NOTE: When I first started this webpage, I assumed that the two Molitor immigrants to Galena, Jo Daviess, Illinois were probably related, possibly even brothers. However, if they are, I haven’t found any proof of that yet.

Christopher Molitor, born about 1818 probably at Wildewiese, Kreis Arnsberg, Westphalia, Germany;  apparently died before the 1860 census at Galena, Jo Daviess, Illinois, USA;  married 18 October 1841 at Stockum, Kreis Arnsberg, Westphalia, Germany to ANNA MARY KRENGEL who was born 14 October and baptized 15 October 1815 at Stockum.

They came to the U.S. (along with her father and family) on the ship Martha which sailed from Bremen and arrived at Baltimore, Maryland on 01 September 1845. He worked as a lead miner.

1850 Census: Christopher Molito, page 248, visit 2325/2329, Galena city, Jo Daviess, Illinois.

1854 Galena City Directory: Christopher Molledorn, miner, h[ouse] head Franklin [Street].

1860 Census: Mary Mullendore, page 493, visit 1263/1319, Galena (5th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois.

1870 Census: Mary Mulidore, page 138, visit 347/358, Galena city, Jo Daviess, Illinois.

1880 Census: Mary Molitor (widow), page 288, visit 152/162, Galena (5th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois.

Known children, most born in Illinois:

+    Elizabeth Molitor, born 24 November 1842 probably at Wildewiese;  married JACOB HUBERT PAAR.

Anton Molitor, born [about October] 1848(5);  died 19 October 1928(5) at Davenport, Scott, Iowa;  married first 1870-71 to Mary E. ______ who was born [about November] 1848(5) in Pennsylvania and died 29 April 1910(5) at Davenport;  married second by 1920 to Nora (______) Kelly (her second marriage) who was born 1863(5) in Ireland and died 14 January 1930(5) at Davenport. He was a lead miner; later he worked in a machine shop. 1880 Census: Anton Mulleto, page 175, visit 105/107, Dubuque (3rd Ward), Dubuque, Iowa. 1900 Census: Anthony Molitor, page 160, visit 098/152, Davenport (3rd Ward), Scott, Iowa. 1920 Census: Anthony Moleter, page 001, visit 014/019, Davenport (E.D. 147), Scott, Iowa. They are all buried at Holy Family Cemetery at Davenport. He had no children.

John A. Molitor, born about 1851;  married 20 May 1873 in Jo Daviess County (Book D, page 130) to Mary Nack who was born about 1851 in Illinois. He was a shoemaker. 1880 census: John Molitor, page 277, visit 103/128, Dubuque (5th Ward), Dubuque, Iowa. Known children, born in Illinois:  Elizabeth Molitor, born about 1874;  Ann Molitor, born about 1876;  “Mimmi” Molitor, born about 1879.

Joseph Molitor, born 1854(5);  died 20 November 1938(5) at Galena (Death Certificate #000162);  married 13 November 1883 in Jo Daviess County (Book E, page 393)(also Galena Weekly Gazette, issue of 16 November 1883, page 3, column 6) to Marie A. Schmidt who was born 1863(5) in Illinois and died 28 December 1948(5) at Galena (Death Certificate #048949). He was a house painter. 1900 Census: Joseph Molitor, page 244, visit 419/435, Galena (5th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1910 Census: Joseph Moliter, page 274, visit 282/289, Galena (5th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1920 Census: Joseph Molitor, page 259, visit 087/094, Galena (4th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1930 Census: Joe Molitor, page 213, visit 132/136, Galena (4th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. They are buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery (Section 3, lot 09) at Galena. [They had one other child who died young.] Known children:

George Jacob Molitor, born 20 October 1884(5)(8);  died 08 January 1921(5) at Galena (Death Certificate #007940);  unmarried. He was a cigar maker. He is buried with his parents.

Leo Christopher Molitor, born 06 March 1887(5)(8);  died 27 June 1946 at Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois(5);  married 24 November 1908 to Sarah E. McKernan (daughter of William Raymond McKernan and Catherine Cecilia Duggan) who was born 1886(5) in Illinois and died 14 August 1962 at Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa(5). [Photo of Sarah and Leo, external link.] [Info from descendant Georgia Molitor-Joyce.] He was a cigar maker. 1910 Census: Leo Molitor, page 230, visit 033/033, Galena (3rd Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1920 Census: Leo C. Molitor, page 243, visit 137/139, Galena (2nd Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. 1930 Census: Leo C. Molitor, page 194, visit ---/244, Galena (2nd Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois. They are buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery (Section 6, lot 01) at Galena. Known children:  Leo J. Molitor, born 06 September 1909(6), died February 1974 at Scales Mound, Jo Daviess, Illinois(6);  William E. Molitor, born 1911(5), died 1932(5), buried with parents;  Catherine M. Molitor, born about 1912, 1930 Census: (with parents), and apparently also Katherine M. Molitor (“niece”, with Harry A. and Emily N. Davidson), page 251, visit 234/236, Hanover village, Jo Daviess, Illinois;  Frances C. Molitor, born about 1914;  Sarah L. Molitor, born about 1915;  Harry A. Molitor, born 15 March 1917(5)(6), died 12 March 1970(5)(6), he worked for a railroad, he was a WWII veteran(5), he is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery (Section 3, lot 1);  Ursulene Pearl Molitor, born 03 May 1919(5), died 11 February 1920(5)(also Death Certificate #006945), buried with parents, [NOTE: however, also recorded in 1930 census  ];  George Edward Molitor, born 20 June 1920, married Donna Jeanne Davis;  Teresa B. Molitor, born about 1922;  Anthony D. Molitor, born 10 December 1923(6), died 05 July 2004 at Loves Park, Winnebago, Illinois(6);  Alice M. Molitor, born about 1926;  John V. Molitor, born about 1927, apparently died 28 April 1928 (Death Certificate #430074), [NOTE: however, also recorded in 1930 census];  LeRoy A. Molitor, born about 1928.

Frederick John Molitor, born 21 March 1889(5)(8);  died 16 April 1927(5) at Galena (Death Certificate #430076);  unmarried. He is buried with his parents.

Mathilda Marie Molitor, born 28 October 1893(6);  died 15 March 1974 at Galena(6);  unmarried. She is buried with her parents.

Cecilia C. Molitor, born about August 1899.

Joseph Molitor, born about 08 October 1826 in Prussia, Germany;  died 23 November 1893 aged 67 years, 01 month, 15 days in Labette County, Kansas, USA;  married 31 July 1856 in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA (Book B, page 055) to JOHANNA STROHMEYER who was born about 1833 probably at Neuhaus, Westphalia, Germany and died 28 February 1920 aged 86 years at St. Rosa’s Convent at Denver, Denver, Colorado (Records of W. P. Horan & Son Mortuary, at Denver Public Library).

He was a lead miner; later he was a farmer.

1860 Census: Joseph Mullendore, page 461, visit 1026/1070, Galena (4th Ward), Jo Daviess, Illinois.

1870 Census: Joseph Mulidere, page 139, visit 356/368, Galena city, Jo Daviess, Illinois.

1880 Census: Joseph Mulitor, page 299, visit 199/201, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas.

1910 Census: Johanna Molitor (widow, with Margaret Wickham), page 012, visit 236/264, Denver (E.D. 047), Denver, Colorado.

1920 Census: Johanna Molitor (widow, with daughter Elizabeth, lodger at St. Rose’s Convent), page 043A, line 26, Denver (E.D. 304), Denver, Colorado.

He is buried at Lake Creek Cemetery at Bartlett. She is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at Denver.

Known children, born at Galena:

Henry Molitor, born 12 March 1857;  died 03 August 1932 in Bartlett District, Labette, Kansas (Chetopa Advance, issue of 04 August 1932);  married 17 February 1887 at Chetopa, Labette, Kansas to Elizabeth Putz who was born 08 November 1865 in Austria and died 04 August 1945. He was a farmer. 1900 Census: Henry Mollitor, page 085, visit 069/069, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. 1910 Census: Henry Molitor, page 059, visit 028/028, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. 1920 Census: Henry Molitor, page 257, visit 104/104, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. 1930 Census: Henry Molito, page 048, visit 124/123, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. [Some info from descendant Faye Molitor (no e-mail address).] Known children, born in Kansas:

Mary T. Molitor, born 25 January 1888;  married 23 June 1909 in Labette County to Michael Ruttgen (son of Michael and Mary Ruttgen) who was born 30 November 1878(8) in Illinois. He was a farmer. 1920 Census: Micheal Ruttgen, page 268, line 55, Richland, Labette, Kansas. 1930 Census: Michael Ruttgen, page 165, visit 094/094, Richland, Labette, Kansas. Known children:  Agnes L. Ruttgen, born about 1910;  Mabel L. Ruttgen, born about 1911;  Leonard F. Ruttgen, born about 1913;  Robert M. Ruttgen, born about 1921.

Anna Molitor, born 10 March 1889;  died 18 February 1896.

Leonard Paul Molitor, born 20 April 1890(8);  married 15 February 1920 to Lydia Mae Caldwell who was born 31 May 1900(6) in Kansas and died April 1980 at Chetopa(6). He was a farmer. 1920 Census: Leonard P. Molitor, page 256, visit 087/087, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. 1930 Census: Leonard P. Molitor, page 166, visit 144/144, Richland, Labette, Kansas. Known children:  Ambrose P. Molitor, born about 1920;  Retha E. Molitor, born about 1925;  Robert E. Molitor, born about March 1928;  Norman Wayne Molitor, born [? 15 September 1936].

Andrew Molitor, born 15 August 1891;  died 17 June 1893.

Josephine I. Molitor, born 17 May 1893;  died before May 1948;  unmarried. 1930 Census: (single, with parents).

Johanna L. Molitor, born 06 May 1895(6)(7);  died 20 March 1984(7) at San Diego, San Diego, California(6);  married 22 April 1920 at Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho (Book 4, page 599) to Edgar Bourquin who was born about 1891 in Kansas and died 21 March 1956, later divorced. He was a farmer. He was a WWI veteran. 1920 Census: Johanna R. Molitor (single, with brother Leonard). 1930 Census: Edgar Bourquin, page 184, visit 033/033, Kimberly Precinct, Twin Falls, Idaho. Known children, born in Idaho:  Mary Bourquin, born about 1920;  Wayne Bourquin, born about 1922.

Ferdinand L. Molitor, born 16 September 1896(8);  died 22 April 1951;  unmarried. 1930 Census: (single, with parents).

Catherine M. Molitor, born 07 January 1898;  died 29 December 1937;  married 31 July 1923 to Frank Wolf who was born about 1890 in Austria. 1930 Census: Frank Wolf, page 069, visit 452/693, St. Louis (E.D. 260), St. Louis, Missouri. Known children, born in Missouri:  Laurine C. Wolf, born about 1924;  Delores M. Wolf, born about 1928.

Lawrence Henry Molitor, born 13 July 1899(6)(8);  died 17 August 1969 at Westfir, Lane, Oregon(6)(also Death Certificate #69-11881);  married 22 October 1930 to Nellie J. Caldwell who was born 10 September 1912(6) and died 04 January 1999 at La Grande, Union, Oregon(6). He was a farmer. 1930 Census: Lawrence Molitor (single), page 048, visit 123/122, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. They moved to Idaho. Known children:  Shirley Molitor;  Waunita Molitor;  Lawrence Henry Molitor;  Girtie Molitor;  Verla Joy Molitor.

Edward W. Molitor, born 13 August 1901(6);  died 24 July 1973 at Chetopa(6);  married 02 April 1924 to Maude H. Caldwell who was born 08 November 1903(6) in Kansas and died 05 September 1992 at Chetopa(6). He was a farmer. 1930 Census: Edward Molitor, page 048, visit 115/113, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. No children with them in 1930. Known child:  Verda Maude Molitor.

Nellie E. Molitor, born 18 March 1904;  died 28 May 1943;  married 31 December 1931 to Lewis Baunhofer who was born 01 December 1901(6) and died 27 August 1982 at Chetopa(6). 1930 Census: (single, with parents). Known child:  Roberta Baunhofer.

Frederick J. Molitor, born 02 December 1907;  married 20 February 1930 to Irma Kathrine Peters who was born 06 May 1909(6) in Oklahoma and died 20 November 1989 at Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho(6), later divorced. 1930 Census: Fred Molitor, page 184, visit 034/034, Kimberly Precinct, Twin Falls, Idaho. [She was married second 1968 in Idaho to Paul Daniel Reid.

Elizabeth Molitor, born about 1858;  apparently died young before the 1870 census.

Catherine Molitor, born about 1860. 1880 Census: (with parents); and probably also Kattie Mulatour (single, with Elias B. Baldwin), page 306, visit 100/102, Howard, Labette, Kansas.

Ferdinand Molitor, born about 1862.

Mary Molitor, born about 1864.

Louisa Molitor, born about 1866.

Anton Molitor, born 27 March 1868;  died 11 July 1925 at Wallace, Shoshone, Idaho (Death Certificate #051187);  possibly never married. He was a miner at a quartz mine. 1920 Census: Antone Molitor (single), page 129, visit 065/118, Wallace (3rd Ward), Shoshone, Idaho.

Joseph Leonard Molitor, born 13 February 1870;  died 09 September 1943 aged 73 years at Terrace, Range 5 Coast, British Columbia, Canada (Registration #1943-09-633270);  married 06 May 1906 to Effie May Douglas (daughter of Jasper M. and Nancy Douglas) who was born 06 May 1889 in Illinois and died 12 May 1963 aged 73 years at Terrace (Registration #1963-09-010976). 1900 Census: Joseph Molitor (single, with William Neil), page 012, visit 252/255, Athol Precinct, Kootenai, Idaho [NOTE: four households away from her family]. [Some info from descendant Korban Molitor (current e-mail address not known).]

Elizabeth F. Molitor, born about 1872;  died 1934 at Denver, Denver, Colorado (Records of W. P. Horan & Son Mortuary);  unmarried. She was a seamstress, later she was a housekeeper, for a hotel. 1910 Census: Elizabeth Molitor (single, with mother). 1920 Census: Elizabeth Molitor (single, with mother, lodger at St. Rosa’s Convent), page 043A, line 25, Denver (E.D. 304), Denver, Colorado. 1930 Census: Elizabeth F. Molitor (single, in the Argonaut Hotel), page 256, visit 011/142, Denver (E.D. 133), Denver, Colorado.

Paulina Molitor, born about 1874.

John Steave Molitor, born 25 December 1877(8);  died 1921 at Denver, Denver, Colorado (Records of W. P. Horan & Son Mortuary);  married first 1898-99 to Cora E. ______ who was born about June 1881 in Kansas;  married second to Manda G. ______ who was born 10 January 1878(6)(7) in Idaho and died 05 November 1971(7) at Clovis, Fresno, California(6). He was a farmer; later he was a streetcar conductor. He registered for the WWI Draft at Ada, Boise, Idaho [nearest relative: Mrs. Johanna Molitor of Denver, Colorado]. 1900 Census: John S. Molitor, page 090, visit 190/192, Hackberry, Labette, Kansas. 1920 Census: John S. Molitor, page 109, visit 184/202, Denver (E.D. 091), Denver, Colorado. Known child with first wife, born in Kansas:  Geneva Molitor, born about October 1899. Known children with second wife, born in Idaho:  Ferdinand Molitor, born 19 September 1911(6), died 27 August 2000(6);  Lawrence J. Molitor, born about 1913, died 1921 at Denver (Records of W. P. Horan & Son Mortuary).

      ERNER Home Page                                              References

                                  ALLENDORF HOME PAGE

Molitor families, of Galena, Illinois.                                Last revision: 27 Jul 2009

Allendorf to America: Erner and Related Families in America.

Send e-mail with questions or comments about this website to:

           

Copyright © 1999-2009 by Joseph Erner (see Copyright Notice)