Johann Henrich "John" Tonjes (H165) was born 25 May 1825 in Hatten, Niedersachsen, Germany to Christoph and Gesche Margrethe (Ramke) Tönjes.
Johann married Sophia Catharena Schwarting (H166) 4 Feb 1853 in Hatten, Niedersachsen, Germany. Sophia was born 13 Oct 1828 in Hatten, Niedersachsen, Germany to Johann Diedrich and Anna Marie (Hilgen) Schwarting.
Johann and Sophia Catharena had the following children:
- Johann Christofer "John" Tonjes (H169) - born 22 Sep 1853 in Hude, Niedersachsen, Germany. He died at the age of 89 on 4 Aug 1943 in West Point, Cuming, Nebraska, United States.
- Anna Gesine Tonjes (H167) - born 22 Sep 1855 in Hude, Niedersachsen, Germany. She died at the age of 63 on 2 Dec 1918 in Hooper, Dodge, Nebraska, United States.
Johann and Catharena, with daughter Anna, sailed from Bremen, Germany on the ship "Braunschweig" and arrived 27 Sep 1873 in the port of Baltimore, Maryland. Also sailing with them are a nephew, Heinrich Faske (or Fasher or Fastje), aged 7. This information is provided by Eric Whittington on Ancestry.com.
1885 - Nebraska State Census - Dodge County, Nebraska, United States (Occupation: Farmer)
1900 - US Federal Census - Cuming Township, Dodge, Nebraska, United States (Occupation: Farmer)
1900 - US Federal Census - Cuming Township, Dodge, Nebraska, United States (Occupation: Farmer)
Sophia Catharena died at the age of 76 on 29 Jun 1905 in Dodge County, Nebraska, United States. She was buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Hooper, Dodge, Nebraska, United States [Find a Grave Memorial #34552845]. [Photo posted to Ancestry.com by user peggydjim]
Her obituary was published 6 Jul 1905 in the Scribner Rustler, Scribner, Dodge, Nebraska, United States (posted to Find A Grave by hhw):
Her obituary was published 6 Jul 1905 in the Scribner Rustler, Scribner, Dodge, Nebraska, United States (posted to Find A Grave by hhw):
Mrs. John H. Tonjes, was born in Oldenburg Germany, October 26, 1828, was married in 1852. In the year 1873, with her husband and children she came to America and the family settled in Dodge county north east of Scribner, where they have since resided. Mrs. Tonjes died Thursday morning June 29. The funeral was held at St. Paul's Lutheran church, about 6 miles east of Scribner. In the absence of Rev. F. Wupper, Rev. Walther, of Hooper conducted the services. The deceased leaves a husband, John H. Tonjes, and one son, John C. Tonjes, and one daughter, Mrs. Gerhard Rastede, to mourn her death.hhw
1910 - US Federal Census - Cuming Township, dodge, Nebraska, United States (living with son John C.)
Johann died at the age of 94 on 1 Aug 1919 in Cuming Township, Dodge, Nebraska, United States. He was buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Hooper, Dodge, Nebraska, United States [Find a Grave Memorial #34552969]. His obituary was published 7 Aug 1919 in the Scribner Rustler, Scribner, Dodge, Nebraska, United States (posted to Find A Grave by hhw):
The Scribner Rustler
August 7, 1919
John Henry Tonjes passed away last Friday, August 1, at 3 o'clock, at the home of his son, John C. Tonjes, at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 6 days.
He was one of the oldest men, if not the oldest, in Dodge county, and until the past few months has been in good health. He was born in 1825 at Oldenburg, Germany, where he grew to manhood. In 1873 he came to this country and settled in Nebraska, where he has since lived. Until about two years ago, he and his son, farmed about 4 miles northeast of Scribner, which place they bought when they first came to America.
Mrs. Tonjes passed from this life about fourteen years ago, and a daughter, Mrs. Rastede, died last December, this leaves one son, John C. Tonjes, thirteen grandchildren and many friends to mourn his departure.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home and at 3 o'clock at St. Paul's church, northeast of Scribner, Rev. Schroder, in the absence of Rev. Oliendorf had charge of the services. Burial was made at the church yard cemetery.hhw