Biographical Documents

Civil registers
Physical Description: 2 pages each, photocopies 
Scope and Content Note

Establishing certain genealogical data for Joseph Nuesse, obtained originally from registers of St. Joseph's Church, Bredenborn.

Names of maternal great-grandparents: Josephus Nussen and Maria Katharina, née Koch, and Wilhelm Rossbach, tailor, and Gertrud, née Wiechers.

Names of maternal grandparents: Hermann Johannes Josephus Nussen (1799-1866), linen-weaver, married on March 6, 1821 to Theresia Maria Carolina Rossbach (1788-1856), widow.

Record of marriage of mother, Margaretha Anne Nusse (1826-1900), to Wilhelm Heinrich Potthast (1828-1921) at Marienmunster, Kreis Hoxter, November 18, 1859.

“Aufgebotene und Getraute im Jahre 1841”
Physical Description: 2 pages, photocopy 
Scope and Content Note

In the marriage register of St. Joseph's Church, Bredenborn, establishing certain genealogical data for Theresa Nuesse, née Muller.

Names of grandparents, paternally Josephus Muller, farmer, and Johanna, née Kersing, and maternally, Philipp Rossbach, day laborer, and Theresia, née Sprenger.

Record of marriage of parents, Franz Wilhelm Muller, farmer, aged 33, and Franziska Rossbach, aged 17, on February 13, 1841.

Baptismal register of St. Joseph's Church, Bredenborn, 1841
Physical Description: 2 pages, photocopy 
Scope and Content Note: Recording birth of Theresia Katharina Margaretha Muller on May 12, 1841, and baptism on May 16, 1841.

Baptismal register of St. Joseph's Church, Bredenborn, 1841
Physical Description: 2 pages, photocopy 
Scope and Content Note: Recording birth of Maria Magdalena Clara Mueller on March 24, 1850 to Franz Wilhelm Muller, farmer, and Catharina, née Meier, providing basis for presumption of second marriage of father of Theresia Muller after death of mother.

Certificates of birth and baptism of Joseph Nusse and Theresia Muller
Scope and Content Note: Supplied from St. Joseph's Church, Bredenborn, by G. Liuke, pastor, with correspondence between G. Liuke and C. Joseph Nuesse related to same.

Passport of Joseph Nusse, manual laborer, Minden, Kingdom of Prussia, 1865 April 12
Note: Endorsed at Hoxter, October 8, 1865; Hannover, October 10, 1865; Essen, October 29, 1866; Marienmunster, October 19, 1867; and Wattenscheid, November 19, 1867.

Physical Description: Original 

Passenger list of steamship Smidt, 1869 May 6
Physical Description: 3 pages, photocopy 
Scope and Content Note: Showing arrival of Joseph Nusse and Theresa Muller at Port of New York on steamship Smidt from Bremen, May 6, 1869, copied from Ira A. Glazier and P. William Filby (eds.), Germans to America; Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports (Wilmington, Delaware: Scholarly Resources, 1988-), Volume 22 (October 1868-May 1869), pp. 354, 357. Supplied by Leon J. Long.

Certificate of marriage between Joseph Nusse and Theresa Muller, 1869 June 12
Scope and Content Note: Issued by Robert F. Gulig, pastor, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and photocopy of original entry from marriage register of St. Mary's Church, with correspondence between Earl Schuh, pastor, SS. Peter and Paul Church, Green Bay, and C. Joseph Nuesse, related to same.

Order to report for military service, issued to Joseph Nusse, Minden district, Kingdom of Prussia, 1870 December 20
Physical Description: Original 

Last will and testament of Philipp Rossbach and Theresia, née Benning, of Bredenborn, drawn at Nieheim: manuscript, 1876 January 14
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: Bequeathing 150 marks to Theresia Nusse, niece.

Certificate of naturalization for Joseph Nusse as citizen of United States, issued at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 1878 July 16
Physical Description: Original 

Family record: autograph manuscript
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: In hand of Joseph Nuesse giving dates, times and places of birth of his children, dated April 10, 1880 (to which same for Anna Frances Nusse, born May 16, 1883, is added, enclosed in envelope by Salome Martens Nuesse, daughter-in-law).

Parish records of minutes of first meeting of trustees of SS. Peter and Paul Congregation, Institute, Wisconsin, 1885 April 20
Note: In hand of Joseph Nuesse, secretary, distributed in monthly bulletin of SS. Peter and Paul Congregation, June 29, 1986.

Physical Description: Photocopy 

Circular for “fair and festival” of SS. Peter and Paul Congregation, 1897? June 1-2
Physical Description: Photocopy 
Scope and Content Note: Containing history of founding and early years of the parish, reportedly written by Joseph Nuesse, together with letter of C. Joseph Nuesse to Francis Reinke, pastor, February 26, 1985, indicating disposition of original.

Letter from Joseph Nuesse to Lorene Long, granddaughter, 1920 January 18
Physical Description: Photocopy 
Scope and Content Note: Giving dates of arrival in New York and Sturgeon Bay and other information.

Official copies of last will and testament of Joseph Nuesse, 1914 June 11
Note: Includes original certificates of probate dated November 27, 1923 and May 6, 1924.

Judgment allowing final account and assignment of estate of Joseph Nuesse by County Court of Door County, Wisconsin, 1924 May 6
Physical Description: Original certified copy 
Scope and Content Note: Together with letter of W.E. Wagner, attorney, to George Nuesse, executor, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, November 16, 1925, transmitting documents.

Judgment of County Court sent to Register of Deeds, Door County, Wisconsin
Note: Supplied by Leon J. Long.

Physical Description: 2 pages, photocopy 

Real Property Transactions

Abstract of title for W ½ SE ¼ Section 26 Township 28N Range 26E, Door County, 1882 December 28
Scope and Content Note

Original, certified by James Keogh Jr., Register of Deeds. Affecting prospective purchase of second forty acres (NW ¼ SE ¼ Section 26 Township 28N Range 26E) by Joseph Nuesse.

Includes:

• Original purchase from United States by John Doherty, September 29, 1856, no patent of record extant.
• Quitclaim deed from John Garland, County Clerk, to Henry Lighthouse (allowing 40 acres additional), June 6, 1870.
• Quitclaim deed from Henry and Martha Lighthouse to Xavier Doing, October 19, 1870.
• Quitclaim deed from Xavier and Mari Doing to Henry and Martha Lighthouse, October 12, 1880.
• Quitclaim deed from Henry and Martha Lighthouse to George Bassford, October 13, 1880.

Abstract of title for W ½ SE ¼ Section 26 Township 28N Range 26E, 1882 December 28
Physical Description: Original certified copy 
Scope and Content Note

Certified by James Keogh Jr., Register of Deeds, Door County. Affecting initial purchase of forty acres (SW ¼ SE ¼ Section 26 Township 28N Range 26E) by Joseph Nuesse.

Includes:

• Patent from State of Wisconsin to Peter Propsom, October 6, 1869.
• Warranty deed from Peter and Katherine Propsom to Joseph Nuesse for consideration of $125, October 8, 1872.
• Mortgage by Joseph and Theresa Nuesse to Peter Propsom for consideration of $125, October 8, 1872, released by Peter Propsom, September 26, 1873.
• Mortgage from Joseph Nuesse to Alex Hopp for consideration of $80, September 26, 1873, released by Alex Hopp, undated.
• Mortgage from Joseph and Theresa Nuesse to A.W. Lawrence and Company for consideration of $150, one note at 10 per cent interest due in one year, November 8, 1875.

Warranty deed from Peter and Katherine Propsom to Joseph Nuesse, 1872 October 8
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: For consideration of $125. With photocopies of two related documents from Office of Register Deeds, Door County, Wisconsin supplied by Leon J. Long.

Quitclaim deed from Anton and Antoinette Long to Joseph Nuesse, 1883 February 16
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: For NW ¼ SE ¼ Section 26 Township 28N Range 26E. For consideration of $300.

Mortgage from Joseph Nuesse to Alexander Hopp, 1873 September 23
Physical Description: Photocopy 
Scope and Content Note: And release of same, undated, from Office of Register of Deeds, Door County, Wisconsin supplied by Leon J. Long.

Mortgage from Joseph and Theresa Nuesse to John Westenmeller, Waukesha County, 1883 February 16
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: For W ½ SE ¼ for consideration of $500 at 7 percent interest, due in four years.

Tax deed assigned by L.M. Washburn to Joseph Nuesse, 1883 June 6
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: For NW ¼ SE ¼ Section 26 Township 28N Range 26E sold to L.M. Washburn on May 11, 1880 for non-payment of taxes of $4.42.

Contract of sale from William Bassford to Joseph Nuesse, 1889 January
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: For hemlock timber of specified condition for removal from SW ¼ NE ¼ before March 12, 1889 and from NW ¼ NE ¼ before November 14, 1890.

Instrument certifying satisfaction of mortgage to John Westenmeller, 1895 February 15
Note: Together with partially completed form.

Physical Description: Original 

Patent from State of Wisconsin to Joseph Nuesse, 1897 December
Physical Description: Original 
Scope and Content Note: Swamp lands, Lot 4 Section 32 Township 28N Range 27E (35.80 acres). Purchased for standing timber used for cooking and heating.

Instrument certifying satisfaction of mortgage on December 8, 1894 by Joseph and Theresa Nuesse to Mary Propsom, 1902 November 8
Note: Does not contain description of property mortgaged.

Physical Description: Original 

Correspondence
Physical Description: Photocopies 

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1891 March 8
Scope and Content Note: Writer and addressee are half-brothers. Contents illustrate attitudes toward aged, conditions of labor, enclosure of farmlands, class conflict, and infant mortality.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1891 March 29
Scope and Content Note: Acknowledges receipt of Nuesse family photograph.

Letter from Christine Potthast (née Muller), Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1891 May 17
Scope and Content Note: Writer is half-sister of addressee. Contents illustrate care of aged, infant mortality, and expectations from emigrants.

Letter from Maria Gorme (née Potthast), Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1891 September 27
Scope and Content Note: Writer is wife of Heinrich Potthast. Contents illustrate expectations from emigrants, agricultural conditions, and infant mortality.

Letter from Maria Kohne and Theresia Strunk, Bredenborn, to Theresia Nuesse, 1892 May 22
Scope and Content Note: Writers address recipient as niece. Contents illustrate composition of families, infant mortality, enclosure of farm lands and agricultural conditions.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1894 May 27
Scope and Content Note: Contents illustrate expectations in relations with emigrants, care of aged, agricultural conditions, and infant mortality.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1894 November 18
Scope and Content Note: Contents illustrate expectations from emigrants, care of aged, and agricultural conditions.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph and Theresia Nuesse, 1896 August 16
Scope and Content Note: Contents illustrate care of aged, agricultural conditions, and religious attitudes.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1898 February 6
Scope and Content Note: Contents illustrate care of aged, infant mortality, agricultural conditions, enclosure of farmlands, and class conflicts.

Letter from Maria Kohne, Bredenborn, to Theresia Nuesse, 1899 December 31
Scope and Content Note: Contents report local news, illustrate family relations, and infant mortality.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1900 October 3
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family and local news, illustrate care of aged, and expectations from emigrants.

Letter from Maria Kohne, Bredenborn, to Theresia Nuesse, 1903 March 8
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family news, illustrate agricultural conditions, and relations with emigrants.

Letter from Maria Kohne, Bredenborn, to Theresia Nuesse, 1906 October 1
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family news and illustrate religious observance, educational standards, and agricultural mechanization.

Letter from Magdalena and Maria Meier to Theresia Nuesse, 1907 January 26
Scope and Content Note: Writers indicate that they are “sisters” of addressee, suggesting that they may have been half-sisters as children of the second marriage of Theresia Muller's father. Contents report family and local news, and illustrate agricultural and economic conditions.

Letter from Maria Kohne, Bredenborn, to Theresia Nuesse, 1907 December 29
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family and local news, and illustrate agricultural conditions, child mortality, and care of aged.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1909 May 12
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family and local news, and illustrate care of aged, infant mortality, religious attitudes, enclosure of farm lands, and economic change.

Letter from Elise Kohne, Bredenborn, to Theresia Nuesse, 1910 January 2
Scope and Content Note: Writer is grand-niece of addressee. Contents report family and local news, and illustrate composition of families, care of aged and infant mortality.

Letter from Maria Potthast, Hinnenburg bei Brakel, to Joseph Nuesse, 1912 February 5
Scope and Content Note: Writer is daughter of Heinrich Potthast, half-brother of addressee. Contents report family and local news and illustrate care of aged, religious observances and entry into employment.

Letter from Maria Potthast, Hinnenburg bei Brakel, to Joseph Nuesse, 1912 May 16
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family and local news and illustrate religious attitudes.

Letter from Heinrich Becker, Bredenborn, to daughter Mina, 1919 August 20
Scope and Content Note: Forwarded by addressee from Marquette, Michigan to Frank Golueke of Menominee, Michigan and by him to Joseph Nuesse. Reports family news, including casualties in World War I. Describes local and national conditions following war.

Letter from Albert Becker, Bredenborn, to sister Mina, 1919 October 20
Scope and Content Note: Presumably forwarded by Frank Golueke to Joseph Nuesse. Contents report family and local news, and illustrate post-World War I conditions, German nationalism, and anti-Semitism.

Letter from Heinrich Becker, Bredenborn, to daughter Mina, 1920 June 13
Scope and Content Note: Copy dated August 16, 1920, in hand of Joseph Nuesse, of letter sent by addressee to Frank Golueke and by him to Joseph Nuesse. Contents report family affairs and illustrate in detail post-World War I conditions from point of view of employer.

Letter from Frank Golueke, Menominee, Michigan, to Joseph Nuesse, 1920 September 10
Scope and Content Note: Forwards letters and newspapers from Germany. Contents illustrate religious observances of immigrants.

Letter from Heinrich Potthast, Bredenborn, to Joseph Nuesse, 1920 September 22
Scope and Content Note: Contents report family news and illustrate post-World War I conditions, class conflict from anti-farm, anti-employer point of view, anti-Semitism, and family relations.