Notes:

1930 Census Record, Chicago, IL

Laverne Sonnenberg, 27 years old, born IL, parents born IL, roomer, shipping clerk, paint factory.

Laverne had red hair.

Laverne married AMBROMICH Sophia Jacqueline on 28 Feb 1927 in IL. Sophia (daughter of AMBROMICH Anton) was born on 7 Aug 1905 in IL; died on 27 Jul 1982 in Benld, IL; was buried in Benld City Cemetery, Benld, IL Lot 75. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Marriage Register: October 30, 1899, Madison County, IL

John Sonnenberg, 22 years old, white, born in Altamont, IL, son of Martin Sonnenberg and Kate Smith, Blacksmith of Glen Carbon, IL, and Emilia Brandt, 22 years old, born in Trenton, IL, living in Wheatfield Twp, Clinton County and daughter of Martin Brandt and Katherine Schroeder, were married in Carlyle, IL on Oct 30th, 1899.

St. Clare's Cath. Church, Altamont, IL. Baptism of John was there at that church by: Hieronymus Hellhake on 18 April 1880. Sponsers: Gerard Ortmann and Anna Maria Berens.

1900 Madison County, IL, Edwardsville Twp, Glen Carbon, census record:

Family number 141 (brother Daniel was family number 93)
John Sonnenberg, Head, born 1878 in IL, parents born Ger, Blacksmith
Emilie, born 1878 in IL, parents born in Germany

1920 Census, Macoupin County, IL, Number 142

John Sonnenberg, 40 years old, rents his home, born in IL, father's place of birth is unknown, so is mother's, coal miner.
Emilie, 41 years old, born in IL, parents born in Germany
Lawrence, 17 years old, born in IL, coal miner.


1930 Census Record: Macoupin Co, IL, Sawyerville

Family number 92
John Sonnenberg, 51 years old, born in IL, parents born in Germany, blacksmith at coal mine
Emilie, wife, 51 years old, born in IL, parents born in Germany

Johannes married BRANDT Emilie on 30 Oct 1899 in Carlyle, Madison, IL. Emilie (daughter of BRANDT Martin and SCHROEDER Katharine) was born on 1 Aug 1878 in Clinton County, IL; died on 16 Oct 1959 in Benld, IL; was buried in Benld City Cemetery, Benld, IL Lot 75. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Effingham Republican, Friday, June 22, 1894:

Died, Sunday morning, June 17, 1894, Martin Sonnenberg, of heart disease, aged 59 years and 4 months. Deceased was born at Rhine, Province Posen, Germany, Oct. 17th, 1834. Came to this country with his parents when about 17 years old. He served his country in the late rebellion three years and six months. He worked nearly all of his life-time at the blacksmith trade. He was a good mechanic and well liked by all who knew him. Deceased leaves a wife and nine children to mourn their loss. The remains were buried at the Bishop Catholic graveyard on Tuesday morning at 8:30 o'clock. All of his sons and daughters were present at the funeral. May he rest in peace.

Effingham Democrat, June 20, 1894

Died: on the 17th. inst., Martin Sonnenberg at the age of 59 years of heart dease. The deceased came to this country from Germany in 1851. He enlisted in the 100th. Illinois Regiment and served three years in the late war from which he was honorably discharged in 1865. He leaves a wife, ten children and a sister who resides in Chicago, IL. to mourn his loss. His remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery at the Bishop Church on Tuesday. May he rest in peace.

Soldier rest, thy warfare is o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows no waking-
Dream of battle fields no more,
Days of danger, nights of waking.

He was buried in the St. Aloysious Catholic Church cemetery, Bishop Twp., Eff.Co.IL.

Tombstone of Martin Sonnenberg

Freue Teuchimhern
Halleluia

MartinSonnenberg
Geb. 17 Okt. 1836
Gest. 17 Juni 1894 Altervon 58 jr 8 mo

Selig sind Die die in Herin sterben
Den Illnen lst das himmelreich

(Beautiful are the men that die and go to the kingdom of Heaven)

St. Aloysius Church, Bishop Creek, Effingham Co, IL death notice for Martin--apoplexia corrupta; died without receiving the last Sacraments....58 years old, 5 months, and 2 days; died on June 17, 1894, buried on June 19, 1894.

Family register of St. Aloysious Church in Effingham County:

Martin Sonnenberg was born 10/15/1836, lived in Posen until 1854, moved to Wisconsin first and then Chicago in 1857, then moved to Will County from 1859 to 1879, and finally to Effingham County, IL. Martin married Katarina Schmidt in Will County in 1859 and their first child, Peter, was born there in April, 1860. Census records of Anna Sonnenberg Schmidt indicate they came in 1853 rather than 1854, if he came to the US when 17, then the year would have been 1853.

Following is the family register at St. Aloysious Church:

Sonnenberg, Martin
Born 10/15/1835
Lived in Posen until 1854
Wisconsin 1857
Chicago
Altamont 1889
Married Sept. 1858 Catherine Schmidt
Children:
Peter April 24, 1859
Martin 1860
George 12/15/1862
Christian 4/21/1866
Daniel 1869
Philip
Johanna 1871
Catherine
Helen
John 2/24/1880
Rosalia 7/4/1882
Maria 3/8/1885
Frederick 6/6/1888


Martin enlisted to serve in the Civil War in Mokena on August 5, 1762 and fought at the battle of Stone's River. Forced to lie on the cold ground in rain without cover for three days and nights, Martin suffered permanant disability. He was hospitalized after the battle and eventually transferred to the Volunteer Reserve Corps. Martin was discharged in 1865 and applied for disability in 1879 when he had moved to Altamont, Effingham County. Then in the late summer of 1880 or early 1881 he moved to Bishop Twp., Eff.Co.IL.

According to the Civil War pension papers, Martin was 5' 9", had brown hair and blue eyes, and weighed about 140 pounds. Katarina stated that she met Martin when he was about 19 (she would have been 12).

Marriage license says that he was married: 10 Sept. 1859 in Joliet, Will County, IL. At St. John's Catholic Church by Catholic priest Charles Kuemin to Catherine Schmidt.

Martin became a citizen of the United States on October 10, 1860 in Will County, IL. Witnesses were John Reid and Charles Hirsh.

1860 Will County Census:

Family number 2076, Will County, Frankfort Township

Martin Sonnenberg, 25 years old, blacksmith, born in Poland
Catharine, 18 years old, born in Prussia
Peter, 3 months old, born in Illinois
Martin, 50 years old, born in Poland

Family number 2162, Will County, Frankfort Township

Martin Sonnberg, 25 years old, blacksmith, born in Prussia
Catharine, 18 years old, born in Prussia
Peter, 2 months old, born in Illinois

It appears that Martin's father, Martin, was living with them in 1860 and was also a blacksmith.

1870 census records for Will County, Florence Twp:

Martin Sullenbragh, 32 years old, blacksmith, born in Prussia, parents foreign born, personal property estimated at $800, is a citizen.
Catharine, 27, born in Prussia, parents foreign born.
Peter, 10, born in IL
George, 8, born in IL
Christian, 5, born in IL
Daniel, 3, born in IL

Effingham County 1880 census:

Mound Twp., Effingham County, IL. , number 17

Sunberg, Martin, 41 years old, farmer, born Holland, Father b. Hol. Mother b. Hol.
Catherine, 39 wife, born Pru, Father born Pru, Mother born Pru.
Peter, age 19 son W. on farm, IL Hol Pru
George, age 17 son W. on Farm IL Hol Pru
Christian, age 14 son W. on farm IL Hol Pru
Daniel, age 10 son W. on farm IL Hol Pru
Joanna, age 8 dau. at home IL Hol Pru
Catharine, age 5 dau. at home IL Hol Pru
Lena, age 2 dau. at home IL Hol Pru
John, age 3/12 son IL Hol Pru.

1880, Effingham County, Teutopolis

Martin Sonnenberg, 47 years old, married, blacksmith, born in Prussia, Father born in Prussia, Mother born in Prussia.

As in 1860, the Sonnenberg family was recorded on the census records on two different occasions, and had some conflicting information. It is most likely that one census was taken at the home and the other at the business.

From "Effingham County Illinois Past and Present"

"St. Aloysious Cemetery, located three miles west of Dietrich, has served the Bishop community well for about one hundred years.

This well kept cemetery, to the north of the church of the same name, holds the mortal remains of many who are perpetuated in this generation and many who still live on the ancestral farms. Names to be seen on tombstones are: Goeckner, Bierman, Cremer,Smidth, SONNENBERG, and Buenker.

"History of Effingham County," originally priented in 1883:

"The little village of Dieterich, or Dieterichburg, is situated in the northwest corner of the township and was laid out by M. Dieterich, who owned the land. This town is an outgrowth of the Springfield, Effingham and Southeastern Railroad, which was recently completed through this part of the county and which has given new stimulus to the agricultural interest of this township, by bringing good grain markets to the people's doors. The place boasts two stores, which are kept by James Prather and Henry Habing: two blacksmith shops, where John SONNENBERG and William Richards work at their trades.

1890 Tax List for Effingham Co, IL

M. Sonnenberg had property of Lots 9 and 10 of block 2 in the Village of Dieterich. Lot 9 had the value of $20 and lot 10 was worth $10. He paid $.35 and $.19 tax on these properties.

M. Sonnenberg had property of Lot 6 on block 5 in the Village of Dieterich. The value was $75 and he paid taxes of $1.33.

M. Sonnenberg paid an additional $.60 tax, but it did not say what it was for. Evidentley he did not have a dog that year as there was a tax for dogs of $1.00 per animal.

Martin married SCHMIDT Katharina on 10 Sep 1859 in by Cath. Priest Charles Cumin, Will County, Joliet, IL. Katharina (daughter of SCHMIDT Heinrich Peter and WERNER Anna Margaretha) was born on 10 Jul 1841 in Damflos, Trier, Germany; died on 26 Feb 1927 in Madison County, Wood River Hosp., Alton, IL.; was buried in St Patrick's Cemetery, Alton, Madison Co, IL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Catharine came to the US on June 22, 1957. She arrived in NY on the ship Harriet Hoxie which came from Antwerp to NY, Catharine was with her widowed fatherPeter Schmidt and Christian, John, Jacob, and George who were her brothers. The family either took a train to Chicago from NY or took the Erie Canal to the great lakes. The family came from Damflos, Germany which is close to Luxemberg and part of Trier which is the oldest city in Germany.

Burial notice in Alton newspaper. Feb, 1927

Mrs. C. Sonnenberg, to be buried Tuesday.

Mrs. Catherine Sonnenberg, aged 85, who died Saturday, will be buried Tuesday in Greenwood Cemetery, following requiem mass to be read at St. Mary's Church. The body is at the James A. Klunk funeral home and the funeral will be held from there.

Mrs. Sonnenberg, who was born in Germany, June 11, 1842, is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Joseph Baumgartner of Chicago, Mrs. J.L. Davis of Smythboro, IL., Mrs. Irwin Strein of Collinsville and Mrs. J.G. Osthoff of East St. Louis, and five sons, Peter Sonnenberg of Kansas, George Sonnenberg of Wood River, Daniel Sonnenberg of Sesser, IL., Chris. Sonnenberg of Collinsville and John Sonnenberg of Sawyerville, IL.. She also leaves 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

1900 Census, Effingham Co, IL, Bishop Twp, Dieterich

House number 22
Sonnenberg, Catherine, Head, Born June, 1842, 57 years old, single, number of children born 14, number of living children 10. Born in Germany, parents born in Germany, year of immigration 1855, retired, reads and writes English, owns home.
Mary, daughter, born March, 1885. 15 years old, single, born in IL, parents born in Germany.

1920 St. Clair County, IL census record:

Catherine Sonnenberg, inmate at St. Vincent's Hospital. 78 years old, born in Germany, parents born in Germany.

It should be noted that Catharine had a different birth date (6/11/1942) from her actual birth date in Damflos, Germany which was 7/10/41. This was not that unusual, it is clear she is the sister of Christian Schmidt and the other children.

Notes:

Listed as farmer on census records, came to the US in 1867. Is first found on the 1870 census records for St. Clair Co, IL living with several other male farmers.

Martin is seen on the census records for Clinton Co, IL in 1900, he is living with his wife sons John, Laurence, Adam and Christian and his daughter Rosa. His other daughter, Christina, may have married by then and Mary and Emily had married the Sonnenberg brothers before 1900.

Martin is found on the 1880 census records in Clinton Co, Sugar Creek, living with most of his children and farming.

Martin married SCHROEDER Katharine on 26 Jan 1873 in St. Clair County, IL. Katharine was born in 1845; died on 3 Jul 1923 in Wheatland, Clinton Co, IL; was buried in Beaver Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Clinton Co, IL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Katharine is listed as coming to the US in 1865.

Katharine is found on the 1910 census records in Clinton County living with her children John, Lawrence, Adam and Rosa, she is listed as widowed.

She is found on the 1920 census records living with her children John, Lawrence, Rosa and Christian in Clinton Co, IL, widowed.

Notes:

Listed as blacksmith on 1860 census records for Will County, IL., living with Martin Sonnenberg and Catharine and their son Peter Sonnenberg. Both Martins are listed as Blacksmiths and born in Poland.

Martin married SONNENBERG Mrs.. Mrs. was born in ABT. 1815 in Oldenburg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Walter Petto Book, Pg. 375:

Heinrich Schmidt-Werner from Damflos received on 2/2/1857 permission to immigrate to North America with 2 sons and 2 daughters. Heinrich Peter and family came on the Harriet Hoxie which arrived in NY June 22,1857 from Marseilles. With Peter were his children John, Peter, George, Christian, Maria, and Katharina.

1860 census records, Will Co, IL: Peter is found living with his married son John and his wife Anna and Peter's sons Peter and Jacob (George.)

Peter cannot be found on the 1870 census records, it is assumed he died before then.

Heinrich married WERNER Anna Margaretha on 26 Jul 1823 in Hermeskeil, Germany. Anna (daughter of WERNER Johann and ESCH Anna Margaretha) was born in ABT. 1802 in Trier, Germany; died on 14 Sep 1849 in Damflos, Trier, Germany. [Group Sheet]