Michael Janke (1832 - 1900)

Born 3 Dec 1832 in Germany

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 2 Jul 1900 at age 67 in near Osseo, WI

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Biography

MIchael Janke (Yonke, Yonka) was born in December 3, 1832 in Germany. ^[1]

According to Mike's death certificate, his wife was named Mahelda Yonke.^[2]She died in Germany.^[2]

MIchael lost his wife and three sons in Germany. He emigrated to the United States with his two young daughters, presumably joining his brother (see below) in Wisconsin.

In 1900, Mike, his daughter,Hedwig Emma Ida Janke, and Hedwig's three children are boarders in the home of Hulda Kusow in Otter Creek, Eau Claire County, WI. ^[3] Mike is not working, but according to correspondence from his granddaughter Clara Minnie Otto, her father, Herman Otto was away logging at this time, and likely providing support for the family.^[4]

Mike died of acute bronchitis shortly after the 1900 census, and is buried in Otter Creek Cemetery, now called St. Peters Lutheran cemetery. The name on the tombstone is Michael Yanka.^[5] I believe Yanka to be the English spelling of Janke.

Notes

Mike Janke lived in the town of Otter Creek, which is Eau Claire County; his death is given as near Osseo, which is in Trempealeau county. His death certificate, of which I seem to have the original, does not say which county. The certificate was supposed to be returned to the Registrar of Deed of the county in which the death occurred. That was not apparently done.

Conflicting Information for Parents of Michael Janke

Michael Janke's death certificate lists his place of birth as Germany; his parents are also listed as born in Germany. Their names are given as Mike Yonke and Mahelda Yonke. ^[2] No reporter's name is listed. These names are likely incorrect as they do not agree with the obituary and birth records of Michael Janke's brother, Herman Janke, who, like Michael, lived in the Otter Creek/Foster area of Eau Claire County in Wisconsin. Herman Janke was said to have been born on June 30, 1853 in Dreidorf bei Lobsens Kreis to Mr. and Mrs. Johann Janke. ^[6] Indeed, German birth records show that Herman Janke was born on 30 Jun 1853, and baptised three days later on July 3, 1853. His parents were listed as Johann Janke and Rosina Frass.^[7]

Herman is established as Michael Janke's brother in the obituary by the mention of MIchael's children as Herman's nieces. Mrs. Herman Otto Hedwig Emma Ida Janke of Osseo, and Mrs. Manda Helt Amanda Florentine Janke of Wheaton Minnesota are listed as Herman's surviving nieces.

Painting

The portrait to the right was in the possession of Michael's granddaughter, Clara. His name was written on the back in her handwriting. It seems to be a soft pencil? chalk? medium.

References

1. ↑ Handwritten notes by Clara Otto Rogers, granddaughter of Clara Otto Rogers. Circa 1968. Xerox copy in possession of Paula Rogers.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Registration of Death, Mike Yonke, dated July 27, 1900.Wisconsin. Un-numbered, signed by (M?) Reeve and Wm. H. (unreadable), town clerk. Original in possession of Paula Rogers
3. ↑ 1900 US Federal Census, Mike Yonke ,Otter Creek, Eau Claire County, District 297, Enumeration District 36, sheet 3, family 35
4. ↑ Handwritten postcard from Clara Otto to her aunt, In possession of Paula Rogers.
5. ↑ Find A Grave: MIchael Yanka., 1832-1900, St Peters Lutheran Cemetery, Eau Claire County, WIsconsin. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32737934/michael-yanka_(yanke)
6. ↑ Herman Janke, 86, succumbs at Foster. The Eau Claire Leader, Eau Claire, WI. Saturday, August 19, 1939. Page 12.
7. ↑ Custodian: Staatliche Archivverwaltung Der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik; Film Number: 245514; Page Number: 181

Sources

• Registration of Death, Mike Yonke, dated July 27, 1900.Wisconsin. Un-numbered, signed by (M?) Reeve and Wm. H. (unreadable), town clerk. (Original in possession of Paula Rogers).