AuswandererAufstellung aller Auswanderer
Heinrich Probst, geb. am 13. Oktober 1806 in Darum, wanderte 1834 nach Amerika aus, sein Bruder Friedrich,
geb. am 20. September 1811, folgte ihm 1837.
Lange Zeit blieb die Suche nach ihnen und ihren Nachfahren ohne Erfolg bis eines Tages bei der Recherche über die Nachfahren von Henrich Wilhelm Wefel zum Felde, die zum Teil nach Amerika ausgewandert sind, der Name Probst auftauchte. Hermann Heinrich Wefel heiratete um 1859 in Liberty Township, Grant County, Wisconsin, Maria Ann Probst. Sollte das ein Zufall sein? Im Zuge weiterer Nachforschungen stellte sich heraus, dass Maria Anns Vater Gerhard Henry Probst hieß. Er starb am 24. Februar 1861 in Lancaster im Alter von 64 Jahren, war also ca. 1806 geboren!!!
Bislang ist folgendes bekannt: Seine Frau hieß Mary und er hatte fünf Kinder: Von Friedrich Probst fehlte jedoch weiterhin jede Spur, obwohl ich natürlich vermutete, dass er ebenfalls zunächst in Ohio gewesen ist. Um ihn zu finden, hieß es also, die Spur seines Bruders zurückzuverfolgen. Wie so oft half der Zufall. Die Amerikanerin Carolyn Naas recherchierte für ihren Bruder, der wissen wollte, wer der Erbauer seinen Hauses war. Im Türsturz über dem Eingang des Hauses steht folgende Inschrift:
"Gott schütze dieses Haus und alle die da gehen ein und aus." Wohlgemerkt: in deutscher Sprache!
Folgende Daten über ihn und seine Familie sind jetzt bekannt: Im Januar 1861 machte Henry Probst sein Testament. Vermutlich war er krank, da er ja schon einen Monat später starb. Aus dem Testament geht hervor, dass zu dem Zeitpunkt nur noch drei Kinder am Leben waren. Mary Probst verkaufte die Farm 1884 an Hermann Pieper, ein Cousin ihres Mannes. Im folgenden der Wortlaut des Testamentes: I Henry Probst of Grant County Wisconsin desiring to provide for the disposal of my property that may remain at my decease so that my wishes in regard thereto may be observed do make this as my will + testament 1st I appoint my wife Mary Probst the Executive of this my last will - and I authorize and empower her to have hold use and occupy all the estate both real + personal which may remain at my death - during the minority of our two children Daniel Probst + Clara A Probst. The said child am to live with and be supported by their mother until they shall respectively arrive of age - And I authorize and empower the said Executive of my will to sell and convey as she may deem advantageous any real estate or personal property belonging to my said estate. 2nd To each of said children Daniel Probst + Clara A Probst I give and bequeath two thousand Dollars to each of them - to be paid to them respectively on their obtaining full age of twenty one years - in cash - the said sum of two thousand dollars to each of them being the same sum by me already advanced to my daughter Mary Ann now wife of Hermann H Wefel as her portion of my property and I charge all my estate both real and personal with the payment of said too thousand dollars to each of my said children first named - as Daniel and Clara A - 3rd To my wife Mary Probst I give + bequeath all the rest and residue of all my estate both real and personal - so long as she may remain a widow - In case she shall marry again then + in that case - it is my will that after the payment of said four thousand Dollar to my said two children Daniel + Clara as above specified - that all my estate both real + personal shall be equally divided among my three children above named and the representatives of them - and immediately upon the marriage of my said wife Mary Probst - this my will - that she shall forfeit all right to and authority over my and all my said estate that may remain upon the happening of such marriage except the sum of one hundred Dollars which I bequeath to her as her sole potion of all my estate - in case she shall again marry -
4th to make the share of my said two children Daniel + Clara equal to the advance made to my daughter Mary Ann - who received
her advancement at the age of eighteen years - I will and bequeath to each said Daniel + Clara - in addition to said two
thousand Dollars each - an amount equal to the lawful interest of two thousand Dollars for the three years next before they
shall respectively arrive to the age of twenty one years - which last bequest I also make a charge upon all my estate both
real + personal
The forgoing will made signed published and declared by Henry Probst the testator as and for his last will and testament
in our presence - who have [...] at his request - in presence signed our names as attesting witnesses thereto this |