(bio updated on 12/31/2023)
Johann Joachim Wilhelm Harning was born October 2, 1801 in Recknitz, in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (which became a Grand Duchy in 1815, and is now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). He was the son of Christoph Harning, but his mother's name is unknown at this time. He went by his 2nd given name "JOACHIM". On October 20, 1826, he married Friederica Magdalena Dorothea (aka "Luise") Schroeder. Together they made their home in the village of Kussow, and had 6 living children:
1827 - JOHANN Carl Friederich Christian, aka "John"
1830 - Heinrich Johann Ludwig CHRISTIAN
1832 - LOUISE Maria Christiane, aka "Louisa"
1835 - Christiane DOROTHEA Johanne, aka "Dorathea"
1841 - FRIEDERIKA Johanne Christine
1847 - CHRISTINE Dorothea Friederike
Johann's wife Louise Schroeder died November 21, 1847 in Kussow, a few months after daughter Christine was born.
In 1854, the entire Harning family packed up and made the long journey to the United States. They departed from Hamburg on the SS Marchioness of Queensbury, and after a 2-3 month ocean crossing, they arrived in New York City on August 4, 1854. Then they continued on to Detroit, Michigan where they intended to make their home.
Upon arriving in Detroit, the Harnings were horrified to find Asiatic Cholera raging in the city. Son Christian Harning was the first to die - on August 28, 1854. Father Johann died on October 29, 1854. Then youngest daughter Christine Harning died a year later on November 28, 1855.
Somewhere on their journey from Mecklenburg to Detroit, the Harnings met the Engel family - who were also emigrating to the United States (they arrived in New York City on August 16, 1854). Two of the Harning daughters - Louisa and Friederika - married Engel brothers Heinrich and Christoph. The oldest Harning son Johann married Caroline Leesch - a cousin of the Engels who accompanied them to the US.
It is believed that the Harnings who died in 1854-55 were buried in one of the original Detroit city cemeteries, which are no longer in existence. As the city rapidly expanded during the 1860's-80's, those cemeteries were "removed" and the remains of all of those buried there were reportedly dug up and re-interred in other area cemeteries - including Woodmere Cemetery. Unfortunately, this process was sporadic and haphazard, and there are no records of those that were moved.
(bio updated on 12/31/2023)
Johann Joachim Wilhelm Harning was born October 2, 1801 in Recknitz, in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (which became a Grand Duchy in 1815, and is now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). He was the son of Christoph Harning, but his mother's name is unknown at this time. He went by his 2nd given name "JOACHIM". On October 20, 1826, he married Friederica Magdalena Dorothea (aka "Luise") Schroeder. Together they made their home in the village of Kussow, and had 6 living children:
1827 - JOHANN Carl Friederich Christian, aka "John"
1830 - Heinrich Johann Ludwig CHRISTIAN
1832 - LOUISE Maria Christiane, aka "Louisa"
1835 - Christiane DOROTHEA Johanne, aka "Dorathea"
1841 - FRIEDERIKA Johanne Christine
1847 - CHRISTINE Dorothea Friederike
Johann's wife Louise Schroeder died November 21, 1847 in Kussow, a few months after daughter Christine was born.
In 1854, the entire Harning family packed up and made the long journey to the United States. They departed from Hamburg on the SS Marchioness of Queensbury, and after a 2-3 month ocean crossing, they arrived in New York City on August 4, 1854. Then they continued on to Detroit, Michigan where they intended to make their home.
Upon arriving in Detroit, the Harnings were horrified to find Asiatic Cholera raging in the city. Son Christian Harning was the first to die - on August 28, 1854. Father Johann died on October 29, 1854. Then youngest daughter Christine Harning died a year later on November 28, 1855.
Somewhere on their journey from Mecklenburg to Detroit, the Harnings met the Engel family - who were also emigrating to the United States (they arrived in New York City on August 16, 1854). Two of the Harning daughters - Louisa and Friederika - married Engel brothers Heinrich and Christoph. The oldest Harning son Johann married Caroline Leesch - a cousin of the Engels who accompanied them to the US.
It is believed that the Harnings who died in 1854-55 were buried in one of the original Detroit city cemeteries, which are no longer in existence. As the city rapidly expanded during the 1860's-80's, those cemeteries were "removed" and the remains of all of those buried there were reportedly dug up and re-interred in other area cemeteries - including Woodmere Cemetery. Unfortunately, this process was sporadic and haphazard, and there are no records of those that were moved.
