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HISTORY






Christain Meurer Obituary
 (from the Nicollet Leader, May 21, 1904)

Last Saturday, at his home in Belgrade township,
occurred the death of Christ Meurer, an old pioneer
of this county, at the age of 78 years. Cause of death
was old age. Deceased leaves, besides his wife, three
sons and six daughters to mourn the loss of a loving husband
and father. The funeral took place from the Catholic church
in Belgrade Tuesday forenoon. Rest in peace.






THE MICHAEL ANDRING FAMILY HISTORY
(Michael Andring was married to Mary Keltgen,
daughter of John and Mary (Margaret) Keltgen,
who were the grandparents of Margaretha Keltgen,
wife of Joseph P. Meurer, a son of Christain and
Katherina Meurer.)


The history of the Andring family in America begins with the first recorded record we have been able to locate. According to the records in the St. Peter, Minnesota courthouse, Michael Andring was born in Luxembourg in December, 1829. (Luxembourg is a small nuetral country located between France, Germany, and Belgium.) Michael Andring's father's name is listed as Nicholas Andring, but there is no mention of his mother's name.
Mary Keltgen was born to John and Mary (sometimes referred to as Maggie) Keltgen on August 15, 1836. The Keltgen family originated in a small area of Belgium called Begian Luxembourg, which is next to the country of Luxembourg itself. She was one of seven children: Charles, Peter, Mary, Anna, A. Marie (also known as Margaret), Elizabeth, and Nicholas. She will become the wife of Michael Andring.
According to naturalization papers found in the Courthouse in St. Peter, Minnesota, Michael Andring declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States in a paper filed in the Territory of Minnesota, Nicollet County, 3rd District Court. This declaration contained information stating that he emigrated to the United States on or about the 15th of May, 1855 from Luxembourg. (He probably docked at Baltimore, Maryland, and followed the rivers to come to Minnesota.) He would have been approximately 26 years old. He settled first at Traverse de Souix, an Indian mission in Belgrade Township. Michael Andring is recorded as one of the first settlers in Belgrade Township. (This is now the area of the town of Nicollet, Minnesota.)
Naturalization papers for John Keltgen show he arrived in March, 1856, although some refrences indicate that they (Michael Andring and John Keltgen) came to this country together. (Another source indicates that Michael Andring may have come first to Wisconsin.) Naturalization papers were found only for the men, although John Keltgen was accompanied by his wife Mary and the children. (One of the children was their daughter Mary who would have been about 20 years old at the time.) It was indicated that Michael Andring could both read and write; John Keltgen could not.
October 1857 census records of Nicollet County, Belgrade Township, list John Keltgen and family. No record was found for Michael Andring on this list.
July 6, 1860 census report lists the John Keltgen family's property as "real estate = 2000 (dollars?)" and "personal estate value = 400 (dollars?). The census also lists a Michael Andrigg (name is believed misspelled on the census report) living with the Keltgen family. His real estate is valued a 100 (dollars?) and his personal estate at 50 (dollars?). His occupation is listed as "farm laborer" as are the sons of John Keltgen. Since he is listed with the Keltgen family, it seems likely that he lived with the Keltgen family until he was able to build his own house. Records show that he later purchased 80 acres of land in Belgrade Township and built a log house on that property. His first recorded crops were beans and wheat.
Michael Andring and Mary Keltgen were married in 1861. (A newspaper article at the time of Mary Keltgen's death indicates they were married in 1858, but this is believed to be an error.) The exact date of their marriage is not known at this time. Michael Andring is listed as a member of the board of directors for the Nicollet County Agricultural Society, according to a Nicollet County History Book (archived in the Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota).
Michael and Mary Andring's first son, John was born in 1862. This was also the year of the Great Sioux Uprising which prompted Michael Andring to move his family to the town of St. Peter, Minnesota for safety. It is believed that Michael fought in this conflict at New Ulm.
The 1865 census report lists the Michael Andring family as consisting of Michael, Mary (wife) John (born 1862), Nicholas (born 1862), and Eliza. (Elizabeth) (born 1863). The John Keltgen family is also listed in this census report.
Michael and Mary Andring's fourth child, Henry, was born Sepetmber 23, 1866. He was baptized on October 29, 1866 in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Belgrade Township according to church records. His sponsors were Henricus Hames and Margaret Keltgen, his mother's sister.
The July, 1870 census report lists Michael, Mary, John Nicholas, Lizzie (Elizabeth), Henry and Peter Andring as residents of Nicollet County. The John Keltgen family is also listed.
An 1870 list of agriculural products of Belgrade, Nicollet County indicates which crops were grown by Michael Andring, John Keltgen, and Charles Keltgen (son of John Keltgen and brother-in-law of Michael Andring). The list shows Michael Andring having 40 acres of land unimproved, 18 acres of weedland, and 40 acres other unimproved. Some of his crops are listed as spring wheat, Indian corn, oats, peas and beans, potatoes, hay and forest products. The total estimated value of his crops was 695 (dollars?).
On June 17, 1872 Peter Andring (age 4) died. He is the first member of the Andring family to be buried in St. Michael's Cemetery in Belgrade Township of Nicollet Couty, Minnesota.
The May 1875 census report lists Michael (age 46), Mary, John, Nich (Nicholas), Eliza (Elizabeth), Henry, Irnis (Ernest), and Emma Andring. John Keltgen (age 73) and wife Maggie (Mary) Keltgen (age 68) are also listed in this census report.