Anna's Story (Family History)
Our Grandparents came to America from Hamburg, Germany in 1873, settling in Minnesota. Frederick Cristof and Phillipina (Pfeil) Wentz were married in 1865. Three children were born in Germany, Paulina (1868), Phillipina (1870), and Ludwig Frederick (1873). Another daughter was born in Minnesota, Ledah (1876). They later moved to Nebraska, living there a few years before moving to Kansas.
The family came to Decatur County in 1880, settling in the Big Timber Community. The children attended the Big Timber school. They were farmers.
In 1897 Grandfather homesteaded 160 acres of land in Garfield Township. Paulina married Jim Netik, she died in 1890; {all my notes will be contained in brackets to distinguish from the story- Paulina's death was mentioned in the Big Timber Page} Ledah married Clarence Hudson in 1898 and moved to Oregon, raised seven girls and two boys, Phillipina went to Oregon with Ledah and Clarence, met and married Wesley Calkins, they had one son. Grandmother Wentz died in 1902; Grandfather died in 1909. {see Big Timber list page}
Frederick Wentz's Naturalization Record
Altory Taxpayer list for the years 1888-1889, and 1891-1892.
1900 Census
1905 List of Landowners
1905 Altory Map of Ownership Plots
1905 Garfield Map of Ownership Plots
Information on the Big Timber Community
Paulina's Marriage Record
Ledah's Marriage Record
More Information about Big Timber Cemetary
Anna's Story Continued
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