Lewis Mathias is my Great, Great, Great Grandfather. He was born in Luxembourg on 10 Jun1814. In 1839 Lewis and his wife Clara Feck (19 May 1814-3 Feb 1843) immigrated to America. Lewis was one of the early settlers in Big Springs Township. He purchased 23 acres of land on 29 Aug 1839 for $126. Lewis was a blacksmith by trade. Lewis died on 6 Aug 1878. He was laid to rest at St. Nicholas Church cemetery. The church is built on a 1/2 acre of land Lewis sold to Bishop Rappe for $5.
(4 MAY 1840-11 JUL 1910)
(Photo courtesy of Lorena Reinhart)
(5 NOV 1841 - 8 AUG 1912)
(Photo courtesy of Lorena Reinhart)
Josephine married Anthony Heinen (1834-1919) on 16 Oct 1860 at St. Nicholas Church. They had eleven children: Clara, John, Josephine, Mary Rose, Catherine, Nicholas, John Baptist, Margaret, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, and Josephine Matilda.
(3 FEB 1843 - 31 DEC 1916)
(Photo courtesy of Lorena Reinhart)
John married Rosella Guillame (1849-1896) on 3 Aug 1864 at St. Nicholas Church. They had twelve children: Clara Elizabeth, Anthony John, Nicholas, Catherine, Adam, Elizabeth, Michael Lewis, Anna Theresa, Joseph Peter, Albert Martin, Josephine Veronica, and Theodore William.
Lewis' first wife Clara apparently died from child birth when her son John was born. Lewis was left with three small children to tend for. He remarried to Josephine Goshe (1818-1890) on 14 Nov 1843 at St. Mary's Church in Tiffin, Ohio. They had five children: John Baptist, Catherine, Nicholas, Henry, and Anna.
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