Sebastian Ankenbrand

Sebastian immigrated with his brother Nicholas to the United States ca. 1840 as an indentured servant to avoid universal military service in Germany. He served his indenture in Baltimore, MD, then came west to the Mt. Carmel, IL area to live with fellow German speakers and he bought a farm there. In 1860 or 1861, Sebastian received a draft notice to serve in the Civil War; but for $300 he was allowed to let a former slave serve for him in the U.S. Army (the Union government needed money more than men to fight the war...). [told to A.E. Keller by George John Ankenbrand, Sebastian's great-great grandson]

Birth: Mar., 1832 Munich (München), Germany

Death: May 7, 1924 Wabash County Illinois, USA

Immigrated to the United States in 1858. Married Catherine Berberich January 15, 1861 in Wabash County, Illinois and had nine children: Michael; Frank; George; Anna; Charlie; Mary; Lena; Margaret; Clara. He was a farmer in Wabash County.