Fiegenbaum, Laura

Notes:

Birth:
Details of the birth are not known at this time.

Laura married Bischoff, Robert. Robert died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.

Notes:

Died:
He died of pneumonia during the 1918 flu epidemic.

William married Stolte, Lydia A. 5 Feb 1902, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. Lydia was born 3 Mar 1875, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; died 18 Sep 1957, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Residence (family):

     According to information on his World War I draft registration card, filed on 12 September 1918, William Theodore Fiegenbaum and Lydia E. Fiegenbaum, his wife, lived at 565 N. Kansas. William reported that he was employed at Western Cartridge Company, an ammunition works located at East Alton, Madison County, Illinois. The Registrar of the local draft board, Elliott W. Mudge, described William as a man of medium height and medium build; with grey eyes and brown hair. There were no physical characteristics that would disqualify William for military service.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 14 Sep 1851, Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, USA
• Census: 1860, Linton Township, Allamakee County, Iowa, USA
• Education: Between 1868 and 1871, Lebanon, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA; Address:
  McKendree College
• Census: 1870, Summerfield, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: Sep 1899, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: Nov 1906, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Census: Apr 1910, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Birth:
The month of the birth has been reported as both July and August. This matter requires further research.

Baptism:
His baptism was recorded in the baptismal register of the German Methodist Church at Beardstown.

Census:
According to the 1860 enumeration, F. A. Fiegenbaum, age 8 (born in Wisconsin), lived with his parents, Wm. (age 38) and Sophia (age 36) Fiegenbaum, and three siblings: Edward W. (age 6), Henry (age 1) and Amelia B. (age 1).

Education:

     "Adolph Frederick Fiegenbaum" was listed in the annual college catalogues as a student in the Scientific Preparatory course of study. He does not appear in later catalogues as an alumnus of the college.

Census:

     According to the 1870 enumeration, "F. Adolph Feigenbaum," age 18 (born in Wisconsin), lived with his parents, "Wm. Feigenbaum" (age 45) and "Sophia Feigenbaum" (age 44), and six brothers and sisters: "Edward Feigenbaum" (age 15), "Bertha N. Feigenbaum" (age 11), "Julius H. Feigenbaum" (age 11), "Martha S. Feigenbaum" (age 8), "Livia Feigenbaum" (age 6), and "Mina Feigenbaum" (age 3).

Residence:
According to an account of his parents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Edwardsville Illinois on 29 September 1899, their son, "Fred Fiegenbaum...of this city" was in attendance.

Residence:
According to his father's obituary published on 30 November 1906 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois, the son "Fred A." was then living at Edwardsville, Illinois.

Census:

According to the 1940 U.S. enumeration, the household at 817 Kingshighway, in Ward 1, consisted of Fred Fiegenbaum, a 58 year old widower working as a carpenter; his son, Otto Fiegenbaum, age 28 and single, working as a burner in a brickyard; and his daughter, Carrie Fiegenbaum, age 16 and single, at home.

Died:

     The following obituary was published on Thursday, 12 February 1931 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, Illinois).

          FORMER ALDERMAN
          DIES HERE TODAY

          Fred A. Fiegenbaum, Aged
          Resident of City, was Near-
          ly 80 Years Old

     Fred A. Fiegenbaum, former Edwardsville alderman for several years and member of an old and widely-known family, died at 11:45 o'clock this morning at his home 817 Kingshighway. Complications incident to old age, with which he had been ailing a year or more, caused death. A week ago he was forced to go to bed.
     He was born in Watertown, Wis. August 15 1851, and he had attained the age of 79 years, 5 months and 27 days. His parents were Rev. and Mrs. William A. Fiegenbaum, who lived in Edwardsville for many years.
     Mr. Fiegenbaum was young man when his father was assigned to Immanuel M. E. Church and the family moved to Edwardsville while the father filled the pulpit. This city afterwards became the home of the family but three of the children located elsewhere.
     As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for a number of years. He was also engaged in farming in Pin Oak Township for a number of years but after a fire destroyed the residence, the family moved to Edwardsville. While residing in Pin Oak Township he served as tax collector.
     Mr. Fiegenbaum was the father of eight children, his first wife and three of the children preceding him in death. His first wife was Miss Amelia Kriege who died in 1895. His second wife, Mrs. Fredericka Fiegenbaum and five children survive. The surviving children are: Mrs. Theo C. Prott, Otto A. Fiegenbaum, Mrs. Bertha Scoy [sic], Assistant Supervisor Charles H. Fiegenbaum, Miss Carrie Fiegenbaum.
     The deceased children were Geo. E. Fiegenbaum, former city treasurer, William P. and Julius Fiegenbaum.
     A brother and two sisters survive. They are Dr. J. H. Fiegenbaum, Alton; Mrs. Lydia Jacoby, Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. C. F. Blume, St. Paul, Minn. A brother, Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum and sister, Mrs. C. H. Lynch, died here within the last few years.
     Eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.
     No plans had been made today for the funeral services.

     The following obituary was published on Friday, 13 February 1931, in the Alton Evening Telegraph, of Alton, Illinois.

          Former Alderman
          Fiegenbaum Dies
          At Edwardsville

     EDWARDSVILLE, Feb. 13, (Special) — Fred A. Fiegenbaum, 79, died at his home shortly before noon Thursday. His death was attributed to old age and complications. He had been bedfast the past week.
     Mr. Fiegenbaum was born in Watertown. Wis., on August 15, 1851. His parents were the Rev. and Mrs. William A. Fiegenbaum, who were residents of this city a number of years during which time the Rev. Fiegenbaum served as pastor of the Immanuel M. E. Church.
     At one time, Mr. Fiegenbaum was engaged in carpenter work. Later he farmed in Pin Oak township, where he served as tax collector. He also was alderman in this city several years.
     He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Fredricka Fiegenbaum, three daughters, Mrs. Theodore O. Prott, Miss Carrie Fiegenbaum, and Mrs. Bertha Sooy, and two sons, Otto A. and Charles H. Fiegenbaum.
     Two sisters and one brother also survive. They are Mrs. Lydia Jacoby, Los Angeles; Mrs. C. F. Blume, St. Paul, Minn.; and Dr. J. H. Fiegenbaum of Alton. There are 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
     Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Marks-Weber funeral home and burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery.

Frederick married Kriege, Amelia Maria 27 Mar 1874, Madison County, Illinois, USA. Amelia (daughter of Kriege, Ernst and [---?---], Louise) was born 7 Oct 1855, Illinois, USA; died 3 Apr 1895, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 4 Apr 1895, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
A transcription of her obituary gave her date of birth as 7 October 1854, while her gravestone shows the date as 7 October 1855.

Died:

     The following obituary was published on 5 April 1895 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, Illinois).

          Death of Mrs. Amelia M. Fiegenbaum
     Mrs. Amelia Mary Fiegenbaum, wife of Alderman Fred A. Fiegenbaum, died at her home, 713 Kings Highway, Wednesday morning at 3:30 o'clock. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon from the family residence to Woodlawn cemetery. Rev. John Schlagenhauf conducted the services. The pall bearers were Henry Mindrup, Herman Bollmann, Henry Stulken, Frank Gusewell, A. A. Suppiger.
     Mrs. Fiegenbaum was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Kriege, deceased, and was 40 years, 5 months and 26 days old. She was born October 7, 1854, and married Fred A. Fiegenbaum, March 27, 1874. She leaves surviving her husband, a brother, August Kriege, and seven children, four boys and three girls, viz: William, George, Otto, Charles, Minnie, Bertha and Caroline.
     She was a devoted Christian and for a long period a member of the German M. E. church. She was held in high esteem by all who knew her and these join in the grief of the family at her demise.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 26 Sep 1824, Lengerich, Province of Westphalia, Kingdom of Prussia
• Immigration: 1834, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Charrette Township, Warren County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, Femme Osage Township, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
• Occupation: From 1847 to 1906; a minister of the German Methodist Church.

Notes:

Birth:
He was born in Bauerschaft Hohne, a "township" of Lengerich.
     Some family genealogists report the name of this man as "Wilhelm Hermann." According to researchers who have consulted the baptism register from the evangelical church in Lengerich, the given names were recorded as "Hermann Wilhelm." Also, some immigration records refer to him as "Herm. W." Fiegenbaum. For the time being, I have chosen to record his given names as Hermann Wilhelm.

Baptism:
Hermann Wilhelm was baptized in the evangelical church at Lengerich.

Immigration:

     Hermann was about 10 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 13 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. A few years later they moved to nearby Hopewell, in Warren County, Missouri. Around 1850, Hermann's parents and two brothers still living at home settled near Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa. By then, he was already married and embarked on a career as a minister in 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:

     His sixty some years of service included stations in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. William was licensed as an exhorter in 1847 and ordained in the ministry the following year. His first charge was the church in Highland, Illinois. What follows is a portion of the historical sketch of the "German Methodist Episcopal Church," written by Rev. Wm. Schwind, as it appeared in the History of Madison County: Illustrated: with Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent Men and Pioneers, published in 1882 by W. R. Brink & Company of Edwardsville, Illinois. This section on the church in Highland, Illinois, gives a glimpse of the life of a Reiseprediger (German for "traveling" or circuit preacher), of which William and his brothers, also ministers in the German Methodist Church, were all prime examples:

     "Rev. Wm. Fiegenbaum [came to Highland] in 1848. In the fall of the same year the building of a church was commenced and carried on until it was under roof. Its completion was delayed till the following spring. It was dedicated on the 26th of June, 1849, by Rev. Henry Koeneke, presiding elder. The church is 40 by 30 feet, two stories high, with steeple and bell. The lower story was built of rough stone; the upper story was built in partnership with the American Methodist, which relation is still sustained. Its value is about $2,000. ....The mission at that time already embraced a large territory and many appointments. It included Edwardsville, Fosterburg, Staunton, Looking Glass Prairie, Beaver Creek, Blackjack, Smooth Prairie, Silver Creek, Ridge Prairie, The Bluff, Moro and Upper Alton. The membership in the whole field of labor numbered 67 at the time the church was dedicated. Rev. Wm. Fiegenbaum was in charge of the mission with two assistant preachers. They were Rev. J. Keck and Rev. Herman Kock, who is now President of Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Mo....
     "Great and exhausting were the labors of those early pioneer preachers, but they felt themselves equal to almost any emergency. With heroic devotion to their work and self-denying determination, they shared the hardships and difficulties of the early German settlers. They were on horseback almost every day, seeking the lost sheep of the house of Israel, preaching in log cabins, school houses, and where ever they could get any hearers, many or few, to teach them the way of righteousness, expecting very little compensation but what the great Shepherd might please to give them at the great day. And their labors were not in vain. Many persons became converted and rejoiced in the experience of a new life.
     "When in the year 1849 the Cholera broke out, eight to ten persons died almost every day at Highland. Rev. Wm. Fiegenbaum was stopped on his rounds for fear he would spread the disease. But then he went to nurse the sick and dying, often day and night, for two months, administering faithfully to their bodily and spiritual wants. After that he resumed his labors and was eminently successful in building up the societies in Madison county. Several years later a new church was built at Beaver Creek, where a society still exists. Most of the above mentioned appointments are still places for public worship; they are either formed into separate organizations or connected with other charges."

Buried:

     According to an obituary, the funeral was held at the German Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Rev. J. G. Hildenstein had charge of the service. Rev. Dr. F. Brinkmeier of Belleville, Presiding Elder of the district was to speak in German, and Dr. G. B. Addicks, President of the Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri would speak in English. Rev. William Fiegenbaum was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Died:

The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Rev. William Fiegenbaum. Gretchen Leenerts reported that this account had appeared on 30 November 1906 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, of Edwardsville, Illinois.

     Reverend William Fiegenbaum of this city, an aged servant of the Lord, was called away today to the promised reward. He died at 1:15 this morning, peacefully as he had lived. Several times of late, he had observed that he was glad to state that he suffered not at all. Rev. Fiegenbaum's death was not due to any particular ailment. Right up to dissolution his pulse and respiration were normal. Up to this week he ate three hearty meals a day and exercised by walks. It seemed merely as if the alloted span of his life had been reached, and without sickness or pain he received a message to lay down the load and enter into the kingdom whose joys he had spent his lifetime in preaching. The funeral will be Sunday afternoon at two o'clock from the German Methodist Church and will be in charge of Rev. J. G. Hildenstein. Rev. Dr. F. Brinkmeier of Belleville, Presiding Elder of this district, will speak in German, and Dr. G. B. Addicks, President of the Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri will speak in English. William Fiegenbaum was born 17 September 1824 in Laengrich, Westphalia, Germany and had therefore attained, at the time of his death, the age of 82 years, 2 months and 12 days. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Fiegenbaum, who came to this country with their family in 1834. They landed at New Orleans and came up the Mississippi to St. Louis, removing thence to what is known as the Femme Osage District near St. Charles. They took up farming, but William did not feel drawn to that line of work and went to St. Louis and commenced clerking in a store. There he recognized the need for live, energetic preachers and dedicated his life to the work. Without special preparation other than his home studies he was received into the ministry, and began 4 March 1847 at Highland, this county. His labors extended over a large field, as he had a circuit which required fourteen days' traveling on horseback to cover. On 27 September 1849 he was married in St. Louis to Sophia Gusewelle. She died 7 September 1904. It will be observed that the family anniversaries came on sevens in September: Mr. Fiegenbaum's birthday being 17 September, their wedding anniversary 27 September and Mrs. Fiegenbaum's death on 7 September. There are six children: Fred A., Dr. Edward W., and Martha wife of C. H. Lynch all of Edwardsville; Dr. Julius H. of Alton; Bertha, wife of Rev. Charles F. Blume, of Winona, Minnesota; and Lydia, wife of Rev. H. C. Jacoby of Quincy. Of the original family, two brothers and two sisters are living: Rev. Fred W. Fiegenbaum of Wathena, Kansas; Rev. H. R. Fiegenbaum of Connell, Washington; Mrs. Wellemeyer of Warrenton, Missouri and Mrs. Winters of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, another brother, died two years ago, and this was the first break in the original family in seventy years. The family was noted for its connection with the church. The father, Adolph Fiegenbaum, was a carpenter, but every one of his sons became a minister and the daughters all married ministers. Rev. William Fiegenbaum's territory was extended all along the Mississippi Valley, to Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Northern Illinois. From 1870 to 1875 he was pastor of the German Methodist Church in Edwardsville. In 1893 after continuous service of almost half a century he retired, and since then lived quietly in a little cottage on Union Street, preferring to maintain his own household, look after his chickens and the other routine of a home. He preached frequently here, however, and on 16 September of this year, on the occasion of the conference in Edwardsville, he delivered an address at the church which will always be remembered by its hearers for its force and the deep piety expressed. The excitement of that day and the eloquent effort he made seemed to tell upon him and he was never quite so energetic afterwards, though he got about as usual. Rev. Fiegenbaum was of the old stock, sturdy and strong as to physique and mentality, one who lived well, continued active and thought deeply. He rounded out the biblical span of years, ministered to with the tenderest care by his children and possessing the veneration and affectionate respect of all who knew him.

     This obituary was published in The Holt County Sentinel (Oregon, Missouri) on 7 December 1906.

          Pioneer German Minister Dead.

     The death of Rev. William Fiegenbaum, one of the pioneer preachers of Southern Illinois, occurred at his home in Edwardsville, Illinois, Friday morning, November 30, 1906, at 1:15 o'clock, in his 83rd year. He had been able to be about until a short time prior to his demise.
     He was a native of Germany and came to this country when a lad of 10 years, his parents locating in Missouri. He early concluded to enter the German Methodist ministry, and was ordained at the age of 21. He continued in the ministry until a few years ago, when he was put on the superannuated list. With his aged wife, who died a year ago, he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary several years since, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
     During his ministerial career he was stationed in Misseuri [sic], Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, the greater portion of the time in the southern portion of Illinois. The children surviving are Dr. J. H. Fiegenbaum, of Alton, Illinois; Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum and Mrs. C. H. Lynch, of Edwardsville, Illinois; Adolph Fiegenbaum, of Washington, D. C; Mrs. Rev. C. F. Blume, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mrs. Rev. Jacoby, of Quincy, Illinois.
     Rev. Fiegenbaum was in Holt county at an early day, about 1851. At that time he was located at Jefferson City, and from there traveled on horseback over the entire portion of Northwest Missouri, his territory reaching as far as Rock Port, Atchison county. He was engaged in Missionary or rather frontier work, his duties being to hunt up the German families in this section of the country, and he would then hold services at the various homes he would visit, at that time there being no German churches in the small towns. When here in those early days, about 1851, we are informed, he helped to cut and haul the logs to build the first German M. E. church and parsonage combined, ever built in Holt county, which was located in this city near the present location. He was, many years after this, in 1877, stationed here, for one year, as pastor in charge of the German M. E. church, of this city. At this time his wife was living, and beside his wife, four of their children, Julius, Bertha. Martha and Lydia were with them. They will be remembered by many of our older citizens, and all were held in high esteem by our citizens.
     He was the second of four brothers, all of whom were German M. E. ministers, and the three eldest of the brothers and a sister, lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. The eldest of these was Rev. Henry H., who died in St. Joseph, Mo.. Friday, January 13, 1905, and who was pastor here for three years in 1874-5-6. Rev. F. W , who had charge of the church here for several years, and afterwards made this his home for a few years, when about three years ago he removed to Wathena. Kansas, where he is now residing. Rev. Rudolph, stationed at Connell, Washington. Rev. William Fiegenbaum was an uncle of Mrs. Mina Curry, of this city.

Hermann married Gusewelle, Sophia 1 Oct 1849, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Sophia (daughter of Gusewelle, Frederick Wilhelm and Hoen, Catherine) was born 2 Feb 1826, Pollhagen, Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe; died 7 Sep 1904, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA; was buried 10 Sep 1904, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

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.

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.

Ernst married [---?---], Louise. Louise died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
There is some indication that Louise, who last name is presently unknown, may have been Ernst's first wife. There is record of a marriage license issued in Madison County, Illinois on 28 February 1859 to Ernst Kriege and Sophia Timpe, hinting that Ernst may have married a second time. These facts require further research.