Griepenstroh Family
Written by and contributed to Illinois Genealogy Trails by Bart
Gripenstraw
Bart_Gripenstraw@yahoo.com
Johann Friedrich Wilhelm GRIEPENSTROH
(1802-1897)
Johann Freidrich Wilhelm Griepenstroh, Bart's great-great-great grandfather, was born on October18, 1802 to parents Johann Christopher Griepenstroh (1754-1829) and Catherine Margarethe Möring (1756-1832) in Essern, Kingdom of Hanover. Essern is a small farming village in Northern Germany about 60 miles west of Hanover.
Johann Freidrich Griepenstroh married Marie Hedewig Benecker on January 24, 1824 in Essern, Germany. In the 1980s, his granddaughter Esther Griepenstroh Gott (1892-1985) wrote that he fathered nine children. She also said that Johann was "a sailor and dedicated Christian." She never met her grandfather so it is likely these remembrances are from stories told to her by her father, Louis Christian Griepenstroh (1835-1926). I think it is unlikely but certainly possible that Johann was a sailor. He lived in a small farming village located about 75 miles south of the port of Bremen. Johann also farmed in America. However, if no opportunity to farm existed in his German homeland, he may have sought employment elsewhere.
German tradition provides for the youngest son in the family to receive the farm. This tradition had historically made sense for many families because a man is usually not of the age to retire from farming until his youngest son is grown and a divided farm would not be large enough to support a family. It was this tradition that eventually fueled much of the German emigration to America throughout the latter half of the 19th century. Farms were rarely divided among family members in Germany. German farms were not like the big American farms. The typical German farm consisted of a very small patch of land, usually less than an acre. Thus, if Johann's parents had a farm, he most likely had a younger brother who took over that farm in 1832 after both parents had passed away. So, it is certainly possible that Johann Friedrich Griepenstroh would leave his family for long periods of time to seek work as a sailor on the northern coast of Germany to provide for his family.
In 1846, Johann made the most important decision of his life--- his family would emigrate to America. He had probably considered this decision for months, possibly years, before finally deciding to make to make the long ocean journey to America. Poor economic conditions, no family farm to work, required military service for his son Louis, widespread crop failures and famine, and letters from America telling of a life of "milk and honey" were probably the major factors that led to his decision to seek a better life in America for his family. His daughter, Catherina, and her husband Kurt Henry Shelton had already immigrated to America a year earlier in late 1845.
At the time of his emigration, Johann and Marie had at least four children and as many as nine. Three of these children emigrated with him to America together with his wife Marie. Catherina (age 25) had come to America a year earlier in 1845, whereas Louis Christian (11), Caroline (8), and Wilhelmina (11) came with their parents to America. Since there is a 14 year gap between the births of Catherina and Louis Christian, it seems likely that Johann and his wife had other children who decided to stay in Germany, but I have no records of this. (Notes from his granddaughter stated that he fathered nine children.) That would leave five children who stayed in Germany or emigrated later.
1.) Catherina Sophia Griepenstroh (Shelton) : (1821-1878)
2.) Louis Christian Griepenstroh: (1835 - 1926)
3.) Caroline Sophia Griepenstroh (Rodenberg): (1838 - 1937)
4.) Wilhelmina: 1835-1846 (died on voyage)
The Voyage
The village of Essern is about 55 miles directly south of Bremen from where they would depart on the ship "Bark Sultan". The Griepenstroh family, with a few personal belongings, most likely took a horse-drawn cart part to the Weser River and then possibly transferred to a barge up the river to Bremen. It was not an easy journey. The family had to avoid scam artists promising help. They also had to find a place to stay in Bremen until they boarded the ship.
The food served on the immigrant ships leaving Germany did not vary much. Richard O'Connor, in his book "The German-Americans: An Informal History" states a typical weekly menu from a ship in the 1850s consisted of:
Sunday: salt meat, meal pudding, and prunes
Monday: salt bacon, pea soup, and potatoes
Tuesday: salt meat, rice, and prunes
Wednesday: smoked bacon, sauerkraut, and potatoes
Thursday: salt meat, potatoes, and bean soup
Friday: herring, meal, and prunes
Saturday: salt bacon, pea soup, and potatoes
Immigrants were also limited to what they could take with them on the ship: one or two trunks and a few knapsacks of personal items. The Gripenstroh family brought a clock, a copper kettle, and a spinning wheel among their items. In Caroline Griepenstroh Rodenberg's obituary, it stated she still had those three items from Germany at the time of her death in 1937.
The family set sail from Bremen on the Bark Sultan on or about August 16, 1846. The Sultan was captained by William L. Phinney. She was built in East Boston by Samuel Hall in 1840 and weighed in at 353 tons. Of the 142 passengers aboard, 12 died and were buried at sea. Johann's wife, Marie Hedewig, and his ten-year-old daughter, Wilhelmina, twin sister of Louis, were among those who perished during the ten week voyage. It appears that both died from cholera. The passenger list states the cause of death as dysentery. Wilhelmina, three weeks shy of her eleventh birthday, died on October 6th. One week later on October 13, 1846, just 11 days before docking in New Orleans, Louisiana, Johann's wife died. Marie and Wilhelmina's deaths were probably exceedingly painful. They would have experienced severe, often bloody, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever until finally passing away. The disease is easily spread person to person and is both food and water borne. An outbreak of cholera or dysentery on a crowded ship required the captain to instruct the crew to quickly remove the body from the ship to minimize the risk of more infections and death. Both were buried at sea. The corpses of those who died at sea were usually sewn into some type of sailcloth, weighted down, and then thrown overboard. Years later, Blaine Kennedy, born in 1919, of Metropolis, Illinois would remember his great grandmother Caroline Griepenstroh Rodenberg (1838-1937) often telling her family of the long voyage at sea and how her mother and sister died aboard the ship and were wrapped in sheets, weighted down, and buried at sea. It is likely that Marie Hedewig Griepenstroh was infected while caring for her dying five-year-old daughter Wilhelmina. Incidentally, Blaine Kennedy still has Marie's silver ring. Before she was buried at sea, the family removed the ring from her finger. Her daughter, Caroline Rodenberg, kept the ring and it has been passed down through that side of the family.
Finally, after 70 days at sea, 44-year-old Johann Freidrich Griepenstroh, 10-year-old son Ludwig (Louis Christian), and 8-year-old daughter Carolina finally arrived in New Orleans on October 24, 1846. The family had left Germany full of hopes and dreams and with the promise of a new life in a wonderful land. Instead, they began their lives in America with overwhelming sadness and with two fewer voices. The recent widower and his two young children probably stayed in New Orleans for only a few days to a few weeks. They most likely took a steamboat up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati, Ohio. After a short stay in Cincinnati, they made their way back down the Ohio River and settled in Massac County, Illinois in late 1846 or very early 1847.
Metropolis is the county seat of Massac County, Illinois. Massac County is located at the southern tip of Illinois. It is bordered on the south by the Ohio River and directly across the river is the town of Paducah, Kentucky. Immigrants did their best to quickly assimilate into their new country as Americans. Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Griepenstroh thus became known as John Frederick Griepenstroh and most of his legal records hereafter would refer to him as Frederick Griepenstroh. For the sake of clarity, I will continue to refer to him as Frederick Griepenstroh.
Early Life in Massac County
The early German immigrants of Massac County were drawn to the fertile, cheap land of this area. In northeastern Germany, most families had little more than a large garden plot to work and call their own. The land of southern Illinois was abundant but would require years of hard work clearing the land for crops and livestock. The land the German immigrants settled in northeast Massac County was very fertile. It was comprised of old river bottoms and cypress swamps. The land had to be cleared and drained first. Much of the land was heavily wooded with cypress, oaks, hickories, sycamore, maple, poplar and other types of timber.
Frederick Griepenstroh purchased land within five months of his arrival in America. It is unclear if he brought money from Germany or if he acquired the finances elsewhere. Federal land records from the State of Illinois indicate that Frederick Griepenstroh purchased two adjoining tracts of 40 acres in Massac County, Illinois on March 15, 1847 for $1.25 per acre. His 80 acres of land cost one hundred dollars. The land in southern Illinois was heavily wooded. Frederick and the other immigrants spent years clearing the land. Once cleared, corn, hay, and wheat were the main crops produced and still farmed in Massac County.
Frederick Griepenstroh continued to buy land. On January 22, 1848, he bought 36 acres from his son-in-law and daughter, Henry and Catherine Schelton, for one hundred twenty dollars. He later sold that land on June 17, 1872 to Charles F. and Catherine Lukens for three hundred dollars. Frederick bought 36.99 acres on March 25, 1853 and another 40 acre plot on June 6, 1854. On December 30, 1854, he purchased 44 acres from Henry and Maria Dorothea Finke for three hundred and twenty dollars. On June 11, 1860, Frederick Griepenstroh purchased another 80 acres from Henry Finke, also for three hundred and twenty dollars.
By 1860, Frederick owned 244 acres of land in northeast Massac County. Frederick Griepenstroh left Germany in 1846 with only a few personal possessions. Just fourteen years later, he owned 244 acres of the most fertile land in Massac County, Illinois.
Most German immigrants were anxious to officially break their ties to their homeland and become American citizens. The laws have changed over the years but generally immigrants could apply for citizenship after ten years of residence in America. Below is the text of Frederick Griepenstroh's declaration of intent for naturalization. It is the first document filed in the process to become an American citizen.
Declaration of Intent for Naturalization
State of Illinois, Massac Circuit Court, Massac County
I, Frederick Griepenstroh, a native of Diepenau, in the Kingdom of Hanover, and a Subject of Ernst August, King of said Kingdom, but now a resident of the County of Massac, in the State of Illinois, and being of the age of 54 years did leave the said Kingdom of Hanover on or about the 16th day of August A.D. 1846 and did arrive at the City of New Orleans, on or about the 21st day of October A.D. 1846, and have been residing in the State of Illinois for the period of ten years, do hereby declare my intention to forever renounce all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly the King of the Kingdom of Hanover and that it is my intention, bonafide, to become a citizen of the United States of America, so soon as I may do so under and by virtue of the laws and usages thereof relating to the naturalization of Foreigners, All which I do Solemnly Swear to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth So help me God.
Sworn to and Subscribed signed Frederick Griepenstroh
before me this 1st day
of Nov 1856
James Elliott clk
There are two marriage records for Frederick Griepenstroh in Massac County, Illinois. He married C. Margaret Weseman on December 27, 1848 and Jane M. Mescher on May 1, 1850. The marriage to Margaret Weseman did not last long. At most, she was married to Frederick for a year. It is likely that she died from an illness or childbirth soon after their marriage. Irvin Rodenberg (1895-1983) stated that "Ol man Griepenstroh buried one wife behind his home." If so, no headstone exists marking her grave. His second marriage to Jane Mescher occurred just 17 months after his marriage to Margaret Weseman. The 1850 U.S. Census shows Frederick and his two children at their residence as of January 1, 1850 and confirms that Frederick was not married to C. Margaret Weseman on that date. The Census asks for the names of only those who were residing at the residence on the first day of 1850.
The 1850 US Census for Massac County, Illinois shows:
Frederick Griepenstroh, age 48
Lewis, age 13
Caroline, age 11
Frederick Hilmayer, age 20, farmer
Frederick's marriage to Jane "Margaret" Mescher was obviously troubled from the beginning. It appears that she left him and went to Cincinnati, Ohio to begin a new life. The following is the lawsuit brought by Frederick Griepenstroh against his wife Margaret.
To the Hon. W.A. Denning, President Judge of the Circuit Court of Massac County Illinois
In Chancery
The petition of Frederick Griepenstroh in all humble manner
… have respectfully to represent that some time in the year AD 1849 he was lawfully joined in marriage and married to Margaret his present wife, whom he prays may be made a respondent to this bill; that in all things he behaved courteous and ameaned himself towards the said Margaret as a dutiful affectionate and loving husband …, and that the … by the laws of God as well as by the mutual vows to each other … was bound to that reciprocal regard and affection which ought even to be inseparable from the marriage state, yet so it is, that she said respondent disregarding her marriage vows has deserted and abandoned the house society and fellowship of your complainant's for more than two years immediately preceding the filing of this bill has persisted in said desertion; without any cause or provocation whatsoever and against the will and desire of your complainant, that he has resided in this state over two years; your … therefore pray your Honor that a subpoena in chancery … commanding for the said Margaret Griepenstroh to be and appear before your honor the circuit court of said county at the next term thereof to be holden in Metropolis City in June A.D. 1853 to answer this bill, and to show cause if any she have why a decree of the said court ought not to be made dissolving the bounds of matrimony existing between your complainant & the said respondent, and that upon a final hearing of this bill your honorable court may be pleased to decree a dissolution of the bounds of matrimony aforesaid, so fully & completely separating your orator from the society of fellowship or her the said Margaret in all time to come as if she the said Margaret were naturally dead and as in duty bound he will ever pray for.
Frederick Griepenstroh
By J Jack his Solicitor 13 Jan 1853
State of Illinois
Massac County
On the 13 day of January 1853 came before me James Elliott, F. Griepenstroh and under oath saith that Margaret Griepenstroh respondent in the above bill is not as he believes and is informed a resident of the State of Illinois; but resides in Cincinnati, Ohio & further saith not spoken to & … before me the day of the above date.
Frederick Griepenstroh
James Elliott, clk
Frederick Griepenstroh vs. Margaret Griepenstroh
Subpoena in Chancery for Margaret Griepenstroh
Filed May 14th, 1853
James Elliott, Clk
State of Illinois, Massac County
The people of the state of Illinois To the Sheriff of said County Greetings. We command you to summons Margaret Griepenstroh, if she shall be found in your county that she be and appear before the Circuit Court in and for said County on the first day of the next term thereof to be held at that Court House in Metropolis City, on the first Monday in the month June next to answer Frederick Griepenstroh of a bill in chancery esc solicited in said court and the chancery side there of against her and hereof fail not and have you then and there and then this … with an endorsement thereof stating the manner in which you execute the decree
Witness James Elliott Clerk of said court and the …be at thee of this 12th day of February 1853.
I have not found the record for the divorce but assume it became official sometime later in 1853. The 1855 Illinois State Census shows Frederick Griepenstroh and his two children, Louis and Caroline, at their residence. In 1855, seventeen-year-old Caroline Griepenstroh married thirty-seven-year old Frederick William Rodenberg, a former Hannover resident who immigrated in 1848. On November 19, 1857, Louis Christian Griepenstroh married Elizabeth Margarite Nordeman. Frederick Griepenstroh suddenly found himself alone. Sometime before 1860, he moved in with his daughter and son-in-law, Frederick and Caroline Rodenberg and would live with them for the remainder of his life.
The 1860 Census shows Frederick Griepenstroh living with his daughter Caroline, her husband Frederick Rodenberg (1818-1906), and their two sons, John and Henry.
1860 U.S. Census, Massac County, Illinois:
Frederick Rodenberg, age 42, M, Farmer, Born in Germany
Caroline Rodenberg, age 23, F, Ditto
Fred Griepenstroh, age 55, M, Ditto Ditto
John Rodenberg, age 3, M , Born in Illinois
Henry Rodenberg, age 1, M, Born in Illinois
Frederick Rodenberg stated to the enumerator for the U.S. Census that his "Value of Real Estate" was $900 and the "Value of Personal Estate" was $300. On June 15, 1860, Frederick Griepenstroh sold 204 of his 244 acres to his son-in-law for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars.
1870 U.S. Census, Massac County, Illinois:
Rodenberg, F.W., age 52, M, Farmer, Hanover
,Sophie C, age 31, F, Keeping House, Hanover
,John F, age 13, M, Ill.
,Anna M., age 10, F, Ill.
,Carl H., age 7, M, Ill.
,Maria C., age 4, F, Ill.
,Wilhelmina, age 2, F, Ill.
Griepenstroh, Frederick, age 68, M, Hanover
Frederick Rodenberg stated "Value of Real Estate" at $2000 and the "Value of Personal Estate" at $600. Frederick Griepenstroh stated the "Value of Personal Estate" at $600.
1880 U.S. Census, Massac County, Illinois:
Rodenberg, Fritz, age 62, M, Farmer
Caroline, age 42, F, Keeping House, "Cholera Marks"
John, age 23, M, Farmer
Anna, age 20, F, At home
Henry, age 17, M, Farmer
Mary, age 14, F, At home,
Mena, age 11, F,
Sophia, age 8, F,
Frank, age 3, M,
Griepenstroh, Fred, age 77, M, Farmer
The 1880 Census asked if the person was sick or disabled on the day of the enumerator's visit. Caroline Griepenstroh Rodenberg stated "Cholera Marks." I assume Caroline also suffered through a bout of cholera on the voyage to America. The marks must have been significant enough to be reported. I assume they would have been located mostly on her torso.
Blaine Kennedy gave me the original tax receipts for Frederick Griepenstroh for the following years:
1849…tax paid $2.85 on 80 acres of land
1851…tax paid $4.11 on 120 acres of land
1854…tax paid $7.31 on 200 acres of land
1858: Total Tax on 230 acres….$18.05
1859 Massac County Tax Lists:
Frederick Griepenstroh owned five tracts of land
40 acres valued at $280
80 acres valued at $630
40 acres valued at $200
44 acres valued at $261
40 acres valued at $160
1859: Personal property:
244 acres of land valued at $1480
State Tax $ 9.79
Poor House $ 1.40
District $ 1.59
County $ 5.84
Total Tax $18.68
1860: Received 77 cents in full for State, County, and School Tax on personal property.
1860: Personal Property Listed for Taxation In The Year 1860
Frederick Griepenstroh: 1 Horse valued at $75; 1 "Neat Cattle" valued at $10
Total Value subject to Taxation : $85
Louis Griepenstroh:
4 "Neat Cattle" valued at $28; 2 "Mules and Asses" valued at $150; 10 Hogs valued at $10. Gross Value of Domestic Animals is $188. Amount for Deductions on animals is $150; 1 "Carriage And Wagons" valued at $50; 1 "Clock and Watches" at $1; Unenumerated property at $20; Total Value subject to Taxation: $109
Number of Acres in Cultivation:
40 Acres of Wheat; 20 Acres of Corn; 17 Acres of "Other Products"
1861: Personal property valuation: $600
State Tax $2.70
Pauper Tax $ .48
County Tax $2.40
Total Tax $5.58
1862: Personal property valuation: $500
State Tax $2.25
Pauper Tax $ .25
Total Tax $2.50
1863: Personal property valuation: $604
State Tax $4.65
County Tax $2.42
Pauper Tax $ .73
Total Tax $7.80
1864: Personal property valuation: $600
State Tax $4.50
Pauper Tax $ .90
County Tax $2.40
Total Tax $7.80
1866: Personal property valuation: $200
State Tax $1.40
County Tax $ .80
Poor Tax $ .24
Total Tax $2.44
1878: 39 acres Township 15, Range 5 valued at $100
State Board $ .98
State Tax $ .32
County Tax $1.07
School Tax $ . 50
B. Tax $ .10
C. Tax $ .10
P. Tax $ .25
Total Tax $2.34
1879: 39 acres Township 15, Range 5 (SW NW) valued at $100
State Board $ .94
State Tax $ .25
County Tax $ .67
Back Indebt $ .51
School Tax $ .51
Road&Bridge $ .21
Stationary Tax $ .07
Poor Tax $ .14
Total Tax $2.36
1880: 40 acres Township 15, Range 5 valued at $91
Consolidated Tax $ .97
State Tax $ .33
District School Tax $ .42
District Road Tax $ .18
Total Tax $1.80
1881: 39 acres Township 15, Range 5 valued at $100
State Board $ .91
State Tax $ .44
County Tax $ .68
Road Tax $ .18
Stationary Tax $ .06
Poor Tax $ .23
School Tax $ .49
Total Tax $2.08
1882: 39 acres Township 15, Range 5 valued at $97
State Tax $ .35
County Tax $ .73
Road & Bridge Tax $ .39
Stationary Tax $ .12
Pauper Tax $ .24
Back Indebtedness T $ .19
School Tax $ .39
Total Tax $2.41
1883: 39 acres Township 15, Range 5 valued at $92
State Tax $ .29
County Tax $ .69
Road & Bridge $ .15
Stationary Tax $ .07
Pauper Tax $ .18
School Tax $ .41
Total Tax $1.82
1884: 39 acres Township 15, Range 5 valued at $98
State Tax $ .34
County Tax $ .64
Road Tax $ .20
Stationary Tax $ .07
Pauper Tax $ .21
School Tax $ .54
Total Tax $2.00
Frederick Griepenstroh continued to live with the Rodenberg family for nearly forty years until his death at the age of 95 on December 26, 1897. His grave has a poem at the bottom of the monument that reads,
Lone are the paths and sad the flowers
Whence thy sweet smile has gone.
But oh a brighter home than ours
In heaven is now thine own.
I have the original receipt for the cemetery monument for Frederick Griepenstroh. It was manufactured by J.M. Groves & Bros. for a sum of $35. It was agreed that it would be delivered to Metropolis on about 5 October 1898, ten months after his death. It was signed for by his grandson (Caroline's oldest son), John Frederick Rodenberg (1858-1933).
Frederick Gripenstroh's Obituary
GATHERED TO HIS FATHERS
Full of Years and Usefulness a
Good Citizen Passes Away.
Frederick Griepenstroh, probably the oldest man in Massac County, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Frederick Rodenberg, in Washington precinct, on Sunday last, Dec. 26, 1897 at the advanced age of 96 years, 2 months, and 10 days.
Mr. Griepenstroh was born in Diepenau, Hanover, Germany, and came to the United States in 1855, together with one hundred others of his countrymen. Seven of those are yet living in Massac County. Mr. Griepenstroh's wife died on shipboard during the voyage to this country, and was buried in the sea. We believe that he never remarried.
He has left living one son, Lewis Griepenstroh, of Los Angelos, Calif., and one daughter, Mrs. Frederick Rodenberg, with whom he lived up to the date of his death. However, his grandchildren are very numerous, and they are without exception, so far as we know, worthy people.
Father Griepenstroh lived an entirely exemplary life - his great age attests this, particularly when it is known that, up to his death, he retained the faculties of sight and hearing, and largely, his bodily activities, being able to walk about and do light work during the past autumn. For many years, he was a member of the German Methodist church, and it is safe to say that he adorned his profession by an orderly walk and a Godly conversation.
The funeral occurred on Tuesday last, after services by Rev. Mr. Ludwig, pastor of the German Methodist church.
Full of years and usefulness, honored by all who knew him, he quits the scenes of mortality for the reward of the faithful.
[There are only a few mistakes in his obituary. He came to Massac County in 1846, not 1855. Also, he did remarry and his son Louis was in San Jose, California, not Los Angeles.]
Frederick Griepenstroh¹s last will and testament was filed with the Probate Court of Massac County, Illinois. He wrote the will in 1895 at the age of 92 years. He left an estate of $965.37. He asked that his funeral expenses and debts be paid first. He had no debts. His funeral costs were:
Frank Adams coffin, shoes, and gloves $21.65 W.C. Miller crepe and neck tie $ .50 Clerk of the Court for fees $10.39 $32.54 Other expenses accounted for: B.O Jones attorney fees $5.00 CHF Westerman charges $6.00
The Last Will and Testament of Frederick Griepenstroh
The Last Will and Testament of Frederick Griepenstroh of the county of Massac and the State of Illinois made and published the First day of April in the year of your Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and ninety five.
In the Name of God Amen, I, Frederick Griepenstroh of the county of Massac and the State of Illinois of the age of Ninety two years and being of sound mind and memory do hereby make and publish and declare this my Last will and Testament in manner following that is to say.
First, It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.
Second, I give and bequeath to my beloved son Christian Louis Griepenstroh the sum of five dollars.
Third, I give and bequeath to the Heirs of my beloved daughter Sophie Catharine Shelton jointly the sum of five dollars.
Fourth, I give and bequeath to my beloved Grandchildren viz John Frederick, Anna Marie, Charles Henry, Mary Christine, Minnie Sophie, Sophie Caroline and Frank William Rodenberg all the children of my beloved Daughter Sophie Caroline Rodenberg the sum of Fifty Dollars each.
Fifth, I give and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Sophie Caroline Rodenberg and her husband Frederick William Rodenberg all the remainder of my monies and personal property and effects. Lastly--I hearby nominate and appoint Henry Rodenberg to be the Executor of this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the First day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Ninety five.
Signed.....Frederick Griepenstroh
Frederick Griepenstroh lived the last forty years of his life with the Rodenbergs. Obviously, he was quite close and had great affection for his daughter Caroline, son-in-law Frederick Rodenberg, and his grandchildren. The seven children of Frederick and Caroline Rodenberg each received $50.00. Compare that to the 50 cents that each of the ten children of Henry and Catherine Shelton received. Frederick's only son Louis Christian Griepenstroh received five dollars. Frederick and Caroline Rodenberg received the remaining $561.58 of the estate.
There were obviously family problems between Frederick Griepenstoh and his son-in-law and daughter, Henry and Catherine Shelton.
There were several lawsuits brought by Frederick Griepenstroh against his son-in-law, Henry Kurt Shelton, and his daughter, Catherina Griepenstroh Shelton and vice-versa. It is clear these disputes in the late 1850s and early 1860s affected their relationship and were most likely never resolved. Henry Shelton died in 1875 and Catherine in 1878. Twenty years after their deaths, Frederick Griepenstroh demonstrated in his will that he still showed animosity towards his late son-in-law and daughter by leaving so little to his grandchildren on that side.
In the Massac Circuit Court
In the April term 1862
With Hon. ----- Sloan judge and Circuit Court in Chancery ------------.
Your orator Henry Schelton a citizen of said County, respectfully showeth that in the month of April 1861, our Frederic Griepenstroh held a promissory note against your orator for the sum of $155, but which note had been released to your orator as part of an "advancement" made by said Griepenstroh to your orator's wife who was and is the daughter of said Griepenstroh. And your orator shows further to your Honor that by special contract of said Griepenstroh, for the consideration of love and affection on the part of said Griepenstroh to your orator's wife, made and entered into with your orator, it was agreed that your orator was released forever from the payment of said note. Your orator at the same time agreeing to accept and secure the said release as so much advanced to his wife as part of her prospective and possible interest in the estate of said Griepenstroh, who may it please your Honor is a man well spoken in years.
But your Honor charges that the said Griepenstroh confederated with one Frederic Rodenberg who is the son in law of said Griepenstroh, with the design to deprive your orator's wife of any possible interest in the estate of said Griepenstroh, her father; and your orator having agreed to pay the said Griephenstroh the sum of seven per cent per annum upon the said $155, as long as said Griepenstroh should live, left the said note in the hands of the said Griepenstroh, who under the evil influence and bad counsel of said Rodenberg, determined if possible to break and cancel his said contract. Whereby he had released your orator from the payment of said note.
And your orator further shows unto your Honor that in the said month of April 1861 the said Griepenstroh in open violation of his said contract, caused suit to brought on said note before M. Mayfield Esqr, then the City Judge of the City of Metropolis, against your orator, who did not at that time reside in the limits of the said City of Metropolis but lived outside said City in the County of Massac and someone calling himself the City Marshal of said City -------- the County to your orator's residence and attempted to serve some sort of process on your orator but never served process on your orator, and your orator never appeared at any seat against him before said -------- said Griepenstroh.
Your orator afterwards understood several months afterwards that he had been sued in the City Court of the City of Metropolis by said Griepenstroh, but your orator was advised that the said Court had no jurisdicition of suits against person, being outside the limits of said City and that the acts of said City Marshal, done and performed outside the limits of the limits of said City were utterly null and void, and your orator therefore paid no further attention to the actings and doings of the said City Marshal. And your orator shows further to your Honor that recently he has been informed by Joseph F. Means, Sheriff of said County that he holds an execution against your orator issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Massac County in favor of said Frederic Griepenstroh for near about the sum of $155, the exact sum not being known to your orator.
Your orator states that he has no positive knowledge about said execution; he knows he has never been sued in the Circuit Court of said County by said Griepenstroh, at least he can positively state that no summons issuing out of said Court has ever been served upon him. He has been advised however that a judgment was rendered against him the said City Court and that a transcript therefore was taken to the Circuit Court and that executed ------ your orator alleges that the said judgment before the said City Court is utterly fraudulent and void. Was issued thereover and your orator alleges that there is no judgment entered against him upon any suit brought in the Circuit Court of Massac County. But your orator alleges that he has during all this time since the said month April 1861 had plenty of personal assets, out of which any debt for $155 could have been made by an officer having a legal execution; but during all that time he was never notified by any officer that an execution was against him and no property was ever demanded until the said Joseph F. Means, Sheriff as aforesaid, made the demand on your orator for property to satisfy the execution in his --------- and is now about to levy the same on your orator's property.
Your orator charges that if he had been legally called on to answer the suit on said note in a Court having jurisdiction thereof, he could well have proven that he did not owe any part thereof; that the said Griepenstroh and Rodenberg have confederated together to defraud your orator; and that said execution so held by said Sheriff is wholly fraudulent and void.
In tender consideration of the premises, and inasmuch as your orator has no remedy save in this hon. Court, wherby fraud and ---- are considered and removed, your orator prays that the said Frederic Griepenstroh and Rodenberg and - Joseph W. Means and John B. Hicks Clerk Massac County Circuit Court be made defendants to this Bill and be compelled to answer the ----- (the oath of Griepenstroh and Rodenberg by expressly waived), and that the said Sheriff and his --in Office be forever enforced from collecting said execution, that said-be forever enforced from issuing execution on the said transcript of - demerit from the City Court of Metropolis against your orator and ---of Griepenstroh. And your orator prays for facts other and further relief as may to your Honor decree Equitable in the premises for Henry Schelten.
W H Green Sol. For Compt.
State of Illinois, Massac County
The People of the State of Illinois. To the Sheriff of said County - GREETING:
We Command You, That of the Goods and Chattels, Lands and Tenements, and Real Estate, of Henry Shelton to be found in your County, you cause to be made the sum of One Hundred and Eighty five Dollars with interest thereon from the 25th day of Septemeber, A.D. 1861, until paid, which Frederick Griepenstroh lately in our Circuit Court for the said County of Massac, recovered against him for Debt in an action of Debt; also, $ Eight Dollars and 20 Cents, which was awarded by our said Court to the said Frederick Griepenstroh for Costs and Charges in that behalf expended, whereof the said Henry Shelton stands convicted, as appears to us of record; and have you the money at the Clerk's Office of our said Court, at Metropolis, in ninety days from the date hereof to render to the Plaintiff Frederick Griepenstroh his debt interest and costs as aforesaid. And have you then and there this Writ.
Witness, Jno B. Hicks, Clerk of our said Court, and the Judicial Seal thereof, at Metropolis, this 25th day of September, A.D. 1861. Jno B Hicks, Clerk.
Court costs before the Justice of the Peace $4.20 --- Circuit Court $4
Came to hand 27th day of September 1861 at 12 O'clock PM J F Means, Sheriff
Frederick Rodenberg, husband of Caroline Griepenstroh died in 1906. Below is his obituary:
Obituary
Frederich W. Rodenberg Passed Away
The death of Frederich W. Rodenberg occurred on Monday night, Nov. 5, 1906, at the home of his son, Frank, in Washington precinct. Mr. Rodenberg was one of the oldest citizens of the county. He was born in Warmson, Hanover, Germany, June 26, 1818 aged at his death 88 years, 4 months and 10 days. The early years of Mr. Rodenberg's life were spent at his home in Germany, while yet young he began his service in the German Militia which extended over a period of seven years. In the year 1848 he came to America landing at Baltimore. He soon went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained about two years, then he came to Massac County where he resided continually up to his death. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Caroline Griepenstroh. To them were born nine children, John, Henry, Frank, Mrs. O.L Westerman, Mary, Minnie, and Sophia, all residing in Massac county, Martha and Emma, who died in infancy. In 1858 Mr. Rodenberg became a member of the German-Methodist church in Washington precinct, remaining a true and faithful member until death.
Mr. Rodenberg is survived by his faithful wife, three sons, four daughters, one brother, Rev. Chas. Rodenberg, of St. Louis, Mo., many other relatives and a host of friends to mourn his death. He lived a long, useful and blameless life, being one of Massac county's best citizens and has gone to his reward.
Funeral services took place Thursday morning, Nov. 8, at eleven o'clock a.m., conducted by Rev. Edel.
Kurt Henry Shelton (1817-1875) and his wife Catherine Griepenstroh came to Massac County at the end of 1845. Most likely they sent word to Frederick Griepenstroh in Germany that life was much better in this country. He farmed and raised his large family of ten chilren in Metropolis. His wife Catherine Griepenstroh Shelton died September 1, 1878 in Metropolis. They are both buried in the Oddfellows Cemetery in Metropolis.
Massac JOURNAL
9 January 1875
Obituary of Henry Shelton (Catherine Griepenstroh's husband)
We are called upon this morning to announce the sudden death of Henry Shelton, sr. proprietor of the steam Stave Factory. It seems that Mr. Shelton desired to go to Smithland, and hearing the Pat Cleburne, whistle, ran down to the wharf boat, went upon the steamer, paid his fare, registered, sat down, and fell over dead.
Mr. Shelton was one of the first of our German settlers, he was always been an honest, hard working, sober man. He made a threshing machine years ago here, and afterwards bought the first steam thresher used in our county. He leaves a family of ten children and many friends and acquaintances to regret his loss. It is thought his disease must have been some affection of the Heart.
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My great great grandfather, Louis Christian Griepenstroh (1835-1926), son of John Frederick Griepenstoh:
Louis Christian Griepenstroh (1835-1926) married Elizabeth Margarite Nordeman on 19 November 1857 in Metropolis. They had four children. Louis farmed and was later a railroad engineer in Metropolis. Their four children were all born in Metropolis:
1. John C. Griepenstroh (1860-1928) died in Seabright, California and is buried at Odd Fellows cemetery in Santa Cruz, California.
2. Annie Caroline Griepenstroh McIntosh (1862-1941) died in Santa Cruz. She is buried in San Jose, California.
3. Henry Louis Griepenstroh (1863-1937) lived most of life in Richmond, California. He died in Angels Camp, California. They had at least six children.
4. Alice Katherine Griepenstroh Scholl (1865-1941). Her husband Conrad and son Louis built the Scholl Castle in Santa Cruz.
Elizabeth Margarite Nordeman was Louis Christian Griepenstroh's first wife. She died October 6, 1867. She was 27 years old leaving young Louis a widower at the age of 32 with four young children aged 7, 5, 4, and 2. Her headstone reads "ELIZABETH wife of L. Griepenstroh Died Oct 6, 1867 Aged 27 years. In early life the kindest wife and mother hath left us."
Her grave is about twenty yards from her father-in-law Frederick Griepenstroh's headstone. Rosalie Heckendorf, born 1919, daughter of Esther Griepenstroh Jacoby, said that her mother told her that Elizabeth's best friend was Rosina Froehlich. On her deathbed, she asked 16-year-old Rosina to take care of Louis and her four young children. Six months later, on April 20, 1868, 17-year-old Rosina Margaret Froehlich married 33-year-old Louis Christian Griepenstroh in Metropolis, Illinois. They had six children together. Their first child, Elizabeth, was born in Metropolis. They moved to Wyandotte, Kansas in late 1869/ early 1870. The 1870 US Census states Louis' occupation as a boiler maker. They lived in Kansas until 1875. They moved to San Jose, California sometime during 1875.
1. Elizabeth "Lydia" M. Griepenstroh King (1869-1949) born in Metropolis, Illinois. Lived all her adult life in Santa Cruz and is buried in Odd Fellows cemetery in Santa Cruz, California. She had five children.
2. Dora M. Griepenstroh Clawson (1875-1961) was born in Wyandotte, Kansas.
She died in Lodi, California. She was married five times and had at least seven children.
3. Frederick William Gripenstraw (1878-1955) born in San Jose. He was a dairyman. He had two childen, Rosina and Earl.
4. Louis Arthur Franklin Gripenstraw (1880-1955). Our great grandfather was born in San Jose. He operated the Curry & Gripenstraw Mortuary in San Jose, California. He died in San Martin, California on his ranch. He had two sons, Burt and Louis.
5. Wesley Oliver Gripenstraw (1885-1963) worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. He died in San Francisco at the Southern Pacific Railroad Hospital. He never married.
6. Esther Henrietta Gripenstraw Gott (1892-1985): I made copies of some of her pictures. Her grand daughter has the originals. She died in Santa Rosa, California. Her daughter Rosalie tells me her mother remembered riding a pony to school when they lived on their ranch in Edenvale. Rosalie said her father, Arthur David Jacoby, was a bright and talented man. He got his teaching degree at USC and taught 7th grade. Esther filed for divorce from him in 1940. . After the divorce, Esther moved to San Jose. She lived with her brother Wesley and her mother Rosina at 63 South 12th Street. She lived there until she remarried in 1950 and relocated to Santa Rosa shortly afterwards.
Written by and contributed to Illinois Genealogy Trails by Bart Gripenstraw
Sources:
US Census: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900
1855 Illinois State Census, Massac County
Massac County, Illinois Tax Lists 1859
The German Research Companion, Shirley J. Riemer, 1997, Lorelei Press
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