Pantaly

PANTALEON FIX
1813 - 1888

My third great grandfather, Pantaleon Fix, was born in 1813 in Biberach, Offenburg, Baden in what is now the current day German state of Baden-Württemberg.

Baden-Württemberg located in southwest Germany, was formed in 1952 from the historical territories of Baden, Prussian Hohenzollern, Württemberg, and parts of Swabia. It borders France and Switzerland. The Black Forest, known for its evergreen scenery and traditional villages, lies in the mountainous state. 

Biberach is an attractive city with a long history; first mentioned as a city in 1190. By the 12th century the town won the right to hold a market and mint its own coin. For many centuries, Biberach was an Imperial Free City, which gave it a degree of independence within the Holy Roman Empire.  

City of Biberach

Biberach was known for its weaving industry; by the 15th century, a quarter of the population were involved in cloth production or trade. 

Like most towns in Germany, Biberach was badly affected in Middle Ages by religious strife, wars and disease. Biberach was notable for being a Mixed Imperial City, which granted equal rights to both Protestants and Catholics. The parish church of St Martin opened its doors to confessions for both religions.

According to his tombstone, Pantaly as he was called in his later years, was born on August 17th, 1818. This date is contradicted by German birth records. 

According to his christening record, Pantaleon Fix son of Philippi Fix and Richardis Kammerer (daughter of Georgii Kammerer), was christened on July 22^nd, 1813 in the Catholic Church in Biberach, Offenburg, Baden. Note the names are written in Latin.

Pantaleon was not an only child, an older brother Joseph was born April 11th, 1811.

Pantaleon was literate, he likely attended a small local school where he learned to read and write German. 

Was Pantaly’s father Philip a farmer, or perhaps a weaver? We will never know, but life it what is now Germany was not easy; they had to work long and hard to earn enough cash to pay the high taxes to support the armies and lives of the wealthy rulers.  At an early age, Pantaly and his brother Joseph would have helped their parents earn money how ever they could. In the 1830’s, the flax crops failed 3 years in a row due to wet cold summer weather. In 1845, the potato crop failed; people were starving. 

Marriage

In December 1843, Pantaly decided to marry. His bride was 30 year old Theresia Maria Halter  a resident of Zell Am Harmersbach. Theresia was born in Baden, Germany around 1815. She was the daughter of Josef Halter and Katharina Vollmer.

My cousin Pam Zawacky wrote from marriage records from Germany. The translator gave the marriage date of 21 Dec 1843. (see below). 

According to a transcription of  "Germany, Baden, Church Book Duplicates, 1800-1870" in Family Search, the couple were married on January 6th, 1944. (to the right).

Marriage Record for Pantaleon Fix and Theresia Halter

We have no way on knowing how the couple met, but the town of Zell am Hammerback is near Biberach. 

By December of the same year, the couple was living in Neuhausen, Germany.  Based on the witnesses of the marriage, Theresia had relative who were residents of Neuhausen. 

German Births

On December 23 1844, Theresia gave birth to a son Joseph George Fix (1844–1898) in Neuhausen, Baden-Württemberg. According to the Christening record, the son was christened in Zell on the same day. He was the legitimate son of Pantaleon Fix (a laborer) and Theresia Halter of Neuhausen.




On August 29, 1850 Theresia gave birth to a second son who was named Wilhelm Fix. The child who was born in Neuhausen was christened on the same day in Zell am Harmersbach. He was the legitimate son of Pantaleon Fix (a laborer) and Theres Halter who were residents of Zell am Harmersbach.

Immigration to the US

During the mid-1800’s, the industrial revolution came to Germany, rural life was quickly disappearing. Many people were moved into cities to learn new skills. Unemployment in Germany was rising and the cities did not always hold much hope. Millions of Germans fled to the United States. 

Pantaly, his wife Theresia and his young son Joseph were among those who emigrated.  We do not know about William; he doesn't appear on any the records for the family after their immigration.

According the records from Germany, Pantaly illegally immigrated to the United States around 1853/1854.

Although we know nothing of their journey, it would have been a dangerous and difficult trip across the Atlantic. During the high peaks of emigration there was a steady flow of traffic on the roads to the ports made up of families pushing carts loaded with their belongings. In Germany, most emigrants left from Bremerhaven or Hamburg and sought a ship there. They were often robbed or swindled when they arrived in ports.

The conditions on the sailing ships were terrible. Many people could not afford to purchase a first- or second-class ticket, and so they traveled in steerage, in the lower decks of the ship that were designed to carry cargo. Aside from being miserably overcrowded, the accommodations often lacked clean drinking water and adequate toilet and washing facilities. 

American Births

Upon arriving in the United States, the family settled in Missouri. On July 10, 1855 the family was blessed with a daughter who they named Wilhelmina Josephina Fix (1855–1937). She was called “Minnie” and would later marry George Blake in Madison County, Illinois on October 21, 1875.

On April 10, 1858 Theresia gave birth to another son who was named William Fix.  Many researchers have confused this son with the son who was born in Germany. According to my cousin Pam, William was born in Manchester, St. Louis, Missouri (a city in the St. Louis metropolitan area).

On December 28, 1858 Theresia gave birth to a second daughter was was named Maria Theresia Fix. Maria died on 22 December 22nd, 1866 in Collinsville, Illinois just before her 8th birthday.

1860 Census 

No record of the family was found in the 1860 US census, but I assume the family was still living in the current day St. Louis metropolitan area.

1866 Residence

By 1866 the family had moved a few miles east to Collinsville, Illinois (a city in the St. Louis metropolitan area).  According to an 1866 Gazetteer of Madison County Illinois, Pantelon Fix was a brewer living in Collinsville.

Immigration / Naturalization

An entry was found the in "Naturali-zation and Intentions of Madison County, Illinois: An Index 1816-1900" by Jane Shelley and Elsie M. Wasser.

In 1868 Pantala Fix filed paperwork documenting his intent to become a Naturalized citizen. His Naturalization was granted in May 1877.

The Brewery

After moving to Collinsville, Pantaly bought a brewery from H.F. Mayer.  Mayer held the mortgage and insurance on the brewery which Pantaly assumed.  

The brewery with an attached house was insured for $2200, fixtures and the cellar contents were insured for an additional $3000.  The brewery was subsequently destroyed by a fire. 

The insurance company refused to pay, stating that the fire was the result of arson.  Pantaly brought suit against the Illinois Mutual Fire Insurance.  At the trial, the insurance company offered to prove that the building was set on fire by the Pantaly. Pantaly's lawyer objected and the objection was sustained. Pantaly won the suit. 

In January 1870, Illinois Mutual Fire Insurance appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Illinois; the judgment was reversed.

1870 Census

When the 1870 census was taken, the family was living in Collinsville, Illinois. 

Pantali Fix was listed as a 60 year old farmer, born in Baden with $500 real estate and $1000 personal estate.

Children's Marriages

On February 22, 1872 Pantaly's oldest son Joseph took a bride, Marjory Jane Morriss, daughter of Arminda Jane Hamilton and Rodeville C Morriss. The couple settled near by in Troy, Illinois. Soon Pantaly had a granddaughter named Gertrude (my great grandmother) and a grandson Harry. Too soon the family was visited by sorrow as Marjory died on April 6th, 1878 of cancer. 

According to my aunt Blanche Powell Miller, "Joseph George Fix, a tall pleasant young man, who had emigrated from Germany when he was 9 years old, soon met a buxom, jolly German girl who said she loved little children." On September 12, 1878 Joseph married Minnie Wedemeyer and soon Pantaly had 3 additional Fix grandchildren.

On October 21, 1875, Pantaly's daughter "Minnie" married George Wesley Blake in Madison County. The couple settled in Collinsville, Illinois and soon provided Pantaly with five additional Blake grandchildren.

1880 Census

When the 1880 census was taken, Pantaly and Teresa were living in Collinsville on Vandalia Street. Pantaly's occupation was listed as Gardener.

Death of wife Theresa

On February 5, 1887 Pantaly's beloved wife Theresa Fix died in Collinsville, Illinois. According to the probate papers, her husband  Pantaly Fix was named administrator of her estate on Feb. 23, 1887. 

Her survivors were listed as her husband Pantaly Fix, and children, Georg Fix, Joseph Fix and Mina Blake.

The couples real estate was listed.  See below:

Death of Pantaly

I do not know exactly when Pantaly fell ill, but in late December fearing death was near, he drafted his last will and testament dated December 22, 1888. He passed away on the following day, Dec. 23, 1888 in Collinsville at the age of 75.  He was buried in St. Peter Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Collinsville, Illinois.

His probate papers state he was married at the time of his death to Barbara Fix formerly Barbara Icha.  He was survived by three children, George Fix, Joseph Fix, and Minnie Blake (Mrs. George Blake).  Nothing else is known about his second wife Barbara.  Copies of his will, list of real estate and list of assets were found in his probate file.

Will Page 1

Will Page 2

List of Real Estate

List of assets