Gusewelle, Sophia

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1846, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Buried:
Sophia was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Died:

     The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an funeral announcement for "Mrs. William Fiegenbaum." Gretchen Leenerts reported that this account had appeared on 9 September 1904 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois.

     The funeral of Mrs. William Fiegenbaum, brief mention of whose death was made in Wednesday's Intelligencer, will be held tomorrow, Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. The services will be held at the German M.E. Church and the interment is to be at Woodlawn. The pall bearers will be: George Stullken, E. F. Koch, Jule H. Stolte, Henry Stullken, Louis F. Kriege and Edward Dude. Mrs. Fiegenbaum was aged 78 years, 7 months and 5 days. Her maiden name was Sophia Gusewelle, and she was born 2 February 1826 in Pollhagen, Germany. In 1846 she sailed for America, landing in St. Louis on New Year's Day 1847. She was married to Rev. William Fiegenbaum 27 September 1849 in St. Louis. Their union was blessed with eight children, two of whom died in infancy. The six living children, all of whom were with her when death came, are: Fred A., Dr. E. W., and Mrs. Martha Lynch of Edwardsville; Dr. J. H. of Alton; Mrs. H. C. Jacoby of Granite City and Mrs. C. F. Blume of Winona, Minnesota. Her venerable husband also survives and there are 23 grandchildren. She has two sisters, Mrs. Christine Kaeser of Pittsfield and Mrs. Dora Wille of Forber Station, Missouri. The family came to Edwardsville in 1870 and stayed until 1875, then lived at Pittsfield, Bunker Hill, Alton and other points where Mr. Fiegenbaum had pastorates. The wife united with the church the year she came to St. Louis and was not only a helpmeet to her husband in the home, but was a "frontier missionary," traveling with him through Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Iowa, in the sparsely settled districts and aiding at all times in the religious work. Hers was a character as strong as that of her rugged husband, and she was ever his aid and helper through their long married life. Their golden wedding was celebrated five years ago. Mrs. Fiegenbaum's death was due to no ailment, merely a breaking down due to old age, and she sank gradually during the past ten days until the end came at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.

Sophia married Fiegenbaum, Hermann Wilhelm 1 Oct 1849, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Hermann (son of Fiegenbaum, Adolph Heinrich and Peterjohann, Christine Elisabeth) was born 17 Sep 1824, Lengerich, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia; died 30 Nov 1906, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 2 Dec 1906, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:

     Although obituaries for Hermann Wilhelm Fiegenbaum and Sophia (Gusewelle) Fiegenbaum and also a newspaper account of their golden wedding anniversary all report that they were married at St. Louis on 27 September 1849, a record of the marriage, filed and recorded on 23 October 1849 at St. Louis, certified that Rev Henry Könecke, a Minister of the Gospel, "joined in wedlock" Reverend William Figenbaum [sic], of Highland, Madison County, Illinois, and Miss Sophia Gisewelle [sic], of St. Louis, Missouri on 1 October 1849.
     The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an account of the golden wedding anniversary celebration for "Rev. and Mrs. William Fiegenbaum." Gretchen Leenerts reported that this account had appeared on 29 September 1899 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois.

     Rev. and Mrs. William Fiegenbaum celebrated their golden wedding Wednesday. As the anniversary, so was the day, bright and fair, and with sunshine as clear and golden as the purest ingot of the precious metal that ever ran from a crucible. Every circumstance smiled upon the anniversary and combined to make it a joyous one. The venerable couple were in the best of health and spirits, friends old and new were there to greet them and wish them well, and it is safe to say that no one of all the throng derived as much pleasure by half from the affair as did the guests of honor. The celebration occurred at the residence on Main Street of their son, Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum. The house and grounds had been lavishly decorated in honor of the event. Taking advantage of the season, every corner and nook of the residence blossomed with golden rod, and its appropriateness was remarked upon all sides. At night the handsome lawn was lighted with many electric lights, forming a very pretty picture. According to the invitations the festivities began at 2:30, but in reality they commenced at noon, when the family gathered at dinner. Forty relatives sat down to the meal. Rev. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum occupied the places of honor. Rev. H. C. Jacoby made an address, the family united in singing a verse and then after grace came the discussion of the meal. In the afternoon the guests began to arrive, and they came until the house was packed. Some to spend the afternoon, others who could tarry but a little while dropped in to pay their compliments, listen to the music and then return to business or other pursuits. Rev. Jacoby delivered an address in German and was followed with short addresses in English by Past Presiding Elder W. E. Ravenscroft and Dr. J. L. Cunningham. In the evening there was an address by Dr. J. A. Autrim, of St. Andrew's. One feature which was especially pleasing to the assemblage was the music. Schwarz orchestra played throughout the celebration, concluding with the "Golden Wedding March." During intervals the Fiegenbaum Mandolin Club rendered choice selections, and there was vocal music by the members of the German Methodist Choir. It was thought that perhaps all the members of the German Methodist Church could not be reached by mailing invitations, so a general invitation was extended from the pulpit, and the members were present almost without exception. Among the many handsome presents was a $10 gold piece, accompanied by a congratulatory poem from the Church Society. Rev. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum have not had uneventful lives as are usually supposed to tend to long life. Both are natives of Prussia. Rev. Fiegenbaum came to this country at an early age. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1847 and the following year was ordained to the ministry. His first charge was at Highland, and after the completion of his first year there he went to St. Louis to claim his bride, Miss Sophia Gusewelle, who had been in America at that time about a year. They were married on September 27 in the afternoon at the German Methodist Church on Washington Street then one of the most pretentious structures in St. Louis. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Henry Koeneke. Rev. Koeneke and Mrs. Timpkin, of Peoria, who were the witnesses to the wedding, are still living, as is also Mrs. Dora Lahrman, of St. Joseph, Missouri, the lady who tendered them a wedding supper. At that time ministers were allowed but two years as a charge, so at the completion of the year following their wedding, Rev. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum were assigned to a new town. They went to Watertown, Wisconsin, driving overland all the way. Then they were transferred to Booneville, Missouri, and during the forty or more years following, traversed nearly the whole of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Rev. Fiegenbaum's service for the Master covered a period of over 50 years, and he still preaches when occasion demands. The family is noted for the fact of its connection with the ministry. The three brothers, Henry of St. Joseph, Missouri; Fred of Oregon, Missouri; and Rudolph of Garner, Iowa, were all ministers, the former two now superannuated. The two sisters, Mrs. Minna Winter of Omaha, Nebraska and Mrs. Katherine Wellemeyer of Garner, Iowa, each married a minister. Henry Fiegenbaum and Mrs. Wellemeyer celebrated golden weddings a year ago, and Fred's occurs next year. All the children of Rev. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum were present with their families, 19 of their 21 grandchildren being there. The children are: Mrs. Charles F. Blume of Winona, Minnesota; Mrs. Jacoby, wife of Rev. H. C. Jacoby, pastor of the Taylor Avenue German Methodist Church, St. Louis; Dr. J. H. Fiegenbaum of Alton, and Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum, Fred Fiegenbaum and Mrs. C. H. Lynch of this city. Other out of town guests were: Mrs. Christian Kaeser of Pittsfield, a sister of Mrs. Fiegenbaum, who was present at the wedding 50 years ago; Mrs. Henry Krome, of near Wanda, who was seatmate with Mrs. Fiegenbaum at school in Germany 62 years ago; Mr. and Mrs. John Zimmerman, Mrs. Brinkman and Mrs. Goesch of Bunker Hill and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Pitts of Alton.

Census (family):

     According to the 1860 enumeration, the household consisted of Wm. Fiegenbaum, age 38, born in Prussia, a "M. E. Minister;" Sophia Fiegenbaum, age 36, born in Prussia; F. A. Fiegenbaum, age 8, born in Wisconsin; Edward W. Fiegenbaum, age 6, born in Missouri; Henry I. or J. Fiegenbaum, age 1, born in Illinois; and Amelia B. Fiegenbaum, age 1, born in Illinois.

Census (family):

     According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of "Wm. Feigenbaum," age 45, born in Prussia, a U.S. citizen, a minister; "Sophia Feigenbaum," age 44, born in Prussia, keeping house; "F. Adolph Feigenbaum," age 18, born in Wisconsin; "Edward Feigenbaum," age 15, born in Missouri; "Bertha N. Feigenbaum," age 11, born in Illinois, attended school within the year; "Julius H. Feigenbaum," age 11, born in Illinois, attended school within the year; "Martha S. Feigenbaum," age 8, born in Minnesota, attended school within the year; "Livia Feigenbaum," age 6, born in Minnesota; and, "Mina Feigenbaum," age 3, born in Minnesota.

Census (family):

     According to the 1880 enumeration of 12th Street, between Jefferson and Washington, the household consisted of "William Tigenbaum," age 56, born in Prussia, married, a German Methodist Pastor, his wife, "Sophia Tigenbaum," age 55, born in Prussia, married, keeping house, and four children: "Bertha E. Tigenbaum," daughter, age 21, born in Illinois, a salesmann [sic]; "Julius H. Tigenbaum," son, age 21, born in Illinois; "Martha Tigenbaum," daughter, age 18, born in Minnesota; and "Lydia M. Tigenbaum," daughter, age 16, born in Minnesota.

Census (family):

     According to the 1900 enumeration, the household consisted of William Fiegenbaum, head of household, born September 1824 in Germany, age 75, married for 50 years, immigrated to USA in 1834, a "Minister of the Gospel;" and Sophia Fiegenbaum, wife, born February 1826 in Germany, age 74; married for 50 years, a mother of 8 children (6 of them still living), immigrated to USA in 1846.

1. Fiegenbaum, Frederick Adolph was born 15 Aug 1851, Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, USA; died 12 Feb 1931, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 14 Feb 1931, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA.
2. Fiegenbaum, Dr. Edward William was born 4 Dec 1854, Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri, USA; died 28 Jul 1927, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried , Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA.
3. Fiegenbaum, George was born 1857; died 1857.
4. Fiegenbaum, Amelia Bertha was born 27 Apr 1859, Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA; died , Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.
5. Fiegenbaum, Dr. Julius Henry was born 27 Apr 1859, Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA; died 26 Feb 1938, Alton, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 1 Mar 1938, Alton, Madison County, Illinois, USA.
6. Fiegenbaum, Martha Lizette was born 3 Sep 1861, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA; died 2 Dec 1923, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 4 Dec 1923, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA.
7. Fiegenbaum, Lydia Mary was born 24 Sep 1863, Minnesota, USA; died 4 Sep 1953, Los Angeles County, California, USA.
8. Fiegenbaum, Wilhelmine was born Between 1866 and 1867, Minnesota, USA; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Residence: Bef 1850, Schaumburg-Lippe [Germany]
• Immigration: Dec 1850, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Naturalization: 16 May 1857, Madison County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Immigration:
Frederick emigrated from Schaumburg-Lippe, Germany. He disembarked at New Orleans, Louisiana and settled in Madison County, Illinois.

Frederick married Hoen, Catherine. Catherine was born 1802, Germany; died 1880, Troy, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Douglas Scott also identifies this woman as Caroline M. Haynes.