The Oconto County WIGenWeb
Project
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access
of individual researchers.
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NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE OCONTO
COUNTY WIGENWEB SITE Wisconsin
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NOVEMBER 2007
NOVEMBER NEW
Researched and contributed by family
descendant: Janet
The McNeil Family of Oconto County migrated
from Massachusetts to Wisconsin in the 1800's with James McNeil. This page
is loaded with wonderful ancestral photos of traditional Oconto County
family surname members McNeil, Topel, Tourtilott, Kittler, Belongia, Draeger
and Zimmerman.
Oconto County Historic Schools Oconto Falls School Photo
Did
you know that at one time Oconto Falls High School had an airplane?
Sometimes a picture
is worth not only 1000 words, but also 1000 memories. Native son, writer,
photo and flying enthusiast John Larson sends this 1949 aerial view that
includes the old high school building as well as the newer additions. It
was still standing in the " wide open spaces".
Peter Vullings was among those
who came to North America in the late 1800's looking for new employment
opportunities. His land of origin was called Holland and The Netherlands
over the centuries and had also been occupied and slit by other European
nations several times. The people were sometimes called "Dutch", "Hollanders"
and "Netherlanders.". We follow Peter from his departure in Europe to his
death in Oconto County, Wisconsin.
To confuse things for family genealogy
researchers, there was another Peter Vullings, less than two years difference
in age, living in neighboring Brown County, Wisconsin, then Grand Rapids
Michigan. He is briefly researched on this page to show the separateness
of the families.
Report of the
Peshtigo Fire in the Milwaukee Sentinel October 10 and 13, 1871 including the
image of the actual news report Researched, transcribed and contributed by:
Bil
Paul
NOVEMBER UPDATE Important new genealogy notations and
additions have been added to the Schaal Family and Schaal Memoirs Page Researched and contributed by descendant:
Herb
Dower
Coming to North
America from Ireland before 1850, the Pepper and Malone families were early
Wisconsin settlers. At first farmers, John was involved in the dangerous
Lumber Milling business as a "Boom man" in Oconto. Read what that was here
in the 1870's and 80's. Follow this family through 4 generation, from 1850
to 1920.
An unusual aerial view of the large
Lena High School campus. The W. P. A. (learn what that was) additions,
the original school building and athletic field are shown in this wonderful
photo that will bring back memories of walking the halls to many and show
descendants where their ancestors spent much of their youth. Photo taken and contributed by: John
Larson
Beginning the 10th year as Oconto County, Wisconsin, WIGenWeb Coordinator. RITA
If you have any Oconto County related postings, please send them
in to the site. All history data, ancestral information and photographs
are welcome!
You will receive full credit and, if your
like, a direct e-mail link. RITA
OCTOBER NEW
Oconto County Historic Schools Siles School Student and Faculty Photo Photo date unknown, but certainly near or over 100 years old. There are 71 people on the photo, including the teachers. Contributed by: John Larson
DEATHS Reported in the Newspaper July - September 1890
Researched and transcribed
by Cathe Ziereis
All ages were affected by the grim reaper
in Oconto County these three months. For some families the grief struck
twice. Those who had Typhoid Fever years before were often problemed by
recurring symptoms each year and gradually lost their vigor.
The Orr Family came to Oconto County,
Wisconsin, in 1868 from Pennsylvania where their heritage has been traced
back to the American Revolution. Shortly before migrating to Wisconsin,
one son, David Orr, died while serving in the Civil War. He was the victim
of disease, which killed more soldiers than the massive numbers lost in
battle. Originally from Ireland, the family is traced through the centuries.
SEPTEMBER NEW MARRIAGES Reported in the Newspaper July - September 1890
Researched and transcribed by Cathe
Ziereis
Marriages of Oconto County residents
often took place in the larger and best furnish home in the community.
It was the unrwrtten courtesy of the most prosperous to offer their homes
for these most special events. Parents of the couple provided the welcome,
decorations, clergy, judge or justice of the peace, and refreshments. Also
offen used was the parlor of a Justice of the Peace, the local courthouse,
the home of the bride or groom's parents, and a clergyman's front parlor.
Of course, various churches were also a popular setting for nuptual ceremonies.
Descendant Tina
Marie asks about her grandfather Michael Ostrenga
and his brother John of Little Suamico. There were several branches of Ostrenga Families to
settle in Oconto County. All immigrated from differernt parts of Poland in
the 1890's. This page attenpts to follows each grouping.
Contains an original 1854 map of what
the German Empire was, old Luhn family photographs, data collection, descendancy
chart and history notes. A lot here to help researchers of other immigrant
families.
Family descendant researcher:Stephen
Peattie lives in England and has contributed genealogical information on
the original Windross family who were preeminent pioneer settlers in the
very new Oconto County, Wisconsin. He would like to make contact with American
descendants of the family to fill in "holes" and has much to share.
AUGUST Really NEW Immigrants to Oconto County, Wisconsin The following pages are collections of various information that
traces the early Oconto County settlers to their origins. This
is the beginning of an ongoing project. Additional information,
including specific places of origin for individual families, is a great
help to researchers and is most welcome. Many more groups are planned for
future posting. Where were your ancestors from? Please do not hesitate
to send any information on a surname for posting to RITA.
You may have a direct e-mail link to your addition so others may contact
you to share, if you chose.
General concept for this page and research, in part, by Dane descendant
: Pamela (Nygaard) Ray Many thanks to her!
MARRIAGES Reported in the Newspaper January - April 1891
Researched and transcribed by Cathe
Ziereis
Marriages of Oconto County residents
took place not only locally but in Michigan, Illinois and California. The
young adult generation was certainly on the move.
The Roy, La Roy and Le Roy families are found in the
history of Oconto County Families. They have a connection to the Gardipier
Family of the earliest upper Great Lakes. This page includes an actual
part of the 1821 plat map of Fox River, Green
Bay, Wisconsin Territory, with many ancestral Oconto County surnames! Descendant contact: Lynn
Austin
BIRTHS Reported in the Newspaper January - April 1891
Researched and Transcribed
by Cathe Ziereis
There must have been an end of the year clearance sale
with all the births reported in January. Women with local parents often
had their children at "grandma and grandpa's." What amazes me is the reported
weights of some newly born babies. It gives new meaning to the term "labor
of love."
DEATHS Reported in the Newspaper January - April 1891
Researched and transcribed
by Cathe Ziereis
These additions offer some interesting
and important information on the backgrounds and relationships to those
who passed away. The many children lost during these months were
not only heartbreaking, and indicated the frequency of accidents as well
as communicable disease at work.
Flash from the Past Individual and Family Events Reported in the Newspaper
April - June 1890 Researched and Transcribed
by Cathe Ziereis
Children disappear on their way to school. Fires. County residents are visited by distant relatives
and go on far away visits. Families faced many of the same situations as today.
Petitions for Naturalization - Volume 9 1857 - 1952 Index Page
1
The
beginning of an ongoing project.
JULY NEW Obituary
Wayne Van Boven was born in Oconto Falls, the
descendant of two long time families; Van Boven and Wagner. He recently
passed away and a family member has requested the posting of his obituary.
The site is grateful for the honor of posting this army veteran.
DEATHS Reported in the Newspaper January - March 1892 Transcribed by Maxine
Nichols Researched by Cathe Ziereis
Although the general nature of journalism during this time was "flowery"
in form, the reports of deaths could be particularly eloquent. Obituaries
were not a regular part of the paper. Deaths were reported as "news" and
could be found scattered almost anywhere in the issue pages. They were
sometimes only one line long, and at other times they consisted of not
only the person's life story and accomplishments, but the history of the
person's family world experiences and a complete listing of lineage and
relations, much to the delight of the family researcher or casual historian.
Both members of this very active and highly
respected couple were born in town of How, to pioneer families. Both lived
into their 90's and left not only a large number of descendants, but a
rich legacy of education, travel, hard work, kindness, involvement and
volunteerism that speaks well of their Oconto County heritage and upbringing.
Heritage Obituaries researched and contributed by: Gloria Olson
Members of long
time Oconto County families pass away in the early 1900's. Their obituaries
help researchers in making connections and add bits of family histories.
October 8, 1871 Peshtigo Fire New Family Additions and Found Identities 126 years ago In terms of lives
lost, the worst natural disaster in US history. It included significant
parts of three upper Great Lakes states.
No
Way Home - Bruette (Brouillette) Family of Peshtigo contributed by family descendant: Patrick
BIRTHS Reported in the Newspaper January - March 1892 Transcribed by Maxine
Nichols Researched by Cathe
Ziereis
That year was a hard one for many Oconto County families. Illnesses
gave them hard struggles and deep losses. After the holidays and into the
cold of winter, the one truly happy events seemed to be looking forward
to the much anticipated births. There were only a few reported, but the editor said it all in this
pragmatic way: "Of course the little fellow will make home
happier, patience greater, hands busier, nights longer, days shorter, purse
lighter, etc., etc. "
They were among the first families to settle the wilderness of Northeastern
Wisconsin Territory in the 1840's, working in the newly started logging
and lumbering businesses that followed years after the fur trade here.
They were with the first homesteaders. Members were among the first to
served in the Civil War (1861-1865) and to pay with their lives. Only 6
years after the end of that war, the families faced a new enemy in the
form of the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871. That they not only survived, but
went on to produce generations of descendants speaks of their courage and
resilience.
JULY NEW Flash from the Past Individual and Family Events Reported in the Newspaper
January - March 1892 Transcribed by Maxine
Nichols Researched by Cathe Ziereis
There was so much going on involving Oconto County
residents these first three months of the year. Scores of surnames are
presented to help researchers with family histories.
On the back is the name
Alice Hurley of Oconto Falls. Her family is lost. FOUND:
The
maiden name for Alice Hurley was Alice McDonough. contributed by:
Richard
LaBrosse
JUNE NEW Oconto County Historic Schools Lena Student Photos contributed by: Michael
Dionne .
The Students of Lena School pose in the bright sunlight of the school
doorway for these old photos. There are names for many of these early Lena
children!!
JUNE NEW Historic
Oconto County Churches Page St.
Charles Church - Lena
The church building had stood, stately and admired, for nearly half
a century when fire brought it down in 1940. Dramatic local photos of the fire have been contributed by: Michael
Dionne He has also provided a fine "before" photo postcard, as the church
looked in 1930.
JUNE NEW Wonderful Photos of Centuries
Old Village Homes that are like your German ancestors
lived in. Many of the people who immigrated to Oconto County in the mid 1800's
were from the country of Pommerania. They homesteaded the land that they claimed here. Pommerania (Pommern) lost it's independence to Prussia and is now
a county in Northern Germany. Maps and photo postcards have been sent to us by German Genealogist
Siegfried Krause, whose family has lived in that area for many generations, as well as some old world corrections on the Lubbas Family are kindly
offered on this page.
Researched and submitted from Germany by: Siegfied Krause
Lena
Methodist Church at
117 W. Harley Street in Lena. Organized
in 1888 Three older photographs
taken while the congregation was using the church. contributed by: Marcy Ostrander
MARRIAGES Reported in the Newspaper April - June 1890 Researched and transcribed by Cathe Ziereis
The editor often offered a great deal of personal editorial along
with the marriage announcements at this time in the county. Today's "insight"
was yesterday's "news."
MYSTERY PHOTOS FORGOTTEN PEOPLE, PLACES
and TIMES Page
6
Far too often families have taken photographs
of members at their homes in rural places, especially of their children,
and not written the names on the pictures. Years later, descendants wish
they knew the identities on these cherished photos. This page of
photographs is another example.
From the Farm The photographs on this page were developed from old negatives.
Eugene Heezen is hoping for help in identifying these early 1900's Oconto
County images. If you recognize, or think you may know, any of the individuals
pictured please contact Eugene Heezen.
DEATHS Reported in the Newspaper April - June 1890
Researched and transcribed by: Cathe
Ziereis
One local resident passed away at the unthinkable age
of 101 years. When faced with a diagnosis of Tuberculosis of the
lung, heads of household would hide the fact and work hard
for the money to bring their wives and children to the US before
succumbing to the disease. Unfortunately for some, time did not let them finish
their efforts. This was probably the case with one Oconto County
resident and his family. Croup and pneumonia took the lives of several young
family members during the Spring, without the aid of antibiotics which came decades
later.
BIRTHS Reported in the Newpaper April - June 1890 Researched and transcribed by: Cathe
Ziereis
The stork was busy these three months, with a special
delivery nearly every week. Some weeks saw more than one new county resident
delivered. Are any of these yours?
I am from Canada
and have one family in Oconto, Silas Brien married to Octavia Degenette
June 27 1893 St. Peter Church, Oconto. I will appreciate it very much your
help and if you tell me when these children where born or died and if they
where married in Oconto. I am thanking
you.
First and second generation descendants of Oconto County's first
settlers are the highlight of these heritage obituaries. Their connection
to various families is noted on each one to aid family researchers..
Researched and contributed: Richard Labrosse He has done it again! Dick has found another abandoned Oconto
County genealogical treasure box (in a garage this time) and is hard at work transcribing the contents to post on the
site. Is that great or what! Who knows what is yet to come? .Oconto County Times Herald . .December 13, 1956.
New Additions In terms of lives
lost, the worst natural disaster in US history. It included significant
parts of three upper Great Lakes states. (contributed by: Janny
McNeil ) Richard McVane - age
34; laborer in Peshtigo; born in New Brunswick Mary Ann (Rafford) McVane
- age 29; born in New Brunswick Jessie Rafford McVane -
age
10; born in Maine Alice Rafford McVane -
age
13; born in Maine James Worden Rafford McVane
- age 8; born in Maine
Place, Jacob - age
28; farmer; born in Vermont Place, Sarah - wife
of Jacob (also Abe); age 36; born in Vermont Place,
Susan - age 12; born in Wisconsin Place,
Eugene age 9; born in Wisconsin
Flash from the Past Individual and Family Events Reported in the Newspaper January - December 1888 Researched by Cathe Ziereis Transcription by Ron Renquin
This is absolutely fascinating in it's weekly reporting
of life as it was in Oconto County, 119 years ago. Make your self a hot
drink and prepare to be mesmerized by real life in another time, as seen
through the eyes of the editor and people who lived it.
Photographs, newspaper articles and a "down home" collection of life's
vignettes covering 23rd of November 1898 to 8th of August 1984. written and contributed by John
R. Larson
At the top of this town of Spruce school
page is a newly added circa 1900 photo of the student body inside the one
room school house. This very old photo shows the difficulties faced by
both the photographer using natural light and the photo subjects who needed
to sit perfectly still during the long exposure time. That accounts for
"no smiles please." It is well worth a look!
DEATHS Reported in the Newspaper January - December 1888 Researched by Cathe Ziereis Transcription by Ron Renquin
Perhaps the most ornate and flowery news writing of
this high Victorian time is shown in the reports of Oconto County deaths.
Within these words lie the clues and confirmations of family member relationships,
and places of residence, that can be found no where else. This is a sadly
compelling year of such accounts for "death knows not age or circumstance."
Researched and
contributed by Gloria Olson & descendant contact:
Mary
Carl
Wilhelmina (DICKS)
married Martin Krischefski in Germany around 1863. They had four sons and
one daughter together. Martin died in Germany sometime around 1876.
Wilhelmina (DICKS) Krischefski then married Albert H. Topel in Germany
in 1878. Albert & Wilhelmina Topel and family immigrated from
Germany to Pensaukee, Wisconsin. They arrived in New York on 29 April 1881
from Germany, on ship Assyrian Monarch, departing from London, England.
On the ship were Albert Topel, his wife, Wilhelmina, the next five children
were all Krischefski’s but they came over as Topel’s. Albert age
11, August age 10, Herman age 10, Wilhelm age 9, Ida age 7, and then Bertha
Topel age 6 months. Bertha was the natural daughter of Albert Topel.
Albert’s brother Gustave came the same year, but not on the same ship.
In May 1888 their other brother, John came to Pensaukee too. They
all had descendants who were part of the fishing fleet of Pensaukee.
This family journal
only contains the descendants of Wilhelmina (DICKS) Krischefski Topel.
MARRIAGES Reported in the Newspaper January - December 1888 Researched by Cathe Ziereis Transcription by Ron Renquin
Like to read marriage announcements? Here we present
an entire year of local marriage reports. It was a very exciting and productive
time in Oconto County history and folks there were eager to know who had
"tied the knot."
FORAL Family Page Researched and contributed byBill
Fonferek
The Foral family of Oconto County originated in Bohemia,
Europe. In the mid 1800's descendants immigrated to North America and settled.
This updated family page contains lineage and ancestral photographs. Enjoy!
Otto Kuger/Krueger immigrated from Prussia in 1855.
His family was among the first of two very large Germany immigrations to
North America (1840-50's and 1870-80's). Otto married Margaret Zuebe
of Austria in early Oconto County history. His direct descendant, Orton
Krueger, is putting together a lineage for his own progeny, which includes
many Oconto County surnames, and asks for help in making connections. Come
see if you are among their descendants.
A greatly expanded listing of
births from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suring, Oconto County,
Wisconsin 1893 - 1927 (and a few for 1928) Now offering more than 230 local
ancestor names and dates for family researchers.
The LaMay family (also found as Lammá,
Le Maye, Lamay, Lemay, La May) came from French Canada in 1864, the early
days of Oconto County. They were among the many French families in "Frenchtown"
(now part of the city of Oconto). Ovide married Cecilia Guillon (also Guillaume)
who was born in Belgium and came to North America in 1881 with her family.
This page is the beginning of research on these families and there is much
to learn.
Coming from Ireland, Samuel McDowell
and his wife Mary Wilson first settled in Canada, and then traveled on
to Oconto County, Wisconsin, in 1860. After working in the city of Oconto,
the family members homesteaded in Little River at a place then locally
called "McDowell Settlement".
FEBRUARY UPDATE An exciting and extensive posting
covering centuries od generations and thousands of names!
.Dagneau
de Quindre Family. Contributed and
hosted by : Jack
Peltier
"This is an updated file on the Dagneau family - typos, errors and
all. A fair bit of information has been added. As a result of your
webpage I have contacted by several people who have provided additional
information, particularly on the family in France. Much of the information
has been verified but much has not so users should exercise caution in
using it. Thanks, Jack Peltier"
To honor their memories, members of Curtis, Cramer and Fletcher families
who were confronted by the Great Peshtigo Fire of October 8, 1871, have
been researched and added to the following pages:
THE
SURVIVORS - 1871 Peshtigo
Fire They carried the physical and emotional scars
of what is still the worst natural disaster in U.S. history (lives lost).
DEATH
BY FIRE - There was no single record of those who lost their lives in what
remains the worst natural disaster in US history (lives lost). This list
has been gathered from newspaper accounts, lists of the recognized dead,
first hand accounts found in books and magazines, descendant contributions,
cemetery records, census remuneration, obituaries and any other sources
available. It will be added to as names are found and sent
in by descendants in the future.
Eliza Curtis and M. P. Cramer were living with their families near
Peshtigo on the hot smoky night of October 8, 1871. They had
to run for their lives as the Great Peshtigo Fire roared upon these people
with 120 mile per hour winds and temperatures estimated to be 2000 degrees.
It totally destroyed the village of Peshtigo, then in Oconto County, and
all the surrounding area for miles. That anyone survived is no less that
a miracle. With added research, the fate of members of these two families
comes to light.
Jacob Dembrosky entered the US in 1884. Jacob was age 24 years
and had left his Russian occupied Poland. He lived in Pennsylvania, where
he met another Polish immigrant, married and started a large family. The
opportunity to live near Lena, Oconto County, Wisconsin drew this large
and growing family northward where they homesteaded in the late 1890's.
We have a wonderful new posting! A very fine image of the Grunwaldt Hardware
Store in Abrams, beside the saloon owned by Joseph Liegeois. It is easy
to see the new lanterns displayed in the front window along with other
much needed equipment. New produce bushel baskets, containers and pallets
are stacked along the wooden siding at the side of the building, awaiting
purchase by local farmers. The front entry welcomes you to step up from
the dirt main street and see the latest offerings to make your life much
easier. graciously
contributed by: Dan West
SUCHARSKY
Family Page descendant contact: Caryl Coming from Europe to America in 1880, this family typified many
of the hard working immigrant Polish families of not only Lena, Oconto
County, but North America. Three generation of these ancestors are presented.
the
HUMBLE BEE