Michigan Ancestry for National Storytelling Week

In honor of National Storytelling Week (along with the fact that this year is the 250th anniversary of the United States AND Michigan became a state in the month of January! whew!) the Cass River Genealogy Society invited its members to share stories of their first Michigan ancestors!

Have fun reading through the stories gathered here- maybe it will inspire you to research your own genealogy!

And in the event that your interest is piqued and you'd like to learn more about the Cass River Genealogy Society, you are always invited to attend their monthly meetings (held here in the Community Room.)

If you have any questions, please email the CRGS at: CassRiverGS@outlook.com.

JOHANN BIERLEIN by Judith Ketchum

“My first Michigan ancestor, my 3x great uncle, Johann Bierlein, came to Michigan in the summer of 1845. He immigrated from Ronstal, Germany, along with 14 adults and one child.

These Germans founded Frankenmuth, Michigan and the St. Lorenz Lutheran Church. Johann welcomed his father and brother to Frankenmuth a few years later.”

JOHANN BLOCK by Robert A. Loesel

“My maternal great-grandfather, Johann Friedrich Block, was born Aug. 24, 1842 in Jagor Pomerania, Germany. He married Johanna Karolina Tank (born July 23, 1837 in Prussia) on Mar. 15, 1865 in Doelitz Pomerania, Prussia.

They came to Frankenmuth 3 years later, about 1868. Johann died July 5, 1890 and Johanna died Oct. 10, 1890.”

ENOCH HUGHES by MaryAnn Maleki

“Enoch was born in Monmouth, New Jersey around 1802, the son of John Hughes (1756-1820) and Mary Perrine. Enoch was the 6th generation of Hughes born in New Jersey. Humphrey Hughes was born in Someret, England and immigrated to USA before 1639.

He married Hannah Burning in Trenton, Mercer Co, New Jersey on 06/12/1826. Hannah was born around 1800. Hannah Woodward Bunting was the daughter of Thomas Bunting & Rachel Woodward, in New Jersey.

Enoch died on Jan. 27, 1890 in Plymouth, Wayne Co, MI (age 88 years.) Hannah died on Aug. 13, 1892 in Plymouth, Wayne Co, MI (age 92.) They are buried in Shearer Cemetery, 1 1/2 miles from Plymouth on N. Territorial Rd., Plymouth Twp, Wayne Co, MI.”

JOHANN LOESSEL by Robert A. Loesel

“My paternal great-grandfather, Johann Loessel, was born on Oct. 14, 1828 in Buchschwabach, Bayern ,Germany. He came to America on May 6, 1850. I don't have any information about him until he married Anna Barbara Stroehlein, at Holy Cross Church in Saginaw on March 9, 1855. They purchased 58 acres on Baker Road on March 17, 1855. He died May 26, 1893.

My great-grandmother, Anna Barbara Stroehlein, was born August 10, 1828, in Stadeln, Bayern, Germany. She immigrated January 11, 1854 and died February 23, 1919. They had 7 children.”

ARTHUR EPHRAIM OLIVIER by Joanne Olivier

“Born: Feb 10 1848 Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers) Quebec, Canada

Arthur was the second oldest of ten children born to Hercule Olivier and Marie Adelaide Grenier. He married Elizabeth Ann Broderick on Sept 7, 1881. Together they owned a small hotel in Ascot Corner, Quebec, Canada. With a growing family they moved from their small community, immigrating to Michigan in 1891. Arthur and Elizabeth ultimately had 10 children. He moved first to Seney, then Germfask, working on the railroad, Grand Marais and finally, Marquette. He is most known for his work on the railroad as a locomotive engineer and/or brakeman. Arthur died in Marquette Michigan at the age of 67, leaving his wife and 8 surviving children. One child as noted on his obit, died in Colorado in a “flash flood.”

THE SHORT FAMILY by MaryAnn Maleki

“In 1859, Olive Short died of the latest “pox” or “fever” to go around. The following year, 1860, her husband Samuel Short moved to Michigan with most of his children. (The oldest 2 were married.) Sam wanted to move again where there were fewer people, thus fewer diseases to save his family members. He moved to Henderson, Shiawassee County, Michigan. Later, I found out the Railroad had put in a line from Wellsboro, PA to Owosso, Michigan – thus many settlers moved to Michigan to start a new farm. Wellsboro is on the border of SW New York and NW corner of Penn. A couple of his sons entered the Civil War in 1863 at Pontiac, Michigan, one being George Short, my great-great grandfather. Meanwhile, George took the train back to PA in 1861 to marry Julia Keeney. There are newspaper articles showing Julia going back home for different family events.”

THE WEBER FAMILY

“The oldest of Frankenmuth’s 15 original settlers was Johann Konrad Weber, who made the trip at age 39. Johann was born April 1, 1806 in Weiler Mittelfranken, Bavaria. Johann was the youngest of six children. His mother died when he was 14 and his father died when he was 10. He lived with his sister, who married a wealthy farmer, and since she had no children, she left him a sum of money when she died.

On April 20, 1845, Johann was among the group of 14 people that left Bremerhafen, Germany on the ship “Caroline”. Johann was married to Kunigunde Barbara Bernthal on April 21, 1845 aboard the ship. The group arrived in the New York Harbor on June 8. 1845.

According to family legend, Johann brought a large sum of money with him, wearing it in a vest lined with pockets. When he arrived it was very hot, but he wouldn’t remove his vest. He gave the money to Rev. Auch, for the purchase of 608 acres of land which became Frankenmuth. Johann and his wife farmed 70 acres along the Cass River near the St. Lorenz Church.

Of their 9 children, 7 lived to adulthood. The oldest son, Johann Georg Leonhard Weber fought in the Civil War.

Johann only lived in Frankenmuth for only 16 years. He died May 24, 1861 at age 55. His wife, Kunigunda, was born in Roβtal Mittelfranken Bavaria and died on December 23, 1878.