William Ernest and Emma Marie (HUMBKE) HARRIS family

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A SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JIM HARRIS (2nd from left) ON HIS 102nd BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED YESTERDAY FEB. 11th 2021 EDMONTON.

William Ernest and Emma Marie (HUMBKE) HARRIS family

Until recently, the HARRIS family had always been a mystery to me because we lived a fair distance apart (7 miles in the 1940’s & 50s was a long way) and, as children, we had no contact.

I do remember my dad, Lawrence HUMBKE, speaking with great pride and awe about his first cousin, Walter HARRIS, who was a professor at the University of Alberta. At that time we were country bumpkins all destined for life on the farm.

That has all changed as my younger brother, Harvey, and I would earn degrees at the U of A. and Harvey would take a chemistry course from Walter Harris who was then head of the Department of Chemistry. Our other three brothers,

studied telecommunication and instrumentation at NAIT in Edmonton, and our older sister moved to Calgary to raise her family.

In the 2000s I tracked down and purchased a book written by W. E. Raymond Harris and H. Brian Dunford – “BRIDGE:

Direct, Simple & Winning” 2nd edition. Raymond taught bridge classes for over a decade in Edmonton. I only wish I had his advice in the 1950s to 1970s when I also had the bug.

William Ernest HARRIS – Ancestors

William Ernest HARRIS was born 30NOV1883 in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri to Robert and Agnes (BRADY) HARRIS. When Ernest was born the population of Howard County was 10,000 of which 6,000 were slaves. The largest city in the County was Fayette.

There is a small village called Harrisburg named after John W. Harris in Boone County just 11 miles East of Fayette, but I have yet to find a relationship between William and the village name. Many Daniel Boone’s ancestors populated Boone County and no doubt were neighbors of Harris families.

Robert David & Agnes Jane (BRADLEY) HARRIS

Robert David HARRIS b. 01FEB1859 Howard County, Missouri; d. 02DEC1915 Edmonton, Alberta. Burial in Mount Pleasant Municipal Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta

Agnes Jane (BRADLEY) HARRIS b. 20FEB1865 Sturgeon, Boone, Missouri; m. 02MAR1883 Boone, Missouri; d. 10SEP1904, Sturgeon, Boone, Missouri Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Randolph County, Missouri.

Madellenner (SMITH) HARRIS became Step Mother to Robert and his 8 brothers and 3 sisters.

Children of Robert and Angnes Jane (BRADLEY) HARRIS

William Ernest HARRIS b. 30NOV1883 Missouri; m. 14FEB1912; d. 15OCT1973 Wetaskiwin

Paul C, HARRIS b. 23JUL1889; d. 08JuL1967 Los Angles

Pearl Polymer (HARRIS) WYBERT b. 23JUL1889; d. 11DEC1962

James R. HARRIS b. NOV1892, d. California

Aron HARRIS b. FEB1894

Leroy HARRIS b. APR1896 Arkansas – Trapper in N. Canada 1917-26; d. 1971 Courtney, Vancouver Island

Tom HARRIS

Clayton Victor HARRIS b.14JUL1901: d. 23JAN1992 Calgary, Alberta- Farmed at Nashville, CPR in Calgary

Reverend Jackson T. and Nancy (CASPER) HARRIS family

Reverend Jackson T. HARRIS b. 12APR1825 Howard County, Missouri; d. 03MAY1899 Howard County, Missouri. Buried New Hope Cemetery, Burton, Howard County, Missouri Son of William and Margaret Mary (DOWNING) HARRIS

According to the “Fayette, Missouri Survey Summary Report” (June, 1992), money flowed into Howard County from 1825-1860. The economy was based on Missouri River shipping and farming including tobacco, hemp, and cotton. The area was “extensively rooted in the traditions and agricultural practices of the agrarian South.”

Jackson remained on the farm with his father until twenty-three years of age and entered the employ of General Clerk for which he had previously worked at intervals. He traveled for one year and on January 22, 1851, was married to Miss Nancy Casper, daughter of John CASPER, on of the oldest Settlers.

About 1848 Jackson was converted under the preaching of WM. T. ELLINTON, and in 1849 commenced preparing himself for the ministry. After due study he acted as a local exhorer (a lay Protestant teacher) until in August 1867, when he was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination. Jackson continued to farm as well as his ministerial duties.

Jackson, a Confederate Soldier, wounded in battle was in the American Civil War of 1861 – 65.

The Civil War in the United States began in 1861, after decades of simmering tensions between northern and southern states over slavery, states’ rights and westward expansion. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 caused seven southern states to secede and form the Confederate States of America; four more states soon joined them. Three state, including Missouri, were under the North, but sympathetic to the South. The War Between the States, as the Civil War was also known, ended in Confederate surrender in 1865. The conflict was the costliest and deadliest war ever fought on American soil, with some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed, millions more injured and much of the South left in ruin.

Missouri was a slave state since statehood in 1831. The American Civil War was a hotly contested state between Union (North) and Confederate (South) and it is estimated 1,200 engagements occurred in Missouri.

HIGBEE NEWS (Randolph Co MO)–12 May 1899–Rev. Jackson Harris, a prominent Baptist minister, died suddenly of heart disease in Burton at noon Thursday of last week. He was 74 years old at the time of his death, and had been a faithful worker for his Master’s cause for 50 years. Burial took place at New Hope Church.

Nancy (CASPER) HARRIS b.15May1822 Kentucky; m. 21JAN1851; d. 30APR1886 Howard County, Missouri.

Children of Jackson and Nancy (CASPER) HARRIS

John HARRIS b. 01NOV1853; d. 1853

Milton Walter HARRIS b. 19MAR1854; d. 1924

Emitt HARRIS b.1855; d. 1965

Thomas Perry HARRIS b. 22JUL1855; d. 07DEC1934

Erelion (Erie) HARRIS b. 1857; d. 1907

Robert David HARRIS b. 01FEB1859; d. 02MAR1883

Susan F (HARRIS) LUNDERMAN b. 1861; d. 1894

Mary A. HARRIS b. 1862; d. 1972

Margaret E. b. 1863; d. 1863

Amanda Ernest (HARRIS) MAUPIN 1869; d. 1959

William and Margaret Mary (DOWNING) HARRIS

William HARRIS b. 15MAY1792 Virginia; d. 15MAY1876

William lived in Virginia until nineteen years old when he immigrated to Kentucky at age 19 and married Margaret DOWNING in 1815, In 1818 they moved to Lincoln, Missouri, but move two years later to Howard County.

Fayette contained a house. William helped to carry the chain for Alfred W. MORRISON when this Howard County was first surveyed. Son of Thomas and MARY (OWINGS) HARRIS

Margaret (DOWNING) HARRIS b. 15DEC1792 Grayson, Kentucky; m. 15AUG1815 Grayson, Kentucky; d. 30MAY1867 Burton, Howard County, Missouri. Margaret was the daughter of Ezekial DOWNING b. 1754 Virginia and Rachel (BROWN) DOWNING b. Virginia. Ezekial’s father John DOWNING b. 1712 Ireland; d. 1777.

Thomas and Mary (OWINGS) HARRIS

Thomas HARRIS b. 1765 Bedford, Virginia; d. 22NOV1810 Son of John and Sarah (STANDARD) HARRIS

Mary (OWINGS) HARRIS b. 1777 Laurens, South Carolina; d. Grayson, Kentucky

John and Sarah (STANDARD) HARRIS

John HARRIS b26AUG1730 Henrico, Virginia; d. 31OCT1801 Cumberland, Virginia Son of Thomas and Mary (JEFFERSON) HARRIS

Mary (JEFFERSON) b. 1675 Henrico Virginia; d. SEP1745 Henrico Virgina

Thomas and Mary (JEFFERSON) HARRIS

Thomas HARRIS b. 7SEP1655 Henico, Virgina; d. 06JUL1730 Charleston, Henrico Son of Major William and Lucy (DAYS) HARRIS

Mary (JEFFERSON) HARRIS b. 1675 Henrico, Virginia; d. 1745 Henrico, Virginia

Major William and Lucy (DAYS) HARRIS

Major William Harris b. 12 MAR1629 Cures Plantation, Henrico County, Virginia, Colonial America; d 01FEB1678 Richmond County, Virginia Colonial America. Son of Thomas and Joane (OSBORNE 15) HARRIS

Lucy (DAYS) HARRIS b. 1633 Guinea Mills, Cumberland Co., Virginia; d. Albermarie Co., Virginia

Thomas and Joane (OSBORNE) HARRIS

Thomas HARRIS b.19DEC1585 Creeksea Parish, South minister, Essex, England; d. 1647 Henrico, Virginia. Thomas was a mariner and farmer.

Joane (OSBORNE) HARRIS b. 28JAN1596 Little Hadham, Hertford, England; m. 11SEP1626 Virginia; d. 1633 Jamestown, Colony, Virginia.

According to an article written by Courtney Morano from Virginia Press Services News Clipping Bureau, The Village Mill, dated August 14, 1995, VCU finished its 11th field school at Curles Plantation. The article confirmed the identification of the house belonging to Captain Thomas Harris and also Nathanial Bacon’s plantation found adjacent to the Harris house. It is believed from their findings that the Harris house burned in the 1650s. Some of the artifacts found included an Elizabethan six-pence dated 1573, part of an armor breastplate pottery shards, part of glass wine bottles with a Randolph seal, smoking pipes, nails, an ax head, and a curtain ring.

The first “Cures” patent was recorded in November 1635 when a tract of 750 acres land “commonly known as Longfield” was granted to Captain Thomas Harris, 100 acres of which was due him as “an Ancient planter & adventurer in the time of Sir Thomas Dale”.

“Of particular interest are the ruins found during the excavations at Curles Neck in eastern Henrico along the James. Archaeologists uncovered the Thomas Harris house foundation, one of the oldest homes found in Virginia dating between 1635-1654. Thomas Harris served as Burgess for Curles Neck. The archaeologists noted that the framing posts of this house sat in the full basement and some were enclosed by bricks which was unique in the Chesapeake area. A large centrally located chimney suggests that there was a lobby entrance.

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William Ernest HARRIS b. 30NOV1883

was the first to immigrate from Fayette Missouri to Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada on JAN1906

Major William HARRIS b. 12MAR1629

was the first Harris ancestor of this family to be born in North America at the Cures Plantation, Cumberland Co., Virginia. According to records he may have a twin brother by the name of Thomas Harris.

Thomas b.19DEC1585 & Joane (OSBORNE) HARRIS b. 28JAN1596

were the first to immigrate from England to the United States

Emma Marie (HUMBKE) HARRIS – Ancestors

Emma was born January 20,1890 in White Lake, Aurora County, South Dakota to Ernest Dietrich Christian and Sophie Marie Louise (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE. At the age of one she moved with her family to a farm NE of Titonka, Iowa where she spent her childhood. Emma’s father was killed in an accident in 1899 and the family immigrated to Canada in April, 1901.

Emma’s birthplace in South Dakota, USA

Eleven year old Emma writes about her arrival by train in Wetaskiwin and a trip by horse and wagon 14 miles West to her Grandmothers homestead in Blog #8. She did attend the New Berlin School (2.5 miles way) for 3 years with Mary Humbke, the recently arrived wife from Germany, of her eldest brother – Ernest Humbke Sr.

Emma loved horses so her main job became the daily herding of their range cattle, as well as helping with the many chores around the homestead. She still found time to play trombone and piano in a family band with her brothers and sister; attend dances; played card games (gin rummy, crib, canasta and bridge); and take part in the Sunday family functions.

Her granddaughter, Margaret Harris recalls: “Öne of the stories I recall was that my Grandmother Emma, before she was married, was a telephone operator in Gwynne. In those days they had party lines. One time, after putting the call through, my grandmother was listening in on the conversion – until one of the callers said: “Rubber neck, Get Off the Line!” My grandmother quickly hung up feeling very embarrassed.”

In 1907 Emma was also employed by her brother, Dick Humbke, who had general stores in both Gwynne and Wetaskiwin. It was in Wetaskiwin that Emma met Ernest Harris who was employed by the Gross Lumber Company. They were married on Feb. 14,1912 in Wetaskiwin.

For more information on Emma’s life and ancestors

in Germany, America and Canada see Blogs 1 thru 16

William Ernest and Emma (HUMBKE) HARRIS life in Canada

Ernest attended school up to grade 8 in Missouri and by the age of 23 decided to move North to Alberta, Canada in 1906. There were just too many Negro lynchings in Howard County where his family lived.

Two Articles from Rural Wetaskiwin & Gwynne Local History Books

After their marriage in 1912 I believe the couple lived in Wetaskiwin until 1918 when they rented land West of Nashville School from Martha’s cousin, Herman Callies. In 1920, they bought their family farm one mile South of the Nashville School where they raised their 4 boys before retiring to Wetaskiwin in 1949.

Martha’s love for dancing was not shared by Ernest, but she did pass it on to the boys. Ray, Walter and Gordon were social dancers, and Jim was a very active square dancer with his wife for 20 years. Martha was a good cook according to the grand children and Margaret Harris (daughter of Walter Edgar and Phylis June (PANGBURN) HARRIS related this story.

“As a child, when we visited my grandparents, grandmother would sometimes serve ”barley” for breakfast over homemade bread and it was delicious. My father (Walter Harris) made up this recipe as the closest he could come to what he remembered”

Old German Family Receipe

Pork Hocks (4 – 5 pounds)

Simmer 10-15 hours

Cool and take off fat (in those days they did not take off fat)

Grind Meat and end up with 12 cups of meat and broth.

Add 1 & 1/2 tsp. salt; 3/4 to 1 tsp. pepper; 2 tspl allspice; 2 cups of barley and 1/2 bay leaf (0ptional).

Simmer 3 hours.

Use as a thick spread over toast for breakfast.

“He said that when the farm hands ate “barley” for breakfast it would last the all morning. In those days they did not skim off the fat from the pork hocks so the was very fatty.”

                 L to R Gordon, Jim & Walter helping Emma feed baby foxes.

                  Ernest Harris with Jim and Gordon raising pigs in 1924

Ernest was a strong member of the community and served as a school trustee for 10 years. He purchased a set of encyclopedias for the family which the boys made good use of.

His father was abusive and Ernest was determined to raise a well-behaved family. He even paid the boys not to drink or smoke, although he was known to have a pipe.

Harris and relatives gather for the annual Wetaskiwin Parade

The Harris Home in Wetaskiwin was close to the water tower on main street. and relatives often gathered there for the Annual Wetaskiwin Parade.

Ernest and Emma (HUMBKE) HARRIS Descendants

Raymond Ernest HARRIS b. 27JUL1912 Wetaskiwin, AB; d. 30APR2003 Mount Pleasant Municipal Cemetery, Edmonton,

Walter Edgar HARRIS b. 9JUN1915 Wetaskiwin, AB; d. 21OCT2011 Municipal Cemetery, Edmonton

James Earl HARRIS b. 11FEB1919 Wetaskiwin, AB.

Gordon Edward Harris. 28AUG1920 Wetaskiwin, AB: d. 9JUN1996 Norwalk, Los Angeles, California.

Ernest passed away on October 15,1973 (six weeks before his 90th birthday).

Emma had a stroke in 1973 and spent her last 5 years in the Wetaskiwin Hospital. She died on July 11, 1978 (age 88) and
out lived her mother by 1 year.

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100 year old James (Jim) Harris of Edmonton, Alberta BLOG #20 July 7, 2019

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Jim Harris of #460, 4480 McCrae Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta (July 7, 2019)

On July 7, 2019 I enjoyed a 3 hour visit with Jim HARRIS, the 100 year old son of my great aunt Emma Marie (HUMBKE) HARRIS. At 25 years younger that Jim, I can just hope that my memory is as good as his is at 100 years.

Jim was of heavy heart as his 95 year old wife (Lucy Marie COWAN) of 36 years had a serious fall in their kitchen and was in the Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton. One of his daughters (Margaretta) was on her way from Calgary to take her dad to visit Lucy.

Jim told me that for his 100th birthday, ön 11FEB2019, he hosted two parties: one for residents of the independent living facility where he and Lucy have lived for the past for years; and one for all his relatives and friends. Being an avid square dancer he hired the “Rippling River Dance Band” and once more enjoyed dancing with his wife and others.

Beside always having physically active jobs (farming and construction), Jim never smoked and seldom drank alcohol.

Greeting and congratulations were received from the Edmonton Mayor, the Premier of Alberta, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Queen and many others.

One week ago I had met with Margaret HARRIS daughter of Jim’s older brother Walter Edgar HARRIS. Through these two visits I have been motivated to continue with the Humbke Family History Blog and will publish the William Ernest and Emma Marie (HUMBKE) HARRIS family.

That BLOG will complete blogs for the families of seven children of Ernest Dietrich Christian and Sophie Marie Louise (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE.

Roger HUMBKE with Jim HARRIS (1st cousin of Roger’s father, Lawrence HUMBKE 07JUL2019
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Ernest Humbke Sr. Letter to Great-Great-Granddaughter Blog#19 Oct. 30, 2018

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherHi Katrina Darsch,

Not sure if you knew that you were born on the same month and day as your Great-Great-Grandpa Humbke. This is a letter he might have written to one of his great-great-granddaughter/son to help them know him a little better.

I encourage you to know all 16 of your great-great-grandparents (paternal and maternal) and keep their memories alive. They have all lead interesting, unique lives and have contributed a bit to who you are. The more you know them the more you will see similarities.

Grandpa Humbke

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Happy Birthday Katrina,

I was born the same day as you, only I was born at home (house #57 in the village of Windheim, Germany on Oct. 30, 1867). It was the year Canada became a country and 153 years ago.

#53 (Humbke Residence) Windheim, Germany                                    #53 (Humbke Residence) Windheim, Germany

A big event had just happened 3 days before my arrival. On Oct 27, 1867 my father and mother were married in the same home and I am sure it was because of me. If I had been born out of wedlock, I would never be able to inherit land from my father. My parents were very religious and attended the German Lutheran Village church where I was baptized 3 weeks later on Nov. 17, 1867.

My first 14 years were spent growing up in Windheim where I went to school, helped my mother with chores around the house, and worked with dad in the fields. Times were tough as there seemed to be a continual war going on and village males would be conscripted up to age 40 to fight. If I survived, I would always be a farmer, but the land had been divided among the boys in families so many times before, there wouldn’t be enough for me to support a family.

My grandfather and father decided in 1879 to send my Uncle Chris (age 22 and the only one single in their family) to the New World to see if it was possible to get land. Chris homesteaded SE of White Lake, South Dakota and sent back such glowing letters, about getting 160 acres of land for $10, that my dad sent me to join him 4 years later. At age 15, I arrived in New York aboard the H.H. Meier on May 12, 1883 and immediately set out to join my Uncle in South Dakota. What a trip and adventure that was! My life was turned upside down and I was never to return to Germany!

                                                                H.H. Meier

My father, mother, 3 younger sisters (Sophie, Minnie & Mary) and a brother, baby Dick, arrived on the “Neckar” in New York Aug 4, 1883. They spent a year in Buffalo Center, Iowa before coming to South Dakota where dad obtained a homestead and later became a citizen of the United States of America. Life was not all that good and Uncles Chris homestead was returned to the government for non-payment of taxes. My parents did better and two girls (Alvina & Emma) were born before they sold the $10 homestead for $1,000 before moving to the Titonka-Woden area of Iowa.

It was a long trip by horse and wagon, but well worth it as corn grew 8 feet tall on very productive soil and I managed to buy two quarters (320 acres) of land. I gave 3 acres of land for the building of a German Lutheran Church and Cemetery by founding Germans of which Dad, a brother-in-law and I were members. Two sisters married to local German boys and it looked like we were settled and would be Americans for life. All I needed at age 32 was a wife and we were living in a German farming community.

                        German Lutheran Church in rural Titonka/Woden Iowa

Fate had something different in store for our family and on July 20 my father fell from a wagon load of logs when the horses were spooked while he was hauling logs for the building of the church. He died in the early morning hours of July 21, 1899, and our family had lost its patriarch. We were all in shock and disarray.

It was the 1900, the beginning of the Twentieth Century, In early 1900 I made the trip to Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan where I joined a band of Indians as they wandered South in their search for food. After a couple of weeks we reached the Battle River where I claimed three homesteads on the Southern Bank in name of my mother, brother and myself. I hurried back to Iowa where we made plans to sell what we didn’t pack in a boxcar and the whole family (except the oldest married sister who was farming with her husband) left for what was called the NorthWest Territories of Canada.

Still being single at 33 years old was an embarrassment and a disaster so I had written back to the Parish Church in Windheim asking if there was ANY girl in my Conformation class of 1882 who was still single. I would pay for her ticket, pick her up in New York, marry her and provide a home plus hopefully children in Canada. Luck would have it, a certain Mary had recently planned to marry, but the prospective husband had changed his mind and it looked like she would remain a spinster for life.

Who said you should fall in love and then get married – I say you should          say you should get married and take responsibility for raising a loving family!

Mary took the opportunity and on Jan. 1, 1902 I left for New York to meet her ocean liner. She had an absolutely terrible passage during which she had contacted a tape worm; lost 30 pounds; and was extremely ill on arrival. It took a long time to nurse her back to life and we didn’t get back to our future 224 sq ft future home on the homestead on April 15th. We were both age 34 and wasted little time; were married on May 22, 1902; and had our first of 3 daughters, Erna, 15 months later. We had two more daughters, Elsie and Martha, in that small home until I managed to sell more of my land in Iowa and buy 320 acres across from the New Berlin one room school, and build a two story home.

In our new home we added 2 sons, Ernest Jr. and Lawrence, which were a tremendous help for me because at that time farming was mostly done by animal and man power.

I never participated much in sports, but both the family I was born into and my family were active musicians. Our main source of entertainment was dancing and my two youngest sisters, brother and I were all members of various community orchestras and bands. My two sons were accomplished musicians and played in local dance bands with cousins because they loved playing and they needed to earn extra money to assist in their farming.

 

 L to R Ernest Jr., Elsie, Mary, Ernest Sr. & Lawrence Humbke

From 1912 to 1914 I satisfied an itch to do something totally different and moved to Edmonton where ran a general store. It turned into a disaster because of the increasing animosity toward shopping at a German store and the treatment of the girls at school. We quickly returned to the New Berlin School District where he had the comfort and support of neighbors and relatives, both German and other nationalities.

Mary was a hardworking, devoted wife who was an excellent cooked loved her children and grand children. At age 35 she was even registered, during her first year in Canada, at the New Berlin School to learn English. We had a very good life and family.

Mary passed away on Feb. 16, 1944 from blood poisoning as a result of stepping on a nail and I spent the next 3 years staying at my older son’s farm in the winter and my own home close to my younger son’s home in the summers.

I passed away in my sleep in my own home on Sept. 26, 1947, just one month short of my 80th birthday. At the time of my passing I had 5 children, 21 grand children and one great-grand daughter. At my funeral in Wetaskiwin I had 4 brother-inlaws, a relative and a neighbor for pallbearers.

It is nice to see that my son has arranged for a new tombstone plaque to remember my wife and me by.

I can only hope you are having as interesting and fulfilling life as I have experienced.

Best Regards,

Ernest Humbke Sr.Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

LUCIDIMINE – The 2nd Time Used BLOG #18 Oct. 19, 2018

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LUCIDIMINE – The 2nd Time Used BLOG #17  Oct. 19, 2018

Derek Lee (MA in Developmental Psychology from San Francisco State University) is the founder of the Company (Luciminal LLC 2013) whose stated purpose is:

“Luciminal Nootropics is a cognitive-enhancement start-up offering formulations of nutritional supplements with evidenced-based performance augmentation on mental tasks. Nootropics, or smart-drugs, are rapidly becoming noticed by those seeking peak performance for both the body and mind. Our goal is to make nootropic supplementation as common-place as “energy drinks.”Unlike traditional mental enhancers (caffeine, amphetamines, etc.), most nootropic supplements appear to support the brain by making it healthier over time.”

from luciminal nootropics Linkedin.com

I first used Lucidimine on Oct. 10,2018 to induce a lucid dream and the results were presented in a previous blog “LUCIDIMINE – A Dietary Supplement that enhances Lucid Dreaming”.

So far my experience has been positive and I am sleeping as good as I ever have. I will continue with my research into the product.

At present the product is not available on Amazon as the owner of the company, Derek Lee, is relocating the family business in another state. As soon as I know  I will be announcing when Lucidimine is available. In the meantime I will post the results of my research on this site approximately once per week

LUCIDIMINE – The 2nd Use Oct. 15, 2018

Awoke at 1:30 AM, did some work online and at 3 AM took one 6 mg Lucidimine pill. My intention was to have a lucid dream about flying or my ancestors. Neither happened, but I did have a lucid dream (1.5 on a scale of 0 to 5) involving 2 older second cousins and one of their husbands.

BACKGROUND

Back in the summer of 2017, on the original homestead of our Great Grandmothers (Mary (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE – Blog # 15, I had met with her granddaughters (Gloria FONTAINE b. 1937, Gladys FONTAINE b. 1934) and her husband Art MOWAT b. 1933.

Refer to Blog #14 for information on the girls’ grandmother Alvina (HUMBKE) FONTAINE who was the second youngest sister off my grand father, Ernest HUMBKE Sr.

SETTING – TIME

The time setting of the dream was in the 1950s, but the 3 participants (Roger, Gloria, Gladys, and Art) were there present ages of 75, 81, 84 & 85. Gloria had married Dan MOWAT who passed away in 2006, but I had never met him. Dreams are not always logical.

SETTING – PLACE

Family homeThe family home of Lawrence and Marvalin (VANOUCK) HUMBKE built by Lawrence, his brother and relatives in 1937 on his parents [Ernest and Mary (WESTENFELD) HUMBKE’s] farm.

The dream takes place in the home of my father and mother on my grandfather’s farm. The roads, weather and surroundings were all 1950s and I was visiting my two second cousins to get information in order to write a blog on the girls” grandparents (Dave & Alvina (HUMBKE) FONTAINE Blog #14.

It was winter and there was a terrible blizzard that dumped three feet of snow. The four of us were stranded for the next two days in the cozy two bedroom home.

The Humbke family home in 1950 when 3 bedrooms and a pantry were added to make room for a girl, five boys, a wash machine, deep freeze, numerous work clothes and footwear.

THE LUCID DREAM

The four of us passed time in social conversation getting to know each other and shoveling snow. Two days later Gloria had to return to her job as a nurse; farm life resumed; and I returned to Edmonton. As much as I would like to write about what we talked about specifically, it is very difficult to do. It seems all conversations were of a general social type. I have yet to gain the skill of asking question about life in previous times.

The fact that we were all 75 to 85 years of age relating in a physical environment of the mid 1950s was illogical and confusing, as dreams can be.

A SECOND LUCID DREAM

 

Barbara (HUMBKE) KUSK 1937 – 1982

Later in the afternoon, about 2:30 PM, while i.e. was having a nap, I had a second very short lucid dream in which I was studying at the University of Alberta. All of a sudden Barbara (HUMBKE) KUSK, a first cousin, who had been a victim of cancer in 1982 at the age of 45, walked by. I was very surprise, but managed to call out her name and she came back to talk with me. She looked great, mid-twenties, with a short black haircut.

I was short of words so we said little other than her asking where my older sister, Rose Marie (HUMBKE) PETERS, was. I answered and she was on her way.

My memories of Barbara were that she was the person who helped my big sister Rose Marie take care of a 5-year old hyper active little boy (me) when I started grade 1 at the one room, grade 1 to 9, Verdun school. At school, I was constantly in trouble running away or starting fires.

This dream re-energized my memories of Barbara as a kindhearted and caring individual.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no doubt in my mind that these two dreams occurred because of me doing research on specific ancestors. At this time I believe that Lucidimine also affects my ability to lucid dream, but that my intent and active research play a larger part.

One fact that I have experienced is that in these dreams I have only seen and heard individuals. This has definitely been a very positive experience, but I know touch (i.e. shaking hands or a hug) are somethings I want to experience in the future.

Smell, more than any other sense, brings back intense memories and I did get a very slight scent for a millisecond from Barbara (HUMBKE) KUSK which was unique and positively enhanced the experience. I have often heard that the best way, to bring back memories of past events and people, is through smell and that the house coat of a mother, who has passed, is highly valued by her daughters.

The scientific reason for this fact is that when a smell enters the nose it is processed by the olfactory bulb which is next to and communicates directly your amygdala and hippocampus. These are the regions of the brains that process memories and emotions.

Do you disagree or agree with the statement above? Do you remember the smell of a home you have lived in for a long time? What part does smell play in falling in love?

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First lucid dream about Great-Uncle’s family – Dick & Hulda Humbke BLOG #17 Oct, 2, 2018

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PREAMBLE TO THE LUCID DREAM

What is amazing about this dream of Oct. 1, 2018 is that it was a lucid dream in which I realized I was dreaming and that all the characters and events were a compilation of my past plus what I have learned about the Dick and Hulda Humbke family.

I did have a vague awareness of Dick as my father’s Uncle, but do not consciously remember ever meeting him in person. In fact I am sure that we did meet and that he had a few kind words for his Grand nephew at one of the many family functions we attended.

I first really became aware of Dick’s past in early 2016 when I began doing research into Ernest Humbke Sr., my grandfather. My research started in 1999 with a family tree from Dan William (Dick’s grandson) which created in me a desire to know Dick as a living, breathing individual.

I had spent a day with Dick & Huld’s youngest son, Richard of Abbotsford, BC, in 1984 and since 2016 have talked a number of times by phone with his youngest daughter, Dorothy. I read newspaper clippings, heard family stories and studied many family photos over the past two years. For more details on the Dietrich “Dick” Frederick Ernest and Hulda Elizabeth (WICKLAND) HUMBKE family, you can go to Blog #12 at  https://humbke.com.

SETTING FOR THE LUCID DREAM

In July of 1961 I finished one year of teacher training at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and now had a Jr, E certificate which allowed me to teach any subject to grades 1 to 9 in Alberta Schools. I had hitchhiked to Wetaskiwin, AB to meet my parents and 4 younger brothers, watch the Wetaskiwin yearly parade and take in the Fair.

I went to the Driard Hotel in Wetaskiwin and was having a beer with a man who worked for the Wetaskiwin Times Newspaper. I knew that I must be dreaming because I was only 17 years old at the time and the law, requiring individuals found in a beer parlour to be at least 21, was strictly enforced. The reporter asked if I knew any Humbke’s and I was about to say “Yes”, when some of Great-Uncle Dick’s children started coming into the beer parlour with their wives and children. It may have been 1961 in the dream but it was just like being in some present day pubs where families are allowed to bring in their children.

THE LUCID DREAM

Being aware that I was in a dream, I wanted to meet everyone, take notes and was hoping somehow to take pictures. That did not happen – perhaps another time!

It was easy for me to recognize Humbke characteristics in their faces as I had been examining many old photos over the past two years. I was hoping to see Great-Uncle Dick, as I knew he would be 79 years old in 1961 and probably living in Wetaskiwin, but he did not attend.

I did see Fred (61 yrs old in 1961), Dick’s oldest son, along with his two sons (Stan 26 yr in 1961 and Leonard 24 yrs in 1961) who I easily recognized and talked with briefly.

As you probably realize, dreams can be very real and engaging, but they can also be illogical and difficult to remember in detail.

                                        B – Henry, Dorothy, Norma, Conrad, Myrtle, Florence & Fred   F. – Richard, Hulda, Dick, Elsie & Gordon.

 

Gordon (42 yrs at the time of the dream) and Henry (44 yrs) were also present and I was eager to hear about their experiences when they were in the Canadian army.but we never talked.

There were about 15 women and children there also and I did recognize a couple of Fred’s daughter, but we were only able to exchange recognizing glances.

I specifically looked for Dick & Huld”s youngest child, Richard, the only member of the family that I am aware of meeting in person. Back in 1984 when he was age 57 and I was 42, I had spent a full day talking with him at his home in Abbotsford, BC. His wife’s delicious Sunday meal, meeting a number of his family and the setting of their home around a small lake, still brings back fond memories. But I did not see him, probably because in 196 he was living in Abbotsford, BC. Most of the time, dreams seem to follow their own logic.

The other member of the family I looked for, but could not find was the youngest girl, Dorothy. Then I realized it was 1961 and Dorothy would have been 36 yrs old and living in North Carolina. She is still there living in her own home and very active on facebook. She often posts photos from her past.

 

For some reason, at this point I awoke, much to my disappointment. On reconsidering I was surprised and delighted that as much happened in the dream, as did. Dreaming has always been of interest to me, but I have had very limited success with Lucid Dreaming. It is only recently that I occasionally  realize that I am dreaming. The more I participate in our Edmonton Lucid Dreaming MEET-UP GROUP’S twice each month; work on this web site and do research – the more I remember and find value in both dreaming and lucid dreaming.

Dreams can be very real and engaging, but they can also be illogical and difficult to remember in detail. I believe that everything I have ever experienced in life is somewhere in my subconscious mind and with training it can be brought to conscious awareness through techniques like meditation, hypnosis and lucid dreaming.

Your Comments are very much appreciated!

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Remembering Great Grandmother (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE birth on September 11, 1843 BLOG #16 Sep. 11, 2018

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherOn Sept. 11, 1843 Sophie Marie Luise HUMBKE was the third and final child born to the family of Johann and Mary SCHNEPEL of house #38 in the village of Dohren, Windheim District, Germany. She was baptised at the Dohren Church 3 days later and would spend her childhood in Dohren  a village of a few hundred, with her older brother Ernst Friedrich Conrad b. June 15, 1814 and an older sister Auguste Wilhelmine Luise b. on Mar. 1, 1867.

The German Luthern Church has always been the largest and most important building in the Village of Dohren. Records of  births, baptisms , marriages and deaths recorded there are more complete and accurate than other public records.

There is little information about her brother, other than that he would marry on Sep 2 1868 to Catherine Lisette Dorette Busching and passed away on Oct. 12, 1906. Even less is known of her sister Auguste.

RELIGON

By 1750 Lutheran, along with other reform churches, struggled against the Pope and Catholicism. They were to eventually became the  Evangelisch Church that was most common in the Windheim District. Religion was extremely important and deeply affected the life of all members of the community.

When the Humbkes had settled in Iowa, USA around 1999 Sophie Marie Luise’s husband, son and son-in-law played a major role in the building of a German Lutheran Church. The land and cemetery, on which a modern Lutheran Church now stand, was donated by Ernest Sr., Sophie Marie Luise’s first born son.  He in turn, at his death in 1947, gave half of his land in Canada to the Megido Mission Church of New York, USA. Sophie Marie Luis also bequeathed money to the German Lutheran Church of British Columbia upon her death in 1930.

German Lutheran Church and Cemetery NE of Titonka, Iowa in 1999

At that time, after the families had built necessary living quarters for humans and animals, the next building to be built was a church. By the time they got to Canada in 1902, that had changed and they built the New Berlin one room school as a school, community center and church on Sundays.

A WOMEN’S PEASANT’S STATUS

From 1600 to 1900 life was extremely difficult for women and it is estimated by some historians that a women’s life during this period was twice as hard as that of a man.  Women worked nearly constantly year around and were in a state of pregnancy or recovering from giving birth or miscarriage.

“On average, a women experienced five to seven successful   pregnancies (i.e. those producing a live child) every two and one-half years, up the age of 38 to 40.” QUOTE p. 115  OUR DAILY BREAD. 

In the four generations of our grandparents going back to this period the average life span (barring accidental deaths) of 6 men was 73 years. The average lifespan of 8 women was 71 years.

 

“It was not surprising that women aged more rapidly than men. The life of the Hausvater (man) was hard, but that of the Hausmutter was doubly so. A man’s work required bursts of extreme strength and effort, but usually was punctuated with periods of inactivity or even leisure. The woman’s life was one of never-ending labor in her every waking moment: cooking three meals over an open hearth, baking, tending the children, hauling water from the village well, feeding any animals, milking a cow or a goat, sowing and weeding vegetables in the family plot, washing and mending the clothes and keeping the house. In the eighteenth century, it became more common to keep horses and oxen in stalls instead of pastures, and it was generally the wife’s job to walk to the family pots, gather the clover or hay and haul it to the animals’ stalls.”      QUOTE p. 114  OUR DAILY BREAD. 

A Women’s harsh life in the early 1900’s in North America

There is a longer detailed read about education (translated from German) at <https://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.remme-dohren.de/Chronik-doc/06.Schule_Dohren.doc&prev=search>. The Doren in this article is 100 or so miles West of the Doren Village where Luise spent her childhood and youth, but I believe it describes most of what was happening educationally in all villages of the region.          

Daily Life in German Villages 1500 to 1900

Life for our HUMBKE and SCHNEPEL ancestors in the early German villages of Windheim and Dohren was largely influenced by religion, wars and their status as peasant farmers. The resulting hardships were the primary causes of a mass immigration of German peasants to the new world for freedom and the opportunity for a better life. Their status as peasant farmers and  and wars were the biggest influencers and saw the greatest changes in North America. The church was just as strong in their life and the first public, shared facility to be built until the early 1900’s.

Luise was the mother and matriarcal leader who played the most critical role in the successful establishment of descendants in North America and further.

For the best and easiest description of Governance; Law and Order; Marriage and Inheritance; Family Roles and Relationships; Work; The Village Year; and Emigration during this period I recommend “OUR DAILY BREAD” German Village Life, 1500-1850 by Tev Scheer It is a historical fiction that is based on facts and historical documents, yet tells the story of the fictional Mann family in an easy-to-read format for the average reader.

You can either get the book from you library or purchase it online from Amazon in the USA  for $19.95USA by clicking on: OUR DAILY BREAD

I bought my copy from USA Amazon as, in the order, I wanted additional books that were not available from Amazon Canada. .

For ordering on Amazon Canada click on this OUR DAILY BREAD

Further information is given in the Review under the title on this website.

Please be aware that if you purchase this book or any other product on Amazon as a result of entering the Amazon website in this manner I will receive a reimbursement from Amazon known as Affiliate Marketing Income. Your support is appreciated and help me to continue with researching the families mentioned on this website. Thank you. 

THE MATERNAL ANCESTORS – MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS & GREAT-GRANDMOTHERS

of Sophie Marie Louise (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE                                                              b. 11SEP1843 Dohren 38  c. (christening/baptism) 24SEP1843                                m. 27OCT1867 Windheim 57 to Ernst Dietrich Chrisitian HUMBKE (Jr)            d. 24NOV1930 age 87 -Wetaskiwin City Cemetery, Alberta

Grandmother Louise Humbke holding her daughter Mary’s children – Agnes, Ben & Earl George (about 1910 in Wetaskiwan. Alberta

Grand Ma Louise Humbke with daughter-in-law Hulda (Wickland) Humbke’s youngest son/child – Richard 1928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother: Marie Louise Elisabeth(KAELKE) SCHNEPEL                                                b. 15JAN1814 Dohren 34 c. 19JAN1814 Dohren                                                                  m. 24DEC1833 Dohern 38 to Johan Friedrich Konrad SCHNEPEL                            d. 04AUG1874 age 60 Dohren 38

Grandmother: Catharine Louise (WIEGMAN) KAELKE                                            b. 08OCT1783 Diersdorf, Huddesdorf, Hanover                                                              m. 06DEC1807 to Conrad Diedrich KAELKE at Hanover, Prussia                            d. 03DEC 1860 age 77

Great Grandmother: Ann Catherine Elizabeth (EHLERDING) WIECHMAN    b. 28NOV1749 Dohren 9 c. 30NOV1749 Dohren                                                              m. 28NOV1776 to Carl Henrich WIECHMAN at Hanover, Prussia                        d. 31JAN1821 age 72

Dohren is a small village (1,000 pop.)  immediately North of  the village of Windeheim (1,500 pop.), both of which are on the West side of the Weser River (200  miles West of Berlin). The main occupation has always been farming and the Doren’s Wild Farmers play in the Germany’s major baseball league. Be sure to attend a game if you are ever in Dohren in the summertime.

So for at least 8 generations back from me, all I could find was farmers. In our family, I was the first male (followed by  5 brothers) to take up  different occupations than being a farmer. It has reminded me that an entrepreneur is closest to being a farmer in my mind and in that sense I believe I still have the characteristics and outlook of a farmer. I have come to value and appreciate my farming ancestors very much.

THE DESCENDANT CHILDREN

[The two reasons I have yet to write more about her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren is because of either lack of interest, the reluctance to share information or growing concerns for privacy. I fully intend to write about her grandchildren in Canada and the United States next, but will limit my time to creating an accurate family tree for subsequent generations, other than my own family.

That being said, as I find myself aging I become more concerned with writing about the past from what I believe to be the truth than being concerned about issues of privacy, liability and hurt feelings. My ancestors and descendants are not responsible for what I write – I am]

Ernst Dietrich Friedrich HUMBKE Sr.                                                                                b. 30OCT1867 Windheim 57  c. 17NOV1867 Windheim 57                                      m. 22MAY1902 to Maria Louise Sophie Lisette (WESTENFELD) HUMBKE        d. 26SEP1947  age 80 Farm Home, Wetaskiwin City Cemetery

Katharine Sophie Maria (HUMBKE) CONRADI                                                              b. 17OCT1869 Dohren 38  c. 31OCT1869 Dohren 38                                confirmation 08JUL 1883  Dohren Schule                                                                      m. 25SEP1891 Wellsburg, Iowa to Heinrich Wilhelm CONRADI                              d. 06NOV1951 Titonka, Iowa burial 09NOV1951 Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Woden, Iowa.

Sophie Wilhelmine Louise HUMBKE                                                                                b. 30AUG1872 Windheim 57  c. 22SEP1872                                                                  d. 04NOV1872 Windheim 57  Age 2 months and 2 days.

Sophie Luise HUMBKE                                                                                                              b. 03OCT1873 Windheim 57  c 19OCT1873 Windheim 57                                              c. 13FEB1878 Windheim 57  Age 4 years and 133 days.

Louise Wilhelmine Marie “Minna” (HUMBKE) CALLIES                                        b. 17JUN1876 Windheim 57  c. 09JUL1876 Windheim 57                                            m. 19JAN1898 Kossuth, Iowa to Charles “Carl” Ludvig CALLIES                            d. 09SEP1961 Wetaskiwin  Age 85 Burial 11SEP1961 Wetaskiwin City Cemetery.

Marie “Mary” Louise Lisette (HUMBKE) GEORGE                                                       b. 01APR1979 Windheim 57  c. 27APR1879                                                                    m. 08JUN1903 Wetaskiwin to Joseph Henry GEORGE                                                  d. 08JUN1957 Age 78 Wetaskiwin City Cemetery

 

 

Dietrich “Dick” Friedrich Ernst HUMBKE                                                                        b. 21FEB1882 Windheim 57.  c. 12MAR1882 Windheim 57.                                        m. 24APR1907 Wetaskiwin Swedish Lutheran Church to Hulda Elizabeth (WICKLAND) HUMBKE.                                                                                                          d. 01JAN1968 Wetaskiwin Age 86. Burial 06JAN1968 Wetaskiwin City Cemetery.

Alwine Marie Sophie Louise (HUMBKE) FONTAINE                                                    b. 14APR1885 White Lake, South Dakota.  Confirmation 01APR1900 Rural Immanuel Lutheran Church, Titonka, Iowa.                                                                    m. 20DEC1905 Wetaskiwin Swedish Lutheran Church to Delphinius FONTAINE.                                                                                                                                      d. 07MAY1955 Wetaskiwin Age 70. Burial Wetaskiwin City Cemetery.

Emma Marie (HUMBKE) HARRIS                                                                                        b. 29JAN1890 White Lake, South Dakota.                                                                          m. 14FEB1912 Wetaskiwin to William Ernest Harris.                                                     d. 11JUL1978 Wetaskiwin Age 88. Burial Wetaskiwin City Cemetery.

Louise’s headstone was broken by vandels and repaired by her Great Granddaughter, Rosemarie Humbke

Louise’s headstone is located in the Humbke family plot located in the Wetaskiwin City Cemetery, immediately North of the Water Tower in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Ma Humbke had also lost 2 more children while in Germany: Sophie Wilhelmine Louise at 2 months and Sophie Luise at 4 years.  At the time of her passing she had 43 Grandchildren and 16 Great-Grand Children (which would multiply many times over in the years to come). The number of Great;  Great-Great; and Great-Great-Great-Grand children has yet to be counted. Louise would have spent 40 years of her life as a peasant farmer’s wife in Germany; 7 years as a homesteaders wife in South Dakota; 29 years as a widow farmer 14 miles West of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. At 87 she would  outlive all previous grandparents and her children except for her youngest daughter Emma.

Sept. 11, 2018 would have been her 175 birthday and her faith would have her smiling down on us all from above.

For more information on the life of Sophie Marie Louise (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE, read Blog #6.

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Remembering Great Grandfather Humbke on Aug. 2, 2018 Blog #15 Aug. 2, 2018

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If you have free calling for Canada or USA, phone a relative, no matter how distant, and mention the name “Dietrich”. My number in Edmonton is 780-782-6277. If that doesn’t work for you, write a sentence on the “Dietrich Humbke”Face book page and wish him a Happy Birthday!

 

On August 2, 2018 Dietrich Christian Humbke would have been 173 years old, but his life was cut short when he was killed in an accident 12 days short of his 54  birthday. In 1999 I had no idea of who my great grandfather was other than that he was German – not even a name! That summer of 1999 I spent July tracking down his name and ended up leaving flowers on his grave site in Iowa. I went to court houses, libraries and archives that enabled me to walk on the land he had broke and farmed in South Dakota and Idaho.

 

Roger Humbke pays respect to the grave of his Great-Grandfather (Ernest Dietrich Christian Humbke), located in the Immanual Lutheran Church Cemetery about 3 miles NE of Titonka, Iowa.

 

 

 

Over the next 15 years,  I spent most of my time in China, but upon returning to Canada the genealogy flame flared up and I started a website to gather and share memories of distant ancestors. It has personally been very rewarding and now I feel an emotional attachment of gratitude and pride in all of the ancestors I have come to know.

Today, August 2, 2018, I hope you pause and think of Deitrich, whose blood runs thru all our veins. As head of the Humbke family and with his wife they assumed the responsibility and task of bringing a young family to America where it  has spread  from coast to coast in Canada and the United States, plus the continents of Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and back to Germany.

Shed and barn on the Humbke farm in Iowa, USA – 1999. Since then the land has all been cleared, the home cellar filled, and no evidence remains that a family once living there. Even the lane way that lead to the home is gone and crops of corn thrive on every inch of land.

 

Family Tree – Our Paternal Grandparents

Below are the grandparents and  5 sets of paternal (great grandparents to great-great-great-great-great-grandparents). 

I am working on a family tree through myheritage.com and below am including the information on  the 7 paternal grand parent older than my great-grandparents, Dietrich and Luise Humbke. They cover the 310 year period of 1620 to 1930 and 7 generations of Humbkes.

Tielcke HUMBKE b. 1620 Windheim, Germany; d. SEP1669 Windheim; m. 1643 Metcke (STANNEN) HUMBKE b. 1620 Windheim; d. 26DEC1680 Windheim #8. Metcke’s father was Nn STANNEN b. 1595 Kries Minden. 1 girl and 4 boys

Hinrich HUMBKE b. 1646 Windheim #8, Windheim, Germany; d. 04MAR1709 Windheim; m 20JUL1681 Ann Christina (WESTENFELD) HUMBKE b. 1650 Windheim #11; d. 24JAN1731 Windheim #8. 4 girls and 5 boys (1 still born).

Cord Hinrich HUMBKE b. 22NOV1683 Windheim #8; d. 13FEB1728 Windheim #8; m.  22NOV1714 #8 Anna Margaretha (BUECK) HUMBKE Windheim #8; b. 19JAN1688 Schaffhorst #13, Windheim; d. 13DEC1715 Windheim 8. 1 boy.

2nd wife Anna Margarethe (STOPPENHAGEN) HUMBKE b. 28FEB1687 Windheim 3; d. 18MAR1746 Windheim 8.  3 girls and 3 boys

Johann Hinrich HUMBKE b. 25NOV1715 Windheim #8; d. 28OCT1757; m. 20JAN1737 Anna Clara (JAEGER) HUMBKE b. 14JUN1715 Dohren #29; d.  d. 18MAR12DEC1779 Joessen, Windheim – 3 girls and 2 boys.

Cord Hinrich HUMBKE b. 25JUL1747 Windheim #8; d. 27NOV1782 Windheim #8; m. 31DEC1769 to Catherine Christine Louise ERNSTING b. 04MAR1748; Ikse #5 d. 18DEC1799 Windheim #8.  3 girls and 5 boys

Johann Carl Dietrich HUMBKE b. 01APR1785 Windheim #8; d. 04MAY1843 Windheim #57; m. 17MAR1816 Windheim, Sophie Marie (RODEMEYER) HUMBKE b24SEP1785Windheim #22; d.03MAY1841 Windheim #57. 2 girls and 2 boys

Ernst Dietrich Christian HUMBKE b. 31JAN1821 Windheim #57; d. 06NOV1866 Windheim; m. 11MAY1845 Sophie Louise (WIEBKE) HUMBKE b. 30JAN1819 Holge, Windheim #22; d. 06NOV1866 Burial 09NOV1866  Windheim #57.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following 4 boys and 3 girls comprise the children of Ernst Dietrich Chrisitian Humbke and Sophie Louise (WIEBKE) HUMBKE. They are my Grand-Grand Uncles and Aunts. 

My Family Tree –  My Paternal Great-Grandparents

Ernest Dietrich Christian HUMBKE b. 02AUG1845 Windheim #57: christened 10AUG1845 Windheim Church; d. 21JUL1899 Woden, Iowa; m. 27OCT1867 Sophie Louise  (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE Windheim; b. 11SEP1843 Dohren #38; d. 24NOV1930 Wetaskiwin, Alberta. 7 girls and 2 boys

My Family Tree – Great-Grand Uncles and Great-Grand Aunts

Wilhelmine Louise [Luise] Charlotte (HUMBKE) BUCHORN b. 19JAN1848 Windheim #57; d. 10FEB1933; m. 27NOV1974 Johann Dietrich August BUCHHORN b. 07AUG1849 Ovenstaedt #45, Westfalen. No Children.

Wilhelmine Sophie Louise Charlotte HUMBKE b. 13JUN1850 Windheim 57, Christened 30JUN1850 Windheim 57, d. 17JAN1854 Windheim 57.

Louise Sophie Caroline (HUMBKE) HANKE b. 02SEP1852 WINDHEIM 57; d. 24MAR 1878 Windheim #148; m. 13DEC1878 Windheim #149 Carl Friedrich August HANKE b.23OCT1849 Windheim #149. They had twin daughters who died shortly after birth.

Ernst Heinrich Christian HUMBKE b. 31AUG1854 Windheim #57; d. 08JAN1938; m. 24SEP1886 Johanne Charlotte Sophie (ROMBKE) HUMBKE  b 24NOV1860 Windheim #21. Had 2 girls and 3 boys.

Conrad (Chris)Dietrich Christian Dominicus HUMBKE b. 04JAN1857 Windheim #57; Christened 18JAN1857 Windheim #57; d. 07JAN1938 South Dakota; m. 26NOV1889 White Lake, South Dakota to Marie DIRKS b. South Dakota. Had one daughter

Conrad Dietrich Friedrich HUMBKE b. 07MAY1859 Windheim #57; d. 07JAN1864 m. 23OCT1885 Windheim #44 Louise Lisettte Dorothee (DAVID) HUMBKE, b. 07JAN1864 Windheim #13; d. 15JUL1886 Windheim #44. Louise died at the birth of a child which died 1 1/2 months later. Second wife was Hanna Christine Wilhelmine (BRINCKMANN) HUMBKE b. 14NOV1861 Ilserheide, Lahde #4, m. 18DEC1888. They had 10 children.

 

As you can see I am very short of photos of ancestors and would love to receive pictures of the named ancestors.

I would personally like to Thank Pastor Bob of Austin, Texas for the tremendous help he has given me.  Most of the accurate information on ancestors that I am passing on to you is from him.

Pastor Bob has over one million in his family tree and has been to churches, cemeteries, families etc. in Windheim and other Germany locations to verify information. I believe his records are the most accurate available to me. What he has done and his willingness to share is a blessing for all of us ancestors.

Roger Humbke                                                                                rogerhumbke@hotmail.com                                                    1-780-782-6277

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The Statue of Liberty, Castle Clinton & Ellis Island welcome Humbkes to America #13 APR2018

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherThe Statute of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in celebration of American Democracy. As the statue was commemorated in October 1886 it was probably never seen by the first 6 of the 7 Humbkes to arrive in New York from 1879 to 1883, but it would have been seen by Ernest Humbke Sr. when he picked up his future wife arriving from Germany in early 1902,.

On April 21, 2018, I spent the day at Castle Clinton National Park, The Statute of Liberty and in the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Before Ellis Island was opened on Jan 1, 1892 immigrants passed through “Castle Garden” in the Battery (originally known as Castle Clinton after the local Governor). Locate in the lower end of Manhattan Island, it served as the New York State immigration station and from 1885 to 1890 approximately eight million immigrants arrived – mostly from Northern and Western Europe (England, Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia).

FIRST Humbke from Windehiem Germany to arrive was my GREAT UNCLE CHRIS HUMBKE(Conrad Dietrich Cristian Dominicus Humbke) b. 04JAN1857 Windheim, Petershagen, Germany; arrived at a dock in New York City and at what is now known as Castle Clinton ??APR1879; and d. 1938. The exact date and location of his death in South Dakota, USA is unknown. Chris arrived as a single 22-year old man and traveled to the White Lake area of South Dakota to find land and prepare for the arrival of his eldest brother’s family. He married Marie Dirks in White Lake, South Dakota on May 7, 1889, but little is known of his life except that he lost his land for non-payment of taxes and he did appear to have made a trip to the Humbke homestead at Wetaskiwin, Alberta where he appears in a photo with his brother and three brother-in-laws. (see BLOG #10)
Battery Park, New York 1870’s

SECOND to arrive was my GRANDFATHER ERNST SR. HUMBKE (Ernst Dietrich Fredrich Humbke Sr.) b. 30OCT1867 Windheim, Petershagen, Germany; d. 26SEP1947 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada. Ernest, at age 15, came on “H.H. Meier” from Bremen, Germany and arrived at a dock on or near the Battery, Manhattan, New York on 12MAY1883. It is not clear whether his Uncle Chris met him on arrival or if Ernst Sr. made his own way to White Lake, South Dakota.

 

THIRD to arrive were my GREAT GRANDFATHER DIETRICH HUMBKE (Ernest Dietrich Fredrich Christian Humbke) b. 02AUG1845 Windeheim, Petershagen, Germany; d. 21JUL1899 Woden, Iowa USA; GREAT GRANDMOTHER LOUISE HUMBKE (Marie Louisa [Schnepel] Humbke) B. 11SEP1843 Dohren, Lower Saxony, Germany; d. 24NOV1930 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; GREAT AUNT SOPHIE CONRADI (Katherine Sophie Maria [Humbke] Conradi) b. 17OCT1869 Windheim, Petershagen, Germany d. 04NOV1872 Titonka, Iowa, USA; GREAT AUNT MINNIE CALLIES (Louise Wilhelmine Marie [Humbke] Callies) b. 17Jun1876 Windheim, Petershagen, Germany d. 09SEP1961 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; GREAT AUNT MARY GEORGE(Marie Louise [Humbke] George) b. 01APR1879 Windheim, Petershagen, Germany d. 08JUN1957 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; and GREAT UNCLE DICK HUMBKE (Dietrich Fredrick Ernest Humbke) b.21FEB1882 Windheim, Petershagen, Germany d. 01JAN1968 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada. They arrived on the “H.H. Neckar” from Bremen, Germany also at the Battery, Manhattan, New York 04AUG1883 and made their way to Buffalo Center, Iowa before homesteading near White Lake, South Dakota. Two daughters were to be born as American Citizens at White Lake – GREAT AUNT ALVINA FONTAINE (Alvina Maria Sophia [Humbke} Fontaine) b. 14APR1885 White Lake, South Dakota, USA; d. 07MAY1955 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada and GREAT AUNT EMMA HARRIS (Emma Marie [Humbke] HARRIS) b. 29JAN1890 White Lake, South Dakota, USA; d. 11JUL1978 Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada.

 

Castle Clinton – New York State immigration station from 1855 to 1890
So the first 3 ships to bring the Humbke relatives from Germany, on our family tree in North America, all docked at the lower berths at the lower end of the Borough of Manhattan and the passengers were transported by local boats to nearby Castle Clinton.

Present day Battery Park (2018) at the lowest point of Manhattan. The orange circular two story building in the center of the photo is Castle Clinton – named after DeWitt Clinton (1769 to 1828) a United States Senator, Mayor of New York City and 6th Governor of New York. The building served at various times as a USA army fort, opera house, America’s first immigration processing center house and aquarium. Presently it houses a historical display and is where you can get tickets for a boat to the Statue of Liberty and Ellise Island. If you go try to buy tickets beforehand as the line up can be 1.5 hrs+

Roger and Fanny Humbke leaving Castle Clinton, Battery Park for the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island,

FOURTH to arrive was my GRANDMOTHER MARY (Maria Louise Sophie Lesette [Westenfeldt] Humbke) b. 22MAY1868 Windheim, Germany; arrived by ship from Germany at Ellice Island, New York, USA. My Grandfather Ernst Sr. had left from the Wetaskiwin homestead on Jan. 2, 1902, for New York where he was to picked up his future wife.

Mary became very sick during the crossing of the Atlantic and lost a lot of weight, possibly due to the fact of being infected by a tape worm. Ernst Sr. was only able to recognize her by a red flower she had arranged to wear. All immigrants were examined by doctors who refused entry to the USA and sent back to the country they arrived from (about 2%). Such families had to decide if they would return as a group or seperate. Others were kept in the hospital until able to travel.

Since it took Ernst Sr. 3 1/2 months to make the trip from Wetaskiwin to New York and back, it may have taken Mary a long time to get well enough to travel. One can only imagine the suffering she went through. Her granddaughters have remarked that she told them of the terrible time she had and that she would never get on another ship, for any reason.



Roger Humbke, on an Immigration benches in the Grand Receiving Hall at Ellise Island, New York, listening to a tour guide describe the experience of immigrants trying to enter the United States in 1902,. Immigrants were marked with a colored chalk indicating which of three doors, at the end of the large hall after a preliminary examination at a row of high desks. The middle door led to further examination, hospital or a ship returning to where they came from. It must have been an extremely distressing experience for both Ernst Sr and May.

Eventually they were able to make their way back to the Duhamel homestead by April 15, 1902, and were married on May 22, 1902,. Together they were to raise a family of three healthy daughters and two sons, one of whom was my father, Lawrence Humbke, who lived to the rip old age of 93.

Castle Clinton, Battery Park in lower Manhattan Island with the tallest building in America – The One World Trade Center

For further excellent information and photos of Battery Park, Castle Clinton, Ellis Island please check out:

http://thebattery.org/history/
https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/ellis-island-history Below in italics is information copied from this site for your convience.
ELLIS ISLAND HISTORY

 

Immigration Policy Embraces the Masses

 

Prior to 1890, the individual states (rather than the Federal government) regulated immigration into the United States. Castle Garden in the Battery (originally known as Castle Clinton) served as the New York State immigration station from 1855 to 1890 and approximately eight million immigrants, mostly from Northern and Western Europe, passed through its doors.

These early immigrants came from nations such as England, Ireland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries and constituted the first large wave of immigrants that settled and populated the United States. Throughout the 1800s and intensifying in the latter half of the 19th century, ensuing political instability, restrictive religious laws and deteriorating economic conditions in Europe began to fuel the largest mass human migration in the history of the world.

It soon became apparent that Castle Garden was ill-equipped and unprepared to handle the growing numbers of immigrants arriving yearly. Unfortunately, compounding the problems of the small facility were the corruption and incompetence found to be commonplace at Castle Garden.

The Federal government intervened and constructed a new Federally-operated immigration station on Ellis Island. While the new immigration station on Ellis Island was under construction, the Barge Office at the Battery was used for the processing of immigrants.

The new structure on Ellis Island, built of “Georgia pine” opened on January 1, 1892. Annie Moore, a teenaged Irish girl, accompanied by her two brothers, entered history and a new country as she was the very first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island. Over the next 62 years, more than 12 million were to follow through this port of entry.

Ellis Island Burns and Years of Records Lost

 

While there were many reasons to immigrate to America, no reason could be found for what would occur only five years after the Ellis Island Immigration Station opened. During the early morning hours of June 15, 1897, a fire on Ellis Island burned the immigration station completely to the ground.

Although no lives were lost, many years of Federal and State immigration records dating back to 1855 burned along with the pine buildings that failed to protect them.

The United States Treasury quickly ordered the immigration facility be replaced under one very important condition: all future structures built on Ellis Island had to be fireproof. On December 17, 1900, the new Main Building was opened and 2,251 immigrants were received that day.

Journeying By Ship to the Land of Liberty

 

While most immigrants entered the United States through New York Harbor (the most popular destination of steamship companies), others sailed into many ports such as Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, Savannah, Miami, and New Orleans. The great steamship companies like White Star, Red Star, Cunard and Hamburg-America played a significant role in the history of Ellis Island and immigration in general.

First and second class passengers who arrived in New York Harbor were not required to undergo the inspection process at Ellis Island. Instead, these passengers underwent a cursory inspection aboard ship, the theory being that if a person could afford to purchase a first or second class ticket, they were less likely to become a public charge in America due to medical or legal reasons.

The Federal government felt that these more affluent passengers would not end up in institutions, hospitals or become a burden to the state. However, first and second class passengers were sent to Ellis Island for further inspection if they were sick or had legal problems.

This scenario was far different for “steerage” or third class passengers. These immigrants traveled in crowded and often unsanitary conditions near the bottom of steamships with few amenities, often spending up to two weeks seasick in their bunks during rough Atlantic Ocean crossings.

Upon arrival in New York City, ships would dock at the Hudson or East River piers. First and second class passengers would disembark, pass through Customs at the piers and were free to enter the United States. The steerage and third class passengers were transported from the pier by ferry or barge to Ellis Island where everyone would undergo a medical and legal inspection.

A Record Year for New Americans

 

During the early 1900s, immigration officials mistakenly thought that the peak wave of immigration had already passed. Actually, immigration was on the rise, and in 1907 more people immigrated to the United States than any other year, a record that would hold for the next 80 years. Approximately 1.25 million immigrants were processed at Ellis Island in that one year.

Consequently, masons and carpenters were constantly struggling to enlarge and build new facilities to accommodate this greater than anticipated influx of new immigrants. Hospital buildings, dormitories, contagious disease wards and kitchens all were feverishly constructed between 1900 and 1915.
As the United States entered World War I, immigration to the United States decreased. Numerous suspected enemy aliens throughout the United States were brought to Ellis Island under custody. Between 1918 and 1919, detained suspected enemy aliens were transferred from Ellis Island to other locations in order for the United States Navy with the Army Medical Department to take over the island complex for the duration of the war.

During this time, regular inspection of arriving immigrants was conducted onboard ship or at the docks. At the end of World War I, a big “Red Scare” spread across America and thousands of suspected alien radicals were interned at Ellis Island. Hundreds were later deported based upon the principal of guilt by association with any organizations advocating revolution against the Federal government.

In 1920, Ellis Island reopened as an immigration receiving station and 225,206 immigrants were processed that year.

Arrival at the Island and Initial Inspection

 

If the immigrant’s papers were in order and they were in reasonably good health, the Ellis Island inspection process would last approximately three to five hours. The inspections took place in the Registry Room (or Great Hall), where doctors would briefly scan every immigrant for obvious physical ailments. Doctors at Ellis Island soon became very adept at conducting these “six second physicals.”

By 1916, it was said that a doctor could identify numerous medical conditions (ranging from anemia to goiters to varicose veins) just by glancing at an immigrant. The ship’s manifest log, that had been filled out back at the port of embarkation, contained the immigrant’s name and his/her answers to twenty-nine questions. This document was used by the legal inspectors at Ellis Island to cross-examine the immigrant during the legal (or primary) inspection.

The two agencies responsible for processing immigrants at Ellis Island were the United States Public Health Service and the Bureau of Immigration (later known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service – INS). On March 1, 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service was restructured and included into three separate bureaus as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Despite the island’s reputation as an “Island of Tears”, the vast majority of immigrants were treated courteously and respectfully, and were free to begin their new lives in America after only a few short hours on Ellis Island. Only two percent of the arriving immigrants were excluded from entry. The two main reasons why an immigrant would be excluded were if a doctor diagnosed that the immigrant had a contagious disease that would endanger the public health or if a legal inspector thought the immigrant was likely to become a public charge or an illegal contract laborer.

 

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Conradi-Callies-George-HUMBKE-Fontaine-Harris #12 JUN2017

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherThe 3 paintings  of Dick and Hulda HUMBKE’s family farm in the Haultain Community, Wetaskiwin, Alberta were done by Dorothy (HUMBKE) GALLANT. Dorothy, the youngest daughter, is the last remaining of the children, and lives on her own in Indian Trail, North Carolina. At age 92 with an excellent memory, Dorothy has been a wealth of photos and information about the family and is still very active on Facebook.

Dick HUMBKE

Dietrich “Dick” Frederick Ernest HUMBKE was the 7th of 9 children born to Ernst Dietrich Christian and Marie Luise (SCHNEPEL) HUMBKE of Windheim, Germany. Dick, born 21FEB1882, would only spend 16 months in the small village of Windheim, Germany before boarding the  “Neckar” for  the sea voyage to New York with his father – age 38, mother 36 and three older sisters (Sophie 14, Minnie 7 & Mary 4).

Altar photo inside Windheim Protestant (Lutheran) Church in WINDHEIM, GERMANY compliments of Shirley PAULEY (WILLIAMS) - granddaughter of Dick and Hulda HUMBKE.
Altar photo inside Windheim Protestant (Lutheran) Church in WINDHEIM, GERMANY compliments of Shirley (WILLIAMS) PAULEY – granddaughter of Dick and Hulda HUMBKE.

DIE WINDHEIMER KIRCHE (The Windheim Church) was originally built in 1300’s. The main altar picture (top half of photo) was painted in the 1400’s and blessed in 1503.

In 1556, the church was made larger by the addition of a tower. In 1600 it became a Protestant (Lutheran) church. Under Frederick the Great in 1769, two wings were added to the main church.

The church was renovated in the 1960’s and is now considered a historical site. In all probability this is the church where most members of the HUMBKE family, born in Germany, were baptised.

Dick HUMBKE’s German birth certificate compliments of his granddaughter, Shirley (WILLIAMS) PAULEY.

For those who can read German this is an original copy of Dick’s birth certificate giving the date of registration of birth as 24FEB1882.

Upon arriving in America, the HUMBKE family would spend their first year at Buffalo Centre, Iowa before homesteading South East of  White Lake, South Dakota (South West of Plankinton, South Dakota) . Life was very challenging as there was literally a 7 year drought in South Dakota. The highlight of life there would be the births of daughters, Alvina (1885) and Emma (1890), in White Lake, SD.

In 1891 the family bought a small farm near Woden, Iowa where they would stay until early 1902. When Dick was 17 years old,  his father died in an accident (July 21, 1899)  while hauling logs to build a German Lutheran Church on 3 acres donated by his oldest son, Ernst Sr. The next year Ernst Sr. went to Western Canada where on July 31, 1900 he filed for three adjoining 160 acre homesteads, 12 miles East of Wetaskiwin, in the names of his mother, brother Dick and himself.

The whole family moved to Canada in 1901 and lived togeather on their mother’s homestead while farming all three homesteads.  The family had a great passion for music and skilled musicians were common in the family. Dick quickly took time to start the Battle River Cornet Band composed of his older brother (Ernst Sr), 2 younger sisters  ( Alvina & Emma), brother in law (Carl CALLIES), Dave & Charlie WIDEN, Guy SUYS and C.R. WIBERG.

Certificate of Naturalization as a Canadian 06JUL1904 for Dietrich Ernest Humbke
Certificate of Naturalization as a Canadian 06JUL1904 for Dietrich Ernest HUMBKE

On July 6, 1904 Dick changed from an American to a Canadian and received his Certificate Of  Naturalization as a British Subject within Canada. On Nov. 2, 1904 he received his Certificate of Title stating that he had met all homestead requirements and now had clear title to his 160 acres. Earlier he had bought a steam thresher with his brother-in-law Carl CALLIES and threshed for many local farmers, from fall to early spring, over a period of 5 years. His last steam tractor can be seen at the Stan Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, AB.

18JUL1904 Dick Humbke applies for clear title to his 160 acre homestead which he farmed, while living with his mother on her adjoining homestead, 14 miles East of Wetaskiwin in the Battle River regions 6 miles West and 3 miles North of Duhamel, Alberta.
18JUL1904 Dick HUMBKE applies for clear title to his 160 acre homestead which he farmed, while living with his mother on her adjoining homestead, 14 miles East of Wetaskiwin in the Battle River regions 6 miles West and 3 miles North of Duhamel, Alberta.

Hulda Wickland

During this time Dick found time to  court a certain Hulda Elizabeth WICKLAND b. 27NOV1889 in Ostersund, Sweden.

Her parents were Andrew WICKLUND and Kristina JOHANSON. I have no date of marriage but they were married in Ostersund, Sweden. According to family members Hulda’s biological father is unknown, but most certainly Scandinavian.

As a result of DNA testing an individual named Tim has contacted the Humbke family through his wife and is seeking to find his roots. You can read more about this mystery on  the the facebook page of Scott David Pauley <https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=scott%20david%20pauley>. Tim is possibly a great grandson of Dick and Hulda Humbke that was born 24DEC1966 in Toronto and given up for adoption. DNA testing indicates that he is 57% Scandinavian, 24% British, and 6% Western European (German) and physically tall and slender with blond hair and green eyes. He is seeking to find his roots through the facebook page of Scott David PAULEY. If you can help, please do.

Andrew and Kristina Lisbet (Johanson) Wickland
Andrew WICKLAND b. 20SEP1864 in Dalarna, Sweden d. 20AUG1950 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta married Kristina Lisbet JOHANSON. b. 29MAR1867 in Ostersund, Sweden  d. 19DEC1942 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. They were married in Ostersund but the date is unknown.

Andrew, Kristina and Hulda left Sweden the end of 1893 for the USA where they spent 5 months before they arrived in Wetaskiwin, Alberta Canada on May 6th, 1894. There was no place to stay in Wetaskiwin so they spent  a few weeks in the Immigration Tent while Andrew searched for a homestead. What an adventure for 4 year old Hulda!

“He picked a homestead in the Crooked Lake District 6 kilometers N. of Gwynne, AB. Now that he had his land he had to fix up a temporary home. He dug a cave in the side of a hill, put on a door, and that served as their first home until he ad one built. This one was built of rails standing on end, all plastered with mud and a so roof. They lived in  this one for many years.” 

“The first school was built in 1901.  It was built of logs. There were no desks in those days, just a long table with benches for the pupils to sit on.” Taken from TREASURED MEMORIES Gwynne and District.

It was in this school and a new one built in 1907 that Hulda and her 3 siblings would receive their basic education.

Hulda’s 2 brothers and  sister were:

Algot Emanuel WICKLAND b. 03DEC1893 in Stephen MN, d. 25JUL1962 in Camrose, AB. Married 18DEC1926 in Edmonton, AB to Joan Mary FOREMAN b. 21JAN1907 in Red Deer, AB, d. 24SEP1986 in Camrose, AB. They had 2 boys and 2 girls.

Eda Alvida WICKLAND b. 27JUN1896 in Coal Lake AB, d. 04FEB1964 in Camrose AB. Married 18SEP1917 in Duhamel, AB to Arthur (Art) SHARKY b. 27SEP1894 in Rudolph, Wisconsin, USA d. 25MAY1973. They had 6 boys and 6 girls.

Hulda (16 yrs), Algot, Henry and Eda Wickland
Hulda (16 yrs), Algot, Henry and Eda Wickland

Henry Fredrick WICKLAND b. 06MAR1899 in Wetaskiwin AB. d. 25OCT1977 in Camrose Catholic Cemetery, AB. Married o7NOV1928 in Wetaskiwin, AB to Wilhelmena (Minnie) Teresa BADRY b. 03MAR1907 in Camrose, AB d. 25DEC1958 Camrose Catholic Cemetery, AB. They had one boy and one girl.

The Andrew and Hulda WICKLAND family was not well off, but they were generous with what they had. The quote indicating Hulda’s generosity, in making sure no one left her home empty handed, was learned from her mother’s example. Like Kristina WICKLAND, Mary HUMBKE (Hulda’s sister in law) also had Indians visiting her home because she invited them in.

Hulda (16 yrs), Algot, Henry and Eda Wickland
Hulda (16 yrs), Algot, Henry and Eda Wickland

“A band of Indians used to camp at Hay Lakes , on their trips through the woods to  Pigeon Lake they used to stop at the WICKLAND’s home. The indians never knocked on the door, they would make several trips around the house stamping their feet to let Mrs. WICKLAND know that they were cold. She would invite them in to get warmed up and made them a cup of coffee and lunch. They always carried a little sack with them and would ask for a loaf of bread when they were ready to leave. The never went away empty-handed.” Taken from TREASURED MEMORIES Gwynne and District.

The elder WICKLANDs were to eventually spend there last years on the lot in Wetaskiwin where Dick and Hulda had their home.

The two WICKLAND girls (Hulda and Eda) were prolific and between them they raise 22 children – 10 HUMBKEs and 12 SHARKEYs.

Dick & Hulda’s marriage

Registration of marriage for Dick HUMBKE & Hulda WICKLAND on 24APR1907 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Registration of marriage for Dick HUMBKE & Hulda WICKLAND on 24APR1907 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta

Dick & Hulda (Wickland) Humbke marriage on 24APR1907 at Swedish Lutheran Church in Wetaskiwin, AB
Dick (25yrs) & Hulda (WICKLAND) HUMBKE marriage on 24APR1907 at Swedish Lutheran Church in Wetaskiwin, AB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1907 was a very eventful year in the life of 25 year old Dick HUMBKE as he married 17 year old Hulda WICKLAND; started a family that was to become 5 girls and 5 boys; and changed from being a homesteader to trying his hand as a Co-op Store Manager in Gwynne, Alberta

FRONT Dick & Hulda (Wickland) Humbke m. 24APR1907 Swedish Lutheran Church, Wetaskiwin; Attendants: Alfred Jerone & Emma
FRONT Dick & Hulda (WICKLAND) HUMBKE m. 24APR1907 Swedish Lutheran Church, Wetaskiwin; Attendants: Alfred JERONE & Emma Marie HUMBKE

CHILDREN:

Elsie Christine HUMBKE b. 14JU1907 Gwynne, Alberta d.02JUL1997 in Florida Hospital-Walker, Highlands County, Avon Park, Florida. Burial- New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Wauchula, Hardee County, Florida       m. 21OCT1928 in Owatoona, Minnesota to John Broadus WILLIAMS  b.       18MAY1899 Columbia City, Columbia County, Florida d. 29JUN1976             Hardee County, Florida,                                                                       Children: 4 girls & 3 boys.

Frederick (Fritz) Algot Christian HUMBKE b. 26MAY1910 Gwynne, Alberta d. 06MAY1982 Wetaskiwin, AB. m. 22OCT1933 in Wetaskiwin, AB to Ruth Nicolena GREENWALL b. 18JAN1910 Wetaskiwin, AB. d. 12JAN1984 Wetaskiwin, AB.                                                                                   Children: 3 boys & 3 girls.

Photo of Humbke Family 19__ in Wetaskiwin, AB B. Henry, Dorothy, Norma, Conrad, Myrtle, Florence & Fritz F. Richard, Hulda, Dick, Elsie & Gordon
Humbke Family 19?? in Wetaskiwin, AB. Back Row – Henry, Dorothy, Norma, Conrad, Myrtle, Florence, Fritz Front Row – Richard, Hulda, Dick, Elsie, Gordon Humbke

 

Florence Louise HUMBKE b. 19OCT1913 Haultain, AB d. 22APR 1973 New Norway, AB. Buried Nashville Cemetery, Wetaskiwin AB. m.22OCT1932 in Wetaskiwin to Henry (Hank) Carl JOHNSON b. 30MAR1913 Wetaskiwin, AB. d. 02OCT1996 in Camrose AB. Buried Nashville Cemetery, Wetaskiwin Children: 7 boys & 3 girls.

Conrad Dietrich HUMBKE b. 05MAY1915 Haultain, AB d. 19JUN2011 in Wetaskiwin m. 26APR1937 in Wetaskiwin to Alma Louise Fredarika EIKERMAN b. 26APR1911 Haultain District, Wetaskiwin, AB. d.  APR1989 in Wetaskiwin,                                                                                           Children: 1 girl                                                                                       Divorced in ???? -2nd m. at ???? in 1958 to Ann DENNIS b. ???? in BC. Divorced in ???? -3rd m. at ???? in 1980 Joan WINTERS b. ????  in ????         d. ??JAN2007 in Abbotsford, BC.

Henry August HUMBKE b. 01JUL1917 Haultain, AB d. 11MAR1993 in Haultain District, Wetaskiwin, AB. m. 23JAN1945 in Wetaskiwin to Edith Gunhild NELSON b. 13MAY1926 in Hotagens Jamtlands, Sweden.       Children: 2 boys.

1950 Photo Wetaskiwin ABL to R - Fred 1910, Conrad1915, Henry 1917, Gordon 1919, Richard 1927 with their father Dick Humbke 1882
1950 Photo Wetaskiwin L to R – Fred 1910, Conrad 1915, Henry 1917, Gordon 1919, Richard 1927 with their father Dick Humbke 1882

Gordon Earl HUMBKE b. 18OCT1919 Haultain, AB. d. 12DEC2006 in Red Deer, AB. m. 28SEP1942 in ???? to Margaret SCHWENK b. 07JAN1926 Liebling, Romania. d.  ?????2009  in ????                                                         Children: 3 girls & 2 boys.

Norma Mary HUMBKE b. 12OCT1921 Haultain, AB. d. 05JUN2001 Wetaskiwin. m. early 1940’s in Wetaskwin, AB to John TROUT b. 18JAN1916 d. ????????? in ????.  Divorced ???? in ???????

Myrtle Eda HUMBKE b. 10JUN1923 in Zolfo Springs, Hardee County Florida. d. 12JUL2005 in Wetaskiwin, AB. m. 7OCT1948 in Wetaskiwin to Basil G. (Sully) SULLIVAN b. 06SEP1918 in Lucan, Ontario. d. 30APR1989 in Wetaskiwin.                                                                                         Children: 2 girls & 2 boy

Dorothy Hulda HUMBKE b. 04SEP1925 in Owatonna, Minnesota. m. 10SEP1949 in Wetaskiwin, AB to Donald Alfred GALLANT b. 18 NOV1920 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. d. 18AUG2000 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Burial Mint Hill, North Carolina.         Children: 3 girls.

1957 Wetaskiwin, AB – Photo of 5 married Humbke daughters with their Mother. L to R Dorothy Gallant, Myrtle Sullivan, Norma Trout, Florence Johnson, Elsie Williams and Hulda (Wickland) Humbke

Richard Ernest HUMBKE b. 06NOV1927 Wetaskiwin, AB. d. 21AUG2002 in Abbotsford, BC. m. ????????? in ???? to Iona M. AVERY b. ????????? in       ????. d. ????????? in ?????                                                                           Children: 2 boys & 1 girl                                                                           Divorced ???? 2nd m. ????????? in ???? to Katherine Mary KOOP b. 27NOV1938 in ????, AB.                                                                         Children: 3 girls & 1 boy.

CO-OP STORE MANAGERS/OWNERS-1907 to 1913

Dick HUMBKE rented out his 160 acre homestead and moved to Gwynne in 1907 to became a store manager. The families first two additions (Elsie 1907 and Fred 1910) would be born in Gwynne. Starting in 1909, branch stores were opened in Lewisville, Bittern Lake, Wetaskiwin, Millet, Malmo, Daysland, and Calgary. The family was living in Wetaskiwin during the birth of Florence in 1913.

This Advertisement appearing in The Camrose Canadian July 7, 1910, and for several weeks thereafter.                  

                     The Farmers’ Co-operative Store Limited                                                         General Merchants                                                                           Head Office: Wetaskiwin  
                         Branch Stores at Gwynne, Lewisville (five miles                                              south of  post Office) and Bittern Lake

Stores will be started at any point where there is sufficient
shares  taken  up  to  start  a  branch  store.   Price of  each
share is $20.00, limited to ten and $2.00 membership extra
with  first  share.   Every  farmer should take an interest  in
This  co-operation.  It will be to his advantage in every  way.

     D. E. Humbke                                                               Manager

*********************************************                          In Canada, a basket of goods and services$20 CAD in 1914 would be worth $215.83 CAD in 2017  

A 1 oz Canadian Gold Coin worth $20  in 1910 was worth                                     $1,712.27 Canadian $ at 4:30 PM on May 31. 20117                       *********************************************

Business went badly for the stores and in 1913 the Gwynne Store failed with the remaining stock being bought by Gwynne merchants, Albert and Evin LEE.

Having spent 100% of my time and effort from 1980 to 1984 building a business in Saskatchewan to consist of 3 hotels in Regina, Shaunavon and Glen Ewan plus the Balloon Ranch in Del Norte, Colorado; and later another 7 years 1993 to 2000 building a chain of 7 adult Computer Training Centers in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia; and to then walk away in bankruptcy and start over was a roller coaster ride that Dick too must have ridden. The euphoria and depression can be gut wrenching to say the least. We were both dreamers that never gave up.

Haultain Farm 1914 to 1922

Haultain School, Wetaskiwin School Has been replaced by a new community hall, childrens' playground and electicity available campsite.
Original Haultain School, Wetaskiwin School Has been replaced by a new community hall, childrens’ playground and electricity available campsite.

In 1911 Dick had traded his Battle River homestead with Joe GEORGE’s  (his brother-in-law) homestead in the Haultain District. Joe was interested in sheep farming and thought Dicks land was very suitable as well as it being next door to his wife’s mother, Louise HUMBKE.  It is to this land in the Haultain District that the HUMBKE family returned to farm the land from 1914 to 1922. Children Conrad 1915, Henry 1917, Gordon 1919 and Norma 1921 would join the family in Haultain.

Their farm was a mixed farm and like Dick’s brother-in-law, William HARRIS, include the raising of foxes for their skins. The HUMBKE family was known  for their threshing crew.

Florida, Minnesota and North Dakota, USA 1922 to 1927

1924 Dick and Hulda Humbke's home in Zolof Springs, Wauchola, Florida
1924 Dick and Hulda Humbke’s home in Zolof Springs, Wauchola, Florida

1922 saw Dick and Hulda move again – this time they moved with their 7 children all the way to Zolofo Springs, Florida where they would build a home by 1924 and Dick would find a way to support the family.

Myrtle (Humbke) Johnson painting of Humbke home
Myrtle (Humbke) Johnson painting of Humbke home

 

Myrtle would join the family in Zolofo Springs (1923) as the first of two children that would be born in the USA.

The family now (1925?) numbering 10, moved to Owatonna, Minnesota where Dorothy would become Dick and Hulda’s 9th child (Sept. 1925).

It would appear that they might be on their way back to Canada as from Minnesota they made their way to North Dakota where it is thought HUMBKE relatives were residing.

One gets the impression that Dick was looking for a good opportunity, but failing to find one in America he returned to the Haultain Farm SouthWest of Wetaskiwin.

Return to Haultain Farm 1927 to 1949

June 2017 Looking West up the pathway to the Dick & Hulda Humbke farm at Haultain, Wetaskiwin, AB
June 2017 Looking West up pathway to the Dick & Hulda Humbke farm at Haultain, Wetaskiwin, AB – Windmill is still there

Haultain, Wetaskiwin farm home to the Humbke family of 12 plus windmill, building and car on a winter day in 1948.
Haultain, Wetaskiwin farm home to the Humbke family of 12 plus windmill, building and car on a winter day in 1948.

 

 

 

 

 

Upon returning to the Haultain Farm Richard Ernest was born in Nov., 1927 and the family now consisted of 5 girls and 5 boys. Elsie, the oldest girl, married (1928) in Minnesota and was to spend the rest of her life with John Broads WILLIAMS raising 7 children in Florida.

The HUMBKE children attended Haultain School which was about 1/2 a mile North. The 5 boys worked on the farm and were part of the HUMBKE threshing crew that was a common site at farms in the area. Dorothy, the youngest daughter, remembers her times fondly.

1930’s Haultain Farm – Dick and 5 (?) of his sons and daughters with the HUMBKE Steam and Gas tractors. The tractor appears to be pulling the threshing machine.

Using Pop’s  steam engine and separator.  When the separator was not in use and parked in it’s housing  I would climb up and use the top level for my playhouse –after picking some things  from our garden and in the tool box I would collect a couple or so of baby chicks —until my mother heard the cries of the chicks and said they  needed to be out and fed and watered.
So I didn’t do that anymore–Sooo I set up my playhouse in the ‘bunkhouse’.

 

Humbke steam threshing outfit in the 1930's and 40's consisting of machine, horse and man power. It took 6 plus teams of horses and men to keep a big threshing machine running.
Humbke steam threshing outfit in the 1930’s and 40’s consisting of machine, horse and man power. It took 6 plus teams of horses, hay racks and men to keep a big threshing machine running.

Dick also found time to be a road councillor and weed inspector for the Municipal District of Wetaskiwin and a School Trustee for Haultain School. His interests extended to politics and he was a director of the newly formed Wetaskiwin  Social Credit Constituency in 1935-36. Most farmers were staunch supporters including my parents, Lawrence and Marvalin HUMBKE.

Social Credit is a reform-oriented economic doctrine that for a time was influential in Canada. Social Credit’s principles were formulated by an English engineer, Major C.H. Douglas (1879–1952). He argued that economic hardships resulted from an inefficient capitalist economy that failed to provide people with enough purchasing power for them to enjoy the fruits of a society’s economic production.

Douglas advocated the distribution of money, or social credit, so that people might have enough income to purchase the goods and services readily produced in society.

Douglas’s doctrine had little political impact elsewhere in the world and likely would have remained relatively unknown in Canada, except that in 1932 Alberta evangelist William Aberhart became converted to it. He used his Christian radio program to encourage other Albertans to adopt Social Credit as the means of rescuing the province, and Canada, from the drastic effects of the Great Depression.

In 1935 Aberhart led the new Social Credit Party to victory in Alberta, capturing 56 of 63 provincial Legislature seats with 54 per cent of the popular vote. It became the world’s first Social Credit government. The party, first under Aberhart and then, after his death in 1943, under Ernest C. Manning, won nine successive elections and governed the province until 1971. This remarkable success resulted in part from the replacement of social credit fundamentalism, with conservative financial and social policies that even bankers could applaud. Success was also made possible by the careful use of massive oil revenues that flowed into provincial coffers after 1947.  From the “Canadian Encyclopedia”

Gathering at the Humbke farm possibly celebrating Dick & Hulda's move to Wetaskiwin in 1949.
Gathering at the HUMBKE farm possibly celebrating Dick & Hulda’s move to Wetaskiwin in 1949.

After the harvest in 1936 Dick and his older brother, Ernest Sr., drove to Florida and did not return until May, 1937.

At the Sweetgrass, AB border crossing on October 28, 1936 Dick was identified as being 5 ft. 10 in., ruddy complexion, light brown hair and carrying $100 cash. He reported being a Naturalized Canadian owning 1/2 section of land valued at $8,000 with $4,000 encumbered. His brother Ernest Sr. was 5 ft. 8 in., ruddy complexion, light brown hair and carrying $200 cash. He claimed being a Naturalized Canadian owning 1/2 section of land valued at $8,000 unencumbered.

Their destination was Elsie WILLIAMS of Sulphur Springs, Florida and the purpose given for the trip was a 6 month family visit. On their return from Florida they stopped at Titonka, Iowa in May, 1937 to visit their sister and pay respects to their fathers grave.

Moved to Wetaskiwin 1949

In 1949 Dick and Hulda left the farm and moved to Wetaskiwin where Dick worked for 5 years as a salesman for Alberta Engineering.

Florida House built in 1950's
Florida House built in Zolof Springs, Hardee County, Florida 1950’s

Dick and Hulda’s love for fresh fruit and warmer winters resulted in Dick building a house in Zolof Spring, Florida near their daughter, Elsie, to which they would go each winter. Rather than making the long drive they  would begin to fly in the !950’s.

 

Dick HUMBKE preparing juice from fresh oranges in Florida.
Dick HUMBKE preparing juice from fresh oranges in Florida.

One of Dick’s interest in life was tinkering in his shop with mechanical devices and he had filed patents for improvements to Thresher – Separators” as early as 1921. In  the 1950’s he invented the “Alteen Bale Carrier”.

 

"Conveyor-Belt Straw Lifter" invention by Dick Humbke - Wetaskiwin Times Nov 12, 1958
“Conveyor-Belt Straw Lifter” one of Dick HUMBKE’s inventions – Wetaskiwin Times Nov 12, 1958

R. Humbkes Mark 60th Anniversary – Wetaskiwin Times, Wednesday, May 3rd, 1967
I was unable to include the Wetaskiwin Times Photo but it was excellent If you'd like to see it email me & I'll send you the PDF file.

One of Wetaskiwin’s pioneer businessman and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Humbke celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 24th. The Humbkes received congratulatory messages from the Queen and Prime Minster Pearson, also scrolls from Premier Manning and Lt. Governor Dr. J. W. Grant MacEwan.

A bouquet of roses from daughter Dorothy, a floral arrangement from friends in Haultain and a three tier wedding cake, baked by Edith Humbke and decorated by Arlie Franklin made a lovely setting for the many pictures that were taken. The Orchid corsage and carnation bouttoniers worm for occasion were gifts from daughter Norma. A gift of a washer and dryer from some of their children, grandchildren and friends was greatly appreciated.

Mr. and Mrs. Humbke have 10 children, 45 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. The children are Elsie (Williams) of Florida; Myrtle (Sullivan) and Fred of Wetaskiwin; Florence (Johnson) and Henry of Hautain; Conrad and Richard of B.C.; Gordon and Dorthy (Gallant) of North Carolina and Norma of Boston, Mass.

Two grandchildren, Shirley Pauley and her three children from California, and David Williams, his wife and son from Wyoming were here to attend the celebration.

Mrs. Humbke came to Wetaskiwin with her parents, Mr and Mrs. Andrew Wickland in 1894. She attended school in the Crooked Lake District.

Mr. Humbke came here in 1901. He was the founder of the first co-op store, known as the Farmers’ Store at that time.

They were married in 1907 at Wetaskiwin by Rev. Bredlow. Mrs. Ernest Harriss, sister of the groom was bridesmaid and a good friend, Alfred Jevne attended the groom.

The Humbkes farmed in Haultain district for many years and retired to Wetaskiwin in 1949. They spent many winters in Florida at first, but are not able to travel any longer, so now spend their time watching TV, listening to the radio and enjoying visits with their many friends and relatives.

Dorothy (HUMBKE) GALLANT's Copy of "The Starry Night" A Painting by Vincent van Gogh, June 1889
Dorothy (HUMBKE) GALLANT’s Copy of “The Starry Night” A
Painting by Vincent van Gogh, June 1889

Dick’s Will 1968

Dietrich Ernest Humbke's 1950 WILL (p. 2 of 2)
Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s two page WILL (2 of 2) written in 1950 as a retired farmer living in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

Dick Humbke's two page WILL (1 of 2) written in 1950 as a retired farmer living in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s two page WILL (1 of 2) written in 1950 as a retired farmer living in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

Dick’s two page WILL and six page PROBATE are the shortest, cleanest and, to me, the best wills I have read. His love for his wife was strong and he made sure she was well cared for in her retirement. A  common practise of this generation was to disperse land and equipment before the writing of a will.

1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950. (p. 1 of 6)
1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950. (p. 1 of 6)

1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950. (p. 2 of 6)
1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950. (p. 2 of 6)

1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950. (p. 4 of 6)
1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950. (p. 4 of 6)

 

 

 

1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950. (p. 3 of 6)
1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950. (p. 3 of 6)

1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950. (p. 5 of 6)
1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950. (p. 5 of 6)

1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950. (p. 6 of 6)
1968 Probate of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950. (p. 6 of 6)

 

1968 Schedule A of Dietrich Ernest Humbke's WILL of 1950.
1968 Schedule A of Dietrich Ernest Humbke’s WILL of 1950.

Dick’s and Hulda’s Obituaries

Dick was to pass away from Lung Cancer in 1968. Mary lived with Myrtle (HUMBKE) SULLIVAN and spent her last few years in a nursing home until her passing in 1977.

Dietrich (Dick) HUMBKE obituary

Dietrich (Dick) Frederick Ernest HUMBKE 1947

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1968

Long-time Distric Man Passes Here

Funeral services for the late Deitrich (Dick) Humbke of Wetaskiwin were held were held from Baker Chapel Sunday, January 6. Mr Humbke passe away January 1, 1968 in the Wetaskiwin – Leduc Auxiliary Hospital here after a long illness. He would have marked his 86th birthday in February.

Mr. Humbke was born in Germany and came to Canada in 1901 after spending one year in Iowa. Until his retirement in 1949 he operated a farm in the district. Since then the Humbkes made their home in the city.

He was a life long member of the Lutheran Church.

Besides his wife, Hulda, Hulda, Mr.  Humbke is survived by five sons. Fred of Wetaskiwin, Conrad of Vancouver, Henry of Wetaskiwin, Gordon of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Richard of Aldergrove, B.C. Also five daughters: Mrs. H. Johnson of Wetaskiwin; Mrs. Norma Trout of Boston, Mass.; Mrs Basi (Myrtle) Sullivan of Wetaskiwin; and Mrs. Dorothy Gallant of Charlotte, North Carolina. A sister Mrs. E. Harris of Wetaskiwin ; forty five grand children and forty nine great grand children also survive.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James Voigt and Mrs. Pahal as soloist,

Pallbearers  were Mr. Humbke’s grandsons: Keith and Morley Johnson; Stan and Leonard Humbke; Larry Sullivan and Brian Humbke. Internment Internment followed in the Wetaskiwin Cemetery.

Baker Funeral Chapel was in charge of funeral arrangements.

Clarifications:

  1. Mr. HUMBKE came to the USA in 1883 and immigrated to Canada in 1901.
  2. Mrs/ John Brodaus WILLIAMS of Florida was Mr. HUMBKE’s oldest and 5th surviving daughter.
  3. Pallbearer  Larry SULLIVAN is also known as Lawrence SULLIVAN.

The more I investigated Dick’s life, the more I felt we had the same blood running in our veins . We were entrepreneurs who failed, but never gave up, always learning new skills and experiencing life to the fullest.

Painting of A Winter Night at the HUMBKE farm - Haultain District, Wetaskiwin County by Dorothy (HUMBKE) GALLANT
Painting of A Winter Night at the HUMBKE farm – Haultain District, Wetaskiwin County by Dorothy (HUMBKE) GALLANT

I must say that one big difference, that I envy Dick for, was his ability to create such a wonderful, big, cohesive family through all his moves and ventures. I do have 3 wonderful daughters and 5 grandchildren; have known 5 marriages plus many  wonderful step-children and relationships; and continue to learn new skills while exploring and enjoying life to the fullest.

Researching family member and establishing emotional ties with long gone ancestors has been very rewarding for me.

Hulda Elizabeth (WICKLAND) HUMBKE obituary

Obituary for Hulda Elizabeth (WICKLAND) HUMBKE 1977. At that time women often had calling cards. The one on the left was for her mother, Kristina, and the one on the right was for Hulda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can send you a copy of this obituary by email which you can download and easily enlarge with 'Windows Photo Viewer'. The resulting copy is easily read. Just email me a request at rogerhumbke@hotmail.com.

Wetaskiwin Gravestone for Dick & Hulda (WICKLAND) HUMBKE and daughter Norma (TROUT) HUMBKE

Hulda Elizabeth (WICKLAND) HUMBKE 1947

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Humbke-Conradi-CALLIES-George-Fontaine-Harris BLOG#7 OCT2016

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Charles (Carl) Ludwig Callies, Louise (Mina) Wilhelmine Marie Callies (Humbke) & 2 year old son (Herman) emigrate from Iowa, USA to Wetaskiwin County, Alberta, Canada.

Preamble: Researching a family history continues to amaze me! On Oct. 10, 2016 I chatted twice on the phone with Sandra Pundyk, a great-great-granddaughter of Ernst Dietrick Christian and Marie Louise Humbke (Schnepel), the sister of Ernst Humbke Sr. (my grandfather). Thus Sandra is my 2nd cousin once removed and her mother, Marion Eloise Firth (nee McShane, nee Callies), who lives in White Rock British Columbia,  is my 2nd cousin. What was AMAZING was that Sandra is the first Callies blood relative I have ever talked to in 73 years. What was even MORE AMAZING was the degree of openness and trust present when I met Sandra and her husband in Edmonton. It was truly wonderful to at last establish a connection with the Callies – Humbke bloodline thru conversations with their grandchildren and great grandchildren living in BC and AB.

Minnie is buried in the Wetaskiwin cemetery next to my grandparents and her grandmother. So I have now contacted a new bloodline and already see similarities between myself and ancestors/relatives that, just the day before, I didn’t know as individuals. It is fascinating and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end! I feel like an explorer of old who has just discovered a new continent. 

Louise “Minnie” Wilhelmine Marie Callies (Humbke)

My history of the Callies family begins with the marriage of my Great Aunt, Louise “Minnie” Wilhelmine Marie Humbke to Charles “Carl” Ludwig Callies on 19 Jan. 1898 in German Valley, Hancock County, Iowa (a few miles West of the Humbke farm of Minnie’s family).

Minnie was the fifth child born on 17 Jun 1876 to Ernst Dietrick Christian Humbke and Marie Louise Humbke (Schnepel) in Windheim Village, Windheim Church District, Westphalia, Prussia. Her older brother (Ernst Sr.) was already in America, her older sister (Catherine Sophie) accompanied her, and her two previous sisters (Sophie Wilhelmine – d. 2months and Sophie Louise – d. 5 years) were buried in Windheim.

Minnie arrived in New York at age 7 aboard the SS. Neckar on 4 Aug 1883. She lived with her family at Buffalo Center, Iowa for a  year; moved to the family homestead near White Lake, South Dakota for the next 7 years; and then returned with her family to a farm near Woden in 1901 where she lived until her marriage to Carl in 1898.

Carl and Minnie had their first son Hermann Dietrich Ferdinand Callies b. 09 Jan 1899 on their farm near German Valley, Kossuth County, Iowa. Hermann was to become very interested in academics and writing. Two  other sons: Frederick b. Nov 1903 and Edward b. Jan 1906 also wrote about their families. One son, Carl, a twin b. 17 Jan 1915 died at 7 months and I could find little written by the 7 daughters. Minnie appears to have only spoken German among the family and I  have yet to find any German correspondence from the females of the family.

Account of Carl and Minnie Callies life as written by their eldest son Herman Callies for the Treasured Memories, Gwynne and District By Gwynne Historical Society Book – 1977 (available at 3 locations in Edmonton and in Wetaskiwin).

**********************************************************“Having heard good news about Western Canada, Carl Callies decided to move. During the winter of 1900-1901 preparation was made by selling the 91 acre farm in Iowa for forty-four dollars per acre. This money provided enough for immigration and for purchasing land.

In March the box car was loaded with two horses, a cow, a crate of chickens, hay and feed for a week, a two-horse corn cultivator, walking plow (in those days called a foo burner) a six foot binder, a high wheeled , narrow tired wagon, wagon box, shoe drill, mower, rake, six-foot disc and tools common to a farmer. When the immigrant cvar was coupled to the train, Carl Callies was enroute from Titonka, Iowa, U.S.A. to Wetaskiwin. It took four days.

Mrs. Minnie Callies and son Herman, rode in the immigrant coach. This coach contained a stove to heat and to cook on, a table, benches to sit on, water in a barrel and cooking utensil, mugs and tin dishes. Bedding was supplied by the immigrants. 

Arriving on March 20, 1901 at Wetaskiwin, the train was pulled into a siding  where they  were welcomed by the pioneers. All nature seemed to be balmy as it was the spring. The snow was all gone and the ground seemed warm and dry, except for the sloughs and creek.

Unloading, application for locations, maps and directions were obtained in Wetaskiwin. They travelled ten miles south-east, fording the Battle River at what was known as the Carpenter crossing, then wen northeast for six or seven mils to open land. 

A Homesteaders Log Home reconstructed at the Camrose Museum
A Homesteaders Log Home reconstructed at the Camrose Museum, Camrose, Alberta

As there were no homesteads available in the area, Carl Callies bought land from the  Canadian Pacific Railway and Hudson Bay companies at three dollars per acre, with a ten percent payment made. Cut lines and iron stakes indicate the boundaries. This land was located on North half section 5, township 46, range 22, W4. A two room shack 12 x 20 feet was built on some high ground near a slough. There were two windows and a door. 

A well of seepage water was dug near the slough. The building of a barn followed. Some twenty acres were broken for feed oats. Hail took a toll, otherwise feed was plentiful. Another fifty acres were broken with the aid of a borrowed horse. The three horses were tethered and the cow stayed close to  the home place.

In 1902 farming was the order of the day. There were some horse powered threshers in the country. They were hand fed, hand bagged and straw carrier designed. In this year Carl Callies and his brother-in-law, Dick Humbke, bought a steam threshing rig.  Threshing was a winter’s job and continued in that year into the next February. It was stack threshing, chiefly oats. Charges for threshing were 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cents per bushel of forty-bour pounds. Such names as Amos Doupe, Ernest Switzer, Tom Cherrington and J. Reimer were  customers on the records of 1902-3.

Display of Threshing at Camrose Museum

Young men were eager to work on the thresher, and wages were seventy-five cents to a dollar a day.
The steamer burned straw for fuel. 

In 1904 a purchase of a half section of land was made, located south of Bittern Lake and bordered the river. In 1907 this land was sold to J. Pelter for twelve work horses and cash at ten dollars per acre. With more horses, greater crop acreage was available. 

In 1908, Mr Callies bought 480 acres of the land owned by the Waterous Machine Company. This was bought for nine dollars per acre. Mr. Callies was now farming about four hundred acres. He had mixed farming, grain, hogs and cattle. In the spring the hog prices hit the bottom. People were killing the young pigs and selling the dry sows for as low as two cents per pound. Mr. Callies now had about three hundred and fifty pigs, but when Gus Suys planned to kill the small pigs, Mr Callies bought ten sows for seventy dollars and got the seventy-three young pigs as a bonus. 

At this time a shortage of pork was realized by the hog trade. Swift Canadian Company needed pork. Mr. Callies loaded twenty-three wagons and hauled them to Bittern Lake from where they were shipped to Edmonton. Te sold 140 heavy weight pigs at 8 1/4 cents per pound live weight which netted near $4,000.00. This paid for the 480 acres of land purchase.

In 1916 Mr Callies purchased another section of land at $7.00 per acres. He now owned seventeen quarters of land. With World War I on, prices went up  and this purchase of land was paid for by 1920….

At time of writing, I (Herman) am the only one farming.”

Submitted by Herman Callies    [appx. 1976]                                                                         *******************************************************My father, Carl L. Callies, moved from Titonka, Iowa, U.S.A in March 1901 to Wetaskiwin, Alberta and settled on the SE1/4-8-46-22-W4. There were no roads in the country just trails. There was no place to live so Mother and Father stayed at John Reidels and Luttermans until Father built a house to live in.

Ernest and Dick Humbke came at the same time and brought three carloads of machinery and horses. Father lost three of his heavy horses from swamp fever the first year….”

Submitted by Frederick Callies  [appx. 1976]                                                         *********************************************************

Carl & Minnie Callies Family Portrait (about 1927) Standing: Amanda, Fred, Edward, Herman Sitting: Bertha, Dorothy Minnie, Carl, Wilhelmina, Alvina, & Esther

Karl Dietrich Callies (in Canada most often referred to as Charles “Carl” Ludwig Callies) was born 27 Jan 1873 in Lankow, Pommern, Prussia to Ferdinand and Paulina Callies (Dalke). At this time in history individuals often changes the spelling of their name and/or birth date, possibly to avoid being conscripted. Changing names from German to English also resulted in different spelling and to make matters more challenging the same names were used by different members of the family over the years.

Louise “Minnie” Wilhelmine Marie Humbke arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1883 and must have been dressed in the clothes of a boy as the immigration official checked her off as being a male. Descendants describe her as being an outgoing, strong willed, hard working person. She must have been to have survived youth on homesteads in South Dakota and Iowa before moving to the unbroken Prairies of Alberta where she would have 10 children and raise 9 to adulthood from 1901 to the 1940’s.

 

Children of Carl and Minnie Callies

Hermann Dietrich Ferdinand Callies b. 09 Jan 1899 Woden, Iowa                                                                              d. 22 May 1997 Wetaskiwin – age 98

Alvinia Louise Callies b. 26 Jan 1901 Woden, Iowa                                                                               d. 06 Oct 1997 Wetaskiwin – age 96

Frederick Richard Callies b. 03 Nov 1903 Family Farm, Wetaskiwin County                                           d. 01 Oct 1987 Wetaskiwin – age 83

Edward Otto Callies b. 16 Jun 1906 Family Farm, Wetaskiwin County                                            d. 18 July 1987 New Norway, AB – age 81                                                                                   Buried – Wetaskiwin

Ester Mary Callies b. 20 Dec 1907 Family Farm, Wetaskiwin County                                            d.  ___  1978 Wetaskiwin – age 71

Bertha Margaret Callies b. 09 Sep 1910 Family Farm, Wetaskiwin County                                             d. 11 Jan 1993  Wetaskiwin – age 82

Amanda “Penny” Callies b. 27 Jan 1913 Family Farm, Wetaskiwin County                                               d. Unkown

Carl Callies (twin) b. 17 Jan 1915 Wetaskiwin Hospital                                                                    d.  __  Aug 1915 Wetaskiwin – age 7 months

Wilhelmina “Billie” Callies (twin) b. 17 Jan 1915 Wetaskiwin Hospital                                                             d. ___  1941 Tranquille Hospital, Kamloops                                                       Burial – Kelowna Memorial Park

Dorothy Alverna Callies b. 18 May 1921  Family Farm, Wetaskiwin County                                           d. Unkown

Most of the children were born at the farm home, unless otherwise stated. Dates of birth, death and location of burials will  be added as they become available.

Birth Certificates, Church Records, Immigration Papers, Education Documents, Military Service, Divorces, Land Titles, Death Records and Wills all help to present an accurate picture of what happens in an individual’s life

Will of Carl L Callies

Carl’s lived a very active, energetic life and appears to have been a risk taker like myself. At one time his oldest son, Herman, indicated he had 17 quarters of land, circumstances changed, his health failed and the dirty 30’s arrived. Indications were that he could have had Multiple Sclerosis during his last years and was confined to bed. On March 15, 1932 Carl prepared his last will and 7 1/2 month later on Oct. 30, 1932 he pass away at the age of 59.

After the passage of a certain number of years wills and documents that were once considered private, become public knowledge. If you would like to read the actual document please send me a request. I have placed some of them at https://www.pinterest.com/rhumbke/history-callies-carl-minnie-wetaskiwin-alberta/  If you want to enlarge the documents so they are easily read, you  can do it on this pinterest site.

We need to realize that everyone has ups and downs given the circumstances that they face and the nature of their health, character and gifts. Hopefully we have empathy for others and learn from our own past as well as the past of others.

According to a two page presentation made by Charles Homer Russell, Barrister-at-law for the Bank of Montreal on April 13, 1937, Carl was indebted to the bank for approximately $7,000 Part of the lawyer’s presentation read:

      “After consulting with me, and with her family, and giving                                              the matter a good deal of consideration, the said Wilhelmina                                          Callies decided that the Estate of the said Carl L. Callies was                                            insolvent, and she  decided that she would not put any                                                      money up for the purpose of having the said will probated,                                              as there would be nothing in the Estate for her, or her family.”

John MacGregor Thom, Public Administrator, for the Judicial District of Wetaskiwin submitted his final report on June 7, 1937 in which nil value was placed on all belongings, Promissory Notes, Land Mortgages and Real Estate and the will was probated by the Provincial Court.

It is my understanding that the funeral expenses of $180 (equivalent of $2,916 in 2016 dollars) was paid  to Moore & Kellner Funeral Home by Herman.

Will of Wilhelmina “Minnie” Callies (Humbke)

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Wilhelmina’s died on Sept. 9, 1961 (29 years after her husband) and was buried in the Wetaskiwin cemetery on Sept 12. Dr. Bell stated the immediate cause was a sudden Coronary and that he last saw her alive on Sept. 9, 1961.

Wilhelmina’s will was made on March 11, 1957 and a Codicil was added on Jan. 25,, 1960 which removed Guy Woodyard, leaving daughters Alvina (Alvinia?) Waller and Bertha Callies as executors. Her three youngest living daughters at the time of her passing, received the bulk of her estate which consisted of $4,000 in Canada Saving and Dominion of Canada Bonds. Minne had lived and worked with Bertha, Amanda and Dorothy in their beauty salons in Vancouver and Wetaskiwin during her last years.

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How Wilhelmina’s will allocated oil points on lands, originally owned by Carl, has been a matter of contention over the past years.

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The more I read about my great Uncle Carl/Aunt Millie, and meet and talk with my Callies relatives the more I admire their accomplishments. It is with the greatest awe, respect and admiration that I have followed the growth of a young married couple and their young son from Iowa to the wilds of the Alberta Prairies East of Wetaskiwin. They experienced the ups and downs of life, accepting the good and bad as it came their way. I just wish I could have been there for some of their barn dances and celebrations!Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather