Christian Freidrich "Christ" Schwanke was born to his loving parents Johann W. (F.) "John" and Ernestine (Katz) Schwanke on Tuesday May 1, 1866 at Peoria, Peoria County Illinois. It was first thought that Fredericke Zander was his mother but through my research I'm sure Ernestine to be his correct mother. Sadly the day Christ was born it is believed that his mother Ernestine along with his stillborn twin brother passed. On his father's John findagrave.com memorial there are two information photos. It states his father John moved to the State of Wisconsin in 1860 and a few months later he was united at marriage to Miss Ernestine Katz at Princeton, Green Lake County Wisconsin. In 1864 the couple moved to Illinois near Peoria, this is where Ernestine passed. I haven't been able to find any death records on Ernestine or his twin baby brother. It was mentioned to me during my childhood and several of my cousin's childhoods that Christ had a twin brother that passed. In one of Christ's father obituaries it states that his father was left with four small children. My research found two of his siblings and a possible third listed below which would account for the four. In 1867 at the age of one year Christ moved with his family to Fremont, Dodge County Nebraska and the same year his father was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Zander at West Point, Cuming County per his father's obituary. Miss Zander's maiden name had been originally listed as Suslay on her original findagrave memorial which I believe is wrong through my research. The family later relocated to Snyder, Dodge County. Christ was united in marriage to M. Albertina Metschke on Thursday February 2, 1893. The couple first lived for about ten years in Colfax County Stanton Township while acquiring several farms in Dodge County. The couple were blessed with thirteen, or possibly fifteen children over the years of their marriage. I just discovered their first two sons that were born, then interred in the Saint Matthews Lutheran Cemetery at Wisner, Cuming County. Adolf, who would have been their first born, passed ten days after he was born in 1893. Friedrich, their second born, died twelve days after his birth in 1894. My mother told me there were a set of twin girls born first who died at birth, whether these two boys are the twins my mother spoke of, I have not been able to determine that, no record of the twin girl names and interment has been found. There is a three years gap between the third and fourth born where the twin girls could possibly fit in. There were six living sons and three daughters, of which there was a second set of living twin girls. They then moved to a farm south of Leigh, Colfax County. Next they moved to a farm south southwest of Leigh, Platte County with the GPS of 41.654460, -97.272033 which became their home where they continued raising their family. The couple celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in February 1943. They resided on this farm until February 1946 when Albertina fell ill and they moved into the City of Leigh, Colfax County. This property is listed as 311 Beech Street with a GPS of 41.707245, -97.233709. The couple was cared for by their daughter Emma with the assistance of her brother Elmer. I recall as a young youngster Grandpa Christ sitting on the north side of the Leigh home in his "S" frame red lawn chair. He would reach into his pocket for his coin purse and then give me a quarter. I also recall him going down to the basement to fetch his chewing tobacco too. There was only one problem with this, his daughter had just painted the steps to the basement. Sadly Christ passed on Saturday August 4, 1956 at the age of 90 years, 3 months, 3 days which does not include his last day, he lived a total of 32,967 days. Christ's funeral services were held at the Homes Funeral Home of Leigh on Wednesday August 8, 1956 at 1:30p then at the Saint Paul Lutheran Church south southwest of Leigh at 2p. I recall riding in our family 1950 Ford to the church and seeing a tear run down my mother's cheek, she was sad. Christ was interred in the Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Platte County in row six. Christ's information was provided from researching many resources and my memory. This biography was created as an honor to my Grandfather Christ by Loren R. I believe all lives matter, even the lives of those who have passed. Many details are still missing from his life, if you have any more details I will be happy to edit the additional information into this biography. Please send your info to me at my email address [email protected]

Possible brother with mother Ernestine: Christian Henry Schwank (1865 - 1940) listed on familysearch.org (L2VQ-BYZ)

Credits: familysearch.org (LL9Q-K84), Google Map, Anonymous, Leigh World, timeanddate.com

Revised: 02/27/2024