Genealogy Report - Frances Louise Hagen

Generation Three

GRANDPARENTS OF FRANCES LOUISE BERLIN

FREDERICK BERLIN AND DORA ERUESTIUR

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4. Frederick³ Berlin;

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5. Dora³ Eruestiur;

 

Frederick and Dora in Prussia.

There is a family story that my mother, Frances Louise Berlin told about her grandparents, Frederick and Dora Berlin. This story has been reinforced by cousins in the Albert (Joe) Berlin family.

"Frederick and Dora Berlin lived in Berlin, Germany. Their name was not Berlin in those days. Frederick and Dora ran a gasthaus (eating and drinking establishment). One night a man came in and attempted to rob them. Dora was just coming down stairs and saw him. She ran upstairs, got a gun and shot him. (I don't know whether he was just wounded or killed.) Because of the turmoil in Prussia at that time Frederick and Dora were afraid of what would happen to them so they came to America. They sailed to America with their son, Herman, who had just been born."

I have been unable to find anyway to prove or disprove the above story. It was common knowledge within the Berlin family and there is some circumstantial evidence as to how this story could have happened. Actually during this time period, Berlin was situated in Prussia and during this time there was great turmoil going on throughout Europe.

In 1848 there were a series of revolutions throughout Europe. The general causes of these revolutions were the economic depression and crop failures of the preceding three years coupled with the political frustration felt by liberal middle-class and nationalistic groups. The revolutions started in Paris and spread to Austria, Italy, Hungary and many others countries. An article off the Internet speaks of the bloody confrontations in Berlin from March 15 to March 21 of 1849. From this the Prussian King Frederick William IV was forced to summon a constitutional assembly and to concede some of the power to the revolutionaries. The liberal middle-class and the nationalistic groups were unable to hold their advantage. By 1852 the king dissolved the constituent assembly and imposed his own constitution, which favored the wealthy classes. He did, however, give Prussia a measure of parliamentary government. Despite the few lasting gains, the uprising between 1848 and 1852 resulted in severe defeats for liberal nationalists seeking democratic reform.

The above article describes the problems involving Prussia and the rest of Europe at the time that the story was taking place. Being an owner of a business establishment may well have placed Frederick and his family within the class of persons that had been opposing the king. They were probably very much afraid as to what would happen if this incident was reported. I have always felt the story was just a little embellished as to the part about "she ran upstairs, got a gun, and shot him." It sounds better to me if it reads "she ran upstairs, got a gun, and fired at him and he ran away." If she had killed him or even wounded him it would have certainly been reported. I can not believe that she shot the man, threw down the gun, and then they grabbed their kids and headed for the border. It must have taken some time to prepare and work out a plan.

The story also says they changed their name, "their name was not Berlin in those days". Mother did not remember whether she actually knew what there name was before Berlin. She thought it might be Kunterd or Dietrick. Kathy Berlin suggested the name Studt or Stutz.

In the above family story, Mother states that "They sailed to America with their son, Herman, who had just been born." Mother and Kathy Berlin both stated that Louisa was born after they arrived in America. Later information will indicate that Louisa was at least a year older than Herman and, therefore, must have been born in Prussia.

I researched the manifests of ships that could have brought Frederick and his family to America, I looked at ships leaving Hamburg in 1852. I found a ship named "Java", captained by Capt. Christianson. It sailed from Hamburg (date unknown) for New York with an arrival date of 29 April, 1852. The passenger list contained names of only head of households. Berlin, Friedricke is listed. It states that he is a laborer born in Schonstadt, Mecklenburg. Mecklenburg was a province that adjoined Prussia on the North in the time period of which we are speaking. Could this be the ship that the Berlin family sailed on to come to America? It does not fit the calendar dates as indicated in later information. I contacted German genealogists to find where the town of Schonstadt, Mecklenburg was located. One of them reported to me that he did a search and there has never been a location called "Schonstadt" in Mecklenburg Province.. If this is the correct "Berlin", then they must have changed there name prior to leaving Prussia. That seems reasonable. Did Frederick not only change their name but also pick the name of a fictitious town as his birthplace? That also seems reasonable, especially, if he was afraid of being questioned. When I asked if a search of the Berlin city census for the three names mentioned above could be accomplished, the genealogists told me that there was not enough data to perform a reasonable search and it would be very expensive.

I have no confirmation that the Frederick Berlin indicated on the manifest of the vessel "Java" is actually the grandparent of my mother. I do know that at some point in time and for whatever reason, Frederick and Dora left Prussia with their two children and emigrated to America. Further research needs to be conducted to determine, when, how and why.

The Frederick Berlin Family in America.

The obituary of Frederick Berlin states and I paraphrase, "He was born in 1820 and came to this country in 1852 when he was 35 years old." It also states, "He resided in New York a few years. Then he moved to Virginia for 10 years and then he went to Stillwater for a short stay." The obituary for Herman Berlin, states that he, Herman, was "born in Germany, June 9, 1852, coming to the United States when he was only 6 weeks old."

The first official document in which I found the Frederick Berlin family was the 1860 Federal Census for the city of Stillwater, Washington County, MN, and, there are some discrepancies between the information given in Frederick Berlin's and his son's obituaries and the information given in 1860 to the census taker.". On the 1860 Federal Census for Stillwater, Washington County, MN, it gives the age of Frederick as being 40 years old and Herman as being 10 years old. Somewhere, something is wrong. If Frederick was 35 when he came to America he could not have been born in 1820 and then come to this country in 1852. If he came to America in 1852 he could not have lived in New York a few years, in Virginia for 10 years and then be on the 1860 Federal Census in Stillwater, MN. Also Herman is listed on the census as being 10 years old. Herman could not have been born in 1852, if was 10 years old in 1860 and came to this country with his parents when he was six weeks old. This brings out the fact that information contained in Federal Census and in obituaries are not always correct and further research must be accomplished to determine the facts. At the present time I do not know the facts.

Frederick & Dora Berlin with unknown child. This picture may have been taken in Prussia or after they came to America. It is not known whether the baby is Louisa, Herman, or ?.

Some other things about the 1860 census form. Notice that Dora (if that is her true first name), gives her first name as Elizabeth to the census taker. Is this a middle name? Louisa is 11 years old, 1 year older than Herman. When I was growing up the story that mother told me was that Louisa was born in this country. This was also the understanding of other cousins within the Berlin family. The census form shows that both Louisa and Herman were born in Prussia. Column 6 of the form indicates that Frederick was a laborer. It doesn't show except as ditto marks from where it was written on a previous page. The value of real estate owned by the family is $300 and the amount of their personal estate is $50.

The family probably moved from Stillwater about 1864. I researched the 1865 State Census for Stillwater and could not find the Berlin family. Information from Kathy Berlin which she acquired from her Grandmother Carrie's scrapbook and a family story from my mother indicates that Louisa died in Stillwater at the age of 14. This information will be given under personal information about Louisa later on in this article. They moved to Eau Claire County and acquired land approximately ½ mile south of Ludington. The township was called Bridge Creek. It was not until 1874 that Bridge Creek and Lincoln Townships were divided to form Ludington Township. It is not known whether they purchased their first farm or whether it was a land grant but there apparently were no buildings on the property. Frederick and his son Herman built a shed lean to and a log cabin barn on the land. The land is still there today, now owned by Milton (Choppy) Berlin, son of Albert (Joe) Berlin. There have been 3 houses built since the first one was constructed.

Frederick and his family are listed in the 1870 Federal Census as Henry Bearbin, the Henry has a line drawn through it and Frederick is written above it. He gives his age as 50, his occupation is farmer with real estate equal to $600 and a personal estate of $150. They are doing better, increasing their income and standard of living by more than 100% in 10 years. Dora is listed as "keeping house", they apparently did not use the term "wife" in those days. She gives her age as 50, so she has gained 3 years from the last 10 year census. Herman is living at home and working in a sawmill.

By the 1880 census things have not changed very much. Frederick is listed as 60 years of age and is still a farmer. There are some new columns on the form. Frederick states that he was born in Prussia and that his father and mother were born in Prussia. Dora is listed as 60 years of age but she gives her name as "Anstenia". It is not very readable and that is as close as I can get it. It would be interesting to know why she uses these different names. There is also a new column where she is now listed as wife and another column that states her occupation is keeping house. She and her parents were born in Prussia. Herman"s age is listed as 25. If the first two census were correct he should be 29 or 30. Maybe they were embarrassed having a child 30 years of age still living at home and not married. He was probably off working in the woods and Dora or Elizabeth or Anstenia, whatever her name was, subtracted about five years from his true age.

The 1890 census were nearly all destroyed, therefore, we cannot investigate what progress if any was made by the family in the next ten years. Kathy Berlin did send me a partial copy of a promissory note that Fredrick and Dora obtained for the sum of $40. The importance of this document is that it is used to establish a maiden name for Dora. There are two places on the note where Dora has signed as "Dora Eruestiur Berlin". Also where Frederick Berlin has signed he has used the name "Friedrick". There are several different ways in which the name Frederick is spelled. Incidentally that is also the name that appears on the passenger list of the ship, Java, that the family may have sailed on when coming to America.

There is a great deal more information on the 1900 Federal Census than has been found on previous census forms. However it is still confusing. Frederick merely gives his name as "Fred Berlin". He is widowed, Dora died in 1899, (see below), The month of birth is given as September and the year 1820. His age is 79 and his place of birth is Germany. His parents were also born in Germany. However he states his year of immigration as being 1848 and that he has been in this country for 52 years. Maybe it is because of his advanced years and he is confused by the dates. Maybe he just don"t want to answer all their questions and just tells them the first thing that comes to his mind. He also reports that he has been naturalized. I have attempted to find the naturalization papers for Fredrick but so far have not been successful. There are no papers filed in the Eau Claire County Courthouse. The 1900 Census form also states that he owns his farm but that it is mortgaged.

After the death of Dora, it is unknown whether Frederick continued to live in his home that he had built or whether he moved to the home of his son, Herman. He apparently remained quite active up until his death, (see below.)

The Family of Dora and Frederick Berlin

Whether Frederick and Dora had any children in Prussia that did not come to America with them or that had died prior to them leaving is unknown. If the 1860 census is correct they brought two children with them, Louisa and Herman.

i. LOUISA² BERLIN.

The 1860 census states that Louisa is older than Herman and was born in Prussia. This information differs from a family story told to me by my mother and, also by descendants of Albert (Joe) Berlin. They stated that Louisa was born in the United States after the families arrival. They also established that Louisa died in Stillwater at the age of 14. Mother told me the following story that she said was told to her by her father.

"My grandfather and grandmother were living in Stillwater, MN when Louisa was 14. She got sick and died. She was buried in the front yard on the property where they lived and a lilac bush was planted on her grave."

I was unable to find any certificate of death or cause of death. I have no factual information that would confirm the above story. Circumstantial evidence shows that Louisa was living with the family in Stillwater, MN, and does not appear anywhere as a member of the family after that time period. I am assuming that Louisa was born in Prussia and died in Stillwater, MN at about the age of 14. I do not know where she is buried.

2 ii. HERMAN BERLIN.

The individual information about the life of Herman Berlin was presented in a section under his name, (see index).

The Deaths of Dora and Frederick Berlin.

Dora Eruestiur

Headstone for Dora Berlin.

Dora Eruestiur Berlin died 20 December 1899. I could locate no death certificate or obituary. She is buried in the Ludington Cemetery, (old part) and her headstone appears below. Her first name, date of birth and date of death were established from the information given on the headstone.

Frederick Berlin

The obituary of Frederick Berlin:

"Frederick Berlin, aged 89 years, 2 months and 5 days, died at the home of his son, Herman Berlin, Nov. 12, 1909, of old age, He was born in Berlin, Germany in 1820. At the age of 35 years he came to this country residing in New York for a few years. Then he moved to Virginia for 10 years and then he went to Stillwater (MN) for a short stay. From there he came to Ludington where he lived until his death. He was the father of two children, Louisa died at the age of 14 years at Stillwater. Since his wife's death ten years ago he made his home with his only son, Herman Berlin.

Headstone for Frederick Berlin.

His last illness was of short duration. He leaves to mourn his departure, one son and eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday, Nov. 14 in the White schoolhouse, Ludington. Rev. W.R. Barbour of the Baptist church of Augusta officiating. After a short scripture reading and prayer at the home of his son, Herman Berlin, the friends and relatives of the deceased proceeded to the schoolhouse where the services were held. Interment was in the Ludington Cemetery"

Summary of Frederick and Dora Berlin

At the present time I have found no way to research the family story that supposedly brought Herman Berlin and his family to America. I will accept the story until I can establish the proof that it is not true. Do I have the correct ship that brought the family to New York? I believe that more research needs to be done in that area. There appear to be many errors in the census notes and in the obituary of Frederick Berlin. What about the different names that Dora gave on three different census? Why did she do that? Would there be answers if we could find out about their life in Prussia before 1852? I believe so.

MARSHALL WEBBER AND FRANCES DARROW

GRANDPARENTS OF FRANCES LOUISE BERLIN

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6. MARSHALL³ WEBBER;

Marshall Webber, Birth to Marriage.

Marshall Webber was born 9 June 1839 in New York State. I believe that it was Busti Township, Chautauqua County but I have been unable to confirm that supposition. Alice Jean Cotant, a descendant of Celestia Webber, who was a sister of Marshall's, uses the surname WEBER in a report I found in the Family History Center files. The only place where I found the surname WEBER used was in a will written by Marshall"s father in 1851. All documents that I researched on the Webber family used the surname WEBBER, including, the 1850 Federal Census for Busti, Chautauqa, NY when Abram was still living. I have chosen to use the name, WEBBER, for all of the family.

When I first started researching Marshall Webber all I knew was some information that Kathy Berlin furnished me, which consisted of the fact that he married Frances Darrow. I also had some family stories about him that were told by my mother and a cousin, Arlo Berlin. Through some additional information from Kathy, the Family History Center of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and other contacts on the Internet my information grew to where I feel I know a great deal about Marshall Webber. Kathy Berlin located his death record, from which, I obtained the names of his parents. These were confirmed by two other sources that I located the Family History Center and the Internet. The source that I located through the Family History Center was a great granddaughter of his sister, Celestia. This source did not know that Celestia had a brother and I did not know that Marshall had a sister. Then through the Internet I located a will that was written by Marshall's father and this gave me the names of Marshall's brothers and sisters.

Marshall had three brothers and two sisters, all born in the State of New York. The data on these individuals will be discussed in the history of Abram Webber and Amanda Devereaux (see Index). When Marshall was 14 years of age his father died. Sometime between 1853 and 1860 the Webber family relocated to Sauk County, Wisconsin. This may have been just after Marshall's father died in 1853. In the 1860 census for Freedom Township, Sauk County, WI both Marshall and his sister, Celestia, are listed. Celestia is married to Samuel Nickson, (correct spelling is Nixon), and Marshall is married to Frances Darrow (for information on Frances Darrow in Index.)

The Marriage of Marshall and Frances

The 1860 Federal Census confirms the marriage of Marshall and Frances. They were living in Freedom Township, Sauk County, WI. A discussion of this census is in order. The family immediately below Marshall Webber is # 276: S. Nickson, his wife Celeste, and their family. The first item is that the name Nickson is misspelled and should read "Nixon." His wife Celeste is the sister of Marshall Webber. The value of real estate for S. Nixon is $6000 and a personal estate of $1000. This indicates that the Nixon family must have had large holdings and were quite well off.

Family # 275: Marshall Webber is 22 years of age, the occupation of farmer and his only asset is $100 of personal estate. Frances is listed as 19 years of age and there is one child, Delphina, who is two months old. Because of the location of these two families together on the census report I am assuming that Marshall is working for S. (Samuel) Nixon (this is the correct spelling for Samuel's surname) on his farm in Freedom Township. I have no idea how long this arrangement lasted, if my assumption is true, but, in 1864 they were living on the "East fork of the Black River in Jackson County, WI." At least that is what was in the obituary of Adeline Webber, the daughter of Marshall and Frances. It defined the location of her birth.

In 1865 the Marshall Webber family, consisting of 2 males and four females were living in the Township of Albion, Jackson County, WI 12. The males are Marshall and his son, Charles Marshall. The four females are Frances Darrow Webber, and three daughters, Delphina, Adeline and Minnie. It appears that when Marshall left the occupation of farming in Sauk County, he moved his family, sometime before 1865, to Jackson County, and became a woodsman. That would explain his living in and around Black River Falls where lumbering and saw milling was a large part of the economy.

7. FRANCES³ DARROW.

Frances Darrow, Birth to Marriage.

Frances Darrow was born about 1842. In 1850 her father, Joseph Darrow, and his family was living in Watertown Township, Jefferson County, NY. She was 8 years old. She moved to Summit Township, Juneau County, WI with her family in the fall of 1852. Between that date and 1859 she met Marshall Webber, and they were married in 1859. If the dates are correct she would have been 17 years of age at the time of her marriage.

The Death of Frances Darrow Webber.

Very little is known about the death of Frances Darrow. The obituary of Adeline Webber stated that "the family moved to Black River Falls where her mother died." This was probably about 1867, when her mother was 25 years old. I have been unable to locate any death certificate, obituary or place of burial. I have even researched Juneau County cemeteries thinking that Marshall may have taken her body home to be buried near where her parents lived in Summit Township. This research was unsuccessful. If the above date is close then the oldest child in the family, Della, would have been about seven and the youngest, Minnie, about two when their mother died.

Children of Marshall³ Webber and Frances Darrow were as follows:

• i. DELPHINA (DELLA)² WEBBER.

  Delphina (Della) Webber

  Della (her common name) was born in Freedom Township, Sauk County, WI, 8 Mar 1860. In 1878 she married James Melville. They lived in LaFayette Township, Chippewa County, WI. This area was also known as the Irish Settlement. The Melville"s were involved in farming and apple orchards. Della and James produced eight children. James died 9 January 1912 and Delphina died 27 March 1949 at the age of 89. She died in the Rutledge Home for the Aged in Chippewa Falls, WI. This is the same home where her father, Marshall, died in 1932.

  Kathy Berlin submitted the following obituary:

  "Mrs. Della Melville, 89, died at the Rutledge home for the aged Sunday night. She was the daughter of Marshall and Frances Darrow Webber, and was born in Baraboo, Mar. 8, 1860. She was married to James Melville in 1878 and had resided in Chippewa county continuously since then. Mrs. Melville entered the home in Sept. 3, 1932. Mrs. Melville is survived by three sons, Levi, Howard and Clarence, all of Chippewa Falls; 21 grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Services will be held in the Methodist church at 2 p.m. today. Interment will be made in Prairie View Cemetery."

  ii. CHARLES MARSHALL WEBBER.

  Charles Marshall Webber

  Charles Marshall Webber was born 5 August 1862 in Baraboo, Sauk, WI. He was probably named after his Uncle Charles who died in infancy in New York. In 1870 Charles is living with his grandparents, Joseph and Pamela Darrow in Summit Township, Juneau County, WI. This was just after his mother died about 1867.

  Charles married Mary Funnelski, who was born in Germany. Walter Frederick Webber, grandson of Charles, told me that his father and grandfather always spoke German when he was young, and, therefore he had always thought that the Webbers were German. More on this later. Charles and Mary had five children, Walter Marshall, Frances Della, Daniel Gustave, Lloyd Max, and Mary Amelia

  Charles died 15 June 1937 and Mary died 11 September 1931. Both died in Chippewa Falls, WI. Walter told me that his grandfather could be very gentle and then he could be very mean. He was a heavy drinker and that"s what killed him. One Sunday afternoon, while drunk, he fell and struck the back of his neck on the edge of a cement step. He crushed several vertebrae and lay paralyzed for seven months. Walter was 13 years old when his Grandfather died.

• 3 iii. ADELINE WEBBER.

  Adeline Webber

  Adeline is discussed with her husband, Herman Berlin. (See Generation 2.)

• iv. MINNIE WEBBER.

  Minnie Webber

  Minnie was born 1865 in Albion, Jackson, WI. My mother told me a story about my great Aunt Minnie:

  After Minnie's mother, Frances (Darrow) Webber died in Black River Falls, WI about 1867, the family spent some time in Chicago. When Minnie was about two years old her father, Marshall Webber, walked into a tavern in Chicago and said he had a baby girl that he couldn't take care of and asked if anyone there wanted her. The Salley(sp.) family was there and could not have children so they took her. They gave their name and address to my great-grandfather Marshall Webber and he told his oldest daughter, Della Webber, where Minnie was. Della kept in touch with the Salley's and Minnie over the years.

  Minnie worked in a restaurant in Chicago for thirty years. She married James Thorson who was a friend of Al Capone's. James worked in a brewery. Minnie and James had no children. There are some researchers that say Minnie remarried after the death of James. I have been unable to confirm that fact.

  I can remember that Aunt Minnie came to visit with us on the farm when I was young. She was a large woman and always seemed so jolly. I visited her where she lived on California Ave. in Chicago in 1943. I was in the Navy and going to school in Chicago at the time. I really don't remember much of what we talked about -- I wasn't into genealogy at that time. She showed me how she let a half-gallon bucket down from her apartment window to a tavern window down below her apartment. Each day they would fill her bucket with beer and she would draw it back up. At that time she could hardly walk. She had bad legs and was very heavy. I enjoyed this visit very much and I wish I could remember all the stories she told me. I did not know about the story my mother told me at that time about her father and the Sally family, so I could not ask Aunt Minnie about that part of her life. Aunt Minnie died about 1947 in Chicago.

Summary of Marshall Webber and Frances Darrow

I have very little information as to what Frances Darrow was really like as a person. No photographs, very scant personal history about her in her family in New York and before her marriage after she came with them to Wisconsin. She died at the age of approximately 25 years and a mother for seven of those. Where did she die and what was the cause? Where is she buried? 
It can be assumed that Marshall Webber was not an easy person with which to live. One wonders what their family life was like. The summary on Marshall Webber will continue at the end of this generation.

Marshall Webber's life after the death of Frances.

Marshall Webber probably about 1875.

Adeline Webber's obituary stated that after her mother died the family lived in Mauston, Chicago, Eau Claire and Chippewa County. It has been reported previously that in 1870 the two girls, Della and Adeline are living with the William Puice (sp.) family in Lindania Township, Juneau County, WI and Charles Marshall, the son, is living with his grandparents in Summit Township, Juneau County, WI. The story about giving his daughter, Minnie, to a family in Chicago must have happened about this same time.

I have been unable to locate Marshall Webber on any census record between the years 1865 and 1920. The obituary of Marshall states that "he came to Chippewa Falls, WI in 1874 and was involved in the lumbering business". On 8 June 1878 he married Alta Maria Nilbick/Nitbick. On the marriage license he was living in La Fayette Township, Chippewa County, WI. His occupation was listed as farmer. Later in this chapter this marriage will be discussed.

Marshall's oldest daughter, Della, was married in 1878 and he was a subscribing witness to the marriage of his daughter, Adeline to Herman Berlin in 1881.

It is assumed that he lived in Chippewa County after 1878, involved with the lumber business and farming. In 1920 when he was 80 years of age he was living with his grandson, Clarence M. Melville, in La Fayette, Chippewa, WI. In October of 1927 he entered the Rutledge Home for the Aged, Chippewa Falls, WI. In his obituary it stated that he was great friends with a Edward Rutledge, whether this home was started by his friend is not known. He lived there until his death in 1932.

Alta Maria Nilbick/Nitbick/

On the marriage certificate it is difficult to know whether Alta's surname is Nilbick or Nitbick. I could find no information on Alta Maria Nilbick/Nitbick in any other record other than the Certificate of Marriage. I researched census records, birth records and death records but I could not locate any that contained that name.

It appears no one in the family knew about the marriage between Marshall and Alta. This would have been the same year that his daughter, Della, married James Melville, and three years before Adeline Webber was married to Herman Berlin. During this time Addie was either living at home or in Chippewa Falls, where she was found on the 1880 census. Both Della, oldest daughter of Marshall, and Charles, oldest son of Marshall, lived in LaFayette Township, Chippewa County. This is the same township that was the residence of Marshall on the date of marriage. It is almost impossible to think that these members of the family did not know about this marriage, and, therefore, it would have been passed down as a family story. There is nothing contained in the obituary of Marshall Webber that gives any information about Alta, except the sentence, "Mr. Webber was married in the state of New York and his wife preceded him in death in Chippewa Falls, about 50 years ago." The first part of that statement is obviously false. The second part may be correct. Frances and Marshall were married in 1859, and she had preceded him in death in Jackson County approximately 65 years earlier. So is he talking about her or his second wife, Alta? He had married Alta 54 years before his death and she may have died in Chippewa Falls four years after they were married. But, again I ask, why was this not common knowledge within the family?

Neither Adeline Hagen Gilner nor Arlo Berlin knew anything about Alta or any information about this second marriage. They had never heard their families talk about it. The scrap books that Kathy Berlin had of her Grandmother's did not contain her name. On the marriage certificate her parents were listed as Jacob and Ana/Annie Nilbick/Nitbick.  I sent out inquiries on the Internet but have never had a hit. I have been unable to locate any information about them. In fact I know nothing about the Nilbick/Nitbick name.

The death of Marshall Webber.

According to the death certificate, Marshall Webber died 4 May 1932. He was 92 years, 10 months and 25 days of age. He died of Flu, Double Bronchial Pneumonia and old age.

His obituary was published on the front page of the Chippewa Falls News. There are mistakes in the obituary but most of them are apparent. It is copied as written in the newspaper.

The following Obituary was found by Kathy Berlin in the Chippewa Falls, WI newspaper. She stated that it was easy to find because it was printed on the front page of the paper. It contained a picture and headline, which read:

"PIONEER DIES AT RUTLEDGE HOME."

Marshall Webber, 93, Passes Away Wednesday Evening After Short Illness.

Marshall Webber, 93, and pioneer resident of Chippewa Falls, passed away at the Rutledge home in this city at 8.45 o'clock last evening. He had been ill but a short time. He had a wonderful constitution and his death is attributed to the general wearing out of life's machinery.

Born in the state of New York June 9, 1839, Mr. Webber came to Chippewa Falls in 1874 and for several years was connected with the larger lumber interests, principally with the late Edward Rutledge. His activities in that line ended with the waning of the industry. He entered the Rutledge home in October, 1927.

Mr. Webber had a remarkable memory and recalled dates and events with precision. On June 9, last year, Rev. Carl Bruhn, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, learned that Mr. Webber and the late Warren W. Potter had been intimate friends in their early life and brought them together at the Rutledge home. It was the first meeting of the two aged gentlemen in forty years and they recalled many events of the lumbering days.

Mr. Webber was married in the state of New York and his wife preceded him in death in Chippewa Falls about 50 years ago. Surviving relatives are two daughters and one son, Mrs. Della Melville, Chippewa Falls, Mrs. J. Thorson, Chicago, and Charles Webber of Lafayette. Several grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Rutledge Home Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev Carl Bruhn officiating. Interment will be in Prairie View cemetery.

 Continuation of the summary on Marshall Webber.

Marshall Webber apparently was a cantankerous type of person. Marshall lived to the age of nearly 93 but left many questions. Yet his oldest daughter, Della, and son, Charles, gave their sons the name of Marshall. I notice that Adeline his second daughter did not afford him that honor but did name her first daughter, Frances, after her mother.
In an interview with Arlo Berlin, who knew Marshall Webber better than any other relatives that I could find. Arlo said,

"Great Grandpa Webber used to come and live at our farm in Ludington from time to time. I remember that he smoked an old crooked pipe and he cussed all the time. I can remember when he was old, over eighty, that he would go out into the woods all by himself and cut down trees. He would cut these up for firewood and then sell it in order to get money. I also remember that he had a very bad temper. There is a story they used to tell about when he was with a wood cutting crew out in the woods and they had an old shack where they ate their meals and had bunks for sleeping. One of the cutters was a person that snored very loud. Grandpa Webber would throw him out of the bunk and make him go outside and stay so that he (Marshall) could sleep. It didn't make any difference what the temperature was or whether it was stormy weather. The man had to stay out there until morning."
Personal correspondence from Kathy Berlin, 2nd great granddaughter of Marshall Webber, also stated that: "it was common knowledge throughout her ancestral family that Marshall Webber had a very bad temper".
In questioning Adeline Hagen Gilner about her great. grandfather Marshall Webber she stated, "I really knew very little about him. I know that mother did not like him, called him a womanizer and mean. I know that mother did not go to the funeral when he died in 1932."
Adeline would have been about 19 years of age when Marshall died.

I believe that he was a very difficult person to be around.

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Created with The Master Genealogist for Windows on 22 Aug 1999 at 10:32:22.