Maria Serephina Kleger married John Baumgartner on 29 December 1849 in Franklin County, Missouri. John Baumgartner bought land in 1852 next to land owned by Joseph Kleger (which was bought in 1850) in Franklin County.
Serephina's husband John Baumgartner died November 6th, 1873 (he was only 48). A year and a half later she married a widower, Michael Bauer in April 1875. Bad luck, Michael Bauer died 5 months later!!
Joseph M. Kleager/Klager/Klaeger is my great great grandfather, father of Joseph Klager, father of Frank August Kleager. Joseph M. can't read or write, was born about 1816 in Benken, St. Gallen, Switzerland, immigrated to St. Louis about 1846, served in the US Army from September 1847 to October 1848 during the War with Mexico. In December of 1848 he married Elizabeth Janne in Franklin County, Missouri. Elizabeth died and he married Josephine Klager in 1857. Josephine was the daughter of George Klager and Teresa Mueller.
What is the relationship between Joseph and his second wife, who had the maiden name of Klaeger? Were they first cousins? What is the relationship between Joseph and Seraphina? Was Seraphina Josephine's sister?
This is what links Joseph and Serephina:
In Joseph's probate file in Franklin County, Missouri is a "note" (a loan) from Seraphina Baumgartner to Joseph M. Klaeger (who signs with an "X") for $300 with interest at the rate of 8% per Annum. The note is dated February 16, 1874:
On the back of the note it is recorded when the interest was paid. Always on February 16th in the following years: 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879 paid to Seraphina Bauer (she remarried Bauer), 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885:
Interest payments stop in 1885. Joseph died December 14, 1884 intestate without a will. The estate was settled in May and June of 1885, and in the list of payouts is to Seraphina Baumgartner, $300 for "note".
How were these two related, why was she willing to loan him $300, how did a woman have the $300, why wasn't the loan from her husband??
I would like to know more about her!
