The Better to Know You

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Wisconsin
Surnames/tags: endres klein

THE BETTER TO KNOW YOU^[1]

Katharina Klein Endres was a bit strict and Mathias Endres was fun and liked to tell his grandchildren stories of old Germany. Or so, at least, are the recollections bout these two. There were nine children (two others died young) and 56 grandchildrne. Katharina remarked in a letter that her mother in Germany didn't approve of her large family. But love for her children was great. On the ship coming to America, she showed her devotion when drying the baby clothes, tying them around her body.

Nicholaus, the eldest child of Mathias and Katharina, was born in Germany. He was a hard working famer who died in 1892 at the age of 50 from a hert attack. He had a 160 acre farm in E. Bristol. Every evening, after the day's work was finished, Nicholaus would sit in his armchair and smoke his pipe. It was the only time he smoked. Gifted with a rich tenor voide, he sang in the choir in the church. For amusement he enjoyed playing solo, a card game. All the neighbors came to his house.

A second son, Frank, did not marry; he died in 1886 at the ge of 39. he is buried in Martinsville. his tombstone has been lost. He died tragically, the details of his death being unknown.

The third son was Michael , a farmer in E. Bristol. He was married to Catherine Clemns. Of is 6 children, only one married and there were no grandchildren. The entire family devoted itself to working together on the farm. He was a good talker, was very sociable and a good neighbor in a time of need. He died of dropsy in 1921.

Mathias F., the fourth son, was called Yankee Matt because he lived in Waunakee and in this village everyone spoke English. matt's first wife, Maria Anna Welch died after only 2 years of marriage at the age of 25. She is in an unmakred grave in Martinsville beside that of Frank Endres. Yankee Mat was a jolly man who also enjoyed h egame of solo. He had a good mind and was never foolish. His youngest son Frank R. was called Windy Endres. Frank R. was the baby of the family and always had an answer for everything, hence the nickname. Yankee Matt and his second wife Margaret Heim, died in 1937, within a few weeks of each other. Margaret died of a cerebral hemorrhage and Mat tsuccumbed to gangrene in the left leg.

The youngest boy, JOhn B. was a farmer at Springfield Corners. He too had a nickname. He was called Doctor Endres because he took care of the sick animals. He was a big man and a good talker and always had a twinkle in his eye. LIke his brothers he enjoyed the game of solo. He was first to own a surrey and his wife hesitated to ride in it because she was worried about what the neighbors would say. Later, in 1911, he was the first one to own a car. It was a gray Buick and at first he ws not too skillful at driving. In taking 3 of his daughters to church he was unable to negotiate the hill. The girls had to get out and walk home. JOhn B. ws forced to call for help. But this didn't daunt him and neither did hte dusty roads. His daughter tells this fish story about him - Doc Endres like to fish with a friend. Once they went ou tin the morning and didn't come back until dark. Everyone wondered what had happened to them. as itturned out, the friend had a wifle with which he shot a big fish out of season. the game warden caught them, took them to Madison where they were fined $50, Needless to say, John kept the fish as his friend no longer wanted it. John B. Died of Cardiac insufficiency on June 24, 1924.

Besides these five sons, there were four daughters in the Mathis Endres-Katharina Klein family. Anna, the eldest, was born in germany. She was married to Joseph Frederick, a farmer in Waunakee. There are no living relatives who remember her because she died in 1898 at the age of 54.

Mary Magdalena, the second daughter, was also born in Germany. She married Alois Gmeinder, a farmer in Sun Prairie. It was her duty as a 7 year old to safely carry the family clock from Germany to Wisconsin in 1852 as the family migrated. She was a good natured woman who loved to play cards. Every evening she first said her prayers and then she played cards.

Annay Mary, the third daughter, married Robert Pfister and they lived in Green Bay where he had a soap factor. He had brought a formual for soap to America from Germany. After he died of gangrene following an injury, Annay Mary and her 4 sons came back to Waunakee. They lived near the Endres grandparents. The boys helped their grandparents. Anna Mary was full of the dickens and ltos of fun in a crow. She died of stomach cancer on Feb. 25, 1907.

Catherine, the youngest daughter, entered the novitate and was known as Sr. Rutilla. She died in 1895 at the age of 35, when she bled to death following a tonsilectomy. She was a member of the school of Sisters of Notre Dame in Mequon, Wisconsin.