Fourth Generation

10. William Wedekemper was born on 9 Apr 1841 in Hanover, Germany.^19,50,51 His birth date could have been Apr 11. He immigrated in Jun 1864 to Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri.¹⁹ He was naturalized on 18 Mar 1876 in Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri.⁵¹ Applied 5 March 1867. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.^16,19,43 He died on 6 Mar 1921 in East Fork Township, Clinton County, Illinois.^19,33 He died at the home of his son, Ben. He was buried on 8 Mar 1921 in Nichols Cemetery, Clinton County, Illinois.^19,52 William's mother died when he was only 4. His family broke up and he was taken in to the home of an unknown farmer (in Germany.) He attended school until he was 14 and he continued on with the family that had raised him until he was 16. At 16 he hired out to work for farmers receiving room and board and $25 per year. In 1864 he came to the U.S. He arrived in St Louis, MO in June of 1864 with $9. He worked at many different occupations until he came to Clinton County, IL and bought 160 acres.

It appears that William spelled his name a little differently over time. Vivian Deadmond Heinzmann's original family tree listed William's last name as "Wedekamper". I was informed by Dorothy Quick Wedekemper that the family currently spells it's last name "Wedekemper". That is the form of the name I have adopted for these records. A photocopy of William's intentions to become a citizen of the United States dated 05-Mar-1867 in the St Louis Circuit Court, St Louis County, MO shows his name as filled in by the court clerk, "William Wedekämper". The same document has William's signature as "Wilhelm Wedekämper". Nine years later, William's naturalization paper dated 18-Mar-1876 in the St Louis Court of Criminal Corrections, St Louis County, MO, lists his name as "William Wedekaemper". "ae" is used today to replace"ä".

The "Portrait and Biographical Record" notes William was a Republican until Cleveland was first elected. He then changed to Democrat.

The following article is copied from Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago: 1894, p. 546.

WILLIAM WEDEKAMPER, one of Clinton County's progressive German residents, and the owner of a farm situated on section 5, Meridian Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, in March, 1841. He was the second in order of birth of three children comprising the family of Peter Wedekamper, a native of the same place as that in which the eyes of our subject first opened to the light. The father was a man of small means and for some years carried on farming operations as a renter. His married life was of short duration, his wife dying when our subject was only four years old. She left beside her husband their three little children, Henry, William and Frank. After her decease the family was broken up and never again reunited. Frank, the youngest son, still resides in the Old Country, while Henry crossed the Atlantic many years ago, and locating in St. Louis, was engaged in the lumber business in that city until his demise, about 1891.

After the death of his mother, William Wedekamper was taken into the home of strangers and was reared to manhood upon a farm. He was given excellent educational advantages, gaining in the schoolroom the practical knowledge which was of assistance to him in starting out for himself. At the age of fourteen his school days ended, but for two years afterward he continued to make his home with the people who had be friended him in his childhood. At the age of sixteen he hired out to work for farmers, receiving in return for his labor, his board, laundry and $25 per year. With this condition of things, however, he was not satisfied, and hearing of the excellent opportunities offered by the New World to the poor but energetic and persevering settlers, he determined to come hither.

Accordingly in 1864 Mr. Wedekamper took passage upon a vessel bound for the United States and after an uneventful voyage landed upon American soil. In June of that year, he reached St. Louis with $9, which was his entire capital. At once he sought for and secured a position and for some time worked at any occupation that offered him an honest living. Seventeen years ago, in 1877, he came to Clinton County and bought one hundred and sixty acres where he now lives, on section 5, Meridian Township. To this he has since added an eighty-acre tract, and has placed the property in a high state of cultivation, erecting a substantial set of buildings and increasing the fertility of the soil by proper methods of fertilization and rotation of crops.

One year after coming to America, in 1865, in the city of St. Louis, Mr. Wedekamper was united in marriage with Miss Wilhelmine, daughter of Katie (Rocklage) Flottmann. Mrs. Wedekamper, who was born in Germany, was orphaned by her father's death when a child, and emigrated to the United States in 1864. She has had eleven children, two of whom died in childhood. The others are as follows: Fred, who married Wena Cook; Louisa, the wife of Clemenz Heinzmann; Carrie, who married Frank Stein; William, who chose as his wife Miss Clara Krone; Anna, Kate, Henry, Bernhard and Wena. In religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Wedekamper are identified with the Lutheran Church, the faith of their forefathers for many generations. In political affiliations he is a Democrat and gives that party his loyal support. Formerly he was a Republican, but changed his views when Cleveland was first elected. While not solicitous for office he has been chosen to fill a number of important local positions, and is now serving as Road Commissioner and School Director.
William Wedekemper and Wilhelmine (Minnie) Flottman were married in 1865 in Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri. William and Wilhelmine came to Clinton county, IL in 1877 and bought 160 acres. They had 11 children but 2 died in childhood.

The family was Lutheran.
They appeared in the census in 1910 in East Fork Township, Clinton County, Illinois.²⁶ This census also lists a 16 year old grandaughter name Louise born about 1894.

11. Wilhelmine (Minnie) Flottman was born on 21 Oct 1842 in Hanover, Germany.¹⁹ She appeared in the census in 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.^16,19 She died on 23 Oct 1916.^19,52,53 She was buried in Nichols Cemetery, Clinton County, Illinois.⁵² Wilhelmine was orphaned by her father's death when she was a child. Her last name could have been Fluttmann. Children were:

	i.	??? Wedekemper died before 1894.54 ??? Wedekemper was born in Missouri.
	ii.	Fred Wedekemper was born on 21 Nov 1866 in Clinton County, Illinois. He appeared in the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.16 He died on 23 Sep 1895. His tombstone says Nov. 21, 1864 - Sept. 23, 1908. Place of birth could be St. Louis, MO. He was buried in Nichols Cemetery, Clinton County, Illinois.52
	iii.	William Henry Wedekemper Jr33 was born on 2 Jun 1868 in Missouri.19,24 His daughter, Bertha's 1930 census entry lists his birth as in Illinois. He appeared in the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.16 He died from suicide by hanging on 16 Feb 1927 in Carlyle, Clinton County, Illinois.33 He was buried in Nichols Cemetery, Clinton County, Illinois.52
5	iv.	Louisa (Christina Louisa) Wedekemper.
	v.	(Caroline) Catherine "Carrie" Wedekemper was born on 31 Oct 1872 in Missouri.19,46,55 The 1900 census shows her birth year as 1873 and her birth place as Illinois. She appeared in the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.16 She died on 14 Sep 1949.55 She was buried on 16 Sep 1949 in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Centralia, Marion County, Illinois.55,56 Michael Wedekemper's chart spells her first name as Caraline. 1880 census on page 49 of Orrell's book lists Catherine.
	vi.	Anna W C Wedekemper was born on 15 Jan 1875 in Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri.57,58 Obituary lists her birth date as 3 Jan 1875. She appeared in the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.16 She lived near Shattuc in Clinton County, Illinois.58 She died on 7 Dec 1908 in Shattuc, Clinton County, Illinois.57,58 Carlyle Union Banner Friday, Dec 11 1908 The death of Mrs. Frank Kurth, residing near Shattuc, occurred at her home Monday, December 7. she was a daughter of Mr and Mrs. William Wedekemper, who have long been residents of Meridian township. Annie Wedekemper was born January3, 1875, near Shattuc, and has make her home in that vicinity every since. She was united in marriage in 1896, to Frank Kurth and to them were born four childre, three of whom are living. she is also survived, by her husband, father, mother, three brothers, Will, Ben and Henry, four sisters, Mrs. Carrie Stein, mrs. Luoisa Heinzmann, Mrs. Kate Roettemeyer and Miss Lena, the latter being single. The funeral took place Wednesday, December 9, from the Evangelical church at East Fork Rev. Juchhoff of Carlyle haveing chare of the care monies. Our sympathy is extended to the bereaved. Dec 18, 1908 Carlyle Union Banner Card of Thanks The undersigned wishes to thank all for their kindness and assistance during his recent and bereavement: also the members of the Ladies Aid Society of the Evangelical church of East Fork. FRANK KURTH She was buried on 9 Dec 1908 in Nichols Cemetery, Clinton County, Illinois.52,58
	vii.	Kate (Katie) Wedekemper was born about 1877 in Missouri.19 She appeared in the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois. She died in 1945.
	viii.	Henry William Wedekemper21,59,60,61 was born on 28 Oct 1879 in Highland, Madison County, Illinois.19,59 He appeared in the census on 1 Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.16 He died on 21 Nov 1959.21,59 He was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Centralia, Marion County, Illinois.19,59 He was Blacksmith.21,62
	ix.	Bernhard W "Ben" Wedekemper54 was born on 24 Nov 1881 in Clinton County, Illinois.15 He appeared in the census in 1910 in East Fork Township, Clinton County, Illinois.26 He owned Sec 33 - 80a about 1920 in East Fork Township, Clinton County, Illinois.15 He died in 1957. He was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Centralia, Marion County, Illinois.19 Carl F. Heinzmann remembers when Uncle Ben was filling a Fordson tractor at night by lantern so he could start farming early in the morning. Something happened that caused a fire that burnt down the barn. This would have been in the early 1940's.
	x.	Alvena S (Lena) Wedekemper58 was born on 9 Feb 1884 in ?, Illinois.63 She died on 14 May 1964. She was buried in Nichols Cemetery, Clinton County, Illinois.52
	xi.	Sophia Wedekemper was born in 1885. She died in 1891. She was buried in Carlyle, Clinton County, Illinois.