John Henry Ames 1862-1943

John Henry Ames was born 4 Mar 1862 in Illinois, (probably in Amboy, Lee county.) He was the son of William Ames and Lucinda E. Moon.

Photo of John later in life, with son Albert.

Lee county Illinois

Between 1863 and 1868 the family moved to Minnesota, possibly by railroad, steamboat up the Mississippi river, wagon or a combination of these methods.

Steamboats in St. Paul, 1858.

The family settled in Watonwan county.

1870 Federal Census - Madelia, Watonwan, Minnesota
Ames, William, 56, farmer, real estate valued at $800, personal valued at $200,  born in New York
Lucy, 39, born in New York
Mary Ann, 18, born in New York
Viola, 16, born in New York
George A., 14, born in Illinois
William, 12, born in Illinois
John H., 9, born in Illinois
Sarah G., 7, born in Illinois
Matilda, 2, born in Minnesota

The family next moved east to Milton township in Dodge county.

1875 Minnesota State Census - Milton township, Dodge county
William Ames, 61, born in New York
Lucy, 49, born in New York
Andrew, 19, born in New York
William, 17, born in Illinois
John, 13, born in Illinois
Sarah J., 11, born in Illinois
Addie, 7, born in Minnesota
Dorse H., 5, born in Minnesota

The family moved again, this time west to Kingsbury county in Dakota Territory (later South Dakota.)

1880 Federal Census - Township 110, Kingsbury, Dakota Territory taken 29 Jun 1880.
William Ames, 65, farmer, born in New York
Lucy, wife, 48, born in New York
John, son, 19, born in Illinois
Addie, daughter, 13, born in Minnesota
Dorsey, son, 8, born in Minnesota

Next door is Willie Ames, 22, farmer, born in Illinois,and his wife Minnie, 19, born in Minnesota.

Also living in Kingsburg, Dakota Territory in 1880 are Charles and Caroline Ingalls and their four daughter of the "Little House" book series. "By the Shores of Silver Lake" and "The Long Winter (1880-1881) describe events that the Ames family would have also experienced.

"The winter of 1880-1881 was one of the worst winters that South Dakota had ever seen. Blizzards began in early October and continued into late April, bringing catastrophic conditions to the western plains. The blizzards themselves would come every few days and last 2-3 days. Houses were completely covered and trains were trapped on the tracks. Men attempted to clear the way for trains, but it ended up being a lost cause when another blizzard arrived. Newly formed towns, like De Smet, were quickly running out of supplies. Settlers soon found themselves without food and a way to keep warm. At this point in history, it was rare to see a tree on the Dakota prairie."

From "The Long Winter: What really happened".

Prior to 1884 John's family returned to Dodge county Minnesota.

On 17 Mar 1884 in Concord, Dodge, Minnesota John married Ella Esther Bea. She was born 14 Apr 1867 in New York, the daughter of Robert A. Bea and Eliza F. West.

Ella's father Robert gave his permission for her to marry.

Daughter Ida was born 25 Jan 1885 in Milton, Dodge, Minnesota - volume A page 7 line 26

Father William died 1 Oct 1885 in Dodge county page 403 line 10.[Find-A-Grave has death date as 20 Aug 1885]. He is buried in Milton Cemetery.

Daughter Viola was born 22 Sep 1886 in Milton, Dodge, Minnesota - volume A page 7 line 41

Sadly daughter Ida died 16 Feb 1886 in Milton, Dodge county - page 403 line 13.

Daughter Elizabeth was born 14 Nov 1887 in Milton, Dodge county volume B page 1 line 6. [Note date and place are correct but parents are given as William and Mary.]

Son John James was born 4 Dec 1890 in Milton, Dodge county, vol. B page 2 line 1.

Son James Edward was born 28 Aug 1893 in Milton, Dodge county, volume B page 5 line 7.

The family moves  to Goodhue county.

1895 Minnesota State Census - Cherry Grove, Goodhue County
Ames, John, 35, born in Illinois, in state 30 years, in county 2 months, farm labor
Ella, 28, born in New York
Viola, 8, born in Minnesota
Lucas, 6, born in Minnesota
John, 4, born in Minnesota
James, 2, born in Minnesota

Another move back north to Norman county.

Son Jesse was born 10 Jan 1898 in Wild Rice, Norman county.

Daughter Amanda was born 24 Feb 1899 in Wild Rice, Norman county.

1900 Federal Census - Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota
Ames, John, b. 1860, 40, married 15 years, born Illinois, parents born Illinois, farmer
Alla, wife, b. Apr 1867, 33, 8 born 6 living, born New York, parents born New York
Viola, daughter, b. Mar 1886, 14, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Eliza, daughter, b. Sep 1888, 11, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
John, son, b. Dec 1890, 10, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
James, son, b. Aug 1893, 7, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Jesse, daughter, b. Jan 1897, 3, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Amanda, daughter, b. Feb 1899, 3/12, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York

Daughter Viola was married to Wilber James Murray on 16 Apr 1900 in Twin Valley, Norman county.

Son Spencer (Wilbert) was born 28 Sep 1902 in Wild Rice, Norman county.

1905 State Census - Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota
Ames, John, 45, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Germany, day laborer
Ella, 38, born New York,  parents born Pennsylvania
John G., 15, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
James, 12, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Jessie, 7, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Amanda, 5, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Spencer, 3, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York

Son Albert was born 8 Sep 1905 Twin Valley, Norman county.

Daughter Addie's birth was recorded in Dodge county, births volume C page 54 line 30 as 1 Sep 1907.

Daughter Pearl May was born 14 May 1909.

1910 Federal Census - Milton township, Dodge county
Ames, John H., 40, married once, 26 years, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Germany
Ella E., wife, 43, 12 children born, 10 living, born New York, parents born Pennsylvania
Jesse, daughter, 12, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Amanda, daughter, 10, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Spencer, son, 7, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Albert, son, 4, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Ada, daughter, 2, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York
Pearly, daughter, 1, born Minnesota, father born Illinois, mother born New York

Daughter Addie (Hattie) died 3 Mar 1914 in Milton, Dodge county, volume D page 112 line 26.

"Note from doctor with death certificate: I saw the child at 3 o'clock Mar. 2d and she was in no pain or distress, had a slight fever and that was about all, was hungry and thirsty. I left some fever medicine and she was dead at 3 a.m. March 3d. She had been sick for about 10 days, the mother said. Dr. C.B. McKaig dated April 22, 1914" [From Irene Clough Hahn]

Back row - Ella, Amanda, Jack, James; front row Bert, Pearl. Taken in 1914 or later, location unknown.

The family moved north to Dakota county.

Son James married Stella Mabel Decker 3 May 1917 in Matorville, Dodge, Minnesota

On 5 Jun 1917 son James registered for the draft in Dodge county. He gives his birth as 23 Aug 1893, address as Pine Island, Minnesota, occupation as farm laborer, and married.  Described as medium height and weight, gray eyes, black hair.

Son Jesse registers for the draft on 12 Sep 1918 in Dakota county. He gives his birth as 20 Jan 1898, occupation as laborer and nearest relative as Ella Ames [his mother]. He is described as medium height and weight, brown eyes and dark hair.

1920 Federal Census - Hastings, Dakota, Minnesota
Ames, John, 57, born Wisconsin, parents born Illinois
Ella, wife, 50, born New York, parents born New York
James, son, 28, born Minnesota, father born Wisconsin, mother born New York
Mabel, daughter-in-law, 21, born Minnesota, parents born Minnesota

Son James married Estella Matilda Grover prior to 1925.

Wife Ella died 23 Aug 1926 in Rochester, Olmstead, Minnesota at Worrell Hospital. She is buried in the Milton Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge county, row 10, grave 10.

In April of 1928 son John married Mary Anne Sich Flieder.

John died 3 Feb 1943 in Hastings, Dakota, Minnesota

He was buried 6 Feb 1943 in Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings; Division OC, Block 40, lot 8 grave 32.

John's obit appeared in the 12 Feb 1943 issue of the Hastings Gazette.

Additional photos [sources: Irene Clough Hahn, Ichimnca on ancestry,  and GlennWheeler61 on ancestry]

Amanda

Viola

Standing:John Ames, Frank Crandall, Jack Ames
Sitting: Tote Edeson, Godfrey Letcher

Urban Bernecker 1847-1928

Photo of Urban and Eva Barbara Bernecker.

Photo shared by lmiddle44 on Ancestry.

Urban Bernecker was born 2 Feb 1847 in Cottensdorf bei Numberg, Mittelfranken, Baiem, the son of Johann George Bernecker and Marie Justine Bindner. Below is the family record of Johann and Marie Justine and their children from the Lutheran church in Ansbach.

On 20 Oct 1873 in Gustenfelden, Ansbach, Germany he married Eva Barbara Hegelmeier.

Their first child, Eva Justine, was born 30 Apr 1874 in Cottensdorf.

Son Frederich was born 16 Sep 1875 in Cottensdorf. [From draft record]

Daughter Kunigunde was born in 1877/1878 in Cottensdorf. [Age 22 on marriage]

Daughter Marie was born in 1880 in Cottensdorf. [Age 2 month on passenger list]

On 9 Jun 1880 the family arrived in New York aboard the ship Castor from Rotterdam.  Family listed as Urban, Barbara, Eva, Friedrich, Kunigunde and Marie. Unfortunately there is a hole in the page where the ages would be listed.

The Castor was built 1870 in Glasgow, part of the Holland America line. No photo found.

Son Reinhardt J. was born 19 Jan 1882 in College Point, Queens, New York.

The family left New York and traveled to Michigan, settling in Saginaw county.

Daughter Margaret was born 19 Aug 1884 in Saginaw

Daughter Clara was born 9 Oct 1885 in Saginaw.

Daughter Maggie died 19 Oct 1885 in Saginaw. Cause of death in crease, not visible.

Daughter Ella (Elenora) was born 18 Feb 1888 in Saginaw, Michigan.

Daughter Hattie (Henrietta) was born 19 May 1890 in Marion Springs, Saginaw, Michigan

Son Urban Earhart was born 6 Oct 1892 in Marion, Saginaw county, Michigan

Daughter Eva married Martin Bauer on 28 Dec 1892.

Son Martin William was born 4 Mar 1894 in Saginaw.

Son Oscar was born 12 Apr 1894 in Marion Springs, Michigan.

The 1896 plat map of Marion township, Saginaw county shows Urban owning 40 acres in the NW 1/4 of section 26.

Daughter Kunigunde was married to Johl L. Stadler on 25 1900. Her age is given as 22. The ceremony was performed in Richland by K.F. Mueller, pastor.

1900 Federal Census - Marion Township, Saginaw, Michigan
Orban, born Feb 1847, 53, married 26 years, to US 1868, farmer
Barbara, born Sep 1849, 50, 14 children born, 10 children living, to US 1868
Rinehart, born Jan 1892, 18, born Michigan, farm laborer
Clara, born Oct 1884, 15, born Michigan, at school
Greta, born May 1890, 10, born Michigan, at school [This is Henrietta]
Orban, born Oct 1891, 8, born Michigan, at school
Martin, born Mar 1894, 6, born Michigan
Oscar, born Sep 1895, 4, born Michigan

Son Frederich married Johanna E. Mayer on 20 Oct 1901 in Richville, Michigan at St. Michael's Lutheran Church

The Saginaw News of 23 Nov 1905 tells of Fred and R. J. being part of a new benevolent society.

Son Reinhardt married Marie Schneep on 19 Apr 1906. Ceremony performed by W. Schumacher, cleryman.

The Saginaw News of 22 Jul 1909 tells of Martin and Urban serving as pallbearers.

 The Saginaw News of 11 Feb 1910 tells of Urban serving as a pallbearer.

1910 saw sorrow when daughter Clara died on 1 Apr of typhoid fever.

Saginaw Daily News 1 Apr 1910

Saginaw Daily News of 2 Apr 1910

Clara was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Saginaw.

1910 Federal Census - Saginaw township, Saginaw, lists the family as:
Urban, 62, married 37 years, born Germany, to US in 1868, carpenter on cars
Eva B.,59, 10 children born, 9 children living, born Germany, to US in 1880
Henriette, 20, born Michigan
Urban, 17, born Michigan, piler at foundry
Martin, 16, born Michigan
Oscar, 14, born Michigan

Daughter Eleanora married William G. Zuchowski on 17 Nov 1911 in Saginaw.

The Saginaw News of 5 Jun 1912 shows that Urban served on the cemetery committee.

1915 Saginaw City Directory

Daughter Henrietta married Norman G. Hoffman on 9 Sep 1916 in Saginaw. Ceremony was performed by Henry Grueber, pastor.

The Bernecker sons registered for the draft. It must have been hard for Urban and Eva to think of their sons going to Europe to possibly fight again their own cousins.

Martin registered 5 Jun 1917 in Highland Park. He gives his birth as 4 Mar 1894 in Marion Springs, Michigan, occupation as conductor for Detroit F... Rail Road. He is described as medium height, stout, grey eyes and brown hair.

Oscar Michael registered 5 Jun 1917 in Lucas county, Ohio. He gives his birth as 12 Apr 1894 in Marion Springs, Michigan, occupation as railroad clerk for P.M. Ry [Pere Marquette Railroad] in Toledo. He is described as medium height and build, grey eyes and brown hair.

Urban Erhart registered 5 Jun 1917 in Saginaw. He gives his birth as 6 Oct 1892 in Marion Springs, Saginaw, occupation as Master car builder for Pere Marquette Railroad. He is described as tall, slender, brown eyes and hair.

On 25 May 1918 Martin joined the Army.

On 29 May 1918 Oscar joined the Army.

The Saginaw News of 18 Jun 1918 lists Urban Jr. as among those men leaving for Camp Custer.

Oscar's company sailed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 27 Jul 1918 aboard the Agapenor.

The Agapenor, built in 1914, survived The Great War, but was sunk during WWII in 1942.

Son Martin was married to Mary Ellen Stanton on 9 Sep 1918 in Columbia, South Carolina. [From army records]

Frederich registered 12 Sep 1918 in Saginaw. He gives his birth as 16 Sep 1875, occupation as car repairer for Pere Marquette Rail Road, wife is Johanna. He is described as 5'11" tall, medium build, brown eyes and dark brown hair.

Reinhardt John registered 12 Sep 1918 in Saginaw. He gives his birth as 19 Jan 1882, occupation as grocer, employer is self at 502 Brockway, wife is Marie. He is described as medium height, stout, brown eyes and hair.

The Saginaw News of 23 Sep 1918 tells of Urban coming home on leave.

Undated passenger list shows Martin as part of Battery "A", 118 Field Artillery leaving Hobeken, New Jersey.

Martin was on board the USS Martha Washington on 9 Dec 1918.

On 17 Jan 1919 Martin was discharged from the Army.

On 15 Mar 1919 Oscar was discharged from the Army.

Urban served jury duty as told in the Saginaw News of 20 Jan 1920 [Unknown if father or son].

1920 Federal Census - City of Saginaw, Saginaw county
Urban, 72, to US 1868, naturalized citizen in 1893, born in Bavaria, carpenter at rail road shop
Eva, 19, born Bavaria.

Urban died 18 Mar 1928 in Saginaw of a gastric hemorrhage. Address was 1600 Federal Ave.

Urban was buried at Forest Lawn cemetery in Saginaw.

1930 Federal Census City of Saginaw list Eva as living at 1600 Federal Avenue, owns her home valued at $3,000, does not have a radio, 79, widow, born Germany, to US in 1880.

Saginaw City Directory, 1934, Eva B. (wid Urban) lives at 1602 Federal Ave.

Eva died 12 Dec 1934 in Saginaw. Address was 1602 Federal Ave.

1602 Federal Avenue was a one family home built in 1884.

Eva was buried at Forest Lawn cemetery in Saginaw.

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