Commemorative record of biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many early settled families. Published in Chicago by J.H. Baer Company in 1895

  "JOHN WEITERMANN Sr., is one of the self-made men of Door County, who by his own well-directed efforts and good business ability has worked his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence, and his example may well serve to encourage others.

  He was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, January 6, 1830, the second son in a family of five children--three sons and two daughters. His father, George Weitermann, was a farmer, and upon the old homestead, John was reared to manhood, attending school until fourteen years of age. He then aided in the cultivation of the farm until seventeen years old, when he determined to try his fortune in America, having heard much of the advantages and opportunities here afforded young men, and in July, 1847, he sailed from Havre de Grace, France, on a French vessel bound for Australia by way of New York. After thirty-eight days spent upon the bosom of the Atlantic, he landed at New York City, and spent two years in the Empire State, living near Port Jervis, where he worked as a farm hand. Mr. Weitermann had a very limited capital at the time of his arrival in this country, but he worked hard and soon got a start in life. From New York he came to Wisconsin, stopping first in Milwaukee, but failing to find work there he went to Walworth county, where he engaged at farm labor for four months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Milwaukee, where he learned to tanner's trade, working there until until 1853, when he removed to Two Rivers, Wis. There he again engaged in tanning, also keeping a boarding house for the Wisconsin Leather Co., for about fifteen years, doing a good business during that time.

  In Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852, Mr. Weitermann married Philomena Magdalena Yost, who was born in Prussia in 1829, and when a young lady came to the United States, landing in New Orleans; thence she went to Watertown, Wis., where she had friends living. By this union were born seven children as follows: Augustina, now the wife of Albert Zico (Zitzo), of Minnesota; Charles, farmer of Jacksonport township; Lena, wife of William Voeks, of Voseville, Wis.; John, who is also living in Voseville; Emma, wife of John Richter of Escanaba, Mich.; Ernest, a resident farmer of Jacksonport township; and George C. at home. The mother of this family died in 1870, and was buried in the cemetery i Centerville township, Manitowoc Co., Wis.

  In 1865 Mr. Weitermann removed from Two Rivers, Wis., and purchased a farm in Centreville township, Manitowoc county, which he partially improved making his home thereon until 1879 when he went to Ahnapee, Wis. At that place he engaged in the butchering business and conducted a meat market until 1881, when he came to Door county, locating in Section 32, Jacksonport township, where he since made his home. The improvements upon the place were all placed there by his own hands, and the farm, with its highly cultivated fields and modern conveniences, is one of the best in that locality. In connection with his sons, Mr. Weitermann at one time owned 440 acres of land, but as the sons have gone to homes of their own this has been divided, though, in connection with his son George, he still retains possession of 280 acres, of which forty-five are cleared and cultivated.

  Our subject has ever been a hard worker, and whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. In 1884 his left leg was broken, and for some time his life was despaired of, but his vigorous constitution and naturally robust health at length triumphed over disease and he recovered, though he will always be a cripple. In his political views, he has always been a stalwart Democrat, and has served as supervisor of his district, proving an efficient and capable officer. He had but limited educational privileges in his youth, but possesses an observing eye and very retentive memory and has made himself a well-informed man. His life has been a busy and useful one, and he well merits the high regard in which he is held by his neighbors and friends."

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(John was 55 years of age when this was written. John was buried on the Voeks plot near the road of St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Valmy. The old wooden marker disintegrated over time and is completely gone. The family joined together in placing a stone marker on his grave in 2003. John's name is the 3rd entry in the church's register.)

Above: Phillomena (JOST/YOST) WEITERMANN

Commemorative record of biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many early settled families. Published in Chicago by J.H. Baer Company in 1895

Door County Land Record #118510 on May 31, 1886 shows Moses KILGORE selling to Charles, John, Earnest and George WEITERMAN of the town of Jacksonport for $720, the NW quarter of the SE quarter and the SW quarter of the SE quarter and the SE quarter of the SE quarter of Sec. 31, Township 29,Range 27 in Door County, containing 120 acres.

Door County Land Record #118511 dated June 3, 1886 shows E. DANIELS and his wife S. W. DANIELS selling land to Charles WEITERMAN, John WEITERMAN, George WEITERMAN and E. WEITERMAN of the Town of Jacksonport. For $200 they purchased the SE quarter of the NE quarter, Sec 34, Town 29, Range 27, containing 86 acres more or less.

Land Record on file at Register of Deeds in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, WI #119233 dated Sept. 23, 1886, shows John WEITERMAN, Ernst WEITERMAN, George WEITERMAN and Chas. WEITERMAN purchasing the SE quarter of Sec. 32 township 29, range 27E from Chas. & Mary REYNOLDS for the amount of $640.

Also on that same day #119232, all four WEITERMANs purchased the SE quarter of Sec. 32 in township 29 north of range 27E for the sum of $640 from H.B JACKSON and his wife A. L. JACKSON and A.E. THOMPSON and his wife Mary E. THOMPSON. "The deed is executed to the above named grantors at the request of the above named John WEITERMAN and Ernst WEITERMAN."

Above: 1902: three of the WEITERMANN Brothers, sons of Johan (John) Friederich WEITERMANN: Left to Right: George Christian b.  27 May 1869, Ernest Fredrich WEITERMAN b. 13 May 1866, and Charles Jacob WEITERMANN b. 9 Feb 1856

Above:  Poor picture of the wedding for John Peter and Elizabeth WEITERMANN (son of Johan (John) WEITERMANN, Sr.)

Above: The John WEITERMANN Orange Inn-1902; in 1991, this picture was found in the Door County Advocate-16 Jul 1991, when the Scandia located at this site where Hwy 42 & 57 split north of Sturgeon Bay was being torn down to improve the intersection.

Door County Advocate - March 7, 1891

FIRE AT JACKSONPORT

"The farm residence of John WEIDERMANN, situated on the state road, town of Jacksonport was wholly destroyed by fire about noon Thursday, together with all the household goods and contents, only a few articles being saved from the common ruin. The fire originated from the kitchen stove, and when discovered had enveloped the entire building. There was no insurance on the property, and the loss is therefore a serious affair to the family. Being without shelter Mr. WEIDERMANN was taken in by his son-in-law, Wm. VOEKS, of Voseville, where he will remain for the present at least. The burned building was built a good many years ago by John C. MESSENGER, and was located about midway between Voseville and Jacksonport."

John helped his daughter, Lena and her husband build a saloon in Valmy. He used to hang out there quite a bit. Sausage was served every afternoon at the bar, of which John would partake--causing him to gain weight in his later years. With being crippled, the added weight made it even harder to walk. He had fashioned a walking cane out of a tree branch. Dolores MOSCHEA, his great-grand-daughter was in possession of it, and used it regularly.

DEATH CERTIFICATE TRANSCRIPTION

Full name of deceased John WEIDEMANN/Color White/Sex Male/Race White/Occupation Farmer/Age 78 years, 10 months, 3 days/Name of father Gottlieb WEIDEMANN/Birthplace of father Germany/Name of mother Henrietta WEIDEMANN/Birthplace of mother Germany/Birthplace of deceased Germany/Married, single or widowed widowed/Name of wife Philomena YOST/Date of birth 6 Jan 1828/Date of death 9 Nov 1906/Residence at time of death Sevastopol/Place of death Sevastopol/Cause of Death Primary: chronic nephritis Secondary: dropsy/Duration of illness nine months/Was deceased ever a U.S. soldier no/Place of burial St. Johns Cemetery/Undertaker H. STOHN/Signature A. J. KREITZER/Dated 10 Nov 1906/Burial Permit No. 161 dated 10 Nov 1906/State of Wisconsin Door County/I hereby certify that the above is a true return of the death and of the other facts there recorded/Dated Savastopol, said County Frank SIMON/Andrew NELSON, Register.

Obituary - County News, Sevastopol

John WEITERMANN, Sr., passed away Thursday night at the home of Wm. VOEKS after an illness since last February, death being due in the main to dropsy and diabetes. He was upward of 78 years old, and had been a resident of the county for nearly 30 years, having owned and developed the John C. MESSENGER place in Jacksonport, now the property of his son Ernst. The funeral occurred Monday from the German Lutheran church at Valmy, and was conducted by Pastor SCHUMANN. The surviving children are Ernest, George, Charles and Mesdames Wm. VOEKS, John RICHTER and Chas. SCRETHOR, the latter two being residents of Escanaba and Duluth respectively.

Door County Democrat, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., November 17, 1906

Death of John Weiderman:

John Weiderman died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Voeks, of Sevastopol on Friday of last week, cause of death being dropsy. Mr. Weiderman was a well known old settler of Door county, and had a wide acquaintance throughout the county. His age was 78 years, 10 months and 3 days. Cause of death was dropsy. The funeral was held Monday of the present week.

-Received by the PGS via e-mails from John WEITERMANN (Aug 2010).