Using Church Histories in Your Genealogy Research

Using church histories in your family history provides information that will provide social context for the times they were living. I have the marriage certificate of my great grandparents, Johann August Fredrich and Louise Fredrike Zastrow. It states the officiant at their marriage was Hermann Lemke. No church was listed, but they were married in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.

A Google search for Hermann Lemke Manistee Church showed that he was the Pastor of the German Lutheran Church of Manistee. Next, I did a search for German Lutheran Church of Manistee and discovered that it is now Trinity Lutheran Church, Manistee, Mi. 

This piqued my curiosity and I decided to see what was available at the Library of Michigan about Trinity Lutheran Church. I used Answer, Library of Michigan's card catalog, and found this entry. Bingo!

The Centennial History of Trinity Lutheran Church of Manistee, Michigan by Edwin August Mueckler, published in 1969 provided me with more information about the church where my great grandparents were married.

The 1870 Census for Manistee county showed that over 2600 people were foreign born with 851 people being German. The church was organized by immigrant Germans who were mainly from the provinces of Pommern and Posen, Prussia. My Fredrich ancestors came from the province of Posen.

Hermann Lemke was the second full time Pastor at the church. He was called in 1872 and installed as Pastor in December of that year. J. August and Louise were married in 1875. The family story is that J. August sent back to Germany for a bride, I wonder if the church had anything to do with it. Just a story, nothing is proven.

Although there is no mention of my ancestors in the church history, it provides me with what was going on at the church during this time. Information about the community, including a large fire in 1871, relief fund abuse, removal of first minister, temperance movement, money troubles, and more is included. The charter members were listed.

Pictures of the interior of the church and Pastor Lemke are included in the history. I didn't receive permission to use the pictures so I am not including them here.

Using the information I found in the church history I can contact Trinity Lutheran Church, which I did, and obtain church records. 

If you are having trouble finding the church of your ancestors from the name you have, do a google church to see if the name was changed and look for the church history. It was an interesting read.

Mary E. Grischow and Ernest Charles Pierce Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage

A wonderful couple, Mary "Mari" Elizabeth (Grischow) and Ernest "Ernie" Charles Pearce are celebrating 50 years of marriage today!  Congratulations Mari and Ernie!

I met Cousin Mari, and her husband, Ernie, four years ago after I made contact with Mari on a genealogy message board.  She was looking for information on her grandmother Emma Fredrick, who is my grand aunt.  Emma Fredrick was the sister of my grandfather, Otto August Fredrick. Emma and Otto's parents were Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow.

Brenda Glover Leyndyke and Mari Grischow Pearce, May 2012, Battle Creek MI

Shortly after our online contact, Mari and Ernie traveled to Michigan, from Ontario, to visit.  It was then I met Mari and Ernie in person and found a wonderful cousin. We sat at the dining room table and shared stories and pictures.  We have continued to share family information over the past few years.  Mari introduced me to a part of the family I knew nothing about.

It wasn't long before Mari and Ernie were welcomed into the Fredrick(s) family.  Mari and Ernie returned to Michigan to attend the Fredricks family reunion and met more cousins than one could imagine.

Mari and Ernie Pearce, May 2012, Battle Creek, MI

It is my pleasure to wish Mari and Ernie my congratulations on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They are a wonderful example of a lasting marriage and I wish them many more years of happiness and love.

Mary "Mari" Elizabeth Grischow, 16 July 1966

 Ernest "Ernie" Charles Pearce and Mary "Mari" Elizabeth Pearce, 16 July 1966

 Knox Presbyterian Church, Acton, Ontario, Canada, date unknown

Mary 'Mari' Elizabeth Grischow married Ernest 'Ernie' Charles Pearce on 16 July 1966, at the Knox Presbyterian Church, Acton, Ontario, Canada.  Rev. Andrew McKenzie officiated at the 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon service. Mari is the daughter of Audrey Bessie Chalmers and Boots Grischow.

My Ancestry and a German Script Cheat Sheet

Julie Cahill Tarr has been writing her blog, Gen Blog, since 2008 and I have been a reader for awhile now.  It was only recently that I discovered her post, Tips for German Research-Write it out in GERMAN! and what a helpful post it was. I have always wanted to have someone who knew how to write in German do this for me.  Now, I can do it myself.

Julie explains about the German alphabet and how difficult it can be to try and read it using handwriting guides. Julie gave an excellent tip and the links for creating your own cheat sheet using the German names in your family.  I followed Julie's tip and created my own table:

Ancestor	Fraktur	Sutterlin
Johann August Fredrich	Johann August Fredrich	Johann August Fredrich
Christoph Fredrich	Christoph Fredrich	Christoph Fredrich
Susanna Koenig	Susanna Koenig	Susanna Koenig
Louise Fredrike Zastrow	Louise Fredrike Zastrow	Louise Fredrike Zatrow
Casper Graf	Casper Graf	Casper Graf
Mary Wrightweasner	Mary Wrightweasner	Mary Wrightweasner
Johann Philipp Graf	Johann Philipp Graf	Johann Philipp Graf
Sophia Kolter	Sophia Kolter	Sophia Kolter
Heinrich Kolter	Heinrich Kolter	Heinrich Kolter
Anna Susanna Denzer	Anna Susanna Denzer	Anna Susanna Denzer
Johann Caspar Graf	Johann Caspar Graf	Johann Caspar Graf
Katarina Margareta Philip	Katarina Margreta Philip	Katarina Margareta Philipp
Johann Philipp Graf	Johann Philipp Graf	Johann Phillip Graf
Maria Catharina Geffinger	Maria Catharina Geffinger	Maria Catharina Feffinger
Johann Caspar Graff	Johann Caspar Graff	Johann Caspar Graff
Anna Cecilia Colter	Anna Cecilia Colter	Anna Cecilia Colter
Johann Nickel Grav	Johann Nickel Grav	Johann Nickel Grav
Anna Christina	Anna Christina	Anna Christina

Now, I have a useful cheat sheet to help me with Fraktur and Sutterlin handwriting. If you would like to download the fonts for your use, check Julie's blog post where she has written about this.  Thank you, Julie for the excellent tip.

Wedding Wednesday: John and Mary (Fredrick) Bruce

Fredricks Farm-L-R Mary Fredrick, Unknown Child, Otto Fredricks, date unknown

One hundred and ten years ago, 1 April 1905, John Bruce and Mary Fredrick were married.  John, age 31 the son of A. Bruce and Mary Knottors was living in Brown Township at the time of his marriage.  Mary Fredrick, age 21, the daughter of J. August Fredrick and Louise Zastrow lived in Brown Township as well.

Brown Township is in Manistee County, Michigan near Brethren, Michigan.  Mary's parents farm was located on Coates Highway in Brown Township.  Coates Highway runs through the lower third of the township.

John and Mary Bruce's marriage record number 3694 can be found at the Family Search database, Michigan Marriages 1868-1925, image 402 of 640.  This records states that it was John Bruce's second marriage and Mary Fredrick's first.  Witnesses to their wedding were Mary's sister, Emma Fredrich and Ben Stevenson.  Pastor M. Nichel, Evangelical Lutheran Pastor officiated at the Saturday, Onekama Ceremony.

Tombstone Tuesday: Joseph, Alma and Robert Prantle

PRANTLE

ALMA                JOSEPH

1893-1932           1887-1980 

ROBERT E.                          

AGE 7 DAYS                         

Alma Prantle, nee Fredrick, her husband, Joseph Prantle and newborn son, Robert E. are buried in Fairplains Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan in Block X, Lot T9_C, Space 6.

Alma is the daughter of J. August Fredrick and Louise Zastrow Fredrick.  She is my great aunt.

Alma Fredrick Prantle Pictures

Previously, I wrote about the gift of pictures I received from my cousin, Kathryn. The pictures below, my Aunt Lola was able to identify as Alma Fredrick and Joey Prantle.

Alma Fredrick was the daughter of J. August Fredrick and Louise Zastrow Fredrick. She was born in Manistee county, Michigan on 28 February 1893.  She married Joseph Prantle and they had two sons, Joseph and Robert E.  Alma Prantle died 2 May 1932 in E. Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.  Joseph and Alma's son, Robert E. was born 26 August 1932 and died seven days later on 3 May 1932.  Alma died one day before her infant son did.  Although, I haven't looked at her death certificate, I would guess she died due to complications with child birth.  How sad, she was only 39.  Her son, Joseph 'Joey' went to live with his Uncle John Bruce and Aunt Mary (Fredrick) Bruce sometime after his mother's death.

 Alma Fredrick Prantle, date unknown

 Alma Fredrick Prantle and son, Joseph, circa 1931.

Joseph 'Joey' Prantle, age unknown

Where in the World is Louise Fredrike Zastrow Fredrich?

One of the first place family historians search for their ancestors is in the United States Census records.  I am compiling my census information in a table format.  Each month I share a Where in the World post.  This month I am sharing my great grandmother, Louise Zastrow Fredrich.  Louise Zastrow married Johann August Fredrich in 1875.  Her name can be found in the census as Fredrich, Fredrick, and Frederick.  

Where in the World is Louise Zastrow?

FACT	DATE	PLACE OF RESIDENCE	ENUMERATION DISTRICT/PAGE ID./DWELLING
Birth	9 Apr 1856	Probably Prussia
Immigration	1875	Manistee County, Michigan, United States
Census	1880	Manistee, Manistee, Michigan, United States	2/19/158
Census	1900	Manistee, Manistee, Michigan, United States	33/9A/133
Census	1910	Dickson Township, Manistee, Michigan, United States	32/3B/67
Census	1920	Dickson Township, Manistee, Michigan, United States	61/4A/71
Census	1930	Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States	41-32/13A/224
Census	1940	Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States	86-58/10B/226
Death	24 Jul 1940	Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States

Seeing Emma Fredrick Chalmers Through Her Granddaughter's Eyes

Second cousins meeting for the first time, Brenda (left) and Mari (right), May 2012

Recently, I connected with a second cousin, Mari, and her husband, Ernie, and to my delight I got to meet them.  I knew that we would want lots of time to talk, so I invited them to my house for dinner.  Mari came bearing pictures, lots of pictures.  She had actual photographs and even more on a flash drive.  She had a binder of information that her mother had researched and written.  A genealogists dream come true!  I put my flip pal scanner to good use that night.

There is never enough time when you meet a cousin for the first time to hear all about the family, but I really appreciated her sharing her family with me.  Mari's grandmother, Emma Fredrick Chalmers, and my grandfather, Otto August Fredrick, were brother and sisters.  They were the children of Johann August Fredrick and Louise Zastrow Fredrick.

I plan to share more about Emma in the weeks to come, but I want to share a few pictures of Emma and her husband, James B. Chalmers.  Emma Fredrick and James B. Chalmers were married 6 June 1905 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  They were the parents of eight children:  Catherine, Lottie, Robert, Mary, Oral, Margaret, Audrey, and Richard.  Their spent their married life in Acton, Ontario, Canada.

The pictures show the love these two had for each other.  Mari said she knew her grandparents quite well.  They were very loving people.  Thank you Mari for visiting and sharing Emma's family with me.  I am still giddy from it!

  James B. and Emma Chalmers

Emma and James B. Chalmers 31 July 1944 

Emma and James B. Chalmers

Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow Married 137 Years Ago

Source:  Manistee, Michigan, marriage certificate no. 653 L.2 p44, Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow; Manistee County Clerk Office, Manistee, Michigan.

137 years ago today, J. August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow were married in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.

My mother and sister obtained the above copy of their marriage certificate from the county clerk's office in Manistee, Michigan.  Using the information from the ledgers, the clerk transcribed Louise's name as "Sauise", not being able to read the "L".  My mom explained that this was her grandmother and her name was Louise, but they said they had to write it as written, not realizing it was actually an L. 

The same mistake was made on the minister's last name.  Hermann Semke was written on the record, but the minister's name was Hermann Lemke.  It makes me wonder if August Tose is transcribed right.  Oh, well.

Happy Anniversary!!

Louise Zastrow Fredrich-9 April 1856

156 years ago today, my great grandmother, Louise Zastrow Fredrich, was born.  She is pictured here at the age of 61 with five of her grandchildren.  From left to right:  Kathryn Louise Fredrick, age 9, Daisy Marie Fredrick, age 6; Otto Robert Fredrick, age 4; Lola Mae Fredrick, age 7; and Richard Lewis Fredrick, age 2.

The Worlds of Genealogy and Theatre Collide: Part II

The costume inspiration board

I wrote about the worlds of genealogy and theatre colliding and my daughter's connection to it in a post titled "The Worlds of Genealogy and Theatre Collide".  I had the privilege of attending Light Opera Works in Evanston, Illinois production of 'The Secret Garden' this past weekend.  The Secret Garden musical is filled with beautiful music; music that you feel in your heart and soul.

My heart and soul was filled with pride Saturday night.  Pride that my daughter is following her dream of being a musical theatre performer.  Watching her perform is a joy, one that I cherish every time I see it.  Pride that her great, great grandparents were an inspiration for costumes.

I sat in the audience as the characters of Ben, the gardener, and Martha, the housekeeper, entered the stage.  I knew that my great grandparent's picture was the inspiration for their costumes.  I am still in awe of the coincidence. 

Even Kirsten was touched by the coincidence.  She said, "I'd seen that photo of the Fredricks' a handful of times, but I never expected to see it at a design concept presentation! They put the photo up on the costume plot board and I had to look twice...then text my mother asap! As actors and designers, we always are looking at images for inspiration and research, but you never think you'll see photos of your own family.  When I told some of the cast members that the photo was of my great great  grandparents, the response was "no way!" It was a cool moment."

Here is the picture of Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredricke Zastrow Fredrick.  The one used as costume inspiration.

 And, here is the picture of Ben and Martha from Light Opera Works Production of "The Secret Garden"

 

Surname Advice-52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy and History

Week 52.  Advice.  Do you have any advice for future generations who may be researching your family?  For example, was there a name change or a significant relocation in your past.  This is intended to be a very flexible question.  Answer it any way you wish.

GLOVER:  I have been very fortunate to come in contact with other's who are researching the Glover line.    I have never seen it spelled any other way.  I am confident that I have traced it correctly to the 1600's Colonial America.  My advice is if you find Anna Glover's Glover Memorials and Genealogy book to verify the information.  The Glover family came from England to Dedham and Milton, Massachusetts to Lebanon, Connecticut, to  Phelps,New York to Ypsilanti,Michigan.

FREDRICK:  The spelling of this name can be found as FREDRICH, FREDRICKS, and FREDERICKS.  My line of Fredrick's came from Prussia.  The Fredrick family settled in Manistee County, Michigan.  The Fredrick farm is a Centennial Farm and is still in the area.  My advice is to visit the Manistee County Historical Museum which is rich in the history of the area.  You can do double duty here as Glover's and Fredrick's settled in this area.

WATT:  My paternal grandmother's surname was Watt.  The family was from Methil, Fife, Scotland.  They came to Ontario, Canada and then Marquette, Michigan.  Watt is the only spelling I have come across in my research.

GRAF:  The Graf family is from Rockenhausen, Germany.  They came from Germany to Miami County, Indiana to Brethren, Michigan.  The name can be found as Grav, Graff, and Graf.  Check out the Family History Center's films from Rockenhausen, Germany.  They have lots of information.

FENN:  I wish future researchers luck with this surname.  I imagine it will forever be a brickwall for me.  In my research I have only seen it spelled as Fenn.  The Fenn family came from Shoreham, Vermont to Washtenaw County, Michigan.

MCGEE:  The McGee family settled in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.  They were Irish in origin.  The name is usually spelled McGee.  My advice is to not get confused by the various ages that Richard McGee listed in the census.  I think he was compensating for the age difference with his second wife.

ZASTROW:  The Zastrow name is German in origin.  My great grandmother was the first generation to come to America.  She settled in Manistee County, Michigan.  The spelling can be found as Zastrow and Zastrau.  Don't be confused by a Louise Zastrow who came to America through the New Orleans port and settled in Wisconsin.  She is not our Louise Zastrow.

MAST:  The Mast family came from the Guggisberg area of Switzerland.  They settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the 1730's.  They moved to Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  They also had a short stop in Walnut Creek, Ohio before settling in Howard County, Indiana.  Some family members used the spelling Mast and others used Maust.  Mast is the spelling I found in Switzerland.

LEYNDYKE:  Good Luck to future Leyndyke's researching the family.  My advice is to find where I donated my research and take a look.  The spelling of Leyndyke has changed over the years, starting with Luijendijk to Luyendyk to Leyn Dyke to Leyndyke.  The Luijendijk family originated in Heenvliet, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands around 1500.  The first five generations have Arend Jan and Jan Arend as their first name.  The first Luyendyk immigrated to Owasco, New York and later Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Once you figure out the spelling of the ancestors of Leyndyke you will have smooth sailing as Dutch records are easy to use.

This concludes my participation in 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy and History for this year.  The 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy and History was created by Amy Coffin of We Tree Genealogy Blog.  Thank you to Amy for her great ideas.  I have participated in 46 of the 52 weeks.  I don't usually write about myself, so these prompts were a way for me to leave stories for my descendants.  I hope you have enjoyed them. 

The Worlds of Genealogy and Theatre Collide

My daughter, Kirsten, is currently in rehearsal for "The Secret Garden" musical at Light Opera Works in Evanston, Illinois.  Last night, I received a text from Kirsten telling me that Light Opera Works used a picture of our ancestors, August and Louise Fredrick, in the design presentation for The Secret Garden.  I was blown away.

August and Louise Fredrick are my great grandparents; Kirsten's great, great grandparents.  Can you imagine sitting in rehearsal (or anywhere) and seeing your ancestors used for inspiration?  Kirsten texted "What a random coincidence and a great example of how genealogy affects everything."  I agree. 

The design team for The Secret Garden must have found the picture online during their research as Kirsten was blown away as much as I was.  The picture was used for costume inspiration for the characters of Ben, the gardener and Martha, the chambermaid.

When I attend one of Kirsten's productions, just as the lights go down I reflect on how proud I am of Kirsten and how hard she works as she follows her dream.  This time, in addition, I will be remembering the inspiration for Ben and Martha and how genealogy and theatre collided for this one moment.

Ancestor Biography: Louise Fredrike Zastrow

Louise Fredrike Zastrow, my maternal great grandmother, was born in Prussia on 9 April 1856.  She is one of my brickwalls.  I haven't been able to determine her parents.  Researching Louise Zastrow is further complicated by the fact that there is another Louise Zastrow who immigrated to Wisconsin around the same time.

Nineteen-year old, Louise Zastrow, left Bremen, Germany aboard the ship, Donau.  Also on the ship's passenger list was Johann Zastrow, a brother, perhaps.  Louise Zastrow arrived in New York on the 24 April 1875.  The passenger list is indexed as Zastran.

Source:  Manistee, Michigan, marriage certificate no. 653 L.2 p44,

Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow;

Manistee County Clerk Office, Manistee, Michigan.

Two weeks after Louise's arrival she married Johann August Fredrick, on 8 May 1875, in Manistee, Michigan.  John Zastrow was a witness to their wedding.  An unsubstantiated family story tells of J. August Fredrick writing back home asking for a woman to come to the United States to marry him.  I don't know if they knew each other before their marriage or not.  J. August Fredrick was eleven years older than Louise.  Family members believe Louise left a twin sister in Prussia/Germany.

J. August and Louise (Zastrow) Fredrick started their married life in Manistee, Michigan.  They are living on Filer Street in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census for Manistee, Michigan.  Sometime between 1900 and 1910 they purchased farm land on Coates Highway, in Brethren Michigan.  They were living there in the 1910 and 1920 U.S. Federal Census.  This farm is still in the family today.

Louise Zastrow Fredrick on family farm, date unknown

J. August and Louise Fredrick had eight children:

1. Emma A:  Born 1876; Married James Burnett Chalmers
2. Otto August:  Born 1878; Married Daisy Ellen Graf
3. Augusta 'Gustie':  Born 1881; Married Herman Breen
4. Mary H.:  Born 1884; Married John Bruce
5. William L:  Born 1890; Married Grace L. Fillacy
6. Alma:  Born 1893; Married Joseph Prantle
7. Leonard 'Sonny': Born 1897; Married E. P. Smith
8. Leonia:  Born 1897; Died 1899

Source:  Year: 1930; Census Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan; Roll: 1001; Page: 13A;

Enumeration District: 32; Image: 26.0.

Sometime after her husband's death in 1924, Louise moved to Grand Rapids to live with her daughter Mary Bruce and family.  Louise Fredrick can be found living with the Bruce (Indexed as Buice) family in the 1930 Census for Grand Rapids, Michigan.  She lived here until the time of her death.

 

Louise Zastrow Fredrick died 24 July 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee, Michigan. 

Source:   Manistee News Advocate-Manistee Daily Advocate, 24 July 1940, page 3; column 3,

microfilm owned by Manistee Public Library, Manistee, Michigan.

Gravestone photographed by Brenda Leyndyke July 2010

Oak Grove Cemetery, Section Q, Manistee, Michigan

My mother was ten years old when her grandmother died.  She remembers her as being a tiny woman.  My mom says she was petite like my daughter, Kirsten, is.  She remembers going to her funeral and grave side services.  She tells the story of one of her Bruce cousins, crying and begging for his grandmother to come back.  He says he will be a good boy if she does. This is the family Louise was living with when she died. My mom says she still remembers his voice to this day.

 

Ancestor Biography: Johann August Fredrick

Johann August Fredrick (Friedrich, Fredrich, Fredricks), my maternal great grandfather was born 8 January 1845 in Germany.  His obituary states his birthplace as Paden, which I can't find any other reference too.  My mother remembers the family saying he was from Posen.  One of the census states his birthplace as Prussia.  I haven't been able to determine his exact place of birth or who his parents were. 

He had at least three siblings who came to the United States.  A sister, Henriette married John Zobel and lived in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.  Another sister, Amelia, married Leo Englehuber and a third, who's first name I don't know, married August Guske.  I have tried researching his sisters in order to break through this brickwall.  I have found a few facts about their families, but nothing to suggest who their parents were or where they came from.

(Source:  1920 U.S. Census,Michigan, Manistee, Population Schedule, Dickson Township,

ED 61, p 4A, dwelling 71, August J Fredrick.)

According to the 1920 U.S. Census, Johann, known as August, immigrated to the United States in 1872.  He settled in the Manistee, Manistee, Michigan area.  He worked in a sawmill when he first arrived here.  He was naturalized in 1909 but, unfortunately, the naturalization records for Manistee county have been destroyed.

(Source:  Manistee, Michigan, marriage certificate no. 653 L.2 p44, Johann August Fredrick and Louise Fredrike Zastrow; Manistee County Clerk Office, Manistee, Michigan.)

Family stories tell of him sending back to his homeland for a bride.  In April of 1875, Louise Fredrike Zastrow arrived to marry J. August, whom she had never met.  Johann August Fredrick, age 30, and Louise Fredrike Zastrow, age 19, were married 8 May 1875 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.  Louise's brother, John, and August Tose were witnesses.  Reverend Herman Lemke officiated. (The person copying the information in 2007 read the L as S on my copy of the certificate.)  Reverend Hermann Lemke was pastor of the German Lutheran Church in Manistee, for many years.

August and Louise Fredrick Family

L-R:  Alma, Mary, August, Louise, Leonard, unknown, Emma,

William, Otto August (holding Katherine Fredricks, his daughter)

August and Louise Fredrick had eight children:

• Emma A Fredrick, born in 1876, married James Chalmers.
• Otto August Fredrick, my maternal grandfather, born in 1878, married Daisy Ellen Graf.
• Mary H. Fredrick, born in 1884, married John Bruce.
• William L. Fredrick, born in 1890.
• Alma Fredrick, born in 1893, married Joseph Prantle.
• Leonard 'Sonny' August Fredrick, born in 1897, married Elizabeth Pearl Smith.
• Leonia Fredrick, born in 1897, died in 1899.
• Augusta 'Gustie' Fredrick, married H.A. Breen. 

J. August and Louise lived in Manistee county, Michigan their whole married life.  J. August worked in a sawmill, then bought a farm and removed all the timber and became a farmer.  He and Louise eventually(between 1910-1920) moved to a farm in Dickson Township, near Brethren, Michigan in Manistee County.  The farm became known as the Fredrick's family farm and is still in the family today.

J. August Fredrick died, at home, on 27 January 1924, of bronchitis.  He was considered a pioneer of Manistee county.  He was one of the oldest settlers of the county.  

 I found two obituaries for J. August Fredrick.

1. Aged Pioner Passes Away at Dickson was found in the 1 February 1924, Pioneer Press, Bear Lake, Manistee, Michigan
2. Aged Dickson Farmer Dies was found in 28 January 1924, Manistee News Advocate, Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.