Sophia (Sophie) Maria Friederike Ross (German: "Roß") was born in Selow, Mecklenburg, Germany, the daughter of Friedrich Schroeder and Catharina Maria Dorothea Ross (Roß). She married Christoph Heidenreich on 24 Oct 1874 at Schwaan, Mecklenburg, Germany. She and her husband, with their oldest living child, immigrated to the U.S. in October 1882 and settled in Greenville Township, Bureau County, Illinois. Sophie and Chris had seven children, three of whom died in infancy.

Sophie's parents apparently never married and, therefore, she was given the surname of her mother, according to German custom or law. Her parents also had a son, Johann Peter Heinrich Martin Ross, he too given his mother's surname.

The Walnut Leader,

Walnut, Illinois

May 14, 1926

Mrs. C. Heidenreich Called in Death

Mrs. Chris. Heidenreich, who had been critically ill at her home in Walnut for many weeks, passed away on Monday, May 10, 1926.

Sophia Ross was born in Swan, Germany, August 28, 1849, and at the time of her passing was 76 years, 8 months and 12 days of age.

On October 24, 1874, she was united in marriage to Chris. Heidenreich. To this union were born seven children, Mrs. Fred Raabe and Mrs. Harry Krebs of Manlius, Mrs. Frank Rettke and Mr. Albert Heidenreich of Walnut. Three children died in infancy.

In the year 1882 the deceased with her husband came to America, the land of their dreams, and settled in Greenville Township, Bureau County, Ill. Here they lived until eight years ago, when they moved to Walnut.

The deceased was confirmed in the Lutheran church and on coming to America, took membership with the German Lutheran church at Manlius.

She was a kind and loving mother, and a devoted wife. She leaves to mourn her loss, aside from her children and husband, fourteen grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.

"The dear mother eyes are closed

The loving hands at rest

And folded or so still

Across her peaceful breast

Where sickness cannot enter

Where death shall never come

There she will wait to greet us

When God shall call us home."

Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday afternoon at the Walnut Christian church by the pastor, Rev. H. B. Wheaton. Mrs. J. A. Fisher and Mrs. W. P. Frederick sang beautifully songs of comfort and burial was made in the Walnut cemetery.

Sophia Maria Friedericke Ross - Birth / Baptism

in the Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1971

Name: Sophia Maria Friedericke Ross

Maiden Name: Schroeder

Gender: weiblich (Female)

Event Type: Taufe (Baptism)

Birth Date: 28 Apr 1849

Baptism Date: 29 Apr 1849

Baptism Place: Neukirchen, Mecklenburg, Deutschland (Germany)

Father: Friedrich Schroeder

Mother: Catharina Maria Dorothea Ross

Legitimacy: Unehelich [illegitimate]

Parish as it Appears: Neuenkirchen

City or District: Bützow u Neukirchen

Page Number: 62;63

Author: Evangelische Kirche Neukirchen (AG. Bützow)

Film Number: 69387