Hermand Heinrich Woltering was born on 20 July 1847. He was baptized at St. Lambertus on 21 July 1847. The baptism record provides two significant pieces of information. His mother is listed as Maria Elisabeth Ratermann and his father as Theodor Heinrich Woltering. Henry, born in 1840, lists mother as Maria Ratermann and father as Dirk Woltering. As the second oldest of the children who immigrated to the United States, it is interesting that there is a seven year gap between them. This points to at least two children being conceived and/or born. Indeed, there are two birth records recorded, 1842 and 1844, but that story is for another day.
The second interesting tidbit is a notation in the margin that he emmigrated to the USA in September of 1872. This correlates with the 1900 and 1920 US Census information.
There are two marriage records for Herman and Anna Niemeier, one from St. Rose Church and one in Clinton County. The Clinton County record shows he is from Furstenau. His parents are Theodore Woltering and Anna M Ratermann. The county record states Anna Niemeyer, while the church record states Anna Niemeier. Date of Marriage is 22 Feb 1881.
Herman was naturalized as a United States citizen on 11 Oct 1880 in Clinton County, Illinois. Witnesses were Hy Felderwert and B Vouder Haar. Germany is listed as his birthplace.
Herman died 24 Oct 1930 in St. Joseph Hospital in Highland. Funeral was held 28 Oct 1930 at St. Rose.
Herman and Anna had twelve children.
Research on Herman Woltering has confirmed that Anna Maria was in Merzen, Germany and married to Theodor Woltering. We know Herman emmigrated in 1872 but do not know if Anna came with him or came later. In my next post, we will review the 9 known children of Anna Maria. Three additional children remain unknown despite an exhaustive search of the St. Lambertus baptism records from 1938 (2 years before the birth of Henry) to 1859, 2 years after the last identified baptism record.
As always, leave me a comment or question below and be sure to follow this blog!
