Born: 1807 in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany
Died: February 4, 1878 in Carmi, IL of pleurisy
Buried: Old Carmi Cemetery, no tombstone found
Married: Jacob F. Erkmann in Germany in 1831, divorced 1852
Katherine filed for divorce May 31, 1852, excerpts follow:
That heretofore towit on or about the year 1831 your petitioner was legally married to one Jacob Erkman her present husband whom she prays may be made defendant hereto that for some few years after the marriage of your petitioner and the said defendant they lived together and with each other in peace, quiet and happiness each performing the duty imposed upon them respectively by the obligation of their marriage vows that your petitioner from the day of her said marriage with said defendant until she was compelled by the ill treatment of her said husband to leave her home, demeaned and conducted herself toward said defendant kindly, quietly and affectionately on
all occasions. That said defendant for the last eight or ten years has violated his marriage vow frequently and repeatedly by cursing, abusing and otherwise ill treating your petitioner and that he has frequently inflicted blows upon the person of your petitioner without the least cause or provocation whatever. That your petitioner had reason to fear and did fear that she would be unable by her kind and affectionate treatment to induce said defendant to again treat her with any degree of humanity. That his treatment towards your petitioner became worse every day to such an extent that your petitioner was compelled (for her personal safety) on or about the 14th day of April 1852 to apply to R.S. Graham a justice of the peace for a capias against said defendant in order to compel him to give security for his good behavior. That your petitioner was afraid to again return to her former home but has been compelled to depend upon the charity of her neighbors for shelter and subsistence. That since the marriage aforesaid your petitioner has had five children by said defendant two boys and three girls that the eldest whose name is Jacob is now seventeen years old, the second whose name is Clara is about fifteen years old, the third whose name is Elizabeth about twelve years old, the fourth Catharine about eleven years old and the fifth and youngest is John is but nine years old.
Your petitioner would further represent unto your Honor that at the time of filing the aforesaid petition the said Jacob Erkman owned a valuable tract of land consisting of about one hundred and thirty acres of good land situate near the town of Carmi on which tract of land he had a very good farm with good dwelling house, out houses, etc. That he owned two good horses, seven cattle, seven sheep, eighteen head of hogs besides many other articles of property suited to the wants of a farmer that he owned a considerable quantity of house hold and kitchen furniture that he has grown a very good crop of corn on the farm aforesaid the present season. That in addition to the property enumerated he has some money on hand (how much your petitioner does not with certainty know.)
Your petitioner would further represent unto your Honor that the said defendant has recently been trying to sell his aforesaid farm with everything he owns for the purpose (as your petitioner is informed and believes) of leaving the United States and returning to Germany his native country and with the further purpose of defeating your petitioner just and equitable claim to alimony leaving her destitute of the absolute necessaries of life. That he has (as your petitioner is informed and believes) offered to sell his farm with all his personal property for considerable less than its real value.
Immigration:
1839 Katherine, her husband Jacob and son Jacob Jr. immigrated to the U.S.
1839-ca. 1846 the family lived in Holmes County, Ohio
ca. 1847 the family moved to White County, IL
Census:
1840 not found on census
1850 Illnois, White Co. - age 43, Katherine is still married to Jacob and they are living with five children ages 7 to 15.
1855 not found on census
1860 Illinois, White Co., age 54 living with three of her children ages 17 to 24.
1865 not found on census
1870 Illinois, Carmi - age 60, listed as Irkman, Katherine is living alone.
Children:
Jacob
Clara
Elizabeth
Katherine
John Gottlieb
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