Friedrich "Gottlieb" Semrau, was born Friedrich Gottlieb SEMERAU March 10, 1847 in Sittnow, Kries Flatow, West Prussia, a former province of West Prussia. He married Wilhelmine Caroline Kalien September 29, 1874 in Drzewianowo, (Hohenwalde) Nakel, Posen, West Prussia and they had 5 children. She died in 1880 also in Drzewianowo. 2 of their children also died Drzewianowo, (Hohenwalde).

Friedrich Gottlieb them married his first cousin, once removed, Emilie Ottilie Ringhandt, the daughter of his first cousin, Susanne (Semerau) Ringhandt, also buried here in Merrill, Wisconsin. Immigrated & arrived in America June 19, 1884 on the S.S. Oder. Surname changed from SEMERAU to SEMRAU after immigration. Gottlieb and Emilie Ottilie had 11 children.
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Obituary
The Merrill Daily Herald Merrill, Wisconsin Wednesday May 22, 1918

PINE RIVER RESIDENT DIES; Gottlieb Semrau answers call of grim reaper lat night-- funeral on Friday.

Gottlieb Semrau, a resident of Lincoln County for the past thirty-two years, passed away at the family home in the town of Pine river last evening at about 7 o'clock, after several days of serious illness. The deceased had been ill for the past two years and for two weeks past his condition has been very serious. Mr. Semrau was a very well and favorably known farmer in the town of Pine River, where he had resided for the past thirty-two years (...two lines unreadable) widow by eleven children who survive are; Emil, of this city; Mrs. Mary Miller, of Ironwood, Michigan; Mrs. William Schumacher, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Merton Carpenter, of Indian Harbor, Ind,; Hugo Semrau, of Pine River; Mrs. Louise Kopitzke, of Fitz, Wis.; Mrs. Edwin Gerht, of Pine River; Miss Alma Semrau, Edward, Paul and Walter all at home. One brother, August, of Picket also survives. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, May 24th at 1:30 o'clock from the family home and 2 o'clock from the St. Stephen's Evangelical Church in that city. Rev .M.M. Schmidt to have charge of the obsequies, Internment will take place at the local cemetery.