Other Events:

• Associations: Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Richmond Lodge #1251
• Associations: Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA; Member of the Onetah Tribe of Red Men
• Race: White
• Occupation: jeweler, sometimes with his own store. He was also a traveling jeweler, known for his "motor home".
• Occupation: watch maker and jeweler
• Residence: 1880, Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Residence: 1887, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 16 May 1892, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1898, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1900, East Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Occupation: Aug 1904, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA; engraver
• Residence: Aug 1904, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1905, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama USA
• Residence: Between Jun 1907 and Sep 1908, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
• Residence: Between 1909 and 1913, Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1910, Everett Ward 2, Snohomish County, Washington, USA; 3402 Colby Ave
• Residence: Between 1914 and 1916, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA
• Residence: 1920, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 413 10th St
• Residence: 1929, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA
• Residence: 1930, Menlo Park, San Mateo County, California, USA; 925 Roble Ave
• Residence: 1934, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA
• Residence: 1942, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA
• Residence: Between Sep 1943 and Mar 1994, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; 184 8th St
• Probate: 1944, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; Case #1169

Notes:

On September 26, 1877, Gustave Franklin Obenland was born. He was the son of German immigrants Ernst Gottlieb Obenland and his wife, Mary Agnes Burkhart. Gustave, or Gus, as he was called, was born in Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, California.

Sonoma County is sometimes called the Valley of the Moon, or Valley of the Moons. The Miwok tribe named the area "Valley of the Moon" or "Many Moons" because their legends had it that the moon seemed to rise from the valley or may have rose multiple times in just one night.

Gus had five siblings: Christian G.E, Elizabeth Louise, Adolph Emil, Bertha Rose and Anna Agnes. Their father was a farmer while Mary kept house for the family.

In the fall of 1881, Ernst moved his family to Pomeroy, Garfield Co., Washington Territory. The 1898 Census of Garfield County, Washington lists 20 year old Gustave as working as a laborer. Later, he worked as a clerk in a grocery store.

In 1902, Gus went to Philadelphia where he learned the jeweler trade. During his time there, he completed a large pewter engraving that showcased his engraving skills. This engraving is kind of like a sampler that young girls embroidered during the 1700's and 1800's.

While in Philadelphia, Gus met a young seamstress named Anna Veronica Malarkey. He and Anna were married on August 30, 1904 in Anna's hometown of Girardville, Pennsylvania. They had one child, a son they named Harold Edwin, born on July 3, 1905 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Gus and Anna moved around quite a bit during their marriage. Records show them living in Birmingham, Alabama; Shreveport, Louisiana; Ft. Worth, Texas; Everett, Washington; Goldfield, Nevada and Richmond, California.
At one time, Gus owned a jewlery store in Richmond, at 917 McDonald Ave.

On September 12, 1918, Gus registered for the draft of WWI. His registration says that he was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and red hair.

Gus was an avid fisherman, a sport that seemes to run in the family. His brother Adolph and son Harold were all fishermen. Even his great-grandson Keith, born in 1976, also loves to fish. Gus was even arrested in 1924 in Oakland for having taken too many crabs from the ocean. (see attached article). In the 1920's, Gus was an active member of the Richmond Lodge #13, Knights of Pythias. An article in the Oakland Tribune from September 25, 1921, states that he had been elected Prelate of the lodge. I assume this must mean president.

The actual date of Gustave's divorce from Anna is unknown, but it had to have been between 1920 and 1930. They are listed together in at 413 10th Street in Richmond, California during the 1920 Census. The 1930 census shows Gus, as single and living at 925 Roble Ave. in Menlo Park, a city just southwest of Richmond in San Mateo County, California. In that census, Gus owned the house which had a value of $5,000 at that time. Living with Gus was a Hilda Moore, who was his housekeeper. Whether she actually was his housekeeper at that time is unknown. She might have just been living with him as his "paramour".

They eventually did live as man and wife, and Hilda told people that they were married. Letters and depositions in Gus's granddaughter's possession state that prior to his death, Gus had told his brother Adolph that he and Hilda were NOT married, even though she claimed they were. After Gus's death, Hilda claimed she and Gus were married in a town outside of Tiajuana, Mexico. When pressed, she couldn't remember the name of the town, nor could she produce a wedding certificate or any witnesses to the marriage.

In 1943, Gus moved back to Pomeroy, where he had grown up. Hilda went with him. Gus purchased a large Victorian house at 184 8th Street. The purchase price was $2,000. The deed was made September 1, 1943 and recorded in Garfield County on September 16, 1943. (Volume 42, page 303) Two months later, Gus transfered the house to Hilda, with the deed signed on November 3, 1943. The recording date of this deed is unknown at this time.

On March 14, 1944, Gus passed away. He and Hilda had made the trip to Lewiston, Idaho for some errands. While waiting in his car for Hilda to finish her shopping, Gus died. The cause of death on the death certificate says, "patient dead when I arrived. Evidentally due to coronary thrombosis." Gus's residence listed on his death certificate was 681 4th Street in Pomeroy. He was not living in the house on 8th Street when he died. Gus died without a will. At least, that is what Hilda said!

Only ten days after Gus's death, on March 24, 1944, Hilda signed a deed transferring the house on 8th Street to Gus's cousin Ray Shuck and his wife, Zelda. They purchased the house for only $10. This deed was not recorded until July 25, 1944.

In the terms of Anna's divorce from Gus, she was awarded monthly alimony. Gus's son, Harold, fought for part of his father's estate, as his mother, Anna, was owed about $9,000 in back alimony, which was a lot of money in those days.

An affidavit from a George Bromage stated that his ex-wife Ada Bromage was an old friend of Hilda's. Hilda had enlisted the help of Ada Bromage and Zelda Schuck in Pomeroy to help Hilda remove from Pomeroy the cash and jewelry of Gus's estate. Together, the three women smuggled about $35,000 in cash and jewelry from Pomeroy to Mr. Bromage's house in California, just after Gustave's death. Some of the money went to White Bird, Idaho.

In the end, the court awarded Hilda the estate. There was nothing left to be awarded to Anna, as the court valued the estate at under $3,000. This, of course, did not include the cash and jewelry smuggled out of Washington by Hilda and her accomplices, which comprised the bulk of Gustave's estate.

Gus was buried in the Pomeroy City Cemetery. Hilda left Pomeroy shortly after the estate was settled and moved to San Francisco, California. She died two years later. One wonders if she sold the gold and jewelry smuggled out of Washington and what she did with all of the money? Did she die without spending it all? If so, what happened to it?

Buried:
Pomeroy City Cemetery, Lot 7.5, Grave 7

Gustave married Anna Veronica Malarkey 30 Aug 1904, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; divorced Between 1925 and 1929, California, USA. Anna (daughter of John J Mullarkey and Mary Joyce) was born 29 Mar 1882, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; died 30 Mar 1962, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA; was buried Apr 1962, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. Harold Edwin Obenland was born 3 Jul 1905, Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama, USA; died 6 Jan 1982, Lake Isabella, Kern County, California, USA; was buried 11 Jan 1982, Wofford Heights, Kern County, California, USA.

Gustave married Hilda Chloe Before his death, Gus told his brother, Adolph, th. Hilda (daughter of Unknown Chloe and Unknown Nordlund) was born 22 Dec 1878, Sweden; died 7 Mar 1946, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA; was buried Mar 1946, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Race: White
• Birth: 2 Oct 1841, Ilsfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
• Arrival: 1868; Age: 28
• Occupation: 1870, McLean County, Illinois, USA; works for the railroad
• Residence: 1870, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; living with the Gottlieg Rummell family; Age: 26
• Naturalization: 19 Mar 1874, McLean County, Illinois, USA; Circuit Court
• Possessions: May 1875, Sonoma Township, Sonoma County, California, USA; week of 20 May 1875, Ernst bought 13 acres for a total of $700.
• Occupation: 1880, Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, USA; farmer.
• Residence: 1880, Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Residence: 16 May 1892, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; Age: 52; Marital Status: Single
• Occupation: 1900, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; day laborer
• Residence: 1900, East Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA

Notes:

The Golden Book of Ilsfeld lists his birthday as 20 Oct 1841. His obituary lists it as 2 Oct 1841, as does his gravestone. The Ilsfeld book is most likely correct.

Ernst Gottlieb Obenland was born in Ilsfeld, Wurttemburg, Germany to Johannes Obenland and his wife, Luise Barbara Logel.

In 1868, Ernst made the trip to America. The Parish register in Ilsfeld says that he, along with his brothers, Christian Friederich and Gottlieb Friederich, all left in 1872. However, as it pertains to Ernst, the register is incorrect. First, Ernst married Maria Agnes Burkhart on May 26, 1870 in Danvers, McLean County, Illlinois. And second, the 1900 Census says that Ernst arrived in the US in 1868.

The church register is correct regarding Christian and Gottlieb. They came to the United States on the Bremen, arriving in New York on April 16, 1872. For some reason, the records show Ernst and Christian on the passenger list; not Gottlieb. But, because Ernst was married in 1870 in Illinois, I believe the second brother on the list is Gottlieb, not Ernst.

The 1870 Census lists Ernst and Mary living in the home of Gottlieb Rummell in McLean County, Illinois. Ernst was working for the railroad and Mary was a servant. Records in the Circuit Court of McLean County, Illinois, state that Ernst was naturalized on March 19, 1974.

All three brothers settled in Illinois after coming to the United States. Christian married and had a large family, staying in Illinois. Their brother Gottlieb did the same. Ernst and Mary stayed for awhile, then the moved to California.

The 1880 Federal Census shows the family living in Glen Ellen in Sonoma County. At that time they had 5 children: Christian Gottlieb Ernst, Elizabeth Louise, Adolph Emil, Gustave Franklin, and Bertha Rose. Ernst was a farmer while Mary kept house for the family. An agriculture census for the year 1879 shows that Ernst and Mary owned 7 improved acres and 6 unimproved acres of land, the value being $1,000. Their farm implements were valued at $15. The estimated value of farm production "sold, consumed or on hand for 1879" was reported to be $300.

In the fall of 1881, Ernst moved his family to Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington Territory. Their last daughter, Christiana or Anna as she was called, was born there in 1882.

After Mary passed away in 1887, Ernst continued to live in Pomeroy. By 1901, Christian, Elizabeth Louise, and Adolph had married. Anna was in Tacoma, while Gustave and Bertha were living with their father in Pomeroy.

In November 1901, Ernst went to visit his daughter Elizabeth Louise and her husband in Idaho. On his way home, he was taken ill. Ernst's son, Christian, got word that his father was seriously ill, so he made the trip to Lewiston, Idaho. His father died the next day of what the obituary said was a "serious affliction of the stomach." His obituary, dated Nov. 23, 1901 (newspaper unknown) states:

"E.G. Obenland Dead. Monday evening C. Obenland received word that his father way lying, dangerously sick in Lewiston, Idaho. Mr. Obenland immediately started out for Lewiston, arriving there at 2 o'clock Tuesday morning. He found that the report concerning his father's condition was not overdrawn. The sick man was suffering from a serious affection of the stomach. He was taken suddenly ill Monday, and kept getting worse in spite of all that could be done, until death came to relieve his suffering, Tuesday at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.

The deceased had been visiting his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Schuck (sic), and was on his way home when he was taken sick. The body was brought to Pomeroy for burial, interment being made in the city cemetery Thursday at 10 o'clock. Rev. E. I. Crawford conducted the services.

Mr. Obenland was born in Germany, Oct 2nd, 1841. At the age of 33 he came to the United States, settling in Illinois. He removed to California where he remained for awhile, coming from there to Pomeroy in the fall of 1881. His wife died her fourteen years ago. He leaves three sons and three daughter, viz: C., G., and A. E. Obenland of Pomeroy. Miss Bertha Obenland of Pomeroy, Mrs. W. A. Schuck (sic) of White Bird, Idaho, and Miss Nannie Obenland of Tacoma, Wash."

Ernst was buried two days later in the Pomeroy City Cemetery next to his wife. It's interesting to note that Ernst's son Gustave died in the same town as his father did, 43 years later.


Buried:
Pomeroy City Cemetery; Lot 7, Grave 4

Ernst married Maria Agnes Burkhart 26 May 1870, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA. Maria (daughter of Johann Georg G Burkhardt and Maria Agnes Strobel) was born 27 May 1853, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 27 Oct 1887, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; was buried 3 Nov 1901, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Race: White
• Alternate Date of Birth: 27 May 1852; Her birthday listed on her mother's passport says 1852.
• Residence: 1870, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; Age: 18
• Residence: 1870, Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; Age: 18; Census Post Office: Bloomington
• Residence: 1880, Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, USA

Notes:

Maria (Mary) Agnes Burkhart was born in Germany on May 27, 1853. Her gravestone says that she was born in 1852, however, the church in Germany made it clear that the year was 1853. She was born in Unterhausen near Lichtenstein. Mary was the daughter of Johann Georg Burkhart and Maria Agnes Strobel. (To see the family tree from Germany, go to "Click here to view all images" at the bottom right of this memorial.)

She married another German immigrant, Ernst Gottlieb Obenland, on May 26, 1870 in Danvers, McLean Co., Illinois. Their first child, Christian G.E. Obenland was born in 1871. Elizabeth Louise was also born in Illinois in 1872.

Sometime in 1872, the family moved from Illinois to California, settling in Glen Ellen in Sonoma County. Ernst was a farmer while Mary kept house.

While in Glen Ellen, they had three more children: Adolph, 1875; Gustave, 1877; and Bertha, 1880.

In the fall of 1881, the family moved to Washington Territory. They made their home in Pomeroy in Garfield County. Once again, Ernst worked as a farmer. In 1882, the couple's last child, Anna was born.

Mary passed away on Oct. 27, 1887. Her cause of death is not known at this time. She was buried in the Pomeroy City Cemetery where later her husband and many of her children and grandchildren would be buried.

Mary's death notice in the newspaper read simply, "Mrs. Obenland, of this place, died last Saturday morning after a short illness, and was buried on Sunday. She left $500, which she had saved up for the support of her children."


Birth:
The person who researched for me in Germany emphasized her birth year was 1853 not 1852.

Buried:
Pomeroy City Cemetery; Lot 7, Grave 3

Other Events:

• Occupation: Ilsfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany; farmer
• Birth: 30 May 1803, Ilsfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Johannes married Luise Barbara Logel 17 Sep 1833, Flein, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Luise (daughter of Johannes Logel and Christine Katharine Bar) was born 18 Jun 1807, Flein, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 24 May 1870, Ilsfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Boehel
• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Bogel

Other Events:

• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Burkhard, Burkhardt
• Departure: Antwerp, Belgium; on the Peter Hattrick
• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 27226450
• Race: German
• Race: White
• Name: John George Burkhard
• _DEST: USA
• _ORIG: Germany
• Alternate Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1815
• Occupation: Bef 1853, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; carpenter
• Arrival: 16 Apr 1853, New York, New York; on the Peter Hattrick; Age: 38
• Naturalization: 15 Sep 1860, McLean County, Illinois, USA; Circuit Court;
• Occupation: 1870, Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; farmer
• Possessions: 1870, Dry Grove Township, Mc Lean County, Illinois, USA; real estate value $4,000; personal property value $950
• Residence: 1870, Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; Age: 52; Census Post Office: Bloomington
• Occupation: 1880, Dry Grove Township, Mc Lean County, Illinois, USA; farmer
• Residence: 1880, Dry Grove Township, Mc Lean County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1900, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Burkhard (t) means "defender of the city." In Germany, Johnn was a "zimmerman" or in English, a carpenter. The tree also states, "The mother of the family together with her children emigrated to the U.S. in 1856 although the father did not." He didn't stay in Germany, but came over to the U.S. before his family did.

He arrived in New York on 16 April 1853. This man was born in about 1815, the same as our Johann Georg. This could be our man. Maybe our Johann Georg's name included Gottfried, which would be the same as the man on the passenger list. (He did name two sons Gottfried after all) We know our Johann came to the USA before 1856, This man did.

Buried:
Park Lawn Cemetery

Johann married Maria Agnes Strobel 12 Nov 1844, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Maria (daughter of Heinrich Strobel and Anna Maria Epple) was born 4 May 1823, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 17 Feb 1908, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; was buried Feb 1908, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Race: White
• Arrival: 1856
• Residence: 1870, Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1870, Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA; Age: 44; Census Post Office: Bloomington
• Residence: 1880, Dry Grove Township, Mc Lean County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1880, Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1900, Danvers Township, McLean County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

The Lutheran Church record says that Maria and her 4 children living at the time emigrated to the US in 1856. It also says "although the father did not." (He came prior to his family.) Maria is buried with her husband in Park Lawn Cemetery, Danvers, McLean County, Illinois. She died on the 17th and he died the next day on the 18th. When their stone was carved, the dates were reversed. Maria's says she passed away on the 18th, not the 17th.

Buried:
Park Lawn Cemetery

Notes:

Christened:
Luheran Church

Georg married Maria Dorothea Oehler 5 Jul 1791, Cleebronn, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Maria (daughter of Johann Jacob Oehler and Maria Barbara Wartmann) was born 6 Dec 1766, Cleebronn, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; was christened 8 Dec 1766, Cleebronn, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 1 Jun 1832, Ilsfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Dorothea Maria Oehler

Notes:

There is a discrepancy in her last name. Most places on the LDS Family Search website uses the name Oehler. However, I received a letter in 1979 from the Burgermeister's office in Ilsfeld, which gave her last name as Agster. This information came from the parrish register in Ilsfeld. If she is an Oehler, her parents were Johann Jakob Oehler, Mayor of Cleebronn and Barbara Bartmann. Christened in the Lutheran church in Cleebronn, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg, Germany on 8 Dec 1766. Her first marriage might have been to an Agster.

Christened:
Lutheran Church

Other Events:

• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Boehel
• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Bogel

Johannes — Christine Katharine Bar. Christine was born , Flein, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Baer

Other Events:

• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Burkhardt, Burkhart
• Occupation: shoemaker
• Alternate Date of Birth: 8 Nov 1784

Notes:

Burkhard(t) means "defender of the city." .

Christened:
Lutheran Church

Johann married Margaretha Hartstein 20 Jul 1808, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Margaretha (daughter of Andreas Hartstein and Maria Agnes Bertsch) was born 23 Feb 1787, Unterhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; was christened 23 Feb 1787, Unterhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 25 Apr 1825, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Unterhausen became part of LIchtenstein in 1975/Unterhausen became part of Lichtenstein in 1975

Christened:
Unterhausen became part of LIchtenstein in 1975/Unterhausen became part of Lichtenstein in 1975

Other Events:

• Occupation: Between 1790 and 1855, Tubingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; laborer in a mill (mullerknecht)

Notes:

Heinrich married Anna Maria Epple 26 Apr 1820, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Anna (daughter of Andreas Epple and Maria Agnes Speidel) was born 2 Feb 1793, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 29 Apr 1826, Oberhausen, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]