A Place Called "Schouweiler"
Contributed by Louise Huber.
A small village in Luxembourg named Schouweiler was given its name because most of the residents living there were Schouweilers. We know the settlers went back to the 1300s but we have no proof of their names. Therefore, I will start with those we are certain of. They are as follows:
First Generation
1. Nicolas Schouweiler
Born 1685 in Hondelange, Belgium, died in 1755 in Hondelange, Belgium. He married Maria Shumers November 18, 1732 in Hondelange, Belgium. Their children were:
Second Generation
2. Eva Schouweiler (Nicolas)
Born 1735. Died 1740-50 from typhus. She was married to Carlos Thel.
3. Charles Schouweiler (Nicolas)
Born 1738. Died 1740-50 from typhus
4. Dominic Schouweiler (Nicolas)
Born October 2, 1742 in Hondelange, Belgium. Died January 12, 1812 in Schouweiler, Luxembourg. First marriage was to Susanna Hintgen, 1759 in Sprinkgen, Luxembourg. Their children were:
- 5. Suzanne Schouweiler (1760-)
- 6. Jacob Schouweiler (1761-)
- 7. Barbara Schouweiler (1763-)
- 8. Clare Jeanne Schouweiler (1765-)
- 9. Johan Schouweiler (1767-1834)
Dominic Schouweiler married second to Susanna Hanen in 1772, Schouweiler, Luxembourg. All the children were born in Schouweiler, Luxembourg. Their children were:
- 10. Catherine Schouweiler (March 2, 1773-)
- 11. Pierre Schouweiler (November 8, 1774-)
- 12. Catherine Schouweiler (July 13, 1776-)
- 13. Maria Schouweiler (October 6, 1778-)
- 14. Pierre Schouweiler (August 29, 1780-)
- 15. Johan François Schouweiler (April 3, 1782-)
- 16. Susanne (twin) Schouweiler (July 30, 1785-)
- 17. Rosanna (twin) Schouweiler (July 30, 1785-)
- 18. Dominique Schouweiler (February 25, 1788-)
Third Generation
9. Johan Schouweiler (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born February 11, 1767 in Schouweiler, Luxembourg, died October 1, 1834. He married Susanne Hanson, March 3, 1795 in Schouweiler, Luxembourg. Their children were:
- 19. Johan Schouweiler (1795-1858)
- 20. Bernard Schouweiler (1780-1811)
- 21. Mathias Schouweiler (1802-)
- 22. Nicolas Schouweiler
- 23. Nicolas Schouweiler (1811-1875)
Fourth Generation
19. Johan Schouweiler (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born April 13, 1795 in Schouweiler, Luxembourg. Died December 19, 1858 in Hungershoff, Luxembourg. Married Johanna Neu, November 13, 1822 in Hondelange, Belgium. All their children were born in Schouweiler, Luxembourg. (Here I need to explain: Several of these children were given the same name and that is why they have "#" with their names. Why? We do not know.) Their children were:
- 24. Johan #1 Schouweiler (1823-)
- 25. Michael #1 Schouweiler (1825-)
- 26. Catherine #1 Schouweiler (1828-)
- 27. Antoine #1 Schouweiler (1830-)
- 28. Anna Marguerite (twin) Schouweiler (1831-)
- 29. François Jacques (twin) Schouweiler (1831-)
- 30. Susanna Schouweiler (1834-)
- 31. Johan #2 Schouweiler (1836-)
- 32. Michael #2 Schouweiler (1838-)
- 33. Catherine #2 Schouweiler (1842-)
- 34. Antoine #2 Schouweiler (1844-)
20. Bernard Schouweiler (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born August 29, 1780. Married Anna Catherine O'Rianne February 14, 1811 in Schouweiler, Luxembourg.
21. Mathias Schouweiler (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born September 17, 1802. Married Marguerite Hiedelbach, June 3, 1854.
23. Nicolas Schouweiler (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born February 25, 1811. Married Mandelaine Wendel, February 6, 1869. Died June 10, 1875.
Fifth Generation
24. Johan #1 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born December 18, 1823. Married Margaret, had these kids:
- 35. John Nicholas Schouweiler born June 29, 1853 in Holy Cross, Iowa. He died December 4, 1933, in Ratcliff, Logan County, Arkansas. He married Martha Ezell, March 27, 1879, in Paris, Logan County, Arkansas.
- 36. John Peter Schouweiler born May 8, 1855 in Holy Cross, Iowa.
- 37. Johanna Schouweiler born April 26, 1857. Married Louis Fisher, July, 1876, in Kellogg, Wabasha County.
- 38. John Baptist Schouweiler born February 26, 1859 (My grandfather) died January 2, 1934 in Paris, Logan County, Arkansas. He married Frances Mauracher, November 24, 1891 in Subiaco, Logan County, Arkansas. She was a granddaughter of Karl Mauracher of Austria. He was responsible for the spreading of the famous song, "Silent Night."
- 39. Gerhard Schouweiler born February 28, 1861. Died December 23, 1895 from a gun shot.
- 40. Frank Jacob Schouweiler, born July 2, 1862. Died January 23, 1919 in Charleston, Franklin County, Arkansas. (He owned a merchandise store.) He married Angelina Klaeger, October 8, 1889.
- 41. Eva Schouweiler born September 13, 1864. Died March 11, 1947. Married John Metzger October 8, 1889.
- 42. Anna Schouweiler born February 13, 1869. Died November, 1878. She is buried at Subiaco, Arkansas, as explained in the above story.
- 43. Margaret Schouweiler born March 10, 1872. Died December 1963. Married Edward Bartsch, January 18, 1890.
- 44. Barten Schouweiler born March 1, 1875 in Kellogg, Wabasha County, Minnesota. Died September 1, 1875. Buried in Kellogg, Wabasha County, Minnesota.
25. Michael #1 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born August 28, 1825. Married Catherine Klein Schouweiler and they had kids
- 45. Catherine A. Schouweiler married George Howe May 7, 1868 in Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 46. John Anthony Schouweiler and Mary Ann Mehan married June 8, 1877 in Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 47. Jacob F. Schouweiler, never married
- 48. Bartholomew William Schouweiler and Carrie Nelson married March of 1893 in Fairmont, North Dakota
- 49. Emma Mary Schouweiler and Daniel McDonough married February 8, 1880 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 50. Elizabeth Schouweiler and James Kennedy married October 11, 1883 in Plainview, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 51. Michael E. Schouweiler and Jennie Mehan married January 10, 1888 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 52. Nicholas A. Schouweiler and Nellie R???? marriage (unknown)
- 53. Catherine Schouweiler and John Sorely married January 11, 1988 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 54. Anthony Schouweiler never married
- 55. Anna Schouweiler and William J. Kennedy marriage (unknown)
- 56. George Schouweiler
26. Catherine #1 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born January 13, 1828. Married first Bartholomew Klein on June 14, 1856 in Holy Cross, Dubuque County, Minnesota. Their children were:
- 57. Margaret M. Klein married Joseph Emmerick, marriage unknown
- 58. Catherine E. Klein married Garrett Graff January 17, 1881. Conception, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 59. John Nicholas Klein married Elizabeth Mary Bricher on July 3, 1885 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 60. Susan Klein married Joseph Graff July 27, 1885 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Bartholomew Klein died July 14, 1863. Catherine married second Mathias Markus. They had one child:
- 61. Anna Markus. She married Michael Ellenz.
27. Antoine #1 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born April 24, 1830. Married Angeline Puetz June 25, 1855 in Holy Cross, Dubuque County, Iowa. Their children were:
- 62. Catherine Schouweiler and George Young were married June 8, 1876 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 63. Mary Schouweiler and Peter Tibesar married April 4, 1880 in Kellogg, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 64. Peter Schouweiler and Barbara Klein married June 27, 1893
- 65. Anna Schouweiler died about 1 year of age
- 66. Margaret Schouweiler and Adolph F. Rauch married in 1900 in Minnesota
- 67. Frank James Schouweiler died about 1 year old
- 68. Katherine Schouweiler died at birth
- 69. Michael Schouweiler died when he was about 6 years old
- 70.Susan Schouweiler never married
28. Anna Marguerite Schouweiler (twin) (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born December 17, 1831. Married Michael Wagner in 1859 in Hondelange, Belgium
29. François Jacques (Frank James) Schouweiler (twin) (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born December 17, 1831. Married Eva Lehnertz June 6, 1856 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their children were:
- 71. Sebian? born May 7, 1858. Died an infant.
- 72. John Garrett, born May 7, 1858 (twin of Sebian) married 1st Minnie Sorrenson. No children. After her death he married Mary Bechan. After her death he married Mary Kolker.
- 73. Catherine and Jacob Howe married February 10, 1879 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 74. John M. and Elizabeth Waugen married March 2, 1886 in Wabasha,Wabasha County, Minnesota. (The new spelling for Waugen is Wagner)
- 75. Michael and Katherine Losch marriage unknown Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota.
- 76. Margaret and William Elsin married January, 1886 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 77. Johanna and Herman Tushaus married September 28, 1892 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 78. Annie and John Plein married May 15, 1889 (she was a twin to Nicholas)
- 79. Nicholas died an infant
- 80. Frank and Elizabeth Plein married October 25, 1893 in Conception, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 81. Peter and Willamina Plein married March 1, 1895 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 82. Elizabeth and Anthony Wampach married August 13, 1908 in Watopa, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 83. Garrett and Mary Clausen married May 7, 1891 in Wabasha, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 84. Jacob Andrew and Clara Hostettler married November 4, 1804 in Conception, Wabasha County, Minnesota
30. Susanna Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born March 28, 1934. Married Nicolas Kohn, date unknown.
31. Johan #2 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born April 24, 1836. Married Anna Mumper on June 18, 1860 in Hondelange, Belgium. Their children were:
- 85. Nicholas, married Eva Peters on June 24, 1890 in Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 86. Mary A., married Nicholas Brucher September 28, 1884 in Conception, Wabasha County, Minnesota
- 87. Catherine, died at birth
- 88. John H., married Julia Graff September 26, 1892
- 89. Michael, died a small child
- 90. Anthony, died a small child
- 91. Frank, died a small child
- 92. George, died at birth
- 93. George R. and Anna Reil married October 19, 1909 in Kellogg, Wabasha County, Minnesota
32. Michael #2 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born April 18, 1838. Married Marguerite Wagner January 20, 1854 in Behange, Messaney, Belgium
33. Catherine #2 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born February 26, 1842. Married michael Gautier in Luxembourg
34. Antoine #2 Schouweiler (Johan), (Johan), (Dominic), (Nicolas)
Born October 5, 1844. Married Marguerite Wagner (I assume the two Marguerite Wagner ladies were two separate people, maybe sisters, the way people named their children back then.)
Historical Notes
The people in the village of Schouweiler, Luxembourg, built a Catholic Church and began adding buildings of different businesses. They built a castle, which is now used as a nursing home for the lame and elderly people. The town grew but was never a city. It was mainly a farming area. They finally had a railroad for train transportation to and from their village.
They were successful farmers, blacksmiths, builders, and had many other ways of talents for making a good living. This was not to last. In the mid 1800's times grew very hard to feed their large families. Wars and hard times kept getting worse. The younger generations decided to leave their loved ones and homeland to go to the "New World." They had news that America was the land of "milk and honey."
Six of the Johan and Johanna Nue Schouweiler children made that decision in the mid-1800s. The first was their eldest son, Johan #1. Here I must explain why his name was #1. This is a mystery to all of us descendants. He was not the only child with a number. Later, another child was named Johan #2. Strange but true, they had two Michaels, two Antoines and two Catherines. How they identified them and called each of their names, I do not know.
On the ship Johan #1 was on was a family named Lehnertz. Their mother's name was Catherine and there were at least two daughters and two sons. We can only assume the father Bernard Lehnertz was dead and buried in their homeland, Prussia.
Young Johan Schouweiler and one of the Lehnertz daughters, whose name was Margaret, fell in love before getting to America. Her mother, Catherine Lehnertz, died from an illness while on the ship and was buried at sea. The two families landed in America and settled for a few years in Dubuque, Iowa. I assume they were married by the Catholic priest in Holy Cross Catholic Church because their first two children were baptized there.
After their arrival came brothers, Antoine (Anthony #1), Michael #1 and Catherine Klien. They had stopped off in Tiffon, Ohio where Michael and Catherine's first child was born. They must have not felt that their marriage was legal because they also bought a marriage license in Dubuque, Iowa but were not married until they moved on to Minnesota.
They were married by the Catholic priest in Cook Community in Wabasha County, Minnesota. Anthony #1 and Angeline Puetz were married in Holy Cross Catholic Church as was their sister Catherine #1 Schouweiler and Bartholomew Klien. It is believed that these couples knew one another before they left Luxembourg. Frank and Johan #2 came later in 1856. Frank met and married Eva Lehnertz, sister to Margaret, Johan #1's wife. Johan #2 married Anna Momper before leaving Luxembourg in 1866.
All six immigrants bought farms near one another in Highland, Glasgow and Greenland communities. They built nice homes and farmed their farms. Michael was of the business nature. He saved a little money, then loaned it out for an interest. Some of his children and grandchildren followed in his footsteps.
Logan County, Arkansas
(Peter is the son of Frank and Eva)
Front Row L to R: Fred, Peter Sr., Raymond, Theresa, Laurall, Willamina and Anna
Back Row: Clara, Mary (Sister Ann Marie O.S.B.) Peter Jr., Leo, Joseph and Edna
Seated L-R: Florence Young, Frank Young, George Young
Standing L-R: Catherine (Schouweiler) Young, Kermit Zickrick, Berneice Young, Ida Mae Schoff Young, Margaret Young Zickrick
George and Catherine (Schouweiler) Young were the parents of Frank Young and Margaret Young Zickrick. Margaret was the mother of Kermit Zickrick. Frank Young was the husband of Ida Mae (Schoff) Young. Their children were Florence Young and Berneice Young.
L-R: Margaret (Young) Zickrick, Cecilia (Young) Beckman and ?
Schouweiler Relatives
Wabasha County, Minnesota
About 1934
Front Row L-R: Elizabeth Schouweiler Wampach (Anthony), Anna Schouweiler Plein (John),
Catherine Schouweiler Howe (Jacob), Julia (Suzie) Graff Schouweiler (John H.) and Suzie
(Klein?) Graff (Joseph?)
Back Row L-R: John Klein?, Some think this is John Klein, Frank Howe?, John H.
Schouweiler, Paul Schouweiler, Irwin Schouweiler
Elizabeth, Anna and Catherine were daughters of the emigrants, Frank and Eva Schouweiler. Julia (Suzie) is sister to Joseph Graff, husband of Suzie Klein Graff who was daughter of the emigrants, Bartholomew and Catherine (Schouweiler) Klein. John Klein was also son of Bartholomew and Catherine. John H. Schouweiler was son of emigrants John (#2) and Anna Mumper Schouweiler. Paul and Irwin Schouweiler were sons of John H. and Julia Suzie Graff Schouweiler. Frank Howe's relationship is unknown.
Four of the immigrants' homes are still standing today and well kept. My great grandparents' farm has stayed in the Schouweiler generations ever since they moved to Arkansas in 1878. The young couple that now owns it has torn the old house down and built a nice brick home.
I had the good fortune to go to a Schouweiler family reunion in 1990. It was a dream come true. Relatives came from many different States and from Belgium. It was a three-day affair. Those responsible for the work that went into the reunion are to be commended for a great success. I was able to walk on the ground that once was my great-grandparents' home. I attended the Catholic Church Mass that our immigrants attended. I saw their graves in the well-kept cemeteries. My grandfather's sister, Johanna, was married to Louis Fisher when the Johan#1 family came to Logan County Arkansas to make their home. Johanna stayed behind. I visited with her grandson, Al Cox and his wife, Evelyn. I visited the home that once belonged to the Fisher Family. This was the highlight of working on my family research. A cousin whom we had never met and his lovely wife took us to their home to stay those three wonderful days and nights. Leo and Kaye took us all over Wabasha County and I believe into Wisconsin. They took us around in Rochester where they live and showed us the beautiful Mayo Clinic Complex. My young niece had a kidney transplant in that hospital. Leo and Kaye, as well as all the relatives we met at the reunion, were wonderful people.
Now about our relatives from Belgium: You see, for years we thought the six emigrants that came to America were all that was in their family. We were much surprised when we learned they had five more siblings that remained with their parents in Hungershoff, Luxembourg. They were François "Frank's" twin sister, Anna Margaret, Susanna, Michael #2 and Antoine/Anthony #2. The relatives from Belgium are descendants from the Anthony #2 line.
Three were able to speak English but it was very hard to understand the other five. The oldest was up in her eighties, but seemed more like in her fifties. George Biver, great-great-grandson of Antoine #2, was the family researcher for their families. He has sent me numerous records he has found and shared with several of us in America. It was certainly a dream come true. I need to add here the Hungershoff, Luxembourg, was a large farm and is still today. It is near the German boarder.
And now for my great grandparents and family that journeyed to Arkansas. They read in a church paper that the Railroad Company in Arkansas was searching for European family immigrants to buy land here in Logan County, Arkansas, very cheap. I think it was $2.50 an acre. Johan sent two of his oldest sons to investigate the land. They returned and told their father it was rich soil and an abundance of trees. They were familiar with cutting and sawing trees for lumber. When they got here life was very hard. I was told they had to live in a one room shack until they could get their home built. An older relative remembers her mother telling her that Margaret cried and said, "We left a smoke house full of meat and nice warm three storied house for this." It was even worse when they lost their baby girl. Anna was eight years old and while playing in and out from a heavy ladder that was on the side of the house they were building, it fell on her. Three days later she died. Not knowing the area, they did not know where to bury her. The first Monks had come to Subiaco, just down the road from the Schouweilers, to build the Subiaco Abbey. They had buried one man near their little one room log church/home. They invited the Schouweilers to bury their little Anna in the same place. It is now a large cemetery. The Abbey has grown to be a very large complex.
I do not claim that everything I have written is correct. Much of it was handed to me without proof. If anyone that reads this has corrections, please notify me. I will appreciate any corrections or additions. My Email address is: louiseh@arkansas.net.