Story of Amelia Westerhouse, Emma Westerhouse & Benjamin Faust

 Peter and Anna Westerhouse second oldest daughter was Amelia Westerhouse. She may have been born about 1858, based on the 1860 federal census from Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri, listing Amelia as two years old and born in Missouri.  

1860 federal census for Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri (Peter Westerhouse household)

This was the only record ever found about her.  It is assumed she died between 1860 and 1865. Either in Lexington, Missouri or on the trip to Kansas during 1863, as she was not listed with the family in the 1865 Kansas state census from Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  

1865 Kansas state census from Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Peter Westerhouse household)

It is interesting to note, the ship that the Johann Heinrich Uphaus family emigrated from Bremerhaven, Bremen, Prussia to New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana was named Amelia.

Now on to Emma Westerhouse & Benjamin Faust

At the age of two, Emma moved with her parents and siblings from Lexington, Missouri to Eudora, Kansas Feb 1863.

Emma Westerhouse married Henry Foust on 16 Oct 1879, in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, according to the marriage record found at the Douglas County Courthouse. 

Emma Westerhouse and Benjamin Faust marriage license - 15 Oct 1879

Initially, Emma and Ben settled at the Henry and Anna Eggers' farm.  

1880 federal census for Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Henry Eggers household)

Soon after marriage, Emma and Ben moved from the Eggers' farm onto a farm of their own in Eudora.  The 1885 Kansas state census and 1900 federal census from Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, shows the family on their farm.

1885 Kansas state census for Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Ben Faust household)

1900 federal census for Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Ben Faust household)

During 1906 both of their children married and moved out on their own.  Soon after, Emma and Ben bought a home in Eudora and moved into town.  1910 federal census from Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, showed Emma as a homemaker and Ben as a carpenter.  By 1920, Emma was working as a dressmaker, Ben working as a carpenter, living on (B) Birch Street as shown in the 1920 federal census.  Emma and Ben were retired by 1930, based upon the 1930 federal census.

1920 federal census for Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Ben Faust household)

Ben, Rena, Emma Faust (L-R sitting) and Allen Faust (standing)

Ben died at home 7 Jan 1933 and is buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas.

Ben Foust gravestone at Memorial Park Cemetery (Lawrence, Kansas)

Emma died at her daughter's home (Rena Foust Daugherty) 15 Sep 1938 and is buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas next to her husband, Ben Faust.

Emma Faust obituary (Lawrence Daily Journal World) - 16 Sep 1938

Emma Faust gravestone at Memorial Park Cemetery (Lawrence, Kansas)

Story of Mary Anna Westerhouse and Heinrich Conrad Edler

Peter and Anna Westerhouse oldest daughter was Mary. At the age of six, Mary moved with her parents and siblings from Lexington, Missouri to Eudora, Kansas Feb 1863.

At the age of seven, Henry immigrated with his parents and siblings under the name, Heinrich Conrad Edler during 1856.

Herford District Departure Record of Carl and Amalie Edler and Children

Mary Westerhouse married Henry Edler on 18 Feb 1885, in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, according to the marriage record found at the Douglas County Courthouse. Henry was an older brother of Katie Edler (Henry Westerhaus wife), was from Township 47 (Big Spring), Montgomery, Missouri. 

Mary Westerhouse and Henry Edler marriage license - 4 Feb 1874

Daily Kansas Tribune - 7 Feb 1874

Henry was from Big Spring, Montgomery, Missouri, a farming community in central Missouri, 300 miles east of Eudora, Kansas.  They moved to Big Spring soon after their marriage.  The 1876 Missouri state census shows Henry, Mary, and their first child, Addie. They also had a son Henry, and another son that died as an infant.

1876 Missouri state census for Township 47 (Big Spring)

Henry died 31 Mar 1879 and is buried in the Edler Cemetery in Big Spring.

After Henry's death, the 1880 federal census for Lexington, Johnson, Kansas, lists Mary living with her children in the household of Henry Meinke.  The census indicated Henry, her uncle, and Emma Huscher also living in the household.  Emma was the daughter of Mary Westerhouse Grubart Huscher and a niece of Peter Westerhouse.  

1880 federal census for Lexington, Johnson, Kansas (Henry Meinke household)

Additionally, the 1880 federal census from Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, lists Addie and Henry Edler living with their grandparents, Henry and Anna Eggers.  Mary was not listed in this census. 

1880 federal census for Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Henry Eggars household)

Based on family stories, Mary's daughter, Addie, went to live with Mary’s Aunt, Katherine Westerhaus Uphaus and her husband, Peter Uphaus, near Concordia, Lafayette, Missouri.  The Uphauses had no children of their own but raised many children whose parents had died early.  Mary lived with her infant son, Henry, at her mother, Anna, and her stepfather, Henry Eggers’ farm in Captain Creek, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  Mary worked fifteen miles away as a housekeeper in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. During 1884, Addie was re-united with her mother, Mary, and her brother, Henry.  They lived the next two years with the Edward Westerhouse family in Hesper, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  

During Mary’s time living with the Edward Westerhouse family, she met David Clark. Mary Edler married David Clark 18 Feb 1885 in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  David was a Civil War veteran from Indiana who was living in Eudora when they met.  

Mary Edler and David Clark marriage license - 14 Feb 1885

After marriage, Mary moved with children, Addie Edler (11) and Henry Edler (6) to live with her new husband, David Clark on his 160-acre farm in Palmyra, Douglas, Kansas, near Anna and Henry Eggers farm. David and Mary raised her two children into adulthood. Mary and David had five additional children, Mary, David, Howell, and twins Oscar and Homer. Mary, David, and Howell died as children from diphtheria. The twins survived.

David died 22 Feb 1904 and is buried at the Deay Cemetery in Eudora.

After David's death, Mary moved into town where she lived until her death. The 1920 census shows Mary living in Eudora at 150 (B) Birch Street with her twin sons, Homer and Oscar, both twenty years old.

Mary Clark obituary (Eudora Weekly News) - 28 Aug 1930

David Clark application for military gravestone at Deay Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

David Clark military gravestone at Deay Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

David and Mary Clark gravestone at Deay Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

Story of Henry Westerhaus and Katherine Edler

 Peter and Anna Westerhouse oldest son was Henry Westerhaus. He did not Americanize his last name, keeping it as Westerhaus.

Before marriage, Henry moved with his parents and siblings from Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri to Eudora, Douglas, Kansas Feb 1863. 

Before marriage, As an infant, Katherine immigrated with parents and siblings under the name, Caroline Wilhelmine Louise Henriette Edler during 1856.

Herford District Departure Record of Carl and Amalie Edler and Children

 

Katherine went by the name Katie and is shown in the 1876 Missouri state census for Township 48 (New Florence) at the age 20.

1876 Missouri state census for Township 48 (New Florence)

Katie Edler

Henry Westerhouse married Katie Edler on 10 Jul 1879, in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, according to the marriage record found at the Douglas County Courthouse.  Katie, a younger sister of Henry Edler (Mary Westerhouse's first husband), was from Township 48 (New Florence), Montgomery, Missouri.  Mary Westerhouse was Henry's younger sister.

Henry Westerhouse and Katie Edler marriage license - 9 Jul 1879

Soon after Henry and Katie were married, they changed the spelling of their last name from Westerhouse to Westerhaus.  Initially, they settled on a farm east of Weaver, Douglas, Kansas. During 1904, Henry and Katie bought the WB Roberts farm at Weaver Bottom, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas and developed a large farming business.  Later, purchasing another farm nearby and built a more elaborate home.  

Henry Westerhaus

Katie Westerhaus

Katie Westerhaus passed away 28 Jan 1912 from gallstones with complications of appendicitis at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Katie Westerhaus obituary - Eudora Weekly News - 1 Feb 1912

Henry’s obituary tells, in 1914, developing a new interest in religion, and taking a deep interest in the Bible. He became well versed in the scripture and continued so until his death. In 1919 he retired from active farming, buying a home at 720 Rhode Island Street in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas and 501 North Street in North Lawrence, Grant, Kansas, living at both residences for the next 20 years. The 501 North Street property was near 800 North Street, where Edwin and Cora Lamont lived. Henry’s nephew, Oscar Westerhouse in-laws were Edwin and Cora.

Henry Westerhaus

Henry went to live with his daughter, Minnie Westerhaus Dickens, for the last two and half years of his life in Lexington, Johnson, Kansas, based on his obituary. He passed away 1 Mar 1942

Henry Westerhaus obituary from Lawrence Daily Journal World on 2 Mar 1942 

Henry WESTERHOUSE, age 87, died yesterday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, three miles west of DeSoto. Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church at Eudora tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. Rev. W.O. WATSON will officiate. Burial will be in Eudora cemetery. Mr. Westerhouse is survived by his daughter, a son, Henry Westerhouse, of Topeka; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Ed Westerhouse and Amos Westerhouse, both of Eudora.

Henry Westerhaus obituary from Lawrence Daily Journal World on 12 Mar 1942 

Henry WESTERHOUSE was born at Lexington, Mo., March 22, 1854, and died March 1, 1942, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, three miles west of DeSoto, at the age of 87 years. He was united in marriage to Katie EDLER, and they settled on a farm east of Weaver, where their three children were born and grew up. One son, Charles, preceded him in death. In 1904, he moved on the W.B. ROBERTS place in Weaver Bottom, where for many years he pursued farming on an extensive scale. Later he bought a nearby farm on which he built a fine home. Following the death of his wife, January 28, 1912, even tho alone, he always maintained a well-kept and hospitable home. About 1914 he experienced a new interest in religion, and from then on took a deep interest in the Bible, becoming well versed in the scripture, and continued so until his death. In 1919, he retired from active farming, buying a home at 720 Rhode Island street, Lawrence, living there and at 501 North street, North Lawrence, for 20 years. Two and a half years ago he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, near DeSoto. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Dickens, of De Soto, and one son, Henry Westerhouse of Topeka; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Ed and Amos Westerhouse of Eudora. 

Henry and Katie Westerhaus gravestone at Eudora City Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

Story of Peter Heinrich Westerhaus and Anna Maria Holtcamp - Part 2

Stories Continues ...

Peter would have left Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, for Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri, to be present for his 5 Mar 1863 court trial. Court records show he was not able to arrive in time, and the trial was rescheduled for 15 Apr 1863.  Back in Kansas, Anna and the five children were trying to survive on Peter's and Anna's newly chosen farm. Based upon Westerhouse family stories, Anna purchased a larger home up on a nearby hill.  This has been shown by a property deed found at the Douglas County Courthouse, indicating she had purchased 80 acres 25 Mar 1863 for $400. This land was located at the North Half of the Southeast Quarter (2392 North 800th Road) of Section 3 in the Captain Creek area of Eudora. The property deed listed only her name, as Peter was away at his trial in Lexington at the time.

Back in Missouri, Peter arrived at the courthouse for his trial 15 Apr 1863 and plead not guilty to both the first charge of 'attempting to entice and decoy away slaves' and the second charge of 'bribery'. Peter was tried on 22 Apr 1863 and jurors were not able to agree on upon a verdict. A mistrial was declared, and a new trial was scheduled for 24 Nov 1863. 

Lexington Weekly Newspaper - 18 Apr 1863

Back in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, Anna would continue to do the best she could on her own with five children. In early Aug 1863, Quantrill, a bushwhacker from Missouri, was planning a large attack on Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas, a town just west of Eudora. Quantrill and his men gathered east of Eudora to plan the attack. Based upon Westerhouse family stories, Quantrill's men came to Anna's farm and took chickens, eggs and any other food she had available. Quantrill and his men rode through Eudora 21 Aug 1863 on their way to Lawrence to burn it to the ground.  Quantrill and his men returned to Missouri and celebrated their victory.  Peter must have been worried about Anna and his family when he heard the news. He was in Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri for his trial and had no way to find out if Anna and their children were safe.

Peter came for trial on 24 May 1864 and plead not guilty on both counts with which he had been charged.  The 'jurors were elected, tried and sworn in'. The trial proceeded, the jurors discussed the evidence presented during the trial and came to an agreement upon the following verdicts:
   Guilty on count one, 'attempting to entice and decoy away slaves'
   Not guilty on count two, 'bribery'

The jurors recommended punishment by imprisonment in the penitentiary for three years based on the law. They recommended Peter be pardoned from punishment.  They had found him guilty of breaking the law but did not agree with the law.  Public opinion was beginning to change about slavery.

Peter's conviction was suspended until 8 Jun 1864 to receive the results of a pardon request to be filed by the County Clerk. After the trial, County Clerk Richard Vaughn submitted a pardon request with a handwritten letter to Governor Willard Preble Hall. Governor Hall, after reviewing the request, issued a pardon for Peter on Saturday, 4 Jun 1864.

Peter arrived for his court trial 8 Jun 1864 to hear the results from the pardon request. The court informed Peter that Governor Willard Preble Hall had pardoned him for his crime. The Court ordered Peter to be discharged upon payment of his debt.  

Peter Westerhouse Pardon Card

Peter returned to Eudora, Douglas, Kansas from the trial during Jun of 1864. He would most likely have started to farm the land which Anna had bought while he was away. It was not long before he was drafted by the Union army. Peter was drafted 23 Feb 1865, from the 34th Sub-District Eudora and Willow Springs. Peter was listed as 100% for deficiency, meaning he could provide a substitute soldier instead of serving in the war himself. No civil war records have been found for Peter in Kansas.

The Peter Westerhouse family attended the Captain Creek German Methodist Church in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. It was established in 1859, and services were conducted in German at church members’ homes until the Captain Creek Church was built in 1882. The church building was located near the northeast corner of West 146th Street and 2400 Road.

Captain Creek Methodist Church (photo by Otta Rosena)

Following the end of the Civil War, the Peter Westerhouse family continued to live on the farm which Anna had purchased in the Captain Creek area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. Peter was able to return to farming fulltime to provide for his growing family.  He soon realized he needed more land, so he and Anna decided to sell the farm and purchase a larger one. The Peter Westerhouse family planned to purchase the 160-acre plot of land which they had originally homesteaded unsuccessfully. They first sold their current farm, 8 Sep 1865, for $1500, according to a property deed found at the Douglas County Courthouse. This represented a $1,100 profit from the $400 price Anna had paid a few years earlier.

According to another property deed found at the Douglas County Courthouse, Peter purchased a 160-acre farm 16 Oct 1865 for $1000. This property was located at the Northeast Quarter (2375 North 800th Road) of Section 10 in the Captain Creek area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. This property was less than a mile south of the farm they had just sold. Peter and Anna must have been excited to return to the place where they had originally chosen to live in Kansas. Based upon family stories, they built a home between two willow trees, near Captain Creek on the southern part of their property. Peter was looking forward to planting more crops and adding more livestock. During Jan 1865, Henry Eggers, a local farmer, had bought an 80-acre farm south of the Westerhouse farm. Henry would help Peter and Anna from time to time.  He had recently been divorced and was living alone on his farm.  Peter and Anna must have been happy to have him as a neighbor.

Peter and Anna had three more children during the next four years:  

William Westerhouse, 14 Sep 1866

Aurelia Westerhouse, about 1869

Amos Westerhouse, 6 Jun 1870

According to the Sep 1870 Federal Non-Population Census, Peter's farming business was successful. The census indicated that he owned 160 acres of improved land and 5 acres of wooded land. His farm property was valued at $4,400 and the farm equipment was valued at $700. The census also listed that Peter owned 9 horses, 5 mules, 7 milch (milk) cows, 2 cattle and 30 swine with the livestock value of $1,400.  In addition, the census showed 300 bushels of spring wheat, 2,000 bushels of Indian corn and 500 bushels of oats on hand.

The 7 Jul 1870 Federal Census indicated Peter was a farmer who was born in Prussia.  His parents were listed as being foreign born and Peter as being a United States Citizen. His real estate was valued at $4,475 and the value of his personal estate was recorded as $2,700. The census shows Anna was keeping house, their son, Henry, was attending school.  Another son, Amos, was not listed on the 7 Jul 1870 Federal Census, however his death certificate indicated he was born 6 Jun 1870.

After seven years, Peter and Anna decided to sell the farm because it was becoming more difficult for Peter to farm the land due to poor health. The farm sold 7 Oct 1872, for $3,700 at a profit of $2,700.  The property deed found at the Douglas County Courthouse verified this. It is not known where the family lived after selling the farm.

The 1 Mar 1875 Kansas Census reported Peter's occupation as farmer, his place of birth as Germany, the value of his real estate as $1,600 and the value of his personal estate as $600. It showed that Anna was keeping house, and their son Henry was farming. The census showed Henry Eggers was farming the adjoining property with the value of his real estate as $800, the value of his personal estate as $200 and his place of birth as Germany.

Peter’s original headstone had a death date of 9 Oct 1876, and his current headstone has a death year of 1876. It is unclear why his two headstones have a different death year from the obituary. He was buried Deay Cemetery in Eudora, Kansas, located near his 160-acre farm, at the southwest corner of North 800 Road and East 2300 Road (799 East 2300 Road).

Peter Westerhouse obituary (Republican Journal) - 29 Oct 1875

Soon after Peter's death, Anna married Henry Eggers, the farmer living to the south of the Peter Westerhouse farm.

Anna Westerhouse and Henry Eggers marriage license – 1 Feb 1876

Anna moved with her five children to live with her new husband, Henry Eggers. Henry and Anna raised the minor children into adulthood. All the children, except William, married and left home to start their own lives. William never married and continued to live with Anna and Henry, as was documented by the 1880 Federal census. Entering the 20th century, Anna and Henry would only have William living at home. The 1900 Federal Census shown below, indicated Henry was 67 years old, born Oct 1832 and had been married for 20 years. Anna was listed as 67 years old, born Sep 1832, had been married for 20 years and had eight children of which six were living. The 1905 Kansas Census showed Henry, Anna and their son, William, living in a house on their farm in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas. The Amos Westerhouse Sr. family rented the farm next door.

Henry Eggers died 5 Mar 1908, and is buried at Deay Cemetery in Eudora.

Anna would continue to live on the farm with her son, William, until she was not able to maintain it. The 1915 Kansas Census showed Anna and William living with the Amos Westerhouse, Sr. family. She would later move to Eudora, to live with her oldest daughter, Mary Westerhouse Edler Clark.  

Anna Westerhouse Eggers was buried next to her 2nd husband, Henry Eggers, at Deay Cemetery in Eudora, Kansas.

All the Westerhouse and Eggers headstones were replaced with new ones while Anna was buried during 1916. 

 

During May 1979, Peter's original headstone was dug up in Lawrence by a construction company. They discovered it being used as a well cover.  At the time it was found, it was not known where it had originated. Amos Westerhouse Jr., Peter's grandson, saw an article and picture in the paper. He wrote a letter to the Lawrence Journal World describing who Peter Westerhouse was, and where the headstone had previously been. Today, that original headstone of Peter Westerhouse is being preserved for future generations to view at the Eudora Area Historical Society in Eudora, Kansas.

Lawrence Journal World - 2 May 1979

Original Headstone of Peter Westerhouse

Ann Eggers Obituary - Lawrence Journal World – 7 Dec 1916

Story of Peter Heinrich Westerhaus and Anna Maria Holtcamp - Part 1

Peter Westerhaus is my second great grandfather that immigrated to America during 1847. 

Peter was born on his parents’ farm, located at #18, Lenzinghausen, Herford, Westphalia, Prussia. He was christened 23 Mar 1828 at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Spenge, Herford, Westphalia, Prussia. Church records show he was the 54th birth registered, and time of birth was 7 pm.

Peter Heinrich Korfhage birth record - St Martin Lutheran Church

Column two listed his given name as Peter Heinrich.  Column three listed his birthdate as 17 March. Column four listed his time of birth as 7 pm.  Column five listed him as born in wedlock.  Column six listed his father as Johann Heinrich Korfhage, owner of farm #18. Column seven listed his mother as Anna Maria Ilsabein Brandt.

As an infant, Peter moved with his family to the Westerhaus farm #14, located across from the Korfhage farm #18, in Lenzinghausen, Herford, Westphalia, Prussia during 1829. After Peter's family moved to the Westerhaus farm #14, the family gradually changed their last name from Korfhage to Westerhaus, in keeping with the name of the farm they had purchased. Peter's father, Johann Heinrich Korfhage, died 23 September 1835, on the Westerhaus farm #14, which he had purchased five years earlier when Peter was seven years old.  

Peter immigrated to America with his mother, Anna Maria Brandt Korfhage and three sisters, Catharina Ilsabein, Anna Catharina, and Anna Ilsabein during 1847. This was documented in the Herford District Departure Records. Both the names, Westerhaus and Korfhage, were referenced in these records.

Herford District Departure Record of Anna Maria Korfhage and Children

They most likely would have traveled with a group of families from the Spenge area.  They were part of a mass migration from Prussia to America, as noted in the Departure Records. 

The family traveled over land, to Herford, 10 miles east of Lenzinghausen. In Herford, boarded a small barge, and traveled 15 miles up the Werre River to Bad Oeynhausen. In Bad Oeynhausen, they boarded a barge of the same size on the larger Weser River and traveled north for 155 miles, arriving in Bremerhaven. Along the way, they worked for a few days or weeks to help pay for the expense of the barge trip to Bremerhaven.  

The family boarded a sail ship for America, following the path of the Johann Heinrich Uphaus family, very close friends from Lenzinghausen. No passenger list has been found, but it is assumed from Westerhouse family stories passed down from generation to generation, that they followed the Uphaus family. Documentation has been found indicating the Uphaus family arrived in New Orleans during December of 1847 after sailing for 6 weeks.  

 

Once arrived in New Orleans, they stayed only a short time before boarding a Mississippi River barge and traveling north to St. Louis, Missouri. Boat records were not required at this time in America, and no records have been found.  

Once in St. Louis, the family would have stayed through the winter before taking a Missouri River barge west to Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri. Peter Westerhaus would then stay in Lexington, while his mother and his sisters would join his brother, Caspar Westerhaus, in Freedom, a German community 25 miles southeast of Lexington.

Missouri River at Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri - 1869

In Lexington, Peter gradually changed the spelling of his last name from Westerhaus to Westerhouse, and dropped his middle name, Heinrich.

Peter purchased property on 16 Jan 1852, for $250. It was located at 317 3rd Street (824 Highland Avenue) in the First Addition section of Lexington. The property was located across from a lumber yard. The lumber yard would have supplied Peter with material for building wooden barrels as a cooper. Peter's home was a two-story log building, based upon information from an 1885 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. The first floor was used for his cooperage business, and he lived on the second floor. The property was on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. This was a busy area of the Lexington business district. Along one side was Commerce Street, which declined sharply to the Missouri River. Wagons of goods traveled up and down Commerce Street to be loaded and unloaded onto steam ships. Along 3rd Street were Pro-Confederate Antebellum homes overlooking the bluff. 3rd Street also served as the route for the Santa Fe Trail through Lexington, on which many wagons of goods and settlers traveled west.

Partial map of Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri - 1869

Before marriage, Anna Holtcamp immigrated with her father, Herman Heinrich Holtcamp and her brother, John Holtcamp and her sister, Mary Elizabeth Holtcamp during 1845. The family departed from Bremen, Prussia and arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana.

Peter married Anna Maria Holtcamp on 19 Apr 1853, in Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri, according to the marriage record found at the Lafayette County Courthouse.

Marriage Record of Peter Westerhouse and Anna Holtcamp

Peter and Anna purchased the following properties after marriage:

19 Jun 1854, for $300; 318 3rd Street (820 Highland Avenue)

27 Sep 1858, for $275; 319 3rd Street (816 Highland Avenue)

19 Jan 1859, for $75; 8 Commerce Street

31 Dec 1859, for $175; Poplar Street, north of Delaware Street

31 Dec 1859, for Unknown amount; Cedar Street, north of Delaware Street

3 Dec 1860, for $800; 3rd and Plum Streets (324 Highland Avenue)

8 Dec 1860, for $45; 2nd Street, west of Plum Street

 

While in Lexington the following children were born:

Henry Westerhouse, was born on 21 Aug 1854

Mary Anna Westerhouse, was born on 28 Sep 1856

Amelia Westerhouse, was born on 1858

Emma Westerhouse, was born on 2 Jun 1861

Edward Westerhouse, was born on 22 Sep 1862

Peter was naturalized as a United States Citizen 20 Nov 1855 in Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri, based upon a Lafayette County Courthouse Naturalization Document.

Naturalization Document of Peter Westerhouse

Lexington and Freedom, Missouri, were the sites of many skirmishes during the Civil War. Many people lost their real estate holdings, personal properties, and lives.  German immigrants, including the Peter Westerhaus family, were anti-slave advocates living in a pro-slave state. They supported the Union Army and its beliefs. Living near the Missouri River port in Lexington, Peter and his family interacted daily with pro-slave owners and their slaves.

Peter was strongly against slavery and joined the Missouri Home Guard Infantry, 14th Regiment, Company E, in Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri, on 6 Jul 1861, for a three-year period. His Missouri Home Guard unit supported the Union Army, but received little income, equipment, or training. His unit was composed mostly of German non-English speaking immigrants with the purpose of supporting anti-slave advocates in the community.

The Battle of Lexington began on 18 Sep 1861, near Peter's property in the Anderson Addition. The citizens were cheering the Confederate troops as they approached Lexington, hoping the Confederate Army would regain control from the Union Army. In the Battle of Lexington, there were 15,000 Confederate troops and 3,500 Union troops, including Peter Westerhaus and his Missouri Home Guard unit. Confederate troops used hemp bales as shields and pushed the bales forward as they advanced toward the Union troops for their final charge on 20 Sep 1861. The Union troops surrendered with very few casualties at noon on 20 Sep 1861.

Peter Westerhouse was wounded and taken prisoner during the Battle of Lexington. Wounded troops were taken to the Anderson House which served as a Union Hospital. However, no medical records have ever been found for Peter.

Peter, along with 3,000 other captured Union troops, were released at 2 pm, 20 Sep 1861, after they all had listened to a speech by pro-Confederate Missouri Governor, Claiborne Jackson. The troops were paroled by Confederate General Sterling Price after they had taken an oath not to fight again and to leave the area. General Price told troops if they were caught fighting again, they would be executed. Peter and other Home Guard troops walked home through crowds of cheering pro-slavery townspeople. As he was walking back to his home at the corner of Broadway Avenue and 3rd Street, Peter must have felt disappointment as to how the battle had ended.  He would have been welcomed by his wife and their four children, so excited to see he was safely home. This may have been the moment Peter and Anna began to consider moving their family to the free-slave state of Kansas.

Peter was mustered out of the Missouri Home Guard 19 Oct 1861, in St. Louis, Missouri. His muster roll indicated he had been wounded and taken prisoner at Lexington and afterwards, released on oath. He was originally mustered in for a three-year period, but only served 3 months before being mustered out.

The Hawkins Taylor Commission authorized the Missouri Home Guard troops to receive a payment for their military service. Peter received $54.65 for his 3 months and 13 days of service in the Missouri Home Guard. He collected this 30 Jun 1864.

Muster Roll of Peter Westerhouse

Hawkins Taylor Commission Pension Card of Peter Westerhouse

The family started making final plans for a move to Kansas and to homestead 160 acres there. These must have been both exciting and scary times, leaving the security of having a home, income, friends, and family, for the unknown in Kansas. Peter would leave his cooperage business behind and learn the skill of farming.

Peter and Anna sold all the Lexington properties to Henry Sandler 2 Jan 1863. The Lafayette County Courthouse property deeds revealed that Peter and Anna were able to collect a total of $6520 for their properties.

On a Feb morning in 1863, Peter and Anna were packing in preparation for their move to Kansas. Two escaped slaves came to their doorstep asking for a place to hide.  Peter and Anna took them in and offered passage to Kansas.   

The two Negroes, Betty and Abe, had escaped earlier from their owner, Mrs. Catherina Cavanaugh, and had been hiding in homes around the Lexington area. They were trying to leave the area and get to a free-slave state. Only 4 or 5 hours after Betty and Abe had arrived at Peter's home, Sheriff Jacob Price knocked on the door, demanding to be let in to search for the escaped slaves. Neither Peter nor Anna spoke English, so it must have been difficult for them to communicate with the sheriff. It was not long before the sheriff was able to find Betty and Abe and take them away.  The sheriff then came back to the Westerhaus home to question Peter. He charged Peter with 'attempting to entice and decoy away slaves from Missouri to Kansas'.  Peter offered the sheriff money and explained that he was not aware he was doing something wrong. The sheriff did not accept the money, but Peter was charged with "bribery".   

Peter could continue his trip to Kansas, if he would promise to be present at his trial which had been set for 5 Mar 1863, at the Lafayette County Courthouse in Lexington, Missouri.  

The Peter Westerhouse family most likely would have left Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri for Kansas during Feb of 1863. Families traveling west from Lexington, would have traveled on the Santa Fe Trail to Independence, Missouri, in a horse-drawn wagon. From Independence, they may have taken the Oregon Trail, which passed through Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  Based upon Westerhouse family stories, they settled in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, on a plot of land, 3 miles south of town at 2375 North 800th Road. This section of Eudora was commonly referred to as the Captain Creek area. A property deed dated 11 May 1854 was found at the Douglas County Courthouse. It revealed that this property had been granted to Paschal Fish and his Shawnee Indian tribe by a treaty between Shawnee Indians and the United States government. This treaty was signed by President James Buchanan 10 May 1854.  No homestead applications have been found for Peter and Anna.

*More To Come on this story next week*