As follows is a summary of my Family History: Follow the blue underlined links for more information
My Great, Great, Great, Grandfather:
Wilhelmius Berke (Sr) b.???. d. ???? Married to Maria (von Gureska) Berke b. ??? d. ????
My Great, Great Grandfather:
Wilhelm Berke (Jr.) b. 1821 in Oberniki (about 20 miles north of Posen) d. 1904 Married to Veronica (Golisch) Berke b. 12/8/1833 d. 12/14/1914 in Berlin.
My Great, Grandfather:
Herman John Berke b. 1856 in Oberniki d. 1921 married to Rose Bridget Hay b.1861 d. 1933
My Grandfather:
Roman Herman Berke b. 1891 d. 1968 Married to Florence Stearns b. 1890 d. 1967
My Father:
Willis
Woodrow Berke b. 1915
Married to Alma Arlene Christensen b. 1924
Roger
Allen Berke b. 1949
in Nebraska
Family History Summary:
Wilhelmis Sr.. was an Architect in Berlin and said to have contributed to one of the cathedrals built in his day. Maria was a countess, the younger sister of several brothers. When she married Willelmius - a Catholic - she was disinherited and divested of everything except her right to spend her last years in a home in Berlin where she died in 1914.
The family's move to America started during the reign of Bismarck "The Iron Chancellor" with number 2 and 3 sons, Frederick and Ludwig. One (Probably Frederick) was in the German army, the other due for call-up. Both took off for America -- probably in the mid 1850's to early 1860's. They settled in Northfield, Minnesota where Ludwig lived out his life. Fredrick was was still there at the time of Jesse James' raid (September 7, 1876), later moving to Los Angles, Where he became a very wealthy doctor in the late 1800's to early 1900's. His large home was at 145 South Bunker Hill Avenue, Los Angels, CA
Frederick and Ludwig were followed to America by Herman and Albert - Number 1 and 2 sons of Wilhelmius Jr., the oldest son of Willelmius and Maria - who joined Uncles Fredrick and Ludwig in Northfield Minnesota probably in late 1860's to early 1870's.
In 1874 Fredrick, Ludwig and Nephews Herman and Albert brought oldest brother Wilhelm, wife Veronica and three youngest children, Anna, Mary and Roman (Age 5) over to Northfield.
Wilhelm, Frederick and Ludwig's sister Caroline remained in Germany.
Ludwig and Wilhelm raised their families in Northfield and their children (Ludwig's Mary, Herman, Amelia, Elizabeth and Anna) (Wilhelm's: Herman, Albert, Anna, Mary and Roman) Grew up in Northfield and several remained.
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