Gustav Werner was born to Christian Werner and Regina Polnau in Januszew, a German settlement west of Warsaw on May 17, 1865. Eva Eichelt was born to Michael Eichelt and Anna Fenske in Uderch, located just three miles northeast from the Ilow parish in Poland on September 1, 1866. Their lives are chronicled throughout this website.
On March 16, 1937 Gustav and Eva were able to celebrate their golden wedding with all their children and most of their grandchildren present. Three months later on June 14, 1937, Eva died suddenly. Gustav remained on his farm with his daughter Antonia until 1943, when he sold his farm to his grandson Ben Hauer. Gustav then went to live with his eldest daughter, Adoline, and family until his death on November 11, 1947.
There
is no doubt that Gustav and Eva wanted to be successful in this new country.
They worked hard and took chances to achieve their goals. Initially, it appears
that through a lot of hard work, they were doing very well, given the conditions
they initially faced. However, some financial decisions made during the depression
of the 1920's, hurt this family financially. However, they were able to get
through it and regain some of their losses in the following years. All indications
point to a successful, well-respected family in the Bruderheim community.
There are numerous references in the “Bush to Bushels” book of
the Werner family helping other families/individuals become established in
this new land. There is no doubt that they were a proud, hard working, loyal,
and religious family. This is not to say that there were not family disagreements,
scandals, heartaches, disappointments and the sort. As pioneers of this great
country their 300+ descendants can be reflectively thankful and proud of their
contribution.
