The Stuempges-Weishaupt Family

Children:

1. Lewis Carl Stuempges (m. Abby L. Clark)
   b. 16 Jul 1888, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   ba. 2 Sep 1888, Upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church
   m. 1914
   d. 28 Sep 1955, Seattle, King Co, WA
   
   

2. Susanna Stuempges (m. Joseph E. Stromstad)
   b. 11 Nov 1890, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   m. 7 Oct 1911
   d. 2 Sep 1921
   
   

3. Ida Stuempges (m. Harvey Alfred Owen)
   b. 29 Sep 1881, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   m. 29 Jan 1909, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   d. 23 Nov 1910, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   
   

4. Adolph Julius Stuempges (m. Mabel A. M. Parsons)
   b. 6 Nov 1893, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   m. 2 Nov 1921, Langlade Co, WI
   d. 5 Jan 1966, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   
   

5. Eddie Willie Stuempges (m. Nina Electa Mikkelson)
   b. 7 Sep 1894, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   m. 20 May 1925, Langlade Co, WI
   d. 28 May 1955, Langlade Co, WI
   
   

6. Arthur Albert Stuempges
   b. 26 Jul 1898, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   d. 15 Jun 1903, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   
   

7. Walter John Stuempges (m1. Sylvia Maria Martin)
   b. 10 Jun 1899, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI (m2. Bernice Valerie Kluwe)
   m1. 21 Sep 1926, Aberdeen Brown Co, SD
   div1. 5 May 1944, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
   m2. 12 Jul 1946, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
   d. 13 May 1982, Ely, St. Louis Co, MN
   bu. ______, Ely Cemetery, Ely, St. Louis Co, MN
   
   

8. Agnes Leonora Stuempges
   b. 2 Apr 1902, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   ba. 8 May 1902, Upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church
   d. 9 Apr 1921, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
   
   

9. Herman Frank Stuempges (m. Dorotha Margaret "Dora" Carlson)
   b. 8 Oct 1904, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
   d. 4 Mar 1981, Langlade Co, WI
   
   

10. Irvin Albert Stuempges (m. Audry Loretta Meye)
    b. 19 Sep 1906, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
    m. 2 May 1928, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
    d. 1 Jan 1980, Park Falls, Price Co, WI
    
    

11. Bernice Stuempges (m. Joseph Hanke)
    b. 22 Nov 1911, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
    m. 8 Aug 1928
    d. 29 Oct 2001, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI

Biography:

Written by Erma Kerska (1923-2004) in 1978 and provided to myself by her daughter, Jackie Kerska (1949-2014), on 11 Jan 2003 through email. It took me almost twenty years to relocate this narrative and then convert it into a readable script, and I cannot in good conscious let be lost again.

"It has become fashionable to compile family trees and trace one's "roots." That is not my purpose in writing this. There have been many interesting people and events in our family—things that now, only I remember. I’m doing this for my children, to establish ties with the past, when our people came to America from the "old country."

Jackie once told me that her children would miss something precious: the exposure to family members who lived in another time and grew up in another culture.

...

Now we go to the paternal side of the family. This part includes a bit of light comedy. The Austrians were a little more fun-loving and flexible than the Germans. You might even discover that some of them were characters.

My paternal grandfather, John Steumpges, was born in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. There are two versions of where his people came from. A cousin of mine created a family tree and traced them back to Prussia. However, the “old-timers” who knew the family and his brothers-in-law said the family came from Luxembourg. I’m inclined to believe Luxembourg; that information came from his peers.

His family farmed near Newton, Wisconsin. I don’t know exactly when he struck out on his own, but he and his brother both worked as blacksmiths. My cousin, Alice (Stromstad) Brye, told me about an old building in Little Chute, Wisconsin with a "Steumpges Blacksmith Shop" sign. Either Grandpa, his brother Albert, or both had a blacksmith shop there at some point.

How he came to Coon Valley, Wisconsin, met and married Anna Weishaupt, I do not know. A large part of his life was lived in and near Coon Valley.

He was a small man with a large talent for many things. He worked with wood and built many pieces of cherry wood and bird's eye maple furniture. His sawmill produced much of the lumber used to build in Coon Valley. He even built a house there for his own family. I have a picture of this house taken in the 1980s. It's a large brick house that still stands today, though I've been told that the original woodwork was removed and replaced before I could see it.

He and his sons built several small bridges in the Coon Valley area. He also built the stone jailhouse in Chaseburg, Wisconsin and likely built the stone schoolhouse there too.

Grandpa operated the first blacksmith shop in Coon Valley, which was notable since it was a strictly Norwegian settlement. It must not have been easy for a German family to integrate, but they worked hard to become part of the community. My dad and his siblings even learned Norwegian so they could be confirmed at the Norwegian Lutheran Church. At one point, the Norwegians in town tried to rename the family "Johnson" because "Steumpges" wasn’t very "Norske." But the Steumpges clan refused the name change. I've always thought Johnson would have been a lot less complicated—and easier to spell.

In those days, a blacksmith shop was the center of activity in a farming community. Grandpa’s shop was always busy. He even took in an apprentice named Joe Fencl, a Bohemian man—bringing a bit more “foreign” blood into Little Norway.

When we think of blacksmiths, we often picture big, burly men. But Grandpa was quite small—only about five feet two or three inches tall and slight of build. Despite his size, he shoed horses and did all the heavy work of the trade.

Before the Coon Valley years, Grandpa married Anna Weishaupt. They raised eleven children (ten of their own—I'll explain the eleventh later). Grandma was a tiny woman, barely five feet tall, but she had a strong spirit. When she got her "dander" up, Grandpa walked softly and stayed out of her way. Their years together were full of life, sometimes stormy but never dull. In their twilight years, they would sit side by side for hours holding hands.

Grandma passed away close to the age of ninety. The day she died, Grandpa somehow knew before anyone told him. He looked at one of my aunts and said, “Mama's gone, isn’t she?” He lived exactly one month after she passed. He was ninety-four when he died. Even at the end of his life, he loved to read. Years of working over a forge hadn’t dulled his eyesight.

The Steumpges clan was a lively bunch! When Grandpa built the house in Coon Valley, little boys scrambled around like monkeys “helping” him. My dad, Adolph, once fell from the attic into the basement and survived only because he landed on a pile of tin roofing. He also had a habit of running away, so Grandma tied a bell to his overalls. That worked until he learned to hold the clapper and run silently.

One day, Louis chopped off a finger playing with an axe. Grandma picked it up, wrapped it in a damp cloth, and rushed him to the doctor, who stitched it back on. He kept all his fingers for life.

Another boy, Herman, thought he could fly. He jumped out of the barn loft holding an umbrella and landed in a manure pile. Herman and Ervin once tried to kill their sisters’ cat after it soiled their underwear. They shot it and buried it, but the cat came back—dirty but alive.

On another occasion, Herman locked a neighbor’s cat in an oven while visiting with Grandma. The poor lady lit the stove to make coffee, unaware.

Halloween always brought mischief. Adolph once took a well-dressed schoolmate out “halloweening.” They tricked him into helping tip over an outhouse, hooked his pants on a nail, and he fell in. They ran, leaving him to explain himself.

Even teachers weren’t safe. The boys once asked a male teacher to help lift a box, failing to mention it was empty. When he tried, the force of his lift sent him sprawling backward. The boys ran off, laughing.

As I’ve said, life in Coon Valley was never dull. The boys hunted, trapped, and fished in the hills and valleys. It’s a wonder any of them survived childhood.

Eventually, Grandma and Grandpa moved to a place near Polar, Wisconsin, on Mueller’s Lake. There, Grandma gardened and grew flowers. Grandpa had woodworking and blacksmith shops. Grandma even raised canaries and gave me one for my birthday. He lived nine years and sang beautifully—so much that we sometimes had to cover his cage to rest our ears.

Grandpa also became interested in boat building and crafted several wooden boats, likely from his own plans. They were sought after by family and friends.

Their home on the lake was special. My mother’s happiest childhood memories were from Mueller’s Lake—fishing, swimming, and boating. One day while I fished, Grandma’s cow ate my new straw hat right off the fence post!

Later, Grandma developed knee problems and used crutches, but she still tended her garden. She had a rose bush she called “The Seven Sisters” that grew nearly as tall as the house, covered in double pink roses in clusters of seven. It was her pride and joy.

She was diabetic and gave herself insulin shots every day, but never let it slow her down. She spent hours piecing quilt tops. The crocheted bedspread I have was made by her—she called it the popcorn stitch. One rosette has a single brown thread. Was this a deliberate imperfection, so she wouldn’t taunt God with her handiwork?

She sewed many quilts by hand using the “Star of Bethlehem” pattern. I often wonder how many of them still exist.

Grandma’s maiden name was Anna Weishaupt. Her family had settled in Wisconsin, and like many women of her generation, she was a strong presence in the home. She managed the household, raised a large family, and still found time for sewing, gardening, and bird-raising. Her quilts and crocheted items are lasting treasures.

I remember her kitchen smelling of fresh bread and sweet things. There was always something cooking, and guests were never turned away hungry. She spoke with a thick accent, but her meaning was always clear—especially when she was scolding us or telling a story.

Grandpa, despite his age, continued working with wood and iron. His hands were always busy. He made furniture, carved intricate details, and kept tools sharp. His work was known throughout the community—not just for its quality, but for the care he put into every piece.

Their lives were full of challenge, joy, sorrow, and resilience. They were immigrants or the children of immigrants, building a new life in a new world, yet holding onto the traditions and values of the old one.

This memoir is just a small attempt to keep their stories alive. These are the memories I treasure, and I hope my children—and their children—will read this and feel the connection to the people who came before them. People who laughed, worked hard, got into mischief, loved deeply, and left behind a legacy not written in history books, but carved into the fabric of our family.

— Erma Kerska"

Chronological Timeline:

John Stuempges was born too late to appear in the 1860 federal census, however, he does appear to be enumerated twice during the 1870 federal census. The first time was on 16 Jun 1870 in the 9th Ward of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He was living with his aunt, Barbara (Sprengling) Theilig. Their household consisted of the following:

Carl Theilig 31 M W Working as Carpenter for R.R. Co. Saxony
Barbara 31 F W Keeping House Hesse-Darmstadt
Christiane 7 F W Wisconsin Attended school within the year
Carl 4 M W Wisconsin
Herman 2 M W Wisconsin
William 2/12 M W Wisconsin
John Stimkes 10 M W Wisconsin Attended school within the year

The second time John Stuempges appears enumerated was with his father and step-mother on 25 Jul 1870 in Newton, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Their household consisted of the following:

John Stümpges 39 M W Farmer $2,000 real $529 personal Prussia
Sophie 39 F W Keeping house Meckelburg [Mecklenburg]
Marie 17 F W At home Wisconsin
John 13 M W At home Wisconsin Attended school within the year
Henry 9 M W At home Wisconsin
Hermann 3 M W At home Wisconsin
Sophie 2 F W At home Wisconsin
Mina 0/12 F W At home Wisconsin

NOTE: John Stuempges and cousin Christiane Theilig appear to be the only children being educated during the 1870 census. It's possible John Stuempges was only being educated in Milwaukee, not in Newton.

SOURCES: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6QRS-XZT
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DZY7-C9P

On 1 Apr 1876 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newton, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, Johann Stuempke had his confirmation.

The 1880 federal census has John Stuempges enumerated on 15 Jun 1880 in Newton, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. He was servant in the household of John Ludwig:

John Ludwig 26 M W Head Blacksmith Wisconsin Prussia Prussia
Annie 23 F W Wife Keeping house Wisconsin Prussia Prussia
E. 6/12 F W Daughter Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin
John Stuempges 9 M W Servant Servant Wisconsin Prussia Prussia

NOTE: John Stuempges is mistakenly enumerated as 9, rather than 19; he would've turned 20 in November. It's possible he was an apprentice under John Ludwig, learning the blacksmith trade.

SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBJ-K5J

On 1 Jun 1883 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

Little Sturgeon
John Stuempges, of Manitowoc, Wis., has bought an acre of land near the District No. 3 school house, whereon he will build a blacksmith shop as soon as he can get the necessary material on the place. A blacksmith shop was a pressing want here for a long time, and without a doubt the young man will do well. The next thing we want now is a saw mill and a grist mill."

On 1 Feb 1884 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an advertisement for John Stuempges:

"Blacksmith
John Stuempges, Blacksmith, Shop located at head of Little Sturgeon Bay, where I keep a good assortment of everyday articles in my line. Farmers and others in this vicinity who are in need of work in the blacksmith line, should not fail to give me a call."

On 17 Apr 1884 the Door County Advocate, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published twice an article regarding John Stumpges:

"Transactions in Real Estate
Henry Vetter and wife to John Stumpges; warrant; $7.50; August 24, 1883; 1 1/2 acres in SE1/4 SW1/4 sec. 11, T. 27, R. 24."

A day later, on 18 Apr 1884, the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published the same information.

On 1 Aug 1884 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Local Intelligence And Happenings.
Albert Stevenson and John Stuempges, Little Sturgeon, have patented a very useful invention called a saw gummer. It is very simple in its construction, and, having been thoroughly tested by local experts, is pronounced the best thing of the kind ever invented. It can be adjusted to fit saws of all sizes."

On 8 Aug 1884 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Little Sturgeon
John Stuempges has received a patent on a saw gummer invented by himself. It is a very simple device, and does its work with neatness and dispatch, and without danger of breaking the saw, which is not true of most gummers. Every blacksmith can afford one, and it should find its way into every shop where there are saws to gum. Mr. S. will soon begin manufacturing them. The patent was allowed on the 14th."

On 3 Oct 1884 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stumpges:

"Little Sturgeon; Personals and other notes from that stirring little town.
John Stumpges the enterprising young blacksmith, who sews on his own buttons, is digging the cellar to a house to be built near his shop. Ahem!"

On 7 Nov 1884 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Little Sturgeon
Snow-Bad road-A spelling bee-General news.
John Stuempges is bricking up the walls on the inside of his blacksmith shop. He says that if his shop isn't warm next winter it will not be his fault, for he is doing his best to make it so."

On 12 Dec 1884 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"List of Transfers
John Stuempges and Albert Stevenson have gone to Manitowoc to enlist the services of some iron founder to manufacture their patent cross-cut saw gummer, for which they obtained a patent last summer."

On 25 Dec 1884 the Door County Advocate, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stumpges:

"Little Sturgeon
It is reported that John Stumpges, the blacksmith, has just secured letters patent from Washington of a new device for settings saws of all kinds, he having spent several years in perfecting the invention, which is said to be a valuable one by those who are conversant with matters of this kind. It is not known as yet whether Mr. Stumpges will engage in the manufacture of the article himself or sell the patent to some outside party."

On 8 Jan 1885 the Door County Advocate, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stumpges:

"Little Sturgeon
Albert Stevenson is engaged in introducing the patent saw gummer recently invented by John Stumpges, a patent for which was procured by Munn & Co., of New York. Mr. Stumpges has concluded not to push the sale of territory until next spring on account of the tight times, but if the season opens favorably he will put several men on the road, including himself, and dispose of as much territory as possible. he is certain that his invention will bring him in lots of ducats in good time."

On 26 Feb 1885 the Door County Advocate, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stumpges:

"Personal Mention
Albert Stevenson, of Little Sturgeon, was in the city last Thursday introducing the new gummer recently invented and patented by John Stumpges. He went north from here and will be absent several days."

On 27 Feb 1885 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Little Sturgeon
The blacksmith shop of John Stuempges caught fire last Monday, but the fire had not made much headway when it was discovered and extinguished. The fire originated from the heating stove, the floor catching fire while the blacksmith was absent."

On the same page was published an advertisement:

"John Stuempges
Blacksmith,
Shop located at head of Little Sturgeon Bay, where I keep a good assortment of everyday articles in my line. Farmers and others in his vicinity who are in need of work in the blacksmith line, should not fail to give me a call."

On 17 Apr 1885 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Gardner Stuempges & Stevenson sold one of their patent saw-gummers to Hennessy & Co., of Bay View, one day last week. August Nauman, John Stuempges and Henry Braun each intend to build a house the coming summer. Henry Braun has the timber for his on the ground and will commence work as soon as possible. Albert B. Stevenson is second best blacksmith in John Stuempges' shop. He has sold his two pound nets to S. Wear and B. Lion. Mr. S. says he is through fishing, having run behind considerable during the last two years."

On 27 Nov 1885 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Little Sturgeon
Stuempges & Stephenson have greatly improved their saw gummer during the past summer. The improvement consists chiefly in the manner of adjusting the dies to the face block by means of two set screws on each side of the die. It can be easily adjusted to correspond with the die in the upper plate. By this means duplicate dies can be easily put in. The improvement has been patented. The patent was allowed Sept. 28. John Stuempges has contracted with Mr. Stephenson to furnish him six machines complete every week. Mr. S. says he can sell more than he can get made. In order to e up to the times they have put the price of the improved saw gummer down to $25.00 and extra dies at $4.00 per set. Mr. Stevenson has leased his share of the blacksmith shop to Mr. Stuempges and will devote his whole time to the sale of saw gummers. He left for the west shore of Green Bay last Tuesday. Observer."

On 11 Feb 1886 the Door County Advocate, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Dissolution
The partnership hitherto existing between Albert B. Stevenson and John Stuempges, under the firm name of Stevenson & Stuempges, was dissolved by mutual consent on the 11th day of November, 1885. The accounts of the late firm have been placed for collection in the hands of B. Lyon, at Little Sturgeon, and also the accounts of John Stuempges which were contracted before the partnership. All persons indebted are requested to settle their accounts immediately.
Albert B. Stevenson.
John Stuempges.
Stevenson's Pier, Wis., Feb. 4, 1886."

On 19 Mar 1886 the Weekly Expositor Independent, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, published an article regarding John Stuempges:

"Little Sturgeon
John Stuempges has sold his interest in the blacksmith shop at the head of the bay to Albert B. Stevenson, who will open out the business in good shape as soon as he can secure the services of a good blacksmith. Mr. Stuempges leaves for Colby, in Clark county, this state, in a few days."

On 29 Jul 1922 in Langlade County, Wisconsin, Willie & Lena Brandt sold Lot 5 on Mueller's Lake in Polar to John & Anna Stuempges for $2,000. The Lot 5 was described as "the South 8 rods of the North 43 rods and 16 feet of the West 36 rods of Government Lot No. 5 of Section No. 15 in Township No. 31 North of Range No. 12 East except that portion in Mueller's Lake and reserving a driveway along the ege of said lake, containing about 1 3/4 acres of land; also that part of Lot No. 5 in section No. 15 Township No. 12 East, which lies North and East of the land conveyed by A. H. Herman and wife to Willie H. Brandt on May 27th, 1913 and North of the land conveyed by Otto P. Walch and wife on September 28th, 1909." The witnesses to the deed were J. M. Reinert and H. F. Morton. John & Anna Stuempges proved the deed the same day and the deed was recorded on 10 Mar 1923.

SOURCE: Langlade County, Wisconsin land contract volume 137, page 66-67, record #99105