Joseph A. Feldhake

"14 MAY 1843 Verified in 1900 Census, Spring Point Township, Sigel, IL"

"AFN: NJB3-SC

Information found in 1900 Census, Springpoint Township, IL.

Registered as Joseph Feldhake

Born May 14, 1842

Immigrated to U.S. from Germany 1859, age 16.

Did not become a U.S citizen.

No record of school, but declared he could read and write English.

Married to Josephine Westjohn 1885, (15 years prior to census.)

6 children as shown in family tree.

Farmer, owned property free and clear, 2 1/2 miles East of Sigel, IL, 1 mile South, 2/3 mile E, south side of road.

He was previously married to Maria Hadaller, b: Aug 15, 1852, d: Mar 15, 1882

Other records indicate Joseph's birthplace as Voltlage Amt. Puerstevan Hanover, Germany.

According to Martin Feldhake, Joseph came to the United States in 1855 at the age of fifteen. He left Hanover, Germany with a buddy and went to Holland. He obtained his brother's (Barney) passport in order to gain passage to the US. On his arrival he lived with his brothers, Henry and Barney. He soon got a job as a farmhand on a farm southwest of Sigel, near Green Creek, This farm was owned by people with the name of Renert, later known as the Tony Ludwig farm. While working as a farmhand Joseph bought eighty acres of land 3 1/2 miles southeast of Sigel. he bought it from the Illinois Central Railroad for about $1.25 an acre."

Born: 14 MAY 1842? Name: J. Joseph Feldhake?