Ludwig Cemetery Entries for Fickeisen

FICKEISEN. JACOB ... GEB DEN 9 FEB. 1823 ... GEST DEN 22 DEC. 1901. - ALT 79 J.- 9 M.- 13 T.
FICKEISEN. ELIZABETH ... BORN MAY 24, 1824.- DIED JUNE 2, 1903.

FICKEISEN. ABRAHAM ... BORN APRIL 14, 1825 - DIED FEB 19, 1895.
FICKEISEN. MARGARET ... BORN MAY 7, 1825.- DIED APRIL 25, 1902.

FICKEISEN. LUWISA ... BORN APRIL 18, 1864 - DIED JAN. 10, 1888.

Interpretation

Background

This entire website can be attributed to two things: 1) my mother's dogged determination to keep alive the memory of her grandmother, and 2) my dogged determination to record and expand on these stories. In some sense then, even though my genealogical exploration has taken me literally far and wide, these writings are (I hope) a tribute to Ella Lorene Sullivan Andris and her grandmother, Eva Fickeisen Noe. It is for this reason that I identify most strongly with the Fickeisens.

I have particularly puzzled over the origins, nature, and history of Eva's grandfather, Abraham Fickeisen, here buried. And there has been much to puzzle over. I have yet to find a record of Abraham's passage across the Atlantic Ocean. I have yet to find a letter or correspondence from him, although I have found a record of him as church treasurer for a short period of time. I have yet to figure out the exact reasons for the scandalous reprobation of he and some of my other great great grandfathers by others in the Ludwig Church, possibly even by his brother, Jacob, also here buried in the same cemetery.

These things weigh heavy on my heart. Abraham and his wife, Margaret, do live in my heart, though, and I hope to join them when I die. My mother's stories have made them come alive for me: how they were young and in love and left together for the New World on a perilous ocean voyage, with only a trunk full of a few tools and hand-made clothes. How Abraham signed a contract as a bond servant on a farm in upstate New York. How they worked their way across the country to Wheeling and then to Marietta, having a child here and there. How they settled on Pleasant Ridge and eventually had twelve children, six boys and six girls. How they toiled in the fields and lived in relative poverty. How Abraham would line the boys and girls up on either side of the fireplace after dinner, read from the Bible, and then test the children on their knowledge of it. How Margaretha delivered her twelfth child, a son, one afternoon after working in the field that morning and had supper on the table for the family when they came in to eat. How Abraham walked five miles and payed a quarter for a second canning table for Margaret. How Margaret had to lock Abraham in his room in his last years. These things, these lives, bring a tear to my eye. These people, these deeds inspire me.

Jacob Fickeisen (1823-1901)

Johann (Jean) Adam Fickeisen and Maria Marthe Doll who were married at Hundheim, Pfalz on 16 Dec 1811. Their first child, Maria Elizabeth took seven months to arrive and was followed by at least six others, including Jacob and Adam, both buried in the Ludwig Cemetery. I have written a detailed article on Jacob Fickeisen and Elizabetha Born Fickeisen and their descendants. We know from the Berg Church records that Jacob was active in both the Berg and later the Ludwig Church.

Elisabetha Born Fickeisen (1824-1903)

Unfortunately, I have no accurate information on the birth and ancestors of Elisabeth Born.

Abraham Fickeisen (1825-1895) and Margaret Mueller Fickeisen (1825-1902)

For extensive information on this couple, my beloved great great grandparents, I will simply direct you to the part of my website devoted to them, their ancestors and their children.

Luwisa Fickeisen (1864-1888)

The eighth child of Abraham and Margaretha Mueller Fickeisen. I have written one paragraph on her: "According to Catherine Sams, Louisa Fickeisen was born 18 Apr 1864 and died 10 Jan 1888. She married a Biehl. Mother thought that Louisa died near her late teens with a disease that was going around, some kind of fever. She was listed in the 1880 Census."