Hi, Looking at the 1880 census and his wife is named Maggie which is not,as far as I can discern, a German name but rather Irish I would say he was not married when he arrived in the US. Also, if you look at the names before and after his address they are either Norwegian or Irish. Perhaps looking at some of his wife's church certificates would give you a clue, b. d. m. etc. Others will give you a breakdown on the name in Germany and perhaps a clue as to where he was from. John