THE
NINNEMAN FAMILY
OF
SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, JUNEAU COUNTY, WISCONSIN
By
Lawrence W. Onsager
FIRST GENERATION
Charles Ninneman
Charles Ninneman was born in Prussia in May 1819. He married Johanna Werland in Prussia probably before 1849. She was born in Prussia in October 1818. They emigrated to the United States in 1882 when they both were about 63 years old. Various records list him as Charles, Carl, and Fred. I am using Charles because that is the way he is listed in the 1900 census. At that time he and his wife Johanna were living on a farm with their daughter Johanna and son?in?law Edward Miller in Greenwood Township, Vernon County. Charles was listed as an 81 year old farm laborer.
A Charles Ninneman was buried from the Eddie Miller home in 1901. It is uncertain if he was buried in the Hillsboro cemetery or another cemetery in Greenwood.
The children of Charles and Johanna Ninneman:
(1) Fred, b. 7 July 1849, Plentico, Prussia, Germany
(2) Henrietta, ("Etta") b. 1 March 1855, Baskewitz, Pomerania, Prussia
(3) Johanna, ("Anna") b. 29 November 1860, Prussia, Germany
SECOND GENERATION
Fred Ninneman
(1) Fred Ninneman, the son of Charles Ninneman and Johanna Werdland, was born on July 7, 1849, in Plentico, Prussia. He was the son of Charles and Johanna (Werdland) Ninneman.
In 1871 he married Louisa Wirth in Prussia. Louisa, the daughter of Frederick and Louisa (Lentz) Wirth, was born in Prussia on August 5 1846. Fred was 22 when he married and Louisa was 25.
In 1872 their first child, Amelia, was born in Barskewitz, Pommerania and a second child, Anna, was born in the same place on June 20, 1874. This gives their place of residence and may be a clue for where they were born and married. I do not know Fred's occupation in Germany.
On September 25, 1874, Fred, age 25, Louisa, age 28, and their two small daughters, Amelia, age 22 months, and Anna, age 3 months, emigrated from Hamburg, Germany. They arrived in New York City on October 7, 1874 on the vessel Leising.
One year later when their daughter Emma was born, they were living on a farm in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin. They continued to live in Juneau County for a number of years. Fred declared his intention to be naturalized as a citizen there on September 15, 1879 and their daughter Emma gave Summit as her place of residence in 1894 when she was married.
In 1900 Fred and Louisa were living on a farm in Greenwood Township in Vernon County. Their two youngest children Delia, age 15, and Clara, age 12, were living with them. They had been married 28 years and had lived in the United States for 25 years. Louisa is listed as the mother of 10 children with 8 living. Both Fred and Johanna could read, write, and speak English. They had purchased the farm but it was mortgaged.
Louisa died in Hillsboro, Wisconsin on May 12, 1910 and was buried in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery there. Fred married second to Helen Baker who was born in New York State. When Fred petitioned to become a naturalized citizen on April 28, 1917, he lived in Mauston with Helen. He was described as being 5 foot tall with light complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and no distinguishing marks. His naturalization petition was denied. He married a third time to Anna Parker Bennett.
Fred died in Hillsboro, Wisconsin on August 28, 1931 and was buried there.
Children of Fred and Louisa Ninneman:
(4) Amelia Rachel Anna, b. 24 Nov 1872, Barskewitz, Pomerania, Germany.
(5) Anna Maria Arestina, b. 20 June 1874, Barskewitz, Pomerania,
Germany.
(6) Emma Louisa Minnia, b. 30 Oct 1875, Summit Twp, Juneau County,
Wisconsin.
(7) William Emil August, b. 4 Apr 1877, Wisconsin.
(8) Emil August Frederick, b. 22 Sep 1878, Wisconsin.
(9) Minnia Mary Aliza, b. 7 Aug 1880, Wisconsin.
(10) Charles Frederick, b. 4 Mar 1882, Wisconsin.
(11) Adelia Clara Rachel, b. 8 August 1884, Wisconsin.
(12) Clara Etta Anna, b. 11 June 1887, Wisconsin.
Second Generation
Henrietta Ninneman
(2) Henrietta Ninneman, the daughter of Charles Ninneman and Johanna Werdland, was born in Barskewitz, Pomerania, Germany on March 1, 1858. She was confirmed in the German Lutheran Church on March 21, 1869 when she was 11 years old.
Henrietta emigrated to the United States in 1881 when she was 23. She married William Malone in Wonewoc, Juneau County, Wisconsin on March 17, 1886 in the German Lutheran Church. The ceremony was performed by Christian Lawser of Wonewoc. William, the son of Fred and Auguste (Lanke) Malone, was born in Kris Bestern, Prussia, Germany in January 1860. At the time of their marriage, he was a farmer in Woodland Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin.
In 1900 they were farming in Greenwood Township, Vernon County, Wisconsin. William's death date is unknown. Henrietta died in Wonewoc, Wisconsin on April 21, 1943. She was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Wonewoc on April 23, 1943.
Children:
Fred, b. Dec 1884, Wisconsin; married but had no children.
Second Generation
Johanna Ninneman
(3) Johanna Ninneman, the daughter of Charles Ninneman and Johanna Werdland, was born in Pomerania, Germany on November 29, 1860. She came to the United States and married Edward Miller in 1881 or 2. He was born in New York State in March 1860. His parents were born in Germany.
In 1900 Edward and Johanna lived on a farm in Greenwood Township, Vernon County, Wisconsin. They had four children and Johanna's parents lived with them. The farm was mortgaged.
Edward's date and place of death is unknown. Johanna died in Neilsville, Clark County, Wisconsin on October 20, 1960 at the age of 99. Her place of residence was 203 Hewett Street, Neilsville. She was buried in the Neilsville city cemetery on October 22, 1960.
Children:
Henry, b. August 1889, Wisconsin.
Walter, b. January, 1893, Wisconsin.
Otto, b. April 1894, WI; res: Neilsville; d. Apr 1979.
Elsie, b. March 1896, Wisconsin.
THIRD GENERATION
Amelia Rachel Anna Ninneman
(4) Amelia Rachel Anna Ninneman, the daughter of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was born in Barskewitz, Pomerania, Germany on November 24, 1872. She came to the United States with her parents in 1874. She married Frank Betke in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on April 24, 1893. Witnesses were Albert Betke, William Ninneman, Anna Ninneman, and Emma Ninneman.
Frank, the son of Frederick Betke and Albertine Zimmerman, was born in Germany and was a farmer living in Summit Township.
Frank died and Amelia married, second, Frank Mahr in Hillsboro, Wisconsin on February 18, 1902. Amelia died in Hillsboro in November 1962.
No children
Third Generation
Anna Maria Arestina Ninneman
(5) Anna Maria Arestina Ninneman, the daughter of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was born in Barskewitz, Pomerania, Germany on June 20, 1874. She came to the United States with her parents in 1874. She married Herbert Christman in Wonewoc, Wisconsin on October 7, 1893. The witnesses were Emma Ninneman and Mrs. E. J. Cook. H. Cook of Wonewoc performed the ceremony.
Herbert, the son of Ira and Helen (Potter) Christman was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on May 7, 1868. Herbert and Anna lived in Juneau County, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Washburn County, Wisconsin.
Children:
Fred, b. 29 Sept 1894, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin; d. 28 Dec
1894, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
(13) Alice Sylvia, b. 30 Jan 1896, Summit Township, Juneau County,
Wisconsin.
(14) Minnie, b. 7 Oct 1897, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
(15) Louise, b. 5 Feb 1900, South Dakota.
(16) William, b. 30 Aug 1902, Summit Township, Juneau County,
Wisconsin.
Oliver, b. 17 Nov 1904, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin; unmarried;
d. 11 July 1937, Hayward, Sawyer County, Wisconsin; burial Minong, Washburn
County, Wisconsin.
(17) Lyman, b. 14 Mar 1907, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
(18) Esther Blanche, b. 30 May 1909, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Third Generation
Emma Louisa Minnia Ninneman
(6) Emma Ninneman, the daughter of of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on October 30, 1875. She married Albert Perry Porter in Mauston at the Methodist Episcopal Parsonage on October 23, 1894. Ida Belle Porter and Emil Ninneman were the witnesses. The Rev. M. B. Balch performed the ceremony.
Albert, the son of Frederick Smith and Eleanor (Galvin) Porter, was born in Lemonweir Township on June 26, 1860. At time of his marriage, Albert was a farmer in Lemonweir Township.
Emma died on April 16, 1901 of tuberculosis at the age of 24. She was buried in the Mauston Cemetery.
Albert married second, Anna B. Gardner, in Mauston, May 8, 1905. C. Lyon, the Justice of the Peace, performed the civil ceremony. The witnesses were F. A. Adler and Anton Mojzis. Something must have been wrong with the first ceremony because they were married again at 1:50 pm on July 18, 1906. C. Lyon again performed the ceremony. The witnesses were A. D. Gill and F. A. Adler.
Anna, the daughter of Wenslow and Mary (Verble) Gardner, was born in July 26, 1859 in Pisek, Czechoslovakia. Albert worked in the Mauston knitting mill during this time. His two sons were raised by his parents.
Albert died in Mauston on September 23, 1937 at age 77. He was buried in the Rose Cemetery. Annie died on July 16, 1941 at the age of 81 and was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery just outside Mauston.
The children of Albert and Emma (Ninneman) Porter:
(19) Fred Perry, b. Sep 19, 1895, Lemonweir Twp.
Frank Lafayette, b. December 17, 1898, Lemonweir township; unmarried; He
worked on farms most of his life, during WW2 he worked at the munitions plant
at Baraboo. d. of a myocardial infarction March 14, 1972, Mauston, Wisconsin.
Funeral March 17, 1972, 2 pm at the Crandall Funeral home, Rev. L. A. Benson
officiating. Pall bearers, Otto Siekert, Walt Zinke, Harry Clark, Fritz Porter,
Albert Porter, and Leonard Onsager. Burial in the Rose Cemetery.
Third Generation
William Emil August Ninneman
(7) William Ninneman, the son of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was born probably in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on April 5, 1877. In the 1900 census he was a farm laborer for Elihu Watson in Greenwood Township, Vernon County, Wisconsin. There is a discrepency in his birth date which is listed in the census as March 1878. This would appear to be either a mistake (his brother Emil was born in Sep 1878) or I have the wrong William Ninneman in the census.
He married Cora Taylor. In 1917, he lived in Livingston, Wisconsin.
Only one child known:
Claude, b.
Third Generation
Emil August Frederick Ninneman
(8) Emil Ninneman, the son of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was born probably in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on September 22, 1878. He married, first, Fern Taylor and second, Minnie Sayers. He was living in Livingston, Wisconsin in 1917 and in Elgin, Illinois in 1931.
Emil died on September 28, 1968 and was buried in Lake Street Memorial Park, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
Children?
Third Generation
Minnia Mary Aliza Ninneman
(9) Minnia Ninneman, the daughter of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was probably born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on August 7, 1880. She married Henry Tongue on July 1, 1901. She lived in Hillsboro, Wisconsin in 1917 and in Waupaca, Wisconsin in 1931.
She died in October 1959 and was buried in Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, King, Wisconsin.
Children?
Third Generation
Charles Frederick Ninneman
(10) Charles Ninneman, the son of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was probably born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on March 4, 1882. He was living in Superior, Wisconsin in 1917. He is not listed as living at the time of his father's funeral in 1931.
Third Generation
Adelia Clara Rachel Ninneman
(11) Adelia (called Delia) Ninneman, the daughter of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was probably born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on August 8, 1884. She married Floyd Betke. Witnesses were Albert Betke, William Ninneman, Anna Ninneman, and Emma Ninneman.
In 1917 and 1931 she was living in Baraboo, Wisconsin. She died on February 13, 1966 and was buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Children, adopted:
Alfred, b.
Margie, b.
Third Generation
Clara Etta Anna Ninneman
(12) Clara Ninneman, the daughter of Fred Ninneman (1) and Louisa Wirth, was probably born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on June 11, 1887. She married a man named Tweedon. In 1917 she lived in Washington state and in 1931 she lived in Seattle, Washington.
Children?
FOURTH GENERATION
Alice Sylvia Christman
(13) Alice Christman, the daughter of Herbert Christman and Anna Ninneman (5), was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on January 30, 1896. She married Julius G. Schmid in Hayward, Sawyer County, Wisconsin on November 20, 1921.
Children?
Fourth Generation
Minnie Christman
(14) Minnie Christman, the daughter of Herbert Christman and Anna Ninneman (5), was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on October 7, 1897. She married Leopold M. Derosiers in Shell Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin on December 27, 1916.
Children?
Fourth Generation
Louise Christman
(15) Louise Christman, the daughter of Herbert Christman and Anna Ninneman (5), was born in South Dakota on February 5, 1900. She married Albert Logan Boothe in Pine City, Minnesota on March 6, 1919. Albert was born on December 28, 1886. Louise died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 6, 1927 and was buried in Minong, Washburn County, Wisconsin. Albert died in February 1968 in Minong.
Children?
Fourth Generation
William Christman
(16) William Christman, the son of Herbert Christman and Anna Ninneman (5), was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on August 30, 1902. He married Dorothy McPeak in Sawyer County, Wisconsin on August 17, 1939. Dorothy was born on May 7, 1912. William died in Hayward, Sawyer County, Wisconsin on April 3, 1974 and was buried in Hayward. Dorothy died on September 16, 1988 in Hayward.
Children?
Fourth Generation
Lyman Christman
(17) Lyman Christman, the son of Herbert Christman and Anna Ninneman (5), was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on March 14, 1907. He married Elsie Block in Gordon, Douglas County, Wisconsin on June 19, 1932. Lyman died in August 1981. His last residence was Washburn, Wisconsin.
Children?
Fourth Generation
Esther Blanche Christman
(18) Esther Christman, the daughter of Herbert Christman and Anna Ninneman (5), was born in Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin on May 30, 1909. She married Earl Cathers in Carleton, Minnesota on November 9, 1929. They lived in Douglas, Wisconsin. Earl died in March 1983. Esther died on September 19, 1993.
Children?
Fourth Generation
Fred Perry Porter
(19) Fred, the son of Albert and Emma (Ninneman) Porter, was born on September 19, 1895 in Lemonweir township. His mother died when he was five years old and he and his brother, Frank (nicknamed Dob) were raised by their grandparents, Frederick and Eleanor (Galvin) Porter.
Fred entered the army on May 28, 1918 at Mauston. He was 5' 6 1/2" tall, had blue eyes, light hair, and fair complexion. He was 22. He served as a private in the American Expeditionary Force in France in the 14th Veterinary Hospital from October 16, 1918 to June 27, 1919. He left the service July 9, 1919 at Camp Grant, Illinois. His wartime duty consisted of caring for horses.
He married Barbara Frances Coyer on April 6, 1920 in Mauston. Fred was 24 and Barbara was 20. The witnesses were C. A. Jones and Mrs. R. H. Nicholson. Joseph E. Watson performed the ceremony.
Barbara Frances Coyer, the daughter of Edgar and Agnes (Odell) Coyer, was born on February 12, 1900 in Lemonweir township. She usually went by the name of Frances.
On February 20, 1930, the Mauston Star reported that the Fred Porter house burned while he and his family were visiting Ed Engalls, a neighbor. They occupied a house on the old Bently farm until they could rebuild.
Frances died in Lemonweir township on February 28, 1934 at the age of 34 and was buried at the Oakwood Cemetery in Mauston. She died of tuberculosis of the bone.
Fred married Effie Mellor on September 7, 1935. Fred lost the family farm during the depression because of a debt of $1,900. The family was allowed to remain on the premises until March 1, 1937.
Fred died on March 3, 1964 at the VA hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was buried in the Mauston Cemetery.
Children of Fred and Frances (Coyer) Porter:
Emma Agnes, b. February 7, 1926
John Edward, b. April 29, 1928
Frederick Earl, b. October 29, 1929
Child of Fred and Effie (Mellor) Porter:
Albert Lloyd Isaac, b. October 28, 1940, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
APPENDIX
WIRTH FAMILY
Frederick Wirth
Frederick Wirth was born in Germany. He married Louisa Lentz in Germany. Louisa Lentz was born in Germany in 1806. They emigrated to the United States. Louisa died in Juneau County on May 12, 1890. She was buried in the Raese Cemetery, Summit Township.
Children:
Fredericke, b. 5 April 1836, Germany; m. Augustus Schroeder; d. 7 Sep 1920; burial Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Friedrich, b. 1839, Germany; d. August 3, 1885, Juneau County from injuries received when he was struck by a train at Wilton (Mauston Star, August 13, 1885, p. 1); burial Raese Cemetery, Summit Township, Juneau County
Wilhemina, b. 5 Dec 1840, Germany; m. William F. Raese (Nov 27, 1839?Aug 7, 1922); d. 15 May 1929; burial Raese Cemetery, Summit Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Louisa, b. 5 August 1846, Germany; m. Fred Ninneman, 1871, Germany; d. 12 May 1910, Hillsboro, Wisconsin; burial Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Hillsboro, Wisconsin (see Ninneman Genealogy).