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Katherina KUNDERT (b 1832)

Katherina Kundert was born on 25 Jan 1832 in Switzerland to German-speaking Swiss parents, Casper Kundert and Katherina Wild. I know little of her circumstances until her marriage to Christian Wenger in 1859. The 1900 US Census reported that she immigrated to the United States in 1856 and had been in the country for 44 years, so it is likely that she arrived in the United States only a few years before her marriage to Christian. I have been unable to locate any record of Katherina’s or her parents arrival in the United States.

The first record I find that is without question a record of the wife of Christian Wenger and mother of Edward Wenger was the marriage of Christian Wenger to Catherin [sic] Troxel [sic] on 31 Mar 1859 in Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin. The record reported that Katherina was the daughter of Casper Kimdert [sic] and Catherine Kimdert [sic]. Neither spouse's age was recorded, but Katherina would have been 27 years old, Christian 25.

That Katherina's surname on the marriage record was not that of her parents immediately suggested that this was not her first marriage. Katherina confirmed that fact when asked by the census enumerator in 1910. When Katherina married Christian Wenger, she was already the mother of one-year-old Albert Trachsel. Presumably, Albert’s father died sometime in the months between September 1857 and September 1858. I have been unable to find any record of her former husband’s given name or any reference to his death. The marriage and his death seem likely to have occurred in Wisconsin, but Katherina’s first marriage may well have taken place in Switzerland. Son Albert, however, was born in Wisconsin.

In 1860, the couple appeared in the household of Christian’s father, John Wenger. Katherina already had two sons, Albert (age 2) and John (age 5 months in June 1880). The family grew rapidly. By 1870, the couple were living on their own, still in the town of Monroe. There were then six children in the household. Unfortunately, it appears the census enumerator that year was completely confused about the names and ages of the children. My guess is that a correct list and ordering of the children would have been Albert (age 12), John (age 10), Catherine (age 8), Letta (age 5), Christ (age 3) and Edward (age 2).

The couple were still living in the town of Monroe in 1880, presumably on a farm. Christian reported his occupation as farmer. Their means seemed to be similar to that of their neighbors. The household had grown to include nine children. The child Mary, who had been recorded in the 1870 Census age 4, does not appear in the 1880 list. She may have died in the intervening decade. Three more children had been born during the decade, Lydia (age 7), Frederick (age 5) and Bertha (age 2). The absence of an 1890 Census record makes it unlikely that we will ever know if Bertha was the last of Katherina's children of it there was one more child born in 1881 or 1882, but it seems likely to me that Bertha was her last child. If there were more children after 1880, they likely did not survive until 1900.

The children began to leave their parent’s home in the decade following the 1880 Census.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.

At the time of the 1900 Census, Katherina and her husband were living alone. All the children were gone. Katherina reported that only 8 of her 10 children survived. Not having been able to find records relating to son Frederick (b c1875) who appeared in the 1880 list of children, I tend to think he was one of the two children who had been lost by 1900. The daughter Mary who appeared in the 1870 list may well have been the second. Christian’s will in 1914 named only eight children and neither Mary nor Frederick were among the names.

Katherina’s husband Christian was retired by 1900. He was 66 that year. Katherina was 68. She reported the month of her birth as January 1832. The couple had been married for 42 years. Daughter Lydia had married Frederick Stauffacher in 1897. The youngest child, daughter Bertha, was married to J B Heeren on 25 Jan 1900 in her parent’s home. By the time of the 1910 Census, Christian and Katherina had passed their golden wedding anniversary. Only six of her ten children were surviving. Christian had died in 1903 and Edward in 1906.

Katharina died on 05 Oct 1917 at the age of 85. She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe, Wisconsin. Her husband Christian lived on until 1921.

Sources:

Katherina Kundert’s birth: The date of Katherina’s birth is taken from the stone that marks her grave in Greenwood Cemetery. She confirmed the month and year in the 1900 US Census. She was consistent in reporting her place of birth as Switzerland. I known of no more specific location. The names of her parents are given on the registration of her marriage to Christian Wenger in 1859.

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 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.] Note: The list and order of children is almost certainly in error. Catherine is missing altogether from the enumerator’s list and Mary never again appears in an accounting of the couple’s children. There seem to be at least two possibilities regarding the daughter Mary: (a) Mary was nothing more than an enumerator error and a stand-in for Catherine, (b) Mary was a real daughter but died before 1880. In 1900, (mother) Catherine reported that she had borne ten children and lost two of them. Mary could certainly have been one of the two. But, still, the spacing of the children proposed in this listing from Letta to Edward seems too tight.

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.

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.

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.

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 Katherina Wenger: Citation: Find A Grave Memorial 79779872