Original spelling of name in German was Seyser. Changed to present “Seiser” spelling for no recorded reason sometime after arrival in US in 1856 but before Naturalization in 1870.
At age 25, he became a “Bürger” (citizen) of Prenzlau. He was granted his “Bürgerbrief” by the Prenzlau city council on 9 March 1848.7
Johann August Seyser, then 33 and probably known as August, migrated to the United States with his wife Henrietta (36), daughter Emilie (3) and son Johann August Hermann 18 months) arriving at the port of New York from Hamburg on 6 June 1856, on bark Suwa. 8
Family is listed in 1860 US census as living in Milwaukee, WI. Name was misspelled as “Sizer”.
He filed an Intent for US citizenship application in Milwaukee on 8 November 1859, still spelling his name Seyser. His Petition for Citizenship was filed and recognized in Milwaukee Municipal Court on 10 March 1870. At that date the spelling had been changed to Seiser.
Forest Home Cemetery records (Milwaukee) show a child named August Seiser -- Born Nov 24, 1856, Died April 14, 1859 –– could be a son of August and Henrietta.
On some records he is listed as August. Deed and mortgage records show a Johann A. Seiser.
August purchased 40 acres in Greenfield/Milwaukee County, Sept 9, 1865, for $2,750. He sold 35 acres in 1883 to Charles J. Alfter for $4,725. He sold the four acres on the north side of Forest Home Ave. to Ernst Seiser on June 28, 1892, and one acre to August Seiser on Feb 6, 1889 for $200.
Unrelated but interesting information -- there was a Johannes Seiser as a passenger on the ship "Two Brothers", Captain Thomas Arnot (Sept 28, 1753) sailing from Rotterdam, last from Portsmouth.
The 1860 U.S. Census for Wisconsin lists August Sizer (phonetic misspelling) with same family members as living in Milwaukee, WI.
The 1870 U.S. Census for Wisconsin lists August Seiser and family, but not John, living in the Town of Greenfield (Milwaukee suburb). The records further show that the last child to be born in Prussia (Germany) was John August Hermann in 1854. Louisa was born in Wisconsin in 1859.
The same census tract of 1870 shows a Peter Seiser family also living in the Town of Greenfield. Is there a connection?
Final death records can be found in the Milwaukee County Court House Probate Records under John August Seiser (file number 21551). These records include all the probate documents, his hand written will and other related items. Final estate was $510.
Death notice in Milwaukee Germania Herold 18 Jan 1907. (Looked for but not found in that issue.) Witnesses to will were Clara Seiser (Rick), daughter of Ernst, and Dora Syman (Lyman).
Wilhelminie Seiser (wife of Ernst) provided nursing care to Johann August Seiser from 1 Mar 1895 to 7 Jan 1907, and was paid $1.50 per week (95 weeks) from the estate.
Children recognized at time of death were Charles (North Milwaukee), Emilie Lieber (Layton Park), Louise Hirsch (Hales Corners), August (Layton Park) and Ernst (Milwaukee). 9
He was buried from Fred J. Borgwardt & Son, Funeral home on National Ave.
Burial was in cemetery of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Hales Corners, WI.4
Later records received from St. Nikolai Church in Prenzlau, Germany, on 11 April 1998 and 28 May 1998 indicate he had at least four brothers and three sisters. His one brother, Johann Wilhelm Seyser, was married to Emilie geb. Pröbster, and they had 10 children, six boys and four girls. Wilhelm died in Prussia at age 49.
As of date of letter from Prenzlau, Germany (April 11, 1998) there were no Seyser’s living in Prenzlau, Germany.
The letter from St. Nikolai church in Prenzlau indicated Johann August was born 7 January 1833 (probably the year was a mistake; the headstone in Hales Corners lists 1823). This date is ironic since he died on 7 January 1907.
An interesting but unknown statistic. A Herman H. Seiser is listed in the 1920 Milwaukee Census with a DOB of 1883 in Wisconsin. Spouse name: Anna. Children: Harold and Harvey!