to all our
Angels up above
(Author Unknown)
John Frederick Ladwig, or as his grandchildren called him " Grandpa" , was born at Neudarmroth(correction: Neu Damerow ), Pomarania, Germany, on March 30th, 1806. He was an only child. At the time of the baby' s birth, Great Grandfather Ladwig was in the German Army, from which he never returned home. In the course of a few years, the boy' s Mother married a Mr. Tesch, and several children were born to this union. (As of present, no member of the family has been able to obtain any information on his parents or birth records.)
As Grandpa grew to manhood he became a shepherd, and watched his flock faithfully. It was this vocation, no doubt, which helped to develop his kind and gentle disposition. He was also a very fine knitter, and as he sat watching his flocks he knitted stockings and mittens for his family and friends.
In 1830 he was married to Sophia Pagelsdorf (Dorothea Sophia Pagelsdorf) . Nine children came to bless their home, namely, Carl, Wilhelmenia, William, Christian, Augusta, Ferdinand, Caroline, Sophia, who died as a small child, and Gotleb, who was stricken with typhoid fever at the age of sixteen years and died.
In 1855 he emigrated with his family to Montreal, Canada, where they remained but a short time and then settled in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he became a citizen of this Nation. He bought a plot of sixty acres of forest land, built a log cabin, and cleared the ground for farming. The trees were cut down, laid in huge piles, and burned. Stomps were grubbed out, land newly broken, seeds scattered, and finally a harvest as a reward for his own and his family's labors. It was at this period of his life that he became a member of the Evangelical Church, which he served loyally and faithfully until his death
As his family grew to manhood and womanhood and established homes of their own; and land became scarcer and higher in price, it was decided to move to Iowa, which was still sparsely settled. So in the Spring of 1870 Grandpa and Grandma, with their sons Gotleb and Ferdinand and family migrated to Sumner township and bought a quarter section of prairie land. Here they lived for the remainder of their lives: Grandma helping with the care of the grandchildren; and Grandpa doing chores and knitting for the family. In 1891 Grandma Peacefully passed away, and five years later was followed by Grandpa who had reached the ripe age of 90 years and six months.
Carl Frederick, the oldest son, was born at Schonenberg, Pomerania, on Sept. 7th, 1831. At the age of twenty years he was married to Hulda Kalkbrenner. Ten children were born to this union, six boys and four girls.
( Wilhelm F., August Julius F., "Fred", Carl F., Anna M., John Frdk., Gustof "Emil", Emma A., Matilda) In 1859, he and his wife and children followed his father to America, settling in Jefferson, Wisc. In 1860 he moved to Durant, Ill., where he lived until 1869, when he moved to Beloit, Wisc. In 1870 he came to Bremer Co., IA., where he bought 140 acres of land in Sumner Township, to which in the course of years he added land enough to make a farm of 476 acres. His first wife died in 1875, and later he was married to Frederike (Gitch/Guetsche) Grahlmann, who died in 1896. Three children were born to this union, two sons and one daughter. ( Otto Charles, Ida, and Charles ) In 1897 he was married to Mary Palmer i (correction: Mary Kalbrenner Folmer). On Nov. 4th, 1909 Uncle Carl passed away at the age of 78 years and 2 months.
Wilhelmina Frederika, the oldest daughter, was born in Stargard, Pomerania, Dec. 11th, 1833. In 1854 she was united in marriage to Frederick Krause ( Carl Friedrich Krause) , to which union eleven children were born, six boys and five girls ( Ernestine W., Louise C., Anna M., William F.G., Emma M., Augusta C., John F. E., Carl F. G., Charles S., Annetta W. I."Nettie"; Charles E. ) In 1855 they and their baby daughter came to America with her parents, and settled at Jefferson, Wisc., where they lived for ten years, when they moved to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Sumner. After the death of her husband, Aunt Minnie lived with her son John, spending the last two years of her life at Waverly. Death came to her on May 8th, 1913, at the age of 79 years and 5 months.
William Frederick, the second son, was born at Schonenberg, Pomerania. (1836?) In 1863(?) he was married to Mary Schmidt. Five children were born to them, four boys and one girl. ( Emil Ladwig; Augusta Ladwig; Adolph Ladwig; Frank J. Ladwig, and Infant child.) In 1883 they came to Iowa, from Wisconsin, and settled on a farm north of Sumner. Seven years late Uncle Will died at the age of 54 years and one month
Christian Frederick was born on Dec. 17th, 1838. When he came to America with his parents he hired out as a farm laborer, until Oct. 3rd, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. B., 8th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil War. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Anna Regina Bauer and the same year moved to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa where they settled on a farm. Here he lived until the Fall of 1905, then he moved to Nora Springs. There were ten children in the family, five sons and five daughters. (Simon, Martha, Clara, Clarence, Nettie, Dora, Elizabeth, Charles, Ruel, Rufus) On March 28, 1916, several years after the death of his first wife, he was again united in marriage to Mrs. Electro Sullivan. On July 21st, 1917 Uncle Chris departed from this life at the age of 79 years and 7 months.
Augusta was born Aug. 8th, 1841. She was only 14 years of age when she came to America. In 1861 she was married to Adam Lang, who soon after enlisted as a soldier of the Civil War, where he spent three long years before they were reunited. Six children were born to this union, two boys and four girls. (Kate, William C., Alice M., Nettie, Edward J., Clara) In 1868 they came to Iowa and settled on a farm near Sumner, which is still known as the Lang Homestead. In 1894 they left their farm home and moved to Sumner, where they lived until 1923, when, because of failing health, they went to Oregon City, Oregon, to make their home with their daughter Alice. Aunt Gussie passed away on May 17th, 1925, at the age of 83 years and 9 months.
Ferdinand (Julius Frederick Ferdinand) was born on July 16th, 1844. At the age of 11 years he came to America with his parents, and lived with them in their Wisconsin home. He was married in 1868 to "Margaretha" Haag (Anna Margaretha Haag) , to which union there was born two daughters and seven sons. ( George J., Charles F., William A.,Albert F., Ella C., Edward J., Elwin A., Harrison L., Esther Florence) In 1870 he and his family moved to Iowa, and settled on a farm in Sumner Township, where he lived until 1897, then he became a resident of Sumner. Uncle Ferd died on April 6th, 1907, at the age of 62 years and 8 months.
Albertine Caroline was born in 1846. She was united in marriage to "John" Krause (Ernest John Krause) in 1863, and in 1866 they moved to a farm in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. Ten children were born to this union, six sons and four daughters. (Reportedly Ella, William, Anna, Florence, John, Frank, Mary E., George Wm., Ernest Minius, Edward Albert) Death came to her on Nov. 14th, 1888, at the age of 42 years and 3 months
There are 353 direct descendants (as of 1930) of Grandfather and Grandmother Ladwig, 282 of whom are living. They are the 9 children, all gone; 64 grandchildren of whom 38 are living; 136 great grand children of whom 115 are living; 134 great great grand children, of whom 119 are living, and 10 great great great grand children.
This history has been used by many to start on their genealogical quest for relatives. To date we have approximately 1000 descendant members of John and Sophia's family. Could you also be a member? If so, please join us and get acquainted.
I imagine that these little ones are growing, and soon will be attending schools around the country.
Got any new photos, Grandmothers????
