Jaeger family celebrates 100 years in America (w/pic)
Members of the Jaeger family gathered at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on Aug. 5 for a time to remember, give thanks and reminisce about three brothers and one sister who ventured from their homes in Dettingen/Erms, Germany 100 years ago to come to America.
The siblings were from the family of Johann George and Luise (Wurster) Jager, a family of 10 children.
Albert Jaeger was the first brother to venture out at the age of 20. He came to this area in 1921. He was sponsored by an uncle and aunt, Frank and Friedricke Dangberg, who farmed in the Winside area.
Albert traveled by ship for 10 days, arriving at the port of New York. He lived with and worked on the farm with the Dangbergs to repay them for his passageway to Nebraska.
In 1923 the Dangbergs again sponsored two more brothes, Gotthilf, 19, and Herman, 18, to come to America. A cousin, Martha Leab, also traveled on the ship with them.
A few months later, their sister, Minna, and her husband, Chris Weible, and their one-year old daughter, Lore, came to Nebraska also.
They all spoke German and learned the English language while living and working here.
After the three bothers paid their debt to the Dangbergs, they ventured out on their own, farming in the area, and eventually, all owning their own land.
Albert married Laura Vahlkamp and they became the parents of three sons - Kenneth, Dean and Richard.
Herman married Selma Dangberg and they had two sons - Herbert and Ervin, and a daughter, Erna.
Gotthilf married Elta Herbolsheimer and they had three sons - George, Ernie and Dale - and four daughters - Jeannette, Ruth, Mary and Carol.
Minna (Minnie) and Chris had two daughters - Lore and Louise - and one son - Gene.
From the four siblings who came to Nebraska 100 years ago, approximately 250 descendants gathered in 2023 this past weekend to celebrate.
There were a number of family members who were not able to attend the event, but joining the celebration were four relatives and one friend from Germany.
The festivities included golfing, cornhole, pitch, kids games a bouncy house, genealogy books, scrap books of photos and fun and laughter.
