Christine Wilhelmina Charlotte Erxmeyer, 23 February 1860 daughter of Heinrich Wilhelm Erxmeier and Johanne Dorothe Marie Hogrefe Meinerdingen, Walsrode-Vorbruck (Ev.- Luth. Kirchengemeinde Walsrode Febuary 2006)

She was called Berthe.

Immigration

I did not find the immigration of Berthe. According to later records she immigrated circa 1871.

Marriage

Berthe Erxmeyer, born in Walsrohde Germany, the daughter of Heinrich Erxmeyer and Dorothea Hochgrefen, both born in Hanover, married August Bremer on August 21, 1881. The wedding took place at 122 Park Avenue in Hoboken. This seems to have been the family home, not a church, as both Bertha and her brother, Frederick Erxmeyer lists 122 Park Avenue as their address. The minister was Leopold Mohn.

She may have gotten married at home instead of in church, because Henry's wife, Anna Kloppenberg had just died.

August Bremer of 105 4th Street in Hoboken and Berthe Erxmeyer c/o Erxmeyer 122 Park Avenue had been in the same confirmation class at the German Evangelical Church in Hoboken in 1874.

Photo courtesy of Brian Murphy, February 2005

Children

Berthe Erxmeyer and August Bremer had:

1. Charles was born May 1883. I could not find the baptismal record. This is a period when records are missing.

   WWI Draft Registration: Charles John Bremer, 108 Summit Ave, West Hoboken, NJ born May 9, 1883, poultry food and ___, my own store, 108 Summit Ave, West Hoboken, nearest relative, Henry Erxmeyer, sr. 214 Park Ave Hoboken N J, tall slender, blue eyes and blond hair.

   Marriage: Julia "vonDorn" Stehn at age 45 according to the 1930 census.

   Julia Bremer was divorced when she married Charles Bremer. They resided on Highpoint Avenue in Weehawken, NJ. We are unable to provide much information regarding her marriage to Charles, other than it only lasted for a short time. Julia's maiden name was von Dorn. She was previously married to Mr. Stehn. Julia and Mr. Stehn were unable to have children, and adopted Grace Stehn (date unknown). Wilbert Elmer Stehn was born on March 14, 1920. He was the product of an extra-marital affair between Julia Stehn and Wilbur MacAllister, precipitating her divorce from Mr. Stehn. Julia was struck and killed by an automobile while crossing Palisade Avenue in Weehawken, NJ in 1944.

   Eric Stehn, November 2006

   Julia was the daughter of Elizabeth Lehman and John von Durhan, and the granddaughter of Julia Erxmeyer Lehman Tietjen. Consequently she was a "cousin' of Charles Bremer.

   See Julia Erxmeyer Lehman Tietjan now or at the bottom of the page.

   Death: His death was not listed in the SSDI.

2. Emma was born on December 16, 1886 at 192 1st. Street, Hoboken and baptized on May 29, 1887, the daughter of August Bremer of Kluchendorf, Schleswig, Holstein, and Berthe, nee, Erxmeyer, born in "Waldrothe", Hannover, sponsors, Emma Wietzel of Holstein, *Marie Rosenthal of 6 River Street, Hoboken and Wilhelmina Druen, of Bloomfield Street.

   Note: *Marie Rosenthal was Berthe's sister.

   Further Records: Emma appears to not have married.

   Death:

   • Cemetery Report: She died at age 43 and was buried on January 29, 1930 in the Erxmeyer plot in Grove Church Cemetery.

   • Civil Record: Emma Bremer Union city 36 Palisades Ave, female, single, born December 10, 1886, age 43, years 1 month and 16 days, clerk, --- Store, born Hoboken of August H. L. Bremer, born Germany and Berthe Erxmeyer born Germany, informant August Bremer, buried Grove Church Cemetery, sick since 22 January, hard to read, pl--- pneumonia contracted from acute _____ violent palpation ???? .

3. Etta Bremer (1894- ) and John Murphy

   Marriage: Etta, born J. 1894. I could not find the baptismal record.

   Married John Murphy. See Brian Murphy below.

   Children:

   1. Dorothy (Dottie) circa 1916

      Etta's daughter, was in a nursing home in Cedar Grove, NJ. My Aunt passed away September 21st at the age of 90. (Brian Murphy, October 2006

   2. John circa 1918

      Death of John Murphy: 1986 (Brian Murphy Sept 2008)

   Death of Etta Bremer Murphy: 1983 (Brian Murphy Sept 2008)

   Death of John Murphy:

   My parents and grandparents are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ. (Brian Murphy, Sept 2008)

   Information from Brian Murphy:

   "My Grandfather divorced my Grandmother very early in their marriage. Here is an interesting story - while my Grandfather was married he was seeing my Grandmother's best friend, Lillian Smith. Lily was John Kenny's (Hudson County politician) sister-in law. Lily was also best friends with Dolly Sinatra (Frank's mother) and was Dolly's maid of honor. My Grandfather and Lily stayed close friends with Sinatra's parents - they attended my brother's wedding in 1968. Lily lived 102 yrs ! (never did a thing for my career!)

   Because of my Grandparent's split, my father and Aunt lived with their (German) Grandparents on Summit Ave.

1900 Federal Census

The first Federal census that Berthe appeared in as a married woman was the 1900 Census where she was listed with her husband and children on Palisades Ave in West Hoboken as follows:

• August, head born July 1849, age 50, married for 18 years, born in Germany, immigrated in 1872, occupation, store keeper, owing home with mortgage.
• Berthe, wife, born February 1860, age 40, mother of 3 children, 3 still living, born in Germany, immigrated in 1871.
• Charles, son, born May 1883, age 17, clerk, born in New Jersey.
• Emma, daughter, born December, 1886, age 13, born in New Jersey.
• Etta, daughter, born J(?) 1894, age 5, born in New Jersey.

1910 Federal Census

Not listed in 1910

1920 Federal Census

Berthe Erxmeyer was listed with her husband, August Bremer, and their children at 108 Summit Avenue, West Hoboken:

• August, head, age 70, born in New York, painter, house.
• Berthe, wife, age 60, born in Germany, immigrated in 1870, naturalized.
• Charles, son, age 37, born in New Jersey, owner, independent store.
• Emma, daughter, age 33, born in New Jersey, saleswomen, independent store.

• John Murphy, head age 25, born New York. driver, express company,
• Etta wife age 25 born New Jersey,
• Dorothy age 4 years 6 months born New Jersey
• John son age 2 years and 1 month.

1930 Federal Census

Charles Bremer on Highpoint Ave.

• Bremer, Charles, head renting $45, radio, age 46, married at 45, born in United States
• Julia wife, age 35 married at 32, born New York
• Stehn, Grace, step daughter, age 14 born NJ
• Stehn, Wilbert, step son, age 10, born NJ

• August Bremer head own, no amount, age 81, married at ge 31, born Germany, retired
• Bertha wife age 7-, born Germany

Same address:

• John Murphy, head rent $26.00, age 3- married age 19, born New Jersey, driver, American Express
• Henrietta wife age 35, married at 19,
• Dorothy daughter age 14
• John son age 1-,

Death of August Bremer

January 21, 1930, per cemetery report.

Death of Berthe Erxmeyer Bremer

March 4, 1936, per cemetery report.

On June 30, 2004 Brian Murphy, a descendent of Berthe Erxmeyer Bremer contacted me by e-mail.

I grew up in Union City, NJ. My grandmother is Etta Bremer (Bertha's daughter), who passed away back in 1983. My great grandparents, August and Bertha, are buried with the Erxmeyers in Grove Church Cemetery. There are many people buried there as the cemetery sent me a list a few years ago. I have been going there since I was a child, with my Aunt Dorothy, to put flowers on the grave. My Aunt Dotty, my deceased fathers sister, is still alive (88yrs) in a nursing home in Cedar Grove, NJ. I always heard stories of Julius Erxmeyer coming to visit my Grandma Etta in West New York, NJ, where she lived for many years. I have a picture of my GGrandpa August Bremer. I believe it is the only one.

Last week I made a quick trip into Hoboken and visited the old Evangelical Church (it was closed) and also the house where Berthe and August Bremer were married - 122 Park Ave. (according to your info). Here is a picture of myself in front of the Church and also a picture of 122 Park Ave. My friend that accompanied me owns real estate in Hoboken and assured me that it was the original house.

Brian Murphy October 2006

Photo courtesy of Brian Murphy, October 2008

Dorothy and John Murphy in the Secausus meadowlands.

Photo courtesy of Brian Murphy, October 2008

"My Grandfather was raised by his Aunt who lived in a shack in the meadows - with a dirt floor."

On the first page: "To Dorothy Murphy from Aunt Emma, Jan. 25, 1930" on second page in the same hand: "To Dorothy, Jan. 25, 1930. Congradulations From Aunt Emma." near the bottom of the page in the same or very similar hand: Died Jan 26, 1930 Buried Jan 29 1930 43 years old."

Brian Says:

"The third picture is the first and second page of my Aunt's grammar school Autograph book from 1930. My Aunt was very close to her Aunt Emma (Etta' sister). She said that Aunt Emma died in her arms. Now these two pages are a mystery. The first page shows a note to Dorothy from Aunt Emma dated Jan 25, 1930. The second page shows the same - only on the bottom right is reads " Died Jan 26, 1930, buried Jan 29th, 1930 - 43 yrs old.

We can't say for sure if my Aunt wrote both pages. I know she was devastaed by the loss."

For more information on Dorothe Hogrefe and Heinrich Wilhelm Erxmeyer click HERE

For more information on Dorothe Hogrefe click HERE

For more information on Melosine Erxmeyer and her family click HERE

For more information on Henry Erxmeyer, carpenter, and his family, click HERE

For more information on Julia Erxmeyer and her family click HERE

For more information on Mary Erxmeyer and her family, click HERE

For more information on Fred and Charlotte Erxmeyer and their family, click HERE