Myers, Johnson, Baker and Sherbondy Families and Genealogy Research

John Alexander Myers was born May 20, 1858 in Lena, Illinois.  He had one brother, James Wesley Myers, and one sister, Mary.  His father may have been named Alexander Myers as that name appears in James' marriage records.  He married Minnie Teresa Kreimier and had eight sons, two of whom died young.  John Myers was a farmer and died June 20, 1911 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  He is interred at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Council Bluffs, next to his wife.  His obituary states he died of heart trouble after 9 year's of illness.  Family folklore is John and his two siblings were farmed out to different families while they were still young, possibly because of both parents dying suddenly.  John was worked very hard and left that family while he was in his teens. 

Minnie Teresa Kreimier was born September 22, 1864 in Freeport, Illinois to Herman Kreimeier and Theresa Hecker.  She was one of 8 children and was a Catholic by faith.  At the age of four, her family moved to Benton County, Iowa where she lived to adulthood.  Family folklore is that she went away to assist a sister with the birth of a child and she met John Myers.  She married John Alexander Myers and bore 8 sons to the marriage, most, if not all, born in Luvern, Minnesota, having moved there in June 1893.  From Minnesota she moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa between 1908 and 1910.  She raised six children to grown men after her husband passed away in 1911.   She died January 22, 1932 in Council Bluffs, Iowa and is buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery.  Her cause of death is listed as acute dilatation of the heart resulting from Hemangioma of the liver.

Children of John and Minnie were: 

1. Harvey Luis, born July 10, 1888, died October 13, 1890.
2. John C. Jr., born September 13, 1891, died August 3, 1893.
3. Edward Herman, born June 4, 1895 in Luvern, Minnesota, died February 5, 1965 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
4. Vernon John, born February 9, 1897 in Luvern, Minnesota, died August 20, 1969 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
5. Leroy Thomas, born June 20, 1900 in Luvern, Minnesota, died April 8, 1964 in Rutherford, New Jersey.
6. Frank John, born February 10, 1901 in Vienna, Minnesota, died July 3, 1979 in Omaha, Nebraska.
7. Leonard Herbert, see home page.
8. Everett Joseph, born April 29, 1908 in Vienna, Minnesota, died July 20, 1969 in Portland, Oregon.

Parents of Minnie Kreimier

Herman Kreimeier was born Feb. 17, 1820 in Lippe, Germany.  Departing from Bremen, Herman sailed aboard the Coriolan (see below) and was listed as Heninreich Kreymeyer in the ships manifest.  He immigrated to New York, arriving on August 30, 1857.  Herman settled in Freeport, Illinois, where 5 of his eight children were born.  Also, travelling with him from Germany was Theresa Hecker whom he married in Freeport on November 22, 1857.  In 1868, he moved his family to Benton County, Iowa, settling in Kane Township and working a 80 acres of farmland.  His property was valued at $422 in 1870.  He was an educated man, able to read, write and speak English.  He moved with his son, August in 1892 to Vienna, Rock County, Minnesota.  He died there on March 18, 1902.

Theresa (Tressy) Hecker was born October 29, 1837 in Prussia.  She left Germany from Bremen aboard the Coriolan (see below) and arrived in New York on August 30, 1857.  She travelled from Germany with Herman Kreimeier and married him in Freeport, Illinois on November 22, 1857.  She was a housewife her entire life, and had 8 children.  Tressy died October 12, 1896 in Vienna, Minnesota after moving there in 1892 from Benton County, Iowa.

Children of Herman and Tressy were:

1. August, born October 28, 1858 in Freeport, Illinois, died August 26, 1941 in Kenneth, Minnesota.
2. Louisa, born March 1861 in Freeport, Illinois, died November 12, 1928 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Married firstly to Louis Couppee and secondly to Charles Boyer.
3. Henry, born April 1863 in Illinois, died after 1910, probably in Rock County, Minnesota.
4. Minnie Theresa, see home page.
5. John, born about 1867 in Illinois, died unknown (probably before 1880 as he was not listed in that census)
6. Hannah (Helena), born about 1870 in Illinois, died unknown. (probably Helena who married William Rose, of Dysart, Iowa, son of Christ. Rose in Vinton, Iowa on Feb. 13, 1890.  [Benton County Courthouse records]  A Helen Ross was listed living with Herman and Tressy in the 1895 Minnesota Census.)
7. Matilda, born January 1870 in Iowa, died unknown.  Not listed with family in the 1885 census.
8. Elizabeth, born November 19, 1875 in Iowa, died November 4, 1935 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Remained single her entire life and worked as a nurse.

The Bremen bark (not ship) CORIOLAN was built at Kennebunk, Maine, in 1850. She must have been purchased by Bremen interests either on the stocks or shortly after launching, as she first arrived at New York from Bremen in late September 1850. The CORIOLAN was owned from at least 1865 by the Bremen firm of F Reck & Co. She was still in service in 1885, the oldest "Downeaster" in the Bremen merchant fleet. The CORIOLAN first appears in _Lloyd's Register_for 1876/77 (the first year that non-British ocean-going vessels not surveyed and classed by Lloyds Register of Shipping are included): 966 tons; 162 x 33 x 22 ft (length x beam x depth of hold); International Signal Code QCDG.

Richard Allen Sherbondy was born June 21, 1866 in Oneco, Illinois to Joseph Williamson Sherbondy and Catherine Shirey.  He married Elizabeth W. Kline on October 2, 1887 in Monroe, Wisconsin.  He moved his family, then consisting of one daughter, to Brown County, Kansas in 1890 and then to a farm in Fillmore County, Nebraska in 1892.  He established a business interest in the Wennersten Hardward and Furniture store in Shickley and also helped operate his father's farm of 265 acres along with his brother, Bert.  Richard and his wife Lizzie buried their oldest child, Mary, in 1912.  He moved his family, at this time consisting of three sons and four daughters, to Benson, Nebraska in 1916.  He was raised in the Methodist faith and continued along that path his entire life, having a membership at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska later in his life.  In 1937, Richard and Lizzie celebrated there golden wedding anniversary with a family dinner and open house.  He was at that time employed by the city street department.  He died October 19, 1948 in Omaha, Nebraska and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery next to his wife.  His cause of death was listed as pneumonia.

Elizabeth W. Kline was born July 15, 1866 in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania to Joel Kline and Mary Jane Moore.  She came with her parents in a covered wagon to Oneco, Illinois in 1868 where she met and married Richard Sherbondy.  With one daughter in tow, she and Richard moved to first to Kansas and then to Fillmore County, Nebraska.  It was there that she bore seven more children and laid one to rest.  She and her family moved to Benson, Nebraska in 1916.  Lizzie died November 4, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska.  Her cause of death was myocarditis. (Heart trouble) 

Children of Richard and Lizzie were:

1. Mary C., born May 5, 1888 in Orangeville, Illinois and died March 1, 1912 in Milford, Nebraska.
2. Hazel, born July 11, 1893 in Nebraska and died November 1982.
3. Anne, born March 15, 1897 in Nebraska and died November 1986 in Illinois.
4. Verda Grace, born April 6, 1900 near Shickley, Nebraska and died August 14, 1921 in Omaha, Nebraska.
5. Alden Kline, born April 1, 1902 in Nebraska and died November 20, 1992 in Nebraska.
6. Florence Opal, see home page.
7. Gayle L., born September 26, 1910 in Nebraska and died June 1976.
8. Merle, dates unknown.

Parents of Richard Sherbondy

Joseph Williamson Sherbondy -Excerpt from Memorial and Biographical Record of Bulter, Polk, Seward, York and Fillmore Counties, page 858.

 "There are few men more worthy of representation in a work of this kind than the subject of this biography, who is passing the later years of his life in retirement from active labor upon his fine farm in section 34, Bryant township, Fillmore county, Nebraska. His has been a long and busy career, rich with experience, and in which he has established himself in the esteem and confidence of all who know him.  Mr. Sherbondy was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1832, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Sherbondy, also natives of the Keystone state.  Reared on the home farm, Mr. Sherbondy acquired his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and during his youth he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated November 10, 1856, Miss Catherine Shirey becoming his wife.  Mr. and Mrs. Sherbondy are the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter.  Mr. Sherbondy began life for himself amid the rough and rugged hills of his native state, but soon after his marriage he migrated to Stephenson county, Illinois, and there made his home for thirty-three years, during which time he purchased a farm. On selling his property there, he removed to Kansas, where the following year was passed, and then came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where in 1891 he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Bryant precinct, paying for the same four thousand six hundred and twenty-five dollars. Two years later he purchased one hundred and five acres for three thousand one hundred dollars, making a fine farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres, all in one body, which is well improved with good and substantial buildings. Our subject manages the place, but it is operated by his sons, one of whom (Bert D.) also owns a tract of eighty acres.  Mr. Sherbondy and his wife have severa (sic) times visited their native state, but are content to make Nebraska their home, for here they have prospered, having acquired a comfortable competence. All that they possess is the result of their own efforts, as they started out in life for themselves in limited circumstances, but now in their declining days they are enjoying the wealth that has been accumulated by years of toil. In his farming operations he has met with more than ordinary success, and since locating upon his present place has raised as high as fifty-two and three-quarters bushels of wheat to the acre, and other grains in proportion. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic-Populist party, in which he sees the best guarantees for the preservation of our national liberty. He and his family are prominent members of the Lutheran church, and are highly respected by all who know them."   Joseph died December 7, 1899 in Carlisle, Nebraska.  The previous Saturday he had suffered the secord of two strokes that hit him in the same week.  That stroke left him speechless and led to his death.

Catherine Shirey was born November 10, 1835 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania to Joseph Shirey and Elizabeth Blank.  She was baptized on Jan 13, 1836 at St. James Lutheran Church in Youngstown, Pennsylvania and remained a Lutheran her entire life.  Catherine married Joseph Sherbondy November 10, 1856 in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania and had 5 children raising them in the Lutheran faith.  Catherine was an educated woman being able to read and write.  She moved with her husband first to Stephenson County, Illinois in 1858, on to Hiawatha, Kansas in 1890, and then to Fillmore County, Nebraska in 1891.  Catherine died January 5, 1907.

Children of Joseph and Catherine were:

1. George Williamson, born March 5, 1858 in Pennsylvania, died July 1939 in Sacramento, California.
2. Anna Elizabeth, born September 6, 1860 in Illinois, died after July 28, 1939.
3. Joseph Wallace, born May 18, 1868 in Oneco, Illinois, died July 24, 1939 in Orangeville, Illinois.
4. Richard Allen, see above.
5. Bert Deforest, born January 21, 1872 in Illinois, died May 7, 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Parents of Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kline

Joel Kline was born December 10, 1835 in Forest Hill, Pennsylvania to Jacob B. Kline and Mary (Maria) Elizabeth Englehart. Joel was made a church "member by probation" at Forest Hill Methodist Episcopal Church September 1855.  He was steward of Forest Hill church in 1866, and leader of all five meetings of the Mifflinburg Circuit in 1866.  He was "Removed by certificate" from Sunday School Class in 1865.  Joel fought in the Civil War (see below) and after he mustered out he married Mary Jane Moore on October 19, 1865 in the home of the bride's brother by Rev. Koleburn.  Joel and his family moved to Oneco Twp., Illinois in 1868.  They later lived on a farm east of Clarno, Wisconsin.  Joel and Mary had eleven children, eight which survived to adulthood.  He made his living after he left the service as a wagonmaker.  Joel was 5 feet 8 inches tall, light hair, dark complexion, and left handed.  He died March 15, 1900 in Oneco Twp., Illinois.  He had been sick with heart disease and dropsy.  He is buried in the Orangeville Cemtery.

  Joel served in Co E 131st PA infantry as a Corpl (or Chaplain).  He mustered in August 25, 1862(also have found date of August 6, 1862) and mustered out May 23, 1863 at Harrisburg, PA.  He also served in Co E 51st PA infantry as a private, mustered in February 22,1864 and mustered out July 27, 1865 at Alexandria, VA.  He was wounded June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA and was sent to McClellan Hospital in Philadelphia for 5 months.  He was invalid because of gunshot wound in the right leg that entered below the knee on the inner side of the leg, hemorrhoids, and palpitations of the heart on least exertion.  He also had a fatty tumor on the back of his neck, also articular and muscular rheumatism. 
  During his enlistment with the Pennsylvania 131st Infantry, the regiment fought in the Battle at Fredericksburg, Virginia and the Battle at Chancellorsville, VA.  During Joel's enlistment with the Penn. 51st Infantry, the regiment fought in the Battle at Wilderness, VA, the Battle at Spotsylvania Court House, VA, the Battle at Po River, VA, the Battle at North Anna River, VA, and the Battle at Cold Harbor, VA.  It was at Cold Harbor on June 3rd, 1864 that Joel was wounded.

Mary Jane Moore was born November 12, 1847  in Jacksonville, Pennsylvania to Daniel Moore and Rachel (Regina) Rudy.  She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church having been converted at the age of 10 by Rev. Samuel Creighton.  She married Joel Kline on October 19, 1865 in Mifflinburg, PA in the home of her brother by Rev. Koleburn.  She and her family moved to Oneco Twp., Illinois in 1868.  They later lived on a farm east of Clarno, Wisconsin.  Mary Jane died January 28, 1892 in Oneco, Illinois.  She is buried in the Orangeville Cemtery.

Children born to Joel and Mary Jane were:

1. Lizzie (see above)
2. Phoebe Ellen, born March 27, 1868 in Forest Hill, Pennsylvania and died Aug 29, 1909.
3. Jacob Eziekel, born September 6, 1869 in Oneco, Illinois and died November 4, 1952 in White Creek, Wisconsin.
4. Laura Celestia, born February 24, 1872 in Oneco, Illinois and died March 6, 1947 in Stephenson County, Illinois.
5. Charles Henry, born in 1874 in Illinois and died June 6, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska.
6. Rueben Frank, born January 19 1877/87 in Oneco, Illinois and died May 31, 1943 in Freeport, Illinois.
7. Merle M., born about 1878 in Iowa and died August 16, 1955 in Omaha, Nebraska.
8. Anna M., born October 26, 1885 in Stephenson County, Illinois and died October 16, 1886 in Illinois.
9. Unknown baby died about January 1892.
10. Unknown baby died young.