Notes:

Served in the U.S. Army during WWI. Entered service on 26 Jun 1918, went overseason 8 Oct 1918 serving in England and France.
Left Bordeaux, France on the Roanoke on 6 Apr 1919 and arrived in Hoboken, NJ on Apr 17 1919.
He was discharged on 29 May 1919.

Louis married Alma M. Rieckenberg 19 Feb 1922, St. John Lutheran "Post Oak", Jackson County, IL. Alma was born Dec 1896, IL; died 22 Oct 1966, Perry County, IL; was buried Oct 1966, St. John Lutheran "Post Oak", Jackson County, IL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

A Henrich Behnken arrived 18 Jun 1867 in New Orleans (age 21) on board the ship Hermine out of Bremen.

(Research):1870 Federal Census:
Denmark, Perry County, IL
house 86, family 86
Witte, Fred. A., age 22, farmer, born Germany
Witte, Doretta, age 19, keeping house, born Hannover
Witte, William, age 9, at home, born IL
Beinker, Henry, age 25, farmer, born Hannover

Hinrich married Dorothea Wilke 7 Oct 1870, Schneider's Schoolhouse, Randolph County, IL. Dorothea (daughter of J. Carl Wilke and Helene Jansen) was born 6 Nov 1849, Celle, Hanover; died 14 Jul 1934, Perry County, IL; was buried Jul 1934, St. John Lutheran "Post Oak", Jackson County, IL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):A Dorothea Wilke, age 17, appears on the passenger list of the ship Humboldt that arrived in New York on 24 Nov 1868 along with Maria Wilke age 59. Not sure if this is the same Dorothea.

1870 Federal Census:
Chester, Randolph County,IL
Dora Wilka, age 20 from Hannover listed as servant in household of Ernst Lehnker.

Notes:

Viertelhöfner

Lutje married Margarethe Brandt (Brandtjen) 8 Aug 1824, Selsingen, Hannover. Margarethe (daughter of Dreves Brandt (Brandtjen) and Catrine Meyer) was born 7 Nov 1803, Anderlingen, Hannover; was christened 9 Nov 1803, Selsingen, Hannover; died 1896. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):Original information that I had was that Margaretha Brandjen was the daughter of Drewes Brandjen (c1753-15 Oct 1824) and Ilse Mette Helmer (19/23 Mar 1763-27 Jan 1826). I can't document this info at present so I'm going with info from the Selsingen records found online at
http://www.ortsfamilienbuecher.de/famlist.php?ofb=selsingen&b=B&lang=en&modus=

Notes:

Arrived U.S. in the spring of 1867 per Behnken book.

Carl was a furniture maker. He specialized in using steam to bend wood to create his furniture. At one time Louis Behnken Jr. had some pieces of this furniture. I recall a large dresser in which the front and both sides were made from a single piece of wood with each side wrapped at about a 90 degree angle back to a seperate piece that formed the back. Louis's children have this furniture now. (JSR 2007)

9 Apr 1884: Death notice run for a Carl Wilke, age 66yrs in Westliche Post
Carl Wilke, our beloved husband and father died suddenly [word unclear] on the 7th of April at 2 p.m. at the age of 66 years, 1 month and 8 days. The funeral will be on Wednesday, the 9th of April at 2 p.m. from the deceased's residence, No. 1557 Grattot Street in the city. The grieving survivors:
Helene Wilke, wife
Dora Behnken
Minna Burg children
Heinrich Behnken
Henry Burg sons-in-law
and grandchildren

(Research):Per Castle Garden Website (www.castlegarden.org) a Carl Wilke, age 50, came over on the ship Hansa to New York arriving on 6 Apr 1868. Not sure if this is correct person.

9 Apr 1870
Land deed from Margaret Glore to C. Wilke for the West side of the NE quarter of the SW quarter of Section 35, Township 6S Range 5W containing 29 1/2 acres.

I've not found them in 1870 Census which is dated Jul 1870 and should include them in Twp 6S/Range 5W. Assume they were just missed.

1880 Census, Wine Hill, Randolph County, IL
Wilkie, Charles, age 62, farmer, born in Prussia
Wilkie, Lena, age 63, born in Prussia

3 Jul 1882
Land deed from Carl Wilke and Helen Wilke to Heinrich and Sophie Wehling for the West side of the NE quarter of the SW quarter of Section 35, Township 6S Range 5W containing 30 acres

I can only assume they moved to St. Louis at this time.

1884
Carl Wilke, our beloved husband and father died suddenly [word unclear] on the 7th of April at 2 p.m. at the age of 66 years, 1 month and 8 days. The funeral will be on Wednesday, the 9th of April at 2 p.m. from the deceased's residence, No. 1557 Grattot Street in the city. The grieving survivors:
Helene Wilke, wife
Dora Behufen} (this might not be the correct name, it is hard to read)
Minna Burg } children
Heinrich Behafetn }
Henry Burg } sons-in-law
and grandchildren

1900 Census, St. Louis, MO
Burg, Minnie, born Dec 1850, widow, 1 child, 1 living, born Germany, arrive U.S. 1872
Wilka, Helen, born Jan 1817, widow, 5 children 2 living, born Germany, arrive U.S. 1872
Barg, Edward, born Mar 1853, widower, born Germany, arrive U.S. 1888
Barg, Edward Jr, born Nov 1875, single, born Germany, arrive U.S. 1888
other boarders.

J. married Helene Jansen 1848, Celle, Hannover. Helene (daughter of Johann Jansen and Marie Hister) was born 10 Feb 1817, Hamburg, Germany; died 21 Mar 1905, St. Louis, Missouri; was buried Mar 1905, St. John Lutheran "Post Oak", Jackson County, IL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):Funeral Record: Age 88 years, 1 month, 11 days; born in Hamburg, Germany. Married Carl Wilke in Celle in 1848. Died in St. Louis, MO

(Medical):Died at 918 Hickory Street in St. Louis, MO

Theves married Trine Hincken 2 Nov 1770, Selsingen, Hannover. Trine (daughter of Hinrich Hinck and Gesche) was born 12 Aug 1751, Rockstedt, Hannover; was christened 15 Aug 1751, Selsingen, Hannover; died 6 Jan 1813, Anderlingen, Hannover; was buried 9 Jan 1813, Selsingen, Hannover. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Rockstedt (Ostereistedt) is southeast of Selsingen.

Dreves married Catrine Meyer 20 Aug 1796, Selsingen, Hannover. Catrine (daughter of Carsten Meyer and Tibcke Mormann) was born 19 Jul 1776, Ohrel; was christened 21 Jul 1776, Selsingen, Hannover; died 11 Oct 1835, Anderlingen, Hannover; was buried 14 Oct 1835, Selsingen, Hannover. [Group Sheet]

Johann — Marie Hister. [Group Sheet]