Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mike

Notes:

The following notes were written by Patricia Lynn Johnson and passed on to Elizabeth Eileen Morison McMahon in the 1960s: Living conditions in Gerresdorf were extremely limited. Rural areas were becoming overcrowded. Most people had small acreages of land and very few personal possessions. When word came of opportunities to acquire homesteads in the United States, the Wurzer family decided to pack their belongs and leave Austria-Hungary for a new home in a new country. Michael, his wife, their 2 sons, his parents, his 3 brothers (John, Joseph, Frank) and his 3 sisters (Maria, Elizabeth, Rosalie) left Vienna by boat for New York City.

From there they travelled by train to North Dakota.

About 1880 they all homesteaded north and east of Fingal in Binghampton Township, except Joseph who remained single and served in the Spanish-American war.

Michael and his wife Maria experienced many hardships, like all the pioneers at that time. Maria plowed with one ox while Michael worked for area farmers to earn money to buy a second ox to complete the team. In order to obtain flour, Michael took wheat to Marsh's mill, south of Valley City, because the town of Fingal did not exist at that time. Groceries and supplies had to be purchased at Tower City. Most of these trips were made by foot since construction work was being done on the Northern Pacific Railroad. There were many jobs available for local people. Maria was employed at a Tower City Hotel in the laundry, which was all hand work. By this time, Michael was building a house for his family. One room was insulated with sod and later a stone addition was constructed. The house still stands 1 mile north and 1 mile east of Fingal. It was inhabited until only a few years ago and is now known as the Martin Boyle farm.

HISTORY: Michael Wurgel [stat] immigrated through Baltimore, MD on the vessel "America" on June 16, 1882. He claims to be a "tailor" with the nationality of "Austria" and last permanent residence in "hungary". His father "Melchior" is also on this ship. Src: Maryland, Baltimore Passenger Lists Index, 1820-1897, FHL microfilm 417,378, Digital Folder Number 007535227. NARA M327, Roll 167, No. W563-W651.

1900: US census: on familysearch.org. Michael Wanger[sic], (age not readable), b in Germany, occupation: farmer, living with husbandMike and children: Adolph21, Mary17, Theressa15, Lena12, Agnes9. Location (on index): Binghamton, Barnes, North Dakota.

1910 US census: on familysearch.org. Michael Wurzer, 58, b in Europe, married 32 years, immigrated 1882, naturalized, occupation: farmer, living with wifeMary52 and daughter Agnes19. location: Binghamton, Barnes, ND.

1915 ND census: on familysearch.org. Mike Wurzer (male aged 20-60), living with Mary Wurzer and Laura Dahl. (Note: Laura is with her grandparents after her mother's death.)

1920 US census: on familysearch.org. Michael Wurzer, 68, b in Hungary, living with wife: Mary60 Wurzer and granddaughter LauraDahl9. Location: Springvale Twp,Barnes Co., North Dakota.

BURIAL: findagrave.com. Michael Wurzer. Buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fingal, Barnes County, North Dakota. Findagrave Memorial# 75293170.


HISTORY 1882: on familysearch.org. Michael Wurgel[sic], 33, occupation: tailor, Nationality: Austria, from Hungary Immigration June 16, 1882 on vessel: America at Baltimore, MD,

Died:
Buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fingal, Barnes County, North Dakota. Findagrave Memorial# 75293170.

Family/Spouse: Maria SHERMAN. Maria (daughter of Andrew SHERMAN and Elizabeth PRATSCHNER) was born on 23 Jan 1859 in Geresdorf, Austria; died on 21 Feb 1942 in Oriska, Barnes, North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Michael WURZER was born on 7 Jun 1876 in Geresdorf, Austria; died on 10 Jan 1949 in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
2. Adolph WURZER was born on 11 Sep 1879 in Geresdorf, Austria; died on 14 Feb 1963 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
3. Magdalena WURZER was born on 20 Mar 1888 in Fingal, Barnes, North Dakota, USA; died on 8 Apr 1913 in Fingal, Barnes, North Dakota, USA.
4. Mary WURZER was born on 13 Feb 1883 in Fingal, Barnes, North Dakota, USA; died in 1969 in North Dakota, USA.
5. Theresia WURZER was born on 11 Jun 1885 in Fargo, Cass, North Dakota, USA; died on 25 May 1966 in Valley City, Barnes, North Dakota, USA.
6. Agnes WURZER was born on 21 Sep 1891 in Fingal, Barnes, North Dakota, USA; died on 30 Jan 1957 in Fingal, Barnes, North Dakota, USA.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Melcher

Notes:

HISTORY 1882: on familysearch.org. Melchior Wurgel [sic], 2, Nationality: Austria, Immigration June 16, 1882 from Hungary on vessel: America at Baltimore, MD,

Melchior Wurgel [stat] immigrated through Baltimore, MD on June 16, 1882 on the vessel "America". He was 62 years old, a grocer by occupation, nationality "Austria", but last permanent residence was in Hungary. His son Michael is also on this ship. Src: Maryland, Baltimore Passenger Lists Index, 1820-1897, FHL microfilm 417,378, Digital Folder Number 007535227. NARA M327, Roll 167, No. W563-W651.

Data from David Wurzer: SpringvaleTownship 129, Range 56, Barnes Co. (Vo. 56), Melchior Wurzer Section 34 NW 1/2. Date: June 24, 1882, Patent: August 6, 1887.


HISTORY 1882: on familysearch.org. Melchior Wurgel[sic], 62, occupation: grocer, Nationality: Austria, from Hungary, Immigration June 16, 1882, on vessel: America at Baltimore, MD.

Birth:
Gerresdorf was a small village near Vienna where the parents of Michael.

Died:
Buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Finga, Barnes County, North Dakota. Find a Grave Memorial# 75293156. Melchior and Rosalie were among the first to be buried "there" along with the rest of the Wurzer family, except John.

Melchior married Rosalie SCHERMANN about 1840 in Austria. Rosalie was born on 12 Jun 1821 in Geresdorf, Austria; died on 29 Jan 1890 in Fingal, Barnes, North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

HISTORY 1882: on familysearch.org. Rosalie Wurgel[sic], 60, Nationality: Austria, from Hungary, Immigration June 16, 1882, on vessel: America at Baltimore, MD.

Birth:
This date is listed on Rosalie's tombstone; the information listed on Findagrave.com says she was born in "Australia" (as of July 2016). It should say "Austria".

Died:
Buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Fingal, North Dakota; Findagrave Memorial# 75293157.

Mennyhan married Maria SCHLOEGEL in 1819 in Austria. Maria was born in 1802 in Geresdorf, Austria; died before 1899 in Geresdorf, Austria. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]