Deutchlanders

LAUBSCHER -WAGNER: Tracking these two families was an interesting Problem Solving project. I knew that they hailed from Pennsylvania and emigrated from Baden thanks to census records. There were a lot of blanks to fill in. Quite a few remain, but I have part of the story of John Wagner and Catherine Laubscher pieced together.

The first part of the mystery was figuring out Catherine's maiden name, which was given on her son William's death record. The handwriting was not the best and determining the surname was difficult. Lansher, Lancher, Laubacher and Laubscher seemed the most likely candidates. My Problem Solving consultants and cohorts determined 'Laubscher' was it. [That had been my vote as well.]

Catherine Laubscher and John Wagner, German Catholics, were married in Pennsylvania about 1842. A son, Henry was born in 1844. By 1845 they were in Missouri, evidently attracted by the lead mining opportunities around Madison County in the southeastern part of the state. William and Louisa were born there.

The 1850 census offered a surprise. A George Laubscher, miner, was indexed in Madison Co. In the same householder was a Wagner family, Margaretha and her three children John, Henry and Mary. The ages and birthplaces were a match for Catherine, Henry, William and Louisa. Had the enumerator erred? Were the names given the baptismal names? John and Catherine Wagner and George Laubscher were involved in land transactions in Lafayette Co. The Wagners in 1860 were exactly 10 years older than the 1850 family. Wisconsin in 1851. Catherine and Margaretha had to be the same person.

The 1855 Wisconsin State census showed Catherine as head of household with 2 males and 2 females. John had died between 1851 and 1855.

George and Lewis Laubscher served the Union Army with Company C of the 2nd Missouri Light Infantry that was assigned to defend the forts around St. Louis. Lewis was discharged in 1863 due to medical problems and returned to Pennsylvania. He died in 1878. George was injured while helping to lower a drawbridge and was discharged in 1862. Like Lewis, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1886. George was living with Charles Laubscher in 1870. It is believed that Lewis, George, Charles and Catherine were siblings.

Catherine remained in Lafayette Co., Wisconsin until her death. The only clue to the year of Catherine's death came from a petition to the Probate Court in 1892. Lester Metcalf , the petitioner, stated that he was residing on 40 acres that had belonged to Catherine Wagner, who had "died 10 or more years ago." Her husband, John, had "died many years ago." That placed Catherine's death around 1882. She was still living in 1880.

You never know! As I was confirming that Catherine was indeed in the 1880 census, another item popped up on Ancestry.com: 21 July 1841 German Reformed Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
marriage of Johannes Wagner to Catharina Laubscher, both of the city! Holy Cow!!
TDP -3/12/15