Carston Friederich Christian Heers
Born: Oct. 25, 1859, Grosz Oesingen, Hannover Prov., German
Died: April 4, 1945, Netawaka, KS
Married: Sophia Maria Dorothea Neddermeyer, Feb. 6, 1882 in Grosz Oesingen, Hannover Prov., German
- Friederika Marie Dorothea (MARY) Heers
- Friederich Henry (FRED) Heers
- Henry William Heers
- Emma Dorothea Heers
- Mathilde (TILLIE) Auguste Heers Grundeman
- Lusinde Alvina Heers Wolf
- Louise Doretta Heers Larson
Grandfather of (to name just a few):
Laura Alma Heers Gerhardt Lillian Mary Erna Heers Price
Clarence H. Beaman Harlan F. Grundeman
Arthur L. Beaman Mervin Grundeman
Elinor M Beaman Ernest Otto Grundeman
Lloyd H. Beaman Delores Grundeman
Fred's older half-brother, Henry Bergmann, had arrived in the States in 1871 -- coming to asisst with the cleanup of Chicago after the great fire. Henry sent persuasive letters home telling of the opportunities available to the poor in America. Conditions in Germany were deplorable-- there was forced service in the Prussian army, unfortunate state-church relations during the 19th C. in Germany and the general unsettled political and economic conditions.
Fred Heers and his wife, Mary, came to the US in the spring of 1883. Fred had served a period of service in the Prussian Army and was about 21 when they arrived. The parents were accompanied by one child, Frederika Marie Heers. Their fare, ammounting to $96.00 was provided through the gift off $100.00 provided by Fred's half-brother, Henry Bergman.
They arrived in Whiting, KS on June 3, 1883. He and his family resided in the Whiting area until 1894 when the family moved to a farm which he had purchased southwest of Netawaka, In 1917, he and his wife retired to a small home in Netawaka.
Both Fred and Mary were charter members of Netawaka Immanuel Lutheran Church in February, 1893.
Mary died in 1924 and he maintained their Netawaka home until his own death in 1945.