Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Christian Frederick Boock Obituary: New Ulm Post

Darcy Kleeman Boock provided this German-language obituary for Christian Friederich Boock, who died on 9 December 1888. It is from the NEW ULM POST, Freitag, den. 16. Dezember. 1888, Page 8, Col. 3. I copied it several years ago at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. C. F. Boock died on 9 December 1888 in New Ulm, being 62 years of age. The obituary states that his marriage to Marie Albrecht produced three children: Mary (Mrs. August Friederich Raabe), George (m. Schriefer, who died in 1943 in California), and Gustav. However, a fourth child, Fred, who was their third child (between George and Gustav), who died when he was 14 [The Settler, 1982, p. 10).





Christ. Friedrich Boock, one of the founders of New Ulm, died last Sunday at an age somewhat more than 62 years, from a relapse of a nerve-fever (typhus), from which it was thought he just recovered. The deceased was born on 15 November, 1826 in Ostdorf in Schleswig. Later he learned the wagon-making trade and started his journeyman travels out into the wide world. At the beginning of the 50's he came to New Ulm. He married Maria Albrecht, a sister of Mr. Karl Albrecht of Lafayette, in 1856, who was taken from him by death in 1870. In 1871, he was married a second time, to Miss Wilhelmine Plath. She and 10 children, of which 3 are from the first marriage (Mrs. August Rabe, Georg and Gustav Boock) and 7 from the second marriage, mourn the so unexpected death of their husband and father. He was a ceaselessly active head of house, citizen and member of the Lutheran congregation, which held its first meeting in his house in 1865 and of which he was a founder. He often was an elder of the congregation and also proposed the founding of Dr. Martin Luther College, of which he was an enthusiastic supporter until the end. As a member of the town council too, he tried to promote the well-being of his fellow citizens.
His burial took place on Monday afternoon with many attending. An experienced and active life has now reached the goal what awaits all of us. May he find the rest of which he had so little during his life.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Christian Frederick Boock Letter: 25 December 1865


[Letter from Marilyn Boock Schmidt collection; typed by Darcy Kleeman Boock]
[Colorized detail of Christian Friederich Boock, taken on the occasion of his marriage to Wilhelmine Plath in 1857. jfg collection]

New Ulm, December 25, 1865


Dear Brother-in-law,


I have received your letter of April written by William, as well as the letter of November 26. The first one was a happy one, but the second saddened us very much. Although Christmas is a time of joy for every Christian, yet the news that my sister had died was like a funeral to us. It is true, we all have to pass through death out of this world, but I’m sure, your children will miss their loving mother who lived such an exemplary life at all times, instructed them well, here’s hoping her instructions will not have been wasted by careless living. She was a Godfearing and righteous woman and a loving mother. Everyone will observe whether the children will take after her and her living. A good, but terrible example you find in Frank Jönke, which is the result of the parent’s proud upbringing of their children who then believed they were better than any other children. He showed his vain character when he dealt with me as though I were his servent, after I had returned from my travels, I had a better look of life than he. He left home as s chest manufacturer and returned somewhat more stupid. When I left home, I knew nothing about chest building, but through experience I acquired knowledge sufficiently that I landed a job in woodworking in Berlin. He earned considerable monies, but squandered it, but when I returned, I brought about $100 along. He prided himself on his education, but of what use is it, if you live the life of a pig which everyone despises. I don’t like to brag, but here and wherever I have lived, I have always been considered a gentleman. At present we have founded an Evangelical congregation and decided to build a church. I have been selected as a member of the church council and authorized to supervise the building of the church.
Pride cometh before the fall, which is true, so it is necessary for us to remain humble, and not aim for superior goals, but be satisfied with the simple things in life.
Dear brother-in-law I addressed myself to your children whom I also love and wish to remind them with a warning which I know you will not be lacking to bring them up to become honorable citizens. It is very difficult for us to express our sincere sadness over the loss of your wife, and only the thought of the hereafter solaces us, when our time comes to leave this earth that we will again meet in a better place. Though her death is a terrible blow for us, we still will say “The Lord’s ways are wonderful and the earth is full of His makings.”
Concerning me and my family I can’t thank the Lord enough for our health which He has given us. And further I pray for continued health not for riches, because a healthy person is rich enough to be able to work while I can, my rule is this “Hard work makes life sweet.” We, too, have begun preparations for the Christmas season, as such as the sadness of sister’s death permits. The children above all rejoice the most for the simple gifts which they receive just like in Old Germany.
There isn’t much to write about our political problems. The war is over and everything is moving along in a normal way. Slavery has ended. This was one of the most despicable blemishes on the Republic.
In my last letter I mentioned that some children of my brother intended to come to America, but must have changed their minds and didn’t come. When I told my renter about their coming, he moved off the farm. So when they did not come, the farm remained empty, by which I lost considerable money. However I had others plant the cultivated land, so I did not lose all. I now have another renter.
Dear William, your portrait (photo) in the last letter made us all happy. I am sending herewith our portrait of my wife and me, which I hope, you will accept with the best of wishes and they may be found acceptable to you.
Many hearty greetings from me, my wife, and children to all of you and wish you a Happy New Year and hope all are well. Please answer soon.

Your beloved brother-in-law


Friederich Boock

The photographers here haven’t acquired the skill yet of producing good portraits like those in Berlin, as you have noticed in studying our portraits.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Christian Frederick Boock Letters (1860-1873)

Christian Frederick Boock was born on 15 November 1826, the son of Elizabeth Johnke and Peter Boock, in Ostdorf Germany. In 1854, Christian emigrated to the United States; "he came to Chicago in 1855, then to Lafayette Township in Brown County in 1856, where he took a homestead. That was sold and in 1863 he came to New Ulm, where he bought a lot from the German Land Association of Minnesota." [Gertrude Boock Graupner]

Christian Frederick was first married to Mary Albrecht (1857), who died in 1870 in New Ulm, with four young children: Mary Boock (married August Raabe), George (married Schriefer), Fred, and Gustav. Christian Frederick subsequently married Wilhelmine Ernstine Plath, in New Ulm on May 17, 1871; to this union seven children were born: Ida (m. Adolph Klause), Emma Theresa (m. Ed Cordes, then William Ruemke Jr.), Albert Peter (m. Emma Ruemke), Friedricka (m. Hermann Hardt), Arthur Lincoln (m. Emma Aufderheide), Wilhelmine (m. Louis Broecker) and Oscar (m. Cora Custman). He died in the winter of 1888 in New Ulm, Minnesota. The first of the three letters is printed below. Letters from 1865 and 1873 will be posted later.

Recently, in planning discussions for a family reunion in 2009, Marilyn Boock Schmidt referred to a series of letters between 1860 and 1873 that C. F. Boock had written to family members in Germany:

Marilyn Boock Schmidt wrote:

" About Christian Frederick Boock's farm in LaFayette: I have copies of three letters he wrote back to Germany in the 1800's. Someone, somewhere translated and typed them. I've promised Wolfgang Boock (who collects old letters) copies but haven't done that yet. Perhaps some of you also have these.

In one addressed to Dear Sister and Brother-in-law, dated Lafayette, June 29, 1860, Christian writes "the government announced that a large section of land had to be paid up by the immigrants who were using it. Part of our land was included in that section. We had 160 acres and had to pay $200 for ownership. Many people wrote to the president and as a result, the dead line for payment was rescinded and I was able to pay my allotted payment. I have 20 acres under cultivation. I mentioned in a former letter that I joined a club which is planning to establish a city, well, that has materialized, the town's name is New Ulm. 5 years ago the first house was built and now there are more than 200 homes.

In New Ulm I also have some property, but at present there is no demand for it, even though its location is good, it is close to the boat landing on the Minnesota River. On the south side of the river on higher grounds you see summer houses already. In the wooded area I own 4 acres. My farm is only about 3/4 miles from New Ulm, I am able to see the town from my farm."In another letter Christian writes about his first wife dying and leaving 4 children and his remarriage 4 months later.

About his business he writes: " Dear Nephew, (headed New Ulm, May 11, 1873) I went into a partnership in a foundry and machine shop.We are 3 partners. I had to give up my old one which was in the best location on Main Street. I rented it to another and it was the same with my home. I had to rent it to another and built myself another home near the factory. Dear nephew, I could rent the old factory to you. Give my greetings to uncle Jonke on his golden wedding anniversary. Kindly tell me all about Henry and Amelia Jonke."

Perhaps these excerpts will help locate some of Christian Frederick's properties.We do know that his second wife, Great grandma Wilhelmine, ran a boarding house somewhere downtown. My dad, Norbert, would have known where it was, as he helped her with household chores after school.These letters are interesting reads."

[Historical Context of C. F. Boock's letter dated 29 June 1860:

Christian Frederick emigrated to the United States in 1854, Chicago 1855, and the Minnesota Territory in 1856. At that time, the Minnesota Territory included Dakota lands west of the Red River, territory from Wisconsin east of the Mississippi River and territory from Iowa south of the Minnesota River. As conflict was developing between the Northern States and the Southern States over issues of slavery and state's rights, the Enabling Act of 1857 was passed by Congress, C.F. took a homestead that same year (in what became Lafayette Township in Brown County in 1858). Christian Fr. was married to Marie Albrecht on 2 July 1857*.

A fierce debate had developed over the issue of slavery until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise of 1854 ensured that Minnesota would come into statehood as a Free State--in fact, Minnesota was so divided that two different State Constitutions were drafted and signed in 1857, leaving the door open for statehood on May 11, 1858. Within a year of C.F.'s letter, on 13 April 1861, Civil War broke out in the United States, into which Minnesota regiments from Fort Snelling were sent. In 1862 the Homestead Act was passed, facilitating land claims by settlers; the same year, with Minnesota soldiers fighting in the Civil War, the Dakota War of 1862 broke out, directly involving New Ulm. So, when Fred writes in 1860 that he's farming on land to which the title wasn't firm (allowed after of Dakota Treaty of 1853; they wrote to the President (Lincoln) to intervene so they could continue claim without outright ownership) until 1862. According to Gertrude Boock Graupner's account in The Settler (1982), "Fred" sold his farm in 1863 and moved into New Ulm, where he had property. *presumably under the auspices of Minnesota Territory [ jfg]

Lafayette, June 29, 1860

Dear sister and Brother-in-Law,

Since I have given up hope to hear from you, I am forced to write again to inquire about your health and how you are getting along. It seems to me you are not concerned very much about me and how i am getting along, otherwise you would have written already and answered my letter; probably you thought, I would be asking you for financial help as I had mentioned about sending along several large augers with Henry Jonck, but I had also stated in my letter that the beginnings here are quite difficult and, if you could not have helped at this time, you could have excused yourself, this was your duty to do that, and I want you to know that all blessings which I received from you, I certainly am not ungrateful to you, or perhaps you had the same thought that our brother Josias had, namely living so far away, make it impossible to help each other. The truth is, distance is the minimum of a problem, if the will to help exist[s].

During the past 44 years, probably you have heard about us from Josias. This is not a lie, but I have been in a very awkward financial predicament, so I didn't know which way to turn for help. I was absolutely broke and had no inkling where to obtain the money as the government announced that a large section of land had to be paid up by the immigrants who were using it. part of our land was included in that section. We had 160 acres and had to pay $200 for the ownership. And if we didn't pay up by a certain day, it would be sold to someone else. This made me very nervous and irritable, but fortunately many people wrote to the President and as a result, the deadline for payment was rescinded. In the meantime, my financial conditions have improved, so I was able to pay my alotted [sic.] payment.

I will assume that you are interested in my present living conditions. On July 2, 3 years ago, I was married to Maria Albrecht, 21 years old. Two years ago we had a daughter. My wife came from Kirgen-Kegel by Goldberg in Mecklenburg-Schwerin and came to America in 1855 with her mother and 2 brothers who live not far from here. They are all industrious farmers. Most of my work is farming, because wagon building isn't much in demand, there are plenty of these around. I have 20 acres under cultivation, 4 oxen to help do the work, 3 milk cows, 4 young pigs and some chickens. I plant rye, wheat, and oats. Corn is my main crop. Also I raise peas, beans, potatoes, and a variety of other plants. This land is the most productive and the climate is most favorable, very much like that in Germany. The grain grows well in Minnesota and I foresee a plenteous harvest, but the price per bushel is very low, never in my whole life, have I found such cheap prices, a pound of butter for 6-7 cents, 3 Groschen (about 30 Pfennig in Germany) worth of potatoes per bushel here for 20-25 cents, and so it is with everything else. There is very little money available, caused by the low prices. Even farm land has come down in price, some farms 3 years ago were bought for $1,500, can't find a buyer for $1,000. As I mentioned in a former letter that I joined a club which is planning to establish a city, well, that has materialized, the town's name is New Ulm. 5 years ago the first house was built and now there are more than 200 homes, about 1200 to 1300 inhabitants. in New Ulm I also have some property, but at present there is no demand for it, even though its location is good, it is close to the boat landing on the Minnesota River. This river is very much like the Spree in size and full of fish. The town is very romantic and is built on higher levels, the river movers along in snake-like curves with cliffs here and there. On the southern side of the river on higher grounds, you can see summer houses already, in the wooded area I own 4 acres. If those 4 acres would be in the vicinity of Berlin, I would be considered a wealthy man. But I am satisfied that it is close to New Ulm. My farm is only about 3/4 miles from New ulm, I am able to see the town from my farm. Although my whole belongings are very limited, yet I am satisfied for what is my own which my [wife?] and I have carefully managed and so consider myself fortunate. I don't begrudge a king on his throne for my freedom and joy in my family.

Dear sister and brother-in-law write soon as possible, and tell me all about the happenings of friends and relatives for the past, also descrive [sic.] your times you are living in, and do tell me whether many people are immigrating to other lands.

If any one wishes to move and would like to settle on a farm, I would advise them to come to Minnesota, with energy and ambition you can make it, but if someone thinks of getting rich quick, he'll find disappointment.

In closing I hope this letter finds all of you well, as I am, while writing this letter.

Many greetings from me, my wife, and child,

Your loving brother and brother-in-law,

C. F. Boock



Greetings to uncle (?) and family