Wilfred married Living [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):1889 City Directory: 139 E. Merrill St., machinist
1890 City Directory, 139 E. Merrill St., machinist

Worked at Diamond Chain Works. Diamond chain was used in the original Wright Flyer, the first flying machine.

1900 Census: 231 E. Merrill St., Indianapolis, IN
Rafert, Edward, born Dec 1868 in IN, married 6yrs, Machinist
Rafert, Lizzie, born Aug 1872 in IN, married 6yrs, 2 children, 2 living
Rafert, Edna, born Oct 1895 in IN, single
Rafert, Walter, born Sep 1897 in IN, single
Rafert, Emma (sister), born Oct 1864 in IN, single, Laundress
Rafert, Albert (brother), born Dec 1873 in IN, single, Dry Goods Clerk

1 Apr 1902
Christian Quack, administrator, yesterday deeded to Edward H. Rafert a property on Merrill street, near Alabama, for $2,500. (The Indianapolis journal, Volume 52, Number 91, 1 April 1902)

Edward married Elizabeth "Liz" Christina Marie Otto 7 Feb 1894, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. Elizabeth (daughter of Karl Friedrich Otto and Lizetta Menke) was born 23 Aug 1871, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN; died 20 Nov 1945, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN; was buried Nov 1945, Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):1920 living on 241 Merrill Street, per Sanborn maps this is same house and lot as 139 Merrill was in earlier years.

Notes:

Married:
Carl Otto was best man.

Notes:

Arrived in New York on 17 Sep 1852 aboard the ship "Espindola".

Carl worked for the Indianapolis, Peru and Chicago Railroad as a Checkman after arriving in Indianapolis. His family lived on Merrill Street between Delaware and Alabama.

He was holding his youngest son Albert when he suddenly passed the boy to his mother and then died.

(Research):Sponser was Carl Arning of Meinsen #26, his father's brother-in-law.

Confirmed in Meinsen in 1843

Arrived in New York on 17 Sep 1852 aboard the ship "Espindola".

1858-59 City Directory shows Charles Raefer, Laborer at 79 Merrill.

1860 Census: Ward 7
Raver, Charles, age 32 in Germany, Day laborer
Raver, Engel, age 26 in Germany
Raver, Balena, age 3 in IN
Raver, Charles, age 1 in IN

1868 City Directory: Charles Rafert, Checkman for I.P. & C.R.R., residing 139 Merrill.

1870 Census: Ward 7
Rafert, Chs., age 42 in Prussia, RR Clerk
Rafert, Engel, age 38 in Prussia
Rafert, Philapena, age 13 in IN
Rafert, Charles, age 12 in IN
Rafert, William, age 8 in IN
Rafert, Emma, age 6 in IN
Rafert, Edward, age 1 in IN

He was holding his youngest child Albert when suddenly he passed the child into his mother's arms and died.

(Medical):Church Death record (as translated): Karl Heinrich Roewer died February 12th 1875, 7:30 pm (half past seven in the evening) by apoplexy of the heart aged 46years, 2 months and 5 days and was buried February 15th 2:00 pm in the afternoon. He leaves behind a widow and 5 children ……….(are there more lines written? the word "aus" at the end seems to refer to e.g. 2 marriages)

Carl married Engel Sophie Möller 8 May 1856, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. Engel (daughter of Hans Heinr. Ernst Möller and Sophie Phil. Eleanore Heine) was born 12 Jan 1833, Meinsen, Schaumburg-Lippe; was christened 19 Jan 1833, Meinsen, Schaumburg-Lippe; died 1 Sep 1895, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN; was buried 3 Sep 1895, Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

2nd child, 1st daughter

An Engle Moller arrived in New Orleans 6 Nov 1857 aboard the ship "Industrie". Her brother C.F. Moeller was on the same ship. This person's age fits, however she was married in Indianapolis on 8 May 1856.

(Research):Sponser: Christine Sophie Aldag #7 in Meinsen

Confirmed: 1847 in Meinsen.

1880 Census: 139 East Merrill Street, Indianapolis, IN
Rafert, Engel, age 46 in Bueckeburg, Germany
Rafert, Phillipina, age 23 in IN, Dress Maker
Rafert, Carl, age 21 in IN, Stuhl Maker
Rafert, Wilhelm, age 18 in IN, works in Bank
Rafert, Emma, age 15 in IN, Dress Maker
Rafert, Eddie, age 11 in IN
Rafert, Albert, age 6 in IN

Notes:

May 12, 1874: Comes now Carl Otto and makes the proof required by law and takes an oath renouncing allegiance to any Foreign Prince, Potentate, or Power and to support the Constitution of the United States whereupon he is duly admitted to all the rights and privelages of American Citizenship and the Clerk this Court is ordered to grant him a certificate to that effect.

Passport Application: 13 May 1874:
Passport Issued: 15 May 1874
Carl Otto
Born: 27 Dec 1836 in the Kingdom of Hannover
A Naturalized Citizen of the United States
Age 37, 5 ft 8 1/2 inches tall
Forehead low, eyes blue, nose broad
Mouth large, chin bearded, hair light, complexion fair, face round

(Research):15 Jul 1856: Sailed from Bremen for America.

2 Oct 1856: Ship Weiland arrived from Bremen to New York, among passengers was Carl Otto, age 20, occupation Mason.

1860 Federal Census:

1870 Federal Census of Indiana
25 Jul 1870
Ward 8, Indianapolis
Otto, Charles, age 29, Brick Mason, $2000 real estate, $150 personal property, born Prussia
Otto, L., age 27, born Prussia
Otto, C., age 1, born Indiana

1870 Federal Census of Indiana (2nd Enum)
16 Feb 1870 (1870 preprinted on census, but is it really 1871?)
Otto, Charles, age 25, Brick Mason, $1400 real estate, $100 personal property, born Prussia
Otto, Leucetta, age 28, born Hanover
Otto, Charles, age 2, born Indiana
Rodowach, Henry, age 25, laborer, born Hanover
Hullmer, John, age 28, laborer, born Hanover

May 12, 1874: Comes now Carl Otto and makes the proof required by law and takes an oath renouncing allegiance to any Foreign Prince, Potentate, or Power and to support the Constitution of the United States whereupon he is duly admitted to all the rights and privelages of American Citizenship and the Clerk this Court is ordered to grant him a certificate to that effect.

Passport Application: 13 May 1874:
Passport Issued: 15 May 1874
Carl Otto
Born: 27 Dec 1836 in the Kingdom of Hannover
A Naturalized Citizen of the United States
Age 37, 5 ft 8 1/2 inches tall
Forehead low, eyes blue, nose broad
Mouth large, chin bearded, hair light, complexion fair, face round

1880 Federal Census, Indiana
52 Oriental Street, Indianapolis, IN
Otto, Charles, age 41, born Prussia, parents born Prussia Brick Mason
Otto, Elizth, age 37, born Hannover, father born Hannover, mother born Holland
Otto, Chas, age 12, son, born IN
Otto, Elizth. age 9, daughter, born IN
Otto, Millie, age 7, daughter, born IN
Otto, Emma, age 5, daughter, born IN
Otto, Willie, age 3, son, born IN
Rust, Henriette, age 70, aunt, born Holland, parents born Holland

1900 Federal Census, Indiana
38 S. Oriental, Indianapolis
Otto, Charles, born Dec 1835 in Germany, married 38 years, bricklayer, immigrated 1855, naturalized
Otto, Lizzeta, born Nov 1842 in Germany, married 38 years, 13 children, 9 living, immigrated 1850
Otto, William, son, born Feb 1875 in IN
Otto, Nora, daughter, born Jul 1880 in IN
Otto, Albert, son, born Mar 1884 in IN
Otto, Gertrude, daughter, born Oct 1887 in IN
Otto, Arthur, son, born Jul 1890 in IN
Bartels, Frank G., son-in-law, born Oct 1873 in IN
Bartels, Emilie, daughter, born Aug 1873 in IN

Karl married Lizetta Menke 23 Apr 1862, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. Lizetta (daughter of Menke and Mary Hagemeyer) was born 1 Nov 1842, Osnabrück; died 23 Apr 1905, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN; was buried , Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Per "Memories" by Alma Rafert Welp
Brought to America by her parents when she was an infant along with her older sister Elizabeth. Two years after coming to America her parents had a son Louis, born in Indianapolis. Within two years both parents were dead and Lizetta and Louis were raised by their Aunt Rust.

Three eldest children died young of Scarlet Fever.

Letter from Nora Otto Geisel to Alma Rafert Welp in 1974
"Lizetta Menke Otto was loveable and understanding. She had beautiful brown hair. It never turned gray. She died on Easter Sunday (Easter was April 23rd, 1905, need to recheck her death date). She often remarked 'God made each child a little different' On Sunday afternoon she would take her large prayer Book and go into the front room and read it."


(Research):Per "Memories" by Alma Rafert Welp
Brought to America by her parents when she was an infant along with her older sister Elizabeth. Two years after coming to America her parents had a son Louis, born in Indianapolis. Within two years both parents were dead and Lizetta and Louis were raised by their Aunt Rust.

Per 1900 Census she arrived in U.S. in 1850.

Mother and siblings appear in 1850 Census of Jackson County, IN.

1857: Lisa Menke was confirmed at St. John's Sauer's Lutheran Church, Jackson County, IN.

1860 Federal Census, Indianapolis, Ward 7
Lizzie Mikle, age 17, born in IN listed in household of C. S. Russell a RR conductor. Not sure if this is our Lizetta, but closest I've found and age and Ward of Indy look right.

Letter from Nora Otto Geisel to Alma Rafert Welp in 1974
"Lizetta Menke Otto was loveable and understanding. She had beautiful brown hair. It never turned gray. She died on Easter Sunday. She often remarked 'God made each child a little different' On Sunday afternoon she would take her large prayer Book and go into the front room and read it."

Notes:

sponser: Johann Friedrich Knipping of Warber

Lived at #29 Meinsen.

1847 was a famine year in the Buckeburg area.

Arrived in New York on 17 Sep 1852 aboard the ship "Espindola".

He and his wife lived on South Alabama, just north of Merrill Street.



(Research):1858-59 City Directory shows William Rofut, Laborer, at 153 E. Market.
1858-59 City Directory shows William Rhefert, Laborer at 242 Railroad Ave.

1868 City Directory: William Rafert, laborer, residing at 268 S. Alabama.

1870 Census:

1880 Census: 268 South Alabama, Indianapolis, IN
Ostermeyer, Prislia, age 41 in Prussia
Rafort, William (father), age 82 in Prussia

Death Notice appeared in the Indianapolis Tribune (German Language) on 16 Dec 1886.

Carl married Caroline Eleanore Hof 9 Oct 1823, Meinsen, Schaumburg-Lippe. Caroline (daughter of Joh. Töns Hof and Anna Margarethe Drinkuth) was born 5 Jan 1799, Röcke, Schaumburg-Lippe; was christened 9 Jan 1799, St. Cosmas & St. Damian Church, Petzen, Schaumburg-Lippe; died 4 May 1879, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN; was buried May 1879, Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Living at #1Röcke

(Research):Living at #1 Röcke
youngest daughter (living)

Per a recorded interview with Alma Rafert Welp in about 1994 she had a book that had belonged to Caroline Hof, she thought from maybe her confirmation. Alma seemd positive she'd given the book to James Russell, though she couldn't recall when she'd given it to him.

Arrived in New York on 17 Sep 1852 aboard the ship "Espindola".

Notes:

Married:
Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Röwer, Meinsen No. 29, 26 years old, married Caroline Eleonore Hof, Röcke No. 1, on 9 Dec 1823 at 12:00 Noon in the Meinsen Church in front of Pastor Rauschenbusch.

Notes:

#15 Meinsen

(Research):Sponser: Hans Heinrich Tegtmeier aus Warber

Death record states that he left his wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters

Hans married Sophie Phil. Eleanore Heine 8 Nov 1829, Evangelical Church, Meinsen, Shaumburg-Lippe. Sophie (daughter of Christian «u»Ludwig«-u» Heine and Sophie Charlotte Schröder) was born 17 Dec 1805, Meinsen, Schaumburg-Lippe; was christened Dec 1805, Meinsen, Schaumburg-Lippe; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

2nd child, 1st daughter

(Research):Meinsen 31

Joh. married Kath. «u»Maria«-u» Elsabeth Sophie Piel 2 Dec 1827, Evangelical Church, Dankersen, Westphalen. Kath. (daughter of Cord Heinrich Piel or Rosenbaum and Anna «u»Katherine«-u» Margarete Papen) was born 14 Apr 1803, Dankersen, Westfalen; was christened 18 Apr 1803, Evangelical Church, Dankersen, Westphalen; died 15 Feb 1875, Dankersen, Westfalen; was buried Feb 1875, Evangelical Church, Dankersen, Westphalen. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):Need to verify birth month, some records say September (9 vs 4 for April)

married Mary Hagemeyer Abt 1835. Mary (daughter of Hagemeyer) was born Abt 1813; died Aft 1850, Jackson County, IN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(Research):1850 Federal Census
Brownstown, Jackson County, IN
household 712, family 715
Manka, Mary, age 37, female, born Germany
Manka, Eliza, age 9, female, born Germany
Manka, Louis, age 5, male, born Germany
Manka, Mary, age 2, female, born Germany