Notizen zu dieser Person
!German info from, Willi Stelter Nienhagener Str. 8 31637 Rodewald, Germany Our HERRITAGE A stranger named RATHJE strayed into the dorf (village) of Rodewald in the late seventeen hundreds. The dorf Rodewald in the Province of Hannover, at the time under British rule due to the assession of Hanoveranien King to the British Throne. Strayed perhaps from the Province of Schleswig-Holstein where the name is used as a given, as well as a surname, or perhaps he remained in Rodewald after a Napoleonic campaign. He married a young woman of local ancestry. A child was born to them on Christmas day in 17989 whom they named Friedrich (Frederick). When the child was two years old, an epidemic swept the dorf during which both parents died and were burried in a common grave. Hence, the child was reared by a maiden aunt. He attended the local schools where he learned to read, write, and the numbers, even to fractions and percentages. At the age of eighteen, he was taken into the army, serving for three years. On his return home, he found that the "Hof"(small farm), which his parents had left him, had been greatly neglected during his early years and his absence ion the army. he desired to take possession of the property and married soon after his release from the army.
Rathje married a young woman from Rodewald named Marie Froelich. It was said that she was very fair of face. Seven children were born to this union, namely Henry, Frederick, Louise, Mary, William, Morris and Sophia. The two elder sons served in the German Army.
After returning from the army, the family attended a wedding where the eldest son and mother and ten people were stricken and died. Grandfather realizing the need of a mother in the home, walked to the next town to propose marriage to a widow. She did not accept immediately but promised to visit his home, This she did and they were married.
The eldest daughter, Louise, had married a man named Wolkenhauer from another town. Her husband now wanted to come to America. Grandfather however did not wish his daughter to go. He sought legal advice, was told that a wife would be obliged to follow her husband. The Wolkenhauers departed for America and settled one mile west of Addison, Illinois. They found the country abounding in opportunities, urged the family to follow.
It was finally decided that Frederick and Mary should come. Ship reservations were made for two; twelve year William insisted he too be permitted to come. Permission was finally granted. Grandfather accompanied Mary and William to Hamburg from where the ship sailed. They found the ship's quota was filled and no additional reservations were available. they learned the next sailing would be in three days on which passage was booked for William. this left William in the City of Hamburg on his own resources for three days. William, not being responsible to anyone on the ship, often irritated the sailors who threatened to throw him overboard but they also put him up to some mischief. In six weeks the ship reached New York. William continued his irresponsible behavior, met and fought his first American opponent on the wharf.
William continued his journey westward arriving at his sister's home in Addison in the year 1831. Within two years the rest of the family followed. Grandfather bought a 160 acre farm in Bloomingdale Township where we were all born and reared.
During the summers our father worked for neighboring farmers being paid a half Dollar a month. In winter he attended the local schools learning English his newly adopted language. At the age of twenty-three his right arm was seriously injured in a thrashing machine, requiring amputation. His sister Sophie came to visit during his recuperation. When she saw him she started to cry, he said:"Please do not cry sister, I can already write my name with my left hand." It was this determination what made father an outstanding character. It was not that father turned more or less toward outside interests.
At the age of thirty he married Louise Ehlers. She came from Rodewald with her parents at the age of 10.
Grandfather Ehlers named his daughter Louise after the Prussian Queen for whom he had great admiration. Seven years grandfather Ehlers traveled as a n apprentice architect and builder, benefits of his travel brought him refinement and culture. He wanted advantages for his daughter suggesting fine needlework., Many are still in family possession today. Grandmother Ehlers maiden name was Meyers. Her parents settled in Will County, Illinois.
There always was complete harmony in father and mother's life. Mother always supported father in all his ambitions. He held many public offices such as Road commissioner, Supervisor, Justice of the Peace adhering strictly to law and justice, known as Squire Rathje. He gained the confidence of business men. He declined the offer of general agency for the McCormick Reaper Company for the State of Wisconsin because he wanted to rear his family on the farm. A young man he recommended fulfilled this office very ably.
Father was also the agent for the Milwaukee-St.Paul Railroad Company selling their land to thrifty tenant farmers for two Dollars an acre.
Father was about the first, perhaps the first, to advocate the abolition of foreign language schools and was instrumental in having such a bill introduced in the state legislature where it was passed.
In 1908 father died at the Neddermeyer home being survived by mother and eight children. Mother standing at his bedside bidding goodbye in a low voice, remarked, "I thank you dear William for all the good." Ten children were born to father and mother, namely Emma, Caroline who died within a year, Fred S., Louise, William, Wilhelmine, Bertha, Anna, Sophia and Franklin. Mother lived another twelve years after father's passing--a well deserved retired life. She died, as she lived, quietly and nearly unnoticed, Sophia and Bertha were at her bedside.
Mother's home was about a mile east of father's. They had set their wedding day for 20th March at father's home, it being the larger. The night of the 19th was very stormy and much snow had fallen. The marriage was scheduled at church about eight miles distant from either home. Father decided to hitch his horses to the bobsled to get and bring the Pastor and his bride home on the same trip. The snow was so deep that father carried his bride out to the sleigh then bringing her and the Pastor to his home. The Ceremony was preformed in the same place twenty two years later. Mother wore a black taffeta dress, flowing sleeves with white underneath the sleeves, buttoned at the wrist with little gold leaf buttons,m full skirt over hoops, a wreath on her head made of flowers and beads. She had beautiful hair which she wore combed down and draped over her ears with long dangling earrings.
As Justice of Peace father made a will for a man named Timke. Mother witnessed the Will./ Later some members of the Timke family contested the Will. Mother was called to the witness stand during the trial, not being overly familiar with the language could not answer as briefly as was expected. E.H. Gary, though a very good friend of father's was unnecessarily harsh in his questioning. Father seated in the back of the court room protested, "Gary, this in my wife." Mr. Gary then proceeded with milder tactics.
Father always tried his lawsuits in the dining room. One mid-summer on a very hot day a suit was to be tried. Soon the men picked up their chair another took a table and the law books carried them out under the cherry trees where court was then held.
Depending on the type of case father would allow us to listen to the trial. On one such occasion, I , a child of ten, sat all afternoon in a small rocker int he corner listening. A farmer was being sued for wages, a jury and attorneys were present. The prosecuting attorney questioned his client about the food he was served. Father spoke up and forbid this procedure of questioning saying, "The mistress of that home is not here to defend herself."
On grandfather's eighty-forth birthday gathered all his children and the grandchildren whose parents were not living for his birthday celebration with mother serving the dinner. After dinner grandfather read a short paper extolling the blessings he enjoyed in this country and presented each with a thousand dollars. The following May he passed on leaving five living children and a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
(Above notes from Dorothy Graue)
History of Du Page County by Blanchard 1882, lists the following children for William Rathje; Emma, Mena, Bertha, Annie, Sophie, and 3 sons, Fred, Louis & Willie.
Gaby F
