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Our American Roots (Maternal Ancestor No. 4)

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Mathias Marx
b. December 03, 1848 in Edingen, Rheinland, Trier, Prussia
d. July 22, 1901 in New Buffalo, MI
Parents:
Father: Theodor Marx
Mother: Catherina Hungershewer
Family:
Marriage: 1877 in New Buffalo, MI
Spouse: Maria Elizabeth Wiedenman
b. December 16, 1859 in Laporte, IN
d. November 27, 1939 in New Buffalo, MI
Parents:
Father: Johann Michael Wiedenmann
Mother: Maria Franziska Nuechter
Family History:
New Buffalo, Michigan December 1, 1872 {Original Signature page: }
Dear Cousins. I will also write a few lines, namely that I have left home when I was 11 years old to go to school. Was 1 1/2 years in Fort Wayne with my grandmother and went there to the German Catholic School with the nuns, as the catholic girls were all taught by the nuns. There one can learn sewing, knitting, crocheting and all kinds of handicraft. Here is no German school, just an English one. With heartfelt greetings Maria Elisabetha Wiedenmann.
 On June 21, 1880 Mathias Marx, 29 year old farmer born in Prussia; Mary, 20 year old housekeeper born in Ind; Hellen, 2 year old born in Mich; Seresa, 10/12 (Aug) year old born in MI; were living in household 148 at New Buffalo Township, MI.
In 1892 Mathias Marx was living on a 40 Acre farm, valued at $700, in Section 12 at New Buffalo, MI.
On June 14, 1900 Mathias Marx, 51 year old farmer born Dec 1848 in Germany, married 23 years, immigrated 1866 and owns his own farm with a mortgage; Mary E., 40 year old born Dec 1859 in Indiana, married 23 years, having given birth to 12 children, 10 of whom are still living; Teresa C., 20 year old born Aug 1879 in Michigan; Joseph P., 18 year old railroad laborer born Mar 1882 in Michigan; Theodore M., 16 year old farm laborer born Nov 1884 in Michigan; Veronica E., 13 year old born Feb 1887 in Michigan; Leo J., 11 year old born Dec 1888 in Michigan; Otto W., 10 year old born Dec 1889 in Michigan; Mary F., 8 year old born Dec 1891 in Michigan; Ester M., 6 year old born Dec 1893 in Michigan; Florence E., 3 year old born Jul 1896 in Michigan; Paul M., 1 year old born Feb 1899 in Michigan; were living at farm 230 New Buffalo Township, MI. All school age and above could read, write and speak English and Veronica, Leo and Otto had attended school 8 out of the past 12 months. None of the men had been unemployed during the previous 12 months.
On July 22, 1901 Mathias was working in the barn and a horse kicked in the chest, killing him instantly. Just 12 days before, he and Mary had a formal sitting of the only known photograph of Mathias.
On April 18, 1910 Mary E. Marx, 50 year old widowed manager of home farm born in Indiana, having given birth to 12 children, 10 of whom are still living and owns her own farm free and clear; Joseph P., 29 year old carpenter born in Michigan; Leo J., 21 year old farm laborer born in Michigan; Florence, 13 year old born in Michigan; Paul M., 11 year old born in Michigan; were living in farm 31 New Buffalo Township, MI. All could read and write English and the younger two children were attending school. Joseph was disabled and out of work, but neither he nor Leo had been unemployed any months during 1909.
On January 7, 1920 Mary Marks, 60 year old widowed farmer born in Indiana and owns her own farm free and clear; Florence, 22 year old born in Michigan; Paul, 20 year old farm laborer born in Michigan; were living in farm 35 at New Buffalo Township, MI. All could speak, read, and write English.
According to Susan Ingermann (November 12, 2001): ”I have photos of: Mary Marx standing in the sand in front of a peach tree (Rt. hand on hip Lf. hand down); A school picture no year ~1902 includes Florence (my grandmother), Marie, Paul, & Esther; School picture 1914. I have the crazy quilt Helen made while babysitting Florence as an infant. Helen died soon after and the quilt was given to Florence. I have a lot of Florence's mother's lace work. I have the family sugar bowl too. Grandma said they always carried it to the table. She thought it was amazing it survived through all of the children. She said that her father was strict. They spoke German in the home when she was small. She told me a story of a stake growing into a tree and insisted the big tree between the house and the barn grew from a stake. Florence said all or most older siblings died of multiple strokes. Dad says that ‘Grandmother Maria Elizabeth Marks was never called Mary by anyone everyone called her Marm or Marm Grandma.’”
According to Susan Ingerman (December 3, 2001), following trip to Michigan City, IN and New Buffalo, MI: “On to New Buffalo Cemetery. The New Buffalo cemetery is named Pine Grove Cemetery. It is about 10 miles away From Greenwood Cemetery on Road 12 south New Buffalo. The welcome to New Buffalo sign is the Northwest corner in front of the cemetery. The phone book address is: Pine Grove Cemetery, 36 S. Clinton St. New Buffalo, Phone # 616-469-2660. These are who I found and took photos of the grave stones. I also drew a map so we can locate them again easily.
From left to right:
Veronica Marx Jackson 1887-1912
Mother Mary E. Marx 1859-1939
Father Mathias Marx 1848-1901
Johanna C Marx 1883-1899 (interesting-there was a bouquet of plastic flowers in front of her marker. Wonder who left them???
Helen F. Marx 1878-1897
Photos:
July 10, 1901
1907
1910
1927
1934
1957

Relevant Family Papers of Joseph Charles Wiedenman:

Children:

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Copyright 2001 Richard Joseph Bucknum