Ancestors

1.Harold George Jennings b. 11 Apr 1921, Harmony Township, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[1] occupation Construction Superintendent, m. 4 Jul 1942, in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[2]  Parent's home, Helen Clara Porter, b. 24 Dec 1920, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[3] occupation Tax Auditor.  Born Mon. at 6:45 pm; 10 1/4 pounds.

 

Parents

 

2.George Henry Carl Jennings b. 17 Jan 1891, Johnstown, Rock County, Wisconsin,  Lutheran Church-Joined Methodist 4/16/33, occupation Farmer, m. 4 Nov 1914, in Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[4]  M. E. Parsonage, Julia Ethel Mawhinney, b. 31 May 1894, Lima Township, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[5]  8 Mar 1914, Converted from Presb. to Methodist, d. 14 Dec 1986, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, buried: 17 Dec 1986, Janesville, Wisconsin -Milton Lawns.  George died 20 Sep 1978, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[6] buried: 23 Sep 1978, Janesville, Wisconsin -Milton Lawns.^[7]  Attended school thru the 8th grade. Converted from Lutheran to Methodist 1933. There was some discord with his parents caused either by this conversion or that he married an non-German girl or that he had a large family. Had several farms which were fixed up and which won prizes in 1940 and '41 as most improved farms. Lived on 4 different farms in Milton area. Later in life specialized in raising hogs. Retired in 1961 and moved to 318 Chicago Ave, Milton. SSN=397-12-8507.

 

3.Julia Ethel Mawhinney b. 31 May 1894, Lima Township, Rock County, Wisconsin,⁵   8 Mar 1914, Converted from Presb. to Methodist, d. 14 Dec 1986, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, buried: 17 Dec 1986, Janesville, Wisconsin -Milton Lawns.  Was the best cook in the whole world! Her rolls and pies were the best. The whole extended family gathered at her house for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mother's Day for a feast. SSN=388-68-5154.

 

Grand Parents

 

4.Johann Peter Janning also known as: John Jennings b. 24 Mar 1858, Augustendorf, Bemervorde, Hannover, Prussia,^[8] occupation Farmer, m. (1) 7 Sep 1882, in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, Mathilde Auguste Henriette Garbrecht, also known as: Mathilda and Tillie b. 6 Sep 1859, Doersenthin, Pommern, Germany,^[9] d. 6 Sep 1935, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[10] buried: 9 Sep 1935, Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,^[11]  1880, Emigrated from Germany to Wisconsin,^[12] and Katherine Bertha Braun, also known as: Catherine Bertha Braun b. 11 Mar 1892, Ashland, Wisconsin,^[13] d. 30 Jun 1969, Waukesha, Waukesha, Wisconsin,^[14] buried: 3 Jul 1969, Prairie Home Cemetery.  Johann died 1 Dec 1930, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[15] buried: Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery.  From: GENEALOGY of the FAMILY of FREDERICK C. JENNINGS, By Frederick C. Jennings. Written about 1928.

 

"In a small hamlet (dorf) Augustendorf, (Kreis) (County) Bremervörde, Hanover, Germany [about 35 miles west of Hamburg], the Janning family lived as small farmers on the moor Land.

 

"The three sons and mother emigrated to America at different times, the father having died when the youngest son Frederick was an infant. John came to the United States in 1877 [ed: Other evidence suggests he came to America in 1875], Henry a year or two later [1878], then finally Mother and the youngest son in 1881.

 

"After working on a farm by the month for a number of years, John the eldest son, engaged in farming for himself and by his frugality and good planning together with the help of a good wife became a very successful farmer.

 

"They had a family of eight children, five living, three having died in infancy. The living are:       Emma Jennings Searl [Serl], Mary Jennings Dickoff, Paul Jennings, Louisa Jennings, George Jennings.

 

"All married and have children with the exception of Emma and Louisa.

 

"It should be noted the name changed from Janning to Jennings, however the name Jennings is corrupt. The correct pronunciation in German is as though spelled J-o-h-n-i-n-g. However in America Janning was commonly pronounced with a long "A", therefore the letter "E" was substituted for the letter "A", the suffix letter "S" was also assumed, hence the name Jennings. Jennings is the name used by all three branches of the original progenitors in this country, namely, John, Henry, and Frederick."

 

 

Johann emigrated from Hannover alone at age 16. He came on ship Oder from Bremen and Southampton to NY arriving 26 June 1875. We can only guess that he stayed with Uncle(?) Heinrich Janning who had come in 1866.

 

His name on his marriage certificate dated 7 Sep 1882 is Johann Peter Janning. In Dec. 1887 he witnessed marriages of sister-in-law Emma Garbrecht and (sort of) brother-in-law William Thoms and signed name as John Jennings.

 

While John eventually owned 3 pieces of property, he owned no property in 1891.

 

Recollection is that, when scandal of his fathering illegitimate children erupted, John, Mathilde, the Serls and Lawrence Dickoff took a trip to CA and then they moved to Janesville upon their return.

 

Obituary in Janesville Gazette, 1 Dec 1930: "John Jennings, Retired Farmer, Dies Suddenly

 

"John Jennings, 72, died unexpectedly in his home, 425 North Garfield Avenue, at 2:00 am Monday. His sudden death was a shock to his family and friends, as he had retired Sunday night, apparently in good health.

 

"John Jennings was born in Hannover, Germany, March 24, 1858. He came to America in 1876 and located on a farm near Milton, where he lived until he retired 14 years ago. He leaves to mourn his death, his widow: five children, Mrs. E. R. Serl, 428(?) Garfield Avenue, Mrs. Theodore Dickoff, Paul and George Jennings, and Mrs. Louis Bentz, all of Milton: eight grand children: and one brother, Fred Jennings, Milton.

 

"Mr. Jennings was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church.

 

"Funeral services will be held in the home at 1 p.m. Wednesday and at 2 p.m. in the Milton Lutheran church. Burial will be in the Milton cemetery."

 

5.Mathilde Auguste Henriette Garbrecht also known as: Mathilda and Tillie b. 6 Sep 1859, Doersenthin, Pommern, Germany,⁹  d. 6 Sep 1935, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,¹⁰  buried: 9 Sep 1935, Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,¹¹   1880, Emigrated from Germany to Wisconsin.¹²   Obituary says three children died in infancy though we only found records of two. Arrived in U.S. 6 Apr 1882 on ship Hohenstauffen, age 22. Doersenthin is a few miles south of present day Koslin in Poland. The Polish name for the town is Dzierzecino. This area was part of Prussia, then Germany and, after WWII, ceded to Poland.

 

6.Francis Glover "Frank" Mawhinney b. 29 Nov 1857, Taylorstown, County Antrim, Ireland,^[16]  5 May 1858,^[17] occupation Farmer, m. 6 Aug 1881, in Lima Township, Rock County, Wisconsin, Hannah Brown, b. 5 Sep 1857, Aghavary, County Antrim, Ireland,^[18]  15 Mar 1858, Aghavary, Grange of Bally Sculliow,^[19] d. 4 Nov 1940, Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[20] buried: 6 Nov 1940, Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,^[21]  bef  ? Aug 1881, Emigrated to U.S. from Ireland.^[22]  Francis died 9 Jun 1935, Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[23] buried: 12 Jun 1935, Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,^[24]  abt 1880, Emigrated to U.S. from Ireland.^[25]  Certificate of Naturalization dated 24 Sep 1913. No. 396049. Describes Francis as: 55 years, 5 feet, 10 inches, white, complexion fair, blue eyes, light hair, no distinguishing marks. Obituary says they lived in Rock Co. except for some time in Albion and California. Moved Albion to Lima 1908. Moved Lima to Milton 1914 when Frank became lame and was forced to retire. Linen weaver in Ireland.

 

7.Hannah Brown b. 5 Sep 1857, Aghavary, County Antrim, Ireland,¹⁸   15 Mar 1858, Aghavary, Grange of Bally Sculliow,¹⁹  d. 4 Nov 1940, Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin,²⁰  buried: 6 Nov 1940, Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,²¹   bef  ? Aug 1881, Emigrated to U.S. from Ireland.²²

 

Great Grand Parents

 

8.Peter Janning b. abt 1834, Hannover, Prussia, m. Adelheid Appeln, also known as: Adelheid Appel b. 4 Nov 1834, Hannover, Prussia,^[26] d. 22 Mar 1918, Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[27] buried: Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,^[28]  9 Oct 1881, Emigrated from Hannover to Milton, WI.^[29]  Peter died 1877, Brillit, Bremervorde, Hannover, Prussia.^[30]  From: GENEALOGY of the FAMILY of FREDERICK C. JENNINGS, By Frederick C. Jennings. Written about 1928.

 

"In a small hamlet (dorf) Augustendorf, (Kreis) (County) Bremervörde, Hanover, Germany [about 35 miles west of Hamburg], the Janning family lived as small farmers on the moor Land.

 

"The little dorf celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary in June 1928, just a few weeks before I landed in the country, in true Nether Saxon style. Speech making, recounting the dorf's history, dancing and plenty of liquid refreshments furnished the entertainment of the day.

 

"The first known architecture as human dwellings in as far as this section of the country was concerned was achieved by planting trees on the end tying the tops together forming a steep roof without sidewalls. Such was the dwelling of Peter and Adelheid Janning in Augustendorf. The "edifice" was built near the south end of the old dam, there is no evidence now of the old dam site but it was near the public school of today.

 

"The dorf boasted of 335 inhabitance at the beginning of the world war, lost 32 killed in action of the best and most promising young men.

 

"Not until after the world war was a road built into the dorf (brick pavement). This must be taken up and re-laid every few years owing to the sagging of the brick. The underlying strata beneath the road is peat, which is spongy and affords a poor foundation for a smooth surfaced road.

 

"Before building this road, commerce was carried on by boat in the canal. The main commerce out of the dorf is peat for fuel. During the world war its citizens were quite prosperous as they enjoyed a good market but owing to the inflation of the currency after the war, their savings were wiped out.

 

"In the early days horses and cattle were unknown in the dorf. It is said the first cow was planked into town.

 

"Just why any person should choose such a place to locate is hard to understand unless it was to escape the overlords and horrors of almost continuous warfare and they, like the "Bog Irish", escaped into the quagmire and bogs for safety.

 

"Peter Janning, was born about 1834, place of birth unknown, and died in Brilitt in 1877 [ed: This is probably the town named Brillit about 4 miles WNW of Augustendorf.] He was buried in the cemetery at the place with a Juniper tree standing at the head of the grave as its only marking."

 

 

 

9.Adelheid Appeln also known as: Adelheid Appel b. 4 Nov 1834, Hannover, Prussia,²⁶  m. (1) Peter Janning, b. abt 1834, Hannover, Prussia, d. 1877, Brillit, Bremervorde, Hannover, Prussia,³⁰  m. (2) 1 May 1891, in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[31]  Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fred Schoctyon, b. abt 1834, Pommern, Germany, occupation Farmer,  1891, Lived in Johnstown, Rock, WI.  Adelheid died 22 Mar 1918, Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin,²⁷  buried: Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,²⁸   9 Oct 1881, Emigrated from Hannover to Milton, WI.²⁹   From: GENEALOGY of the FAMILY of FREDERICK C. JENNINGS, By Frederick C. Jennings. Written about 1928.

 

"Adelheid Appeln was born in Germany Nov. 4, 1834, and died in Milton, Wisconsin, May 12, 1918. [ed: There is a town named Appeln about 7 miles NW of Augustendorf.]

 

"The three sons and mother emigrated to America at different times, the father having died when the youngest son Frederick was an infant. John came to the United States in 1877 [ed: Other evidence suggests he came to America in 1875], Henry a year or two later [1878], then finally Mother and the youngest son in 1881.

 

"The writer remembers this trip although a small boy of six. Being told of the assassination of President Garfield, while enroute made a deep and profound impression on my mind. Both mother and I deplored such a dastardly act to assassinate such a good and great man. We landed in the port of Baltimore after fourteen days at sea on the good ship Braunsweig. We boarded an emigrant train to Chicago via the Baltimore and Ohio R.R. arriving safely in Janesville, Wisconsin, our final destination."

 

In spite of getting married to Fred Schoctyon, her gravestone says Adelheid Jennings.

 

10.Lebrecht Fredrich "Fred" Garbrecht b. 15 Nov 1827, Pommern, Prussia?,^[32] occupation Farmer, m. (1) abt 1848, in Doersenthin, Pommern, Germany,^[33] Henriette Kumrow Pluhmpohm, b. abt 1828, Pommern, Prussia?, d. bef 1866, Doersenthin, Pommern, Prussia,³³  m. (2) abt 1866, in Doersenthin, Pommern, Germany,³³  Louise Pogonta, b. 9 Jun 1824, Parganda, Germany,^[34] d. 20 Jul 1907, Johnstown Township, Rock Co., Wisconsin,^[35] buried: Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,  10 Nov 1883, Arrived on ship Werra with son August.^[36]  Lebrecht died 26 Dec 1891, Johnstown, Rock County, Wisconsin,^[37] buried: Milton, Rock, Wis- Milton Cemetery,^[38]  5 Apr 1883, Emigrated from Germany to Wisconsin.  It appears that Fred came to America after his daughter Mathilde. He was on ship Weser from Bremen to Baltimore arr 5 Apr 1883. Mathilde married John Jennings in 1882, before her step-mother, Louise, and half brother, August, arrived on 10 Nov 1883. Her sister, Emma, may have come with her father or stayed for a while with her older sister, Augusta or Fredericka, who never came to America. Modern name for Doersenthin, Pommern is Dzierzecino, Koszalin, Poland.

 

11.Henriette Kumrow Pluhmpohm b. abt 1828, Pommern, Prussia?, d. bef 1866, Doersenthin, Pommern, Prussia.³³   Kumrow may be a name from a previous marriage or it could be her mother's maiden name.

 

12.William Mawhinney b. abt 1823, Grange Corners, County Antrim, Ireland, m. 11 Aug 1840, in Grange, County Antrim, Ireland,^[39] Sarah Jane Glover, b. abt 1820.  Family record from about 1950 says, "Born 1825 [I think this is too late] County Antrim, Ireland. Married Sarah Glover. Children: John, George, Robert, Sarah, Lettecia, William, Francis Glover. Francis migrated to U.S. before 1882." Their son John was born in 1842. If William was really born in 1825 as the family records say he was, then he was a father at age 17.

 

13.Sarah Jane Glover b. abt 1820.

 

14.Thomas Brown b. abt 1820, m. Hannah McMullin, also known as: Hannah McMillen b. abt 1820.

 

15.Hannah McMullin also known as: Hannah McMillen b. abt 1820.

 

Great Great Grand Parents

 

18.Paul Apel b. abt 1810, Germany (Hannover?), m. Anna Flathmann, also known as: Ana Flatmann b. 8 Dec 1799, Worpswede, Bemervorde, Hannover, Prussia.^[40]

 

19.Anna Flathmann also known as: Ana Flatmann b. 8 Dec 1799, Worpswede,Bemervorde,Hannover,Prussia.⁴⁰   Name was given as Ana Flatmann on Adelheid's marriage license in 1891. The birth record of Anna Flathmann was found on the LDS IGI. It is somewhat circumstantial that this is the right person, but the religion is correct, the place is within about 15 miles of Augustendorf, and her parent's names fit with the names later used in the family.

 

24.John Mawhinney also known as: John McWhinnie b. abt 1800, Scotland, m. Jane Valentine, b. abt 1800,^[41] buried: Grange Corners, County Antrim, Ireland.  John buried: Grange Corners, County Antrim, Ireland,  abt 1820, Emigrated to Ireland from Scotland.  Family record from about 1950 says, "Born about 1800, Scotland. Migrated 1820 to Gillistown, Grange Corners, near Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland. Married Jane Valentine, an Ulster-Scot. Both died at Grange Corners. Children: William, John, Matthew, Hugh, Robert, Nancy."

 

25.Jane Valentine b. abt 1800,⁴¹  buried: Grange Corners, County Antrim, Ireland.

 

26.Robert Glover b. abt 1800.

 

28.James Brown b. abt 1800, m. Betty Eden, b. abt 1802.

 

29.Betty Eden b. abt 1802.

 

30.John McMullen also known as: John McMillen b. abt 1800, m. Sally McLaughlin, b. abt 1802.

 

31.Sally McLaughlin b. abt 1802.

 

3rd Great Grand Parents

 

38.Hinrich Flathmann b. abt 1775, Hannover, Prussia, m. 1 May 1795, in Worpswede, Bemervorde, Hannover, Prussia,^[42] Alheit Luetjen, b. abt 1775, Hannover, Prussia.

 

39.Alheit Luetjen b. abt 1775, Hannover, Prussia.  There were several marriages recorded for Alheit Luetjen in Worpswede, so there may have been several people with the same name born around the same time. It might be difficult to identify the parents of this Alheit Luetjen.