Anna Marie (nee Ziegler) Grundmann was born July 19, 1847 in Wurtenburg, Germany. The story goes that her parents died (possibly of smallpox) and she came to America around 1867. Johann Heinrich (Henry) Grundmann was born August 25, 1842 in Oldenburg, Germany. The story has been told that he argued with his family, and at some point was a stowaway on a ship coming to America, was caught, and had to work on the docks to pay for his passage. He supposedly arrived sometime in 1867. Heinrich and Anna met at some point, possibly New York, or possibly on their way out west. It is not known how or where they met, but they were married in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 13, 1869 by F.M. Raschig at St. Matthaeus German Evangelical Reformed Church in Cincinnati. This church was located on Elm street between 12 & 13. The actual marriage license was destroyed in a fire when rioters burned down the courthouse in Cincinnati. There are records that they lived in Worden/Hamel, Illinois in 1870. Their first born son, Conrad Carl Heinrich, was born January 23, 1872 and died 5 days later. Their eldest daughter was supposedly born in Illinois Sept 25, 1873, although no records have been found to support this. They had 2 more children in Illinois, Heinrich (1875) and Frederick (born and died in 1877). They then travelled on to or through Crete, Nebraska, where their daughter, Marguritte was born and died (1878). On they went to Leadville, Colorado, where Meta was born in 1880. They came back to the Nebraska area and settled in the Friedensau area where the rest of their children were born: Elise (1882), Wilhelm (1884), Sophie (1886), Clara (1887), and Johannes (1890). Anna passed away in 1903 and Heinrich followed in 1919.

The Deshler Chronicle (Nebraska)
Friday - August 21, 1903
Death
Mrs. Henry Gruntmann (sic) died at her home, northeast of town, on Wednesday afternoon and was buried on Thursday afternoon, the funeral being held at the Friedensau church. We were unable to get further particulars in time for this issue. (Note: I didn't see any further info in next issue.)