Johannes Adam Pfeifer, Jr. (1859-1917) – A Historical Timeline
Johannes Adam Pfeifer, Jr. or Adam J. Pfeifer as he was known by was my Great Great Grandfather. Son of Johannes Adam Pfeifer Sr. and husband to Cecilia Rupp, he was born in Russia and immigrated with his parents to Kansas as part of the Volga River German migration. Here’s a timeline I’ve put together on his life.
Historical Timeline: Johannes Adam Pfeifer, Jr. (1859-1917)
| YEAR | LOCATION | EVENT |
| 1859 | Herzog (Susly), Wolga, Russia | Born: 10 May 1859 |
| 1876 | New York, USA | “Grandmother Cecelia (Rupp) Pfeifer arrived in New York on the SS Suevia from Hamburg and Havre, Germany on August 3, 1876.” |
| 1878 | New York, USA | Adam was 20 when he came to US with his parents on the “Leipzig” – Landed in New York 12 Sep 1878. This ship’s record lists his father Johannes Adam Pfeifer Sr. (age 59) as the head of the family along with his mother Anna (age 53) and his siblings Johs (age 28), Anna (age 27), Elisab (age 21), himself – Adam (age 20), Marg (age 17), Charle? (age 13), Barbara (age 8), Andreas (age 7) and Johs (age 3). The last one listed was possibly a grand-child? |
| Ellis Co., Kansas | “He was one of the 12 families who founded the town of Hyacinth, Kansas (12 miles north of Hays) The town and church no longer exist, only the Church cemetery. The Pfeifer homestead was in Hyacinth, Kansas” | |
| 1879 | (Probably Kansas) | Married (1): Pauline Miller/Muller (b. 1861 in Russia) 9 Sep 1879 |
| 1880 | ? | U.S. Census: Listed in the Census as…? Cannot find him in this census. He would be with his first wife. Probably in Kansas. |
| 1883 | (Probably Kansas) | Wife dies: Pauline dies in Childbirth (d. 25 Feb 1883) |
| 1883 | (Probably Kansas) | Son: Johann (b. 25 Feb 1883) Died with Mom at birth |
| 1883 | (Probably Kansas) | Married (2): Cecilia Rupp, 9 Apr 1883 |
| 1885 | Victoria Township, Ellis Co., Kansas | State Census: Listed in the Kansas State Census as Adam Pfeiffer (age 26) with his wife Zezilia (age 20). His occupation is listed as farmer, his birthplace Russia. |
| 1887 | Victoria, Ellis Co., Kansas | Son: Andrew A. (b. 4 Mar 1887) |
| 1889 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Son: Joseph A. (b. 3 Mar 1889) |
| 1891 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Son: Alexander A. (b. 10 Apr 1891) |
| 1893 | Walker, Ellis Co., Kansas | Son: Anton A. (b. Feb 1893) |
| 1895 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Son: Adam A. (b. 24 Feb 1895) |
| 1897 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Son: John A. (b. 22 Apr 1897) |
| 1899 | Collyer, Trego Co., Kansas | Daughter: Catherine (b. 7 Jul 1899) |
| 1900 | Bryant Township, Graham Co., Kansas | U.S. Census: Listed in the Census as Listed in the Census as Adam Pfeifer (age 42, b. May 1858) with his wife Zezilia (age 35, b. Sept 1864) and children Andrew (age 13, b. Mar 1887), Joseph (age 11, b. Mar 1889), Alexander (age 9, b. Apr 1891), Anton (age 7, b. Feb 1893), Adam (age 5, b. Feb 1895), John (age 4, b. Apr 1887), and Katherine (age 11/12, b. Jul 1899). Adam is listed as a Farmer, immigrated 1879 and naturalized, married 17 years. His wife is listed as parents to 8 children, 7 living, immigrated 1876. |
| 1904 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Daughter: Anna Margaret (b. 29 Mar 1904) |
| 1905 | Ellis Co., Kansas | “He helped in the building of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in 1905.” |
| 1906 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Daughter: Elizabeth (b. 22 May 1906) |
| 1910 | Buckeye, Ellis Co., Kansas | U.S. Census: Listed in the Census as Adam J. (age 51) with is wife Selia (age 44) and children Alexander (age 19), Antone (age 17), Adam (age 15), John (age 12), Catherine (age 10), Mary (age 8), Anna (age 6) and Lizzie (age 3). Adam is listed as married 27 years in his second marriage. |
| 1917 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Dies: J. Adam Pfeifer (d. 30 Oct 1917) and is buried in St. Josephs, Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas. |
| 1920 | Big Creek Township, Hays City, Ellis Co., Kansas | U.S. Census: His wife is listed in the Census as Cecilia Pfeifer (age 54) with her children Mary (age 18), Auria (age 17), and Elizabeth (age 14). She is listed as a Widow, her immigration 1876, not naturalized. Her birthplace is Serotof, Russia, mother tongue is German. Her eldest daughter is listed as a Waitress in a Restaurant. She answers “no” to being able to read and write or speak English. |
| 1930 | Hays City, Ellis Co., Kansas | U.S. Census: His wife is listed in the Census as Cecilia J. Pfeifer (age 65) with her daughter Elizabeth C. (age 23). |
| 1930 | Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas | Wife dies: Cecilia Rupp Pfeifer (d. 20 Aug 1930) and is buried in St. Josephs, Hays, Ellis Co., Kansas next to her husband. |
If you’re related to this family or have more information about them including stories, pictures and dates and family member names, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below or email me directly from the About Us page.