"The Meyerhofer Family of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio"
Chapter 1
HEINRICH MEIERHOFER
Name Changed To:
Chapter 1
HEINRICH MEIERHOFER
Name Changed To:
HENRY MEYERHOFER SR
APRIL 28, 1838 - JULY 03, 1910
APRIL 28, 1838 - JULY 03, 1910
Heinrich Meierhofer was the fourth child of Johannes Meierhofer and Dorothea Welther. He was born April 28, 1838 in Weiach, Switzerland
Weiach, Switzerland.... as it looks today (4 Miles North
of Zürich) Heinrich Meierhofer Birth Place
of Zürich) Heinrich Meierhofer Birth Place
Heinrich married Dorothea Notz in 1863.1 Dorothea was born May 21, 1838 in Zürich, Switzerland. Their first child, a son, August Meierhofer was born in Switzerland August 30, 1865.2
Dorothea Meierhofer, at age 28 and son August Meierhofer, an infant at age six months, departed Bremen, Germany on the steamship S. S. Bremen, and arrived at the Port of New York on March 28, 1866.
Dorothea Meierhofer, at age 28 and son August Meierhofer, an infant at age six months, departed Bremen, Germany on the steamship S. S. Bremen, and arrived at the Port of New York on March 28, 1866.
This is a copy of the original ship passenger list containing the names of Dorothea and August Meierhofer
No ships record or manifest containing Heinrich name has been located. Heinrich Meierhofer probably emigrated from Zürich Switzerland to the United States in 1866. It's hard to imagine Heinrich would let Dorothea with such a young baby; make such a difficult journey across the Atlantic by herself.
In 1866, the Erie Canal provided an efficient transportation system by water from the Port of New York to Toledo, Ohio.5 Rail travel was very risky. Travel by the canal was leisurely and many people liked the smoothness of the journey, although travel was very slow. Donkeys or horses, on a towpath, pulled the boats through the canal. Each boat carried about fifty passengers. Perhaps this is how they traveled from New York to Toledo.
In 1866, the Civil War had just ended. Slavery was abolished. Andrew Johnson was the President of the United States. There were only 24,877 residents in Toledo. There were no electric lights, sewers, or running water. There were four public artesian wells throughout the city where residents obtained their water. One well was at the corner of Summit and Lagrange Street, one at Summit and Cherry Street, one at Summit and Adams, and the fourth at the corner of St Clair and Washington Street. Transportation about the city was by horse and buggy or horse drawn streetcars. There were some artificial gas street lights. In 1867 Toledo became a first class city.
Germans including Swiss-Germans came to Toledo in large numbers as part of the great wave of Germans immigration into the Midwest. They were drawn to Toledo with the promise of cheap land and plentiful jobs opportunities. The Germans settled in German Town on Hamilton Street.5 Heinrich and Dorothea Meierhofer lived at 320 Hamilton Street for twenty-two years6. Heinrich and Dorothea were considered settlers of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
The Germans had their own beer halls, newspapers (Toledo Express), and churches. Toledo was reputed to be a "wide-open" town. Many Germans were early community leaders and were instrumental in building the city of Toledo.5 Heinrich applied for citizenship shortly after his arrival in Toledo. He signed a "Certificate Of Intention" to become a United States citizen on May 25, 1866.7 He was required to wait five years before taking the oath of allegiance and was granted U.S. citizenship on December 10, 1871.8
August 13,1868 Heinrich and Dorothea purchased lots forty-eight and forty-nine in Lenk's Addition Toledo for $800.00.9 Many early settlers purchased land with hopes of making a huge profit when they sold the property.
Heinrich was a brick mason from 1866 thru 1874. His occupation from 1875 thru 1884 was listed as a drayman. A drayman is one who operates a horse drawn cart to haul heavy loads. Perhaps he was carrying building materials. Throughout the rest of his life, Heinrich was a plasterer, contractor, sewer contractor, and general laborer.6
The church was very important to Heinrich and Dorothea. The original membership list for the "Toledo Mission" in September 1868 contained their names.10
No ships record or manifest containing Heinrich name has been located. Heinrich Meierhofer probably emigrated from Zürich Switzerland to the United States in 1866. It's hard to imagine Heinrich would let Dorothea with such a young baby; make such a difficult journey across the Atlantic by herself.
In 1866, the Erie Canal provided an efficient transportation system by water from the Port of New York to Toledo, Ohio.5 Rail travel was very risky. Travel by the canal was leisurely and many people liked the smoothness of the journey, although travel was very slow. Donkeys or horses, on a towpath, pulled the boats through the canal. Each boat carried about fifty passengers. Perhaps this is how they traveled from New York to Toledo.
In 1866, the Civil War had just ended. Slavery was abolished. Andrew Johnson was the President of the United States. There were only 24,877 residents in Toledo. There were no electric lights, sewers, or running water. There were four public artesian wells throughout the city where residents obtained their water. One well was at the corner of Summit and Lagrange Street, one at Summit and Cherry Street, one at Summit and Adams, and the fourth at the corner of St Clair and Washington Street. Transportation about the city was by horse and buggy or horse drawn streetcars. There were some artificial gas street lights. In 1867 Toledo became a first class city.
Germans including Swiss-Germans came to Toledo in large numbers as part of the great wave of Germans immigration into the Midwest. They were drawn to Toledo with the promise of cheap land and plentiful jobs opportunities. The Germans settled in German Town on Hamilton Street.5 Heinrich and Dorothea Meierhofer lived at 320 Hamilton Street for twenty-two years6. Heinrich and Dorothea were considered settlers of Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
The Germans had their own beer halls, newspapers (Toledo Express), and churches. Toledo was reputed to be a "wide-open" town. Many Germans were early community leaders and were instrumental in building the city of Toledo.5 Heinrich applied for citizenship shortly after his arrival in Toledo. He signed a "Certificate Of Intention" to become a United States citizen on May 25, 1866.7 He was required to wait five years before taking the oath of allegiance and was granted U.S. citizenship on December 10, 1871.8
August 13,1868 Heinrich and Dorothea purchased lots forty-eight and forty-nine in Lenk's Addition Toledo for $800.00.9 Many early settlers purchased land with hopes of making a huge profit when they sold the property.
Heinrich was a brick mason from 1866 thru 1874. His occupation from 1875 thru 1884 was listed as a drayman. A drayman is one who operates a horse drawn cart to haul heavy loads. Perhaps he was carrying building materials. Throughout the rest of his life, Heinrich was a plasterer, contractor, sewer contractor, and general laborer.6
The church was very important to Heinrich and Dorothea. The original membership list for the "Toledo Mission" in September 1868 contained their names.10
|
Karolina Berger
Maria Brubach Elizabetha Keller Johann Noftz Magdalena Schoffat Friedrich Schweizer Benedikt Winzenried Franz Zeeman |
Maria Berger
Louise Gehring Dorothea Meierhofer Louise NoftzEva Ernst Schuppan Margaretha Schweizer Margaretha Winzenried Albertina Huebne |
Friedrich Brubach
Andreas Keller Heinrich Meierhofer Maria Reuter Magdalene Schuppan Barbara Werter Ann Zeeman |
Their second child, a son, Henry John Meyerhofer Jr. was born at 320 Hamilton Street December 15, 187111. Ulysses S. Grant was the President of the United States. By this time, Heinrich had already "Americanized" his name. He changed his given name to "Henry", and his surname to "Meyerhofer". Their third child, a daughter, Mary Meyerhofer was born at 320 Hamilton Street in 1873.12 Most births at this time were reported by the mother and recorded in a journal at the County Probate Court. It appears that Dorothea did not contact the court to record the birth of her children.
In 1873 land was purchased for $2,250 for a new church called the Zion German Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Meyerhofer Sr. completed excavating of the furnace room and foundation work in the fall of 1873.10
In 1873 land was purchased for $2,250 for a new church called the Zion German Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Meyerhofer Sr. completed excavating of the furnace room and foundation work in the fall of 1873.10
Zion German M. E. Church 1874-1950
Heinrich Meierhofer built the foundation and furnace room.
Heinrich Meierhofer built the foundation and furnace room.
The church building was erected in 1874. Limited funds made possible the completion of only the lower part of the building, providing cramped quarters for both Sunday school and church services. It wasn't until five years later that the building was finally completed and dedicated on February 22, 1879 at a cost of $12,000. The church was located at 525 Segur Avenue, Toledo, Ohio. Each Sunday the sermons were delivered in German. Current church personnel cannot locate old church records from the Segur Avenue location. Every effort should be made to find these records. They could contain important facts and dates of our early history.
Henry and Dorothea's fourth child, a daughter, Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer was born at 320 Hamilton Street on February 17, 1878.13 Rutherford B. Hayes was President of the United States.
Mary Meyerhofer died from supposed uramice at home December 16, 188114 at the age of seven. She was buried December 18, 1881 (section OC, block 15, grave # 1930) in Forrest Cemetery, Toledo Ohio. Her grave site is unmarked.
The Toledo Waterworks was established in 1873, providing running water and sewers to Toledo residents. The first telephone service in Toledo started in 1878. Electricity was first available in 1882. Lamson's and the Lion Department stores were both founded in 1885. Natural gas became available in 1886. In 1890 65% of all resident in Toledo were foreign born. In 1892 the last street-car horse was turned out to pasture and the electric railway system begin. Tiedke's Department store opened for business in 1893. Bicycles were the major means of transportation in 1896. By 1898 there were at least twenty-two bicycle manufactures in Toledo.
August, Henry Jr, and Dorothea probably attended elementary schools in their German neighborhood. The German language was taught in these schools until after the beginning of World War l. For many years after, teachers taught subjects in both German and English.
Both of Henry and Dorothea's sons begin to work at an early age while living at home. August worked with his father between 1881 and 1883 as a carpenter. Between 1883 and July 1888 he worked as a molder for the Toledo Foundry & Machine Co. August left home when he married in 1888. Also, in 1888 the family moved to 313 Field Avenue, Toledo Ohio. In 1888 thru 1898 Henry Jr. lived at home and worked for C. F. Thom and B.A. Steven as a "tinner" learning his trade. Henry Jr. left home when he married in 1899. Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer worked from 1896 thru 1912 as a cloak maker and dressmaker while living at 313 Field Ave.6
Henry and Dorothea's fourth child, a daughter, Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer was born at 320 Hamilton Street on February 17, 1878.13 Rutherford B. Hayes was President of the United States.
Mary Meyerhofer died from supposed uramice at home December 16, 188114 at the age of seven. She was buried December 18, 1881 (section OC, block 15, grave # 1930) in Forrest Cemetery, Toledo Ohio. Her grave site is unmarked.
The Toledo Waterworks was established in 1873, providing running water and sewers to Toledo residents. The first telephone service in Toledo started in 1878. Electricity was first available in 1882. Lamson's and the Lion Department stores were both founded in 1885. Natural gas became available in 1886. In 1890 65% of all resident in Toledo were foreign born. In 1892 the last street-car horse was turned out to pasture and the electric railway system begin. Tiedke's Department store opened for business in 1893. Bicycles were the major means of transportation in 1896. By 1898 there were at least twenty-two bicycle manufactures in Toledo.
August, Henry Jr, and Dorothea probably attended elementary schools in their German neighborhood. The German language was taught in these schools until after the beginning of World War l. For many years after, teachers taught subjects in both German and English.
Both of Henry and Dorothea's sons begin to work at an early age while living at home. August worked with his father between 1881 and 1883 as a carpenter. Between 1883 and July 1888 he worked as a molder for the Toledo Foundry & Machine Co. August left home when he married in 1888. Also, in 1888 the family moved to 313 Field Avenue, Toledo Ohio. In 1888 thru 1898 Henry Jr. lived at home and worked for C. F. Thom and B.A. Steven as a "tinner" learning his trade. Henry Jr. left home when he married in 1899. Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer worked from 1896 thru 1912 as a cloak maker and dressmaker while living at 313 Field Ave.6
1.) 1865 to 1888
Henry Sr. and Dorothea's 1st House
320 Hamilton Street
Birthplace of: Henry John Jr.,
Mary, and Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer
2.) 1888 to 1910
Henry Sr. and Dorothea's 2nd House
313 Field Avenue
3.) 525 Segur Avenue
Zion German Methodist Episcopal Church
Henry Sr. and Dorothea's 1st House
320 Hamilton Street
Birthplace of: Henry John Jr.,
Mary, and Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer
2.) 1888 to 1910
Henry Sr. and Dorothea's 2nd House
313 Field Avenue
3.) 525 Segur Avenue
Zion German Methodist Episcopal Church
Dorothea Meyerhofer [NOTZ] died at home, 313 Field Ave. Toledo, Ohio on November 12,1901, at the age of sixty-three, of uremia from nephritis (severe kidney disease).15
Theodore"Teddy" Roosevelt was President of the United States. Henry Jr. and his wife Bertha moved from Sandusky, Ohio, to Toledo, into his father's house. They along with his sister Dorothea cared for Henry Sr. until his death. Henry Meyerhofer Sr., age seventy-two, died July 30,1910, at his home 313 Field Avenue, of passive congestion of the brain.16 Both Dorothea (section C, lot 137, grave # 4) and Henry Sr. (section C, lot 137, grave # 3) are buried in Forrest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio.17
Theodore"Teddy" Roosevelt was President of the United States. Henry Jr. and his wife Bertha moved from Sandusky, Ohio, to Toledo, into his father's house. They along with his sister Dorothea cared for Henry Sr. until his death. Henry Meyerhofer Sr., age seventy-two, died July 30,1910, at his home 313 Field Avenue, of passive congestion of the brain.16 Both Dorothea (section C, lot 137, grave # 4) and Henry Sr. (section C, lot 137, grave # 3) are buried in Forrest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio.17
I found this poem after visiting their grave and thought it was very appropriate.
Your tombstone among the rest;
Neglected and alone
The name and date are chiseled out
On polished, marbled stone
It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone,
Our blood contacts and beats a Pulse
Entirely not our own.
The place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spread out among the ones you Left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you lived and loved,
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this Spot,
And come to visit you.18
Notes:
2 Date of Birth on Certificate of Death for August Meyerhofer State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, File No. 38769, Register No. 3810.
3 Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving New York February 23, 1866-March 31, 1866, Roll No. 262, Allen County Library, Fort Wayne IN. or "Germans to America" Vol. 17, Page 218.
4 "Ships of Our Ancestors", Michael J. Anuta
5 "Toledo Gateway to the Great Lakes".
6 1865-2001 "Toledo City Directory".
7 Certificate of Intention, Jerome Library, Bowling Green State University.
8 Certificate of Naturalization from the Board of Elections Vol. 17, Page 223.
10 1933 Zion M E Church "Diamond Jubilee" Church Booklet.
11 Date of birth on Certificate of Death, for John Henry Meyerhofer, State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State File No. 23781.
12 1880 Federal Census, Lucas County Ohio.
13 Date of birth on Certificate of Death for Dorothea Johnstone [MEYERHOFER] State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State File No. 060746, Registrars No. 4964.
14 Registration of Death for Mary Meyerhofer, Probate Court of Lucas County, Ohio Board of Health Death Record 1875-1883, Page 111
15 Registration of Death for Dorothea Meyerhofer [NOTZ], Probate Court of Lucas County, Board of Health Death Record Journal Entry, Page 105
16 Registration of Death for Henry Meyerhofer Sr., State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State File No.39067, Registered No.1644
17 Forrest Cemetery Record, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
18 Author - Unknown
Your tombstone among the rest;
Neglected and alone
The name and date are chiseled out
On polished, marbled stone
It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone,
Our blood contacts and beats a Pulse
Entirely not our own.
The place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spread out among the ones you Left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you lived and loved,
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this Spot,
And come to visit you.18
Notes:
- There are no known family pictures of Dorothea, Henry Sr., Mary, or August Meyerhofer.
- There are no known birth records for August Meierhofer, Henry John Meyerhofer Jr., Mary Meyerhofer, or Dorothea Bertha Meyerhofer. All their names and birth dates are taken from Federal Census or their Death records.
- It's a fact; Henry John Meyerhofer Jr. was also known as John Henry Meyerhofer. More on this subject in Chapter IV.
2 Date of Birth on Certificate of Death for August Meyerhofer State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, File No. 38769, Register No. 3810.
3 Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving New York February 23, 1866-March 31, 1866, Roll No. 262, Allen County Library, Fort Wayne IN. or "Germans to America" Vol. 17, Page 218.
4 "Ships of Our Ancestors", Michael J. Anuta
5 "Toledo Gateway to the Great Lakes".
6 1865-2001 "Toledo City Directory".
7 Certificate of Intention, Jerome Library, Bowling Green State University.
8 Certificate of Naturalization from the Board of Elections Vol. 17, Page 223.
10 1933 Zion M E Church "Diamond Jubilee" Church Booklet.
11 Date of birth on Certificate of Death, for John Henry Meyerhofer, State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State File No. 23781.
12 1880 Federal Census, Lucas County Ohio.
13 Date of birth on Certificate of Death for Dorothea Johnstone [MEYERHOFER] State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State File No. 060746, Registrars No. 4964.
14 Registration of Death for Mary Meyerhofer, Probate Court of Lucas County, Ohio Board of Health Death Record 1875-1883, Page 111
15 Registration of Death for Dorothea Meyerhofer [NOTZ], Probate Court of Lucas County, Board of Health Death Record Journal Entry, Page 105
16 Registration of Death for Henry Meyerhofer Sr., State of Ohio, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State File No.39067, Registered No.1644
17 Forrest Cemetery Record, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
18 Author - Unknown
