Pecher Family Genealogy (Lesík, Czech Republic)

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Surnames of those in my direct ancestral line appear in BOLD.

Descendants of Johannes George Pecher

1 Johannes George Pecher b: unknown d: Bef. 1831
.. occupation: farmer
..+ Rosina Lill b: unknown m: Nov. 4, 1783 d: Bef. 1831
.......... 2 Johannes Anton Pecher b: March 1, 1788 in Muehlberg (house #4), Bohemia d: unknown
............. occupation: farmer
............+ Franziska Rezner b: in Bernov, Bohemia d: unknown
.................. 3 Anna Theresia Pecher b: Feb. 4, 1813 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.................. 3 Johannes Baptist Pecher b: Nov. 20, 1815 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.................. 3 Joseph Antonius "Johannes Anton" Pecher b: July 13, 1818 in Muhlberg House #4, Bohemia d: unknown
..................... occupation: unknown
......................+ Maria Elisabetha “Elise” Kraus / Krausz b: Aug. 11, 1824 in Horní Rozmyšl (now Czech Republic)
........................ m: Feb. 23, 1846 in Lesik/Muhlberg d: unknown
............................... 4 Anton/Anthony Pecher b: in Lesik (Muhlberg), Bohemia d: unknown
............................... 4 Anna Pecher b: in Lesik, Bohemia d: unknown
..................................+ Joseph Graser b: 1850 in Bohemia d: unknown
....................................... 5 Adolph Graser b: 1878 in Lesik, Bohemia d: Aft. 1930 in Milwaukee, WI
....................................... 5 Katherine Mary "Kitty" Graser b: June 7, 1883 d: Nov. 1, 1957 in WI
...........................................+ Anton Nicholas "Anthony" Mueller b: Abt. 1882 m: June 16, 1908 d: Aft. 1940
................................................... 6 Marion Mueller b: Abt. 1911 in WI d: Abt. 1955 in WI
.....................................................+ (unknown) Muth b: unknown d: Abt. 1955 in WI
................................................... 6 Anthony "Tony" Mueller b: Sept. 2, 1914 in WI d: March 15, 1993 in WI
................................................... 6 Lucille Mueller b: July 9, 1917 in WI d: Nov. 18, 1997 in New Berlin, WI
.....................................................+ (unknown) Schroeder
................................................... 6 Catherine Mueller b: 1922 in Wisconsin d: Aft. 1940
....................................... 5 Joseph W. Graser b: May 30, 1886 in Bohemia d: Oct., 1976 in WI
...........................................+ Otillia "Tillie" Frank Stelling b: 1886/1887 in Wisconsin d: unknown
................................................... 6 Francis T. "Frank" Stehling b: 1910 in Wisconsin d: Aft. 1940
.....................................................+ Eleanore “Nora” Manz
................................................................ 7 James Francis Stehling b: Abt. 1932 in Wisconsin d: 2011 in Wisconsin
..............................................................….. + (unknown) (unknown)
.................................................................................. 8 Susan Stehling (Dan Alms) of Minneapolis
.................................................................................. 8 Cindy (Mike) Wagner of Saukville
.................................................................................. 8 Tom (Rosario) Stehling of Cudahy
....................................... 5 Andrew Graser b. Dec. 13, 1887 in Bohemia d. September 1965 in WI
....................................... 5 Peter Graser b: July 4, 1890 in Bohemia d: Jan. 1, 1973 in Wisconsin
...........................................+ Hattie Menne
................................................... 6 Audrey Graser b: Abt. 1928 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Carol Graser b: Abt. 1929 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Richard Graser b: Abt. 1932 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
............................... 4 Wenzel Pecher b: Sept. 28, 1853 in Lesik, Bohemia d: Feb. 10, 1936 in Hartford, WI
..................................+ Mary Kunsman b: April 28, 1849 in Neudek m: 1889 in Chicago d: Nov. 6, 1910 in WI
Notes on Wenzel and Mary Pecher:
.............Mary was also known as Marie. Her maiden surname was also spelled Kunzman, Kuzmann, and Kusmann.
....................................... 5 Mary Pecher b: Oct., 1878 in Neudek, Bohemia d: unknown
....................................... 5 Lena Pecher b: June, 1882 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Emma Pecher b: Abt. 1883 in Milwaukee, WI d: Aft. 1910
....................................... 5 William H. Pecher b: Oct. 31, 1890 in Chicago, IL d: February 1969 in WI
...........................................+ Orma Hitch b: Abt. 1897 in Wisconsin d: unknown
................................................... 6 Marcella Pecher b: April 15, 1916 in Jackson, WI d: Sept. 7, 1990 in WI
......................................................+ Harold Schmit b: Sept. 16, 1905 d: Nov. 10, 1988 in WI
................................................... 6 Raymond Pecher b: Dec. 7, 1918 in Town of Jackson, WI
......................................................+ Anna May Moldenhauer b: June 30, 1919 in Andes, Montana
............................... 4 Katharina Rosina Pecher b: Nov. 13, 1856 in Lesik, Bohemia d: June 11, 1948 in Milwaukee, WI
..................................+ Peter Kolb b: Jan. 27, 1841 in Riedseltz, France d: April 20, 1904 in Milwaukee, WI
Notes on Katherine Pecher Kolb:
.............Katharina emigrated in 1878. Little is known about her life prior to 1935. Katharina, known as Katherine in the United States, lived with her daughter's Lilly and Annie in Milwaukee. She spoke very little English and had a hearing problem in her later years. She was a kind, loving individual who enjoyed eating breakfast in the very early morning and lunch in the middle of the afternoon. She was devoted to her church and to her family. Katharine also visited the cemetery often and her grandson Russell Kolb said that she "loved to give out hugs." She was buried June 16, 1948 at Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
.............The obituary reads: "Kolb, Katharina (Pecher), 2327 N. 37 St., Milwaukee. Beloved mother of Anna Kolb, Lillian Kinkade, and Arthur Kolb. Survived by 2 daughter-in-laws, 1 son-in-law, 6 grandchildren. Passed away Friday, June 11, at 91 years of age. Funeral held June 14, at St. Anne's Church, Milwaukee. Member of the Apostilate of Suffering."
....................................... 5 Katherine "Katie" Kolb b: June 20, 1881 in WI d: Oct. 30, 1946 in Milwaukee, WI
...........................................+ John Kopersky b: unknown d: in Canada
................................................... 6 Rose K. Kopersky b: March 30, 1916 in WI d: Feb. 10, 1995 in WI
.....................................................+ Eugene Henry Timmerman b: May 10, 1917 in WI d: Jan. 27, 1996 in Milwaukee, WI
................................................... 6 Delores Kopersky b: Oct. 26, 1919 in WI d: July 1976 in WI
.....................................................+ Robert Seng b: Jan. 9, 1924 in WI d: Jan. 1985 in WI
....................................... 5 Anna "Annie" Kolb b: Aug. 19, 1883 in WI d: Jan. 14, 1971 in WI
....................................... 5 Peter Andrew Kolb b: Oct. 12, 1887 in WI d: April 9, 1941 in WI
.......................................... occupation: post office
...........................................+ Margaret Frank b: Jan. 15, 1891 in Windhorst, KS d: April 21, 1935 in WI
................................................... 6 Russell Peter Kolb b: May 7, 1925 d: August 10, 2009 in Milwaukee, WI
.....................................................+ Vivian Hirschboeck b: 1925 in Wisconsin d: 2015 in Wisconsin
..........................................*2nd Wife of Peter Andrew Kolb:
...........................................+ Theresa H. Planer b: Sept. 24, 1891 in WI d: May 19, 1976 in WI
....................................... 5 Elizabeth Barbara "Lilly" Kolb b: July 14, 1891 in WI d: Oct. 12, 1970 in WI
...........................................+ John Carl Langer b: May 24, 1894 in WI d: 1933 in WI
...........................................*2nd Husband of Elizabeth Barbara "Lilly" Kolb:
...........................................+ James Kinkade b: June 8, 1894 in MO d: Sept. 21, 1963 in WI
....................................... 5 Adolph Joseph "Art" Kolb b: Aug. 17, 1894 in Milwaukee, WI d: in WI
...........................................+ Irene Catherine Ertl b: Oct. 13, 1897 in WI d: Nov. 1991 in WI
............................................. [click here for additional information on this line.]
.................. 3 Felix Pecher b: February 3, 1821 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.................. 3 Veronica Pecher b: Sept. 18, 1823 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.................. 3 Wenzel Pecher b: June 18, 1826 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.................. 3 Theresia Pecher b: January 8, 1829 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.................. 3 Anna Becher b: Oct. 16, 1832 in Muhlberg m: Abt. 1890 d: Aug. 24, 1888 in Milwaukee, WI
..................... Died at 532 15th St., 9th ward. Buried at Calvary Cemetery, Milwaukee.
.....................+ Johannes Schoenecker b: Feb. 7, 1830 in Plumberg, Czech Republic d: Aug. 14, 1902 in Milwaukee, WI
............................... 4 Wenzel Schoenecker b: Oct. 19, 1853 in Muhlberg d: unknown
..................................+ Christina Rusche m: Abt. 1880
....................................... 5 Albert Joseph Schoenecker b: Sept. 9, 1887 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
...........................................+ Bonnie (unknown)
................................................... 6 Donald Schoenecker b: Abt. 1930 in King, Washington d: unknown
....................................... 5 George Andrew Schoenecker b: April 30, 1889 in WI d: July 13, 1889 in Milwaukee, WI
............................... 4 John C. Schoenecker b: Nov. 28, 1856 in Milwaukee d: unknown
.................................. occupation: dentist and barber (resided at 2302 Keefe Ave. in Milwaukee)
..................................+ Anna Dreher m: May 1881 in Milwaukee, WI
....................................... 5 Gertrude Anna Schoenecker b: Nov. 11, 1898 in WI d: April 10, 1999 in Milwaukee, WI
....................................... 5 Eleanor Irene Schoenecker b: Oct. 15, 1901 in Milwaukee, WI d: March, 1983 in Waukesha, WI
........................................... occupation: bookeeper
...........................................+ Bernard Aldenhoff m: Sept. 16, 1926 in Milwaukee, WI
................................................... 6 Bernard Aldenhoff, Jr. b: Abt. 1925 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Frederick Aldenhoff b: Abt. 1927 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Gloria Aldenhoff b: Abt. 1929 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
............................... 4 Henry Schoenecker b: Sept. 6, 1858 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
............................... 4 Andreas A. Schoenecker b: Sept. 5, 1859 d: July 23, 1913 in Milwaukee, WI
.................................. occupation: salesman; salesman (1883); bookeeper (1883-1901)
..................................+ Anna Deisinger m: Feb. 7, 1883
....................................... 5 Andreas Herman Schoenecker b: May 4, 1883 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
........................................... occupation: bookeeper
....................................... 5 Joanne Schoenecker b: July 3, 1884 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Edi Schoenecker b: May 24, 1885 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Frank Joseph Schoenecker b: Dec. 12, 1886 in Milwaukee, WI d: Aug. 17, 1887
....................................... 5 Elsa Christine Schoenecker b: Jan. 23, 1888 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Walter J. Schoenecker b: Nov. 30, 1889 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
........................................... occupation: machinist (1922) and toolmaker (1928, 1930)
...........................................+ Anna M. Mueller b: Sept. 14, 1895 m: Abt. 1920 in WI d: Nov., 1984 in Milwaukee, WI
................................................... 6 Elaine Schoenecker b: Abt. 1922 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Eugene Schoenecker b: Abt. 1926 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Edward Schoenecker b: Abt. 1929 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 (unknown) Schoenecker b: March 10, 1891 in Milwaukee, WI d: March 10, 1891
....................................... 5 Meta Bertha Herman Schoenecker b: April 2, 1892 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Adela Schoenecker b: May 26, 1895 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
...........................................+ Peter Kiss m: Oct. 28, 1916 in Milwaukee, WI
....................................... 5 George Schoenecker b: Nov. 3, 1897 in Milwaukee, WI d: Nov. 3, 1897
....................................... 5 (unknown) Schoenecker b: Nov. 30, 1899 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
..................................*2nd Wife of Andreas A. Schoenecker:
..................................+ Emma Blenker b: Abt. 1875 m: Abt. 1899 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Laura Walburg Schoenecker b: March 6, 1901 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
........................................... occupation: stenographer (1926)
...........................................+ Edwin H. Pergande b: unknown m: July 7, 1926 d: 1950s in Milwaukee, WI
............................................. occupation: pharmacist
............................... 4 Herman Schoenecker b: Sept. 5, 1860 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
.................................. occupation: laborer, lithographer, printer
..................................+ Katherine Earley b: Abt. 1867 in Ireland m: Jan. 28, 1890 in Chicago, Illinois
....................................... 5 Estelle Rose Schoenecker b: Dec. 15, 1890 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 John Herman Schoenecker b: March 3, 1892 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Frank Schoenecker b: Sept. 13, 1893 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Joseph James Schoenecker b: April 13, 1896 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Ruth Ann Schoenecker b: Dec. 15, 1897 in Milwaukee, WI d: Aft. 1940
...........................................+ George J. Sloan, Jr. b: Abt. 1898 m: May 29, 1927 in Chicago, IL d: Aft. 1940
................................................... 6 Catherine Sloan b: Abt. 1929 in Chicago, IL d: unknown
................................................... 6 Mary Ann Sloan b: Abt. 1931 in Chicago, IL d: unknown
................................................... 6 George Sloan, Jr. b: Abt. 1933 in Chicago, IL d: unknown
................................................... 6 Joseph Sloan b: Abt. 1934 in Chicago, IL d: unknown
............................... 4 Franz "Frank" Schoenecker b: Dec. 7, 1862 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
.................................. occupation: cigarmaker (1887, 1888); barber (1896)
..................................+ Caroline Berghoeffer b: Abt. 1865 m: Abt. 1885 d: unknown
....................................... 5 Isabel Barbara Schoenecker b: Feb. 2, 1887 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
........................................... occupation: music teacher (1916)
...........................................+ John Hancock m: Sept. 12, 1916 in Milwaukee, WI
............................................. [The family resided at 2310 State Street in Milwaukee.]
....................................... 5 Frank Joseph Schoenecker b: May 3, 1888 in Milwaukee, WI d: Aft. 1920
........................................... occupation: barber (1912, 1918)
...........................................+ Della Koch b: Abt. 1890 in WI m: Dec. 18, 1912 in Milwaukee, WI d: Aft. 1920
................................................... 6 Bernice Schoenecker b: Abt. 1914 in Detroit, Michigan d: unknown
................................................... 6 Edith Schoenecker b: Abt. 1919 in Detroit, Michigan d: unknown
....................................... 5 Martha Edna Schoenecker b: Aug. 23, 1896 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
............................... 4 Joseph J. Schoenecker b: May 8, 1867 in Milwaukee, WI d: Feb. 26, 1915 in Milwaukee, WI
.................................. occupation: bookkeeper (1890-1892, 1915); merchant (1896)
..................................+ Frances Hafner b: Nov. 1869 m: July 16, 1889 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Eleanore Schoenecker b: Jan. 16, 1890 in Milwaukee, WI d: Feb., 1973 in Milwaukee, WI
........................................... occupation: time keeper (1911)
...........................................+ Irvin Wittig b: May 21, 1890 m: Aug. 31, 1911 d: Aug., 1979 in Milwaukee, WI
................................................... 6 Cecelia Wittig b: Abt. 1917 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Anna Schoenecker b: August 7, 1891 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
...........................................+ Alfred Radner m: Oct. 18, 1914 in Milwaukee, WI
................................................... 6 Edgar Radner b: Abt. 1916 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
................................................... 6 Joseph Radner b: Abt. 1918 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Viola Maria Schoenecker b: July 30, 1892 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Erwin Joseph Schoenecker b: March 28, 1896 in WI d: Aug., 1976 in Milwaukee, WI
........................................... occupation: shoe cutter (1928)
...........................................+ Lydia Geisberger m: Abt. 1925
................................................... 6 Burdette Schoenecker b: Abt. 1928 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
....................................... 5 Henry W. Schoenecker b: June 25, 1905 in Milwaukee, WI d: unknown
........................................... occupation: office worker (1934), clerical (1941)
...........................................+ Loretta G. Banach m: Sept. 29, 1934 in Milwaukee, WI
.................. 3 Franz Pecher b: April 26/27, 1834 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.......... 2 Maria Anna Pecher b: January 23, 1791 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.......... 2 Maria Theresia Pecher b: December 1793 in Muehlberg/Lesik d: June 22, 1795 in Muehlberg
.......... 2 Anna Theresia Pecher b: Sept. 16, 1796 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown
.......... 2 Anton Pecher b: September 22, 1800 in Lesik, Bohemia (Czech Republic) d: unknown

PECHER FAMILY HISTORY

Ancestor Johannes George Pecher, a land owner and farmer, resided in Muhlberg, Bohemia. The village is now called Lesik, Czech Republic. Johannes married Maria Rosina Lihl (Lill/Luhl).

His son was also Johann Pecher, and a land owner and farmer in Muhlberg. The junior son married Franziska Rezner of Bernau (Bernov). They had a son, Anton, who married Elisabeth Kraus (Krausz), daughter of Christian Kraus (Krausz) and Barbara Beringer of Rossmeisl (Rozmysl) on February 23, 1846 in Muhlberg.

Anton and Elisabeth had four known children, including my great-great-grandmother, Katharina Pecher, emigrant ancestor. Katharina was born in Muehlberg, House #4, as was her brother Wenzel.

I have identified one Anthony Pecher in the 1880 U.S. census in New York who may be the brother of Katherine (immigrant ancestor) and her brother Wenzel Pecher. This Anthony Pecher was born approximately 1851 in Bohemia (FHC Film 1254879; NA Film T9-0879; page 675A). He was a cigar maker by trade. His life was Louise (b: 1857). I have been unable to verify if this Anthony Pecher is the brother of Wenzel and Katherine Pecher.

It is likely that my Pecher branch descends from Michael Pecher (born 1512), who died abt. 1575. His son, Matheus/Mathias, was born in 1538 and died on March 8, 1607 in Neudek. This particular Pecher/Becher family had numerous intermarriages with the Lihl/Leuhl family. As my family line also includes the surname Lihl/Leuhl, it seems likely that it is my direct family line.

POSSIBLE FAMILY CONNECTION

George Becher born March 2, 1564 in Neudeck and married to Barbara (unknown) is a possible ancestor. There is also a Michael Becher born 1577 in Neudeck who married Christina Hauck.

THE SUDETENLAND

The Pecher family resided in Muhlberg/Muehlberg, Bohemia, which is today the town of Lesik in the Czech Republic. The town has a population of 36 residents and is in the Sudetenland region, south and west of the larger city of Nejdek (Neudek).

The Sudetenland was formerly parts of both Germany and Austria. Neudek (Nejdek) is the largest town nearby, and is located in the province of Karlovarsk, sub-region Karlovy Vary. (Neudek is located here on a European map.) The current population of Neudek is 8,500.

Nejdek is located at 50 degrees, 20 minutes North, 12 degrees, 45 minutes East, 77.8 miles west northwest of Prague. It is in the district of Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary) and was formerly in the district of Elbogen in northwest Bohemia. Nejdek originated in in the first half of the Fourteenth Century as a trade route, which led to Saxony. In the Fifteenth Century, the town advanced in the silk and mining industries, and was known for its tin, silver, lead, and iron ore. A description of architecture in Nejdek is available here.

Additional information about Neudek can be found in All About Neudek and Northern Bohemia (1993) by Heinz K. Henisch and translated by Herbert F. Ullmann, both of whom grew up in Neudek. The book includes photos of Neudek's upper market, a squareview of Neudek (from the Kreuzberg), The Plessberg near Neudek, the gasthaus (hotel/restaurant) in Breitenbach, the Karlsbad hirschensprung monument to Kaiser Karl IV, the Karlsbad alte wiese ("the old common"), the Karlsbad Hotel Richmond, Karlsbad's pulsating hot spring (the sprudel), and goethestrasse 591, an original architectural sketch of the author's home in Neudek. Nineteenth Century information about the town is available in The Kingdom of Bohemia (volume 15) by Johann Gottfried Sommer. Volume fifteen is currently being translated by Urs Geiser of Woodridge, Illinois.

PECHER SURNAME IN SUDETENLAND

The family name Pecher in the district of Nejdek was very frequent until 1945. The first Pecher is documented in 1494, when the judge of Neudek, Endres Pecher confirmed a statute about tin-digging. Later in 1525, a Hans Pecher and a "klein" Hans Pecher, probably son and grandson of Endres Pecher, are mentioned in the tax list of the counts Schlick. The now existing parish books of Nejdek start at 1562 (baptism books), so that at least the names of the child's father will be known to possibly the year 1500 (with the assistance of the Schlick tax lists). The parish books are available in the West Bohemian Archive in Plzen (Pilsen), according to both the Dictionary of Bohemian Parishes in the Czech Republic by Felix Gundacker and Gerhard Pecher, who specializes in Nejdek genealogy and resides in Ingolstadt.

KATHERINA PECHER: EMIGRANT ANCESTOR

On the ship Adler (Eagle) arriving in Baltimore on July 30, 1855, we find the following relatives: Johannes Schoenecker, 25, Anna (Pecher) Schoenecker, 24, and Wenzel Schoenecker, 9. They departed from Bremen. Others listed include Vincenz Schoenecker, 18, Franz Becker, 21, and Eva Winterling, 20. Johannes Schoenecker's second wife was Martha Winterling.

Katherina Pecher settled in Milwaukee in 1880, with help from her relatives in Milwaukee, the Schoeneckers. She emigrated from her hometown of Lesik (formerly Muehlburg) in Bohemia (now Czech Republic). Wenzel Pecher, her brother, and his family came to the U.S. in 1884. Photos of the family are available OnLine.

My ancestor Peter Kolb was living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1880. His neighbors, John and Andreas (Andrew) Schoenecker (both listed below), recommended their cousin Katherine Pecher to keep the house for their friend Mr. Kolb, who had a young child and a sick wife. Ms. Pecher emigrated to the New World, and, unfortunately, Mrs. Catherine Kolb passed away in March, 1880. Andrew Schoenecker is listed as living at 593 N. 24th St. in 1913. His brother John was living at 296 24th St.

Great-great-grandfather Peter Kolb then married Ms. Pecher within six months of his wife's death. Peter Kolb, as a single male with a young son, needed help keeping the house. In October, 1880, the marriage took place in Milwaukee. The Schoeneckers likely attended.

The Schoenecker family came from the same area of Europe as the Pecher family. Johannes Schoenecker, age 25, his wife Anna, age 24, and their son Wenzel, age 9, sailed from Bremen on the ship Adler (Eagle) arriving in Baltimore on July 30, 1855. Others on the ship included Vincenz Schoenecker, age 18, and Franz Becker, age 21, a possible relative of Anna Pecher (Becher).

The immigrant relatives Johannes and Anna (Becher) Schoenecker resided at 532 15th Street (9th ward) and are buried at Calvary Cemetery. Most branches of the family are buried at Calvary. The Wenzel Schoenecker family resided at 1218 Cherry Street. The Andreas Schoenecker family resided at 546 15th Street and 593 N. 24th Street. Andreas's first wife, Anna, died of pregnancy nephritis and is buried at Calvary Cemetery. Several of their children also died as infants, including Frank of cholera, unknown baby of premature birth, George of stillborn, and the last unknown baby of stillborn. The Herman Schoenecker family resided at 1405 Cherry Street, 1407 14th Street, 1372 Fond du Lac Ave., and 2311 Vine Street. The Joseph Schoenecker family resided at 2605 Bismark in Milwaukee and are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Katherine Kolb passed away in her 90s in 1948. Her last residence was 2327 N. 37th St. in Milwaukee. This location is on 37th between North Ave. and Meineke Ave., 2 blocks west of Metcalfe Park and right next to Butterfly Park. The property is currently vacant land. It's a residential neighborhood, located one block away from the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore and the New Covenant Missionary Church.

Her previous address, in the 1930 City Directory, was 819 S. 37th Street. She was residing at this address with her daughter Annie Kolb. This location still has nice residences and is located between Pierce Street and National Avenue on the south side of the city. The Hank Aaron State Trail is 3 blocks north and the Hmong Chamber of Commerce is one block away from this location.

PECHER FAMILY IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN

Other Pecher family members in the U.S. lived in rural Ozaukee County and downtown Milwaukee at different points. Adolph, Andy, Katherine, Joe, and their parents came to the U.S. in 1882.

The 1910 U.S. Census for Milwaukee lists the Graser family as living in the 10th ward and includes: Joseph, 60; Anna, 59; Adolph, 31; Joseph, 24; Andreas, 22; Peter, 19. The 1930 U.S. Census for Milwaukee (District 290) lists Katherine Kolb (mother) living with her daughter Annie and her nephew Adolph Graser (age 57). Next door or in the same building was Lilly Kolb and her husband John Langer. Graser is listed as a brewer and Langer is listed as tool-and-die-maker. Adolph Graser (b: 1878) became a naturalized U.S. citizen on June 25, 1906 (a variant record shows he was naturalized Oct. 25, 1900). The witnesses to the naturalization were Michael Weber and Wolfgang Hackl (Milwaukee County Records, petition 11410, volume 10, p. 327).

The 1930 Census for Milwaukee (District 262) lists Joseph W. Graser and his wife Ottilia. Joseph is listed as a silversmith. The 1930 Census for Milwaukee lists Wenzel Pecher, age 76, living with daughters Lena, age 47, and Mary H., age 51. The Pecher family farm still sits in rural land on the outskirts of Cedarburg, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. The land is still farmed by Raymond Pecher, the nephew of great-great-grandmother Katherine (Pecher) Kolb.

SURNAME MEANINGS

The Pecher family was Roman Catholic. The surname Pecher is an occupational name for someone who prepared, sold, or used pitch, from an agent derivative of Middle High German pech, or 'pitch'.

The first carrier of the surname was likely a pecher by trade. This occupation had been in existence since the Middle Ages. Each pecher leased a couple of hundred trees from the forest owners. During summertime, the pechers lived in the forests to collect the resin from the trees. The resin was used to produce pitch. The occupation of pecher did not have a very high reputation since they spent the whole summer on their own in the forest. The pechers often appeared to be somewhat eccentric characters. Their faces assumed a black color from the resin they collected. However, the pechers were very popular with the children who played in the forests.

The surname Krause is from the Middle High German kruse or 'pitcher' or 'jug', a metonymic occupational name for a maker or seller of jugs or a nickname for a heavy drinker.

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