McHenry County Centennial 1885-1985 page 101

THEODORE BENJAMIN SEMRAU - bio
Theodore Benjamin SEMRAU, born December 2, 1866 in Pagelkau Kries Schlachau, Germany. He came to the United States with his parents in 1873 and settled in Yellow Bank Township, Lac Que Parle County, Minnesota.

He married Martha Marie HENKELMANN on Feb 5, 1888. Martha Marie was born at Kamino Berkauland Kries Abognik, Germany on November 25, 1870.

Theodore (aka as T.B.) homesteaded in Section 13 of Balfour Township in 1900. He came by wagon train with four horses, a wagon, plow and other necessities to set up farming after he had seeded a crop in Correll, Minnesota. He built a small house, barn, fence and broke some land before returning to harvest his crop in Minnesota.

Again by wagon train T.B. and Theodore M. returned to the homestead. Martha Marie and the other children came by train and were met at the warehouse on the Soo Line in the vicinity of the Belzer and Fred Aker farms.

Fifteen children were born to this family:

Theodore Martin Semrau: 1888-1909
Frances Semrau: 1890-1931
Selma SEMRAU (twin): born/died: 1891
Hedwig SEMRAU (twin): born/died: 1891
David Semrau: 1892-1977
Reuben Semrau: 1894-1973
Felix Semrau: 1896-1984
Jonathan Semrau: 1898-1970
Bessie Semrau: 1899 -
Carrie Semrau: 1901 -
Enoch Semrau: 1904 -
Adam Semrau: 1906 -
Eva Semrau: 1907 -
Martin Semrau: 1909 -
Milton Semrau: 1911 -

Theodore Benjamin died August 23, 1912 worn out at age 46 by a rheumatic heart that plagued him for 6 years. Martha Marie was left with 11 children at home to raise and educate. In 1927 Martha moved to the state of Washington. In 1928 she married John L. McKIBBEN and passed away Sept 17, 1953.