The Johann Anton Unverzagt story begins on March 25, 1825 with the birth of Johann Anton Unverzagt.  Anton, as he was known, is born in the Oel Muehle (oil mills) near Nassau, Germany.

Johann Anton was the son of Johann Christian Unverzagt (b: 10/11/1790) and Susanna Elisabetha Rauch (b: 3/19/1794).  Christian's  occupation was a miller born in Nassau. Research indicates that Christian owned a bone mill that chopped bones then ground them  into powder for sale as fertilizer. Elisabetha, daughter of Johannes Rauch, a master shoe maker and Johanna Elisabetha  nee Ochsen.  Elisabetha's father was Georg Andreas Ochs.  It is believed that Johann Anton worked at the Ochs Mill.  Christian and  Elisabetha had four children: Johann Anton, Elisabetha Wilhelmine (b: 10/30/1826), Christine Elisabetha (b: 6/28/1828 - d:  3/13/1830), Heinrich Philipp (b: 3/13/1830 - d: 1/1/1832).

Johann Antons grandparents were Johann Philipp Ludwig Unverzagt and Maria Elisabeth nee Mueller. Their birthdates are unknown  but could be assumed to be between 1755-1765.  Philipp Ludwig was a master blacksmith and Evangelical church senior. Maria  Elisabeth was the daughter of miller Philipp Jacob Mueller.

Johann Antons great grandfather was Johann Unverzagt, born approximately 1730.

It is apparent that Johann Anton came from a long line of oil millers and grew to manhood in the oil mills of Nassau, Germany.  On  November 18, 1849 Anton married Elisabetha Wilhelmine Kraussler (b: 11/30/1827) at the oil mill near Nassau.  Elisabetha was the  daughter of master carpenter Heinrich Christian Kraussler and Christine Jakobine nee Steinheuser.  On November 5, 1850, Elisabetha  gave birth to a stillborn baby boy and the next day, November 6, 1850, Elisabetha (Antons first wife) died at the oil mill from  complications of childbirth.

On April 6, 1852, Johann Anton married his second wife, Elisabetha Catharina Philippine Thomas in Marienfels, Germany. On April 18,  1853, their first daughter, Henriette Christiane Wilhelmine was born.  On May 15, 1853, Henriette died at the oil mill.  On December  1, 1854, daughter Philippine Henriette was born followed by daughter Louise on April 29, 1856 and son Henrich on October 10,  1858. Following the death of Elizabeth's mother in 1853, Elizabeth's father and seven of his nine children emigrated from Germany,  settling in the Alton, Illinois area.  Daughter Johanna, had already emigrated and settled in Alton with her husband Heinrich Laux.  It is thought, that Anton, Elizabeth, and their three children followed the Thomas's to America arriving in New  Orleans, Louisiana on June 1, 1859.  They initially made their home in Quincy, Illinois but shortly thereafter moved to a home near  Fosterburg, Illinois where their family grew to seven children.  Both Anton and Elizabeth spent their remaining years in the Fosterburg  area and are buried in the Fosterburg Cemetery.

Daughter Louise died shortly after arrival in the U.S. and five of their six remaining children stayed in Illinois but son Henry settled  near Pine City, Minnesota.  Many of Henry's family still reside in the Pine City area but some descendants also call South Dakota and  Nebraska home.  Grandson William E. moved from Illinois to southern Minnesota at a young age and a large contingent of his  descendants remain in the southern counties of Minnesota.

This website is a record of Anton and Elizabeth's descendants.  All descendants are encouraged to update and maintain their family  histories on this website.  It's easy, just "Request an Invitation" above.  The Website Owner or Administrator will notify you through  email that access has been granted as a family "Member".  Once access is granted you can Sign In to Tribal Pages assigning your own  password.  Using tools provided, you may add or update members of your direct family.

PASS IT ON, once you have completed your update then notify other family members to update their family members.  

This website is dedicated to Johann Anton and Elizabeth and is meant to be a permanent and living record of their legacy.

In 2013, The "Unverzagt Roots" book was printed and distributed to family members. In 2014, "Unverzagt Roots II" was issued.  You  may request copies of the books from the Website owner or Administrator below.

Website Owner:   William (Bill) Unverzagt - email:  Unverzagt@frontiernet.net      - Byron, Minnesota.
 Website Administrator:   Karen (Sis) Schellhorn - email:  k.schellhorn@att.net      - Monee, Illinois.