Hi John,
You probably won't be checking this reply since it's been a year, but I have found in the 1900 US census records the whole family with all the kids listed living in Milwaukee. Both the parents, Dorothea and William are listed as born in Germany. Christian Gobrecht and his children were all born in Pennsylvania, so I can't see how it's possible that Dorothea is his granddaughter. I wonder where those stories come from? It just doesn't seem to add up. But I''ve heard that from Grandma and my dad since I was a little girl so it' s hard to believe it might not be true. If you happen to check in on this post.. have you found anything else out? Thanks!
Laura (Beiswenger) Smith