I am researching the family of Lawrence/Lorenz WESTERMAN/WESTERMANN b. 23 Apr 1808 in Waldprechtsweier, Baden, Germany, son of Barnabus WESTERMANN and Theresia BECHLER. On 4 Jan he m. Cecelia BECHLER, daughter of Johann BECHLER & Maria Eva KOHM. The family arrived at New York on 29 May 1854. Lawrence d. 8 Apr 1894 in Toledo, OH. He is the younger brother of my ancestor. He applied for naturalization in Henry Co. in 1856. His sons Jacob and Joseph served in Co. G, OVI 1862-1865. Children that emigrated were: Jacob b. 22 Sept 1834 Waldprechtsweier d. 16 Oct 1915 Napoleon; Martin b. May 1837 Waldprechtsweier – no information; Joseph b. 27 Aug 1839 Waldprechtsweier m. Geneva ? d. 20 June 1908 Napoleon; Veronika b. 6 Sept 1841 Waldprechtsweier – joined Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in 1868 d. 10 Dec 1885; Theresia b. 20 July 1845 Waldprechtsweier – no information; Anna Katherine b. 27 Nov 1847 Waldprechtsweier in Henry Co. 1870; Maria Eva b. 10 Oct 1851 Waldprechtsweier in Henry Co. 1870.
I am especially interested in finding descendants of Lawrence and his children and would love to share the information I have from Germany on the Westermann family. With the help of Westermann cousins in Germany and France, I have traced my line back to my 9th great-grandfather, Simon Westermann, who d. 1637 in Bischweier, Baden, Germany.
– Julie Caton Spencer, Topeka, KS 66604