Rathka Family History. Compiled by: Daniel Joseph Rathka

Transcription

1 Rathka Family History Compiled by: Daniel Joseph Rathka October 2012

2 To the reader, October 2012 The great reward I have received, personally, from working on family history has been the enjoyable experience of finding and meeting relatives, some distantly related, sharing family history with them and learning about our ancestors. It is rewarding to me when there is a sudden realization that an unknown stranger actually shares family heritage with me. In 2003, I began working on the Rathka family history. I started focusing my research on the 1st Rathka family, in our lineage, to immigrate to America from Germany (known as Prussia at that time) in 1865, this being the Frederick and Augusta Rathka family. A major breakthrough occurred in February 2010 when I found Kay Mann, a greatgranddaughter of Frederick and Augusta, who has in her possession many valuable Rathka family history items including: rare family photos, legal documents, newspaper clippings, family reunion registers, and the immigration story. These items shined light into an otherwise unknown family history to me. In April 2011, another breakthrough occurred when I received help from Mrs. Ursula Adamson, an experienced genealogist, who without my asking, researched and shared with me immigration records pertaining to this Rathka family. I have used her insights in this document. Without their help and willingness to share documents with me, I would not have been able to learn and reconstruct this interesting story. Here is Frederick and Augusta s story, to the best of my knowledge, gathered from many sources including: 1865 Brandenburg Emigration Records 1894 auto-album notes 1865 Hamburg passenger list of Rathka family immigration story departures handwritten in New York passenger list of arrivals Census records 1875 mortgage paperwork Death certificates 1889 chattel mortgage paperwork Personal Interviews If you find any errors or would like to contribute something please let me know so corrections can be made and uplifting stories can be added. I hope this family history is interesting and uplifts you as well. Best regards, Dan Rathka 9617 Alward Rd. Laingsburg, Michigan, drathka@gmail.com Page 2 of 20

3 Rathka Family History Story A majority of this section is transcribed from the immigration story handwritten in 1927 at a Rathka Reunion. Frederick William Rathka, whose given name in German was Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Radecke, was born on the 18 th August 1825 likely near Bietikow, Prenzlau, Brandenburg, Germany, known as Prussia at that time. He was the second son of Conrad Rathka and his wife Dora Dittman. He had at least one sibling, a brother named Christian who was born in about Frederick attended the Lutheran School until about 14 years old when he went to work on the neighboring farms or (Hauff). When 18 years of age in 1843 he joined the cavalry and served 3 years in the standing army of Germany and was honorably discharged in He married Augusta Walter in October At the time of their marriage Frederick was 35 years old and Augusta was 19 years old. Augusta Walter, whose given name in German was Auguste Caroline Charlotte Wolter was born on the 15 th November 1841 likely near Gramzow, Prenzlau, Brandenburg, Germany. She was the daughter of Carl Wolter and his wife Augusta Batz. When she was 3 years old her mother and infant sister died; then she lived with her father and grandmother. When she was 6 years old, in 1846, her father died and soon after her grandmother also died. So from the time she was about 6 years old until she married; she lived with an uncle who already had a large family. In 1860, Frederick and Augusta Rathka purchased a house and a few acres of land somewhere near Preuslo [Prenzlau] where they lived for about 5 years and where 4 of their children were born; their home was not the pleasantest. During the summer of 1865 their home was destroyed by fire and having heard about that new country across the Atlantic its freedom and better opportunities they sold their parcel of land, paid all their obligations, packed their few belonging into boxes and bundles and with the 4 little children: Augusta age 5, William 4, Charles 2 and August a baby of 6 months a small amount of money but with a load of good courage they boarded the train for Hamburg where they would sail for their new home in America. The ship that waited at the dock in Hamburg for this little family to carry them across the great ocean was not one of the comfortable and powerful ships of today but an old fashioned sail boat depending entirely on the winds for power and so for 7 long weeks they sailed Frederick and his family boarded the sailing ship the "John Bertram" in Hamburg, Germany on 2 October They arrived at Castle Garden, New York on 20 November The 1865 Brandenburg Emigration Records contain information the emigrant family provided for each family member to the officials when they applied for an emigrant visa. From this record we learn that the family spelled their last name not as RATHKA but RADECKE. The family s place of origin was Bietikow, Prenzlau [County], Brandenburg [State], Prussia. Bietikow is a very small village, located about 60 miles north of Berlin, Germany. The mother, Augusta s place of birth is listed as Gramzow, another small village in the same neighborhood. Page 3 of 20

4 The names of individuals in this family, as they were recorded in the emigration records are: 1. Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Radecke, b. 18 AUG Auguste Caroline Charlotte Radecke, nee Wolter, b. 15 NOV 1840 in Gramzow, Brandenburg; 3. Auguste Wilhelmine Louise Radecke/Wolter b. 25 APR Wilhelm Christian Friedrich Radecke, b. 21 AUG Carl Conrad Friedrich Radecke, b. 19 FEB August Carl Friedrich Radecke, b. 2 MAR 1865 It is unknown when or why their last name was changed from Radecke to Rathke and Rathka. All the children of Frederick William Rathka ( ) and his wife Augusta (Walter) Rathka ( ) are: 1. Augusta Rathka ( ) born in Prussia, lived near New Haven, MI. She was Deaf. 2. William Rathke ( ) born in Prussia, lived near Owosso, MI. He and his descendants continued to spell their last name Rathke. 3. Charles Rathka ( ) born in Prussia, lived in Goodland Township, MI. 4. August Rathka ( ) born in Prussia, lived near Clarkston, MI. 5. Sarah Rathka ( ) born in Michigan, lived in Owosso, MI. 6. Frank T. Rathka ( ) born in Michigan, lived near Rochester, MI. 7. Emma Rathka (1871 -?) born in Michigan, lived near Rochester, MI. 8. Edward Rathka (1873 -?) born in Michigan. Probably died as a child. 9. Albert Rathka ( ) born in Michigan. Died from Measles. 10. Mary Rathka (1876 -?) born in Michigan, lived near Mt. Clemens, MI. 11. Lydia Rathka ( ) born in Michigan. Died from Measles. 12. Anna Rathka ( ) born in Michigan. Died from Measles. 13. Martha M. Rathka ( ) born in Michigan. Lived in Hadley, MI. She preserved many important Rathka Family History photos and documents. 14. Unknown Baby Rathka (?-?) another child was born but nothing is known of him/her. In 1868, this family was living in the Village of Romeo, Michigan when their 5 th child Sarah was born. In 1869, this family was living in Washington Township, Michigan when their 6 th child Franklin was born. In 1875 on February 23 rd, original home mortgage paperwork reveals Frederick and Augusta Rathka purchased 40 acres of land on Cade Road just south of M-21 Imlay City Road in Imlay Township, Lapeer County, Michigan between Capac and Imlay City. This may be the first piece of land owned by our Rathka Family in the United States. The property legal description states the following location in Lapeer County (see map at end): "All that certain place or parcel of land known and described as follows --- the South East 1/4 of the North East 1/4 of section twenty-four (24) township Seven (7) North, Range Twelve (12) East." Page 4 of 20

5 They purchased the land from a Mrs. Abigail Rood and a Mr. Charles Palmer. It is interesting to note that on these documents Frederick signed his name as Friedrick Rathke and once as Rathkee. After settling on this property, they had 9 or 10 more children for a total of 14. One, a baby of which nothing is known, may have been born in Prussia [Germany]. In 1883, between January 27 th and February 8 th, three of their children; Albert age 9 1/2, Lydia age 3 1/2, and Anna just under 2 died from measles. In 1889, a chattel mortgage was entered into between Frederick and Augusta and their oldest son, William. Frederick and Augusta offered their personal belongings as collateral in order for William to obtain a financial loan of $300. Today [year 2012] this amount would be the equivalent of about $5,500. It is unknown why William applied for a loan but potentially he used this money to buy his own land. A detailed list of the personal belongings of Frederick and Augusta offered as collateral are listed in the chattel mortgage paperwork. These items would have been used to pay Williams debts if he failed to repay the loan himself. These items include: "our pair of horses, one a mare of gray color 4 years old this spring, the other a gelding of dark gray color 4 years old this spring. Also, one bay gelding 9 years old this spring. Also two cows, one of red color the other of roan color, both 3 years old this spring. Also two yearling heifers of red & white (spotted) color, one lumber wagon, one covered carriage and one double buggy, also two plows, one a clipper the other a chilled plow In about September 1890, Frederick and his son William received a letter from the Hon. Edgar S. Hough, Judge of Probate for Lapeer County. They were listed as landowners whose properties were to be traversed or benefited by the construction of a proposed surface water drain. All persons in the letter were ordered to appear in court, if they so desired, to show cause, if any, why the application for the drain improvement should not be granted. The taking of private property for the use and benefit of the public and just compensation to be made were to be discussed. This drain is still visible today as it runs from West to East and passes under Cade Road. Frederick and Augusta s homestead was located about 900 feet south of this intersection. A property ownership plat map from 1893 of Imlay Township, Michigan shows the location of Frederick and Augusta s land, described previously, and the location of their home on that land. William s 40 acre farm located a few miles to the southwest of his parent s property can also be seen on the map. In 1896, a notebook of short poems and exhortations, some humorous others very loving, written and compiled over the course of a few years by family members was given to their youngest family member, Martha. She would have been about 13 years old at that the time she received it. One of these notes was from the father Frederick to this daughter Martha, written in a form of old German not used today. Here is his note: Page 5 of 20

6 Handwritten old German: Märtz Bist du ein wahrer Christ, so denk und leb auch als ein Christ. Freid Rathke Translated into English: March 2nd 1894 If you are a true Christian, then think and live like a Christian Freid Rathke In 1897 on November 14 th, mother Augusta died at the age of 54. From her death certificate we learn she had a history of heart disease for about 12 years. She had a stroke, apoplexia was the medical term used to describe her condition and 8 days later she died from heart failure. She had a total of 14 children, 9 of whom were alive at the time of her death. The physician that attended her was J. A. Cross from Imlay City, Michigan. Her son Frank Rathka signed the certificate and stated he resided in Washington, Michigan. In 1900 the father, Frederick, is found in the U.S. Census living in the home of his son Frank T. Rathka in Avon Township, Oakland, Michigan. He resided there until the time of his death on the 13 th August 1910 at the age of 89. From his death certificate we learn the cause of death was asthma, duration 2 days, with contributory factors of heart disease, duration 10 years. The physician that attended him was Charles S. Strain from Rochester, Michigan. His son August Rathka signed the death certificate and stated he resided in Washington, Michigan. Frederick is buried in the Imlay Cemetery, Imlay City, Michigan along with his wife, and son Charles. Frederick and Augusta Rathka have at least 463 descendants. Today, the youngest descendants are the 7 th generation and a majority still resides in Michigan. Many have went their own way, marrying and starting families of their own.

7 Frederick and Augusta Rathka Family Frederick William Rathka ( ) Augusta Walter ( ) his given name in German was her given name in German was Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Radecke Auguste Caroline Charlotte Wolter 8 of their 14 children at a Rathka family reunion at Forest Hall, General Squier Park in Dryden, MI. L to R: Martha (Rahn), Mary (Zuhlke), Emma (Zimmerman), Sarah (Zuhlke), Frank, August, Charles and William. Oldest of the 14 children, Augusta Rathka (Smith). Page 7 of 20

8 Bietikow and Gramzow, Germany The Brandenburg Emigration Records list the place of origin of the Rathka (Radecke) family as Bietikow, Prenzlau [County], Brandenburg, Prussia. Bietikow is a very small village, located about 5 miles from Prenzlau. Mother Auguste s place of birth is listed as Gramzow, another small village in the same neighborhood. Following reunification, some changes have occurred due to redistricting and consolidation so Bietikow is now listed as part of the community of Uckerfelde in the county of Uckermark. The Lutheran church in Bietikow, Germany. Potentially, this is the church that Frederick Rathka would have attended. Roadsign indicating Bietikow. Uckerfielde, Uckermark. Page 8 of 20

9 The John Bertram, immigrant passenger sailing ship Here are artists rendering of the sailing ship the John Bertram. Frederick William Rathka, his wife Augusta and their 4 children: Augusta (age 6), William (age 4), Charles (age 2) and August (age 8 months) boarded the ship John Bertram in Hamburg, Germany [known as Prussia at that time] on 2 October 1865 for their voyage to America. The family arrived at Castle Garden, New York on 20 November Page 9 of 20

10 Castle Garden, New York Frederick, Augusta Rathka and their four children landed at Castle Garden, New York. It was America's first immigration station (predating Ellis Island), where more than 8 million people arrived in the U.S. from 1855 to Castle Garden, from the River. Gleason's Pictorial, Boston, Saturday January 10, Ships dropped anchor off Castle Garden while passengers and luggage were tendered ashore. The painting to the left hangs in the Seamans Bank New York, New York USA: Gordon Grant: A Clipper Ship approaching Castle Garden, ca Page 10 of 20

11 Interior of Castle Gardens. Harpers Weekly September 2,1865 Collection of Maggie Land Blanck The Labor Exchange - Emigrants on the Battery in front of Castle Gardens, New York Harper's Weekly August 15, 1868 Collection of Maggie Land Blanck Page 11 of 20

12 Rathka Family Reunion Photo Date: July 3 rd, 1904 Page 12 of 20

13 1875 Mortgage Paperwork 1st record of the Rathka family owning land in Michigan. Page 13 of 20

14 Rathka Homestead This photo is very likely the Rathka homestead on the 1 st parcel of land owned by the Rathka family in Michigan. It would have been located on Cade Road just south of M-21 in Imlay township, Lapeer, Michigan. The notes on the picture state: Martha s birthplace Capac, MI.. Photo taken April 1954 Martha is the youngest child of Frederick and Augusta Rathka, she was born in The author of the notes might have considered it to be in Capac, Michigan since it is closer to Capac than Imlay City but technically it is in Imlay Township, Lapeer County, MI. Source: Original photo provided by Eleana Kay Mann, Rochester, MI. Page 14 of 20

15 Chattel Mortgage In 1889 a chattel mortgage between Frederick and Augusta and their oldest son, William. It lists, in detail, the personal items of Frederick and Augusta that were going to be used as collateral. These items include: "our pair of horses, one a mare of gray color 4 years old this spring, the other a gelding of dark gray color 4 years old this spring. Also one bay gelding 9 years old this spring. Also two cows, one of red color the other of roan color, both 3 years old this spring. Also two yearling heifers of red & white (spotted) color, one lumber wagon, one covered carriage and one double buggy, also two plows, one a clipper the other a chilled plow Page 15 of 20

16 1893 Imlay Township Plat Map This 1893 plat map shows the location of Frederick and Augusta Rathka s land in section 24, Imlay township, Lapeer County, MI. The location of the home on the property can also be seen as a black square in the northeast corner of the property. It is on Cade Road just south of M-21 Imlay City Road between Capac and Imlay City. Their last name is recorded as Rathke not Rathka. Frederick and August Rathka Property William Rathke Property Page 16 of 20

17 1894 note from the Frederick Rathka Note from Frederick Rathka to this daughter Martha, written in a form of old German not used today. Here is his note: Handwritten old German: Märtz Bist du ein wahrer Christ, so denk und leb auch als ein Christ. Freid Rathke Translated into English: March 2nd 1894 If you are a true Christian, then think and live like a Christian Freid Rathke Page 17 of 20

18 Death Certificates of Frederick and Augusta Rathka Augusta Rathka (b d. 1897) Frederick Rathka (b d. 1910) Page 18 of 20

19 Funeral Arrangements for Frederick and Augusta Rathka Funeral arrangement for mother Augusta Rathka Page 19 of 20

20 Gravestone of Frederick and Augusta Rathka Located in Section 13 at the Imlay Cemetery, Imlay City, Michigan. Page 20 of 20