It has been graciously brought to my attention that in my attempt to be brief in posting my inquiry, I actually sounded demanding and did not even express my appreciation for any help that might be offered. For this, I want to say that I am extremely sorry. This was not my intention and I ask that I be forgiven. I have only learned what I know about my forefathers because many people have helped me over the years. Albert Maurer was the 5th child born to Benedict and Elisabeth (Marolf) Maurer, who had immigrated to the United States from Switzerland abt. 1849-1850 with their oldest child, Fredrick (Fred), who was about 2-1/2 years old. They went to Alton, Illinois and decided to move on to what became Wilton (Junction), Muscatine, Iowa. They are included on the 1850 census there. Benedict died in the late 1860s, within months of the birth of their last child, Henry C. Maurer. The child just before him was also named Henry C. Maurer but he had died just a little over one year old. Elizabeth is recorded as the head of the household in the next censuses. The oldest child, Fred, was not listed so, I surmised, that he was taking care of the farm. About 1888-1890, Albert, John B.. Carrie (Karolina W.) and their mother, Elisabeth Maurer moved to Great Falls, MT. Albert and John opened a Cash Store about 1890. January 1895, Elisabeth died. John decided he did not want to be a partner any longer so sold his share to Albert. By Sept 1896, Carried married Edmund Setzepfandt (who lived in Great Falls during this same period) in Wilton, Iowa. Albert, John and Edmund helped in the founding of Trinity (German) Lutheran Church in Gt.Falls during the 1890s. They held offices on the board and Edmund was the church organist. His profession was giving music lessons and teaching several languages. Albert (b.25 Apr 1868 in Wilton, d.July 1924 in Seattle, WA) kept his Cash Store until 1917, when he evidently sold it and went to Seattle, WA. There seems to be no reason for going to Seattle, i.e., no ties. John had returned to Montana with his wife, from PA, and son, Roy Sigbert, born in Pueblo, CO in 1904. Albert, Carrie and Edmund witnessed Roy's baptism. Albert hired John for a period of time to work in the store but soon John left, moving to a property he purchased which became a Sheep Ranch. Thank you for any information you can give about Albert's years in Seattle. John did go to Washington to accompany Albert's body back to Wilton, Iowa for burial. I've not been able to find any information at all about his stay in Washington (1917-1924 est.) Mariel (Maurer) Cummins mrc@mt.net