Jacob Hennes and Elizabeth Willmeng's Family

Elizabeth Willmeng and Jacob HennesJacob Hennes, son of Peter, was born on May 15, 1855 at Nusbaum, Germany. Jacob died at the age of sixty years, three months and thirteen days on August 29, 1915 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. He was buried on September 1, 1915 in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor, Michigan. According to his application for a marriage certificate, Jacob was a farmer by profession. As reported in the 1910 United States census return, Jacob arrived in America in 1856.

Elizabeth Willmeng and her sister, Magdaline

Jacob married on February 26, 1878 at Lemont, Illinois to Elizabeth Willmeng, daughter of Bernard Willmeng and Elizabeth Feller nee Sieber. Jacob was twenty-two years of age at the time of his marriage. Elizabeth was just twenty years of age. Witnesses to the subscribing of the marriage certificate were Joseph Willmeng and Peter Smith. Witnesses to the marriage ceremony were B. Willmeng and L. Schmitt.

Elizabeth was born on March 17, 1858 at Lemont, Illinois. She died at the age of eighty-five years, five months and seventeen days on September 3, 1943 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was buried on September 6, 1943 in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor, Michigan.

In 1880, Jacob and Elizabeth were living in Lemont, Illinois where Jacob was a small farmer. In 1900, the family was still living in Lemont. However, Jacob's occupation is reported as being a day laborer. By 1910, Jacob had moved his family to Benton Township in Berrien County, Michigan.

On October 12, 1911, Jacob and Elizabeth obtained a warrenty deed for their home at 656 Terriatorial Avenue in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It is described as:

"Lot No. Five (5) of Block Eight (8) of Benton Harbor Improvement's Association third addition to the City of Benton Harbor, Michigan."

Jacob and Elizabeth were Roman Catholic. Elizabeth was a member of the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters and the St. John's Altar Society.

Jacob and Elizabeth had eleven children, all of whom were born at Lemont, Illinois.

Mary Margaret Hennes
  1. Mary Margaret Hennes, aka Minnie, was born on June 11, 1879. She died on January 9, 1930 at Bainbridge, Michigan.
  2. Peter Joseph Hennes was born on July 20, 1881. He was baptized in Saint Alphonsus's Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois on July 31, 1881. It appears that Peter died on August 28, 1884 at Lemont, Illinois.
  3. William Seraphine Hennes was born on March 17, 1882. He was baptized on March 27, 1893 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. William died on November 27, 1972 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. He worked for Remington Rand Comapny. In 1920, William's occupation, as recorded in the United States census, was a foreman in a machine shop.

    William married on January 13, 1914 at St. Joseph, Michigan to Katherine Shanahan. Katherine was born on January 29, 1892 at St. Joseph, Michigan. She died on December 11, 1979 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Katherine parents may have been John Shanahan and Jane Daly.

    William and Katherine had one child.

    1. Parnell W. Hennes who was born February 15, 1915 and died on March 1, 1945. Parnell was interred in a United States military cemetery at St. Avold, France. He had been captured on December 16, 1944 when the German army broke through at Ardennes. He died in a German prisoner of war camp after being held for several months from complications resulting from diphtheria and malnutrition.
  4. Andrew S. Hennes was born on December 6, 1884. He was baptized on January 3, 1885 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Andrew died on February 17, 1958 at Benton Harbor, Michigan from an apparent heart attack while shoveling snow. According to the various United States census returns, Andrew was employed as a pip cutter for a plumbing firm.

    Andrew married on November 23, 1910 probably at Benton Harbor, Michigan to Emma Dorstewitz, daughter of Gustave and Josephine Dorstewitz. Emma was born on December 4, 1886 at Bainbridge, Michigan. She died on July 15, 1962 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Emma was a member of the Women's Catholic Order of Forresters. According to the various United States census returns, Emma was employed as an inspector in a knitting mill.

    Andrew and Emma had one child.

    1. Lawrence Hennes who was born on July 16, 1918. He died in 1955. On July 14, 1934, he married Lillian Jacobson, daughter of Harry Jacobson and Minnie Schmuckler at South Bend, Indiana. Lillian was born on January 20, 1912 in Benton Harbor. She died on January 14, 2004 in St. Joseph, Michigan.
  5. Joseph Ignatius Hennes was born on July 26, 1886. He was baptized in Saint. Alphonsus' Catholic Church at Lemont, Illinois on August 14, 1886. He died on July 18, 1887 at Lemont, Illinois
  6. Henry Jacob Hennes was born on February 23, 1888. He was baptized on April 1, 1888 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinoi. Henry died as a result of a stoke on September 16, 1946 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. In the varous United States census returns Henry's occupation was given as a polisher in a furniture factory and as a polisher and platter for a brass and copper works. It is reported that he was the part owner of Quality Polishing and Plating Works.

    Henry married on August 22, 1911 at Benton Harbor, Michigan to Elizabeth H. Buck. Elizabeth was born on July 5, 1890.

    Henry and Elizabeth had four children.

    1. Florence Hennes was born on October 8, 1914 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She died on June 21, 2001 at Nazareth, Michigan. On July 24, 1937, Florence married to Leonard Carl Heyn at St. Joseph, Michigan. Florence was a sales clerk.
    2. Margaret Hennes was born April 4, 1916 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. She died on November 3, 2002 in South Haven, Michigan. On October 11, 1941, Margaret married Michael Piriano in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Margaret was a beuatician by profession.
    3. Henry Hennes was born on April 23, 1918. He died on February 1, 1998. On June 1, 1942 he married Berniece Pesek.
    4. Helen Hennes was born on July 25, 1924 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She died there on December 16, 2000. On June 17, 1944 Helen married in Angola, Indiana to Richard Wright.
  7. Michael A. Hennes was born on March 13, 1890. He was baptized on April 7, 1900 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at Lemont, Illinois. Michael died on June 21, 1962 at Watervliet, Michigan. Michael was a retail drug merchant, being a part owner of Bernard Drugstore and a manager of Park Drugstore.

    Michael married on October 4, 1914 probably at Benton Harbor, Michigan to Ruth Minerva Olson, daughter of Oscar Olson and Elsie Minerva Reed.

    Ruth was born on July 11, 1897 at Hegwesch, Illinois. She died on February 23, 1982 at St. Joseph, Michigan.

    Michael and Ruth had two daughters.

    1. Virginia E. Hennes was born on September 30, 1916 in St. Joseph, Michigan. She died on September 17, 2000 in Traverse City, Michigan. Virginia married on June 12, 1937 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Blake Patton.
    2. Mary Hennes was born on June 4, 1920. She married on March 21, 1944 to Carl Garland.
  8. George Charles Hennes was born on March 25, 1892. He was baptized on April 3, 1892. George died on January 9, 1957 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. George was employed in the construction business. According to the various United States census return, George was employed as a laborer for a cold storage facility and as a platter.

    George married on December 7, 1918 probably at Benton Harbor, Michigan to Hazel Jewel, daughter of John and Betsy Jewel. Hazel was born on July 11, 1897. She died on April 16, 1972.

    George and Hazel had two children.

    1. George Hennes was born July 7, 1919. He died on June 8, 1976. On February 1, 1946 George married Bette Henke.
    2. John Hennes was born on October 4, 1924. He died January 24, 1992. On January 12, 1962 John married Irma Duschek.
    Elsie Hennes and Margaret Hennes
  9. Margaret V. Hennes was born on February 6, 1895. She was baptized on May 3, 1895 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at Lemont, Illinois. Margaret died on March 16, 1972 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Margaret was a member of the Catholic Order of Forresters, the Daughters of Isabelle and St. John's Senior Citizens group.

    She married on September 18, 1954 at Benton Harbor, Michigan to John Kenny, who died in October of 1962. His date of birth may have been September 20, 1884.

  10. Elizabeth A. Hennes, aka Elsie, was born on March 7, 1897. She was baptized on March 28, 1897. Elizabeth died on September 24, 1963 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Elizabeth worked for Remington Rand Co. Elsie was a member of the Women's Catholic Order of Forresters, Daughters of Isabella and St. John's Altar Society.
  11. Allen J. Hennes who born on April 9, 1900.He was baptized on April 9, 1899. At baptism he was given the name Aloysius Joannes. Allen died on January 24, 1959 at Watervliet, Michigan. Allen was part owner of Quality Polishing and Plating Works and also ran Bernard Drug Company.

    Allen married on May 26, 1938 to Margaret Russell, daughter of Captain William J. and Lena Russel. Margaret was born on October 14, 1905 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. She died on January 8, 1965 at Watervliet, Michigan.

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Written and Edited by Harry Gruss
Revised August 1, 2005
My thanks to Jim Heyn for the picture of Jacob Hennes and his wife, Elizabeth Willmeng.

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