George H. Freytag

George Freytag, oldest son of William A. and Sophia Heiberg Freytag, was our father. He was born September 19, 1866, in the old log house which stood on the family farm. When he later took it over, he provided a home for himself and security for his growing family. Here he made his home for the rest of his life.

Our mother, Wilhelmina Maassel Freytag, was born February 8, 1873 at Hiddingen by Visselhoevede, Hanover, Germany. She emigrated from Germany with her parents when she was about eight years old. Her father, Frederick Maassel, as a young man was forced to serve in the German army. Being a good soldier, he served in the personal guard of the Kaiser. However, when his son, Fred, was old enough to be conscripted, Grandfather gathered his family together and emigrated to America. It was in 1880 that Wilhelmina arrived with her family.

Wilhelmina and George's sister, Emma were in the same confirmation class and became good friends. It was through Emma that George and Wilhelmina became acquainted. They were married September 14, 1893.

Their first child, Theodore, died in infancy. There were eleven children who lived. Marie remained at home. Voluntarily she helped with the younger children and so has aided in rearing and caring for three generations of children.

Henry attended Woodville Normal and Academy at Woodville, Ohio, and became a parochial school teacher. He taught mostly at Salem Lutheran Church, Detroit. He was married to Walburga Haas. He died in 1952.

Carl married Valeta Rohrs. After renting various farms, they settled on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. John Rohrs, Valeta's father and mother. They had five children: Ralferd, Robert, Mary Alice, Theodore and Frederick. Carl died March 11, 1972.

Emma married Emil Panning. They set up housekeeping on the Panning family farm. They had six children: Paul, Luella, Margaret, Edwin, Eldor, and Esther.

Herman married Regina Bockelman. They lived for awhile in Detroit, then went to work for the Neuhauser Hatchery at various locations. They had eight children: Evelyn, who died in infancy; Beverly, Walter, Janet, Richard, Jerome, Thomas, and Ronald.

William attended Woodville Normal and Academy, Capital University and the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary at Columbus, Ohio, and entered the ministry. He married Emily Hum- rich. They had two children, Jeannine and James. When Emily died, he married Josephine Ballmer, Oak Harbor, Ohio.

Emilie married Carl Panning. They lived on Bales Road near the Freytag School. Carl worked for the Napoleon schools. They had five children: Evelyn, Marian, Joan, Richard, and Robert.

Clara married Reginald Humrich, Detroit, Michigan. They had three daughters: Corine, Mildred, and Carolyn. After Reginald's death she married Raymond Whitmore.

Paul married Anne Barth. He spent two and a half years in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific under "Bull" Halsey. When he returned, they settled in Napoleon where Paul set up his electrical shop. They had two children, Deborah and David.

Ferdinand married Lilian Dannenburg. They took over the Freytag family farm. They had four children: Kenneth, Barbara, Linda, and Joel. Ferdinand died January 4, 1959, and Lillian died October 16, 1973.

Alfred attended Napoleon High School. He served five years in the U.S. Army in the Pacific under General Douglas MacArthur. After he returned, he married Phyllis Rashley. They had one child, Sandra. After being divorced, he married Dorothy VanCooley. They had one son, David.

Submitted by: William H. Freytag