Friedrika Riedesel was born about 1859 in or near Stralsund in western Pomerania. We know that her father’s name was Charles and that he brought her and other children to America, perhaps all in 1873. The name of Friedrika’s mother is unknown. She was dead by 1880. The family lived in Chicago.

On December 28, 1884 in Chicago, Friedrika married Heinrich Mahnke who was born somewhere in Germany in February 1844. Heinrich died before 1920 while Friedrika died some time after 1940. Two sons are known but I do not know if they were the voreheliche children of Friedrika and Heinrich or if they were sons of an earlier marriage of his:
* Charles Mahnke, born November 27, 1882 in Illinois
* Gustav Mahnke, born April 3, 1884 in Illinois