Gohmann Family History

First Generation

John Diedrich Gohmann was born May 23, 1813 in Hanover, Germany and died July 11, 1887 in St. Augusta, Stearns County, Minnesota. He first married Gertrude who was born in 1826 and died 1899. He the married Elizabeth H Boerger on November 28, 1846 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Henry Boerger and Elizabeth Goetten. Elizabeth was born September 15, 1826 in Germany and died November 10, 1869 in St. Augusta.

John came to America by sailing ship and landed in New Orleans during 1844. He then traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. There he met and married Elizabeth Berger. After about 10 years, his family joined the families of Joseph Toenjes, Henry Witcshen, Henry Berger and Casper Klinghammer on a paddle wheel boat to Lake Pepin, Minnesota. The lake was frozen and they had to camp on its shore for a couple of weeks until the ice thawed. They then proceeded to St. Paul where they hired an oxen team to take them to Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota. They took shelter in the local church over night. John built a log boat and went looking for a place to homestead. After finding a place at St. Augusta, he took his family there. His claim cost $1.25 an acre. It took three days to transport all their belongings.

John paid $50.00 for a cow and a calf, leaving him with $1.50 to start farming! For shelter, John built a shanty of popular tree branches covered with hay. John Jr. was born and when the priest, Fr. Cornelius, came to baptize him, the priest warned the family to build a more substantial house or to dig a cave. Over the next 5 years, the farm was worked without an ox, 5 acres were broken and turned over using nothing but hoes. Twice the family was forced from its home and land. The first time, 1863, during an Indian uprising and again, 1867, during a flooding of the nearby Mississippi. They were persistent and returned each time.

Elizabeth was the first person to be buried in St. Augusta cemetery. Later the cemetery was moved and she was also moved. The first cemetery was close to the Mississippi River and prone to flooding. The Henkemeyer family later farmed the land where the original cemetery was located. John and Elizabeth had nine children; John Bernard, Anna Marie Anges, Maria Elizabeth, George Heinrich, John Diedrich, Joseph, Frank, Anna Maria Elizabeth, and Stephen.

Second Generation

George Heinrich Gohmann was born July 9, 1853 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio and died March 31, 1904 in St. Augusta, Stearns County, Minnesota. He married Elizabeth Theresa Witschen November21, 1876 in St. Augusta. She was the daughter of Henry Witschen and Adelaide Kruze. Elizabeth was born October 28, 1856 and died August 16, 1907 in St. Augusta. George was a farmer. Elizabeth was baptized by Fr. Cornelius Wittmann in her parents home with Godparents Charles Bernard Witschen and Anna Marie Tunner. George and Elizabeth had eight children; Diedrich J., Bernard Henry, John Henry, Anna M., Mar, Dorothea, George S., and Theresia A.

Third Generation

Bernard Henry Gohmann was born July 25, 1882 in St. Augusta, Stearns County, Minnesota and died there August 23, 1959. He first married Margaretha Leisch October 27, 1907 daughter of Johann Leisch and Anna Hecker. Margaretha was born November 12, 1888 in St. Augusta and died there July 7, 1935. Bernard then married Rose Leisch November 10, 1936, sister of Margaretha. Rose was born September 4, 1890 in Rice Lake, Minnesota and died September 24, 1961 in St. Augusta. Bernard was a farmer. Bernard and Margaretha had thirteen children; John B, Victor D, Sylvester H., Walter George, Norbert, Florentine Katherine, Margaret, George, Helen Marie, Evelyn, Irene, Bernard, and Alice. Bernard and Rose had two children; Alvina and Marce.