Jurn Christoph Boettcher Maria Weselah Boettcher

Jurn Christoph Boettcher & Maria Weselah

Bottcher / Boettcher

Family Genealogy


Jurn Christoph Boettcher was born April 1828 in Bornsen/Barnsen, Hanover, Germany and died October 1, 1893 in Hanover, Washington County, Kansas. (Source: Register of Deaths, Washington Co. KS) He married Maria in 1856 in Germany. I have been unable to prove her maiden name although family lore states that her maiden name is Weselah. I have also been unable to yet find a marriage record in Germany for them. From family records, Maria was born January 14, 1833 in Linden, Hanoverland Germany.

Jurn Christoph was always known as Christoph and I had never heard of his first name of "Jurn" until I saw his tombstone in the Hanover Kansas cemetery. The tombstone reads as such:

hier ruhet

Jurn Christoph Boettcher

geb. 31 Mar, 1828

3ii Borsen Hanover

geft 1 Oct 1893

3ii Hanover Ks

Christoph and Maria Boettcher arrived in New York in 1864 on the ship Germania with their 4 children: Heinrich, William, Christoph and Johann. They came from Hanover, Germany and settled in Sauk Co., Wisconsin (the obit for one of the sons says that they lived in Reedsburg, Wisconsin) for approximately 5 years before relocating to Washington County, Kansas. Family lore says that they worked the hops fields in Wisconsin before moving to Washington County, Kansas. Two of their children, Fred and Dora, were born in Wisconsin (1867 and 1869) but we do not have an exact date of when they migrated to Kansas. The first record we have of them in Kansas is the land deed of 1877. Albert Boettcher told that Christoph, Maria and the children lived in a dugout when they first came to Kansas. (Albert is the son of William H. Boettcher)

They are listed in the Hamburg Passenger Lists, page 347, (FHL microfilm #2013453) on the Steamship Germania with Captain H. Ehless from Hamburg to New York-- June 25, 1864. C. Bottcher (the 'C' looks like an 'H' on the passenger list), Landman, age 36, male; Maria Bottcher, age 28, frau, female; Heinr., age 7, male; Wm, age 6, male; Christ, age 4, male; Johann, under 1 year, male. Shown as the birth and place of residence for the family is Barnsen Hanover. (Landman means 'a farmer')

Children of Christoph and Maria Bottcher:

Heinrich (Henry) Boettcher born January 28, 1857 in Bahnsen Germany (according to his obit.) Died December 17, 1925 in Hanover,Kansas. His first marriage was to Mary Hays (she died in Sept. 4, 1905); he then remarried to Mary A. Dusch. They had two children: Stella May and Henry Albert Boettcher.

William Henry Boettcher(Wilhelm Heinrich) was born March 2, 1858 in Province of Hanover, Germany and died August 1, 1954. He married Johanna F. W. Schild.

Christoph Heinrich Boettcher was born about 1858 in Germany and died March 3, 1936 in Hanover, Ks (according to his obit). He married Louise Meyer and they had two children: George and Hilda Boettcher.

Johann (John) Christoph Boettcher was born about 1864 in Germany. He married Frieda Schild

Dora Boettcher was born about 1867 in Wisconsin.

Fredrich Boettcher was born about 1869 in Wisconsin. He married Mina Roever and they had 5 children: Edward heinrich Christoph Boettcher, Franz Boettcher, Bertha , Fred and Arnold Boettcher.

Anna Boettcher was born about 1873 in Washington Co. Ks

Minnie Boettcher was born about 1876 in Washington Co. Ks

Emelie Boettcher born about 1879 in Washington Co., Ks.


Homestead Land Deed: June 30th, 1876, Washington Co., Kansas: Homestead Certificate No. 3407, application No. 3742: Whereas, There has been deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Concordia Kansas, whereby it appears that, pursuant to the Act of Congress approved 20th May 1862, "To secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain." and the acts supplemental thereto, the claim of Christoph Boetcher has been established and duly consummated, in conformity to law, for the South half of the south east quarter of Section Eleven and the North half of the North East quarter of Section Fourteen in Township Two South of Range five East with District of lands subject to sale at Concordia Kansas containing one hundred and sixty acres according to the Official Plat of the Survey of the said Land, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General. Now, Know Ye, that there is, therefore, granted by the United States unto the said christoph Boetcher the tract of Land above described: To have and to hold the said tract of Land, with the appurtenances thereof, unto the said Christoph Boetcher and to his heirs and assigns forever. In Testimony Whereof, I, Ulysses S. Grant President of the United States of America have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at the City of Washington, the thirtieth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundredth. By the President: U. S. Grant. Recorded in Vol. 7 Page 368.

Land Deed was made October 12, 1877 between George & Maria Marklin & Christoph & Maria Boettcher. Filed at Recorders Office on March 1, 1881, Washington County, Kansas-- Book 19 Page 51. Description: The west 1/2 of S E 1/4 of Section 12 in Township 2 south of Range 5 east of 6th PM---- S12, T2, R5

Land Deed made March 1, 1881; Christoph and Maria Bottcher to W. H. Bottcher; Washington Co., Kansas. The west half (W 1/2) of south east quarter (SE 1/4) of section twelve (12) in township two (2) south of Range five (5) east of 6th PM.


Census--1880 Washington Co, Hanover twp, Kansas: Christopher Boettcher, age 52, farmer, born Hanover, father and mother both born Germany; Mary, age 47, wife, keeping house, born Hanover, both parents born Germany; Henry, age 23, son, works on farm, born Hanover; Wm. age 22, son, works on farm, born Hanover; Christoph, age 20, son, works on farm, born Hanover; John age 17, son, at school, born Hanover; Dora, age 15, daughter, at school, born Wisconsin; Fred age 11, son, born Wisconsin; Anna, age 7, daughter, born Kansas; Mena, age 5, daughter, born Kansas; Emma age 1, daughter, born Kansas.

Census--1885 Washington Co, Hanover twp, Kansas: Christ Boetcher, age 56, farmer, born A??t Oldenburg, Prussia; Maria Boetcher, age 52, born A??t Oldenburg, Prussia; William Boetcher, age 27, born A??t Oldenburg, Prussia; Christ Boetcher age 25, born A??t Oldenburg, Prussia; John Boettcher, age 21, born A??t Oldenburg, Prussia; Dora Boetcher, age 18, Wisconsin; Fred Boetcher, age 16, born Wisconsin; Anna Boetcher age 12 born Kansas; Minnie Boetcher age 9, born Kansas; Emma Boetcher age 6, born Kansas. Entire family came to Kansas from Wisconsin.

Census -- 1895 Washington Co, Hanover twp, Kansas: Mary Boettcher, age 62, born Germany; Emma, age 16, born Kansas; F.J. age 26, born Wisconsin; Minnie age 23, born Kansas.

Census--1900 Marshall Co, Oketo twp, Kansas: Charles Nieman, head of house, date of birth ? 1869, age 30, married for 2 years, born Kansas, parents born Germany; Minnie Nieman, wife, born Feb 1879, age 21, married 2 years, mother of 1 living child, born Kansas, parents born Germany; John Nieman, son, Jan 1900, age 6 months, born Kansas; Mary Boetcher, mother in law, born Jan. 1833, age 67, widow, mother of 9 living children, born Germany, parents born Germany. Charles and Minnie can read and write and speak English. Mary Boettcher can read and write but can't speak English

Census -- 1910 Washington Co, Hanover City, Kansas: Henry Boettcher, age 53, born Germany, head of house; Maria Boettcher, mother, age 77, mother of 9 children, born Germany.


.Obituary of Christoph BoettcherOctober 6, 1893 in Hanover Democrat Newspaper: "An Old Citizen Gone." died, at his residence three miles east of Hanover on Sunday October, 1st, 1893 at 1 o'clock p.m. Christoph boettcher, aged 65 years and 6 months. Deceased was in his usual health up to Thursday the 28th of September when during the day, with his son F.J. Boettcher, they were taking care of some colts in the stable, he observed to his son that he felt dizzy headed and was about to fall, when his son caught him and saved him from going down. He was carried into the house and medical aid immediately summoned when it was found that he had sustained a paralytic stroke. He remained conscious and could talk until early Sunday morning, when he sank into a comatose state, with one side of the body paralized and passed away at 1 o'clock p.m. Sunday as above stated surrounded by a loving wife and nine sorrowing children, all grown to mand and woman hood. the deceased was born and married in Germany, but coming to America in 1865, settled first in Sac County Wisconsin, where he remained some five years. He then twenty-four years ago moved to Washington County Kansas and took up a homestead three miles east of Hanover where he resided until his death. At the time he located on his homestead there was not t twig of timber growing on it and this part of Kansas was almost wilderness, by his utiring energy and perseverance he made an inviting farm with most beartiful groves and surrounded himself and family with the comforts of life. Christoph Boettcher was a consistent member of the German Lutheran church, an upright honest man, who was highly respected by his neighbors. He leaves a wife and nine children, five boys and four girls, six of whom are married and three, one son and two daughters, single all of whom were present at his death and burial, besides two brothers and one sister, living in Germany to mourn their loss. The funeral took place Tuesday, October 3d, at 10 o'clock a.m. from the Lutheran church, the Rev. D Schabinger, pastor conducting the services, after which the remains were followed to the cemetery south of Hanover by a long procession of his old neighbors and friends to pay the last sad rites to his memory.

Last Will and Testament of Christof Boettcher of Hanover in the County of Washington, State of Kansas, being of sound mind and memory but realizing the uncertainty of this life do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. First: I bequeath all my property both real and personal to my beloved wife Maria Boettcher. To have and to hold the same during her natural life. Including all securities. Second: That at the death of my wife all the property then in her possession I bequeath to my son Fred Boettcher with the following conditions. 1st. That he pay to each of the remaining eight children or their heirs the sum of ($300) Three hundred dollars. 2nd. Should said Fred Boettcher die before my wife, all my property both real and personal which I bequeathed to him to be divided equally among my eight children share and share alike. Third and lastly: I appoint my beloved wife Maria Boettcher as executrix of this my last will and testament without giving and bonds to the Probate Court for the faithful performance of the duties as executrix. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my mark this twenty ninth day of September, A.D. 1893. Christof (his mark) Boettcher The above and foregoing instrument of writing consisting of thirty four lines was this day subscribe by the above named Christof Boettcher, by making his mark thereto, in our presence and acknowledged by him in our presence and hearing to be his last will and testament and in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other we have hereunto affixed our hands this twenty ninth day of Sepember A.D. 1893. Joseph A. Herynk, Hanover, Ks Oliver R. Wald, Hanover, Ks witnesses

Probate Record, Christof Boettcher: State of Kansas, Washington County, In the matter of the Estate of Christof Boettcher, Late of said County, Deceased. On this 11th day of Oct. A.D. 1893, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, Judge of said Court, Maria Boettcher who being by me duly sworn, according to law, doth upon oath depose and say that christof Boettcher died on the 1st day of Oct A.D. 1893 at Hanover, County and State aforesaid; that to the best of her knowledge and belief the names and places of residence of the heirs of the said deceased are as follows, to-wit: Maria Boettcher, widow, Hanover, Kansas; Henry Boettcher, son, adult, Hanover, Kan.; William Boettcher, son, adult, Hanover, Kan.; Christof H. Boettcher, son, adult, Lanham, Nebr.; John Boettcher, son, adult, Lanham, Nebr.; Dora Holloway, daughter, adult, Hercemer, Kan.; Fred Boettcher, son, adult, Hanover, Kan.; Anna Mahlman, daughter, adult, Lanham, Nebr.; Minnie Boettcher, daughter, adult, Hanover, Kan.; Emma Boettcher, daughter, minor, Hanover, Kan.

And the said deceased died with a Will as affiant verily believes. And affiant further states that the said Christof Boettcher died seized and possessed of real and personal estate consisting chiefly of 160 acres of land in said county and state, and horse, cattle, hogs and about $200 and other personal property. All of said personal estate being estimated to be worth about seven hundred dollars. Your petitioner would therfore respectfully pray that your Honor will grant Letters of Administration as provided for by his will. Signed: Maria Boettcher. S.F. Nisbat, Probate Judge.


Maria Boettcher ObituaryHanover Democrat, March 30, 1917 A large concourse of people attended the funeral of Mrs. Maria Boettcher (nee Weselah) on Monday, March 26th. Deceased was born at Linden, Hanoverland, Germany, Jan 14, 1833; was married to Christoph Boettcher in 1856. The family came to America in 1864, lived for 5 years in Wisconsin and settled on a homestead 2 miles east of Hanover in 1869 which is still in the possession of the family. Mr. Boettcher died 24 years ago, and the widow has lived ever since with one or the other of her children, for the last 2 years and a half she made her home with her youngest son Fred Boettcher at Antelope, Kansas, where she died after an illness of only 4 days on March 23 at the good age of 84 years, 2 months and 9 days. Mother Boettcher was a respected, home loving, christian woman. She leaves to mourn her all her nine children, Henry, Wm., Christopher and John, all living near Hanover, Kansas; Fred of Antelope, Kans., Mrs. Dora Halloway of Herkimer, Kansas, Mrs. Anna Mahlmann and Mrs. Mina Dusch of Hanover, Kansas., and Mrs. Emelie Niemann of Colorado, 29 grandchildren. After services in the Lutheran church the remains were laid to rest in the Hanover cemetery.

Proof of Heirs, Maria Boettcher, State of Kansas, County of Washington: On this Twentyeighth day of March, 1917, personally came before the undersigned Fred Boettcher son of Christof Boettcher and Maria Boettcher, both deceased, a cretable witness, and who being duly sworn, upon his oath states: My name is Fred Boettcher, I am forty eight years old. Am a resident of Marion county, Kansas, and my post office address is Antelope, Kansas, I was well acquainted with Maria Boettcher, my mother, in her lifetime. Said Maria Boettcher died intestate in the County of Marion State of Kansas on or about the 23rd day of March, 1917. I was acquainted with the financial condition of the estate of Maria Boettcher, deceased, at the time of her death, and know that she died solvent, and that her debts have all been paid. Fred Boettcher. Subscribed and sworn to before me this Twentyeight day of March, 1917, August Jaedicke, Jr. Notary Public.

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