GEORGE   HAMMEL   FAMILY

 

 

Compiled by Robert Buecher, 5400 Pernod Avenue, St. Louis, MO  63139-1537

E-mail:   rgb7847@aol.com

[Revised: 5 August 2006]

 

[This information corrects and updates the family sketch that was published on page 284 of the

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, IL, VOLUME 1, published in 1988]

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

George HAMMEL was born on Saturday, 27 November 1802 at Steinwenden, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany.  He was the 7th child and 3rd son of Johann Nikolaus HAMMEL (1761-1825) and his wife, Maria Katharina, nee ZINSSMEISTER (1768-1828), who were both natives of Steinwenden.  George was baptised "Georg Hammel" on 30 November 1802 by the minister of the Evangelical-Reformed Church at Steinwenden [1] .  Godparents of the child were: Johann Georg HAMMEL, Michael FEIL/FEYL, and Katharina, wife of Jacob CHRISTMANN.

 

Steinwenden is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) northwest of Kaiserslautern.  In July 1993 after the reunification of Germany, its postal code was "66879 Steinwenden".  The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, has microfilmed the Steinwenden Civil Records ("Zivilstandsregister" for the years 1799-1957 with none for 1801-1815.  The records of the Evangelical-Reformed Church ("Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche") at Steinwenden have also been filmed for the years 1684-1942 with the baptisms missing for the years 1738-1749.

 

In 1828, George HAMMEL married Margaretha BLAUTH at Weltersbach.  There are two conflicting dates given for this marriage.  The church records of Steinwenden record it as "14 December 1828" while the civil records give the date as "February 1828".

 

Weltersbach is a small neighboring village to Steinwenden and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, has microfilmed its civil records for 1818-1875.  Weltersbach is part of the parish of the Evangelical-Reformed Church of Steinwenden and its church records are found recorded with those of Steinwenden.

 

Margaretha BLAUTH was born at Weltersbach on 9 July 1803 and was the illegitimate daughter of Elisabeth Katharina BLAUTH.  Her mother married Georg HAMMEL (a brother to Johann Nikolaus HAMMEL) on 1 November 1803 at Steinwenden.

 

George & Margaretha had three sons born to them at Weltersbach.  Two of them died as infants and another one died at the age of two years.

 

Sometime in 1833, George & Margaretha HAMMEL left Weltersbach and immigrated to the United States.  No actual ship passenger list has yet been found for them.  A record [2]  at Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, states that the couple left their homeland on 18 March 1833.  George filed his intent to become a citizen of the United States in St. Clair County, IL in February 1838 .  That document contained the following emigration  information:

 

Date of Intent:  19 Feb. 1838

Name:  George Hammel, age 36

Born:  1 Dec. 1802 [correct date was 27 Nov. 1802] at Steinwenden,  Bavaria.

Landed at New Orleans on 1 July 1833  [3]

 

He was naturalized a United States citizen in St. Clair Co. on 8 April 1848; number 3193.  That naturalization record stated that George had been in the United States for 15 years [as of 1848] and in Illinois for 14 years [as of 1848].

 

The family first settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where they lived for several years.  While living there, the family belonged to Holy Ghost Evangelical Church [4] .  It was the pastor of this church, George W. Wall, who baptised their son, Friedrich in Feb. 1836  [5].

 

The family must have moved to St. Clair County, Illinois, shortly after Feb. 1836 because there is a deed recorded in St. Clair Co. on 18 April 1836.  It was for land in Section 23 of Township 1 South, Range 9 West [Millstadt Township] bought by “George Hamal” from Robt. Harrison and wife [6].  George also bought land in Section 22 of the same township on 29 Sept. 1838 from Florentz Lustenberger [7] .  On 3 April 1854 George bought his 100 acre farm in Section 14 of Millstadt Township from Adam Klein  [8].  The farm was located east of Millstadt on the Old Urbana Road.  The 1874 atlas of St. Clair County [9] , shows the farm as belonging to his widow, "Mrs. E. Hammel".  In 1984, the property was owned by the Bank of Belleville.

 

George HAMMEL and his family were among the earliest members of Zion Evangelical Church [10] , Millstadt, which was founded in January 1836 by Rev. Johann Jacob RIESS.  Zion Church was the first Evangelical church formed in St. Clair County.   The first church [11] was built in 1837 and was located south of Millstadt near the intersection of the Douglas Road and the Saxtown Road.  Two of George's sons [Johann & Jacob], were baptised by Rev. Johann Jacob RIESS in June 1837  [12] and March 1839  [13] . 

 

George's wife, Margaretha HAMMEL , died near Millstadt on 23 Sept. 1840 [14] and was buried the same day in the “Gemeinde Todesacker” (parish cemetery) of Zion Church [Freivogel Cemetery] [15].

 

George's second marriage occurred in St. Clair Co., IL, on Tuesday, 17 Nov. 1840 to Miss Elisabetha Maria HAMMEL.  He was probably in a hurry to remarry since he had 2 small sons to care for.  The marriage was performed by "James T. Dowel/Dorrel?", a Justice of the Peace [16] .  This second marriage produced 5 children: 2 sons and 3 daughters.

 

This second wife, Elisabeth HAMMEL, was George’s niece.  Her father, Jacob HAMMEL, was George’s brother.  Her civil birth record states she was born about 4 P. M. on Wednesday, 30 June 1819 at Weltersbach [17] , a daughter of Jacob HAMMEL [18] (1791-1855) and Magdalena, nee LAUFER (died 1834).  Her name is listed as “Maria Elisabetha HAMMEL” on her birth certificate found in the Civil Records of Weltersbach.  She always went by the name of Elisabetha or Elisabeth.

 

Elisabeth had only been in the United States for 3 months before her marriage.  She immigrated with her father (Jacob); 3 brothers (Jacob, Nicolas, and John); and 1 sister (Catherine).  They traveled in the ship called the “Union” [19] which sailed from Havre, France and arrived at the port of New Orleans, Louisiana on 13 August 1840.  The family is listed on the ship list as:

 

Jacob Hammel;   age   49;   occupation:  Farmer;    destination:   St. Louis    [NOTE]

Elisabeth  Hammel;   age   22   

Jacob Hammel;   age   19

Catha.  Hammel;   age   13

Nicolaus Hammel;   age  12

Johan Hammel;   age  6

 

 

                [NOTE: the family's baggage consisted of "2 chests"]

 

 

George HAMMEL died at his farm near Millstadt on Sunday, 15 March 1863.  He was buried in Freivogel Cemetery [20] , south of Millstadt, by Pastor Jacob Knauss of Zion Evangelical Church.  He reached the age of 60 years, 3 months, and 16 days.  In 1969 his grave and tombstone was located near the back part of the cemetery.  By August 1984, the top part of his stone had been broken off and by Aug. 1986 the stone had been broken off at the base and was leaning on another tombstone.  The following inscription was on his tombstone:

 

[picture of an open book at the top]

 

                                                Hier ruhet in Frieden                                     Here rests in Peace

                                                Georg Hamel                                    Georg Hamel

                                                Geb.                                                    Born

                                                den 25 Sept. 1802.  [NOTE]  the 25 Sept. 1802  [NOTE]

                                                Gest.                                                       Died

                                                den 15 Marz 1863                              the 15 March 1863

 

[NOTE - according to his baptism record in Germany, George was born on 27 November 1802.]

 

George HAMMEL left a will that was signed by him on 9 Dec. 1862.  It was recorded in St Clair Co., IL, Will Record Book "E", pp. 177-179 and entered into probate on 23 March 1863.

 

Elisabeth remained on the farm after her husband's death and is listed as living there in both the 1870 and 1880 Census.  Her 1899 obituary in the Belleville newspaper [21] , stated that "Thirteen years ago [ca. 1886], she removed to Millstadt and made her home with her daughter" [Christina BUECHER in the 100 block of East Laurel Street.  The house was located just west of the home which would later belong to her grandson, George Buecher, who lived at 125 East Laurel].

 

Elisabeth died there from the infirmities of old age at 12:30 Sunday afternoon, 18 June 1899.  She reached the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 19 days.  The funeral took place at 2 p. m. on June 20 from the residence of her daughter [Mrs. Christina BUECHER] to the Old Millstadt Cemetery with the funeral services conducted by Rev. BUCHMUELLER of Zion Evangelical Church [22] .  At the time of her death, her survivors were listed as 3 children (George Hammel,  John Hammel,  and Mrs. Christine Buecher); 1 stepson (Jacob Hammel); 1 brother (Nic. Hammel); 1 sister (Mrs. Katharina Mueller); 13 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren [23] .

 

 

Her tombstone in the Old Millstadt Cemetery has the following inscription in German:

 

M. Elizabeth

Hammel

GEB.  [Born]

19. Juni  [NOTE]

1819

GEST.  [Died]

18 Juni

1899

 

[NOTE - according to her birth certificate in Germany, she was born on “30 June 1819” ]

 

 

The George HAMMEL family is listed as follows in the various United States Census Enumerations taken from 1840 to 1880:

 

 

****************      ***************      ***************      ***************

 

               

1840 Census; St. Clair Co., IL; page 247:

 

George Hammel   [head of the house]

 

2 males, under 5 years old    [sons: Friedrich born 1836 & Jacob born  1839]

1 male, 30-40 years old    [George, born 1802]

1 female, 20-30 years    [this was probably his 2nd wife,  Elisabetha, who was born in 1819]

 

 

****************      ***************      ***************      *************** 

               

1850 Census; Roll 126; St. Clair Co., IL; District No. 9 High Prairie; page 236; family no. 1846; census taken 19 Nov. 1850:

 

George Hammel;  Age 47;  Occupation:   farmer    Birth Place:   Germany   [NOTE]

Elizabeth  Hammel;  Age:  31   Birth Place:   Germany

Fridrich    Hammel;   age   15;    Birth Place:                Mo.

Jacob    Hammel;    age   11;    Birth Place:     St. Clair Co.

George N.  Hammel;  age  2;   Birth Place:    St. Clair Co.

Wilhelmina Itling;   age  12;   Birth Place:   Germany

 

                NOTE: his "Value of Real Estate owned" is listed as $1000

 

 

****************      ***************      ***************      ***************

               

1860 Census; Roll 224; St. Clair Co., IL; Township 1 South, Range 10 West [Sugar Loaf Township - but the family was actually then living in Millstadt Township]; page 91; family # 683;  census taken 22 June 1860:

 

Hamel [Hammel], Geo.  ;  age  57;   occupation:   farmer;    Birth place:   Bavaria   [NOTE]

Eliz.   Hamel  ;   age   41;   Birth place:   Bavaria

Jacob  Hamel;   age  21;   Birth place:   Ill.

Geo. N.  Hamel;   age  12;   Birth place:   Ill.

John  Hamel;   age  10;   Birth place:   Ill.

Christina Hamel;   age  7;   Birth place:   Ill.

 

        NOTE: Geo. (57) was listed as being "blind"; his real estate owned was $1200; and his personal estate was valued at $800.

 

****************      ***************      ***************      ***************

               

1870 Census; Microfilm Roll 280; St. Clair Co., IL; Township 1 South, Range 9 West [Millstadt Township]; page 6; printed page # 573 back; dwelling # 36; family # 38; census taken 3 June 1870:

 

Hammel,  Elizabeth;   age  51;   occupation:   Keeping house;   Birth place:   Bavaria   [NOTE]

Hammel,  George;   age   22;   occupation:  Farmer;   Birth place:   Illinois

Hammel,  John;   age  19;   occupation:  Farmer    Birth place:  Illinois

Hammel,  Christine;   age  16;    occupation:   At home    Birth place:  Illinois            

 

[NOTE: her real estate is valued at 4000 and her personal estate at 500]

 

 

****************      ***************      ***************      ***************

               

 

1880 Census; Roll 247; St. Clair Co., IL; Township 1 South, Range 9 West [Millstadt Township]; page 20 & 21; dwelling # 160; family # 165; census taken  14 June 1880:

 

Hammel, John;   age 29;   occupation ‘farmer”;   born in Ills.

Hammel, Babara [Barbara];   age 20;   wife;   occupation “keepinghouse”;   born in Ills.

Hammel, John;   age 8 months;   son;   occupation “at home”;   born in Ills.

        

Same page; dwelling # 160; family # 166:

 

Hammel, Elizabetha;   age 61;   mother [note];   occupation “keepinghouse”;    born in Bavaria

Hammel, George;   age 31;   son;   occupation “farming”;   born in Ills.

 

                NOTE: Elizabetha is also listed as "widowed"

 

****************      ***************      ***************      ***************

 

[The following will is recorded in Will Record Book “E”, pages 177-179, St. Clair County, IL, Probate Records.  It was entered into probate on 23rd March 1863.  The document contains numerous spelling errors.  Brackets indicate corrected or added information that was supplied by Robert Buecher in Dec. 1993.]

 

 

G E O R G E    H A M M E L 's    W I L L

 

State of  Illinois

County St. Clair  Decber  9th  1862

 

                I the undrsigned of the County and State as aforesaid mak [make] ordain and declare, this to be my last Will and testament.

 

                First, after all my lawfull debts ar[e] paid, I give bequeth, and dispose of my Real and personal Estate, as follows,

 

                First to my Son Jacob Hamel the following discribed land lying and being in the County of St. Clair and State of Illinois to wit the East pard of the south East quarter of the North West quarter of section fourtheen 14) in township one 1) south of Range Nine 9) West Containing twenty Acres more or less, of the the Third principal Meredian also Twenty Acres joining and runing paralel with the above described tract of land, of of a fourty Acre tract which fourty Acres ar described as folowes, the south west quarter of the North East quarter of sections fourtheen 14) in Township one 1) south of Range Nine 9) west containing fourty Acres more or less, also Twenty Acres outh of a Eighty Acres Timper [Timber] land, our land is discribed as folowes the East have [half] of the south west quarter of section twenty six 26) in Township one 1) south of Range Nine 9) west containing Eighty Acres said land shal be divited by three disinderested [disinterested] Householder

 

                Second I give, bequeath to my beloved Wife Elisabeth Hamel the use of the remainder of my Real Estate during here Natural Life being described as folowes, the south East quarter of the North East quarter of section fourtheen 14) in Township one 1) south of Range Nine 9 West containing fourty Acres, also Twenty Acres joining this forty of of [sic] the fourty Acres described above, also Sixty Acres outh [sic] of the Eighty Acres Timper [Timber] land which is also described above, and after her death to be divided equally to mine and her three children George Nickolaus Hamel, John Hamel, and Christina Chatarina [sic] Hamel

 

                Third I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Elisabeth Hamel all my Personal Property consisting of life [live] stock, Machin[e] and farming utensils and of wath [what?] Natur and Property it may be with the only contion [condition] that she pay to my Son Friedrich Hamel five Dollars, which I give and bequeath him as balance of his chare [share] of my Real and Personal Estate and lastly shall my Son Jacob Hamel pay to my three above Named Children or cause to be paid the sum of Four hundred Dollars with six per cent Interest thereon after my death untill paid which Money shall be paid as my three above Named Children bekom [become] of age equally in shares and shall be lawfull that said Money shall be secured by the first Leen on said Land given to my Son Jacob Hamel till all is paid Capital as well as Interest and lastly I apoint my wife Elisabeth Hamel as my lawfull Executrix for this my last Will and Testament with outh giving Bond and security, In thestimony [testimony] wherof I have in presence of this Withness signed my Name and afixed my Seal the day and year first above writen.

 

Georg  Hamel

 

Signed in presence of

Thomas Mueller

George H. Kern

Francis M. Faas

 

State of Illinois )

St. Clair County  )                                                                              In the County Court of said County.

                                                                                                                In Probate, March Term, A. D. 1863.

 

                Personally appeared in open Court, Thomas Mueller and George H. Kern, subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Georg Hamel late of St. Clair County, deceased, who being duly sworn according to law, do depose and say, each for himself, that the foregoing is the Last Will and Testament of the said George Hamel deceased; that they subscribed their names thereto as the attesting witnesses at the request of the said Testator, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, on the ninth day of December A. D. 1862.  That he then and there subscribed his name thereto in their presence and declared the same to be his Last Will and Testament; and that the said Testator at the time of executing the same as aforesaid was of full age, of sound mind and memory, and under no constraint.

 

Subscribed and Sworn to in open Court )                                  Thomas Mueller

this 23d day of March A.D. 1863       )                                              George H. Kern

     B. Wick, County Clerk            )

     by Seb. Fietsam, Dpty            )

 

Ordered and adjudged, that the foregoing instrument is writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Georg Hamel decd. be considered legally proven and be admitted to Record as the last will & testament of Georg Hamel, decd.

 

March 23, 1863                                                                                  John D. Hughes

                                                                                                                County Judge

 

State of Illinois )

St. Clair County  )                                              In County Court, March Term A. D. 1863.

 

                I do solemnly swear, That this writing contains the true last will and testament of the within named Georg Hamel deceased, so far as I know or believe, and that I will well and truly execute the same, by paying first the debts and then the legacies mentioned therein, as far as his goods and chattels will thereunto catend?, and the law charge me; and that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels, rights and credits, as may come to my hands or knowledge, belonging to the estate of said deceased, and render a fair and just account of my executorship, when thereunto required by law, to the best of my knowledge and abilities, so help me God.

 

Sworn to and subscribed this 23 day of March )                              Elisabetha  Hamel

A. D. 1863 in open Court, before me.         )

                   B. Wick, Clerk            )

                   by Seb. Fietsam, Dpty.    )

****************      ***************      ***************      ***************

 

The following 6 children were born to George HAMMEL and Margaretha BLAUTH:

 

1A.)  Johann Nickolaus HAMMEL

                born:  9 January 1829 Weltersbach, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany

                died:  23 January 1829 Weltersbach

 

2A.)  Johann Nicolaus HAMMEL

                born:  28 February 1830 Weltersbach

                died:  15 March 1832 Weltersbach

 

3A.)  Johannes HAMMEL

                born:  8 March 1832 Weltersbach

                died:  15 March 1832 Weltersbach

 

4A.)  Friedrich HAMMEL

                born:  8 January 1836 St. Louis, Missouri

                died:  about 1865/1866 in Randolph County, Illinois

                married:  Elisabetha LAUFER on 10 March 1857 in Millstadt, IL

 

5A.)  Johann HAMMEL

                born: 5 May 1837 near Millstadt, Illinois

                died:  before the 1840 census

 

6A.)  Jacob HAMMEL

                born:  16 February 1839 near Millstadt, Illinois

                died:  7 August 1901 Belleville, Illinois

                married:  Gertrude RADEMACHER 6 April 1863 in Millstadt, Illinois

 

The following 5 children were born to George HAMMEL and Elisabeth HAMMEL:

 

1B.)  Philippina HAMMEL

                born:  14 April 1843 near Millstadt, IL

                died:  before the 1850 census

 

2B.)  George Nicholas HAMMEL

                born:  8 May 1848 near Millstadt, IL

                died:  11 July 1903 Millstadt, IL

                married:  (# 1) Ella Elisabeth LABO on 28 February 1892 Millstadt, IL

                                (# 2) Katharine SCHUTTE on 28 April 1895

 

3B.)  John HAMMEL

                born:  28 August 1850 in Millstadt Township, IL

                died:  15 February 1917 in Millstadt Township, IL

                married:  Barbara HOFFMANN on 18 December 1877 in Millstadt, IL

 

4B.)  Christina Catharine HAMMEL

                born:  23 September 1853 in Millstadt Township, IL

                died:  16 June 1913 in Millstadt Township, IL

                married:  Louis Philip BUECHER on 2 February 1873 in Millstadt, IL

 

5B.)  Elizabeth HAMMEL

                born:  19 July 1858 Millstadt Township, IL

                died:  16 December 1859 in Millstadt Township, IL


[1]  “Evangelisch-Reformierten Kirchenbuch Steinwenden, 1684-1942” [Evangelical-Reformed Church Records of Steinwenden, 1684-1942];  Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; microfilm roll # 193,182; ‘Taufen’ (Baptisms), year 1802

[2]  ‘Family Register’ of Zion United Church of Christ, Millstadt, IL;  family sketch 18;  published in the St. Clair County [IL] Genealogical Society QUARTERLY, Vol. 10 (1987), pp. 1 - 28

[3]  The actual ship’s passenger list has not been found since there are many missing passenger lists for the port of New Orleans during 1833-1835

[4]  Holy Ghost Evangelical Church was formed in 1834 and was the first German Protestant Church in the city of  St. Louis .  The congregation met in Methodist and Presbyterian churches until 1840 when the congregation dedicated its first building on the northwest corner of 7th St. and Clark Ave.   A larger church at 8th & Walnut Streets served from 1858 - 1895.

[5]  Harmon, Dr. Shirley & Esther Laumbattus;  Holy Ghost United Church of Christ of St. Louis, Missouri, Baptism & Marriage Records 1833-1843. (published by Closson Press, Apollo, PA, 2002),  page 70.

[6]  Recorder of Deeds, St. Clair County, Illinois; Book H, page 372

[7]  Recorder of Deeds, St. Clair Co., IL; Book J, p. 417

[8]  ibid;  Book I-2,  p. 328

[9]  An Illustrated Historical Atlas of St. Clair Co., Illinois.  (Published by Warner & Beers, Chicago; 1874)  page 48

[10]  Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, has baptism records starting in 1835, confirmations starting in 1866;  marriages starting in 1836;  and burials starting in 1836.  The records before 1920 are written entirely in German.

[11]  Zion’s second church building was completed in May 1851 in Millstadt in the 100 block of West White Street and was known for many years as the ‘Old Village Hall’ and was later used by the police department.

[12]  Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, Illinois; Baptism Records, 1837 # 18, page 3

[13]  Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, Illinois; Baptism Records, 1839 # 10, page 10

[14]   Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, IL; burial records, 1840 p. 12

[15]  Freivogel Cemetery is located due south of Millstadt at the intersection of the Saxtown Road and Mueller Road.  The land for the cemetery was donated in 1837 by Johann Nicholas Schmahlenberger.  Freivogel Cemetery [Tombstone Inscriptions], Millstadt Township, IL. (Published in the St. Clair County [IL] Genealogical Society QUARTERLY, Vol. 3 (1980), pages 61-69)

[16]  Clerk of St. Clair County, IL; marriage license # 743

[17]  Zivilstandsregister [Civil Records of Weltersbach], 1799-1875; Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; microfilm roll # 489,235; ‘Geburten’ (births), year 1819, entry # 9

[18]  Jacob Hammel died on  28 June 1855 and was buried in the Old Millstadt Cemetery.  Record found in the burial records of Zion Church, Millstadt, year 1855 # 18.

[19]  U. S. National Archives Microfilm Series M259 (Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, LA, 1820-1902), microfilm roll # M 259-21;  ship # 282

[20]  Freivogel Cemetery [Tombstone Inscriptions], Millstadt Township, IL. (Published in the St. Clair County [IL] Genealogical Society QUARTERLY, Vol. 3 (1980), pages 61-69)

[21]  Weekly Advocate, Belleville, IL; obituary of Elizabeth Hammel; Friday, June 23, 1899, page 10, col. 3

[22]  Zion Evangelical Church, Millstadt, IL; burial record of  “Maria Elisabeth Hammel”; year 1899, # 10

[23]  Post und Zeitung (daily edition), Belleville, IL;  Wednesday, 21 June 1899, page 2, column 3 (located in the “Millstadt” news column