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Edward C WENGER (b 1869)

Edward C Wenger was born on 03 Jan 1869 in Green County, Wisconsin, most likely on his parent's farm. He was the son of Christian Wenger (b 1833) and Katherina Kundert (b 1832). His father Christian was a farmer. Edward appeared in his parent’s household in the 1870 US Census of Monroe, Wisconsin with five older siblings. Unfortunately the 1870 census enumerator was either poorly informed or simply confused in recording the names and ages of the older children. Nevertheless, Edward’s name and age were roughly correct. By 1880, Edward was no longer the youngest in the household. The census that year, conducted on 16 Jun 1880, named three younger siblings, Lydia (age 7), Frederick (age 5) and Bertha (age 2). Edward’s age was 1880 was given as 11.

Ten years later, on 16 Jan 1890, Edward married Susan Stauffacher at his bride’s home in Sylvester (Green) Wisconsin. The couple apparently left farm life and set up housekeeping in Monroe town (ward 2). The 1895 Wisconsin Census suggests there are already two children in the household, one boy and one girl, presumably Nell and William Edward.

The 1900 US Census enumerated on 07 Jun 1900 found the household on East Street in Monroe. Edward and Susan had four children, Nellie I, a daughter age 9, William E, a son age 7, Maude E, a daughter age 4, and Ralph H, a son age 2. All four children were born in Wisconsin. Only Ralph was not yet in school. Edward reported his age as 31, his month of birth as Jan 1869 and gave his occupation as cheese merchant. Susan gave her age as 30, her month of birth as Nov 1869 and reported that she had born four children, all surviving.

At the time of the 1905 Wisconsin Census on 01 Jun 1905, the family was still intact and still in Monroe city. Edward gave his occupation as cheese maker. All four children were in school.

Edward died only a year later, on 04 Mar 1906.I do not know the cause of death. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe. Edward was only 37 years old at death and left his wife Susan with four minor children. Fortunately, Susan managed well, and all four children were eventually on their own. Susan never remarried and lived to the age of 93.

Sources:

1870 US Census, Household of Christian Wenger (b 1833): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Year: 1870; Census Place: Monroe, Green, Wisconsin; Roll M593_1715; Page: 171B; Image: 352; Family History Library Film: 553214. Content: The 1870 US Census of the town of Monroe (Green) WI, enumerated on 23 Jun 1870, shows dwelling (122/123) with household composed of (1) Christ Wenger, age 38, male, farmer, (real: $1400, personal: $800), born Switzerland, father/mother foreign born, citizen, (2) Catharine Wenger, age 35, female, keeping house, born Switzerland, father/mother foreign born, (3) John Wenger, age 12, male, born Wisconsin, in school, (4) Jacob Wenger, age 10, male, born Wisconsin, in school, (5) Christ Wenger, age 8, male, born Wisconsin, in school, (6) Letta Wenger, age 5, female, born Wisconsin, in school, (7) Mary Wenger, age 4, female, born Wisconsin, in school, (8) Edward Wenger, age 2, male, born Wisconsin. [The enumeration of children in the household is almost certainly confused. The eldest male should have been Albert. The second eldest male should be John. Catherine should have been the next in line, not Christ. Christ should have followed Mary.]

1880 US Census, Household of Christian Wenger (b 1833): Citation: Ancestry.com, 1880 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Monroe, Green, Wisconsin; Roll: 1428; Family History Film: 1255428; Page: 136A; Enumeration District: 140. Content: The 1880 US Census of Monroe (Green) Wisconsin on 16 Jun 1880 shows dwelling (67/68) with household composed of (1) Christian Wenger [appears to be spelled Winger], age 45, male, married, farmer, born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, citizen, (2) Catherine Wenger, age 48, female, keeping house, born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, (3) Albert Wenger, age 22, male, son, single, cheese maker, born Wisconsin, (4) John Wenger, age 20, male, son, single, farm hand, born Wisconsin, (5) Catherine Wenger, age 18, female, daughter, single, at home, born Wisconsin, (6) Lizzie Wenger, age 15, female, daughter, single, at home, born Wisconsin, (7) Christian Wenger, age 13, male, son, born Wisconsin, in school, (8) Edward Wenger, age 11, male, son, born Wisconsin, in school. (9) Lydia Wenger, age 7, female, daughter, born Wisconsin, in school, (10) Frederick Wenger, age 5, male, son, born Wisconsin, in school, (11) Bertha Wenger, age 2, female, daughter, born in Wisconsin. It appears that the enumerator may have reversed the ages of husband and wife.

1890 Wisconsin marriage registration for Edward Wenger and Susie Stauffacher: Citation: Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Marriage Records, 1820-2004 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022. Original data:Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Madison, Wisconsin. Content: The record shows that Edward Wenger (son of Christian Wenger and Catherine Kundert, farmer, resident of Monroe, born Monroe (Green) WI) married Susie Stauffacher (dau of Jacob J Stauffacher and Susie Zweifel (sic), born in Sylvester (Green) WI) at the bride's home in Green County, Wisconsin on 16 Jan 1890. Witnesses were John Wenger and Libbie Prien. Registered on 24 Mar 1891.

1895 Wisconsin State Census, 2nd Ward, Monroe City, Green County, Wisconsin: Citation: Ancestry.com. Wisconsin State Censuses, 1895 and 1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Content: An 1895 Census of Monroe City, Green County, Wisconsin on 20 Jun 1895 lists households of (1) Edward Wenger (3 males, 2 females, 4 born US), (2) Edward C Wenger (2 males, 2 females, 4 born US), (3) John C Wenger (1 male, 2 females, 3 born US), and (4) Louisa Fritsch (2 females, 1 born US, 1 born Germany). Note: The census records only number of male and female members of the household. The household of Edward C Wenger has two males and two females. All four were native born.

1900 US Census, Household of Edward C Wenger (b 1869): Citation: Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census; Monroe City (Green) Wisconsin; Roll: 1789; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0125; FHL microfilm: 1241789. Content: The 1900 US Census of Monroe City (Green) Wisconsin on 07 Jun 1900 shows dwelling (141/147) on East Street, owned free of mortgage, with houshold composed of (1) Edward C Wenger, head, male, born Jan 1869, age 31, married (10 years), born WI, parents born Switzerland, cheese merchant, can read/write, (2) Susan Wenger, wife, female, born Nov 1869, age 30, married (10 years), 4 children, 4 living, born WI, father born Switzerland, mother born WI, can read/write, (3) Nellie I Wenger, daughter, female, born May 1891, age 9, single, born WI, (4) William E Wenger, son, male, born Mar 1893, age 7, single, born WI, (5) Maude E Wenger, daughter, female, born July 1895, age 4, single, born WI, (6) Ralph H Wenger, son, male, born Jul 1897, age 2, single, born WI. The three older children were in school for nine months.

1905 Wisconsin Census, Household of Edward C Wenger (b 1869): Citation: Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, State Censuses, 1895 and 1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007, roll CSUSAWI1905_12. Content: The 1905 Wisconsin Census of Monroe City (Green) WI on 01 Jun 1905 shows home 1029, owned mortgage free, with a houshold compose of (1) Edward C Wenger, head, white, male, age 36, married, born WI, parents born Switzerland, cheese maker, (2) Susan Wenger, wife, white, female, age 34, married, born WI, parents born Switzerland, (3) Nellie Wenger, daughter, white, female, age 14, single, born WIstudent (9 months), (4) William E Wenger, son, white, male, age 12, single, born WI, (5) Maude E Wenger, daughter, white, female, age 10, sSingle, born WI, (4) Ralph H Wenger, son, white, male, age 8, single, born WI. Note: Only the eldest child is reported to be a student, but I suspect the enumerator has simply failed to enter the quotation marks that would indicate the information applies to all.

1906 Wisconsin Death Record for Edward C Wenger (b c1869): Citation: FamilySearch: Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907, Reference ID 02006, GS Film Number 1310186, Digital Folder Number4207435, Image Number 887. citing Death, Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Historical Society. Content: A Wisconsin death record shows that Edward C Wenger, born 03 Jan 1869 in Wisconsin died in 1906 at age 37. He was married and a cheese dealer. His father was Christ Wenger, born Switzerland. His mother was Katherine Wenger, born Switzerland. His spouse was Susana Wenger. Note: This is probably the best source of the date of Edward's birth that I have found, and it agrees with the date engraved on the stone marking his grave. Though not primary data, it is direct and likely to be from a knowledgeable source. Curiously, the registry does not provide the exact date of death but only year of death.

Find a Grave Memorial 134551845 for Edward C Wenger (b 1869).

Probate Papers for Estate of Edward C Wenger (b 1869): Citation: Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2015. Author: Wisconsin. County Court (Green County); Probate Place: Green, Wisconsin. Content: Fred Stauffacher served as administrator of the estate. Letters of Administration were filed on 10 Mar 1906. "... The deceased died intestate leaving Susan Wenger, his widow, and Nellie, Ralph, Willie and Maud, his minor children...." The papers available on Ancestry are numerous.