Sophia Catharina Friederike Christiane Engel was born on January 21, 1820 in Qualitz near Butzow in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (now part of present-day Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). She was the daughter of Heinrich Engel and Sophia Schindler. Life in Mecklenburg was difficult, and the Engel family decided to emigrate to the United States in the early 1850's for the opportunity of a better life. Two of Sophia's younger brothers - Heinrich and Ferdinand - made the journey in 1851 or 1852, and then they were followed in 1854 by Sophia, her widowed mother Sophia (age 62), and 2 other brothers Johann (age 38), Christoph (age 22). All were unmarried. One other brother Friedrich (age 36), who was already married with children, remained behind in Mecklenburg. The Engels sailed from Hamburg aboard the SS Henschel, and after a long journey they arrived in New York City on August 16, 1854. They continued westward, traveling via the Erie Canal, ending their journey in Detroit, Michigan. Asiatic Cholera was raging in Detroit around the time of their arrival, but luckily the Engels were spared. Another family from Mecklenburg that traveled to Michigan at the same time (the Harnings) was not so lucky, losing 3 family members in close succession.
On February 20, 1856 Sophia married to Carl Rerkowky (perhaps Beckowsky?, the handwriting on the marriage record leaves a lot to be desired) in Detroit. Nothing further is known about their marriage, and it is unlikely that there were any children. On November 21, 1872 Sophia married again to Joachim Behrns ("John Behrens" is the name on the marriage record) in Springwells Township, which was located in what is now southwestern Detroit. Her brothers Heinrich and Christoph were the witnesses. The record says that Joachim was a resident of Warren, Michigan.
The 1880 census shows Sophia and Joachim Behrns living in Warren Township, along with Joachim's son Heinrich and daughter-in-law Bertha. After Joachim died in 1888, Sophia moved back to Springwells - where her brother Christoph had a farm. Christoph Engel's 1890 "Family History" book referenced his sister Sophia as the "widow of J. Behrens".
Sophia died in Springwells on April 1, 1891. According to Woodmere Cemetery records, she was temporarily interred in a vault there on April 3, until she could be transferred for final burial alongside her late husband (in Warren Union Cemetery).
Sophia's last will and testament shows that her heirs were "Bertha Behrns (wife of Heinrich)", and Bertha's 2 daughters Agnes and Emma Behrns. Strangely, Heinrich Behrns (who was still living) was not listed as an heir. Sophia's brother Christoph Engel was also mentioned in the documents, but did not inherit any property.
On February 20, 1856 Sophia married to Carl Rerkowky (perhaps Beckowsky?, the handwriting on the marriage record leaves a lot to be desired) in Detroit. Nothing further is known about their marriage, and it is unlikely that there were any children. On November 21, 1872 Sophia married again to Joachim Behrns ("John Behrens" is the name on the marriage record) in Springwells Township, which was located in what is now southwestern Detroit. Her brothers Heinrich and Christoph were the witnesses. The record says that Joachim was a resident of Warren, Michigan.
The 1880 census shows Sophia and Joachim Behrns living in Warren Township, along with Joachim's son Heinrich and daughter-in-law Bertha. After Joachim died in 1888, Sophia moved back to Springwells - where her brother Christoph had a farm. Christoph Engel's 1890 "Family History" book referenced his sister Sophia as the "widow of J. Behrens".
Sophia died in Springwells on April 1, 1891. According to Woodmere Cemetery records, she was temporarily interred in a vault there on April 3, until she could be transferred for final burial alongside her late husband (in Warren Union Cemetery).
Sophia's last will and testament shows that her heirs were "Bertha Behrns (wife of Heinrich)", and Bertha's 2 daughters Agnes and Emma Behrns. Strangely, Heinrich Behrns (who was still living) was not listed as an heir. Sophia's brother Christoph Engel was also mentioned in the documents, but did not inherit any property.
Sophia Catharina Friederike Christiane Engel was born on January 21, 1820 in Qualitz near Butzow in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (now part of present-day Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany). She was the daughter of Heinrich Engel and Sophia Schindler. Life in Mecklenburg was difficult, and the Engel family decided to emigrate to the United States in the early 1850's for the opportunity of a better life. Two of Sophia's younger brothers - Heinrich and Ferdinand - made the journey in 1851 or 1852, and then they were followed in 1854 by Sophia, her widowed mother Sophia (age 62), and 2 other brothers Johann (age 38), Christoph (age 22). All were unmarried. One other brother Friedrich (age 36), who was already married with children, remained behind in Mecklenburg. The Engels sailed from Hamburg aboard the SS Henschel, and after a long journey they arrived in New York City on August 16, 1854. They continued westward, traveling via the Erie Canal, ending their journey in Detroit, Michigan. Asiatic Cholera was raging in Detroit around the time of their arrival, but luckily the Engels were spared. Another family from Mecklenburg that traveled to Michigan at the same time (the Harnings) was not so lucky, losing 3 family members in close succession.
On February 20, 1856 Sophia married to Carl Rerkowky (perhaps Beckowsky?, the handwriting on the marriage record leaves a lot to be desired) in Detroit. Nothing further is known about their marriage, and it is unlikely that there were any children. On November 21, 1872 Sophia married again to Joachim Behrns ("John Behrens" is the name on the marriage record) in Springwells Township, which was located in what is now southwestern Detroit. Her brothers Heinrich and Christoph were the witnesses. The record says that Joachim was a resident of Warren, Michigan.
The 1880 census shows Sophia and Joachim Behrns living in Warren Township, along with Joachim's son Heinrich and daughter-in-law Bertha. After Joachim died in 1888, Sophia moved back to Springwells - where her brother Christoph had a farm. Christoph Engel's 1890 "Family History" book referenced his sister Sophia as the "widow of J. Behrens".
Sophia died in Springwells on April 1, 1891. According to Woodmere Cemetery records, she was temporarily interred in a vault there on April 3, until she could be transferred for final burial alongside her late husband (in Warren Union Cemetery).
Sophia's last will and testament shows that her heirs were "Bertha Behrns (wife of Heinrich)", and Bertha's 2 daughters Agnes and Emma Behrns. Strangely, Heinrich Behrns (who was still living) was not listed as an heir. Sophia's brother Christoph Engel was also mentioned in the documents, but did not inherit any property.
On February 20, 1856 Sophia married to Carl Rerkowky (perhaps Beckowsky?, the handwriting on the marriage record leaves a lot to be desired) in Detroit. Nothing further is known about their marriage, and it is unlikely that there were any children. On November 21, 1872 Sophia married again to Joachim Behrns ("John Behrens" is the name on the marriage record) in Springwells Township, which was located in what is now southwestern Detroit. Her brothers Heinrich and Christoph were the witnesses. The record says that Joachim was a resident of Warren, Michigan.
The 1880 census shows Sophia and Joachim Behrns living in Warren Township, along with Joachim's son Heinrich and daughter-in-law Bertha. After Joachim died in 1888, Sophia moved back to Springwells - where her brother Christoph had a farm. Christoph Engel's 1890 "Family History" book referenced his sister Sophia as the "widow of J. Behrens".
Sophia died in Springwells on April 1, 1891. According to Woodmere Cemetery records, she was temporarily interred in a vault there on April 3, until she could be transferred for final burial alongside her late husband (in Warren Union Cemetery).
Sophia's last will and testament shows that her heirs were "Bertha Behrns (wife of Heinrich)", and Bertha's 2 daughters Agnes and Emma Behrns. Strangely, Heinrich Behrns (who was still living) was not listed as an heir. Sophia's brother Christoph Engel was also mentioned in the documents, but did not inherit any property.
