1

Wilhelm "William" Koester (1877-1901)

Son of Hermann Heinrich, grandson of Herman Heinrich, great grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great great grandson of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great grandson of Johan Köster

William Koester was born 13 February 1877 in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois.

He appeared in the census of 1900 in Clinton County, Illinois. William (22, born February 1878) is enumerated on a farm in Santa Fe Township , with his brother Philip (19, born January 1881). Both men are single, born in Illinois, with both parents born in Germany.

He died 29 June 1901, at age 24 from typhoid fever in Piqua, Woodson County, Kansas.

Updated August 2008

1

Katharina Mary "Katherine" Koester (Kress) (1878 - 1941)

Daughter of Hermann Heinrich, granddaughter of Herman Heinrich, great granddaughter of Hermann Gerhard, great granddaughter of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great granddaughter of Johan Köster

Katharina M. Koester was born 7 April 1878 in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. She married Jacob Kress, son of Charles K. Kress and Mary Dorathea Sass on 21 January 1903.

She appeared on the census of 1910 in Woodson County, Kansas. Kate (31) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township with her husband Jacob Kress (30) and children Dora J. (6) ?Tessa (3) and ?James (5/12). The last child's name is very hard to read, but it is listed clearly as a son. Jacob and Kate were born in Illinois, with Jacob's father born in Germany and his mother in Illinois. Kate's parents were born in Germany . The children were born in Kansas. The couple has been married 7 years and have 3 of 3 children living.

She appeared on the census of 1920 in Woodson County, Kansas. Catherine (41) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township with her husband Jacob Kress(40) and children Josephine (16), Theresa M. (13), Genevieve (10), Herman C. (7), Paul W. (? 4/12) and Jerome (2 1/12). Catherine was born in Illinois, with both her parents born in Germany . Jacob was born in Illinois, with his father born in Germany and his mother in Illinois. The children were born in Kansas.

She appeared on the census of 1930 in Woodson County, Kansas. Katherine (52) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township with her husband Jacob Kress (51) and children Genevieve M. (20), Herman C (17), Paul W. (14), Jerome J. (12) and Jackie A. (6). Jacob was born in Illinois , his father in Germany and his mother in Illinois. Katherine was born in Illinois and both her parents were born in Germany. The couple has been married approximately 28 years, they own their farm and have a radio.

The following biography, found on Ancestry.com, is unsourced. “After visiting and surveying the Piqua area, Herman, H. Koester encouraged his two oldest children William and Katherine, to move here. They came in the summer of 1899 from Bartelso, Illinois with Mr. and Mrs. John Lampe, a teacher at Piqua. Shortly after arriving, William contracted typhoid fever and died at the age of 24.

 

Katherine Mary Koester was born April 7, 1878 at Minock, Illinois. When she was four years old her mother died, leaving four children. Later the father, stepmother and six children moved to Batelso, Illinois. Katherine continued her education until the age of 18 at St. Mary’s Academy at Quincy, Illinois, under the guidance of the Sisters of Nortre Dame and was skilled in the graces of elocution. Many memorabilia of her school years are still preserved by members of her family, including essay and scrap books, wreath collages crafted of waxen and dried flowers and a christening gown she made of sild and ribboned lace. (All of her children were baptized in that gown.)

 

Kathereine worked several years for Dr. Fulton and the Bernard Achter Wholesale Company of Iola. After a lengthy courtship, she married Jacob Kress, Sr. on January 21, 1903. They reared eight children: Josephine (married Anton Voelmeck), Tereda (married Claude Kolthoff), Genevieve (married Curtis Peine), Herman (married Agnes McGlade), Mary Irene, Paul, Jerome, (married Jane Pritchard) and Jacob Jr., (married Florence Lena Klocke).

 

Katherine died January 12, 1941.

 

Herman H. Koester was born in 1844 at Berge, Hanover, Germany and immigrated with his family to Illinoies in 1840. He visited Piqua several times each year, bought farms here for his children and later sent his two younger sons, Herman G. (married Anna Sundrup) and George (married Sylvia Wolz).”

Katherine Mary Koester died 12 January, 1941 in Piqua, Woodson County, Kansas.

Updated July 2010

2

Jacob J. Kress (1879-1964)

Husband of Catharina M. Koester (1878 - before 1943)

Jacob Kress, son of Charles K. Kress and Mary Dorathea Sass, was born in 27 July 1879 in Joliet, Illinois. The children of Jacob Kress and Catharina M. Koester, all born in Kansas, were:

. . . . 1. Josephine D. Kress, born 16 October 1903, married Anton Voelmeck. She died 21 January 1981.

. . . . 2. Theresa Marie Kress, born 19 July 1906. She married first Claude Kolthoff. She married second Leonard Burry.

. . . . 3. Genevieve Kress, born 24 November 1909. She married Curtis Peine.

. . . . 4. Herman Carolus Kress, born 4 July 1912, married Agnes McClade.

. . . . 5. Mary Irene Kress, born 15 August 1914, died 16 August 1914.

. . . . 6. William Paul Kress, born 24 August 1915, died 24 December 1986.

. . . . 6. Jerome J Kress., born 4 November 1917, married Emma Jane Pritchard. He died 30 June 1950.

. . . . 7. Jacob A. Kress, Jr., married Florence Lena Klocke.

Jacob Kress died 8 December 19964 in Piqua, Woodson County, Kansas .

Revised August 2008

Philip John Koester (1880-1943)

Son of Hermann Heinrich, , grandson of Herman Heinrich, great grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great grandson of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great grandson of Johan Köster

Philip John Koester was born on 11 January 1880 in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. He married Katherine A. Becker on 6 February 1901 at Barelso, Clinton County, Illinois.

He appeared on the census of 1910 in Clinton County, Illinois. Philip (30) is enumerated on a farm in Santa Fe Township, with his wife Catherine (30) and children Helen (8), Genevieve (6), Cora (4) and Elisabeth (2). The couple has been married nice years and have 4 of 4 children living. The entire family list Illinois as their birth place, Phillip's parents were born in Germany and Catherine's in Illinois.

He was registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 Clinton County, Illinois.

He appeared on the census of 1920 in Clinton County, Illinois. Philip Koester (39) is enumerated on a farm in Santa Fe Township with his wife Kate (39) and children Helen (18), Genevieve (16), Cora (14), Elisabeth (11), Katie (9) and Frank (3 6/12). Philip was born in Illinois, with his parents both born in Germany . Kate and her parents were born in Illinois. All of the children were born in Illinois. The own their farm with a mortgage.

He appeared on the census of 1930 in Clinton County , Illinois . Philip J. (48) is enumerated on a farm in Santa Fe Township with his children Katherine E. (19) and Frank P. (13) and his granddaughter Armilla E. (8). All of the family members were born in Illinois and Phillip's parents were born in Germany . They own their farm and have a radio.

Philip John Koester died on 4 January 1943 in Bartelso, Clinton County, Illinois. He was buried in St. Cecelia Catholic Cemetery in Bartelso, Clinton County, Illinois.

Updated August 2008

Katherine M. Becker (Koester) (1879-1921)

Wife of Philip J. Koester (1880 - 1943)

Katherine A. Becker was born 4 September 1879 in Bartelso, Clinton County, Illinois .

The children of Philip J. Koester and Katherine A. Becker, all born in Illinois , were:

. . . . 1. Helen Koester, born 4 September 1901, married Earl Burnett. She died 6 February 1990.

. . . . 2. Genevieve Koester, born 2 August 1903, married Earl Glenn. She died 28 February 1985.

. . . . 3. Cora L. Koester, born 7 October 1905, married Clifford Harper. She died 17 February 1986.

. . . . 4. Elizabeth Koester, born 30 January 1908, She married John Ray Orschell. She died on 6 February 1954.

. . . . 5. Catherine Koester, born 30 July 1910, married John Patrick.

. . . . 6. E. Philip Koester, born 12 June 1913, died 14 June 1913 .

. . . . 7. Frank Koester, born 20 July 1916, married Marie Goldsmith. He died 3 May 1990.

Katherine died 14 May 1921 in Bartelso, Clinton County, Illinois. She was buried in St. Cecelia Catholic Cemetery in Bartelso, Clinton County, Illinois .

Revised April 2006

Lisette Elizabeth Koester (Wilkerson) (Jones) (1881-1958)

Daughter of Hermann Heinrich,, granddaughter of Herman Heinrich, great granddaughter of Hermann Gerhard, great granddaughter of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great granddaughter of Johan Köster

Lisette Elizabeth Koester was born on 5 October 1881, in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. She married Clarence Wilkerson on 30 October 1913. After the death of her first husband, she married Bertram E. Jones on 14 June 1945.

Lisette Elizabeth Koester died 20 November 1958 at St. Louis, Missouri.

Revised April 2006

Herman Gerhard Koester (1884-1953)

Son of Hermann Heinrich,, grandson of Herman Heinrich, great grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great grandson of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great grandson of Johan Köster

Herman Gerhard Koester was born 27 April 1884 in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. He married Anna Sundrup 2 June 1920 in Clinton County, Illinois. Her name is spelled Svendrup in that record.

He appeared on the census of 1910 in Woodson County, Kansas. “Harmann” (22) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township. He is listed as a bachelor, born in Illinois, with both parents born in Germany.

He was registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 Woodson County, Kansas.

He appeared on the census of 1920 in Woodson County, Kansas. Herman J. (36) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township. He is single, born in Illinois, with both parents born in Germany.

He appeared on the census of 1930 in Woodson County, Kansas. Herman G. (46) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township with his wife Mary A. (4?) and children Ruth F. (??) and Ceal C. (??). Herman was born in Illinois and both his parents were born in Germany. Mary was born in Kansas and both her parents were born in Illinois. The children were born in Kansas. The couple has been married approximately 10 years. They own their farm and have a radio.

Hermann Gerhard died 1 March 1953 in Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas, at age 68. He was buried at Iola, Allen County, Kansas.

Updated Augsut 2008

Anna Catherine Sundrup (Koester) (1896-1966)

Wife of Hermann Gerhard Koester (1884 -1953)

Anne Sundrup, likely the daughter of August and Catherine Sundrup, was born 14 October 1896 in Bartelso, Clinton County, Illinois. The children of Hermann Gerhard Koester and Anne Sundrup, all born in Kansas, were:

. . . . 1. Anna Koester, born 6 June 1924, died 6 June 1924.

. . . . 2. Mary Ann Koester, married William Porter

. . . . 3. Ruth Frances Koester, married Frank Lampe

. . . . 4. Ceal Claire Koester, married Harold Ehlenberg

. . . . 5. Eleanora Rita Koester, married Cliffor Plake

Anne Sundrup died in July 1966 in Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois at age 69.

Revised August 2008

Gerhard W "George" Koester(1885-1967)

Son of Hermann Heinrich, grandson of Herman Heinrich, great grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great grandson of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great grandson of Johan Köster

Gerhard W. Koester was born on 30 October 1885 in Minonk, Woodford County, Illinois. He was also known as George W. Koester. He married Sylvia M. Wolz on 15 November 1910.

He was registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 Woodson County, Kansas.

He appeared on the census of 1920 in Woodson County, Kansas. George W. (34) is enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township with his wife Sylvia (26) and children Robert N. (8), Ira J. (4) and Leona (1 6/12). George was born in Illinois , with his parents born in Germany . Sylvia was born in Missouri, with both her parents also born there. The children were born in Kansas.

He appeared on the census of 1930 in Woodson County, Kansas. George W (44) in enumerated on a farm in Neosho Falls Township with his wife Sylvia M. (36) and children Robert N. (18), Ira J. (14), Leona G. (11), George J. (9) and Bertha A. (??). George was born in Illinois and his parents were born in Germany . Sylvia was born in Missouri and both her parents were born there. The children were born in Kansas . The couple has been married 20 years. They own their farm and have a radio.

George died in September 1967 in Piqua, Woodson County, Kansas, at age 81.

Added 5/2005

Sylvia Margaret Wolz (Koester) (1893-1967)

Wife of Gerhard W. Koester (1885 - 1967)

Sylvia M. Wolz, the daughter of Nicholas and Bertha Wolz, was born 29 November 1893.

The children of Gerhard W. Koester and Sylvia M. Wolz, all born in Kansas, were:

. . . . 1. Robert N. Koester, born 10 November 1911 in Kansas. He married Eva Magdalene Reedy. He died 30 April 1973 at age 61.

. . . . 2. Lula Koester, born 5 December 1913 and died 2 January 1919.

. . . . 3. Ira Jacob Koester, born 2 January 1916, married Mildred Carpenter,

. . . . 3. Leona Grace Koester,. born 13 May 1918, married Howard Lawrence Gill.

. . . . 4. George J. Koester, born 2 May 1920 in Kansas, married Rosella M. Thummel. He died 29 July 2003.

. . . . 5. Bertha Ann Koester, married John C Parks.

. . . . 6. Archie Koester, born 3 June 1930, married Arlene Hart. He died 15 September 1994.

Sylvia Margaret Wolz died 18 March 1967 in Woodson County, Kansas at age 73.

Updated August 2008