The surname, Weber, is one that has several different clans. We find this name in the records of almost every Lutheran church in this area. There were a few Weber’s that were part of the Gesellschaft that arrived in 1839. Others arrived later and settled in different parts of Perry County. Today, you will hear the story of Henry Weber, who was one of the later arrivals. After coming to America and finding a bride, he encouraged his younger half-brother, Herman, to join him here in this country. Herman’s story was told in the post, As For Me and My House….

Johann Heinrich Weber is another individual whose birthday is somewhat in question. Our German Family Tree gives his birthday as March 16, 1862. If that is the case, and I think it is, then today would be his 160th birthday. Before I display a conflicting document, let me establish a few other facts. Henry was the son of another Johann Heinrich Weber. His mother’s maiden name was Florentine Jurgenpott. I found this marriage record for Henry’s parents. It says they were married in 1861 in Barkhausen, Germany. This document also gives evidence that this child was the third Johann Heinrich Weber.

Henry’s later death certificate says he was born in Hordinghausen, Germany, which is just a few miles away from Barkhausen. The conflicting document is a baptism record for Henry that I will display here. This gives Henry’s birthday as March 26th, not March 16th.

The above record says this baptism took place in Lintorf. The map below shows that Lintorf and Hordinghausen are right next to each other.

I cannot say exactly when Henry came to America, but since I was unable to find him in the 1880 census for Perry County, I suspect that he came after that. What I do know is that Henry got married in 1887. So, let’s take a look at the woman who would become his wife.

Martha Amalia Kaufmann was born on August 28, 1859, the daughter of George and Regina (Goethe) Kaufmann. Both of her parents were original immigrants to this area. There were 8 children born into this Kaufmann family. Amalia was the child right in the middle (#5), and she was the only girl, although she had a half-sister and another half-brother. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg. We can view her baptism record.

Amalia was a youngster in the 1860 census. She was listed as being 9 months old. Her father was a farmer. This is the only record I found where she was called Martha. After this, she is always called Amalia. There were also two Weber children, Ernst and Margaret (later called Lena). Those two were children of Regina’s first marriage to a Weber that was a brother to Charles Weber. That was an entirely different clan of Weber’s that were original immigrants.

Next, we find Amalia in the 1870 census at the age of 10.

There was one more census entry in which Amalia is single.

Henry Weber married Amalia Kaufmann on August 25, 1887 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg. We can take a look at the church marriage record for this couple.

The marriage license for this event can also be viewed.

In the late 1880’s, Henry’s half-brother, Herman, came to America, and for a while he lived with a Kaufmann family. I assume that was Amalia’s family.

Henry and Amalia had 6 children, all of which were baptized at Trinity, Altenburg. One of these children died as an infant. The next census in which we can find this family was the one taken in 1900, and all of their children had been born by then. Henry was a farmer.

Next, we find the Weber’s in the 1910 census. Their oldest daughter had gotten married in 1906, so there were just 4 children left in their household.

The plat maps for Perry County produced in 1915 showed the Henry Weber farm located at the southern edge of that county. Right next to Henry’s farm was that of his half-brother, Herman Weber.

The 1920 census shows the following Weber household. Their son, Rudolph, had gotten married in 1916, and his new family was living with Henry and Amalia.

Amalia Weber died in 1923 at the age of 64. Her death certificate is pictured below.

Around 1925, a photo was taken of Henry’s family. It was later published in a local newspaper and has a caption describing all the people in the picture.

Henry is found as a widower in the 1930 census. Once again, he was living with Rudolph’s family.

Henry Weber died in 1934 at the age of 73. We can also take a look at his death certificate.

Henry and Amalia Weber are each buried in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Altenburg.

Descendants of Herman Weber, Henry’s half-brother, now operate an airbnb at their original farmstead.

If you ever get to Perry County and are looking for an interesting place to stay, you can find more information by going to the “Plan a Visit” menu tab on this website and then click “Lodging”.