- Heinrich Wilhelm Kolbe arrived in the USA 9 June 1856 with his wife and six children. (Two others had died in Germany and 3 others were born in the US.)
Family story--
Grandfather was born Aug. 11, 1813 and was named Henry William (Heinrich Wilhelm); Grandmother's name was Elizabeth Heussner and she was born Oct. 17, 1817. They were married in 1839, he at the age of 26 and she, 22. After seventeen years of marriage in the year 1856, they immigrated to America along with thousands of others who were then pulling up their European stakes to settle in this fabulous country.
Their journey across the ocean was a long one, eight and a half weeks, of course traveling in a boat powered by sails. There are listed as traveling "between decks." Grandfather and Grandmother Kolbe came to America in June 9,1856.They came from Kalkobas, Kreis Hersfeld, Jurhessen, Germany which today is known as Bad Hersfeld.
They brought their six children whose ages ranged from sixteen years (Aunt Eliza Speigelberg) to just eight months (Aunt Tina Hollstein). The others were Henrietta (Aunt Henrietta Bechstein) 15 years old; Christina (Aunt Christina Schmitkons) who was 10 years old; Adam (Uncle Adam Kolbe) who was 8 years old; and Henry (Uncle Henry Kolbe) who was just 4. It is told that as the train pulled out of Frankfort going to the port, little Henry was nearly left behind on the platform. After settling in Lorain, three more children were born in the following: Mary in 1856 (Aunt Mary Neiding); Emma in 1861 (Aunt Emma Bechtal); and William F in 1863 (Uncle Will Kolbe)
They settled in what was then called Black River, Ohio, in a small home just east of what is now Oberlin Avenue and on the south side of what is now West Erie Avenue. (Lorain, Ohio now) Grandfather did carpentry work and felt they were prosperous when he earned $1.00 a day. They lived there for 11 years. Then, they sold their property and bought a farm about four miles west of Black River, on Lake Shore Road on the edge of Lake Erie. They lived on this farm until about 1881, at which time they built a cottage on their land west of Beaver Creek. Their son Henry took possession of the farm. They lived at this cottage home at Oak Grove for about ten years, when they sold the same and spent their few remaining years at the homes of their children.
On Sept 1, 1889 two years before leaving Oak Grove, grandfather and grandmother Kolbe celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their Oak Grove home. All the nine children along with many grandchildren and several great grandchildren were present and enjoyed a memorable time. Grandfather was presented with a gold-headed cane and Grandmother gold rimmed glasses by two little great grandchildren, Ella Ruth (Engle) and Clara Esthruth (Grobe).
Grandfather Kolbe died October 8, 1893 and Grandmother on April 4, 1905, both having died at the home of their youngest daughter, Emma Bechtal who lived on Middle Ridge Road. They rest in the family plot in Cleveland Street Demetra where a monument marks their last resting place.
If they could return today what changes they would see (c 1950's). The farm they had on Lake Road has made way for a modern trailer park; the old dirt Lake Road is a four lane highway; at Oak Grove, modern apartments are being built to accommodate Ford Motor personnel; an Atomic Energy plant is about to be constructed bordering to the west. Beaver Creek, which was once a thriving fishing center for the Kolbes is now crowded with pleasure craft with several lagoons branching off to accommodate the need. Even the outlet of the creek is changed. The island no longer there, but a continuous line of beach, making it a real resort area.
A modern golf course and swimming pool is in the neighborhood. All the prosperous farms that their children developed...the Speigelbergs, Schmitkons, Bechtals, Hollsteins, Bechsteins, Henry and Adam Kolbe, are in the process of being allotted and developed to accommodate this fast growing area. (written in the 1950's)
From this courageous family, who settled here over 150 years ago, there are now over 1500 descendants, who have established themselves in every walk of life. We, indeed, can be proud of our heritage, but must also assume the obligations. (added in 2005)
Family story--
Grandfather was born Aug. 11, 1813 and was named Henry William (Heinrich Wilhelm); Grandmother's name was Elizabeth Heussner and she was born Oct. 17, 1817. They were married in 1839, he at the age of 26 and she, 22. After seventeen years of marriage in the year 1856, they immigrated to America along with thousands of others who were then pulling up their European stakes to settle in this fabulous country.
Their journey across the ocean was a long one, eight and a half weeks, of course traveling in a boat powered by sails. There are listed as traveling "between decks." Grandfather and Grandmother Kolbe came to America in June 9,1856.They came from Kalkobas, Kreis Hersfeld, Jurhessen, Germany which today is known as Bad Hersfeld.
They brought their six children whose ages ranged from sixteen years (Aunt Eliza Speigelberg) to just eight months (Aunt Tina Hollstein). The others were Henrietta (Aunt Henrietta Bechstein) 15 years old; Christina (Aunt Christina Schmitkons) who was 10 years old; Adam (Uncle Adam Kolbe) who was 8 years old; and Henry (Uncle Henry Kolbe) who was just 4. It is told that as the train pulled out of Frankfort going to the port, little Henry was nearly left behind on the platform. After settling in Lorain, three more children were born in the following: Mary in 1856 (Aunt Mary Neiding); Emma in 1861 (Aunt Emma Bechtal); and William F in 1863 (Uncle Will Kolbe)
They settled in what was then called Black River, Ohio, in a small home just east of what is now Oberlin Avenue and on the south side of what is now West Erie Avenue. (Lorain, Ohio now) Grandfather did carpentry work and felt they were prosperous when he earned $1.00 a day. They lived there for 11 years. Then, they sold their property and bought a farm about four miles west of Black River, on Lake Shore Road on the edge of Lake Erie. They lived on this farm until about 1881, at which time they built a cottage on their land west of Beaver Creek. Their son Henry took possession of the farm. They lived at this cottage home at Oak Grove for about ten years, when they sold the same and spent their few remaining years at the homes of their children.
On Sept 1, 1889 two years before leaving Oak Grove, grandfather and grandmother Kolbe celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their Oak Grove home. All the nine children along with many grandchildren and several great grandchildren were present and enjoyed a memorable time. Grandfather was presented with a gold-headed cane and Grandmother gold rimmed glasses by two little great grandchildren, Ella Ruth (Engle) and Clara Esthruth (Grobe).
Grandfather Kolbe died October 8, 1893 and Grandmother on April 4, 1905, both having died at the home of their youngest daughter, Emma Bechtal who lived on Middle Ridge Road. They rest in the family plot in Cleveland Street Demetra where a monument marks their last resting place.
If they could return today what changes they would see (c 1950's). The farm they had on Lake Road has made way for a modern trailer park; the old dirt Lake Road is a four lane highway; at Oak Grove, modern apartments are being built to accommodate Ford Motor personnel; an Atomic Energy plant is about to be constructed bordering to the west. Beaver Creek, which was once a thriving fishing center for the Kolbes is now crowded with pleasure craft with several lagoons branching off to accommodate the need. Even the outlet of the creek is changed. The island no longer there, but a continuous line of beach, making it a real resort area.
A modern golf course and swimming pool is in the neighborhood. All the prosperous farms that their children developed...the Speigelbergs, Schmitkons, Bechtals, Hollsteins, Bechsteins, Henry and Adam Kolbe, are in the process of being allotted and developed to accommodate this fast growing area. (written in the 1950's)
From this courageous family, who settled here over 150 years ago, there are now over 1500 descendants, who have established themselves in every walk of life. We, indeed, can be proud of our heritage, but must also assume the obligations. (added in 2005)
- Heinrich Wilhelm Kolbe arrived in the USA 9 June 1856 with his wife and six children. (Two others had died in Germany and 3 others were born in the US.)
Family story--
Grandfather was born Aug. 11, 1813 and was named Henry William (Heinrich Wilhelm); Grandmother's name was Elizabeth Heussner and she was born Oct. 17, 1817. They were married in 1839, he at the age of 26 and she, 22. After seventeen years of marriage in the year 1856, they immigrated to America along with thousands of others who were then pulling up their European stakes to settle in this fabulous country.
Their journey across the ocean was a long one, eight and a half weeks, of course traveling in a boat powered by sails. There are listed as traveling "between decks." Grandfather and Grandmother Kolbe came to America in June 9,1856.They came from Kalkobas, Kreis Hersfeld, Jurhessen, Germany which today is known as Bad Hersfeld.
They brought their six children whose ages ranged from sixteen years (Aunt Eliza Speigelberg) to just eight months (Aunt Tina Hollstein). The others were Henrietta (Aunt Henrietta Bechstein) 15 years old; Christina (Aunt Christina Schmitkons) who was 10 years old; Adam (Uncle Adam Kolbe) who was 8 years old; and Henry (Uncle Henry Kolbe) who was just 4. It is told that as the train pulled out of Frankfort going to the port, little Henry was nearly left behind on the platform. After settling in Lorain, three more children were born in the following: Mary in 1856 (Aunt Mary Neiding); Emma in 1861 (Aunt Emma Bechtal); and William F in 1863 (Uncle Will Kolbe)
They settled in what was then called Black River, Ohio, in a small home just east of what is now Oberlin Avenue and on the south side of what is now West Erie Avenue. (Lorain, Ohio now) Grandfather did carpentry work and felt they were prosperous when he earned $1.00 a day. They lived there for 11 years. Then, they sold their property and bought a farm about four miles west of Black River, on Lake Shore Road on the edge of Lake Erie. They lived on this farm until about 1881, at which time they built a cottage on their land west of Beaver Creek. Their son Henry took possession of the farm. They lived at this cottage home at Oak Grove for about ten years, when they sold the same and spent their few remaining years at the homes of their children.
On Sept 1, 1889 two years before leaving Oak Grove, grandfather and grandmother Kolbe celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their Oak Grove home. All the nine children along with many grandchildren and several great grandchildren were present and enjoyed a memorable time. Grandfather was presented with a gold-headed cane and Grandmother gold rimmed glasses by two little great grandchildren, Ella Ruth (Engle) and Clara Esthruth (Grobe).
Grandfather Kolbe died October 8, 1893 and Grandmother on April 4, 1905, both having died at the home of their youngest daughter, Emma Bechtal who lived on Middle Ridge Road. They rest in the family plot in Cleveland Street Demetra where a monument marks their last resting place.
If they could return today what changes they would see (c 1950's). The farm they had on Lake Road has made way for a modern trailer park; the old dirt Lake Road is a four lane highway; at Oak Grove, modern apartments are being built to accommodate Ford Motor personnel; an Atomic Energy plant is about to be constructed bordering to the west. Beaver Creek, which was once a thriving fishing center for the Kolbes is now crowded with pleasure craft with several lagoons branching off to accommodate the need. Even the outlet of the creek is changed. The island no longer there, but a continuous line of beach, making it a real resort area.
A modern golf course and swimming pool is in the neighborhood. All the prosperous farms that their children developed...the Speigelbergs, Schmitkons, Bechtals, Hollsteins, Bechsteins, Henry and Adam Kolbe, are in the process of being allotted and developed to accommodate this fast growing area. (written in the 1950's)
From this courageous family, who settled here over 150 years ago, there are now over 1500 descendants, who have established themselves in every walk of life. We, indeed, can be proud of our heritage, but must also assume the obligations. (added in 2005)
Family story--
Grandfather was born Aug. 11, 1813 and was named Henry William (Heinrich Wilhelm); Grandmother's name was Elizabeth Heussner and she was born Oct. 17, 1817. They were married in 1839, he at the age of 26 and she, 22. After seventeen years of marriage in the year 1856, they immigrated to America along with thousands of others who were then pulling up their European stakes to settle in this fabulous country.
Their journey across the ocean was a long one, eight and a half weeks, of course traveling in a boat powered by sails. There are listed as traveling "between decks." Grandfather and Grandmother Kolbe came to America in June 9,1856.They came from Kalkobas, Kreis Hersfeld, Jurhessen, Germany which today is known as Bad Hersfeld.
They brought their six children whose ages ranged from sixteen years (Aunt Eliza Speigelberg) to just eight months (Aunt Tina Hollstein). The others were Henrietta (Aunt Henrietta Bechstein) 15 years old; Christina (Aunt Christina Schmitkons) who was 10 years old; Adam (Uncle Adam Kolbe) who was 8 years old; and Henry (Uncle Henry Kolbe) who was just 4. It is told that as the train pulled out of Frankfort going to the port, little Henry was nearly left behind on the platform. After settling in Lorain, three more children were born in the following: Mary in 1856 (Aunt Mary Neiding); Emma in 1861 (Aunt Emma Bechtal); and William F in 1863 (Uncle Will Kolbe)
They settled in what was then called Black River, Ohio, in a small home just east of what is now Oberlin Avenue and on the south side of what is now West Erie Avenue. (Lorain, Ohio now) Grandfather did carpentry work and felt they were prosperous when he earned $1.00 a day. They lived there for 11 years. Then, they sold their property and bought a farm about four miles west of Black River, on Lake Shore Road on the edge of Lake Erie. They lived on this farm until about 1881, at which time they built a cottage on their land west of Beaver Creek. Their son Henry took possession of the farm. They lived at this cottage home at Oak Grove for about ten years, when they sold the same and spent their few remaining years at the homes of their children.
On Sept 1, 1889 two years before leaving Oak Grove, grandfather and grandmother Kolbe celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their Oak Grove home. All the nine children along with many grandchildren and several great grandchildren were present and enjoyed a memorable time. Grandfather was presented with a gold-headed cane and Grandmother gold rimmed glasses by two little great grandchildren, Ella Ruth (Engle) and Clara Esthruth (Grobe).
Grandfather Kolbe died October 8, 1893 and Grandmother on April 4, 1905, both having died at the home of their youngest daughter, Emma Bechtal who lived on Middle Ridge Road. They rest in the family plot in Cleveland Street Demetra where a monument marks their last resting place.
If they could return today what changes they would see (c 1950's). The farm they had on Lake Road has made way for a modern trailer park; the old dirt Lake Road is a four lane highway; at Oak Grove, modern apartments are being built to accommodate Ford Motor personnel; an Atomic Energy plant is about to be constructed bordering to the west. Beaver Creek, which was once a thriving fishing center for the Kolbes is now crowded with pleasure craft with several lagoons branching off to accommodate the need. Even the outlet of the creek is changed. The island no longer there, but a continuous line of beach, making it a real resort area.
A modern golf course and swimming pool is in the neighborhood. All the prosperous farms that their children developed...the Speigelbergs, Schmitkons, Bechtals, Hollsteins, Bechsteins, Henry and Adam Kolbe, are in the process of being allotted and developed to accommodate this fast growing area. (written in the 1950's)
From this courageous family, who settled here over 150 years ago, there are now over 1500 descendants, who have established themselves in every walk of life. We, indeed, can be proud of our heritage, but must also assume the obligations. (added in 2005)
Family Members
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