The Hamburg Family Story

(researched and written by Harley Ottmar)

Dedication
In memory of our relatives who cut their family ties and left their homes in Eastern Germany
to immigrate to Russia, then on to America as pioneering Americans.

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This Hamburg (Homburg) Family Story is about Wentel Hamburg's ancestors, brothers, sisters and their families and descendants. The spelling of names may have changed when checking in at Ellis Island since immigrants spoke little or no English and the registration staff did the best they could to determine how names should be spelled. Changes to the spelling of names at the time of registration at Ellis Island would remain with the families as their legal names.

As one of the grandchildren of Wentel and Anna Katherine (spelling on naturalization certificate) Hamburg, I am compelled to write this family story about what I know of my grandparents' history, ancestors and their descendants. This story is intended to be a snapshot of the past 250 years of Hamburg history to the best of my knowledge.

This family history has been collected from various sources presumed to be correct. The Hamburg family story is as accurate as I can recall with information as told by various family members. A reliable source of family information and history is in a letter dated 13 January 1997 to this author by J. George Homburg. More about George Homburg later on this website.

This history is written for future generations that they may have some idea of whom their ancestors were and where they originated. Gathering this family information is a small way of showing my appreciation for what my grandparents and their ancestors sacrificed so that their descendants’ lives could be improved. We as descendants should be reminded of the hardships our ancestors went through for a better life for themselves, their families and future generations.

One can only imagine the courage, sacrifice and foresight it took to leave their families, their homes, occupations and their businesses for a foreign land that they knew little about. Since communication at that time was very limited, it was through relatives and friends who made the journey to America earlier that our relatives learned about this new land and decided that a better life was possible. It was the promise of religious freedom, no compulsory military service, land ownership and the opportunity for a better life that finally persuaded our ancestors to come to America.

From the earliest information available, the Hamburg ancestry dates back to the eighteenth century when the Hamburg family left Saxony, Germany, to immigrate to the district of Walter, Russia, which is about fifty miles southwest of Saratov, Russia. More about the Hamburg family genealogy later in this story.

It has been reported the Hamburg’s were primarily grain, grape and wine producers in the southeastern part of present-day Germany. These occupations the Hamburg families took with them to develop new land granted to them by Catherine The Great of Russia.

The Hamburg families originated in what is now the Free State of Saxony, Germany, with a brief history of this area is contained in pages immediately following this section of family history.

Why did thousands of German families emigrate in such large numbers to a neighboring country? From what we know of documented history and stories handed down from generation to generation, the incentives to migrate came from Catherine the Great of Russia in her Manifesto of 22 July 1763. Catherine the Great invited industrious Germans and their families to settle the fertile lands of the Black Sea region of South Russia.

Catherine the Great was a princess of German birth. She married Peter IV of Russia since royal intermarriage of the two imperial houses of Germany and Russia were common in that era. Catherine the Great was well aware of the many talents the German people had to help develop large regions of Russia. Russia was in need of land development to help bolster a badly lagging economy in the mid-eighteenth century. These under developed areas in Russia were still wilderness and totally primitive.

Thousands of Germans accepted Catherine the Great's invitation to settle the undeveloped area. Although the Manifesto was signed in 1763, it wasn't until the mid-eighteenth century that recruiting of immigrants got underway. Since the Hamburg families apparently immigrated prior to 1763, they seemed to take an early advantage of the Russian Manifest to settle this new land.

During this period of recruiting the Russian Government was making extensive preparations for the reception and settlement of the invited immigrants. The Tzar of Russia and his Minister of Interior, Count Kotchubey, took a personal interest in settling the immigrants. Instructions were issued to governors of the region and other crown officials in South Russia regarding the reception that was to be accorded the German immigrants in financial support, the areas in which they were to be settled and other pertinent details.

Duc de Richelien was given the task of buying up suitable agricultural land in the given areas in the Odessa region of Russia. The Governor of Taurida was instructed to find land in the Crimea for the experienced wine growers among the immigrants. Kontenius was to supervise the subdivision of the land, the distribution of support money and the acquisition of livestock and farm implements.

By 1803 many facilities for the foreign settlers were far from ready when more than 200 families well over 1000 people arrived in the Odessa area. Many of these German settlers came to the Black Sea region from southeastern and southwestern parts of Germany where the Napoleonic Wars had a severe impact on the population. Germans were required to house and feed French soldiers, furnish young men for the French Army and there were heavy taxes and financial support to be given the French Troops.

One can only imagine the journey from various parts of Germany to Russia in those days as an ordeal to test the strongest. A map of the various routes used from Germany and other parts of Europe to Russia are shown following this page. The routes taken varied according to the area of origin. The hardship of the journey to the new land was beyond the endurance of many. The journey by boat and wagon and often on foot took from two to five months and often wintering along the way.

Upon arriving at the border, the immigrants had to face a quarantine period where they lived in primitive barracks for weeks or months before their settlement site was ready. The mortality rate reached shocking proportions. Many families were devastated and few families reached the settlement sites intact. Hardships the Germans endured did not deter them from seeking a better life in the new land. Despite the many hardships of the early years of crop failures, sickness and the mortality rate among children, the Germans were relatively happy in their adopted land. During the first years the settlers were well treated by the Russian Government.

German families were extremely large and living space in the colonies became scarce. Since the Germans were thrifty and were able to buy land all over the countryside from Russian Nobles. Soon the Russians became jealous and pressure was brought to bear on the settlers to relinquish their land holdings and privileges. Eventually the Russian Government complied with the wishes of the Russian people and in the spring of 1871 the colonists were informed by the Ukase of the Imperial Government that the privileges afforded the Germans by Catherine the Great's Manifesto were abrogated with the exception of religious freedom. The colonists were astonished at what had happened. Now they were required to abandon their culture and language, deliver their sons to the Russian Army, as Wentel Hamburg was conscripted into the Army, and to become Russians. They realized that eventually they would also have to surrender their religious freedom.

Wentel Hamburg was conscripted into the Russian Army late in the nineteenth century to serve in the Russian-Japanese War. My grandfather told me after being released from the military that he and his family would go to America as soon as arrangements could be made.

As the story has been told from family members, sometime prior to 1763 and 1790, during the reign of Catherine the Great, the Hamburg family immigrated from Germany to Walter, Russia.

Typical migration route map for journey from Germany to Russia.

The first German Hamburg ancestor's name that could be recalled was Conrad (German spelling Konrad) Hamburg spelling with an ‘A’ according to George Homburg grandson of Conrad Hamburg. Conrad Hamburg was born about 1845 in South Russia. Conrad Hamburg married Miss Marker and together they had six children. Conrad Hamburg farmed in Russia on land he apparently inherited from his father whose given name is unknown and evidently immigrated to Russia at an earlier date.

From what Wentel Hamburg recalled, children usually started school when they were seven years old and attended school until they were fifteen except for the time that they were needed to work on the farm. Attending the Lutheran school the text books were the Bible, Catechism and the Church Hymnal and very little was taught in writing, arithmetic and other subjects.

Conrad Hamburg's wife Anna Elisabeth Marker, mother of their six children, died at an early age about 45. Conrad then married a widow named Mrs. Hein with children and we do not have any information about this extended family. It is believed that Conrad died at the age of 72 in Russia.

It is interesting to note at that time in history, ancestry recordings traditionally listed a first born sons given name was taken from the father with little variation except for a middle initial or middle name which, however in this Hamburg family the first sons name Conrad was not used. Christian names were hereditary surnames first used in Germany in the twelfth century. It was to take the next four hundred years before their names were completely employed throughout the German speaking principalities. It is unknown when first names were used.

Conrad Hamburg is the first known family ancestor with known children names and their birth dates. Conrad Hamburg and his first wife Anna Elisabeth Marker had the following six children:

Jacob Hamburg was born 15 October 1872 in Walter. Russia, and he died 11 February 1930 at Odessa, Washington.
Wentel Hamburg was born 17 March 1875 in Walter, Russia, and he died in 1972 at Moses Lake, Washington.
Conrad (Con) Hamburg was born 21 January 1878 in Walter, Russia. Conrad died 18 June l960 at his son George's house in Woodland, Washington, and he was buried at Odessa, Washington.
Katherine Margaret Hamburg was born in 1881 in Walter, Russia. She died in 1959 in Spokane, Washington.
Henry Hamburg was born in 1886 in Walter, Russia, and he died in Germany 1963.
Elizabeth Hamburg was born 19 October 1889 in Walter, Russia, and she died 4 September 1944 at Wapato, Washington.

Next will be an attempt to relate the Conrad Hamburg family siblings stories, family pictures and other information beginning with the oldest son Jacob Hamburg.

In 1892 the Great Northern Railroad was built through eastern Washington with a sidetrack known as the Odessa Siding. Railroad side tracks were built about every seven miles where trains could pass or load and unload freight. In order to attract settlers to a region like Odessa and the surrounding areas along the railroad route and to ensure future railroad business and success, the Great Northern Railroad often offered immigrants free passage and the opportunity to obtain homesteads or purchase land in the area.

It is interesting to note that the town of Odessa was platted in 1898 with land donated by Mr. Finney. It is reported that eighty percent of immigrants settling in the Odessa and the surrounding area consisted of Germans from Russia. Many of these German families had lived along the Black Sea and Volga River in Russia where wheat was grown. These farmers grew wheat for over l00 years in that region and brought with them the experience and the know how to grow dry land wheat in eastern Washington.

According to weather records the average rainfall in central Washington was up to twenty inches a year at the turn of the twentieth century. This abundant rainfall produced very good wheat yields to make dry land farming very profitable. Wheat could be grown almost anywhere on any type of soil in central Washington. With this new wealth from wheat production, the German immigrant farmers could build new barns and houses. A century ago it was more important to build a barn to protect the animals than it was to build a house since the animals were the source of transportation, power to pull the farm implements to grow and harvest the crops.

Some of the barns built in the early part of the twentieth century are now declared Washington Historic Barns. One such barn in the Odessa Rock Springs area is still in the family. Jacob Homburg reportedly homesteaded this farm and built the barn, which is now declared Washington Historic Barn. Following the Jacob Homburg family story is a picture and a brief history of the barn taken from the Odessa Newspaper which may have some errors in the information stating that the farm was homesteaded by Jacob's younger brother Wentel Hamburg. These new barns and houses were an indication of the wealth created by the bountiful wheat harvests. Immediately following the historic barn picture is a picture of a new house built by Jacob Homburg. This picture of the house taken at Irby, Washington, in 1915 with Jacob's wife and his children on the porch. This was a typical design of a twentieth century house and note the young orchard. The caption on the picture lists the family names.

Jacob and Marie Dorthea Homburg new farmhouse on Mat 4, 1915 near Irby, Washington. Note the young orchard and small building attached to the house, called the kithcen house. This small building was used during the summer months to avoid heating the main house. Cooking on those hot wood burning ranges produced much heat and there was no air conditioning at the time. Electricity for far use was not available until many years later. Family members on the porch from left were Jacob Homburg, father Jacob Homhurg, Sam Hoamburg, mother Marie Dorothea. Holding youngest daughter Mary, Matha Homburg. Daughter Elizabeth Homburg was not available for this picture for reasons unknown.

About 1917 the abundant annual rainfall that central Washington enjoyed and brought so much prosperity began to decrease over the next several years to six to eight inches or less to almost no rainfall for two years by 1930. Less rainfall caused the wheat growing area to become less productive, however these German immigrants were able to adapt this less productive period with better farming practices and to this day and they have continued to produce wheat under these low rainfall conditions.

I. Jacob Homburg and his wife Dorothea Zeiler Homburg had the following seven children and each name is followed with life stories:

1. Minnie Homburg was born in 1899 in route to the U.S. aboard the ship Minnie after which she was named. Minnie married John Gettman and they had three children the names are unknown for this writing. John and Minnie reportedly lived in the Wenatchee, Washington area.
2. Katherine (Katie) Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and she married Jake Kissler and they had two sons.

A. Lamar Melvin Kissler was born at Odessa, Washington, 8 Januay1922, and he died 19 August 2010, at Odessa, Washington. Melvin was a very proud and distinguished World War II veteran. Melvin married Marlys and they had four children:

1) Kelly Kissler Korpinen
2) Don Kissler
3) Corey Kissler (deceased)
4) Terry Kissler

B. Merlin Kissler born at Odessa, Washington, and he died and was buried in the Odessa Cemetery.
Merlin married Nellie and she was buried in Odessa. Merlin and Nellie had the following children:
- 1) Troy Kissler
- 2) Julie Kissler

3. Martha Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and she married Prichard, who had a military career, and they had no children. No family information was available.

4. Jacob (Jake) Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and he died and was buried in the Odessa Cemetery. Jake married Amelia, a German bride, and they had the following children:

A. Jacob Homburg Jr. (killed in an auto accident)
B. Rosemary Homburg
C. Ronnie Homburg

5. Sam Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and he was buried in the Odessa Cemetery. Sam married Anna Ramm and they had three children:

A. Lamar D. Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, 28 January 1933 and he died 11 February 1995 vacationing in Hemet, California. Lamar married Marlene Scrupps and they had the following children:

1) Brian Homburg and his wife Brenda.
2) Lizann Homburg Hink and her husband "Shorty".
3) Ellen Homburg Holman and her husband Craig.

B. Patricia “Pat” Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and Pat married Robert “Bob” Kissler and they had the following children:

1) Sammy Kissler (still born)
2) Brent Kissler
3) Lance Kissler

C. Judith Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and Judy married Schmidt and they had two sons. They reside in Spokane, Washington.

6. Elizabeth Homburg was born at Odessa, Washington, and Elizabeth married Reuben Fink. Elizabeth and Reuben were buried at Odessa Cemetery. Elizabeth and Reuben had the following children:

A. Al Fink
B. Marvin Fink
C. Maurice Fink
D. Marciel Fink

7. Mary H. Homburg was born 28 March 1914 at Odessa, Washington, and she died 1 February 2009 at Odessa, Washington. Mary first married Krell, next she married Glenn “Tex” Miller and later married Ivan L. Harruff. Mary had the following children:

A. Virgil Krell
B. Norman Krell
C. Kevin Miller (adopted)
D. Linda Daniels (adopted)

Jacob Hamburg's Farm, Odessa, Washington (date unknown)

The family story of Wentel Hamburg, the second son of Conrad and Miss Marker Hamburg. Wentel Hamburg, was born 17 March 1875 in Walter District of Russia and he married Anna Katherine Baum in 1894. Anna Katherine was born 17 October 1872 to Adam and Magdalena Lelink Baum in Walter, Russia. See Exhibit I Life History of My Dear Wife Anna Kathrine written by Wentel Hamburg.

Wentel was conscripted into the Russian Army and served near the Turkish boarder during the Russian-Japanese War in the late nineteenth century. After serving in the Russian Army, Wentel knew that he wanted to leave Russia for a land of better opportunities as relayed to him by his older brother Jacob who immigrated to the United States in 1889.

My grandfather Wentel told about how the food was served to the army personnel. The army soldiers were served one meal per day consisting of one loaf of bread and soup. At meal time a kettle of soup was set in the middle of the table and each soldier ate soup with a spoon from the kettle. Each person was given one loaf of bread which was the limit for the day. If the bread was eaten at one sitting there would be no more food for the day, therefore the loaf of bread was rationed to be eaten throughout the day. There were no food facilities where food could be purchased as we have in our modern-day army facilities.

Upon being released from the military, Wentel and his family set out for America as soon as travel arrangements could be made. They left Russia and boarded a ship in Hamburg, Germany, for America with their two young daughters Katie and Molly. According to Wentel it took two days to cross the Baltic Sea and another nine days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. They arrived in New York 12 April 1905 and processed through Ellis Island. That same day at 8 P.M. they left New York and proceeded by train to Lincoln, Nebraska, where their friends gave them a happy welcome. The following day Wentel's sister Elizabeth came from Omaha, Nebraska, to meet them and took Wentel and Anna home with her. There Wentel found work immediately in a slaughter house. It was in Lincoln, Nebraska, where their first son Henry Hamburg was born 12 May 1905.

On 18 June 1905 Nebraska experienced a normal summer thunder storm which was terrible as described by my grandmother Anna Katherine. Anna said to grandpa Wentel, “here we will not stay, we will go back to Russia.” A letter to Wentel's brother Jacob inquiring about the weather in Washington State being as severe as that in Nebraska. A reply from Jacob was the weather in Washington was similar to that in Russia. On 30 June 1905 Wentel and Anna arrived in Odessa, Washington, where brother Jacob welcomed Wentel and Anna at the railroad depot and took them to his farm. Anna after a short stay, thought the weather in Washington was great and she said, “now we are in America and here we will stay.” That summer Wentel helped his brother with the harvest and in the fall they moved to Walla Walla, Washington, to receive a hearty welcome from friends.

From Walla Walla, Wentel and Anna moved back to Odessa where Wentel worked for his brother Conrad Homburg in his blacksmith shop. Wentel did the woodwork and Conrad did the metal work.

In the fall of 1906 a friend by the name of Smith arranged for Wentel to rent a farm. In 1907 Wentel harvested his first crop. It was a good crop and that fall a buyer came with an offer to buy the farm lease for $2500.00 and Wentel was ready to accept the offer. The next morning when the buyer came to draw up the papers for the sale, Anna said again “I would rather stay here for I am glad to be here.” For some time it was their plan to return to Russia. Wentel replied to Anna saying, “if you want to stay here, we will remain.”

Wentel and Anna were members of the Evangelical Congregational Church for twenty years in Ruff, Washington, and for some time I understand Wentel was a lay minister in that church. Wentel and Anna raised their children under the the blessings of God, keeping Sunday as their day of worship until Wentel learned of 'The Holy Sabbath' when they became Seventh-day Adventists and Saturday became their day of worship. More information on this change in religious worship see Exhibit II My Life Story by Wentel Hamburg. Also see Letters I, II and III for very interesting dreams in 1892, 1924 and 1925 that Wentel so clearly described.

1927

Wentel later moved from Odessa, Washington, to a dry land farm near Wheeler, Washington. For about twenty years Wentel dry land farmed wheat near Wheeler when Wentel purchased an irrigated farm near Moses Lake, formerly Neppel, Moses Lake, Washington, where he farmed potatoes and alfalfa hay with his sons Henry and Jake. About 1934 the irrigated farm had expanded to demand most of their time and the dry land farm was sold in 1937 to Fred Schmidt from the Dakotas.

On grandfather's irrigated farm at the age of twelve, Harley Ottmar, author and grandson of Wentel, cut potatoes for seed to be planted in the fields. Potatoes were put on a table where an upright knife was set to slice two ounce pieces of potato seed with at least one potato eye from which a potato plant would grow in the field. The most seed that I could cut in one day was eight one-hundred pound sacks for which I was paid ten cents for each sack of potato seed for a total wage of eighty cents per day. At twelve years old, I was happy to earn eighty cents for a days work.

Wentel farmed with his sons until 1942 when the oldest son Henry was drafted into the US Army to serve his country during World War II. The farm was sold in 1942 to Sam Driggs, a potato farmer from Idaho.

This horse drawn threshing machine is harvesting dry land wheat. The picture cannot be indentified, but the showing the harvesting of wheat would be very on how our parents and grandparentsharvested there grain. This threshing machine was pulled by 26 horses or mules, four abreast with two lead animals. The two lead animals would get their guidance from the driver sitting atop of the harvester, who had two long leather reins fastened to the bridles of the two lead horses. The harvester would cut the grain and seperate the wheat which was then conveyed into two bushel (120 lb.) burlap sacks. These sacks of wheat were then dropped to the ground in bunches of five or six and later picked up and delivered to a warehouse for sale. Circa 1920.

Until Wentel retired he had rental spaces at his place in Moses Lake for trailers occupied by World War II service men and their families stationed at the Larson Air Force Base near Moses Lake, Washington. After the war Wentel built a new house in Moses Lake and lived there with his wife Anna Katherine and their oldest son Henry who cared for his parents.

Wentel died in 1972 at the age of 96. His wish was to live to be 100. Anna died from cancer in 1957 at the age of 85. Both Wentel and Anna were buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Moses Lake, Washington. Wentel and Anna were very devout Christians all of their lives. From the enclosed Letters I, II and III one can get a clear picture of their devotion to Christ and the teachings of the Bible. The letters also tell about their life encounters, experiences and the decisions they had to make. Wentel and Anna had ten children of whom the first and last child born did not live.

Back row from left to right is Katie, Mollie, Freda, Elizabeth, Pauline and Henry. Front row from eft to right is Wental, Jacob, David and Anna Katrien. Circa 1925

Bus of Wheeler School children taken about 1924.
From left to right beginning on the hood of the bus is Johnny Becker, standing on the hood is Art Ottmar, next standing on the top of the bus is Jake Hamburg, Buster McCoy, Alvin Ottmar, Dave Hamburg, Edwin Ottmar and Reuben Ottmar. Chris, Harley Ottmar's father, is the bus driver, and sitting in the bus is Ruth Becker, Freda Hamburg, Ed Jingling and Art Jingling. Standing in the front of the bus is Gladys Becker, Marvin Gody, Harriet Gody, Evelyn McCoy,
Elizabeth Hamburg and Marie McCoy.

Back row from left to right is Jake Wacker, Katie Hamburg Wacker, Mr.Jeske, Wental Hamburg's friend, Mrs.Jeske, Wental Hamburg, Anna Katherine Baum Hamburg, Pauline Hamburg Ottmar, Albert Estes' mother, Albert Estes, Fredia Hamburg Tichacek, Albert (Jack) Tichacek, Mollie Hamburg Gies, Henry Gies.
Front row from eft to right is Jake Hamburg, Helen Gist Hamburg, Harley Ottmar, Dave Hamburg, Delores Estes Daughter of Albert and Elizabet Estes, Elizabet Hamburg Estes, Henry Hamburg. Circa 1946

Back row from left to right is Jake Hamburg holding his son Russell, Hellen Wacker (Harold Wacker's wife), Helen Hamburg (Jake Hamburg's wife), Katie Hamburg Wacker, Irene Ottmar, Jake Wacker, Grandpa Wental Hamburg, Pauline Hamburg Ottmar, Grandma Anna Katrien Baum Hamburg (holding great grandson David Wacker), Freda Hamburg Tichacek, Kenneth Gies' friend (name unknown), Elizabeth Hamburg Estes, Albert Estes, Delores Estes, Henry Gies, Mollie Hamburg Gies, Kenneth Gies' friend (name unknown), Kenneth Gies.
Front row from eft to right is Harley Ottmar, Victor Ottmar, Dave Hamburg, Henry Hamburg. Circa 1950

	Wental Hamburg's 3 sons left to right Henry holding Elenor Wacker, holding Harold Wacker and Jake Hamburg	Anna with daughters from the left is Elizabeth, Pauline, Freda and Mollie.

II. Wentel and Anna Katherine (Baum) Hamburg's had eight children:

1. Katherine Hamburg was born in Russia 7 April 1896 and she died in 1899 in Russia.

2. Katie Hamburg was born in Russia 12 December 1901 and she died at Portland, Oregon, in 1988.
Katie married Jacob Wacker in 1920 at Spokane, Washington. Katie and Jacob Wacker had the following two children:

A. Harold R. Wacker was born in 1922 at Ruff, Washington. Harold married Helen in Portland, Oregon.
Harold and Helen Wacker had the following four children:

1) David Wacker born at Portland, Oregon. David married Vicki and they had the following children: names not available.
2) Janine (Jan) Lynne Wacker born at Portland, Oregon, and Janine Wacker married Andrew Christopher Brehm on 11 September 1976 and they had the following children: names not available.
3) Mark Wacker was born at Portland, Oregon, and Mark married and they had the following children: names not available.
4) Cheryl Wacker was born at Portland, Oregon, and Cheryl married and they have the following children: names not available.

B. Elnore Wacker was born in 1924 at Ruff, Washington. Elnore married Tom Lyman and they have the following children:

1) Stuart Lyman born at Portland, Oregon, and Stuart married Adele and they have the following children:

a. Melanie Lyman
b. Elnore Lyman

c. James Lyman
d. Tom Lyman
e. Rachel Lyman

2) Gary Lyman was born in Portland, Oregon, and Gary married Susan M. and they have a son:

a. Jarred Lyman

3) Gregg Lyman was born in Portland, Oregon, and Gregg married Amanda and no information available on their children.

3. Mollie Hamburg was born in Russia on 17 December 1903. Mollie died in 1986 at Tacoma, Washington, and she was buried at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake, Washington. Mollie married Henry Gies, 3 October 1924 at Wheeler, Washington. Henry was born in 14 September 1906 at Wheeler, Washington. Henry died 11 December 1977 at Moses Lake, Washington, and he was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake, WA. Mollie and Henry Gies had one son:
- A. Kenneth Henry Gies born 23 June 1930 at Wheeler, Washington. Ken married Dolly Greco at Portland, Oregon, in 1950. Ken and Dolly had three children:

4. Henry Hamburg

5. Pauline Hamburg

Christian (Chris) Ottmar

Chris

Pauline Ottmar

A. Harley Ottmar born 30 October 1927. Harley married Juanita Marie Brown on 23 May 1953 at the First Christian Church in Ellensburg, Washington. Juanita Marie was the daughter of Clarence Melven Brown and Lillian Carolyn Brown. Harley and Juanita had one daughter:

1. Brenda Marie Ottmar was born 8 June 1954 Ellensburg, Washington. Brenda married Dale Dean Miller on 16 June 1973 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake. Brenda and Dale Miller had two sons:

a. Richard Dean Miller born 16 February 1976 in Moses Lake, Washington. Richard married Amanda Theresa Ghylin on 31 October 1998 in Moses Lake, Washington, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Amanda was born on 28 June l979 at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, to Dennis Ghylin and Barbara Ghylin. After a career in the US Air Force, Dennis and Barbara Ghylin retired to make their home in Moses Lake, Washington, where Richard met Amanda Ghylin. Richard and Amanda Miller have two sons:

1. Kristopher Dean Miller born 21 February 1999 in Tacoma, Washington.
2. Kurtis Shane Miller born 31 October 2002 in Moses Lake, Washington.

b. Aaron Matthew Miller born 28 June 1979 in Moses Lake, Washington. Aaron married Amy Lynn Brandt whose parents are James (Jim) Brandt and Charlene Marie McCallag Brandt. Aaron and Amy have two sons:

1. Dylan Matthew Miller born 16 May 2011 in Kennewick, Washington.

2. Owen James Miller born 29 June 2013 Spokane,Washington.

David Patrick Mahaney

c. Nicholas Todd Mahaney born 29 November 1987 in Moses Lake,Washington.

Brenda and David divorced in 2001. Brenda never remarried and in 2006 she legally changed her name from Brenda Marie Mahaney to her maiden name Brenda Marie Ottmar. On Novenber 19th, 2019 Brenda married Jessie Kilpatrick.

B. Victor Ottmar, second son of Chris and Pauline Ottmar was born 29 January 1929 in Wheeler, Washington. Victor remained a bachelor all his life living with his mother. Victor farmed in the Quincy, Washington, area with his brother Harley. They both started farming in 1952 after serving in the US Air Force. After forty years of farming Victor retired to live in Moses Lake, Washington. Victor passed away on 29 December 2011. After the funeral service at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Moses Lake, Washington, a military gun salute was given at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake, Washington. Victor's desire was to be buried next to his mother Pauline Hamburg Ottmar. Pauline is buried next to her parents Wentel and Anna Katherine Hamburg.
C. Irene Ottmar born 19 February 1931 was the third child born to Chris and Pauline Ottmar.
Irene married Robert L. Burke 4 September 1954 in Yakima, Washington. Irene and Bob had two daughters born in Moses Lake, Washington.
- a. Debra (Debbie) Kay Burke born 9 June 1955. Debra married Ted Dirk 13 September 1976. Debbie and Ted had no children and they divorced. Debbie later married Craig Hurley 2 September 1995 and they had no children. Debbie passed away in 2018.
- b. Donna Rae Burke born 19 January 1957. Donna married Armand Kluehe 1 January 1981 in Portland, Oregon, and they had no children. Donna passed away 24 March 2005 in Portland, Oregon.
Robert L. Burke passed away on 15 April 2005 in Milton, Washington, and he was buried in the Covington Veterans Cemetery, Auburn, Washington.

6. Freda Hamburg was the sixth child born to Wentel and Anna Hamburg on 5 May 1908 in Lincoln, County, Washington, and she married Jack Tichacek. Jack was born in 1906 and he died in 1969. Freda died in 1985 in Moses Lake, Washington, and she was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. Jack Tichacek was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake, Washington. Freda and Jack had one son:
- A. Darrel Tichacek, born 9 February 1936. Darrel first married Dottie and they had three children:

Darrel and Dottie divorced and Darrel later married Barbara Cottrell and they had one son:

1. Scott Tichacek. Scott married Christine (Chris) Blix and they had the following children:

a. Joel Tichacek
b. Lindsay Tichacek

7. Elizabeth Hamburg born 7 January 1910 in Batum, Lincoln County, Washington, was the seventh child of Wentel and Anna Hamburg. Elizabeth died 6 November 1992 in the Samaritan Hospital Moses Lake, Washington, and she was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake. Elizabeth married Albert Francis Estes on 10 July 1933 in Ritzville, Washington. Albert was born in 1899 and died 27 September 1985 in Moses Lake, Washington, and he was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake,Washington. Elizabeth and Albert Estes had one daughter:
- A. Delores Estes was born 1937 in Moses Lake, Washington. Delores married Robert (Rocky) DeTarville in 1955 Moses Lake,Washington, and they later divorced. Delores and Rocky had two children both born in Moses Lake, Washington.
  - 1. Rick DeTarville was born 4 October 1956. Rick DeTarville married Elane Baker and they had one son:
Rick and Elane divorced and Rick later married Debi Spies Franz and they had two children:
Debi Franz had a daughter Nicole Franz by a previous marriage. Rick and Debi later divorced.

8. Jacob (Jake) Hamburg born 5 January 1912 in Lincoln County, Washington, was Wentel and Anna's eighth child. Jake died in 1980 at Moses Lake, Washington, and he was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. Jake married Helen Geist 19 December 1939 in Ritzville, Washington. Helen was born 15 July 1920 in Ritzville, Washington. Helen's parents were Henry Geist and Lora (Lena) Gies Geist. Henry Giest was born 5 July 1893 and he married Lena Gies 15 September 1915 in Ritzville, Washington. Henry and Lena had four girls Marie, Esther, Helen and Ruth. Jake and Helen Hamburg had one son:
- A. Russell (Russ) Hamburg born 2 March 1948 in Moses Lake, Washington. Russell married Gail Hickox in 1969 at the Presbyterian Church in Moses Lake, Washington. Gail Hickox was born 8 December 1948. Russ and Gail had two sons:
  - 1. John R. Hamburg born 9 October 1974. John passed away 1 August 1998 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, from complications for a kidney transplant. A memorial service was held 5 August 1998 at the Moses Lake Alliance Church.
  - 2. Jared Hamburg married Emily and they had one daughter:
Russ and Gail divorced and Russ later married Pam Webb.

9. David Hamburg was the ninth child of Wentel and Anna Katherine Hamburg born 30 August 1913 in Lincoln County, Washington, and he died at Moses Lake, Washington, in 1970. David was buried in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Moses Lake, Washington. David's life as a bachelor centered around animals especially training trick horses. David showed his trick horse and his trick riding ability at rodeos and circuses throughout the western states and Canada. Two pictures of Dave and his trick horse Tony a schedule of show performances and a commendation from a Canadian show performance following this writing of Dave's life. There was never a dull moment when Dave was around. He could always think of mischief to play on someone. Other than his horse uncle Dave loved his nephews and niece Irene Ottmar.

10. Willie Hamburg was number ten born 19 December 1918 to Wentel and Anna Hamburg and he died within 24 hours after birth and where he was buried is unknown.

III. Conrad (Hamburg) Homburg was the third child born to Conrad and Anna Elizabeth Marker Hamburg in Russia. Conrad immigrated to the United States and married Elizabeth Zier 3 January1908 at the Lutheran Church Odessa, Washington. Elizabeth Zier was born 2 August 1882 at Dietel District, Russia, and she died 14 August 1920 at home in Odessa and she was buried at Odessa, Washington. Conrad and Elizabeth had two children:

1. John George Homburg. George Homburg was born 13 October 1908 at Odessa, Washington.
George married Thora Carmen Swanstrum 12 July 1946 at Dillon, Montana. Thora was born 3 December 1907 at Twin Bridges, Montana. George left Odessa to further his education and became the school principal at Woodland, Washington. George and Thora had no children.
2. Edith Homburg. Edith was also known as Ida Marie Hamburg. Edith was born 25 August 1909 at Odessa, Washington, and she died 24 November 1979 at the Memorial Hospital in Vancouver, Washington, and she was buried at Odessa, Washington. Edith had one son:
- A. Nicholas T. Walls was born 16 May 1933 at 9236 Renton Avenue, Seattle, Washington. who was adopted and named by Mr. and Mrs. James P. Walls. Nicholas married Donna Mae Jensen and they had three children:
  - 1. Nick Walls
  - 2. Mike Walls
  - 3. Patrick Walls

IV. Katherine Margaret Hamburg was born in 1881 Walter, Russia, and she died in 1959 at Spokane, Washington. Katherine married Henry Schafer in 1900 in Russia. Katherine and Henry had the following four children:

1. Henry Schafer born 1901 and he died 7 October 1946 at Odessa, Washington.
2. Marie Schafer born 1903 and she died 27 February 1982 at Spokane, Washington.
2. Elsie Schafer born 2 September 1906 and she died 17 March 1994 at Gladstone, Oregon.
4. Clara Schafer born in 1910 and she died in 1934 in Spokane, Washington.

V. Heinrick (Henry) Hamburg was the fifth child of Conrad and Miss Marker Hamburg born in Russia in 1886. Henry Hamburg did not leave Russia as his siblings did to immigrate to America. Henry married and they had two sons. He was drafted into the Russian Army during World War I and he was captured by the German Army and sent to Germany where he was imprisoned until the end of the war. During the war Henry's wife and two sons were exiled to Siberia. The boys were reportedly trained to be engineers by the Bolsheviks. After the war Henry could not locate his family in Russia and he returned to Germany to marry again and they had two daughters. No known contact was ever made with Henry's new family members in Germany. To see his younger brother, Wentel Hamburg paid for Henry's passage to America. A copy is enclosed of the Purchaser's Receipt For Third Class Prepaid Passage Contract dated 17 December 1921 for Heinrick Hamburg on the United American Lines from Germany to New York, N. Y., and on to Spokane, Washington. The cost to get passage to this country from Germany was $209.55 and the fare from Spokane to Odessa by rail was $3.00. Henry found work in orchards in the Yakima Valley for some time, however according to Wentel, Henry did not care to remain in America and he returned to his family in Germany where he died in 1963.

VI. Elizabeth Hamburg was born 19 October 1889 in the Walter District, Russia, to Conrad and Mrs. Marker Hamburg. Elizabeth married Conrad Walter in Russia. Conrad Walter was born 16 December 1886 in Walter, Russia. Elizabeth and Conrad had seven children of whom five survived as follows:

1. Fred Walter was born in 1907.
2. David Walter was born in1914 and he died in 1987.
3. Alfred Walter was born in 1916.
4. Harry Walter was born in 1918 and he died in l937.
5. Daniel Walter was born in 1930.

Elizabeth died 4 September 1944 at Wapato, Washington. Conrad Walter died 1 June 1973 at Yakima, Washington.

This is the limit of the Hamburg (Homburg) family history information that I was able to collect over many years from various members. Family members are welcome to correct or add any family history that may have been omitted.

2019, Harley Ottmar, author and Grandson of Wentel and Anna Katherine Hamburg.

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