OVERVIEW

Christoph Braun and Louise Neumann were both born in East Prussia (Ostpreussen), where they were married about 1874, perhaps in or near Mohrungen. Christoph was said to have been a stonemason in Germany.

So far the only records found relating to the family in Germany are the records of the births of the children. For example, daughter Johanna Braun (later Engel) was born in Steinsdorf, Mohrungen, in Ostpreussen (East Prussia). Since 1945 the village has belonged to Poland and is called Kamionka in Polish. Johanna was baptized Lutheran in nearby Hagenau (now known as Chojnik). It lies approximately 11 kilometres west of Morąg, 31 km north-west of Ostróda, and 51 km west of the regional capital Olsztyn.

Other children born in Germany were:

1875 - August Ernst Braun, died 1876.

1877 - Karl Braun

1878 - Stillbirth

1887 - Bertha

So, Christoph and Louise started their family in Germany but then set out for America. The ship passenger list indicates that Christoph by occupation was a farmer.

The couple arrived at Baltimore on the S.S. Karlsruhe, from Bremerhaven, on May 16, 1890, with their four surviving children: Carl, Johanna, Pauline, and Bertha. Louise was pregnant with their fifth child.

On July 15, 1890, Christoph died from injuries in a work accident four days prior in the Charles Tramp brickyard in Audubon, Iowa. The father's funeral was reported to be held at the Catholic church in Audubon, but that is questionable since the family was Lutheran in Germany and America.

Two months later Louise gave birth to their baby, Elizabeth.

Louis married Henry Heuermann on 10 March 1891 in Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa.

Please note the discrepancy in the birth date as given on the tombstone as opposed to in the obituary. Since his birth record has not been located we cannot be sure which is correct.

THE BRAUN FAMILY VOYAGE TO AMERICA

(By John C. Engel, December 2023)

Christoff Braun (age 52), his pregnant wife, Louise nee Neumann (age 39), and four children departed for the New World from the port of Bremerhaven, Germany on the steamship Karlsruhe on May 3, 1890. The Karlsruhe arrived at Baltimore on May 16, 1890, their daughter Johanna's ninth birthday.

Capt. Friederich Kessler signed off on the Karlsruhe's ship manifest listing the Braun family members by age, and that Christoff was a farmer. The traveled in steerage, first compartment. The manifest says the family boarded with three pieces of baggage and were headed to Illinois.

The Karlsruhe was less than a year old when the Braun family made the journey. It was a 5,200 ton steel screw steamer owned by the Norddeutscher Lloyd [North German Lloyd] line, 430 feet long, 48 feet wide, and 33 feet deep.

When the ship was built, "The Marine Engineer" described the accommodations for first and second class passengers, as including cabins and saloons "fitted up with the most modern appliances for comfort."

But the Brauns were in steerage: "The main and lower 'tween decks are fitted up for third-class passengers, thorough ventilation being provided for. As these decks are also arranged for hammocks, the ship could be used for carrying a large number of troops. When not fitted for passengers these spaces will be utilized for cargo." The ship was lighted throughout with 365 incandescent bulbs.

Although the Karlsruhe was a steamship it was also schooner-rigged with two pole masts of steel. It carried ten large lifeboats and six partly collapsible lifeboats. Of course, this would not be able to save all in a disaster if carrying the full capacity of 2,180 passengers.

The German-language article you see posted on the Christoff Braun memorial page is about the exact voyage that brought these Braun ancestors to America. It was published in the Baltimore German language newspaper Der Deutsche Correspondent on May 17, 1890, the day after their arrival in America. Volunteers from the "Genealogical Translations" Facebook group provided the wonderful translation.

Some things we pick up from the article include:

• Landmarks of the actual route the ship took. It's wonderful to find that the family had a remarkably fast, smooth journey without mishap. The ship was nearly new, with well-lit, and ventilated accommodations for the passengers in steerage.

• Although the ship carried less than half of the passengers it was capable of, the ship may have taken up more space with cargo.

• "Most of the passengers were carried westwards during the afternoon on two special trains of the Baltimore-Ohio Railway." The ship passenger list says the Braun's original destination was Illinois. It's great to learn exactly how they may have gotten there. But they ended up in Audubon, Iowa by the time of Christoff's death on July 15th. Was Iowa their true destination all along? Or did they get as far as Illinois and decide to go further west?

ARRIVAL OF THE "KARLSRUHE"

Der Deutsche Correspondent, May 17, 1890

Bringing 933 Passengers, 3 of those in the cabins. - An extraordinarily short and fortunate Journey. - Nice clear weather accompanies the whole trip. - Neither a birth nor a death happened.

Yesterday at 11:30 the express liner of the "Norddeutscher Lloyd" line reached dock at Locust Point [location of the immigrant landing pier in Baltimore's harbor] after a relatively short journey of 12 1/2 days with extremely favorable weather. It is a considerable achievement to have crossed the ocean twice within four weeks, especially when one considers the stay of several days in Bremerhaven to unload cargo and to take on more. The "Karlsruhe" sailed from here just four weeks ago and reached Bremen punctually. The "Karlsruhe" could not sail as normal on Thursday, but it did so on the following Saturday and nevertheless arrived here on time…. This brilliant feat was achieved by the proven and experienced sailor, Captain F. Kessler, who shared the following details:

"We left Bremerhaven on Saturday, 3 May at 12 noon. with 988 people, 3 of them in the cabin, passed the outer lightship, the Weser, at 3:30 on the same day and met good weather in the North Sea and English Channel. On 5 May at 4 p.m. we passed the Lizard peninsula. [Wikipedia says "Lizard Point is the most southerly point on mainland Great Britain" and "Lizard Point is for many ships the starting point of their ocean passage and a well known shipping hazard."]

During the ocean crossing we had mainly lovely clear weather, prevailing north winds and a smooth sea, and were luckily spared heavy storms, hailstorms and icebergs. We passed the 50th line of longitude at 41 north. We reached Cape Henry on Thursday 15 May at 3:30 p.m., took the pilot on board and calmly sailed out of the bay. After 12 we went past Sandy Point before dropping anchor, which we raised again at 5 a.m. [Sandy Point, Maryland is about 30 miles south of Baltimore, on Chesapeake Bay.]

Unfortunately the fog was so thick that we had to drop anchor again three times. As a result of this, our arrival in Baltimore was delayed by several hours, and we only reached our pier in late morning (yesterday) at 11:30 a.m. On the way we conversed with two Norddeutscher Lloyd steamships, the "Hermann" coming from New York, on Tuesday, 13 May, and the "Rhein," coming from Baltimore, on Thursday 15 May, both sailing eastwards. We covered 3793 sea [nautical] miles in 12 days, 12 hours and 41 minutes, at an average speed of 13.44 knots per hour.

The medical conditions on board were excellent in every respect and both cabin- and steerage passengers spoke most appreciatively about the practical facilities of the steamship, the tidiness and cleanliness. Special praise was paid to the efficient captain of the ship, the valiant Captain F. Kessler, and the first officer, H. Koch who, during the journey, made all efforts to entertain the passengers and to bring variety into the monotony of the crossing. There were no births nor deaths on the journey.

Among the arrivals were the German-Americans [names omitted].

Most of the passengers were carried westwards during the afternoon on two special trains of the Baltimore-Ohio Railway.

The officers and officials on the Karlsruhe are [names omitted].

[Description of cargo carried includes macaroni, whiskey, caviar, beer, wine, cheese, music instruments, glassware, rice, porcelain, toys]

The Karlsruhe will make the return journey on Wednesday 21 May.

END OF ARTICLE

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July 17, 1890 Audubon County Republican

Killed by Falling Dirt

Chris Braun, who has been working in the clay pit on Chas. Tramp's brick yard, met with a fatal accident last Friday afternoon. He had excavated so that he was working under some over hanging dirt when a body of clay five feet high and conical shape fell upon him. He was thrown to the ground and the full weight of the dirt fell upon his limbs and hips. He was brought to his home in town and an examination showed that his injuries were wholly internal, later developments proved that his kidneys were most seriously affected. Enduring much pain he suffered until Tuesday morning, when he died at 2:30.

The deceased was born in Germany, Sept. 30th, 1837. He emigrated to this country only seven weeks ago and has since been engaged in the employment in which he met his death. A wife and four young children are left to mourn his loss. Braun was dependent upon his day's work for a livelihood, so that the family is left in straightened circumstances. The case is a peculiarly sad one, eliciting the sympathy of the entire community, but the comparative strangers have found kind friends who have performed every act possible to alleviate their sorrow.

The funeral was held from the Catholic church Tuesday at 4 p.m., and was attended by a large number of friends.

IOWANS GIVE SUPPORT TO IMMIGRANT PAUPERS (My Ancestors)

(By John C. Engel, December 2023)

New information has turned up describing the support of the community in Audubon, Iowa after a group of my immigrant ancestors faced tragedy.

Recently I posted items about the May 16, 1890, arrival of the steamship "Karlsruhe" at Baltimore, bearing the family of Christoff and Louisa (Neuman) Braun with three pieces of baggage. The family made their way to Audubon, Iowa, where Chris found work in the brickyard of Charles Tramp.

But we learned years ago, tragedy struck the immigrant family a short time later. Chris was digging in a clay pit when a large section of clay collapsed upon him. The Audubon County Republican reported on July 17, 1890:

"He had excavated so that he was working under some over hanging dirt when a body of clay five feet high and conical shape fell up on him. He was thrown to the ground and the full weight of the dirt fell up on his limbs and hips. He was brought to his home in town and an examination showed that his injuries were wholly internal, later developments proved that his kidneys were most seriously affected. Enduring much pain he suffered until Tuesday morning, when he died at 2:30."

Chris left behind a pregnant wife and four young children, including my great grandmother, Johanna Augusta (Braun) Engel, age 9.

The newspaper went on to say:

"He emigrated to this country only seven weeks ago and has since been engaged in the employment in which he met his death. A wife and four young children are left to mourn his loss. Braun was dependent up on his day's work for a livelihood, so that the family is left in straitened circumstances. The case is a peculiarly sad one, eliciting the sympathy of the entire community, but the comparative strangers have found kind friends who have performed every act possible to alleviate their sorrow.

The funeral was held from the Catholic church Tuesday at 4 p.m., and was attended by a large number of friends. "

Now, new details of the support provided have surfaced. The September 11, 1890, issue of the Audubon County Republican lists expenditures that were approved by the county board of supervisors.

Supervisors Proceedings.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, IN REGULAR SESSION, SEPTEMBER, 1890. Auditors Office, Audubon, lowa.

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8 o'clock A. M. Sept 3d, 1890. Board met pursuant to adjournment.

Members all present.

On motion the following bills were allowed.

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F W Staley digging grave for Chris Braun poor 2 50

J S Dennis cobs for county and Mrs Braun poor 4 30

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I W Baker merchandise for Mrs Braun and Mrs Brown poor 40 23

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A H Roberts medicine for Mrs Brown poor 2 00

Mrs N Roth care of Mrs C Braun poor person 12 00

Scott Bros merchandise for jail and Mrs Braun pauper 17 00

Dr D G Lass claimed 10 for attending Chris Braun pauper allowed 6 50

• F.W. Staley's occupation was not found, but a couple earlier in the year he earned a couple of bucks guarding an insane person.

• J. S. Dennis was the superintendent and general manager of the City Transfer and Express line.

• I.W. Baker operated a grocery store that was advertised in the newspaper.

• Alexander Holt Roberts was a druggist and bookseller.

• The Scott Brothers were undertakers and dealers in furniture.

• Daniel G. Lass was a local physician and surgeon who advertised in the paper.

* * * * *

We can only speculate on whether the references to "Mrs. Brown" relate to our widow, Louisa Braun. Braun is the German spelling of Brown, and this family's name was often spelled either way in America.

Shortly after the county board approved the above expenditures, Louisa Braun gave birth to the child she bore on the voyage to America. Elizabeth Braun was born September 20, 1890.

The following year, on April 8, 1891, Louise Braun married a German immigrant farmer named Henery Heuermann. He was widowed with his tribe of seven children. They soon had one more son together, Edward.