Ferdinand Birr and Caroline Stecker were both born in Stolpe, Pommern, Germany. The father was tall and slender. He wore long sideburns, was a man of dignity and he had a great deal of pride. He was a member of  Emperor Frederick William's bodyguard, and for this was paid four cents a day. As a member of the guard, he accompanied the funeral cortege when the emperor died.

He was married to Caroline Stecker, an orphan, a descendant of rich feudal lords and a member of the nobility, Among the articles which she brought to America were fine linens, lace caps, and other articles such as only the upper class had. In Germany she was a nurse. They had seven children, five sons and two daughters.

For more on Birr family memoirs, press HERE

They came from Stople, Pommerania, Germany. According to a book called GERMANS TO AMERICA (Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports) Volume 27 - May 1872 to July 1872 by Ira Glazier, page 442, the BIRR family arrival was on the EUROPA from BREMEN, MAY 25, !872.

    1. Karl Birr "Charley" -  born June 1,1842, German , Died December 15, 1921, Morgan, Oconto
        County, Wisconsin. Naturalized Oconto County April 13, 1874.
        + Married Albertine Frankenstein (her dates are October 20 1845 in Germany - September 10,
        1924, Morgan, Oconto County, Wisconsin).
    For more on the Karl Birr family press HERE

    2. Minnie Birr (boat roster name - Wilhelmine) -  born December 23, 1844 and died 1921.
        + Married May 29, 1902 August Krause (his dates October 13, 1853 - ).  

August Henry BIRR      Marguerite HAMMEL

    3. August Henry Birr -  born December 20 1846
        and died April 22 1931 and listed as step child.
      + Married Marguerite Hammel
        (her dates October 22 1850 - May 2, 1908).
     For more on the August Henry Birr family press HERE
     Descendant contact for the August Henry Birr Family:   Owen Reinhart Birr  

    4. Frank Birr (boat roster name - Ferdinand)  -
        + Married September 3, 1874 Augusta Pillasch,
        (her dates June 20, 1851 - December 29, 1926) 
    For more on the Frank Birr family press HERE     

Louise Anna Hammel  1859 - 1893  first wife of  John Fredrick Birr

    6. Herman Louis Birr, (boat roster - Hermann)
        born March 7, 1859, died 1942.
        + Married April 15, 1884 Marie Apfel
        (her date Feb. 10, 1862 - Sept. 21, 1943).
       For more on the Herman Birr family press HERE

    7. Bertha Augusta Birr -  born October 9, 1861 ,
        died July 15, 1897
        + Married O. C. Johnson , married August 24, 1886
        + Second marriage to Martin Delzer
        (his dates August 31, 1863 - April 12, 1939).

John and Louise Anna Hammel Birr

Ferdinand and Caroline Birr's 5th child:

~John Frederick Birr -  1856 to 1936 
    + First wife Louise Anna Hammel 1859 to 1893
     had 6 children.

    1. John Martin Birr  - July 12 1880 to May 29,
        1950.
       + Married Feb. 18 1904 to Nettie Marie Judd -
        October 17, 1886 to May 20 1971.

    2. Edward Ludwig Birr  - Dec.  22 1885 -
         to April, 8,1951.
       + Married Martha Riemer.

    3. Emma Bertha Birr  - March 13 1882 to
        September 20, 1970.

NETTIE MARIE JUDD BIRR October 17, 1886  to May 20, 1971 hand tinted tin type photo.

Louise Anna Birr  1891 to 1967 married Louis Chizek  Jan 2, 1910 known as  Elizabeth

Blanche Chizek  1917 - 1981 Daughter of Louisa Anna Birr

    4. Albert Birr -  March 1 1887
        to April 12 1914.

    5. George H. Birr -
        January 4 1889 to
        November 7 1959.
       + Married November 2, 1914
        to Mayme Martin -
        November 2, 1893
        to April 7, 1983.
        For more Photographs of  George Birr  press HERE

~ 6. Louise Anna Birr (Elizabeth) -
       January 12, 1891 to August 14, 1967
       + Married January 2 1910 to
        Louis Lester Chizek -
        December 1 1890 to August 16, 1978.
 
 

The O.B. JUDD family and farm in Morgan. Pictured are "OB", Emma and their children Mayme, Mildred, Pearl and Harvey. Harvey the youngest in his mother's arms was born 1908 and looks to be about a year old so I would date the picture at about 1909.
 
 
 
 
 
 

+ Second wife of John Frederick Birr was Louise Krueger who had 8 children;

    1. Emil J Birr - born October 8, 1895

    2. Paul Birr - born July 15 1896

    3. Melvin Frank Gustav Birr  - December 26, 1897 to April 17, 1983

    4. Henry C Birr -  August 12, 1899 to September 1984

    5. Martha Katherine Marie Birr - June 2, 1901 to May 12, 1994

    6. Elmer Frederick Birr -  January 24, 1903 to July 5, 1969

    7. Arthur E. Birr -   born December 26, 1904 to 1905

    8. Lena L Birr - born October 5 1907

Old Post Card John Birr (1856-1936) is on the left. Note bear sitting on the chair with chain.