Parents of Franklin Hesse, Part 4
In Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of this series, we uncovered and identified the parents of Franklin Hesse (Dakota Territorial Homesteader) as John and Magdalena Hesse.
Before we take a closer look at Franklin’s father, John Hesse, let me remind you that the story of John’s life ends in an appalling manner. But, let’s not focus on the violent final chapter. Let’s start at the beginning.
Above is an image of the Crivitz (Mecklenburg) Church Record Book showing the baptism of Johann “John” Christian Friederich Jacob [Hesse]. He was born 29 Nov 1840 and baptized 13 Dec 1840. His parents: Schlachter [butcher] Heinrich Wilhelm Joachim Hesse and Fr [Frau] Henritte Catharina Dorothea geb. [nee] Ahlers. The baptism sponsors were 1) Schlosser [locksmith/tinkerer] Johann Grittert, 2) Schlachter [butcher] Christian Hesse, 3) Torschreiber [toll collector] Friederich Hichnenjager, 4) Riemer [saddler/leather worker] Johann Jacob Buchholz 1Evangelische Kirche Crivitz FHL Film Number: 69043. Each of John’s four given names is derived from one of his baptism sponsors.
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As I continued to look through the Church Records, I found more records for the Heinrich/Henry Hesse family. Yes, it’s big family!
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1831, Jan 18 | Marriage of Heinrich Joachim Wilhelm Hess and Henriette Catharina Dorothea Ahlers [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1831, Jul 9 | Birth of Daughter Sophia Catharina Dorothea Hesse [she died 13 months later] [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1833, Jan 23 | Birth of Son Johann Carl Julius Hesse [he died 3.5 months later] [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1834, Apr 25 | Birth of Son Christian Friederich Wilhelm “William” Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1836, Mar 29 | Birth of Daughter Louise Elisabeth Dorothea “Louisa” Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1837, Feb 15 | Death of Heinrich’s father, Johann Peter Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1838, Apr 1 | Birth of Son Julius Carl Johann Heinrich Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1840, Nov 29 | Birth of Son Johann Christian Friederich Jacob “John” Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1843, Mar 15 | Birth of Daughter Sophia Hedwig Helena “Sophie” Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1845, Feb 3 | Birth of Son Carl Friedrich Heinrich Hesse [he died within the month] [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1847, Oct 4 | Birth of Daughter Caroline Dorothea Wilhelmine Elise Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69043] |
| 1851, Jan 4 | Birth of Daughter Johanna Dorothea Christiane “Anna” Hesse [LDS Film Number: 69044] |
Coming to America
The family came to America in waves.
- First, brother William left Mecklenburg in about 1852.2Harrison, Edward Sanford. “Nome and Seward Peninsula: History, Description, Biographies and Stories.” (Self-published: Seattle, 1905) In biography of William H. Hesse.
- Next, John’s older sister Louisa came to America. She traveled alone and arrived in May of 1855.3Year: 1855; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 4; List Number: 306 for Louise Hesse.
- Second, father Henry (aged 51), Julius (aged 17), John (aged 15) and Sophie (aged 9 [sic]) left Hamburg on August 15, 1855.4Staatsarchiv Hamburg; Hamburg, Deutschland; Hamburger Passagierlisten; Volume: 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 008; Page: 461; Microfilm No.: K_1704 for Heinr Hess.
- Finally, mother Henriette and John’s youngest sisters arrived in 1856. 5Year: 1856; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 26; List Number: 309, arrival 12 May 1856.
In Wisconsin
Heinrich “Henry” Hesse, his wife, Henrietta, and their children settled in Wisconsin. Some family stories place them first in Milwaukee. But to date, I have no concrete evidence of their American residence before they lived in Neenah.
The 1860 U.S. Census61860 U.S. Census, Wisconsin, Winnebago County, Village of Neenah, page 58-59, line 38, dwelling number 506, family number 446 for Henry Hesse household. lists Henry (56), Henrietta (55), Julius (22), John (19), Sophia (17), Caroline (12) and Johanna (7). At the time of this census, John’s older siblings, William and Louisa, were married.
Marriage
Later, in October of 1860, John Hesse married Magdalena Frees. According to the 1860 census, John owned $200 of real estate, so presumably they had a place of their own. I am still intrigued by the fact that she was ten years his senior.
Troubles
Working backwards from his death, I discovered a pattern of trouble with liquor and aggression. Unfortunately for us family historians, Winnebago County Police Records have not survived. So, we must rely on newspaper and surviving court accounts.
In the 1870 divorce complaint, John’s liquor-laced brutality is documented. CLICK Here for 1870 Divorce Transcription
Newspaper clippings provide a glimpse at the actions of John Hesse and the “Hesse Boys” in Neenah.
Click to enlarge and then to advance the images.
The end
Magdalena Hesse obtained a divorce from John on December 28, 1870. A few days later, John threatened her life and was subsequently jailed.
When questioned about John’s incarceration, Sheriff Woodworth made the following statement: “When John Hesse was brought to jail he was very drunk. When he got sober he behaved like a gentleman, did not speak disrespectful of any individual, took the blame entirely on himself, confessed that he had abused his wife and family, showed every sign of sincere repentance, and stated that all his troubles had been brought upon him by the free use of Whiskey.”7“Escape of John Hesse,” The Saturday Evening Press (Menasha, WI) · 8 Apr 1871, pg 1.
However, we know John did not repent. On February 24, 1871, John Hesse broke out of the Winnebago County jail at Oshkosh and returned to Neenah. He obtained a revolver from his brother Julius Hesse, murdered his ex-wife and then shot himself.8Winnebago County Press, March 4, 1871, pages 2-3.
Burial
After the murder-suicide, the citizens of Neenah, Wisconsin banded together and made several resolutions. One resolution was that the Hesse family was no longer welcome in town. Indeed, Julius Hesse and his wife soon moved to Howell, Michigan and began a new life.
Another resolution stipulated that the remains of the murderer were not to be interred in the cemetery.9Winnebago County Press, March 4, 1871, pg 3. John was buried in an unmarked grave near “the slough”10Winnebago County Press, March 4, 1871, pg 3, col 2. “John Hesse, the murderer, was buried this afternoon near the slough. The committee taking charge of the burial. No demonstration was made. His father and the committee were present.” (pronounced “slew”), a waterway that meanders through Neenah from south to north.
John Hesse’s signature from an 1870 court document:11Winnebago County WI Circuit Court, Vol 6, Case 3694; filed 6 Dec 1870; Magdalena Hesse vs John Hess.
This is a difficult chapter in family history. Next week, we’ll look at the life of Franklin Hesse.
How does this knowledge change your view of family history?
SOURCES
- 1Evangelische Kirche Crivitz FHL Film Number: 69043.
- 2Harrison, Edward Sanford. “Nome and Seward Peninsula: History, Description, Biographies and Stories.” (Self-published: Seattle, 1905) In biography of William H. Hesse.
- 3Year: 1855; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 4; List Number: 306 for Louise Hesse.
- 4Staatsarchiv Hamburg; Hamburg, Deutschland; Hamburger Passagierlisten; Volume: 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 008; Page: 461; Microfilm No.: K_1704 for Heinr Hess.
- 5Year: 1856; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 26; List Number: 309, arrival 12 May 1856.
- 61860 U.S. Census, Wisconsin, Winnebago County, Village of Neenah, page 58-59, line 38, dwelling number 506, family number 446 for Henry Hesse household.
- 7“Escape of John Hesse,” The Saturday Evening Press (Menasha, WI) · 8 Apr 1871, pg 1.
- 8Winnebago County Press, March 4, 1871, pages 2-3.
- 9Winnebago County Press, March 4, 1871, pg 3.
- 10Winnebago County Press, March 4, 1871, pg 3, col 2. “John Hesse, the murderer, was buried this afternoon near the slough. The committee taking charge of the burial. No demonstration was made. His father and the committee were present.”
- 11Winnebago County WI Circuit Court, Vol 6, Case 3694; filed 6 Dec 1870; Magdalena Hesse vs John Hess.