Mohelnitzky - Stories Told by Family Members & Misc.

A possible passenger record: Microfilm Reel P77-1009, (reel dated Dec. 9, 1865 to Jan. 15, 1866)

Steamer: America, from Bremen to New York.:

Record Number 1229, Page 4, 8th from the bottom of page:

Looks like it could say "Ant. Mohelnitzky", age 19, male, occupation "mech" (mechanic?), from Germany to United States.

----------------------------------

Anton Mohelnitzky came to America with his mother and father and two sisters Mary and Julia. On the way over, the father got sick and died when they got here. The mother married again and put the 3 children into an orphanage (other story--the mother died of a broken heart).

Anton stayed in the St. Francis Orphanage until 14 years old. He wanted to study for the priesthood, but couldn't study for a priest because he was not tall enough.

(Sebastian) Wenkers took him from the orphange to help them in the store and work. Then we went out to work for himself and decided to learn the harness trade. He went into the harness business in Cazenovia, Wisconin, in the old Hale barbershop.

He met Mary Ruskauff and married her, then moved to LaValle, Wisconsin, and went into the harness business there. From there he moved to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, and went into business there. From there they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and worked in a big harness shop there. He got sick and died of pneumonia, when Henrietta Mohelnitzky Duren was 5 1/2 years old.

They talked German, couldn't talk Bohemian.

----------------------------------

May 2, 1953 letter: "..At the age of 9 he (Anton) and his 2 sisters were sent to an orphanage, Mary and Julia. The 2 girls were adopted and brought to America and he at the age of 19 set out to look for them in America. He found them in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was allowed to see them but forbidden to say he was the brother. However, in time the foster parents told them they had been adopted and allowed the reunion. Both sisters have died since, Julia Klein & Mary Schmidt"

----------------------------------

Anton Mohelnitzky came from Bohemia with his mother, to Milwaukee. His father had died previously in Bohemia. The mother got sick and had to go to work. She couldn't keep the children (Anton, Julia, Mary) and put them in an orphanage. A lady that owned a store in Cazenovia (Winker Store) took father to work for her--harness maker. He was in St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee when he was 17--didn't stay.

----------------------------------

1870 Census, Wisconsin, Vol. 2, 4th Ward, Page 344, Dwelling No. 1217, Family No. 1032, John Williamson Family. "Julia Mohanesky, servant, age 20, born Austria, father & mother of foreign birth."

U.S. Census of Wisconsin, Index 1870, "Julia Mohanesky, Milwaukee Co., 4th Ward, Milwaukee, 1870, v.2:344, Age 20".

----------------------------------

RE: Anton Mohelnitzky’s sister: "Julia (Mohelnitzky) married a George Cline and had two children. Her daughter married an Otto (Kitty Otto)."

----------------------------------

RE: Anton Mohelnitzky’s sister: "Mary (Mohelnitky) married a Schmitz and there are some descendants living in Milwaukee. 52nd and Layton corner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin."

----------------------------------