Johann Joseph3 Erner (JOSEPH2), born 10 March and baptized 11 March 1849 at Allendorf, Kreis Arnsberg; Westphalia, Germany (baptismal record [entry #5](1)); died 17 January 1893 at Galena, Jo Daviess, Illinois (Suicide); married 26 May 1874 at Galena (marriage record; Book D, page 174) to FRANCESCA HELLSTERN who was born 02 March and baptized 01 June 1852 at Galena, and died 20 November 1918 at Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa (Cancer).
He came to the U.S. at the age of seventeen with his mother, brother and sisters. He was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court on 12 June 1872 [Certificate of citizenship: thumbnail of certificate; full size certificate (for printing)].
He was a carpenter, and became foreman of the John Fritz & Company factory in Galena. They lived at 310 Franklin Street in Galena. They were members of St. Mary Catholic Church at Galena.
He had his own woodworking workshop which was in a small shed behind their house.
Sometime in the late 1870s or early 1880s Joseph, Frances and at least one of their children were injured when their house was struck by lightning. In January 1891, Joseph suffered a severe attack of influenza and never fully recovered. He suffered spells of mental illness intermittently thereafter, but was well enough to work and stay active. On the afternoon of 17 January 1893, he went out to his workshop to be alone as he often did. He had seemed to be in good spirits when he left the house, but after just a few minutes he got out his shotgun and shot himself in the head.
After the Civil War, Galena had declined greatly in importance and population. The future of the family was several miles to the west, just as it was for most of the other poor families in Galena. The Industrial Revolution had come to the Midwest, and Dubuque had built its economy on manufacturing. So, after Joseph's death, Frances moved the family to Dubuque, where they lived in several rental houses while trying to make a living (195 Wilson Avenue, 115 Walnut Street, 219 Walnut Street). After the children got old enough to all have jobs, they bought a house at 37 Arlington Street. [Residences from Dubuque City Directories, 1895 through 1918.] They joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Dubuque. [Family photos of their family.]
1880 Census: Joseph Erner, page 281, visit 128/132, Galena (4th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois.
1895 Census: _______, page 342, Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa.
1900 Census: Francis Erner (widow), page 042, visit 289/312, Dubuque (4th Ward), Dubuque, Iowa.
1910 Census: Frances Erner (widow), page 008, visit 163/204, Dubuque (4th Ward), Dubuque, Iowa.
It seems likely that Joseph was buried at Galena, almost certainly at St. Mary’s Cemetery where his parents were also later buried, but there is no gravestone there. However, he and Frances, along with five of their children, are memorialized at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Dubuque (their gravestone).
Children, born at Galena and baptized at St. Mary’s:
+ JOSEPH VALENTINE4 ERNER, born 21 March 1876(3)(8); married ANNA MARY SCHMERBAUCH.
Francis Thomas4 Erner, born 17 July 1878(3)(8); died 25 July 1934 at the Iowa State Hospital near Independence, Buchanan, Iowa; unmarried. 1920 Census: Frank T. Erner, page 186, visit 066/083, Dubuque (4th Ward), Dubuque, Iowa. 1930 Census: Frank Erner (single), page 193B, line 83, Washington, Buchanan, Iowa.
Valentine4 Erner, born 16 January 1881(3); died 08 September 1901 at Dubuque; unmarried. He worked at the McFadden Coffee and Spice Mills. He died from a head injury that he received when he fell from a streetcar.
+ WILLIAM ADAM4 ERNER, born 15 February 1883 (baptismal certificate(3)); married EMMA MARY AUGUSTA OTTO.
Anna Helen4 Erner, born 21 March 1885(3); died 25 September 1949 at Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; unmarried. She was a telephone operator. 1920 Census: Anna H. Erner (single, with brother Francis, above), page 186, visit 066/083, Dubuque (4th Ward), Dubuque, Iowa. 1930 Census: Helen Erner (single, with Anna Bruck), page 204, visit 016/026, Milwaukee (E.D. 272), Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
John Raymond4 Erner, born 08 February 1887(3)(8); died 28 August 1933 at the Iowa State Hospital near Independence, Buchanan, Iowa; unmarried. 1920 Census: Ray John Erner (single, with brother Francis, above), page 186, visit 066/083, Dubuque (4th Ward), Dubuque, Iowa. 1930 Census: Ray J. Erner (single), page 042, visit 294/405, Dubuque (E.D. 30), Dubuque, Iowa.
Herman Edward4 Erner, born 20 April 1890(3); died 15 August 1912 at Dubuque; unmarried. He was a clerk at the Keating Drugstore. He drowned while trying to rescue his girlfriend.
Joseph Erner (Joseph). Last revision: 10 Jul 2006
Allendorf to America: Erner and Related Families in America.
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