A Short History - Gottlieb

According to Gottlieb's "Declaration of Intention", the last foreign residence of the family was Denidov, Russia, although his "Petition For Naturalization" states that all of the children listed above were born in Gildendorf, Russia.  The birth dates listed above are he same that Gottlieb listed on his "Naturalization Papers."

According to the SS Noordland Passenger List, the entire family left Liverpool, England on 30 Nov., 1905 and landed at the Port of Philadelphia on 18 Dec., 1905.

The children of Gottlieb and Christina describe the village in Russia as a farming community.  The family home was typical because the living quarters were in one-half of the building, and the other half housed the livestock.

At the time of their departure from Russia in 1905, a revolution was in progress; therefore, no trains were running, so the family walked to Kiev, where they boarded a train to Helsinki, Finland.  A beautiful city as some of them remembered.

Gottlieb. son of Gottlieb Sr. remembered leaving during that uprising; he said that the Cossacks were killing people right and left, lopping heads off, and blood was just running down the streets.

The family took a ship from Helsinki to Liverpool, England; a seven-day trip.  There they boarded the SS Noorland, a freighter, on Nov. 29, 1905 for what proved to be a harrowing voyage to America.  The seas were very rough and on some days, even the captain feared that the ship would capsize.  One passenger did die and was buried at sea. 

According to the Ship Passenger List, their destination was Anamoose, North Dakota, where they were to meet a brother-in-law, J. Huber. Perhaps a brother-in-law of Christina's?

Gottlieb declared $1000.00 in cash for the 12 members of his family, although the Ship Passenger List shows that he specified this money for 13 people. *

Their visit with J. Huber at Anamoose was very short, since they were in the Eureka, South Dakota vicinity by Christmas.  They lived with and worked for their sponsor there during the first winter of 1905-06.

Their eldest daughter, Elizabetha, was married on Feb. 23, 1906 at Herreid, South Dakota to Jacob Maier.

In the spring of 1906, 3 quarter-sections of land became available near Mound City, So. Dakota, and Gottlieb rented them.  The family members who were older got jobs as laborers and blacksmith assistants.  While in So. Dakota, Gottlieb purchased a buggy, grass mower, wagon and hay rake for $180.

The family moved to Hazelton, North Dakota in 1907, where Gottlieb purchased land in the Liberty District, Section 134-77.  This is also where Gottlieb filed his "Declaration of Intention" for Citizenship at Burleigh County on Dec. 6, 1907.

The "Petition for Naturalization" was granted to Gottlieb and Christina and all ten of their children on June 21, 1912 at Emmons County, North Dakota.

In their later years, Gottlieb and Christina retired in the City of Hazelton; their son Jacob took over operation of the farm.

* Perhaps Gottlieb "Carried" someone else who did not have the required amount of money to enter America?  All immigrants were required to have a  certain amount of money, otherwise they were not allowed to enter America.

Christina Hogue was born in Grossliebental, Russia, on 17 October 1866.  Her surname, in German, was spelled 'Hock'.

All the children of Gottlieb and Christina Grenz were born in Guldendorf, Russia.  They describe the village as a farming community.  The family home was typical in that the living quarters were in one half of the building which also housed their livestock.

At the time of their departure for America in 1905 a revolution or uprising was in progress.  No trains were running so they walked to Kiev.  From there they travelled by train to Helsinki, Finland.  A seven day trip by boat brought them to Liverpool, England.  On 29 November 1905 they boarded a freighter fro what was to be a harrowing voyage across the ocean to America.  The seas were very rough and on some days the captain feared the boat would swamp and capsize.  They arrived at the port of Philadelphia on 13 December.

According to the ship passenger list their destination was Anamoose, N.D. where brother-in-law J. Huber lived.  (Also according to the passenger list most immigrants.)  The stop at Anamoose was short for they were in the Eureka vicinity of South Dakota around Christmas time.  They lived with and worked for their sponsors during the first winter.

In the spring three quarters of land became available and Gottlieb rented. The family members who were older got jobs as laborers and blacksmith assistants.  While in South Dakota Gottlieb purchased a buggy, grass mower, wagon and hay rake for $180.  The farm was located near Mound City.

After two years, the family moved to the Hazelton district of North Dakota and Gottlieb purchased land in Liberty township.  He became an American citizen on 21 June 1912.

The couple later retired into the town of Hazelton.  Son Jacob took over the operation of the farm.

From Alvina Schurr - Oct. 1990

From Alvina Schurr - Oct. 1990