Anna Gertrud Grefrath, the daughter of Johann Grefrath and Anna Gudula Hundgeburth, 17 October 1847 in Stommeln. She married, Wilhelm "William" Brüggen was born 19 October 1826 in Stommeln (son of Christian Brüggen and Elisabeth Kronenberg). In German records, the name is found spelled Brücken or Brüggen. Anna Gertrude was born 9 March 1827 in Stommeln. She was the first of six children. According to an entry written in the Marriage record book of St. Martin's Catholic Church of Stommeln, this married couple and their family left the parish for North America 28 September 1857. Only three of their first four children born in Stommeln made the trip with them. Little Hubertina died 2 February 1857. Wilhelm, Anna, his children Agnes, Adam and Maria Sybilla, as well as his aging father, Christian traveled to Antwerp, Belgium and boarded the Ship David Hoadley and sailed to America, arriving at the Port of New York 18 November 1857. All totaled, the trip took about six weeks. Anna Gertrud (the "e" is not always used at the end of Gertrud in the German language) was pregnant with their fifth child. Their second son, Christ, was bom in Chicago sometime during November. They stayed in Chicago for a period, presumably with friends who had made the trip earlier and decided to stay in Chicago. While there Wilhelm made his Declaration of Intent to become a citizen of the United States in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois 16 December 1857. There would not have been a train to bring them directly to Monroe County. It is doubtful that they could have continued their journey from Chicago to the "Ridge" during the winter, especially with a newborn infant. Eventually they would have continued their journey, possibly taking a train to Galena, Illinois or Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. They would not be able to make the steamboat journey to La Crosse until after the spring thaw and the Mississippi was navigable.

Their children were:

- Agnes, born 29 September 1848 in Stommeln
- Adam, bom 22 October 1850 in Stommeln
- Maria Sybilia, born 9 March 1853 in Stommeln
- Hubertina, born 5 Dec 1855 in Stommeln, died 2 February 1857
- Christ, born November 1857 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
- Martin, born I November 1860 in Jefferson Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin
- Mary, born 12 March 1862 in Jefferson Township
- William "Henry" born about 1866 in Jefferson Township, died 9 November 1878
- Apollonia, born 28 September 1871 in Jefferson Township

SOURCE: "Saint Mary's Heritage" (book 2007).
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Born in Landkreis Köln (countryside of Cologne), in the village of Stommeln, by Pulheim (about 12 miles NW of Cologne - see map, at right). Married Wilhelm Brüggen (Brueggen) on, 17-Oct-1847, in Stommeln. In 1880 census: she is listed as, age 53, house wife, from Prussia. Her parents: Johann Gerfrath and Anna Gudula Hundgeburth.
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Ancestors of Anna Gertrude Grefrath
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Parents:
Johann Grefrath & Anna Gudula Hundgeburth

Paternal Grandparents:
Friedrich Grefrath & Anna Esser

Maternal Grandparents:
Severin Hundgeburth & Maria Catharina Degen

Johann Grefrath was baptized 18 January 1788 in Stommeln. He married Anna Gudula Hundgeburth 20 April 1826 in the nearby village of Huchelhoven. She was the daughter of Severin Hundgeburth and Maria Catharina Degen and was born 13 May 1798 in Fliesteden. Anna's grandfather, Johann's parents were Friedrick Grefrath and Anna Esser, both from Stommeln. Maria Catharina Degen, born 24 July 1763 in Glessen, married Severin Hundgeburth 7 June 1785 in Glessen.