2. | Fiegenbaum, Heinrich Hermann was born 15 Oct 1821, Lengerich, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia (son of Fiegenbaum, Adolph Heinrich and Peterjohann, Christine Elisabeth); died 13 Jan 1905, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA; was buried 16 Jan 1905, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. Other Events:
- Immigration: 1834, Missouri, USA
- Census: 1840, Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri, USA
- Census: 1840, Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
- Occupation: Between 1848 and 1889; Minister in the German Methodist church
- Census: Aug 1850, Mascoutah, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA
- Census: May 1870, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
- Census: Jul 1870, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA
- Census: Jun 1880, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
- Residence: Sep 1899, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
- Census: Jun 1900, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
- Residence: 1902–1903, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA
Notes:
Birth:
He was born in Bauerschaft Hohne, a "township" of Lengerich.
Immigration:
Heinrich was about 13 years old when he emigrated from the Hohne section of Lengerich, in the Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia with his father, Adolph (age about 40), his mother, Christine (age about 37), and four brothers and sisters (ages 10 to less than 1 year). The family is reported to have disembarked at New Orleans, Louisiana in late June 1834 and to have traveled up the Mississippi, arriving at St. Louis, Missouri about 3 or 4 July. They appear to have settled initially in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri and later moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Heinrich's parents and two of his brothers still living at home settled near Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa. By then, however, Heinrich was married and already engaged in his career with the German Methodist Episcopal Church.
Census:
The 1840 U.S. census enumerated eight people living in the "Rudolph Feigenbaum" household in Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri.
Census:
The 1840 U.S. census enumerated eight people living in the "A. Frigenbottom" household in Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri.
Occupation:
The following autobiographical sketch was published in 1856 in the Experience of German Methodist Preachers, compiled by Adam Miller.
Experience of H. Fiegenbaum
I was born on the 18th of October, in the year 1820, in Westphalia, kingdom of Prussia, Germany. In the year 1833 our family migrated to America, and about midsummer my parents with five children landed in New Orleans. This was the year when the cholera raged with such violence, and scores fell victims to it every day. A gracious Providence preserved our lives, and we took steamboat for St. Louis, which we reached in nine days. We did not remain long in the city, but moved to the country, and settled seventy-five miles west of St. Louis, in St. Charles county, Missouri. Here we were in an entire wilderness, on which account no one grieved more than my mother, as she had been converted in Germany, and was now deprived of Church privileges and Christian associations.
Here we lived five years without a church or preacher. "Alas, children," said mother frequently, "we will all be heathens yet." We children found a manner of life according to our wishes. Hunting, fishing, and roaming through the forests, was our employment whenever we found a leisure hour from our labors; but with all this our heavenly Father watched over us. We had a pious mother. The Sabbath day was not forgotten; for every Sunday we had to read our Bibles, and she made explanations to us of difficult passages.
I was sorry that we were deprived of schooling, but finally the time came when we were supplied with a preacher. He came from Germany as a missionary to North America. This man was an evangelical Lutheran, and in accordance with the wishes of my parents, I went to him for instruction in the doctrines of the Church, and was confirmed. During the time I was receiving instruction I was awakened, and a few weeks afterward was converted, and felt myself one of the happiest beings on earth. But being left to myself, and not properly understanding the nature of the blessing that I had experienced, nor knowing how to retain it, I fell into a state of indifference and hardness of heart, which continued for five years. Yet God restrained me from outbreaking sins; and as I had, in my confirmation, renewed my baptismal vows and was now recognized as a communicant, I was appointed to an office in the Church; and thus I lived and labored within her pale, a backslider and a benighted sinner, till I was finally waked up through the preaching of Father Swahlen, who was the first German Methodist preacher we had ever seen. He made application to preach in our church, and received permission to do so; but when we found that he was a Methodist the door of the church was closed against him by my colleagues, the trustees. But as he made an appointment and could not get into the church, he took his stand by an old tree in front of it, and preached to the people. His word was not lost upon us: he visited us in our houses, and had he not been a Methodist he would have been received as an angel of God.
I left this neighborhood and went to St. Louis, where I fell into bad company, and made rapid progress in a course of sin. Yet I still went to Church, sometimes to one and then another, till finally I was told that my sister, who also was now living in the city, had joined the Methodists. Through her I became acquainted with brother L. S. Jacoby, and brother Casper Jost, under whose preaching I was again awakened and converted.
It was a hard matter to get my consent to be a Methodist, and still harder for me to go the altar of prayer. I was afraid that if I were converted among the Methodists at the altar of prayer I should have to shout; however, when the Lord granted me peace I forgot all this, and my Savior was my all, and in all.
In my early youth I frequently had strong desires to do something for the cause of God; especially at times when my mother talked to me about Jesus and heaven. But this missionary spirit died in me when I came to America. However, at my confirmation, this feeling - a desire to do something for the cause of God - was waked up anew in my heart, but I could see no way open for me to do any thing.
When I was converted in St. Louis, the impression again was strong on my mind that I ought to preach; and as I thought over this matter I became very much alarmed, for I now saw the responsibilities resting upon a minister of the Gospel, and the infinite value of an immortal soul. Although the impression was strong on my mind, I felt disposed to shrink from the task. After hesitating some time, and seriously reflecting on this subject, when the providence of God opened the way for me, I started in this great work.
In the fall of 1847 I was received into the Illinois conference, and from that day to this I have endeavored to publish the word of the Lord. I thank God that I ever found the Methodist Church, and that she received me. In this Church I hope to remain till the Lord shall call me home.
As a circuit preacher (Reiseprediger), resident pastor and presiding elder in the German Methodist church, Heinrich served during his long and active career in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
The following biographical sketch appeared in Souvenir der West Deutschen Konferenz der Bischöflichen Methodistenkirche in 1906.
"Heinrich Fiegenbaum, many years the Nestor of the West German Conference, was born on 16 October 1821 in Ladbergen, Westphalia. He came to America with his parents in 1834. He worked on the land and then as a carter in St. Louis. Here he became acquainted with Methodism and in 1845, after a vigorous struggle for repentance, he achieved sanctifying faith. He immediately joined the church. In 1847, he entered into holy matrimony with Katharina Kastenbudt, who over 50 years shared joy and sorrow with him. He joined the Rock River Conference as a probationary member in 1848; the Southwest German Conference in 1864; and the West German Conference in 1879. He stood for 41 uninterrupted years in the active ranks and served the following congregations: Mascoutah, Ill., 1848 to 1850; Muscatine, Iowa, 1850-52; Galena, Ill.,1852-54; Iowa District 1854-1860; Burlington District 1860-64; Pekin, Ill. 1864-1867; Quincy, Ill., 1867-70; St. Joseph District 1870 to 1872; Oregon, Mo., 1872-1875; St. Joseph District 1875-79; Missouri District 1879-83; St. Joseph, Mo., 1883-86; Sedalia, Mo., 1886-89. In 1889 he entered into retirement, but in the following 15 years he preached well over 500 times. For 20 of his 41 years of active service he was a presiding elder and was in this office, as in his pastorates, very successful. He was a born leader, a popular and forceful preacher. Without the privilege of a higher education, but through diligent study, robust common sense, and a rare power of observation, he cultivated an extraordinary oratorical gift. In a joyous assembly, he was in his element. His later years brought various infirmities, but he never lost his confidence. 'With Jesus alone' was his motto in the last days. And thus on 13 January 1905 he entered into his well earned rest. His wife had preceded him by a few years. He was survived by four daughters who follow in his faith."
Census:
According to the 1850 enumeration, the household consisted of "H. H. Fiegenbaum," a 29 year old Methodist minister and "Catharine Fiegenbaum," age 26.
Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, a minister; Clara, age 47, at home; Mary, age 19, at home; Carri, age 17, at home; George, age 16, a clerk; Anna, age 13, at home; Minnie, age 11, at home; Legette, age 9, at home; Louis Deitch, age 26, a dry goods merchant; and Mike Connelly, age 22, a clerk.
Census:
According to the 1870 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry, age 50, clergyman of the Methodist church, and a citizen of the USA; Clara, age 46, keeping house; Mary, age 20, blind; Carrie, age 17; George, age 15, in school; Anna, age 13, in school; Minnie, age 11, in school; and Lizzetta, age 8, in school.
Census:
According to the 1880 enumeration, the household, living on 4th Street, in St. Joseph, consisted of Henry Fiegenbaum, age 60, married, minister; Clara, age 56, wife, married, keeping house; Mary, age 29, daughter, single,at home; George, age 25, son, single, doctor; Annie, age 23, daughter, single, at home; Minnie, age 20, daughter, single, at home; and Lizzette, age 18, daughter, single, at home.
Residence:
An account of the 50th wedding anniversary of "Rev. and Mrs. William Fiegenbaum," celebrated on 27 September 1899 at Edwardsville, Illinois, noted that one of William's three brothers was "...Henry of St. Joseph, Missouri...."
Census:
According to the 1900 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry Fiegenbaum, age 78, head of household, widower, a minister; Anna Fiegenbaum, age 49, daughter, single; Julia Fiegenbaum, age 43, daughter, single, a clerk; and Henry Fiegenbaum, age 32, nephew, single, a salesman; and Mary Fiegenbaum, age 48, daughter, single.
This enumeration appears to have listed Anna Maria Fiegenbaum, born 3 September 1850, as two separate people: Anna, age 49, and Mary, age 48.
The Henry Fiegenbaum identified in the census as a nephew is probably Heinrich Fiegenbaum (1868-1954), son of Heinrich Wilhelm and Louisa (Otto) Fiegenbaum.
Residence:
In the Social Register of Saint Joseph, Missouri, published in 1903, "Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum" was listed as residing at 1123 N. Fifth. The family of one of his daughters, "Mr. and Mrs. John C. Steinmetz" and "Adolph H. Steinmetz" resided nearby at 1121 N. Fifth.
Buried:
The funeral was held at the German Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, Missouri on Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. Becker. Heinrich was buried at Ashland Cemetery.
Died:
The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum which she reported had appeared on 14 January 1905 in the St. Joseph Gazette, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
"Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, a pioneer German Methodist Minister circuit rider of the central west, died at 2:30 yesterday afternoon at the age of 83 years at his home Fifth and Auguate Streets. He was born in Ladbergen, Prussia, 16 October 1821. He came with his parents to America in 1832, landing at New Orleans. Coming up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, the family stopped in St. Charles County, Missouri, where he spent his early life in clearing ground and farming. He lived in St. Charles County for several years but finally went to St. Louis to seek employment. While in St. Louis he was invited to attend a German Methodist revival. He was converted at the meeting and soon entered the ministry, spending the next twenty years of his life as a circuit rider, commencing in the late 40's. His first circuit went out from St. Louis and through central Illinois, returning back to St. Louis. After about eleven years spent preaching as a circuit rider in Illinois, he turned his attention to the west. He was married to Miss Clara Kastenbudt 11 April 1847. She died 2 September 1897. He moved his family to St. Joseph in 1870 at the close of his ministry east of St. Louis. His family has lived in and near St. Joseph since that time. For about eleven years after coming to this part of the state he traveled all through Kansas, Nebraska, western Missouri and Iowa, and as far west as Denver, in the interest of the German Methodist Church. As a result of his work in the west, after coming to St. Joseph, both as a circuit rider and as an organizer, the German Methodist Church became a conference in itself, he being its father. Many times his trips would keep him away from his family for two or three months at a time. He traveled from place to place while preaching a circuit either on horseback or using a canoe and snow shoes. Frequently in the winter time he was taken from one place to the next German settlement in a sleigh. Although he answered requests for English services, he devoted his entire ministerial life to the German Church and in his organizing the conference in this part of the central west he had to find the German settlements during the early days when this part of the country was thinly inhabited. He retired from active service in 1889. After the German Methodist Church became a conference and St. Joseph a district, the Rev. Mr. Fiegenbaum was presiding elder, which position he served for about twenty years. Up to the last ten years of his life he was sturdy, active and always working. Even during his retired years he was always ready to serve his church and was frequently called upon to assist in revivals. He was the first of four brothers, who came to America, to die. The others are ministers. He has two sisters, who married ministers, who are living. They are: Rev. F. Fiegenbaum of Wathena, Kansas, Rev. William Fiegenbaum of Edwardsville, Illinois, Rev. Rudolph Fiegenbaum of Connell, Washington, Mrs. K. Wellemeyer of Warrenton, Missouri and Mrs. William Winter of Kansas City. His brother, Rev. F. Fiegenbaum and sisters were at his bedside when he died. The funeral will be held from the German Methodist Episcopal Church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. Rev. G. Becker will have charge of the services. Burial will be at Ashland Cemetery. The Rev. Mr. Fiegenbaum's wife, Clara (Kastenbudt) died shortly after they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Surviving children are Mrs. C. J. Steinmetz, Miss Mary and Miss Anna Fiegenbaum of St. Joseph and Mrs. Thomas Curry of Oregon, Missouri."
The following is a transcription of what appears to be a reprint of an obituary for Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum that had been published on 20 January 1905 in the Holt County Sentinel, of Oregon, Missouri. The Holt County Sentinel was published by Henry Fiegenbaum's son-in-law, Thomas Curry.
His Life's Work
"Death," wrote Faber, "is an unsurveyed land, an unarrayed science. Poetry draws near death to hover over it for a moment and withdraw in terror. History knows it only as a universal fact, philosophy finds it only among the mystery of being, the one great mystery of being not. But we all rejoice in the fact that the light of our Christ hath penetrated this dark shadow, by his promise of 'whoso findeth me findeth life.'"
Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, a pioneer German Methodist circuit rider of the central west and founder of the Western German M. E. conference, died at his home in St. Joseph, Mo., Friday morning, January 13, 1905, in the 84th year of his age. He was born in Ladbergen, Prussia, October 16, 1821, and came to America with his parents by the way of New Orleans, in 1832. The family came immediately to St. Charles county, Mo., where he spent his early life upon the farm. From here he went to St. Louis to seek employment, and while there he attended a German Methodist revival and was converted. At the same revival a Miss Clara Kastenbudt was converted and on April 11, 1847, she became the wife of Rev. Fiegenbaum.
Shortly after his conversion he felt that he should enter the ministry, and at once began preparations to dedicate his life to the Master's cause, and in 1847 he was granted exhortor's license and the following year he was given the Okoe, Illinois, charge, until the annual meeting of conference, and his circuit afterward was extended and for several years he preached as a circuit rider in Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota, being in the Rock River conference and doing the pioneer work among the Germans in these various states. His home was in Galena, Ill., having charge of the Galena charge and for six years was presiding elder. During these eight years he traveled mostly by buggy and horseback, and was often in danger of his life from wild animals and Indians, which were plentiful in this sparsely settled country, but his zeal knew no limit, fearing neither weather, beasts or Indians, on he went, carrying the tidings of Salvation to his fellow-countrymen, who had come to America to build themselves homes in our land of liberty. From Galena he went to Wapello, Iowa, where he served as presiding elder for four years; then taking a three years' charge at Pekin, another three at Quincy brought him into the folds of the German conference, then known as the Southwest German conference. By this conference he was sent as presiding elder to the Missouri district, which extended over the western half of Missouri, all of Nebraska, all of Kansas and the west half of Iowa. After serving in this capacity two years, he took the charge at Oregon, Mo., where he worked successfully for three years, after which he again became presiding elder of the Missouri district, whose growth was so rapid as to form two large districts in themselves, and by the year 1878 he brought it before the Southwest conference at Warsaw, Illinois, Bishop Merrill, presiding. At that time there were but 37 ministers enrolled. Of these but ten are now in actual service, 12 are superannuated, and including Rev. Fiegenbaum, 11 have died. The conference included three presiding elders and 3,014 members. He lived to see the fruits of his early work extend until the conference to-day includes over 100 ministers, four presiding elders and 8,000 members. The original conference included the state of Iowa, but since has been transferred to St. Louis. The first session of the West conference was held in the old rock and brick church in St. Joseph, on the same site now occupied by the present German M. E. church. We here give Father Fiegenbaum's early fields of labor in his Savior's cause:
1848-50, Mascoutah, Ill.
1850-52, Muscatine, Iowa.
1852-60, Galena, Ill., P. E.
1860-64, Wapello, Iowa; P. E.
1894-67, Pekin, Ill.
1876-70, Quincy, Ill.
1870-72, St. Joseph, Mo.,; P. E.
1872-75, Oregon, Mo.
1875-83, Presiding Elder, St. Joseph.
1883-86, St. Joseph.
1886-89, Sedalia.
While in Sedalia his health failed him and he retired from active ministerial work and returned to St. Joseph, where he had made his home since 1870, and where he lived up to the time of his death - thus giving 42 consecutive years of labor in the ministry. In his early day labors for the church, his circuits covered large territory, which would keep him away from his family for two and three months at a time, and would travel from place to place on horseback or using canoe or show shoes, and frequently in the winter season would be taken from one German settlement to another in a sleigh.
He began his ministry when but 27 years of age, and during all these years he gave his life in extending the cause of Christ and building up the church; and though enfeebled from age and physical infirmities, he was ever ready to do what he could for his people. His ambition through life was service for the Master, and np [sic] to the last several years he was sturdy, active, earnest - always working - always busy. Even during his retired years he was frequently called upon to assist in revivals.
It is a remarkable co-incident in the history of this family - there were four brothers and two sisters - the brothers were all ministers and the sisters married ministers. Father Fiegenbaum is the first of the list to be called home by Him who gave him being.
The brothers and sisters are Rev. William Fiegenbaum, Edwardsville, Illinois, aged 80 years; Mrs. Katharine Wellemeyer, Warrenton, Missouri, aged 77 years; Rev. F. W. Fiegenbaum, Wathena, Kansas, aged 74 years; Mrs. Mina Winter, Kansas City, Missouri, aged 71 years; Rev. Rudolph Fiegenbaum, Connell, Washington, aged 68 years. The combined ages of the family that are left, aggregate 370 years, something very remarkabse [sic], surely, in one family. His brother, Frederick W., and the two sisters and his surviving children were at his bedside when he died.
On April 11th, 1847, Rev. Fiegenbaum and Miss Clara Kastenbudt were united in marriage in the city of St. Louis, and on Sunday, April 11th, 1897, in their home in St. Joseph, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The wedding was solemnized in the German M. E. church in that city, immediately following the regular service. Their golden wedding anniversary came on Palm Sunday, and although having reached the golden stepping stone, and true to their early faith, wended their way to the house of God, they found the church a bower of palms. At the close of the regular service, Rev. Harmes, pastor in charge, called the bridal party forward and seating them before the altar, delivered a touching and fitting address to them. Mrs. Dorothea Lahrman and Dr. Heinz, of St. Joseph, the only living witnesses of the marriage in 1847, were present on the occasion of the golden anniversary. Mother Feigenbaum [sic] died September 2, 1897, only a few months following their golden wedding anniversary.
The surviving children are Mrs. J. C. Steinmetz, Misses Mary and Anna Fiegenbaum, of St. Joseph, and Mrs. Tom Curry, of Oregon. There are also 12 grand-children and three great-grand-children.
The funeral was held from the German M. E. church in St. Joseph, on Monday afternoon, January 16, 1905, the services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. Becker, the interment being at Ashland cemetery.
"Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of the lord." -- Sentinel, Oregon, Mo., Jan. 20.
Heinrich married Kastenbudt, Clara Catherine 11 Apr 1847, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Clara was born 9 Dec 1823, Osnabrück, Kingdom of Hannover; died 2 Sep 1897, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA; was buried 4 Sep 1897, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet]
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