Johann Hinrich Wilhelm Fennker1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 31, (1830 - 1888)
FatherFredrich Hinrich Fenncker1,4 (29 Jun 1798 - 23 Apr 1868)
MotherMarie Margarethe Koop1 (9 Nov 1794 - 12 May 1864)

Key Events:

Birth: 2 Jan 1830, No. 100, Brockum, Kingdom of Hanover5,6,7
Marriage: 11 Jan 1856, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Louisa Lebeau (17 Jun 1836 - 4 Apr 1916)8,9,10
Death: 7 Oct 1888, 1031 Russell St., Covington, Kentucky11,12,13
Burial: 10 Oct 1888, Linden Grove Cemetery, Covington, Kentucky14,15
ChartsDescendants of Hermann Hinrich Fennker
AncestryThe Fenker Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Johann Hinrich Wilhelm Fennker was born on 2 Jan 1830 in No. 100, Brockum, Kingdom of Hanover.5,6,7
     He was baptized on 6 Jan 1830 in Evangelische Lutherische Kirche, Brockum, Kingdom of Hanover, with Ernst Hinrich Kuhlmann, Johann Hinrich Kettler, and Johann Friedrich Allhorn from Drohne as godparents.1
     Johann was confirmed in the Evangelische Lutherische Kirche, Brockum, Kingdom of Hanover, in 1844, ranking first in his class.4

Immigrating to the United States --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Johann arrived in Baltimore on 18 Dec 1853, on the Adolphine, having departed Bremen 9 Oct 1853. According to family legend, he and his brother came as stowaways to escape military training in the German army. However, the passenger list shows him arriving alone, and in second class. Family stories say his brother was a dairyman and people used to call them the dairy Fenker and the baker Fenker.16,17,18
     Johann Hinrich Wilhelm Fennker changed his name to William Fenker after immigrating to Cincinnati, and seems to have been known only by that name afterwards.19,20,21 On 7 Oct 1854 he filed a declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States with the Court of Common Pleas in Hamilton Co., Ohio.22
     Johann married Louisa Lebeau, daughter of Jean Frédéric Lebeau and Johanna Christina Baum, on 11 Jan 1856 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio, with Rev. Charles Helwig, pastor of the Congress St. Methodist church, officiating.8,9,10
     He was listed as a cigar maker on the passenger list when he immigrated, and as an overseer in the 1860 census.23,24
     William and Louisa appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky, enumerated 11 Jul 1860, reporting no real estate but personal estate of $175. Their children John and Frederick were listed as living with them, as was Margaret Hoffman, age 13, relationship, if any unknown.25

Civil War Lore --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     William registered for the draft for the Civil War, appearing on the register dated Jun and Jul 1863, while living in Kenton Co., Kentucky, reporting he was employed as a baker.26
     A granddaughter, Evelyn Osgood Fenker, related that he was a baker for the Union Army, and that he carried slaves across the Ohio River in a false bottom of his bakery wagon, using the old central bridge. According to another granddaughter, Louise A. Fenker, he took the bread across the river from Covington to Cincinnati by ferry. A great-granddaughter, Emilou Fenker, quoted her father as saying that his grandparents lived in a town at the border between North and South. According to this version, when the Confederate Army was in town, he baked for them willingly, and when the Federal Army was in control he baked for them at the end of a gun. The part about baking for the Confederates at least is subject to doubt, as while Confederate forces did threaten the Cincinnati area in Sep 1862, they never reached Covington.27,28

Joining His Step-Father-in-Law's Bakery --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

2 Pike St., William Fenker's Bakery
courtesy Henry Smithies

     No actual record of William's occupation during the War has been found. We do know that by 1866 William had joined his wife's step-father, John M. Frey, in the bakery business. That year they were listed as Frey & Fenker, bakers and confectioners, at 2 Pike St.29,30 The firm was listed again in 1868, listing that address and 642 Main St., the location of John's prior bakery. It appears that John retired from the business soon after that. The following year both locations are listed under William Fenker, and John's listings in the city directory never again included an occupation.31,32,33
     William and Louisa and their family moved 642 Main St., where her mother and step-father, John M. Frey, had been living above his bakery, by 1870.34 William and Louisa appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky, enumerated 20 Jun 1870, reporting real estate of $12,000 and personal estate of $2,500. Their children John, Frederick, Albert, Emma and Henry were listed as living with them. They were listed in the same dwelling as her mother and step-father.35 William appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky, in the household of John M. Frey and Christina Baum.36

Operating His Own Bakery --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     William continued to to operate both the Pike St. and Main St. shops under his name until about 1882. After that until his death only the Main St. address was listed.37,38,39,40
     William and Louisa appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Covington, Kenton Co., Kentucky, at 642 Main St., enumerated 10 Jun 1880. Their children Frederick, Albert, Emma, Henry and Theodore were listed as living with them, as were Louisa's mother, Christina Baum, a 15 year old servant, Mation Fryer, born in Kentucky of Prussian parents, and a Prussian boarder, John Hermany, who was a baker, perhaps at William's bakery.41
     William and Louisa moved to 1031 Russell St. about 1884.42
     According to family lore he died from his injuries after being hit in the side of his head with a bag of sand by a robber while on his way home from the bakery. No contemporary account has been found to confirm that story; no copies of Covington newspapers for the period survive. His obituary in a Cincinnati newspaper calls him "an old and highly respected citizen of Covington" but says only that he died suddenly. However his death record shows the cause of death as cerebral apoplexy which could be consistent with a blow to the head, but could also have meant what is now called stroke.43,44,45
     William died on 7 Oct 1888 in 1031 Russell St., Covington, Kentucky, at age 58.11,12,13 He was buried on 10 Oct 1888 in Linden Grove Cemetery, Covington, Kentucky, in his lot.14,15

Children:
     Children with Johanna Louise Baum

Apparently Emma was adopted, based on family notes that show William and Louisa adopted a daughter, though the two census records and burial records in which she is listed do not reflect that.

According to Family lore the Fenkers adopted a son, John Wesley, born 18 Sep 1864. No other sources show him, and he does not appear with the family in the 1870 or 1880 censuses. A survey of the Linden Grove Cemetery tombstones in 1965-66 shows a W. __. Fenker, born 1__ Sep 18__, died __ Oct 1864, with the remaining information not then readable, buried next to William and Louisa. The similarities in dates, and the fact that this child is otherwise unknown, strongly suggest they are the same son.53,60,61

Citations

  1. [S588] Taufregister (Baptism Register), Kurfürstentum Hannover, 1830 no. 1, Johann Hinrich Wilhelm Fennker.
  2. [S403] William and Louisa Fenker tombstone, Linden Grove Cemetery, shows name as William Fenker.
  3. [S309] Fred John Fenker, Certificate of Death, shows name as John Henry Fenker. It is not clear why the informant, Fred's son Grafton T. Fenker, gave this name when all other sources show William, or the German equivalent, Wilhelm.
  4. [S589] Konfirmationsregister (Confirmation Register), Kurfürstentum Hannover, 1844 no. 1, Joh. Hinr. Wilhelm Fennker.
  5. [S588] Taufregister (Baptism Register), Kurfürstentum Hannover, 1830 no. 1, Johann Hinrich Wilhelm Fennker, shows date as 2 Jan 1830.
  6. [S10726] Jackson, "Family Group Sheet", family of Friedrich Heinrich Fenker and Marie Margarethe Koop, shows date and address.
  7. [S589] Konfirmationsregister (Confirmation Register), Kurfürstentum Hannover, 1844 no. 1, Joh. Hinr. Wilhelm Fennker, shows date, as 2 Jan 1830.
  8. [S792] Restored Marriage Records, Hamilton Co. Probate Court, B/10:298, William Fenker and Lousia Lebeau, 10 Jan 1856, shows date and C. Helwig, minister, as officiant.
  9. [S10919] Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1855, pg 639, shows Charles Helwig as pastor of the Congress St. church in Cincinnati.
  10. [S159] William Fenker household, 1870 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  11. [S6638] Wm. Fenker obituary, The Enquirer, shows he died "yesterday."
  12. [S284] Linden Grove Cemetery, burial records, no. 3770, Wm Fenker, shows date, street address, which is also listed as his "late residence."
  13. [S410] Smithies, copied documents, Return of Death for William Fenker, no. 618, shows month and day, and cause of death as cerebral apoplexy.
  14. [S284] Linden Grove Cemetery, burial records, no. 3770, Wm Fenker, shows date, and Wm Fenker lot.
  15. [S403] William and Louisa Fenker tombstone, Linden Grove Cemetery.
  16. [S411] William Fenker, declaration of intention (7 Oct 1854), shows dates, with arrival on the 18th, departure and arrival ports.
  17. [S673] Adolphine arrival 15 Dec 1853, Passenger Lists, Baltimore, 1820-1891, second class passenger 18, shows departure port, arrival date and port, and class of accomodations.
  18. [S26] Fogg, Family File "Fenker_Al.FTW," 1 Mar 2000, citing recollections of Evelyn Fenker, related story of he and his brother coming as stowaways to escape military service.
  19. [S277] Louise A. Fenker, ""The Fenker Family" and "The Wieman Family"", shows name as William Fenker.
  20. [S792] Restored Marriage Records, Hamilton Co. Probate Court, B/10:298, Fenker-Lebeau, 10 Jan 1856, shows name as William Fenker.
  21. [S354] John Wm Fenker, Certificate of Death, shows name as William Fenker.
  22. [S411] William Fenker, declaration of intention (7 Oct 1854).
  23. [S673] Adolphine arrival 15 Dec 1853, Passenger Lists, Baltimore, 1820-1891, second class passenger 18, shows occupation as cigarmaker.
  24. [S320] William Fenker household, 1860 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as overseer.
  25. [S320] William Fenker household, 1860 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky.
  26. [S10367] Wm. Fenker, Civil War Draft Registrations Records.
  27. [S26] Fogg, Family File "Fenker_Al.FTW," 1 Mar 2000, contains story from Evelyn Fenker.
  28. [S277] Louise A. Fenker, ""The Fenker Family" and "The Wieman Family"", shows the version involving the ferry, and an addition in the hand of Emilou Fenker recounts the version attributed to her father.
  29. [S10504] Williams' Covington and Newport Directory, 1866, pp 31, 34.
  30. [S277] Louise A. Fenker, ""The Fenker Family" and "The Wieman Family"", shows he was in the baking business with Mr. Frey (his wife's step-father).
  31. [S10366] Covington City Directory, 1868, pg 53, 62.
  32. [S10504] Williams' Covington and Newport Directory, 1869, pp 40, 45.
  33. [S282] John Frey household, 1870 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as baker.
  34. [S10366] Covington City Directory, 1871, pg 50, shows William with residence as 642 Main.
  35. [S159] William Fenker household, 1870 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky.
  36. [S282] John Frey household, 1870 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky.
  37. [S159] William Fenker household, 1870 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky, show occupation as baker.
  38. [S160] William Fenker household, 1880 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as baker.
  39. [S10504] Williams' Covington and Newport Directory, 1882, pg 57, shows both locations; 1884, pg 65, shows only 2 Pike.
  40. [S284] Linden Grove Cemetery, burial records, shows occupation as baker.
  41. [S160] William Fenker household, 1880 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky.
  42. [S10504] Williams' Covington and Newport Directory, 1884, pg 65, shows his residence as s.w.c. 9th & Russell; 1888, pg 65, shows residence as 1031 Russell.
  43. [S277] Louise A. Fenker, ""The Fenker Family" and "The Wieman Family"", shows that he "was beaten and robbed one night on his way home from the bakery and died from the effects of blows on the head."
  44. [S6638] Wm. Fenker obituary, The Enquirer.
  45. [S410] Smithies, copied documents, Return of Death for William Fenker, no. 618, shows cause of death as cerebral apoplexy.
  46. [S277] Louise A. Fenker, ""The Fenker Family" and "The Wieman Family.""
  47. [S354] John Wm Fenker, Certificate of Death.
  48. [S159] William Fenker household, 1870 U.S. Census, Kenton Co., Kentucky, appears in household of William and Lousia.
  49. [S92] Christine Baum.
  50. [S9885] Marriage Record, Kenton Co., Kentucky, 1882-1887, pg 148, Albert A. Fenker and Mary G. Hillebrandt.
  51. [S308] Albert Fenker, Certificate of Death.
  52. [S284] Linden Grove Cemetery, burial records, no. 2364, Emma Fenker, shows parents Wm & Louisa Fenker.
  53. [S277] Louise A. Fenker, ""The Fenker Family" and "The Wieman Family"", shows that William and Louisa adopted a daughter, who is not identified by name.
  54. [S26] Fogg, Family File "Fenker_Al.FTW," 1 Mar 2000, shows as natural son in the file, but Donald said in a telephone call 8 Mar 2000 that he understood that John Wesley was adopted.
  55. [S3387] Sexton and Meyer, Linden Grove Cemetery, pg 39, shows him buried next to William and Louisa.
  56. [S10582] Marriage Record, Greene Co., Ohio, 17:21, Henry C. Fenker and Miss Myrtle Dodd.
  57. [S359] Henry C. Fenker, Certificate of Death.
  58. [S2785] Marriage Register, State Copy, Michigan, 1901, Kalamazoo Co., no 5711, Theo. L. Fenker and Ella F. Carpenter.
  59. [S2785] Marriage Register, State Copy, Michigan, 1924, Kalamazoo Co., no 23050, Theodore Lousi Fenker and Helen Townsend.
  60. [S26] Fogg, Family File "Fenker_Al.FTW," 1 Mar 2000, the Fenkers adopted a son, John Wesley, born 18 Sep 1864.
  61. [S3387] Sexton and Meyer, Linden Grove Cemetery, pg 39, shows a W. __. Fenker, born 1__ Sep 18__, died __ Oct 1864, with the remaining information not readable, buried next to William and Louisa.