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Bernard Wilhelm Köster AKA William G Koster (1850-1928)

Son of Hermann Heinrich, grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great grandson of JohanHermann, great great grandson of Johan Köster

Bernard Wilhelm Köster was born 10 November 1850 in Dalvers bei Berge, Kreis Bersenbrück, Hanover. He was baptized 13 November 1850. Godparents were Johann Wilhelm Markus, Bernard Hermann Schulting and Catherine Elis. Köster. He was also known as William G. Koster. He immigrated to the United States and become a naturalized citizen on 11 January 1876 in Carroll County, Iowa. He married Margaretha Berning on 8 July 1882 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Mount Carmel, Carroll County, Iowa.

In July of 1872, William took possession of the N 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 15 in Wheatland Township from the Iowa Railroad Company. William's ownership was officially recorded on 24 April 1875. This was the beginning of land holdings in Carroll County of at least 1573 acres, most of which was dispersed to his children before his death. According to the Iowa Census is 1875, William was working the land, with 59 acres improved. Four acres planted to oats produced 93 bushels in 1874. Eight tons of hay was also harvested, bring the value of farm products for 1874 to $40. William also had three horses and slaughtered one hog that year.

He appeared on the census of 1880 in Carroll County, Iowa. William (29) is enumerated on a farm in Wheatland Township. He is single, born in Germany, with both parents born in Prussia.

Margaretha and William Köster bought 80 acres of Section 23 in Carroll County from his father-in-law, Gerhard Berning, Sr., on 2 March 1887.

He appeared on the Iowa census of 1895 in Carroll County, Iowa. William (44) is enumerated on a farm in Wheatland Township with his wife Maggie (37) and children Maggie (11), Josephine (9), William (8), Joseph (6), Anna (4) and Clemens (1). William was born in Germany, Maggie in Dubuque County and the children in Carroll County. William is subject to military service and can vote. Also living with the family is Barney Wess (20), a hired man born in Germany.

He appeared on the census of 1900 in Carroll County, Iowa. William (49) is enumerated in Wheatland Township with his children Maggie (17), Josephine (14), William (13), Joseph (11), Anna (9), Clemens (5), and Clara (3). Also living with the family is William's brother Henry (45). William and Henry were born in Germany and all of the children were born in Iowa. William and Henry immigrated in 1867. Henry's occupation is listed as "A man of leisure." All others work on the farm.

He appeared in the federal census of 1910 in Carroll County, Iowa. William (59) is enumerated in Wheatland Township, town of Breda, with his children Joseph (21), Anna (18), Clemens (16) and Clara (14). Also living with the family is William's brother Henry (55). William is a widower who was born in Germany and immigrated in 1869. Henry is single, born in Germany and immigrated in 1867. All of the children were born in Iowa and are working on the farm.

He appeared in the federal census of 1920 in Breda, Carroll County, Iowa. William (69) is living with his son Joseph (31) on Main Street in Breda. He is a widower who emigrated from Germany and became a citizen in 1874.

He died on 31 January 1928 in Carroll County, Iowa at age 77. He was buried in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, Breda , Carroll County , Iowa .

Added 5/2005

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Margaretha Berning (Koster) (1857-1898)

Wife of William Koster (1850-1928)

Margaretha Berning, daughter of John Gerhard Berning and Maria Anna Hatting or Hartung, was born on 6 June 1857 at New Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa. She was also known as Margaret. She was a sister of Anna Berning, who married John Henry Nieland. The children of Margaretha Berning and William Koster, all born in Carroll County, Iowa, were:

. . . . 1. Margaret Marie Koster, born 5 August 1883. She married Joseph Theodore Grabner.

. . . . 2. Josephine Koster, born 4 June 1885. She married Henry Schulte.

. . . . 3. William Kosterm Jr., born 12 January 1887. He married Matilda P. Grabner.

. . . . 4. Joseph Koster, born 17 October 1888. He married Sophia K. Schulte.

. . . . 5. Anna Maria Koster, born 1 February 1891. She married Anthony J. Knobbe.

. . . . 6. Clemens Koster, born 21 December 1893. He married Hazel M. Van Erdewyk.

. . . . 7. Clara Koster, born 6 January 1896. She married John W. Knobbe.

Margaretha died on 12 January 1898 at Carroll County, Iowa, at age 40. She was buried at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, Breda, Carroll County, Iowa.

Added 5/2005

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Heinrich Wilhelm Köster AKA Henry Koster (1854-1910)

Son of Hermann Heinrich, grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great grandson of JohanHermann, great great grandson of Johan Köster

Heinrich Wilhelm Köster was born 23 December 1854, likely in Hahlen, Kreis Bersenbrück, Hanover, Prussia. He was also known as Henry Koster. He immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen on 11 January 1876 in Carroll County, Iowa.

He appeared on the census of 1880 in Carroll County, Iowa. Henry (28) is a teacher living with the Herman Luchtel family in Wheatland Township. He is single and was born in Prussia. Both his parents were also born in Prussia.

He appeared on the census of 1900 in Carroll County, Iowa. Henry (45) is enumerated in Wheatland Township with the family of his brother, William (49), and William's children Maggie (17), Josephine (14), William (13), Joseph (11), Anna (9), Clemens (5), and Clara (3). William and Henry were born in Germany and all of the children were born in Iowa. William and Henry immigrated in 1867. Henry's occupation is listed as "A man of leisure." All others work on the farm.

He died on 14 May 1910 in Breda, Carroll County, Iowa, at age 55. He was buried in St. Bernard Cemetery, Breda, Carroll County, Iowa .

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Anna Maria Wesseling (1865-1865)

Daughter of Catharina Adelheid Köster, granddaughter of Hermann Gerhard, great granddaughter of Johan Hermann, great great granddaughter of Johan Köster

Anna Maria Wesseling was born 31 January 1865 in Dalvers bei Berge, Kreis

Bersenbrück, Hanover, Prussia .

She died 27 April 1865 at Dalvers bei Berge, (Kreis Bersenbrück) Hanover , Prussia .

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Herman Heinrich Wesseling (1867-?)

Son of Catharina Adelheid Köster, grandson of Hermann Gerhard, great grandson of Johan Hermann, great great grandson of Johan Köster

Herman Heinrich Wesseling was baptized 29 September 1867 in Berge, Kreis Bersenbrück, Hanover, Prussia. Godparents were Herman Köster, Heinrich Rottmann and Anna Wiebole.

We do not yet have any more information on this person.

Added 5/2005

Margaretha Elisabeth Wesseling (1870-?)

Daughter of Catharina Adelheid Köster, granddaughter of Hermann Gerhard, great granddaughter of Johan Hermann, great great granddaughter of Johan Köster

Margaretha Elisabeth Wesseling was born 3 May 1870 in Grafeld, Kreis

Bersenbrück, Hanover , Prussia .

We do not yet have any more information on this person.

Added 5/2005

Margaret Marie Koster (Grabner)(1883-1918)

Daughter of William G. Koster, granddaughter of Hermann Heinrich Köster, great granddaughter of Hermann Gerhard, great great granddaughter of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great granddaughter of Johan Köster

Margaret Marie Koster was born on 5 August 1883 in Iowa. She married Joseph Theodore Grabner on 19 May 1908. She was also known as Maria Margarita.

She appeared in the census of 1910 in Carroll County, Iowa. Margaret (26) is enumerated on a farm in Wheatland Township with her husband Joseph T. Grabner (26) and daughter Myrtle (6/12). The couple has been married for 2 years and has 1 of 1 child living. Joseph was born in Iowa, with his father born in Westphalia and his mother in Illinois. Margaret was born in Iowa, with both her parents born in Germany. Myrtle was born in Iowa.

She died on 22 April 1918 in Iowa at age 34. She was buried in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, Breda, Carroll County, Iowa.

Added 5/ 2005

Joseph Theodore Grabner (1884-1955)

Husband of Margaret Marie Koster (1883-1918)

Joseph Theodore Grabner, son of Joseph Nicholas Grabner and Margaret Stemper, was born 10 January 1884 in Carroll County, Iowa. After the death of his first wife, Joseph Grabner married Mary Ida Boes, the daughter of Gerhard Henrich Boes and Maria Anna Nieland. They had one child, Mary Ann Grabner.

Children of Margaret M. Koster and Joseph Theodore Grabner were:

. . . . 1. Myrtle M., born on 26 November 1909 in Arcadia , Carroll County , Iowa. She married Julius John Boes, son of John Boes and Ann Katherine Geier. She died 27 December 2001in Omaha, Nebraska.

. . . . 2. Irene, born on 26 December 1911 in Iowa . She married Edwin Hobart. She died on 31 May 1999 at age 87.

. . . . 3. Joseph W., born on 13 June 1914 in Iowa . He married Dorothy Bruggeman. He died on 17 April 1998 at age 83. He was buried in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, Breda, Carroll County, Iowa .

Joseph Grabner died 19 March 1955 at age 71. He is buried in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, Breda, Carroll County , Iowa .

Added 5/2005

Josephine Koster (Schulte) (1885-1962)

Daughter of William G. Koster, granddaughter of Hermann Heinrich Köster, great granddaughter of Hermann Gerhard, great great granddaughter of Johan Hermann, 3 rd great granddaughter of Johan Köster

Josephine Koster was born on 4 June 1885 in Breda, Carroll County, Iowa. She married Henry G. Schulte 25 July 1904 at Breda, Carroll County, Iowa.

She appeared on the census of 1910 in Carroll County, Iowa; Josephine (24) is enumerated on a farm in Wheatland Township with her husband Henry (32) and children Viola (5), Mabel (4) and Raymond (1 11/12). All of the family were born in Iowa. Henry's father was born in Germany and his mother in Wisconsin. Josephine's father was also born in Germany and her mother in Iowa. They have been married 5 years and have 3 of 3 children living.

She appeared on the census of 1920 in Lyon County, Minnesota; Josephine (34) is enumerated on a farm in Stanley Township with her husband Henry (43) and children Viola (15), Mabel (13), Raymond (12) Gilbert (9), Alvin (8), Margaret (5) Marcillie (3) and Charles (1). Charles was born in Minnesota and the rest of the family was born in Iowa . Henry lists Germany as the birthplace of his father and Wisconsin for his mother. Josephine lists Germany as the birthplace of her father and Iowa for her mother. They own their farm with no mortgage.

She appeared on the census of 1930 in Lyon County, Minnesota; Josephine (44) is enumerated on a farm in Stanley Township with her husband Henry (54) and children Viola (25), Raymond (21), Gilbert (19), Alvin (17), Margaret (15), Marcella (13), Carl (11), Clara (9), Mildred (6), Albert (4 6/12) and George E. (11/12). Carl and the younger children were born in Minnesota and the rest of the family was born in Iowa. They own their farm and have a radio.

Josephine died on 29 April 1962 at age 76.

Added 5/2005

Henry Gerhard Schulte (1876-1951)

Husband of Josephine Koster (1885 - 1961)

Henry Gerhard Schulte, son of Albert John Schulte and Elisabeth Engel Schettler, was born 3 Jul 1876 in Sac County, Iowa. He was also know as Henry Frank Schulte.

Children of Josephine Koster and Henry G. Schulte were as follows:

. . . . 1. Viola Schulte, born on 14 August 1904 in Iowa. She died on 22 April 1931 at age 26.

. . . . 2. Mabel Christine Schulte, born on 21 August 1905 in Iowa. She married Doyle Alexander. She died on 26 July 1997 at age 91.

. . . . 3. Raymond William Schulte, born on 30 May 1908 in Iowa. He married Elvara Schneiders. He died on 29 May 1988 at age 79.

. . . . 4. Gilbert Henry Schulte, born on 2 October 1910 in Iowa. He married Angela Blake. He died on 30 November 1976 at age 66.

. . . . 5. Alvin Joseph Schulte, born on 8 December 1911 in Iowa. He married Doris Zita Blake. He died on 21 June 1985 at age 73.

. . . . 6. Margaret J. Schulte, born on 7 November 1914 in Iowa. She died on 2 May 1991 at age 76.

. . . . 7. Marcella M. Schulte, born on 25 January 1917 in Iowa. She died on 24 July 1985 at age 68.

. . . . 8. Carl Schulte, born on 5 February 1919 in Minnesota. He married Bernadette Duffing. He died on 16 November 1948 at age 29.

. . . .  9. Clara Schulte was born 25 December 1920 in Minnesota. She married Henry Swift. She died 21 February 2005.

. . . . 10.Mildred Schulte

. . . . 11. Albert H. Schulte, born on 1 September 1925 in Minnesota. He married Myrtle Jorgenson. He died on 22 August 1991 at age 65.

. . . . 12. George E. Schulte, born on 22 April 1929 in Minnesota. He died on 16 October 1993 at age 64.

Henry Schulte died 21 Jun 1951 in Marshall, Lynn County, Minnesota, at age 74.

Revised Augusut 2008