John Hoeffs in the news

The following are complied news clippings compiled by Bruce K. Paulson. I’ve selected the ones that mention John Hoeffs

April 10, 1886
Johnny Hoeffs has disappeared rather mysteriously, and there is suspicion that he has gone off to commit matrimony. Hope he will survive.

Oconto County Reporter
January 25, 1890
John Hoeffs and Albert Guerts are doing good work logging. They are banking about 10,000 feet of hemlock daily.

M. Ellinger took a job of putting in ties and posts for John Hoeffs and Albert Guerts on a four mile haul.

March 1, 1890
John Hoeffs, assisted by three other young fellows, hitched up a pair of oxen a few days ago, intending to break them in. They were greatly tickled thinking of the immense amount of fun they intended to get out of the operation. It was well they did their laughing in advance, for after the trip commenced the unruly bovines assumed control of the operations and did pretty much as they pleased, dumping boys and sleigh around promiscuously. After two or three ineffectual attempts to bring order out of chaos the boys gave it up for a bad job and restored the festive steers to their liberty.

October 22, 1897
Father Hoeffs and wife from Belle Plaine are here visiting their children, John Hoeffs and Mesdames Mary Sasse, Fred Luebeck, Albert Gernot and Julius Suring.

December 31, 1897
Mrs. Minnie SURING, wife of Louis SURING, died suddenly on Sunday, December 26, at 3:30 p.m., aged 37 years. The day before her death she appeared to be in the best of healthp she and the rest of the family having a picture taken of the family group in the afternoon after which they all took supper with the family of H. HANKWITZ and later drove to the school house where they enjoyed the festivities until a late hour, reaching home at 11 o'clock. About 3 o'clock a.m. she was taken sick and despite all efforts for her relief gradually sank until 3:30 in the afternoon and her spirit took its flight. The funeral occured on Tuesday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. KOHLAPP of Bonduel. At the conclusion of the funeral service the remains were conveyed to the Evangelical Association Cemetery near the school house in Dist.No. 1. The following friends and neighbors acting as pallbearers, Albert GERNOT, Fred LUEBECK, John HOEFFS , William BORK, Charles FIRGENS and Albert AHLERS. More than 50 teams were in the procession which followed the remains to the burying ground and a large number of people testified to the popularity of the dead lady. She leaves a husband and seven children.

January 28, 1898
Albert GERNDT and wife, Wm. SASSE and wife, Fred LUEBECK, John HOEFFS and Joe SURING and wife went down to Belle Plaine last Sunday to see Mr. HOEFFS who was very sick.

March 25, 1898
John Hoeffs, John Deede and Fred Guelker are hauling railroad ties to Suring.

August 19, 1898
John Hoeffs bought a 40 acre farm from Gabriel Houle for $600.00 and will take possession Sept. 1st.

May 26, 1899

John HOEFFS sold his farm of 80 acres to R. GIRP of the Town of Wash- ington for $2,000-00. Mr. HOEFFS has bought the Gabriel HOULE 40 acre farm for $584.00.

August 4, 1899
John Hoeffs has remodeled his house.
Fred Lueseck and John Hoeffs are hauling stones for the new iron bridge across Hayes brook near the town hall.

August 25, 1899
The steam threshing machines of John HOEFFS & Co. and Mike EHLINGER were set in operation on Monday. Grain is extra good.

January 12, 1900
John HOEFFS came home last Tuesday from Wabeno. He was afflicted with neuralgia. He went back again on Thursday.

August 23, 1901
John Hoeffs is repairing the Pecor bridge by Wm. Sommers

November 22, 1901
John Hoeffs, with his circular sawing outfit, is sawing wood from hardwood poles for August Raoloff.

December 26, 1902
John Hoeffs is sick in bead. This is bad luck for John as last week he lost his best horse.

April 8, 1904
John Hoeffs & Mrs. Gernot went to Welcome, Wis to visit a sick sister.

May 3, 1906
John HOEFFS began the construction of a new barn last Friday by a raising. It will be a good one when completed, 36x88 ft.

October 4, 1906
A pretty wedding took place at Hayes on Wed. Sept 26th when Miss Maria HOEFFS and Mr. Edward MASS were united in the holy bonds of matrimony at the Evangelical church. The bride was dressed in white, while the groom wore the conventional black. The bridesmaids were Elsa HOEFFS, sister of the bride, and ROSETTZ LUESECK and ANNA TIEGS, cousins of the bride, the groomsmen were Robert YAKEL, Henry MASS, cousins of the groom and William BORK, cousin of the bride. The church was beautifully decorated with evergreens and ribbon, while the house was decorated with bunting and flowers. After the ceremony the happy couple returned to the home of the bride's parents, Mr. & Mrs. John HOEFFS, where a bountiful wedding dinner was given to a large number of friends and relatives. Many beautiful and costly presents were received. The evening was spent in dancing.

*Bruce K. Paulson, “A Town of How Scrapbook,” http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wioconto/howtitle.htm, 21 December 2010.

Robert Adolf Yakel and Elsa Alvina Louisa Hoeffs wedding photo

15 May 1907

Robert Yakel and Elsa Hoeffs were united in marriage 15 May 1907 in How, Oconto County, Wisconsin.

Matthias and Maria Christman's Tombstone

While visiting Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to find the grave of Matthias Joseph Christman and Maria (Pelnar) Christman. They are buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

You can visit their graves online at Findagrave. Matt Christman and Maria Pelnar

William and Clara Strehlow's Tombstone

The below photo was taken by William Bowen for Findagrave.

Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Suring, Oconto County, Wisconsin

You can visit William Herman Strehlow and Clara A. (Guelker) Strehlow gravesite at Findagrave. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers at Findagrave!

John and Irene Wech's Tombstone

While visiting in Wisconsin, I got the grand tour of Wech, Schroeder, Christman, and Swintosky gravestone. Below is John George Wech and Irene Alma (Schroeder) Wech's gravestone. They are buried in Riverview Cemetery, Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

Here is their link on Findagrave: John and Irene.

Christopher Weinholdt's Naturalization

Familysearch.org. Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950  NARA publication 1285, Roll 179.

Wenzel Weck

I have been researching Wenzel Weck for many years. I had been mystified as to why I had not been able to locate his grave in the vicinity of Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, where he had been living in his later years.

I had seen his name documented in two different ways, "Wech" and "Weck", with "Weck" being the more common of the two. Yet I couldn't find a "Wenzel Wech" or a "Wenzel Weck" in all of Kewaunee County.

While looking for an entirely different name in cemetery records, I came across a "Václav Veck" with his wife "Katerina Veck". Both birth dates match what I had, except in more detail.

According to Wikipedia, "Václav" is a Czech male first name of Slavic origin, sometimes translated into English as Wenceslaus or Wenceslas.

Click here to visit Wenzel Weck's memorial page on findagrave.com. Click here to visit his wife, Katharine Sydlow's, memorial. I've placed a request for a volunteer to snap a photo of the grave. When the photo gets added I'll post an update.

John Wech's Naturalization

Ancestry.com. U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project) Record for John Wech

Frederick Guelker's timeline

Frederick Louis GUELKER
1 Jan 1839 Frederick was born

10 Nov 1859 Frederick came to America from Germany onboard the Carl. The ship left Bremerhaven and arrived at the Port of New Orleans. Allegedly, two of his sisters were with him onboard, and one died on the ship and was buried at sea. (20 years old)

12 April 1861 The Civil War began. (22 years old)

9 March 1862 Frederick enlisted in the Company C, 20th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry at the New Orleans barracks by Lieutenant Colonel Boyd. (23 years old)

28 May 1862 Frederick is listed as a prisoner of the Battle of Shiloh. He was captured by the 14th Wisconsin Volunteers Infantry and was sent to the Benton Barracks in St. Louis, and there he took an oath of allegiance to the Union. (23 years old)

24 Mar 1863 Frederick enlisted in the 14th Illinois Cavalry led by Lieutenant G. W. Hill at Illinois Town. (24 years old)

3 August 1864 Frederick was captured when his cavalry was sent to Andersonville to rescue 30,000 Union prisoners. He was sent to Andersonville Prison (25 years old)

8 March 1865 Frederick caught Typhoid fever from the unsanitary conditions in Andersonville Prison. He was sent to the General Hospital in Grafton, West Virginia to recuperate. He listed his next of kin as Wilnule Snyder of St. Louis, Missouri (26 years old)

3 April 1865 Frederick was released from the General Hospital (26 years old)

16 June 1865 Frederick was discharged from the cavalry. (26 years old)

30 Jan 1871 Frederick married Francisca N. Simons in Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin (32 years old)

18 Jan 1873 Frederick’s first child, Elisabeth A. Guelker was born in Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin (34 years old)

6 Aug 1874 Frederick’s daughter, Elisabeth A. Guelker died when she was 1 year old in Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin (35 years old)

17 Dec 1874 Frederick’s second child, Elizabeth Guelker was born in Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin (35 years)

11 Dec 1877 Joseph Charles Guelker, Frederick’s first son, was born in Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin (38 years old)

1 June 1879 Wilhelmina “Minnie”, Frederick’s daughter, was born in Brown County, Wisconsin (40 years old)

1880 Frederick became a citizen of the United States

1882 Clara, Frederick’s daughter, was born (42 years old)

1882 Frederick’s wife, Francisca, died. She was 40 years old (42 years old)

1883 Frederick took his four remaining children; Elizabeth (8), Joseph (6), Minnie (3), and Clara (1) to the St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Allouez, Brown County, Wisconsin (43 years old)

1 Feb 1888 Clara, Frederick’s daughter, died at the St. Joseph’s Orphanage from inflammation of the bowels. She was six years old (49 years old)

1 Feb 1888 Frederick’s oldest child, Elizabeth, left the St. Joseph’s Orphanage. She was 14 years old. She left to become a housekeeper for Reverand Conrad Saile at St. Patrick’s Church in Maple Grove, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. (49 years old)

4 Dec 1889 Joseph and Minnie left the orphanage to live with his father, Frederick, his new wife, Sophie Wolfgram Schultz, and their three step-sisters and step-brother. (50 years old)

1894 Frederick’s daughter, Elizabeth, married Frank Lewis. (55 years old)

31 Oct 1905 Frederick’s son, Joseph, married Marie Yakel in Menomonie, Menomonie County, Wisconsin. (66 years old)

3 Feb 1931 Frederick died. He was 92 years old.

*Much of the information on this timeline came directly from Eugene Heezen’s webpage on Frederick Guelker: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wioconto/guelker.htm. His previous research has been invaluable. Whenever possible I have tried to verify this information with databases available on Ancestry.com.

William Strehlow's Pedigree

William Strehlow

Elsa Hoeffs' Pedigree

Elsa Hoeffs

Robert Yakel's Pedgree

Robert Yakel

Anton Swintosky's Pedigree

Anton Swintosky

Alice Christman's Pedigree

Alice Christman

Irene Schroeder's Pedigree

Irene Schroeder

John George Wech's Pedigree

John Wech

Clara Guelker's Pedigree Chart

Clara Guelker

John Wech in the Census

 1905 Wisconsin State Census, West Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin; Roll: CSUSAWI1905_15. Family 139.

In the 1905 Wisconsin Census, John lives with his parents, John and Barbara, his brother, Jacob, and his grandparents, Wenzel and Katie.

John is the head of the family. He is married, 29 years old and was born in Bohemia. Both of his parents were born in Bohemia as well. He is a farmer.

Barbara is married to John and is 20 years old. She was born in Bohemia as were both of her parents. She is unemployed.

Jacob is 1 years old and was born in Wisconsin. His parents were born in Bohemia.

John is 3 months old and was born in Wisconsin. His parents were born in Bohemia.

Wenzel is 80 years old. He is John Sr.'s father. He was born in Bohemia as were both of his parents.

Katie is 68 years old. She is John Sr.'s mother. She was born in Bohemia as were both of her parents.

1910 U.S. Census, West Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin Roll: T624_1715; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0069; Image: 1064; FHL Number: 1375728. Dwelling 79, Family 83



In th 1910 U.S. Census, John Wech is living with his parents, John and Barbara Wech, and his siblings; Jacob, Jenney, and Agnes in West Kewaunne, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

John is the head of the household. He is 35 years old and has been married for 7 years. He was born in Aust/Bohemia, as were both of his parents. He immigrated to the US in 1876 and is currently an alien. He speaks English and is a farmer (he is an employee).  He could both read and write.

Barbara is John's wife. She is 25 years old and is the mother of 4 children, all of which are living. She was born in Wisconsin and both of her parents were born in Aust/Bohemia. She spoke English and could read and write. She is unemployed.

Jacob is 6 years old. He was born in Wisconsin and was his mother. His father was born in Aust/Bohemia. He is unemployed. 

John is 5 years old. He was born in Wisconsin and was his mother. His father was born in Aust/Bohemia. He is unemployed.

Jenney is 3 years old. She was born in Wisconsin and was her mother. Her father was born in Aust/Bohemia. She is unemployed.

Agnes is 3 years old. She was born in Wisconsin and was her mother. Her father was born in Aust/Bohemia. She is unemployed.



1920 U.S. Census, West Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_1990; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 105; Image: 1154. Family 120



In 1920, John is living with his parents, John and Barbara, and his sibilings; Jake, Jenney, Agnes, Mamie, Emil, and Hattie.

John is the head of the family. He owns his own home morgaged. He is 45 years old and was born in Bohemia and his mother tongue is Bohemian, although  he is able to speak English. He immigrated to the US in 1874. He can read and write. His parents were both born in Bohemia and speak Bohemian.

Barbara is 36 years old and was born in Wisconsin. She can read and write. Both of her parents were born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian. she speaks English.

Jake is 16 years old and was born in Wisconsin. He did not attend school in the last year, but could read and write and speak English. His father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while his mother was born in Wisconsin.

John is 14 years old and was born in Wisconsin. He attended school in the last year and could read and write and speak English. His father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while his mother was born in Wisconsin.

Jenny is 12 years old and was born in Wisconsin. She attended school in the last year and could read and write and speak English. Her father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while her mother was born in Wisconsin.

Anges is 11 years old and was born in Wisconsin. She attended school in the last year and could read and write and speak English. Her father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while her mother was born in Wisconsin.

Mamie is 8 years old and was born in Wisconsin. She attended school in the last year and could read and write. Her father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while her mother was born in Wisconsin.

Emil is 6 years old and was born in Wisconsin. He did not attend school in the last year and could not read or write. His father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while his mother was born in Wisconsin.

Hattie is 3 and 3 months and was born in Wisconsin. She did not attend school in the last year and could not read or write. Her father was born in Bohemia and spoke Bohemian, while her mother was born in Wisconsin.

Irene Wech (Schroeder) in the Census

1920 U.S. Census, Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_1983; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 67; Image: 790; Dwelling 87, Family 93

Irene Schroeder is living in the 1920 US Census in Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin, with her father (John), mother (Emma), brother (Raymond) and sister (Mabel).

John is the head of the household. He owns his own house with morgage. He is 30 years old, and married. He can both read and write. He was born in Wisconsin and could speak English, but both of his parents were born in Germany and spoke German. He is a dairy farmer.

Emma is John's wife. She is 35 years old and could read and write as well. She was born in Wisconsin and could speak English, but both of her parents were born in Germany and spoke German. She does not have an occupation.

Raymond is 5 years old. He attends school and could read and write. He was born in Wisconsin and spoke English, like both of his parents. He does not have an occupation.

Irene is 3 years and 6 months old. She does not attend school and couldn't read or write. She was born in Wisconsin and spoke English, like both of her parents.

Mabel is 1 year and 10 months old. She does not attend school and couldn't read or write. She was born in Wisconsin and spoke English, like both of her parents.

1930 U.S. Census, Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin; Roll: 4547884; Page: 7B; Image: 939.0; Family History Library Film: 2342310, Dwelling 132, Family 177

In the 1930 US Census, Irene lived at 413 First Street, Kewaunee, Wisconsin. She lived there with her father, John; mother, Emma; brother, Raymond; and sisters, Mabel and Ruth.

John is the head of the household. He owned his own home, worth $2,500. He is 41 years old and was born in Wisconsin. He married at the the age of 22. He can read and write. His father was born in Germany, and his mother was born in Wisconsin. He speaks English and is a cabinet maker. He has been employed throughout the year, and is not a Veteran.

Emma is John's wife. She is 45 years old and was born in Wisconsin. She married when she was 26. She could read and write, and speak English. Both of her parents were born in Germany. She is unemployed.

Raymond is 16 years old. He has attended school in the last year, and could read, write, and speak English. He was born in Wisconsin, as were both of his parents. He is unemployed.

Irene is 14 is years old. She has attended school in the last year, and could read, write, and speak English. She was born in Wisconsin, as were both of her parents. She is unemployed.

Mabel is 12 is years old. She has attended school in the last year, and could read, write, and speak English. She was born in Wisconsin, as were both of her parents. She is unemployed.

Ruth is 9 is years old. She has attended school in the last year, and could read, write, and speak English. She was born in Wisconsin, as were both of her parents. She is unemployed.

Henry Strehlow in the News

30 April 1891 - The Milwaukee Journal
Henry Strehlow of Shawano county is being examined before Commissioner Bloodgood this afternoon, charged with selling liquor to Menomonee Indians.


23 September 1891 - The Milwaukee Journal
The case of Henry Strehlow, of Oconto County, charged with selling liquor to Indians, was up for a preliminary examination before Commisioner Bloodgood yesterday afternoon, and the case was continued until this afternoon at 4 o'clock. The defendent is a blacksmith who runs a saloon in connection with his shop. He has been arrested before on the same charge, but proved his innocence.

9 February 1892 - The Milwaukee Journal

Henry Strehlow was the next applicant for judical clemency. Though Mr. Buxton made an earnest appeal in his behalf, the judge was quite severe in the deliverance of his judgement, stating that had not the prisoner closed out his saloon business he would have sentenced him to a term in the state's prison. As it was, he escaped with a term of six months in the house of correcctions and a fine of $100.

12 February 1892 - The Oconto County Reporter

Henry Strehlow of Cecil, Shawano county, found guilty of selling liquor to Indians, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in the house of correction and the payment of a fine of $100.

6 October 1899
Henry Strehlow from Cecil has erected a saloon building 20x30 and he will open on Friday evening. He ran a blacksmith shop here twelve years ago.

2 March 1900 - How County Scrapbook

Henry Strehlow went to Milwaukee last Wed. to consult a doctor about his sore leg.

13 April 1900 - How County Scrapbook

Henry Strehlow went to Cecil last week to see his mother who was very ill.

October 5, 1900
August Radloff bought Henry Strehlow's 40 acres of land for $585.00 and Strehlow has gone to Alabama where he has bought some land and intends to raise peaches. His brother William will remain here until July, 1901, when he will follow Henry to Alabama.