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Christian WENGER (b 1833)

Christian Wenger, most frequently called Christ, was born in a German-speaking region of Switzerland, probably on 28 Aug 1833. He emigrated to the United States with other members of his family in 1854 and became a naturalized citizen of the United States on 04 Sep 1860.

A large contingent of the Wenger family immigrated from Switzerland to Green County, Wisconsin in 1854. At least thirteen members of Christian Wenger’s immediate family appear on a passenger manifest for the SS Antwerpen which sailed from Antwerp, Belgium and arrived in New York, NY on 30 Jun 1854. A second Wenger family of eight appears on the next page of the manifest. Every passenger on the list was designated as a farmer from Switzerland having the intention of becoming an inhabitant of the United States. I do not know who, if anyone, had provided early surveillance of the possibilities of a home in the United States for them, but it seems likely they knew in advance that it would be in Green County, Wisconsin that they would stop their travel and settle.

On that Antwerpen passenger manifest, Christian’s age was reported to be 21 years old. He was generally reliable in reporting his age over the years, and, in 1900, he provided the month of his birth to the census enumerator as August 1833. The stone marking his grave provides the date as 28 Aug 1833. He was certainly born in Switzerland, but I know of no source that identifies a more precise location.

Christian, age 21 when he immigrated, wasted little time finding a mate. He married Catherine Troxel (Trachsel), daughter of Casper and Catherine [Katherina] Kimdert [Kundert] on 31 Mar 1859 in Monroe (Green) Wisconsin. Christian was 25 years old. His bride, Katherina, was 27. This was a first marriage for Christian but a second marriage for Katherina. Katherina brought a son, Albert Trachsel, a child of her first marriage, to the couple's home. The marriage record reported that Christian’s father was John Winger and his mother, Elizabeth Winger. His mother’s maiden name was not noted.

The couple appeared in the 1860 US Census of the town of Monroe (Green) Wisconsin. Christian and his wife Katherina and two children, Albert C (age 2) and John (age 5 months), were among the members of Christian’s father’s household. Five of Christian’s siblings were also living with their father. Jacob (age 25) and Charley (age 20) were farming. The other three siblings, Leseth (age 16), Frederick (age 15), and Rudolph (age 14) were neither working nor in school that year. Abner Drake, age 6, born in Wisconsin, was living with the family and he alone was reported to have been in school that year.

By 1870, the family was on its own, still in the town of Monroe. The nearest neighbors were John Wenger (age 45) and Peter Wenger (age 34). All three men were farmers born in Switzerland. One might guess that these were relatives, but I cannot find anything to support that presumption. Christian and Katherina were accompanied by six children, John (age 12), Jacob (age 10), Christ (8), Letta (age 5), Mary (age 4) and Edward (age 2). [My impression is that the 1870 census enumerator did a poor job of recording the names of the children in the household. Albert in 1860 became Jacob in 1870. Christ in 1870 became Catherine in 1880.] All the children were reported to have been born in Wisconsin, probably in the town of Monroe. All but Edward were also in school.

In 1880, the family had grown to include nine children. The eldest, John and Albert, were still single and at home. Albert was reported to be a cheese maker, John a farm hand. The balance of the children were Catherine (age 18), Lizzie (age 15), Christian (age 13), Edward (age 11), Lydia (age 7), Frederick (age 5) and Bertha (age 2). Christian, Edward, Lydia, and Frederick were in school. The child named Mary who was a member of the household in 1870 is not named in the 1880 Census, so she presumably died between 1870 and 1880.

The children began to leave their parent’s home in the next decade. John married Mary Schär in December 1883. Catherine married Henry Elmer in December 1884. Lisetta married John Elmer in January 1887. Son Christian married Bertha Prien in October 1888. Edward married Susan Stauffacher in 1890.

The 1900 Census found Christian and Katherina living alone. All the children were gone. Two had died. Christian gave his occupation as farmer (retired). Son Christian, a cheese dealer, age 33 and divorced, was living on his own nearby. The 1900 Census reported that Katherina was the mother of 10 children, with only eight surviving. Bertha was almost certainly the last of the couple's children.

In 1910, Christian and Katherina were still surviving and living alone. Two more of their children had died over the past decade. Christian (b 1866) had died in 1903. Edward (b 1869) had died in 1906. Lisette and her husband John Elmer lived nearby as did their daughter-in-law Susan Stauffacher Wenger, Edward's wife, and mother of four grandchildren.

Christian's wife Katherina died in October 1917. Three years later, Christian was living with his daughter Catherine and her husband Henry Elmer at 318 N West Street. He was 86. He correctly reported that he had immigrated in 1854 and was naturalized in 1860. Christian died in Monroe the following year, on 27 May 1921. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe, Wisconsin. The Find A Grave memorial for Christian has a fine photograph of the stone marking the grave.

Sources:

Christian Wenger's birth: The date of Christian's birth is recorded on the stone marking his grave. He confirmed the month and year in his response to the 1900 Census. He consistently recorded his place of birth as Switzerland in numerous US Censuses.

Christian Wenger's immigration: Christian was first asked about the date of his immigration by a census enumerator in 1900. In that year he responded with the year 1856. He was asked again in 1910 and gave the year as 1854. The year of his immigration was almost certainly 1854. There is little question that he is among the Wenger passengers on the ship Antwerpen that arrived in New York on 30 Jun 1854.

1854 SS Antwerpen Passenger Manifest: Citation: Ancestry.com. New York, U S, Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957. Year: 1854; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 1; List Number: 812. Content: A 30 Jun 1854 Passenger Manifest for ship Antwerpen sailing from Antwerp, Belgium to New York, NY contains the following: Page 2 lists (1) John Wenger, male, age ?25?, (2) Eliz Wenger, female, age 25, (3) Christ Wenger, male, age 21, (4) Jacob Wenger, male, age 19, (5) Charles Wenger, male, age 15, (6) Lisette Wenger, female, age 9, (7) Fred Wenger, male, age 10, (8) Francis Wenger, male, age 7, (9) Rudolph Wenger, male, age 6, (10) Anna Wenger, female, age 22, (11) John Wenger, male, age 21, (12) Anna Wenger, female, age 24, (13) Mary Wenger, female, age 3 months. Page 3 lists (1) Christian Wenger, male, age 47, (2) Elis Wenger, female, age 44, (3) Anne Wenger, female, age 19, (4) Elis Wenger, female, age 13, (5) Anna Wenger, female, age 11, (6) Mary Wenger, female, age 7, (7) Christ Wenger, male, age 6, (8) Magdal Wenger, female, age 9 months. At the bottom of the same page is ?Barb? Wenger, female, age 25. All were born in Switzerland. Note: I believe Christian is (3) on page 2 and his parents John and Elizabeth are respectively (1) and (2). This would suggest that his parents ages as recorded here are in error.

1859 Green County Wisconsin, Marriage of Christian Wenger and Catherin Troxel: Citation: FamilySearch.org. Wisconsin, County Marriages, 1836-­1911, Christian Winger and Catharin Troxel, 31 Mar 1859, citing Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, United States, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, FHL microfilm 1,266,666. Content: A Green County, Wisconsin marriage registration shows that Christian Winger [sic] married Catharin [sic] Troxel [sic] on 31 Mar 1859 in Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin. The groom was born Switzerland, His parents are John and Elizabeth Winger. The bride's parents are Casper and Catherine Kimdert [sic]. No birthplace is recorded for the bride.

1860 US Naturalization record for Christian Wenger : Citation: Ancestry.com. U.S., Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Content: The record shows that Christian Wenger, age 27 [in 1860], Monroe (Green) WI, born Switzerland, was naturalized on 04 Sep 1860. Witnesses: Benedict Utiger and Samuel Wittwer.

1860 US Census, Household of John Wenger (b c1800): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census Census Place: Monroe, Green, Wisconsin; Roll: M653_1411; Page: 381; Image: 392; Family History Library Film: 805411. Content: The 1860 US Census of Monroe (Green) WI on 19 Jun 1860 shows the household (598/111) of (1) John Wengel [sic], age 60, male, farmer, (800/500), born Switzerland, (2) Christian Wengel, age 28, male, farmer, born Switzerland, (3) Catherine K Wengel, age 29, female, born Switzerland, (4) Albert C Wengel, age 2, male, born WI, (3) John Wengel, age 5/12, male, born WI, (4) Jacob Wengel, age 25, male, farmer, born Switzerland, (5) Charley Wengel, age 20, male, farmer, born Switzerland, (6) Leseth Wengel, age 16, female, born Switzerland, (7) Frederick Wengel, age 15 male, born Switzerland, (8) Rudolph Wengel, age 14, male, born Switzerland, (9) Abner Drake, age 6, male, born WI, attended school.

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.

1883 Iowa Marriage Record for John C Wenger and Mary A Schär: Citation: Ancestry.com. Iowa, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Content: An Iowa marriage index record shows that John C Wenger and Mary A Schor (b 1862) were married in Buena Vista, IA on 04 Dec 1883.

1884 Wisconsin Marriage Record for Henry Elmer and Katherine Wenger: Citation: Wisconsin Historical Society Library, Wisconsin Vital Record Index, pre-1907 Content: A Wisconsin Historical Society record shows that Henry Elmer and Katherine Wenger were married on 07 Dec 1884 in Green County, WI.

1887 Wisconsin Marriage Record for John Elmer and Lisetta Wenger (b c1865): Citation: Family Search: Wisconsin, County Marriages database, citing Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, United States, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison; FHL microfilm 1,266,669. Content: A Wisconsin marriage records shows that John Elmer married Lisetta Wenger on 04 Jan 1887 in Monroe (Green) WI. John was born in Glarus, Switzerland to parents Heinrich Elmer and Anna Baebler. Lisetta was born in Monroe (Green) WI to parents Christian Wenger and Cathrina Kundert.

1888 Marriage Record for Christ Wenger and Bertha Prien: Citation: Wisconsin Historical Society Library, Wisconsin Vital Record Index, pre-1907 Content: A Wisconsin Historical Society Marriage Index shows that Crist Wenger married Bertha Prien in Green County, Wisconsin on 25 Oct 1888.

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.

1900 US Census, Household of Christian Wenger (b 1833) : Citation: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Year: 1900; Census Place: Monroe, Green, Wisconsin; Roll: 1789; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0125; FHL microfilm: 1241789. Content: The 1900 US Census of Monroe City (Green) Wisconsin on 08 Jun 1900 shows dwelling (179/189) in Out-Lots, owned mortgage free, with household composed of (1) Christian Wenger, head, male, born Aug 1833, age 66, married (42 years), born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, immigrated 1856, 44 years in the US, naturalized citizen, farmer (retired) can read/write/speak English, (2) Catherine Wenger, wife, female, born Jan 1832, age 68, married (42 years), 10 children born, 8 living, born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, immigrated in 1856, 44 years in the US, no occupation, can read/write/speak English.

1905 Wisconsin Census, Household of Christian Wenger (b c1833): 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 1031, owned mortgage free, with a household composed of (1) Christ[ian] Wenger, head, male, age 71, married, born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, occupation: capitalist (sic), (2) Katherina Wenger, wife, female, age 73, married, born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland. [The form did not provide for noting different birthplace for father and mother].

1910 US Census, Household of Christian Wenger (b 1833): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Year: 1910; Census Place: Monroe Ward 2, Green, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1704; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 1375717. Content: The 1910 US Census of Monroe City (Green) WI on 20 Apr 1910 show home (131/132) on Railroad Street, owned mortgage free, with household composed of (1) Christopher (sic) Wenger, head, male, white, age 76, first marriage, age 51 years, (German) born Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, immigrated 1854, naturalized citizen, speaks English, own income, (2) Katherine Wenger, wife, female, white, age 78, second marriage, age 51 years, 10 children, 6 living, born (German) Switzerland, parents born Switzerland, speaks English.

1920 US Census, Household of Henry Elmer (b c1859): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Year: 1920; Census Place: Monroe Ward 4, Green, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_1986; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 142; Image: 409. Content: The 1920 US Census of Monroe Twnship, Green County, Wisconsin on 07 Jan 1920 shows dwelling (131/143) at 319 N West Street, owned mortgage free, with household composed of (1) Henry Elmer, head, male, age 60, married, immigration in 1882, naturalized in 1900, born Switzerland/mother tongue German, parents born Switzerland, no occupation, (2) Katherine Elmer, wife, female, age 57, married, born Wisconsin, parents born Switzerland, no occupation, (3) Christian Wenger, father-in-law, male, age 86, widowed, born Switzerland/mother tongue German, parents born Switzerland, no occupation.

1921 Will and Probate Records for Christian Wenger (b 1833): Citation: Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2015. Original data:Wisconsin County, District and Probate Courts. Wisconsin, Green County, Estate Files; Author: Wisconsin. County Court (Green County); Probate Place: Green, Wisconsin. Content: The records show that Christian Wenger signed his will in Monroe (Green) Wiconsin on 30 Jan 1914. He signed a codicil on 05 Feb 1920 to acknowledge the death of his wife. The will names his wife Katharina, her son Albert C Trachsel, their children John C, Katharina Elmer, Lisetta Elmer, Lydia Stauffacher, Bertha Heeren and two deceased children, Christ C and Edward C. The names of his grandchildren by the two deceased sons are also given.

Find A Grave Memorial for Christian Wenger (b 1833): Citation: Find a Grave Memorial 79779851. Note: The memorial includes a photograph of the grave stone with its engraved dates of birth and death.