Nicolas "Nic" Stampfler

Nicolas Stampfler (19 Nov 1827 - 29 Jan 1895) was born in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. He came to Michigan; he was in Battle Creek, MI in 1869, in Potterville approximately 1879-1878, and in Fife Lake in 1887 or 1888. He spoke German.

Parents: Jean Stampfler (30 Aug 1783 - unknown) and Barbe BAUR.

Marriage: Victoria RUETSCH (18 Nov 1837 - 21 May 1900).

Children:

1. Edward John Stampfler (21 Sep 1860 - 22 Jun 1944); m. Nettie A. ALDRIDGE
2. Joseph Stampfler (1866- c.1883)
3. Frederick George Stampfler (1868 - 1946); m. Nellie Marie TANNER.
4. Charles S Stampfler (28 Nov 1869 - 26 Dec 1938); m. his first cousin Josephine Rose STAMPFLER (10 Jul 1871 - 25 Oct 1940) on 15 Nov 1893.
5. Mary A STAMPFLER (14 Nov 1873 - 1 Jan 1967); m. Solomon "Ross" Barber (c. 1872 - 14 Nov 1894).
6. Jerome Stampfler (2 Jan 1875 - 21 Dec 1917); m. Anna RIPLOW (25 Dec 1882 - 7 Feb 1922) in c.1902.

Notes

1880 Census listed him as "Nile Stauffler" 1880 Census has "Joseph Age 14" listed...no other info in Boynton records 1888 in Missaukee Co

Nicholas comes to U.S.: There had been a war between Germany and France. France had got a little piece of land called Alsace-Lorraine. Nicholas and two friends went to the edge of the ocean. The two turned back but Nicholas worked his way over on a boat. He came to New York and worked in Rochester in a fish market packing cod fish. He stayed awhile and then went to Chicago. Chicago was log houses, no sidewalks and wild shootings. He went back to Alsace-Lorraine and married Victoria Ruetsch. Conditions were bad over there and they came right back. (Ed, the oldest child born in 1860 so they probably came in 1859. Victoria might have been pregnant or shortly after arrival). It took some 90 days to cross. The boats were sloppy, dirty and no conveniences. At one time they were anchored in mid-ocean 48 days waiting for the wind to be in the right direction to sail. Lots of families that came over had to wait 2 or 3 years before the husband could send for them.

"Nic and Vic Life in Michigan" Nicholas and Victoria (evidently had moved) burned out in Battle Creek. Victoria had received an inheritance of $1600 and had bought a house and lot in Battle Creek. Nicholas worked at Nichols (or Nicholson) and Sheffer machine shop. They lived just across the Kalamazoo River. There was an explosion at the ship. The wind came up and blew towards the house. They were putting down a new floor. Victoria was alone with the boys. This was 2 months before Mary was born. Nicholas couldn’t leave the shop. Victoria told the boys to shut the door and they piled all they could get in the middle of quilts and tied them up because she knew the house was going to burn. Men came and broke down the door and smashed the furniture. They moved twice. Most of their belongings was scooned (stole). Nicholas was out of a job but got one on the railroad section for $6.00 per month. That is how they got to Pottersville. Some one else in the Ruetsch family died in the old country and Victoria got $132. They bought 2 cows and they freshened and had calves. Lawrence (a brother to Nicholas) had a big farm in Charlotte and done butchering.(Lawrence’s daughter Josephine married Charles Stampfler, 1st cousins). He wanted to buy the calves but they wouldn’t sell them. They loaded the cattle, 3 boys and Nick in a boxcar. Nick was told to make sure the boys ducked when they went through the towns and they would get thru ok. Victoria, Jack? (maybe Joe) Jerome and Mary went by train. That’s when they moved to Fife Lake. Mary was about 5 yrs old. Jerome was younger. They changed cars at Grand Rapids. Mary had a hat with a ribbon on it and the wind went wh-o-o-osh and the hat blew off. Victoria said “Sherome (Jerome) you go get it”.

Victoria sold butter and got some groceries and Nicholas worked in some of the logging camps. They had to save most of the cash that’s when they bought property. (? Back on Lucas Road or on E-2) There were enough scholars to make the Stampfler school district. That was the next year after moving there in the spring. (?or is she talking of moving from the property on Lucas to property on E-2, now Bridson farm) Victoria had a border. The house was little. They bought lumber and built an addition approx 12x14 with 2 bedrooms at the end. They went to school 3 months in winter and 3 months in the summer. Mary went to school there except for a 3 month term in the summer at the Aldridge (?Maple hill) school.

Someone came to visit Mary and the friend and a cousin went back to Germany for 6 weeks. They brought back a map. Mary found the towns and circled them. Nicholas danced at Heidelberg (I don’t think that’s right, maybe Hundsdorf). There was Mulhausen and Logsdorff. Mary thinks her mother and father born at Mulhousen but they weren’t both from the same little town. Victoria’s father, Joseph Ruetsch owned a large warehouse in Mulhausen. Jerome had black curly hair and took after him. Over there they had 1/2 day of school with German language and 1/2 day with French. They also learned Latin because of Catholic religion. Victoria was 22 when she married.

Source Doc: Mary Barber tape transcription