Michael Melchior (1809 - 1891)

Born 21 Sep 1809 in Schwemlingen, Saarburg, Germany

Husband of Anna (Biehl) Melchior — married 1832 in Germany

Descendants

Died 7 Jan 1891 at age 81 in Algoma, Kewaunee, Wisconsin, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mark Reinhart [send private message]

Biography

In the Bernard and Helene Melchior story, history records the birth of their first child, and our direct (Reinhart) ancestor, Michael, in Schwemlingen, Germany, in 1809. He was a shoemaker, a skillful mechanic and an excellent musician. He was also a carpenter and was able to work with tools of any description, and cherished particularly his valuable compass. He learned watch repairing and the mechanisms of clocks through his own efforts and was adept and handy at fitting bottoms in wooden pails. At an early age he made his own violin which he played as accompaniment to the songs he sang. At one time while performing for some noblemen he so delighted them, and in recognition of his talent, they presented him with a fine violin which thereafter remained a cherished possession of the Melchior family. He prided himself in his music and his art while in America, and at the age of 79 still played the violin at the wedding of his granddaughter, Anna Reinhart to William Barnhardt.

He was a man about 5 feet 8 inches tall, of medium build and strong features. In his later years he became somewhat bald and his prominent nose was characteristic of the Melchiors. He was a progressive man and became a useful citizen in the United States. He made many friends and was greatly respected by all who knew him. A man of good habits and a devout Christian, he died in Algoma, Wisconsin, on January 7th, 1891, at the age of 82 years, and is buried in the Catholic cemetery there.

Michael Melchior married Anna Biehl (born 1810) in (Schwemlingen?) Germany. They reared and educated seven children, namely: Anna Mary (Emy), Jacob, Mathias, John, Magdalen, Catherine (Kate) and Michael. Anna Biehl was an alert woman and ambitious for the success of her family. She was tall of stature, had fine features and naturally wavy hair.

In the year 1866, Michael and Anna left their ancestral home, for after the French Revolution there followed a great European upheaval for more than a century. There were constant disturbances and the revolutionary spirit was felt throughout all Europe as late as 1850. Michael Melchior, therefore, migrated to America urged by his daughter Magdalen, now Mrs. Mathias Reinhart, who was eager to go since her husband Mathias had recently made a successful voyage across the Atlantic (in June 1866). Michael Melchior, with his wife Anna, their daughter Magdalen and their youngest son Michael, 15 years of age, boarded a sailing vessel in France and landed in New York in October of 1866. From there they journeyed by stagecoach and train for four weeks to Chicago, and then on to Algoma, Wisconsin, where they remained for most of their lives. The Melchiors sold all their possessions in Europe consisting of a home and a business establishment. It was impossible to take many things with them to America other than small treasures, but it is interesting to note that their cherished feather beds and pillows were not forgotten.

All of their children were in 'America now; Mathias Melchior came over in 1857 and John is said to have come before that and fought in the Civil War. Jacob and Anna Mary who settled in Syracuse, New York, and Catherine came over in 1860 with Mr. Pinter.

Michael and Anna spent their declining years in a comfortable cottage in Algoma, Wisconsin. Michael retired from business at 57 years of age when he came to the United States. They lived until the infirmities of old age crept up on them at which time they moved into the home of their daughter Magdalen Reinhart, also in Algoma. Here, Michael passed away peacefully at 82 years of age while sitting in a chair, warming his hands in a bowl of warm water to encourage circulations as he was accustomed to do. Anna survived him by a year and a half and died at the home of her son Mathias Melchior, of kidney trouble, also at the age of 82. She is buried alongside her husband in the Catholic cemetery in Algoma.

Sources

• Unsourced family tree handed down to Mark Reinhart.