Interview with Milton Erdmann, WWII B-24 Pilot

Milton is the son of Louise Erdmann (née Lear).  Cool guy, with a great story to tell.
http://all-things-aviation.com/pilots/interview-with-milton-erdman-wwii-b-24-pilot/

Brookside Cemetery gravestone transcriptions a - h

Herman Lear in Brookside, along with his wife Hannah, click here. Also, there is a record of an Emilie Henrietta Lear, who was Conrad's wife, according to my father (he says the spelling that he knew was "Amelia.")

Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Genealogy : 1860 Federal Census, Newton Township

Can't remember if I blogged this. The spelling of the family name is "Lehr" (in this particular case).

Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin Genealogy : Pre-1907 Births L

I wonder who this is?

Robert W Luehr, b: 24 Aug 1899

Who was carrying the family name in Manitowoc at that time?

Manitowoc County, Wisconsin: 1855 State Census, Newton Township

Frederick is in Manitowoc County in 1855.

1868 Manitowoc City Directory

Louise shows up as Louisa here. At least, I'm betting it's Louise Leuhr, under another spelling variation of the family name.

1836 State Census Brown County

There's a C. Lear in here. Wish I could find out who this is and whether he's related. Awfully early for the name "Lear" to show up, whatever the (non-)connection.

1898 Oconto County, Wisconsin, Plat Book

Herman is at 155; Conrad 156. 1898 Oconto County, Wisconsin, Plat Book

Marriages registered in Oconto County before 1907

Victor and Ida both show in this index, their names anglicized to "Lear".

Herman Lear and the 1880 census

A couple of farms away is Conrad's brother Herman. It appears to me that they had moved from Manitowoc to Oconto County pursuing farm work.

Conrad Lear and the 1880 census

This is a record for Conrad from the 1880 census. The census-taker put his name down as "Leahr". Just how many mis-spellings are out there, anyways?

Kurt Lear

My brother Kurt wanted me to post this:

Despite my repeated blood tests, Gilbert Lear still has not acknowledged that I am his son and heir.

Dad and Fish

Gilbert "Buster" Charles Lear, early 1930's, after a fishing trip with his dad, Gilbert Michael Lear.

Conrad Lear

From the Amberg Historical Society, History of White Rapids (April, 1991):

Mr. Conrad Lear came to Marinette County in 1905 and settled near the White Rapids Indian Reservation. For a number of years they were the only neighbors he had, but they proved to be good neighbors. He made his living working for various loggers, as did many of the Indians at that time. Mr. Lear passed away in 1930. One can still see the remains of his root cellar and the basement of his cabin--they are located in the middle of a large county-owned pine plantation.

A little more information is in order here. Conrad separated from his wife, leaving her on the family farm, and moved to the reservation once his children were grown.

Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, WI

Frederick and Fredericka's resting place. Search for "LEUHR". I've visited twice. The site is well-kept.
View Larger Map

News FLASH from the Past

A cousin of Charles Lear, from Oregon, has been visiting at the latter's home.

Oconto Country Plat Map 1912

Herman and Conrad are in lower right.  Plat #36.

News FLASH from the Past

Mr. & Mrs. Herman Lear go to Milwaukee on account of Hannah having typhoid fever. Search for "lear".