William H. Boettcher came to America in 1864 with his parents, Christoph and Maria Boettcher and his 3 brothers.. They lived in Wisconsin for 5 years before settling in Washington County, Kansas. "The family came to the U.S. when William was about 6 years old. They settled in Wisconsin and worked the hopps fields before moving to Kansas. They lived in a dugout in Kansas before building their first house in Kansas." --Quote from Rachel Boettcher, wife of Albert Boettcher. Wilhelm Heinrich Boettcher was born Mar 2, 1858 in Province, Hanover Germany, and died August 1, 1954 in Hanover, Kansas.
Marriage License Record: "Washington Co, State of Kansas, Jan. 2nd A.D. 1889: You are hereby authorized to join in Marriage William H. Boettcher of Hanover, Ks. aged 30 years and Johanna Schild of Hanover, Kansas aged 23 years and of this License you will make due return to my office within thirty days. J. R. S. Burch, Probate Judge."
Johanne Friederike Wilhelmine Schild was the daughter of Johan Fredrich Christian and Catherine Johanna Schild and was born January 31, 1865 in Tettens, Oldenburg, Germany and died December 3, 1937 in Hanover, Washington Co., KS. Johanne came to America on the ship 'Neckar' from Bremen and Southampton to New York and arrived in America on February 27, 1882. Listing says: Johanne Schild age 16, F, from Province Oldenburg. I have been unable to figure out who she sailed with on her trip to America. Her parents and brothers and sisters came to America about 2 years later so she didn't sail with them. According to Rachel Boettcher "she worked for a farm family to learn the English language and also belonged to the Women's Missionary Society and Zion Lutheran Church."
Information from the Staatsarchive Oldenburg, Germany:
Best. 250-10 Bd.3
Register of born and baptized children in 1865 in the parish of Blexen.
Name: Johanne Friederike Wilhelmine
Born: January 31, 1865 --- Baptised: April 7, 1865
Parents: Johann Friedrich Christian Schild, rented farm in Tettens, and Johanne Catharine Margarete, born Meyer.
Godparents: Friederike Gerhardine Meyer, represented by Marie Wilhelmine Meyer; Christiane Margarete Johanne Fortmann; Johann Hinrich Schild and Johann Wilhelm Kramer.
Children of William and Johanne:
Clara Johanna Boettcher was born September 3, 1890 in Bremen, Kansas and died on October 5, 1967 in Concordia, Kansas. She married Adolph Niemeier.
Albert August Otto Boettcher was born April 3, 1896 in Bremen, Kansas and died June 9, 1953 at a hospital in Odell, Nebraska. He married Rachel Singleton on Feb 15, 1920 in Hanover, Kansas.
4 generation picture: William Boettcher, Albert Boettcher, Ruth Boettcher Cain, Vance Cain. Picture was taken about 1952 in Hanover, Kansas.
Land Deed: John H. Berger and wife to H.W. Boettcher and H. C. Boettcher. Box 19, Page 500, Washington Co. Kansas. Made this Eleventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two between John H. Berger and Nancy Berger (husband and wife) of Hanover, County of Washington and State of Kansas of the first part and H. W. Boettcher and H.C. Boettcher of Hanover County of Washington and State of Kansas of the second part. Lot Number (6) six in the block number 16 Sixteen in the City of Hanover and State aforesaid.
Land Deed: H. Christoph Bottcher to W.H. Bottcher; Vol 37, page 526, Washington Co. Kansas: Made this 24th day of December 1888 between H. Christoph Bottcher (an unmarried man) of Washington County in the State of Kansas and W.H. Bottcher of Washington Co. Kansas. $800; The West (1/2) half of the south east (1/4) quarter of Section (12) in Township (2)two south, of Range (5) Five east of the 6th P.M. containing 80 Eighty acres more or less according to government survey.
Land Deed: H.W. Boettcher and Johanna Boettcher his wife and H.C. Boettcher, single, to D.O. Munger; Vol. 46, page 471, Washington Co. Kansas February 1, 1890. Lot number (6) six in block number (16) sixteen in the city of Hanover County and state aforesaid.
1895 Census, Washington Co. Hanover twp, KS- Wm Boettcher age 37, born Germany; Johannah age 31 born Germany; Clara Boettcher age 4 born Kansas.
1900 Census, Washington Co., Hanover twp, Ks- V.54, Ed.137, Sheet 12-- Wm Boettcher, born March 1858, married 11 years; born Germany; year of immigration 1869; number of years in U.S. 31. Johanna, born Jan 1865; married 11 years; mother of 2 children; born Germany; year of immigration 1882; number of years in U.S. 18. Clara, daughter, born Sept 1890; born Kansas. Albert, son, born apr, 1896; born Kansas.
1905 Census, Washington Co., Hanover twp, Ks- W.H. Boettcher age 47, M, born Germany; Hanna age 40, F, born Germany; Clara, age 14, F, born Kansas; Albert, age 9, M, born Kansas. 1910 Census, Washington Co. Hanover twp Ks, ED 153, #18: William H. Boettcher, age 52 married 20 years born Germany, Johanna wife age 45 married 20 years, mother of the 2 living children; born Germany; Clara daughter, age 19, born Kansas;Albert son age 14, born Kansas. The Agriculture Schedule for 1905 lists the following info about William Boettcher: Total acres- 160; total improved acres- 160. Water supply by 2 wells at depth of 100 feet. Power used in lifting water is windmill and pump. Acres under fence- 160; Hedge fence- 40 rods; wire fence-740 rods; cost per rod- 30. Value of farm- $4000; buildings- $900; machinery- $150. Bushels of corn on hand 150; tons of prairie hay cut in 1904- 6; Number of # of butter made- 350#; Value of poultry & eggs sold -$100; value of animals salughtered to be sold- $350. Livestock on hand- 4 horses; 2 mules, 5 milch cows, 9 other cattle, 7 swine. Number of dogs- 2.
1910 Census, Washington Co., Kansas, Hanover twp, ED 153-- William H. Boettcher, age 52, married 20 years, from Germany, naturalized 1864, speaks English, Farmer; Johanna, wife, age 45, married 20 years, mother of 2 children, from Germany, naturalized 1882, speaks English; Clara, daughter age 19, single, born Kansas; Albert, son, age 14, born Kansas.
State of Kansas Death Certificate: William H. Boettcher-- Died in Marshall Co, 4 miles south of Bremen, Kansas; Father was Christoph Boettcher; he was widowed; date of birth was Mar 2 1858; birthplace was Province of Hanover; Mother's maiden name was unknown; Informant was Mrs. Adolf Niemier.
Obituary of William H. Boettcher:Hanover News, August 6, 1954--William H. Boettcher, a pioneer resident of the Hanover community, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Adolf Niemeier, south of Bremen Sunday afternoon August 1, at 1:20, at the age of 96 years, 4 months and 29 days. He had lived in the Hanover community most of his life coming here with his parents when he was a small boy. Death was caused by a stroke which he suffered Thursday afternoon. The body was taken to the Sedlacek Funeral Home, city. Funeral Services were held Tuesday, August 3 at 9:30am. at the Sedlacek Funeral Home and at 10:00am at Zion Lutheran Church, city. Rev. Harvey Bernhardt, Washington, officiated at the services and interment was made in the Hanover Cemetery. William Henry Boettcher was born March 2, 1858, in the Province of Hannover, Germany and came to the United States with his parents, when he was siz years old. The family settled in Wisconsin, where they remained only a short time, and then settled on a farm three miles east of Hanover. Here Mr. Boettcher spent most of his lifetime until the death of his wife 17 years ago. Since that time he has been cared for in the home of his daughter, Mr. and Mrs Adolf Niemeier and family who live one mile east of the county line in Marshall County, along Highway 36. Mr. Boettcher was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and remained a member of that church during his entire lifetime. On January 4, 1888 he was united in marriage to Johanna Schield at Zion Lutheran Church. Hanover, and they made their home on the farm three miles east of Hanover. They were the parents of one son and one daughter. Their son, Albert, died about a year ago. He was also preceded in death by three brother and three sisters. Surviving are his dauther Mr. Adolf Niemeier, Bremen, ten grand children; ten great grandchildren; a brother, Fred Boettcher, Antelope, Kansas; and a sister, Mrs. Anna Mahlman, 2202 Howard St, Omaha, Nebr..
Obituary of Johanne Schild--Hanover Herald, December 13, 1937-- Mrs. Wilhelm Boettcher, Nee Johanne F. W. Schield, was born January 31, 1865, in Oldenburg, Germany. She departed this life on the night of December the 3rd, 1937 at the age of 72 years 10 months and 3 days. She suffered a stroke on the 28th day of May 1937 from which she failed to recover. Two weeks after the affliction of the stroke she was moved to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Adolph Niemeier, where she was cared for during her lingering illness. In the year 1883 she came to America to work at various places. In the next year her parents and other members of their family followed her to America. On January 4, 1889 she was united in marriage to Mr. Wilhelm Boettcher of Hanover, Kansas. They resided their entire married life upon a farm approximately 3 miles east of Hanover. To this union were born two children, Clara and Albert. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Germany and was always a faithful and devout servant of the church throughtou her life. She leaves to mourn her beloved husband, Mr. Wilhelm Boettcher, two children, Clara Niemeier and Albert, 6 grandsons and three granddaughters, and sisters, Mrs. J.A. Swan, St Joseph Mo.; Mrs John Boettcher, Wymore, Neb; Mrs Adelia M. Thiele, Hanover; Mrs. Martha Wolff, Reeding, Calif; Mrs Arthur Fahan, Gainsville, Ky, and brothers, Fred Schield, Herrington, Kansas; Hugo Schield, Broken Bow, Okla; George Schield, Wymore Neb.; Otto Schield, Breeding Ida; a host of other friends and relatives who deeply feel her departure. Two sisters preceeded her in death. Funeral serivces were held Monday December 6, 1937 1 o'clock from the home of Adolph Niemeier and 2 o'clock at Zion's Ev. Lutheran church. Rev. C.R. Goldenstein officiating. Burial at Hanover cemetery.