RODEKOHR ANCESTORS

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Johann Friedrich Christoph RODEKOHR
1811-1895

 

This page last updated: 17 August 2007

Johann Friedrich Christoph9 RODEKOHR (Johann Christian8 Heinrich RODECURT, Johann Carl Julius7, Julius Ernst6, Jobst Hinrich5, Jobst4, Justus3 RODECOURT, Johannes2 RODECORD, Jost1 RODEKORD) was born to Johann Christian Heinrich RODECOURT / RODECURT and Adelheit DIERKS on 4 June 1811 in Drakenburg, District of Nienburg, Hannover, Germany.  He was baptized on 4 June 1811 in Drakenburg.[1]  His parents died when he was 17, and he worked in a livery stable in Bremen.[2] 

He immigrated to America, and on 26 December 1846, as Joh Rodekor [sic], John, age 35, arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana on the Ship Everhard that sailed from Bremen, Germany, Family Number 81759.  On the same ship, Family Number 81762, was his future wife,  Louise Freyen [sic], age 23.[3] 

History tells us that Johann and Luise [sic], both born in Drakenburg, were married there and emigrated from Germany in 1846, immediately after their marriage,[4] however a Record of Marriage in Lafayette County, Missouri lists that John Frederick Christopher RODEKOHR and Dorothy Mary Louisa FREYE were married on 12 April 1847 by Minister G. G. Adolf Francke.[5]  The church records for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia, Lafayette County, Missouri, also lists that Johann Friedrich Christoph RODEKOHR married Dorathea Maria FREYE on 12 April 1847.[6]  

An historical reference states that they bought land in or near St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, where they lived for three years,[7] however, if they arrived at the port of New Orleans in December 1846, traveled up the Mississippi River and were married in Lafayette County in April of 1847, they couldn’t have lived in St. Louis for three years.  The RODEKOHR family is listed in the 1850 census as John and Louisa RHODEKOHR [sic], farming in Freedom Township, Lafayette County, Missouri, with children: Charles (Karl Friedrich Dietrich), age three; and Sophia, age 1, both born in Missouri.[8]  In 1860, at Lexington, Freedom Township, Lafayette County, John RODEKOHR, age 49, farmer, born in Hanover; Louisa, age 37, born in Hanover; Charles  age 13; Sophia, age 11; Harry, age 9; Bartro [Bertha], age 5, listed as a male; Mary (Marie Dorothea), age 3; and John (Johann Heinrich), age 6/12.  All of the children were born in Missouri.  Living next to the RODEKOHR’s are John’s sister, Dorathea and her husband, Henry KAMMIER [sic], and family.[9] 

During the Civil War, Missouri was split between people that favored slavery and those that did not.  Most of the slave owners were descendants of English immigrants.  Most of the Germans were immigrant farmers having come from a Germany where they farmed land that they did not own.  The Germans were often attacked by “bushwhackers”, marauding bands of deserters from both the north and the south, because they had a strange language and custom, they were industrious and they did not favor slavery.

In 1862, while living in Concordia, Lafayette County, an interesting incident occurred that involved the OETTINGs and RODEKOHRs:

“After a short halt the party galloped some distance farther, this time stopping at the Brockhoff farm.  There Christian OETTING was ordered to dismount and was killed [by bushwhackers].  Some distance farther Julius Vogt and Casper Westerhous were ordered to dismount.  Both were shot, but only wounded and were able to make their way to the Rodekohr [John and Louise RODEKOHR] home, where the family gave assistance and the two revived.”[10]

In 1870, John and Louise are farming at Concordia, Freedom Township, both born in Hannover, with children Carl, Harry, Berta, Maria, John and Emilie (Emelie Christina Charlotte), age 7.[11]  In 1880, in East Freedom Township, John is farming, with Louise, Harry, John and Emilie,[12]  When John retired from farming, John and Louise lived with his youngest son, John, in Middleton township, Lafayette County, Missouri.[13]

John died, according to family tradition, on 3 March 1895 at Alma, and is buried at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Alma,[14] however church records[15] and a local newspaper list the date of death as 1 March 1895.[16]  He was described:

“He and his family were Lutherans and he was a Whig before the war and a Republican afterwards.  His family consisted of three sons and five daughters.  Mr. Rodekohr was a man of strong character, but was very quiet, and had habits of silence, not being one of the sort to be calling attention to himself in any way.”[17] 

In 1900, as Luisa, Louise is living with her son, John and his family, at Middleton Township.  It is interesting to note that, while Louise could read and write, the census says she didn’t speak English.[18]  In 1910, she is living with her youngest daughter, Emily and her husband, Charles BROCKHOFF and family, at Middleton Township.[19]  Louise died on 29 April 1911[20] at Alma, Lafayette County, and is buried at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Alma.[21]

John RODEKOHR’s wife, Dorothee Marie Louise FREYE was born on 5 February 1823,[22] in Drakenburg, District of Nienburg, Hannover, Germany, one of ten children born to Otto Fredrich Christoph FREYE and Sophia Marie PRANGE.  Louise was baptized on 19 November 1823, in Drakenburg.[23]  She died 28 April 1911 in Alma, Lafayette County, Missouri.[24]  The FREYE surname is first found in Drakenburg church records in 1720, daughters of Ernst FREYE.

Children of Johann Friedrich Christoph9 RODEKOHR and Dorothea Marie Louise FREYE were as follows:

+ i.    Carl Friedrich Dietrich10 RODEKOHR, born 17 January 1847; married Dorthea Sophia Marie  OETTING.

+ ii.    Maria Louise Sophia RODEKOHR, born 1 November 1848; married William H. BRUNS.

+ iii.    Harry George Philip RODEKOHR, born 19 November 1850 at Missouri; married Caroline Wilhelmine SCHMIDT..

iv    Dorothea Wilhemine RODEKOHR was born on 17 March 1853.  She died in 1855.

+ v.    Henrietta Caroline Berta (Bertha) RODEKOHR, born 4 April 1855; married Heinrich P. BARTENS.

+ vi.    Marie (Mary) Dorothea RODEKOHR was born on 1 June 1857.  She married Wilhelm Christian Heinrich OETTING on 1 Oct 1876 at Lafayette Co., Missouri. She died on 18 February 1948 at age 90.

+ vii.    Johann Heinrich RODEKOHR, born 8 March 1860 at Alma, Lafayette Co., Missouri; married Anna Marie Malinda BRACKMAN.

+ viii.    Emilie Christina Charlotte RODEKOHR was born on 15 October 1862.  She married Charles BROCKHOFF.

In the late 1800’s, there are other Rodekohr families that immigrated to the United States, where, as yet, no immediate family connection to Johann F. RODEKOHR has been found, and the information is given here for the benefit of future researchers. 

The first unconnected Rodekohr family is that of Henry D. Rodekohr who was born in Germany about 1852 and immigrated to the United States in 1867.  In 1910, age 58, he is a clothing merchant, living at 541 East Fourth Street, Sedalia Township, Pettis County, Missouri, with his wife, Sophia, age 41, born, calculated, in 1863, in Missouri and children, all born in Missouri: George, age 27, born, calculated, in 1883; Arthur, age 19, born, calculated, in 1891; Leonard, age 17, born, calculated, in 1893; Myrtle, age 12, born, calculated, in 1898; and daughter, Villa, age 8, born, calculated, in 1902.  In 1920, Sophia, a widow, Arthur, Leonard, Myrtle and Viola are living in Sedalia.  George, married to Bessie, age 31, and step-daughter Netie Williams, age 14 are also living in Sedalia.[25]

The second unconnected Rodekohr family is that of Richard F., born in Germany in April of 1856 and immigrated to the United States in 1868 with his father, John H. Rodekohr.  In 1900, Richland Township, Morgan County, Missouri.  Dick, has been married thirteen years (in about 1887) to Gesena G., age 36, born in Missouri in March of 1864.  Living with them is Richard’s father, John H., born in June of 1821, in Germany; a servant, John H. Rugen; Dick and Gesena’s children, all born in Missouri: Henry K., age 12, born in April 1888; Metd [(Metelda] D., age 9, born in June 1890; Emilia M., age 8, born November 1891; Lillie A., age 7, born April 1893; and Margaret, age 2, born in January 1898.[26]  In 1910, in Richland, Richard F.; wife, Sena A. (G.) are farming, with children: Henry W. (K.); Martha (Metd D.); Emilia S. (M); Lillie, Maggie (Margaret) M.; and Katie, age 10, born, calculated, in 1900.[27]  Richard and John have not been located in immigrant indexes and are not found prior to or after these censuses.  Richard F. is also known as Diedrich F., according to an on-line ancestry record.[28] 

There may be a close family relationship between these early immigrant Rodekohrs.  They all immigrated to Missouri, to counties that adjoin each other.  Only three years separate the ages of John F. and John H. which could indicate that they were contemporaries in Germany.  Rodekohr is a very uncommon name.  Even today, in 2004, there are only 45 Rodekohrs listed in the German telephone directory of which at least thirteen of these appear to fall within 4 family groups.  Of the 45 Rodekohrs, 22 live less than 25 miles of Drakenburg, where Johann F. was born.[29]

Of other possible Rodekohrs, on 16 April 1869, the Ship America arrived in New York from Bremen, Germany with a Chr Rodekor, originating in Heischagen as listed on the manifest.[30]  On 1 November 1869,  the Ship America arrived in New York from Bremen, the ship’s manifest listing a Margt [Margaret] Rodekohr, age 48, born, calculated, in 1821, William, age 16, born, calculated, in 1853; Henry, age 7, born, calculated, in 1862; and Christ [Christian], age 4, born, calculated, in 1865.  On 08 July 1871, the Ship Rhein arrived in New York from Bremen with a Johann, age 16, and Doris, age 26, Rodekuhr.  Their place of origin is listed as Henerhagen.[31]  In 1880, in Antrim Township, Watonwan County, Minnesota, Christian born in Hannover, calculated, in 1820, and Margaret Rodekuhr are living with sons, Henry, age 18; Christian, age 15, and Ernest, age 2, adopted.  Living next to Christian is John Rodekuhr, age 25, born, calculated, in 1855, in Hannover, Germany, and his wife, Loisa [sic], age 16, born, calculated, in 1864 in Minnesota.  Living next to them is William Rodekuhr, age 27, listed as a brother to John.[32]  The Rodekuhr name is next found in 1910, where John H.,  age 55, his wife Louisa, age 46 and son, John W, age 13, born, calculated, in1897, are farming at Deer Creek township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota.   Their son was one of six born of which four were living at the time.[33]

The cities of Heischagen or Henerhagen were not found in a search of maps and on the internet.  In the family file of Descendants of Christian Ernst Rodekuhr, John H. Rodekuhr, son of Christian and Margaretha (Dassel) Rodekuhr, is listed as being born on 21 November 1854 in Hoyerhagen, Hanover, Germany.[34]  Hoyerhagen is less than 10 miles from Drakenburg where our Johann F. RODEKOHR was born.  Twelve Rodekuhrs were listed in the German internet telephone index, one Rodekohr lives in Hoyerhagen[35]

 

[1] Johannes-der-Täufer (St. John the Baptist) Lutheran Church, Drakenburg Church Records.  Research by Knut True, Heimatverein Drakenburg e.V., Tredde 8a, 31623 Drakenburg, De, (Drakenburg Association for Local History, Drakenburg, Germany) http://www.drakenburg.de/heimatverein/verein.htm  10 Oct. 2004: p. 2:  Rodekohr, Johann Friedrich Christoph, born on 04.June.1811 in Drakenburg, baptized on 04.06.1811 in Drakenburg. Son of Christian Rodecurt and Adelheit, born as. Dierks.

[2] The Rodekohr-Schmidt Family Tree, 1971, compiled by Adele, Leona and Renata Rodekohr, Lexington, MO, 1971, p.3.

[3] Ancestry.com. New Orleans, 1820-1850 Passenger and Immigration Lists [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003. Original data: New Orleans, Louisiana. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, LA, 1820-1902. Micropublication M259, roll # 26. National Archives, Washington, D.C.: Name: Joh Rodekor; Arrival Date: Dec 26, 1846; Age: 35; Gender: M; Port of Departure: Bremen; Place of Origin: Germany; Ship Name: Everhard; Family Number: 81759; National Archives' Series Number: M259-26; Port of Arrival: New Orleans; Name: Louise Freyen; Arrival Date: Dec 26, 1846; Age: 23; Gender: F; Port of Departure: Bremen; Place of Origin: Germany; Ship Name: Everhard; Family Number: 81762; National Archives' Series Number: M259-26; Port of Arrival: New Orleans..

[4] Young's History of Lafayette County Missouri, Volume II:  Hon. William Young, B. F. Bowen and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1910.

[5] Recorder of Deeds, Lafayette County, PO Box 416, Lexington MO 64067, Record of Marriages - Book 6, No. 781, Rodekohr To} M.C. Freye:  State of Missouri, County of Lafayette, G. G. Adolf Francke an ordained minister of the Gospel do certify that on the 12th day of April 1847 John Frederick Christopher Rodekohr and Dorothy Mary Louisa Freye were by me united in Matrimony in Lafayette County.  Given under my hand this 3rd day of May A.D. 1847.  G. G. A. Franke.  Recorded by me May 21st 1847 - William Spratt Clerk.

[6] Descending Love, Ascending Praise, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Concordia Missouri Sesquicentennial Steering Committee., Self Published, Concordia, MO, 1990. p. 243, Johann Friedrich Christoph Rodekohr married Dorathea Maria Freye on 12 April 1847. 

[7] Young's History of Lafayette County Missouri, Volume II:  Hon. William Young, B. F. Bowen and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1910.

[8] 1850 United States Federal Census, Missouri, Lafayette Co., Roll M432_403, District No. 46, Freedom Twp., Page 216, Image 475, 24 October 1850: Line 14, Dwel 1363,  Fam 1363, John Rhodekohr, 39, M, Farmer, 300, Germany; Louisa, 28, F, Germany; Charles, 3, M, MO; Sophia, 1, F, MO.

[9] 1860 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com), Missouri, Lafayette County, Freedom Twp, Roll M653_628, Lexington Post Office, Enumerated 18 August 1869, Page 25/551, Image 208, Line 38, Dwel 182, Fam 182, John Rodekohr, 49, MW, Farmer, 850, 400, Hanover; Louisa, 37, FW, Hanover; Chas, 13, MW, MO; Page 26, Image 207; Line 1, Dwel 183, Fam 183,  Sophia Rodekohr, 11, FW, MO; Harry, 9, MW, MO; Barto [?], 5, M, MO; Mary, 3, FW, MO; John, 6/12, M, MO; Line 32, Dwel 181, Fam 181, Henry Kammier, 37, MW, Farmer & Carpenter, 1200, 630, Hanover, Doris, 42 FW, Hanover.

[10] The Centennial Celebration of Concordia, Missouri, an excerpt on the bushwhackers given by Verena (Rodekohr) Mahnken.  A comment to this: “Our sister Verna stated that our father [Karl Friedrich Dietrich Rodekohr, born January, 1848] was about twelve at that time and, riding a horse, accompanied men in order to hide men and horses.”

[11] 1870 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com), Missouri, Lafayette County, Roll M593_786, Freedom Twp., Concordia Post Office , Line 7, Dwel 94, Fam 97, Rodekohr, John, 59,M, W, Farmer, 2250, 960, Hannover; Louise, 47, FW, Keeping House, Hannover; Carl, 23, MW, Carpenter, MO; Harry, 19, MW, Farm Laborer, MO; Berta, 15, FW, MO; Maria, 13, FW, MO; John, 10 MW, MO, Emilie, 7, FW, MO.

[12] 1880 United States Census (Ancestry.com), Missouri, Lafayette County, Roll T9_698, Family History Film 1254698, Supervisor's Dist. No. 6, Enumeration Dist. No.54, East Freedom Twp., Page 22B, 15 June 1880, Line 14, Dwel 189, Fam 182, Rodekohr, John, WM69, Farmer, Hannover, Han, Han ; Louise, WF57, Wife, Keeping house, Hannover, Han, Han; Harry, WM29, Son, Works on farm, MO, Han, Han ; John, WM20, Works on farm, MO, Han, Han; Emilie, WF17, Dau, at home, MO, Han, Han.

[13] SOURCE??

[14] The Rodekohr-Schmidt Family Tree, 1971, compiled by Adele, Leona and Renata Rodekohr, Lexington, MO, 1971, p. 4 lists his DOD as 03 March.

[15] Trinity Lutheran Church - Alma, MO, 1875-2000, Church published, Alma, MO., 2000. p. 212: Deaths: 1895, Mar 1, Joh. Rodekohr.  Born at Drachenburg, Hann. Jun 4 1811

[16] Weant, Kenneth. Lafayette County, Missouri 3665 Deaths Reported in The Higginsville Advance, 3 January 1891 to 22 December 1905. [database online] Orem, UT: Ancestry, Inc., 1999. Weant, Kenneth. Lafayette County, Missouri 5245 Deaths Reported in The Higginsville Advance, 8 January 1906 to 24 December 1920. Orem, UT: Ancestry, Inc., 1999, Given Name: John, Surname: Rodekohr, Issue Date: 8 Mar 1895, Age or DOB: abt 84, Death Date: 1 Mar 1895, Death Place: Lafayette. 

[17] Young's History of Lafayette County Missouri, Volume II:  Hon. William Young, B. F. Bowen and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1910.

[18] 1900 United States Federal Census, Missouri, Lafayette County, Series T623, Roll 869, Middleton Twp, Supervisor's District No. 5, Enumeration District No. 160, Sheet 9A, Page 245, Image 840 (Ancestry.com), 9 June 1900, Line 13 Dwel 141, Fam 141, Rodekohr, John H., March 1860; Loch, Luisa, Mother, WF, Feb 1823, 77, Wid, 48, 8 born, 7 living, Ger, Ger, Ger, Imm 1840, 60 yrs in US, Can read and write Can't speak English, Lock, Henry, Boarder.  Louise’s last name is listed as Loch, however, the relation to head of household, Mother, age, DOB, # of children all match.  The next entry is for a Henry Loch, a farmhand.  It is probable that the enumerator made an error. 

[19] 1910 United States Federal Census, Missouri, Lafayette County, Roll T624_ 794, Middleton Twp., Supervisor's District No. 7, Enumeration District 103, Page 6B, Enumerated 29 April 1910, Line 86, Dwel 98, Fam 99, Brockhoff, Charles; Emily, Wife, FW47; Rodekohr, Louise, Mother in Law, FW87

[20] Trinity Lutheran Church - Alma, MO, 1875-2000, Church published, Alma, MO., 2000. p. 215, Death: April 28, Mother. Dor. Ma. Louise Rodekohr, nee Freye, born Feb. 5, 1823

[21] The Rodekohr-Schmidt Family Tree, 1971, compiled by Adele, Leona and Renata Rodekohr, Lexington, MO, 1971, p. 4

[22] Trinity Lutheran Church - Alma, MO, 1875-2000, Church published, Alma, MO., 2000. p. 215, Death: April 28, Mother Dor. Ma. Louise Rodekohr, nee Freye, born Feb. 5, 1823

[23] Johannes-der-Täufer (St. John the Baptist) Lutheran Church, Drakenburg Church Records.  Research by Knut True, Heimatverein Drakenburg e.V., Tredde 8a, 31623 Drakenburg, De, (Drakenburg Association for Local History, Drakenburg, Germany) http://www.drakenburg.de/heimatverein/verein.htm  10 Oct. 2004: Translsation : baptized on 19.NOV.1823 Freye, Dorothee Marie Louise, in Drakenburg. Father:  Freye, Friderich Otto Christoph, citizens, Rademacher and councilor, and Prange, Marie Sophie, She marries Rodekohr, Johann Friedrich Christoph, They emigrate to America.

24] Trinity Lutheran Church - Alma, MO, 1875-2000, Church published, Alma, MO., 2000. p. 215, Death: April 28, Mother Dor. Ma. Louise Rodekohr, nee Freye, born Feb. 5, 1823

[25] 1920 United States Federal Census, Missouri, Pettis Co., Roll T625_940, Sedalia Twp., 2nd Ward, Sheet 9B, Image 146 (Ancestry.com), Supervisor’s District No. 7, Enumeration District No. 145, 8 January 1920, Line 90, 541 E. 4th, Dwel 32, Fam 39, Rodekohr, Sophia, Head, FW58, Wid, MO, Ger, Ger, Housekeeping, Arthur, Son, MW28, S, MO, Ger, MO [b.c. 1892], Leonard, Son,MW26, S, MO, Ger, MO, Myrtle[?], dau, FW21, S, MO, Ger, MO, Viola, Dau, FW18, S, MO, Ger, MO

[26] 1900 United States Federal Census, Missouri, Morgan Co., Series T623, Roll 877, Sheet 8B, Page 117 (NYGBS (HeratageQuest Online), Richland Twp., Supervisor's District No. 7, Enumeration District No. 79, 15 June 1900, Line 1, Dwel 158,Fam 158, Rodekohr, Dick

[27] 1910 United States Federal Census, Missouri, Morgan Co., Series T624, Roll 801, Richland Twp., Supervisor's District No. 8, Enumeration District No. 116, Sheet 2A,  Page 137A (Ancestry.com), Enumerated 18-19 April 1910, Florence and Smithton Road[?], Line 39, Dwel 34, Fam 34, Rodekohr, Richard F.

[28] RootsWeb.com.  Fischerhude Mueller's, Updated: Fri Nov 7 20:57:00 2003, Contact: Homer R. Ficken hrftx@aol.com, ID: I604, Name: Diedrich F. Rodekohr,. Marriage 1 Sena Luetjen

[29] German Telephone Directory: teleauskunft.de, Tele-Auskunft Online GmbH, DasTelefonbuch www.teleauskunft.de: Rodekohr.

[30] Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1891 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003. Original data: New York. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Micropublication M237. Rolls # 95-580. National Archives, Washington, D.C., Name: Indexed as Cr Rdeker, manifest listed as Chr. Rodekor], Arrival Date:16 Apr 1869, Age:48 , Gender: Male, Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany, Destination: United States of America, Place of Origin: Heischagen, Ship Name: America, Port of Arrival: New York, Line:31, Microfilm Roll: 308, List Number:338. 

[31] Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1891 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003. Original data: New York. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Micropublication M237. Rolls # 95-580. National Archives, Washington, D. C.,  Microfilm Roll: 345, List Number: 643: Doris Rdekuhr; Johann Rdekuhr.. 

[32] 1880 United States Federal Census, Minnesota, Watonwan County, Roll T9-637, Family History Film: 1254637, Antrim Twp, Page 3/405, Image 411 (Ancestry.com), Supervisor’s Dist. No. 1, Enumeration Dist. No. 266, 3 June 1880, Line 3, Dwel 17, Fam 17, Rodekuhr, Christian, WM60,

[33] 1910 United States Federal Census, Minnesota, Otter Tail County, Series T624,  Roll 714 , Deer Creek Twp. , Sheet 5B, Page: 132B (Ancestry.com), Supervisor’s District No. 9, Enumeration District , 3 April 1910, Line 74, Dwel 13, Fam 13, Rodekuhr, John H.

[34] Descendants of Christian Ernst Rodekuhr, Compiled by wrprice@paulbunyan.net, provided by Pamela Milliren, Pam@BluestreamVentures.com, 8/26/04.

[35] German Telephone Directory: Tele-Auskunft Online GmbH, DasTelefonbuch www.teleauskunft.de

 

Compiled by Edwin Charles (Chuck) Rodekohr
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