Terry & Nancy's Ancestors

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Person Page 1,797

William Minch1,2,3

ID# 17964, (1851 - 1903)
Family Chart

Parents:

FatherJohn Minch (abt 2 Mar 1812 - 28 Sep 1889)
MotherCatharine Goembel (10 Apr 1813 - 14 Feb 1901)
Chart MembershipSelected Descendants of Sebastian and Anna Eva Goembel

Key Events:

Birth: 16 Feb 1851, Illinois,4,5,6
Marriage: 15 Feb 1883, Peoria, Illinois, Margaret A. Oetzel (b. 20 Jun 1860, d. 4 Jan 1947)7,8,9
Divorce: abt 1899, Margaret A. Oetzel (b. 20 Jun 1860, d. 4 Jan 1947)10,11
Death: 13 Mar 1903, Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois,12,13
Copyright Notice
The material on this website is subject to copyright.
Facts – names, dates, and places – cannot be copyrighted; you are free to copy them.
But the narratives are my creative work product and are copyrighted. You may copy them for your personal use, but please respect my copyright and do not republish them in any form, including copying them to your tree on Ancestry or elsewhere, unless you have obtained written permission from me.
Many of the images are also copyrighted, and may not be copied without the consent of the copyright holders.

Narrative:

William Minch was born on 16 Feb 1851 in IllinoisG.4,5,6 He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IllinoisG, in the household of his parents, John Minch and Catharine Goembel.14 He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IllinoisG, in the household of his parents.3
     He was a farm laborer, presumably on his father's farm, in 1870, at age 19.3
     William married Margaret A. Oetzel, daughter of George Oetzel and Anna Catharina Berck, on 15 Feb 1883 in Peoria, IllinoisG.7,8,9
     After their marriage, William and Margaret moved to a farm he owned in Roberts, Ford Co.G, about 1885.15 William and Margaret's relationship seems to have been difficult, as described by a newspaper article after his death:
He had drank for many years and, when drinking, affected cowboy ways, often flourishing a pistol and sometimes carrying a shotgun. He liked to fire at a mark and sometimes made boastful threats as to using a pistol or gun. Drinking ruined him, as it has other countless thousands, and his wife found living with him unbearable. She applied for a divorce, but reconsidered it on his promise to do better. He did not reform and she secured a divorce.16
     William and Margaret were divorced about 1899.10,11 After the divorce, William returned, about 1900, to WashingtonG, doing teaming and other work. He deeply resented the divorce and blamed his wife, his brother-in-law Oetzel and his own brother Jacob.17,18
     William appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois G, enumerated 14 Jun 1900, reporting that he rented his home.19
     On the morning of 13 Mar 1903, William went to downtown WashingtonG and got shaved, then took his horse from Berney’s livery stable, saying that he was going to ride in the country. He then went to the house of his sister Mollie, with whom he boarded, and told her the same story of going on a ride to the country, then left.16
     He arrived at the farm of Adam Oetzel, brother of his ex-wife, near FarmdaleG. It seems that he asked for feed for his horse, as they went into the barn and Adam climbed the stairs, apparently to throw down some hay. At this point William shot Adam in the back. Hearing the commotion, Adam's wife in the house sent her sons, Edward and Louis, to the barn. As they approached the barn William came out with his horse. He spoke pleasantly of the weather, asked as to their health and, getting through the gate, rode off. Edward ran into the barn, heard his father groan and found him voiceless and dying at the top of the stairs.20,21,22
     William then returned to WashingtonG, and rode to the house of his ex-wife, Margaret. He forced his way into the house and attacked her with a knife, cutting off a portion of her right ear and cut her hand, then left. It appears he had intended to maim and not to kill her, as he was quoted as saying that he had marked her so that he would know her in heaven. He rode off at a gallop, and left his horse without tying him in an alley near Kelso’s stable. He walked south along the Santa Fe track some two hundred yards and shot himself in the pasture near the trestlework of the first bridge.16
     William died on 13 Mar 1903 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IllinoisG, at age 52.12,13

Children:
     Children with Margaret A. Oetzel:

  1. Lillian Minch (abt 1883 - )
  2. Augusta Minch (1885 - 29 Dec 1978)
  3. Carl R. Minch (2 Jan 1888 - 8 Sep 1973)
  4. Anna C. Minch (1 Feb 1892 - 17 Jan 1974)
  5. Milton William Minch (1 Apr 1897 - 26 Jan 1975)
  6. Emma E. Minch (May 1899 - )

Citations

  1. [S3526] Muller, histories of the Minch and Goembel Families.
  2. [S3533] John Minch household, 1860 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows name as Wm Minch.
  3. [S3534] John Minch household, 1870 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  4. [S3526] Muller, histories of the Minch and Goembel Families, shows date.
  5. [S3534] John Minch household, 1870 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows age 19 and state.
  6. [S3542] William Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows month, year, age 49 and state.
  7. [S3545] "Mrs. Margaret Minch Dies in Washington," Metamora Herald, 1 Jan 1947, shows date, city, and state.
  8. [S3542] William Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows him as married 16 years, with his wife not present, but their oldest child was born about 1883.
  9. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows Amelia Minch as sister-in-law (Amelia was William's sister.)
  10. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows she obtained a divorce, and returned to Washington about 4 years ago.
  11. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows her as divorced.
  12. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows means of death, location, and events happened "Friday afternoon."
  13. [S3526] Muller, histories of the Minch and Goembel Families, shows date, with year as 1905.
  14. [S3533] John Minch household, 1860 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  15. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows location, and "about 15 years ago."
  16. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903.
  17. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows he returned to Washington a year after his ex-wife, describes resentment.
  18. [S3542] William Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows him as married, and occupation as teamster, but had been unemployed for eight months in the past year.
  19. [S3542] William Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  20. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, provides detailed account.
  21. [S3186] "Diabolism of Minch," Muskegon Daily Chronicle, 14 Mar 1903, provides briefer version, as does the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, 15 Mar 1903, pg 35.
  22. [S54] Pound, Glabe Family, pg 29, shows murderer as "a fanatic named Minch," Oetzel was working in his barn, and that Minch was shot while trying to escape.

George Oetzel1

ID# 17967, (1817 - 1870)
Family Chart

Parents:

FatherAndreas Oetzel (abt Dec 1775 - 29 Jun 1827)
MotherAnna Margretha Gies (18 Jan 1780 - 24 Sep 1843)
Family IndexesThe Glabe Family

Key Events:

Birth: 13 Jul 1817, Breitenbach,2
Marriage: Anna Catharina Berck (b. 27 Feb 1814, d. 5 Feb 1876)3
Death: 5 Jan 1870, Marburg,2
Copyright Notice
The material on this website is subject to copyright.
Facts – names, dates, and places – cannot be copyrighted; you are free to copy them.
But the narratives are my creative work product and are copyrighted. You may copy them for your personal use, but please respect my copyright and do not republish them in any form, including copying them to your tree on Ancestry or elsewhere, unless you have obtained written permission from me.
Many of the images are also copyrighted, and may not be copied without the consent of the copyright holders.

Narrative:

George Oetzel was born on 13 Jul 1817 in BreitenbachG.2
     George married Anna Catharina Berck.3 He was a shoemaker according to the baptismal records of his three known children, but at his death he was recorded as a day laborer, with the notation that he "leaves behind a poor widow."4
     George died on 5 Jan 1870 in MarburgG at age 52.2

Children:
     Children with Anna Catharina Berck:

  1. Jacob Oetzel (7 Jan 1845 - 10 Sep 1927)
  2. Catharina Elisabeth Oetzel (1 Aug 1847 - )
  3. Adam Oetzel+ (15 Jul 1852 - 13 Mar 1903)
  4. Margaret A. Oetzel+ (20 Jun 1860 - 4 Jan 1947)

Citations

  1. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", citing Breitenbach 1852 – 1880, Baptisms 1852 p 2 no. 8.
  2. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", citing Breitenbach Burials 1852-1880 p 80 no. 379.
  3. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", citing Breitenbach 1852 – 1880, Baptisms 1852 p 2 no. 8, shows married, but says no marriage record for them was found at Breitenbach or Kemmerode.
  4. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", citing Breitenbach 1830 - 1851, Baptisms 1847 p 129 no. 603 (record for Catarina ), 1852 - 1880, Baptisms 1852 p 2 no. 8 (record for Adam), 1860 p 45 no. 215 (record for Anna), and Breitenbach Burials 1852-1880 p 80 no. 379 (record for himself.)

Margaret A. Oetzel1,2,3

ID# 17970, (1860 - 1947)
Family Chart

Parents:

FatherGeorge Oetzel (13 Jul 1817 - 5 Jan 1870)
MotherAnna Catharina Berck (27 Feb 1814 - 5 Feb 1876)
Chart MembershipSelected Descendants of Sebastian and Anna Eva Goembel
Family IndexesThe Glabe Family

Key Events:

Birth: 20 Jun 1860, No. 56, Breitenbach,4,5,6
Marriage: 15 Feb 1883, Peoria, Illinois, William Minch (b. 16 Feb 1851, d. 13 Mar 1903)7,8,9
Divorce: abt 1899, William Minch (b. 16 Feb 1851, d. 13 Mar 1903)10,11
Death: 4 Jan 1947, Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois,12,13
Burial: 7 Jan 1947, Glendale Cemetery, Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois,2,14
Copyright Notice
The material on this website is subject to copyright.
Facts – names, dates, and places – cannot be copyrighted; you are free to copy them.
But the narratives are my creative work product and are copyrighted. You may copy them for your personal use, but please respect my copyright and do not republish them in any form, including copying them to your tree on Ancestry or elsewhere, unless you have obtained written permission from me.
Many of the images are also copyrighted, and may not be copied without the consent of the copyright holders.

Narrative:

Margaret A. Oetzel was born on 20 Jun 1860 in No. 56, BreitenbachG.4,5,6 She was baptized on 8 Jul 1860 in BreitenbachG with Anna Margaretha Berck from Reckerode, Heinrich Berck’s wife as sponsor.4 Margaret was baptized as Anna Margaretha Oetzel, but in the U. S. she used the name Margaret A. Oetzel.1,15,2
     Margaret arrived in New YorkG on 12 Nov 1878, aboard the S. S. Nederland, having departed from Antwerp, Belgium. She traveled third class, and at age 18 seems to be traveling alone.16,17,18 She was naturalized in 1883.18,19
     Margaret married William Minch, son of John Minch and Catharine Goembel, on 15 Feb 1883 in Peoria, IllinoisG.7,8,9
     After their marriage, Margaret and William moved to a farm he owned in Roberts, Ford Co.G, about 1885.20 William and Margaret's relationship seems to have been difficult, as described by a newspaper article after his death:
He had drank for many years and, when drinking, affected cowboy ways, often flourishing a pistol and sometimes carrying a shotgun. He liked to fire at a mark and sometimes made boastful threats as to using a pistol or gun. Drinking ruined him, as it has other countless thousands, and his wife found living with him unbearable. She applied for a divorce, but reconsidered it on his promise to do better. He did not reform and she secured a divorce.21
     Margaret and William were divorced about 1899.10,11 After her divorce, Margaret returned, about 1899, to WashingtonG.22 She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois G, enumerated 5 Jun 1900, reporting that she rented her home. Her children Anna, Milton, and Emma were listed as living with her.3
     On the morning of 13 Mar 1903, Margaret found her ex-husband at her door, having just shot and killed her brother Adam.23,24,25 A warning telegraphed from Farmdale had failed to reach her, so he arrived without warning. He forced his way into the house and attacked her with a knife, cutting off a portion of her right ear and cut her hand, then left. It appears he had intended to maim and not to kill her, as he was quoted as saying that he had marked her so that he would know her in heaven.21
     He died later that day in Washington, Tazewell Co., IllinoisG, of a gunshot by his own hand.26,27
     Margaret appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, at East Jefferson G, enumerated 24 Apr 1910, reporting that she owned her home, free of mortgage. Her children Lillian, Augusta, Carl, Anna, Milton, and Emma were listed as living with her.28
     She appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois G, enumerated 17 Jan 1920, reporting that she rented her home. Her children Carl, Anna, Milton, and Emma were listed as living with her, as was Amelia Minch, sister of her late husband.29
     Margaret appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois, at Pine St. G, enumerated 9 Apr 1930, reporting that she owned a home valued at $2,800, and owned a radio. Her children Carl and Anna were listed as living with her.30
     She appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Washington, Tazewell Co., Illinois G, on East Quarte, enumerated 24 Apr 1940, reporting that she owned a home valued at $1,500. Her children Carl and Anna were listed as living with her.31
     Margaret died on 4 Jan 1947 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IllinoisG, at age 86.12,13 She was buried on 7 Jan 1947 in Glendale Cemetery, Washington, Tazewell Co., IllinoisG.2,14

Children:
     Children with William Minch:

  1. Lillian Minch (abt 1883 - )
  2. Augusta Minch (1885 - 29 Dec 1978)
  3. Carl R. Minch (2 Jan 1888 - 8 Sep 1973)
  4. Anna C. Minch (1 Feb 1892 - 17 Jan 1974)
  5. Milton William Minch (1 Apr 1897 - 26 Jan 1975)
  6. Emma E. Minch (May 1899 - )

Citations

  1. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", Breitenbach 1852 – 1880, Baptisms 1860 p 45 no. 215, shows name as Anna Margaretha Oetzel.
  2. [S3462] "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," FamilySearch.org, record for Margaret A. Minch, citing FHL #1991701 and cert no 4071.
  3. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  4. [S3532] Möhle, "Research Report: (Oetzel)", Breitenbach 1852 – 1880, Baptisms 1860 p 45 no. 215.
  5. [S3462] "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," FamilySearch.org, record for Margaret A. Minch, citing FHL #1991701 and cert no 4071, shows date, and country, as Germany.
  6. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows month, year, age 39, and country, as Germany.
  7. [S3545] "Mrs. Margaret Minch Dies in Washington," Metamora Herald, 1 Jan 1947, shows date, city, and state.
  8. [S3542] William Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows him as married 16 years, with his wife not present, but their oldest child was born about 1883.
  9. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows Amelia Minch as sister-in-law (Amelia was William's sister.)
  10. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows she obtained a divorce, and returned to Washington about 4 years ago.
  11. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows her as divorced.
  12. [S3462] "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," FamilySearch.org, record for Margaret A. Minch, citing FHL #1991701 and cert no 4071, shows date, town, county, and state.
  13. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 41677723, Margaret A. "Maggie" Oetzel Minch, shows date, state, and includes photo of tombstone showing date.
  14. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 41677723, Margaret A. "Maggie" Oetzel Minch, includes photo of tombstone showing date.
  15. [S3538] Nederland arrival 6 Mar 1935, Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, shows name as Anna M. Oetzel.
  16. [S3538] Nederland arrival 6 Mar 1935, Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, she is listed as Anna M. Oetzel, with no recognizable names listed with her.
  17. [S3536] Maggie A. Minch household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows year.
  18. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows year.
  19. [S3540] Margaret Minch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois, shows naturalized.
  20. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows location, and "about 15 years ago."
  21. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903.
  22. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows she returned to Washington about 4 years ago.
  23. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, provides detailed account.
  24. [S3186] "Diabolism of Minch," Muskegon Daily Chronicle, 14 Mar 1903, provides briefer version, as does the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, 15 Mar 1903, pg 35.
  25. [S54] Pound, Glabe Family, pg 29, shows murderer as "a fanatic named Minch," Oetzel was working in his barn, and that Minch was shot while trying to escape.
  26. [S3544] "William Minch Kills Adam Oetzel and Slays Himself," The Washington News, 19 Mar 1903, shows means of death, location, and events happened "Friday afternoon."
  27. [S3526] Muller, histories of the Minch and Goembel Families, shows date, with year as 1905.
  28. [S3537] Margaret Minch household, 1910 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  29. [S3539] Margaret Minch household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  30. [S3540] Margaret Minch household, 1930 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.
  31. [S3541] Margaret Minch household, 1940 U.S. Census, Tazewell Co., Illinois.

 

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