Bertha Koenig (-3G)

mother-in-law of one of our paternal grand uncles
(click for a chart showing her relationship to us)

The (-2G), etc. after the names indicates the number of generations before Erven Thoma.

Bertha's father was born in Germany (Prussia); her mother in Switzerland. They were married in St. Louis, MO on 22 Sep. 1861 (St. Louis Marriages, vol. 10, p. 420). Before Bertha were born two siblings: Herman Jr. (-3G), ca 1866 and Lizzie (Elizabeth) (-3G), ca 1867.

Bertha was born on 03 Apr. 1872 in St. Louis.

The 1880 Census for St. Louis, Missouri, first enumeration (T9_0720, FHL film 1254720, printed page 594A, lines 20-28, dwelling 301, family 377) shows the Herman Koenig family living at 3052 Salema St. in ward 9, precinct 92 of St. Louis (city). Herman Koenig is a 34 year old vault cleaner born in Prussia with parents also born in Prussia. His wife is Fanny, 33 years old, born in Switzerland, with parents also born in Switzerland, who is keeping house. Their 7 children are: Herman Jr (14), Lizzie (13), Bertha (8), Henry (6), George (4), Mary (2) and Frank? [name is uncertain] (11 months). Herman Jr. is also a vault cleaner. Lizzie and Bertha are at school and the younger ones are at home. All children were born in Missouri but have a father born in Prussia and a mother in Switzerland.

I have not examined the second enumeration of the 1880 Census in St. Louis where this family is listed. It is found in National Archives T9_0729, FHL microfilm 1254729, 9th ward, precinct 92, printed page 619C. In it Bertha is 9 year old, therefore her birthday must be between the two Census enumerations.

There is also a Bertha Koenig, 5 years old, in the 1880 first enumeration Census for St. Louis (T9_0721, FHL film 1254721, page 273D). In the 2nd enumeration (T9_0730, FHL film 1254730, page 312B) Bertha is 6. In both cases the head of household is Johana who is widowed, 45 years old. Johana was born in Germany and her parents in Prussia. She is not Berth's mother. It seems like this is a different Bertha Battefeld than ours.

Bertha married William Battefeld (-3G) sometime before 1892, probably in St. Louis.

The St. Louis city Directory of 1894 lists William Battefeld as a laborer, living at 4332 Beck Ave. The Directories of 1895-96 list William as laborer living at 4358 Tholozan Ave. The 1897 Directory has the address as 4332 Tholozan. The 1898 and 1899 Directories again have 4358 Tholozan as the address. In the 1899 Directory at 4332 Tholozan we see John Battefeld, laborer, Henry Battefeld, also laborer, and Adam Battefeld, marble worker. John, Henry, and Adam may be brothers of Bertha.

The 1900 Fed. Census (sup. dist. 11, enum. dist. 361, sheet 10A, printed p. 147, dwelling 183, family 192, lines 29-32, dated 11 June) shows Wm. Battefeld and family living at 4358 Tholozan in ward 24 of St. Louis. William is 35 years old, born in Aug. of 1864 in Germany, his parents in Germany. He is a tile moulder. He immigrated in 1881, has been in the U.S. for 19 years and is naturalized. He can speak, read and write English. His wife, Bertha, is 28 years old, was born in Apr. 1882 [sic 1872] in Missouri, her parents in Germany. She had three children but 2 are living. Daughter Lillian was born in Feb. 1892 in Missouri and is 8 years old. Daughter Bertha was born in Aug. 1893 in Missouri and is 6 years old. Both girls are in school.

The 1910 Fed. Census Soundex Index (B314) lists the family of William Battefeld in St. Louis (104 0466 0029). (supv. dist 10, enum. dist. 466, page 2B, dwelling 26, family 29 lines 57-60, dated 21 Apr.) With him is his wife Bertha, daughter Lillian 18 and daughter Bertha 16. He is 45, his wife is 38. William was born in Germany, his parents also. He immigrated in 1882 and is naturalized. I cannot read his occupation but it is not laborer. His wife was born in Missouri, her father in Germany, her mother in Switz?. She has no occupation. Only two children were born and they are living. They have been married 19 years. Daughter Bertha is a steamstress at a shirt factory. Lillian is working also (packer at a tobacco factory?). They all read, write and speak English. They are living in their own home (mortgaged) in ward 13 at 4249 Beck Ave. which is right near Morganford.

Her father, Herman Koenig (-4G), died at 10 PM on 16 Aug. 1913 at home (3243 Morganford) in ward 13 of St. Louis. Cause of death was arterio sclerosis contributed by mitrad stenosis. He was born in Germany on 24 Feb. 1833 so he was 80 years, 5 months and 22 days of age. He was a police sergeant and was married. His parents were listed as "Unknown." His son-in-law W. Battefeld was the informant; William was living at 4249 Beck with his wife Bertha Koenig. Herman's funeral was handled by Schmitt of 3200 S. Grand. Burial was in Concordia Cemetery in St. Louis on the 19th. [Death Certificate File No. 28222]

The 1920 Fed. Census for Missouri (T625_950, enum. dist. 259, sheet 5B, lines 55-56, dated 06 Jan.) shows William and his wife living at 4349 Beck Ave. (near Morganford Rd) in ward 13 of St. Louis (city) (house 88, family 120). He is 54 years old, born in Alsace-Lorraine of German parents. He is working as a laborer of fine clay. He was naturalized in 1890. His wife, Bertha, is 47 years old, born in Missouri of a German father and a Swiss mother. She has no occupation. They read, write and speak English. They own the house. [Their daughter Bertha is married and living elsewhere. Their daughter Lillian is single living with her sister.]

Her mother Fannie, age 75, appears in the 1920 Census for St. Louis (enum. dist. 484, page 7B).

	Bertha died on 09 May 1924 at 1 AM according to her death certificate. She died of chronic arteriosclerosis (cerebral) at her home. She was 52 years, 1 month, 6 days of age, having been born on 03 Apr. 1872 in St. Louis.
Her parents were Herman Koenig and Fannie Urich, both born in Germany. [Her mother was still living.] Bertha and her husband (who was the informant) were living at 4249 Beck Ave. in St. Louis. Her occupation was housewife. The funeral was handled by Ziegenhein Bros. at 2623 Cherokee St. and she was buried on the 11th in Concordia Cemetery.

----------------------------

Bertha's husband, William Battefeld (-3G), died ca 12 May 1945 in St. Louis, MO.

Bertha's mother, Fanny Uhrig (or Urich?), died after Bertha on 01 Aug. 1926 in St. Charles, MO. Her death certificate [file # 26621] states that she died at a hospital or nursing home in St. Charles. She lived at 4352 Klatt in St. Charles, MO. She was born on 06 Jan. 1845 in Ililling(?) Switzerland. Her maiden surname [Uhrig] was given but her father's first name and her mother's name was not given. Her husband's name was given but Fanny was a widow. The funeral was handled by Ziegenhein at 6203 Gravois and burial was in Concordia Cemetery in St. Louis on the 3rd. Her son George was the informant.

Brother George may be the 44-year-old George Koenig found in the 1920 Census for St. Louis, MO. Brother Herman may be the 54-year-old Herman Koenig found in the 1920 Census for St. Louis, MO. Sister Lizzie may be the 54-year-old Elizabeth Koenig found in the 1920 Census for St. Louis, MO. Sister Mary and brothers Henry and Frank do not seem to be in the 1920 Census for St. Louis or for Missouri. But, of course, Mary could be married and both could be in another state.

See the web page for William Battefeld for more information on Lillian Battefeld. Daughter Bertha Battefeld has her own page.

There are other children named Bertha Koenig in St. Louis during the 1880 Census, but their ages, their birthplaces, and the birthplaces of their parents do not match what was already know of our Bertha.

Created Wed, 18 Sep. 2002. Last updated 25 Apr. 2008.