Matthias — Wilhelmina Regina Hagg. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Fred
• Arrival: 1882
• Residence: 1900, Elgin Ward 2, Kane County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1910, Elgin Ward 7, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Fred was born in Winnenden, Neckarkreis,Wurttemburg, Germany on September 9, 1861. His German birth name is Wilhelm Friedrich Preiss. He was the son of Matthias Friedrich and Wilhelmina Regina Hagg Preiss. He was one of of 4 children that could be found. Fred had two brothers, Gustave Albert, born Aug. 22, 1862 and Albert Gottlieb, born Dec. 18, 1864. He had one sister, Wilhelmine Caroline, born on April 7, 1866. In 1882, Fred immigrated to the United States. He came over on the Nicolas, along with a young lady named Maria Obenland, who would later become his wife. Whether they met on the ship or knew each other in Germany, its anyone's guess. Fred and Mary were married in Peoria, Illinois on April 12, 1890. The couple had a total of 7 children. Two died at birth or in their infancy. The others were Christian W., Albert Gustave, Henry David, Gustave Anton and Emily R. The 1900 Federal Census shows Fred and his family as living at 552 Franklin St., Elgin, Illinois. Fred listed his occupation as a watchmaker. In 1910, he was listed as an engineer at a watch factory. By 1920, Fred and his wife had lost sons Christian in 1916, Albert in 1919 and Gustave in 1920. Only two of their children died as mature adults; namely Henry, who died at the age of 60, and Emily, who was 95 when she passed away. Only Henry had children. By 1920, Fred and Mary were living at 215 N. Hill St., in Elgin. It was a home that they owned. Fred died on Jan. 25, 1936 in Elgin. He was buried at Bluff City Cemetery, where his sons are buried.

Buried:
Bluff City Cemetery; Section 15, Lot 7, Space 11

Wilhelm married Marie Caroline Obenland 12 Apr 1890, Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, USA. Marie (daughter of Johann Christian Obenland and Auguste Rosine Peter) was born 22 May 1862, Heilbronn, Neckarkreis, Wurttemburg, Germany; died 19 Feb 1946, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, USA; was buried , Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1900, Elgin Ward 2, Kane County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1910, Elgin Ward 7, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Albert registered for the draft for WWI on June 5, 1917. At the time, he was living at 215 Hill St., Elgin, Illinois. He was employed as a watchmaker for the Elgin National Watch Company. Albert was single at the time. He objected to the draft because of his religious convictions. He said he was a member of the Apostloic Christian Church. His description on his draft card shows him to have been of medium build and height, with blue eyes and black hair. It also says that he had a physical disability. Albert died one year later. (Ill. Death Certificate #0027637.

Buried:
Bluff City Cemetery; Section 5, Lot 8, Space 22

Other Events:

• Residence: 1900, Elgin Ward 2, Kane County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1910, Elgin Ward 7, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Gustave was the son of Fred W and Maria (Mary) Obenland Preiss. He was born in Elgin, Illinois on Feb. 20, 1900. Gustave filled out his WWI Draft Registration card on Sept. 12, 1918. He was living at 215 Hill Ave. in Elgin at the time. Gustave worked as a clerk for Ackerman Brothers, at 164 Milwaukee, in Elgin. His draft registration said that Gustave was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and brown hair. The 1920 Census was taken on January 6th. Gustave was living with his parents at the time. He would die just a month later. Gustave died of a ruptured appendix, as per one of his nieces. The date was Sept. 15, 1920. He was only 20 years old. His Illinois State Death Certificate is #0040634

Buried:
Bluff City Cemetery; Section 5, Lot 8, Space 25

Other Events:

• SSN issued: Illinois, USA
• Social Security Number: 330-03-6571
• Residence: 1910, Elgin Ward 7, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Emily died at the age of 95 in Elgin, Illinois, where she had lived her entire life. She was the daughter of Fred W. and Maria (Mary) Obenland Priess, who were both born in Germany. Emily was one of 5 children born to Fred and Mary. All of their children were born in Elgin. Emily was born on April 18, 1901. Emily had worked for the Elgin National Watch factory prior to retiring. She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. Emily never married and had no children.

Buried:
Bluff City Cemetery; Section 4, Lot 252, Space 12

Died:
Apostolic Christian Resthaven Nursing Home

Other Events:

• Residence: 1900, Elgin Ward 2, Kane County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1910, Elgin Ward 7, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Henry was the son of Fred W. and Maria Caroline Obenland Preiss. His parents were both born in Germany. Henry registered for the draft for WWI the same day his brother Albert did. (June 5, 1918.) At the time, Henry worked for A.C. Barclay of Elgin, Illinois. His draft card shows that he had gray eyes and black hair. Henry worked in the hardware store in Elgin. Quite possibly it was the A.C Barclay store mentioned on his draft card. He married Rosa Grimm on Oct. 5, 1930 in Elgin, Illinois. The couple had 7 children: Warren, born July 5, 1931; Virginia, born Oct. 27, 1933; Janet; Charlott, born May 9, 1939; Suzann; Cynthia; and Diane. All of Henry's children are alive as of Sept., 2008, with the exception of Warren. He passed away Dec. 7, 1978 and is buried in Morning Side Cemetery, Dubois, PA. Henry worked in a hardware store while his wife kept house for the family. His daughter Charlott said that he was a "laid back" kind of guy. Henry died in his home in Elgin, Illinois due to a cerebral thrombosis. He was on his way upstairs to bed when it happened and he fell down the stairs.

Buried:
Bluff City Cemetery; Section 4, Lot 252, Space 6

Died:
at home

Henry married Rosa Grimm 5 Oct 1930, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, USA. Rosa was born 4 Jun 1906, Dundee, Kane, County, Illinois, USA; died 4 Dec 1967; was buried Dec 1967, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1900, Elgin Ward 2, Kane County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 1910, Elgin Ward 7, Kane County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Buried:
Bluff City Cemetery; Section 5, Lot 8, Space 13

Other Events:

• Occupation: Officer, US Army
• Retired: from the US Army as a Command Sgt. Major
• Social Security Number: 343-24-4301

Notes:

Buried:
Morningside Cemetery

Warren — Living Woodward. [Group Sheet]

Diane — John Mikitson. John was born , California, USA. [Group Sheet]

Living — Living Schock. [Group Sheet]

Suzann — Oscar Bjork. [Group Sheet]