My Germans to America, part 2 : Thekla Rabitz

 I never knew very much about my second great grandmother, Thekla REBEL WICKENHEISER.  I knew she was married to my second great grandfather Josef Anton WICKENHEISER and they immigrated from Germany with my then 12 year old great grandfather Niclaus.  Through the years I have gleaned more information, a little at a time.

Thekla was born in Rohrbach Aichen-Friedberg Germany on 31 December 1832, and married Josef Anton WICKENHEISER  on 24 January 1856.  The children came in quick succession. Franz Josef born and died in 1856, Franziska born and died in 1858, Agnes born in 1859 and died in 1868, Niclaus born in 1860, Elisabetha born in 1863 and died in 1867, Maria Anna born in 1866, Valentin born and died in 1868. Rosa born in 1869, Franz born and died in 1871, Emma born and died in 1873.  In 1875 the family and their three surviving children left their sorrows behind and emigrated to the United States, hoping for a better and healthier life. 

 According to "Germans to America", they traveled as cabin passengers on the steamship Oder, arriving in New York on 02 February 1875.The SS Oder was built by; Caird & Co of Greenock, Scotland for the Norddeuscher Lloyd Co.  Her accommodation was 90 first-class, 126 second-class, and 650 third-class (steerage) passengers. She had a crew of 103.  Launched in December 1873 she made her maiden voyage on 22 May 1874 sailing from Bremen, Germany to New York, USA.  This made the family one of the first families to sail on this ship. (The SS Oder was lost on 30 May 1887 in a storm)  Josef age 46 was listed as a merchant, Thekla age 42 as a housewife. Children Niclaus age 12 , Maria age 9 and Rosa age 5, were listed as minors. Their accommodation was in a cabin.  The family of five first stopped in Pennsylvania for an undetermined amount of time, and ended their travelling in Carleton, Ash Township, MI. Where their final child Agnes was born in1877.Three of Josef's brothers made the area their home as well. Thekla died 12 July 1913. The cause of death on her death certificate was Senility. 

That document was the first clue to her family.  Her father was listed as Ignatious Rebel.  For a long time that was all the information that I had.  His name was Ignatious on her death certificate, but was also listed as Ignatz. Recently Family Search gave me new info. Ignatz Wilhelm Rebel was born 22 February 1795 in Rorhbach Eppingen Germany, he Married Maria Susanna MAIERHOFER  on 30 January 1825, and died 23 January 1840. I was able to trace back to my 7th great grandparents through Ignatz with this new information. Maria Susanna was born 27 October 1775 in Rohrbach Eppingen and died 02 January 1863. I was able to verify up to my 8th great grandparents in her line.

This gave me a good start on the previously unknown ancestry of Thekla REBEL WICKENHEISER and I am continuing to fill out the extended family on the new names I was able to add to the family tree.


                                                                            S.S.ODER

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"My American Hero" an essay by Lena Willit

 My American Hero is Sergeant William Bruck, currently serving in Iraq.  He's not only my Hero, but he is a close cousin too. William is the son of my mom's sister Rose. He is the fifth born of eight children. William was a mischievous child. He might have been a real trouble maker, but everyone still loved him. After High School, he joined National Guard, then switched to Army Reserves while going to college in Wisconsin. While in Wisconsin, he met Natalie, his future wife. After their marriage they moved to Carleton, Michigan and had a baby boy.  His name is Gregory.  Two years later, Zechariah was born. Despite Zechariah being very sick, when he was a few weeks old, William re-enlisted again. Shortly after, the Country was shocked by the events of September 11th. Even though William was a  "weekend warrior" his unit was called up for active duty. He packed his bags, said his good-byes and did his duty. He had a lot of reasons not to go to Iraq...He didn't wan...
Read more

Notes by Aunt Rosemary Wickenheiser Zochowski

Image
 There was no date on this note. It was part of a larger memory, as the entries are numbered.  She wrote a note about her siblings and lessons she learned at home. 24.  Lawrence - always full of business. very intelligent Clara (my mom) - very kind, sensitive helped take care of us kids, helped out at home, etc. Earl - always cheerful and a peace maker Cletus - a big tease Herman - tender and kind Teresa -  played piano by ear, beautiful singing voice Agnes - the pampered one because she was so tiny Rita - the spoiled one who we love Helen - Died when I was 11 years old.I remember when they brought her to our house in a little white coffin. 25.  At home we were taught many lessons - to be honest, kind, forgiving, helpful To be a listener    very hard sometimes To volunteer To go to Church regularly To receive the Sacraments often Not say anything bad about anyone. (I wonder what the rest of the memory said!)
Read more