Wilhelmine was born in Schönwalde (Szynwald), Kreis Flatow, Westpreußen, Preußen.

She was baptized on Jun 12, 1836, in Vandsburg ( Więcbork ), Kreis Flatow, and married on Mar 24, 1854, in Vandsburg.

Her parents were Michael Weinkauf (abt. 1798-1863) and Louise Schliep Weinkauf (abt. 1811-1860). Michael passed away on Nov 22, 1863, in Schönwalde, and Louise passed away at the same place on Jun 17, 1860.

Wilhelimine's husband passed away while she was pregnant with her youngest daughter, Adeline. With the help of her older children, she kept the young pioneer family going. In the 1881 plat of survey, her farm was designated as the "Widow Buttke" farm.

Many of Wilhelmine's siblings followed her to Wisconsin:
Carl August Weinkauf (1839-1917); Edgar, Wis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109873527/carl-august-weinkauf

Christian Julius Weinkauf (1843-1930); Texas, Marathon Co., Wis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103881598/christian-albert-weinkauf

Daniel Gottlieb Weinkauf (1848-1929); Edgar, Wis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109776995/daniel-gottlieb-weinkauf

Louise Weinkauf Callon (1850-1944); Wausau, Wis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205286778/louise-callon

Paul Julius Weinkauf (1852-1911); Wausau, Wis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125109556/julius-weinkauf

Emilie Christine Weinkauf Lashua (1855-1922); Waupaca County, Wis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93385609/emily-lashua

There were several other siblings who either passed away young or for whom no additional records could be found:
Friedrich Wilhelm Weinkauf (1835- )
Michael August Weinkauf (1838-1839)
Caroline Justine Weinkauf (1841- )
August Michael Weinkauf (1845- )

Wilhelmine immigrated to the US in 1856. Carl, Daniel, and Louise immigrated in about 1866. Christian immigrated in about 1870. Julius and Emilie immigrated together as teenagers. They left Hamburg on January 19, 1870, on streamship Cimbria.