Tag Archives: Katherine Gerner (1841-1906)

Katherine Gerner Eberlein and the St. James Ladies Aid

20 Saturday Jul 2013

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Katherine Gerner Eberlein was a founding member of the Ladies Aid society associated with St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano, Wisconsin. She served as the first secretary and hosted meetings at her house. A history of the society includes the following anecdote about her and her youngest son, Michael Gustave Eberlein.

“Rev. Nickol was our pastor, and he played the organ and read a text from the bible. At one meeting, which was held at the home of Mrs. Eberlein, Rev. Nikol had prepared a constitution, and presented it to the group. It proved to be quite detailed. Mrs. Eberlein spoke up and said, “My, that is too long! Just read a paragraph, and then continue at future meetings.” Rev. Nickol agreed. This proves that people were impatient in 1896, as well as in 1956.

Children haven’t changed in 60 years. Michael Eberlein was a lad of about 15, and came home from school. He peeked around and saw all the ladies. His mother said, “Michael, you come right in here and shake hands with everyone.” Of course, Michael complied.”

Source: Ida Brei, “History of St. James Ladies Aid, 1896-1956,” typed manuscript in the “St. James Lutheran Church” folder, Shawano (City) Pamphlet Files, Shawano Public Library, accessed 18 July 2013.

Eberleins and the Shawano Poor House

25 Thursday Oct 2012

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When Fred Eberlein, wife Katharine, and his family of eleven children moved from the farm in Herman to the city of Shawano in 1879, the family needed new ways to generate income.

First Shawano Poor House, 1907

Eberlein house on Main Street, located across from the Court House, 1907.

In 1882, Fred Eberlein purchased the old court house and had it moved across the street next to his house on Main Street. He then opened a hotel and saloon. During this time period he also opened a dance hall — Eberlein’s Lake Shore Hall — and served as the town’s Superintendent of Streets

At some point, however, the Main street business shifted to being a boarding house that domiciled Shawano county paupers. Perhaps this occurred after Fred’s death in 1896, or perhaps even earlier as his health began to wane. In any case, this operation was in full swing when the census taker came by in 1900.

In 1900, the following people were listed as residents:

William Reichel (age 33, boarding-house operator) and family (7)
wife Katherine, daughter of Fred (age 33)
child Katherine (age 14), at school
child Herman (age 12), at school
child William (age 10), at school
child Frederick (age 8), at school
child Emil (age 5)

Catherine Eberlein (age 59) and family (3)
son Frederick (age 25), lawyer
son Michael (age 19), school teacher

Servant (1)
Amanda Dingledine (age 20)

County paupers (10)
Charles Schroeder (age 83), widower, German
Michael Cavanaugh (age 55), widower, Irish
Henry Giese (age 77), widower, German
Frank Debush (age 80), widower, French
Rudolph Dolritzberger (age 42), single, German
John Turner (age 40), single, Swiss
Charley Beltcher (age 54), married for a year, German
Fredericka Dallman (age 69), widowed, German
Josie Van Brocklin (age 32), single, Wisconsin-born Indian

Other boarders (3)
Andrew Monroe (age 28), single, born in Michigan, painter
Morris Woodman (age 29), single, peddler, German
Emil Bertram (age 49), married, carpenter, German

I’m hoping that future research using the Shawano County Journal and Shawano town records will give me more information:

  • When did the Eberlein hotel change to a boarding house?
  • When did it begin to take in the county paupers?
  • How did someone become a county pauper? What did it mean to be a county pauper?
  • How much did the county pay for each pauper?

More to come here in the future!

Sources:

  • 1900 U.S. Federal Census record for William Reichel, Shawano, Wisconsin. Roll: T623_1817; page: 5B; enumeration district: 173
  • Shawano County Sesquicentennial, 1853-2003, Shawano County: Shawano, Wisconsin, 2002.

Poor mother’s cancer is growing again …

12 Friday Oct 2012

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[Lobethal,] Mar. 12, 1906

… I have had such bad news from home. Poor mother’s cancer is growing again and it is only a matter of time until death relieves her of her sufferings. I do hope she will not have to suffer so awfully. I hope and pray God will give her a peaceful end. Fritz writes he is going to get her to write a few lines to me and I hope she will do it.

Lobethal, Apr. 5, 1906.

Dear Diary:- It is a long time since I wrote to you last. I can’t write Sunday evenings any more because I go to evening services now and at other times I forget it. I must make it a point to write after service. I hardly can tell you all that happened since last I wrote. I suppose you know that mother is rapidly getting worse and that I can expect the new of her death at any time. Fritz promised to have her write a few lines soon but she has not written yet. …

Lobethal, Nov. 25, 1906

“Dear Diary: — It is several weeks since I last wrote to you. A great many things have transpired since then. For one thing, mother has died. This was a sad piece of news for me and yet I felt so relieved to know that she was out of all pain and free from suffering. I also felt glad on account of my brothers who had the great task of nursing her. It was too much for poor Fred. He wrote his health had failed him and that the doctors had told him he had consumption. I felt very bad and at once sent a cablegram telling him to cover over and visit us. The cable cost me over a pound, yet I consider the money well spent. If only he gets well again, I shall be so thankful. Mother left each of us children $300 just about the sum I had expected. I am not to get it for a long time yet, I suppose.”

Source: Emma Eberlein Kriewaldt’s diary, transcribed by Brenz and Ernie Kriewaldt in 1995. Extracts from entries for March 12, April 5, and November 25, 1906

Mr. and Mrs. F. Eberlein celebrate their 30th anniversary

12 Friday Oct 2012

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“We were fortunate enough to receive an invitation to attend the silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. F. Eberlein, on the evening of Jan’y 2, 1883, at their residence in the first ward of this city. When we arrived at the house we found quite a large and happy crowd, where we were received by our host and hostess. The Bavarian Brass Band, of Tigerton, was in attendance and furnished some fine music. The gifts were many and valuable. The evening was spent in conversation and dancing, about 11 o’clock, the guests were invited to supper, which was gotten up in the finest style, the tables loaded to overflowing with the good things of this earth. After supper congratulations were in order, and it seemed to be the wish of all that Mr. and Mrs. Eberlein live to celebrate their golden wedding.

Source: Shawano County Advocate, January 1883. Photocopy in the Frederic C. Eberlein genealogical files.

An attempt to get a widow’s pension for Katherine Gerner Eberlein, 1905

12 Friday Oct 2012

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“Frederick Eberlein was born in Wittenberg [sic] Germany and was twenty two years of age when he enlisted as a private of company C 2nd Regiment Cavalry of the Regular Army of the United States on the 26th day of July, 1855. He enlisted for five years and after serving for nearly two years while returning from an Indian expedition his horse was shot out from under him and he was violently thrown to the ground. The indian expedition was made in Texas near the Rio Grande River and it was here that Frederick Eberlein received his injuries. After his horse was killed and he received severe injuries he tried to ride his pack mule in an effort to reach Fort Clark to have his injuries attended to and his pack mule became vicious and also threw him violently to the ground breaking his shoulder and bruising his lungs. His comrad [sic] then took him on his horse and carried him to the camp where the soldiers where encamped. In doing so many creeks and rivers had to be forded and Frederick Eberlein became wet and cold and when camp was reached he was about dead. After weeks of illness he was removed to Fort Clark where Pneumonia developed and many more weeks were spent in the hospital. It was during this time that he became blind. When his eyesight was improved sufficiently and he became well enough he was honorably discharged upon the surgeon’s certificate and sent home. He received a small pension from the time of his discharge until his death on the 9th day of February, 1896. During his life time he was of very poor health and was never able to do a good hard day’s work. He was a shoemaker by trade but was forced to abandon the profession on account of his poor eye sight.

Katherine Eberlein, widow of Frederick Eberlein, has never received a pension although she has often tried. Her claim was rejected for the reason that she was unable to prove that her husband Frederick Eberlein did of the same disease for which he was pensioned. He was pensioned for a broken shoulder and his great trouble was his lungs and eye sight of which nothing was mentioned. The records of Fort Clark have been destroyed and there is not way to show how he suffered in the hospital there to show the injuries he received in the army outside of the stories often told his family. He died of the disease which mostly troubled him, lung trouble.

Catherine Eberlein has no means of support outside her own labor. She is old and feeble and sixty four years of age. The last year she suffered a great deal from a cancer in the cheekbone and for the last ten weeks has been confined to her bed on account of a compound facture and dislocation of the ankle. Catherine Eberlein was married to Frederick Eberlein nearly forty years when he died and has not since married and she holds his original discharge, a copy of which is hereto attached.”

Source: Photocopy of typescript, acquired from Frederic C. Eberlein, Shawano, Wisconsin. Probably written in 1905, based on the information that it contains, in an attempt to get a widow’s pension for Katherine Gerner Eberlein.

Emma Eberlein’s diary: “A book beautifies a room more than a carpet or costly chair”

01 Monday Oct 2012

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“Every time I come home there is something new in the house. Oh, yes we are getting along nicely now, and I hope we will never have to save again as we used to. Our house is getting nicer each month for we are always making something new for it or else buying something. But this fall we have bought most of all. Indeed there are so many things I have done quite a little to beautify our home. I have sewed out 2 pairs almost 3 pairs pillow-shams. I have sewed out 5 pictures. I have bought a $9 chair. I helped fill up over [?] the album with pictures and bought 4 books to make our home look intellectual.

This reminds me that I bought a new book only last Saturday … One book is Nicholas Nickelby and I nearly jumped for joy when I saw it. And then too, just think, it only cost 25 cents. Great Scott! When did you ever hear the like. I would have bought $1 worth of books on the spot but Ma scolds me so every time I buy one. … Oh, I do think a book beautifies a room more than a carpet or a costly chair. I would rather go without my new muffler and buy books with it. … But I must have patience. Three or four a year will be quite enough for a while until Ma gets more reconciled to my passion. Oh, our home is getting so much more beautiful than before that it is positively a pleasure to work and help along.

When John comes home he will open his eyes and oh! I do so hope he is a nice gentleman and no rough rowdy. I figure he will be pleased when he hears how we have worked to improve our mind, manners and morals since he has been gone. really, those 3 years have worked almost a miracle.”

Source:
Emma Eberlein Kriewaldt’s diaries, extract from entry for 8 December 1889, on pages 7-8 of the typed transcript produced by Ernie Kriewaldt.

Extract from Emma Eberlein Kriewaldt’s diary, July 1901

01 Monday Oct 2012

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“I had a letter from Mother and she is not coming. She seems to go right on with that hateful business. How I wish she would sell it! I know she had to work and worry to manage that large house, and I don’t like it all. I wish she would settle down and take it easy in her old age. Poor Mother! She seems just as suspicious and pessimistic as she always was. What an unhappy nature is hers! Always seeing everything from its blackest side and worrying about things which mostly never come to pass. I wish I could do something to make her old age more happy, but it is impossible so far away.

I write to her with every post. I have not missed a single steamer in all these six years since I am gone. I knew that helps her bear my departure better. I send some things quite often and have sent her photos of our house, the church, Lobethal, scenery, and other little remembrances. We had our photo taken only lately and I sent her one. I have had a large one taken lately and am going to send it to her. It must go parcel post and will cost 2s-10d. But never mind. It is for Mother — she had to do much more than that for me.”

Source:
Emma Eberlein Kriewaldt’s diaries, extract from entry for ? July 1901, on page 93 of the typed transcript produced by Ernie Kriewaldt.

Descendant report: Frederick John Eberlein and Katherine Gerner

01 Monday Oct 2012

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FREDERICK JOHN EBERLEIN was born on 31 January 1834 in Züttlingen, Württemberg, Germany. He died on 09 February 1896 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He married Katherine Gerner, daughter of Friedrich Goerner on 01 January 1858 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. She was born on 20 February 1841 in Friesenhausen, Bayern, Germany. She died on 15 September 1906 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA.

Frederick John Eberlein and Katherine Gerner had the following children:

i.    HENRY EBERLEIN was born between 1858-1869 in East Liberty, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. He died at age 4.

ii.    JOHN VALENTINE EBERLEIN was born on 13 March 1861 in Waterloo, Monroe, Illinois, USA. He died on 30 March 1922 in Mott, Hettinger, North Dakota, USA. He married Martha Florentine Koeppen, daughter of Carl Koeppen and Florentine Zuleger on 10 March 1891 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She was born on 11 July 1873 in Germany. She died on 18 November 1959 in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA.

iii.    MARY F. EBERLEIN was born on 15 Oct 1863 in East Liberty, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. She died on 22 Nov 1908 in Washington, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She married RICHARD ALMARION M. CRONCE on 31 October 1881 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born on 30 March 1863 in Westfield, Tioga, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on 11 April 1928 on a train going to Milwaukee.

iv.    KATHERINE A. EBERLEIN was born on 13 July 1866 in East Liberty, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. She died on 18 February 1934 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She married William August Reichel on 25 May 1885 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born on 01 April 1864 in Wangemin, Prussia, Germany. He died on 02 November 1915 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA.

v.    WILHELMINA MARGARETHE EBERLEIN was born in April 1868 in East Liberty, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. She died 31 October 1954 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Florida, USA. She married Herman Heinrich Wilhelm Kellermann, son of Conrad Kellermann and Elizabeth Rohesing on July 1896 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born on 09 November 1872 in St Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri. He died 09 November 1940 in Vero Beach, Indian River, Florida, USA.

vi.    LENA EBERLEIN was born between 1869-1879 in Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died in infancy.

vii.    JACOB EBERLEIN was born between 1869-1879 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He died in infancy.

viii.    FREDERICKA EBERLEIN was born on 20 January 1870 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 12 January 1947 in King, Lincoln, Wisconsin, USA. She married Frederick Sydneyham Breed, son of John Everett Breed and Catharine Morrow on 25 November 1888 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born on 21 October 1852 in Adams, Jefferson, New York, USA. He died on 28 May 1931 in Matteson, Waupaca, Wisconsin, USA.

ix.    NATHALIE EBERLEIN was born in Apr 1871 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 05 September 1954 in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, USA. She married Gustavo Carl Georg Pluedeman, son of John Pluedeman and Ernestina Unknown on 30 August 1892 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born in June 1868 in Wisconsin, USA. He died before 1954.

x.    EMMA EBERLEIN was born on 05 November 1872 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 27 December 1948 in Australia. She married Emil Paul Gerhardt Kriewaldt, son of Wilhelm Kriewaldt and Henrietta Gerbitz on 07 July 1895 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born in March 1870 in Wisconsin, USA. He died on 23 May 1916 in Australia.

xi.    JOHANNA EBERLEIN was born on 13 February 1874 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 23 June 1874 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA.

xii.    FREDERICK AUGUSTUS EBERLEIN was born on 19 March 1875 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He died on 11 May 1956 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He married (1) KATHARINE E. KING, daughter of Eastman King and Zella Youmans on 08 November 1900 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She was born on 12 July 1877 in Belle Plaine, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 06 March 1903 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He married (2) ALWINA DUECKER, daughter of Peter Duecker and Alwina Sabeline on 20 April 1910 in Racine, Racine, Wisconsin, USA. She was born on 22 February 1885 in New Holstein, Calumet, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 26 November 1968 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA.

xiii.    CHARLES OTTO EBERLEIN was born on 15 July 1876 in Herman, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He died on 20 August 1968 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He married Bertha Augiste Emilie Foesch on 15 July 1897 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She was born on 15 July 1878 in Germany. She died on 24 March 1955 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA.

xiv.    IDA EBERLEIN was born on 30 November 1877 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 24 April 1943 in St Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri. She married Conrad E Kellermann, son of Conrad Kellermann and Elizabeth Rohesing on 07 August 1898 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He was born on 08 July 1877 in St Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri. He died on 08 April 1917 in St Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri.

xv.    MICHAEL GUSTAVE EBERLEIN was born on 31 July 1880 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He died on 23 September 1952 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. He married Lora Elizabeth Rather, daughter of Frank Alfred Rather and Bertha Auguste Schmidt on 31 July 1906 in New Holstein, Calumet, Wisconsin, USA. She was born on 16 February 1884 in Calumetville, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA. She died on 29 June 1960 in Shawano, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA.