I've "rescued" a photograph of Pete and Maggie BURGENER which was taken at
the McDonald's Studio in South Bend, IN. Guessing that it was taken in the
1880's. Pete is noted as "Uncle" on the back of the photograph. Pete and
Maggie appear to be in their 20's or 30's at the time the photograph was
taken. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following
information regarding this couple:
Peter Daniel BURGENER was b. 1 Feb 1863 in Bremen, IN to Swiss immigrant
parents Peter BURGENER Sr. (1820-1889) and Louisa VEIHMAN (1835-1893).
Peter was one of 10 children born to this couple including, Lydia V.;
Christian H.; Peter D. Jr.; Rose S.; Clara L.; Samuel J.; Sarah A.; William;
Frederick Elias; and another daughter who died in infancy. With a previous
wife Peter Sr. had three additional children including, John; Elizabeth; and
Catherine BURGENER. Peter's father was an Evangelical Preacher. Peter Jr.
married Margaret "Maggie" Ellen GARN (1863-1921) on 12 Sept 1888 in
Plymouth, IN and together they had a daughter Theresa Leonore or Leanore
BURGENER born 12 Aug 1895 in Plymouth, IN.
Peter Jr.'s sister Elizabeth married into the ELICK family, sister Lydia
married into the ALTNER family, sister Rose married into the GARN Family,
sister Sarah married into the WARNES Family and most of the children
remained in Marshall Co. IN and are all buried there in the Oak Hill
Cemetery with their parents. Peter died in 1936 and is buried there in that
cemetery as well. His wife Margaret "Maggie" was b. 7 Jun 1863 in Union, IN
to parents David GARN and Catherine KEMMERLING or KREMMERLING or KEMERLING
who had a total of 5 children including, John Franklin; Samuel Alexander;
Margaret "Maggie" E.; Francis Edward; and Ira Monroe GARN all born between
1859 and 1872. Maggie died in Nappanee, IN on 23 Mar 1921.
Daughter Theresa Leonore (1895-1977) married Fred GEIBLE on 4 Jun 1919 in
Elkhart Co. IN and together they had three children, Harry F.; Merrell D.;
and Freda E. GEIBLE all born between 1921 and 1924. Fred GEIBLE died in
1923 and Theresa Leonore was remarried to Everett AMBER in 1927 in St.
Joseph Co. IN and they settled in South Bend, IN near her father.
Census records provide the following details:
1870 census of West, IN:
Peter BURGENER, age 50, a Farmer, born Switzerland
Louisa BURGENER, age 35, Keeping House, born Switzerland
Elizabeth BURGENER, age 24, born OH
Catharine BURGENER, age 22, born IN
Lydia BURGENER, age 12, born IN
Christina BURGENER, age 11, born IN
Peter BURGENER, age 8, born IN
Rosina BURGENER, age 6, born IN
Clara L. BURGENER, age 5, born IN
Samuel BURGENER, age 3, born IN
Sarah BURGENER, age 1, born IN
1900 census of Plymouth, IN:
Petter BERGNER, age 38, born Feb 1862, married 11 years, born IN, parents
born Germany, a Grocer
Margaret E. BERGNER, wife, age 36, born Jun 1863, married 11 years, 1
child/1 living, born IN, parents born OH
Theresa L. BERGNER, dau, age 4, born Aug 1895, born IN
1920 census of Union, IN:
Peter D. BURGENER, age 57, born IN, parents born Switzerland/USA, a Grocery
Store Proprietor
Margaret BURGENER, wife, age 56, born IN, parents born OH
I am hoping to locate someone from this family so that the photograph can be
returned to its rightful place, with family. If you are a member of this
family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.
Thanks,
Shelley