JAEGER FAMILY GENEALOGY

JAEGER FAMILY GENEALOGY.

Jaeger Genealogy 22:28, 4 April 2012 (CDT)22:28, 4 April 2012 (CDT)22:28, 4 April 2012 (CDT)22:28, 4 April 2012 (CDT)

How the Jaegers Emigrated from Jugesheim, Hesse-Darmstadt to Dubuque, Iowa

This is the story of the Jaegers, an extended family that migrated from the village of Jugesheim in Hessen-Darmstadt (or Hesse-Darmstadt) to Dubuque, Iowa in the middle of the 19th century.

Hessen-Darmstadt is a region with fluctuating boundaries in what is now south central Germany. It is also known as 'Hesse und be Rhein' (Hesse on the Rhine). It was a Landgraviate that was established by George 1 in 1567, when he split the kingdom among four sons. Only two of the resulting four states survived into the 19th century, Hesse-Darmstadt and Hesse-Kassel. The region had a history as a political entity before that, and the name Hesse is derived from the name of a Frankish tribe, the Hessi. The Hessian mercenaries that were defeated by George Washington came from Hesse-Kassel to America to fight for the British when England's George III struck a deal with Fredrick II of Hesse-Kassel. Frankfurt is the major city of the region and it was the birthplace of Goethe. The state of Germany was not formed until after the Jaegers had come to America, so they left a central European feudal state.

Peter and Magdelena Jaeger, the parents of the Jaeger family that we will follow would have seen the French Revolution and the wave of French conquest that raced across Europe with the battles of Napoleon, destabilizing the nobility and spreading democracy. At that time, Hessen-Darmstadt was a grand Duchy, but its territorial boundaries were in flux with adjacent Duchies, including Hesse-Kassel and other states. Hessen-Darmstadt maintained its independence even though it supported Austria in an 1866 war with Prussia, but it was absorbed into the German Empire in 1871. The Grand Duke finally abdicated at the end of WWI.

At present, the origins and history of the family in Europe are cloudy, but more research may shed light on the types of lives the family lived and their reasons for leaving the 'old country.' They came from the land of Grim's fairy tales, and our families enjoyment of these stories might have started with them. Were they shocked by the radical new music of Beethoven, or did they love it, or did they ever even hear it? Were they caught up in Wars? Did they support the nobility or hate the rigid order of feudalism? Were they peasants or craftsmen or businessmen? For now, we can only guess. Why did they come? Was it for a better life and prosperity? Was it to get away from the political turmoil, war, and the military requirements in central Europe? Did they seek political freedom? How will we ever know?

The first of the Jaegers that came to Dubuque arrived in about 1839 (Adam Francis Jaeger, his wife, Margaret, and their two babies, Agatha & Adam Francis II), but the rest of the extended families came to Dubuque in the 1850s. Like many families, it is probable that the first family wrote letters to Europe and encouraged brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews to follow their lead. The failed revolutions of 1948 produced a flood of German and Austrian immigrants to America. Although it is hard to imagine that politics did not influence the decisions of members of the Jaeger family to come to Dubuque, the importance of these political events is hard to gage. What is clear is that many families joined their relatives in Dubuque.

It is likely that Adam Francis and his growing family met his relatives when they came up (or across) the Mississippi to Dubuque and helped them get a start in the new land. These relatives included the family of his two sisters (Elizabeth (Jaeger) Glab and Agatha (Jaeger) Ellwanger) and the widow of his brother Johann, Agatha (Glab) Jaeger, who came with her six children. There is evidence that members of the extended family cooperated in business ventures and traveled in the same social circle. There are several examples of common business ventures and marriages among the same sets of families. Adam Francis I did return to Europe for a visit near the end of his life, so friends and relatives must have still lived in the old country. From the church records in Jugesheim, it is certain that several of the siblings in this family remained in Europe. Did Adam see his nieces and nephews? What were those encounters like? At first, the fates of those who stayed in Hessen-Darmastadt and the fates of those who came to America drifted apart, but the families were torn violently in different directions by World War I and World War II. The descendents of the immigrants to America have lost contact with friends and relatives in the old country; but there are many descendents of the families in America, and there are certainly distant cousins of the Jaegers, the Glabs, and the Ellwangers who still live in Jugesheim and the surrounding area. What are they like?

The story told below provides much more detail about the males than the females in the family. This is only because it is easier to find information about the males. It is striking that the women were not even expected to file for naturalization when they cam to America in the nineteenth century! Since women changed their names when they were married, it is more difficult to discover what happened to them. The stories of the men were incorporated into the stories of the businesses they owned and the jobs they did, but few such records were kept for the work of the women.

Out of all of America, why did Adam Francis and, then, his extended family end up in Dubuque, a small town on the American frontier? Part of the answer may lie in the fact that Dubuque was and established port city on the Mississippi and a gateway to the developing west. Between the time that Adam Francis came in 1839 and the last of the Jaegers came in the 1850s, Dubuque went from being a tiny settlement in the Louisiana Purchase to being a part of the Territory of Michigan to being part of the Territory of Wisconsin to becoming the separate Iowa Territory to the being admitted to the Union as the State of Iowa. Dubuque was a frontier boon town that helped satisfy the demand of those traveling west for lumber, supplies, tools, ammunition, lead shot, food, cigars, beer, and whiskey. The Jaegers and other early Dubuque families helped satisfy many of these needs. Like many German immigrants, the Jaegers chose to settle north of the states that practiced slavery, and the political struggle about slavery was an important issue as Iowa was becoming a state. Many of the Jaegers stayed in Dubuque, but some moved on to other towns and farms on the American frontier. Some moves to large cities, including Chicago, and some settled in California and Washington. The fate of those branches of the family need more study, but all the Jaegers are 'pioneers' in the truest sense of the word.

We may not know the answer to many questions, but it is interesting to meditate a bit on what type of land this family left and what they found in America. The family did not travel together, but must have traveled in at least two groups over a period of 15 years. Our story begins in 1839 with the first child of a family to leave Europe and come to America, Adam Francis. Adam Francis's parents are buried in Europe, but he and many of his siblings and some nieces and nephews lived out their lives and were buried in Dubuque Iowa. They left families that have continued to the present day and spread across many states in the US. Descendents participated in settling the west. Some moved to Oklahoma, North Dakota and Texas. Others went to the West Coast and settled in California, and Washington. Many moved to Chicago or Minneapolis. A few found themselves moving back east to New York or Rhode Island. Some ended up in Florida.

We will begin with Adam Francis I and his children, and then we will turn to the children of his brother (Johann Jacob) who traveled to America with their mother. Then, we will describe the two sisters (Elizabeth and Agatha) and, then, the parents of the entire family. The Jaegers met and married many interesting families that played important roles in the transformation of Dubuque from a frontier outpost to growing city in Iowa, and I will try to acknowledge some of the contributions of those families. This narrative is the story of their first century in America, but as this family enters the second century there are about 1000 identified descendents, and many more that have not been catalogued. At the very end, we will describe what is known about the family in Europe. We will summarize the role that some of these family members played in the American Civil War, re-state some of the complicated relationships among early families in Dubuque, and discuss the many roles these families played in the beer and spirits businesses that were established in Dubuque.

There are several parts to this narrative and some appendix material:

… Links to Europe and the First Jaeger Families in Iowa … The Adam Francis I Branch of the Jaeger family … The Johann (Jacob) Branch of the Jaeger Family … Elizabeth Jaeger, Christoph Glab & their family … Agatha Jaeger, Peter Ellwanger, & their family … The Family Roots in Europe … The Jaeger who Fought in the Civil War … The Jaeger's and the Brewing and Spirits Business: … The Jaegers and politics … Several marriages among families or extended families … The Wagner-Rhomberg murder … The Jaegers Descendant Chart & The Jaegers Timeline Chart … The history and geography of Hesse-Darmstadt … Some history of early Dubuque

Links to Europe and the First Jaeger Families in Iowa

The following table provides a quick outline of story of the Jaeger Family.

Generation 1 Peter & Magdalena (Jaeger) Jaeger remained in Europe, but four of their 12-14 children came to America. Two of these four children married children of Johann & Katherina (Winter) Glab, who also remained in Europe (page 24). Generation 2 (oldest to youngest) Elizabeth Jaeger & Christoph Glab Adam Jaeger & Margaret Miller Agatha Jaeger & Peter Ellwanger Johann (Jacob) Jaeger & Agatha Glab Generation 3 Adam (1829-1880) John (1834-1922) Agatha (1832-1932) Franz J 'Francis or Frank' (1837-1894) Elizabeth (1827-<1854) Margareth (1839-39) 2 daughters who died as infants

Agatha (~1836-1901) Adam Francis II (1838-1894) Francis (Frank) (1842-1907) Margaretha (Margaret) (1846-1907) Marie (1849-) Louisa (1851-1912) 4 children who dies as infants Josephine (1864-1934)

Andrew (1842-1901) Otto (1847-1931) John Peter (1849-1917) Anna (~1851-) Louis (1856-1956) Katie (1857-1858)

Adam John (1839-1910) Clara Agatha 'Egady' (1843-1917) daughter (1841-1928) Nicholas 'Nick' (1844-1887) John (1847-1909) Susan (Susanna) (1849-1934)

Generations 4&5 have two many members to fit into a simple table, but many of them and some of their children and grandchildren are mentioned in the narrative below. Those listed in italics were born in America. The others were all born in Europe. Everyone in the fourth generation (e.g., Walter Jaeger, son of John Jaeger & grandson of Johann Jaeger) was born in America. In the second generation, Christopher Glab and Agatha Glab were siblings. Some family records refer to Johann as Jacob and it is possible that his name was Johann Jacob.

The Adam Francis I Branch of the Jaeger family.

Adam Francis I. The first of the Jaegers to emigrant to Dubuque was Adam Francis Jaeger, who traveled from Hessen-Darmstadt to New Orleans in 1839 and up the Mississippi to Dubuque, where he settled in 1840. His Daughter Agatha and his son Adam Francis II were born in Hessen-Darmstadt, but his younger children were born in Iowa. Adam's wife was Margaret Miller. The family first live on Main street, but he moved to a farm in Sageville, IA, where his second son Francis, was born. The family purchased several pieces of land and presumably farmed. Adam was in the mercantile business and he was a councilman for 5th ward in 1857 & '58. He may have acted as mayor of Dubuque. The children are: … Peter (1832-33) … Peter (1833-33; n.b., if a baby died, it was the custom to use the same name for a second or even a third baby.) … Adam (1836-36) … Agatha (1836-1901) … Christina (1837-38) … Adam Francis II (1838-1894) … Francis M (Frank) (1842-1912; the first Jaeger who was born in Iowa) … Margaretha (Margaret) (1847-1907) … Marie (1849-) … Louisa (1851-1912)

Agatha, the oldest of the children of Adam Francis I was born in Hesse-Darmstadt in about 1836, and came to Dubuque as a baby. In 1855, she married Charles F. Geissler, a native of Saxony, Germany, who was Dubuque's first and 'pioneer' baker. The couple had 7 children (the oldest 6 were listed in the 1880 census): … Margaret (1857-98) … Frank (1859-1934) who married Emma Mihm. Their daughter Angela joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. … Wilhelmina Louisa (1862-1901) married John J Mihm, (1860-1932), the older brother of Emma (Frank's wife). John was a stone mason contractor. He learned the business from his father, Peter Mihm, a native of Munich, who had been a soldier in the Bavarian army. Wilhelmina and John had one child, Agatha Barbra. … Sarah (1864-34) … Agusta (1866-1955) who married Fran Spahn and moved to Chicago. … Oathilda (1868-1955) married George Egelhof who started the Funeral home that still operates in Dubuque and bears his name. This couple had six children. … Anna (1871-)

It is interesting that siblings (Frank and Wilhelmina) in this family married siblings in the Mihm family. Both Agatha (1836-1901) and Chales Geissler (1833-1908) are buried in Mt. Calvery.

Adam Francis II, the oldest son, grew up and was educated in Dubuque. As a young man of 20, he traveled for his father to St. Louis and New York to purchase goods for the family business. His first business was distilling, and he had to rebuild after an explosion and fire in 1871. He was a member of the firm Jaeger and Rhomberg, distillers, importers, and wholesale dealer in wines and liquors, 521 Main Street, Dubuque. This firm was succeeded by Jaeger, Lang, & Co. He was an organizer of the Dubuque Woodware Co. and of the Turbine Roller Co. He was Mayor of the city of Dubuque, and was elected to the City Council, and has served nine years in that body, continuing the political tradition of his father. He married Sarah Schaffner and the couple had 7 children: … Henry C* (1859-1889) married Elen (1866-1941) … Anton A* (Anthony, Tony) (1862-1900) married Emma Honer, but died when he was 38. … Charles Francis (1864-1940) married Ida Arcelia Lymburner and moved to Spokane WA. The couple had 8 sons and a daughter and has a separate history (see below). … Alphonse Joseph (Ollie) (1868-1912) … Martain N* (1872-1941) married Johanna Josephine Sullivan. He worked for the railroad for many ears. The couple had 7 children and many grandchildren, some of whom remained in Dubuque. … Paul Adam* (1878-1879) died as a baby. … Albert L (aka John) (1881-) lived in San Francisco and was alive in 1940.

Adam was active in outdoor sports and he was the president of the Minnewaukon Hunting Club and the Dubuque Sharpshooters Society. He and other members of his party were injured in a train accident on the way to a hunting expedition. He died in Dubuque after an overexerting himself in a rowing expedition. At the time of his death, he was planning a trip to Germany. Adam, Sarah and 4 of their children (*) are buried in a family plot at Mt. Calvary cemetery (section U) along with 8 other family members near a large memorial immediately behind the old chapel.

In the 1880 census, a woman named Maggie Thaum of Prussia is listed as a servant, suggesting they were fairly prosperous. Sarah (Schaffner) Jaeger, who was born in Iowa, was the daughter of a Saloonkeeper. Her parents were born in Hesse-Darnstadt or Bavaria. Sarah's sister, Mary, was the wife of Adam John Jaeger (son of Johann, below), so two sisters married two cousins. His biography was in 1880 Dubuque County Biographies: The History of Dubuque County, Iowa (below)

"ADAM F. JAEGER, of the firm of Jaeger & Rhomberg, distillers, importers and wholesale dealer in wines and liquors, 521 Main street, Dubuque; is a native of Germany, and was born in Hess-Darmstadt on the Rhine Feb. 27, 1838; his parents emigrated to America in 1839; and they came to Iowa and located in Dubuque in 1840, and were among the early settlers; he grew up and received his education here; after reaching manhood he engaged in business, and has continued for a period of twenty years, and this firm have built up a large and leading trade. Mr. Jaeger has held office of Mayor of the city of Dubuque, and has been elected to the City Council, and has served nine years in that body. In March, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Schaffner; she is a native of West Dubuque; they have five children-Henry, Antoine, Charles, Alphons and Martin."

At present, except for Charles Francis, I do not know much about the children of Adam Francis II and Sarah. From a web site, I know that "He (Charles) was a charter member of the Dubuque Elks and the first secretary thereof, and a member of the United Commercial Travelers and the Dubuque Traveling and Businessmen's Association. He lived at 341 West Third Street in Dubuque. He also lived at Trois Rivers, St. Maurice Co., QC, CAN. Sometime after 1906, he moved to Spokane, WA, where he is buried." He and his wife, Ida Arcelia Lymburner, had 8 sons and a daughter and many of his descendents still live on the west coast. Details can be found on-line from the Christina Justine Jaeger and Michael Bernard Jaeger web site (http://home.comcast.net/~jaegerz/geneology.htm).

Francis Jaeger, Adam's younger brother, was the first of the family to be born in Iowa. He engaged in business with Adam, but eventually became a member of Brady, Ellwanger & Co., wholesale dealers in wines and liquors, No. 422 Main Street. He had a biography in the 1880 Dubuque County Biographies: The History of Dubuque County, Iowa (below).

"FRANCIS JAEGER, of the firm of Brady, Ellwanger & Co., wholesale dealers in wines and liquors, No. 422 Main street, Dubuque; is a native of the city of Dubuque, and was born July 18, 1842; he grew up and received his education here; after reaching manhood he engaged in business here with his brother; in June, 1875, he became a member of the firm of Brady, Ellwanger & Co., upon the organization of this firm; he is a member of the Dubuque Sharpshooters. In December, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Tschirga, a native of Dubuque; they have three children- Frank, Arnold and Amelia." pg. 815

Francis married Miss Katie Tschirga, a native of Dubuque (note spelling difference compared to her father's, below). Her family, which emigrated from Switzerland, was engaged in the brewing business. There is a biography of her father, Mathias, in the 1880 Dubuque County Biographies: The History of Dubuque County, Iowa (below).

"M. TSCHIRGI, of the firm of Tschirgi & Schwind, brewers, Dubuque; is a native of Switzerland; was born Oct. 25, 1824; grew up to manhood there and emigrated to America in 1845; came to Dubuque in the spring of 1846, and engaged in the brewing business; afterward, in 1854, he formed a partnership with Mr. Schwind, and they engaged in the brewing business, building a brewery on their present location, which was then out of town; they have continued in the business twenty-six years without any change of firm; they have one of the largest and most complete breweries in the State. In 1848, Mr. Tschirgi married Miss Kathrina Zollicoffer, a native of Switzerland; her father was one of the earliest settlers, and came here in 1834; he died in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Tschirgi have seven children - Catharine (now Mrs. F. Jaeger, of this city), Mathew (City Engineer of Dubuque), Louise (now Mrs. Jacob Traut, of this city), John, George, Arnold and Frank."

Another member of the Zollicoffer family married a member of the Glab family (see below).

Francis and Catherine (Tschirgi) had more children after the above biography was published: … Frank M (1869-1953) married Miss Rose Lorenz in 5 Oct 1892. They had at least one Daughter, Dorothy, who was born on 9 Oct 1901. Frank M Jaeger was not involved in politics, but he was a member of the Commercial Club, the Elks, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was vice President of the Iowa Game Protective League and Secretary of the Dubuque Gun Club. Their daughter Dorothy married Louis Bray, who a senior manager of tri-state paving and Dubuque Stone Products. Both Dorothy and Louis were heavily involved in civic activities. … Arnold (1873-1935) married Julia Ann Schneider and was the co-owner of the Uptown Café at 14th and Central in Dubuque. … Amelia (1876-1971) may have attended medical school (?) and worked as a physician at Mercy hospital. Her husband, William Becker, was definitely a physician and a member of the Board of Education. … Lewis (1880-1927) married Vera Whitby, and their family, which included 10 children lived in Chicago. … Rudolph (1882-1950) was an investment banker and securities broker. He and his wife, Alma Helen moved to California and lived in Long Beach. … Oscar (1887-1958) was a soldier in WWI and a world traveler. He authored a book "The Great Grand Canyon Adventure" after he made a journey down the Colorado River from Lee's Ferry to Needles, AZ in 1927. He made line drawings of shooting the rapids, which are printed in his book. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, a 40-year member of the American Legion, and was a patron and member of the Dubuque Art Association. … Frederick (----- before 1930) … three other children

In 1880, the family also had a servant, Eliz Primmison who was born in IA but had parents from Prussia and Luxembourg.

Francis Jaeger also was one of the organizers of the John Ellwanger Company, the C.C. Glasser Tobacco Company. He was a director of the Dubuque High Bridge Company. Francis lived on Walnut Street, and a picture of the home is available.

Francis Jaeger, Frank M Jaeger, & Jaeger Hardware-a History

Francis Jaeger and his son Frank M Jaeger took over a hardware store that is still an ongoing enterprise in Dubuque and operates under the name of FM Jaeger Hardware. "A hardware business was originally established in 1860 by John McClay who conducted it until 1880, succeeding which for five years Messrs. Schreiber and Conchar were the owners. They in turn disposed of it in 1885 to Messrs. Reinfried and Leckie, and two years latter Francis Jaeger purchased the Leckie interest. Ten years later [abt 1897] Mr. FM Jaeger acquired the Reinfried interest and since that time has conducted it on his own account under the mentioned firm name."(History of Dubuque County). The Mr. Reinfried mentioned above was the husband of Susan Jaeger, who was Francis Jaeger's cousin (the daughter of Johann Jaeger), so the business was developed and sold within the family. (It has always been family tradition that Jaeger Hardware was started by a cousin, and the above story documents the fact that the children of Adam Francis I were cousins of the children of the Jacob Branch of the Family (Adam, Nick, John, Susan, & Agatha, that are discussed below.))

A Colorful View of the Adam Jaeger I and his Family in Early Dubuque

(Josiah Conzett 1841-1913) wrote a memoir of events in Iowa, and he paints a colorful picture of the Jaeger clan. He spells the Jaeger name phonetically (Yager), but there is no way to mistake the family. He wrote: "As it shows, (142) I have forgotten one house and family that for years cut quite a figure in Dubuque Liquor Society, and so, of course, politics on the Democratic side. I refer to Adam Yager Sr. and his family. They were early settlers and were located on the Plank Road [now Clay], corner of (now) 19th St. They built a brick building of 3 stores as boarding house & saloon, and for years made money hand over fist. They had 2 sons, Adam and Frank. Adam married a Miss Schaeffeur, a saloonkeeper's daughter. He was a loud mouthed, profane fellow, but the Democrats elected him as Alderman of the 5th Ward, and he actually was Mayor of the city for one term. He, like his father, died of whiskey. Of course it was not called that. Frank is a decent sort of a chap. He is, has been, and always will be a liquor dealer, but only wholesale. The two daughters are married. Paul Trant, the banker, married the daughter of Adam Jr. She died a few years ago (1909 [actually 23 March 1912])." (Page 17 of Recollections of People and Events of Iowa 1846-1890 by Josiah Conzett).

Josiah Conzett's Recollections is one of the better books I have encountered about the early days of Dubuque. When he came to Dubuque in 1846, it was a frontier town populated by about 3500 miners, farmers, brick makers, merchants, lawyers, and Soldiers who were laying the foundation of a new city and state. He writes about Indians, side-wheelers on the Mississippi, the building of railroads, horse racing, bows & arrows, and beer gardens. The first Jaegers were true pioneers in this very small town and seem to have established themselves as an important part of the group of families that devoted themselves to providing beer and spirits to the community and exporting their products to the western frontier. Many members of the extended family were in this business and one wonders if it was a continuation of some expertise in the old country.

Margaretha (Margaret) Jaeger, the first daughter born to the Jaeger family was born in Dubuque in 1847. She married L. Alphonse Rhomberg, a native of Dornbirn, Vorarlberg, Austria , on 23 Jul 1866. L.A had emigrated to America in 1863 via New York. A biography of Margaret's husband appears in the Dubuque County Biographies: The History of Dubuque County, Iowa (below)

L. A. RHOMBERG, of the firm of Jaeger & Rhomberg, wholesale dealers in wines and liquors, 521 Main Street, is a native of Austria, and was born June 15, 1843; he came Dubuque Feb. 28, 1860; after reaching manhood, he engaged in business in 1864, the firm being L.A. Rhomberg & Bro., and, afterward, was a member of the firm of Paul Trant & Co., who were succeeded by the present firm of Jaeger & Rhomberg. Mr. Rhomberg was united in marriage July 23,1866, to Miss Margaret Jaeger, a native of the city of Dubuque; they have three children - Louise L., Alphonse and Augusta. Mr. Rhomberg belongs to the German Benevolent Society, shooting societies and others.

Thus, LA Rhomberg (1843-93) was the partner of Margaret's brother Adam, but he was involved in a number of other enterprises. He worked as the foreman in his brother, J. A. Rhomberg's distillery. J. A Rhomberg was very successful in business and was a major investor in the railroads that were being built across Iowa. He also took on the contract for the construction of part of the river rail way from his brother. He latter went into business with his brother-in-law, Paul Traut (the wife of Louisa Jaeger; see below) and at the time of his death he was the head of Rhomberg & son. The couple had three children: … Louise L (13 May 1867-23 Mar 1913) … L. Alphonse (1871-1935) … Agusta

A large number of cousins and siblings from the Rhomberg family came to America and many settled in Dubuque, but that story has not yet been written. The family has maintained an extensive geneological record including the links of these families to their ancestors in Dornbrin and other towns in what is now Austria. There is another link between the Jaeger and Rhomberg families. John Jaeger, one of the sons of Johann and Agatha Jaeger, married Katherine Rhomberg, a cousin of L.A. (actually 4C2R; see below).

Louisa L 'Lulu' the oldest daughter in this family married Anthony F Heeb (21 Dec 1867-17 March 1948) on 9 April 1890. Anthony was the Secretary & Treasurer of the Dubuque Brewing and Malting Company, which was formed by the combination of several breweries, including that of his father, Anton (see the discussion of the Jaeger family and the brewing and distilling business at the end of the narrative). Anthony was also the vice president of the German Trust and Savings bank (the precursor of the American Trust and Savings bank). Anthony's father, Anton, had emigrated from Hesse-Nassau to Dubuque in 1847 and started the A. Heeb brewery. Anton was an alderman and a county supervisor. Louisa and Anthony had three children: … Gussie May (Died as Infant) (1892-1892) … Lou May (1894-1968) who married George Bilton and lived in Chicago had three children. … Anthony A (1898-1952) who married Mabel Kiene and moved to Minneapolis had four children.

L. (Liebert) Alphonse (1871-1935) married Rose B. (1872-1956) and the couple had two children.

(Interestingly, LA & Margaret Rhomberg are buried near Louisa and Anthony Heeb and L Alphonse and Rose B in section U at Mt Calvery.)

Marie Jaeger, the second youngest daughter of Adam Francis I was born in1849 and in the 1880 census, she was apparently living with 'Margua' Jaeger (age 70, born in 1810). This is presumably her mother (Margaret (Margrathe) Miller Jaeger. Margrathe was the name of a number of the noble women in Hesse-Darmstadt and nearby Duchies.

  Maria became the second wife of J. Peter Stenebach, the son of a cooper and farmer.   Peter was born in Nassau Germany and traveled in Germany as a salesman for 3 years before coming to America when he was 19.  He was involved in zinc mining in Minnesota and Wisconsin and he ran a marble yard in Galena, Illinois and other quarries in Iowa.  He became a real estate, loan, and insurance agent in Dubuque.  Peter's first wife and two of his four children died within six weeks.  Latter he married Marie, and the couple lived in a two story frame house and had a comfortable income (Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, 1894 Reprinted by Higginson Book Co., Salem, Massachusetts, p. 133).

Louisa Jaeger, the youngest child in the family, was born in 1851. She married Paul Traut, a prominent Dubuquer, in 1873 and the couple had nine children: … Edward (1872-1958) married Pauline Hartman and had six children. He worked at A Y MacDonald Mfg. In Dubuque for 30 years. … Eleanora 'Nora' (1874-1908), who married Paul Kurz and was the mother of five children. She died in Galena, Ill in 1908. … Frank J (1876-1897) was a bookkeeper at the German Trust and Savings Bank, and died when he was 21. … Louise M (1878-1950) married Charles Sanders, Jr., who ran a retail meat market and the couple had 9 children. Louise's father-in-law was Charles J.W. Sanders Sr. At 14 Charles SR. had joined the army to fight Indians in the West. He met and became a friend of Buffalo Bill Cody and was part of the his Wild West Show. It is said that Charles Sr. first met his wife, Elizabeth Streinz, when she was 9 and he 14, but he returned to Dubuque and married her eight years later! He was a Democrat and served a term as Mayor in 1892. … Mary A 'Mamie' (1879-1954) became the wife of Clarence Trexler (1880-1933), who worked in the grocery business with his father; and the couple had five children. … Vera (1884-1970) married William Toepel and had two children. … Adam H married Maude Canavan and became the agent of the Singer Sewing machine Company in Dubuque. … Joseph … Matilda

Louisa died on 23 Mar 1912. A note about Paul Traut was included in Dubuque County Biographies: The History of Dubuque County, Iowa (below).

PAUL TRAUT, of the firm of Traut & Heer, dealers in hats, caps and furs, and gents' furnishing goods, No. 559 Main street, Dubuque; is a native of Dubuque Co., and was born in the city of Dubuque June 27, 1850; he grew up to manhood and received his education here; he was book-keeper in the wholesale drug house of E. H. Moore for five years; in 1873, he engaged in the wholesale liquor business, firm Paul Traut & Co., and continued for six years; in 1879, he engaged in his present business and is building up a good trade; he is a member of the Dubuque Sharpshooters. In April, 1873, Mr. Traut was united in marriage to Miss Louise Jaeger, a native of the city of Dubuque; they have four children- Nora, Frank, Louise, M. , Mary A. pg.889

The History of Dubuque County continues his story and tells more about Paul Traut and his parents. Paul sold the wholesale liquor business in 1880 and was elected to the county treasurer position three times. In 1884 he helped organize the German Trust and Savings bank where he was first treasurer and then president. He assisted in the consolidation of four breweries to form the Dubuque Brewing and Malting Company and he became its vice president. (as described below, the Jaegers had several connections to these breweries). He was a stockholder and vice-president of the Dubuque Stamping and enameling works. He served two terms as president of the Board of Education. He was an organizer and director of the Dubuque Woodenware & Lumber Company and president of the Iowa Coffin Company at the time of his death in 1898.

Paul was the oldest of six children of Joseph Traut who emigrated from Prussia in 1846 and Anna Hilken, who came from Luxembourg. (a large number of people in Dubuque and the surrounding area can be traced to Luxembourg.) Joseph was a boot and shoemaker and his sons Jacob and Joseph were also in the trade. Including Paul, the couple had six children: … Paul (1852-1898)-married Louisa Jaeger … Jacob (1853-) married Louise Tschirgi … Louisa (1855-) … Joseph F (1860-) … Matilda (1860-) … John (1863-)

Jacob Tarut married Louise Tschirgi, so there was a complex relationship among the Traut, Jaeger, and Tschirgi, which is explained in a separate paragraph at the end of this narrative.

The Johann (Jacob) Branch of the Jaeger Family

Although the father of this family is not very well known, there were six siblings in this family who lived in Dubuque in the 19th century with their mother Agatha 'Egrad' (Glab) Jaeger. Agatha Glab is the sister of Christoph Glab, whose family will be discussed below. Christoph married Elizabeth, who was Johann's sister, so siblings married siblings. The children of Johann and Agatha were first cousins of Adam Francis II, Francis and their sisters. This branch of the family was not as financially successful as their cousins, perhaps because their father had died. According to his obituary, John, the youngest brother traveled to America with his mother when he was 6 years old (about 1853) and one would think that the two older brothers and younger sisters came at the same time. The mother of the family was called 'Egrad' in the 1880 census and 'Egady' in some family records, but her name was Agatha. She was a widow when she arrived in Dubuque and she had six children. Her husband had died, but the details of his death are not known. His name was Johann (John), but his grandson, Walter Jaeger, called him 'Jacob.' It is possible that his name was Johann Jacob and that his second name was commonly used, but little is known of his life. Johann was a twin, but his sister, Maria Anna, died shortly after birth. The birth record assures us that she had been baptized. Agatha and Johann had nine children, but three died as infants. Five remained in Dubuque, and one daughter moved to Michigan: … Andreas (1837-37) … Agatha (1838-38) … Adam John (1839-1910) … Catherine (1841-1928), who moved to Michigan … Andreas (1842-42) … Clara Agatha 'Egady' (1843-1917) … Nicholas 'Nick' (1844-1897) … John (1847-1909) … Susan (Susanna) (1849-1934)

When Agatha died in 1875, her obituary noted that, "She had been a resident of this city for twenty-one years, and during all this time had commanded the respect and affection of a large circle of friends, who will now miss the kindly mother Š She was an earnest, consistent member of the Catholic Church. She leaves five children all grown to manhood and womanhood and filling honorable and useful places in society."

Adam John (1838-1910) enlisted as a private to fight in the Civil War. He enlisted 22 August 1862 and served with Company E, 21st Regular Volunteers. His obituary notes that he participated in several of the great battles and was mustered out 15 July 1865 at Baton Rouge, LA. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Hyde Clark Post 78, Dubuque, IA. After returning to Dubuque, he married Mary Schaffer in 1867. Mary's sister, Sarah, was the wife of Adam Francis II, Adam John's first cousin, who was a successful businessman and a mayor of Dubuque. Martain Shaffer, who was the father of Mary and Sarah, was on of the pioneers of Dubuque. The couple had eight children: … Susan (~1868-) … Alphonse/Alois (1869-) who worked in the tobacco store of his cousin Tony Jaeger, but eventually moved to Tulsa OK … Adam Francis (~1870-) … Francis M 'Frank' (~1873-1961) who married Gertrude Royce and operated a tavern in Dubuque for many years. The couple had eight children (Milton (1899-1966), Robert, Charles E, Donald F (1910-1952), Eleanor (->1966), Lillian, Virginia (1907-1968), & Marjorie), and several descendents remained in Dubuque. … Lucy (1876-) … Catherine 'Katie' (1877-1960) married William 'Cap' Kannolt who retired as a lieutenant Dubuque's fire department. Both of their daughters move away from Dubuque. … daughter … Josephine (~1881->1920) married Matt McCarron and then Mr. Dobbs, and lived in Rock Island, Illinois and, later, in California.

According to 1880 census information, Adam John was a Teamster and ran a business in wholesale groceries. In about 1883, Adam John moved with his family to a farm that was a few miles from Alexandria, North Dakota, where he raised stock. Mary (1848-1888) died while the couple was living in South Dakota and was said to be suffering from an acute insanity at the time of her death. When John died (1909) he was residing in Marshaltown, but he died at Mercy hospital in Dubuque. His obituary indicated that 'as a soldier and as a citizen, Mr. Jaeger came as near the manly man as can hope to be attained.'

Catherine (1841-1928) moved to Michigan and died in Grand Rapids.

Clara Agatha (Egady) Jaeger (1844-1917), the older daughter of Johann and Agatha (Glab) Jaeger, married Ephriam Curtis (1842-) in 1862. Six months after the marriage, he enlisted to fight in the Civil War. He re-enlisted and attained the rank of Sargent. He was reported as a deserter, but he was actually captured and held in a confederate prisoner of war camp. He returned to Dubuque and was working as a sawyer in 1880, i.e., he cut logs and lumber in a lumber yard, one of the thriving industries in Dubuque at that time.

Ephriam was born in West Bloomfield MI, and came to Dubuque with his father Ebenezer Bishop Curtis (23 Jan 1809, West Bloomfield, MI- 26 Feb 1856, Dubuque, IA) and his mother Louise Jewell (4 Jul 1811, St. Albans, VT, 31 May 1888, Dubuque). Ebeneezer's parents were Luther and Lois (Miner) Curtis, who were both descendents of early settlers. Lois was a descendent of Mayflower passenger William Brewster. The family belonged to the Congregational Church. Helen Cross Kelly has made a detailed study of the Curtis family that includes several up-to-date lineages. Many of these families have remained in Dubuque, but many have moved away.

After returning from the war, the couple has thirteen children: … Luther N (1862-~1865) … Lillian (1866-<1915) married William Watkins and had a son, William. … Albert E (1868-1920) married Harriet 'Hattie' Hecker, and the couple had two children (Roy and Hariet) and at least 7 grandchildren.. … Volney (1869-) … Lenora Maria 'Nora' (1871-1934) married Parnell Newcomer and the couple had four children. … Ephriam (1873-<1915) … Ocsar Lee (1874-1956) married Elizabeth Geiger and the couple had three children. … Clara (1876-1876) … Ida (1878-1964) married Francis Baker, who was a teamster and a baker, and the couple had 5 children. Ida's grandaughter, Helen Cross Kelly had a lively interest in family history and generously shared her knowledge with others. … Isabell Alice (1880-1965) married George McDonough, a painting contractor, and the couple had two children. … Agnes Ruth (1882-1965) married Charles Miner, a railroad machinist, and they had two children. … Clarence E (1884-1965) had three children with Minnie Roggensack and latter married Florence Gau. … Irene Daisey (1887-1947) married Charles Spiegelhalter and the couple had eight children.

Helen Cross Kelly, the daughter of Clara (Baker) Cross and the grandaughter of Ida (Curtis) Baker, has made a detailed study of the Curtis family that includes several up-to-date lineages. Many of these families have remained in Dubuque, but many have moved away.

Nick Jaeger, like his brothers, was born in Hessen-Darmstadt (1845-24 May 1887). He too enlisted in the Union Army, and was promoted to corporal, sergeant, and, eventually, Lieutenant. He was captured and spent time in a prisoner in Atlanta GA. After returning to Dubuque, he was a saloon keeper and liquor dealer but spent most of his life as a traveling salesman for Jaeger, Lang, & Co, which was the wine and Liquor wholesale business owned by his cousins. He worked at the Julien Hotel. In 1869, he married Mary K Heeb, whose parents also came from Hessen-Darmstadt. Mary was the daughter of Henry Heeb, who was closely related (probably the brother) of Anton Heeb, the famous Dubuque brewer. Nick's obituary states that he "enjoyed a large acquaintance in Dubuque and throughout the territory in which he traveled.' The couple had six children: … Clara (1874-1933) who married James Burton and moved to Great Falls Montana. … Elvina (Ella), who married Fred Ehlers moved to Seattle, WA. … Bertha (1876-) … Leo (~1870-1926) started two financial companies in Dubuque. He married Grace Van Wie and the couple had two children. … Harry (__-1938), who moved to Seattle WA. … Harriet who moved to Seattle, WA Several of these children moved to the state of Washington near the turn of the century, but there is currently no contact with this branch of the family.

In the 1870 census, Nick's household included Susan and John, who are Nick's younger siblings. Egrad (i.e., Agatha), who was 56 was also a household member. She was born in Hessen-Darmstadt and is presumably the matriarch of the family. In the 1880 census, Louisa VOGENTHALES, a domestic servant lived with them, suggesting they were well off.

John Jaeger was born in 1847 in Hessen Darmstadt and died on 3 June 1909 in the family residence in Dubuque. According to his obituary, he, his mother, and brothers came to the US when he was 6 (about 1853). In the 1880 census he was listed as a porter, but he worked nearly 40 years in the liquor business that was begun by his cousin Adam Francis and expanded to include Mr. Bray and his other cousin John Ellwanger. At the time of his death this company was the John Ellwanger Co. He married Catherina (Katherine) A Rhomberg on15 May 1878. The couple lived at 51 Kaufman Ave and 2165 Jackson. They had four children: … George N (1882-1962) … Walter F (1884-1954) … Carrie B (~1889-1980) … Mildred (Millie) (1881-1965) John died in 1909 of Cirrhosis of the liver. His obituary concluded that, 'The death of Mr Jaeger is much regretted as he was one of the city's best known and most highly regarded residents. He has been so long associated with the business life of the community that he was one with it, and his passing has occasioned widespread regret.' Katherine died in 1929 while she was living with her daughter Carrie's family. The couple was buried in Linwood cemetery (23 paces from Collins drive midway between markers 1G and 1F) near the plot where Catherine's parents are buried.

John Jaeger's wife, Catherine (5 Feb 1859-31 Dec 1929) was the daughter of Frank Rhomberg (1832-1874) and Dorathea (Luth) Rhomberg (~1840-1918). Frank Rhomberg, who was born in Tyrol Austria, died in a tragic murder and the circumstances are described in detail in a story in the local newspaper (TH; 30 & 31 Oct 1874). Briefly, Frank was accused of having an affair with the wife of a friend, Charles Wagner. In a fit of jealousy, Charles Wagner borrowed a shotgun and came to the Saloon, which Frank Rhomberg ran from the family home, and shot him. Catherine would have been 15 at the time. Catherine had 2 brothers and a sister, but one of the brothers died as an infant: … Emilie (~1858-), who married John (or Andrew) Engler. … Catherina (Katherine) A (1859-1929) … John, who died as an infant … John L(~1869-) married Nellie C Abbott, whose father, a printer, was born in New Hamshire.

Katherine Rhomberg was also part of an extended family that included many emigrants to Dubuque and other areas of the United States. The Rhomberg family has kept extensive records of the family history in this country and in Austria, many of which date back to before 1000AD. She was a cousin of LA Rhomberg, who married Margaret Rhomberg (above)

Although the Jaeger family was Catholic, Dorathea (Luth) Rhomberg, who had emigrated from Mecklenburg, was a Protestant. Mecklenburg was a duchy west of Berlin, and its name is reflected in the name of the current German State in that area. This religious division created tension in the family. All the children were raised as Protestants; but, as will be seen below, Walter converted to Catholicism for his wife Matilda. George N evidently also became a Catholic, but the two girls remained protestant and their children were raised as Lutherans or Evangelical Christians. This division created a distance between the branches of the family and their descendents.

The Children of John and Catherine Jaeger (George N, Walter F, Carrie B, Mildred (Millie)).

George N Jaeger, the first child of John and Catherine, was born on 28 Mar 1882. He married Caroline (Carrie) Rettenmaier on 12 May 1910, at Sacred Heart, in Dubuque, IA. He was a County Clerk and worked at Union Trust and Savings and the Dubuque Packing Co. The couple had no natural children, but adopted a son, John, who died in an automobile accident without children (1911-1945). He died 14 dec 1942 and was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, His Funeral was at Sacred Heart, so he was a Catholic. Since his family was Lutheran, this suggests that, like his brother Walter, he converted from Lutheranism. Carrie lived until 19 Jul 1962 and is also buried at Mt. Calvery.

Walter F Jaeger was born on 6 Aug 1884. He worked on the railroad, but had many other jobs during the depression. He worked as an elevator operator in the Roshek Building and worked as a painter, but returned to the railroad after the war started. In 1911, he married Matilda Van Duelman (24 Sep 1889-25 Nov 1952). Walter came from a Lutheran Family, but he converted to Catholicism for Matilda. This conversion caused problems with his family. Matilda worked out of her home as a baker. She also took in laundry and worked at St. Joseph Sanatorium. Walter died of a heart attach on 9 Jun 1954. The couple had 8 children and many grand children: … Alvin A (1912-1994) … Leonard (1914-1980) … Anne (1915-1957) … Clarence (1920-1920) … Robert (died as an infant) … Helen Clare (1921-1999) … Mary Lourdes (1924-) … Florence Teresa (1926-1997) … A detailed narrative describing this family, including children and grandchildren and great grandchildren has been prepared. The author of this narrative is a son of Mary Lou (Jaeger) Wagner.

Carrie B Jaeger (abt 1889-Oct 1980) married Walter E Wendt (27 Dec 1888-Oct 1951) and the couple had one child, Allan. Carrie was a homemaker, who was said to be skilled in music. As part of the war effort, she took a job at the Dubuque Packing Company. Latter she worked at Hartig's Drug store in Dubuque. During the last few years of her life, she lived in California with her son.

Walter worked in the newspaper business for more than four decades. He began as a newspaper carrier and became a stereotyper and pressman at the Dubuque Times Journal. Her eventually became night editor and then became managing editor when the Telegraph Herald and the Times Journal were united in 1927. He was a sports enthusiast and was the secretary of the Dubuque Baseball team during a period when it won several Mississippi Valley Championships. Walter's Brother Lester was a very successful businessman (the president of Caradco and Chairman of the Board of Jeld-Wen). Jeld-Wen continues to be a very profitable family business. This branch of the family has made many major charitable contributions in Dubuque (Finley Hospital, U of Dubuque, the Boy's Club, etc.).

After graduating from high school during the depression, their son, Allan, found it impossible to find a job and he briefly attended the University of Dubuque. He enlisted in the Airforce with three friends before the war broke out and served as a mechanic & crew chief. He was stationed in England for a year during the war. He attended Officer's Candidate School and became a second Lieutenant before being discharged. He attended UCLA, but transferred to the smaller Stanford University where he got a BA and an MA. He first taught at the University of Rochester for five years, but then returned to graduate school at the University of Indiana where he completed his Ph.D. with the same professor who had mentored him at Stanford. He then accepted a position at Mills College in Oakland, CA. He taught creative writing and 18th Century Literature at this school until retiring at 65.

Alan met Lillian Woolsey, whose family had moved from Australia, in California, and the couple was married in Dubuque in 1944. Mary Lou Jaeger, his cousin, caught the bride's bouquet. The couple did not have any natural children, but adopted a boy, Greg, and a girl, Catherine. The couple divorced in the early 60s and Allan then married Betty Reveley, who he had met at professional meetings. Betty was a professor at California State, Sacramento, where she taught linguistics

Mildred (Millie) Jaeger (1881-1 Dec 1965) married Edward Scheppele (1880-15 Feb 1965). Edward became a jeweler and ran the store that his father has started (at 14th and Central). Millie and Ed criticized Walter and Matilda for having so many children and the couples quit talking for some time. The couple also had disagreements about the expense of caring for Matilda's mother. Of course religious differences also caused tensions. The couple had two children: … Louis (1905-1992) married Charolette Corrine Schafer and the couple had a son, Stuart. Louis ran Scheppele Jewelry store, which had been started by his father. Among other things he sold a wedding ring to Mary Lou Jaeger and John Wagner. Olive Scheppele, daughter of Charles Scheppele, a well to do car dealer in Dubuque, compiled a history of the Scheppeles. Stuart pursued a career in academic Chemistry. He had a Ph.D. and held several academic and industrial positions. He and Judith Morrison had two children, Susan and Caroline, but they divorced. Caroline is a trust officer who has two children. Susan does social work with children and is a successful competitive body builder. Stuart subsequently married Peggy Peaden and adopted her son, Eric, who is in the cleaning business. … Doris (-~1999) married William White and moved to Iowa City. Both William and Doris were graduates of the University of Iowa. William worked at the post Office form many years and Doris volunteered at the University Library. The couple had no children.

Susan (Susanna) Jaeger (1850-abt 5 Nov 1934), who is the youngest daughter of Johann and Agatha, married Frank Reinfried (13 Oct 1846-10 July 1931) on 5 Jun 1871. The couple had five children: … Frank N (~1873-) married Alice Lorenz and the couple had three children who all moved to Chicago. … Frederick 'Freddie' (~1879-) … Albina Agatha … Bertha Maria (1887-23) married Edward Knippel in 1911. Edward was the son of Mathias Knippel, who founded Knippel's, a religious goods store in Dubuque, which is still in business. Only one of their two children, Dorothea (Dorothy) survived to adulthood. Dorothy went to Carroll Iowa to attend Nursing school. She remained there and married Bernard Murphy, a Carroll native who worked on the railroad and who was elected to the state senate. The couple adopted two children, Sue and Maureen, who established families in Carroll. … one other child

Frank Reinfried purchased a hardware store with a partner (Mr. Leckie). When Francis Jaeger (the cousin of his wife) purchased Mr Leckie's interest, it became Jaeger and Reinfried hardware. Frank Reinfried worked in the store for five years; but his share was purchased by FM Jaeger and the store eventually became Jaeger Hardware (see the story above). Subsequently Frank Reinfried worked 35 years in the undertaker business. Frank Reinfried was one of 9 children of Xavier Reinfried. Xavier was one of the first Germans in Dubuque. Xavier was born in Baden and came to America in 1831 and to Dubuque in 1835. Xavier was trained as a tailor, but made his way by selling groceries and purchasing and then selling appreciated real estate, which made him quite wealthy (see the Reinfried web site). Xavier married Margaret Wunderle who was also a German immigrant. Xavier's brother Gregor also came to Dubuque, where he worked as a streetcar driver.

Josiah Consett commented on the Reinfried family: 'Next to the Miller Block was the large 2 story frame building of Xavier Reinfried, a German. They lived in the upper part. The ground floor was a saloon & sort of lodging house. In the boom times of 1854 to 1857, he sold this property for a fortune and retired. They were related to the Mongolds. Chas. Schreiber married the oldest daughter and, with her money, he got his start in business.' (Page 54 of Recollections of People and Events of Iowa 1846-1890 by Josiah Conzett).

The Dubuque Herald (5 Jan 1869) also provided a description of the pace of change in the city during Xavier's lifetime: ' Another early settler has departed. Scarcely three hundred of the thousands who made the village of Dubuque thirty-five years ago, have remained in Iowa or have lived to see the little village of 'Dubuque's Mines' become a city of 25,000 inhabitants. Among those who came to Dubuque before the permanent settlement was two years old, was Xavier Reinfried, then of the age of twenty-two. He was one of the first German immigrants who began in that early day to make permanent homes in what has since become the State of Iowa. At that time the whole region north of the Missouri and of Illinois was part of Michigan territory, and while Mr. Reinfried resided in Dubuque he was for two years a citizen of Wisconsin territory, and eight years a citizen of Iowa territory before it became a state. Though dying at the moderate age of only fifty-six, he lived to see railroads extend from the eastern coast to his adopted home west to the Mississippi, and by connections, extend over 1,200 miles further westward. He lived to see steam ferryboats take the place of the canoe for crossing the river, and even the ferry boats give way, for the purpose of commerce, to an iron railroad bridge, over which 1,260 freight cars passed in the first week of its operationŠ.'

The first generation of the Jaegers and the other families who settled in early Dubuque certainly lived in a time and place where change was both rapid and remarkable. Next we will describe the two sisters who came to Dubuque with their husbands, Elizabeth (Jaeger) Glab & Christoph Glab and Agatha (Jaeger) Ellwanger & Peter Ellwanger.

Elizabeth (Jaeger) Glab, the oldest of the four Jaeger Siblings

(and the sister of Adam Francis and Johann Jaeger)

Elizabeth (Jaeger) Glab (1803-83) married Christoph Glab (1800-1888) in Hesse-Darmstadt and the couple immigrated to Dubuque. Both she and Christoph were born in Juegesheim, the home city of the family. Elizabeth was the sister of Johann Jaaeger and Johann's wife, Agatha Glab, was the sister of Christoph. Thus, siblings married siblings and the couples may have traveled to America together. The parents of Agatha and Christoph were Johann and Katherina (Winter) Glab). In 1880 Elizabeth and Christoph were living with four boarders, all of whom worked in a brewery. According to the biography of their son, John, Christoph and Elizabeth were 'descended from old German Famlies' (History of Dubuque County). They came to Dubuque in 1854 (about the same time as John Jaeger and the Johann (Jacob) Branch of the Family) and settled on a farm. Christopher was described as an "honest and conscientious man, and a credit to his community." He died at the old homestead in 1888. This couple had eight children. Four came to America and three died as infants: … Elizabeth (1827-<1854); did not come to America. … Adam (1829-1880) … Agatha (1832-1932) … Johann 'John' (1834-1922) … Franz J 'Francis or Frank' (1837-1894) … Margareth (1839-39) … Magdelena (1842-42) … Katherina (1847-47)

Adam Glab was born on Hesse-Darmstadt on 17 Nov 1829 and Emigrated to America in 1852, perhaps before his parents came. He engaged in mining for 25 years. In 1866 he built his brewery for $50,000, and the business produced 4000 barrels annually. He was the proprietor of the Northern Brewery, which was on the Corner of 29th and Couler Avenue (now Central Avenue). In 1892, his brewery merged with the Schmidt Brewery, and the Tshirgi & Schwind Brewery to form the Dubuque Brewing and malting Company, which was at 32nd street and Jackson. The building still stands, but is now used for other purposes. Pictures of both these are found in Dubuque, the Birthplace of Iowa (v1, p 65). Adam's sons helped him run the business and took over as owners in 1884. In 1851, Adam married Miss Katherina Wemer of Hesse-Darmstadt and the couple had eight children, six were living in 1880: … Louise (1854-1933) married Paul Klauer and had ten children in Dubuque. … Nicholas (1857-1915) worked in the brewery business has father had started. He was one of the senior members of the group that ran the Dubuque Brewing and malting Company, which was formed by the merger of the Northern Breweries with others in the area to prevent a takeover by an English company. He married Mary Hohman and the couple had five children. The oldest, Katie, married Carl Zieprecht, who was a pharmacist in Dubuque. Their son died fighting in WWII. Their youngest son, John Irwin, who was a druggist in Cicero, Ill, was murdered in California after he retired. … Margaret 'Maggie' (1859-1912) married Frank Fosselman and they had eight children. Their granddaughter Marjorie married Tom Tully, who, I believe, ran Dubuque Lumber Coal (the Tully's) in Dubuque for many years. … Albert (~1860-) … Alois 'Allie' (1862-1942), who worked in the brewery business, married Anna Roesner and the couple had two children. … Frank G (~1865-) move to Hamilton, Montana. … Julia (1868-1871) … Katherine 'Katie' (->1938) married Aloysicus McQuillan and moved to Los Angeles. Nicholas and Alois Glab who worked together in running the Dubuque Brewing and Malting Co,. are buried with their wives and some children in section U1 of Mt Calvery.

John Glab was born in Guegesheim (presumably an alternate spelling for Jugesheim) in Hesse-Darmstadt on 11 Nov 1834 (History of Dubuque County). He worked in the lead mines in Dubuque for a time and subsequently freighted wood on the Mississippi until 1865. He then bought a distillery and flourmill, but sold them five years later. He began manufacturing pickles, an industry that he continued for 36 years. His business, which was called the Mississippi Valley Vinegar Works, was at the foot of ninth Street. He was a Justice of the Peace for at least 8 years. He was an Alderman in 1883 & 1884 and was Mayor in 1885 and 1886. He married Louise Wagner, whose father had died on the voyage from Germany. The couple had seven children: … John Nicholas (1862-1900), who was in the Hotel business, married Barbra Engert. … Helena M 'Lena' (1863-1941) married Ben D. Heeb, the son of Anton Heeb, the brewer, and moved to CA. The couple had three children. … Francis A 'Frank' (1864-) married Catherine Brehm and the couple had two children. … Michael 'Henry' (1865-) married Elizabeth Zollicoffer and the couple had at least one son. … Lulu C. (1871-<1941) married FK Matterson. … J.A. (1876-79) died as an infant. … Morris Paul (1883-1961), a painter, married Mary Roth and the couple had two children. His name is spelled Maurice in some records. … Leo F was a plumber in Dubuque.

Agatha Glab was also born in Jugesheim and came to Dubuque with her parents. She had two husbands. She lived in Sherrill's Mound, which is near Dubuque She first married Nicholas Arensdorf and this couple had four children: … Chris (1856-1939) … Anna (1859-1931) married John Utzig and had seventeen children … John (1862-1931) and his wife Margaret Henkles had eleven children. … Margaret (1862-) had two husbands, Fred Splan and Frank Stewart. After her first husband's death in 1863, Agatha married John Conrad and the couple had three additional children and adopted another: … Mary (1872-1961) and her husband, Peter Kirscher, moved to Ramsey, MN and had 5 children and many grandchildren. Mary's great granddaughter, Theresa Ann Morgan is a careful and helpful genealogist. … John Jr. (twin) (1872-1958) married Catherine Stillmunkes and the couple had five children. … Louisa (twin) (1873-1961) married Peter Henkles and had four children. … Peter Stines was adopted in about 1874.

Thus Agatha Glab was a part of several large families and these families have been studied in detail by Mary Rulison, who is an active researcher.

There is a complicated relationship that should be mentioned here. Agatha's second husband, John Conrad's sister, Katerina, married Peter Utzig. Much latter, Katerina & Peter's son, John Utzig, married Anna Arensdorf, who was the daughter of Agatha Jaeger from her first marriage to Nicholas Arensdorf.

Franz J 'Frank' Glab (1837-1894) was the youngest child of Christoph and Elizabeth Jaeger Glab. He fought in the Civil war from 1862-5 as part of the Co E, 21st Reg., Iowa Infantry Military Volunteers. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge, LA. He married Margaret Shilling in 1865, and the couple had seven children. … Elizabeth E (1866-1940) and Thomas Lynch had seven children. … Louisa (1867-1922) married John Blinchmann who worked at Morrison Brothers and the couple had three children. … Susan J (1870-1951) married Lorenz Hauer and the couple moved to Texas. … Margaret (1871-) married Robert Kaufman. … George W (1873-1945), who worked at General Dry Bateries and Farley & Loetscher Cos., married Lillian Hinges. … Frank John 'Janie' (1875-1954) married Wilhelmina Sass and the couple had ten children and at least 23 grandchildren. One of these grandchildren, Jim, is a classmate of the author and currently lives in New York. Another, Karla, is actively interested in family history. One of their cousins assembled the records of the family. … Fredrick 'Fritz' (1878-1968) married Agness Schollard and worked on the Milwaukee railroad.

Agatha (Jaeger) Ellwanger, the younger sister

(of Elizabeth, Adam Francis and Johann Jaeger)

Agatha (Jaeger) Ellwanger (1822-1889) married Peter Edward Ellwanger (1818-1884) in Hesse Darmstadt. Peter was the son of Michael Anton & Anna Maria (Huth) Ellwanger. Agatha and Peter had five children in Hesse-Darmstadt and three more in Dubuque. Peter was said to be a pianist and music teacher of some repute in Germany. He worked as a Piano teacher and piano tuner in Dubuque.

The couple arrived in America on the ship, Venice, that traveled from Havre to New Orleans, arriving 30 June 1852. The couple may have traveled with other family members, but there is no record of them on this ship. The couple had eight children, and the last three were born in Dubuque: … Andrew (1842-1901) who was listed as Andreas on the ships manifest. … Herman (1845-1920) … Otto (1847-1931) … John Peter (1849-1917) … Anna (1850-1923) … Louis (1856-1856) … Katie (1857-1858) … Josephine (1864-1934)

Andrew (1842-1901) and his wife Fredericka Neubauer (1844-1912), who was an immigrant from Mecklenberg (a Grand Duchy, now a part of Germany) had six children. … Herman P (1865-1937) was a carpenter at Milwaulkee, St. Paul, and Pacific RR. … Matilda (1867-<1880) … Edward P (1870-1935) worked for Novelty Iron Works; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. RR; and the Dubuque Boat & Boiler Works … Ferdinand (1872-1936) … Frederick (1885-1936) also worked at the Dubuque Boat & Boiler Works … Charles

With his brother Otto, Andrew established and ran the Central Market Harness Maker.

Herman (1845-1920), at the age of 19, volunteered to fight in the Civil War. His father had to give official permission and he enlisted in Company E, 5th Iowa Cavalry (Civil War). On July 30, 1864 he was taken prisoner at Newman, Georgia and was sent to the infamous Andersonville prison for 2 months. After 5 months imprisonment at Charleston, S. C., he was transferred to Florence, S. C., from where he was released in December 1864. He was discharged from the Army on 6/24/1865.

       Herman returned to Dubuque, and on 16 June 1870, he married Emma Dunkley, an immigrant from England.  In August of 1871, the couple had a baby girl.  They named her Bertha.  On the 25th of May of the following year, the 23-year-old mother and her baby were killed in the collapse of Dubuque's town clock, which had been installed on top of the John Bell Dry Goods Store.  The tragedy was heavily covered by the local papeers.
      In 1875, Herman married Elizabeth Jane Duckley, the sister of his first wife, and this couple had five children. 

… Emma, F (-1921) married O. L. Sohl … May, F married Charles A Stoltz. … J Herbert, M (1878-1904), who worked at the Iowa Trust & Savings bank, married Martha Reinfried, the grandfather of Xavier Reinfried, who was described above. Martha's father was a grocer, a fireman, the fire chief of Dubuque and the first president of the Iowa Firemen's Association (formed in 1879). … Harry Peter, M (1889-1938) worked at the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul RR for many years; and he operated Triangle Hatchery for 12 years before his death. He had four children with his wife, Louise Stahllman. … John Carlton 'Jack', M (1891-1963) worked for Farley & Loetscher Mfg. Co., Dubuque, IA, became its Eastern Sales Representative, and had three children. John's oldes son, Thomas, who was killed over Stutgart during WWII. The Telegraph herald reported: "On Dec. 4, 1944, he went on his first mission in a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, and on his fourth mission, Dec. 12, in the same kind of plane, he failed to return with his squadron. His group was on an armed reconnaissance mission in the Frankfort area, and his plane was last seen over the Kaiserslautern marshalling yards when his formation was attacked by Nazi planes." (Dubuque, IA Telegraph-Herald 2/14/1946, p. 15, col. 7)

Herman first ran a flourmill in Richardsville, but in 1880 he went to work for worked at Brady and Ellwanger and, then, the reorganized John Ellwanger Company for 30 years. Thus, he worked in the company that was started by his cousin Francis and eventually owned by his brother John Peter (see below). He worked with another cousin, John Jaeger. He then worked for the Dubuque Electric Company, another conceern of his brother John, until a few months before his death. So Herman fought in the American Civil War, but lived through World War I. As an immigrant he grew up with oil lamps, but finished his career working for an electric company!

Otto (1847-1931) was engaged with his brother manufacturing harnesses and leather goods. He and his wife Elizabeth Heisler, an immigrant from Vienna, Austria, had three children: … Frank (1873-1908) was a barber with a shop between Main & Locust in Dubuque. … Otto (1875-1885) … Walter (1887-1943) was associated with his fathers firm, Elwanger Brothers.

Otto died during an intense heat wave in Dubuque. It was 104 degrees the day he died.

John Peter (1849-1917) graduated from the Bayless Business College in Dubuque when he was only 13. John began his career as a bundle boy in the dry good company of Wood, Luke and Company. He later worked as a clerk in another clothing business until 1871 when he became employed as a bookkeeper for Francis Jaeger (his cousin). In June 1875, Ellwanger, in partnership with Michael Brady, purchased two-thirds interest in the wholesale Liquor firm founded by Francis Jaeger. The company was renamed Brady, Ellwanger and Company until the death of Brady in 1899. The firm then incorporated May 8, 1899 as the John Ellwanger Company. John was active in many other business pursuits. He was a director and major stockholder of the Union Electric prior to its purchase by Dubuque Electric Company (where his brother Herman worked for a while). He was a director of the Iowa Trust & Savings Bank, a director of the Key City Fire Insurance Co., a director of the Dubuque Alter manufacturing Co., and secretary of the Dubuque High Bridge Co. He was a staunch democrat and served as Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee. He was an elector for the democrats in the 1900 election where he voted for William Jennings Bryant.

John Peter married Sophia Buckman in 1871, the daughter of the ex-sheriff, William D Bucknam. The couple had three children.: … William Edward (1875-1944) headed John Ellwanger Co. after his father. He was President of the Dubuque Bridge Co. and president, Fitzgerald Cigar Co. … Ralph J Sr. (1882-1933) … Josephine (-1926) Sophia died in 1904 and John then married S. Fannie Lewis-Buckman in 1906.

Anna (1850-1923) married George Hess in Dubuque, but the couple moved to Omaha and then to Texas. They has two children; … George Henry (1873-) … Fred E. (1880-)

Louis (1856-1856) and Katie (1857-1858) died as an infants in Dubuque.

Josephine (1864-1934) married Henry Winfield Scott (1859-1937), a graduate of the U of Pennsylvania who worked as traveling shoe salesman for Mr. A. W. Sears for over 50 years. The couple had seven children: … Ethyl Maude 'Dolly' (1886-1983) married Lawrence Eddy and lived in Detroit. … Josephine Henrietta (1887-1961) married James Degnan and moved to Rhode Island … Agatha Anna (1889-1963) lived in San Francisco. She married Harrison Brown and then H. E. Hendricks. … Henry Winfield (1890-1963) married Catherine Angeline Kranert and lived in Savanna, Ill and Clinton, IA. … Estelle Norma (1893-1976) married John Leroy Cadden and moved to Baxter Springs, Kansas … Aurila Laura (1897-1983) never married. She passed away in Ft. Lauderdale, FL … Frederick Edward (1901-1953) married Helen Kerns and, like his older sister, lived in San Francisco

The Family Roots in Europe

The Parents of Adam Francis 1, Johann Jacob, Elizabeth, and Agatha Jaeger. The parents of these four siblings are known only through the records of the Catholic Church in Jugesheim (which is available through the LDS). Their names were Peter Jaeger and Magdalena (Jaeger) Jaeger, but "Jaeger" is the anglicized version of the German name Jager with an umlaut over the 'a.' Jaeger is the German word for hunter, and there are is a type of soldier that is called a 'jaeger', which might give a hint about some distant ancestors. The village of Jugesheim, which is south of Frankfort, is still small and has recently become part of a neighboring village called Rogdau. There are currently over 100 families that use the surname Jaeger in Jugesheim. It is reasonable to guess that many of the members of this family were probably peasants, but they may also have had a role in village commerce. One of the birth records indicated that Peter was a Burgermeister, which means he was the mayor of this village and involved in its politics (a tradition carried to America by his descendants).

Peter and Magdalena had 12 -14 children and four of these children came to Dubuque … Unknown i … Unknown ii … Peter had at least 4 children in Jugesheim and may have remained there. … Elizabeth (Lizzie) (1803-1883) married Chritoph Glab & came to Dubuuqe … Anna Maria (1809-1809) … Adam Francis (1811-1868) the first Jaeger to come to Dubuque with M. Miller … Andreas (1812-1813) … Johann (1814-1814) … Johann (Twin) (1814-1849) whose widow, Agatha (Glab), came to Dubuque … Maria Anna (Twin) (1814-1814) … Franz Joseph (1816-) … Andreas (1819-1891) … Agatha (Died as Infant) (1820-) … Agatha (1822-1889) married Peter Ellwanger & came to Dubuque

The church records available from the LDS begin in 1808, so the existence of two unknown children is inferred from comments about the number of Magdalena's children. Peter Jaeger is referred to as Peter II Jaeger in church records. Peter married Elizabeth winter and had at least four children Agatha (1815-1889), Peter (1821-1889), Elizabeth (1823-died as an infant), and Elizabeth (1826-1891). As the oldest son of the couple peter presumably remained in Jugesheim and may have taken over the family property. Elizabeth's birth date is known from family records and obituaries. The church records contain information about the remaining children. At least five of these children died as infants. Johann, whose widow eventually brought their children to Dubuque was a fraternal twin, but his sister died as an infant. Johann may have died in Europe or on the voyage.

Marriages between the Jaegers and the Glabs in Europe. A brother and a sister in the Jaeger family (Elizabeth Jaeger and her younger brother, Johann Jaeger) married a sister and a brother in the Glab family (Christoph Glab and his younger sister, Agatha Glab). The parents of the Glab siblings were Johann Glab & Katherina Winter. Since siblings married siblings, the descendents of these couples are related to one another in two ways. The family histories of Christoph Glab & Elizabeth Jaeger and Johann Jaeger & Agatha Glabcan be written equally well as the story of Johann & Katherina (Winter) Glab's descendants.

Thus, Johann and Katherina (Winter) Glab had seven children, and two of these children are known to have come to Dubuque: … Christoph (1801-1888) married Elizabeth Jaeger & came to Dubuque … Nickolaus (1806-) … Margarethe (1807-) … Unknown female(Died as Infant) (1808-1808) … Elizabeth (1809-) … Johann (1811-1845) … Agatha 'Egrad' (1813-1875) married Johann Jaeger (Elizabeth's younger brother) & came to Dubuque as a widow with 6 children, probably traveling with her brother and sister-in-law.

(It is interesting that Peter Jager II married a Winter, although there is no evidence for a relationship to Katherina.)

The Ellwanger family. Peter Ellwanger was the son of Michael Anton & Anna Maria (Huth) Ellwanger, and his birth was recorded in the Church records at Jugesheim. Michael Anton & Anna Maria had at least on other child. Franz Peter was born in 1815, but he died three years later (in the same year that Peter Edward was born.)

The Jaeger who Fought in the Civil War

At least five members of the Jaeger family participated in the American Civil War. The first two are Adam & Nick Jaeger, the sons of Johann and Agatha (Glab) Jaeger. The third, Ephriam Curtis is the husband of their sister, Clara Agatha (Jaeger) Curtis. The fourth is Herman Ellwanger, the son of Peter and Agatha (Jaeger) Ellwanger, their first cousin. The last, Franz Glab, was the son of Christoph and Elizabeth Glab.

Nicholas Jaeger enlisted in the Civil War 10 June 1862. He Re-enlisted and re-mustered 3/11/1964. He was promoted Eighth Corporal Feb. 10, 1864; Sixth Corporal. Nicholas was listed as missing in action and taken prisoner July 22, 1864, Atlanta, GA. He was promoted to Fifth Sergeant Sept. 1, 1864; then First Sergeant Jan. 1, 1865; and, ultimately, Second Lieutenant June 10, 1865. He was mustered out July 19, 1865, Louisville, Ky.

Adam John Jaeger served in the Civil War with Company E, 21st Regular Volunteers. He enlisted 22 August 1862, age 22, a Private. He mustered out 15 July 1865 at Baton Rouge, LA. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Hyde Clark Post 78, Dubuque, IA.

Ephraim Curtis, who was the husband of their sister, Clara Agatha, volunteered for 2 years on 2/19/1862, 6 months after marriage. At expiration of the enlistment, on the next day, 3/1/1864 he re-enlisted at Germantown, TN for an additional 3 years or the duration of the war. His record lists him as a deserter on July 28, 1865, then pursuant to Act of Congress dated July 5,1865 he was reinstated and discharged as of July 28, 1865 with his rank of Sergeant. An Affidavit states that about June 1, 1865 he and two other men were at a social party about 2 miles from camp and were overtaken by Confederate gorillas and taken to White Pine Bluffs, TN and held there until the war was over and their company had gone home. It is probable after enlisting and re-enlisting and the war being virtually over that he did not desert.

Herman Ellwanger enlisted in Company E, 5th Iowa Cavalry (Civil War) at age of 19 (1864). On July 30, 1864 he was taken prisoner at Newman, Georgia and was sent to the infamous Andersonville prison for 2 months. After 5 months imprisonment at Charleston, S. C., he was transferred to Florence, S. C. He was released in December 1864 and discharged from the Army on 6/24/1865. Herman was subsequently part of a tragic accident in Dubuque. He married Emma May Dunkley, a recent immigrant form England in June of 1870. The couple had a baby in August of the next year. At 5:16 on the 25th of May 1872, both Emma and the couple's baby were killed in the collapse of Dubuque's first town clock. The clock was located on top of the John Bell and Company, which sold dry goods and notions. Herman latter married Emma's sister, Elizabeth and the couple had four children. (information courtesy of Helen Cross Kelly).

Franz Glab served in Co E, 21st Reg., Iowa Infantry Military Volunteers between between 1862 and 1865. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge, LA.

Although Ephriam was born in the USA and his family had lived here for a long time, the others were all born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Why did these new immigrants choose to fight so soon in their adopted country? Was it a sign of commitment to their new home, a reflection of their political beliefs, a moral decision, or a way to earn money and establish themselves in a new land?