Wilhelm Dombrowe, Johanna Christiane Tilgner, and their children

Wilhelm Dombrowe and Johanna Christiane (Tilgner) Dombrowe were my great-great-great-great-grandparents. Their son Emil Dombrowe was my great-great-great-grandfather, his daughter Augusta (Dombrowe) Stacke was my great-great-grandmother, her daughter Lydia (Stacke) Revie was my great-grandmother, and her biological daughter Mary (Gotsche) Thielen was my grandmother.

Wilhelm Dombrowe
born August 8, 1821 in Poland
died 24 Mar 1862 in Wembowitz, Prussia (modern-day Wąbnice, Gmina Krośnice, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Johanna Christiane (Tilgner) Dombrowe Meier
born ????
died ????

Wilhelm Dombrowe and Johanna Christiane Tilgner (who went by her middle name Christiane) lived in Silesia, Prussia, which is currently a part of Poland. Wilhelm and Christiane had at least two children before Wilhelm's death, after which Christiane married August Meier and had at least one more child. Wilhelm and Christiane are buried at the Lutheran cemetery in Wembowitz, with their headstone being one of the few that remain.

The two children of Wilhelm and Christiane (Tilgner) Dombrowe:

1. Friedrich Wilhelm Dombrowe (1852-1945)
2. Emil Dombrowe (1855-1924)

The child of August and Christiane (Tilgner) Meier:

1. Paul Meier (1863-1940)

1. Friedrich Wilhelm Dombrowe
born December 16, 1852 in Guhre, Prussia (modern-day Góry, Gmina Cieszków, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)
died October 1945 in Krośnice, Gmina Krośnice, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland

Wilhelm, who went by his middle name, was married to Pauline Kohl. Wilhelm and Pauline had four children: Martha, Friedrich, Richard, and Paul. Pauline died on November 8, 1912 in Kraschnitz (now Krośnice), and Wilhelm died in 1945, just after the end of World War II.

2. Emil Dombrowe
born January 23, 1855 in Wembowitz, Prussia (modern-day Wąbnice, Gmina Krośnice, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)
died November 26, 1924 in Abbotsford, Clark County, Wisconsin

Emil Dombrowe married Caroline Gammer on April 20, 1881 and they had six children together before immigrating to the United States. Emil arrived in New York City, New York County, New York, on September 30, 1891, along with his future son-in-law Carl Frederick Stacke. Caroline and the six children followed, arriving in Baltimore, Maryland on May 19, 1892. After settling on a farm in Pine Valley, Clark County, Wisconsin, outside of Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin, they had two more children. Their children were Augusta, Frederick, Augusta, Louise, Otto, Paul, Rudolph, Oscar, and Edith. The family briefly moved to Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, before moving to Colby, Clark County, Wisconsin, and then in 1912 to Abbotsford. Emil suffered a “stroke of paralysis” several years before his death, and died at his home. Caroline died of “old age complications” in her home less than six years later. Caroline and Emil are buried at Abbotsford Cemetery.

1. Paul Meier
born October 23, 1863 in Wembowitz, Prussia (modern-day Wąbnice, Gmina Krośnice, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)
died April 18, 1940 in Wirschkowitz, Germany (modern-day Wierzchowice, Gmina Krośnice, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Paul married Pauline Böhm on April 22, 1888 in Wembowitz.

John Timothy O'Connor, Katherine Jean Bruce, and their children

John O'Connor and Katherine (Bruce) O'Connor were my great-great-grandparents. Their daughter Emily (O'Connor) Thielen was my great-grandmother, and her son William Thielen was my grandfather.

John Timothy O'Connor
born March 9, 1863 in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky
died July 30, 1924 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Katherine Jean (Bruce) “Bema” O'Connor
born January 31, 1872 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota
died July 4, 1960 in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, Wisconsin

John O'Connor was born to Irish immigrant parents Timothy O'Connor and Mary O'Reilly and baptized at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Maysville, Kentucky during the Civil War. His family moved to Minnesota in 1867, where he grew up. He spent his career at J. I. Case Company in Racine, where he worked in the steam engine shop.

Katherine Bruce was the daughter of Franklin Bruce, a disabled Civil War veteran, and Anna “Annie” (Connor) Bruce. She grew up in Mankato before moving to the Twin Cities, where she met her future husband. She received the nickname “Bema” from a grandchild who struggled to say “Grandma.”
John and Katherine were married in about 1890 and had nine children. They lived in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, and Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, until 1898, when they moved to Racine. Their oldest four children were born in the Twin Cities and the youngest five in Racine. John died in 1924 and was buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Racine. Katherine lived 36 more years, dying in 1960 at the Racine County Hospital. She was buried with her sons Bolivar and Jack Tim and daughter-in-law Birdie at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant.

Their nine children:

1. Charles Edward “Charlie” O'Connor (1890-1974)
2. John Timothy “Jack Tim” O'Connor Sr. (1893-1965)
3. Anna Katherine “Annie” (O'Connor) Novine Glidden (1894-1977)
4. Emily Etta (O'Connor) Thielen (1897-1974)
5. Robert O'Connor (1899-1911)
6. Dorothy Alice “Toots” (O'Connor) Sullivan (1903-1994)
7. unnamed infant son (1905-1905)
8. Kathryn Jean “Mike” (O'Connor) Brush Baker (1910-1992)
9. Franklin Dan “Bolivar” O'Connor (1912-1930)

1. Charles Edward “Charlie” O'Connor
born December 16, 1890 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
died May 20, 1974 in Seal Beach, Orange County, California

Charlie grew up in the Twin Cities like his siblings before moving to Racine. He worked as an auditor for J. I. Case Company and later for Air Research Manufacturing Company in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California. Charlie served in the Balloon Corps of the U.S. Army during World War I, although the war ended before he finished training. He again served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Charlie married Margaret Frances Van Wormer on November 28, 1923 in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, and they had one daughter, Shirley. Margaret died on July 30, 1968 in Los Angeles, and Charlie died in 1974. They were cremated and their ashes placed inside a book-shaped container in the Library of Golden Memories at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood.

2. John Timothy “Jack Tim” O'Connor
born March 27, 1893 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
died January 22, 1965 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Jack Tim, who lived in Racine his whole life after moving from the Twin Cities as a child, worked at J. I. Case Company and later as a salesman for Progressive Dairy. He married Bertha J. “Birdie” Larsen on June 27, 1917 in Racine County. They had one son, John Jr.. Jack Tim died in 1965, and Birdie died on February 5, 1980 in Racine. They are buried next to Jack Tim's mother and brother Bolivar at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant.

3. Anna Katherine “Annie” (O'Connor) Novine Glidden
born December 7, 1894 in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
died July 20, 1977 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Annie spent her first few years in the Twin Cities before moving with her family to Racine, where she lived for the rest of her life. She worked as a packer at a candy factory, a waitress, a clerk, and finally worked for Nevins Foods for over twenty years. Her first husband was Donald Garth Novine, an employee of J. I. Case Company, who she married on April 19, 1921 in Racine. They had two sons, Patrick and Richard, before divorcing. Donald died on February 7, 1964 at Saint Luke's Hospital in Racine and is buried at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant. Annie's second husband was Warren Chancy “George” Glidden, who she married on May 20, 1944 in Racine. George was an inspector at J. I. Case Company. He died on May 7, 1956 in Racine and Annie died at Westview Nursing home in Racine in 1977. Annie and George are buried together at Graceland Cemetery in Racine.

4. Emily Etta (O'Connor) Thielen
born November 3, 1897 in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
died July 1, 1974 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Emily made the moved from the Twin Cities to Racine when she was very young. She married Mathias John “Matt” Thielen on May 2, 1917, at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Racine. They had two sons, Charles and William. After Charlie's death in World War II, Emily was active in the Gold Star Mothers. She also was active in the Navy Mothers Club. Matt worked at J. I. Case Company, starting as a timekeeper in the blacksmith shop and rising to the position of foreman. Matt died of rectal cancer at Saint Mary's Hospital in Racine on February 12, 1960. Emily died of breast cancer in 1974, also at Saint Mary's Hospital. Emily and Matt are buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia, Racine County, Wisconsin, with their granddaughter Mary Beth Thielen and their daughter-in-law's mother.

5. Robert O'Connor
born December 25, 1899 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died December 14, 1911 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Robert lived his whole life in Racine and died just before his twelfth birthday in the family home on Racine Street. He is buried at Mound Cemetery in Racine.

6. Dorothy Alice “Toots” (O'Connor) Sullivan
born June 9, 1903 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died July 24, 1994 in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida

Toots spent most of her life in Racine. She married Daniel Michael “Danny” Sullivan Sr. in about 1925. Danny had served in the U.S. Navy during World War I and worked as a newspaper printer for the Racine Journal Times. Toots and Danny had two sons. Danny died on February 14, 1980 in Racine, and Toots died in Florida in 1994. They are buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia, near to Toots' sister Emily and brother-in-law Matt Thielen.

7. unnamed infant son
born August 23, 1905 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died August 23, 1905 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

John and Katherine had an unnamed stillborn son.

8. Kathryn Jean “Mike” (O'Connor) Brush Baker
born November 21, 1910 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died June 5, 1992 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California

Mike worked as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk at J. I. Case Company. She spent most of her life in Racine, later moving to Running Springs, San Bernardino County, California. She married her first husband, Roy Lester Brush Sr., on October 28, 1939 in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa. They had one son, Roy, before divorcing. Roy Sr. worked as an automobile repairman. He died on February 21, 1966 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and is buried at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in Somers, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Mike married her second husband, Vernon Harry “Vern” Baker, a World War II U.S. Army veteran, on November 20, 1959 in Racine County. Mike died in 1992 and Vern died on November 21, 1994 in Riverside County, California. They are buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside County, California.

9. Franklin Dan “Bolivar” O'Connor
born November 28, 1912 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died November 27, 1930 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Bolivar's given name, Franklin, was the same as his maternal grandfather Franklin Bruce. He died at his mother's home when he was only eighteen years old. Bolivar was buried next to his mother, brother Jack Tim, and sister-in-law Birdie at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant.

Peter H. Thielen, Mary Anne Kurten, and their children

Peter Thielen and Mary (Kurten) Thielen were my great-great-grandparents. Their son Mathias Thielen was great-grandfather, and his son William Thielen was my grandfather.

Peter H. Thielen
born April 5, 1862 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died October 15, 1935 in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin

Mary Anne (Kurten) Thielen
born July 26, 1869 in Appleton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin
died March 22, 1941 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Peter Thielen was the oldest of eleven children born to Henry Thielen and Gertrude (Thelen) Thielen, both German immigrants living in Racine, and was baptized at Saint Mary's Catholic Church. He worked as a bricklayer and mason for his entire life. In 1898, he became the first president of the Racine chapter of the Bricklayers & Masons Union.

Mary Kurten was the daughter of John Hubert Kurten and Theresa M. (Becker) Kurten, who were also German immigrants. The Kurten family first lived in Racine, briefly moving to Appleton before returning to Racine. They were early settlers of both cities, and Mary's nephews Russell and Louis Kurten founded the Kurten Medical Clinic in Racine. Before her marriage, Mary worked as a sewing machine operator and shoe vamper.

Peter and Mary were married on October 21, 1890 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Racine and had thirteen children together. They made their home at 814 Jackson Street. Peter died at the Wisconsin General Hospital in Madison, where he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Mary died at Saint Mary's Hospital in Racine. They are both buried at Old Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Racine, alongside their grandson Richard Thielen, Mary's parents, and several of her siblings.

Their thirteen children:

1. John Hubert “Jack” Thielen (1891-1965)
2. Henry Thielen (1892-1960)
3. Peter Thielen (1894-1967)
4. Mathias John “Matt” Thielen (1896-1960)
5. Anna Mary (Thielen) Campbell (1898-1988)
6. Marie Elizabeth Thielen (1900-1974)
7. Michael William Thielen (1902-1988)
8. unnamed infant daughter (1904-1904)
9. Cecelia Elizabeth Thielen (1906-1907)
10. Viola Elizabeth “Vi” (Thielen) Atkinson (1908-1990)
11. Charles Patrick “Chuck” Thielen (1910-1981)
12. Eugene Henry Thielen (1912-1985)
13. Jerome Joseph “Jerry” Thielen (1913-1989)

1. John Hubert “Jack” Thielen
born March 22, 1891 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died November 3, 1965 in Racine County, Wisconsin

Jack, who lived his whole life in Racine, worked as a trunk maker for Racine Trunk Company for many years, then for Greene Manufacturing Company. He married Paula Julie Alfrida "Pearl" Olsen, a Danish immigrant, on June 10, 1913 in Racine County. Jack and Pearl had two sons, Robert and David. After Jack's death in 1965, Pearl moved to Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin. She died December 2, 1973 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Racine. Jack and Pearl are buried at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, Wisconsin.

2. Henry Thielen
born September 16, 1892 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died December 19, 1960 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Henry worked as a trunk maker for Racine Trunk Company, just like his older brother Jack. He later worked for the North Shore Railroad and Walker Manufacturing Company. Henry married Helen Emelia Phillip on September 28, 1914 in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois. They had six children: Norma, Raymond, Eileen, Henry Jr., Jack, and James. After their son Henry Jr.'s death in World War II, Helen was active in the Gold Star Mothers along with Henry's brother Matt's wife, Emily. Helen was visiting patients at the Wood Veterans Hospital in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, with the Gold Star Mothers when she became sick and died there on August 19, 1949. Henry lived another eleven years until he died in 1960 at the Racine County Hospital. Henry and Helen are buried with their son James at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Racine.

3. Peter Thielen
born August 17, 1894 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died November 15, 1967 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Peter worked as a machinist for J. I. Case Company and as a steamfitter for Feichter & Netzinger. He married Mable Anne Pedersen on October 11, 1916 in Racine County, and they had one son, George. They lived in Racine for their entire lives, Peter dying in 1967 and Mable dying on November 18, 1986 in Racine. Peter and Mable are buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Racine.

4. Mathias John “Matt” Thielen
born February 23, 1896 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died February 12, 1960 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Matt was named for his mother's brother Mathias John Kurten. Like his siblings, he grew up and lived in Racine his whole life. Matt worked at J. I. Case Company from the age of twenty until his death, starting as a timekeeper in the blacksmith shop and rising to the position of foreman. He married Emily Etta O'Connor on May 2, 1917, at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Racine. Matt and Emily had two sons, Charles and William. After Charlie's death in World War II, Emily was active in the Gold Star Mothers along with Matt's brother Henry's wife, Helen. Emily also was active in the Navy Mothers Club. Matt died of rectal cancer, for which he was being treated by his cousin, Dr. Louis Kurten, at Saint Mary's Hospital in Racine in 1960. He continued to work at Case Company until one month before his death. Emily died of breast cancer on July 1, 1974, also at Saint Mary's Hospital. Matt and Emily are buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia, Racine County, Wisconsin, with their granddaughter Mary Beth Thielen and their daughter-in-law's mother.

5. Anna Mary (Thielen) Campbell
born November 17, 1898 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died November 16, 1988 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Before her marriage to Raymond “Ray” Campbell on June 8, 1920 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Racine, Anna worked as a laundress and as a saleslady at the Duchmann & Son confectioner's shop. They had six children, including Raymond, George, Gilbert, Virginia, and Doris. Anna and Ray were no longer together at the time of their deaths. Ray died on May 4, 1987 in Napa County, California, and was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. Anna died in 1988 and was buried at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in Somers.

6. Marie Elizabeth Thielen
born November 21, 1900 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died September 28, 1974 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Marie lived with her parents at 814 Jackson Street in Racine until their deaths. She worked at Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company for several decades. At the time of her death at Saint Luke's Hospital, she was living at Saint Monica's Senior Citizens Home in Racine. Marie is buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Racine.

7. Michael William Thielen
born November 28, 1902 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died May 24, 1988 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Michael lived in Racine his entire life and worked as a tool and die maker for Greene Manufacturing Company. He married Margaret M. Groenke on May 7, 1924 at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Racine. Michael and Margaret had two sons, James and Thomas. Margaret died on March 3, 1984 in Racine, and Michael followed in 1988. Michael and Margaret are buried at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant.

8. unnamed infant daughter
born November 6, 1904 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died November 6, 1904 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Peter and Mary had a stillborn daughter.

9. Cecelia Elizabeth Thielen
born May 6, 1906 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died December 7, 1907 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Cecelia was born in the family home at 814 Jackson Street in Racine. She died when she had just turned 19 months old. Her funeral was held at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Racine, and she was buried at Old Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Racine.

10. Viola Elizabeth “Vi” (Thielen) Atkinson
born July 17, 1908 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died August 22, 1990 in Racine County, Wisconsin

Vi married Clair James Atkinson on May 25, 1929 at Saint Edward Catholic Church in Racine, and they lived in Racine. Clair worked as a tool maker for J. I. Case Company and Walker Manufacturing Company. Vi and Clair had six children, including Gerald, Lorraine, Ronald, and Carol. Vi died in 1990, and Clair died at Mount Carmel Care Center in Burlington, Racine County, Wisconsin, on August 28, 1993. They are buried with their son Ronald at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Racine.

11. Charles Patrick “Chuck” Thielen
born January 27, 1910 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died January 11, 1981 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Chuck spent his career at Walker Manufacturing Company as a punch press operator and later a foreman. At the time of his father's death in 1935, Chuck was serving in the U.S. Navy. Chuck took up growing chrysanthemums as a hobby in about 1950, and won many awards for his flowers. He married Tafelia Marcella “Marcie” Norman on July 3, 1937 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Racine. Chuck and Marcie had three children: Peter, Roland, and Diane. Marcie died on December 19, 1965 at Saint Mary's Hospital in Racine at the age of 49. Chuck later married the recently widowed Margaret Rose (Adzima) Sondergaard on August 4, 1973 in Racine County. Chuck died in 1981 and his second wife Margaret died on September 29, 1997 in Phoenix. Chuck and Marcie are buried together at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia.

12. Eugene Henry Thielen
born January 3, 1912 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died May 2, 1985 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Eugene lived in Racine and worked for Modine Manufacturing. He was engaged to Gladys M. Christensen in 1946, but it's not clear whether they were ever married. Eugene married Goldie (Langberg) Larsen on July 31, 1954, and they had a daughter. They were divorced before 1963, when Goldie remarried. She died on August 20, 1982 in Racine and is buried at West Lawn Memorial Park in Mount Pleasant. Eugene died in 1985 and is buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia.

13. Jerome Joseph “Jerry” Thielen
born November 12, 1913 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
died October 29, 1989 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin

Jerry worked in a number of different positions for J. I. Case Company, including tractor driver, elevator operator, machinist, assembler, and tire mounter. He married Mary Anne Novak at Saint Edward Catholic Church in Racine and they had nine children, including Daniel, Richard, Jerome, and Mary. Mary died on January 31, 1989 in Racine, and Jerry died later the same year. They are both buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia.

Heinrich Bergander, Helene Lebede, and their children

Heinrich Bergander and Helene (Lebede) Bergander were my great-great-great-great-grandparents. Their daughter Johanna (Bergander) Stache was my great-great-great-grandmother, her son Carl Stacke was my great-great-grandfather, his daughter Lydia (Stacke) Revie was my great-grandmother, and her biological daughter Mary (Gotsche) Thielen was my grandmother.

Heinrich Bergander
born 1807
died ????

Helene Lebede

born 1811

died ????

Heinrich Bergander, the son of Daniel Bergander, married Helene Lebede, daughter of Gottlieb Lebede, on January 8, 1837 in Krotoschin, Prussia modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland). They had three children together. Helene probably died in or before 1845, because on May 18 of that year Heinrich remarried to Johanna Wengler, also in Krotoschin. Johanna was born in 1819. Heinrich and Johanna also had three children. The area where they lived, Silesia, was a part of the Kingdom of Prussia until 1871, the German Empire from 1871 to the end of World War II, and has been a part of Poland since then.

The three children of Heinrich and Helene (Lebede) Bergander:

1. Johanna Karoline (Bergander) Stache (1837-????)
2. Johann Gottlieb Bergander (1840-????)
3. Friedrich Wilhelm Bergander (1843-????)

The three children of Heinrich and Johanna (Wengler) Bergander:

1. Gustav Gottlieb Bergander (1841-1882)
2. Friedrich Wilhelm Bergander (1846-1848)
3. Mathilde Josephine (Bergander) Zeugner Mann (1848-1884)

1. Johanna Karoline (Bergander) Stache

born December 20, 1837 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died ????

Johanna was baptized on Christmas Day, 1837, at the Lutheran church in Krotoschin. She married the recently-widowed Friedrich Stache on May 12, 1867, at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz, Prussia (modern-day Gądkowice, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland). Johanna and Friedrich had two children, Carl and Auguste, and Johanna was stepmother to Friedrich's other children.

2. Johann Gottlieb Bergander

born October 24, 1840 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died ????

Johann was baptized on November 1, 1840, at the Lutheran church in Krotoschin. Johann married Rosalia "Rosa" Simolke in 1860 in Goschütz, Prussia (modern-day Goszcz, Twardogóra, Oleśnica, Dolnośląskie, Poland), and they had four children, Anna, Frank, Joseph, and August. Rosa died on December 31, 1928 in Marathon, Marathon County, Wisconsin, and is buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery there.

3. Friedrich Wilhelm Bergander

born December 28, 1843 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died ????

Friedrich was baptized on January 1, 1844, at the Lutheran church in Krotoschin. He probably died before the birth of the half-brother who shared his name in 1846.

1. Gustav Gottlieb Bergander

born 1841 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died May 28, 1882 in Danzig, German Empire (modern-day Gdańsk, Pomorskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Although records from Gustav's later life place his birth in 1841, he may have actually been born after his parents' marriage in 1845. Gustav, a ropemaker, married Johanna Knuth on April 17, 1865, at Saint Barbara's Lutheran Church in Danzig. Gustav and Johanna had six children: Adolf, Martha, Melitta, Hedwig, Helene, and Arthur. During this marriage, Gustav was most commonly known by his middle name, Gottlieb. Johanna died on August 14, 1876, in Danzig. Gustav married again on October 22, 1876, at Saint Mary's Lutheran Church in Danzig, to Justine Wilhelmine Unruh, who went by her middle name. Gustav and Wilhelmine had three children: Auguste, Rudolf, and Gustav. Gustav died in 1882 and was buried at Saint Barbara's Cemetery along with three of his children. His wife Wilhelmine and several of Gustav's children moved to Spandau, a district of Berlin, Germany. Wilhelmine died there on June 18, 1909.

2. Friedrich Wilhelm Bergander

born May 12, 1846 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died September 11, 1848 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Friedrich, who shared his name with his older half-brother, was baptized on May 21, 1846, at the Lutheran church in Krotoschin.

3. Mathilde Josephine (Bergander) Zeugner Mann

born March 3, 1848 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died 1884 in Krotoschin, Prussia (modern-day Krotoszyn, Gmina Krotoszyn, Krotoszyn County, Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Mathilde was baptized on March 12, 1848, at the Lutheran Church in Krotoschin. Her first husband's last name was Zeugner, and he died at some point before her second marriage. Mathilde's second husband was Friedrich Oswald Mann, who she married in 1882 in Krotoschin.

Blog updated

This is just a note to anyone reading to say that I have gone through all of my old blog posts to update them with new information that I've learned since the posts were first written. They are up-to-date as of the date of this post.

75 Years Ago

Seventy-five years ago today, my grandfather's brother Charles Michael "Charlie" Thielen was a navigator in a bomber that flew missions over France in support of the D-Day landings. He wrote in a letter to his parents later that month: "In the Stars and Stripes for Wed June 7 you might be interested in column 1 page 1 the 2nd paragraph and in the 9th paragraph the last line."

The second paragraph in the Stars and Stripes' coverage of the D-Day bombing campaign reads:

"Between midnight and 8 AM yesterday alone, 10,000 tons of steel went cascading down on German targets on the coast of Normandy. In the same period more than 31,000 Allied airmen, not including airborne troops, dominated the sky over France."

The ninth paragraph, after discussing the first and second waves of the attack, ends with: "Another Nazi strongpoint was battered on the third mission."





























Uncle Charlie wrote in a letter home on June 12, 1944: "Sure hope those Germans decide that they really are licked, as they are, and this war doesn't last much longer[...] Suppose there are a lot of anxious parents back there in the States now that the troops are fighting on the ground now in the European continent."

Uncle Charlie was killed in action when his plane was shot down just over a month after D-Day on July 11, 1944. He is buried at Normandy American Cemetery on the cliffs above the D-Day landing zone. Today I'm thinking of Charlie and wishing I had the chance to know him.

Christoph Jammer, Johanna Brüche, and their children

Christoph Jammer and Johanna (Brüche) Jammer were my great-great-great-great-grandparents. Their daughter Caroline (Gammer) Dombrowe was my great-great-great-grandmother, her daughter Augusta (Dombrowe) Stacke was my great-great-grandmother, her daughter Lydia (Stacke) Revie was my great-grandmother, and her biological daughter Mary (Gotsche) Thielen was my grandmother.

Christoph Jammer

born ????

died ????

Johanna (Brüche) Jammer

born ????

died ????

Christoph Jammer and Johanna Brüche lived in Silesia, a region that at the time was part of the Kingdom of Prussia, but today is part of Poland. Most of their children died in infancy, and only two or three of them lived to the age of twenty.

Their nine children:

1. Christiane Jammer (1840-1840)
2. Johanna Jammer (1841-1843)
3. Gottlieb Jammer (1843-1852)
4. Friedrich Wilhem Jammer (1846-????)
5. Anna Rosina Jammer (1846-1847)
6. Anna Rosina (Jammer) Gräber (1848-????)
7. Karl Ferdinand Jammer (1851-1853)
8. Caroline (Gammer) Dombrowe Brenner (1857-1938)
9. Karl Ferdinand Jammer (1860-1880)

1. Christiane Jammer

born January 14, 1840 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died March 7, 1840 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Christiane was baptized at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz, Prussia (modern-day Gądkowice, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland) on January 19, 1840. She died before reaching the age of two months.

2. Johanna Jammer

born March 26, 1841 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died January 22, 1843 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Johanna was baptized on April 4, 1841, at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz. She died before her second birthday.

3. Gottlieb Jammer

born February 11, 1843 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died October 7, 1852 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Gottlieb was baptized on February 19, 1843, at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz and died when he was nine years old.

4. Friedrich Wilhelm Jammer

born January 12, 1846 in Breslawitz, Prussia (modern-day Wrocławice, Poland)

died ????

Friedrich was the twin brother of Anna. He was baptized at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz on January 18, 1846. Friedrich married Karoline Jänsch and they had six children: Pauline, Friedrich, Auguste, Friedrich, Anna, and Anna.

5. Anna Rosina Jammer

born January 12, 1846 in Breslawitz, Prussia (modern-day Wrocławice, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died April 9, 1847 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Anna was the twin sister of Friedrich. She was baptized at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz on January 18, 1846. Anna died when she was one year old.

6. Anna Rosina (Jammer) Gräber

born July 17, 1848 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died ????

Named after her deceased older sister, Rosina was called by her middle name. She was baptized on July 23, 1848, at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz. At the same church, Rosina married Gustav Gräber, a man nearly thirty years older than her, on May 20, 1872.

7. Karl Ferdinand Jammer

born January 15, 1851 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died May 11, 1853 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Karl was baptized at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz on January 19, 1851. He died when he was two years old.

8. Caroline (Gammer) Dombrowe Brenner

born February 3, 1857 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died January 4, 1938 in Abbotsford, Clark County, Wisconsin

Caroline's birth name was Johanna Christiane Karoline Jammer, but she later dropped the first two names and Americanized the last two. She was baptized on February 15, 1857, at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz.

Caroline married Emil Dombrowe on April 20, 1881 and they had six children together before immigrating to the United States. Emil arrived in New York City, New York County, New York, on September 30, 1891, along with his future son-in-law Carl Frederick Stacke. Caroline and the six children followed, arriving in Baltimore, Maryland on May 19, 1892. After settling on a farm in Pine Valley, Clark County, Wisconsin, outside of Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin, they had two more children. Their children were Augusta, Frederick, Augusta, Louise, Otto, Paul, Rudolph, Oscar, and Edith. The family briefly moved to Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, before moving to Colby, Clark County, Wisconsin, and then in 1912 to Abbotsford. Emil suffered a “stroke of paralysis” several years before his death, and died at their home in Abbotsford on November 26, 1934.

On July 25, 1932, Caroline married Christian Brenner, who was also widowed, in the Lutheran parsonage in Dorchester, Clark County, Wisconsin. Christian previously lived in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana and had six children with his first wife. This marriage doesn't seem to have lasted, because when Caroline died of “old age complications” in her home less than six years later, there was no mention of her second husband in either of her published obituaries. Christian moved back to Lafayette and died there on March 24, 1947. Christian was buried with his first wife at the Asbury Cemetery in Shelby, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Caroline and Emil are buried at Abbotsford Cemetery.

9. Karl Ferdinand Jammer

born May 11, 1860 in Liatkawe, Prussia (modern-day Latkowa, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

died April 12, 1880 in Kollande, Prussia (modern-day Kolęda, Gmina Milicz, Milicz County, Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, Poland)

Ferdinand was born seven years to the day after the death of his namesake older brother. He was baptized the day after his birth at the Lutheran church in Gontkowitz and was called by his middle name. Ferdinand was murdered, and his body was found in a forest a month before his twentieth birthday.