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NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE
OCONTO COUNTY WIGENWEB SITE
Wisconsin
Project
and Web Site Coordinator -
RITA
  |
DECEMBER
NEW
Heritage
Obituaries
An
on-going project,
with your help.
Contributed by:: Joe Pecor
Contributed by: Gloria Olson
DECEMBER
NEW
From 1860 there have been several
Ross Families of
different origins living in Oconto County. This page is a summary of
some
of their documentation to help researchers.
Family and Biography Main Page
DECEMBER
NEW
Obituaries
The
following vintage obituaries
are related to Oconto County families.
contributed by: Mary Wilinski
edited for posting by: Carol Degeneffe Saric
|
|
Victoria Holewinski SWIECICHOWSKI Stanley W Helen Pawlak WILINSKI |
DECEMBER
NEW
From Australia.
The Lubbas Family of Oconto County,
originally from
Pommeran (now Germany),
has made a
descendant connection to
Australia.
Read the latest
information.
Researched and contributed by: Carol Watkins
LUBBAS
- LUBAS - LUBUS - LUBOS Family Page
also see:
LUBBAS
- Klein Gansen, Pommeran
Family and Biography Main Page
DECEMBER
NEW
1959 Photo
Christmas Day at St. Patrick's
Church in Stiles
Photo and caption by John
Larson
St.
Patrick's Church Page - Stiles
Historic
Churches of Oconto County Photographs and Histories,
An
on-going project, with your help.
DECEMBER
NEW
An
on-going project,
with your help.
Obituaries
- Historic
and related.
Researched and contributed
by: Mary
Carl
Wilhelmine Caroline Emma Kittler KITTLER
DECEMBER
NEW
5 Survivors of
the October 8,
1871 Great Peshtigo Fire
have
been added to the list,
and
they have been connected
to a couple
that
already appeared on the
list of the dead.
This
being found and documented
136 years later. Amazing.
Researched and contributed by: Linda Phillips Loser
Cass, Asa - (from
his Civil War Invalid Pension Records) "eyes injured by hot sand in the
Peshtigo Fire 8 Oct. 1871 eventually causing blindness to left eye".
Mother of Asa
Cass, Abrigail (nee
Jackson) Cass - Hill,
perished in the fire as did
L. H. Hill,
who was step-father of Asa Cass.
Cass, Olive (nee
May) -
Wife of Asa Cass.
Cass Wm "Frank" - Son
of Asa and Olive (May) Cass.
Cass, Asa Anson - Son
of Asa and Olive (May) Cass.
Cass, Albert - Son
of Asa and Olive (May) Cass.
also
NEW
Forest
Fire -
Peshtigo Fire painting and
brief biography of Artist Robert Schafe
DECEMBER
NEW
Family and Biography Main Page
NOVEMBER
2007
  |
NOVEMBER
NEW
Oconto County Circuit Court
Petitions for Naturalization - Volume 11
Complete
NOVEMBER
NEW
Photo
and Stories
of
the 1940's
During this Holiday Season it is
always
fun to read memoirs of life in Oconto County from years past.
John Larson shares
two articles that
he had written and were published in the Oconto
Falls Times-Herald newspaper.
Now, these were
exciting times!
Oconto Falls High School Had Its Own Airplane
- Contributed and Written by: John R. Larson
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
NOVEMBER
NEW
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".
Photo taken and contributed by: John Larson
Historic
Oconto County Schools Photo Page
An
on-going project,
with your help.
NOVEMBER
NEW
Family contact: Gerry
Vullings
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
NOVEMBER
NEW
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
THE GREAT FIRES IN THE NORTH -
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
SCHAAL
Family Page
and
The
Schaal Family Comes To America
NOVEMBER
NEW
Descendant
contact: Dolores
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
NOVEMBER
NEW
Oconto County
Historic Schools
Lena
School Photo
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
Historic
Oconto County Schools Photo Page
An
on-going project,
with your help.
NOVEMBER
NEW
An
on-going project,
with your help.
Obituaries
- Historic
and related.
Researched and contributed
by: Mary
Carl
Susanna Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wensing Kreschefski Topel KADOW
Albert K. TOPEL (Krischefski/Kreschefski)
Barbara Sinclair Young R. TOPEL
Wilhelmina Diecks (Dicks) TOPEL
August Ferdinand Carl (Krischefski) TOPEL
Captain Fred (Ferdinand) K. TOPEL
Gladys
Marie Topel (Krischefski) WINDROSS
NOVEMBER
NEW
Memories
of Stiles
The
Last St. Patrick's Day Party
- Contributed and Written by: John R. Larson
OCTOBER 2007
 |
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
Historic
Oconto County Schools Photo Page
An on-going project, with your
help.
OCTOBER
NEW
MARRIAGES
Reported in the Newspaper
October
- December
1890
Researched and transcribed by Cathe Ziereis
NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF OLD OCONTO COUNTY MARRIAGES - Main Page
OCTOBER
NEW
Two more examples of the original wooden storage silos of Oconto County have been added. These are rare sights today.
Scenes from Oconto County Past - Main Page
OCTOBER
NEW
BIRTHS
Reported in the Newspaper
October
- December
1890
Researched by Cathe Ziereis
OCTOBER
NEW
Obituaries
The following obituaries are related to Oconto County families.
contributed by: Mary Wilinski
edited for posting by: Carol Degeneffe Saric
|
Pearl [Pelagia] Pawlak GRACYALNY |
|
OCTOBER
NEW
Oconto County
Historic Schools
Frostville
School
Student
and Faculty Photo
and
Newly
built photo with namesake
A.
C. Frost
Historic
Oconto County Schools Photo Page
An
on-going project,
with your help.
OCTOBER
NEW
DEATHS
Reported in the Newspaper
October
- December
1890
Researched and transcribed by Cathe Ziereis
Newspaper Records of old Oconto County Deaths
SEPTEMBER 2007
 |
SEPTEMBER
NEW
Flash from the Past
Individual
and Family Events
Reported
in the Newspaper
July
- September
1890
Researched and Transcribed by Cathe Ziereis
It was still a dangerous time during everyday life. The news is filled with accidents.
SEPTEMBER
NEW
Oconto County Circuit Court
Petitions for Naturalization - Volume 10
Complete
The beginning of an ongoing project.
SEPTEMBER
NEW
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.
Newspaper Records of old Oconto County Deaths
SEPTEMBER
NEW
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
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.
NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF OLD OCONTO COUNTY MARRIAGES - Main Page
SEPTEMBER
NEW
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
SEPTEMBER
NEW
BIRTHS
Reported in the Newspaper
July
- September
1890
Researched by Cathe Ziereis
So many happy births were reported in the summer of this year. The community seemed to welcome each baby boy and girl with joy.
AUGUST 2007
  |
AUGUST
NEW
Descendant contact: Judy
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 and Biography Main Page
AUGUST
NEW
Oconto County Circuit Court
Petitions for Naturalization - Volume 9
Complete
The beginning of an ongoing project.
AUGUST
NEW
WINDROSS
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
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!
AUGUST
NEW
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.
NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF OLD OCONTO COUNTY MARRIAGES - Main Page
AUGUST
NEW
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
Family and Biography Main Page
AUGUST
NEW
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."
AUGUST
NEW
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.
Newspaper
Records of old Oconto County Deaths
JULY
2007
   |
JULY
NEW
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.
JULY
NEW
Oconto County Circuit Court
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.
JULY
NEW
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.
Newspaper
Records of old Oconto County Deaths
JULY
NEW
Obituaries
contributed by cdf
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.
And another member of the Suring area Ehlinger family to live to age 90.
JULY
NEW
MARRIAGES
Reported in the Newspaper
January
- March
1892
Transcribed by Maxine
Nichols
Researched and transcribed by Cathe Ziereis
The editor often added his own personal tribute and comments to the young couple in these news articles and notices.
NEWSPAPER
REPORTS OF OLD OCONTO COUNTY MARRIAGES - Main Page
JULY
NEW
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.
JULY
NEW
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
JULY
NEW
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. "
JULY
NEW
Additions
Survivors
of the Great Peshtigo
Fire, October 8, 1871
Neverman, Louise and
Frederick - Contributed
by great granddaughter Connie
Jacobs
JULY
NEW
Partial
Family Trees and research.
BRUETTE Families of early Oconto County
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
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.
JUNE
2007
JUNE
NEW
Early Photos of Two Lena Businesses
contributed by: Michael Dionne
Jane Mary Dionne & Company Store
Cliff Dionne Shoe Store
Family and Biography Main Page
JUNE
NEW
Mystery
Photo Identified - Family
Found
Mystery Photos - Forgotten People, Places and Times: Page 2
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
Forgotten
People Main Page
An on-going project, with your
help
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!!
|
|
Historic
Oconto County Schools Photo Page
An on-going project, with your
help.
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.
Historic
Church Photographs and Histories,
An on-going project,
with your help.
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
LUBBAS - Klein Gansen, Pommeran
Family and Biography Main Page
JUNE
NEW
Vintage News Articles
Transcribed and contributed by: Richard
Labrosse
Newspaper Deaths
- December
1926
Newspaper Reports of Marriages - December
Flash From The Past - December
JUNE
NEW
Historic
Oconto County Churches Page
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
Historic
Church Photographs and Histories,
An on-going project,
with your help.
MAY
2007
MAY
NEW
For a look at the latest postings look at the:
Oconto County WIGenWeb Query Board
MAY
NEW
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."
NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF OLD OCONTO COUNTY MARRIAGES - Main Page
MAY
NEW
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.
MAY
NEW
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.
Newspaper
Records of old Oconto County Deaths
MAY
NEW
Family
Obituaries
transcribed and contributed by: Mary
Wilinski
MAY
NEW
Transcribed and contributed by: Richard Labrosse
Newspaper Deaths
1911
- July
1936 - July
1956 - July
Newspaper Reports of Marriages
1911 - July
1936 - July
1951 - July
1956 - July
Flash From The Past
1911 - July
1936 - July
1951 - July
1956 - July
1961
- July
Vintage (mid
1900's) Oconto County
Family Obituaries
MAY
NEW
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?
Newspaper Births in Oconto County - 1890
APRIL
2007
? ? ?
APRIL
NEW
Reading the history of Gillett brought back memories of a young boy growing up there. He has asked to share them on the site.
Tent Shows and Barbers - Contributed and Written by: Toby Nygaard
HISTORY OF GILLETT 1856 - 1976
APRIL
NEW
BRIEN Family of North America
Family contact: Jean Desrochers Brien
Bonjour,
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
APRIL
NEW
Obituaries
Researcher and contributor: Gloria Olson
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..
Emma Powell WHITCOMB (connection note added by Gloria Olson)
APRIL
NEW
Obituaries
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.
APRIL
NEW
THE SURVIVORS - 1871 Peshtigo Fire
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
APRIL
NEW
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.
APRIL
NEW
Memoirs:
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
APRIL
UPDATE
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!
contributed by Bill Fonferek
Historic
Towns
and Villages Page
APRIL
NEW
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."
Newspaper
Records of old Oconto County Deaths
MARCH
2007
MARCH
NEW
TOPEL
DICKS – KRISCHEFSKI
– KRESCHEFSKI
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
MARCH
NEW
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."
Oconto
County Newspaper Marriages - 1888
NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF OLD OCONTO COUNTY MARRIAGES
MARCH
UPDATE
FORAL Family Page
Researched and contributed by Bill
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!
Family and Biography Main Page
MARCH
NEW
BIRTHS
Reported in the Newpaper
January
- December
1888
Researched by Cathe Ziereis
Transcription by Ron Renquin
From all corners of Oconto County, reports of a booming baby year filled the newspapers! You can almost feel the excitement for all these families.
Oconto County Newspaper Births - 1888
MARCH
NEW
.KRUEGER - KRUGER.
Descendant contact: Orton Krueger
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.
Family
and
Biography Main Page
MARCH
UPDATE
It was a busy downtown circa 1935 when this photograoh of Mountain Main Street was taken, and it make a great addition to the collection.
contributed by Bill Fonferek
Historic
Towns
and Villages Page
MARCH
UPDATE
Meet
and see the entire student body of Breed School circa
1935
contributed by Bill
Fonferek
Historic Oconto County Schools Photo Page
MARCH
UPDATE
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.
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Suring
MARCH
NEW
researched and contributed by: Mark Cota
A set of wonderful photos of the Spring Hill School, teacher and pupils
Historic Oconto County Schools Photo Page
MARCH
NEW
Descendant Contact: Marie
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
MARCH
NEW
Descendant Contact: Kirt
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".
Family and Biography Main Page
FEBRUARY
2007
FEBRUARY
NEW
Contributed,
researched and hosted by descendant: Paul
Beauregard
Family and Biography Main Page
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"
Family and Biography Main Page
JANUARY
2007
JANUARY
NEW
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.
JANUARY
NEW
Survivors
Eliza Curtis and M. P. Cramer
contributed by :Pam
Taylor
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.
JANUARY
NEW
Mystery
Photo
Is
he a Payette ? or Boisvert?
contributed by:
contributed by: Denise
Fay
Forgotten
People Main Page
An on-going project, with your
help
JANUARY
NEW
DEMBROSKY
Family Page
descendant contact:
Caryl
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.
Family and Biography Main Page
JANUARY
NEW
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
JANUARY
NEW
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.
Family
and
Biography Main Page
JANUARY
NEW
Vintage Family Obituaries
Transcribed and contributed by: Mary Wilinski
Stephanie Komorowski RAJKOWSKI
Back to the Oconto County Home Page