Edward Albert Weik – my great-great uncle was born on September 10, 1837, Ketsch, Mannheim, Baden-Germany. Ketsch is a municipality in the district of Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, located on Bertha Benz Memorial Route. It is situated on the right bank of the Rhine, 14 km south of Heidelberg.
Edward’s parents were Jacob Weik and Gertraud Huber both from Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttenberg, Germany. Edward was the first son to be born and then other siblings followed, Franz Wilhelm 1838, Otto Weik 1840, Eva Katherina 1842, John Edward Weik (my great-grandfather) 1846 or 1848, Louis N 1846, Verna Susanna 1847 and Richard Weik 1849. As far as I can tell they were all born in Germany.
Edward was about sixteen years old when he made the trip in 1853 with his family to come to America. His parents wanted a better life for all of his siblings and so they settled on a farm in Cedarville, Stephenson, Illinois.
The Civil War began in 1861 and at the tender age of twenty-four Edward enlisted in the 46th Illinois Infantry Company C which took in most of the men in and around Freeport, Illinois. He became a Sergeant on September 10, 1861, but was quickly was promoted to Second Lieutenant on Septemeber 29, 1862. On December 17, 1863, he was promoted again to First Lieutenant and his final promotion came on December 23, 1864, as Captain Edward Weik until March 20, 1865. He mustered out of service January 20, 1866.
Once he returned home from the war and life got back to normal it was time to settle down and marry and start a family. On November 30, 1865, he married Pauline Lippmann in Stephenson County. Pauline and Edward started their family by having a son Frank Richard 1868. Edward moved his family to Iowa around 1870 and soon the birth of a second son William George 1870, to follow was Charles Frank 1878, and Edward Henry Weik 1879.
The 1900 Census said he was a Naturalized Citizen of the United States and the only thing I could find a listing for was an Edward Weik in 1890 in the area. I know the Weik surname was spelled several different ways over the years. I myself have always had to spell my maiden name to everyone.
He and Pauline spent the remainder of their lives in the Ackley, Franklin, Iowa area. At the age of seventy-five, Edward died on March 23, 1913. He was buried at the Oak Wood Cemetery in Ackley. In downtown Freeport, Illinois there is a monument dedicated to the Illinois Civil War soldiers and Edward’s name is on it.
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Brumley Family Branches 