Norbert (AKA Lambert) Joseph PONCELET was born October 7, 1779 in Province Marche, Belgium (Sambre). On page 349 in the book "Feulen 963-1963", by Francois Decker, a listing for house 80 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg in 1850 showed the following: "Poncelet Lambert, Tagl, [day laborer], 1770, Marche, seine Frau: Back Theresia, 1788 Namur; die Kinder: Viktor, 1818, Nik. 1819, Joh. 1821, Michel 1824, Adam 1825, Michel 1828, Remacle 1830, Maria 1836". He was married to Marie Therese BACK, daughter of Victor BACK and Catherine COLSON, on May 24, 1805 in Marche, Belgium. Marie Therese BACK was born February 24, 1787 in Namur, Belgium. She died July 30, 1848 in Niederfeulen. She was also known in some sources as as Theresia BAER or BAACK. Norbert died December 18, 1848 in Niederfeulen.

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Children of Norbert PONCELET and Therese BACK:

1. Antoine Joseph Remacle PONCELET was born March 4, 1806 in Province Marche, Belgium (Sambre). He was married to Marguerite NIX, daughter of Francois NIX and Susanne FLAMMANG, March 5, 1834 in Feulen, Luxembourg. Marguerite NIX was born April 2, 1804 in Niederfeulen. She died on October 11, 1866 in Niederfeulen. He died on February 25, 1866 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg.

2. Victor PONCELET was born June 27, 1818 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg.

3. Nicholas PONCELET was born October 20, 1819 in Niederfeulen. He was married to Susanne DISEVISCOUR, daughter of Guillaume VISCOURT (OR WISCOURT) and Madeleine LAUTERFING, on January 9, 1850 in Feulen, Luxembourg. Susanne DISEVISCOUR was born February 16, 1816 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. Susanne died on December 13, 1900, and was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hokah. Nicholas died on October 29, 1878 in Hokah, and was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hokah.

The recollections of one of their descendants, Anita Palmquist, describe the times: "Poncelet's land adjoined our home farm a mile out of Hokah. I knew John, his father, and a sister Katey who lived together. John farmed the place and Katey kept house for them. The Poncelets were in a different threshing ring than we were. They threshed with a steam engine that everyone called the wildcat. It's whistle sounded just like a wildcat and sent chills up your spine - especially when you were a ten year old kid after the cows on a bluff far from home at dusk. Mr. Poncelet would walk down through the woods to our place a week or so before they threshed to ask if a couple of us girls could help Katey feed the threshers. We were glad to oblige. It was a change from the dull routine of hoeing corn, making hay, shocking grain, etc. We walked the mile or so through the woods and helped set table, get wash water ready for the men outside, get the dinner on the table, wash dishes, etc. Usually two of us went and Mr. Poncelet would give us each a quarter and we would walk home again. Dad sometimes hired John as extra help when we threshed or did silo filling. We kids were amused as he wriggled his thumb at whatever was on the table that he wanted. He would wriggle his thumb at the milk and say "milk." The wriggling went on throughout the meal as he wanted butter, bread or whatever. Poncelets were good neighbors. They were not much engaged in community affairs, and spent most of their life on the farm. Their home was clean and pleasant, but conveniences were scarce, and there was a minimum of furniture."

4. John PONCELET was born December 23, 1821 in Niederfeulen.

5. Michel PONCELET was born on March 28, 1824 in Niederfeulen.

6. Adam PONCELET was born on December 19, 1825 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. An exerpt from the Birth Register in the town of Feulen, in 1825, states the following: "In the year 1825, 20 December, at three o'clock in the afternoon, appeared before me, Johann Berns, officer of the Civil Registry, of the town of Feulen, Canton Diekirch, Luxemburg, Norbert Poncelet, 46 years old, a laborer, living in this place, who brought in a male child born to him and his wife, Theresia Baer, yesterday at ten o'clock in the evening in Niederfeulen, and to whom they gave the name Adamus (Poncelet), and testified of this birth before witnesses Johann Winchel, 52 years old, and Henri Melsen, 27 years old, who are living in Niederfeulen. The above information was read to the father and the first witness. Because they had no experience in writing, they agreed orally that the information was correct. 13 May 1885."

Adam was married to Maria Katharine MAJERUS, daughter of Johannes Nicholas MAJERUS and Maria Catharina REDING, February 5, 1850 in Niederfeulen.

The family emigrated from from Luxembourg in 1867, and first resided Caledonia, Houston County, Minnesota between 1867 and 1869. In about 1870, they moved to Wabasha Co., Minnesota (Chester Twp.), where they remained until their deaths. The 1877 Plat Map shows that Adam Poncelet owned 160 acres in section 15 of Chester Twp., Wabasha County, Minnesota. By 1896, the land belonged to Joseph Majerus. Adam was buried in Bellechester, Minnesota, at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Maria Katharine MAJERUS was born on December 26, 1824 in Useldingen, Canton Redange, Luxembourg. She died on June 2, 1900 in Bellechester and was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery.

7. Michael PONCELET was born March 25, 1826 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. He married Anna Katherine ELGROTH, daughter of Mathias ELGROTH and Regina RUETEL (REUTER). She was born in 1848 in Luxembourg. She died on March 8, 1885 in Goodhue Co., Minnesota, and was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellechester. Michael died on September 12, 1904, and was buried in Osakis, Douglas Co., Minnesota.

8. Remakle "Marcus" PONCELET was born December 22, 1830 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. He was married to Josephine WAGNER on June 28, 1865 in New Vienna, Iowa. Josephine WAGNER was born Dec 1842 in Germany. The family appeared on the census in 1870/80 in Brownsville, Houston Co., Minnesota. By the 1900 census, they were residing in Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minnesota

9. Anna Marie PONCELET was born on November 30, 1835 in Feulen, Luxembourg. She was married to Julien MERENZ on September 24, 1864 in Feulen, Luxembourg. She died April 9, 1868 in Niederfeulen.

Anna Marie PONCELET and Julien MERENZ had the following children: Nicholas MERENZ and Anna Maria MERENZ (twins), born February 25, 1864 in Feulen, Diekirch, Luxembourg. The female twin, Anna, died September 17, 1865. Anna Marie PONCELET had another daughter, Elizabeth "Lizzie" PONCELET, born October 1860 in Feulen, Luxembourg, apparently illegitimate. Elizabeth is shown on the 1880 census for Wabasha Co., Minnesota, living with Adam PONCELET, listed as his niece. Larissa Reutgen, another researcher, has studied the issue, and points out that Elizabeth's own children, looking at death certificates and other documents, did not know who her father was, and Elizabeth's birth is not documented with a certificate and that it appears that Elizabeth did not know herself who her father was. There has been no birth certificate for Elizabeth found in Feulen. The marriage certificate of Elizabeth shows witness Mathias Poncelet to this marriage in the Catholic Church. Larissa points out that it has been suggested that this record is documentation of Elizabeth's father. Larissa refutes that assertion, pointing out that most likely, the witness Mathias Poncelet is the son of Adam Poncelet, considering that Elizabeth lived with the Adam Poncelet family. She also notes that the marriage of Elizabeth was in the Catholic church, meaning Elizabeth was a baptised and practicing Catholic in good standing, concluding that somewhere there is a baptism record in Luxembourgh for Elizabeth. Elizabeth married Nicholas Frank II, and together they had 12 children.

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1. Maria Katherine PONCELET married Paul Conrad. (See CONRAD family for details)

2. Margaretha PONCELET was born November 9, 1853 in Niederfeulen, Diekirch, Luxembourg. She was married to Peter BECK, son of John BECK and Catherine, on July 25, 1877 in Bellechester, Minnesota. Peter was born November 28, 1841 in Belgium/ Luxembourg. He died about November 22, 1919 in Lake City, Minnesota. She died on May 1, 1928 in Lake City, and was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lake City.

Obituary: Mrs. Peter Beck
Mrs. Peter Beck, highly respected old resident of Lake City, passed away at 5:30 o'clock, Sunday Morning, May 1 at her home on Dwelle Street. Death was the result of heart failure. She had been suffering for some time but only the last three weeks was she confined to her bed. Mrs. Beck, whose maiden name was Margaret Ponceley (sic), was born in Luxembourg Germany, in November 1853. At the age of 12 years she came to America with her parents and settled at Brownsville, Houston county. A year later the family moved to Bellechester where fifty years ago the decesed was united in marriage to Peter Beck of Lake City, well known business man and grain buyer. To this union six children were born, Harry of Lake City, Loius, who died in infancy, Anthony at home, John wo is farming near Lake City, Charles who died in France during the war and Clara at home. She is also survived by seven grandchildren. Mr. Beck passed away in 1919. Funeral services were held at St. Mary's Church at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, May 3, Father Cunningham officiating. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. The pall bearers were Mike Scott, Sylvester O'Brien, D. C. McKenzie, Mike Meaney, Frances Kemp, Herry Horrigan.

Obituary: Peter Beck - Lake City Gopher Republican, November 28, 1919
The many friends of Peter Beck were shocked to learn of his demise, for though many had known that he was in poor health, few knew that the end was so near, and the news of his passing was learned with universal sorrow. Peter Beck was a pioneer grain buyer of Lake City and until two years ago, when he retired, had been for the past half century engaged in the grain buying business here. He was one of the best known men in this section. Mr. Beck was born in 1841 in Luxemberg, and had he lived until Friday of this week, he would have been 78 years of age. He was the son of John and Catherine Beck and with his parents came to America and lived with them in Chicago till 1854 when moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where they remained until 1869 when Mr. Beck came to Lake City, just fifty years ago, where he had since resided. He was united in marriage with Margaret Ponzlet who with four children to mourn the loss of a loving kind husband and father, counselor and companion. He was an honest enterprising man in business as well as out. The firm of Peter Beck and later Peter Beck & Sons, was known throughout this section as a standard to bank on. With the wife, the surviving children are Harry P., Anthony, John and Clara, all of this city. One son, Charles who was in the service, died in France a year ago last September. The funeral services were held at St. Mary's church Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock and were largely attended by sorrowing friends. Rev. J.A. Cummiskey officiated. Those from out of the city who attended the funeral were C.J. Collins, Great Falls, Mont,; Mrs. John Dvoracek, Minneapolis, and Miss Mary Burns, Tacoma, Wash.

3. Mathias PONCELET was born March 3, 1857 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. He was married to Susanna (or Louise) FLEMING on November 15, 1881 in Goodhue Co., Minnesota (Belvidere Twp.). Susanna was born January 1865 in Iowa. She died in 1901. Mathias was married second, to Katherine Justine (last name unknown). Katherine was born June 30, 1870 and died on 3 Apr 1941. Mathias died on March 12, 1941 in Wabasha Co., Minnesota.

4. Victor PONCELET was born June 13, 1859 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. He was married to Catherine SCHUMACHER about 1896. Catherine was born Oct 1876 in Minnesota. Victor died November 18, 1934 in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Obituary - Rochester Post Bulletin, Tuesday, November 11-20, 1934
Funeral services will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow for Victor Poncelet, 75 years old, of Bellechester, who died Sunday in a Red Wing hospital. His health had failed since September. Born in Luxembourg, June 24, 1859, he came to this country when young and was a carpetner more than 50 years. Surviving are two sons, Peter and Robert and two daughters, Mrs. Louis Hauschildt and Mrs. Clifford Olson, all of Red Wing, three brothers, Philip of Glendive, Mont., and Matt and Henry, Bellechester, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted in St. Mary's church, Bellechester, with Rev. F.L. Tschann the celebrant and interment in the church cemetery.

5. Henry PONCELET was born April 2, 1863 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. He married Frances WEBER, daughter of Frank WEBER and Catharina PLUM, on September 10, 1889 in Goodhue Co., Minnesota (Belvidere Twp.). Frances was born June 12, 1867, and died on November 2, 1896 in Great Falls, Montana.

Obituary - Red Wing Daily Republican Feb. 1939
Henry Poncelet, a resident of Bellechester, who came to this section in 1867, died last evening at about 6:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clara Huberty at Bellechester. Death was due to infirmities of old age. Mr. Poncelet had been failing in health for the past year, but had only been confined to his bed since last Tuesday. He was born in Luxembourg, Germany on April 29, 1863 and came to America in 1866, the family first settling in Sheldon, N.Y., and remaining there for a year. He came to Red Wing in 1867 and settled in Hay Creek. After a year he and his parents moved to Chester township, which remained his home for about 34 years. He then went to Montana, where he lived for 20 years. He then returned to Bellechester, which had been his home since. In 1889, Mr. Poncelet was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Majerus [this is wrong -- should be Miss Francesca Weber, Catherine Majerus was his mother's maiden name], who died in 1896. Mr. Poncelet, who had a wide acquaintance and who was highly respected by his host of friends, is survived by one son, Adam Poncelet, Bellechester, and one daughter, Mrs. Clara Huberty, Bellechester; two brothers, Matt, Wabasha, and Phillip, Chewelah, Wash., and five grandchildren. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock at St. Mary's church, Bellechester, Rev. Father F.T. Tschan officiating. Interment will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Huberty home tomorrow afternoon and evening and Wednesday morning up to the hour of the services.

6. Phillip PONCELET was born August 27, 1866 in Niederfeulen, Luxembourg. He married Lena M. WAGNER on December 27, 1892 in Mazeppa, Wabasha Co., Minnesota. Lena was born October 1868 in Minnesota. In 1895, Phillip came to Cascade County, Montana with Paul and Katherine Conrad, and filed for a homestead, later moving his family out. In 1917, they sold their homestead in Montana to William McIntyre and moved to Chewelah, Stevens County, Washington, where they resided from 1917 to about 1930. In 1934, he was listed as residing Glendive, Dawson County, Montana. He died May 8, 1936 in Spokane, Washington. Lena died April 2, 1944 in Spokane. Phillip PONCELET and Lena M. WAGNER had the following children: Cedelia S. PONCELET, Gertrude M. PONCELET, Erma Laura PONCELET, Mae M. PONCELET.