Johannes and his brother Anton immigrated on the ship “Probus,” which arrived in New York City on April 9, 1853 from Antwerp. Johannes is identified as a 25 year old farmer. In 1860, he was a farm laborer living with his wife Josephine in Carroll Township, Cambria Co., Pa. He was a Union soldier in the Civil War, serving as a Private in Co. D of the 190th Regiment, Pa. Infantry, enlisting on March 16, 1865. The 190th was part of the Army of the Potomac which engaged in the Appomattox Campaign from March to May, and ended the war.

In 1865, their daughter Ella was born in Minnesota, according to the 1870 Census, an event that marks the first presence of the Fehrenbacher family there. That Census also indicates John was a farmer in Wells Township, Rice Co., Minn., with Josephine and 5 children. In 1875, 1880, 1885 and 1895, they were in Norfolk Township, Renville Co., Minn. In 1900, he and wife Josephine were living in Mantrap Township, Hubbard Co., Minn., with their daughter Agnes. In that year the Regers made up 24 of the 69 inhabitants of the township. By 1910, John was living with the family of his daughter Anna Kavanagh in Ellsbury Twp., Barnes Co., ND.

Josefine immigrated with her father Michael, step-mother Gertrud and siblings on the Collins line vessel, The Pacific, arriving in New York City on 18 Sep 1854. The 1900 Census indicates she had 14 children, and that 10 were living.