Second Generation

6. Wilhelm August "William" GNEWIKOW Sr. was born on 26 September 1855 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^{3,12,14,20,23,26,46,51,52} (The 1880 Census lists his birth place as "Prussia.") He appeared in the census in 1860 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.³ He was confirmed on 3 April 1870 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁴ at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. William appeared in the census in 1870 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸ He was living with his brother Meinhard and his wife. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹² His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1900 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰ William was Lutheran in 1900 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴ and was listed on the Memberbership Roster of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He appeared in the census in 1910 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²³ He appeared in the census in 1920 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵ His occupation was listed as "Retired." William appeared in the census in 1930 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁹ He died on 4 January 1932 at the age of 76 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^26,53

Obituary Notes: "William August Gnewikow, son of Wilhelmeine Fiedler and Meinhart Gnewikow, was born in the town of Ridgeville, Monroe county, Wis., Sept. 26, 1855, and passed away at his home Monday, Jan. 4, 1932.
He was united in marriage to Marie Zellmer, March 2, 1881. To this union were born three children, Mrs. Willard Burcham, Hamberg, N.D., Mrs. Eugene Reekie, Tomah, and Christ Gnewikow, Alpena, Mich. His first wife passed away in December, 1888.
On May 22, 1889, he was wedded to Miss Christina Leuschner of Clifton. They were blessed with eight children, George of Sparta, Walter, Erwin, Roy and Orlo of Wilton, and Mrs. Siegfred Hanisch of Milwaukee; a daughter Alverna, and son Reuben, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, six sons, sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Mary Albrecht of Sparta, and one brother, Meinhart Gnewikow of Norwalk.
Mr. Gnewikow grew to manhood in the town of Ridgeville. In 1880 he purchased a farm in the town of Wilton, where he resided until 1916, at this time making their home in the village of Wilton, until his death.
He was a kindly man and ever felt the happiness when he was lending a helping hand to others. Among all he was respected and fondly regarded as a true Christian, who sought by every act to exemplify the faith, which was his and which he desired might afford the comfort to others that it did to him in his long suffering.
Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the house, followed by services from the St. Paul’s Lutheran church at 1:30, Rev. J. H. Abelmannn officiating. Interment was made in the Lutheran cemetery. The relatives have the sincere sympathy of all in their sorrow.
Those from away to attend the funeral were Christ Gnewikow, Alpena, Mich.; Wm. And Lester Pfoor of Milwaukee; and Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Hanisch of Milwaukee. All the children were present with the exception of Mrs. Willard Burcham, Hamburg, N.D., who was unable to come.
We miss thee from our home, dear father.
We miss the from thy place.
A shadow o’er our life is cast,
We miss the sunshine of thy face.
We miss thy kind and loving hand
Thy fond and earnest care.
Our home is dark without thee,
We miss thee everywhere."
He was buried on 7 January 1932 in Wilton, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^26,53 in the St. Paul's German Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Wilhelm August "William" GNEWIKOW Sr. and Maria Amalia "Mary" ZELLMER were married on 2 March 1881 in Monroe County, WI.^10,26,40 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Maria Amalia "Mary" ZELLMER, daughter of Johann Daniel ZELLMER and Anna Karoline RAEDEL, was born on 13 October 1859 in Dodge County, WI.^14,19,52 She appeared in the census in 1860 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.³ She was listed as 6/12 years old. She appeared in the census in 1870 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸ Mary was confirmed on 29 March 1874 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁴ at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. She died on 18 December 1888 at the age of 29 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^14,19,52 She was buried on 20 December 1888 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^14,19 in the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Wilhelm August "William" GNEWIKOW Sr. and Maria Amalia "Mary" ZELLMER had the following children:

Wilhelm August "William" GNEWIKOW Sr. and Christina Pauline "Christine" LENSCHNER were married on 22 May 1889 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^20,40,46,51 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. (The 1900 Census indicated that she had 5 children, of whom 3 were living at the time.) Christina Pauline "Christine" LENSCHNER, daughter of August Julius LENSCHNER and Christiane WAEGNER, was born on 19 May 1870 in Preussen (Prussia).^{20,23,46,48,51} (Her surname was spelled "Leuschner" in her husband's obituary.) She emigrated in 1886 from Preussen (Prussia).^20,23,39 She appeared in the census in 1900 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰ Christine appeared in the census in 1910 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²³ She appeared in the census in 1920 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁹ Christine died in 1957 at the age of 87.⁵³ She was buried in 1957 in Wilton, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵³ in the St. Paul's German Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Wilhelm August "William" GNEWIKOW Sr. and Christina Pauline "Christine" LENSCHNER had the following children: