FIRST GENERATION

1. Henry SUHR⁽¹⁾ was born on 14 Aug 1827 in Schwerien, Mecklenberg, Germany. He appeared on the census in 1885 in Mills County Iowa St.. He died on 11 Jan 1900 in Macedonia, Pottawattamie County, IA.⁽²⁾ He was buried on 13 Jan 1900 in Silver City, Mills County, Iowa.
Henry emigrated to the United States and landed at the Port of New York on or about the month of June 1854. Henry and Sophia knew each other in Germany before coming to America. They were married sometime in 1856 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI. Henry became a citizen of the United States on October 6, 1856 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI. Four of their children were born there Henry Albert in 1857, Robert in 1859, George Washington in 1861 and Louise in 1863. Henry was drafted in the Civil War September 28,1864 at the age of 37, by Captain Clarke at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, for the term of one year, and was mustered into the military service of the United States on the 28th day of September, 1864. He was a private in Company K of the 6th Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers. At the time he was drafted he did not give a place of birth or place of residence. His service was credited to Ridgeway, Iowa County, WI. He was assigned to the company on December 5, 1864. He came to his regiment when it was in the field south of Petersburg in November of 1864, in April of 1865 during the surrender of Lee he was in the hospital in Richmond, Virgina suffering from lung and jaundice troubles, soon after the troops occupied the city and he was discharged near Arlington, VA on June 8, 1865 according to General Order 26 from the Army of the Potomac. Records showed that he had blue eyes, brown hair, a dark complexion, and was 5 feet 6 1/2 inches in height, and by occupation was a farmer. 1 Here is a story quoted to Ruth I Milsop, by her grandmother Louise Suhr.
When Louise's father (Henry) mustered out during the Civil War, he of course walked home. Sophia saw him walking up the road and ran to greet him. He backed off and wouldn't let her near him, saying "My God, Sophia...don't touch me! I'm covered with lice!"

In 1866, Henry moved to Ridgeway, Iowa County, WI where Emma was born in 1866. In 1867, Henry moved to Anderson Township, Mills County, Iowa where he resided on a farm where the rest of the children were born, Edward in 1869, Alexander in 1871 and Anthon in 1873. Henry is listed in the 1880 United States Federal census Anderson Township, Mills County, IA with famiy. Henry is listed in the Mills County Iowa St. Census for 1885 with Sophia, Edward, Alexander and Anthon. In 1892, he moved to Nebraska residing with his family before returning to Silver City, Mills County, IA in July 1894 residing there till his death in 1900. Henry and Sophia are listed in the 1895 Mills County, Iowa St. census Ingraham Township. After his death Sophia moved to Nebraska and lived with her son Alex till her death in 1904. She is listed in the 1900 United States Federal census Wayne county, NE with son Alex and family.

Henry was an honorable, honest and temperate man, and well disposed to the law and under good order of his country. His occupation was that of a farmer, he was a hard working and industerious person and well respected by his community. Henry and Sophia are buried in Silver City Cemetery in Silver City, Mills County, IA.


Letter written in German to son George:
Macedonia, Dec. 22nd 1892
Dear son,
Your letter from the 16th received. We are glad that all of you are well all of us are
still happy. You write to come and I think it is the best you would have a cook and I
would have time to see what I couldn't on account of weather & trouble. If our mother
does not like it (unligible) we can always leave. I feel that she likes it best to be with me
& that is good. I am going to give this up the first of March my time is up & I can come.
I think it is best by train. Do not know what to do with the horses.
You will not move in before the first if so I could come earlier one doesn't have to
wait to the last day it is best to get away from here, planned it for a long time. Should we
have an offer for a cheap place we take it the best would be 2 places together (unligible) 3
rooms is all, no hurry. But, we do not know what happens.
Write again soon and I close with many hearty greetings.

Your Parents
Look at land & (unligible)) as your place, tell us the price. If you move there you don't
need to buy anything have all to use the stoves & (unligible) are still very good.

Suhr, Henry Obit
Henry Suhr died at the home of his son, Anthon, near Macedonia, on the 11th of
January 1900 at 4:00 a.m. at the ripe old age of 72 yrs., 4 months, 28 days.

He had been complaining for some weeks past of pains in various parts of his body, which
he thought was rheumatism and feeling comparatively well, he left home to spend the
holidays with his son near Macedonia, Iowa, where he received a severe storle of paralysis, and a few days later the second stroke followed, causing his death on the above date.

The deceased was born in Schwerien, Mecklenberg, Germany, 14 August 1827. While yet a young man he left his fatherland to seek his fortune in America, where the old gentleman was blessed with his share of homminess and prosperity. He was married to Miss Sophia Melahn, on 12 November 1855; to this happy union eight children were born, six sons and two daughters. The sons are Henry, George, and Alec of Wayne, Nebraska, Edward of Oakland and Anthon of Macedonia; the daughters are Mrs. Louise McFall of Tehamah, Nebraska, and Mrs. Emma Hosick of Bertrand. One son Robert, having died at Topeka, Kansas, 6th November 1892. The entire family living at his death.

Mr. Suhr prided himself upon being a member of Uncle Sam's Army, he was a member of
Company K, Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. Uncle Henry had lived in this county near 31 years, 25 years in Anderson Township, on his farm before moving to Silver City.

He was a devoted husband, a kind father and a true neighbor. A community is bettered by
having such men n their midst, and in this vicinity he leaves a host of friends to mourn his
death. His remains were laid to their last resting place in the Silver City Cemetery, Saturday, 13th January 1900. The Times joins in extending deepest sympathy to the bereaved family in their hour of sorrow. 1

Silver City Times
18th January 1900

Suhr, Sophia (Mrs. Henry) Obit
The remains of Sophia Suhr, who died at Wayne, Nebraska of pneumonia, were brought to Silver City for burial, April 26, 1904. She was 74 years old and was born in Germany and formally lived in Silver City. 2

This is a article from the Times
Henry Suhr family
Tom Hosick of Bertrand Nebr. son in law of Henry Suhr. T. Hosick was in town- he that the Suhr boys were taking more of estate than their share-girls and mother not getting enf. his wife received $100 H. Suhr sold farm few years before for $6000 while had $4000 in bank before death Boys let mother have house-finally said $2800 was found on father

Part of story taken from Southwest Iowan editor of Times Added
Ed Suhr is one of finest young men ever in this locality and it would be hard to make our people believe any such stories.

He was married to Sophia MELAHN on 12 Nov 1855 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI. Sophia MELAHN⁽¹⁾ was born in Apr 1831 in Germany.⁽³⁾ She died on 22 Apr 1904 in Wayne, Wayne County, NE.⁽⁴⁾ She was buried on 26 Apr 1904 in Silver City Cem. Silver City, Iowa. ⁽⁵⁾ Henry SUHR and Sophia MELAHN had the following children:

+2 i. Henry Albert SUHR.
+3 ii. Robert SUHR.
+4 iii. George Washington SUHR.
+5 iv. Louise Anna SUHR.
+6 v. Emma SUHR.
+7 vi. Edward SUHR.
+8 vii. Alexander SUHR.
+9 viii. Anthon SUHR.