Agnes Kloepfer 1850 -1853

The following references to Agnes Kloepfer are from "Joys and Tears of Yesteryears" by Anna Luneman Baldwin ,1975:

A year went by before they applied for and were accepted in a covered wagon train going west. The group included Louis’s brother Jacob, his wife Mae, their three boys, and Bernard. Since the group wanted to stay together it necessitated a longer wait for accommodations. They were finally called in the spring of 1851. However, several obstacles prevented them from accepting at that time. The main reason was that Elizabeth and Louis now had an infant daughter who was considered, understandably enough, too young to be taken along. Since the only favorable time for westward travel was in the spring there was a wait of another year. History was repeating itself for the Leusbrocks, it was much like the waiting in Germany and England. Another opening came in 1852 and all seemed to be in their favor, but at the last minute the question of the baby came up. It was decided that she was still too young to make the trip. She was a healthy child, slightly over a year old, but the wagon master would only accept so many children and they had their quota; and anyway they did not intend to stay in California so it did not matter.

Agnes, the little girl was left in the care of her grandmother who was indeed very happy to keep her. Adelaide was pleased with the arrangement because she felt that this would be an assurance that her dear ones would eventually return. She was also glad to have the addition of a girl in the family of three boys.

In 1857 or 1858, Bernard decided to leave the gold diggings and return home to Saint Louis. Farming was not what he felt he was cut out for and the once plentiful gold nuggets were gone. His interest in mining had been only to strike it rich and then return home. Well, he was now going back home, but far from being very rich. He went by the way of Texas.

The great joy that his mother felt at his returning was somewhat dampened when she learned that his sister and her family had decided to stay in California. Adelaide longed to see her loved ones and especially her two grandchildren. Her youngest stepson, Frank (Francis Xavier) was now fourteen years old. Agnes, the child that the Kloepfers had left behind had passed away a year or so after they left.

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