Johannes and Christina led the immigration with their children at an older age than many of the Klapperich emigrants who were eager to seek their fortunes. They had an auction to sell the belongings that could not be taken on a ship. The list of 131 items sold has survived; it represents a lifetime of treasured items--a spinning wheel, a cradle, shovels, scythes and a barrel of sauerkraut.
Johannes died not long after 1860 and his wife appears as a widow in 1870 and 1880. However their children who accompanied them married and became respected members of the Wisconsin community.