Edward Merschbrock was born on October 17, 1855 in Prussia. He is the father-in-law of Walt’s 1st cousin 2x removed, Elizabeth Wellman Merschbrock.
Edward Merschbrock was born in the Neuenkirchen area of Germany, His parents were Arnold and Margaretha Merschbrock. We know of at least 3 sisters.
Sometime around 1880, Edward came to the United States. According to his family history, he was a brick maker. He arrived in New York City. He traveled to the midwest and ended up in fort Madison, Iowa. Someone suggested he go to West Point and see if John Christopher “Chris” Meierotto needed assistance. He walked the railroad tracks to West Point. Chris was a farmer who also made bricks. Edward took a job with him and found a room with the family of Henry Umthum.
In 1881, Edward Merschbrock married Elizabeth Umthum, the daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina Dierker Umthum. He worked hard and saved money to bring his parents and two of his sisters, Anna & Elisabeth, over from Germany. His sister Mary also emigrated to the U.S. in 1888.
Edward and Elizabeth had 8 children together. Their youngest child was born in January of 1988. Edward Merschbrock died on February 13, 1900.
Their eldest son, Henry, married Elizabeth Wellman in 1905. Elizabeth was the daughter of Herman Wellman, one of Gerhard Wellman’s brothers. I wrote about Elizabeth here.
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