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Martin Wandrey, was lived in Prussia in the Province of Pusen. In the early 1800's, Pozen was the southern half of West Prussia, near the today�s city of Pozan, Poland. The potato blight in 1846-47 caused much malnutrition, starvation and death from poverty-related diseases. The pre-industrial economy could not support the growing population. The resulting food riots and rural unemployment caused a rural migration to towns and to America. The Wandrey�s two boys were born in Prussia, Fredrick in 1843 and John in 1845. The Wandreys came to America in about 1850 and lived for a while in New York State. They later moved to a farm in Winnebago County, near Neenah, Wisc. and/or the Town of Crystal Lake, in Marquette County Wisconsin. Fredrick's post office at enlistment was Stone Hill, Marquette Co.
Fredrick was seven years old when he traveled from his home in Prussia to New York. In August 1862, Fredrick enlisted in Company I, 11th Wisconsin Vol. Infantry for the term of three years. He was 18 years of age, single, had hazel eyes, brown hair, light complexion, was 6 feet in height, and by occupation a farmer. He joined up with the regiment in St. Louis and campaigned in Southeastern Missouri during the winter. On March 15 they traveled down the Mississippi to Milliken's Bend Louisiana. There he was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 14th division of the 13th army corps. The division was commanded by General E.A. Carr, the brigade by Colonel Harris. On May 1 they were in a fight at Port Gibson, losing 2 killed and 16 wounded. The regiment was held in reserve at the battles of Raymond, Willow Springs and Jackson. In the middle of the afternoon at Champion's Hill, the Wisconsin 11 was ordered to the front. It was part of the closing charge that drove the enemy beyond Edward's Station. The next day Fredrick was up front at the battle of Black River Bridge, when they charged across an open field that carried the trenches and drove the enemy across the river, taking a thousand Confederate prisoners. The 11th guarded prisoners, collected arms and ammunition. Here they captured several cases of new English Enfield rifles, which they used to replace their old Harper's Ferry muskets. The 11th had 5 killed and 16 wounded. On May 20, they took positions at Vicksburg, close in front of the enemy's works and south of the railroad line to Jackson. On May 22nd, 500 strong assaulted the redoubt in front and reached the ditch under the wall of the fort. At dark they retired taking their wounded with them. The loss to the regiment was 15 killed and 73 wounded, 22 mortally. Fredrick wounded in action June 19, 1863, and was sent to the Division Hospital where he remained for 7 months. He had been shot through the leg, which fortunately missed all the bones. In March the regiment was in the siege of Spanish Fort, the assault and capture of Fort Blakely and the occupation of Mobile. The 11th was the first to enter the works at Fort Blakely, losing in 8 minutes 20 killed and 49 wounded. It captured several hundred prisoners. Mustered out September 5, 1865. Regiment lost during service 6 officers and 80 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 officers and 253 enlisted men by disease. Total 373.
Fredrick and Mary were married Sept. 16, 1869 in Crystal Lake, Marquette Co, by justice of the peace S.D. Ball. Mary Zabel who had grown up just a short distance from the Wandrys. Mary was born in Germany, April 5, 1852, daughter of Fredrick and Minnie (Kroeger) Zabel. From there they moved to Wautoma, in Waushara County, where they farmed for many years. They came to Cumberland in 1903. Their home was a hospitable one, and soon became one of the social centers of the city. Fredrick was a blacksmith and in later years had rheumatism, varicose veins and heart disease. Mr. Wandry died Dec. 13, 1915 of cancer. He was a quiet, unassuming man who loved his family and his home, and earned the respect of all with whom he came in contact. Their union was blessed with thirteen children. Mary died May 28, 1923 from a heart attack. Their children are Albert, Fredrick, Emma, Ida, Clara, George, Ella, Minnie, John, Earnest, Laura, Harley, and Agnes.
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