I'm replying to this post several years late, but I hope it brings me some answers. My grandfather was John Hilgers who came to the U.S with his family in 1885. He was 15 at the time. He had brothers Joseph, Henry, Peter, George, and one whose name I don't know, plus a sister. According to the family story his mother died on the ship. On my grandparents' wedding certificate, Peter Hilgers is listed as witness. His mother's name is given as Helena Brandt Hilgers. His father's name is also John. Henry and Joseph and John remained in Racine. Could your grandfather Peter be the brother who witnessed the wedding in 1901?