Background
In a previous post, "John Willig's 90th Birthday Bash", I started to explore the relationship between 4 different Willig immigrants: John Willig, Wilhelmina (Willig) Steinhart, Johann Conrad Willig and Fred Willig. In another post, I documented the evidence for Johann Conrad Willig and Wilhelmina (Willig) Steinhart being brother and sister. In this post, I am going to explore the relationship between Johann Conrad Willig and Fred Willig, and by extension, Fred's son George. They are clearly related and I suspect that Fred is Johann's uncle.
In the past, I have referred to Dan's great-grandfather as Johann Conrad Willig because that is how he appears on the passenger list from Germany. In the United States, however, he was always known as John C. Willig, so that is how I will refer to him going forward.
In the past, I have referred to Dan's great-grandfather as Johann Conrad Willig because that is how he appears on the passenger list from Germany. In the United States, however, he was always known as John C. Willig, so that is how I will refer to him going forward.
Evidence to date for John C. Willig's relationship to George
At this time, there are no known DNA matches between Dan and a known relative of George. However, we have the following evidence for a connection:
- Three of John C. Willig's children attended the 90th birthday bash of John Willig. George Willig attended the birthday bash, together with his daughter and son-in-law.
- John C. Willig and George Willig both lived in Hegewisch, near the border of Illinois and Indiana.
- John C. Willig and George Willig both worked as machinists.
- John C. Willig and George Willig are both buried in Concordia Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana.
Life of George Willig in Chicago
Based on Chicago census data, George was born in Illinois, in about 1867, but both of his parents were born in Germany. One census, however, stated that he was born in Kansas.
The earliest record for George Willig in the Chicago area is his marriage to Caroline Moeller, on June 3, 1894, in Hegewisch, Cook County, Illinois. At the time, George was 27 years old and Caroline was 20 years old. (Hegewisch is immediately west of Hammond, Indiana.)
The earliest record for George Willig in the Chicago area is his marriage to Caroline Moeller, on June 3, 1894, in Hegewisch, Cook County, Illinois. At the time, George was 27 years old and Caroline was 20 years old. (Hegewisch is immediately west of Hammond, Indiana.)
At the time of the 1900 census, taken June 8th, George Willig was residing at 13236 Houston Avenue in Hyde Park town, in Illinois. (Hyde Park was a later name for Hegewisch.) He was living there with his wife Lena and his 4-year old daughter Mamie. They were living with, and renting from, William and Catherine Moeller and their children William and Christina. They were Caroline's parents and some of her siblings! (Caroline's parents were both born in Hessen, Germany.) George and Lena had been married for 6 years and the census taker reported that they had only had one child. At this time, George worked as a machinist.
Ancestry.com; 1900 U. S. Census; Chicago Ward 33; Page 11A; George Willig.
NOTE: In the 1900 census, John C. Willig was living at 13156 Houston Avenue,
less than a block away from George Willig. John C. was working as a machinist
foreman in the Pressed Steel Car company.
less than a block away from George Willig. John C. was working as a machinist
foreman in the Pressed Steel Car company.
At the time of the 1910 census, taken May 9th, George and his family were living at the same address, but they now had an additional child, Annie, who was 5 years old. Mamie was 14 years old and attending school. George was working as a machinist in a shop. The Moeller family had been replaced by the Philo family, which does not appear to be related. Both the Willig and Philo families were renting.
NOTE: In the 1910 census, John C. Willig had moved to 189 Sheffield Avenue
(4433 Sheffield today) in Hammond, Indiana, which is where he lived until his
death. This is still only 2.5 miles from where George lived! John C. worked
as a foreman in a machine shop and had been out of work for 26 weeks during 1909.
In the 1917 City Directory for Hammond, Indiana, and West Hammond, Illinois, George and Caroline Willig are listed as residing in Hegewisch, Illinois. George is listed as a machinist for Hammond Brass Works.
NOTE: John C. Willig was working as a foreman. John C. Willig and his
children were the only other Willigs listed in the directory, with the exception
of Christina Willig, widow of George, who resided at 318 Sibley. At this time,
the identity of this Christina and George Willig is unknown.
(There is also a B. Willick, who could potentially be related.)
children were the only other Willigs listed in the directory, with the exception
of Christina Willig, widow of George, who resided at 318 Sibley. At this time,
the identity of this Christina and George Willig is unknown.
(There is also a B. Willick, who could potentially be related.)
At the time of the 1920 census, taken February 3rd, George Willig was living with his wife and 2 daughters at 13224 Brandon Avenue. There was a second family at the same address, Charles and Anna Luceberg, but they do not appear to be related. Charles, however, was working as a machinist at a steel plant. George was working as a machinist at a car factory and owned his home free of a mortgage. Mamie (23) was not working, but the younger Anna (15) was attending school.
NOTE: John C. Willig was working as a foreman at a car shop, possibly the same
car factory at which George was working. John was living at his Sheffield address.
car factory at which George was working. John was living at his Sheffield address.
At the time of the 1930 census, taken April 17th, George Willig was living with his wife Carolina at the same address. George owned his home, valued at $6,000 and was renting to a second family. George was 63 years old and appeared to have retired. On August 16, 1931, George attended the 90th birthday party of John Willig with his daughter Ann and her husband.
he appears to have retired in 1931. He was still living at his Sheffield address.
At the time of the 1940 census, I have not been able to find George or his wife or his 2 daughters!
In 1950, George's wife Caroline died and was buried in Concordia Cemetery, in Hammond, Indiana. On April 3 or 4, 1961, George Willig died in Chicago and was also buried in Concordia Cemetery.
NOTE: John C. Willig was also buried in Concordia Cemetery. John C. had been
the founder and director of the Concordia Cemetery association!
Connecting George Willig to his birth family!
Newspapers.com, The Times (Hammond, Indiana), 5 Apr 1961, image 19, page B-3, column 2.
This obituary, by naming two of his siblings (Fred Willig and Mrs. Mayme Ellis), connects George to his birth family, who were never located in Chicago! If George lived in the Chicago area for 66 years, he must have come to Chicago in 1895.
Since there is no 1890 census, the easiest way to locate George Willig before his arrival in Chicago is to check the 1880 census. There is a George Willig, age 13, born in Illinois, living in Paradise Township, Russell County, Kansas in 1880. He is living with his parents, Fred and Elizabeth H., and siblings Lena (11) and John (10). Both parents were born in Prussia and both siblings were born in Illinois. Fred is working as a farmer... This George matches on age and birthplace, but we do not see the siblings named in his obituary!
Moving back, I have not been able to find an 1870 census for either George or his possible father Fred.
Moving forward, I found a Fred Willig living in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1900. He is living with his wife Elizabeth, daughter Mary (19) and son Fred (17). So this would be the brother, Fred Willig, from Kansas City, Kansas, named in George's obituary! And Mayme is a nickname for Mary! In the 1905 Kansas census, in Kansas City, Kansas, Fred and Elizabeth Willig are living with daughter Mrs. Maime Dunall (23) and Fred Willig Jr. (21). So this must be the sister Mayme mentioned in George's obituary! In 1910, Mary Ewing, widowed, is living with her widowed mother Elizabeth Willig! In 1915, Mayme Ewing married Charles Ellis, and by 1930, they were living in Denver!
So at this point, we have determined that George's parents were Fred and Elizabeth, and his siblings were Lena, John, Mayme and Fred! We also know that he lived in Russell County, Kansas, as a boy.
Life of George Willig before Chicago
George Willig was born on March 30, 1867, in Joliet, Illinois, the first child of Fred and Elizabeth Willig. Fred and Elizabeth married in about June 1866.
Sometime between 1877 and 1880, the family moved to Kansas. In 1880, George (13) was living in Paradise Township, Russell County, Kansas, with his parents, Fred and Elizabeth H., and siblings Lena (11) and John (10).
I have not been able to locate George Willig between 1880 and 1895. Initially, I thought the George Willig listed in the 1888 and 1889 Joliet city directory was this George, but it is far more persuasive that it was in fact George David Willig, a likely relative of this George.
In the 1895 Kansas census, taken on March 1, Geo Willig (28) is listed as living in Kansas City, Kansas, with father Fred, mother Lizzie, sister Lena (26), brother John (24), sister Mamie (15) and brother Fred (12). The 3 oldest children are listed as born in Illinois and the youngest 2 are listed as born in Kansas.
Ancestry.com; 1895 KS census; Wyandotte County, Kansas City Ward 3; Page 79; Dwelling 512.
This census entry is confusing because George married his wife Caroline in Hegewisch, Illinois, on June 3, 1894. But it is consistent with the obituary's report of 66 years in the Chicago area. Had he gone home for a short visit?
In the 1895 Kansas census, taken on March 1, Geo Willig (28) is listed as living in Kansas City, Kansas, with father Fred, mother Lizzie, sister Lena (26), brother John (24), sister Mamie (15) and brother Fred (12). The 3 oldest children are listed as born in Illinois and the youngest 2 are listed as born in Kansas.
This census entry is confusing because George married his wife Caroline in Hegewisch, Illinois, on June 3, 1894. But it is consistent with the obituary's report of 66 years in the Chicago area. Had he gone home for a short visit?
Life of Fred Willig, Immigrant, father of George
Fred (aka Friedrich, aka Frederick) Willig was born October 27, 1844, in Germany. One source states that he was born in Bremen, but this is probably confused with his departure port! He departed from Bremen, Germany, and arrived in New York City on the bark, 'Columbus' on September 12, 1862. He was 21 years old, born in Hessen, worked as a carpenter and listed his destination as Chicago. Also listed is a Marie Willich, age 24, born in Hessen and destined for Chicago. Even though the last name is spelled differently, I wonder if this might be Fred's sister!
Ancestry.com; New York, passenger Lists, 1820-1957; Fried. Willig.
Frederick Willig, resident of Chicago, at age 21, entered service in the Civil War on February 29, 1864, in Chicago, for a period of 3 years. He joined up with the 51st Illinois Infantry, Company G, as a private. He was mustered in on March 20, 1864, in Chicago and mustered out on September 25, 1865, in Camp Irwin, Texas, with an honorable discharge. Fred was listed as a carpenter, 5'8", with dark hair, hazel eyes and fair complexion.
| Name: | Frederick Willig |
|---|---|
| Rank: | Private |
| Company: | G |
| Unit: | 51st Illinois Infantry |
| Height: | 5' 8 |
| Hair: | DARK |
| Eyes: | HAZEL |
| Complexion: | FAIR |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Birth Date: | Abt 1843 |
| Birth Place: | Germany |
| War: | Civil War |
| War Years: | 1861-1865 |
| Service Entry Age: | 21 |
| Service Entry Date: | 29 Feb 1864 |
| Service Entry Place: | Chicago, IL |
| Joined By Whom: | CPT BROWN |
| Period: | 3 YRS |
| Muster In Date: | 20 Mar 1864 |
| Muster In Place: | Chicago, IL |
| Muster Out Date: | 25 Sep 1865 |
| Muster Out Place: | Camp Irwin, TX |
| Muster Out By Whom: | CPT WILSON |
| Residence Place: | Chicago, Cook CO, IL |
| Record Source: | Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls |
Ancestry.com; Illinois, Databases of Illinois Veterans Index, 1775-1995; Frederick Willig.
In about June 1866, he married Elizabeth H. Their first 3 children were born in Joliet, Illinois. George was born in 1867, Lena in 1868 and John in 1871. On November 2, 1872, Frederick Willig was naturalized in the county court in Joliet. From 1872-1877, Fred Willig was residing at 8 Gardner Street in Joliet, and working as a carpenter. In 1877, he was listed as a builder and general contractor, as well as a carpenter.
In the late 1870's, he moved to Russell County, Kansas, where he worked as a farmer, fighting the grasshoppers and the hot winds. In October, 1879, Frederick did apply for a Civil War pension as an invalid. According to the 1880 census, Fred and his family were living in Paradise Township. Fred owned 60 acres of tilled land and 260 acres of unimproved land. The farm was valued at $400, farming implements at $250, livestock at $150 and farm products at $50. Fred had 20 acres of mowed grassland and harvested 20 tons of hay in 1879. Fred owned 3 horses. As noted earlier, family members were Fred (34), Elizabeth H. (33), George (13), Lena (11) and John (10). Fred and Elizabeth were listed as born in Prussia and all 3 children were born in Illinois. In 1883, he is listed on the muster roll of the Grand Army of the Republic Larrabee Post, No. 164, located at Russell, Kansas. Cause of discharge is listed as 'S. O .No 1', which may indicate Standing Order #1.
In 1890, he moved to Kansas City, Kansas. In the 1895 Kansas census, taken on March 1, Fred Willig (52) was living with his wife Lizzie (48), son Geo (28), daughter Lena (26), John (24), Mamie (15) and Fred (12). The oldest 3 children were born in Illinois and the youngest 2 children were born in Kansas. We later learn that they had a sixth child that died. By 1894, Fred was working as a grocer at North Thirteenth Street. A January 1896 newspaper article reported that "Bill" Johnson forged a check to Fred Willig. When Bill was jailed based on those charges, his brother, U. S. Johnson, tried to persuade Fred to drop the charges and threatened to cause Fred's arrest by claiming he had sold liquor. As a result, Fred was arrested, charged with selling beer and whiskey without a government license and tried in the federal court at Leavenworth. It was written up in the paper as a case of vindictiveness and abuse of official power. Fred was eventually acquitted.
In 1899, Fred accused a man named Sheldon of stealing from him. Sheldon knocked Fred down and kicked him until he was unconscious, breaking his nose and jaw. (Sheldon was arrested.) In the 1900 census, Fred Willig is living at 2074 N. 13th Street with his wife Elizabeth and his youngest 2 children, Mary and Fred. He owns his home with a mortgage. Fred is working as a coal and feed merchant and 17-year old Fred is working as a teamster. (It appears that his store changed from a grocery store to a coal and feed store, based on either his troubles with the malicious prosecution or the beating!) In 1901, a 2-story building owned by Fred Willig on Thirteenth Street, but occupied by another family, was destroyed by fire. The building was valued at $700 and insured.The fire had started in an adjoining building.
In 1905, the same 4 persons are in the household, but Mayme is now listed as Mrs. Maime Dunall. Evidently, she has since married, but is not living with her husband. Fred Willig, Jr., is working as a machinist.
In the November 1906 county auditor report for Wyandotte County, Fred Willig of precinct 12 is paid $3.50 for services as judge and messenger.
In 1907, Fred wrote an article in the Kansas City Kansas Globe, urging municipal ownership of the water plant, rather than allowing it to continue to be run by a private company. Fred believed that the water franchise was unnecessarily expensive and did not serve the public good.
Fred served as a claim agent for the city of Kansas City, Kansas. Presumably, this meant that he investigated claims for damages. Another source states that he was a City Purchasing Manager for KCK, but I don't know the basis for this statement... During his life he also belonged to Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization and secret society involved in philanthropy. He also belonged to Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal organization that provided low-cost insurance to its members.
Fred served as a claim agent for the city of Kansas City, Kansas. Presumably, this meant that he investigated claims for damages. Another source states that he was a City Purchasing Manager for KCK, but I don't know the basis for this statement... During his life he also belonged to Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization and secret society involved in philanthropy. He also belonged to Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal organization that provided low-cost insurance to its members.
Fred Willig died on September 28, 1909, after an illness of more than a year. At the time, he resided at 2032 N. 13th Street. He was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Buried on the same plot are wife Elizabeth, son John, daughter Mayme Willig Ellis, son Fred and daughter-in-law Eva. About a month later, his wife Elizabeth filed for a Civil War pension based on her status as a widow of a Civil War veteran.
www.newspapers.com, The Gazette Globe (Kansas City, KS), 28 Sep 1909, Page 1, Column 5.
www.findagrave.com, Memorial # 98448891, 'KsCityKim',
Fred Willig, brother of George
In the course of researching George Willig and his father Fred, I discovered that George's brother, Fred Willig, was also a machinist. So I wanted to find out a bit more about his life.Fred William Willig Senior was born September 14, 1884, in Russell, Kansas, the youngest child of Fred and Elizabeth Willig. His siblings were George, Lena, John and Mayme. In 1890, his family moved to Kansas City, Kansas. Fred attended 8 grades of school, and by at least age 15, he was working as a teamster.
On May 16, 1905, Fred Willig married Maud Cunningham Mainor in Leavenworth County, Kansas. By September 1914, Fred Willig had filed for divorce against Maud. He claimed that she would stay away from home for days at a time and would not say where she had been. She would not keep house or cook meals and finally abandoned him. There do not appear to be any children from this marriage. During this time Fred was working as a machinist for the State Manufacturing Company and rented a home at 1330 Lafayette Avenue. In March 1911, Fred and Maud returned home to find their front door and rear door ajar and the lower floor filled with smoke. An investigation showed that kerosene had been poured in many places and set alight. Although considerable damage was done, the house was not totally ruined.
By 1917-1918, Fred had married his second wife, Eva Valerie Smith, in Parsons, Kansas. While living in Parsons, Fred worked as a machinist for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. In April 1917, he entered the company hospital in Sedalia, Missouri, for reasons unknown. On April 5, 1921, their only child, Frederick William Willig, Jr. (aka Bill) was born in Parsons.
By 1923, Fred had returned to Kansas City, Kansas, where he owned his home at 1304 Stewart Avenue.The home was valued at $1,400 in 1930 and $2,000 in 1940. He worked as a machinist for West Side Machine Works at 3rd and Minnesota. In 1940, Fred was earning wages of $2100 per year, which was quite high. In addition, he claimed to have income from non-wage sources. At this time, his 19-year old son "Bill" worked as a machinist helper.
When he registered for the World War I draft, he was described as medium height, slender build, brown hair and gray eyes. In the World War II draft, he was described as 5' 9", 150 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes and ruddy complexion. At the time of the WW II registration, he listed his sister Lena, rather than his wife Eva, as the person who would always know his address.
In 1956, Fred retired, having been a 50-year member of the International Association of Machinists, Local #92. In 1960, he lived at 1321 Rowland Avenue. On May 19, 1970, his wife Eva died. On May 2, 1972, Fred died in Kansas City, Missouri, even though his last residence was at Kansas City, Kansas. Both are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas.
Fred "Bill" Willig, nephew of George
"Bill" Willig continued the tradition of Willigs working as machinists!Bill served his apprenticeship and became a journeyman machinist at West Side Machine Works, where his father had worked. He then worked 33 years for the Board of Public Utilities, both as a Power Plant operator and Instrument Maintenance Foreman. He eventually retired as Maintenance Supervisor at Nearman Power Station.
Prior to his career as a machinist, Bill served in the U. S. Navy. He worked at the Olathe Naval Air Station as an Aviation mechanic and then transferred to Ordinance. He served in the Pacific on the Escort Aircraft Carrier Rudyerd Bay, CVE-81. The ship earned five battle stars and Bill was promoted to Chief Petty Officer aboard ship.
It's a Small World!
By doing some general research, I discovered that Fred "Bill" Willig, referenced above, had a son "DD".Many years ago, "DD" Willig and my husband Dan (great-grandson of John C. Willig) were both working at Sprint in Kansas City. "DD" saw Dan in the company directory and called him. At the time, it was not clear whether or not they were related. Now, it appears that they are likely third cousins once removed!
Summary
The evidence is extremely compelling that John C. Willig and George Willig are related.
- Three of John C. Willig's children attended the 90th birthday bash of John Willig. George Willig attended the birthday bash, together with his daughter and son-in-law.
- John C. Willig and George Willig both lived in Hegewisch, near the border of Illinois and Indiana. At one point, they lived a block apart. Later, they lived about 2.5 miles apart.
- John C. Willig and George Willig both worked as machinists.
- John C. Willig and George Willig are both buried in Concordia Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana.
- John C. Willig was born in Kassel, Hessen, Germany. George Willig's father came from Hessen.
- John C. Willig lived in the Chicago area after he came to the United States. George Willig's father came to Chicago when he immigrated in 1862 and was a resident of Chicago when he entered Civil War service in 1864.
Clearly, John C. and George are not brothers because John C.'s father is Carl and George's father is Fred. My current best guess is that they are first cousins, or possibly second cousins.
Additional research on other Willig immigrants, and possibly research in the records of Hessen, Germany, will be needed to confirm the exact relationship.
In addition, in the course of doing research, I discovered a living great-nephew of George Willig who lives in the same city that we do!
Sources
- Ancestry, www.ancestry.com.
- Find A Grave, www.findagrave.com.
- newspapers.com.
- Family Search, www.familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9N-TPN5)
- porterfuneralhome.com
- Photobucket, http://photobucket.com/images/machinist%20tools, Tunadude13.
