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Emelia "Emilie" ACHTENBERG was born on 23 August 1850 in Szamocin, Kreis Kolmar, Posen Province, Preussen (Prussia).1,4,5,10,14,24,25,26,27,28 (The church record for her marriage and the church Family Register indicate that she was born in Aug 1851; the FamilySearch.com website lists her birthdate as 23 Aug 1850, and her Christening date as 1 Dec 1850.)
(Her given name is listed as "Amelia" in her husband's obituary and in the 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1920 Census records.)
(Some sources list her birthplace as "Borowo" and others as "Konigsreich." Szamocin was formerly named Samotschin.) She was christened on 1 December 1850 in Szamocin, Kreis Kolmar, Posen Province, Preussen (Prussia).5 She emigrated on 4 January 1869 from Posen Province, Preussen (Prussia).6,24,25 She arrived in New York City from Bremen on 19 April 1869 on the ship S.S. Atalanta. The ship's manifest lists no other Achtenberg's, so it is assumed that she traveled with no other family members. Her parents and two youngest siblings emigrated in 1877. Emilie appeared in the census in 1870 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.29 She appeared in the census in 1880 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.10 She appeared in the census in 1900 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.14 Emilie appeared in the census in 1910 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.30 She appeared in the census in 1920 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.24 She died on 17 July 1923 at the age of 72 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.1,4,25 due to a hemorrhage of the brain. She had previously suffered three strokes, in 1922 and 1923. Emilie was buried in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.1,25 in the Pilgrim's Home Cemetery.
Emelia "Emilie" ACHTENBERG and Meinhart Gottlieb "Maynard" GNEWIKOW were married on 3 October 1869 in Jefferson County, WI.25,27,31 Meinhart Gottlieb "Maynard" GNEWIKOW, son of Gottlieb Meinhard Ludwig GNEWIKOW and Caroline Wilhelmine Anna FIEDLER, was born on 30 October 1848 in Watertown, Jefferson County, WI.1,4,25,27,28,32 (His given name was spelled "Meinhardt" in the baptism record of his nephew Friedrich Wilhelm Arthru Gnewikow in 1867.) He appeared in the census in 1860 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.32 He was confirmed on 21 May 1865 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.27 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Maynard appeared in the census in 1870 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.29 His household consisted of Meinhard, his wife, "Amelia." and Meinhard's mother and brother William. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.10 He was Lutheran in 1889 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.33 He and his family are listed in the Communion Register of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Maynard appeared in the census in 1900 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.14 Living with him and his wife and two youngest daughters were her parents. His occupation was "Day Laborer." He appeared in the census in 1910 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.30 He appeared in the census in 1920 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.24 Maynard appeared in the census in 1930 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.34 He lived in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI in January 1932.35 He died on 19 June 1936 at the age of 87 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.4,25 Obituary Notes: "The Star Herald News is called upon this week to chronicle another sad event which occurred in the community since the paper last went to its readers. As a result, one of our esteemed pioneer residents of this village for many years has been recalled by the power that gave him being and all that is mortal has been tenderly laid in the silent tomb. Grief stricken relatives have listened to words of condolence from those who were present to pay the last earthly tribute.
Death visits the old and young alike. In some cases it can be viewed with some degree of complacency and reconciliation, but on the other hand may be moved to ask why it is. Why our loved ones should be taken, sometimes without warning, and parents and friends and loved ones called upon to mourn, is something hard to understand. But to those who believe in the great eternal plan, and that all things work together for the final good of man, there is both truth and beauty in the following words: When the meeked and voiceless angel enters the dark and silent chambers of death, he takes with him all the Daughters of Compassion; of these Hope and Love remain.
Meinhardt Gottlieb Gnewikow was born in Watertown, Wis., on Oct. 30, 1848. In 1855 he moved with his parents to the town of Ridgeville, Monroe County, Wis., which at that time was being settled by the old pioneer families. The distance from Watertown to the Ridge was made by an ox-drawn covered wagon.
On October 3, 1869, he was united in holy matrimony with Amelia Achtenberg. Six children, 3 sons and 3 daughters were born to this union. In the year 1892, Mr. Gnewikow moved with his family to Sparta, Wis., and a few years later to Norwalk, Wis., where he resided to the end.
In his long life he enjoyed good health, was always active, mentally alert and spiritually alive. He was a loyal and faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and helped to build no less than 5 churches, 3 on the Ridge, one in Sparta and one in Norwalk. He was a humble Christian, and did not parade his Christianity or give evidence of it in words but in deeds.
Old age weakness with a complication of ailments resulted in his death on Friday evening, June 19, 1936. Aged 87 years, 7 months and 19 days. He was preceded in death by his wife in the year 1923. He is survived by 3 sons, William, of Norwalk; Arthur and Henry of Sparta; 3 daughters, Mrs. Alvina Bergman, Mrs. Marie Koepcke of Norwalk and Mrs. Martha Heiden of Madison, Wis; one sister, Mrs. Mary Albrecht, Sparta; 24 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
The grandchildren of the deceased acted as pallbearers. They were Russell and Victor Gnewikow, Chas. Heiden, Harold Gnewikow, Dr. Gerald and Kenneth Koepcke. Funeral services were held from the home of the deceased at 1:30 P.M. In the absence of the local pastor, Rev. C. E. Berg of Ridgeville officiated at the service. interment was made in the Pilgrim's Home Cemetery."
He is listed as Meinhard Gnewikow in the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church records and is shown as member number 19 of the first 100 members.
Emelia "Emilie" ACHTENBERG and Meinhart Gottlieb "Maynard" GNEWIKOW had the following children: