Elizabeth Hennes and John Schmitt's Family

Elisabeth Hennes, daughter of Peter, was born and baptized on September 12, 1837 at Silberberg, Germany. Her godfather was her grandfather, John (Joannes) Hostert and her godmother was her grandmother, Elisabeth Malampre. She died on October 11, 1912 at Lemont, Illinois. According to the 1910 United States census return Elisabeth was living with her daughter, Rosalie, in Lemont, Illinois

About the year 1857, Elisabeth married John (Johann Baptista) Schmitt, son of Johannes Schmitt and Maria Borrenbach. This year is based upon the fact that the 1900 United States census return reported that Elisabeth and John had been married for forty-three years.

John was born on June 8, 1830 at Nusbaum, Germany. He died as the results of a stroke at the age of seventy-seven on October 18, 1908 at Lemont, Illinois. He was buried on October 20, 1908. John was a farmer by profession. The 1900 United States census return for Lemont reported that John came to America in 1856 and was a naturalized citizen. It also reported that he was able to read, write and speak English. In the 1870 United States census return, the value of John's real estate was reported to be $2,400 and his personal estate was valued at $700.

In the 1870 United States census return, the family name was given as Smith. The family was living in DuPage, Illinois. In the 1880 United States census return, the family name was given a Schmidt. The family was still living in DuPage. In the 1900 United States census return, the family name was given as Smith and the family was living in Lemont, Illinois.

According to the 1900 United States census, Elisabeth and John had fourteen children. However, only ten survived to be enumerated in the various United States census returns. The following list of Elisabeth and John's children is taken from information provided by Gwen Leno and various United States census returns.

  1. Peter Nicolas Smith was born on July 11, 1858. He was baptized at St. James Sag Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. He died from typhoid fever on June 24, 1884 at Lockport, Illinois. He was buried on June 28, 1884 in St. Alphonsus Cemetery at Lemont, Illinois. The 1870 and 1880 United States census returns report that Peter was born in the State of Iowa.

    Peter married on April 26, 1881 at Lemont, Illinois to Anna Mary Bisenius, daughter of Mathias Bisenius and Anne Marie Mosall. Anna was born on January 28, 1858 at Cascade, Iowa. She died on October 28, 1948 at Park Place, Oregon. She was buried on October 30, 1948 in Mt. Angel Cemetery at Marion, Oregon.

    From information provided by the Lemont Illinois Historical Society, it is known that Peter and Anna had two sons: Sylvester John and Peter Nicholas.

  2. John Charles Smith was born on September 26, 1859. He died on December 21, 1943 at Mandan, North Dakota. He was buried on December 24, 1943 at Mandan, North Dakota. John was a farmer by profession. The 1900 United States census return reported the John was born in September of 1848. This would not be correct because he would have been born almost eleven years before his parent's marriage. I believe that the census taker meant to enter September of 1858 as John's month and year of birth. The census taker recorded John's age as fifty-one.

    John married on November 22, 1881 at Naperville, Illinois to Ella Magdalena Bisenius, daughter of Mathias Bisenius and Anne Maria Mosall. Ella was born on April 18, 1860 at Cascade, Iowa. She died on November 30, 1937 at Mandan, North Dakota and was buried there on December 3, 1937. The 1900 United States census return reported that Ella was born in April of 1859. The 1870 United States census return reported that Ella was twelve years of age. This would indicate that 1858 is the year of her birth.

    According to the various United States census returns, John and Ella had twelve children: Leo, Florence, George, Henry, Margaret, Walter, Herbert, Clara, Fred, Agnes, Martin and Isadore.

    In 1900 John and Ella were living in Lemont, Illinois. In 1910 and 1920, they were living in Tract 183, Range 80 and 81 of Morton Township, North Dakota.

  3. Catherine Smith was born on March 11, 1861. She was baptized on March 19, 1861 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Her godfather was Jacob Hennes. She died on June 18, 1924 at Lemont, Illinois.

    About 1880, Catherine married Joseph Drifus, son of Wendelin Dreyfuss and Maria Magdalena Wittenkeller. This year is based upon the fact that the 1900 United States census return reported that Catherine and Joseph had been married for twenty years. Joseph was born on August 20, 1852 in Homer Township, Kane County, Illinois. He died on March 22, 1939 in Will County, Illinois. Joseph was a farmer by profession.

    According to the various United States census return, Catherine and Joseph had seven children. However, only six of them lived to be recorded in the census. They were Frank W, Laura L, Margaret M, Carrie L, Maybelle A and John J. Joann Bauer reported that the child who did not live to be enumerated in the various census returns was name Henry.

    In 1880 and 1900, Catherine and Joseph were living in Homer Township, Kane County, Illinois. In 1910 they were living in DuPage Township, Will County, Illinois. In 1920, they were living on State Street in Lemont, Illinois.

  4. Margaret Smith was born on April 18, 1863. She died on December 9, 1892 at Lemont, Illinois.

    Margaret married William Daley.

    In the 1900 United States census, there is a Patrick Daley living with John and Elizabeth Schmidt. He was born in June of 1882 and his relationship with John and Elizabeth is given as nephew.

  5. Henry Smith was born in 1864. He died in 1928 in South Carolina.
  6. Martha Smith was born on May 16, 1866. She died on April 29, 1944 at Lockport, Illinois.

    Martha married on August 9, 1891 to William Yost. William was born on July 28, 1868. He died on November 11, 1949 at Lemont, Illinois. In 1900, William was employed as a miller. In 1910, William was a foreman in an oatmeal mill.

    Martha and William had two children: Robert J and Irene L.

    In 1900 and 1910 Martha and William lived on Hamilton Street in Lockport, Illinois.

  7. Joseph Francis Smith was born on December 15, 1868. He was baptized on December 27, 1868 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. His godparents were Joseph Kittmen and Maria Carl. He died on February 6, 1953 at Lemont, Illinois. In 1910, Joseph was employed as a coachman for a private family. In 1920, he was working as a millwright for a cereal company. In 1930, Joseph was a miller.

    Joseph married on October 20, 1903 to Margaret Wiegand, daughter of Christopher Wiegand and Elizabeth Saeger. Margaret was born in 1883 and died in 1937. Joseph was thirty-two at the time of his marriage and Margaret was twenty.

    According to the United States census returns Joseph and Margaret eight children. However, only seven of them lived to be recorded in the census returns. They were Elizabeth B, Berniece M, Lucille M, Harold J, Rita, Agnes, and Joseph.

    In 1910, Joseph and Margaret were living on Lockport Road in Lockport Township, Will County, Illinois. In 1920 and 1930, they were living on Singer Avenue in Lemont, Illinois.

  8. Anna Catherine Smith was born on March 11, 1871. Anna was baptized on March 19, 1871 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Her godparents were Jacob Hennes and Catherine Engels. She died on May 17, 1948 at Joliet, Illinois.

    Anna Catherine married on October 19, 1892 to John O'Brien. According to the 1900 United States census return, John was born in March of 1867 in Illinois. In the 1910 United States census return his profession is given as undertaker.

    According to the census returns, Anna and John had two children: Clarence and Dorothy

    Anna and John lived in Lemont, Illinois. In 1930 they were living on Mt. Carthage Road in Lemont.

  9. Mayme Smith was born on July 23, 1873 at Lemont, Illinois. Mayme was baptized on August 3, 1873 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Her godparents were John Pietz and Maria Hostert. She died on May 31, 1950 at Mandan, North Dakota. Thomas Smith reports that Mayme was born on July 24, 1873.

    Mayme married in 1897 at Joliet, Illinois to Thomas Taddeus Gardner. Thomas was born on November 4, 1871 at Aurora, Illinois. He died on June 9, 1968 at Mandan, North Dakota. According to the 1900 United States census return, Thomas was born in November of 1872. In 1900, Thomas was a fireman for the railroad. In 1910, Thomas was a switchman for the railroad. In 1920 and 1930, Thomas was a farmer.

    According to the various United States census returns, Mayme and Thomas had at least four children: Esther, Vernon, Gladys and Charlotte.

    In 1900 and 1910, Mayme and Thomas were living on South Attana Street and York Avenue in Joliet City, Illinois. In 1920 and 1930, they were living in Tract 138, Range 80 of Morton County, North Dakota.

  10. Elizabeth Smith was born on January 27, 1875. Elizabeth was baptized on February 21, 1875 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Her godparents were Nicolas Kittman and Elisabeth Thielen. She died in infancy.
  11. Susan Marie Smith was born on February 18, 1877. Susan was baptized on March 4, 1877 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. Her godparents were John Hostert and Susanna Engels. She died on January 30, 1942 at Joliet, Illinois.

    Susan married on June 21, 1905 to Peter Willard Dean. Peter was born on March 12, 1876. He died on December 19, 1954. In 1910, Peter was a bookkeeper for a warehouse. In 1920, he was a traveling salesman for a bonding company. In 1930, Peter was working for Commercial Travel Bond Company. According to the 1920 United States census, Peter came to America in 1878 and became a naturalized citizen in 1897.

    From Peter’s World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918, one learns he was born on March 12, 1876, which agrees with the date given above. He was employed as a bond clerk for Henchett Bond Co. He was tall of stature and of medium build. He had blue eyes and brown hair.

    According to the United States census returns, Susan and Peter had only one child: Margaret.

    In 1910, Susan and Peter were living on Fifth Street in Lockport, Illinois. In 1920 and 1930, they were living on Logan Street in Lemont, Illinois.

  12. Alphonsus Smith was born on November 28, 1878. He died about 1946 at Hoopester, Illinois. The 1900 United States census return reported that Alphonsus was born in November of 1880. In 1900, he was employed as a limestone quarryman. In 1920, Alphonsus was living at 726 Maple Avenue in Blue Island, Cook, Illinois and was employed as a station man for the telephone company. In 1930, he was living at 435 Second Avenue in Watseka, Iroquois, Illinois and was employed as the caretaker of a telephone station.

    From his World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918 one gathers the following information concerning Alphonsus.

    His middle name was given as Sylvester. He was born on September 28, 1880, which agrees with the 1900 United States census return. He was employed as a section lineman for American Telephone and Telegraph Company. He was living in Blue Island, Illinois. He was tall in stature and of medium build. He had brown eyes and hair.

    Alphonsus married on March 31, 1919 to Margaret Burke. Margaret was born in February of 1897. Her parents may hae been Thomas Burke and Catherine Sullivan.

  13. Rosalie M. Smith was born on April 23, 1882. She was baptized on May 14, 1882. Her godparents were Mathias Bisenius and Rosalie Brodwolf. Rosalie died on November 26, 1954 at Lockport, Illinois.

    Rosalie married on September 20, 1909 to Frederick Moreland Reed. He was born in 1876 in the State of Michigan and died in 1922. In the 1910 United States census return, Frederick's occupation is reported as an electrician at a power plant. In 1920, he was working for Western Electric, Co.

    Frederick’s World War I draft registration card, which was dated September 12, 1918, tells us that his middle name was Moreland, he was born on April 13, 1878, he was employed as a product supervisor for Western Electric Co, was tall of stature and of medium build. He had blue eyes and brown hair.

    According to the United States census returns, Rosalie and Frederick had two children: Frederick M. and Anna Mae.

    In 1910, the family was living on Singer Avenue in Lemont, Illinois. In 1920 and 1930 they were living on Warren Avenue in Lemont. The family's house was valued at $4,000 in 1930 and the family owned a radio.

  14. Marie Elizabeth Smith was born on July 3, 1887. She lived only three months.

Sources:

  1. An Internet GEDCOM file complied by Thomas J. Smith of Portland, Oregon. This file was found at http://www.ancestry.com.
  2. A copy of Elisabeth Hennes’ baptismal registration that was found in the Mormon Family History Center microfilm (#0549632) of the records of the Catholic Church at Silberberg, Germany.
  3. Several baptismal registrations that were found in the Mormon Family History Center microfilm (#1571873) of the records of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at Lemont, Illinois.
  4. A written summary of the Hennes Family provided by Gwen Leno of Bismark, North Dakota.
  5. An RTF file that was provided by Barbara Bannon of Lemont, Illinois.
  6. Burial registration of John Schmitt found in the Mormon Family History Center microfilm (#1571873) of the records of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois.
  7. The following United States federal census:
  8. Obituary for:
  9. Information posted by Joann Eichelberger Bauer at http://awt.ancestry.com concerning the family of Joseph Drifus.
  10. Information posted by Christine Baker in the Family Trees section of http://www.ancestry.com.
  11. Ontario, Canada Births 1869-1909, Bruce County, 1876 as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
  12. World War I draft registration cards as found at http://www.ancestry.com for:

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Written and Edited by Harry Gruss.
Revised June 13, 2009.

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