Johann Eckhoff
Johann Eckhoff was my 4th great grandfather. He and his wife Christiana are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Johann’s Find A Grave Memorial can be viewed here.
Johannes Heinrich Christian Eckhoff was born 9 November 1822 in Zeven, Rotenberg, Niedersachsen, Germany. He was the youngest of 6 known children of his parents Claus Ekhoff and Maria Elisabeth Brandt. Johann immigrated to the US in December 1846 with his friend and brother-in-law Johann Bogel settling in New York City. Johann married Christiana Schmidt on 4 January 1850 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St Matthew in Manhattan.
Johann and Christiana migrated to Wisconsin shortly after their marriage and son Johann Christian Eckhoff was born in Watertown on 4 November 1850. They built their home in section 43 in the town of Hampden and as of 2020, the home appears to be still standing. The couple would have six children who lived to adulthood; John, Fred, Minnie, Henry, Anna, and Christina.
When the American Civil War broke out, Johann enlisted for service. He registered for the draft in 1863, listing himself as 36 years of age. In reality, he was 41. Johann served in Company K of the 44th Wisconsin Infantry from 16 February 1865 to 10 September 1865. His papers describe him as 5 ½ feet tall with blue eyes and light colored hair.
Johann and Christiana were farmers in the town of Hampden in Columbia County for years. Between 1890 and 1895, Johann and Christiana sold the farm and moved to Marshfield to retire and live near their children who were already in the area. Christiana died 4 January 1899 and Johann followed her on 3 March 1900.
WitzEnd Family History 