WIK AND WICK FAMILIES · Remember that the Latin version spelled it "Wick", and German script...

WIK AND WICK FAMILIES

PART I

Genealogy Research

By Edward H. Jones

Dedicated to my Mother Emily The following research has its' beginning in a small village, close to the Switzerland border and the Alps. The family records came from the Catholic parish registers in Bietingen, Germany. They can be found on LDS microfilms #0939508 & #0939509, Germany, Baden, Bietingen, 1681 - 1900. These two microfilms contain over three hundred years of very accurate and unbroken history, from births, baptisms marriages and obituaries to family tree diagrams. Unfortunately, some of the earliest marriages and obituaries, written in Latin don't show whom the parents were. These early entries did solve the mystery of why there was a difference in spelling of the last name. The name was "Von Wyck", which means from the village of "Wyck". At this time, its' whereabouts is unknown. Although no such spelling of "Wyck" appears on these microfilms, the earliest Latin entries in the seventeenth century spelled it "Wick". It wasn't until the beginning of the eighteenth century, when Latin was dropped in favor of German script writings, that the letter "C" was omitted. Thus t became "Wik". As further evidence, you will note the name Conrad was spelled Konrad. At any rate, these families lived and died in Bietingen for over three hundred years. They all had large families, with many children dying at birth or in their prime from disease, accidents, persecution, famine and war. There is evidence that some of the families moved across the border to Switzerland to escape tyranny and other problems. Unfortunately, not much is known about why they lived in Bietingen for so long. I would suspect farming, because the soil was very rich and black in black forest region. Many generations were carpenters, cabinetmakers, and stonecutters. Whatever their lot was in life, certain facts stand out. They were very industrious, hard working, consistent individuals. Above all else, these families, past and present, were deeply committed to their faith and church. History proves this. It was true in Bietingen where they lived close to their church, as do the Wick families of Lockport, Fort Erie, and the Wik families of Williamsville. I'm particularly impressed with the stories I've heard and the closeness I sense these families have for the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the beginning of this research, I mentioned that there were 300 years of family history in Bietingen. There are many branches and I have decided to stick to direct descendents with their children. As you will note, Gregory Wick was the youngest member of his family and Augustine Wik was the second youngest. It is with these

Updated Edition: 7/9/2002 of 33

two whom I will start since both of them immigrated to the United States and New York. There were others, but not in their family. Augustine Wik, or "Auguster" as he wrote his name, left his home and family in Bietingen, Germany, in the spring of the year 1847. Since the Rhine River was nearby, and a frequent route for immigrants to make the long journey to seaports in France and England, I must assume he took this way. Travel by wagon and foot from Germany across France was an arduous task to say the least. Many of the poorest, laden with meager belongings, practically walked their way across France to seaports, such as Le Havre. Many became sick, or too weak, and some dying, in their efforts, especially the oldest. The trip up the Rhine was an easier task, but it was not without difficulty. Many had to get off vessels at some point to earn enough for fares to continue the journey. At any rate, according to my cousin George Wik, Augustine eventually made his way. Taking the northern route across the Atlantic to Newfoundland, down the St. Lawrence River to Ogsdenberg, NY he made his way to Buffalo. It was here that many German immigrants were settled before he came. They inhabited the downtown area and in particular, the "Batavia" (now Broadway) Street area. These early German immigrants helped build St. Mary’s church at Batavia and Pine Streets (now destroyed by fire). It was here that Augustine met Sebastian Diebold, an early German immigrant, also a cabinetmaker that had established a business on Batavia below Pine Streets. On October 29, 1947 he sold to Augustine, a small piece of land on Cedar Street near William, for $160.00. The two of them worked together for one year building chairs and cabinetry for use on the canal boats and a growing city. On May 22, 1848, Augustine filed an application for citizenship in the Superior Court of Buffalo, with his intentions being witnessed by Sebastian Diebold and a Peter Grove. He gained his citizenship September 7, 1855. Augustine sold his small piece of land on November 21, 1848, left Sebastian and Buffalo, to settle in Williamsville, NY. It was here that land was available, not to mention the need for cabinetmakers and stoneworkers in this quarry-ridden area. It was also here that Augustine met his wife to be, Maria Anna Bitterman in early 1849. Maria was the daughter of Joseph Bitterman, and Magdelena Sugg. Maria was just five years old when her family immigrated from Surbourg, Alsace, France, in the year 1834. They boarded temporarily in a log hotel in Buffalo before purchasing land on South Cayuga Road in 1835. Augustine met John Long, an early pioneer and owner of much property in Williamsville. Augustine made a deal with John Long, to occupy, keep up, and work twenty-two acres of land on North Forest Road & Reist Street. One must keep in mind that in those years, an occupier of land was given a five-year "grace" period before taxes were imposed. This was the case with John Long, as his grace period was to run out. Many land occupants did this to evade taxes. Most of them were farmers and the grace period helped them to get started, work the land and eventually earn enough to pay taxes. More importantly, it enabled


occupiers to earn enough in those five years to buy the land and its contents from the previous occupants and become owners. This was the case with Augustine, since he bought the twenty-two acres from John Long on April 19, 1854, for $1500.00. He paid $700.00 down and mortgaged $800.00 over three years with interest to Christian Long. But this is getting ahead of events. I felt it important to eliminate a gap from 1849 to 1854 since it involved some little-known history. I might also add that this Wik property was to become the focal point for many events to come. To continue: At St's Peter and Paul Church in Williamsville, on September 25, 1849, a double marriage ceremony took place. Augustine Wik married Maria Anna Bitterman, daughter of Joseph Bitterman, and Magdelena (Sugg). Maria Anna Bitterman's brother Michael Bitterman married Veronica Sutter, daughter of Joseph Sutter and Veronica Mary (?). There have been claims made that these Sutters were related to the General John A. Sutter of "Sutters Mill" where gold was discovered in California). Augustine and Maria Anna made their home on the twenty-two acres of land containing a house and barn. A daughter Barbara was born to them on February 29, 1850. On June 17, 1852, a son Phillip Wik was born, but died 3 months later. Augustine had a furniture building business in John Hoffman’s old general store in the rear, along with two apprentices: Godfrey Stephen and John Reisch - both German immigrants in their teens. This store now occupied by Bert Sweeny Clothing, still exists on Main Street near Cayuga Street in Williamsville. It was once a simple wooden structure but has under gone considerable change since then. Most importantly, in the year 1852, Augustine's younger brother Gregory Wick immigrated from Bietingen, Germany and moved into his brother’s home. You will notice that Gregory’s' last name is spelled "Wick". As evidenced by his application for citizenship on December 20, 1855, the Superior Court of Buffalo Clerk spelled his name "Wick", and he signed it that way October 25, 1859 when he became a citizen. The same was true with Augustine, however he signed his name "Wik". This leads me to the conclusion that the difference in spelling of the last name had its roots in Germany and that preference or pride was the determining factor. Remember that the Latin version spelled it "Wick", and German script spelled it "Wik". Whatever the reason, one thing is abundantly clear, and that is the male ancestry is direct, no matter how it's spelled. I hope this concludes this issue. To get back to events, Gregory stayed on with Augustine and his growing family on North Forest Road. Their next child may have been named after Gregory - that is Gregor G. Wik, born October 17, 1853. There is little to tell about Gregory Wick during those early years. He was listed in the census on North Forest Road in 1855. I'm sure he must have helped farm the land and possibly helped Augustine in the furniture business. The first positive mention of Gregory was a deed where Augustine Wik sold seven acres of his property to Sophia (Vogel) Wick on June 13, 1859 for $160.00.


(Sophia sold it back to Augustine and his wife Maria by deed November 25, 1869 for the same amount). Gregory Wick and his wife Sophia moved to Getzville on March 2, 1864 next to the "Peanut" Railroad on New Home Road (now Campbell Blvd.) according to the deed. They paid $400.00 for one acre. Gregory ran a beer and grocery store there, and is shown in the History book on Amherst. They also bought by deed sixteen acres of land in the same area of Getzville for $1100.00 on October 31, 1863. Eventually, they sold these properties and moved to Lockport, NY where generations of Wick families have and are still living. Further research from LDS Microfilm #1,292,807 at St's Peter and Paul Church show that Gregory Wick and Sophia (Vogel) Wick were married by "Squire" Twirley on April 25, 1857 in Williamsville, NY. Sophia was not Catholic. Incidentally, a "Squire" means a Justice of the Peace. Their first child Heinrich Ludwig Wick was born March 16, 1858 and died February 16 1862. Their second child August Wick was born August 18, 1860. These two children show no entry for baptism. Their remaining children to come were all baptized at St's Peter and Paul. Also I must assume that at least in the mid 1850's, and more than likely, until 1863, Gregory and Sophia lived and brought up their family on seven acres of land they bought from Augustine Wik June 13, 1859, which I mentioned earlier. It was in 1863, that Gregory and Sophia purchased sixteen acres of land (mentioned earlier) in Getzville. This property contained a house, and leads me to believe this is where they lived and bore more children. This is also the place where an event took place, which changed the life and faith of Sophia Wick. According to Florence (Wick) Randall, my Mother’s first cousin, and other Wick families from Lockport, a strange set of circumstances took place in Sophia’s home. A mirror, located in a bedroom, suddenly gave off a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Christ child. Sophia, not being a Catholic and a disbeliever in the Virgin Mary, became convinced of the authenticity of the image, and consequently became a Roman Catholic at St's Peter and Paul Church in Williamsville on August 22, 1871. Ironically, Sophia Wick was born on December 8, 1834. This December 8th being the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. Many of the curious came to see the image and word spread. Finally, a disbeliever thought little of it and rubbed it off. I would like to stop for a moment to remind the reader of something I mentioned previously. Williamsville was the focal point, or if you please, the springboard area for the Wik and Wick families. These early pioneers where very committed, not only to Christ and church, but to each other as well. After researching the history of Williamsville and the surrounding areas, such as Our Lady Help of Christians in Cheektowaga, I discovered many marriages, baptisms, Godparents, etc; too numerous to mention here, involving not only the Wik families, but the Bittermans, Suggs, Batts, Gerbers, and so on. Again, these families were close, and in a sense dependent on one another, partly because of the commonness they had, but also the hardships they had to endure. Before I return to Augustine Wik and his family, there is one other interesting event that I was told about Gregory Wick by the Wick families in Lockport. It seems, that when Gregory was a small baby in Bietingen, Germany, an older brother, or


possibly a cousin (there were many), babysat Gregory. As the story goes, the babysitter left Gregory alone, and while he was gone, a fire, probably from a candle, burnt Gregory seriously. When the babysitter returned, he was so upset with himself and feared retaliation from the parents that he left and was never seen again. Gregory ran the lager beer saloon and grocery store next to the "Peanut" Railroad line in Getzville and sometimes he took on boarders for the night in rooms above his place. Gregory was approached by an older familiar face to stay for the night in his place. The gentleman gave no name to Gregory, and the next morning he was gone. However he left behind in his room, some evidence that he was the babysitter in question. As you would expect, he was never seen again. Back in Williamsville, John Hoffman’s store was being rebuilt to include living space in the back, a stove, etc. Augustine had to move his cabinet making into his barn along with his apprentices. This happened around 1860. By this time Augustine and Maria Anna had two more children, Eve born December 24, 1857 and Augustus Wik born February 15, 1859. St's Peter and Paul was still a wooden structure then and it was decided to construct a new church out of quarry stone. So it was rebuilt during the 1860's with the help of the many farmers including Augustine Wik. They used horse and wagon to haul stone from the quarries up to their new church. It was at these quarries that Augustine met Nicholas Uebelhoer, a manufacturer and dealer in quarry stone. This meeting with Nicholas would alter future events in two ways. First moving Augustine and his family to Canada for ten years, and secondly set up the stage for my Mother and her parents existence in Fort Erie, but this is getting ahead of events. Augustine suffered from severe headaches, and it affected his cabinetmaking business. He turned more to farming in the later 1860's and began selling eggs, butter, and vegetables in Williamsville and later at the Elk Street Market in downtown Buffalo. Four more children were added to his family. Donatus, January 15, 1862, Joseph, born January 10, 1865. Then twins were born October 1, 1867 - George Wik and my Grandfather, Francis Peter Wick. Regarding these two, an accident occurred when they were little. It seems that my Grandfather Frank, accidentally poked his twin brother George in the eye with an umbrella, causing injury. Furthermore, a prominent doctor William Van Pelt attempted to treat his eye with some medicine that caused blindness and constant drainage. George Wik has told me that for many years his Father George had to lean over and practically sleep on his hands and knees, because of severe drainage and infections. No doubt, these events caused a strain in their relationship for the rest of their lives. As the 1870's came in, Barbara Wick, the oldest child, married a Joseph Hoak at St's Peter and Paul on April 30, 1872. I mention this now because in the 1880's these two would establish residence on the Garrison Road in Fort Erie starting with five children of their own and setting the stage for many generations of Hoak families. Augustine Wik's second oldest child, Gregor G. Wik married a Barbara Wagner, at St's Peter and Paul on November 16, 1875. I must mention here that


Gregor was born, lived and died on his Father's land. He and his wife never left Williamsville. Augustine and the rest of his family however, made their move. As I mentioned before, Augustine met Nicholas Uebelhoer, a manufacturer of stone, and went along with Nicholas and many other German immigrants to quarry stone on Stone Mill Road near Dominion Road. (Incidentally, the title to my property at 5 Parkwood Drive shows Nicholas Uebelhoer as once owning my land.). Since Augustine gave up his carpentry work, and had returned to farming, it is apparent his family was suffering from financial troubles, not to mention the growing population in Williamsville became too competitive and land was costing more. Augustine must have liked the open land in Canada, and also the relatively low cost of land. It was only natural then, that Augustine met the First Pastor of St. Joseph's Church on Garrison Road - a Reverend Joseph Voissard. Since the majority of Augustine's family was still living in Williamsville, he was eager to settle in Fort Erie. On September 3, 1881 Augustine and his wife Maria Anna, purchased seventy acres of land for $2800.00 on the south side of Garrison Road next to St. Joseph's Church up to Concession Road from its owner the Reverend Joseph Voissard. These properties also had some houses and barns on them. For $40.00 an acre, this was an exceptional buy. Not all of his family moved there, at least not at that time. As I said before, their oldest son Gregor and wife stayed on North Forest Road, and in fact purchased the twenty-two acres from Augustine and Maria Anna, for $2700.00 on August, 1884. My Grandfather, Francis P. Wick moved there to help in 1883 when he was but sixteen years old. As events turned out he lived there the rest of his life. The rest of the family moved there and helped farm the land. Since the population was rather sparse then in Fort Erie, they had to ferry their produce to the Elk Street Market in Buffalo. Here again, competition between "Hucksters" was tight resulting in less profit, not to mention having to bring their goods back. As the 1890's approached, Joseph and Donatus Wik moved to Buffalo and found carpentry jobs building Railroad cars for the "Wagner Car Palace" Company at 1770 Broadway Street. This left Augustine and Maria Anna with three sons, Augustus, George, and Frank. The parents were getting older and yearned to go back to Williamsville. They sold all the property they owned, except for five acres to Alonzo Mather February 28, 1893 for $8000.00. They gave the five acres to Augustus. This property was on the Garrison Road directly across from Concession Road. Not only was it to be his property, but eventually the Hoak farm until 1976. The only children left with Augustine and Maria Anna, at the time the properties were sold in Fort Erie, was Frank and his twin brother George. George was at a physical disadvantage, because of blindness in one eye and was favored. Frank, my Grandfather wanted to go back to Williamsville as well, but his Father knew the two of them did not get along. My Grandfather realized this and would have been satisfied with a piece of his own land in Fort Erie, just as his older brother Augustus had been given five acres. However, this was not to be, for two reasons.


First, all the property had been sold, and secondly, Augustine was not about to help his son Frank by buying him some land to farm. He told his son Frank to live with his brother Augustus and to help farm his five acres of land. Frank, and his older brother, Augustus, got along well together, so this presented no problem. It does explain, however, the reason why for so many decades none could understand what the argument was about. Simply put, Frank, my Grandfather was mad at his Father. He felt cheated. To an extent he was jealous of his twin brother George, right or wrong, my Grandfather became bitter and detached. I can remember when I was a child, my Grandfather complaining that his Father "sold all the land." Augustine and Maria Anna returned to Williamsville, and bought back their twenty-two acres on North Forest Road from his son, Gregor G. and his wife Barbara on August 18, 1891 for $2700.00. Gregor G. and his wife moved to twenty acres of adjoining property on North Forest Road and were deeded the land from multiple owners on July 21, 1902. Augustine was 73 years old in 1897. He had lived a hard life and was beset with physical ailments. He deeded his twenty-two acres of land to his wife Maria on February 22, 1897. On March 15,1899 Augustine died at home of the Grippe and was buried in St's Peter and Paul Cemetery on South Union Road. His widow Maria Anna and his son George were his survivors. When Maria became ill, George helped take care of her, and the property. On December 15. 1911, Maria sold the twenty-two acres to her son George for $10.00. As one might guess, word of this got back to my grandfather, which made him only more irate. At this point, I have gone ahead of myself, and return you to Fort Erie, Canada. As I related before, my Grandfather was living with his older brother Augustus on the Garrison Road. My Grandfather, Frank met and married my Grandmother, Mary T. Kerns born, Eden, N.Y. 1 Sep, 1873. They were married at St. Michael's church in Buffalo, N.Y., 27 Jul# 1899. They lived with Augustus on the Garrison Road and my Mother; Emily Catherine Wick was born, 18 Jul 1900. My grandparents, Frank and Mary, bought 8 acres of land, with house and barn, on Concession Road, for $600.00, 11 Sep, 1901. Frank's brother Augustus sold his 5 acres of land to his sister, Barbara, who was now married to Joseph Hoak, 19 Feb 1906. As I related before, this was to be the Hoak farm for many years. Augustus married an Elizabeth Reagan, in 1906, and they lived in a house she owned at 61 Princess Street in Fort Erie. Augustus Wick and Elizabeth (Reagan) lived there the rest of their lives and had no children. Augustus died February 14, 1934 and his wife died June 30, 1934. They were both buried in St. Joseph's cemetery on the Garrison Rd, in Fort Erie, Canada.

On February 9, 1910, Dorothy Wick was born to my grandparents Frank and Mary (Kern) Wick at their home on Concession Road. Incidentally, their home and barn rested on the West side of Concession Road and their property extended to the North side of the Garrison Road. The house is still there, although altered somewhat. My Grandfather Frank Wick built a small addition on the back of the


house to accommodate a small kitchen with kerosene stove, table and chairs. The center of the first floor living area was the main cooking area and dining room. The cooking stove was a huge black wood burning type where my Grandmother cooked many memorable meals. The living room contained a beautiful nickel-plated wood-burning stove. It was extremely ornate with its numerous Eisen glass windows and was used strictly for heating. The furniture was all hand carved walnut covered with horsehair. There was an adjoining parlor, equally adorned with a stairway to bedrooms on the second floor. I need not mention the necessity for heavy blankets, nor the "pot" next to the beds. The "three-holer" was outside next to the chicken coop. My Mother, Emily Wick had a horse named "Nellie" and used to go horseback riding with Florence (Wick) Randall from Lockport. Other than what I personally know from later years in the 1930's and 1940's, only those older than myself know more about those early years, which I will relate later. Back in Williamsville on North Forest Road, my Grandfather's brother George Wik married a Barbara Grill at the Good Shepherd Church in Pendleton, NY on June 3, 1912. George Wik was forty-five. They had three children: George Wik (my cousin), born July 7, 1914, Mary L. (Redden) Wik, born January 23, 1916, and Donatus U. Wik, born August 14, 1919. George and his three children were all baptized at St's Peter and Paul church in Williamsville. They all lived with Maria Anna (Bitterman) Wik. The house was a two-story structure containing two bedrooms down and three up, with living room, dining room and kitchen. The house itself was very old, having been built by early pioneers in the 1830's. Maria Anna furnished this place with many beautiful things, lamps, etc; including furniture her now deceased husband Augustine made. On March 15, 1922, Maria Anna Wik passed away and was buried next to her husband Augustine in St's Peter and Paul cemetery on South Union Road in Williamsville. She was remembered in the "Amherst B" as being a "Florence Nightingale" if you please. On numerous occasions she tended to the sick and disabled. After her death, George Wik and his family lived in this place of historical beginnings until the property was sold on April 4, 1928 to Howard B. Long. For about a year and a half, George Wik and his family rented a place to live on the north side of Reist Street across from the now sold twenty-two acres. They moved to Donner Road in Pendleton where they bought a house and property at an auction - 155 acres for $4000.00. The house on the twenty-two acres on North Forest Road was torn down to make way for Union Road. The house actually was just east of the intersection of Union Road and North Forest Road. Back in Fort Erie, Canada on Concession Road, my Mother, Emily C. Wick, married my Father, Thomas J. Jones on May 2, 1925 at St. Michael's Church on Gilmore Road in Bridgeburg, Canada. A Reverend Michael Cullinaine, the First Pastor of St. Michael’s Church married them. The church was a small temporary wooden structure (recently torn down for a new senior citizens center). My Father, Thomas J. Jones was born March 2, 1899 at 96 Mississippi Street in Buffalo, NY. He was baptized at St. Joseph's Church in Buffalo, NY on March 12, 1899. Incidentally, I


failed to mention earlier that my Mother, Emily C. Wick was also baptized at St. Joseph's on August 12, 1900. My Mother Emily, before she married my Father, went to business school in Buffalo, NY and completed courses in shorthand, stenography, and typing. Her first job was with the Sterling Engine Company on Niagara Street in Buffalo. I believe she was working here when she met my Father. Before he turned to teaching, my Father was a timekeeper for the Rock Asphalt Company. They were road builders. This was period of time was1925. After their marriage they lived at 238 Plymouth Street in Buffalo, NY. Their first child and my sister Mary Theresa was born December 30,1925. It was also from here that I, Edward H. was born September 24, 1927. It was also from here that my brother Francis A. was born May 30, 1929. All three of us were born at St. Mary's Infant Asylum on Edward Street in Buffalo, NY. We were all baptized at Holy Angels Church, in Buffalo, NY. It was the year 1928 that my Father began his thirty-eight years of teaching at Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y. It was here that his greatness as a teacher of Latin, French, Greek, Spanish, and English would deservingly enter him into the Hall of Fame and be recognized as one of the top teachers in the United States. As I mentioned before, my personal memories of my grandparents, Frank and Mary Wick, and my Mother Emily and her sister Dorothy are limited to the mid 1930's and 40's. I know my grandparents worked very hard on their farm. They lost almost 300 apple trees due to a heavy frost one year and my grandfather cut them all down and chopped them up for firewood. I remember seeing the stack of wood he chopped up. It was as high as the roof of his barn. He did all this with a one man saw and axe. He was saddened by this loss as he used to make cider and sell it. They were up every morning at the sound of the rooster, around 0500, gathering eggs, feeding and milking the cows, plowing the land and seeding or harvesting. My grandmother Mary Wick had the most beautiful flower gardens, rows of peonies, roses, etc. My grandfather used to sell milk and eggs up and down the Garrison Road and over to the Dominion Road. Sunday, they rested and went to mass at St. Joseph's Church. On many a Friday night, I can remember going with my parents in their 1935 Chevy across the Niagara River on the ferryboat to Fort Erie and the farm. They would play cards and drink "Black Horse" ale. I can still see my grandfather, corn cob pipe in his mouth, arguing about who won the game. My Father would tease him to get him mad. Then, they all laughed. I remember the Hoak’s on a Sunday afternoon, and Mary, my grandmother putting on a feast. They were very close. As a child I remember being asked to get ice in Fort Erie. I was given a small wagon with canvas and walked down the Queen Street Hill to the ice house in Fort Erie, and then back up the hill with two large blocks of ice. They went into the icebox and maybe lasted a week. My grandmother Mary was an excellent cook. You never said "no" to another helping of food. It was on your plate before you could say it.


My Aunt Dorothy Wick – my Mother’s younger sister Emily was married to a Charlie Joyce. Unfortunately, I don't have much knowledge about their lives. I do know that Dorothy was shorter than my Mother, pretty, relatively quiet, yet very personable and likeable. They lived in Kenmore, NY for some years and her husband Charlie, an outgoing, exuberant individual worked for the Pillsbury Flour Company in Buffalo, NY. They had two children, Paul and Linda. I remember family get-togethers on many occasions in Fort Erie on my grandparent’s farm with Charlie being the life of the party. I entered the US Navy on June 28, 1945 and while I was in training at the Sampson Naval Training base, my grandfather Frank P. Wick died at home from a stroke on October 13, 1945. He was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery on the Garrison Road. While I was in the service, Dorothy and Charlie moved into the home with my grandmother Mary Wick. They modernized the home, and put up a garage for their car. They lived there until Charlie was transferred from his job with Pillsbury in Buffalo to Minneapolis, Minnesota. They lived there for the rest of their lives. My grandmother sold the house and property on October 5, 1949. She then moved to Buffalo and lived with a relative on Norwood Avenue. I was now out of the Navy and our family lived in a small upper flat at 245 Washington Avenue in Kenmore, NY. There were five of us living there and it was crowded. My Mother Emily wanted her Mother Mary Wick to live with us, however, due to the cramped quarters we were living in, this was out of the question. My grandmother Mary broke her leg getting off a streetcar while shopping in downtown Buffalo as most people did in those days, and she was hospitalized at Sister's Hospital. She never recovered. She passed away September 14, 1955 in a small home for the elderly off of Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, NY. She was buried next to her husband Frank in St, Joseph's Cemetery on the Garrison Road in Fort Erie, Canada. I will stop here for a moment, and remind the reader that this was an end to an era for the Wick families in Fort Erie, and begins to focus on our lives in Kenmore, NY. To make it short, my Father never made much money teaching at Canisius and thus was never able to afford our own home. We moved so many times, I lost count. It was during the 1950's that the three of us got married and led separate lives. My Mother and Father finally found a place they really liked at 204 Sanders Road in Buffalo, NY. It was here that my Mother Emily started researching the family tree around 1962 but she was stricken with a severe stroke in 1964. My Father took care of her for many years and she passed away at the Nazareth Nursing Home in Buffalo, NY on October 14, 1972. Her sister Dorothy had also had a stroke in Minneapolis and she and her husband Charlie were at my Mother's wake. She walked with a cane. I must mention that Florence (Wick) Randall was there from Lockport, NY. (Incidentally, I haven't included the Wick ancestry from Lockport yet, as I don't have enough research to report on.) Dorothy (Wick) Joyce passed away in the North Country of Minnesota, which she had learned to love, in the year 1975. I seemed to have covered all the information I have and then some on the Wick families of Fort Erie, Canada and the events concerning later history on my family. Therefore, I must return you to Williamsville, NY to explain more in detail the


events concerning Gregor G. Wik and his wife Barbara. You will see their lives ultimately affected the present. As was mentioned before, Gregor G. Wik and his wife, Barbara (Wagner) Wik were married November 16, 1875 at St's Peter and Paul Church in Williamsville. I also mentioned that they were the only family who did not leave Williamsville and that they lived on North Forest Road all their lives. To continue, they had six children who were all born in Williamsville and baptized at St's Peter and Paul Church:

Martha - born February 1,1878 Andrew, born August 6, 1879 Laura, born March 15, 1886 Anna, born November 29, 1889 Rose, born December 19, 1891 Howard G, born November 20, 1894

They bought twenty acres of land adjacent to the twenty-two acres of land once owned by his Father Augustine and which for ten years they owned these twenty-two acres and had sold back this same twenty-two acres to Augustine when he came back from Canada. At any rate, their twenty acres of land and their family was all that was left when on March 16, 1942, Gregor G. Wik died and was buried in St's Peter and Paul Cemetery on South Union Road in Williamsville, NY. His wife Barbara must have died somewhere else, as I was unable to find any information. What is important is that their son Andrew who married an Amelia H. (Sugg) born 1884 had nine children. Before I get to them, I must mention Gregor G. Wik's daughter Rose who married a Michael Regent. They had no children, and they lived in a stone storage house abandoned when the quarry filled with water. This stone house used to contain explosives for dynamiting quarry stone. They lived there for many years and the water filled quarry was named "Mikes Pond" after his name. This pond still exists and is hidden from view by the Lord Amherst Motel and trees. As mentioned before, Andrew and his wife Amelia had nine children, namely, Eileen, Vincent, Margaret, Dorothy, Andrew F. Marion, Elmer, Jim, and Harold. Jim Wik is a policeman for the Amherst police, and his son, Tom is an assistant engineer for the town of Amherst, To conclude, I'm sure there's more to research, family wise, however, I don't think it would add much. What is important, is that there is a Wik street off of North Forest Road, and that this particular branch continues in the Wik tradition in Williamsville, N.Y.


LOCKPORT (WRIGHTS CORNERS) NEW YORK JACOB WICK Jacob Wick, born 25 July 1872, moved to Wrights Corners, Town of Lockport to 1902. Died 13 November 1949 at home. His first wife Mary Ann Ballard was from North Collins, New York. Married approximately 1898. Born in 1877, Mary Ann died in childbirth in 1911.

Jacob and Mary Ann’s children: Florence Hazel Born 21 September 1900, baptized St. Mary's 4 Nov

1900. Confirmed 3 June 1913 St. Patrick's Church. Married Lewis Randall who died 1983.

Gregory Ballard Born 15 December 1901. Baptized St. Mary's 5 January 1902. Confirmed 3 June 1913 at St. Patrick's. Married 31 August 1926 to Cecilia Peters. Died 4 July 1983 in East Amherst. Cecilia died 8 April 1983 in Buffalo. Buried St. Mary's Cemetery. They were lifelong members St. Mary's Church.

Lorraine Theresa Born 10 May 1908. Baptized 17, June 1908. Married Lewis Clark. Living. Operated Clark's Restaurant on Ridge Road, Lockport.

Kenneth/Andrew Born 1911, died at birth. Second Wife Julia Hentges born 1886 in Buffalo. Married 31 March 1913 at St. Martin's in Buffalo. Died approximately 1947.

Jacob and Julia’s children: Anna Maria Born 25 January 1914. Baptized 1 March 1914. Married

James Eifert 12 June 1937. James deceased. Gertrude Elizabeth Born 2 August 1915. Baptized 8 August 1915. Married

Linus Gaul 22nd November 1951 in Lewiston NY. Linus died 1983.

Harold Joseph Born 7th August 1916. Baptized 20 August 1916. Died 3 July 1960. Married Alice Stephanski who survives. Son Gerald killed in Viet Nam. Name on memorials in Buffalo and Washington, DC.

Regina Born 13 April 1918. Married Duane Erck. Lives in Newfane, NY.

Cyril Born 18 December 1919. Married Mary Ellen Eichinger. Lives on Wick Road next to Jacob's home.

Norbert Jacob Born 13 November 1921. Wife's name is Marian. Lives in Florida.

Mary Frances Born 29 December 1924. Married Oscar Hahn.


AUGUST WICK Born 18th August 1860, died 8th June 1903. Died at age 48. Wife Elizabeth Grill born 7th October 1886. Died 15 December 1943. Lived on Wick Road. Buried St. Mary's Cemetery. August was Jacob's brother.

Their children: George Henry Born 2nd July 1887 died 8th October 1960. Baptized 31

July 1887. Married 14 July 1917 to Martha Engle. Their Children:

Lawrence George Mrs. Harvey Wahn of Grand Rapids, MI

Benjamin Frank Born 28th December 1888, died 1957. Baptized 3 February 1889. Unmarried.

Frank Joseph Born 23 July 1891. Baptized 30 Aug 1891. Died in 1970's. Operated two Wick’s Candy Shoppes on Bailey Avenue and Genesee Streets Buffalo

Their Child: Mary

Ida Sophie Born 23 April 1893 died 31st July 1907. Baptized 25 June 1893.

Lawrence Born 1st May 1895 died 23rd November 1985. Buried St. Mary's Cemetery. Unmarried.

Michael John Born 18th July 1897. Died 1986 in Florida. Baptized 5 September 1897. Wife

Their Child: Mary Elizabeth Carl August Born 16th October 1899. Baptized 3 December 1899.

Died 12th April 1963. Unmarried. Raymond Ferdinand born 8th January 1902, died spring 1988. Baptized 23 March 1902. Unmarried.

Loretta Elizabeth Born 17th March 1904. Baptized 1 May 1904. Unmarried.

Laura Elizabeth Born 17 March 1901. Louis Rolland Born 28th July 1907. Baptized 11 August 1907.

Died an infant.

This could be a double listing for Loretta, an error in church records.


WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. GREGOR G. WIK Gregor G. Wik, born 17 Oct 1853, Baptized 30 Oct 1853 died 16

Mar 1942. 88-1/2 years. Wife, Barbara Wagner, born 1856, died 1910, Gowanda State Hospital. Married 16 Nov 1875, St's Peter and Paul church.

Their Children: Martha Wik Born 1 Feb. 1878, Baptized 13 Feb 1878, died 27 Jul,

1922, Buffalo State Hospital Andrew Wik Born 6 Aug. 1879, Baptized 17 Aug 1879 died 13 Jun

1938 Loretta Wik Born 15 Mar 1886, Baptized 16 Jun 1895, died 12 Sept

1956, Gowanda State Hospital Anna Wik, Born 28 Nov 1889, Baptized 16 Jun 1895, died 1913. Rose Wik, Born 19 Dec 1890, Baptized l6 Jun, 1895, died 9 Novo 1956. Howard Wik Born 20 Nov 1894, Baptized 16 Jun 1895, died 6 Nov

1971. ANDREW WIK Andrew Wik, married Amelia H. Sugg, 6 Jun 1906, St's

Peter and Paul church. Amelia# born 29 Oct 1885, died 22 Mar 1977.

Their Children: Eileen Wiker Born 24 Mar 1907, married to Alfred J. St Peter, born 24

Dec 1905, died 16 Se p, 1984. Vincent Wik Born 6 Jul 1908 married to Elva Cavities, born 20 Apr

1914. Margaret Wik Born 21 Novo 1909, died 18 Jul# 1979, married to Roy

Ladler, born 23 Novo 1909, died 9 Jun, 1978. Dorothy Wik Born 15 Nov, 1911, Baptized 3 Dec, 1911, first marriage

to Alfred J. Seifirt, born 12 Apr, 1913, died 31 Oct# 1957. 2nd marriage to George G. Fracasso, born 27 Sep# 1911, died 26 Dec# 1979.

Andrew F. Wik Born 12 Jul 1914, died 24 Oct, 1965, married to Marjorie Rost born 1914, died 5 Jul, 1984.

Marion A. Wik Born 16 Jul 1916, married to Elmer Johnson, born 1915, died 6 Mar 1983.

Elmer Wik Born 27 Aug, 1918, married to Kathryn Collate, born 25 Novo 1923

James N. Wik Born 6 Jan 1921, married to Frances Truglauer born 18 Sep, 1922.

Their Children: Jim Wik Robert Wik Thomas Wik married to Mary (Donner) Wik.

Harold Wik, Born 7 Jan 1923, married to Carol Cavities, born 8 Nov 1923


Howard G. Wik enlisted in the U.S. Army 28 Se p, 1917, in WW1. He served in the Mechanic Supply Company of the 309th Infantry Division and in severe battles during the St. Michael's offensive of the Meise Argonne sector. He was honorably discharged 7 Jun 1919. He bought a home at 744 Main Road in Pembroke, N.Y., 25 May 1959. He died from here at St. Joseph's Hospital. After his death, 6 Novo 1971, Robert Wik, son of James N. Wik, bought the house and resides there.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.

Gregor G. Wik, oldest son of Augustine and Mary (Bitterman) Wik, was the last of the original pioneering family to occupy 20 acres of land on North Forest road. As I mentioned on page six of my research, Gregor and his wife, Barbara, never left the Williamsville area. He worked for the Snyder Roller Mill, operated by Philip Snyder and later by Edward D. Snyder. Besides his work in this flourmill, he also farmed his land. Tragedy took place for Gregor Wik in the year 1910. The Snyder Roller Mill burned to the ground on 7 Jun 1910, thus losing his job. Even more tragic, was the loss of his wife, Barbara, who died the same year, in Gowanda State Hospital. Before I continue, I must inform the reader that in the early years many people who had physical illnesses and especially those that persisted were often committed to mental institutions. This was also true in the cases of the very poor that couldn't afford a doctor, and even if you could, the medical profession was unable to treat any number of diseases, which manifested itself in a psychiatric way. This is why so many mental institutions sprung up throughout Erie County and were filled to capacity. Also it is true, that there was no welfare program then, and many families put their sick ones in these institutions since they simply couldn't afford it. As an example, Martha Wik, their oldest child, who died from an abscessed tooth, had been committed to Buffalo State Hospital 28 mar, 1,922, died a few months later, 27 Jul, 1922. Loretta Wik, another daughter became victim of the same circumstances, but became well enough to become an aide to the nurses at Gowanda State Hospital until she died from natural causes 12 Sep, 1956. My sister, Mary T. Jones, who was a nurse in training at Gowanda State Hospital in the late 1940's often met with Loretta Wik, with my Mother's urging (Emily C. Wick), and in discussions with my sister, it was learned that although Loretta was sick temporarily upon commitment, recovered on her own quickly, and dedicated her life to helping others at this facility out of memory of what happened to her Mother, Barbara, and her unfortunate sister, Martha. Another daughter Anna Wik died in 1913 he was only 23 years old. What happened to her is lost in the past. Rose Wik was the only daughter to marry. Of this entire family, Andrew Wik was the only one to marry and have children. Rose Wik who was married to Michael Regnet had no children, and as I previously mentioned in my research, they lived in an abandoned stone house next to the quarry, now called, "Mikes Pond." Marital problems developed between Rose and Michael, and Rose moved to North Forest Road. Her husband, Michael died at the Brother's of Mercy Nursing Home, 7 Oct 1959.


This branch of my research has been the most difficult, for in it I can sense the despair Gregor Wik must have gone through, but yet with some pride under difficult circumstances with his two sons, Andrew and Howard. He deserved no less to say the least. According to George Wik of Pendleton, N.Y., Howard G.Wik rebuilt the house at 85 North Forest Road, after fire claimed it in a 4th of July accident. This happened just prior to WW1 when Howard entered the Army. Howard also built two other houses on Wik Street. He also built a house for his brother Andrew Wik at North Forest 'and Maple Road. He was an excellent carpenter and his brother Andrew helped him. In 1947, when fire claimed George Wik's house at 5900 Donner Road in Pendleton# N.Y., Howard rebuilt it. Finally, Howard, when he bought a house at 744 Main Street in Pembroke, N.Y. found it in disrepair and rebuilt it.

CONCLUSION

This will conclude my research that began over a year ago. As most of you know, I have pretty much worked alone on this effort. There were many trips to record halls in Welland, Ontario, Canada and to the Erie County Hall, in Buffalo, N.Y. Other sources include the Buffalo Historical Museum, death records at the Buffalo city hall, and Williamsville, N.Y. The "Amherst Bee" newspaper was another source on microfilm at the Williamsville Library. Without a doubt, the greatest source of information came from parish record microfilms at the Mormon library on Maple Road in Amherst. I spent many months going over these microfilms, with Latin and German script entries, and not being too well educated in these languages, had to seek help from the Mormons on more than one occasion, to translate. Many of these records were faint and smeared to read, not to mention the scribbled writings that required time and patience. I'm sure that with the microfilms from the parish records of Bietingen, Germany, and lacking the knowledge, there is much I missed, however I consider it very fortunate that I was able to find this source at all. In fact I consider it a minor miracle that I was able to discover all that I did. As things turned out, a relationship has been established between the Wick and Wik families of our area and the Wik families in Bietingen, Germany. This is what my Mother, Emily C. (Wick) Jones was attempting to do in the 1960's, but unfortunately she became bedridden from a stroke and her records sat for many years with me. It wasn't until Molly Wick married my brother-in-law, John F. McGowan, that I picked up where my Mother left off. Incidentally, I must mention here that I find it rather eerie that Molly, whose great-great grandfather, Gregory Wick, brother to my great grandfather, Augustine, and myself happened to marry John and Sheila McGowan, the only two children of their parents ---Coincidence? I leave this one to the imagination of the reader. My Mother, Emily, as I previously stated, started this research 25 years ago, having last talked to George Wik and his wife Catherine on Donner road in Pendleton# N.Y. It is to these two, George, especially, that I pay special tribute to. He has been a wealth of information regarding the early history of the Wik families in Williamsville,


and events too numerous to mention here, collaborating my research in Fort Erie, Canada, Williamsville, N.Y., and Buffalo, N.Y. I would also like to express my deep thanks to Ann (Wick) Spear for her time and effort with the Lockport connection and her continuing commitment with the Wik relations in Bietingen, Germany. Finally I would like to thank Dorothy (Wick) Fracasso and her sister Eileen (Wik) St Peter for their kindness and information on the Wik families of Gregor G, Wik and. Andrew Wik. This last part I leave for myself. First, I would like to make this absolutely clear, I did this research with the sole intent of bringing together, at least in spirit, all those concerned, but more importantly, to preserve the past for the young generations and those that follow so that they may enjoy their heritage. Please forgive me if I left someone out. It was by no means, intentional.

Edward H. Jones


Wick Families of Wrights Corners

Town of Lockport, New York

Part II

Genealogy Research by Ann E. Wick Spear

Dedicated to Gregory Ballard Wick, my Father

“You got it from your Father, it was all he had to give. So it’s yours to use and cherish for as long as you may live. If you lose the watch he gave you, it can always be replaced. But a black mark on your name son can never be erased. It was clean the day you took it, and a worthy name to ear. When he got it from his Father, there was no dishonor there. So be sure to guard it wisely, after all is said and done; you’ll be glad the name is spotless when you give it to your son.”

Author Unknown Taken from Daily Guideposts 1988 (Eric Fellman).


Reading from left to right and back to front:

• Gertrude Elizabeth Wick b: 2 August 1915 • Anne Mary Wick b: 25 January 1914 • Gregory Ballard Wick b: 15 December 1901 d: 4 July 1983 • Cyril Martin Wick b: 18 December 1919 • Norbert James Wick b: 13 November 1921 • Harold Joseph Wick b: 7 August 1916 d: 5 July 1960 • Florence Hazel Wick b: 21 September 1900 d: 18 April 1990 • Loraine Teresa Wick b: 10 May 1908

Front Row

• Regina Wick b: 13 April 1918 • Julia Mary Hentges Wick b: 1886 m: 31 March 1913 • Jacob James Wick b: 25 July 1872 d: 13 November 1949 • Mary Frances Wick b: 29 December 1924


After completing the extensive research on the Wick and Wik families through their immigration to the United States and subsequent settlement in Erie County, Ed Jones passed the job on to me to complete the history of the Wick family in the Lockport, Niagara County, New York area. The Catholic Church authorized the Church of the Latter Day Saints to microfilm all of their birth, death, marriage and baptism records worldwide up to the year 1900, giving us invaluable records of our family history. However, because many people born after 1900 are still living, the Catholic Church felt it would be an invasion of privacy to allow records after 1900 to be copied. I was able to fill in most of the facts from interviews with family members, especially my aunt Anna (Ann) and Uncle Cyril, who was in possession of an old family bible. Because many of the children were baptized in Buffalo, and some family members died out of the area, it was impossible to get some of the exact dates. When this occurred, an accurate estimate of the death or birth is given. I will touch briefly on the lives of all of Gregory's children, especially the families of Jacob (from whom I descend) and August. Because Jacob had more than forty grandchildren and countless great grandchildren now living from Connecticut to Texas, I will end with Jacob's children. However, I would like to remember here Gerald Wick, son of Harold and Alice Wick, who died in a helicopter accident while rescuing men in the Viet Nam war; David Eifert, son of Anna Wick and James Eifert, who died a young man; and Dennis Wick, son of Norbert and Marian Wick, who died at age 16. (Julia Perry who is the daughter of Mary Wick is adding this information as she edits this document for reproduction in June of 2002: Stephen Hahn, son of Mary Wick and Oscar Hahn who died of a sudden heart attack in 2000). All of the remaining grandchildren of Jacob and Mary Ann and Julia survive at this writing. (Summer of 1988.) Let me pause here to retell the stories of the vision of the Virgin Mary and the reunion of the brothers as the stories were told to me. The stories were basically correct as told, but I believe details remembered by other family members warrant retelling. Sophia Volger Wick was born and raised a Lutheran and did not believe in the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She remained protestant during her early marriage to Gregory. Gregory's family was making a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary at SS Peter and Paul. Church 1. Williamsville and invited Sophia to come along. She went, and was impressed with the singing and pageantry of the novena. A painting of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary hung in the church. Sophia returned home and went about her daily chores in a back room adjoining the grocery store and beer hall she and her husband ran in Getzville. The room contained a cradle and worktable where she would shell peas, peel potatoes, and care for the baby. On the wall hung a mirror. While working in the back room Sophia looked up to the mirror and saw a vision of the Virgin Mary exactly as she appeared in the painting at SS Peter and Paul Church. This vision was mist-like and


stayed on the mirror for enough days for word to spread and neighbors to come to see. Sophia's sister Kate, a Mennonite, came and was annoyed with Sophia for worshipping the Virgin Mary, something unthinkable in the Lutheran and Mennonite religions. Kate said of the misty vision, "If you can rub it off, rub it off!" Kate then proceeded to wipe the vision off the mirror with her apron. Sophia was so moved by the vision that she converted to Catholicism. Years later Kate committed suicide by going over Niagara Falls. Gregory's parents Donatus and Mary Bilger Wick were invited to a wedding in Bietingen, Germany and could not take their new baby so they assigned the task of babysitting to their son. The family owned a rooster that had the run of the yard and Mary cautioned her son not to let the rooster get into the bed with the baby. The babysitter was preoccupied and the rooster flew into the bed, badly scratching the baby. When Donatus and Mary came home and saw the baby they punished their son severely. The son became so angry he left home, never to be seen again. Above Gregory and Sophia's general store and beer hall they had rooms available for rent, not a hotel but more permanent, for roomers. During that era it was common for itinerant craftsmen to rent a room, set up business appointments, and move on when their work was finished. One day a horologer walked along the "Peanut" Railroad tracks that ran along side the store/saloon. He stopped at the Wicks to rent a room and make contacts to repair local residents' clocks and watches. Gregory sensed something familiar about the horologer, and asked him if he could be his long lost brother. The craftsman denied a relationship. The stranger said he had immigrated to Canada, had a family there, but was a wanderer at heart. The horologer would hitch rides into Buffalo to seek more work there. Gregory often arranged rides for him with his customers. One day while the repairman was gone Gregory went through his possessions and found that it was indeed his older brother. They parted and were never reunited. Gregory and Sophia left the Getzville business in 1881 and rented a farm from a Mrs. Tice or Heist at what is now 6365 Ridge Road in the Town of Newfane. Jacob recalled that they harvested their first crop of wheat on his ninth birthday, July 25. Why they left Getzville is speculation, but it was well known that Gregory was a bit fond of the bottle and story telling, and his business suffered because of it. I did not find records of Gregory owning land in that area, but the family did live on the property owned by his youngest son Henry across the road from his son August on Wick Road in Wrights Corners. Sophia died in October 1914 and Gregory and Henry moved to 4 Schereck Avenue in Buffalo, NY. On November 30, 1916 he ate a full meal, laid down for a nap, and died in his sleep at age 89, eight months and eleven days. He was buried with Sophia in the family plot at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lockport. Woman's jobs were difficult to find in the Victorian era, and it was customary for young women to hire as maids, governesses, cooks and housekeepers for the wealthy in Buffalo. Gregory's daughter, Mary, was so employed. A romantic


matchmaker, Mary introduced her brother Jacob to Mary Ann Ballard who was Mary's coworker. Mary Ann was from North Collins, NY and she fell in love with Jacob. They were married in approximately 1898. Mary Ann and Jacob rented an apartment in Lockport on Ann Street next to a broom factory. Jacob got a job at the Oliver Brass Bed Company polishing the brass. He was waiting for his home to be built in Wrights Corners where he would begin farming. Jacob's brother’s August and Henry were already living on farms on Wick Road, as was his Father Gregory. Jacob received fifty acres of land in payment for his help building August and Henry's homes (this is now 6515 Wick Road). August had purchased his land from Harvey Beach in 1893 (now 6579 Wick Road). Both of these homes are still in the family, owned by Thomas Hahn, son of Mary Wick Hahn (6579) and Daniel Hahn, son of Mary Wick Hahn (6515), grandsons of Jacob. Mary Wick was born in the house at 6515 Wick Road and she resides today in a house built by her husband Oscar across the street on land that they purchased from her Father Jacob. In the winter of 1902 their house in Lockport caught fire from the neighboring broom factory on Ann Street. All was destroyed and the couple drove down Tollgate Hill (Lake Avenue) with Florence and Gregory resting on a hastily salvaged pillow. They had no choice but to move into their unfinished house on the farm. Florence, born in 1900 Florence married Louis Randall and together they raised a son - ?, Dorothy and ?. Lou died in 1983. Florence was recognized for fifty years of volunteer service to the American Red Cross. She is well traveled having been to Alaska and many other parts of the USA. (Note: Florence has died since this writing J. Perry 2002). Gregory born December 15, 1901 Gregory, my Father, married Cecilia Peters on August 31, 1926. They lived on Prospect Street in Lockport and raised a son and two daughters. My dad was fascinated with cars and airplanes all his life. He worked as a welder for Harrison Radiator, beginning at the age of 15. He walked from his home on Wick Road three miles to work one-way each day. He retired with 47 years seniority. He always loved farming and often drove the truck loaded with tomatoes and melons to the Buffalo Market late at night. Sometimes my mom and I would ride along, and we would stop at Wick's Candy Store on Bailey Avenue afterward for a sundae or candy treat. My dad died three months after my mom, after having spent an evening with his children and grandchildren. He awoke early on July 4th 1983, baked a cake, did his laundry, changed his bed and went to visit with my sister and her company. He died in the middle of a sentence, talking about his favorite subject cars. He left his children with a love for nature, especially flowers and birds. Lorraine born in 1908 Married Lewis Clark and they raised four children: Richard Lois Donald Rita


Their daughter Rita is keenly interested in genealogy and provided some of the material for this research. Lorraine and Uncle Lou ran a successful up-scale drive-in restaurant on Ridge Road before their retirement. Mary Ann’s last pregnancy was to be her last. The pregnancy did not go well and she went into premature labor, had convulsions, bore the baby and died while three doctors helplessly looked on. The baby, a son, was near death. Jacob baptized him and the infant died before the day was done. Jacob buried his wife and baby son in St. Mary's Cemetery in Lockport.


Jacob's sister Mary had married a Mr. Fisher who died an untimely death. She had a son Frank from this marriage. Mary remarried a Henry Balcazar and Jacob was best man. Henry's niece, Julia Hentges was in the wedding party. It was here Jacob, recently widowed and left with three children, met his next wife. Jacob and Julia were married March 31, 1913 and raised seven children: Anna, Gertrude, Harold, Regina, Cyril, Norbert and Mary Frances. Back row left to right: Gregory, daughter Florence, Julia, son Gregory Front Row left to right Daughters Lorraine, Anna, son Harold, daughters Regina and Gertrude


Anna worked at Harrison Radiator in Lockport and donated her time to the Wrights Corners Fire Company Auxiliary where her husband was a volunteer fireman. Anna is alive at this time and donates her time to the Niagara Migrant Ministry. Anna married James Eifert and bore five children:

Mary Ann William Edward Margaret David

Gertrude married Linus Gaul and lives in the City of Lockport. She raised a daughter Regina and enjoys babysitting her grandchildren. Gertrude was recognized for her volunteer work at the Lockport Memorial Hospital. Harold farmed the land with his Father, living across the road on the south side of Wick Road. Harold was a volunteer fireman. He died in July of 1960 of a heart attack while running a backhoe for Harrison Radiator He married Alice Stephanski and they raised five children:

Cynthia Thomas Gerald (deceased) Richard Phillip

Regina (Jean) married Duane (Duke) Erck and they live in Newfane, New York. They raised five children:

Roger Gary

Cyril was a Sergeant in the Air Force in WWII. He returned to work at Harrison Radiator. He and Mary Ellen still reside on Wick Road adjoining Jacob's original farm and across the street from Mary Hahn. Cy donates much of his time to St. Bridget's Church in Newfane, NY. He married Mary Ellen Eichinger and they raised eight children:

Ronald Kathy Phyllis Judith Paul Elizabeth Gerard Jennifer

Norbert was a Lieutenant in WWII, flying a Liberator plane in Europe. While on the way to Europe he realized he would be flying close to home so he dipped the plane low over the farm and the family waved him good luck as he went to war. He retired from General Motors, Tonawanda plant. He and his wife Marian raised two children:

Susan Dennis (deceased)


Mary Frances was active in the Wrights Corners Fire Co. Auxiliary and the 4-H and Boy Scouts. Mary Frances married Oscar Hahn and they raised ten children: Stephen (deceased) Joseph Julia Cynthia Daniel (living 6515 Wick Road) Peter (Living Wick Road) William Mary Lorine Thomas (living 6579 Wick Road) David Jacob was a successful farmer, known as the melon king hereabouts. He also grew corn and tomatoes and I remember the Wick women sorting the tomatoes in the barn after the harvest each day. The baskets would spill over into the yard and my dad would load up the truck for market. Jacob always gave thanks for his bounty by remembering the Sisters of St. Mary's in Lockport. Each year he would glean the fields and take the excess vegetables to the convent. Julia died in 1947 of cancer, and two years later, 11/13/49, Jacob went out to tie up the roses, felt ill, laid down and died at age 77. Jacob's sister Anna married Orman Jacques and they settled on the Jacques Road in the Town of Newfane, New York. Their first child, Norma, was born at the turn of the century. She lived, unmarried, into advanced age, retired from the office of Harrison Radiator. She had a brother Harold who died as an infant. Anna died before she reached thirty. Her husband, Orman, took on a housekeeper, a Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, to run the house and look after Norma. She was a wicked lady and schemed to get the Jacques property, stealing regularly from the farm income. She convinced the bereaved Orman that life was not worth living. In 1920 she found Orman dead by suicide by hanging in the barn. She then tried to convince Norma that she too should end her life. These deaths would give Mrs. Taylor the farm. Fortunately, relatives intervened and Norma was saved. While researching this paper I visited the Wrights Corners cemetery to get birth and death dates. The markers of the Jacques plot did not have dates on them, but ironically I found the grave of Mrs. Taylor's son, fully marked, on the Jacques plot. An equally wicked person, Mrs. Taylor's son H. Wilbur was killed in an incident in California where he reportedly stole emeralds from a house of prostitution. He died in 1924 at age 23. Anna and Orman Jacques have no survivors. Jacob's sister Helen married a Mr. Benson. Their son Irving moved to California. Henry lived for a time on the south side of Wick Road bordering the Eighteen Mile Creek. He purchased land from Arros Bracer in 1899 and sold seven acres to Jacob in 1901. Gregory and Sophia lived here until Sophia's death.


Jacob grazed his cows on the seven acres, and here was the site of squatter John Fisher's shack. Old John Fisher was a hermit. Henry and Gregory moved to 4 Schereck Street in Buffalo, NY where Gregory died in 1916. Henry returned to Lockport, married a woman named Genevieve, and lived in various homes in Lockport. They had a son Edward who was captured in WWII. Returning home after the war, Ed never recovered from the trauma of the war. He died in the Veteran's Hospital in Buffalo of alcoholism. Henry's daughters Helen and Genevieve also died young. Henry had a wooden leg due to diabetes. Gregory was a professional photographer in Norwich, New York. August lived on property adjoining Jacob. Married to Elizabeth Grill, they had a prosperous farm. August died at age 48, leaving Elizabeth the enormous task of running the farm and raising the five children still at home. She had recently buried Ida and an infant daughter in 1904 and a baby son in 1907. In gratitude she would later deed the land to Lawrence, Raymond, Loretta and Ben, who stayed at home and paid off the farm debt. The property passed to her children in 1938 and they cared for their Mother until her death in 1943. August and Elizabeth's son George Henry moved to Buffalo, as did Frank. Frank served in WWI in Europe and later ran a successful candy business in Buffalo his wife Mildred's death in 1988. Frank died approximately 1970. He had a daughter Lorraine who married and moved to Ft. Erie, Canada. George lived at 8 Schereck Street with his wife Martha Engle. He died on October 8, 1960. He left a daughter Mrs. Harvey Wahn of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and two sons, George A. and Lawrence F. Benjamin was a foreman at Harrison Radiator, living on Wick Road. He died in 1957 - unmarried. Lawrence served in WWI in Europe and was a master mechanic for a streetcar company in Buffalo before leaving that business to return to the farm. He died 11/23/85 - unmarried. Michael was a manager in the engineering department of Harrison Radiator. He retired to Florida where he died in 1987. His wife and daughter, Mary Elizabeth, predeceased him by a few months. There are no living descendents. Carl August worked on the Farm until his death in 1963. He never married. Raymond worked in the pressroom at Harrison Radiator, helping on the farm at night. He was an accomplished harmonica player. Raymond died in the spring of 1988. He was unmarried. Loretta kept house far the men, cooking enormous meals and canning endless vegetables during harvest. She was a friend of my Mother, Cecilia for 68 years and


"they never had a cross word". Loretta, Raymond, Lawrence and my Mother and Father loved to play cards and often spent the winter weekends together. The Wick family continues to grow, mainly through Jacob's line. The children carry the Wick traits. They are tall in stature and have large appendages. Many of the males are over 6'6" tall and their shoe sizes range from 12 to 15. The women stand straight and tall. Arthritis and osteoporosis seems to "run in the family". Poor eyesight is a problem with Jacob and Mary Ann's line. Although a problem with the males in past generations, alcoholism does not seem to appear in the current generation. Two children were born with birth defects that appeared to occur due to the Mother's illness during pregnancy. One (myself? suffers from lateral sclerosis of unknown cause. As of this writing (summer 1988) all six of Jacob's daughters are living, are of keen mind, and active. Only Florence, now 88 years old, lives in a nursing home. (Update: Florence is deceased J. Perry 2002). Cyril and Norbert survive and are in good health. Gregory and Harold died the way their Father and grandfather died, suddenly without suffering. They were-all active on the day they died.


BIETINGEN, BADEN, GERMANY JOANNES WICK John Wick, born 1627, died March 6, 1684. No other

information available MARTINUS WICK Martin Wick, born 1667, married August 31,1692 died March 3

1703. Wife, Margaret Osvaldo born 1674, died February 27, 1728. Their Children: Martin August 16, 1696 Mathia February 25, 1695, died infant same day Andrea August 31, 1698 Conrad October 13, 1699 Joannes September 18, 1701 Martinus September 25, 1703

KONRADUS WIK Conrad Wik Born October 13, 1699, married October 24t, 1726,

died December 28, 1748. Wife, Ursula Wider, born, June 2, 1705, died September 21, 1780. Their children: Maria October 1, 1727, died infant same day Andreas November 29, 1729. Catherina October 3t, 1730, died infant same day Martin November 2, 1733, died 31 Aug, 1814 Afra July 27, 1735 Antonio February 17, 1738, died 21 May 1824 Barbara December 4, 1741

ANTONIUS WIK Anthony Wik February 7, 1738, married August 20, 1769, died

May 21, 1824. Wife, Maria Schildnecht, born August 25, 1747, died January 8, 1805 Their Children: Donatus February 17, 1770, died July 3, 1859 Calistus October 14, 1771, died infant same day Severinus October 24, 1772, died infant same day Hypolitus August 13, 1775, died infant-same day Carolus November1, 1776 Antonius July 27, 1778 Victoria December 19, 1779 Joannes June 8, 1781, died infant same day Ferdinanius September 9, 1782, died infant same day Rosalia Maria September 9, 1784, died 11 Jun 1822 Theresia February 11, 1788, died infant same day Xaveria November 28, 1791, died infant same day


DONATIUS WIK Donatus Wik, born 17 Feb 1770, married 11 Nov 1801, died 3 Jul 1859. Wife, Maria Bilge, born 26 Mar 1783, died 12 Apr 1864.

Their Children: Franz Joseph Born 6 Feb 1803 Peter Celestin Born 17 May 1805, married 23 Apr 1834 Eva Born 24 Dec# 1806, Married 16 Nov, 1830 Maxentius Born 11 Dec 1808, married 1838 Wilheim Born 18 Aug. 1810, died infant 11 Oct# 1810 Victoria Born 9 Jan 1812, married 15 Feb 1836, died 28 Jan, 1880 Ferdinand Born 17 Oct, 1813, died infant 2 Nov, 1813 Nicholas Born 4 Dec, 1814, died 1 Jan, 1815 Felizitas Born 6 Mar 1826, married 27 May 1847, died 9 Jul, 1875 Kunigunda Born 22 Mar 1818, died 11 Sept 1818 Magdelena Born 21 Jul 1819, married 12 May 1847 Philip Born 1821, died 1847 Jacob Born 25 Jul, 1823, died infant 2 Aug, 1823 Augustine Born 21 Aug# 1824, died 15 Mar, 1899 Gregorius Born 13 Mar, 1827, died 30 Nov# 1916

AUGUSTINE WIK Augustine Wik, born 21 Aug, 1824, immigrated to

U.S.A. 1847, married Maria Bitterman 25 Sep, 1849, St. Peter and Paul church, Williamsville, N.Y. Wife born 1829, Surbourg, Alsace, France, died 15 Mar, 1922 Their Children: Barbara Wick Born 29 Feb 1850, died 1934 (Canada) Gregor G. Wik Born 17 Oct# 1853, died 16-Mar, 1942 Eve Wick Born 24 Dec 1857, died? Augustus Wick Born 15 Feb 1859, died 14 Feb, 1934 Donatus Wick Born 15 Jan 1862, died 25 May, 1923 Joseph Wik Born 10 Jan 1865, died? George Wik Born 1 Oct 1867, Died 10 Feb 1938 Frank P. Wick Born 1 Oct 1867, died 13 Oct 1945 Philip Wick Born 17 Jun 1852, died 17 Sep, 1852

GREGORIUS WICK - Gregory Wick, born 12 Mar, 1827, immigrated to U.S.A.

1852, died 30 Nov, 1916, Buffalo, N.Y. Wife, Sophia Vogel born 8 Dec 1834, Pittshof, Baden, Germany. Died 30 Oct 1914, Lockport, N.Y. Civil marriage by "Squire" Twirley, Williamsville# N.Y.# 25 A pr, 1857. Converted to Catholicism, 22 Aug. 1871, St's Peter and Paul in Williamsville, N.Y.


Their Children: Heinrich Ludwig Born 16 Mar, 1858, Died 16, Feb, 1862. J August Born 18 Aug, 1860 Gregor Born 20 Aug 1862, Baptized, 12 Oct 1862 Suzanna Born 20 Aug 1864, died 24 Dec# 1868. Maria Born 7 Mar, 1866, baptized, 4 Nov, 1868 Helena Born 10 Feb, 1868, baptized, 4 Nov, 1868 Sophia Born 7 Jan 1870, baptized, 3 Feb 1870, died 21 Jun, 1871 Jacob Born 21 Jul 1872, baptized, 1 Sep, 1872 Anna Barb Born 20 May, 1874, baptized, 21 Jun 1874. Heinrich Born 30 Mar 1878, baptized, 22 Jun 1878.

NOTE: All of the children born from Gregory and Sophia Wick were baptized at St's Peter and Paul church in Williamsville, N.Y. However, there are no entries of baptism for their first two children, namely, Heinrich Ludwig, and August.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. AND FORT ERIE, CANADA FRANCISCUS PETRUS WICK Francis Peter Wick, born 1 Oct# 1867,

Twin brother of George Wik, St's Peter and Paul Church, Williamsville, N.Y. Moved to Fort Erie, Ontario Canada in 1883. Wife, Mary Xern, born 1 Sep 1873, Cattaraugus, N.Y. Married 27 Jul, 1899, St. Michael's Church, Buffalo, N.Y. Francis died 13 Oct 1945. Wife, Mary died 14 Sep, 1955. Both buried St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fort Erie, and Ontario, Canada. Their Children: Emily Catherine Born 18 Jul 1900 on the Garrison Road, Fort Erie, Died 14

Oct 1972 at Nazareth Nursing Home, Buffalo, N.Y. Buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Tonawanda# N.Y.

Dorothy Wick, Born 19 Feb 1910 on Concession Road, Fort Erie. Died 1975, Minneapolis, Minn.

THEY SERVED IN THE USA ARMED SERVICES

WORLD WAR I: Lawrence Wick Frank Wick Raymond Wick Howard Wick

WORLD WAR II: Dorothy Randall Iceman Lawrence Wick Cyril Wick Edward Wick Norbert Wick Edward Jones

VIET NAM: Gerald Wick


AMHERST BEE MARCH 19, 1942 OBITUARY

Gregor G Wik Eighty eight and one half years lived in the same locality was revealed in the announcement made on Monday, March 16, 1942, of the death of Gregor G. Wik of 85 North Forest road. His death occurred at his home following a few days illness of Pneumonia. Mr. Wik was born, October 17, 1853, the son of the late Augustine and Mary Bitterman Wik, on the old Wik homestead, a short distance north of the present home. His marriage to the late Barbara Wagner, who passed away about 30 years ago, took place November 16, 1873. Four children were born to the couple Loretta Wik, Mrs. Rose Regnet, and Howard G. Wik and the late Andrew Wik. A brother, Frank Wick resides at Fort Erie, Ontario. Two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Manhardt, and Mrs.: Joseph Hoak, and three brothers, George, Joseph and Donatus also preceded their brother in death. Mr. Wik was formerly employed in the Snyder Roller Mill operated by Philip Snyder, and later by Edward D. Snyder. Funeral services are being held this morning at 8:30 and from SS Peter and Paul church at 9 o'clock. Rev, Raymond P. Murray will officiate. Burial will be in the union road R.C. cemetery. NOVEMBER 10, 1971 OBITUARY HOWARD G WIK Wik, Howard G. 76 of Corfu, formerly of North Forest road, Williamsville# died November 6. Prayers were said November 8 in the Beach Tuyn funeral home, followed by a requiem mass in St Gregory the Great church. Mr. Wik was the brother of the late Andrew, Martha, Laura Wik, and Mrs. Rose Regnetf uncle of Mrs. Alfred St Peter, Vincent, Mrs. Roy LaFleur, Mrs. George Fracasso, Mrs. Elmer Johnson, Elmer, James, Harold and the late Andrew Wik. NOVEMBER 15 1956 OBITUARY MRS. MICHAEL REGNET Funeral services for Mrs. Rose Regnet, 65, wife of Michael Regnet of 85 North Forest Road, Williamsville# were conducted from the Beach Tuyn Funeral Home on Monday morning at 9 o'clock and from SS Peter and Paul church at 900. Interment was in SS Peter and Paul cemetery in Union road. Mrs. Regnet, a member of one of Amherst's oldest families, died at the family residence on Friday, Novo 9, 1956, following an extended illness. The deceased was born on December 19, 1890, in Amherst, the daughter of the late Gregor and Barbara Wagner Wik. She married Michael Regnet who survives. Mrs. Regnet was the sister of Howard G., the late Andrew B, Martha, Loretta, and Anna Wik.


ADDENDA Since this writing it has been learned that Gregory Wick and his wife Sophia sold their property in Getzville in 1875. In the Niagara County directory Gregory Wick is listed as a laborer living at 2 McCollum Street in Lockport, New York in 1876 and 1877. In the City of Lockport directory for 1878 Gregory is listed as living on the end of the north side of High Street in Lockport, New York. He is not listed in Lockport after this date (1878). COMPLETE GAZZETEER OF THE WORLD WICK A borough and seaport town of Scotland, capital of the county of Caithnss, on it's east coast, at the mouth of the wick, in a deep bay, 16 miles south west of Duncans by head. It contains a town hall, courthouse, several churches, banking offices, and savings banks, a chamber of commerce, a schoolhouse, reading rooms. Wick has been for upwards of half a century, the headquarters of the herring fishery of Scotland. Boat building, rope making, and barrel making are actively carried on. It has an export trade in wood and cattle, and imports of coal, timber, and colonial produce. WYK - Seaport, village of Prussia, south east of Sleswick. Sixteen miles north west of Bredstedt. SLESIWICK (Ger. Schleswig; Dan, Slezzig) A former Duchy of the kingdom of Denmark, comprising the south part of the peninsula of Jutland, separated on the north by the Konge river from Jutland proper, and on the south by the Elder and Holstein canal from the duchy of Holstein, having east the Baltic, and the little belt, in which it, comprises the island of Alsen, and west, the North Sea, in which are islands of Romue, Silt, Fuhr, Pelworm, Norstraad. It was conquered by the Austrians and Prussians in 1863-1864 and in 1866 was merged in the new Prussian provinces of Sleswick, Holstein. NOTE: The above villages or towns are the only references made to the name

Wick, Wyk. The name Wyck does not appear. This does not mean it never existed.


WIK AND WICK FAMILIES · Remember that the Latin version spelled it "Wick", and German script...

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Transcript of WIK AND WICK FAMILIES · Remember that the Latin version spelled it "Wick", and German script...