Genealogy Report: Connor Mitchell Mettey Ancestors
Connor Mitchell Mettey Ancestors
56.Joseph Cerny, born Bet. 1837 - 1847 in Possibly Myskovice in Bohemia.He married 57. Unkown Cyzco.
57.Unkown Cyzco, born Abt. 1840 in Bohemia, Possibly Myskovice.
Notes for Joseph Cerny:
The name "Cerny" means black, in Bohemian, and is a very common name.As many as 44 Cernys immigrated from Bohemia in just the five year period from 1872-1877.At the present time, we have more questions than answers about Joseph Cerny.
It is unknown whether Joseph immigrated to America, or whether Vaclav came with other relatives, or even whether he lived in Chicago, prior to 1890.
A Joseph Cerny, born in Bohemia (age 39, Tailor) is shown in the 1880 Chicago census living at 28 Burlington Street, but his wife Mary (also born Bohemia) was twelve years his junior (too young to have been Vaclav's mother).The names of their children, (Ina 6, John, 4, Charles, 2, and Joseph, 4 mos., all born in Illinois) but no Vaclav is among the names.Vaclav would have been 13 years old at that time.Could this have been a second family?If so, where was Vaclav?
A search of Natualization records has shown that a Josef Cerny did apply for citizenship and his witness was a Frank Vancura.Might "Frank" have been related to Mary's father Michael? Given the propensity for using nicknames as legal names, and the fact that before 1906 detailed immigration information was not archived in Cook Countyn no additional specific fact can be established.No information was given about place of origin, except "Austria", which commonly was used for Bohemian immigrants.
Ships records also show several Joseph Cernys migrating in the period 1873-1875, but no direct link has been established.Research continues in all thess areas.
Child of Joseph Cerny and Unkown Cyzco is:
| 28 | i. | Vaclav (James) Cerny, born August 17, 1867 in Myskovice, Bohemia; died January 25, 1924 in Chicago, IL; married Mary Vancura September 06, 1890 in Chicago, IL. |
58.Michael Vancura, born in Bohemia.He married 59. Anna.
59.Anna
Child of Michael Vancura and Anna is:
| 29 | i. | Mary Vancura, born January 06, 1868 in Lomnice, Bohemia; died January 20, 1956 in County Home and Hospital, Tampa, FL; married Vaclav (James) Cerny September 06, 1890 in Chicago, IL. |
60.Mads Bjornson Litsheim, born 1847 in Voss, Hordaland Cty. Norway, near Bergen; died 1926 in Wisconsin.He was the son of 120. Bjorne Johannesen Litsheim and 121. Ingjerd Madsdatter Haga.He married 61. Anna Magnesdatter Vaethe October 23, 1877 in Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
61.Anna Magnesdatter Vaethe, born 1853 in Voss, Hordaland Cnty. Norway; died November 1912 in Chicago, IL.She was the daughter of 122. Magne Rasmuson Skjelde and 123. Marta Knutsdatter Liland.
Notes for Mads Bjornson Litsheim:
Mads was raised in a large family of three brothers and four sisters. The second oldest, Mads graduated from a teacher's college in Voss in 1868 and was a teacher there until 1881.He taught at Lone Leidalskredsen.He then may have taught in Christiana (Oslo) until emigrating to America about 1886, at age 39.
Mads and Anna were married 1877 in Voss and their two sons were born there.It is unknown exactly why Mads left Norway, but others of that time emigrated due the promise of land and opportunity in America and more than 1000 persons left Voss for America over a five year period, from 1883 to 1888.
Some farmers, many of whom might have been relatives from the area, had left Voss as early at 1839 and helped establish the first Norwegian settlement near Madison, WI.A history of the area describes its importance in becoming the first capital of the Wisconsin territory, and from 1850 through the civil war, the population mushroomed.
It is unknown exactly when and how Mads traveled but he later sent for to Anna and the boys, who followed him there late in 1888. They lived in Koshkonong Prairie, WI and he taught at three schools run by Pastor Gunstein Krostu, according to a 1930 book by K.A. Rene, "Historie om udvandringer fra Voss. " The family is thought to have later moved to the Holden Parish area of Minnesota for a while, where he continued his religious teaching and also was a newspaper and book agent.
The Norway census of 1900 shows Mads staying with his youngest sister Ranveig and brother-in -law Sjur Knutsen Gjerstad on the Gjerstad farm in Voss.His mother and two unmarried sisters were all living there as well as Sjur's parents.The parents' names were Knut Sjur Sjursen (83) and Ragnhilde Odsdatter(79).The reason for his stay in Norway at that time is not known.
By this time he used the surname"Litsheim", which he used in America, and it is believed that the farm name Litsheim, is a derivative of the ancient family farm in Norway called "Lissheim".He gave his home as Minnesota, USA, and profession as "farmer".If Anna accompanied him to Norway, she must have been visiting elsewhere, as she is not shown on the census with Mads, nor has she been located in Minnesota.
Anna died in 1912, leaving Mads a widower at age 65.He is thought to have died in Wisconsin in 1926, age 79,and is buried there.
| Notes for Anna Magnesdatter Vaethe: The 1875 Norway census for Hovden in Voss shows Anna Magnesdatter, a boarder, who makes a living with handiwork, staying in the home of Villum Kolbeinsson.If this is our Anna, she was 28 years old at the time. A marriage of Anna Magnesdatter to Mads Bjornesen in Voss has been documented as October 23, 1877 but there is some question as to whether this is the correct couple.Their son, Bjorne was born on January 8, 1878. Anna used several variations of the name Anna and Anne, as well as the spelling of Veathe, Vaethe, and Vethe.She emigrated from Bergen, Norway on August 28,1888 with her two sons, Bjorn (age given as 20, but he was more likely 10 years old) and Johannes, who was 8.Emigration records show she was joining her husband who was "working man" in America.She used the name "Vaethe" on this journey, and it is probably the name of the farm or community from which she came, as often was the custom.The name of the ship they traveled on is not documented, but was probably the SS Norge, which made regular trips from Bergen to Hull, England. Anna is buried in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Chicago, IL .Her date of death, provided by the cemetery is November 26, 1912. |
Children of Mads Litsheim and Anna Vaethe are:
| 30 | i. | Bennie M. Litsheim, born January 08, 1878 in Voss, Hordaland Cnty., Norway; died November 17, 1935 in Chicago, IL; married (1) Mathilda Abt. 1904; married (2) Minnie Augusta Rossow November 24, 1906 in Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL. | ||
| ii. | John Litsheim, born June 15, 1881 in Voss,Norway; died December 31, 1916 in Chicago, IL; married Lina Solberg Abt. 1909 in Chicago, IL; born July 15, 1881 in Eitvold, Luster Co., Norway; died June 1972 in Lodi, WI. |
| Notes for John Litsheim: John was born in Voss County Norway with the given name ofJohannes.He is shown on emigration documents from Bergen Norway as Johannes Madsen Vaethe, but took the name of John Litsheim after arrival in America with his mother and older brother in 1888.It is thought they originally lived in the Madison area of Wisconsin, moving to Chicago before 1902.He was an electircian in a family business in Chicago. John was only 36 years old when he died, leaving his wife and three young children ages 5, 3, and 15 months.He is buried in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Chicago, IL. |
| Notes for Lina Solberg: Lina immigrated from Norway on the Eturia on May 21, 1905, first to Cincinnati, OH where her sister, Minnie Westerlund and Minnie's husband John lived.A friend found her domestic work (serving in the Dining Room) of wealthy Chicago family.She met John shortly after and they were married in 1909. She described her marriage to John as "perfect" and she was devastated by John's sudden death on New Year's Eve, 1916.She took her two sons and baby daughter to Lodi, WI, where a relative of Joh's mother, Peter Brekke, owned a farm.When the farm was sold, she moved into town in Lodi.About 1926 she was married again to Ole W. Larson and moved to his farm near Lodi. |
| More About Lina Solberg: Burial: Lodi, WI |
63.Elizabeth Dorothea Maria Korth, born June 18, 1854 in Illinois; died August 07, 1928 in 3413 N. Lavergne, Chicago, IL.
Notes for Charles F. Rossow:
Charles emigrated to Illinois in 1866 with his parents, one brother, and two sisters, all of whom were born in Pommerania, the part of northern Germany which was under Prussian rule at the time.He was sixteen years old.From the time of his arrival he used the name "Charles" but is shown on the ship's manifest as "Carl", which he also used on the application for a marriage license.The middle initial "F" is thought to have stood for Frederick.He was naturalized in 1873 as a minor, having lived in America for five years, and his father had satisfied the 7 years residency requirement.He is shown registered to vote in 1888, living at 2908 Archer Ave. where he had lived for one year.That record showed his residency in IL as 22 years, in Chicago 20 years.
Chicago City Directories disclose the following information regarding his occupation and place of work/residence between 1874-1925:
1874 - Upholsterer - at 660 S. Halstead, resides 224 Henry St., age 24
1875 - Furniture at 394 Blue Island Ave, resides 224 Henry St., age 25 (married in September-1875)
1876 - C. Rossow and Bro., 401 Blue Island Ave, resides 336 Blue Island Ave (Chas.born July, 1876).
1877 - C. Rossow and Bros., 401 Blue Island Ave., resides 595 W. 14th Street.
1879- 1882 - Cabinetmaker, resides 595 W. l4th Street(Minnie was born July 16, 1879, Edward, 1881)
1883- 1887 -Furniture, 2880 Archer Ave.(Walter born 1884)
1888-1889 -Furniture, 2908 Archer Ave.
1890 -Furniture and Hardware, 2908 & 2910 Archer Ave.
1891-1893 -Cabinetmaker, home 761 W. 20th St.
1895 - 1896 - Cabinetmaker 874 W. 20th St.
1897-1901-Soliciter, Agent, 600 169 Jackson Blvd., home, 874 W. 20th St. (George born 1899)
1902 - 1904 -Agent, 169 Jackson Blvd., home, 798 Emmett
1905 - 1909 -Agent, 600, 169 Jackson Blvd., home,1484 Smalley Ct.
1910-1914 -Ins. Soliciter, 5th Floor, 171 La Salle, home, 1484 Smalley Ct.
(1911- 1915 Another listing for Charles F. Rossow,Ins. Solicter, 5th Floor, 39 S. La Salle, home, 835Crescent Pl.,and sometimes shown at 4950 Washington Blvd. also appears with previous listing)
1915 - 1916 -Insurance Agent, 5th Floor, 39 S. La Salle, home, 2421 N. Harding Ave.
1917 - 1924 - Solicter, 2204 Crawford Ave., home, 2333 N. Harding Ave.
1925 -Ins. Agent, home 3413 Lavergne
From this information we have learned that he and his younger brother, William,were partners in the furniture business for at least two years.William remained at the 401 Blue Island location at least through 1884.
Charles married Elizabeth Korth in 1875 in Chicago, as confirmed in the 1880 census.It reveals that Charles (age 29) was living with Elizabeth (age 25) and their two oldest children, Charles and Minnie, at 595 Fourteenth St. and he was a cabinet maker.Abusiness card dated 1889 indicates he was a dealer in furniture and hardware, located at 2908-2910 Archer Ave. further documenting his activities during those years.
Pictures of Charles are scarce, but he appears to be of tall and slender stature, sporting a stylish mustache.Pictures of Minnie show a very well dressed young lady, who was probably provided her beautiful dresses by one of Charles sisters, her Aunts Emma and Minnie, both dressmakers.
In the 1900 census, Charles is shown living with Elizabeth and their three youngest children 874 W. 20th Street.By this time Charlie and Minnie were both married.The younger boys, Edward, age 18, Walter, age 16, and infant George, born 1899 are shown.It confirms his immigration year as 1866, naturalized in 1873, and gave no occupation.It is known, however,that he became a Prudential Insurance agent around this time and pursued that career for the rest of his life.
In the 1920 census, he and Elizabeth were living at 2333 Harding Avenue, sharing the address with their youngest son George, their daughter Minnie, her husband Bennie M. Litsheim, and their granddaughters Mabel and Florence.Charles occupation was shown as Insurance Soliciter.It is not known if this was a single family home, or two flat unit.
There is great opportunity for speculation on why and how Charles changed career paths from a furniture dealer to insurance salesman, but apparently sales was his calling.The frequency with which they moved is also subject to analysis, as one might assume he became upwardly mobile, in today's terms, and more prosperous as the years went by.
At the time Elizabeth passed on in 1928, they were living at 3413 N. Lavergne and some time afterwards he went to make his home with daughter Minnie, and was living on Campbell Avenue at the time of his death in 1939.The author, upon learning this, was greatly saddened to recall that she, too, had lived in that home at that time, at age 2 1/2 years, but has no actual recollection of her great grandfather.
Charles F. Rossow died at the age of 89 years and was buried on November 24, 1939 in the family plot at Concordia Cemetery, 7900 W. Madison St., Forest Park, IL60130.
More About Charles F. Rossow:
Burial: November 27, 1939, Concordia Cemetery, Chicago, IL
Emigration: June 1866, Aboard the Appollo
Naturalization: November 01, 1873, Verified by Cook County Superior Ct.
| Notes for Elizabeth Dorothea Maria Korth: Elizabeth Dorthea Maria Korth was born in Illinois, although both her parents were born in Germany.She married Charles at the age of 20, and was 5 years younger than he.In 1880 she was residing with her husband and first two children, Charlie and Minnie at 595 Fourteenth Street in Chicago, according to the census for that year.In the 1900 censusthe family was living at 874 W. 25th Street and were renters.It showed she was the mother of five children, all five surviving.There is some mystery surrounding two infants buried in the family plot might have been Elizabeth and Charles children, but conflicting birth dates for Minnie and Walter have ruled that out, unless Walter was a twin.Her youngest child, George, was born when she was 44 and less than a year after her oldest child married. It is also thought that they owned or operated a business about 1889 on Archer Avenue.At the time of her death in 1928 they lived at 3413 N. Lavergne Ave, in Chicago.She is buried in the family plot in Concordia, Cemetery |
More About Elizabeth Dorothea Maria Korth:
Burial: August 10, 1928, Concordia Cemetery, Chicago, IL
Children of Charles Rossow and Elizabeth Korth are:
| i. | Charles W. Rossow, born July 1876 in Chicago, IL; married Minnie Unknown 1898; born February 1877 in Illinois. |
| Notes for Charles W. Rossow: Charlie apparently tried his hand at the insurance business, listed in the 1897 Chicago directory as a solicitor,at 600, 169 Jackson, (same company as Charles F.)and living at home on 20th St.He married in 1898 and at the time was a clerk, working 820 W. 19th, living on Broadstreet.The 1900 census shows Charles (Charlie) living at 3054 Broadstreet, with wife Minnie and 11month old daughter, Ethel.Both parents were 23, and his occupation given was a bookkeeper and they were renters. From 1899-1906Charlie worked as a clerk on W. 22nd at the NE corner of Laflin.It is not known exactly what kind of "clerk" he was, but due to the information he gave in the census, and his later success in business, it was likely an office administration position, rather than retail.In 1907 his residence had become Hinsdale.In 1908 he is shown as Secretary, Petersen Oven Co., Ste.335, 100 Adams St. Chicago,living at 49 Wabash Avenue in Hinsdale.The company moved to 157, 160, and 112Adams in the years from 1909-1919. In the 1920 census for Hinsdale Village, Downer's Grove Township, Du Page County IL (ED 9, Page 9A) his occupation is given as Sec. Treas. of Lister (?) Luster(?) Co.The address is 10 Blount (?) and shows the home was owned free and clear. The city directory for Chicago indicates that Charles was Secretary/Treasurer of Petersen Oven after 1923, and his residence given as 194 N. Lincoln in Hinsdale in 1925.It is remembered by his nieces that he eventually built a large home in Hinsdale, IL, which was still in the family in the 1940's. |
| 31 | ii. | Minnie Augusta Rossow, born July 16, 1879 in Chicago, IL; died August 23, 1968 in Detroit, MI; married (1) Charles (Karl) F. Beilke May 26, 1900 in St. Matthews Church, Chicago, IL; married (2) Bennie M. Litsheim November 24, 1906 in Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL. | ||
| iii. | Edward August Otto Rossow, born August 12, 1881 in Chicago, IL; died October 11, 1966 in Oak Park, IL; married Minna Louise Gerschow April 29, 1905; born January 02, 1882 in Chicago, IL; died October 20, 1963 in Oak Park, IL. |
| Notes for Edward August Otto Rossow: The Chicago directories, 1902-1904, list Edward O. as living at 798 Emmett, the same address as his father, but give no occupation.In 1905-1907 an Edward Rossow, cigars,is shown at 3011 Archer Ave,possibly becoming a businessman to support his new bride and firstborn son.But two other Edward Rossows are also listed (laborers, living at 633 W. 21st. and 977 W. 20th). The cigar dealer does not reappear after that year, and Edward A. Rossow is shown working as an insurance soliciter for the same company as Charles did in 1908, residing at 2840 Keeley. 1909-1913 show the listings for Edward A., a machinist, at the Keeley address, and it appears his career in insurance was short lived; perhaps raising a growing family required a more reliable income.In 1914 Edward A. is a manager at 1140 S. Michigan Ave., still residing at 2840 Keeley.His subsequent listings are similar, until 1925 when he is shown as Superintendent, Charles Lange & Brothers Co. , living at 1017 S. Grove Ave., Oak Park, IL. In the 1920 census (Oak Park, E.D.173 page 21A) Edward A. and Minnie (both 38 years) are shown living at 1017 Grove Avenue with their daughter, Myrtle, age 10 and son, Edward, age 7.Edward A. gave his occupation as a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry.They owned their home, subject to a mortgage. From this record it is apparent that Edward was a conscientous worker and less inclined to move around than his father.Many pictures of Edward A. and Minnie survive and are in the collection of their granddaughters.The family history of this branch of the family has been researched and documented by great-granddaughter, Ann Rohzon Chaney. |
| Notes for Minna Louise Gerschow: Minna and Edward A. Rossow were married in Chicago, in 1905, when Minna was 23.Their firstborn child, Harold,died at the age of two years, in 1908.This must have been a great sadness for the young couple who were expecting their second child, Myrtle.In 1912 they became parents of another son, Edward. Many pictures taken of them show a close and loving couple with their children and grandchildren. Minna (Minnie) and Edward A. had a very long and happy marriage, celbrating 58 years together before she died at age 81. |
| iv. | Walter F. (Wally) Rossow, born March 1884 in Illinois; married Charlotte M. Rasmussen Abt. 1911; born 1892 in Illinois. |
| Notes for Walter F. (Wally) Rossow: First mention of Walter in the Chicago city directories is in 1904, listing his home address at 798 Emmett, (same as his parents) but giving his occupation as a clerk.In 1905 he moved with the family to 1484 Smalley Ct. and was working as a clerk at 150 W. Madison Ave., where he remained until about 1911, when he worked at 721 W. Madison Ave. but still lived at home.In 1911 he is shown as working as a bookkeeper and living at 4957 W. Huron, so it is assumed that this was the year he married. In 1912 he is listed at 212 W. Adams, home at 1521 Ridgeway.1913-1917 he still worked as bookkeeper, now at222 S. Morgan, living at 4234 Potomac Ave. The 1920 Census show Walter F. Rossow, age 35, living at 2537 George Street with wife, Charlotte M., age 28, son, Leslie, age 6, and his widowed mother-in-law, Mathilde Rasmussen.They were renters in the home owned and co-occupied by John Hofas,John's wife Dora, and her son, Paul Larga (?).Walter gave his occupation as an Investigator for a casualty company. By 1923 he was an adjuster with Builders and Manufacturers Mutual Casualty Co. of Chicago, and was living at 3729 Belden Avenue.In 1925, as a claims agents he was living at 3520 Palmer Avenue. |
| v. | George C. Rossow, born August 1899; married Mrs. Rossow. |
| Notes for George C. Rossow: The 1900 Census shows George had been born the previous August and the family was living on W, 20th St. in Chicago, Il.He was still living with parents on Harding Avenue in the 1920 Census, his occupation shown as machinist.The Chicago city directories first list George as a student in 1917, then as working in auto repair in 1918, living at home on Harding Ave. through 1923. In 1925 he is listed as an inspector, residing at 6229 Patterson Ave. |