John Joseph Fricke (1838-1917) and his wife, Maria Anna Agnes Luhn (1848-1888)

John Joseph Fricke (date unknown; probably taken in Anderson, Indiana)

Johan Gerhard Fricke was born 2 November 1838 in Lingen, Hanover, Germany.  His parents have not yet been discovered, though his father is named as Karl Fricke on his son's death certificate.  No clues have been found as to his mother's name.

In the fall of 1864 when he was 26 years old, Johan left Germany aboard the ship, Bremen, bound for New York City.  He arrived in New York on 25 October 1864.  His is the last name on this passenger list:

A family story says that he left Germany to avoid the draft.  We have not determined if this story is true or not, but if so, he may have been trying to avoid the war between Prussia and Denmark.

After arriving in the United States, Johan began using the English version of his name:  John Joseph Fricke.  He settled in Cincinnati, Ohio.

On 17 August 1866, John married Maria Anna Agnes Luhn (also found as Luen, Lune, and other various spellings) in St. Augustine Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.  John was 27 and Agnes was 17.

Maria Anna Agnes was the daughter of Jean Henric Luen and his wife, Maria Aleid Thunemann.  She was called Agnes.  She was born 4 December 1848 in Barwinkle, Hanover, Germany and baptized 5 December 1848.   Here is a church record obtained from Germany many years ago:

Agnes came to the United States with her parents and siblings in 1851 when she was just two years old.  The family sailed from Bremen, Germany on the ship, Edmund, and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana.  They were headed for Cincinnati, Ohio.  Agnes and her family are on this passenger list; she is #174.

On the 1860 census, Agnes is found in Ward 16, Cincinnati, Ohio with her parents, Henry and Mary "Lun." 

After their marriage, John and Agnes continued to live in Cincinnati.  Their first child, Augustus Karl, was born 31 March 1867 in Cincinnati.  Son, Benjamin, was born 20 June 1869 in Cincinnati.

Agnes and John and their two sons, Gus and Benjamin, were in Ward 16, Cincinnati, on the 1870 census.  John was 30; Agnes was 21.  John's occupation was a "Journ. Brass Finisher."  I think "Journ." must be Journeyman.

On 28 October 1871, a daughter, Anna Gertrude Fricke, was  born.  Anna was my great-grandmother.  She was baptized 1 November 1871 at St. Henry Church, Cincinnati.

A son, Joseph John Fricke, was born 24 March 1874.

A birth record found for their next child, Henry Fricke, gives us some additional information about the family.  Henry was born 27 May 1876, in the family home at 310 Wade St., Cincinnati.  The midwife was Lizetta Wulfekuhl.  His father, John's, occupation was given as "Carriage Trimmer."  Henry was baptized 28 May 1876 at St. Henry Church.

The 1880 census shows the family still in Cincinnati.  John's occupation is listed as "brass finisher."  The 1881 Cincinnati City Directory gives their address as 38 Sherman Ave., Cincinnati, and John's occupation as a "finisher."

George J. Fricke was born in September 1882, though the exact date is not in my records.  Their youngest child, daughter Mary Agnes Fricke, was born in Cincinnati on 31 October 1882.  Her father nicknamed her "Mamie."

The family was still living at 38 Sherman Ave. in November 1888 when Agnes Fricke died.  She was 39 years old.  We don't have an exact death date, but she was buried on 25 November 1888 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cincinnati.

We have not yet obtained a photo of her tombstone, if one exists.

By 1889, we find John and all of his children except Benjamin in Anderson, Madison Co., Indiana.

John J. Fricke about 1892

On the 1900 census, John and his unmarried children were living with his married daughter, Anna, and her husband Albert Licher.  In the household were the following: Licher, Albert J., White, Male, born June 1869, 30 yrs old, married 8 years, born Kentucky, father born Germany, mother born Germany, nail maker, renting, can read & write; Anna G., White, female, born Oct. 1871, 28 years old, married 8 years, four children, born Ohio, father born Germany, mother born Germany, can read & write; Josephine K., daughter, white, female, born Feb. 1893, 7 years old, born Indiana; William J., son, white, male, born Oct. 1894, age 5, born Indiana; Catherine A., daughter, white, female, born Sept 1896, 3 yrs old, born Indiana; Agnes M., daughter, white, female, born Aug. 1898, 1 yr old, born Indiana; John B. Fricke, father-in-law, born Nov. 1838, age 61, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, came to USA in 1865, resident 35 years, na (naturalized?), machinist, can read & write; George J. Fricke, brother in law, born Sept. 1879, age 20, single, born Ohio, father born Germany, mother born Germany, machinist apprentice, can read & write; Mary A. Fricke, sister in law, born Oct. 1882, age 17, born Ohio, father born Germany, mother born Germany.

By January 1917, John was living at 1514 Arrow St. in Anderson, Indiana.  He died at St. John's Hospital, Anderson, on 23 January 1917.  He was 78 years old.

An obituary appeared in the Anderson Herald on 24 January 1917.

He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Anderson, Indiana, on 26 January 1917.  He is buried in the plot owned by his son, August, but there is no tombstone.

Below is a list of descendants of John and Agnes (Luhn) Fricke.  I have not included living individuals.

John Joseph Fricke, b. 2 Nov 1838 at Lingen, Hanover, Saxony, Germany, d. 23 Jan 1917 at St. John's Hospital, Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. 26 Jan 1917 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Lot #334, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

+Maria Anna Agnes Luhn, b. 4 Dec 1848 at Barwinkle, Hanover, Germany, m. 17 Apr 1866 at St. Augustine Church, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. Nov 1888 at 38 Sherman Ave., Cincinnati, OH, bur. 25 Nov 1888 at St. Joseph (German) Cemetery, 8th & Seton Ave., Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH

├── Augustus Karl Fricke, b. 31 Mar 1867 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. 13 Oct 1949 at the family residence, 1514 Arrow Ave., Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. 15 Oct 1949 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co, IN

│   +Cora Hall, b. Apr 1872 at IN, m. 7 Jun 1893 at Madison Co., IN, d. 29 Jun 1931 at the family residence, 1514 Arrow Ave., Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. 2 Jul 1931 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co, IN

│   ├── Carl A. Fricke, b. circa 1895 at IN, d. 20 Jul 1972 at Grand Rapids, MI

│   │   +Frances Augusta Boelim, b. circa 1895, d. 12 Jul 1922 at 1514 Arrow Ave., Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   │   ├── Martha Mae Fricke

│   │   ├── Mary Louise Fricke, b. 9 Sep 1914 at Madison Co., IN

│   │   ├── August C. Fricke, b. 10 Mar 1916 at Madison Co., IN

│   │   └── Naomi Frances Fricke, b. 8 Jun 1918 at Madison Co., IN, d. 10 May 1921 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   │   +Garnet (--?--), d. after 20 Jul 1972

│   ├── Ralph J. Fricke, b. 25 Oct 1896 at IN, d. 21 Sep 1964 at North Shore Hospital, Miami, FL

│   │   +Ruth M. Baker, b. circa 1900, m. 8 Nov 1902 at Madison Co., IN, d. 2 Sep 1986 at Hobe Sound, FL

│   │   ├── Frederick J. Fricke, b. 5 Dec 1917 at Madison Co., IN

│   │   └── Ralph Fricke Jr, b. 19 Sep 1920 at Madison Co., IN

│   └── Marie Fricke, b. 17 Feb 1903, d. 27 Mar 1912 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. 30 Mar 1912 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

├── Benjamin Fricke, b. 20 Jun 1869 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. 18 Dec 1940 at Joliette, Will Co., IL, bur. at Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliette, Will Co., IL

│   +Bessie Viola Wolford, b. Oct 1876, m. circa 1896, d. 12 Jul 1931 at Joliet, Will Co., IL

│   ├── John Lawrence M Fricke, b. Jul 1896 at IL, d. 1918

│   ├── Harry W Fricke, b. 9 Oct 1899 at IL, d. Aug 1976 at OH

│   ├── Russel G Fricke, b. circa 1902 at IL

│   └── Agnes M Fricke, b. 10 Sep 1905 at IL, d. 9 Jan 2000 at Joliet, Will Co., IL

│       +(--?--) Liess

├── Anna Gertrude Fricke, b. 28 Oct 1871 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. 17 Jan 1962 at Maplewood Nursing Home, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 20 Jan 1962 at Elm Ridge Cemetary, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   +Albert John Licher, b. 19 Jun 1869 at Covington, Kenton Co., KY, m. 4 Jan 1892 at St. Mary's Church, Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 29 Apr 1939 at 1413 Kirby Ave., Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 2 May 1939 at Elm Ridge Cemetary, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   ├── Josephine Catherine Licher, b. 29 Jan 1893 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 23 Oct 1987 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. 26 Oct 1987 at East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   │   +Elmer Willis Smith, b. 28 Apr 1892 at Shelby Co, IN, m. 16 Apr 1913 at St. Mary's Church, Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 7 Mar 1975 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. at East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   ├── William John Licher, b. 23 Oct 1894 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 30 Nov 1946 at Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 4 Dec 1946 at Licher/Perry plot, Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   │   +Mary Louise Westermann, b. 10 Jan 1898 at Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH, m. 15 Sep 1915 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, d. 11 Dec 1987 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. at Elm Ridge Memorial Park, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   │   ├── Charles Edward Licher, b. 20 Aug 1916 at New Castle, Henry Co., IN, d. 22 Jan 1991 at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH, bur. at Fischer Store Cemetery, Comal Co., TX

│   │   └── Marietta Louise Licher, b. 5 Oct 1917 at New Castle, Henry Co., IN, d. 28 Oct 2007 at Beverly Living Center, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 31 Oct 2007 at Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   ├── Anna Kathryn Licher, b. 9 Sep 1896 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 19 Feb 1976 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, bur. at Elm Ridge Cemetery in the Licher/Perry Plot, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   │   +George Christopher Kaiser, b. 8 Jun 1898 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, m. 5 Sep 1922 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, d. 6 Aug 1966 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, bur. at Licher - Perry Plot in Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   │   ├── Phyllis Anne Kaiser, b. 3 Sep 1926 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, d. 13 Apr 2008 at Mason, OH

│   │   ├── Serena M Kaiser, b. 3 Feb 1930 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, d. 11 Oct 1993 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, bur. at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

│   │   └── George Kenneth Kaiser, b. 26 Aug 1936 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, d. 17 Aug 1979 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   ├── Agnes Mary Licher, b. 19 Aug 1899 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 28 Dec 1957 at Elmhurst, IL, new. 31 Dec 1957 at St. Agnes Convent Chapel, Fond du Lac, WI

│   ├── Georgia Anna Licher, b. 25 Sep 1900 at Anderson, Madison Co, IN, d. 21 Mar 1977 at Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 23 Mar 1977 at Elm Ridge Cemetary, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   │   +James Mortimer Perry, b. 26 Jun 1899 at Harp, Bald Knob, Franklin Co., KY, m. 24 Nov 1920 at St. Lawrence Church, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, d. 21 May 1986 at Yorktown Health Center, Yorktown, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 24 May 1986 at Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   ├── John Sylvester Licher, b. 7 Oct 1904 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 27 Apr 1929 at Marion, Grant Co., IN, bur. 30 Apr 1929 at Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   ├── Edmund Mathias Licher, b. 22 May 1906 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 18 May 1963 at Richmond Hospital, Richmond, Wayne Co., IN, bur. at Elm Ridge Memorial Park, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   │   +Dorothy Evoline Mann, b. 11 Jan 1909 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, m. 11 Jan 1936 at Delaware Co., IN, d. 4 Mar 1997 at Muncie Health Care Center, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. 7 Mar 1997 at Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

│   ├── Dorothy Anne Licher, b. 25 Sep 1908 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 18 May 1993 at Nazareth Heights, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, bur. 21 May 1993 at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, WI

│  

├── Joseph John Fricke, b. 24 Mar 1874 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. 17 Jun 1953 at Kokomo, IN, bur. 18 Jun 1955 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Kokomo, IN

│   +Magnolia Rogers, b. 22 Jul 1878 at Carlos City, IN, m. 18 May 1898 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 9 Nov 1956 at Kokomo, IN

│   ├── Virginia Fricke, b. 29 Jun 1899

│   └── John N. Fricke, b. 22 Dec 1901 at Anderson, IN

│       +Mildred M. Kleder, b. 12 Oct 1909 at Milford, IN, m. 1935 at Wabash, IN

├── Henry Fricke, b. 27 May 1876 at 310 Wade St., Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. 22 Apr 1955 at his home at 1619 Louise St., Anderson, Madison Co., IN, bur. 25 Apr 1955 at East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   +Minnie Brown, b. 1880, m. 21 Jun 1899 at Madison Co., IN, d. 1942, bur. at Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   ├── Elizabeth Fricke, b. 1904, d. 1965, bur. at Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison Co., IN

│   │   +(--?--) Carney

│   └── (--?--) Fricke, b. 28 Mar 1904 at Madison Co., IN

├── George J Fricke, b. Sep 1882 at OH, d. 1921 at Muncie, Delaware Co., IN, bur. at Beech Grove Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN

└── Mary Agnes Fricke, b. 31 Oct 1882 at Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, d. 17 Mar 1973 at Baltimore City Hospital, Baltimore, MD, bur. 20 Mar at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, Baltimore, MD

    +Alonzo Franklin Nelson, b. 27 Jan 1880 at Edgar Co., IL, m. 8 Nov 1902 at Madison Co., IN, d. 24 Sep 1951 at MD, bur. at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, Bel Aire, Harford Co., MD

    ├── George John Nelson, b. 1904 at Anderson, Madison Co., IN, d. 15 Feb 1974 at Church Home and Hospital, Baltimore, MD

    ├── Barbara Nelson, b. circa 1907

    └── Wilbert Nelson

Guest Posts?

I was thinking today that it might be fun to have some Guest Posts once in awhile.  I have lots and lots that I can write about, but I know some of my regular readers have interesting research they could share.  While I usually focus on a person or family, there are other directions one could go that would work.

So I just wanted to toss it out there.  If you are interested in doing a Guest Post on my blog, contact me via email with your idea and we can discuss it.  I think it could be fun.

Laura Virginia Watt (1839-1911), wife of William M. Braden

Laura Virginia (Watt) Braden (date unknown)

Laura Virginia Watt was born 21 September 1839 in Jefferson, Washington Township, Clinton Co., Indiana.  Her parents were Robert Watt and his wife, Jane.  Family information gives Jane's full maiden name as "Jane McClellan Fagundus," but so far I have not been able to verify this.  Laura was the sixth child (of seven known) born to Robert and Jane Watt.

Laura lived her whole life in the Washington Township area of Clinton Co., Indiana.

The first mention I find of her is in a letter from Sarah (Jenners) Bradfield to her sister, Mary (Jenners) Braden dated 18 December 1844:  "I've got a tin-cup a piece for you and Mrs. Watt give her the one with the work bag in it tell her I took her eleven pence and bought a bag for little Laura and the one with your shawl in is of course for you."

Laura is found on the 1850 census with her parents in Clinton Co., Indiana.  The household is listed as follows:  Robert Watt, age 50, farmer, real estate valued at $1,000, born England; Jane Watt, age 42, born Pennsylvania; Susan Watt, age 17, born IN; James W. Watt, age 15, farmer, born IN; Samuel Watt, age 12, born IN; Laura Watt, age 10, born IN; Sarah Watt, age 9, born IN. 

Laura's mother, Jane, died on 10 June 1857 in Clinton Co., Indiana.  Laura was 18 years old.

She was still living at home with her father when the 1860 census was taken.  The household was listed as follows:  Robert Watt, age 60, farmer, real estate valued at $4,700, born - England; Samuel G. Watt, age 22, farmer, born IN; Laura Watt, age 20, born IN; Sarah Watt, age 18, born IN; John Watt, age 24, laborer, born IN.


On 16 May 1865, Laura married William M. Braden, son of Burr and Mary (Jenners) Braden, in Clinton Co., Indiana.  It was her first marriage and Will's second.  Laura was 25 years old. 


On 14 December 1866, Laura and Will's first child was born:  Mary Jane Braden.  Their son, Robert Floyd Braden, was born 20 July 1868.  Their third child, another son, Alba Ellsworth Braden, was born 27 March 1871.  All of the children were born on the family farm in Washington Township, Clinton Co., Indiana.


The 1870 census lists the family in Clinton Co. as follows:  Braden, Wm, 33, Farmer; Laura 28, ; Mary 3; and Robert 1.  All were born in Indiana.
 
Many letters that Laura received over the years (ca 1875-1907) have been passed down through the family and are currently in our possession.  Most of these letters are from Laura's nieces, Mary and Clara Richards, daughters of Laura's sister, Susan and her husband Samuel Richards.  We don't, however, seem to have any letters written by Laura.

In October 1875, Laura spent some time visiting her sister, Susan, and family in Lafayette, Indiana.  She was away from home long enough that her husband, Will, wrote her a letter informing her about how the family was managing at home.

In June 1893, Laura traveled to Chicago to see the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition (Worlds Fair).  A postcard she sent home to her daughter, Mary, mentions that they will be headed to "the Fair" as soon as it opened that day. 

Another family item we have from this period is an issue of the Chicago Inter-Ocean from 9 October 1893 showing images from the Chicago Fire and the World's Fair.  Here is a (not very good) snapshot of that old newspaper.

I found several examples of this issue on line, so you can get a better look at this interesting piece, if you like.

Old Braden Farmhouse (destroyed by a tornado in the mid 1960s)

At some point during their marriage, Laura and Will built a new home.  That must be what we call the "Old Farmhouse."  My husband remembers it, but it was destroyed by a tornado in the mid 1960s. 

On 15 May 1897, Laura and Will's youngest son, Alba, married Emily Amina Crane. 

The 1900 census shows the family as being Will, Laura, Robert and Mary Jane. 

On 1 April 1907, Laura's husband, William M. Braden, died of pneumonia.  Then on 10 November 1907, Laura's youngest son, Alba E. Braden, died of an "epileptic convulsion;"  he was only 36 years old.

On 14 January 1908, in the Clinton County court in Frankfort, Laura filed a written relinquishment of the right to administer her husband, William's, estate and requested the appointment of their son, Robert F. Braden.  William had died without a will.

On 21 July 1908, Laura wrote and signed her will.

The 1910 census shows son, Robert, as the head of the household which also included Laura and Mary Jane.

Laura Virginia (Watt) Braden died of heart disease on 14 March 1911 at her home on the Braden family farm.  She was 71 years old.  She was buried next to her husband, Will, in Jefferson Cemetery, Clinton Co., Indiana.  


An obituary appeared in an unidentified newspaper that reads:  "Mrs. Braden Passes Away.  The death of Mrs. Laura Braden, widow of William Braden occurred at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning, at the family residence west of Jefferson after an illness of three weeks duration.  Death was due to a complication of ailments.
   Mrs. Braden was a daughter of Robert and Jane Watt and was born near Jefferson on September 21st 1839.  She was married to William Braden in 1865.  She leaves two children, Robert and Mary Braden, at home, also two grandchildren.  One son, Alba Braden, died here in Mulberry a few years ago.  The funeral was held yesterday, Rev. Odell of the Frankfort Presbyterian church conducting the services."

Another obituary from a Frankfort newspaper dated 18 March 1911 reads:  "MRS. LAURA BRADEN ANSWERED SUMMONS [handwritten date on clipping: Mar. 14, 1911] - Aged lady died at home near Jefferson - funeral services tomorrow [2nd clipping says "Thursday"].  -  Mrs. Laura V. Braden died at her home three miles west of Jefferson and about eight miles northwest of this city [Frankfort] yesterday morning about 7 o'clock.  Her death followed an illness of three weeks or so and was due to a complication of diseases, the most marked of which was probably heart trouble.  The deceased, who was seventy-one years of age, was born in Jefferson, September 21, 1839, and was the daughter of Robert and Jane Watt.  She was married May 16, 1865 to William Braden, who died about three years ago.  She resided at the Braden homestead from the time of her marriage until the present time.  She is survived by two children, Robert and Mary J. Braden, both of whom reside at home, and two grand children.   The funeral will be held at the homestead Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.  The services will be in charge of the Rev. A.L. Odell of the Presbyterian church of this city.  The interment will be made in the Jefferson cemetery." 


Laura's will was probated 23 March 1911.  A news article states:  "Will of Mrs. Braden Has Been Probated -- Two Children Receive Equal Shares - Grandchildren Receive $1,000 Each. -- The last will and testament of Laura V.  Braden was probated yesterday in the Clinton Circuit Court.  She bequeathed $1,000 to each of her grandchildren, Laura and William Braden, which they will receive when they reach the age of 21 years.  The residue of her estate goes to her two children, Robert P. [should be "F."] Braden and Mary J. Braden, each receiving an equal share.  Robert F. Braden is named as executor.  The names of Charles Guenther and William Fernald are appended to the document."