Home > United States of America > Kentucky > Johnson County > Flat Gap > Lyons Cemetery > John Tigges

John Tigges

Birth	:	21 Dec 1853 Germany
Death	:	24 Dec 1930 Fordyce, Cedar County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Lyons Cemetery, Flat Gap, Johnson County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.9256730, -82.7010040
Description	:	St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, The Heart of Our Community, Fordyce, NE, 1909-2009, page 157 JOHN AND MARY (ARENS) TIGGES John Tigges, Jr., son of John, Sr. and Otillia (Heimes) Tigges immigrated to America with his parents as a lad of 17. His brother, Charles, two sisters, Brigetta, eleven and Elizabeth, three were also with them. He was born in Burbecke, in the Providence of Wesphalia, Germany on December 21, 1853. They came on the ship Hibana on the Allen Line and landed at Quebec, Canada. They then traveled to the United States landing on American soil at Port Huron, Michigan.... Read More	St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, The Heart of Our Community, Fordyce, NE, 1909-2009, page 157 JOHN AND MARY (ARENS) TIGGES John Tigges, Jr., son of John, Sr. and Otillia (Heimes) Tigges immigrated to America with his parents as a lad of 17. His brother, Charles, two sisters, Brigetta, eleven and Elizabeth, three were also with them. He was born in Burbecke, in the Providence of Wesphalia, Germany on December 21, 1853. They came on the ship Hibana on the Allen Line and landed at Quebec, Canada. They then traveled to the United States landing on American soil at Port Huron, Michigan. They came directly to Cedar County, landing at St. James on September 4, 1871, and homesteaded land south of Bow Valley, south of where Gary Kleinschmit now lives. He could not speak a word of English, but possessed a keen ambition to make a success of this new life. He mastered the English language and developed a fine script in both German and English. He had learned the carpenters trade in Germany and in partnership with August Lubeley of St. Helena, built many homes in northern Cedar County. He also worked with Henry Struckenoff. He donated his skills to the construction of two Bow Valley churches and St. John the Baptist. As for his occupation, he chose the title, "Farmer." On June 10, 1879, John Tigges, Mr. and Mary Arens were married in Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley. They lived with John's widowed father south of Bow Valley and then moved to the Christian Pick farm four miles west of them, which he had puchased for $520 in 1875. Mary was the daughter of Wilhelm and Teresia (Peitz) Arens. She was born on May 22, 1859, in Wentrop and baptized in Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Wormbach, both in Wesphalia, Germany. At the age of 10, Mary came to the United States with her parents and brothers, William II, J. Frank, Joseph and sisters, Theresia, Elizabeth and Mathilda. Her father sold their home and land in Germany to come to America. They landed at Detroit where the family stayed with the Frank A. and Ottilia (Arens) Thoene family while Wilhelm traveled to Nebraska to take up a homestead. The family followed and traveled to Sioux City two months later to meet their father. Mary however, stayed in Detroit to continue her educational preparations for her fist Holy Communion. Mary told of going to a school that had a playground with high brick walls. She joined her family after the reception of the sacrament. Echoes of the gruesome Wiseman children murders were still resounding around the country and the children were afraid of an Indian. She could tell "Indian" stories. Mary was the baptismal sponsor over many because the priest from St. Helena would come as far as the Arens home for service and Baptisms, and parents sometimes would not have brought anyone along to be a sponsor. She was active in church affairs and in the community as a midwife and nurse. John and Mary were the parents of five children. Elizabeth (Joe Schroeder), Charles (Alma Suing), Emma (Frank J. Thoene), Julius (Nora Becker) and Joseph (Anna Schaefer). They took two girls whose parents had died into their home and raised them. In 1898, Theresa, age seven, daughter of Casper and Elizabeth (Plumpe) Mackenbrock, and in 1911, Ella, age nine, daughter of William and Minnie (Pearson) Doherty came to live with them. They stayed with the Tigges family until they were young adults. Theresa graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1908. She worked in retail lumber firms in Sioux City. Ella attended school in Fordyce. Ella moved to Cedar Rapids, Nebraska and married Walter Batty in 1929. William Lorang lived with them at about the age of ten. John Tigges served on the school board of the District 35, where their children went to school when it was a rural school. When the town of Fordyce was established, John and Mary were active in organizing the St. John the Baptist parish. He was one of the sponsors of the bell. They moved to Fordyce about 1920. He was major of Fordyce two years and was requested numerous times to hold public office. Because of his excellent translation skills, he was called upon to write many legal documents. He was well-versed, and could speak fluently and interestingly on religious, civil and social matters. Many throughout the county sought his advice on civil matters. Although he had left the "old country," he remained very interested in happenings "over there." One bit of advice that he shared with his family: "Watch the affairs in the Middle East." That was over 80 years ago. He was the bookkeeper for Mrs. John (Mary) Lammers after her husband died. John died at the age of 77 on Christmas Eve, 1930. Mary continued to live in their home, boarding young people who attended school in Fordyce, one of them being Ralph Burbach, who became Father Maur, OSB. Her hands kept busy piecing quilts for the Ladies Guild, crocheting rag rugs, and knitting woolen mittens to keep the hands of her grandchildren warm. She was a flower enthusiast. Her flowers were often used to decorate the altars of St. John's church. Mary died Holy Saturday morning, March 30, 1945, at the age of 86. She had walked four blocks home from church on Holy Thursday afternoon. John and Mary are buried in St. John the Baptist cemetery. Submitted by: Dolores (Thoene) Kaiser

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Tigges's memorial?
John Tigges's memorial is located at: Lyons Cemetery, Flat Gap, Johnson County, USA.
When did John Tigges death?
John Tigges death on 24 Dec 1930 in Fordyce, Cedar County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Tigges's memorial?
Latitude: 37.9256730
Longitude: -82.7010040

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Maria Catherine “Mary” Arens Tigges

(1859 - 1945)

Children

Elizabeth Tigges Schroeder

(1884 - 1973)

Charles Tigges

(1885 - 1966)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Lyons Cemetery
Flat Gap, Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9256730, -82.7010040

2. William Chandler Cemetery
Georges Creek, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9251190, -82.7254100

3. Borders Chapel Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9253050, -82.6694210

4. Judge Preston Cemetery
Charley, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9618400, -82.6904400

5. Meek Cemetery
Chestnut, Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8891450, -82.6773350

6. Fannin Cemetery
Chestnut, Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8929927, -82.6596960

7. Mary United Baptist Church Cemetery
Georges Creek, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9709760, -82.7240330

8. Dan Miller Farm Cemetery
Charley, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9749380, -82.7064030

9. Bazeal Hayes Pack Cemetery
Georges Creek, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9721200, -82.7256900

10. Preston Family Cemetery
Georges Creek, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9700100, -82.6509040

11. Moses Preston Cemetery
Georges Creek, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9670600, -82.6369000

12. Atkins Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8581009, -82.6866989

13. Ballard-Butcher Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8443985, -82.6819000

14. George Wells Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8408880, -82.6865690

15. Ben Branham Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8395410, -82.6882750

16. Burchett Family Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8875610, -82.8005710

17. Burgess Cemetery
Chapman, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0087004, -82.6603458

18. Chandlerville Cemetery
Chandlerville, Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9268990, -82.8142014

19. Castle Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8657990, -82.7900009

20. Dennie Pigg Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8301200, -82.6860400

21. Blackburn Family Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0229700, -82.6858650

22. Garred Burgess Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0176840, -82.6554190

23. Barton Family Cemetery
Johnson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8232860, -82.6868530

24. Thompson Cemetery #5
Blaine, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0263470, -82.7334060