John Augustus Engert (1816 - 1892)

Born 31 Aug 1816 in Baden, Germany

Husband of Anna Rebecca (Williamson) Engert — married 15 Aug 1845 in Frederick County, Maryland

Descendants

Died 11 Sep 1892 at age 76 in Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio, United States of America

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Biography

Farmer. Woodworker.

31 Aug 1816: born in Baden, Germany.

He immigrated on the ship Republik, landing in New York, in 1839. He appears in the passenger list as August Engert.^[1]

He married Anna Rebecca Williamson in Frederick County, Maryland on 15 Aug 1845.^[2] This lists only the date and couple's names.

1850 Census: Jno, A Engert, 33, Farmer. sharing household with spouse, Ann K, and Isaac (Bowman, Bourman ? , note: there is a Bourman family living nearby on the previous census page), a farmer. (District 1) Washington County, Maryland. ^[3]

1870 Census: John Engert, head, 54. white, married. born in Baden. Sash manufacturer. Personal estate value $2000. Both parents of foreign birth. Living with spouse, Anna and children William and Mary in Fremont. Sandusky County, Ohio. Clara Williamson and William Williamson are also in the household and are likely niece and nephew of Anna. ^[4]

1880 Census: John Engert, head, 64. married. lumber dealer. Living with spouse, Anna, and daughter, Mary, Additionally, John Engert, Jr., William H Engert, and Magdelena Engert are listed as children. None of the three are with the family in 1870 and may be adopted or extended family members. Fremont, Sandusky, Ohio. Both parents were born in Baden. ^[5]

11 Sep 1892: died in Fremont, Sandusky, Ohio. burial: plot, Section 10. Oakwood Cemetery. Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio, shared gravestone with spouse, Anna E. ^[6]

His obituary:
John Augustus Engert was born in Dresden, Saxony, Germany, August 31st, 1816, died at his home in this city September 11, 1892, aged seventy-six years and eleven days.
When a boy he learned the tanner's trade, and coming to this country in 1838 he engaged in this business. On August 2nd 1843, he was united in marriage to Annie R. Williamson. In 1849 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and continued an active member as long as he was able to engage actively in any duty and after he was unable to do the Master's work he suffered his Lord's will.
He lived in Middletown, Maryland, from the time he came to this country till 1868, when he removed with his family to Fremont and for eleven years in Fremont he was engaged in factory business. Some two years ago he had a severe attack of sickness and it was thought he would not recover, but he got better, and was able to go out to some extent but was not well. His disease was rheumatism which eventually resulted in dropsy.
He leaves a wife and two children, William and Mary, who realize the loss they sustain in his death, for he was an indulgent, faithful and good husband and father. For four months he has been a great sufferer and for four weeks he was confined to bed. For three days he was not conscious and from the state of unconciousness he passed into sleep and death. His life was a testimony of the Saviour's goodness and power to save and we mourn for our loss, feeling sure that his life is with the Saviour.
"Uncle John" was a good man and will be missed by those who have known him so long.
The funeral services were held at his late residence and were conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. L. Albritton, after which he was laid to rest at the Bowins family burying ground.
Those present to attend the funeral from abroad were: Will H. Engert, of Cleveland; James Shearer and his wife and Milton Bowlus, of Lima; Henry Bowlus, of Pemberville; William Kinney and Mrs. Joseph Bachman, of Bellevue; Mrs. George Kinney and Mrs. Beulah Kinney, of Clyde; Mrs. Catherine Williamson and daughter, Ida, of Amaden Station. ^[7]

Research Notes

The obituary says John was born in Dresden, Saxony, Germany. This disagrees with what John said in the 1870 and 1880 censuses that he and his parents were born in Baden.

Find A Grave note on marriage: "Maryland Marriage Index". 15 Aug 1845, Frederick County, Maryland. John Augustus Engert m. Rebecca Williamson.

Though John Jr., William, and Magdelena are listed as daughter and sons in the 1880 census their parentage is uncertain and likely not John and Anna. They may be adopted or niece and nephews or a census error. The reasons for this uncertainty: (1) John is not listed in the 1870 census. (2) A different son William is in the 1870 census at age 18 and shows up elsewhere in the 1880 census at the expected age. (3) Anna would have been in her mid 50s when Magdelena was born. (4) Only the elder William and Anna are listed in John's obituary.

Sources

1. ↑ Castle Garden (http://www.castlegarden.org)
2. ↑ Marriage Licenses of Frederick County, 1841-1865, by Margaret E. Myers, page 71, in the Heritage Frederick Library and Archives, Frederick, Maryland.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD4L-F55 : 4 April 2020), Jno A Engert, Washington county, part of, Washington, Maryland, United States; citing family 1337, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6L2-NQ8 : 19 March 2020), John Engert, 1870.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8SL-9HZ : 16 July 2017), John Engert, Fremont, Sandusky, Ohio, United States; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 189A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,063.
6. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #185303732
7. ↑ Published in the Fremont Daily News, p.4, on 14 Sep 1892 in Fremont, Ohio.