Other ordinance dates:
SP 11 Jul 1991 Oakland with mother listed as "Hulke Muller"
The following ordinances listed Clyde as being "of Lewellen, Garden, NE"with mother listed
as "Hilke Mueller":
b 6 Mar 1992 SLake
e 8 Apr 1992 SLake
sp 16 Jun 1992 SLake
other ordinance dates:
sp 11 Jul 1991 Oakland with mother listed as "Talka Bulster OR Bolster" The work done in the Washington Temple listed the mother as"Taalka OR Ralkeh Balster"Research Note to follow up on: Elsie Smith, in a letter dated 4 Oct 1996, said, "I remembered my mother telling me that her maternal grandmother's first name was Effie."
BIRTH: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family History.
1998. page 64. (2) 1920 U.S. Census, Vail Precinct, KeithCounty, Nebraska,
ED 168, Sheet 3, Line 70DEATH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 64.
Names: (1) When Harm moved to America, he changed his name to Herman.
(2) On transcription of birth record, middle name listed as Jantzen.Ship's Passenger List (copy in Abts Family History, page 13):
H. J. Abts, age 33, Hilke Abts, age 29, Gretje, age 7, Boele, age 4, and Albert, age 10 months arrived at New York Harbor aboard ship Bremen, 3 Jun 1864, from Ostfreisland, Germany.Obituary: From Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J.Teravainen. Abts Family History. 1998. Page 5.
"The Blade, Fairbury, IL, Friday, September 13, 1902 ANOLD SETTLER DIES.
Herman Abts died at his home in this city Monday with a stroke of appoplexy. He had been in usual health and had been setting in the house and got up and walked out doors when he was stricken. The members of thefamily carried him into the house and summoned medical aid but he expired before the physician could get to him.
"The deceased had been a familiar figure in this citysince 1866. For years he followed blacksmithing and was one of the first blacksmiths in Fairbury. He was a kind hearted man and a faithful and hard worker.
"Herman Abts was born in Eilsum, Ostfresland, Germany May 6, 1830. He was united in marriage to Hillsa [actual spelling] Miller May 2 1858. Together they came to America in 1865, settling first in Peoria county and
moving to Fairbury a year later where they have since resided. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are living, as follows:
"Mrs Henry Shively, Franklin, Neb. Paul and Albert of Lincoln, Neb, Mrs. John and Mrs. Fred Wessels and John of Fairbury, Clyde of Hornick, Iowa, who together with the aged and bereaved wife mourn his death.
"Of late years Mr. Abts has retired from work and lived comfortably at his home here.
"All the children were present at the funeral services which were held at the family home, Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. C.S. Davies officiating. The family have the sympathy of all in their bereavement."BIOGRAPHY: From Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J.Teravainen. Abts Family History. 1998. Pages 6-7.
"Taken from the Abts Family History 1961
"Some eighty years ago, a little blacksmith shop stood on the corner in Fairbury, Illinois, where now is the Honegger Offices [now the new Fairbury City Hall; the old building was torn down in 1995] on West Locust Street. Here and in other shops in Fairbury, for many years the children of the town spent their leisure hours watching the blacksmith fashion interesting things from iron or better yet fastening shoes to the feet of restless horses.
"Some of the children, long since grown into men and women, love to talk of those happy days.
"The Blacksmith, who plied his trade here, was Herman Abts, a man large and strong and a master of his trade. He was a native of Eilsum, Ostfreisland, Germany. He was born May 6, 1830 and spent the first thirty years of his life there. Sometime during his early manhood, he learned the blacksmith trade, serving for nine years as an apprentice. He spent a year in Holland as he wished to learn things her German teachers did not know.
"During his apprenticeship, he learned to make tools, his masterpiece being a flat iron, though he excelled in the manufacture of butcher irons.
"On May 2, 1858, he was married to Hilka Muller, whose father was a baker. This marriage took place after a courtship lasting seven years. She was of so kindly a disposition that her many friends here in Fairbury still speak of her as Grandma Abts and love to tell about her kindness and lovableness and of her quaint white caps and her aprons which she wore just as she did in her younger days in Germany. Her cookie jar was always kept full for her young friends.
"Although Grandma Abts was never able to converse very fluently in English, she was so proficient in the use of German that at one time she had a class of young ladies who were learning the language and they in return taught her the English.
"While in Germany, the Abts family lived in a brick house equipped with a fireplace in which dried turf was burned. As was the custom of the time and place, the house, shop, and outbuildings were under the same roof, an
arrangement to which our American housewives would object.
"Three children came to gladden this home, Gretchen, known to her American friends as Mary, Paul and Albert.
"Although Mr. Abts was in comfortable circumstances in Germany, he wanted to better them and in 1865, he with his family came to America, landing in New York after a short time upon the water.
"From New York, the family went to Peoria and lived there a few months and then went to Fairbury. Mr. Abts again following hischosen profession.
"Several houses in Fairbury, some still standing served as home for them. The last one was almost a small farm containing several acres and lies at the north edge of town. While tending this place, Mr. Abts acquired such a taste
for farming that they bought eighty acres of land in Indian Grove township, south of Fairbury. They resided here eight years, and as they were getting older they sold this place and bought a little place in the southwest corner of Fairbury. Here Mr. Abts spent his remaining days, not following his trade again but tending his place, and aiding as he could his children, three of whom lived near. He was a great walker and often walked out to see them in their homes. He died September 8, 1902, while walking in his yard. His wife was left alone and made her home with her children paying at least one visit to each, but she didn't linger long and on December 21,1904, she passed away."
NOTE: from page 4 of Abts Family History: "Hilka was born with the name HILKE. The only place that we find her name spelled HULKA is in the two family books that have been printed in the past. The first time we have found her name spelled HILKA is in a document after Herman died, yet she signed it HILKE. Her death certificate, tombstone, and obituary have the spelling of HILKA. We do not know why or how her name was changed, but it was, so we have used her name before her death and after her death."
Obituary: From: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. Abts Family History. 1998. page 5.
The Blade, Fairbury, Illinois, Friday, December 23, 1904:
"Mrs. Hilka Abts Dead. Mrs. Hilka Abts, widow of Herman Abts died at the home of her daughter Mrs. and Mr. John Wessels, with whom she resided, Wednesday, aged 72 years.
"Hilka Muller was born in Germany April 23, 1832. She was married to Herman Abts May 2, 1857 and to this Union Eight children were born seven of whom are living,--Mrs. Mary Shiveley, Franklin, Neb., Paul of Lawndale, Ill., Albert of Lincoln, Ill., Mrs. Lena and Minnie Wessels, and John, of Fairbury, Clyde of Hornick, Iowa. Mrs. Abts came to America in 1855 and after marriage came to Fairbury to live. She was one of the early residents of this city and here their family were born and reside. She was an excellent woman, a kind neighbor, a loving wife and mother and she leaves many friends to mourn her death. Her children were all here at the funeral services.
"The funeral services were held at her late residence at 10 o'clock, today Rev. C. S. Davies officiating, and the remains laid to rest in the Fairbury Cemetery."
BIRTH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 14.
Year of birth estimated from age (30 years old) given at marriage
Marriage record lists name as Greetje Harms; year of birth estimated from age (21 years old) given at marriage
From: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. Abts Family History. 1998. page 8. Notes from Heidi McCarty, April 1995:
"This is the first time the name ABTS appeared in the records. The Church Book Keeper (Kirchen Meister) speculates that since this is the time frame when Napoleon required every citizen to have a last name that Harm and Greetje may have adopted a variation of their first born daughter's name, ABBE, since their first born son died soon after birth."
(1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History. 1998.
page 14. (2) Marriage Application, page 9 of ChurchYearbook 1857,
Evangelical Reformation Church (formerly St. Petri) inEilsum, East Friesland.
BIRTH: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family History.
1998. page 10. (2) Transcribed by Heidi McCarty from BirthRecords Book. 1823.
Page 200. Church Records Books of theEvangelische-Reformierte
Kirchengemeinde, Eilsum, 26736 Krummhorn, Fed. Rep. ofGermany.CHRISTENING: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J.Teravainen. Abts Family
History. 1998. page 10. (2) Transcribed by Heidi McCartyfrom Birth Records
Book. 1823. Page 200. Church Records Books of theEvangelische-Reformierte
Kirchengemeinde, Eilsum, 26736 Krummhorn, Fed. Rep. ofGermany.MARRIAGE: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family
History. 1998. page 9. (2) Transcribed by Heidi McCartyfrom Marriage Records
Book. 1852. Page 79. Church Records Books of theEvangelische-Reformierte
Kirchengemeinde, Eilsum, 26736 Krummhorn, Fed. Rep. ofGermany.BIOGRAPHY: occupation on marriage certificate listed as"schmiedmeister" or
blacksmith
BIRTH: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family History.
1998. page 9. (2) Transcribed by Heidi McCarty from BirthRecords Book. 1853.
Page 4. Church Records Books of theEvangelische-Reformierte
Kirchengemeinde, Eilsum, 26736 Krummhorn, Fed. Rep. ofGermany.
BIRTH: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family History.
1998. page 9. (2) Transcribed by Heidi McCarty from BirthRecords Book. 1856.
Page 14. Church Records Books of theEvangelische-Reformierte
Kirchengemeinde, Eilsum, 26736 Krummhorn, Fed. Rep. ofGermany.
Other ordinance dates:
SP 11 Jul 1991 Oakland with mother listed as "Hulke Muller"
The following ordinances listed Clyde as being "of Lewellen, Garden, NE"with mother listed
as "Hilke Mueller":
b 6 Mar 1992 SLake
e 8 Apr 1992 SLake
sp 16 Jun 1992 SLake
BIRTH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 63.DEATH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 63.
BIRTH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 63.DEATH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 63.NOTE: Aunt Elsie had Hilda sealed to Dena Henrietta Fritzen on 11 Jul 1991 in the Oakland Temple, rather than to her own mother, Anna Catherine Arends.
BIRTH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 66.DEATH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 66.
NOTE: Aunt Elsie had Vivian sealed to Dena Henrietta Fritzen on 11 Jul 1991 in the Oakland Temple, rather than to her own mother, Anna Catherine Arends.
BIRTH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 68.DEATH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 68.MARRIAGE: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family History.
1998. page 63.From Social Security Death Index: Birth Date: 11 Feb 1895
Death Date: Oct 1975
Social Security Number: 507-03-8202
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Nebraska
Death Residence Localities
ZIP Code: 68640
Localities: Genoa, Nance, Nebraska
Info from the SSDI:
MATTIE M MCCARTY
Birth: 17 May 1903
Death: 12 May 2001 (V)
Last Residence: 68660 (Saint Edward, Boone, NE)
Last Benefit: (none specified)
Social Security Number: 507-30-5301
Issued: Nebraskaburied in Evergreen Cemetery
BIRTH: (1) Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen.Abts Family History.
1998. page 64. (2) 1920 U.S. Census, Vail Precinct, KeithCounty, Nebraska,
ED 168, Sheet 3, Line 68DEATH: Goembel, Sally J. and Barbara J. Teravainen. AbtsFamily History.
1998. page 64.From Social Security Death Index: Birth Date: 20 Sep 1906
Death Date: Nov 1975
Social Security Number: 508-03-8491
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Nebraska
Death Residence Localities
ZIP Code: 80726
Localities: Crook, Logan, Colorado
From Social Security Death Index: Birth Date: 17 Feb 1909
Death Date: Aug 1976
Social Security Number: 523-68-9243
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Colorado
Death Residence Localities
ZIP Code: 80726
Localities: Crook, Logan, Colorado