Dominic and Christina...

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Dominic and Christina’s Marriage

Dominic Moes and Christina (Kauth) Klein are married on October 9, 1867 in Wenona, Illinois.  The marriage license lists her as “Susannah Klein” and “Christina Klein” on the license.


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Dominic and Christina Moes History in Illinois

Christina and Susan
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Dominic and Christina farmed the land in Osage Township, La Salle County, Illinois (about a mile east of Wenona) from 1867 to 1875.  The two of them had their first daughter in Illinois as listed on the 1870 Federal Census (Susannah (age 1) and Martin (age 4) in 1870).  You can see that census by clicking HERE.  

Shortly after the census was taken another daughter (Margaret) was born November 27, 1870. 

Their third daughter (Katherine) was born in January of 1872.  She is listed as having been born in Troy Grove, Illinois which is about 30 miles north of Wenona.

After the birth of their fourth daughter, Mary Ann Moes (born December 4, 1874), they moved from Illinois to NW Iowa and settled in Floyd Township, (Hospers) Iowa. 

Anna Martha Moes was born in July of 1878 in Hospers, Sioux County, Iowa as was her younger sister Mary Elizabeth Moes in 1880.

Dominic and Christina Moes History in Iowa
Dominic and Christina seated in center
Conrad Martin Klein Jr - center of Moes Girls
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Dominic and Christina settled in Floyd Township, Iowa sometime between 1875 and July of 1878 as farmers.  They also held school at their home for the community until the school was eventually built.  Christina must've taught reading and writing as Dominic could neither read or write.


Downtown Hospers, Iowa 1910
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Family accounts have Dominic and Christina settling in Iowa in 1874 but that seems highly unlikely with Mary Ann Moes being born in the dead of winter, December 4, 1874, in Illinois.  Their next daughter, Anna Martha Moes, was born in July of 1878 in Hospers, Iowa so sometime between the two dates, Dominic moved his family to Iowa.

There is an article I found in The Alton Democrat from February 18, 1954 entitled "Pioneer Days in Floyd Township".  In the article it talks about the "original 17 men who came to Floyd Township with Theo. Gehlen".  Dominic is listed in the article and I did find out that Gehlen came from Illinois.  Whether Dominic was one of the "original 17" is questionable, but he likely knew Theodore Gehlen and/or the men that traveled with him.  It's highly likely they all served in the Civil War together.  Eventually I'll compare the names in the article (to read click HERE) with Dominic's Civil War roster which may explain why he moved to Iowa.

Dominic and family are listed on the 1880 US Federal Census for Floyd Township, Sioux County, Iowa on page 4 of 12.  You can see that page by clicking HERE.  Conrad Martin Jr., listed as "Mathias" on the 1880 census, assisted on the farm at age 14.

Dominic's nephew, Bernard and new wife Annie (Sloan) Moos, joined Dominic at Floyd Township later in 1879 after their marriage in Wenona, Illinois.  They are listed as neighbors to Dominic on page 5 of 12 in the same census.  You can see that page by clicking HERE.  

In 1882 Bernard's mother Margaret (Clemens) Moos (widow of Dominic's brother), and some of her children with their families, also moved to the area just 8 miles south of Dominic in Granville, Iowa.  Eventually I'll post more about their families, but for now those stories can be found on my ancestry.com account.


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The 1885 State Census is the first time that we see the entire Moes family (6 daughters and "Martin Klein") together on one census living on the NE 1/4 of section 23 in Floyd Township.  That property is shown in the picture to the left in the bottom red square.  You can view the 1885 census by clicking HERE.

December 11, 1885 The Alton Democrat posted a notice that Dominic had purchased property from W. H. Smith seen in the photo to the left in the northern red square.  You can read that clipping by clicking HERE.  This is the property that is still owned by Dominic's heirs to this day and is farmed by the Walgenbach family.


1892 was a celebratory year in Hospers... it was the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Dominic & Christina (Kauth) Moes.  The Alton Democrat referred to it as "The most notable social event that has occurred in this vicinity for a number of years" in an article published October 15, 1892.  You can read that article by clicking HERE.

By 1895, the only daughters still living at home were Mary Anne, Anna Martha, and Mary Elizabeth.  There was also a young man named "John Van Der Twall", age 9, living with them.  I have not done any digging on him as of yet.  To see the 1895 State Census click HERE.

Dominic and Christina had a total of 10 children together, six of whom were still living in 1900.  The 1900 Census shows Christina as having a total of 12 children, 7 of whom were still living in 1900 which would include Christina and Martin Klein.  This census also shows the year Dominic arrived in the States as 1851.  To see the 1900 census click HERE.

Dominic and Christina's daughters married as follows:

Susan Moes (1868-1953) married John William Walgenbach (1860-1921)

Margaret Moes (1870-1913) married Peter Theis (1867-1937)

Katherine "Katie" Moes (1872-1953) married John Henry Heitzman (1859-1930)

Mary Ann Moes (1874-1923) married Joseph Sylvester Enders (1865-1929)

Anna Martha Moes (1878-?) first married Joseph H. Budde (1874-1908) and then Walter Enos Jennings (1887-1946)

Mary Elizabeth Moes (1880-?) married Frank A. Baadte (1869-?)

There is a lot more information available for them on my account at ancestry.com including marriage licenses, children, etc..  Eventually, I'll get around to researching their lines a little more thoroughly also.

Two of the Moes girls with their husbands.  At this time, I'm not exactly sure who is pictured in either photograph.

I'm fairly certain
this is
Frank & Elizabeth
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