1, 195"J i-n P e r t Glasgow, R e n f r e w s h i r e ,
Scotland).
2117. C h e r y l Marie S y m a l l a , born or. September I , 195? in Cold S p r i n g . Cr. August. 1.
1978, C h e r y l was T a r r i e d to C h a r l e s Kresbach(who was born on August 2 ,
1957 i n Cold S p r i n g ) .
2118. Lora Lee S y m a l l a , born November 4 , i960 a t Cold S p r i n g .
2119. N i c h o l a s R o b e r t S y m a l l a , t o r n J a n u a r y 3 , 1964 a t Cold S p r i n g .
2 1 1 4 . THU FAMILY OF ELIZABETH M. SYMALLA(born August 19, 1953) '""ho was
m a r r i e d on August 2, 1975 in Cole S p r i n g t o . . . .
MR. KENNETH JOSEPH HONDL(who was bcrn en A p r i l 1, 1 9 5 4 ) . They have one
c h i l d who i s l i s t e d below:
2120. S c o t t M i c h a e l Hondi, born J u l y 2 3 , 1977 in Cold S u r i n g , Minnesota.

THE DESCENDANTS OF MATHIAS SCHREIFELS AND ELIZABETH BRIXIU3

M a t h i a s S c h r e i f e l s has been l i s t e d above a s #1394 and a s a son of Johann
S c h r e i f e l s and Maria F e i e n . Johann S c h r e i f e l s was one of t h e e i g h t s e n s
of M a t h i a s S c h r e i f e l s and C a t h e r i n a Schackmann. U n t i l t h i s t i m e , t h e
a n c e s t r y of t h e Schackmann family has o n l y been d i s c u s s e d t o t h e s m a l l e s t
extent. However, i n view of t h e f a c t t h a t hundreds of t h e S c h r e i f e l s
d e s c e n d a n t s mentioned in t h i s book, a r c descended ftrom t h e Schackmann
b r a n c h of t h e f a m i l y , t h i s s e c t i o n of t h e book w i l l shed some l i g n t on
that ancestry.
7o3
 Catherina Schackmann, the wife of Mathias Schreifels and mother
e i g h t sons, was born on July 26, 1641 in Ferschweller, Prussia,
to Mettendorf, the S c h r e i f e l s ' a n c e s t r a l nome, Mettendorf. Catherina was
thus the grandmother to a multitude of people,including Mathias Schreifels
(of the John Schreifels branch) and Frances ( S c h r e i f e l s ) Flaschenriem^of the
John Henry S c h r e i f e l s branch). Catherina i s thus the great-grandmother of
Math's daughter, J u l e t t a ( S c h r e i f e l s ) Dingmann, and of Lou Ann ( S c h r e i f e l s )
Cording;the'daughter of T i l l i e Schreifels Asfeld) and of Wilfred Flaschenriem
(the sen of John J . and Frances Flaschenriem). In pursuing the descent even
f a t h e r , Catherina i s the great-great-grandmother of J u l e t t a ' s daughter Marv
Kay Dingmann and of Wilfred's daughter, Susan Flaschenriem. And, f i n a l l y , ' s n e
i s the great-great-great-grandmother of Mary Kay (Dingmann) Donabauer's two
l a u g h t e r s , Tara and Holly Donabauer. Cut the hundreds, perhaps thousands,of
her descendants, these names have teen mentioned as examples.
Catherina was the daughter of Mathias Schackmann and of Katharina Thinnes(See
"The Schreifels-Schackmann Connection" above). Mathias Schackmann, the g r e a t -
grandfather of Mathias 3chreifels(1394-1960) and the g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t -
grandfather of Tara and Holly Donabauer, had died on December 2d, 15 = 3 in
Ferschweiler, Prussia, several years before his widow and t h e i r young family
had l e f t for .America. Mathias had been born on November 3, 1511 in Prumzurlay,
in the Trench Rheinland,then under the occupation of Napoleon's French Imperial
Army. He was the son of Johannes Jackman and of Maria Schmit who had been marri'
in the c i t y of I r r e i on January 25. 1309 under French law. The document i s thu:
printed in French and Latin. Johannes Jackmann, the father of Mathias, bad bee:
born in 1738 as the son of Johannes Jackman(who died on March 15, 1331 in
Prumzurlay, Prussia) and of Anna Maria Mehlen(who died on March 11, 1826 in
Prumzurlay, P r u s s i a ) . Prumzurlay i s l e s s than two kilometers east of Ferschweii*
The e l d e r Johannes Jackman was probably born in the year 1753 in t h i s v i c i n i t y .
and he.accordingly, represents one of the 1,024 g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t -
g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d p a r e n t s of Tara and Holly Donabauer.
Katharina Thinnes, the mother of Catherina (Schackmann) S c h r e i f e l s , rau teen
born in iolS and was the daughter of Johannes Thinnes and Magdalena --rr.er.
Johannes (the son of Valentin Thinnes and Anna Maria Deutsch) had ~ a r r i e i
Magdalena en September 11, 1313 in Ferscnweiler, Imperial Trance, ar.o, after
the b i r t h of t h e i r four c h i l d r e n , died on January 1, 1519 in Rerscnweiler, wr.il-
his wife Magdalena(the daughterof Nicholaus dinner/Zenner and of Catharina
Sadler) died on May 18, 1359 in Ferschweiler, only a few years oe::re one
Schackmann family l e f t for America.
139^. CHS F.AMILY OF MATHIAS A. SCHREIFEIS(born May 5, 159^ near Jacobs P r a i r i e ,
who was married on May 15, 1923 a t S t . James Church,Jaco'os P r a i r i e t o . . . .
MISS ELIZABETH BRIXIUS(born May 19, 1399 a t Richmond; deceased on November 7,
1963 a t Jacobs P r a i r i e ) . Math A. Schreifels died on November 1:, I960 at
the age of s i x t y - s i x years, s i x months and 13 days. They har four onildrer.
who a r e l i s t e d as follows:
121.
?1 ? C e l e s t i n e S c h r e i f e l s , born May 1, 1924(see also #1460).
2122. Sldora S c h r e i f e l s , born August 18, 1925(see also #1461).
2123. Claude S c h r e i f e l s , born July 20, 1927(see also #1463).
2124. J u l e t t a S c h r e i f e l s , born July 29, 1928(see also #1462).
2121 mHE FAMILY OF CELESTINE SCHREIFELS (born on May 1, 1974 in Cold Spring,
'.Minnesota) who was married on May 13, 1948 a t S t . Boniface Church t o . . . .
LINDA HANSEN(born June 30, 1928). Their family i s l i s t e d below:
2125. Debbie S c h r e i f e l s , born November 1, 1952 in S t . Cloud; deceased June 13, 1953).
2126. Robert S c h r e i f e l s , born June 27, 1961.

L
2127. Karen S c h r e i f e l s , born May 2 3 , 1964 i n S t . Cloud.
2128. James S c h r e i f e l s , born J u l y 12, 1969 i n S t . Cloud.
2122. THE FAMILY OF ELDORA SCHREIFELS(born August 18, I925 in Cold S p r i n g )
who was married on May 7, 1947 a t S t . J a m e s , J a c o b s P r a i r i e , t o . . . .
MR. MARCUS DINGMANN(born September 16, 1924 in Cold S p r i n g , a s the soii'of
Hermann Dingmann and Theresa H o l t h a u s ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n , a l l born i n
Richmond, a r e l i s t e d below:
2129. Dennis S c h r e i f e l s , born June 2 , I 9 4 9 .
2130. J e a n S c h r e i f e l s , born August 2 3 , 1952.
2131. Mathias S c h r e i f e l s , born September 24, I 9 5 3 .
2132. Ruth S c h r e i f e l s , t o r n August 14, 1958.
2133. Earl S c h r e i f e l s , born S e p t . 13, 1959.
2134. Carol S c h r e i f e l s , born November 17, 1962.
2123. THE FAMILY CF CLAUDE SCHREIFEL3(born J u l y 20, 1927 i n Cold S p r i n g )
who was m a r r i e d on May 2 8 , 1953 a t S t . N i c h o l a s , Minnesota t o . . .
MISS 3ERMADETTE KR ACER (born J a n u a r y 2 8 , 1932). T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d belo-
2135- Ann Marie S c h r e i f e l s , born February 4 , 1958 i n S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
2136. Michael S c h r e i f e l s , born May 2 1 , I965 i n S t . Cloud, Minnesota.
2 1 2 - . THE FAMILY OF JULETTA SCHR EI FEES (born J u l y 29, 1923 a t Jacobs P r a i r i e )
who was m a r r i e d on May 3 1 , 1951 a t Jacobs P r a i r i e t o . . .
MR. RALPH DINGMANN(who was born on A p r i l 24, 1929 a t Cold S p r i n g , a s t h e son
of Hermann Dingmann and Theresa H o l t h a u s ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d t e l e
2137. Mary Kay Dingmann, born A p r i l 17, 1955 a t S t . Cloud.
2133. Marlene .Theresa Dingmann, born A p r i l 17, 1964 a t S t . Cloud.
2135. THS FAMILY CF ANNA MARIS SCHREIFELS (born February 4, 1953 a t S t .
Cloud) who was .Tarried on May 20, 1973 a t S t . James Church, Jacobs
Prairie t o . . . .
MR . TED KRUSGER(torn J a n u a r y 3 1 , 1950 i n S t . Cloud, M i n n e s o t a ) . There have
been no c h i l d r e n born t o t h i s m a r r i a g e .
2137. THE FAMILY OF MARY KAY DINGMANN(born A p r i l 17, 1955 i n S t . Cloud) who
was m a r r i e d on S e p t . 14, 1974 a t S t . James Church, Jacobs P r a i r i e t o . . . .
MR.. R.ANDY D0NABAUER(born A p r i l 24, 1953 in Waite P a r k , a s the son of Val
Donabauer and Luann S c h w e i t e r s ) . T h e i r two d a u g h t e r s have been l i s t e d
as follows:
2139. Tara Beth Donabauer, born S e p t . 25, 1976 a t S t . J o s e p h , Minnesota.
2140. H o l l y J o Donabauer, born December 2, 1977 a t S t . J o s e p h , Minnesota.

AMONG THE DESCENDANTS CF WILLIAM SCHREIFELS

William S c h r e i f e l s , t h e s e v e n t h of t h e e i g h t sons of Mathias S c h r e i f e l s and
C a t h e r i n e Schackmann, had a very l a r g e f a m i l y , most of which has not y e t
been t a l l i e d f o r t h i s m a n u s c r i p t . The e l d e s t c h i l d of William S c h r e i f e l s
and Agnes Zimmermann was Frances S c h r e i f e l s , whose family i s t o be l i s t e d
on t h e f o l l o w i n g p a g e s . Agnes Zimmermann was a s i s t e r of Anna Zimmermann,
who had m a r r i e d John Henry S c h r e i f e l s . The l a t t e r ' s background and t h a t of
h i s wife was d i s c u s s e d i n THE SCHREIFELS-SCHACKMANN CONNECTION a b o v e . T h i s
s e c t i o n can a l s o a p p l y i n r e n d e r i n g a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of W i l l i a m ' s
ancestry as well.
 The f a m i l y of W i l l i a m S c h r e i f e l s and Agnes Zimmermann was l i s t e d above in
uncomplete form u n d e r Household # 1 3 8 9 . The f a m i l i e s of some of t h e i r
c h i l d r e n were a l s o l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s : John W. S c h r e i f e l s and B a r b a r a Theis
(Household # 1 4 3 3 ) , Hermann S c h r e i f e l s and B a r b a r a B r u t g e r ( # 1 4 3 4 ) , Hermann
S c h r e i f e l s ( # 1 4 3 4 ) , and Hubert S c h r e i f e l s and D e l o r e s D e c k e r ( # 1 0 9 4 ) . The
e l d e s t c h i l d , F r a n c e s S c h r e i f e l s , i s l i s t e d below, a l o n g w i t h her d e s c e n d a n t s :
1432. THE FA1ILY OF FRANCES SCHREIFELS(born August 7 , 1905; deceased August 19
1964, b u r i e d a t L i t c h f i e l d C e m e t e r y ) . F r a n c e s was m a r r i e d on September 2
1928 a t Cold S p r i n g t o
NICHOLAS D0NNAY(born September 2, 1903; d e c e a s e d F e b r u a r y 2 8 , 1965; b u r i e d a t
L i t c h f i e l d C e m e t e r y ) . They had a t o t a l of e i g h t c h i l d r e n ( t w o boys and s i :
g i r l s ) , i n c l u d i n g two s e t s of twin g i r l s . They a r e l i s t e d below;
2141. Marcus Donnay, born on August 2 7 , 1929.
2142. 2 t h e l y n Dcnnay, t o r n March 8, 1931.
2143. Evelyn Donnay, born March 8, 1 9 3 1 .
2144. G e r a l d Hubert Donnay, born October 8, 1935.
2145. Mary Ann Donnay, born November 29, 1937.
2146. E l i z a b e t h J e a n Donnay, b o r n March 2 3 , 1943.
2147. B a r b a r a Donnay, t o r n March 2 3 , 1943.
2148. Theresa Donnay, born October 22, 1946.
2 1 4 1 . THE FAMILY OF MARCUS D0NNAY(born August 2 7 , 1929) who was married i n
C h e l s e a , M a s s a c h u s e t t s . His w i f e ' s name i s n o t l i s t e d h e r e and h i s
f a m i l y , r a i s e d i n C h e l s e a , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , i s l i s t e d h e r e . The a d d r e s s
of Marcus i s 156 C o n g r e s s A v e . / C h e l s e a , M a s s a c h u s e t t s . T h e i r o f f s p r i n g
are listed here:
2149. R o b e r t Donnay , who was m a r r i e d on ^ u l y 12, 1955(wife n o t l i s t e d ) in C h e l s e a ,
M a s s a c h u s e t t s . He had one c h i l d , J e n n i f e r Donnay(born oune 26, 1977)
and p r e s e n t l y l i v e s i n New London, C o n n e c t i c u t .
2150. ' a r k N i c h o l a s Donnay, born September 2 1 , i960 i n C h e l s e a , M a s s a c h u s e t t s .
2 1 4 2 . THE FAMILY CF ETH2LYN DCNNAY(born .''arch 8, 1931) who was - a r r i e d cn Feb.
6, 1952 a t S t . A n t h o n y ' s Church, Watkins t o . . . .
PAUL HILSGEN. They had a f a m i l y of e l e v e n c h i l d r e n who a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
2151. P a u l H. H i l s g e n , born oune 4 , 1952 i n W a t k i n s . P a u l was m a r r i e d to Karlene
Norton. L i v i n g i n North Branch, M i n n e s o t a , he i s r a i s i n g one s t e p s o n ,
Tony N o r t o n , who was born i n March, 1975-
2152. David R. H i l s g e n ( b o r n November 2 0 , 1953) who was m a r r i e d on J u l y 20, 1974 t o
C a r o l A r t o g a s t . They have a c h i l d , K e i t h David H i l s g e n , who was born
on J u l y 2 , 1977, and t h e y l i v e in E l l s w o r t h , W i s c o n s i n .
2153. Lloyd H. H i l s g e n ( b o r n F e b r u a r y 1 3 , 1956) who was m a r r i e d on August 6, 1977
t o J o a n L a n g a n b r u n n e r . They l i v e in Plymouth, M i n n e s o t a .
215K Linda M. H i l s g e n , born J u n e 1, 1957, was m a r r i e d on May 14, 1977 t o C h a r l e s
Schmitz'. They l i v e i n S a r t e l l , M i n n e s o t a .
2155. J o y c e Laura H i l s g e n , b o r n October 2 9 , I 9 5 8 , who was m a r r i e d on December 18,
1976 t o P a t r i c k R h u l a n d . They l i v e l n Lubbok, f e x a s and have one c h i l d ,
C h r i s t i n e M a r i e , born F e b . 1 3 , 1977.
2156. Gary R. H i l s g e n , born A p r i l 2 9 , I 9 6 0 .
2157. J e f f r e y H. H i l s g e n , born J u l y 3 . 1 9 6 1 .
2158. Susan B a r b a r a H i l s g e n , born J a n u a r y 2 3 , I 9 6 3 .
2159. J o s e p h Leo H i l s g e n , born J u l y 12, 1964.
2160. P a t r i c i a E l i z a b e t h H i l s g e n , born August 2 3 , I 9 6 6 .
2161. D a n i e l S. H i l s g e n , born November 2 0 , 1967.
2 1 4 3 . THE FAMILY OF E'/ELYN DONNAY(born March 8, 1931) who was m a r r i e d on
September 2 7 , 1951 i n S t . A n t h o n y ' s Church a t Watkins t o
RICHARD DECKER. They have t h r e e c h i l d r e n who a r e l i s t e d below:
2162. Donna Decker(born June 12, 1952), who l i v e s i n Cold S p r i n g , and has one s o n ,
J a s o n L e d b e t t e r ( b o r n May 2 8 , 1 9 7 7 ) .
2163. M i c h a e l A. Decker(born J u l y 26, 1 9 5 4 ) .
2164. William G. Decker(born Nov. 5, 1955) who was m a r r i e d on December 15, I977
to L o r i S t r a t t o n a t K e l l y Air Force Base, San Antonio, T e x a s .
2144. THE FAMILY OF GERALD HUB5BT DONNAY(born October 8, 1935) who was
m a r r i e d on May 5, 1966 a t B e l l e R i v e r , Minnesota, t o
LUCILLE WALTERS. They a r e r a i s i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g four c h i l d r e n i n Wadena:
2165. David Donnay, born March 7, 1967.
2166. Dennis Donnay, born J u l y 22, 1969-
2167. Edward Donnay, born ^anuary 2 5 , 1974.
2168. M i c h a e l Donnay, born February 6, 1975•
2 1 4 5 . THE FAMILY CF MARY ANN DCNNAY(born November 2 9 , 1937) who was married
on November 7, 1956 i n S t . A n t h o n y ' s Church, Watkins, t o . . .
MARCELLUS 3ECKER(of Richmond). They had t h e f o l l o w i n g t e n c h i l d r e n :
2169. A r t h u r B e c k e r , born August 2 8 , 1957.
2170. S t e v e n B e c k e r , born August 8, 1958.
2171. Roger B e c k e r , born A p r i l 3, i 9 6 0 .
2172. C h a r l e s B e c k e r , born lay 17, 1 9 6 1 .
2173. James B e c k e r , born October 19, 1962.
2174. R o b e r t 3 e c k e r , born December 22, I963.
2175- B i l l y 3 e c k e r , born October 7. 1965-
2176. Thomas B e c k e r , born Dec. 2 7 , 1966.
2177. Margaret B e c k e r , born J u l y 2 3 , 1967.
2178. P a t r i c i a B e c k e r , born August 14, 1975-
2 1 4 6 . THE FAMILY OF ELIZABETH JEAN DCNNAY(born March 2 3 , 1943) who was m a r r i e d
on October 8, 1967 a t S t . A n t h o n y ' s Church, Watkins, t o . . .
HAROLD KELM. They have t h r e e c h i l d r e n who a r e l i s t e d a s follows;
2179. P a t r i c i a J e a n Kelm(born May 9, 1969).
2180. Mary laVonne Kelm(born J u l y 17, 1 9 7 1 ) .
2181. Jim H a r o l d Kelm(born J u n e 17, 1 9 7 4 ) .
2 1 4 7 . THE FAMILY OF BARBARA DONNAY(born March 2 3 , 1943) who was m a r r i e d i n
J u n e , 1962 a t L i t c h f i e l d , M i n n e s o t a , t o . . .
CLARENCE KALX3RENNER. They have f o u r c h i l d r e n l i s t e d below:
2182. Randy J o s e p h K a l k e n b r e n n e r ( b o r n O c t . 4 , I 9 6 3 ) .
2183. K e l l y Sue Marie K a l k e n b r e n n e r ( b o r n J u n e 22, I 9 6 5 ) •
2184. R i c k y J o h n K a l k e n t r e n n e r ( b o r n May 2 0 , 1967)•
2185. Ronnie James K a l k e n b r e n n e r ( b o r n J a n . 9 , 1970).
2 1 4 8 . THE FAMILY OF THERESA DONNAY(born Oct. 22, 1946) who was j u r i e d on
May 1, 1965 a t S t . A n t h o n y ' s C h u r c h , W a t k i n s , on May 1, 1965 t o
MICHAEL DE MCflflEIT. They l i v e i n B u f f a l o , M i n n e s o t a .
THE DESCENDANTS OF JOE THEIS AND BERTHA BECKER
The f a m i l y of J o e T h e i s ( l i s t e d above a s # 1 2 ) , one of t h e s o n s of Michael
T h e i s and Margaret S c h a e f e r , and g r a n d s o n of N i c h o l a s T h e i s and E l i z a b e t h
Ewen, i s t o be completed i n t h i s s e c t i o n . J o s e p h , h i m s e l f , w a s born i n I885 i n
S t . N i c h o l a s , a s t h e son of Michael T h e i s ( b o r n F e b r u a r y 2 1 , 1 8 5 1 - l i s t e d a s
#2 a b o v e ) , who was t h e son o f N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( b o r n September 9, 1821), the
g r e a t - g r e a t g r a n d f a t h e r of D o n a l d , B e t t y , R o n a l d , G e r a l d , and Mary Lou Weeres
( t h e c h i l d r e n of Agatha) and of Karen T h e i s , one of t h e c h i l d r e n of Marcus
T h e i s . N i c h o l a s was h i m s e l f t h e son of C h r i s t i a n T h e i s ( b o r n March 16, 1788),
who was t h e son of Mathias T h e i s , ^ r . ( b o r n December 29, 1753) and grandson
of M a t h i a s T h e i s , S r . ( b o r n c i r c a 1 7 2 0 ) . And t h e l a t t e r Mathias T h e i s , S r . , w a s
t h e son of N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( d e c e a s e d J a n . 4 , 1 7 4 4 ) , t h e s y n o d a l i s a t t h e
c h u r c h of B a u s t e r t and t h e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r
of Donald Weeres and of Karen T h e i s i n America. Such r e l a t i o n s h i p s can be
d e t e r m i n e d more t h o r o u g h l y be i i v e s t i g a t i n g page 19 and t h e o t h e r pages in the
same s e c t i o n of t h i s m a n u s c r i p t . The d e s c e n d a n t s of ooe T h e i s a r e l i s t e d
below .
12.THE FA1ILY OF JOE TH2IS(born A p r i l 6, I885 i n S t . N i c h o l a s , Minnesota)
who was m a r r i e d on October 18,1910 i n Watkins t o . . . .
BERTHA 3ECKER(born March 16,1890 n e a r K i m b a l l , M i n n e s o t a , o r in October, 1890,
a c c o r d i n g t o c e r t a i n family s o u r c e s ) . She was t h e d a u g h t e r of William
Becker fro'" t h e W a t k i n s - K i m b a l l a r e a . B e r t h a d i e d on August 3, 1938 i n
t h e S a i n t Cloud H o s p i t a l . On May 2, 1939, ^T°e was m a r r i e d a second time
a t S t . N i c h o l a s , Minnesota t o Mary 3 e h n e n ( b o r n January 2, 1390 in Richmond
M i n n e s o t a ) . No c h i l d r e n were born t o t h e second m a r r i a g e . However,by the
f i r s t m a r r i a g e , J o e had two c h i l d r e n who a r e l i s t e d below:
2186. Agatha T h e i s , b o r n October 30, 1914.
2187- Marcus (Mark) T h e i s , born J u n e 16, 1 9 1 7 .
2 1 8 6 . THE FAMILY OF AGATHA THEI3(born October 30, 1914) was was married on
June 5 , 1940 t o
NORBERT WEERES(born J u l y 30, 1 9 1 0 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:
2188. Donald Weeres, born June 21,1941,Richmond.
2189. B e t t y Weeres, born August 22, 1942,Richmond.
2190. Ronald Weeres, born November 2 , 1947, Richmond.
2191. G e r a l d Weeres, born March 5, 1951• Richmond.
2192. Mary Lou Weeres, born J a n u a r y 2 8 , 1956, Richmond.
2 1 8 7 . THE FAMILY OF MARCUS(MARK) THEIS(born J u n e 16,1917) who was m a r r i e d on
J u l y 2 5 , 1941 a t S t . M a r y ' s Church i n S t . Cloud, Minnesota, t o . . . .
FLORENCE VANDERWALL(born J a n u a r y 1 7 , 1919 a t S t . C l o u d ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e
l i s t e d as follows:
2193. Bonnie Doreen T h e i s , born J a n u a r y 8, 1942 a t S t . C l o u d .
2194. S a n d r a Lee T h e i s , born J a n u a r y 8, 1942 i n S t . C l o u d .
2195. C h e r y l Ann T h e i s , born October 18, 19^5 i n S t . C l o u d .
2196. Karen T h a r e s l a T h e i s , born December 12, 1946 i n S t . Cloud.
2197. Gary Marcus T h e i s , b o r n June 29, 1952 i n S t . Cloud.
2198. Mary Kay T h e i s , born March 1, 1957 i n S t . Cloud.
2188. THE FAMILY OF DONALD WEERES(born J u n e 2 1 , 1941) who was married on
O c t o b e r 19, 1963 t o
MARY MILLSR(born August 15, I947 i n Eden V a l l e y , M i n n e s o t a ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n
are l i s t e d as follows:
2199. J a n a Weeres,born F e b r u a r y 1970 i n S t . Cloud.
2200. Andra Weeres,born J a n u a r y 1 1 , I974 i n S t . Cloud.
2189. THE FAMILY OF BETTY WEERES AND HER HUSBAND RICHARD SCHREIFELS has
been l i s t e d above under Household # 1 8 1 1 .
2190a. THE FAMILY OF RONALD WEERES(born November 2, 1947)who was m a r r i e d
t o Marge T h e i s e n . They had t h r e e c h i l d r e n l i s t e d belowi
2201. Kenny Weeres.
2202. Jessie Weeres.
2203. Brenda Weeres.
2190b. THE FAMILY OF RONALD WEERES who was m a r r i e d t o h i s second w i f e ,
SANDY JONES. They have had one c h i l d who i s l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
2204. David W e e r e s , b o r n i n 1978.
2192. THE FAMILY OF MARY LOU WEERES(born J a n u a r y 28, 1956) who was m a r r i e d
on October 1 1 , 1975 i n Richmond t o . . . .
MIKE ARENS. No c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o r t h i s m a r r i a g e .
2 1 9 3 . 30NNIS DOREEN THEIS I s t h e mother of one c h i l d l i s t e d below;
2205. B r i a n T h e i s , b o r n September 19, 1962 i n S t . Cloud,Minnesota.
2194. THE FAMILY OF SANDRA LEE TH2IS(bom May 2 5 , 1943) who was married on
May 20, 1967 i n S t . P a u l , M i n n e s o t a , t o
LLOYD BAUER(bom J u n e 6, 1943 i n S t . C l o u d , M i n n e s o t a ) . T h e i r two c h i l d r e n
have been l i s t e d below:
2206. H o l l y B a u e r , b o r n S e p t . 1 1 , 1969, S t . Cloud.
2207. Brad Bauer, born J u n e 20, 1977, S t . Cloud.
2 1 9 5 . THE FAMILY OF CHERYL ANN THEIS(born October 18, 1945) who was m a r r i e d
on J u l y 2 8 , 1978 i n Cold S p r i n g t o
GEORGE KUKL0K(born November 3 , 1937 i n S t . C l o u d ) . No c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d t o
t h i s marriage.
2 1 9 6 . THE FAMILY OF KAREN THERESIA THEIS ( b o r n December 12, 1946) who was m a r r i
on J u l y 2 3 , 1966 t o DONALD SCHREIFEIS. T h e i r family I s l i s t e d under
Household #1809 a b o v e .
2 1 9 7 . THE FAMILY OF GARY MARCUS THEIS(born J u n e 2 9 , 1952 a t S t . Cloud) who
was m a r r i e d on September 13, 1975 i n R o c k v i l l e , M i n n e s o t a , t o . . .
JACQUELINE SKAJ(born May 2 8 , 1 9 5 6 ) . No c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d t o t h i s m a r r i a g e .
 CONTINUED: THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SCHREIFE1S AND AGNHS ZIMMERMANN;

1389. THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SCHREIFELS AND AGNES ZIMMERMANN. Their c h i l d r e n

are l i s t e d as follows:
3000. Frances S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n August 7, 1905ideceased Aug. 19,1964. Her family
i s l i s t e d above under Household #1432 and on page 206. She was married
to Henry Donnay.
3001. John W. S c h r e i f e l s , born Sept. 25, 1906. See Household #1433.
3002. Hermann S c h r e i f e l s , who married Barbara Brutger. She Household #1434.
3003. Marcus(Father Rupert) S c h r e i f e l s .
3004. Elizabeth S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n J u l y 1, 1912. See Household #1436.
3005. Leonard S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n July 26, 1914.
3006. Hubert S c h r e i f e l s , born February 7, 1917. See Household #1094 above.
3007. Eleanor S c h r e i f e l s , born J u l y 16, 1918.
3008. Helen S c h r e i f e l s .
3009. Ferdinand S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n January 6, 1921;deceased Nov. 30, 1962 a t Anoka,
Minnesota.
3010. Alexander J . S c h r e i f e l s , born June 7, 1925.
3011. Veronica S c h r e i f e l s , born December 19, 1926.
3012. Andrew Nicholas S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n April 30, 1929.
3005. THE FAMILY OF LEONARD SCHREIFELS(born July 26, 1914) who was
married t o . . . .
VERONICA M. KOLTES(born June 17, 1914,the daughter of Joseph and
Mary Koltes of S t . Joseph, Minnesota. Their children are l i s t e d as
follows:
3013. Robert L. S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n Sept. 4, 1940 in Eden Valley.
3014. Rose M. S c h r e i f e l s , born March 12, 1942,Eden Valley. She was married to Gary
Miller on June 18, i960 in L i t c h f i e l d and they presently have a
daughter(Sandy Miller-born J a n . 26, 1961) and a son(John Miller-born
J u l y 5, 1973).
3015. Donald B. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n November 14, I943 in L i t c h f i e l d , M i n n . ) . Donald i s
married to J u l i e Chute of S t . Cloud, Minn. They have two daughters,
Dana Nicol S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n Sept. 16, 1975) and J e s s i c a Ruth S c h r e i f e l s
(born Oct. 29, 1976).
3016. Andrew A. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n June 28, 1945 a t L i t c h f i e l d ) .
3017. J t a n i t t t A. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n January 17, 1947 a t L i t c h f i e l d ) . She married
Daniel Allen on February 4, 1967 a t S t . J o h n ' s Catholic Church a t
Loveland,Colorado, They have t h r e e sons: Daniel A l l e n , J r . ; Josey
Allen and Wesley Allen.
3018. Mary Ann S c h r e i f e l s , born A p r i l 20, 1948 in L i t c h f i e l d , Minnesota.
3019. Carolyn Mary S c h r e i f e l s , born September 1, 1949 in L i t c h f i e l d , Minn.
3020. Michael L. S c h r e i f e l s , born October 10,1950 a t L i t c h f i e l d , Minn[deceased
June 2, 1967.
 CONTINUED: THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SCHREIFELS AND AGNES ZIMMERMANNi
, 1 3 8 9 . THE FAMILY OF WILUAM SCHREIFELS AND AGNES ZIMMERMANN. Their children
are l i s t e d as follows:
3000. Frances S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n August 7, 1905|deceased Aug. 19,1964. Her family
i s l i s t e d above under Household #1432 and.on page 206. She was married
to Henry Donnay.
3001. John W. S c h r e i f e l s , born Sept. 25, 1906. See Household #1433.
3002. Hermann S c h r e i f e l s , who married Barbara Brutger. She Household #1434.
3003. Marcus(Father Rupert) S c h r e i f e l s .
3004. E l i z a b e t h S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n J u l y 1, 1912. See Household #1436.
3005. Leonard S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n J u l y 26, 1914.
3006. Hubert S c h r e i f e l s , born February 7, 1917. See Household #1094 above.
3007. Eleanor S c h r e i f e l s , born J u l y 16, 1918.
3008. Helen S c h r e i f e l s .
3009. Ferdinand S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n January 6, 1921;deceased Nov. 30, 1962 a t Anoka,
Minnesota.
3010. Alexander J . S c h r e i f e l s , born June 7» 1925.
3011. Veronica S c h r e i f e l s , born December 19, 1926.
3012. Andrew Nicholas S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n April 30, 1929.
3005. THE FAMILY OF LEONARD SCHREIFELS(born J u l y 26, 1914) who was
married t o . . . .
VERONICA M. K0LTES(born June 17, 1914,the daughter of Joseph and
Mary Koltes of S t . Joseph, Minnesota. Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d as
follows:
3013. Robert L. S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n Sept. 4, 1940 in Eden Valley.
3014. Rose M. S c h r e i f e l s , born March 12, 1942,Eden Valley. She was married to Gary
M i l l e r on June 18, i960 in L i t c h f i e l d and they p r e s e n t l y have a
daughter(Sandy Miller-born J a n . 26, 1961) and a son(John Millar-born
J u l y 5, 1973).
3015. Donald B. S c h r e l f e l s ( b o r n November 14, I943 In L i t c h f i e l d , M i n n . ) . Donald i s
married to J u l i e Chute of S t . Cloud, Minn. They have two daughters,
Dana Nicol S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n Sept. 16, 1975) and J e s s i c a Ruth S c h r e i f e l s
(born Oct. 29, 1976).
3016. Andrew A. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n June 28, 1945 a t L i t c h f i e l d ) .
3017. J « * n i t t t A. S c h r e l f e l s ( b o r n January 17, 19^7 a t L i t c h f i e l d ) . She married
Daniel Allen on February 4, I967 a t S t . J o h n ' s Catholic Church a t
Loveland,Colorado, They have t h r e e sons: Daniel A l l e n , J r . ; Josey
Allen and Wesley A l l e n .
3018. Mary Ann S c h r e i f e l s , born A p r i l 20, 1948 in L i t c h f i e l d , '-Minnesota.
3019. Carolyn Mary S c h r e i f e l s , born September 1, 1949 in L i t c h f i e l d , Minn.
3020. Michael L. S c h r e i f e l s , born October 10,1950 a t L i t c h f i e l d , Mlnnjdeceased
June 2, 1967.

Page 214
3021. J o s e p h Leonard S c h r e i f e l s , born A p r i l 6, 1952, Litchfield.
3022. William A l o y s i u s S c h r e i f e l s , born O c t o b e r 7, 1953 i n Litchfield.
3023. James R i c h a r d S c h r e i f e l s , born May 3 , 1955 i n Litchfield.
3024. Anna Marie S c h r e i f e l s , born September 24, I 9 5 7 i n Litchfield.

3 0 0 7 . THE FAMILY OF ELEANOR SCHREIFELS ( b o r n J u l y 16, 1918 n e a r Cold S p r i n g )

who was m a r r i e d on O c t o b e r 10, 1946 t o . . . .
MR. RICHARD BRUEMMER(born J u l y 9, 1919 i n Richmond,Minn, t o Anton Bruemmer
and L u i s e S t a t z ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:

3025. W i l l i a m A. ( B i l l y ) Bruemmer, born May 3 . 19^4 i n S t . P a u l , M i n n e s o t a ) .

3026. K a t h l e e n E l i z a b e t h Bruemmer, born November 2 2 , 1948 i n S t . Cloud,Minn.
3027. D a n i e l George Bruemmer, born August 2 0 , 1950, S t . C l o u d .
3028. Ronald H u b e r t Bruemmer, born May 2 3 , 1952 I n S t . Cloud.
3029. Robert N I c k o l a s Bruemmer, born May 1 8 , 1954 i n S t . Cloud. Robert was m a r r i e d
on September 4 , 1976 t o C y n t h i a W r i g h t ( b o r n J u l y 2 3 , 1 9 5 6 ) .
3030. M i c h a e l Donald Bruemmer, born J u l y 30, I956 I n S t . Cloud.

3031. James W i l l i a m (Jimmy) Bruemmer, born J u l y 12, 1962.

3008. THE FAMILY OF HELEN SCHREIFELS who was m a r r i e d on June 3, 1943 i n

St. Cloud,Minn.,to....
MR. ALLEN W. GUNDERS0N(born March 18, 1917, G e o r g e v i l l e , Minn.; d e c e a s e d
May 3 1 . 1964 I n S t . C l o u d ) . She was m a r r i e d s e c o n d l y t o Jerome
Schwinden on A p r i l 12, 1969• The c h i l d r e n of Helen S c h r e i f e l s and
and A l l e n W. Gunderson a r e l i s t e d a s f o l l o w s :
3032. P a t r i c i a Gunderson, born J u l y 3 1 , 1944.
3033. Richard Gunderson, born May 18, 1 9 4 7 .
3010. THE FAMILY OF ALEXANDER JOHN SCHREIFELS ( b o r n June 7, 1925 i n Cold
S p r i n g ) . Alex was m a r r i e d on May 2 9 , 1958 a t S t . A n t h o n y ' s Church,
S t . Cloud t o . . .
MARJORIE ANN BRAUSEN(born A p r i l 24, 1928 I n Buckman, Minn, t h e d a u g h t e r of
Henry J . Brausen and E l i z a b e t h A. M u e l l e r ) . The f a m i l y of Alex J .
S c h r e i f e l s and M a r j o r i e A. Brausen i s l i s t e d below;
3034. M i c h e l l e Ann S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n J a n u a r y 7, 1962 i n S t . Cloud).
3 0 1 1 . THE FAMILY OF VERONICA M. SCHREIFELS ( b o r n Dec. 19, 1926 i n Cold S p r i n g )
who was m a r r i e d a t S t . Mary C a t h o l i c C h u r c h , S t . C l o u d , M i n n . , t o . . . .
DON P . KRUCHTEN(bom A p r i l 1 5 , 1924 I n Cold S p r i n g ) . T h e i r family i s l i s t e d
below;
3035. S h i r l e y H. K r u c h t e n , b o r n J a n u a r y 9 , 1956.
3036. Gary L. K r u c h t e n , b o m J u n e 2 3 , I 9 6 0 .
3 0 1 2 . THE FAMILY OF ANDREW NICKOLAS SCHREIFELS ( b o r n A p r i l 30, 1929 i n Cold
S p r i n g ) w h o was m a r r i e d on S e p t . 2 6 , 1959 i n Cold S p r i n g t o . . . .
THERESA ANNE SCHMITT(born F e b r u a r y 1, 1935 i n Cold S p r i n g ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n
a r e l i s t e d belowi
3037. Gary A. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n J u n e 2 2 , i 9 6 0 i n S t . C l o u d ) .
3038. P a t r i c k R. S c h r e i f e l s ( b o r n O c t o b e r 1, 1961 i n S t . C l o u d ) .
 3039. Catherine Elizabeth Schreifels, born O c t . 5, 1964.
r 3040. Michael S c o t t S c h r e i f e l s , b o r n A p r i l 8, 1967.

3025a.THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM A. ( B i l l y ) Bruemmer ( b o r n May 3, 1944 l n S t . P a u l ,

M i n n e s o t a , who was m a r r i e d i n I965 t o ERICKA BEISTROM. They have one
c h i l d l i s t e d below:
3041. J a n i e Bruemraer(born I 9 6 7 ) .
3025b.THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM A. BRUEMMER who was m a r r i e d on October 22, 1977
a t S i o u x F a l l s , Minnesota t o . . . .
VERLYNN HOOGE. T h i s second m a r r i a g e produced a second c h i l d l i s t e d below:
3042. J a y W. Bruemmer,born A p r i l 1 3 , 1978.
3032.THE FAMILY OF PATRICIA GUNDERSON(born J u l y 3 1 , 1 9 4 4 ) who was m a r r i e d i n
S t . Anthony Church, S t . Cloud,Minn, on S e p t . 10, I966 t o . . .
DAVID ARMSTRONG. T h e i r f a m i l y , l i v i n g i n Concord, C a l i f , i s l i s t e d below:
3043. C h r i s t o p h e r David A r m s t r o n g , b o r n J u l y 8, 1971 I n Anaheim,Calif.
3044. Mark A l l e n Armstrong, born O c t o b e r 1 1 , 1973 i n Anaheim, Calif.
3 0 3 3 . THE FAMILY OF RICHARD GUNDERSON(born May 1 8 , 1947) who was m a r r i e d i n
A i t k e n , Minnesota on September 14, I968 t o . . . .
DARLENE FULLER. They have one c h i l d l i s t e d below:
3045. Troy A l l e n ( b o r n J u n e 3 , 1973 I n S t . Cloud, M i n n e s o t a ) .

THE DESCENDANTS OF NICK THEIS AND MATHILDA BECKER

The f a m i l y of Nick T h e i s ( l i s t e d above a s # 1 0 ) , one of t h e sons of Michael
T h e i s and M a r g a r e t S c h a e f e r , s h a l l be l i s t e d below. S e v e r a l of t h e f a m i l i e s
d e s c e n d e d from Nick A. T h e i s and M a t h i l d a 3 e c k e r have been l i s t e d a l r e a d y
l n e a r l y s e c t i o n s of t h e book. The c h i l d r e n of t h e i r son, William T h e i s ,
i s l i s t e d above a s Household #1436 on page 1 6 8 . On t h e same page, a s Household
#1433, we s e e t h e c h i l d r e n of B a r b a r a T h e i s and John W. S c h r e i f e l s l i s t e d .
The d e s c e n d a n t s of t h e i r t h i r d - b o r n c h i l d , C a r o l i n e T h e i s Kuebelback, a r e l i s t e
l a t e r i n t h e book on page 2 0 3 . T h e i r daughter,MaDonna Mary Kuebelbeck Symalla
I s l i s t e d a s Household # 2 1 1 3 .
Nick A. T h e i s was born on September 8, 1880 a s t h e son of Michael T h e i s ( b o r n
F e b r u a r y 2 1 , I 8 5 I - l i s t e d a s #2 a b o v e ) , who was t h e son of N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( b o r n
September 9 , 1 8 2 1 ) , t h e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of E l i z a b e t h Wyman,
C h r i s t o p h e r M i c h a e l Wynan.and Rebekah Wyman. N i c h o l a s waa h i m s e l f t h e son of
C h r i s t i a n T h e i s ( b o r n March 16, 1788),who was t h e son o f Mathias T h e i s , J r .
( b o r n December 2 9 , 1753) and g r a n d s o n of M a t h i a s T h e i s , S r . ( b o r n c i r c a 1 7 2 0 ) .
And M a t h i a s T h e i s , S r . was t h e son of N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( d e c e a s e d J a n u a r y 4 , 1744),
who was t h e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of
Andrew Edman Wyman, J a m i e Lynn Myhre, J e f f r e y C h a r l e s Myhre, and B a r b a r a Ann
B r u c e . M a t h i l d a B e c k e r was t h e d a u g h t e r of William J . Becker and t h e s i s t e r
of B e r t h a Becker who m a r r i e d J o e T h e i s ( S e e # 1 2 ) . William J . Becker was t h e son
of P e t e r M i c h a e l B e c k e r s ( b o r n December 2 1 , 1825 i n Hongen, K r e i s H i n s b e r g ,
R e g i e r u n s b e z i x k Aachen, Germanyjdied December 2 5 , I 9 0 8 ) and of h i s w i f e , M a t h i l d
( b o r n J a n . 6, I 8 3 6 j d e c e a s e d Nov. 2 9 , 1 9 1 3 ) . The a n c e s t r y of M a t h i l d a Becker h a s
a l s o been t r a c e d b u t i s s t i l l n o t c o m p l e t e d and c o m p r i s e s d e s c e n t from t h e A s f e l
S t e l t o n and B e c k e r / B e c k e r s s u r n a m e s , and i s of Dutch and German d e s c e n t .

Page 216
 3039. Catherine Elizabeth Schreifels, born O c t . 5 , 1964.
r 3040. Michael S c o t t S c h r e i f e l s , born A p r i l 8, 1967.

3025*.THE FAMILY OF WILHAM A . ( B i l l y ) Bruemmer(born May 3 , 1944 i n S t . P a u l ,

M i n n e s o t a , who was m a r r i e d i n I965 t o ERICKA BEISTROM. They have one
c h i l d l i s t e d below:
3041. J a n i e Bruemmer(born I 9 6 7 ) .
3025b.THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM A. BRUEMMER who was m a r r i e d on October 22, 1977
a t Sioux F a l l s , Minnesota t o . . . .
VERLYNN HOOGE. T h i s second m a r r i a g e produced a second c h i l d l i s t e d below:
3042. J a y W. Bruemmer,born A p r i l 1 3 , 1978.
3032.THE FAMILY OF PATRICIA GUNDERSON(born J u l y 3 1 , 1 9 4 4 ) who was m a r r i e d i a
S t . Anthony Church, S t . Cloud,Minn, on S e p t . 10, I966 t o . . .
DAVID ARMSTRONG. T h e i r f a m i l y , l i v i n g i n Concord, C a l i f , i s l i s t e d below:
3043. C h r i s t o p h e r David A r m s t r o n g , b o r n J u l y 8, 1971 I n Anaheim,Calif.
3044. Mark A l l e n Armstrong, born O c t o b e r 1 1 , 1973 i n Anaheim, Calif.
3033. THE FAMILY OF RICHARD GUNDERSON(born May 18, 1947) who was m a r r i e d in
A i t k e n , Minnesota on September 14, 1968 t o . . . .
DARLENE FULLER. They have one c h i l d l i s t e d below:
3045. Troy A l l e n ( b o r n J u n e 3 , 1973 i n S t . Cloud, M i n n e s o t a ) .

THE DESCENDANTS OF NICK THEIS AND MATHILDA BECKER

The f a m i l y of Nick T h e i s ( l i s t e d above a s # 1 0 ) , one of t h e s o n s of Michael
T h e i s and M a r g a r e t S c h a e f e r , s h a l l be l i s t e d below. S e v e r a l of t h e f a m i l i e s
d e s c e n d e d from Nick A. T h e i s and M a t h i l d a Becker have been l i s t e d a l r e a d y
i n e a r l y s e c t i o n s of t h e book. The c h i l d r e n of t h e i r son, William T h e i s ,
i s l i s t e d above a s Household #1436 on page 1 6 8 . On t h e same page, a s Household
#1433, we s e e t h e c h i l d r e n of B a r b a r a T h e i s and John W. S c h r e i f e l s l i s t e d .
The d e s c e n d a n t s of t h e i r t h i r d - b o r n c h i l d , C a r o l i n e T h e i s Kuebelback, a r e l i s t e
l a t e r i n t h e book on page 2 0 3 . T h e i r daughter,MaDonna Mary Kuebelbeck Symalla
i s l i s t e d a 3 Household # 2 1 1 3 .
Nick A. T h e i s waa born on September 8, 1880 a s t h e son of Michael T h e i s ( b o r n
F e b r u a r y 2 1 , I 8 5 I - l i s t e d a s #2 a b o v e ) , w h o was t h e son of N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( b o r n
September 9 , 1 8 2 1 ) , t h e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of E l i z a b e t h Wyman,
C h r i s t o p h e r M i c h a e l Wyman,and Rebekah Wyman. N i c h o l a s was h i m s e l f t h e son of
C h r i s t i a n T h e i s ( b o r n March 16, 1788),who was t h e son o f M a t h i a s T h e i s , J r .
( b o r n December 2 9 , 1753) and g r a n d s o n of M a t h i a s T h e i s , S r . ( b o r n c i r c a 1 7 2 0 ) .
And M a t h i a s T h e i s , S r . was t h e son of N i c h o l a s T h e i s ( d e c eased J a n u a r y 4 , 1 7 4 4 ) ,
who was t h e g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r of
Andrew Edman Wyman, J a m i e Lynn Myhre, J e f f r e y C h a r l e s Myhre, and B a r b a r a Ann
B r u c e . M a t h i l d a B e c k e r was t h e d a u g h t e r of William J . Becker and t h e s i s t e r
of B e r t h a Becker who m a r r i e d J o e T h e i s ( S e e # 1 2 ) . William J . Becker was t h e son
of P e t e r M i c h a e l B e c k e r s ( b o r n December 2 1 , 1825 i n Hongen, K r e i s H l n s b e r g ,
R e g i e r u n s b e z i r k Aachen, Gerraanyidied December 2 5 , 1908) and of h i s w i f e , M a t h i l d
( b o r n J a n . 6 , I 8 3 6 { d e c e a s e d Nov. 2 9 , 1 9 1 3 ) . The a n c e s t r y of M a t h i l d a Becker h a s
a l s o been t r a c e d b u t i s s t i l l n o t c o m p l e t e d and c o m p r i s e s d e s c e n t from t h e A s f e l
S t e l t o n and B e c k e r / B e c k e r s s u r n a m e s , and i s of Dutch and German d e s c e n t .

Page 216

•••
 10. THE FAMILY OF NICK A. THEIS, born September 8, 1880, S t . Nicholas,
Minnesota{deceased May 22, 1974, Cold Spring,Minnesota. Nick
A. Theis was married on October 27, 1908 t o . . .
MATHILDA BECKER,born February 15, 1889;deceased May 12, 1974,
Cold Spring, Minnesota. 'When Nicholas A. Theis died a t the age
of n i n e t y - t h r e e in 1974, he l e f t behind 24 grandchildren, 59
g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n , and one g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d . Nicholas
and Mathilda died w i t h i n ten days of one' a n o t h e r . On May 17, 1973,
t h e Cold Spring Record had a p i c t u r e of Mr. and Mrs. Nick A. Theis
i n a f i v e generation photo, along with Mr. and Mrs. John S c h r e i f e l s ,
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Holthaus, Mr. and Mrs. James Gertken, and t h e i r
g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d d a u g h t e r , C h r i s t i n e Gertken, then one month old.
Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below:

3046. William T h e i s , born May 16, 1910. See Household #1436 above for the l i s t
of h i s descendants.
3047. Barbara T h e i s , born November 16, 1912. See Household #1433 above for the
l i s t of Barbara's descendants.
3048. Caroline T h e i s , born J u l y 16, 1914. See Household #$2 on Page 203 above
for t h e l i s t of her descendants.
3049. Theresa T h e i s , born November 13, 1916. Theresa Theis was married to Eddie
Vogt. Theresa had five c h i l d r e n ( f o u r g i r l s and one boy) and nine
grandchildren.
3050. Veronica T h e i s , born December 23, 1919.
3051. L u c i l l e Theis,birn June 4, I926.

3050A. THE FAMILY OF VERONICA THEIS who was married on October 23, 1940 to
FTiANK RAYMOND SCHWAGEL(born on October 25, 1917 a t Richmond, Minnesota, the
son of Frank Schwagel and Frances Hammer). Frank R. Schwagel died
on "June 14, 1944. They had no c h i l d r e n .
3050B. THE FAMILY OF VERONICA THEIS who was married on January 18, 1946 to
KARL GUSTAF EDMAN, SR.(born i n Skora, Sweden on J a n . 31, 1912). They were
married in Dubuque, Iowa. Their c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d below;

3052. Karl Gustaf Edman,Jr.(born JLiy 20, 1946 in Great Lakes, I l l i n o i s ) .

3053. Cynthia Mae Edman(born February 3, 1948 in W a u k e g a n , I l l i n o i s ) .
3054. Sharon Lee Edman(born December 11, 1950 i n Waukegan, I l l i n o i s ) .
3051. THE FAMILY OF LUCILLE MARY THEIS(born June 4, 1926 near
Richmond,Minnesota). L u c i l l e Theis was married on August 18, 1946
In Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia, t o . . . .
DAVIS BAISEL BRUCE(born November 9, 1924 i n Hemp, Georgia, the son of Davis
R. Bruce and K i t t y Marlow). This family, l i v i n g in Waukegan, I l l i n o i s ,
has produced t h r e e c h i l d r e n l i s t e d below:
3055. Sondra Lee Bruce, born on March 13, 1947. Sondra was married to Robert J .
(Bob) Malpede of C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s ( b o r n on January 8, 1945 in Chicago).
This family, l i v i n g i n Dunwoody, DeKalb County,Georgia, has no c h i l d r e n .

Page 217
3056. Michael N i c h o l a s B r u c e , born J a n u a r y 3 1 , I 9 5 6 .
3057. B e l i n d a Lee B r u c e , born December 29, 1956.
3052. THE FAMILY OF KARL GUSTAF EDMAN, J R . ( b o r n J u l y 2 0 , 1946 a t Great Lakes,
I l l i n o i s ) who was m a r r i e d In B a r r i n g t o n , I l l i n o i s on Aug. 19, 1972 t o . . .
KATHLEEN ANN WALTER(born October 30, 1951 i n C h i c a g o , I l l i n o i s , a s t h e daughter
of J a c k Walter and Anna Mae Hoppe). T h i s c o u p l e l i v e s i n Random Lake,
W i s c o n s i n . No c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d f o r t h i s f a m i l y .
3 0 5 3 . THE FAMILY OF CYNTHIA MAE EDMAN(born F e b r u a r y 3 , 1948 i n W a u k e g a n , I l l i n o i s
who was m a r r i e d on May 18, 1968 I n C h a r l e s t o n , South C a r o l i n a t o . . .
JAMES ALFRED MYHRE(born May 1 3 , 1947 a t Sheby, M o n t a n a , t h e son of K r i s t i a n
A l f r e d Myhre and B e t t y L l v i s a y ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n axe l i s t e d h e r e ;
3058. Jamie Lynn Myhre, born S e p t . 1 3 , 1969 a t J a c k s o n v i l l e 3 e a c h , Florida.
3059. J e f f e r y C h a r l e s Myhre, born December 22, 1971 i n Waukegan, Illinois.
3054. THE FAMILY OF SHARON LEE EDMAN(born i n W a u k e g a n , I l l i n o i s on Dec. 11,
1950) who was m a r r i e d on December 20, 1969 i n Waukegan, t o . . . .
LEE WYMAN N0RT0N(born on A p r i l 22, 1948 i n D e t r o i t , M i c h i g a n a s t h e son of Nelson
Norton and Rosemary Mendankal). T h e i r c h i l d r e n axe l i s t e d below:
3060. E l i z a b e t h Joanna Wyman,born A p r i l 17, 1972 i n D e t r o i t , M i c h i g a n .

3061. C h r i s t o p h e r Michael Wyman, born October 8, 1975, D e t r o i t , M i c h i g a n .

3062. Rebekah Ann Wyman, born October 8, 1975, D e t r o i t , M i c h i g a n .
3063. Andrew Edman Wyman,born March 9, 1979 i n D e t r o i t , Michigan.
3056. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL N. BRUC3(born J a n u a r y 3 1 , 1956) who was
m a r r i e d on F e b r u a r y 10, 1973 t o . , . . .
JOAN ERICKS0N(daughter of M o r r i s and Genevieve E r i c k s o n of Waukegon,
I l l i n o i s ) . They have one d a u g h t e r l i s t e d below:
3064. 3 a x b a r a Ann B r u c e , born A p r i l 11, 1973-

IQS ANGELES FAMILY HISTORY CEMEfl

 THE THEIS DESCENT
D e s c e n d a n t s of N i c h o l a s and E l i z a b e t h (Ewen) Theis c o n s t i t u t e a l a r g e p o r t i o n
of t h e S t e a r n s County p o p u l a t i o n even i n t h e l a t t e r p a r t of t h e Twentieth Century?
Coming t o t h e Cold S p r i n g r e g i o n i n October of 1855, t h i s c o u p l e had a l r e a d y begun
t o produce a c r o p of f a r m e r s who,with t h e i r own sons and g r a n d s o n s , would t i l l t h e
r i c h , f e r t i l e l a n d of Luxembourg and o t h e r Townships w i t h i n S t e a r n s County. Nick
and E l i z a b e t h had o n l y s i x c h i l d r e n , f i v e of whom s u r v i v e d t o b e a r c h i l d r e n . One
N i c h o l a s T h e i s d i e d on F e b r u a r y 14, 1877 d u r i n g h i s t e e n s ( 3 t e a r n s County Courthouse
R e c o r d s , 3ook A,page f i f t y , l i n e 8 ) . T h i s a p p e a r s t o have been t h e i r youngest, even
though t h e r e has been t h e d e a t h of one N i c h o l a s William T h e i s r e g i s t e r e d s h o r t l y
a f t e r on August 1, l879(3ook A-page 7 1 - l i n e 8 ) .
Of t h e f i v e c h i l d r e n who s u r v i v e d t o a d u l t h o o d , Michael T h e i s had a t o t a l of
e i g h t c h i l d r e n , a n d John had a t o t a l of e i g h t , while Mary K i n z s r gave b i r t h to s i x
c h i l d r e n . The c h i l d r e n of W i l l i a m ( B l l l ) T h e i s have not been a c c u r a t e l y t a l l i e d and
seem t o have d i s p e r s e d t o o t h e r p a r t s of t h e s t a t e , a l t h o u g h i t i s b e l i e v e d t h a t he had
a t l e a s t seven c h i l d r e n . The o t h e r d a u g h t e r of Nick and E l i z a b e t h , Mrs. K a t h e r i n e
E l l e n b e c k e r , had a l s o produced a family,whose d e s c e n d a n t s a r e unknown a t t h e time of ti
w r i t i n g . Thus, t h e a u t h o r has assumed t h a t Nick and E l i z a b e t h had a t l e a s t t w e n t y - n l m
grandchildren.
NICK'S GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
N i c k ' s s o n , M i c h a e l T h e i s , had a t l e a s t 43 g r a n d c h i l d r e n and p r o b a b l y more.
The second s o n , 3 1 1 1 , had a minimum of f i f t e e n g r a n d c h i l d r e n , w h i l e John T h e i s had
thirty-five grandchildren. Mary Kinzer had a t l e a s t f i f t e e n g r a n d c h i l d r e n of her
own,leaving N i c h o l a s and E l i z a b e t h T h e i s w i t h a minimum t o t a l of o n e - h u n d r e d - a n d - e i g !
great-grandchildren.
NICK'S GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
The s t a t i s t i c s r e g a r d i n g t h e f o u r t h g e n e r a t i o n of d e s c e n d a n t s f o r Nick and
E l i z a b e t h become even more s k e t c h y and y e t t h e minimal c o u n t of p o s s i b l e g r e a t - g r e a t -
g r a n d c h i l d r e n i s , b e y o n d d o u b t , a s t a g g e r i n g n u m b e r , q u i t e comparable t o t h e family of
Johann S c h r e i f e l s and Margaretha M u l l e r . Among t h e d e s c e n d a n t s of Michael T h e i s , t h e
e l d e s t of t h e s i x c h i l d r e n of Nick and E l i z a b e t h , 231 p e r s o n s a r e accounted for a s
great-great-grandchildren. The i n c o m p l e t e t a l l y i n t h e d e s c e n t of William a c c o u n t s fo:
29 i n t h a t c a t e g o r y , w h i l e t h e d e s c e n d a n t s of John T h e i s amount t o 131 and t h o s e of
Mary K i n z e r , a l t h o u g h n o t e n t i r e l y c o m p l e t e , amount t o a n o t h e r 62 g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l :
f o r Nick T h e i s , t h e p r o g e n i t o r of t h e l a r g e s t Theis f a m i l y i n S t e a r n s County(Note: tr.e.
a r e a b o u t t h r e e s e p a r a t e T h e i s f a m i l i e s in t h e S o u n t y , n o t t o mention t h r e e more i n
S c o t t C o u n t y , a t l e a s t one i n Meeker County,and s t i l l a n o t h e r i n - M o r r i s o n County,none o
which have any c l o s e c o n n e c t i o n ) . And,one must keep i n mind t h a t t h e t o t a l d e s c e n d a n t
of K a t h e r i n e E l l e n b e c k e r a r e m i s s i n g , a n d a g r e a t d e a l of t h e d e s c e n d a n t s of B i l l T h e i s
and Mary K i n z e r may n o t be a c c o u n t e d f o r . A l l i n a l l , t h e t o t a l of g r e a t - g r e a t -
g r a n d c h i l d r e n i s 5 0 3 , w i t h p o s s i b i l i t i e s r a n g i n g c l o s e t o t h e one thousand mark(not
necessarily a conservative estimate).
NICK'S GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
From t h i s p o i n t . n o a c c u r a t e o r s a t i s f a c t o r y r e n d e r i n g of N i c k ' s t o t a l descendan
i n t h e f i f t h g e n e r a t i o n from t h e p r o g e n i t o r h i m s e l f can be r e c o r d e d f o r p r o s p e r i t y .
I t d o e s seem t h a t t h e e l d e s t son M i c h a e l , a l r e a d y w i t h 231 g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n , l e a d s t
r a c e w i t h s t i l l a n o t h e r ( i d e n t i c a l a s f a r a s can be s e e n ) 231 g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n
(who t h u s compose t h e S e n i o r l i n e i n d e s c e n t from N i c k o l a u s ) . From t h e l i n e of 3111
T h e i s , t h e second c o r n , o n l y s e v e n t e e n have been t a l l i e d , b u t many may be unaccounted fo:
and s t i l l more p r o b a b l y on t h e wayC i n t h e 1 9 8 0 ' s ) . J o h n ' s great-great-grandchildren
a r e known t o t o t a l 194 o r m o r e , w i t h many more t o come a s t h i s g e n e r a t i o n i s s t i l l , b y n-
means, n e a r c o m p l e t e . A n d , f i n a l l y , a m o n g t h e d e s c e n d a n t s of Mary K i n z e r , f o r t y - n i n e
g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d , w i t h many y e t t o be a c c o u n t e d f o r . And t h e numte
of g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n of K a t i e E l l e n b e c k e r i s c o m p l e t e l y unknown. T h i s would
b r i n g a b o u t a known t o t a l of 491 g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d x e n f o r both Nick and
E l i z a b e t h T h e i s . The p o s s i b l e f i g u r e may someday r e a c h between a thousand and f i f t e e n
hundred,barring war,starvation,famine,and s t e r i l i z a t i o n . I t i s in t h i s fifth generati
t h a t c h i l d r e n a r e s t i l l b e i n g born a t a p o s s i b l e r a t e of two or t h r e e dozen a y e a r .

Page 219
 THE FUTURE GENERATIONS: THE GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-
GRANDCHILDREN OF NICK AND ELIZABETH THEIS
I n t h e y e a r of I 9 7 9 , I t h a s o n l y been d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e r e axe a t l e a s t
e i g h t g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d c h i l d r e n of M i c h a e l ' s S e n i o r b r a n c h . From t h i s e i g h t
c h i l d r e n we may h a v e t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e s i x t h g e n e r a t i o n of d e s c e n d a n t s from
t h e p r e c u r s o r and p r o g e n i t o r , N i c k , and h i s p r o l i f i c s o n s , d a u g h t e r s , g r a n d s o n s , and
g r a n d d a u g h t e r s . From t h i s s i x t h g e n e r a t i o n and t h e i r p r e c e d i n g f i f t h g e n e r a t i o n
t h e r e a d e r might e x p e c t t h a t t h e r e i s t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r p r o d u c i n g a w i d e l y - d i s p e r s e d
f a a i l y t h a t may number anywhere from two or t h r e e thousand llrving d e s c e n d a n t s t o a
p o s s i b l e f i v e thousand l i v i n g descendants before the year 2000,conditions p e r m i t t i n g .

THE THEIS PANORAMA

Nick T h e i s had been a b u g l e r i n t h e P r u s s i a n Army b e f o r e he l e f t Germany; for
t h a t r e a s o n he was a b l e t o p l a y t h e a c c o r d i a n . I n s p i t e of h i s enjoyment for t h e
p a s t i m e of m u s i c , Nick was a l w a y s a farmer f i r s t and sought f o r t h e new l i f e i n
America i n o r d e r t o g i v e h i m s e l f and h i s sons a b e t t e r chance f o r s u r v i v a l and for
s u c c e s s i n a world of r a p i d l y - e x p a n d i n g p o p u l a t i o n . The c o n c e n t r a t i o n of people i n
t h e R h e i n l a n d - P f a l z , w h e r e Nick wa3 r a i s e d , was very g r e a t , a n d an i n d i v i d u a l was a b l e
t o own v e r y l i t t l e land and t h u s made l i t t l e money f o r s m a l l l u x u r i e s . The T h e i s ' s
remedy f o r t h e problems t h a t plagued them axe d i s c u s s e d i n t h e f i r s t t h i r t y - n i n e pages
of t h i s book. At no time was l i f e e a s y , n o r was easy when N i c h o l a s decided t o leave for
A m e r i c a . N i c h o l a s and E l i z a b e t h , a l o n g w i t h one c h i l d and r e l a t i v e s , s p e n t 33 m i s e r a b l e
d a y s on t h e o c e a n , a r r i v i n g i n New Y o r k , e v e n t u a l l y moving t o I l l i n o i s , a n d f i n a l l y t o
M i n n e s o t a ( a g a i n t h i s I s d e s c r i b e d i n g r e a t e r d e t a i l on pages 83 through 9 2 ) . After
s e v e r a l y e a r s of h a r d s h i p i n e s t a b l i s h i n g h i m s e l f on h i s homestead and i n c l e a r i n g t h e
l a n d , N i c h o l a s now began to e x p l o r e what p r o v i s i o n s he might have to o f f e r f o r h i s sons
and t h e i r f u t u r e f a m i l i e s . Cheaper l a n d was t o be found i n t h e a r e a s o u t h of Cold
S p r i n g , m a i n l y i n t h e Luxembourg Township. I t i s s a i d t h a t i n some c a s e s , he bought
l a n d f o r h i s s o n s and t o l d them, "Now you have a p l a c e t o l i v e " . Sometimes, he
a c t u a l l y bought t h e p r o p e r t y , w h i l e o t h e r t i m e s , he a r r a n g e d for one of h i s sons to
buy a p i e c e of l a n d t h r o u g h h i s c r e d i t . I n t h e e a r l y 1 8 7 0 ' s , Nick began making p l a n s
f o r t h e f u t u r e of h i s s o n s .
F i r s t of a l l , on October 14, 1872, N i c h o l a s Theis bought 160 a c r e s of land for
$ 9 0 0 ( t h e South h a l f of t h e 3E-J- of S e c t i o n 3, Luxembourg Township,and North h a l f of t h e
NE-;- of S e c t i o n Ten, same Township)from Henry and Maria Rausch. I t was cheaper land but
i t was n o t open l a n d , a n d would have to be c l e a r e d . The only r e a s o n Nick could buy
c h e a p e r land n e a r S t . N i c h o l a s Church was simply b e c a u s e i t was a l l woods a t t h e t i m e .
Nick put up a one-room s h a n t y on t h a t a c r e a g e and s l o w l y began t o c l e a r t h e l a n d . In
t h i s way,Nick c o u l d l e g a l l y homestead t h e p r o p e r t y by s t a y i n g i n t h e d w e l l i n g a t l e a s t
one day o u t of e a c h y e a r . T h i s p r o p e r t y wa3 t o be s o l d t o h i s e l d e s t son,Michael
T h e i a . Very e n t h u s i a s t i c a b o u t g e t t i n g t h i s p r o p e r t y , Michael q u i c k l y moved on i t t o
homestead i t f o r N i c k . He had t o work very hard on i t s i n c e t h e r e was no land open.
T h u s , h e s p e n t manyhours h a v i n g t o g r u b i t , o f f and on u n t i l I 8 7 5 .
With t h e l a n d f i t f o r a g r i c u l t u r e , Michael T h e i s bought t h e 160 a c r e s in
Luxembourg T o w n s h i p ( S | of S E ± , S e c . T h r e e and Nj of.. NE-J-,Sec, Ten) from h i s p a r e n t s ,
N i c h o l a s and E l i z a b e t h T h e i s f o r a t o t a l of $1000, T h e n , i n t h e n e x t y e a r he was maxrie
t o Magdalena S c h a e f e r . From 1872 t o 1876,he been c l e a r i n g t h e l a n d , u s i n g t h e l i t t l e one
room s h a n t y a s p r o o f f o r t h e homestead he i n t e n d e d t o g e t . Michael o f f i c i a l l y purchase
t h e l a n d from h i s p a r e n t s on F e b r u a r y 2 5 , 1875.
While M i c h a e l T h e i s e s t a b l i s h e d h i m s e l f near S t . N i c h o l a s , William and John
T h e i s were e s t a b l i s h e d i n homesteads c l o s e t o t h e o r i g i n a l T h e i s homestead. 3 u t Mike
T h e i s , i n t h e same manner a s h i s f a t h e r , began t o p r o v i d e f o r h i s s o n s l a n d s t h a t t h e y
would one day f a r m . (See page 101 f o r t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e William and John
Theis homesteads).
THE SONS OF MICHAEL THEIS
Michael T h e i s a l s o began a r r a n g e m e n t s t o g e t h i s sons i n t o t h e farming b u s i n e s s .
On J a n u a r y 2 7 , 1882, M a t h i a s Koch s u p p o s e d l y s o l d t o John J o s e p h T h e i s some p r o p e r t y
f o r $200 an a c r e , e v e n though John was v e r y , v e r y young a t t h e t i m e ( 4 l - 1 9 1 ) .
Page 220
 John Theis was the eldest son of Michael Theis and was known to the family
as "Johnny of the Woods". According to the 1912 Stearns County Piatt Book, J. A.
Theis, or Johnny of the Woods, owned a total of eighty acres near School District
Number 64. At the same time, J.J. Theis(Joseph J. Theis, the fifth born child of
Michael Theis) owned the adjacent 79.75 acres north of John A. Theis's property in
the Northwestern portion of Section 14 in Luxembourg Township.. Joseph J. Theis
had purchased from one single Peter Theis on November 1908 the North half of the NWv
of Section 14 for 52,050. According to the I925 Piatt maps, both Joseph J. and
John A. Theis still owned their respective lots. However, on October 15, 1927, John
A. and Anna G. Theis sold to John Goika(of Hennepin County) the NEj of the SW£ of
Section 15,as well as the SW-J- of the NW£ of Section 15, excepting a couple of acres
conveyed to St. Nicholas Church and ten acres to Ferdinand Henkel. This transaction
was made for one dollar and other considerations. A decade later, Joe also lost his
property. Cn October 30, 1937, Joseph J. Theis and Bertha Theis, Grantors, sold
the Nf of the NW-£ of Section 14 to the State of Minnesota "for one dollar and other
valuable consideration." After losing his farm, Joe and Bertha held an auction
to make good a few of their losses.
The depression during the 1920's and 1930's had a very negative effect upon
the success of Michael Theis' sons at the business of farming. On Michael's home
farm, there had been a decision to divide the 160 acres in Sections 3 and 10
between his youngest sons, Christ and Willie Theis. However, after only a few years
of farming, Willie decided to take up carpentry as his profession. Thus Michael and
Margaretha Theis sold Willie's eighty acres(the SW-j of the SE7 of Sec. 3 and the NW£
of the NEv of Section 10) to Leo William Schreifels for a total of *6,600. This
transaction was made on April 5, 1924. Thus Leo,in that year, moved into Willie's
farm house which was just north of St. Nicholas and west of Michael Theis' homestead.
Leo Schreifels,a brother-in-law to Christ Theis, stayed on this farm from 192^ until
1933 and had a very successful career in agriculture, inspite of the drought years du:
the early 1930's.
Christ Theis, the youngest son of Michael, displayed an almost unique quality
for surviving the bad times. In September of 1916, Christ had married Miss Theresa
Schreifels, a daughter of John Schreifels, who owned the 160 acres in Section 3 of
Luxembourg Township,the farm immediately adjacent to Michael Theis' land. Christ
and Theresa had met at the auction of a neighbor. Since the Theis family had lived
nearly half-a-mile from the Schreifels, Christ offered to walk home with Theresa. At
about this time, Theresa was only about fifteen years old,while Christ was twenty.
Although Christ repeatedly asked Theresa to go out for a dance in the months and years
to come, Theresa's very strict parents did not give permission for her to go out. Aft
a year or so, she was finally permitted to date Christ Theis and was married to him at
the age of eighteen after a year-long engagement. The young couple lived on the home
farm with Christ's parents. Christ worked during the early years of their marriage as
a farm hand for his father. In 1919, Mike and Christ built a new barn on the farm, thus
replacing the outdated log barn that had stood for so many years. In 1926, Michael
had died,and Christ took over the operation of his mother's farm,now a total of eighty
acres only. However, Christ also began to rent another 81.50 acres,located immediate
to the east in Sections 2 and 11. Christ's mother, the owner,continued to live with
the family until her death in 1946.
In 1931, Christ and Theresa built a new house on the homeplace. For thirty-
seven years, Christ and Theresa stayed on that farm until 1953 when they moved to
732 Twenty-Ninth Avenue North in St. Cloud,at which time their only son, Sylvester,
took over the operation of the farm. Christ concentrated on growing wheat,corn and
oats. They also had a number of dairy cows,as well as hogs and chickens. At first,
they had kept sheep for their own use to shear the wool and make quilts, some of
which they sold. In later years, Christ gave up the sheep.
Page 221
 Then came the serious drought years,the worst being 1934, when they had to
sell their cows from the pasture. It was still summer and the cows were not fat,
so very little was made. But the worst of it was the fact that there were no
crops that year. What little they had in the field was used to feed the cows
which they had kept. In 1933. Christ had thrashed only about 600 bushels. But
ln the next year, there was absolutely nothing. This greatly set back Christ and
his neighbors. The house that had been built in 1931 had not yet been paid for.
Both 1933 and 1934 had been bad drought years. While there had been some
output for 1933, the next year produced nothing. There was then no grain to thrash.
The cattle had to be herded into the fields so that they would not starve. The
children would herd the cows out into the fields three times a day,in the morning,
afternoon and evening, so that they would have something to eat. In 1934,as mentior
Immediately above, the cows had to be sold off. Of about fourteen or fifteen head c
cattle, Christ found it necessary to sell about half of them for only ±17 a head.
Other relatives were selling their cows for slightly higher prices,sometimes up to
$19 a head. After selling those seven cows, Christ went and bcoght two cows from hi
cousin, Frank J. Theis in Cold Spring because he believed that Frank's Holstein
dairy cows. It ^as believed that Frank had bigger bulls to improve his herd and give
him bigger cows. In the years to come, the cows purchased from Frank began to imprc
the quality of Christ's cattle. During all this time, Christ continued to rent the
other 81.50 acres from Peter and Mary A. Wirtzfield,where corn and alfalfa was usua
raised.
When Michael Theis died in 1926, Christ and Theresa had already teen living c
the farm for ten years. For the first eight years, they had no children. They rais
a total of three children,Sylvester, Delrose and Rose Nary Theis. In 1943, Christ
finally purchased from his mother the 79-72 acres,but she continued to live on the f
In addition, however, Christ continued to rent the 81.50 acres from the rfirtzfelds.
In the late 1940's, Christ finally decided to buy the eighty plus acres *rom Mxs.
Peter Wirtzfeld. Up until 1950, this land had been rented over a long period of time
Sometime around 1946, electricity came into the axea, bringing a certain amount of
modernization to the local farms. In 1953, Sylvester, the son of Christ and Theresa
bought the farm from his parents. Christ,in the meantime, was not willing to retire
altogether and went to work at the Liberty Granite Sheds but was laid off after two
years. After that he went to work for the "400 Club" performing a cleaning/mainten
job. Here he worked until fumes from a faulty refrigerator caused Christ to become
very sick. A day later he was in the hospital and after sixteen days he died.
The success story of Christ and Sylvester Theis in the agriculture business i
very nearly unique among the offspring of Michael Theis. However, another son of
Michael was Nicholas A. Theis, who was also given a helping hand by his father when
he started out farming. Nicholas first had forty acres which his father apparently
had purchased for about $400. He lived in a log cabin first,and later built a house
on a sick stump. As related by Mrs. John W.(Barbara Theis) Schreifels, Nick's wife
the former Mathilda Becker, had always complained that "You had to let your Dad 'cuy
that doggone bush and we had to work so darn hard while Joe got all that open land".
Thus Joe, who eventually did fail at farming, was able to make money right away. Ins
of all the obstacles, Nick A. Theis did well.

THE ANCESTRY OF MATHILDA BECKER,NICK'S WIFE

Nicholas A. Theis had been born ln 1880 and was married to Mathilda Becker
in 1908. Mathilda's ancestry had been of Dutch/German extraction and has been tracec
back to Europe to some extent. Mathilda's paternal grandfather, Peter M. 3eckers
had been born on December 21, 1825 in Hongen, Kreis Heinsberg, Regierungsbezirk
Aachen,very close to the border with Holland. Peter Beckers wife, MathiIda(whose
maiden name may have been Meirous, Meireus or Meirens), had been born on January 6,
l835(or 1836) and died on November 29, 1913 at the age of 78 years,ten months, and
23 days from pneumonia. Her death took place in Main Prairie Township,Stearns Count)
On the following page there is a pedigree chart,depicting her ancestral lineage.
 Same of Compiler JOhn P , 3 C M a l _ P e r s o n No. 1 on this chart 13 the same
219 5 . 11th Ave.-Apt.l^person aa No.. on chart No 18
Christian Theishart No-—
Addresa

City, Stat, Cold Sprlng,MN 56320 Apt .#14 f-March 16,1788" .r.er 3! s c , . ,
The ar.t. acx cntrl So. .
K NOV. 14, 1810
jite. Page 223 (F,t_her at No. <) d.
b. September 9 , 1821 17[ Maria Hermann
p.b. B o l l e n d o r f . P r u s s i a r Q i no^, ^ , Q » i e r of No. i.
Michael Theis m. F e b r u a r y 15,1849
b. > ' a n . 0 , l / o 9 Conu on chert No.

( F t t b t r at No. 2) a
d. March 15,1886 -
b. February 2 1 , I85I p.d Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a Michael Ewen
18
p.b. Bollendorf, Prussia o. Ogc S. 1 7 Q 7 (FtUwr a( No. 9,
! M t at Birth
iPUce at Birth m. February 1, I876 E l i z a b e t h Ewen "" ' ' * Cont. oa a u n N o . .
I Ditt ot M i r r t a g r m.
Ditt at De.Ui d. April 16, 1926 (Mother at No. 4)
PUc< at Death
p.d S t . Nicholas,Minnesota . January 19,1824 19 Susanna Sontag
(MoUWr of No. i .
Nick A. T h e i s p.b. S t o c k i g t / N u s s b a u r a , P r u s s i a b - ^ y 2, 1797 COM.«danN«.
( F i l t e r o( No. 1) d. November 4 , 1909
b. September 8, 1880 p.d Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a 20
p.b. S t . Nicholas,Minnesota t F i t t e r at No. 10,
m. October 2 7 , 1908 Jacob Schaefer
Cont. on c h i n N o . .
10
d. M a y 2 2 , 1 9 7 4 ( F i t t e r ot No 5)
p.d Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a 21
Mother at No. 10,
p.b. Saar land, Pru ssia Cont. on c h i n N o . .
Margaret Schaefer
(Matter at No. 2) m. October 22,1850-N.Y.
b. June 2 0 , 1854 d. January 2 7 , 1 9 0 7 22
p.b. Buffalo,New York p.d Stearns County,Minnesota i F i t h e r at No. 11,
Cam. aa c h i n N o . .
d. March 2 3 , 1946 11 Katherine Albert m.
(Mother at No. S) d.
p.d. Cold S p r i n g , Minnesota
b. 23
Mother at Natelf.
p.b. Bavaria Coot, on chart No. .
1 William Theis b.
d.
d.
b. M a y 1 6 , 1910
p.b. Cold S p r i n g , Minnesota P-d- S t . Cloud,Minnesota 24
b. r i m e r of No. [2,
J one on c i u r t No. .
m. September 5 , 1933 12 m.
d. P e t e r Michael
( F i t t e3
r e
atcNo.
k e0)r s d.
p.d. *>• December 21,1825 25
Motfier ot No. 12,
P-b. Hongen, Prussia Com. 2n caart No, .
William J . Beckers
( F i t t e r at No. i )
m.
b. J u l y 1 7 , 1861 d. December 2 5 , 1908
26 William Meirous
p.b. Hongen, P r u s s i a p.d Main Prairie,Minn.
b. . F i t h e r oi S o . 1 3,
Cont- on chart No, —
! m. 13 Matilda ra.
d. March 2 9 , 1935 .Mother at No. 6)
d.
p.d W a t k i n s , Minnesota b. J a n u a r y 6 , 1835 27
Motner ot No. I 3,
p.b. Germany COOL, on cnart No,.
b.
M a t h i l d a Becker d. November 2 9 , 1913
(Matter ot No. 1) d.
p.d. Main t r a i n s , Minn.
b. F e b r u a r y 1 5 , 1889 28 Peter Asfeld,Sr,
pb S t e a r n s County,Minnesota b. •.FiLher oi No, 14,
Cotsu on cnart No. .
d] ' May 12, 1974 14.
Peter Asfeld, J r . m.
d Cold S p r i n g , M i n n e s o t a ( F i t t e r ot No. 7) d.
b. 29
(Mother at No. 14,
p.b. b. Coou on c h i n No.
Barbara Asfeld
d.
b.
( M a t t e r at No. 3)
2' May 30, 1876 LEONARD STELTON
30
p.b. Main P r a i r i e , M i n n e s o t a p.d B e n t o n T w s h p , Minn. b. E i t h e r ot No. 15,
Coot, oa c h i n N o . .
d. 15 T h e r e s a Stelton. m.
(Motter ot No. 7) d.
P.d.
b. March 2 0 , 1846(?) 31
^Mother ol No. 15,
( S p o u x Ot No. 1) p.b. H o l l a n d b. Conx, on chart No- .

b, d. d. J u n e 3 0 , 1923 d.
P.b. P.d. p.d. K i m b a l l , M i n n e s o t a
 On October 19, 1892, P e t e r M. B e c k e r s ( b o r n i n 1 3 2 5 ) , a l c r . g with h i s s e n s ,
W i l l i a m J . 3 e c k e r s ( b o r n i n 1661), P e t e r J . 3 e c k e r s ( b o r n i n 1566), and John H.
B e c k e r s ( b o r n l n 1869) renownced t h e i r a l l e g i a n c e t o t h e Emperorof Germany a s ' s u b s c r i ' :
and sworn i n t h e County C o u r t h o u s e . They t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e y had landed a t P h l l a d e l j
l n t h e month of J u n e 1881 and wished t o become n a t u r a l i z e d c i t i z e n s . By t h i s t i m e ,
t h e B e c k e r s f a m i l y was a l r e a d y b u y i n g up p r o p e r t y i n t h e Main P r a i r i e Township of
S t e a r n s C o u n t y . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e I896 P i a t t book, M.P. B e c k e r s owned 115.02 a c r e s
i n t h e SE} of t h e NW} of S e c t i o n 7 , a s w e l l a s 140.39 a c r e s i n t h e SW} of t h e SW} of
S e c t i o n 3 . I n a d d i t i o n , W.J. B e c k e r s owned t h e SE} of SW} p o r t i o n of S e c t i o n 7 i n
Main P r a i r i e T o w n s h i p , t h i s c o n s i s t i n g of 7 5 . 4 5 a c r e s .
As e a r l y a s December 5 , 1887, Michael B e c k e r / B e c k e r s had purchased from t h e
S t . P a u l . M i n n e a p o l i s a n d Manitoba R a i l r o a d some p r o p e r t y t h e Nj of NW} and SE} of NW}
of S e c t i o n Seven i n Main P r a i r i e Township) f o r a t o t a l of i 5 & + . 7 5 . S h o r t l y t h e r e a f t
M a t h i l d a ' s f a t h e r , W i l l i a m J . 3 e c k e r s , o n December 3 1 , 1891 p u r c h a s e d for J 2 2 0 t h e
SE} of t h e SW} of S e c t i o n Seven i n Main P r a i r i e , a n a d d i t i o n a l twenty a c r e s from t h e
R a i l r o a d . William e v e n t u a l l y met up w i t h B a r b a r a A s f e l d , w h o s e f a t h e r had died a t a
v e r y young a g e . B a r b a r a ' s g r a n d f a t h e r , P e t e r A s f e l d . S r . , an immigrant from H o l l a n d ,
had t u r n e d o v e r a deed f o r t h e N o r t h e a s t Q u a r t e r of S e c t i o n 26, Township 115 N o r t h ,
Range 25 W e s t ( 3 e n t o n Township) t o h i s son, P e t e r A s f e l d , J r . on J a n u a r y 9, 1866(Office
o f t h e R e g i s t e r of D e e d s , C a r v e r C o u n t y , M i n n e s o t a , 3ook G.page 4 6 + ) . P e t e r A s f e l d , J r
h i m s e l f , had been born i n P e n n s y l v a n i a . On May 30, 1876 he d i e d , l e a v i n g seven c h i l d r e :
including eight-year-old Barbara. P e t e r A s f e l d , J r . had been w e l l - t o - d o but d i e d i n
an a c c i d e n t i n t h e lumber m i l l n e a r C o l o g n e . B a r b a r a ' s mother Theresa was r e m a r r i e d
w i t h i n a few y e a r s t o one John Adolph/Adolf and t o g e t h e r t h e y moved t o Meeker County
o r S t e a r n s C o u n t y . When P e t e r A s f e l d , J r . d i e d , each of t h e c h i l d r e n had r e c e i v e d
$ 4 0 0 , a c c o r d i n g t o f a m i l y d a t a . For t h a t r e a s o n , t h e Asfeld f a m i l y was c o n s i d e r e d w e l l
A p p a r e n t l y , P e t e r ' s w i f e , T h e r e s a S t e l t o n A s f e l d , had done w e l l w i t h her i n h e r .
t a n c e . On March 16, 1835, she p u r c h a s e d f o r i 8 0 0 t h e NW} of t h e NE} of S e c t i o n 10 i n
Main P r a i r i e , a s w e l l a s t h e N} of t h e NW} of t h e same s e c t i o n , f o r a t o t a l of 120 a c r e :
The I896 P i a t t Book f o r S t e a r n s County m e n t i o n s t h a t T h e r e s a Adolf was i n p o s s e s s : c n
o f 1 1 7 . 7 a c r e s i n t h e NW} of t h e NW} of S e c t i o n 10 of Main P r a i r i e , i h e .-.ad o r i g i n a l l y
p u r c h a s e d t h i s p r o p e r t y i n I885 from Wendelin and K a r o l i n e Merz. T h e r e s a m e l t o n (Asfi
Adolf e v e n t u a l l y d i e d on J u n e j 0 , 1923 a t t h e age of 77 y e a r s , t h r e e months,and ten a
Many of t h e A s f e l d d e s c e n d a n t s have met w i t h good and even e x t r a o r d i n a r y good f o r t u n e
w i t h t h e b u s i n e s s of a g r i c u l t u r e . Nick A. T h e i s was hoping t h a t 1 he might a c h i e v e h i s
own good f o r t u n e i n due t i m e .

THE STORY OF NICK A. THEIS

A f t e r Nick T h e i s had bought h i s f i r s t f o r t y a c r e s i n S e c t i o n 5 of Luxembourg
Township, he d e c i d e d t o buy a second f o r t y a c r e s and proceeded to open up t h a t l a n d .
Sometime a f t e r t h a t he p u r c h a s e d an a d d i t i o n a l - 0 a c r e s of land from h i s n e i g h b o r s Jac
and E l i z a b e t h F r i e d m a n . T h i s new p r o p e r t y was wet, swampy p a s t u r e l a n d s , upon which
Nick s t a r t e d h i s f i r s t t o b a c c o s h e d . Tobacco was t h e n t h e way, a s Mrs. John W. S c h r e i
r e l a t e s , t o "make t h e most o u t of a s m a l l p i e c e of l a n d . " L i f e was n o t easy f o r Nick ;
T h e i s . I n h i s f i r s t y e a r farming t h e f o r t y a c r e s , Nick t h r a s h e d only o n e - n a i f of an ac
s i n c e t h a t was t h e o n l y s e c t i o n t h a t he had opened f o r a g r i c u l t u r e . From one y e a r t o
t h e n e x t , Nick c o n t i n u e d t o open up more of h i s l a n d , a n d t h e n on March 30, 1907,
Nick p u r c h a s e d f o r t y - a n d - a - h a l f a c r e s from Michael and Anna E l l e n b e c k e r . T h i s -+0} acre
was t h e NW} of NE} of S e c t i o n 5 i n t h e n o r t h e r n s e c t i o n of Luxembourg Township. In t h e
1 9 2 0 ' s , Nick bought a n o t h e r f o r t y a c r e s from Mrs. J a c o b Friedman, S r . T h i s purchase
gave Nick a t o t a l of 120.50 a c r e s , a l l of which was l o c a t e d i n t h e n o r t h e a s t e r n p o r t i o n
of S e c t i o n 5 . Nick n e v e r gave up work. When he r e t i r e d from farming, he went to l i v e
i n Watkins where he worked f o r M i c h a e l N e i s i n a t o b a c c o p l a n t .
JOHN W. SCHREIFELS
Another s u c c e s s s t o r y t h a t can be r e l a t e d i s t h e l i f e s t o r y of John 4 . S c h r e i f e
n e i g h b o r and s o n - i n - l a w of Nick A. T h e i s . Young John had a t t e n d e d School D i s t r i c t Numc
1 7 , c l o s e t o t h e Old SAint N i c h o l a s Church. John W. S c h r e i f e l s was t h e son of William
S c h r e i f e l s and a g r a n d s o n of M a t h i a s S c h r e i f e l s and C a t h a r i n a Schackmann.

Page 22+
William Schreifels farmed the original 80.35 acres which he had purchased from his
father. At a later date, he bougnt an additional fifty more acres. Immediately next
door to Willie was his brother, Theodore Schreifels who farmed 80.26 acres. The two
brothers were very close and enjoyed many good times together. During the days of
Prohibition, Willie and Theodore shared a little still. This small kettle was carried
in a gunnysack back and forth from one farm to the other.
Another brother was Nick H. Schreifels, who owned 120.75 acres in Section 4
of Luxembourg Township back in 1912. This land was later bought by Adam Kraemer.
However, Nicholas H. Schreifels also had considerable holdings in Section 6.It was
here that he possessed nearly 200 acres. Nick made great efforts to help out Willie
and Theodore as they grew corn and rye and,at times,tobacco. William usually grew
four or five arres of tobacco and this task required a great deal of help from friends
and relatives.
The greater portion of this northern Luxembourg Township was Inhabited by
many Schreifels and Theis families. On Sept. 23, 1924, Frances Schreifels was married
to John J. Flaschenriem. Frances was a first cousin to John W. Schreifels,while
Barbara Theis was a neighbor. It was at this wedding when John W. Schreifels and Barba:
Theis met. Almost seven >eaxs later, they were married on September 15, 1931. As
with the generations which proceeded both John and 3arbaxa, their destiny was to farm.
When they were first married, John and Barbara rented the 160 acres owned by Peter
Schreifels in Section 32 of Wakefield Township, southwest of Bolfings Lake. In their
first year, John followed in family tradition by growing eight acres of tobacco on
the old Erpelding farm. However, it was too much work for the young couple and in late
years, they would only raise two acres of this cash crop. There was no doubt,
however, that tobacco farming was a means for obtaining more money. There was a great
deal of cooperation between John and his father-in-law,Nick A. Theis, who also grew
tobacco. During the summertime, the two families helped each other in raising the
tobacco crops. John was not the only child of Willie Schreifels who took up farming, ti
he became the most successful. His brother Hubert never really farmed but had bougnt
the farm of his father-in-law near Pleasant Lake and rented out the acreage, onJ.y
to later sell out. His sister, Frances(Mrs. Nick Donnay),had taken up farming in the
iatkins area. Not too fax away, Willie Schreifels, their father,continued to farm his
land with his wife Agnes.
For seven years, John W. Schreifels and his wife Barbara rented Peter Schreifel
160 acres in Wakefield Township. Then in the middle 1930's,drought hit the young
couple. 1933 was a very bad year for John and Barbara. But in 193^, there was nothir
produced. This,of course, was bad for a young couple just starting out. But in 1935•
the crop was much better. But. during the drought, there had been nothing. Hye in the
places was cut during 1934 and was used for hay. This waa their only hay as none was
to be fsund in any of the meadows. As a result, the government arranged to have hay
shipped in from up north, feed which John W. Schreifels has bluntly described as "rotte
stuff". However, John still had to pay for some of this feed. He had to pay half and
then worked off the other half by working on the township roads In the area. The program
that sponsored this was called the W.P.A.(the Works Progress Administration), a federal
government program. Quite often people who worked on the W.P.A. projects were forced to
work at a kind of job that was entirely unfamiliar to them. The purpose of W.P.A. was
to help a man like John Schreifels to maintain his self-respect and at the same time ear
him a living. So, John W. Schreifels began to work with a team on the road, scraping out
the ditches. Again, the tobacco crop came in handy and provided additional revenue
for the young couple.
Those years were not easy years and many families lost their farms,including
Peter Schreifels,from whom John was renting. At that time, John and Barbara were lookin.
for their own land to buy. They checked out some property near Elk River, It was very
cheap land but it was too sandy. So, in the long run, after investigating several

Page 225
 t r a c t s of land, John and Barbara decided to continue farming the land t h a t had
kept them going for t h e p a s t seven y e a r s . Peter S c h r e i f e l s , a son of John Schreifels
and a second c o u s i n to John W. S c h r e i f e l s , no longer had possession of the land.
So i n 1938, John and Barbara purchased the land from the Catholic Aid Association.
P e t e had been unable to make payments and could no longer maintain h i s croperty.
However, John, a provident and t h r i f t y person whose frugal l i f e s t y l e helped to make
ends meet, was q u i t e w i l l i n g to buy P e t e ' s land and t h e r e f o r e did so.
At a l a t e r d a t e , John bought I58.O6 a c r e s of the former Frank P. Bolfing
farm. That farm,now c o n s i s t i n g of 133*66 a c r e s , i s occupied by John and Barbara'3
son, Eugene and h i s wife,Mildred, while John W. and Barbara S c h r e i f e l s continuel
t o own a t o t a l of 240 a c r e s in Sections 32 and 33 of Wakefield Township,as well as-
160 a c r e s in Section 5 of Luxembourg Township(which had been purchased from
B a r b a r a ' s f a t h e r , N i c k A. Theis, and from Jacob Friedman). Frank 3olfing had kept
17 a c r e s of h i s land for h i s c o t t a g e s t h a t were b u i l t . At one time, John had
a t o t a l of 700 a c r e s to farm. Naturally, the c h i l d r e n had to help out in t h i s effori
160 of t h e a c r e s which he owned i s now owned by h i s son-in-law and daughter, Robert
and Arlene Holthaus. That property had o r i g i n a l l y belonged to Michael Eichers(SW}
of Section 33),a^d then to John - Erpelding, before John W. S c h r e i f e l s purchased i t .
John a l s o bought f o r t y a c r e s from h i s f a t h e r - i n - l a w , N i c k A. Theis,and l a t e r , a t
d i f f e r e n t t i m e s , 120.50 and 40 a c r e s from Nick Hommerding-for a t o t a l of more than
160 a c r e s .
Corn and a l f a l f a were the main crops grown by John W. S c h r e i f e l s . He would
u s u a l l y get 100 b a l e s of a l f a l f a af the f i r s t c u t t i n g , b u t they cut i t t h r e e times.
The second and t h i r d times they would not get as much. As for corn, John was
sometimes able to get as much as seventy bushels to an a c r e , thanks mainly to his use
of f e r t i l i z e r s . The ravages of nature c o n s t a n t l y brought about setbacks for the John
W. S c h r e i f e l s family. In the 1940's,a June hailstorm wlpad out t h e i r crops. Howev
i t was most f o r t u n a t e t h a t over t h r e e thousand bushels of e a t s had been stored away
i n the g r a i n e r y . But 128 a c r e s of o a t s were l o s t to the h a i l s t o r m .
B u t , a f t e r a period of time, John and 3arbara not only r a i s e d a good crop of
c h i l d r e n but came out ahead i n the a g r i c u l t u r e b u s i n e s s . In the 19^+0's, they had
about s i x t y head of c a t t l e a t any one time, and they rented a 300-acre pasture in
which t o feed them. After J o h n ' s f a t h e r had died In 1944, Agnes (Zimmermann)
S c h r e i f e l s took over the S c h r e i f e l s p r o p e r t y . In Section 4, she owned 40.15 acres
i n the Northwest p o r t i o n of Section 4 in Luxembourg Township,as well as the 80.35
a c r e s i n the Northwestern p o r t i o n of Section 3 which Willie had farmed. Nearby lived
another widow, t h e wife of John Henry S c h r e i f e l s , Anna(who was a s i s t e r to Agnes),
who owned 140 a c r e s i n Section 4 of Luxembourg Township. After William died, the
younger b r o t h e r s of John, Andrew and Alexander had stayed on to help out,but eventual-
Agnes h e r s e l f died i n 1951 e Eventually an auction took place and the land was sold,
since John W.Schreifels wms w e l l - e s t a b l i s h e d on h i s own property. On March 7, 1952,
John W. S c h r e i f e l s , executor of the e s t a t e of Agnes S c h r e i f e l s , sold to Margaret .
E. Wegler a t o t a l of 80.35 a c r e s in the West Half of the Northwest Quarter of Section
Three i n Luxembourg Township for the p r i c e of ten thousand d o l l a r s . Her* ended anothe
e r a of S c h r e i f e l s domination of northern Luxembourg Township land. John W. S c h r e i f e l s ,
a f t e r more than f o r t y y e a r s of farming, r e t i r e d on January 1, 1972 and s t i l l l i v e s
on t h e o u t s k i r t s of Cold S p r i n g .
 THE ASFELD FAMILY
The Asfeld family was first mentioned in Household # 1 1 , the
family of Mary Theis and George Asfeld. Starting with Household
#5000A will be the family of George Asfeld and his first wife.
The family of George Asfeld and his second w i f e , Mary Theis, will
be listed as Household #5000B(one and the same as Household # 1 1 ) .
One correction is needed for this Household. Listed as #51 was
Alvina Asfeld. The name of Bill Bogart as her husband is incorrect.
Alvina was married to Charles K i r k s .

5000A. THE FAMILY OF GEORGE ASFELD(born March 9, 1870 in

Cologne, Carver County,Minnesota; deceased on May 2 1 ,
19514- in Watkins,Meeker County, Minnesota) .He married...
JOSEPHINA OPHOVEN(born January 1 8 , 1879; deceased July 1 8 , 1906)
Their children are listed below:
5001. Frank Asfeld, born October 2 0 , I 8 9 8 , Watkins,Minnesota.
5002. Annie Asfeld, died in the 1920's.
5003. Andrew Asfeld, died in infancy.
50OI4.. Mary Asfeld, born April 2 8 , 190t|..
5000B. THE FAMILY OF GEORGE ASFELD who married his second
wife on September 8, 1908 at St. Nicholas,Minnesota...
MARY THEIS(born Dec. 1 1 , 1882 and deceased April 8, I97I4J.
This household is the same as Household #11 above.
Their children are listed below:
5005. Michael Andrew Asfeld(born May 3 0 , 1909 in Watkins,Minn.).
5006. Peter Asfeld, born August 6, 1910,Watkins.
5007. John Asfeld, born May 2 5 , 1 9 1 3 , W a t k i n s .
5 0 0 8 . Regina Asfeld, born April 1 9 , 1 9 1 5 , Watkins.
5009. Alphonse Asfeld, born September 1 3 , 1 9 1 7 , Watkins.
5010. Alvina Asfeld, born November 1 , 1 9 1 9 , Watkins. ._
5011. Fred William Asfeld, born March 5, 1921;, Watkins.
5 0 1 2 . Theresa Asfeld, born Feb. 2 5 , 1 9 2 6 , Watkins.
5001. THE FAMILY OF FRANK M. ASFELD(born Oct. 2 0 , 1898 in
Watkins; deceased August 3 0 , 1967)
He was married on October 8, 1929 to...
MARY M U E L L N E R ( b o m June 1 5 , 1909 in Austria).She came from
Europe on June 1 3 , 1929. Their children are listed here:
5013. George F. Asfeld, born August 3, 1 9 3 0 .
5011;. Ludwig Asfeld, born August 1;, 1 9 3 1 .
5015. Philip J. Asfeld,born August 2 , 1 9 3 2 .
5016. Norbert Asfeld, born Sept. 1 5 , 1 9 3 3 .
5017. Leo Asfeld, born August 1 0 , 193U.
5018. Isabella Asfeld, born October 7, 1 9 3 5 .

jjffll
5019. Bernice Ann Larson(born April 10, 1937) who was married
on January 8, 1966 to,LeRoy F. Larson(born Dec. 1 1938)
No children are listed to this marriage.
5020. Robert Asfeld, born. August II4., 1938.
5021. Clarence E. Asfeld, born Nov. 3, 1939.
5022. Avon M. Asfeld, born February 15, 19I4.I.
500U. THE FAMILY OF MARY ASFELD(born April 28, 1901;;
deceased November 11, 1977).
She was married on October 28, 1928 to...
JOE ARENS(born July 1, 1895). Their children are listed here:
5023. Lucille Arens, born April 5, 1929.
5021;. Wilfred Arens, born October 10, 1930.
5025. Clarence Arens, born April 9, 1935.
5026. Kathleen Arens, born October 17, 1937.
5027. Ruth Ann Arens, born Nov. 21;, 1939.
5028. Janet Arens, born Sept. 19, 191;3
5005. THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL ANDREW ASFELD AND MATHILDA
(TILLIE) SCHREIFELS is listed above under Household #1686.
Michael Asfeld is listed as #1;6 under the desceddants of
of Nikolaus and Elizabeth Theis, while Tillie Schreifels
is listed as #1120 in" the Additions and Corrections Section
of the book. Please turn to Household #1686 for the
list of their children's names.
5006. THE FAMILY OF PETER ASFELD(born August 6, 1910 in Watkins)
who was married on May 27, 1936 to...
CAROLINE NISTLER(born August 2, 1911, as the daughter of Steve
Nistler, who lived from Sept. 17, 1885 to Oct. 1, 1952,
and Susan Thielan, who lived from Nov. 11,1891 to Nov. 1,
1931). Their children are listed below:
5029. Betty Lou Asfeld, born April 19, 1937.
5030. Eileen Asfeld, born Sept. 8, 1938.
5031. Sharon Asfeld, born Dec. lij.#19l|2.
5032. Suzanne(Sandy) Asfeld, born August 19, 19l;5«
5007.THE FAMILY 0FJJ0HN(JACK) ASFELD, who was born on May 25,
1913 in Watkins, was married on March 29, 1937 in St.Cloud.
IRENE ELIZABETH STELT0N(born Jan. 2, 1915 in Kimbal as the daugh
of Michael Stelton and Barbara Becker). They have no child:
5008.THE FAMILY OF REGINA ASFELD(born April 19, 1915 in Watkins)
who was married on Oct. 20, 193& to...
NORBERT NISTLER(born Aug. 2, 1912; deceased Dec. 28, 1972).
He was a brother to Caroline Nistler, the wife of Peter
Asfeld, and Lucille Nistler, the wife of Fred Asfeld(#5011)
Since the death of Norbert Nistler, Regina was remarried to
Mr. Kenneth Payne. The children of Regina and Norbert Nist
are listed here:
5033. JoAnne Nistler, born June 25, 1939.
503U. Kathleen Nistler, born Sept. 2k, 191*2.Minneapolis,Minn.
5035. Thomas N i s t l e r , born Feb. 1 6 , 19U5 in Minneapolis.
5036. Wanda N i s t l e r , born Jan. 1 7 , 1952 in Minneapolis, she was married
on August 9, 1971; to James Storie(born Dec. 1 2 , 19L.6) ThevJ
have no children. "
5009.THE FAMILY OF ALPHONSE NICHOLAS ASFELD(born on Sept. 13 191"
at W a t k i n s ) . He was married on Dec. 3 1 , 19l;0 at Watkins' to
MARY KAY KRAMP(born March 2 2 , 1921 at Conde, South Dakota. Their'
children have been listed below:
5037. Nina Marie Asfeld(born August 2 , 191*2 at Wakins,Minn.)
5038. John George Asfeld(born Sept. 2 0 , 191+6 at Litchfield,Minn.)

5010.THE FAMILY OF ALVINA ASFELD(born Nov. 7, 1919; deceased

on April 1 8 , 1967) who was married on Nov. 17,191+2 to...
CHARLES KIRKS(born May 6, 1 9 2 2 ) . Their children are listed here:
5039. Douglas K i r k s , born Feb. 2 0 , 1 9 5 0 .
501;0. Peggy K i r k s , born Aug. 1, 1952. Peggy Kirks was married on Dec.
2 0 , 1975 to Mike Trosper(born Apr. 1 9 , 1 9 5 1 ) . They have no
children.
5011. THE FAMILY OF FRED WILLIAM(born March 5, 1921; at Watkins)
who was married on Nov. 1;, I9I4.7 at St. Anthony's Church
in Watkins to...
LUCILLE ERMA NISTLER(born Jan. 1 9 , 1 9 2 9 , sister of Caroline Nistl.
(#5006) and Norbert N i s t l e r ( # 5 0 0 8 ) . Their children are listed
501*2. Judith Ann (Asfeld) Post, born August 1 1 , 191+8,
501*2. Carole Jean Asfeld,born October 3 1 , I9I4.9.
>'0l;3. Barbara L. Asfeld, born February 6, 1 9 5 2 .
501*1;. Katherine Marie Asfeld, born June 2 0 , 1951*-.
5014.5. Kevin Peter Asfeld,born Aug. 2 3 , 1955.
50U6. Kenneth Steven Asfeld, born May 1 2 , 1959.
50l;7. Thomas Donald Asfeld, born Dec. 1 6 , 1963.
501+8. Terry Michael Asfeld, born Nov. 2 2 , 1965.
5012.THE F A M I L Y OF THERESA ASFELD(born Feb. 2 5 , 1926) who was
married on June 9, 1951 to...
WILLIAM (BILL) ARBOGAST(born Sept. 2 0 , 1 9 2 6 ) . Their children are
listed h e r e :
50l;9. Nancy A r b o g a s t , born July 2 2 , 1 9 5 2 .
5050. Michael Arbogast, born Sept. 1 2 , 1 9 5 3 .
5051. Todd A r b o g a s t , born Dec. 9, 1 9 5 7 .
5052. LeAnn A r b o g a s t , born March 2 1 , 1 9 5 9 .
5013. THE FAMILY OF GEORGE F. ASFELD(bora August 3, 1930)
who was married on May 2 , 1953 to...
LILIAS E . ZEMPEL(born Aug. 1 7 , 1931*.). Their offspring are listed
5053. Glenn F. Asfeld(born Oct. 21,1953) who was married on Feb. 2 8 ,
1976 to Beatrice DeMariano(born July 8, 1 9 5 5 ) . They live in
San Antonio,Texas.
5051;. K e i t h L. A s f e l d , b o r n J a n . 2k, 1955.
5055. Gordon P . A s f e l d , b o r n J a n u a r y 30, 1956. He was m a r r i e d May 27
1977 t o R o b e r t a L. L a u l e s s ( b o r n June 2 6 , 1 9 5 7 ) . They have no
c h i l d r e n . They l i v e i n Colorado S p r i n g s , C o l o r a d o .
5056. Pamela B. A s f e l d , b o r n F e b . 1 , I 9 6 0 . She l i v e s i n Buffalo,Minn.
5057. L a u r i e Ann A s f e l d , b o r n Aug. 1 3 , 1 9 6 1 . She l i v e s i n B u f f a l o , M i n n .
5011;. THE FAMILY OF LUDWIG ASFELD (born August k, 1931) who was
m a r r i e d on June 6, 1959 t o . . .
ARLOJE DEMARETT(bom F e b . 1 9 , 19l;2). T h i s f a m i l y , r e s i d i n g i n
Woodstock, I l l i n o i s , c o n s i s t s of t h e f o l l o w i n g p e r s o n s :
5058. Matthew A s f e l d , b o r n March 1 2 , 1 9 6 3 .
5059. Marion A s f e l d , b o r n June 1 6 , 1966.
5060. Michael A s f e l d , b o r n J u l y 2 9 , 1969.
5061. Mureen A s f e l d , b o r n May 2 3 , 1971;.
5015.THE FAMILY OF PHILIP J . ASFELD(born Aug. 2 , 1932)
who was irtarried on June 1 9 , 1956 t o . . .
LUELLA RUHLAND(born June 1 6 , 1 9 3 7 ) . T h e i r f a m i l y l i v e s i n K i m b a l l ,
Minnesota and c o n s i s t s of t h e f o l l o w i n g c h i l d r e n :
5062. James L. A s f e l d , b o r n June 1 6 , 1 9 5 7 .
5063. Jerome G. A s f e l d , b o r n Nov. 7 , 1 9 5 8 .
5061;. J u l i e K. A s f e l d , b o r n May 2 1 , I 9 6 0 .
5065. J e f f r e y T. A s f e l d , b o r n Aug. 1 2 , 1 9 6 1 .
5066. Jayne M. A s f e l d , b o r n F e b . 6, 1 9 6 3 .
5016.THE FAMILY OF NORBERT ASFELD(born S e p t . 1 5 , 1933)
who was m a r r i e d on J a n . 1 0 , 1953 t o . . .
BERNICE E. R0SS(born S e p t . 1 9 , 1 9 3 5 ) . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e l i s t e d hei
5067. Dennis A. A s f e l d ( b o r n June 2 0 , 1953) who was m a r r i e d on June 1 9 ,
1976 t o Beth M. S t a r k ( b o r n O c t . 5,1951*-) .They have no c h i l d r e n .
5068. M e r r i e J . A s f e l d , b o r n Aug. 3 1 , 1951;.
5069. T e r r i e J . A s f e l d , b o r n August 3 1 , 1951*. T e r r i e was m a r r i e d on
on March 2 2 , 1975 to C h a r l e s May(born A p r i l 2 1 , 1 9 5 3 ) .
5070. D a n i e l P . A s f e l d , b o r n March 2 1 , 1 9 6 2 .

5017. THE FAMILY OF LEO ASFELD(:born August 10, 193^) was married
on February 16, 1957 t o . . .
EUZABETH McCANN(born July 31, 1936). Their family, raised in Sauk
Centre, i s l i s t e d as follows;
5071. Leon Asfeld, born on April 21, 1958, was married on Sept. 25, 1978, to.
Vicki Larim*r(born Jan. 1^, 1959). They have no children.
5072. LlndA I# Asfeld, born June 15, 1959, who was married to Allan Bi«lke.
5073. Bonnie L. Asfeld, born August 15, I960, was married on August 25, 1978
to Thomas J . Wi«gers(born May 15, 195D. They have no children.
507**. Joan M. Asfald, born Jan. 23, 1963.
5075. Bruce N. A s f e l d , born October 2 0 , 1964.

5076. Amy R. A s f e l d , b o r n A p r i l 2 , 1966.

5077. Joseph P . Asfeld, born June 22, I969.

5 0 1 8 . THE FAMILY OF ISABEIIA ASFEID(born October 7 , 1935) who was

m a r r i e d on J a n . 2 6 , 1967 t o . . .
RALPH SIMPSON(born F e b r u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 3 5 ) . They a r e t h e p a r e n t s of one
c h i l d l i v i n g i n E n g l e w o o d , C o l o r a d o . She i s l i s t e d h e r e i
5078. Linda Simpson, born August 2 6 , 1 9 6 1 .

5020. THE FAMILY OF ROBERT ASFELD(born August I k , 1938) who was married
on June 2k, I 9 6 I t o . . .
KATHY HALKER(born A p r i l 1 0 , 1 9 4 0 ) . T h i s f a m i l y from B e a r d s l e y , M i n n e s o t a
i s l i s t e d belowt
5079. Rose Ann A s f e l d , b o r n S e p t . 4 , 1 9 6 2 .

5080. Edward P . A s f e l d , born O c t . 2 1 , 1 9 6 3 .

5081. David R. A s f e l d , b o r n J a n u a r y 3 1 , 1 9 6 5 .

5082. Carol Louise Asfeld, born A p r i l 20, 1966.

5083. C h r i s t i n e B. A s f e l d , born June 7 , 1967.

5084. R i t a J . A s f e l d , b o r n J a n . 2 1 , 1969.

5085. Diane G. A s f e l d , born J u l y 2 4 , 1972.

5 0 2 1 . THE FAMILY OF CLARENCE E. ASFELD(born Nov. 3 , 1939) was married

on A p r i l 30,1966 t o . . .
GERALDINE B. V0GT(bom A p r i l 26, 1 9 4 3 ) . They had t h e f o l l o w i n g i s s u e :

5086. Gregory L. A s f e l d , b o r n J a n . 3 , 1969.

5087. D a r i n A. A s f e l d , b o r n D e c . 2 4 , 1970.

5088. Kelly Jo Asfeld, born Dec. 8, 1971.

5 0 2 2 . THE FAMILY OF AVON M. ASFELD(born F e b r u a r y 1 5 , 1941) who was married
on J u n e 1 8 , 1958 t o . . .
PHILIP A. V06SEN(born J a n u a r y 1 4 , 1 9 4 5 ) . T h e i r i s s u e i s l i s t e d belowi
5089. Ann Vossen, b o r n F e b . 1 1 , 1 9 5 9 .

5090. Anthony (Tony) V o s s e n , b o r n J u n e 2 0 , I 9 6 0 .

5091. Andrew Vossen, b o r n October 8 , 1 9 6 2 .

5092. George Vossen, b o r n A p r i l 1 2 , 1 9 6 4 .

5093. P a t r i c i a Vossen, b o r n A p r i l 1 5 , 1 9 6 6 .

5094. F r a n c i s V o s s e n , b o r n November 3 , 1 9 6 7 .

•HU
 5023. THE FAMILY OF LUCILLE ARENS(born April 5, 1929) who was
married on October 5, 195U to...
JEROME(Bud)MINETTE(born January 30, 1925). Their children are
listed below:
5095. Julie Ninette, born November 17, 1958, who was married on June 17
1978 in Melrose to Robert Mayers(born Nov. 3, 1956).
5096. Gerald Minette, born Dec. 20, 1962.
5021;. THE FAMILY OF WILFRED ARENS(born October 10, 1930) who was
married on February 10, 1953 to...
DORIS BARTEN(born May 26, 1933). Their issue is listed below:
5097. Debra Arens, born June 20, 1951;.
5098. Kenneth Arens, born December 27, 1956.
5099. Barbara Arens, born June 26, '1957.
5100. Nancy Arens, born May 2, I960.
5101. Mary Arens, born March 12, 1962.
5102. Bonnie Arens, born March 27, 1963.
5103. Rebecca Arens, born April 9, 1965.
5101;. Sandra Arens, born Feb. 7, 1968.
5105. David Arens, born March 9, 1970.
5025. THE FAMILY OF CLARENCE ARENS(born April 9, 1935) who was
married on September 9, 1961 to...
DORREEN NATKE(born April 6, 1937). They had the following issue:
5106. Judy Arens, born May 29, 1962.
5107. Jane Arens, born May 29, 1962
5108. Kevin Arens, born Aug. 29, 1961;.
5109. Keith Arens, born April 12, 1970.
5026. THE FAMILY OF KATHLEEN ARENS(born Oct. 17,1937) who was
married on November 8, 1958 to...
PALMER NEL30N(born April 27, 1935). Their issue are listed here:
5110. Steven Nelson, born Jan. 28, I960.
5111. Patricia Nelson, born Nov. 13, 1961.
5112. Jacqueline Nelson, born February 6, 1961;.
5113. Vicki Nelson, b o m July 6, 1966.
5027. THE FAMILY OF RUTH ANN ARENS (born Nov. 21;, 1939) who was
married on May 13, 1961 to...
RONALD MEYER(born Nov. 18, 1938). Their children are listed below:
5111;. Cynthia Meyer, born April 15, 1962.
5115. James Meyer, born March 20, 1961;.
5116. Ricky Meyer, born Dec. 3, 1965.
5117. Pamela Meyer, born April 3, 1969.
5028. THE FAMILY OF JANET ARENS(born Sept. 19, 191+3) who was
married on Aoril 27, 1963 to...
CLIFFORD JENNISSEN(born May 8, 191+1).Their children are listed here
5118. Diane Jennissen, born March 16, 1961;.
5119. Debra Jennissen, born Feb. 1+, 1965.
5120. Denise Jennissen, born Feb. 17, 1966.
5121. Donald Jennissen, born Nov. 22, 1970.
5122. Darcy Jennissen, born Dec. 1;, 1971.
5029. THE FAMILY OF BETTY LOU ASFELD(born April 19, 1937)
who was married on Sept. 17, 1955 to...
DONALD VALIENT(born April 23, 1931+). Their children are listed her
5123. Sonie Valient.
5121;. Jeff Valient.
5125. Daniel Valient.
5126. Kenneth Valient.
5127. Mark Valient.
5030. THE FAMILY OF EILEEN ASFELD(born Sept. 8, 1938) who was
married on April l+, 1938...
DONALD SERBUS(born May 29,19 ). Their children are listed below:
5128. Terrence Serbus(born Feb. 17, 1961).
5129. Pamela Serbus(born April 13, 19 ).
5130. Tina Serbus(born June 21+,19 ).
5031. THE FAMILY OF SHARON ASFELD(born Dec. 1I+, 191+1) who was
married on July 3, 1965 to...
FRANCIS(Frankie) EDERS(born May 29, 191+1). They have the follow-
ing children listed below:
5131. Tim Eders (born Feb. 12,19 ).
5132. Bradley Eders(born July 13,19 ).
5133. Greg Eders(born October 2, 1975).
5032. THE FAMILY OF SUZANNE(Sandy) ASFELD(born Aug. 19, 191+5)
who was married on Sept. 11, 1965 to...
RUSSELL MIDDENDORF(born May 18, 191+1+). Their children are listed:
5131;. Kim Middendorf (born Feb. 6,19 ).
5135. Kelly Middendorf(born July 15, 1965).
5136. Scott Middendorf (born August 21+, 1972).
5033.THE FAMILY OF JO ANNE NISTLER(born June 25, 1939) who was
married on April 12, 1958 to...
JOHN LEHN(born Nov. 30, 1937). Their family, living in Rogers,
Minnesota, is listed below:
5137. Carey Joseph Lehn, born April 27, 1959.
5138. Barbara Jean Lehn, born April 19,1960.
5139. Susan Lehn,born August 1+, 1965.
511+0. Jennifer Lehn, born April 19, 1968.
5031+. THE FAMILY OF KATHLEEN NISTLER(born Sept. 2 k , 191+2) who
was born on August 12, 1961 to...
JACK HLAVACK(bom Feb. 7,1936). Their family,living in Eden
Prairie,Minnesota, is listed below:
5lia. Lisa Hlavack, born March 30, 1963.
511+2. Bradley Hlavack, born Aug. 20, 1965.
5035.THE FAMILY OF THOMAS NISTLER(born Feb. 16, 191;5) who
was married on Feb. 1, 1961+ to...
JOYCE DOMINO (born Oct. 12,191+1+). Their family, i i v i n g i n H o g e r 3 f
B
Minnesota, is listed below: '
511+3. Scott Nistler, born Oct. 31, 1961+.
511+1+. Jill Michelle Nistler, born March 5, 1968.
511+5. Joan Nistler, born June 26, 1969.
511+6. Jessica Nistler, born Oct. 16, 1973.
511+7. Brian Nistler, born August 17, 1975.
5037.THE FAMILY OF NINA MARIE ASFELD(born Aug. 2, 19l;l at
Watkins) who was married on June 27, 1961; at St. Cloud to..
CRAIG FREDERIC LEISER(born August 17, 1938 at Cochraine,Wisconsin)
Their family, living in Minneapolis, is listed here:
511+8. Rebecca Ann Leiser, born Oct. 10, 1969, Minneapolis.
511+9. Michelle Marie Leiser, born Nov. 19,1971,Minneapolis.
5150. Melissa Kay Leiser, born Sept. 18, 1971+ in Minneapolis.
5038. THE FAMILY OF JOHN GEORGE ASFELD(born Sept. 20, 191+6 at
Litchfield,Minn) who was married on April 17, 1969 at
West Union, Minnesota to...
SUSAN MARJORIE WAKSFIELD(born Dec. 31, 1950 at West Union,Minn.)
Their children are listed as follows:
5151. Jennifer Lisa Asfeld, born Nov. 23, 1969 in Minneapolis.
5152. Jill Nichole Asfeld, born January 7, 1972 in Minneapolis.
5153. Jay John Asfeld, born April 21, 1971; in Minneapolis.
5039. THE FAMILY OF DOUGLAS KIRKS(born Feb. 20, 1950) who
was married on Oct. 5, 1971* to...
DIANE CARLSON(born August 13, 1951). Their family,living in
Spring Lake Park,Minnesota, is listed as follows:
5151+. Ann Kirks,born Aug. 19,1970.
5155. Laurie Kirks, born Feb. 6, 1976.
5156. Charles Kirks, born Nov. 12, 1977.
501+2. THE FAMILY OF CAROLE JEAN ASFELD(born October 31, 191+9)
was married in February 1973 to...
RICHARD GRABINSKKborn May 26, 19 ) . Their issue is listed here:
5157. Michael Grabinski, born October 9, 1971+.
5158. Jeff Grabinski.
501+3. THE FAMILY OF BARBARA L. ASFELD(born Feb. 6, 1952) who
was married on Sept. 1+, 1971 to...
KENNETH NISTLER(born Aug. 23, 1950). Their children are listed her
5159. Jennifer(Jenny) Nistler, born July 17, 1973.
5160. Mark Nistler, bcrn Feb. 16, 1976.
5161. Brian Nistler, born July 12, 1978.
 501+1+. THE FAMILY OF KATHERINE MARIE ASFELD(born June 20 195k)
who was married on August 11, 1972 to... '
TERRY PAULS(born Sept. 1 0 , 1 9 _ ) . Their children are listed below:
5162. Melanie Pauls,born Dec. 2, 1973.
5163. Tina Marie Pauls, born October 8, 1971;.
5161+. Nicole Pauls, born Sept. 18, 1977.
501+9. THE FAMILY OF NANCY ARBOGAST(born July 22, 1952) who
was married on April 20,1971+'to...
JOSEPH ZAJOUCKOWSKKborn Hay 7, 1950). Their family, residing
in Denver, Colorado, is listed as follows:
5165. Amy Zajouckowski, born July 20, 1975 in Colorado.
5166. Sarah Zajouckowski, born Feb. ll+, 1978 in Colorado.
5051+. THE FAMILY OF KEITH L. ASFELD(born Jan. 2k, 1955) who
was married on July 25, 1975 to...
ARLENE C. WEIST(born July 10, 1956). Their family,living in
Cokato,Minnesota, is listed below:
5167. Benjamin K. Asfeld, born Jan. 27, 1976.
5168. Shanda Asfeld, born August 5, 1977.
5068. THE FAMILY OF MERRIE J. ASFELD(born August 31, 1951+) .t
Merrie Asfeld has been married and divorced and-has one
child, now living in Burnsville, Minn., listed below:
5169. Arthur F. Berendt, born Nov. 30, 1975 at Burnsville,Minn.
5069. THE FAMILY OF TERRIE J. ASFELD(born Aug.31, 1951+) who was
married on March 2 2 , 1975 to...
CHARLES MAY(born April 21, 1953). They have one child listed below:

5l70.~Layla M. May,born Feb. 21, 1976.

5072. THE FAMILY OF LINDA I. ASFELD(born June 15, 1959) who
was married on Sept. 30, 1977 to...
ALLAN BIELKE(born Jan. 31,1958). They have one child:
5171. Brent A. Bielke(born April 13, 1978).
5097.THE FAMILY OF DEBRA ARENS(born June 20, 1951+) who was married
on Sept. 6, 1975 to...
TOM COLLINS(born June 12, 1951+) • They have one child listed below:
5172. Jeffrey Collins,born Feb. 2, 1978.
5098. THE FAMILY OF KENNETH ARENS(born Dec. 27,1956) who was
married on Dec. 6, 1975 to...
BRENDA DE R00(born July 8,1957). They had twins listed below:
5173. Dawn Arens, born January 21, 1978,Sauk Centre,Minn.
5171+. Paul Arens, born January 21, 1978,Sauk Centre,Minn.
 Mersch, November 27 1990

Mr. John Patrick SCHMAL

615615 Edgewood Street
INGLEWOOD, CA 90302
USA

Dear Mr. SCHMAL,

I have been transmitted your letter, dated November 3, 1990, addressed to
the National Library in Luxembourg, as I am doing research on Luxembourg
emigration to the U.S.
First of all I looked in Rosport (to which Girst jurisdictionnaly belongs)
for a birth record of peter THEISEN, born April 27, 1827. Unfortunately no
Peter THEISEN could be found for that year, nor could there be found for
that period any THEISEN having John THEISEN and Margaret ROTH as parents.
However an obituary in the "Luxemburger Gazette" (a weekly published in
Dubuque IA. 1872-1918) dated December 17 1907, mentions the death in
Wakefield, MN of a Peter THEISEN, born 1830 in Girst (see enclosed
transcription and translation). For that year a birth record could be found
for a John Peter THEISEN, born April 2, 1830 in Girst, son of Peter THEISEN,
shoemaker, and of Catherine WILDANGER. As I am not shure, whether this
person is your ancestor, research was not pursued any further. I just noted
that the parents got married in Rosport January 22, 1822. If the indications
from the obituary allow you to conclude that this person is identical with
your ancestor, you can order the marriage record directly from the city hall
in Rosport:
Administration communale de Rosport
Etat civil
Box 4
L-6406 Rosport
Luxembourg/Europe
For Questions regarding Mompach (spelled Mospach in your letter), write to:
Administration communale de Mompach
Etat civil
L-6695 Mompach
Luxembourg/Europe
The localities mentioned in your letter have been highlighted on the
enclosed map, on the back of which is copied the telephone directory
listing for Girst. Mrs SCHAEFFER-THEISEN might be a direct descendant of
Peter THEISEN's brother mentioned in the obit.
Regarding your query on literature regarding Rosport and Luxembourg
emigration, I enclose the local history book Rosport, die Geschichte eines
Dorfes, offered by the city of Rosport, and a pamphlet on the publication
Luxembourgers in the New World, which can be ordered in the United States.
I trust that the supplied information will be of some help.

O S C H Jean
33, rue Lankheck
L-7542 Mersch
Luxembourg/Europe

P.S. As I am working on Luxembourg emigration, I am also inte-

rested in what happened to the emigrants after they left.
All pertinent information and data, which you might have on
the fate of Peter THEISEN and his descendants will be
gratefully accepted.
J.E.
 Luxemburger Gazette 17 DEC 1907 p. 10 col. 1

Am 1 Dezember verschied im Hause seiner Tochter Frau Michael Ellenbecker, zu

Wakefield, Stearns Co. Minnesota, nach sechswdchentlicher Krankheit Herr Peter
Theisen. Der Verstorbene war im Jahre 1830 zu Girst, Kanton Grevenmacher, geboren,
und war bei seinem Tode 77 Jahre alt. 1853 kam er nach den Vereinigten Staaten,
resp. nach New York. Spater kam er nach Iowa, wo er sich zu Holy Cross ansiedelte.
1858 zog er nach Minnesota. 2 Jahre spater wurde er zu Holy Cross, IA mit Fri
Margaretha Reuter ehelich getraut. Im Jahre 1889 starb seine Frau. Theisen bewirt-
schaftete seine Minnesota Farm weiter bis zum Jahre 1902, wo er zu seiner Tochter
in Wakefield ubersiedelte. Es uberleben ihn 5 Kinder namens: Peter zu Wakefield,
Mathias zu Chicago, Frau J. Schreifels und Frau J. Schoen zu Sioux City, IA.
Ebenso ein Bruder im alten Vaterlande. Das Begra'bnis fand von der St. Bonifatius
Kirche aus statt. Er ruhe in Frieden. Den trauernden Hinterbliebenen unser Beileid,

TRANSLATION :
On December 1st died in the house of his daughter, Mrs Michael Ellenbecker,
in Wakefiled Stearns Co., Minnesota after a 6 months illness Mr Peter Theisen.
Deceased was born in the year 1830 in Girst, and was aged 77 years at his death.
In 1853 he came to the United States, resp. to NY. Later he came to Iowa, where
he settled in Holy Cross (Dubuque Co.). In 1858 he moved to Minnesota. Two years
later he married in Holy Cross, Ia Miss Margaretha Reiter. His wife died in
1889. Theisen continued to run his Minnesota farm until 1902, when he moved
to his daughter in Wakefield. He is survived by 5 children, namely: Peter in
Wakefield, Mathias in Chicago, Mrs J. Schreifels and Mrs J. Schoen in Sioux
City IA and also by one brother in the old country. The internment proceeded
from the St. Boniface church 1n Wakefield. May he rest in peace.

ti