My Macke relatives did not come to the United States until 1892. Apparently, my great-grandmother, Mary Agnes Macke, came first to marry. Then, her sister, Anna, came to marry Mary Agnes' brother-in-law. They lived in Carroll County, Iowa.
In the early 1920s, Joseph Schiltmeyer (my great-grandmother's sister's children) and his sister came to America. They went to Boone County, Nebraska, (directly south of Antelope County). Apparently, a Macke cousin (Bernard & Sophia Macke)was supposed to meet them. Instead, the station master called my great-grandmother (she was living in Boone County by then) ,and she sent her sons to get her niece and nephew.
I have been unable to tie my Mackes with the right group of German Mackes. My German Mackes lived in Rueschendorf, Oldenburg, Germany. and were baptized at St. Victor's Catholic Church. The parents of my great-grandmother and her sisters were: Bernard Heinrich Macke & Maria Anna Bauemer (sp?).
I don't know if I can help you. As you stated some of the names especially Bernard Heinrich Macke get to be a bit confusing.
K