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| Fredericka & Henry Erkman |
I have no record of Fredericka's middle name, but she is referred to as Rachael in the 1870 census and as Rosa in the 1900 census. It's possible that the 1870 census taker didn't understand the name Fredericka and wrote it as Rachael. It is also possible that Fredericka went by a nickname or that her middle name was Rosa. Two of her granddaughters were named Rose and could have been named for her. Family names are used repeatedly in this family.
Born: July 30, 1845, Germany or Prussia
Died: May 31, 1913, White Co., IL
Buried: Newman Cemetery, White Co., IL
Obituary - Fredreka Erkman, newspaper unknown, 6/1913
Fredreka Propst was born in Germany July 30, 1845. The family came across the water and settled in Indiana when she was six years old.
In 1861 she was married to Mike Dietz of Indiana. Seven children were born to them. Her husband died with cholera when that disease visited Carmi in 1872.
In 1875 she was married to Jacob Erkman. To them eight children were born. Mr. Erkman died August 13, 1908.
Mrs. Erkman has lived in various parts of the county until about nine years ago, when she came to her home east of Enfield, where she has since resided.
By her kind disposition, firm character and generous heart she won the love and confidence of all who knew her. Mrs. Erkman was a member of the German Evangelical church, but later transferred her membership to the church at Bethel. Her illness was long and fraught with much pain, but she was more than conqueror through Him in whom she trusted. She died the last hour of May, 1913; she began the new month in heaven.
She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Henry Harre, of Carmi, ten children, 21 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. Her age was 77 years, 10 months and 1 day.
She is not dead but she closed her eyes To open them in Paradise.
Services were conducted at the Home of Rev. W.C. Mahr, assisted by Rev. S. Thero. Interment at Newman Cemetery.Migration:
ca. 1855 she immigrated to the U.S. with her parents.
1859 living in Posey Co., IN with her parents
ca. 1869 moved to White Co., IL with Michael Dietz
1873 probably moved back to Posey Co., IN after death of Michael Dietz
1876 moved to White Co., IL to live with Jacob Erkman
Married: 1) Michael Dietz, August 3, 1861 in Posey Co., IN and 2) Jacob Erkman, April 27, 1876 in Posey Co., IN.
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| Sisters Louisa and Fredericka Anna Erkman Wheeler standing |
Her marriage license with Mike Dietz gives her name as Louisa Probst because the couple took a man to the courthouse to act as interpreter who confused Fredericka with her sister. Michael Dietz was born in Wurtermburg, Germany ca. 1834 and according to his naturalization papers he immigrated to the U.S. in 1856. He served in Company A of the 91st Indiana Infantry during the Civil War. Michael died of cholera in Carmi, IL, July 25, 1873 at age 39. He left Fredericka a widow at age 27 with four children and one on the way. She probably moved back to Indiana to be with her parents in the months between Michael's death and her marriage to Jacob Erkman in April 1876. Jacob became a widower with six children in August 1874.
In 1888 the Dietz kids helped Fredericka apply for a widow's and dependents pension for Mike's Civil War service. In these documents are affadavits regarding the marriage license mistake and the births of their children. Fredericka could not provide copies of the children's baptismal certificates because they had burned in a house fire in 1874.
Census:
1860 Posey Co. IN - Black Twp. age 14 living with her parents
1870 White Co., IL - Carmi Precinct, age 24 living with husband Michael Dietz with four children
1880 White Co., IL - living with Jacob Erkman, 4 stepchildren, 2 Dietz children and 2 sons with Jacob. She was 34.
1900 White Co., IL - age 54, listed as having had 15 children and 11 of them living, she did not know how long she had been in the U.S. She and Jacob had four children left at home.
1908, Dec. 8 - White Co., IL - Fredericka wrote her will, a few months after the death of Jacob:
The Last will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman of the Town of Enfield in the County of White and State of Illinois made and published the 8th day of December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eight.
In the name of God Amen, I Fredericka Erkman, of the Town of Enfield in the County of White and State of Illinois, of the age of sixty four years and being of sound mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare this, my last will and testament in the manner following, that is to say:
First. It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.
Second. I give devise and bequeath to my two sons Henry Erkman and Joseph Erkman all the real and personal estate of which I may died seized to have and to hold in fee simple absolute share and share alike, as their absolute property forever.
Third. This will is made to my two sons alone for the reason that they have and are, my main support, and dependence in my declining years, and I look to them for the care and support that I need.
Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my two sons Henry Erkman and Joseph Erkman, without bond to be, the Executors of this my Last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 11th day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eight.
Fredericka her X mark Erkman Seal
Witnesses: W.A. Hawthorne, E.W. King
The above instrument, consisting of one sheet, was now here subscribed by Fredericka Erkman the testatrix in the presence of each of us, and was at the same time declared by here to be her Last will and Testament, and we, at her request sign our names hereto, in her presence and in the presence of each other, as attesting witnesses.
W.A. Hawthorne of Enfield, Illinois, E.W. King of Enfield, Illinois1910 White Co., IL - Enfield Twp. - age 64, listed as having 14 children and 10 living. She is a widow living with sons Joseph and Henry who are working on the farm.
1913, July 2 - White Co., IL - Fredericka's will was probated:
State of Illinois, White County, Proof of Will
In the County Court of said County in Probate July Term A.D. 1913.
Personally appeared in open Court E.W. King subscribing witness to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman late of White County, deceased who being duly sworn according to law does depose and says for himself that the foregoing is the Last Will and Testament of the said Fredericka Erkman deceased; that he then and there subscribed his name thereto as one of the attesting witnesses at the request of said Testator, and in her presence and in the presence of W. A Hawthorne on the 11th day of December AD 1908. That she then and there subscribed her name thereto in his presence, and declared the same to be her 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.
E.W. King
Subscribed and sworn to in open court this 25th day of July A.D. 1913
Matthew Martin, County Clerk
Interrogatories Referred to in the foregoing dedimus and to be answered by W.A. Hawthorn a witness produced sworn and examined under and by the annexed commission before H.E. Brannon Clerk, Esq. of the County of Chickasaw and State of Mississippi, in the cause therein mentioned and referred to and now pending in the County Court of White County, State of Illinois, upon an application by Joseph Erkman asking that a paper purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman be admitted to probate as an for her Last Will and Testament and W.A. Hawthorn a witness on the part of said petitioner testifies as follows towit:
Interrogatory First. Sate your name, age, occupation and place of residence.
Answer to Interrogatory First. W.A. Hawthorne, 45 years old, Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi.
Interrogatory Second. State whether you knew Fredericka Erkman in her lifetime, and if so, about how long had you known her prior to her death?
Answer to Interrogatory Second. I knew her 15 year before her death.
Interrogatory Third. Did Fredericka Erkman sign the attached paper purporting to be her last will and testament in your presence and in the presence of E.W. King?
Answer to Interrogatory THird. She did.
Interrogatory Fourth. State whether or not you signed the attached instrument purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman deceased.
Answer to Interrogatory Fourth. I did.
Interrogatory Fifth. If you did sign it did you sign the said instrument in the presence of Fredericka Erkman and at her request and in he presence of E.W. King?
Answer to Interrogatory Fifth. Yes.
Interrogatory Sixth. If you did sign it, as set forth in interrogatory fourth, was the said Fredericka Erkman of sound mind and memory at the time she signed the said instrument?
Answer to Interrogatory Sixth. She was.
Interrogatory Seventh. At the time she signed the said instrument if she did sign it, was she under any constraint that is, was anyone attempting to influence her in any manner
Answer to Interrogatory Seventh. I think not.
State of Mississippi, Chickasaw County
W.A. Hawthorn, after being duly sworn on his oath deposes and says that the answers to the foregoing interrogatories are true and correct.
W.A. Hawthorne
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 2nd day of July A.D. 1913.
H.E. Brannon, Chancery Clerk, Chancery Court, Chickasaw County, Miss.
Certificate of Commissioners, State of Mississippi, County of Chickasaw
The deposition of William A. Hawthorn of the County of ---- and State of Mississippi, a witness of lawful age produced and sworn on his corporal oath on the 2nd day of July in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirteen at the office of H.E. Brannon in the Town of Houston in the County of Chickasaw and State of Mississippi aforesaid, by me, H.E. Brannon, Clerk of Chancery Court, a commissioner duly appointed by a dedimus potestatem or Commission issued out of the Clerk's Office of the County Court of White County and State of Illinois, bearing testse in the name of Matthew Martin, Esq. Clerk of the said County Court, with the seal of said Court affixed thereto and to me directed as such Commissioner for the examination of the said William A. Hawthorn a witness in a certain cause or matter now pending and determined in the said County Court wherein Joseph Erkman petitioned said Court to have admitted to probate a paper purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman deceased as and for her last will and testament; and in behalf of the said petitioner, upon the written interrogatories to be preponded to said witness on the part of said petition, the said William A. Hawthorn being first duly sworn by me as said Commissioner, as a witness in the said cause, previous to the commencement of his examination to testify the truth in relation to the matters and things set forth in the written interrogatories hereto attached so far as he should be interrogated, testified and deposed as set forth in the foregoing interrogatories in writing.
I, H.E. Brannon, clerk of the Chancery Court of the County of Chickasaw and state of Mississippi, a Commissioner duly appointed to take the deposition of said William A. Hawthorn a witness whose name is subscribed to the foregoing deposition do hereby certify that previous to the commencement of the examination of the said William A. Hawthorn as a witness in said cause wherein Joseph Erkman presents a petition to the County Court of White County asking that a paper purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman deceased by admitted to probate as and for the Last Will and Testament of the said Fredericka Erkman deceased to testify the truth in relation to the written and things set forth in the dedimus and written interrogatories hereto attached so far as he should be interrogated concerning the same; that the said deposition was taken in my office in the City of Houston in the County of Chickasaw and State of Mississippi on the 2nd day of July AD 1913 Commencing at the hour of 6 o'clock in the afternoon of said day upon all such interrogatories as were directed to be put by either party to said cause, and that after said deposition was taken by me as aforesaid the interrogatories and answers thereto as written down were read over to the said witness; and that thereupon the same was signed and sworn to by the said deponent William A. Hawthorn before me, the oath being administered by me as said Commissioner at the place and on the day and year last aforesaid.
H.E. Brannon Commissioner, Chancery Court, Chickasaw County, Miss.
Clerk's Certificate of Probate of Will, State of Illinois, White County
I, Matthew Martin, clerk of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above and foregoing instrument of writing hereto attached, was duly presented in open Court for probate at the July Term 1913, towit July 25th 1913; And the Court after hearing the testimony of E.W. King, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto produced sworn and examined in open court, and having heard the deposition of W.A. Hawthorn, read; the same having been duly taken by a commissioner appointed by the Court, ordered that said instrument of writing be received, probated and recorded as and for, the true, Last Will and Testament of Fredericka Erkman, deceased in Testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and attach the seal of said Court, this 25th day of July 1913.
Matthew Martin, Clerk by Otis Downen, DC, Seal County Court of White Co., State of IllinoisChildren of Michael Dietz and Fredericka Probst:
Andrew b. 12/14/1861, d. 1932 md. Amanda Bollen ca. 1883
- unnamed child
- Margaret b. 6/1884, d. 1961 md.Leslie L. Cravens, children: Vern & Gladys
- Mary, d. before 1934
- unnamed daughter
- unnamed son
- Jacob b. 2/1881, d. 1933 md. Hattie Newcomb, children: Ilene, Irene, Lula, Ethel, Kenneth
- John Jr. b. 9/1885, d. 1954 md. Fanny (Rosselot) Sharer 1915, children: Walter, John & Louella
- [Magda]Lena b. 8/5/1887, d. 4/5/1915 md. John Samuel Logan 2/28/1907
- Clara Fredericka b. 10/1889, d. 10/19/1914 md. J. Thomas Hays 12/5/1906
- Rose Louise b. 10/1891 d. 4/1986 md. Dayton Lynn Hendershot 4/24/1910
- Benjamin H. b. 6/29/1888, d. 8/1/1965 md. Josephine Hebda (?)
- Ruth Jane b. 7/17/1890 md. Dwight Hendershot 4/12/1909, children: Jacob & Reba
- Augustus Milton b. 8/6/1892, d. 1947, never married
- Lulu Rosa b. 5/11/1895 md. William Blackman 1920
- John L. b. 5/5/1897, d. 1980 never married
- James Spencer b. 4/23/1899
- Mary Magdalena b. 10/22/1901, d. 1984, md. Clarence E. Kirk 9/3/1922
- Jewel b. 3/4/1906, d. 9/29/1906
- Verna Helen b. 5/15/1909, d. 8/1/1979 md. Aaron Cullison
- Andrew William b. 5/5/1912, d. 9/34/1982 never married
William (?) b. 1871, there is a William born 1871 on the census and one born in 1871. There is an infant son of M & F Dietz buried in the Old Carmi Cemetery. This is still unresolved.
William b. 1/13/1874, d. 3/18/1925 in the 1925 Tri-State Tornado, md. Ida Caldwell 1/29/1900
- Blanche b. 1902 md. Harry Myers 1919
- Virgil K. b. 1906
- Mary Mildred b. 1909
- Edward W. b. 1917
- Felix William b. 1/4/1921
Frederick
Edward
John Godfrey
unnamed daughter
Anna
Sophia E.
Joseph
Henry
Revised 12/21/2019
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