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Wessels, Geike Harm (b. 9 FEB 1857, d. 24 JAN 1927)
Note: Copied from the IROQUOIS COUNTY TIMES
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July 1885
The burning of the first kiln of tile.
24 July 1886
Marriage licensesGeike H. Wessels 29Crescent City
Johanna Osterberg21Crescent City
March 1890
Born to Mr & Mrs Geike Wessels Sunday morning a boy.
(comment: Adolf 3/8/1890 their second child)
1892
Under the management of G H Wessels the tile works has become a paying institution. The factory has been running day and night this winter and then connor hardly supply the demand.
8 July 1891 Copied from the newspaper REPUBLICAN
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Crecent City Tile Works are under the Proprietorship of G H Wessels, an energetic German who has resided in the district over 22 years. A very superior quality of tile prOst-Dunum, Ostfriesland, Germanyct is turned out, also machine brick. The works are fided with all the latest and most modern machinery, run by a 45 horse engine and maned by a force of 11 men. The same power operates a custom grist mill for the convenience of supplying mean meal and feed to farming patrons.
Copied from the IROQUOIS COUNTY TIMES
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24 July 1899
G H Wessels, Proprietor of Crescent Tile & Brick Works, is furnishing brick for the new school House.
13 Nov 1899
G H Wessels has sold his brick & tile factory to a gentleman for Iowa.
From Shanda' notes
Fact 1:Moved with 3rd wife Johanne to Stuttgart Arkansas USAkansas
Fact 2:April 20, 1990
Have copy of marriage certificate for Geike and Margaretha Frerichs, in Book B,
Page 114, year 1883 (Marriage Books, Marriage Liscense No. 3977
Fact 3:April 19, 1991
Have copy of Geike and Johanne granting their property in Cresent City, llinois USA to John Siems dated January 23, 1901
Fact 4:1991
Found newer affidavit and birth certificate of Frederick Hilgren Wessels
signed and sworn by Johanna A.J. Wessels listed as
stepmother, dated March 15, 1941. Her address was
listed as 101 South Anna St., Stuttgart Arkansas USAkansas.
Geike's occupation is listed as a farmer
Fact 5:April 20, 1990
Geike also was a manufacturer and dealer in Tile and Brick.
See SGJ's copy of a note she found written by Geike on the business stationery. This Tile factory
located in Crescent City, Illinois USA (Iroquois County)
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BIOGRAPHY OF GEIKE HARM WESSELS
By Robert R Wessels
Geike Harm Wessels was born February 9, 1857 in Ardorf, Ostfriesland, Germany, Ger.. His parents were Friedrich Janssen Wessels and Gesche Reinholz, the family immigrated to America in June 1869 bringing their four sons, Gerd, Jacob, Geike Harm and Thomas Tjarks with them.
Geike Married Lehna Lehnerts Grussing November 11,1880. Lena was born January 3, 1862 in Adams County, llinois USA, her parents were Leenhert L Grussing and Gesche Janssen (kassen) Duis.
.
On February 18, 1882 Lena gave birth to Magdalena (Lena) Gesina Margaret. Geike's wife, Lena died the following day, February 19, 1882, from childbirth complications. She is buried in Schwer Lutheran Cemetery, Schwer, Iroquois County, Illinois USAlinois USA. Friedrich Janssen and Gesche took Magdalena and raised her. According to the US Census of 1900 Friedrich Janssen and Gesche had one child named Lena living with them and was 18 years old.
On March 9, 1883 Geike married Gesche Margareta Frerichs. Gesche was born June 1, 1860 in Werdum, Ostf., Ger. and her parents were Hillern Jacob Frerichs and Epke Pieper. On March 1, 1884 Gesche gave birth to a boy, Frederick Hilgren. The birth certificate of Frederick Hilgren had a notation that there was another child. So with these facts, there must have been twins. It is not known for sure if the other child was stillborn or lived a short time. Gesche Margareta evidently died giving birth. It is not known where she was buried.
On July 26, 1886 Geike married Johanna Osterberg. Johanna was born in Middels, Ostfriesland, Germany.Geike and Johanna was blessed with six children while living in llinois USA, Ollie, Charlotte (lottie), Adolf, Alfred, Charlotte (katye) and Elmer, (Charlotte died at age 5)
Friedrich Janssen and Sons built and operated a Tile and Brick manufacturing concern in Crescent and it is believed to have gone into operations about 1885. All of the sons worked at the factory until the factory was sold and the brothers went their separate ways.
Geike and family moved to Stuttgart Arkansas USAkansas in 1900. They lived in a house at 10th and Main Street. Two more children were born, Johanna Aremine and Oscar. Johanna Aremine only lived one year.
Geike started up a brick manufacturing business, which was located a few blocks east of 10th and Main. Sometime after that Geike borrowed money and purchased two farms, one which he and his family moved on, the other one Adolf farmed.
Geike only lived on the farm a short time before he moved back into Stuttgart on 515 West Second Street. Geike became ill in the winter of 1926-27 and died January 24, 1927, in a Memphis, Tennessee hospital after he had surgery for gallstones.
Johanna lived with her daughter Charlotte, better known as Katye, the remainder of her life. She died sometime after having a stroke, April 26, 1949.
Geike and Johanna are both burred in Buerkle Cemetery north of Stuttgart Arkansas USAkansas.
Event: Type: Sponsors
Date: 25 JUL 1886
Place: Harm Wessels & Toni Osterburg
Reference: 1865
Note: A letter from Bernard Grussing, dated January 8, 2001
The following information was taken from the 1870 Census of Nebraska Township, Livingston County, llinois USA, on the family of Leonard (Lehnert) Grussing:
Nameage
Leonard39
Gesche30
Amke (Ompka)9
Tetje7
Lena6
John4
Wubke (Upka}3
Hiram (Vocke Heyen)1
Brith Date*
Amke (Ompka)916 Oct 1861
Tetje729 Feb 1862
Lena63 Jan 1863 assumed
John423 Oct 1865
Wubke (Upka}3Feb 24 1867
Hiram (Vocke Heyen)19 Apr 1869
Herbert (Harbert)19 Apr 1869
* From Mr Grussings Family Group Record
See file for further information.
Leonard and Gesche was married 15 Nov 1857 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Clayton Twp.. Adams Co., llinois USA
Leonard died 10 Oct 1870, He is burried in Windtown Cemetery, St Petri Luth. Church, Flanagan, llinois USA.
He left seven children ages 9 to 1 1/2
Overview:
Our birth date on Lena was January 3, 1861. Looking at all the census dates of the children. Lena was evidently born in 1863.A letter from Bernard Grussing, dated January 8, 2001
The following information was taken from the 1870 Census of Nebraska Township, Livingston County, IL, on the family of Leonard (Lehnert) Grussing:
Nameage
Leonard39
Gesche30
Amke (Ompka)9
Tetje7
Lena6
John4
Wubke (Upka}3
Hiram (Vocke Heyen)1
Brith Date*
Amke (Ompka)916 Oct 1861
Tetje729 Feb 1862
Lena63 Jan 1863 assumed
John423 Oct 1865
Wubke (Upka}3Feb 24 1867
Hiram (Vocke Heyen)19 Apr 1869
Herbert (Harbert)19 Apr 1869
* From Mr Grussings Family Group Record
See file for further information.
Leonard and Gesche was married 15 Nov 1857 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Clayton Twp.. Adams Co., IL
Leonard died 10 Oct 1870, He is burried in Windtown Cemetery, St Petri Luth. Church, Flanagan, IL.
He left seven children ages 9 to 1 1/2
Overview:
Our birth date on Lena was January 3, 1861. Looking at all the census dates of the children. Lena was evidently born in 1863.
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 3 JAN 1863
Place: Adams County llinois USA
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 3 JAN 1863
Place: Adams County IL
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 3 JAN 1863
Place: Bernard Grussing
Event: Type: Marriage data
Place: llinois USA. Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900
Event: Type: Marriage data
Place: IL. Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900
Reference: 1866
Note: OBITUARY
Mrs Johanne Armina Osterberg
Mrs. Johanne Armina Osterberg was born in Tetters, Ger., March 26, 1865. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. At the age of 18 she came to America with her parents and sisters, locating in Crescent City, Illinois USA. On July 26, 1886, she was united in marriage with Geike H Wessels. To this union eight children were born, two died in infancy, one son Elmer died in 1936, Her husband in 1927. Mrs Wessels moved to Stuttgart in 1900 with her husband and family. Since that time she has been a member os the Emanuel Lutheran Church.
She enjoyed good health until she suffered a stroke. She passed away Wednesday April 26, 1949, at 2 a.m.
Surviving children are Mrs G H Rudowske, Mrs Arlo Mommsen, Adoph, Alfred and Oscar Wessels of this city, one stepdaughter, Mrs. Lena Eilts of Lamont, Iowa, one step-son, Fred Wessels of this city, 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. by Rev E. Elzey. Birial was made in the Buerkle cemetery.[Broderbund Family Archive #356, Ed. 1, Germans to America, 1875-1888, Date of Import: Nov 29, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.356.1.39984.17]
**************
[Broderbund Family Archive #356, Ed. 1, Germans to America, 1875-1888, Date of Import: Nov 29, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.356.1.39984.14]
Passenger's Name: Johanne Osterburg
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Occupation: Uncle
Last Residence: Oldenburg
Date of Arrival: May 23, 1883
Final Destination: llinois USA
Purpose for Travel: Staying in USA, but not a citizen of USA
Ship's Name: Hohenzollern
Manifest ID Number: 37340
Port of Embarkation: Bremen, Germany, Germany
Mode of Travel: Steerage
Event: Type: Sponsors
Date: 26 JUL 1886
Place: Thomas Wessels & Toni Osterburg
Event: Type: Born data
Place: Born in Weghoern, J�verland Mar 26, 1865
Event: Type: Fam. Hist. by
Place: Obituary from Ollie (Wessels) Rudowske scrapbook
Emigration: Date: 1883
Place: USA
Reference: 1867
Note: OBITUARY
Death Claims
Mrs. 0. Rudowske
Mrs. Ollie W. Rudowske, 81, of 1807 S. Grand, died in the city hospital this morning. Funeral service will be Friay at 1:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Rudowske was born in Crescent City, Illinois USAl., Feb. 17, 1887
but had lived in this area since 1900.
She was the widow of Gustav Herman Rudowske, who died in 1952.
Mrs. Rudowske was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and an honorary member of the Ladies Aid.
Survivors include a son, Raymond, of Stuttgart; a daughter, Mrs. Harold Mollenkopf of Stuttgart; three brothers, Alfred and Adolph Wessels of Stuttgart and Oscar Wessels of Pine Bluff; a sister, Mrs. Katie Mommsen of Stuttgart; and one grandchild.
The Rev. E. A. Brockmann will conduct the funeral service, and Sour will be in Lone Tree Cemetery by Turpin Funeral Service.
The family requests memorials take the form of contributions to St. John's Lutheran School Building Fund.
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Raymond Rudowske Furnished all data on the family page
Source: (Name)
Title: Raymond Rudowske - Family data sheet
Event: Type: Sponsors
Date: 10 APR 1887
Place: Afke Osterburg, Toni Osterburg and Theda Wessels
Reference: 1868
Cause: Stroke
Note: [Br�derbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 2, Ed. 4, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Social Security Death Index, Surnames from M through Z, Date of Import: Aug 11, 1998, Internal Ref. #1.112.4.108312.122]
Individual: Wessels, Adolf
Birth date: Mar 8, 1891
Death date: Apr 1969
Social Security #: 432-38-0351
Last residence: AR 72160
State of issue: AR
Source: (Death Field)
Br�derbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 2, Ed. 4, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Social Security Death Index, Surnames from M through Z, Date of Import: Aug 11, 1998, Internal Ref. #1.112.4.108312.122
Confirmation: Date: 15 APR 1906
Place: Emanuel Lutheran Church register, book 1, page 209/211, itm 50/54; Stuttgart Arkansas USA
Event: Type: Fam. Hist. by
Place: Adolf's son, Harold gave his father's date of death as Mar 31, 1969
Reference: 1869
Note: This record from
Social Security Death Index: United States 1937-1995; Family Archive CD 110...
SS#: 432-50-4281
SS#: Issued in ARI
0BITUARY
Alfred H. Wessels was born on April 19, 1893 in Cresent City, Ill, to Geike and Joanna Wessels and was baptized into the Christian faith on May 14 of that same year. He was confirmed in that faith on April 19, 1908. On June 6, 1919 he was united to Helena Scheeler in Stuttgart Arkansas USAkansas.
Mr. Wessels had been a resident of Stuttgart for
79 years and before retiring had been a director for
Turpin Funeral Home. He was a member of St. John's
Lutheran Church where he had served as Treasurer and
Director of Publicity. He was also a World War I
veteran.
He was called to his eternal home by our gracious God while a patient at Stuttgart Memorial Hospital on April 28, 1979 having attained the age of 86 years and 9 days.
He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, Helena Wessels; three sons, Roger Wessels of Stuttgart, Winston Wessels of Irving, Texas and Francis Wessels of Converse, Texas; one brother, Oscar 1cessels of Pine Bluff; one sister, Mrs. Katye Mommsen of Stuttgart; 6 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
We extend our sincere sympathy to his family and friends and pray that God will comfort and strengthen them through His Word and with the certainty of the resurrection.
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Birth date: Apr 19,1893
Death date: Apr 1979
Residence code: AR
Zip Code of last known residence: 72160
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code: Stuttgart Arkansas USAkansas
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Confirmation: Date: 2 MAY 1920
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., Emanuel Lutheran Church register, item 68
Event: Type: Christened
Date: 19 APR 1908
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., Emanuel Lutheran Church register, item 68
Event: Type: Marriage data
Date: 6 JUN 1919
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., Emanuel Lutheran Church register, marriage record , item 51
Event: Type: Sponsors
Place: Elmer Wessels & Martha Schuler
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 19 APR 1893
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., Emanuel Lutheran Church register, item 68
Reference: 1870
Note: Social Security Death Index: United States 1937-1995; Family Archive CD 110...
Katye Mommsen (Exact spelling in SS record)
SS# 431-88-2962
SS# Issued in AR
Birth date: Oct 22, 1895
Death date: Mar 1982
Residence code: AR
Zip Code of last known residence: 72160
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:
Confirmation: Date: 4 APR 1911
Place: Emanuel Lutheran Church, ; index #88; Stuttgart Arkansas USA
Event: Type: Marriage data
Date: 20 MAR 1918
Place: St John's Lutheran church register, page 306; Stuttgart Arkansas USA
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 22 OCT 1895
Place: Emanuel Lutheran Church, ; index #88; Stuttgart Arkansas USA
Reference: 1871
Note: Newspaper clipping from Ollie (Wessels) Rudowske's Scrapbook
A penciled date if Feb. 18, 1936�WPCr)
ELMER W. WESSELS
Elmer W. Wessels, son of Mrs. Johanna Wessels and the late G. H. Wessels, died last night at
9:00 P. M. at the home of his sister, Mrs. A. J. Mommsen of this city, after a few hours illness. He was born at Crescent City, Illinois USAl., November 9, 1897. He moved here with his parents in 1900 and spent the rest of his life here. He was confirmed in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in 1916. He is survived by his mother, two sisters, four brothers, one half brother, one half sister, several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements have not been completed today.
Elmer's Death date taken from newspaper clipping (a pencil notation)
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ELMER WESSELS Obituary ( source)
ELMER WESSELS 38
DIES AT SISTER�S
Stuttgart Man Victim of
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Yesterday
DEATH IS SUDDEN
Had Complaned of "Slight Illness"
Only Few Hours Before Death
Elmer Wessels, 38, lay down on a
couch at the home of his sister,
Mrs. A. J. Mommsen of
Stuttgart, at 3 o�clock yesterday
afternoon, complaining of a slight
Illness. Six hours later he was
dead.
Dr. C W. Strait, the physician
who attended him, said he died
of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Weasels was working in. the vi-
cinity of the Strabara farm when
the illness seized him. He came
to his sister�s home and lay
down upon the couch, apparently
falling asleep. When relatives at-
tempted to rouse him at 5 o�clock
he. was unable to arise. Four
hours later he succumbed.
Weasels was the son of Mrs.
Johanna Wessels of Stutt-
gart and the late G. H. Weasels.
Born at Crescent City, Illinois USAl., on
NoVember 9, 1897, he moved to
Stuttgart with his parents In
1900. and spent the rest of his
life here.
Wesaela was confirmed as a
member of the Emanuel Luth-
eran church here in 1916.
He is survived by his mother;
two sisters, Mrs. Gus Rcdowake
and Mrs. Katy Mommsen of
Stuttgart; four brothers, Fred
Weasels, Alfred Weasels, Adolph
Weasels and Oscar Weasels, all of
near Stuttgart; one half-brother,
one half-sister, and several neices
land nephews.
Event: Type: Christened
Place: Died in 1936
Reference: 1872
Note: Johanna Aremine Wessel
The following record of the birth and death was found in the Emanuel Lutheran Church' register.
Born January 22, 1901 - Page 34, index # 18
Died August 30, 1902 - index # 10
Parents:Geike and Johanna Wessels
Reason of death: Summer Kran Kheit (german)
Comment:
In 1996 When I started working on the Wessels' Family Tree, I was given all the Family history that my parents, (Oscar and Helen Wessels) had written down through the years.
There was two names (Lottie and Minie) that no one knew much about, except they died at a very early age.
This must be the "Minnie" that my Father referred to in his Notes
Robert Wessels
June 1997
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 22 JAN 1901
Place: Record of birth found at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Stuttgart Arkansas USA. P34, #18
Reference: 1873
Note: This record from
Social Security Death Index: United States 1937-1995; Family Archive CD 110...
SS#:
SS#: Issued in AR
Birth date:
Death date:
Residence code:
Zip Code of last known residence:
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:
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Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Wessels
50th Anniversary
Celebration Set
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Wessels will be honored with a reception at Christ Lutheran Church, 3800 Fir Street, on Sunday, January 18, in observance of their 50th wedding anniversary.
They were married on January 17, 1926, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart by the Rev. C.H. Houser.
Mr. Wessels is retired from the Ben Pearson Manufacturing Company.
Hosts for the reception will be the couple's five children: Robert Wessels of Idabel, Oklahoma; Charles Wessels of Ruston, Louisiana; Lloyd Wessels of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mrs. Jerry Poteet of Pine Bluff and Bill Wessels of Fort Smith. They also have 13 grandchildren.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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Obituary
Oscar Wessels
Oscar G. Wessels, 88, of 4400 Culpepper Road, died Thurs at his home.
Born January 6, 1903, at Stuttgart, he was a son of the late Gieke Harm and Johanna Osterburg Wessels.
He was raised and educated in Stuttgart. Before moving to Pine
Bluff in 1950, he had been a farmer in Prairie County. After moving here, he worked for Ben Pearson Manufacturing Company, Raleigh PrOst-Dunum, Ostfriesland, Germanycts Company and in sporting goods stores.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, the former Helen "Lena" Sartorius of Pine Bluff, whom he married on January 17, 1926, at Stuttgart; four sons, Robert Wessels of Idabel, Oklahoma. Charles Wessels of Ruston, Louisiana, Lloyd Wessels of White Hall and William "Bill" Wessels of Fort Smith; a daughter, Ruby L. Poteet of Pine Bluff; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-
grandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Bahn officiating. Sour will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Mortuary.
Visitation will be today from 7 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.
The family requests that memorials take the form of donations to Trinity Lutheran Church
Confirmation: Date: 2 MAY 1920
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., at Emanuel Lutheran Church register, book 1, page 147
Event: Type: Christened
Date: 31 MAR 1903
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., at Emanuel Lutheran Church register, book 1, page 26
Event: Type: Marriage data
Date: 17 JAN 1926
Place: Stuttgart Arkansas USA., at Emanuel Lutheran Church register, book 1, page 314, item 76
Event: Type: Sponsors
Place: Anna & Paul Wessels
Event: Type: Death Data
Date: 26 DEC 1991
Place: Pine Bluff, Arkansas USA
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 26 DEC 1991
Place: Pine Bluff, Arkansas USA
Reference: 1874
Note: Charlotte (Lottie) Wessels
In 1996 When I started working on the Wessels' Family Tree, I was given all the Family history that my parents, (Oscar and Helen Wessels) had written down through the years.
There was two names (Lottie and Minie) that no one knew much about, except they died at a very early age.
While visiting with Raymond and Celeste Rudowske on May 13, 1997 in Stuttgart Arkansas USA. They had dozens of old photos of my Aunt Ollie ( Wessels) Rudowske 1887-1966, oldest daughter of Geike & Johanna Wessels.
In those photos was a photo of Lottie, with the following notation on the back.
2nd Child
Charlotte Wessels
(Lottie)
Died at age 5 years in llinois USA
{see scrapbook)
See Notes for information about date of birth and death date.
July 1996
Robert Wessels
Event: Type: Born data
Date: 13 JAN 1889
Place: Lived 5 years, 3 months and 8 days; per church records.
Reference: 1875
Note: Magdalena Gesina Margaret Wessels
(or) Lena (Wessels) Elits
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From the notes of Natalie Wessels:
Geike Wessels & 1st wife Lena Greussing had Magdalena G. M. Wessels -
wife died giving child birth. Child raised by grandmother Mrs. Fredrick Wessels.
Robert Wessels
**************************************************************************
Reference: 1876