Anna Sophia Bartels, known as "Sophie", was born 30 Mar 1837 at #2 Hülshagen (7 miles from Meerbeck) in the Schaumburg district of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony),Germany. She was the 4th of 6 children born to Tönnies Heinrich and Engel Marie Eleonore (Böse). On 14 Jan 1855 she married her cousin, Friederich Christian "Fred" Bartels at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Meerbeck, Schaumburg-Lippe, Germany. (The church was located directly across the street south from #9 Meerbeck, Fred's home.) To this union were born 11 children. Two infant sons died in Germany. The decision was made to emigrate to the United States, and thus they sold their property and sailed with their six children on the steamship "Hermann", arriving in New York City on 3 May 1869. They immediately went by train to the German colony in Will county, Illinois where relatives welcomed them. Here, three more children were born; their son Johann Heinrich August was born 30 Nov 1875 and died there on 5 Apr 1878. Friends and relatives had relocated to Saline county, Nebraska south of the village of Tobias, and they followed by train to Friend, Nebraska and then by wagon in November of 1878. They were successful in their life there, and not only purchased other properties, but were founding members of the Zion Lutheran church, located next to Old Zion cemetery. After her husband died, Sophia lived with her son John until her death. Many of her descendants still live in the Tobias area.

Sophia's obituary:
Nebraska Signal
Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska
8 Jul 1926
Page 2
Beloved Pioneer Called.
Sophia Bartels was born in Germany March 30, 1837. She died at the home of her son John, near Tobias, Neb., July 1, 1926 aged 89 years, 3 months and 1 day.
She was married 1855 to Frederick Bartels in Germany To this union were born ten children, eight boys and two girls. Two sons died in infancy, and Ernest and William in young manhood. Her husband preceded her in death in 1895 at Tobias, Neb. She leaves to mourn her death four sons and two daughters, Henry, Gottlieb and John of Tobias, Fred of Grand Island and Mrs. Fred Heidemann of Daykin, and Mrs Anna Schweer of Seward Neb. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren number 111.
In 1869 the family immigrated to Crete, Will county, Ill. They came to Nebraska in 1878 and settled on a farm in Olive precinct, Saline , county, Nebraska where she spent all the remaining years in good health with her sons and daughters until God called her home.
In early childhood she was baptized and joined the Lutheran church, of which she was always a willing and faithful member.
She was always thoughtful of others, a kind and thoughtful neighbor, ever ready to help where help was needed. She was indeed a loving and understanding mother. Her thoughts were always of her country, home and loved ones. On the last great presidential election she cast her vote as was customary. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 3, 1926 at 2 o'clock at Zion's Lutheran church at Tobias conducted by Rev. E. O. Potratz who spoke on Galations, 6 7, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Six of her grandsons acted as pallbearers. She was laid to rest in the Zion's Lutheran cemetery at Tobias.