Wedding texts selected by the bride and groom:

He that dwellest in the most secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; in Him will I trust.
(Psalm 91, verses 1-2.)

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
(Psalm 91, verses 1-2.)

Their Ancestors

							NIEHOFF, Stephen Christian
WILLE, Jacob Heinrich  b. 5 Jul 1819 d. 22 Aug 1880						NIEHOFF, Wilhelm Gustav  b. 30 Jun 1840  d. 8 May 1893
							HEINECKE, Magdalene Elizabeth
WILLE, Maria Regina  b. 4 Aug 1870 d. 27 Jun 1948					NIEHOFF, Paul Franz  b. 15 Jun 1868  d. 11 Mar 1930
							MACHEMEHL, August
BUCK, Lisetta  b. 8 Aug 1830  d. 5 Mar 1916						MACHEMEHL, Luise Emma Anna  b. 16 Oct 1847  d. 13 Mar 1891
							FIELITZ, Wilhelmina

Paul Franz Niehoff

Paul F. Niehoff Source: nie058.pcx

Paul Niehoff was born in Könnern an der Salle in the Province of Saxony, Germany on June 15, 1868.  He attended the Gymnasium at Merseberg, Saxony, southeast of Eisleben, where the family had moved.  He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church of Wittenberg, where Martin Luther had posted his theses, and he sang tenor in the choir.  Although he matriculated at the University of Halle to study medicine, he had to leave when a disease of the eyes nearly blinded him.

Pomologisches Institut in Reutlingen, c. 1890.

On March 3, 1889, Paul entered the Reutlingen Pomologisches Institut to prepare for a career as a Gärtner.  At his graduation on February 22, 1890, he was awarded highest honors in Landscaping, for which he received the Hugo von Bien award, a beautiful hand-painted stein (still in the family). His graduation certificate, dated February 22, 1890, reads:

Paul Niehoff. Source: nie024.pcx

Subsequently, while working at a botanical garden in Reutlingen, he met and courted Maria Wille.  It is possible, if not likely, that the garden of his employ was the botanical garden presently across the street from her home.  Later, Paul was offered a job at the firm of C. Oppenheim of Legau (about 150 miles south of Reutlingen).  A letter from Herr Oppenheim dated April 11, 1890 advised:

"You have a goal to become a commercial gardener, so you cannot for this reason remain long in a Botanical Garden .. that you also know that the higher the tower, the more beautiful the peel of the bells."

He joined the Oppenheim firm on May 1, 1890.  Shortly after their marriage in 1891, Paul and Maria were asked to become godparents to Oppenheim's son, who was christened Paul.

Paul Niehoff (immediately behind driver) on a Washington, D.C. excursion. Source: nie073.pcx

Maria Regina Wille

Maria Regina Wille, age 17. Print of an original made in Reutlingen, Germany,1887. Source: nie010.pcx

Maria Wille was born August 4, 1870 in Reutlingen.

Sometime prior to the birth of her first child, Maria interned in the Fisher Flower Shop in Stuttgart, where she learned the details of the retail flower business and trained for flower arranging.  Besides bearing thirteen children to Paul and raising nine of them to adulthood, she daily worked in their florist business.

Maria Wille died June 27, 1948 in Lehighton, Pa.

It is not clear where Paul and Maria lived between the time of their marriage in August 1891 and their emigration in October 1892.  It is known that a daughter, Maria Martha Elisa, was born in Reutlingen in June 1892, implying that they lived there for some time.   However, it is known that Maria's mother Lisetta sold what had been her and Maria's home sometime in 1891.  Hence, it is unlikely that they lived there.  Their U.S. immigration records record that their place of residence in Germany had been Sangerhausen, which is near Eisleben where Paul's parents lived.  What is certain is that on a day in early October 1892, Paul, Maria, and their infant daughter boarded the Stuttgart at Bremen bound for America.

The Niehoffs were ticketed for Baltimore, but their first stop was New York where the Stuttgart was held in quarantine for several days.  Allowed to proceed, the ship arrived in Baltimore on October 31, 1892.  They were met there by Maria's half-brother, Paul Eisenlohr, and his wife, Emma.

Early in 1893, Paul found a job trimming trees on the Philadelphia estate of Louis Bergdoll, owner of the brewery by that name.  Then, in early 1894, he left for employment with a Mr. Walters, who was constructing a fish hatchery (known today as Kriss Pines) near the village of Walcksville, seven or eight miles east of Weissport, Pa.   He carried with him a letter of reference, dated December 11, 1893:

Mr. Alburger   Dear Sir Bearer of this, Paul Niehoff, has been trimming our trees, etc.  He seems to be a very industrious man who understands his business.  Mr. Niehoff has a family and is in want of work.  You would confer a favor to us if you would assist him to get some work.
	Truly Yours. The Louis Bergdoll Brewing Company PTR

Boarding at the Valley House on Bankway Street in Lehighton, Paul walked daily to his job at the hatchery .  Later, in late spring or early summer, he was joined by Maria and their daughter, and they rented a small home in Hogan's Alley, Weissport.  They became members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Weissport on November 21, 1894.

During his second winter at the hatchery job, Paul contracted Rheumatic Fever, which damaged a heart valve and eventually shortened his life.

By early 1895, Paul left the hatchery job and began peddling flowers and vegetables grown in his own Weissport garden.  In 1895 or 1896, the Lehigh River flooded Weissport, as it was prone to do every five years or so until 1955.  The resulting damage to his garden accelerated their plans to acquire property for a home and business, which they did on April 5, 1897.  A plot of land in Lehighton was deeded to Maria Niehoff from Mrs. Sallie Esch for the sum of $500.  They started building a house almost immediately and planned to acquire a small greenhouse.  By 1905, the physical plant was valued at $10,000 and included 15,000 square feet under glass.

Ad in unidentified Lehighton newspaper, January 1897. Source: nie076.pcx	Paul Niehoff, florist, in his Rose House. Source: nie056.pcx	Paul Niehoff, florist, standing beside the Gnadenhuetten Memorial Monument in 1905.  He decorated it for the 150th anniversary of the Gnadenhuetten Massacre of Nov. 24, 1755. Source: nie020.pcx

Paul, with Maria's active involvement even when she was bearing twelve more childeren, propagated, grew, and sold flowers.  In 1906, he was recognized for breeding a new rose:

New York Florist Club Mr. Paul Niehoff Lehighton, Pa.

Dear Sir: At the meeting held Nov. 12th the new rose "Aurora" exhibited by you scored 85 points, and was awarded a preliminary certificate.  Owing to it being "Ladies Night", the report was not read that evening. Yours very truly, John Young Secretary.

Paul Niehoff as an actor at Lehighton's Germania Saengerbund. Source: nie042.pcx

Maria and especially Paul were very active in Lehighton's Germania Sangerbund, which adjoined their early home and business. Paul received the following letter dated January 26, 1916:

Family legend tells that the letter was motivated when my grandfather slugged another Saengerbund member when he made an offensive remark about the president.

Their Family

The Niehoff Family at the Weir Lake reunion, circa 1929.  Left to right: William H., Fred W., Helen G., Paul W., Maria R., Walter H., Paul F., Adolph G., Mary M., Margaret L., and Carl A. Source: fam.pcx

Paul and Maria at a Saengerfest. Source: nie039.pcx	Fred, Margaret, Maria, and Paul at the family's Weir Lake lot. Source: nie047.pcx
Ladies of the Saengerbund. Back left to right: Mary Niehoff, Mrs Edward Sillers, Mrs. Walter Horn, Mrs. Leo Spear, Maria Niehoff, Mrs. Martin Elmauer. Middle (seated): Lizzie Hochberg, ?,?,?, Olga Sauerman. Front (kneeling): ? Frederick, ? Frederick, Mable Kast. Source: nie059.pcx
Walter. Source: nie049.pcx	Doc Horn's horse with Walter and Fred. Source: nie055.pcx
Walter, Mr. Arle, and Helen. Source: nie054.pcx	Helen, Walter, and Carl. Source: nie051.pcx

1. Maria Martha Elisa (b. 14 Jun 1892, d. 30 Mar 1930) married Warren Jay Downs (b. 23 Jun 1891, d. 4 Feb 1954) on 25 Jun 1913.
2. Paul (b. 8 Sep 1893, d. 25 Oct 1893).
3. Friedrick Wilhelm (b. 7 Jan 1895, d. 10 May 1964) married Ruth Adrena Smith (b. 21 Sep 1898, d. 20 Feb 1947) on 29 Jan 1925.  Married Hedwig Kurz (b. 17 May 1903) on 22 Nov 1950.  Fred worked in the family business and served for many years as Lehighton's Tax Collector.
4. Louisa Elisa (b. 26 Dec 1895, d. 31 Jul 1896).
5. Paul Wenzel (b. 26 Feb 1897, d. 6 Dec 1965) married Florence Anna Winterbottom (b. 3 Jan 1898, d. 22 Mar 1979) on 30 Sep 1916.  Paul became a private investigator.
6. Marguerita Louisa (b. 22 Jul 1898, d. ?) married Walter Jay Harleman (b. 11 Aug 1902, d. 30 Jan 1972) on 20 Feb 1930.
7. (Undocumented female child  that survived childbirth.  Part of oral tradition.   Position is conjectural.)
8. Wilhelm Heinrich Franz (b. 21 Oct 1900, d. 11 Jul 1963) married Wanda Bertha Sauerman (b. 18 Feb 1902, d. 7 Aug 1964) on 3 Jun 1920.  William, as he was known, became a lawyer with a practice in Waterville, Maine.  He was elected to a term as Maine's Attorney General.
9. Irwin Albert (b. 1 Jun 1902, d. 4 Sep 1902).
10. Gustav Adolphus (b. 7 Aug 1904, d. 10 Jan 1968) married Lillian Minerva Frantz (b. 11 Jun 1908, d. 26 Apr 1934) on 22 Sep 1923.  Adolph, as he was known, started his own flower business.
11. Carl Albert (b. 12 Jul 1906, d. 1 Sep 1984) married Mary Louise Simon (b. 10 Mar 1914, d. 1997).  Carl became a lawyer with a long practice in Lehighton.  He served several terms as Carbon County's District Attorney.
12. Helen Gertrude (b. 9 Jul 1907, d. 17 Sep 1974) married Lewis John Anthony (b. 24 Mar 1907, d. ?) on 19 Jul 1934.
13. Walter Hugo (b. 14 Nov 1910, d. 7 Aug 1991) married Kathryn Marie Bock (b. 5 Dec 1917) on 4 Aug 1937.  Walter became a teacher and worked as a local government manager and college professor.

From a campaign blotter. Source: nie069.pcx	Mary Martha. Source: nie023.pcx

The Niehoff Family (extended) at the Weir Lake reunion, circa 1929.  Left to right standing: Mrs. Smith (Ruth's mother), Ruth (Fred's wife), Fred, Mary, Warren Downs (husband of Mary), Mary Daffner (friend of Walter), Walter, Margaret, Walter Harleman (husband-to-be of Margaret), Adolph, Paul W., Lillian (wife of Adolph), Florence (wife of Paul W.), Joyce Schultz (friend of Carl), Carl, Wanda (wife of William), Helen, William, Maria, and Paul F. Kneeling: Paul Downs (son of Mary). Left to right seated: Hilda (daughter of William), William (son of William), Donald Downs (son of Mary), Robert (son of Fred), Margaret Downs (daughter of Mary), Richard (son of Adolph), Austin (son of Paul W.), Marian (daughter of Adolph), and Pauline (daughter of Paul). Source: nie072.pcx

Principal data derived from Paul and Maria Niehoff -- Founders of an American Family, Walter H. Niehoff, unpublished manuscript (1981).

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Webmeister, Walt Niehoff (Enkel).