Joseph Rudolph Siefker was born at Pye, Osnabrück, Niedersachsen, Germany, on 1 December 1811. He was the son of Joseph Rudolf Siefker and Catherine Elizabeth Sanders. Joseph Rudolph Siefker was baptized on 3 December 1811 at St. Alexander, Wallenhorst, Osnabrück, Niedersachsen, Germany. Godparents - Joseph Becker and Catharina Maria Drees.

He served in the military at Wallenhorst, Osnabrück, Niedersachsen, Germany, circa 1833. Soldier in Linien Batallion, 1 Company. Joseph deserted from the army and came to the US without a passport. He emigrated on 28 July 1834 from Pye, Osnabrück, Niedersachsen, Germany. German Emigration lists "Joseph, 23, occupation = soldier. Funds = 40 reichstaler"..1 He was on the passenger list of the Ship Orient to New York from Bremen, Germany on 2 October 1834.

He married Franciska Feldhake, daughter of Johan Bernard Feldhake and Anna Adelheid Sall, at Canton, Stark, Ohio, USA, on 4 September 1837.

Joseph is the head of a family on the 1840 Census at Perry Township, Stark, Ohio, USA. Joseph Siefker, 20-30 is listed with one female 20-30 and two male children under 5 years of age.

On 10 October 1840 at Liberty Township, Putnam, Ohio, USA, he bought land in Section 33 from the US government.

On 10 November 1844 at Ottawa Township, Putnam, Ohio, USA, Joseph Rudolph Siefker was deeded 80 acres in section 16 by land patent from the US government.

Joseph is the head of a family on the 24 August 1850 Census at Ottawa Township, Putnam, Ohio, USA. Joseph 39 and Francisca 31 with their children: Henry 12, Anthony 8, Joseph 6, and Joseph's brother Bernard Siefker, 31. Occupation = farmer; value of real estate = $1000.

Joseph is the head of a family on the 16 June 1860 Census at Ottawa Township, Putnam, Ohio, USA. 1860 Census: Joseph 49 and his wife, Francisca 43 are living with their children: Henry 21, Anthony 18, Joseph 14, Anna 9, Elizabeth 4, John 6. Occupation = farmer. Value of real estate = $3000. Value of personal property = $600. Joseph and Francisca give their birthplace as "Hanover."

Joseph died on 10 June 1863 at Ottawa Township, Putnam, Ohio, USA, at age 51. He was buried on 12 June 1863 at St. John's Cemetery at Glandorf, Putnam, Ohio, USA.10

Children of Joseph Rudolph Siefker and Franciska Feldhake

* Henry Siefker+ b. 24 Sep 1838, d. 11 Jun 1904
* Unknown Siefker b. 1839, d. 1841
* Anthony Siefker+ b. 11 Oct 1842, d. 14 May 1894
* Joseph Siefker+ b. 3 Oct 1844, d. 14 May 1929
* Catherine Siefker b. 10 Feb 1847, d. b 1850
* Maria Siefker b. 6 May 1849, d. 20 Jul 1849
* Anna Siefker+ b. 24 Jun 1850, d. 27 Jun 1908
* John Siefker+ b. 8 Jan 1853, d. 14 Feb 1929
* Elizabeth Siefker+ b. 25 Sep 1856, d. 27 Oct 1918
* Lena Siefker+ b. 17 Aug 1860, d. 10 Jul 1925