Barbara Ganser Kirch

Barbara Ganser Kirch (1814-1893)^[1]Find A Grave, “Barbara Ganser Kirch,” Memorial ID 35535756, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed September 25, 2021 was a mother of seven who lived in the Germany’s Eifel region until 1857, when she came to Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, she lived in the Town of Berry and Village of Mazomanie in Dane County and the Town of Arena in Iowa County.

Biography

Early life

Barbara Ganser was born in March, 1814, in Niederprüm, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. At the time, Niederprüm was part of the Département de la Sarre in the First French Empire. Barbara did not get a chance to experience French rule, though. Just a month after her birth, Napoleon abdicated, and Niederprüm was claimed by Prussia.

Barbara was the sixth of eight children of Adam Ganser and Maria Herscheid. Baptismal records for Niederprüm are missing for most of the period of French occupation, so an exact birthdate is not available.

Due to the scarcity of records, little can be said of Barbara’s youth. Her next appearance in the Niederprüm church records is in 1839, when she was 24 years old. On February 10th of that year, she gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, Margaretha. Margaretha’s father was not identified in her baptismal record.^[2]Katholische Kirche Niederprüm (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1617-1878, Taufregister Vol. 1 (1795-1839), p. 85, Margaretha Ganser baptismal record, February 10, 1839, Family History Library microfilm … Continue reading

On February 14, 1844, Barbara Ganser married Nicholas Kirch in Niederprüm.^[3]Katholische Kirche Niederprüm (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1617-1878, Heiratsregister Vol. 2 (1840-1919), p. 101, number 5 for 1844, Nicolaus Kirch and Barbara Ganser marriage record, February 14, … Continue reading She was 29 years old at the time. Nicholas (1816-1887)^[4]Find A Grave, “Nicholas Kirch,” Memorial ID 35535720, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed February 12, 2022 was a native of Lasel–a small village about 14 kilometers south of Niederprüm. Following their wedding, they resided in Lasel, where five of their six children were born.

The Ganser and Kirch families arrive in Wisconsin

Barbara’s brothers began emigrating to the United States in the early 1840s. Anton Ganser arrived in New York in 1842.^[5]“New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” Anton Ganser aboard the bark Newburyport, arrived at New York August 24, 1842, FamilySearch, accessed February 12, 2022 By 1846, he was living in the Town of Roxbury, Dane County, Wisconsin. It is likely that Anton was drawn to the Roxbury area by the presence of Father Adalbert Inama, a German Catholic priest who arrived in Roxbury in 1845.^[6]John T. Clark, “Roxbury,” in Madison, Dane County, and Surrounding Towns (Madison, Wis.: Wm. J. Park & Co., 1877), page 504, HathiTrust, accessed February 12, 2022

Three of Barbara’s other brothers would follow over the ensuing decade. Barbara’s youngest brother, Michael, was also in Roxbury by the early 1850s, though he later left for Juneau County. Her two surviving older brothers, Moritz^[7]“New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” Moritz Ganser aboard the ship Tropic, arrived at New York October 10, 1854, FamilySearch, accessed February 12, 2022 and Johann ^[8]“New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” Johann Ganser aboard the ship Tropic, arrived at New York October 10, 1854, FamilySearch, accessed February 12, 2022, landed in New York on October 10, 1854 and made their way to Roxbury.

Three years later, Barbara became the last of the Ganser siblings to move to Wisconsin. Sometime in the spring of 1857, the Kirch family departed Antwerp, Belgium aboard the bark Wessacumcon. Accompanying Nicholas and Barbara on the voyage were their children Heinrich, Moritz, and Anna (Emma). On June 13, 1857, they landed at Boston, Massachusetts.^[9]“Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” Barbara Krich aboard the bark Wessacumcon, arrived at Boston June 13, 1857, FamilySearch, accessed January 15, 2022

In Berry

While Barbara’s brothers had settled in Roxbury, Nicholas and Barbara settled in the neighboring Town of Berry. On December 6, 1858, Nicholas Kirch purchased 81 acres of land in Section 3 of the Town of Berry, including the NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4, the SE 1/2 of the NE 1/4, and 1 acre in the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4.^[10]Dane County (Wisconsin) Register of Deeds, Dane County Deeds v. 55, p. 59-60, Nicholas Kirch land purchase from John Schafhausen, recorded February 13, 1862, FamilySearch, accessed January 16, 2022 The 1860 United States Census lists the Kirch family on this farm in the Town of Berry. Living with Nicholas and Barbara were their three children–Heinrich, Moritz, and Anna Maria.^[11]“United States Census, 1860,” Town of Berry, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, page 219 (penned), dwelling 1451, family 1508, Barbra Kirch, FamilySearch, accessed January 27, … Continue reading

On December 2, 1860, Nicholas and Barbara’s youngest child, Anton, was baptized by Father Maximillian Gaertner, likely at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Roxbury.^[12]Journal of the Roman Catholic mission in North America for Johan Stefan Maximillian Gaertner: canon of the Praemonstratensian Order Abbey in Wilton, Tyrol, 1846 A. D., baptismal record for Anton … Continue reading Barbara was 46 years old at the time of his birth.

In Dover

On November 17, 1866, Nicholas Kirch purchased the grist mill in Dover (in the Town of Arena, Iowa County, Wisconsin, just across the border from the Town of Mazomanie).^[13]Iowa County (Wisconsin) Register of Deeds, Iowa County Deeds v. 20, p. 69-71, Nicholas Kirch land purchase from Albert W. Curtis and Henryetta A. Curtis, recorded March 25, 1869, FamilySearch, … Continue reading The Kirch family moved to Dover and began operating the mill shortly thereafter.

Nicholas and Barbara lived in Dover at least through the mid-1870s, as they were listed there in both the 1870 U.S. Census^[14]“United States Census, 1870,” Town of Arena, Iowa County, Wisconsin, population schedule, page 18 (penned), page 9 (stamped), dwelling 132, family 132, Barbara Kirch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading and the 1875 Wisconsin Census^[15]“Wisconsin State Census, 1875,” Town of Arena, Iowa County, Wisconsin, image 52, Nicholas Kirch, FamilySearch, accessed January 31, 2022. In 1870, Nicholas’ occupation was listed as miller, and he was relatively wealthy, with real estate valued at $6000 and personal $1300.

In Mazomanie

As evidenced by poll lists, Nicholas and Barbara had moved into Mazomanie by November, 1877.^[16]Dane County Clerk, Poll Lists, 1839-1926, poll list for the Town of Mazomanie, November 6, 1877, Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, Dane Series 35 In the 1880 U.S. Census, Barbara and Nicholas (who was listed as a saloon keeper) were living in the same dwelling as their daughter Emma and her husband, Hugo Welsch, who was a blacksmith.^[17]“United States Census, 1880,” Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 78, page 9 (penned), page 193A (stamped), dwelling 87, family 95, Barbara Kirch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading The blacksmiths and carriage makers in the surrounding houses imply that the Kirch/Welsch household was on Crescent Street. The exact location of where they lived in Mazomanie is somewhat unclear, though, as Nicholas owned many properties in the village.

On January 12, 1887, Barbara’s husband of nearly 43 years died from a stroke while on a business trip in Janesville, Wisconsin.^[18]“Death of Nicholas Kirch,” Mazomanie Sickle, January 15, 1887, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 12, 2022 Six years after his death, on October 17, 1893, Barbara (Ganser) Kirch died at her son Henry’s house in Dover. The cause of death was dropsy.^[19]Mazomanie Sickle, October 21, 1893, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 12, 2022 She was buried alongside Nicholas in Mazomanie Cemetery.^[20]Find A Grave, “Barbara Ganser Kirch,” Memorial ID 35535756, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed September 25, 2021

Affiliations

Religious

Barbara was a Catholic throughout her time in Germany. After emigrating to America, she and Nicholas remained Catholic at least until the baptism of their youngest child, Anton, in 1860.^[21]Journal of the Roman Catholic mission in North America for Johan Stefan Maximillian Gaertner: canon of the Praemonstratensian Order Abbey in Wilton, Tyrol, 1846 A. D., baptismal record for Anton … Continue reading This is the last record available of the Nicholas and Barbara belonging to the Catholic church.

According to family lore, Nicholas Kirch decided to leave the Catholic church for the Lutheran church because he was not happy about having to pay pew rents. There is no corroborating evidence for this, though.

Their church membership in later years is a bit challenging to pin down. Nicholas Kirch’s funeral in 1887 was held at the Congregational church, with a German preacher from Sauk City officiating.^[22]“Death of Nicholas Kirch,” Mazomanie Sickle, January 15, 1887, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 12, 2022 Barbara Kirch’s funeral was officiated by Rev. Sentrock, who was the pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran church.^[23]Mazomanie Sickle, October 21, 1893, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 12, 2022

Children

Barbara Ganser had one child with an unknown father:

1. Margaretha Ganser (1839^[24]Katholische Kirche Niederprüm (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1617-1878, Taufregister Vol. 1 (1795-1839), p. 85, Margaretha Ganser baptismal record, February 10, 1839, Family History Library microfilm … Continue reading-?) was baptized in Niederprüm in 1839, but no further record of her has been found. It is possible that she died young, but that is pure speculation.

Nicholas Kirch and Barbara Ganser had six children:

1. Heinrich Kirch (1845^[25]Katholische Kirche Lasel (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1799-1884, Taufregister Vol. 1 (1799-1850), p. 290, Heinricus Kirch baptismal record, November 8, 1845, Family History Library microfilm 467995, … Continue reading-1933)^[26]Find A Grave, “Henry Kirch,” Memorial ID 51041062, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed January 11, 2022, better known as Henry when in America, married Sophia Fehlandt on March 29, 1875.^[27]“Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930,” database, Henry Kirch and Sophia Fehlandt marriage record, March 29, 1875, FamilySearch, accessed February 10, 2022 After their marriage, Henry operated the mill and a farm in Dover.^[28]“United States Census, 1880,” Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 78, page 25 (penned), page 201A (stamped), dwelling 258, family 270, Henry Kirch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading In 1900, Henry bought the mill in Mazomanie and moved his family there.^[29]Mazomanie Sickle, March 9, 1900, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 12, 2022^[30]Mazomanie Sickle, August 2, 1933
2. Susanna Kirch (1849^[31]Katholische Kirche Lasel (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1799-1884, Taufregister Vol. 1 (1799-1850), p. 317, Susanna Kirch baptismal record, January 3, 1849, Family History Library microfilm 467995, … Continue reading-1849^[32]Katholische Kirche Lasel (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1799-1884, Sterbregister Vol. 5 (1804-1850), p. 173, Susanna Kirch death record, January 8, 1849, Family History Library microfilm 467995, scanned … Continue reading) died when just five days old.
3. Moritz Kirch (1850^[33]Katholische Kirche Lasel (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1799-1884, Taufregister Vol. 1 (1799-1850), p. 329, Mauritius Kirch baptismal record, August 2, 1850, Family History Library microfilm 467995, … Continue reading-1911)^[34]Find A Grave, “Moritz Kirch,” Memorial ID 74927738, Saint Norbert’s Cemetery, Roxbury, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed January 11, 2022 married Ann Thompson (1856-1941)^[35]Find A Grave, “Annie M Thompson Kirch,” Memorial ID 74926565, Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed February 12, 2022 around 1876.^[36]“United States Census, 1880,” Arena, Iowa County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 148, page 30 (penned), page 15B (stamped), dwelling 265, family 276, Moritz Kirch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading In the 1880s, they farmed in Antelope County, Nebraska.^[37]“Nebraska State Census, 1885,” Virdigris Precinct, Antelope County, Nebraska, population schedule, E.D. 33, page 4A (penned), dwelling 36, family 38, Moritz Kirch, FamilySearch, accessed … Continue reading After moving back to Wisconsin, Moritz and Ann divorced in 1900.^[38]Dane County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court, Divorce Case Files 1839-1928, reel 45, file 3132, Morris Kirch v. Anna Kirch, Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, scanned March 13, 2006 Around 1901^[39]“United States Census, 1910,” Roxbury, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 84, sheet 4A (penned), paage 72A (stamped), dwelling 63, family 63, Moritz Kirch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading, he married Mrs. Mary (Hartner) Ashmore (1865-1937)^[40]Find A Grave, “Mary Hartner Lehman,” Memorial ID 78186648, Saint Aloysious Cemetery, Sauk City, Sauk County, Wisconsin, accessed February 12, 2022.
4. Anna Kirch (1854^[41]Katholische Kirche Lasel (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1799-1884, Taufregister Vol. 2 (1851-1884), p. 35, Anna Kirch baptismal record, August 20, 1854, Family History Library microfilm 467995, scanned … Continue reading-?) appears to have died young, as she did not accompany her parents to America. However, there does not appear to be a record of her death.
5. Anna Maria Kirch (1855^[42]Katholische Kirche Lasel (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1799-1884, Taufregister Vol. 2 (1851-1884), p. 47, Anna Maria Kirch baptismal record, December 9, 1855, Family History Library microfilm 467995, … Continue reading-1919)^[43]Find A Grave, “Emma Kirch Welsch,” Memorial ID 42240609, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed January 11, 2022, better known as Emma when in America, married Hugo Welsch (1852-1941)^[44]Find A Grave, “Hugo H. Welsch,” Memorial ID 42240572, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed February 12, 2022 in Mazomanie on March 15, 1878.^[45]“Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930,” database, Hugo Welsch and Emma Kirch marriage record, March 15, 1878, FamilySearch, accessed February 9, 2022 They lived in Mazomanie, where Hugo was a blacksmith^[46]“United States Census, 1880,” Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 78, page 9 (penned), page 193A (stamped), dwelling 87, family 96, Emma Welsch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading and then a saloon keeper.^[47]“United States Census, 1900,” Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 57, sheet 6 (penned), page 199B (stamped), dwelling 163, Emma Welsch, FamilySearch, accessed … Continue reading
6. Anthony Kirch (1860-1937)^[48]Find A Grave, “Anthony Kirch,” Memorial ID 78607871, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed January 11, 2022 married Julia Roche (1864-1943)^[49]Find A Grave, “Julia M Roche Kirch,” Memorial ID 78607768, Mazomanie Cemetery, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, accessed February 12, 2022 in Mazomanie on June 14, 1883.^[50]Mazomanie Sickle, June 16, 1883, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 8, 2022 They farmed in Mazomanie.^[51]“United States Census, 1910,” Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, E.D. 76, sheet 1B (penned), page 229B (stamped), dwelling 15, family 16, Antony Kirch, FamilySearch, … Continue reading

Godchildren

Barbara (Ganser) Kirch had at least two godchildren:

1. Johann Ganser, son of Johann Ganser and Anna Margaretha Teuten, born February 11, 1841 in Niederprüm^[52]Katholische Kirche Niederprüm (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1617-1878, Taufregister Vol. 2 (1840-1919), p. 3, Joannes Ganser baptismal record, February 11, 1841, Family History Library microfilm 585459, … Continue reading
2. Michael Ganser, son of Moritz Ganser and Susanna Ennen, born August 2, 1842 in Niederprüm^[53]Katholische Kirche Niederprüm (Kr. Prüm), Kirchenbuch, 1617-1878, Taufregister Vol. 2 (1840-1919), p. 10, Michael Ganser baptismal record, August 2, 1842, Family History Library microfilm 585459, … Continue reading

Obituary

Died–Oct. 17th, 1893, Mrs. Nicholas Kirch, at the home of her son Henry, in Dover, three miles west of this place at the age of 79 years, six months and twenty-eight days after an illness of five weeks. The cause of her death was dropsy. She was born in Little Bren [sic], Reinish [sic] province, Germany, and came to this country in 1857 and settled first with her husband, Nicholas Kirch, in the town of Berry and later moved to Dover and then became a resident of this village. The funeral took place from the residence of her son, Henry Kirch, in Dover, Thursday, Oct. 19th, 1893, Rev. Sentrock officiating. A large number of friends and relatives were in attendance at the funeral.

Mazomanie Sickle, October 21, 1893^[54]Mazomanie Sickle, October 21, 1893, Mazomanie Historical Society, accessed February 12, 2022

Census records

• 1860 U.S. Census, Town of Berry, Dane County, Wisconsin
• 1870 U.S. Census, Town of Arena, Iowa County, Wisconsin
• 1880 U.S. Census, Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin

Research notes

• 2021-09-14: There is no baptismal record for her, as the baptismal records for Niederprüm are missing from 1801 to 1814.
• 2022-01-09: There are no extant passenger departure lists for Antwerp for 1857.
• 2022-02-11: There are no Dane County property records for Barbara after Nicholas’ death, with the exception of mortgage records for her children. Mortgage records are not available online currently. Nicholas’ probate records do not indicate which property they lived in.