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| Josephine (Moellmann) Licher |
He is found under a variety of names with various spellings: Martin, Mathew, Mathias, Methias.
He emigrated to the United States from Bremen, Germany, sailing on 22 August 1864 on the ship America. He was 31 years old and listed as a "workman." No family seems to have come with him. He arrived at the port of New York on 13 September 1864.
By August 1868, he was a resident of Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky. On 15 August 1868, he and Josephine Mollmann applied for a marriage license in Covington. He gave his age as 30; she gave hers as 22. It was the first marriage for them both. They were married on 15 September 1868 at St. Aloysius Church in Covington by the Rev. Edward Frolich.
Josephine Moellmann was born in Germany on 2 November 1846. Her parents are not yet known. Her immigration records have not yet been found. Her surname is found spelled many different ways, including Mallman, Mullman, Mollman, Moehlmann, etc.
Their first child, a son, was born 19 June 1869, in Covington. As an adult, he was known as Albert John Licher, but his name has been found as Aloisius, Louis, Alvis and John Aloys. Math.
The family is found on the 1870 Federal Census living in Ward 5, Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky. The census shows the following: Mathias Licher, born about 1834, age in 1870 - 36; born Hanover; Josephine, 25 yrs old, born Hanover; Aloisius, 1 year old, born Kentucky.
Their next child, their daughter, Sophia, was born after June 1870 in Covington. Her exact birth date has not been found.
Son, Henry, was born 20 April 1871.
The Cincinnati City Directory for 1874 lists "Licher Matthias, lab[orer], 102 E. 2nd." This was the address of the offices of the Licking Rolling Mill where he was employed.
Son, John Martin, was born 10 October 1874.
Son, Frank, was born in May 1877.
In July 1879, daughter Sophia died of a "disease of the lungs." She was 8 years old. Her burial place has not been found.
In 1879, the Cincinnati City Directory listed "Licher Matthias, lab, wks. 104 E 2d." This was the address of the Licking Rolling Mill where he was employed.
Son, Joseph E., was born 11 February 1880.
The family is found on the 1880 Federal Census in Ward 9, Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky. The entry shows: Mathew Licher, white, male, 45 yrs old, born Germany; Josephine, wife, born Germany, age 39; Louis [must be Albert] age 11; Henry age 9; John age 5; Frank age 3; Joseph age 4 mos (born Feb). All the children were born in Kentucky.
Mathias is listed in the 1884 Covington City Directory as "Licher Mathias, lab. h. 491 Edwards, Lewisburg." Later addresses are 491 Hermes, so the street name may have changed. Lewisburg is a historic district of Covington.
On 5 February 1885, their youngest child, Mary A., was born.
In the 1886 Covington City Directory, he is listed as "Licher Mathias, lab. h.e.s. Edward south of Short, Lewisburg."
In the 1890 Covington City Directory, Mathias is shown as occupation "helper" and residence at 491 Hermes Ave., Lewisburg.
The 1890-91 Cincinnati City Directory lists him as working at 102 E 2nd in Cincinnati. This was the address of the offices of the Licking Rolling Mill. The city directory lists his occupation as "molder, works 102 E 2nd" Cincinnati.
The 1892 Covington City Directory lists Mathias as "laborer works" at the Licking Rolling Mill. Another listing for 1892 gives his name as Martin Licher.
Mathias Licher died between May 20, 1892 when he signed his will and June 17, 1892 when his will was entered into probate in Kenton Co., Kentucky. His will gives his wife's maiden name: Josephine Moellmann; he leaves all his property to her and names her executor of his estate and guardian of his minor children. His exact death date and burial place are not yet known.
Here is a transcription of his will:
"In the Name of God Amen. I, Mathias Licher being of sound mind and disposing memory make and publish this document as and for my last will and testament.
1st After my death all my legal debts and Catholic funeral expenses shall be paid
2nd All what is left of real estate as well as personal property which I die possessed of give and bequeath to my dear wife Josephine nee Moellmann
3rd I appoint also my Wife Executrix of this my Testament and appoint her as Guardian of my minor children without bond required by the County Court.
In witness whereof I have set hereto my hand and seal in the presence of Henry Heuet and Henry Becker who also have signed this in my presence.
Covington Ky May 20th 1892 Mathias Licher
H. Heuet H. Becker
State of Kentucky
Kenton County Court
May Term June 17th 1892
The foregoing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Mathias Licher dec'd was at the aforesaid Term filed, proven, established and admitted to probate, as and for the last Will and Testament of said decedent and as such the same was ordered to be recorded which has been done accordingly.
Attest Wes B Wilson Clerk"
In 1900, Josephine is listed on the census as a widow. Josephine was shown as head of the household on the 1900 Census. The household was as follows: Licher, Josephine born Nov 1841, 58, widowed, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, can read & write, cannot speak English; Frank, son, born May 1877, 23 years old, born Kentucky, father born Germany, mother born Germany, Laborer in wheelworks, can read, write & speak English; Joseph, son, born Feb. 1880, 20 yrs old, born Kentucky, parents born Germany; Mary, daughter, born Feb. 1885, 15 yrs old, born Kentucky, parents born German, tailoress.
The 1900 Covington City Directory lists Josephine as the widow of Mathias and as living at 491 Hermes Ave., Covington.
The 1902 Covington City Directory shows her living at 491 Hermes with her son, John Martin. She is listed as the widow of Mathias.
Josephine wrote a will dated 21 January 1905. It read:
"My Last Will and Testament.
In the name of God, Amen.
I, Josephine Licher, a widow of the City of Covington, Ky., being at present in feeble health, but of sound mind and disposing memory and knowing the uncertainty of this life do therefore make, declare and publish this as and for my Last Will and Testament as follows, to-wit:
Item 1st:
I direct that my Executor hereinafter named shall pay all my just and lawful debts out of my Estate, including funeral expenses and medical attendance.
Item 2d:
I direct that my Executor shall also pay to the Rector of the Roman Catholic St John's Church of Covington, Ky., the sum of fifty dollars for holy masses to be read for the repose of my soul.
Item 3d:
I devise and bequeath to my Son, John Licher and my daughter Mary Licher, my house and lot, known and designated as No. 491 Hermes Ave. in the City of Covington, Ky. to have and to hold the same jointly between them in fee simple, nevertheless however they shall pay to my sons Aloysius and Joseph each the sum of fifty dollars and to my son Frank also the sum of fifty dollars and to my son Henry, the sum of twenty five dollars.
Item 4th:
I hereby nominate and appoint my son John Licher Executor of this my Last Will and Testament and I request the County Court to let him qualify as such on his own bond without any additional security.
In witness Whereof to this my last Will and Testament I have herunto set my hand this 21st day of January 1905.
Josephine Licher
Signed and declared and acknowledged by Josephine Licher as and for her Last Will (next page) and Testament in our presence and who have at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Henry Becker
H. J. Hausepohl
State of Kentucky
Kenton County Court
May Term May 29th 1905
The foregoing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Josephine Licher, Dec'd. was at the aforesaid term, filed, proven, established and admitted to probate as and for the last Will and Testament of said decedent and as such the same was ordered to be recorded which has been done accordingly.
Attest. (unreadable) Yates, Clerk
(unreadable), DC"
I did a little looking for a Henry Becker since a man by that name signed both their wills. I suspect he was the Henry Becker who lived at 495 Hermes (a neighbor) and was a tailor.
Josephine died 4 May 1905 at her home at 491 Hermes, Covington, Kentucky. Her death certificate does not give her maiden name. It says she was 62 years old (indicating that she was born about 1843) and a widow. It gives her birthplace as Germany and says both her parents were born in Germany. She had no occupation and died at 491 Hermes Ave., Covington, KY.
Her obituary appeared in the Kentucky Post on 5 May 1905, as follows: "Mrs. Josephine Licher, 62, a widow, died yesterday afternoon at her home, 491 Hermes av. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning from St. John's Church, and the interment will take place at St. John's Cemetery."
A notice published 6 May 1905 in the Kentucky Post states: "The funeral of Josephine Licher, of 491 Hermes av., took place with requiem services from St. John's Church this morning. The burial took place at St. Jones (sic) Cemetery." (Should read St. John's Cemetery).
An approximate translation of the St. John's Catholic Church Records, page 478, 1905: "Licher - Day 4th month May died Josephina Licher, born Moellmann, received sacraments of the church. Born day 2nd month November 1842. (funeral?) day 6 month May and buried in cemetery of St. John's. Fr. J. Kramer"
Though multiple sources indicate that Josephine was buried in the cemetery of St. John's Catholic Church, her burial plot and tombstone have not been found.
According to a notice published 30 May 1905 on page 2 of the Kentucky Post, Josephine's will was probated 29 May 1905. The notice reads: "The will of Josephine Licher was probated yesterday. Her residence and lot at 491 Hermes av. were bequeathed to her children, John and Mary Licher, with the proviso that they pay $50 cash to her sons, Aloysius, Joseph and Frank, and $25 to her son Henry. John Licher is named as executor."
Mysteries:
Did Johan Mathias go directly from New York in 1864 to Covington, Kentucky?
When and where did Johan Mathias die? Where is he buried?
Where is Sophia Licher buried?
When did Josephine arrive in America? Did she come with family?
Who are Josephine's parents? Did she have siblings?
Does she have a tombstone or other burial records?
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