Naturalization Records
When immigrants entered the U.S. and desired to become citizens, they usually filed their Declaration of Intention (First Papers) as the initial step in the naturalization process. The first papers were usually completed shortly after arrival in the U.S. Though most of the declarations tell of the immigrant's intention to become a U.S. citizen and that they renounce allegiance to the ruler of the country they immigrated from, content varies from court to court. Before 1922, women and children did not have go through this process and were naturalized when their husband or father was naturalized. Depending on the state the immigrant lived, there was a time limit to the process. Once the Declaration of Intention was filed, the immigrant had "not less than 2 nor more than 7 years after the date the original of this declaration was made, and after you have lived in the United States for at least 5 years and in the State for at least 6 months, you may file a petition for naturalization (Second Papers)." Many times the second papers included the petition itself, along with a Certificate of Naturalization and the Naturalization Oath.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Declaration of Intention
State of Wisconsin
County of St. Croix
St. Croix Circuit Court
I, Christian Fable, a native of Switzerland, aged 21 years, a free white person, do declare upon oath that it is bona fide my intention to become a CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and to renounce forever all Allegiance and Fidelity to every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and more particularly such allegiance as I may owe to the present ruler of Switzerland of whom I am at present a subject.
Signed, Christian Fable
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 6th day of Nov. A.D. 1876
G.H. Tappin, Clerk
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Petition for Naturalization
To the Honorable Circuit Court of St. Croix County.
The petition of Christian Fable
First. My place of residence is Town of Troy.
Second. My occupation is farmer.
Third. I was born on the 1st day of May, anno Domini 1855, at Switzerland.
Fourth. I emigrated to the United States from Switzerland, on or about the 15th day of September anno Domini 1875, and arrived in the United States at the port of New York, on the 15th day of October anno Domini 1875, on the vessel Unknown.
Fifth. I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on the 6th day of November, anno Domini 1876, at Hudson, Wis., in the Circuit Court of St. Croix Co.
Sixth. I am married. My wife's name is Mary. She was born in Canada, and now resides at Town of Troy. I have 9 children, and the names, date and place of birth, and place of residence of each said children is as follows: 1. Joe, June 23, 1879, 2. Mary, Jan. 4, 1881, 3. Winniford, Oct. 23, 1883, 4. Clemment, Feb. 5, 1886, 5. Patrick, Sept 19, 1889, 6. Catherine, March 22, 1891, 7. Peter, Jan. 29, 1894, 8. Frances, June 24, 1899, 9. Margaret, Dec. 27, 1897 all born in and now living in St. Croix Co. Wis.
Seventh. I am not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I am attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and it is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to The Swiss Confederation of whom at this time I am a subject, and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States.
Eigth. I am able to speak the English language.
Ninth. I have resided continuously in the United States of America for the term of five years at least, immediately preceding the date of this petition , to wit, since the 15th day of Oct, anno Domini 1875 and in the State of ______________ continuously next preceding the date of this petition, since the 25th day of Oct, anno Domini 1875, being a residence within this State of at least one year next preceding the date of this petition.
Tenth. I have not heretofore made petition for citizenship to any court.
Attached hereto and made part of this petition is my declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States and together with my affadavit and the affadavits of the two verifying witnesses thereto, required by law. Wherefore your petitioner prays that he may be admitted a citizen of the United States of America.
Signed, Christian Fable
Declaration of Intention filed this 21st day of December 1912.
Affidavits of Petitioner and Witnesses
State of Wisconsin
County of St. Croix
The aforesaid petitioner being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is the petitioner in the above-entitled proceedings; that he has read the foregoing petition and knows the contents thereof; that the said petition is signed with his full true name; that the same is true of his own knowledge except as to matters therein stated to be alleged upon information and belief and that as to those matters be believes it to be true.
Signed, Christian Fable
Albert J. Ruemmele, occupation farmer, residing at Town of Troy, Wis, and A.P. Kealy, occupation official, residing at Hudson, each being severally and duly sworn, deposes and says that he is a citizen of the United States of America; that he has personally known Christian Fable, the petitioner above mentioned, to have resided in the United States continuously immediately preceding the date of filing his petition, since the 1st day of Jan, anno Domini 1890, and in the State in which the above-entitled petition is made continuously since the 1st day of Jan, anno Domini 1890; and that he has personal knowledge that the said petitioner is a person of good moral character, attached to the principals of the Constitution of the United States, and that the petitioner is in every way qualified, in his opinion, to be admitted a citizen of the United States.
Signed, A.J. Ruemmele and A.P. Kealy
Subscribed and sworn to before me by the above-named petitioner and witnesses this 21st day of Dec, anno Domini 1912.
Signed, G.H. Tappin, Clerk
Oath of Allegiance
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly to The Swiss Confederation of whom I have heretofore been a subject, that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
Signed, Christian Fable
Subscribed and sworn to before me, in open Court, this 28th day of April, A.D. 1913.
Signed, G.H. Tappin, Clerk
Order of Court Admitting Petitioner
Upon consideration of the petition of Christian Fable, and affidavits in support thereof, and further testimony taken in open Court, it is ordered that the said petitioner, who has taken the oath required by law, be, and hereby is, admitted to become a citizen of the United States of America, this 28th day of April, A.D. 1913.
Signature illegible
Names of Substituted Witnesses
Otto W. Arnquist, occupation official, residing at Hudson, Wis.
John O'Keefe, occupation policeman, residing at _______________
Certificate of Naturalization No. 335368, issued on the 28th day of April, A.D. 1913
Land Records
Below is the transription of Chris Fable's land record, when he purchased the "Old Fable Farm" from his uncle, Christopher C. Fable.
THIS INDENTURE, Made this 20th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight Between Christopher C. Fable of St. Croix County, State of Wisconsin, party of the first part and Christopher Anthony Fable of the same place, party of the second part, said party of the second part being a nephew of said party of the first part.
Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve Thousand DOLLARS, to have in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, has given, granted, sold, remised, released, aliened, conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents does give, grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien, convey, and confirm unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all those certain pieces or parcels of land, situate, lying and being in the County of St. Croix, and State of Wisconsin, and described as follows, to wit:
The South West quarter and the West half of the South East quarter and the North East quarter of the South East quarter all in Section No. Eleven (11) and being Two hundred and eighty acres more of less according to Government survey, and the South East quarter of the South East quarter of Section No. One (1) and the North East quarter of the North east quarter and the South East quarter of the North East quarter of Section No. Twelve (12) all being in Township No, Twenty Eight (28) North of Range No. Nineteen (19) West and being in all four hundred acres more or less according to Government survey.
Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining; and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim or demain whatsoever of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, either in possession or expectancy, of, in and to the above bargained premises, and there hereditaments and appurtenances.
To Have and To Hold the said premises above described, with the hereditaments and appurtances, unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever. And the said party of the first part for himself and for his heirs, executors and administrators, does covenant, grant, bargain and agree, to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, that at the time of the ensealign and delivery of these presents he is well seized of the premises above described, as of a good, sure, perfect, absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance of the law, in fee simple, and that the same are free and clear from all incumbrances whatsoever and that the above bargained for premises, in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, against all and every person, lawfully claiming the whole or any part thereof, he will forever WARRANT AND DEFEND.
In Witness Whereof, The said party of the first part, has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Signed, Christopher C. Fable
Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Moses E. Clapp and N.A. Clapp
Last Will and Testament
Below is the transcription of Chris Fable's will (St. Croix County Wills, vol. 197, pp. 526-527.)
No. 159267A Certified Copy of Will and Cert. of Probate
I, Christopher A. Fable of the town of Troy, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
1. I direct the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses.
2. I hereby will devise and bequeth unto my son Peter C. Fable the following described lands, situated in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, to wit: The north half of Section seven, Township Twenty-Eight north of Range Nineteen west, and the south west quarter of the north east quarter, and the north west quarter of the south east quarter of section Twelve, Township twenty Eight north of range Nineteen west. Subject to the payment to Joe Fable of twenty five dollars, the payment to Pat Fable of twenty five dollars, the payment to Christopher Fable of Twenty five dollars.
3. I will to my said son Peter C. Fable all stock, farm machinery, wagons, harness and other personal property on my said farm in said section seven.
4. I hereby will, devise and bequeth unto my daughter Mary Rohl, my house and lot in the City of Hudson, Wisconsin, subject to the payment by said Mary Rohl of $100 to Winnefred Foldesac, and the payment of the sum of $100 to Katherine Ryan and the payment of the sum of $100 to Margaret Wink, and the payment of the sum of $100 to Frances Loughney.
5. I hereby will all my household goods to Peter C. Fable and provide that in case Frances Loughney desires the piano she shall have the same but if she does not desire the same it shall be the property of said Peter C. Fable.
6. I will devise and bequeth unto my children above named any rest residue and remainder of my estate, share and share alike, all of my children sharing in same.
7. I will to Peter C. Fable my Coon skin coat.
8. I hereby nominate and appoint my son Peter C. Fable executor of this my last will and testament, without bonds. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal this 25th day of November 1925.
Christopher A. Fable (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by said testator as his last will and testament, in our presence, who, at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other have hereunto affixed our names as attesting witnesses.
Signed, F.M. White and John Wanner
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