The Hoeffliger Family
(History of Magdalena "Lana" Hoeffliger, wife of Christian Morman
The Hoeffliger family came from Baldenheim, France, in a border-region between Germany and France called Alsace-Lorraine. This region was frequently disputed territory. Through the years, it passed back and forth in ownership between Germany and France. Although the land was owned by France at the time, Magdalena and her family, like the majority of Alsations, spoke German.
Source: http://www.filfranck.com/hotels_alsace_lorraine_france.htm.
Ironically, over 100 years later, Magdalena's great-grandson, Harold Morman, fought in this region to help free the French from German occupation during WWII. He recalled that before he left for the war, one of his family members told him that he would be shooting at cousins there. Grandpa Harold Morman was one of the soldiers of the 95 Division that fought to free this area from Nazi control. He fought in the battle of Metz, which was only about 100 miles from Baldenheim, where his Great-Grandma Lana was born.
The father of Magdalena Hoeffliger Morman was Johann Michael (or in French, Jean Michel) Hoeffliger. According to the German naming custom, he went by his second name, Michael. He was born on May 30, 1808, in Baldenheim, Alsace, France. His mother, Anne Marie Hoeffliger, was apparently not married. She originally gave him the last name Giesselbrecht, which was probably the last name of his father. Later, however, it was changed to her last name, Hoeffliger.
Source: Julie Dresser, Ewald, etc. at http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ALSACE-LORRAINE/2012-05/1336341359.
Michael Hoeffliger became a weaver. (Source?) He married Magdalena Mathis on November 2, 1830. Their children were:
Around 1851, Magdalena's brother, Michael Hoeffliger (II) went to the United States. (Source: Julie Dresser). The rest of the family followed in 1855. The Hoefligers left Alsace, France, at a time when many other people were doing the same:
“The population grew rapidly…. The combination of factors meant hunger, housing shortages and a lack of work for young people. Thus, it is not surprising that people left Alsace, not only to Paris, where the Alsatian community grew in numbers… but also to far away places like Russia and the Austrian Empire to take advantage of new opportunities offered there…. Many Alsatians also began to sail for the United States.”
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsace-Lorraine. Links disabled. Accessed July 19, 2010.
The Hoeffliger family traveled to the port city of Le Havre, France, and boarded the “Connecticut” to head for America. On board were Lana, her father Jean Michel (Johann Michael), her step-mother Maria Barbara, her brother George, and her younger half brothers and sisters. Their last name is spelled Heffliger in the passenger list.
Here they are as listed in the Connecticut’s ship list:
The 54 year old Georg may have been Michael’s brother. There was also listed in a separate section of the ship list a Magd. Hefliger (age 55) and Ursula Hefliger (age 26). They may have also been related.
A full transcription of the Connecticut's ship manifest is available at: "Ship Connecticut." Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild. www.immigrantships.net/v8/1800v8/connecticut18550523.html.
There was a short silent documentary movie made in 1911 called "Scenes on the Ship Connecticut." I wonder if it is about the same ship? (Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104122/)
The Connecticut reached New York City on May 23, 1855. The Hoeffligers did not stay long in New York, but migrated west to the Chicago area, probably to join Michael, Jr.
They moved to the Chicago suburb of Northfield, Illinois, where Michael Sr. and Barbara’s son Frederich Gothfried was born in 1856. The family attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield. (Source: Kreke Familiy Tree on Ancestry.com)
Our ancestor, Magdalena (“Lana”), married a George &/or Christian Morman right around this time and she and her husband were also living in Northfield at the time of the 1860 census. Source: Ancestry.com
The Hoefligers and Mormans were some of the earliest residents of the township of Northfield. However, before too long, both families left Northfield and moved about 200 miles south to Effingham County, Illinois.
Michael Hoefliger, Sr. received his naturalization papers on November 5, 1866, while living in Effingham County. (Source?) Michael died at age 61, and was buried in Oakridge Cemetery in Effingham, Effingham County. (Source?) His will was dated 30 March 1870 and entered into probate on 18 September 1871.
Michael Hoeffliger's will:
Heirs:
Barbara, wife, land, and personal estate and chattels
John Michael, son, $5.00
George, son, $5.00
Mary Lena, daughter, $5.00
William and Frederick, sons, the rest of the estate after the death of Barbara
Witnesses:
Jacob Naab and Emannuel Kneiriger.
(Source?)
Michael's widow Barbara was living in the home of her youngest son in the 1880 census. (The spelling of this family is found in many variations... Hoefflicker, Hoefliger, etc. Perhaps the most unusual variation, Hayflaker, is found in this census entry.)
Gotlib Hayflaker 24
Frances E. Hayflaker 22
Barbara Hayflaker 58
Mary Hayflaker 9m
(Source: 1880 Census on www.Ancestry.com)
Barbara died on August 30, 1886, in Effingham County, at age 64 (Source: Kreke Familiy Tree on Ancestry.com) and was also buried in Effingham’s Oakridge Cemetery. (Source?)
The Hoeffliger family came from Baldenheim, France, in a border-region between Germany and France called Alsace-Lorraine. This region was frequently disputed territory. Through the years, it passed back and forth in ownership between Germany and France. Although the land was owned by France at the time, Magdalena and her family, like the majority of Alsations, spoke German.
Source: http://www.filfranck.com/hotels_alsace_lorraine_france.htm.
Ironically, over 100 years later, Magdalena's great-grandson, Harold Morman, fought in this region to help free the French from German occupation during WWII. He recalled that before he left for the war, one of his family members told him that he would be shooting at cousins there. Grandpa Harold Morman was one of the soldiers of the 95 Division that fought to free this area from Nazi control. He fought in the battle of Metz, which was only about 100 miles from Baldenheim, where his Great-Grandma Lana was born.
The father of Magdalena Hoeffliger Morman was Johann Michael (or in French, Jean Michel) Hoeffliger. According to the German naming custom, he went by his second name, Michael. He was born on May 30, 1808, in Baldenheim, Alsace, France. His mother, Anne Marie Hoeffliger, was apparently not married. She originally gave him the last name Giesselbrecht, which was probably the last name of his father. Later, however, it was changed to her last name, Hoeffliger.
Source: Julie Dresser, Ewald, etc. at http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ALSACE-LORRAINE/2012-05/1336341359.
Michael Hoeffliger became a weaver. (Source?) He married Magdalena Mathis on November 2, 1830. Their children were:
- Magdalena “Lana” (our ancestor)
- Jean Michael
- George
- Johanna
- Jacques
- Wilhelm/ Guillaume/William
- Lisette / Mary Lena
- Frederich Gothfried / Godfrey / Gotlib
Around 1851, Magdalena's brother, Michael Hoeffliger (II) went to the United States. (Source: Julie Dresser). The rest of the family followed in 1855. The Hoefligers left Alsace, France, at a time when many other people were doing the same:
“The population grew rapidly…. The combination of factors meant hunger, housing shortages and a lack of work for young people. Thus, it is not surprising that people left Alsace, not only to Paris, where the Alsatian community grew in numbers… but also to far away places like Russia and the Austrian Empire to take advantage of new opportunities offered there…. Many Alsatians also began to sail for the United States.”
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsace-Lorraine. Links disabled. Accessed July 19, 2010.
The Hoeffliger family traveled to the port city of Le Havre, France, and boarded the “Connecticut” to head for America. On board were Lana, her father Jean Michel (Johann Michael), her step-mother Maria Barbara, her brother George, and her younger half brothers and sisters. Their last name is spelled Heffliger in the passenger list.
Here they are as listed in the Connecticut’s ship list:
- Heffliger, Mich. 46 male France
- Heffliger, Barbara 32 female
- Heffliger, Magd. 23 female
- Heffliger, Georg 16 male
- Heffliger, Johann 9 male
- Heffliger, Wilhelm 5 male
- Heffliger, Lisette 2 female
- Heffliger, Georg 54 male
The 54 year old Georg may have been Michael’s brother. There was also listed in a separate section of the ship list a Magd. Hefliger (age 55) and Ursula Hefliger (age 26). They may have also been related.
A full transcription of the Connecticut's ship manifest is available at: "Ship Connecticut." Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild. www.immigrantships.net/v8/1800v8/connecticut18550523.html.
There was a short silent documentary movie made in 1911 called "Scenes on the Ship Connecticut." I wonder if it is about the same ship? (Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104122/)
The Connecticut reached New York City on May 23, 1855. The Hoeffligers did not stay long in New York, but migrated west to the Chicago area, probably to join Michael, Jr.
They moved to the Chicago suburb of Northfield, Illinois, where Michael Sr. and Barbara’s son Frederich Gothfried was born in 1856. The family attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield. (Source: Kreke Familiy Tree on Ancestry.com)
Our ancestor, Magdalena (“Lana”), married a George &/or Christian Morman right around this time and she and her husband were also living in Northfield at the time of the 1860 census. Source: Ancestry.com
The Hoefligers and Mormans were some of the earliest residents of the township of Northfield. However, before too long, both families left Northfield and moved about 200 miles south to Effingham County, Illinois.
Michael Hoefliger, Sr. received his naturalization papers on November 5, 1866, while living in Effingham County. (Source?) Michael died at age 61, and was buried in Oakridge Cemetery in Effingham, Effingham County. (Source?) His will was dated 30 March 1870 and entered into probate on 18 September 1871.
Michael Hoeffliger's will:
Heirs:
Barbara, wife, land, and personal estate and chattels
John Michael, son, $5.00
George, son, $5.00
Mary Lena, daughter, $5.00
William and Frederick, sons, the rest of the estate after the death of Barbara
Witnesses:
Jacob Naab and Emannuel Kneiriger.
(Source?)
Michael's widow Barbara was living in the home of her youngest son in the 1880 census. (The spelling of this family is found in many variations... Hoefflicker, Hoefliger, etc. Perhaps the most unusual variation, Hayflaker, is found in this census entry.)
Gotlib Hayflaker 24
Frances E. Hayflaker 22
Barbara Hayflaker 58
Mary Hayflaker 9m
(Source: 1880 Census on www.Ancestry.com)
Barbara died on August 30, 1886, in Effingham County, at age 64 (Source: Kreke Familiy Tree on Ancestry.com) and was also buried in Effingham’s Oakridge Cemetery. (Source?)
Magdalena and her Siblings
1. Our ancestor Maria Magdalena Hoeffliger was the firstborn. To read about her life together with Christian Morman, click --> here.
2. Michael (Jean Michael) Hoeffliger (II). Son of Johann Michael Hoeffliger and Magdalena Mathis Hoeffliger. Born 15 Feb 1835 in Baldenheim, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. Emigrated to the U.S. 19 Apr 1852. Married Dorthea Eitzen around 1860, probably in Northfield, Cook County, Illinois. They had six children: Edward, Mathilda, Michael (III), Henry, Robert, and Joseph. For some reason, however, his wife's name is given as Susan in the 1870 census. He served in the Civil War, in Company G of 57 Illinois Infantry. Moved to Effingham County around 1870 or earler. His first wife died in 1903 and he married Johanna Kappel (born Sauerberg). They later separated. Michael died in Blackburn, Saline County, Missouri, in 1915. Sources: Various family trees on Ancestry.com.
3. George Hoeffliger. Son of Johann Michael Hoeffliger and Magdalena Mathis Hoeffliger. Born 1 Nov 1838 in Baldenheim, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. Came to the U.S. with his family aboard the Connecticut in 1855. He is mentioned in his father's will as the recipient of $5.
4. Johanna or Johannes Hoeffliger. Johanna was the first child of Johann Michael and his second wife, Barbara. She was born February 5, 1835 and died in Illinois October 1, 1865. The record of her birth and death are recorded in the burial register of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Champaign, Illinois, Book A: 1860-1875, 125 43: "05 Feb 1835 01-Oct 1865 Hoefflinger, Johanna Daughter of Michael and Barbara in Effingham." http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/localities.northam.usa.states.illinois.counties.effingham/230.1/mb.ashx (Note: Census records record a male named Johannes / Jean. I'm not sure if the census records or the burial records are more accurate.)
5. Jacques Hoeffliger. Little Jacques was born in France in 1847 and died in 1848.
6. Wilhelm / William George Hoeffliger. Wilhelm was the son of Johann Michael and Barbara. He was born in France on January 10, 1850. (http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=hugginsjh&id=I23372). At the young age of 14, he served as a substitute in the Civil War. This means someone who was drafted, but didn't want to serve, hired him to take his place. "...many who went to war as hired men went because they were unable to enlist through the regular channels. This included the recent immigrants who were anxious to fight for their new country.... (http://www.thecivilwaromnibus.com/articles/133/hired-soldiers-substitutes-during-the-civil-war/) I wonder if it is possible that William Hoeffliger is our mystery photo man? The man in the photo does look very young, but does seem older than fourteen. He doesn't look like the photos of William's siblings Michael and Magdalena. However, William was but their half brother, so he may have looked quite different than them.
William married Isabell Shup. They lived in Kansas and later Oklahoma.
"According to the obituary of William Hoeffliger from the Fairview Republican, March 30, 1944:
'William was the son of Michel and Barbe Hoeffliger; he was born in Markels Home County, France, Jan. 10, 1850; died at his home in Fairview, OK, March 18, 1944, age 94 years, 2 months, 8 days, after a lingering illness; married Isabell Shup in 1872; 7 children, 3 boys, 4 girls; wife & 1 son preceded him in death. Survivors: Anna Stephens, Woodland, CA,; John Hoeffliger, Dalhart, TX; Millie Canaday, Harmon, OK; Rosa of the home; Martha Case, Lipscomb, TX; Fred Hoeffliger, Bell, CA.
'Age of 4, came with parents to US; settled near Iffingham, IL - grew up there. Late 1864 joined army "as a substitute, serving in the Illinois Co. D 123rd infantry", honorable discharge Oct 1865. Member of Luthern Church then the Southern Methodist Church.
He and family moved to Fairview in 1911.'
"In Gloss Mountain Country: Major Co. History, Vol. I, pg. 163:
'William and Isbell Hoeffliger came to OK from TX in 1902 - 7 children: Anna, Will, John, Millie, Rosa, Martha, Fred. Anna & Will stayed in TX. They had a farm they sold in 1911 and bought the Blue Front Hotel in Fairview. After Isbell died, William, Rosa, Martha, Fred ran Hotel. Martha married & moved, Fred went in service World War I. Rosa went to work for the Post Office and the Hotel became a boarding house. William died 1944 and Rosa lived there until her death April 1974.'
"The Blue Front Hotel is now located at The Major County Historical Society, east of Fairview. They hope to restore it one day." -- Pat Weaver, Major Co. Genealogical Society, (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/OKMAJOR/2003-03/1047349475.)
7. Lisette / Mary Lena Hoeffliger. Lisette was born to Michael and Barbara in France in 1853. In America, she apparently went by the name Mary Lena. She is mentioned in her father's will as the recipient of $5.
8. Frederich Godfried / Godfrey Hoeffliger. Frederich Godfried was the only Hoeffliger born in the U.S. He was born in Northfield, Cook County, Illinois, on June 17, 1856. He married Elizabeth Frances. They and their children lived in Summit, Effingham County, Illinois. Frederich Godfrey died November 23, 1933. Source: Family trees and census records from www.ancestry.com.
1. Our ancestor Maria Magdalena Hoeffliger was the firstborn. To read about her life together with Christian Morman, click --> here.
2. Michael (Jean Michael) Hoeffliger (II). Son of Johann Michael Hoeffliger and Magdalena Mathis Hoeffliger. Born 15 Feb 1835 in Baldenheim, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. Emigrated to the U.S. 19 Apr 1852. Married Dorthea Eitzen around 1860, probably in Northfield, Cook County, Illinois. They had six children: Edward, Mathilda, Michael (III), Henry, Robert, and Joseph. For some reason, however, his wife's name is given as Susan in the 1870 census. He served in the Civil War, in Company G of 57 Illinois Infantry. Moved to Effingham County around 1870 or earler. His first wife died in 1903 and he married Johanna Kappel (born Sauerberg). They later separated. Michael died in Blackburn, Saline County, Missouri, in 1915. Sources: Various family trees on Ancestry.com.
3. George Hoeffliger. Son of Johann Michael Hoeffliger and Magdalena Mathis Hoeffliger. Born 1 Nov 1838 in Baldenheim, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. Came to the U.S. with his family aboard the Connecticut in 1855. He is mentioned in his father's will as the recipient of $5.
4. Johanna or Johannes Hoeffliger. Johanna was the first child of Johann Michael and his second wife, Barbara. She was born February 5, 1835 and died in Illinois October 1, 1865. The record of her birth and death are recorded in the burial register of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Champaign, Illinois, Book A: 1860-1875, 125 43: "05 Feb 1835 01-Oct 1865 Hoefflinger, Johanna Daughter of Michael and Barbara in Effingham." http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/localities.northam.usa.states.illinois.counties.effingham/230.1/mb.ashx (Note: Census records record a male named Johannes / Jean. I'm not sure if the census records or the burial records are more accurate.)
5. Jacques Hoeffliger. Little Jacques was born in France in 1847 and died in 1848.
6. Wilhelm / William George Hoeffliger. Wilhelm was the son of Johann Michael and Barbara. He was born in France on January 10, 1850. (http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=hugginsjh&id=I23372). At the young age of 14, he served as a substitute in the Civil War. This means someone who was drafted, but didn't want to serve, hired him to take his place. "...many who went to war as hired men went because they were unable to enlist through the regular channels. This included the recent immigrants who were anxious to fight for their new country.... (http://www.thecivilwaromnibus.com/articles/133/hired-soldiers-substitutes-during-the-civil-war/) I wonder if it is possible that William Hoeffliger is our mystery photo man? The man in the photo does look very young, but does seem older than fourteen. He doesn't look like the photos of William's siblings Michael and Magdalena. However, William was but their half brother, so he may have looked quite different than them.
William married Isabell Shup. They lived in Kansas and later Oklahoma.
"According to the obituary of William Hoeffliger from the Fairview Republican, March 30, 1944:
'William was the son of Michel and Barbe Hoeffliger; he was born in Markels Home County, France, Jan. 10, 1850; died at his home in Fairview, OK, March 18, 1944, age 94 years, 2 months, 8 days, after a lingering illness; married Isabell Shup in 1872; 7 children, 3 boys, 4 girls; wife & 1 son preceded him in death. Survivors: Anna Stephens, Woodland, CA,; John Hoeffliger, Dalhart, TX; Millie Canaday, Harmon, OK; Rosa of the home; Martha Case, Lipscomb, TX; Fred Hoeffliger, Bell, CA.
'Age of 4, came with parents to US; settled near Iffingham, IL - grew up there. Late 1864 joined army "as a substitute, serving in the Illinois Co. D 123rd infantry", honorable discharge Oct 1865. Member of Luthern Church then the Southern Methodist Church.
He and family moved to Fairview in 1911.'
"In Gloss Mountain Country: Major Co. History, Vol. I, pg. 163:
'William and Isbell Hoeffliger came to OK from TX in 1902 - 7 children: Anna, Will, John, Millie, Rosa, Martha, Fred. Anna & Will stayed in TX. They had a farm they sold in 1911 and bought the Blue Front Hotel in Fairview. After Isbell died, William, Rosa, Martha, Fred ran Hotel. Martha married & moved, Fred went in service World War I. Rosa went to work for the Post Office and the Hotel became a boarding house. William died 1944 and Rosa lived there until her death April 1974.'
"The Blue Front Hotel is now located at The Major County Historical Society, east of Fairview. They hope to restore it one day." -- Pat Weaver, Major Co. Genealogical Society, (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/OKMAJOR/2003-03/1047349475.)
7. Lisette / Mary Lena Hoeffliger. Lisette was born to Michael and Barbara in France in 1853. In America, she apparently went by the name Mary Lena. She is mentioned in her father's will as the recipient of $5.
8. Frederich Godfried / Godfrey Hoeffliger. Frederich Godfried was the only Hoeffliger born in the U.S. He was born in Northfield, Cook County, Illinois, on June 17, 1856. He married Elizabeth Frances. They and their children lived in Summit, Effingham County, Illinois. Frederich Godfrey died November 23, 1933. Source: Family trees and census records from www.ancestry.com.