The story begins in 1886 when John Suelzer Sr.  arrived from Germany, outside Cologne, to Fort Wayne seeking a better future. As wood craftsman by trade he quickly established himself in the rapidly growing town full of German immigrants. The following year his cousin Catherine Suelzer joined him. Over the next 10 years 5 of Catherine’s siblings and another cousin made the journey to America. These included Peter Suelzer,  cousin to Catherine, came in 1889,  followed by brothers William in 1890 Joseph, Christian, Frederick William and John W who arrived between 1890-1898.  Her sister Anna Suelzer remained behind in Germany. The last Suelzer to arrive in America was another John Suelzer in 1926, nephew to the brothers who had arrived earlier. It is from this amazing group of individuals that all Suelzers and their descendants come from.