Marie Margaretha Brocksen (Brockes) When Marie Margaretha Brocksen was born on April 2, 1859, in Wesselburen, Schleswig-Holstein, her father, Peter, was 29 and her mother, Elsabea, was 26. She married Claus Johann Reimers on October 7, 1884, in Carroll, Iowa. They had nine children in 19 years. She died on May 26, 1922, in Holstein, Iowa, at the age of 63.

Wesselburen, Schleswig- Holstein Marie was born in Wesselburen; not far from where her husband was born in . Baptism Record: Maria Margaretha Broocks aus Wesselburen des Zieglers Peter Thomas Brooks auf der Ziegelei des Dierk Peters von Haferwisch und seine noch in Wesselburen sich aufhaltenen Frau Elsabea Margaretha geb. Sammann. Gevatter Frau Margaretha Brooks auf Nesserdeich, Maria Catharina Wiebers aus Neuenkirchen, Ludwig Wiebers auf der Petersschen Ziegelei. In English: Maria Margaretha Broocks from Wesselburen of Mason, Peter Thomas Brooks of the brickyard of Dierk Peter from Haferwisch and his wife Mrs Elsabea Margaretha née Sammann. Godparents: Mrs Margaretha Brooks from Nesserdeich, Maria Catharina Weibers from Neuenkirchen, Ludwig Wiebers From the Petersschen brickyard.

Stelle, Hanover Marie was living in Stelle, just south of Hamburg prior to emigrating to the United States. May 28, 1884 At the age of 25, Marie Brocksen departed from Hamburg, , on May 28, 1884 on the S. S. Rhaetia (Capitaine Volgerang).

Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934

June 11, 1884 Marie Procksen arrived in New York, on June 11, 1884, at the age of 25.

New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957

October 7, 1884 In Presence of Wm. Oldham F.A. Suydam, Justice of the Peace She married Claus Reimers Marriage Register She lived in Manning, Iowa. It lists her parents as Thos. Brocksen & Margaretha Sammann.

Carroll County Courthouse (A later photo)

1895 Iowa Census The Reimers family lived on a farm in Silver Township, Cherokee County, Iowa

1900 Marry Reimers married Claus J. in 1884. They had seven children in 12 years. In 1900, she was 40 years old and lived in Logan, Iowa with her husband, Claus, 2 sons, and 5 daughters.

1900 United States Federal Census 1905 In 1905, Mary Reimers lived in Holstein, Iowa.

Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925

Holstein, Iowa 1910 In 1910, Mary M. Reimers was 51 years old and lived in Holstein, Iowa with her husband, Claus, son, and 5 daughters. She managed a Lodging House.

1910 United States Federal Census

The Reimers Cafe A later photo of Main Street The brick building in the middle appears to have been where the cafe and lodging house were. Some of her family lived upstairs at times.

1915 In 1915, Maria M. Reimers was 55 years old and lived in Holstein, Iowa.

Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925

Marie Reimers According to her grandson Warren Kelley, she was the head of the household. She grew grapes and always made 15-30 gallons of wine every year. She had kegs of wine 8-10 years old in her wine cellar. When the railroad men came into town, they would eat at the restaurant and know that the Reimers would host an evening gathering. 1916 Marie would buy property. My dad, Dean Kelley, her grandson, said that according to the records, it appeared that her husband would sell off property and she would buy it back or buy more!

1920 In 1920, Mary Reimers was 61 years old and lived in Holstein, Iowa with her husband, Claus, son, and 3 daughters.

1920 United States Federal Census

1920 Another property deed. Death Certificate

Obituary Mrs. Marie Margaretha Reimers 1922 Report of the Estate of Marie Reimers.

Warranty Deed 1922 The heirs of Marie Reimers sell the real estate property for $13,000.

The Holstein Cemetery