Theodor is a key figure or “anchor point” within my research because he is the last common ancestor between what became the German families and the American families. To date, I’ve only acquired his birth/baptism record and his testament [last will].

Children
Maria Christine Bernardine is the first child of Theodor and Maria Anna, but I have no other information.

Franz Ferdinand Joseph is the first born son and as such, he inherits the Lusebrink. With his first wife Raimunda Siedhoff, he has three children and their surname is Balz. Raimunda dies of lung disease in 1895 and Franz marries his second wife, Theresia Koc-Schulte. With Theresia, he has five children and their surname is Bals.
*With the line of succession secured, additional sons won’t inherit the land. The common choices were: Remain on as a farmhand, career military after mandatory service, join the clergy, higher education [law, medicine, etc], Immigration.

Peter Ferdinand Heinrich grows up working on the farm and serves his mandatory time in the Prussian military. In 1885, he immigrates to American and settles in David City, Nebraska as a farmer. We believe he travels back to Schmerlecke in 1887 and then returns to America with Henrietta. To my knowledge, he is the first member of the Bals family to leave Germany for American, but other residents from Schmerlecke had made the journey beforehand - specifically members of the Siedhoff lineage.

Anna Josephine is the second born daughter who dies at age 5.

Heinrich Anton also grows up working on the farm. I assume he served in the military, but I don’t possess any documented evidence. In 1888, he immigrates to American and joins Ferdinand in David City, Nebraska as a farmer.

Franz Bals becomes a Clergyman and dies as a Minister in Eisen.

Anton Theodor grows up working on the farm and when then time comes, he relocates from the Lusebrink to the village. I’m currently unsure how and when he acquires his own land within Schmerlecke, but based on Theodor’s testament from 1890, his options were a $3000 mark severance plus 300 mark dowry upon termination or an annual salary, 4% annual interest, and free board as long as he performed services as a farmhand.

Anna joins the religious order within the convent of Maria-Hill Dernbach to receive the Vail of the Sisters A.D.M.J.

Augusta Gertrude runs the household for her brother Franz in Eisen.

The testament of Theodor is an extremely interesting document as it gives exact cash amounts left to the children, as well as the attached stipulations.