12 for ’26: Matilda “Tillie” Wollenweber (1859-1878) Timeline

Because the timeline worked so well last month documenting G.W. Lancaster, I have decided to create a timeline first of what I know about Matilda Wollenweber. Then I can work on filling in any missing information. Some of the documents will need to be revisited as I do not have up-to-date links to them. Some may only have a microfilm number.

Matilda Wollenweber is my husband’s paternal great-grandmother. Her daughter, Matilda Davey married Joseph Norman Gorrell, who were his grandparents.

Matilda “Tillie” Wollenweber Timeline

1859    Matilda was born on 27 August 1859 to Ludwig Wilhelm Wollenweber and Philippina Veringer. She was baptized by Carl Ludwig Daubert, nearly a year later, on 22 July 1860 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Louisville.[1]

COMMENT: From a Wikipedia article, St. Paul’s German Evangelical Church was the first German Evangelical Church to be established in Louisville, being founded in 1836 by Rev. George Brandau.[2] She was baptized in the first church which was built in 1841 on the northeast corner of Preston and Green Streets, as the new church wasn’t finished until 1861.[3] The earliest directory that Ancestry has is 1861, which showed the church at Preston on the corner of Green, and Charles S. Daubert as pastor.[4] Charles is the anglicized version of the German Carl. Perhaps a handwritten L looked like an S.

1860    July 27. Matilda was a one-year-old in the 2nd Ward household of L.W. Wollenweber, a liquor dealer worth $1000, who was from Bavaria. The census does not give the address but the 1861 city directory gives it as 520 E. Market.[5] The household makeup was:

            Wollenweber, LW, 38, liquor dealer, worth $1000, Bavaria
Philapena, 25, f, Werttumberg
Louis, 13, m, NY, school
Geo, 12, m, Hamberg, school
Wm, 11, m, NY, school
Albert, 7, m, Ohio, school
Matilda, 1, f, Ky[6]

            COMMENT: There is a large gap between Albert and Matilda. When did Louis and Philapena marry? Were these only Louis’ sons? Or were there other children born between them?

1870    June 27. Matilda is missing from the household of L.W. “Woolenweber” and Philpena in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana, which is across the Ohio River from Louisville. Sons Louis and Albert are there, along with two additional girls, Frederica and Julia.

Woolenweber, L.W. 48, m, w, saloon keeper, per worth $1500, Bavaria, parents foreign born, citizen.
Philpena 29, f, w, keeps house, Wurtemberg, par foreign born,
Louis F 23, m, w, life ins agt, N York, par foreign born, citizen
Albert 16, m, w, home, Ohio, par foreign born,
Frederica 5, f, w, home, Kentucky, par foreign born, school,
Julia 2, f, w, home, Kentucky, par foreign born,
Reynolds, Jno, 20, m, w, laborer, Kentucky, [7]

COMMENT: She would have been about eleven. Was she just missed? Or was she with someone else? A search for Tillie Wollenweber and Matilda Wollenweber turned up no results.

1873    May 16. L.W. Wollenweber, Matilda’s father, died.[8] The newspaper account was:

“L.W. Wollenweber, Sr., retired to bed at half-past seven o'clock last evening and shortly afterward called for a drink; just then he gave a sudden stare and sank into an unconscious condition. Physicians were called to Mr. Wollenweber's relief, but all medical aid was of no avail. He remained in an unconscious condition up to ten minutes of eleven o'clock this morning when he breathed his last. Mr. Wollenweber was fifty-one years of age, and was a native of Kusel, Bavaria. He has been a resident of Jeffersonville for four or five years, and formerly kept a saloon on market street, but latterly on Spring street. He was a quiet, inoffensive man, and had a large circle of personal friends. The physicians attribute his sudden death to softening of the brain. The funeral will take place from his late residence on Market street, between Indiana avenue and Broadway, at 2 o'clock to-morrow afternoon.”

            COMMENT: There was no mention of survivors, only about his occupation and origins. The other newspaper, Jeffersonville National Democrat had the same article text.

1878    June 25. “Tillie” Wollenweber married Fred H. Davey in Clark County, Indiana. W.H. Sheets officiated.[9]

A couple of newspapers gave the account: “Mr. Fred Davey returned from Ohio Saturday, and will be married to a well-known young lady of this city this evening.”[10]

Another stated “Fred H. Davey and Miss Tilla Wollenweber were married at the residence of the bride’s mother, on Third street, near Illinois avenue, at 8 o’clock last evening, Rev. Dr. Sheets officiating. Mr. Davey is a young man well and favorably known here, having been an employee of the J.M. & I. shops for a number of years, and is now traveling agent for Dr. Hawkins’ patent medicines. Miss Wollenweber is a well-known young lady, greatly admired for her many virtues. The bridal party leaves to-morrow for Michigan, where they probably will locate.”[11]

One last article: “Married, June 25, at the residence of the bride's mother, on Prison Hill, by the Rev. Dr. Wm. H. Sheets, Mr. Fred Davey to Miss Tillie Wollenweber.”[12]

            COMMENT: They received the license on 25 June. Sheets recorded they were married on 28 June. The newspaper reporting the marriage the previous evening was published on June 26. The paper that said Fred would be married this evening was published on June 25. Although the marriage record is an original record, the marriage date being recorded by the person who performed the marriage, it appears that he mis-remembered the actual date of June 25. Perhaps he recorded it on June 28 and provided the current date instead. The handwriting is uniform and likely the clerk’s handwriting. The last article was titled “More Trouble.” I wonder what or who that referred to?

1878    November 27. Son, Fred James Davey, was born, perhaps in Louisville. There is conflict on the birth date. The Illinois death certificate gives his birth date as 27 November 1877, location unknown. His parents were also unknown. The informant was his daughter, Dorothy Davey.[13] The year 1878 is supported by the World War I Draft Registration card[14] and the Davey Family Bible.[15]

COMMENT: It is unlikely he was born before his parents’ marriage.

1880    April 18. Daughter, Matilda Pearl “Tillie” Davey, born in Louisville. Her birthdate also has a conflict. One obituary stated she was born on 8 April 1880 in Louisville,[16] while another stated the 18th.[17] Her tombstone gives the date of 18 April 1880.[18] The death certificate stated 18 April 1880, with her husband J.N. Gorrell as informant.[19]

COMMENT: J.N. Gorrell was likely the same informant for the obituary and the tombstone. One of the newspapers must have gotten the date wrong.

1880    June 16. Matilda and Fred were enumerated with two children, Fred, 1, and Mary R, one month old, in the household of her mother, Philapina Wollenweber, and sisters, Rickie, 16, and Julia, 12, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. They lived at 68 Third Street. Fred worked as a cabinet maker.[20]

            COMMENT: Matilda and Fred have two children by now, Fred, who was born in November 1878, and Matilda “Tillie” who was enumerated as Mary, born in April 1880.

1880    The city directory for Louisville had Frederick H. Davey, a machinist, residing at 464 Kentucky, near 12th.[21]   

            COMMENT: This 1880 city directory was likely canvassed in 1879 and was good through 1880. They may have lived in Louisville before moving in with Philapena. Perhaps, Matilda wanted to have help with the newborn.

1881    He was at the same address in the 1881 Louisville directory.[22]

COMMENT: It is possible that they lived there after being enumerated with Matilda’s mother.

1882    March 17. Son, William Edward Davey was born in Carthage, Jasper Co, Missouri.

            He stated on his registration he was born 17 March 1883 in Carthage, Missouri.[23] He was listed as being born March 1882 in the 1900 census. He was living with a step-mother.[24] His obituary stated he was born 17 March 1882 in Carthage, Missouri.[25]

            COMMENT: There is conflict and more research is needed to resolve the year of birth. It is unlikely that he was born in 1883 if his younger brother was born in that year.

1883    December 18. Son, Leon Thomas Davey was born in Carthage.

            He stated on the WWI draft card that he was born on 18 December 1883.[26] He gave the same date on the WWII draft card.[27] His obituary gave the same date. His widow, Fronia B. Davey, likely gave the information.[28]

            COMMENT: His birth information is consistent throughout his records, except the 1900 census, where he was living with William Love. There he was born May 1885.[29] William Love was not family and may have not known how old he was or his birthdate.

1885    October 29. “Mrs. Fred Davey is very low with typhoid fever.”[30]

1885    November 1. Matilda Davey died of malarial fever. The notice in the paper stated:

“Mrs. Fred Davey, of Carthage, Mo, died in that city Sunday morning of malarial fever. Mrs. Davey was formerly Miss Tillie Woolenweber, daughter of the late Louis Woolenweber, of this city. She was married to Fred Davey in this city nine years ago. She leaves a family of four little children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davey are well-known in this city. Mr. Davey is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Davey. Mrs. Woolenweber left yesterday to attend the funeral. She will remain with the children during the winter.”[31]

            In the Carthage paper, “The many friends of the family were pained to learn yesterday of the death of Mrs. Tillie Davey, wife of F. H. Davey of this city. She died at 9 o’clock yesterday morning, in her 36th year, and leaves a husband and four children. Although Mrs. Davey had been sick for some time, it was not realized that her condition was critical. Her sister from Louisville, Ky., arrived on a visit but a few hours previous to her death, not knowing, however, of her dangerous illness.”[32]

            She was buried on 1 Nov 1885 at Park Cemetery in Carthage, in Block 8, Lot 24, in southwest corner (6). The lot card stated she was 26 years old.[33]

            COMMENT: The lot card has her correct age, while the Carthage newspaper is incorrect. She was 26 years old. I visited the cemetery and there is no grave maker for her plot. Of the ten plots, she is the only one buried there.

Her plot is about where the X is.

Summary
Matilda did not have a long life. She left very young children who had to endure their father’s drinking and job changing. He married two more times and the children were sent off to live with relatives, friends, or even to an orphanage. These stories have been hard to document.

Next time will focus on her father.

---

[1] St. Paul's German Evangelical Church (UCC) (Louisville, KY), Baptisms, v. 4 1857-1862, no. 974, p 309, Matilda Wollenweber, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XJ-5PCV : accessed 30 Mar 2026); IGN 007579814, image 170 of 969.

[2] “St. Paul’s Evangelical German Church,” Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_German_Evangelical_Church : accessed 30 Mar 2026).

[3] “St. Paul’s Evangelical Church (United Church of Christ),” p. 11, 1961 booklet depicting the history of the church on their 125th anniversary; imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XJ-YHTY : accessed 30 Mar 2026); IGN 007579815, image 531 of 995.

[4] “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/ : accessed 30 Mar 2026) > Kentucky > Louisville > 1861 > Louisville, Kentucky, City Directory, 1861 > image 213 of 239, p. 267, Louis W. Wollenweber; citing Tanner’s Louisville Directory and Business Advertiser for 1861 (Louisville: Henry Tanner, 1861).

[5] “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/ : accessed 30 Mar 2026) > Kentucky > Louisville > 1861 > Louisville, Kentucky, City Directory, 1861 > image 175 of 239, p. 334, German Evangelical; citing Tanner’s Louisville Directory and Business Advertiser for 1861 (Louisville: Henry Tanner, 1861).

[6] 1860 U.S. census, Jefferson Co, Kentucky, 2nd Ward Louisville, p 367-68 (penned), dwelling 1970, fam 3256, L.W. Wollenweber household.

[7] 1870 U.S. census, Clark Co, Indiana, 3rd Ward Jeffersonville, p. 464 (stamped), dwelling 48, family 46, L.W. Woolenweber.

[8] "Sudden Death of a Well-Known Citizen," Jeffersonville (Indiana) Evening-News, 16 May 1873, p. 3, col. 1.

[9] Clark County, Indiana, marriages, v. K, p 372, Fred H Davey to Tillie Wollenweber, 1878, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6GL2-C6 : accessed 30 Mar 2026); IGN 004476507, item 3, image 217 of 356.

[10] “Jeffersonville,” Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky), 25 June 1878, p. 4.

[11] Louisville Evening Post, 26 Jun 1878, p. 3, col. 6.

[12] "More Trouble," Jeffersonville (Indiana) Daily News, 26 Jun 1878, p. 1.

[13] State of Illinois, Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, Chicago, Cook Co, no. 27453, Fred J. Davey; imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89K5-8NP5 : accessed 1 Apr 2026), IGN 004005417, image 2685 of 2743.

[14] "U.S., WW I Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918," imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482) > Missouri > Springfield City > All > Draft Card D > image 40 of 402 > Fred James Davey, serial no. 180, order no. 3822; citing US Selective Service System, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, NARA, Washington, D.C. 

[15] Thomas Davey Family Bible, (Cincinnati: Moore, Wilstch, Keyes & Company, 1859); original owned by Thomas Davey (1807-1886), transcription done by Mary Davey Korn, granddaughter of Thomas Davey.

[16] “Mrs. Matilda Gorrell,” Joplin Globe, 5 Feb 1958, p. 9, col. 6.

[17] “Mrs. J. N. Gorrell of Webb City Passes,” Carthage Evening Press, 4 Feb 1958, p 5, col 2.

[18] Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper Co, Missouri, section 12, Matilda D. Gorrell, photo taken by Lisa S. Gorrell, July 1998.

[19] “Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1969,” imaged, Missouri Digital Heritage (http://www.sos.mo.gov), state file no. 1696, 1958, Tillie D. Gorrell.

[20] 1880 U.S. census, Clark Co, Indiana, Jeffersonville, ED 26, p. 51, dwelling 466, family 506, Philopine Wollenweber.

[21] Caron's Directory of the City of Louisville, Caron Directory Co., 1880, p. 199, Frederick H Davey; citing "U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/ : accessed 2 Apr 2026), image 108 of 452.

[22] Caron's Directory of the City of Louisville, Caron Directory Co., 1881, p. 210, Frederick H Davey; citing "U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995,” digital images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/ : accessed 2 Apr 2026), image 105 of 482.

[23] “U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942,” imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1002/ : accessed 2 Apr 2026) > Kansas > ALL > Darnall, Ellisworth-Davis, Lloyd > image 430 of 2058, Edward William Davey, ser. no. 1926; citing World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Kansas; Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group, NARA, St. Louis, Mo. 

[24] 1900 U.S. census, Jasper Co, Missouri, Joplin Ward 4, ED 40, p. 279b, dwelling 264, family 425, Anna Davey household.

[25] “Edd W. Davey Dies At El Dorado Home,” The Wichita (Kansas) Eagle, 11 Aug 1953, p. 3, col. 4.

[26] “U.S., WW I Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918," imaged, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482 : accessed 3 Apr 2026) > Missouri > St Louis City > 06 > Draft Card D > image 47 of 342, Leon Thomas Davey, serial no, 4854, order no. 3949, St. Louis local board no. 6; citing US Selective Service System, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, NARA, Washington, D.C.

[27] “U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942,” imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1002/ : accessed 2 Apr 2026) > Missouri > ALL > Darby, Merritt-Daviews, Ottis > image 1330 of 2032, Leon Thomas Davey, serial no. 3151; citing World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Kansas; Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group, NARA, St. Louis, Mo.

[28] “Leon Thomas Davey Died Here Saturday,” Gazette Telegraph (Colorado Springs), 14 Nov 1965, p. 8a, col. 9.

[29] 1900 U.S. census, Newton Co, Missouri, Marion twp, ED 107, sht 15b, dwelling 309, family 310, William Love household.

[30] The Carthage (Missouri) Press, 29 Oct 1885, p. 3, col. 1.

[31] Jeffersonville (Indiana) Evening News, 4 Nov 1885, p. 4, col. 3.

[32] Carthage (Missouri) Banner, 5 Nov 1885, p. 3, col. 2.

[33] Park Cemetery, Carthage, Jasper Co, Missouri, lot card for Matilda Davey, 1 Nov 1885. 

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