Peter HINK

immigrated to US on March 28, 1889 on Board ship Polaria. Traveled with John Hardekopf, age 25, born 1864? and John Claus Hardekopf, age 28 - born 1861? THE TRIP TO AMERICA 1889 On March 28, 1889, Peter Hink (age 27 born 1862?), Catharina (age 23 - born 1866?), who was 3 months pregnant, and their young son John (age 2 - born 1887) set out from Hamburg for New York on the ship Polaria. The Captain's name was Schroeder. That day, 743 immigrants sailed on the boat with them. The ship records also lists John Hardekopf, age 25 (born 1864?) and John Claus Hardekopf, age 28 (born 1861?), both of Oberndorf, Hanover, just before Peter, Catharina and John Hink's names. There were also several other men on the ship who had Moordeich or Oberndorf listed as their hometowns. (source: Morman Library Microfilm) After 17 days of sailing during which Catharina remembered seeing "nothing but the heavens and water" they landed in New York. From there they probably took the train to the Alexandria, Minnesota area. How happy they must have been to see their old German friends, Claus and Elisa Ahlf, who had immigrated from Germany in 1885. (source: 1900 census) Claus and Elisa met them in Brandon and took them by the horse and lumber wagon to the Ahlf family farm close to Urbank. Peter and Catharina Hink brought 2 big "kits" with them from Germany containing a coffee pot (of course!), a broom, a clock, a few dishes and a few clothes. (source: Ella and Anna, 10/19/84) By the time they got to New York, Peter had $1.96 in his pocket. (source: Lawrence Diekow, 10/19/84) When they got to the South Effington area, Peter had to spend his last 50 cents for a grub axe so he could work and earn money for the family. (source: Anna, 10/19/84 ) Little did they know that in four years Claus and Elisa Ahlf would have a son, Henry Herman, who would become their own son-in-law, wedding their future daughter Ella. [Claus Ahlf, according to Ella Hink Ahlf and Henry Hardekopf, was John F. and William Hardekopf's half brother. Henry Hardekopf also verified that John F. Hardekopf and Catharina Hink were second cousins. 12/7/85. See Hardekopf and Ahlf family group sheet in appendix .] [The "South Effington" term was used locally to describe the area around the South Effington Church, St. James Lutheran, to separate it from the area around the North Effington Church. Geographically, the whole area was known as Effington Township. From: Pat Eckardt 50 Pheasant Run Murphy, NC 28906

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