Amko Lauterbach

M

Birth Amko Lauterbach was born at Germany. 
Marriagec 1916 He married Gretel Nuckel, daughter of Carsten Hinrich Wilhelm Nuckel and Juliane Margarethe Smidt, c 1916 at prob Bremen, Germany. 
Residence1939  In 1939, Amko Lauterbach lived at Beverstedterstrasse 38, Bremen, Germany. Amko Lauterbach was shown as a laborer (arbeiter) in the 1939 city directory.1 

Family

Gretel Nuckel
Child
  • Erna Lauterbach b. c 1920

    • Citations

    1. City Directory, Bremen Adressbuch 1939 p.209 (FHL Film 478348).

    Adelheid Nuckel

    F

    FatherCarsten Hinrich Wilhelm Nuckel b. 12 Nov 1860, d. 15 Apr 1940
    MotherJuliane Margarethe Smidt b. 12 Nov 1864, d. 27 Jan 1907
    Adelheid Nuckel||p85.htm#i1685|Carsten Hinrich Wilhelm Nuckel|b. 12 Nov 1860\nd. 15 Apr 1940|p55.htm#i1094|Juliane Margarethe Smidt|b. 12 Nov 1864\nd. 27 Jan 1907|p55.htm#i1095|Johann Nuckel|b. 11 Feb 1838\nd. 15 Mar 1870|p124.htm#i2465|Marie M. Sievers|b. 13 Jan 1842\nd. 23 Aug 1895|p124.htm#i2466|Jacobus J. Smidt|b. 14 Jun 1836\nd. b 1904|p122.htm#i2434|Johanna H. Hüneke|b. 2 Jun 1840\nd. 1 Mar 1919|p122.htm#i2435|

    Birth Adelheid Nuckel, daughter of Carsten Hinrich Wilhelm Nuckel and Juliane Margarethe Smidt, was born at prob Bremen, Germany. Family photographs in the possession of Hugo Hermann Geissler (son of Marie Nuckel Geissler, grandson of Carsten Nuckel) indicate that Marie had two sisters (Adelheid and Gretel) and a male relative Gerd who may have been a brother or cousin. 
    Marriage Adelheid Nuckel married Heinrich Thoms at Germany. 
    Note1930  According to notes written on photographs by her nephew Hugo H. Geissler, Adelheid Nuckel Thoms opened her first store in Bremen in the early 1930s. 

    Family

    		Heinrich Thoms
    Child
  • Henni Thoms b. c 1920

    • Heinrich Thoms

    M

    Birth Heinrich Thoms was born at Germany. 
    Marriage He married Adelheid Nuckel, daughter of Carsten Hinrich Wilhelm Nuckel and Juliane Margarethe Smidt, at Germany. 
    Note1936  As of 1936, Heinrich Thoms -- listed as a fruit and grocery store owner -- appeared in the Bremen City Directory.1 

    Family

    		Adelheid Nuckel
    Child
  • Henni Thoms b. c 1920

    • Citations

    1. City Directory, Bremer Adreßbuch, Adreßbuch der Freien Hansestadt Bremen des Landgebiets und Vegesacks, 1936, p366 (FHL Film 478348).

    Henni Thoms

    F, b. circa 1920

    FatherHeinrich Thoms
    MotherAdelheid Nuckel
    Henni Thoms|b. c 1920|p85.htm#i1687|Heinrich Thoms||p85.htm#i1686|Adelheid Nuckel||p85.htm#i1685|||||||Carsten H. W. Nuckel|b. 12 Nov 1860\nd. 15 Apr 1940|p55.htm#i1094|Juliane M. Smidt|b. 12 Nov 1864\nd. 27 Jan 1907|p55.htm#i1095|

    Birthc 1920 Henni Thoms, daughter of Heinrich Thoms and Adelheid Nuckel, was born c 1920 at Germany. 

    Erna Lauterbach

    F, b. circa 1920

    FatherAmko Lauterbach
    MotherGretel Nuckel
    Erna Lauterbach|b. c 1920|p85.htm#i1688|Amko Lauterbach||p85.htm#i1684|Gretel Nuckel||p84.htm#i1683|||||||Carsten H. W. Nuckel|b. 12 Nov 1860\nd. 15 Apr 1940|p55.htm#i1094|Juliane M. Smidt|b. 12 Nov 1864\nd. 27 Jan 1907|p55.htm#i1095|

    Birthc 1920 Erna Lauterbach, daughter of Amko Lauterbach and Gretel Nuckel, was born c 1920 at Germany. 
    Marriage29 Jan 1944 Erna Lauterbach married Helmut LNU on 29 Jan 1944 at Germany. 

    Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller1

    M, b. circa 1830, d. 21 June 1895

    FatherJohann Christoph Graumüller2 b. c 1805
    Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Johann Christoph Graumüller|b. c 1805|p118.htm#i2362||||||||||||||||

    Birthc 1830 Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller, son of Johann Christoph Graumüller, was born c 1830 at Germany. The date of birth is purely an estimate based on the dates of birth of his known children. 
    Marriage31 May 1852 Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller married Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann, daughter of Johann Gottfried Zimmermann, on 31 May 1852 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. In the church record of the marriage, Gustav was identified as a resident of Bad Köstritz and the third son of Johann Christoph Graumüller of Rüdersdorf. Wilhelmina was identified as the second daughter of Johann Gottfried Zimmermann, a carpenter and resident of Bad Köstritz.2 
    Death21 Jun 1895 Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller died on 21 Jun 1895 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. The church records place the time of Gustav's death at 10:30 a.m.3,4 
    Burial24 Jun 1895 He was buried on 24 Jun 1895 at Bad Köstritz, Germany.4 

    Family

    		Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann b. c 1840, d. a 1907
    Children
  • Ida Emma Graumüller5 b. 18 Jul 1853
  • Emma Louisa Graumüller+ b. 27 Oct 1855, d. a 10 Dec 1925
  • Auguste Pauline Graumüller+ b. 9 Dec 1857, d. 3 Jan 1944
  • Henrietta Louise Graumüller+6 b. 13 Dec 1859
  • Ernst Gustav Graumüller7 b. 2 Feb 1863
  • Karl Emil Graumüller b. 1 Jun 1865, d. a 1921
  • Anna Emilie Graumüller+ b. 18 Dec 1867, d. 15 Mar 1954

    • Citations

    1. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 110 Nr. 52 aus 1855, Baptismal Record of Emma Louisa Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    2. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Trauregister Seite 434 Nr. 11 aus 1852, Marriage Record of Johann Christoph Graumüller and Auguste Wilhemina Zimmermann (digital image of record in possession of JG Russell).
    3. Passport Records, Passport application of Emil Graumüller, filed 18 May 1921, U.S. District Court, Chicago IL.
    4. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Sterberegister Seite 61 Nr. 22 aus 1895, Death Record of Johann Christoph Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    5. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 57 Nr. 35 aus 1855, Baptismal Record of Ida Emma Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    6. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 216 Nr. 83 aus 1859, Baptismal Record of Henrietta Louise Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    7. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 313 Nr. 19 aus 1863, Baptismal Record of Ernst Gustav Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).

    Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann1

    F, b. circa 1840, d. after 1907

    FatherJohann Gottfried Zimmermann2
    Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|Johann Gottfried Zimmermann||p118.htm#i2357||||||||||||||||

    Birthc 1840 Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann, daughter of Johann Gottfried Zimmermann, was born c 1840 at Germany. The date of birth is purely an estimate based on the dates of birth of her known children. 
    Marriage31 May 1852 Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann married Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller, son of Johann Christoph Graumüller, on 31 May 1852 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. In the church record of the marriage, Gustav was identified as a resident of Bad Köstritz and the third son of Johann Christoph Graumüller of Rüdersdorf. Wilhelmina was identified as the second daughter of Johann Gottfried Zimmermann, a carpenter and resident of Bad Köstritz.2 
    Deatha 1907 Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann died a 1907 at Germany. Wilhelmina was still alive in August 1907, when daughter Anna listed her mother (residing at Anger 2, Kostritz) as her contact in Germany on the ship passenger registry for the SS Pretoria, which landed at New York on 10 August 1907. 

    Family

    		Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller b. c 1830, d. 21 Jun 1895
    Children
  • Ida Emma Graumüller3 b. 18 Jul 1853
  • Emma Louisa Graumüller+ b. 27 Oct 1855, d. a 10 Dec 1925
  • Auguste Pauline Graumüller+ b. 9 Dec 1857, d. 3 Jan 1944
  • Henrietta Louise Graumüller+4 b. 13 Dec 1859
  • Ernst Gustav Graumüller5 b. 2 Feb 1863
  • Karl Emil Graumüller b. 1 Jun 1865, d. a 1921
  • Anna Emilie Graumüller+ b. 18 Dec 1867, d. 15 Mar 1954

    • Citations

    1. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 110 Nr. 52 aus 1855, Baptismal Record of Emma Louisa Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    2. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Trauregister Seite 434 Nr. 11 aus 1852, Marriage Record of Johann Christoph Graumüller and Auguste Wilhemina Zimmermann (digital image of record in possession of JG Russell).
    3. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 57 Nr. 35 aus 1855, Baptismal Record of Ida Emma Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    4. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 216 Nr. 83 aus 1859, Baptismal Record of Henrietta Louise Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    5. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 313 Nr. 19 aus 1863, Baptismal Record of Ernst Gustav Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).

    Martha Pauline Geissler

    F, b. 19 January 1884, d. 17 June 1949

    FatherHermann Eduard Geissler b. c 1860, d. a 25 Sep 1929
    MotherEmma Louisa Graumüller b. 27 Oct 1855, d. a 10 Dec 1925
    Martha Pauline Geissler|b. 19 Jan 1884\nd. 17 Jun 1949|p85.htm#i1691|Hermann Eduard Geissler|b. c 1860\nd. a 25 Sep 1929|p54.htm#i1072|Emma Louisa Graumüller|b. 27 Oct 1855\nd. a 10 Dec 1925|p55.htm#i1093|||||||Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Auguste W. Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|

    Birth19 Jan 1884 Martha Pauline Geissler, daughter of Hermann Eduard Geissler and Emma Louisa Graumüller, was born on 19 Jan 1884 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. According to the church records of Bad Köstritz, Martha was born at 9 p.m.1,2,3,4 
    Baptism17 Feb 1884 Martha Pauline Geissler was baptized on 17 Feb 1884 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. The church records at Bad Köstritz identify her godparents as Henriette Stechner of Geißnitz, Emilie Stechner of Gera, and her aunt Anna Graumüller of Bad Köstritz.4 
    Marriagec 1903 She married Paul Benschura c 1903 at Germany.2 
    Immigration19 Mar 1923 Martha Pauline Geissler arrived in the United States on 19 Mar 1923 landing at Ellis Island, New York City, New York County, NY.Martha emigrated on the SS President Arthur, leaving Bremen Mar 7, 1923, arriving NYC Mar 19, 1923. She was listed on the ship's manifest as a 39-year-old housewife, 5'6" tall, blue eyes and blonde hair, born in Koestritz. Her German contact was her husband, Paul Benschura, Gera, Reuss, Thurmstrasse 26. She listed her ultimate destination as Chicago and her contact there as her brother-in-law (husband of her sister Hattie) Paul Knop, 1902 W 65th St.), who is also listed as the person who paid her passage.2 
    Census13 Apr 1930 She appeared on the census of 13 Apr 1930 at 906 Willow, Chicago, Cook County, IL; Martha Geissler was shown as head of household, age 46, widowed, a seamstress in a furniture shop, with sons Alfred Benschura , age 26, single, painter at hotel, and Willy Benschura, age 25, single, die marker at a leather factory. Alfred was shown as naturalized and Willy and Martha as having filed initial papers. Note that the sons were shown (incorrectly) as step-sons, presumably because Martha was recorded under her maiden name.5 
    Death17 Jun 1949 She died on 17 Jun 1949 at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Cook County, IL, at age 65. "Martha Benschura, beloved mother of Alfred and Willie, fond sister of Hattie Knop, Elly Froemke, and Agnes Oettel of Germany, niece of Anna Zons, cousin of Elizabeth Marks. Service 1:30 p.m., Monday at chapel, 1648 W. 63rd street. Interment Mount Hope." Chicago Tribune, June 19, 1949

    Cause of death: acute cardiac failure and esophageal cancer.1,3 

    Family

    		Paul Benschura d. bt 1934 - 1936
    Children
  • Alfred Benschura b. 16 May 1904, d. 2 Sep 1960
  • Willy Walter Benschura b. 6 May 1905

    • Citations

    1. Obituary, Chicago Tribune, Jun 19, 1949.
    2. Ship Passenger List.
    3. Death Certificate, IL Dept. of Public Health, Martha Benschura, Cook County, No. 18330, 17 Jun 1949.
    4. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 34 Nr. 4 aus 1884, Baptismal Record of Martha Pauline Geissler (digital image of record in possession of JG Russell).
    5. 1930 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, T626 (2,667 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

    Ida Agnes Geissler

    F, b. 12 February 1887, d. between 1949 and 1954

    FatherHermann Eduard Geissler b. c 1860, d. a 25 Sep 1929
    MotherEmma Louisa Graumüller b. 27 Oct 1855, d. a 10 Dec 1925
    Ida Agnes Geissler|b. 12 Feb 1887\nd. bt 1949 - 1954|p85.htm#i1692|Hermann Eduard Geissler|b. c 1860\nd. a 25 Sep 1929|p54.htm#i1072|Emma Louisa Graumüller|b. 27 Oct 1855\nd. a 10 Dec 1925|p55.htm#i1093|||||||Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Auguste W. Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|

    Birth12 Feb 1887 Ida Agnes Geissler, daughter of Hermann Eduard Geissler and Emma Louisa Graumüller, was born on 12 Feb 1887 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. According to the church records of Bad Köstritz, Agnes was born at 2 p.m.1,2 
    Baptism13 Mar 1887 Ida Agnes Geissler was baptized on 13 Mar 1887 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. The church records of Bad Köstritz identify Agnes' godparents as Ernst Ranft, bricklayer in Reichardtsdorf, Hermann Födisch, carpenter in Hartmannsdorf, and Lina Walther of Steinbrücken.2 
    Marriage She married Reinhold? Oettel. 
    Note29 Aug 1930  Agnes Oettel was a third class passenger on the Bremen, arriving from Bremen in New York. She was listed as a widowed housewife from Thuringen and her ultimate destination as Chicago. Traveling on the same ship were her brother Hugo Ernst Geissler and his wife and son. It does not appear that Agnes stayed in the United States; the death notice of her sister Martha in 1949 referred to Martha's sister "Agnes Oettel of Germany". Note that the Bremen most likely docked at 58th Street, Brooklyn, but foreign passengers were most likely admitted through Ellis Island.3 
    Deathbt 1949 - 1954 Agnes Geissler Oettel died bt 1949 - 1954. Agnes may have died between 1949 and 1954. This hypothesis is based solely on the fact that she was listed as a survivor in the death notice of her sister, Martha Benschura, in June of 1949, but was not listed in the death notice of her aunt, Anna Graumiller Zons, in March of 1954. 

    Family

    		Reinhold? Oettel d. bt 1914 - 1917
    Children
  • Ernst Oettel4 b. b 1914
  • Herbert Oettel4 b. b 1914

    • Citations

    1. Obituary, Martha Benschura, Chicago Tribune, June 19, 1949.
    2. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 48 Nr. 8 aus 1887, Baptismal Record of Ida Agnes Geissler (digital image of record in possession of JG Russell).
    3. Web site, Die Maus, Passengers from Bremen.
    4. City Directory, Einwohner Buch Stadt Gera, 1939, p194 (FHL Film 2158083).

    Elly Marie Martha Geissler

    F, b. 31 December 1888, d. 10 December 1964

    FatherHermann Eduard Geissler b. c 1860, d. a 25 Sep 1929
    MotherEmma Louisa Graumüller b. 27 Oct 1855, d. a 10 Dec 1925
    Elly Marie Martha Geissler|b. 31 Dec 1888\nd. 10 Dec 1964|p85.htm#i1693|Hermann Eduard Geissler|b. c 1860\nd. a 25 Sep 1929|p54.htm#i1072|Emma Louisa Graumüller|b. 27 Oct 1855\nd. a 10 Dec 1925|p55.htm#i1093|||||||Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Auguste W. Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|

    Birth31 Dec 1888 Elly Marie Martha Geissler, daughter of Hermann Eduard Geissler and Emma Louisa Graumüller, was born on 31 Dec 1888 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. According to the church records of Bad Köstritz, Elly was born at 9:30 a.m. Those records contain an annotation, entered sometime afterwards, that Elly was living in Chocago.1,2,3 
    Baptism24 Jan 1889 Elly Marie Martha Geissler was baptized on 24 Jan 1889 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. The church records at Bad Köstritz identify her godparents as Louise Hortschansky of Bad Köstritz, Louise Große of Bad Köstritz, and Elsa Starke of Heinrichshall.3 
    Marriage She married Max Nasgowitz. 
    Emigration6 Jan 1923 Elly Marie Martha Geissler emigrated on 6 Jan 1923 from Bremen, Germany. She sailed on the SS President Harding, arriving at Ellis Island on 17 Jan 1923. She gave her brother-in-law Paul Knop in Chicago as her American contact and her husband Max in Gera as her German contact.4 
    Marriage She married Paul A. Froemke at prob Chicago, Cook County, IL. The exact date and even the place of Elly's marriage to Paul Froemke is problematic. She traveled with him on the SS George Washington in August 1927, arriving at the Port of New York on 31 August, under the name Elly Froemke. She was recorded as his wife in the 1930 Chicago census. But the only marriage record that can be found is dated 4 May 1935 and that is the date and place of marriage listed on her naturalization records. It is possible that Elly and Paul traveled to Germany in 1927 for the purpose of being married in the presence of her family there but the marriage was not recognized by American officials. An FOIA request for her immigration records has been made and may shed light on this issue. 
    Note31 Aug 1927  Elly Froemke and her husband Paul (shown as Froembke) traveled from Bremen to NY en route to Chicago on 31 Aug 1927 on the SS George Washington (Die Maus site). Elly was age 37, married, housewife, German. Paul was age 29, married, an American national, living in Chicago. Traveling on the same ship was Elly's aunt, Auguste Graumuller Schreiner, a 69-year-old widow living in Chicago.5 
    1930 Census9 Apr 1930 Elly Geissler Froemke and Paul A. Froemke appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook County, IL, at 3350 W 63rd Street, enumerated 9 Apr 1930. He was shown as age 32, born OK, the proprietor of a grocery store. Elly was shown as age 41 and married for four years (marriage at age 37)..6 
    Naturalization12 Dec 1939 Elly Marie Martha Geissler was naturalized on 12 Dec 1939 at Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, Cook County, Germany.7 
    Residence12 Mar 1951  On 12 Mar 1951, Elly Geissler Froemke lived at 4125 W. 58th Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL.8 
    Death10 Dec 1964 She died on 10 Dec 1964 at Beaumont, Riverside County, CA, at age 75.2,9,10 
    Burial14 Dec 1964 She was buried on 14 Dec 1964 at Mountain View Cemetery, Beaumont, Riverside County, CA.10 

    Citations

    1. Obituary, Martha Benschura, Chicago Tribune, June 19, 1949.
    2. Social Security Death Index, online http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/
    3. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 57 Nr. 89 aus 1888, Baptismal Record of Elly Marie Martha Geissler (digital image of record in possession of JG Russell).
    4. Ship Passenger List, SS President Harding, 6 Jan-17 Jan 1923, Ellis Island.org.
    5. Web site, Die Maus, Passengers from Bremen.
    6. 1930 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, T626 (2,667 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
    7. Naturalization Record, Elly Martha Marie Froemke, Petition for Naturalization, file no. 187495, 12 Sep 1939, U.S. District Court (N.D.Ill.) (FHL Film 2134440).
    8. Social Security Card, SS5 application, March 12 1951.
    9. Web site, California Death Records online.
    10. Death Certificate, CA Dept. of Health Services, Elly Geissler Froemke, Riverside County, Certif. No. 3397-03058.

    Paul Benschura

    M, d. between 1934 and 1936

    Birth Paul Benschura was born at Germany. 
    Marriagec 1903 He married Martha Pauline Geissler, daughter of Hermann Eduard Geissler and Emma Louisa Graumüller, c 1903 at Germany.1 
    Deathbt 1934 - 1936 Paul Benschura died bt 1934 - 1936 at Gera, Germany. Paul Benschura appears in the 1934 Gera city directory but is absent by the 1936 directory. 

    Family

    		Martha Pauline Geissler b. 19 Jan 1884, d. 17 Jun 1949
    Children
  • Alfred Benschura b. 16 May 1904, d. 2 Sep 1960
  • Willy Walter Benschura b. 6 May 1905

    • Citations

    1. Ship Passenger List.

    Alfred Benschura

    M, b. 16 May 1904, d. 2 September 1960

    FatherPaul Benschura d. bt 1934 - 1936
    MotherMartha Pauline Geissler b. 19 Jan 1884, d. 17 Jun 1949
    Alfred Benschura|b. 16 May 1904\nd. 2 Sep 1960|p85.htm#i1695|Paul Benschura|d. bt 1934 - 1936|p85.htm#i1694|Martha Pauline Geissler|b. 19 Jan 1884\nd. 17 Jun 1949|p85.htm#i1691|||||||Hermann E. Geissler|b. c 1860\nd. a 25 Sep 1929|p54.htm#i1072|Emma L. Graumüller|b. 27 Oct 1855\nd. a 10 Dec 1925|p55.htm#i1093|

    Birth16 May 1904 Alfred Benschura, son of Paul Benschura and Martha Pauline Geissler, was born on 16 May 1904 at Gera, Reuss Thuringen, Germany.1,2 
    Immigration9 Jan 1924 Alfred Benschura arrived in the United States on 9 Jan 1924 landing at Ellis Island, New York City, New York County, NY.According to the manifest of the SS George Washington on the Ellis Island website, Alfred (age 19, single, painter, German, 5'5", blond hair, green eyes, from Gera, Reuss, Thuringen) arrived with his 18-year-old brother Willy on the SS George Washington on Jan 9 1924, having sailed from Bremen on Dec 29 1923. The ship's manifest lists their grandfather as Hermann Geissler of Gera and indicates they were going to Chicago to live with their mother, Martha Geissler, at 5215 Bishop Street. The brothers' passage was paid for by their mother; each was in possession of $25.1 
    Naturalization23 May 1929 He was naturalized on 23 May 1929 at Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, Cook County, IL. His witnesses included his mother's sister, Hattie Geissler Knop, and his mother's aunt, Anna Graumüller Zons. He was issued certificate no. 3014278.2 
    Census13 Apr 1930 He appeared on the census of 13 Apr 1930 at 906 Willow, Chicago, Cook County, IL; Alfred, single, age 26, painter at a hotel, was shown in the household of his mother Martha Geissler, age 46, widowed, a seamstress in a furniture shop. Living with them was his brother Willy Benschura, age 25, single, die marker at a leather factory. Alfred was shown as naturalized and Willy and Martha as having filed initial papers. Note that the sons were shown (incorrectly) as step-sons, presumably because Martha was recorded under her maiden name.3 
    Note1 Jul 1938  According to the manifest of the SS Bremen, sailing from Bremen to New York on October 6, 1938, Alfred Benschura had been issued Passport No. 6622 in Washington D.C. on 1 July 1938. 
    Death2 Sep 1960 He died on 2 Sep 1960 at Orange County, CA, at age 56. 

    Citations

    1. Ship Passenger List.
    2. Naturalization Record, Alfred Benschura, Petition for Naturalization, file no. 71007, 11 Feb 1929, U.S. District Court (N.D.Ill.) (FHL Film 1468268).
    3. 1930 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, T626 (2,667 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

    Willy Walter Benschura

    M, b. 6 May 1905

    FatherPaul Benschura d. bt 1934 - 1936
    MotherMartha Pauline Geissler b. 19 Jan 1884, d. 17 Jun 1949
    Willy Walter Benschura|b. 6 May 1905|p85.htm#i1696|Paul Benschura|d. bt 1934 - 1936|p85.htm#i1694|Martha Pauline Geissler|b. 19 Jan 1884\nd. 17 Jun 1949|p85.htm#i1691|||||||Hermann E. Geissler|b. c 1860\nd. a 25 Sep 1929|p54.htm#i1072|Emma L. Graumüller|b. 27 Oct 1855\nd. a 10 Dec 1925|p55.htm#i1093|

    Birth6 May 1905 Willy Walter Benschura, son of Paul Benschura and Martha Pauline Geissler, was born on 6 May 1905 at Gera, Reuss Thuringen, Germany.1,2 
    Immigration9 Jan 1924 Willy Walter Benschura arrived in the United States on 9 Jan 1924 landing at Ellis Island, New York City, New York County, NY.According to the manifest of the SS George Washington on the Ellis Island website, Willy (age 18, single, mason, German, 5'6", blond hair, green eyes, from Gera, Reuss, Thuringen) arrived with his 19-year-old brother Alfred on the SS George Washington on Jan 9 1924, having sailed from Bremen on Dec 29 1923. The ship's manifest lists their grandfather as Hermann Geissler of Gera and indicates they were going to Chicago to live with their mother, Martha Geissler, at 5215 Bishop Street. The brothers' passage was paid for by their mother; each was in possession of $25.1 
    Census13 Apr 1930 He appeared on the census of 13 Apr 1930 at 906 Willow, Chicago, Cook County, IL; Willy, single, age 25, die maker in a leather factory, was shown in the household of his mother Martha Geissler, age 46, widowed, a seamstress in a furniture shop. Living with them was his brother, Alfred Benschura, age 26, single, painter at a hotel. Alfred was shown as naturalized and Willy and Martha as having filed initial papers. Note that the sons were shown (incorrectly) as step-sons, presumably because Martha was recorded under her maiden name.3 
    Marriage20 Feb 1932 He married Elly Marie Kessner on 20 Feb 1932 at Chicago, Cook County, IL.2 
    Naturalization14 Dec 1938 Willy Walter Benschura was naturalized on 14 Dec 1938 at Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, Cook County, IL. He was issued certificate 4510464.4 

    Citations

    1. Ship Passenger List.
    2. Naturalization Record, Willy Walter Benschura, Declaration of Intention, 28 Feb 1936, and Petition for Naturalization, 13 Sep 1938, U.S. District Court (N.D.Ill.) (FHL Film 2131354).
    3. 1930 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, T626 (2,667 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
    4. Naturalization Record, Willy Walter Benschura, Declaration of Intention, 28 Feb 1936, and Petition for Naturalization, file no. 171783, 13 Sep 1938, U.S. District Court (N.D.Ill.) (FHL Film 2131354).

    Reinhold? Oettel

    M, d. between 1914 and 1917

    Birth Reinhold? Oettel was born at Germany. 
    Marriage He married Ida Agnes Geissler, daughter of Hermann Eduard Geissler and Emma Louisa Graumüller. 
    Deathbt 1914 - 1917 Reinhold? Oettel died bt 1914 - 1917 at Germany. Agnes Oettel became a widow most likely during World War I. She does not appear in the 1914 Gera City Directory in any capacity; she appears as a widow living at the same address as her father Hermann Geissler in the 1917 City Directory. One candidate for her husband is a harmonica maker, Reinhold Oettel, who does appear in the 1914 City Directory and does not appear in the 1917 directory.
     

    Family

    		Ida Agnes Geissler b. 12 Feb 1887, d. bt 1949 - 1954
    Children
  • Ernst Oettel b. b 1914
  • Herbert Oettel1 b. b 1914

    • Citations

    1. City Directory, Einwohner Buch Stadt Gera, 1939, p194 (FHL Film 2158083).

    Paul A. Froemke

    M, b. 24 February 1898, d. 19 January 1969

    Birth24 Feb 1898 Paul A. Froemke was born on 24 Feb 1898 at OK.1 
    Marriage He married Elly Marie Martha Geissler, daughter of Hermann Eduard Geissler and Emma Louisa Graumüller, at prob Chicago, Cook County, IL. The exact date and even the place of Elly's marriage to Paul Froemke is problematic. She traveled with him on the SS George Washington in August 1927, arriving at the Port of New York on 31 August, under the name Elly Froemke. She was recorded as his wife in the 1930 Chicago census. But the only marriage record that can be found is dated 4 May 1935 and that is the date and place of marriage listed on her naturalization records. It is possible that Elly and Paul traveled to Germany in 1927 for the purpose of being married in the presence of her family there but the marriage was not recognized by American officials. An FOIA request for her immigration records has been made and may shed light on this issue. 
    Note31 Aug 1927  Paul Froemke (shown as Froembke) and his wife Elly traveled from Bremen to NY en route to Chicago on 31 Aug 1927 on the SS George Washington (Die Maus site). Paul was age 29, married, an American national, living in Chicago. Elly was age 37, married, housewife, German. 
    1930 Census9 Apr 1930 Paul A. Froemke and Elly Geissler Froemke appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook County, IL, at 3350 W 63rd Street, enumerated 9 Apr 1930. He was shown as age 32, born OK, the proprietor of a grocery store. Elly was shown as age 41 and married for four years (marriage at age 37)..2 
    Death19 Jan 1969 Paul A. Froemke died on 19 Jan 1969 at Riverside, Riverside County, CA, at age 70.1,3 

    Citations

    1. Social Security Death Index, online http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/
    2. 1930 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, T626 (2,667 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
    3. Web site, California Death Records online.

    Leona E. Westendorf Knop

    F

    Marriage Leona E. Westendorf Knop married Irving Leonard Knop, son of Paul Knop and Emma Hedwig (Hattie) Geissler.1 
    Note  Leona and Irving were divorced before Irving's death in 1961. She remarried and died before the death of her brother Harold in 1969. 

    Citations

    1. Obituary, Paul Knop.

    Karl Emil Graumüller1

    M, b. 1 June 1865, d. after 1921

    FatherJohann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller b. c 1830, d. 21 Jun 1895
    MotherAuguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann b. c 1840, d. a 1907
    Karl Emil Graumüller|b. 1 Jun 1865\nd. a 1921|p85.htm#i1700|Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|Johann C. Graumüller|b. c 1805|p118.htm#i2362||||Johann G. Zimmermann||p118.htm#i2357||||

    Birth1 Jun 1865 Karl Emil Graumüller, son of Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller and Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann, was born on 1 Jun 1865 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. According to the church records, "Den ersten Juni früh 10 Uhr wurde dem Christoph Graumüller, hiesigem Orts Bürger und Steinmetz von seiner Ehefrau Wihelmine geb. Zimmermann ein Sohn geboren der am 25. getauft und Karl Emil genannt wurde." (On the first of June, at 10 a.m., a son was born to Christoph Graumüller, resident and Steinmetz here, and his wife Wilhelmine nee Zimmermann; on the 25th he was baptized and named Karl Emil.).2,1 
    Baptism25 Jun 1865 Karl Emil Graumüller was baptized on 25 Jun 1865 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. The church records identify his godparents as August Burghold, Karl Mühlau and Miss Christian Dörfes, all of Bad Köstritz.1 
    Marriage He married Amelia [-M?-] Graumüller. Emil was listed as married on the ship manifest when he and sister Anna emigrated to the United States in 1904, and as a widower on the 1920 census. He named his wife as Amelia when he petitioned for naturalization in 1910 and stated that she was then living in Berlin. 
    Immigration6 Oct 1904 Karl Emil Graumüller arrived in the United States on 6 Oct 1904 landing at Ellis Island, New York City, New York County, NY.arrived from Hamburg on the Graf Waldersee with his sister Anna. Emil was 39, married, a castmaker, resident of Berlin, headed for Chicago to stay with a brother (actually a brother-in-law, husband of sister Auguste), Franz Shreiner at 4839 Bischoffstrasse (Bishop Street). There is a note of a doctor's certificate as to a deformity of the foot. (In a 1921 passport application Emil stated that he was lame in his right foot.) Anna was 36, single, no occupation, also resident of Berlin. Both paid their own passage, had $70 in cash and had never been to the US before.

    Note that emigration records at the Port of Hamburg show Emil's occupation as "Korbmacher" or basket maker.3,2 
    Naturalization10 May 1911 He was naturalized on 10 May 1911 at U.S. District Court, Northern District of IL, Chicago, Cook County, IL. Confirmation of the date and place of naturalization appeared in his passport application filed in May of 1921.2 
    Note8 Oct 1913  Emil entered the US through Ellis Island, arriving on the SS President Lincoln, which departed from the Port of Cuxhaven on 27 Sep 1913, third class. (The name was wrongly indexed in the Ellis Island arrival records as "Jemil Granmuller".) He is shown as 48 years old, male, married, naturalized in Chicago 10 May 1911, living in Chicago. It appears on the ship records that he was traveling alone. His passport application in 1921 indicated that he had been in Germany from June to October 1913.4,2 
    1920 Census5 Jan 1920 He appeared on the 1920 census of Chicago, Cook County, IL, at 5717 Justine Street, enumerated 5 Jan 1920 in the household of Auguste Graumüller Schreiner, his widowed sister. He was shown as "Amel Gramuller," age 54, a widower born Germany, working in a furniture factory.5 
    Note18 May 1921  Emil applied for a US passport as a naturalized citizen intending to travel to Europe as a tourist. He noted that his occupation was that of "reed worker" and that he was 5'6" tall, dark hair, blue grey eyes and lame in his right foot.2 
    Deatha 1921 Karl Emil Graumüller died a 1921 at Chicago?, Cook County?, IL?. There is as yet no clear death record available for Emil. 

    Citations

    1. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 414 Nr. 42 aus 1865, Baptismal Record of Karl Emil Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    2. Passport Records, Passport application of Emil Graumüller, filed 18 May 1921, U.S. District Court, Chicago IL.
    3. Ship Passenger List, Graf Waldersee, available online at the Ellis Island website.
    4. Ship Passenger List, President Lincoln, arr NY 8 Oct 1913, line 20 p 517.
    5. 1920 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL, Roll: T625_348; Page: 3A; ED: 1878, SD:1; Image: 238; H37/F53 (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920, T625 (2,076 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

    Anna Emilie Graumüller1

    F, b. 18 December 1867, d. 15 March 1954

    FatherJohann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller b. c 1830, d. 21 Jun 1895
    MotherAuguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann b. c 1840, d. a 1907
    Anna Emilie Graumüller|b. 18 Dec 1867\nd. 15 Mar 1954|p85.htm#i1701|Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|Johann C. Graumüller|b. c 1805|p118.htm#i2362||||Johann G. Zimmermann||p118.htm#i2357||||

    Birth18 Dec 1867 Anna Emilie Graumüller, daughter of Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller and Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann, was born on 18 Dec 1867 at Bad Köstritz, Germany. The church records noted that Anna was born at 8 a.m.2,3,4,1 
    Baptism25 Jan 1868 Anna Emilie Graumüller was baptized on 25 Jan 1868 at Bad Köstritz, Germany.1 
    Immigration6 Oct 1904 She arrived in the United States on 6 Oct 1904 landing at Ellis Island, New York City, New York County, NY.She arrived from Hamburg on the Graf Waldersee with her brother Emil. Anna was 36, single, no occupation, and a resident of Berlin. Emil was 39, married, a castmaker, also a resident of Berlin. They were headed for Chicago to stay with a brother (actually a brother-in-law, husband of their sister Auguste), Franz Shreiner at 4839 Bischoffstrasse (Bishop Street). There is a note of a doctor's certificate as to Emil as to a deformity of the foot. Both paid their own passage, had $70 in cash and had never been to the US before.5 
    Marriagebt 7 Oct 1904 - 1907 She married Karl Nitschke bt 7 Oct 1904 - 1907 at prob Chicago, Cook County, IL.6 
    Note23 Aug 1907  Anna Graumüller Nitschke, accompanied by her niece Elizabeth Graumüller (later Marks), arrived in New York on board the Pretoria from Hamburg. The two had left Hamburg on 10 Aug 1907 (see the Hamburg emigration records). Their arrival in New York is recorded in the Ellis Island arrival records.

    The ship manifest of the Pretoria shows, at line 13:
    Nitschke, Anna, age 30, female, widow, no occup listed, read and write yes, native of Germany, German, born Kostritz, Germany, mother W. Graumiller, Anger 2, Kostritz, destination Illinois (Chicago), no ticket to ultimate destination, paid for own ticket, $100 cash ($50 crossed out), NOT in US before, going to join relative Frk. Schreiner, 4839 Bishop Str., Chicago, no to Q19-22, health good, no deformities or diseases, 5 ft. 7-1/2" tall, fair, grey hair, blue eyes, no identifying marks, born in Kostritz.

    Ship information on the Pretoria states that the ship was built for the Hamburg-American Line by Blohm & Voss Shipbuilders, Hamburg, Germany, 1898, and sailed under the German flag. 12,800 gross tons; 586 (bp) feet long; 62 feet wide. Steam quadruple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 13 knots. 2,579 passengers (197 first class, 2,382 third class, according to the Ellis Island website, although the Hamburg records say Anna and Elisabeth traveled second class). Straight stem, one funnel and four masts. Hamburg-New York service. Laid up in Germany throughout World War I, 1914-18. Used as a USA transport in 1919. Scrapped in 1921.7 
    1910 Census29 Apr 1910 Anna Graumüller Nitschke appeared on the 1910 census of Chicago, Cook County, IL, at 4839 Bishop St., enumerated 29 Apr 1910 in the household of Herman Franz (Frank) Schreiner and Auguste Graumüller Schreiner, her sister and brother-in-law, as well as their niece Elizabeth Graumüller (later Marks). Anna was a 42-year-old widow working as a washerwoman.8 
    1920 Census6 Jan 1920 Anna Graumüller Nitschke appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook County, IL, enumerated 6 Jan 1920. She was shown as age 50, a widow, housekeeper, living alone in rented quarters at 5652 S. Justine Street.9 
    Naturalization15 Dec 1921 She was naturalized on 15 Dec 1921 at Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, Cook County, IL. She had earlier filed her declaration of intent in the Superior Court of Cook County. Her witnesses included her niece's husband, Herman Marks.10 
    Note2 Mar 1922  Anna, then a widow named Nitschke, served as a witness for Herman and Elizabeth Marks when they applied for an American passport. She lived at the time at 3456 S. 63rd Street. 
    Marriage10 Nov 1926 She married Theodore Zons on 10 Nov 1926 at Chicago, Cook County, IL.11,12 
    Note1930  Anna Graumüller Zons was one of two persons who vouched for Hugo Ernst Geissler and Marie Margarethe Nuckel Geissler when they sought to be naturalized as American citizens in 1930. Her niece, Elizabeth Graumüller Marks, was the other.13 
    Death15 Mar 1954 Anna Graumüller Zons died on 15 Mar 1954 at Chicago, Cook County, IL, at age 86. Cause of death: arteriosclerotic heart disease

    Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1954: "Anna Zons, nee Graumillier, beloved wife of the late Theodore Zons, loving mother of Mary Rose, aunt of Elizabeth Marks, Hattie Knop, and Elly Froemke. Services at chapel, 5652 S. Ashland avenue, Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Interment Mount Hope cemetery. Member of Columbia Damenchor. REpublic 7-0077."2,3 

    Family

    		Theodore Zons
    Child
  • Mary Zons11 d. c 24 Dec 1966

    • Citations

    1. Church Records, Kirchenbuch Bad Köstritz, Taufregister Seite 10 Nr. 54 aus 1867, Baptismal Record of Anna Emilie Graumüller (digital image of entry in the possession of JG Russell).
    2. Obituary, Mar 17 1954 Chicago Tribune.
    3. Death Certificate, IL Dept. of Public Health, Anna Graumüller Zons, Cook County, No. 17539, 15 Mar 1954.
    4. Ship Passenger List, Pretoria, Hamburg to NY 1907.
    5. Ship Passenger List, Graf Waldersee, available online at the Ellis Island website.
    6. 1910 United States Federal Census, Chicago, Cook County, IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910, T624 (1,178 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
    7. Ship Passenger List, Pretoria records, ellisisland.org.
    8. 1910 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910, T624 (1,178 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
    9. 1920 United States Federal Census, Cook County IL, Roll: T625_348; Page: 4A; ED: 1874, SD:1; Image: 153; H40/F94 (Ancestry.com, Provo, UT), imaged from Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920, T625 (2,076 rolls), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
    10. Naturalization Record, Anna Nitschke, Declaration of Intent, 16 Apr 1919, Superior Court of Cook County, IL, Petition for Naturalization, file no. 40530, 23 Jun 1921, U.S. District Court (N.D.Ill.) (FHL Film 1451977).
    11. Obituary, Anna Zons, Mar 17, 1954, Chicago Tribune.
    12. Marriage License/Certificate, No. 1134492, Cook County IL, 10 Nov 1926.
    13. Naturalization Record.

    Theodore Zons

    M

    Marriage10 Nov 1926 Theodore Zons married Anna Emilie Graumüller, daughter of Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller and Auguste Wilhelmina Zimmermann, on 10 Nov 1926 at Chicago, Cook County, IL.1,2 
    Death Theodore Zons died at Chicago?, Cook County?, IL?. Theodore Zons' exact date and place of death are unknown as yet. 

    Family

    		Anna Emilie Graumüller b. 18 Dec 1867, d. 15 Mar 1954
    Child
  • Mary Zons d. c 24 Dec 1966

    • Citations

    1. Obituary, Anna Zons, Mar 17, 1954, Chicago Tribune.
    2. Marriage License/Certificate, No. 1134492, Cook County IL, 10 Nov 1926.

    Mary Zons

    F, d. circa 24 December 1966

    FatherTheodore Zons
    Step-motherAnna Emilie Graumüller1 b. 18 Dec 1867, d. 15 Mar 1954
    Mary Zons|d. c 24 Dec 1966|p85.htm#i1703|Theodore Zons||p85.htm#i1702|Anna Emilie Graumüller|b. 18 Dec 1867\nd. 15 Mar 1954|p85.htm#i1701|||||||Johann Christoph (Gustav) Graumüller|b. c 1830\nd. 21 Jun 1895|p85.htm#i1689|Auguste W. Zimmermann|b. c 1840\nd. a 1907|p85.htm#i1690|

    Birth Mary Zons, daughter of Theodore Zons and Anna Emilie Graumüller, was born at prob Chicago, Cook County, IL. 
    Deathc 24 Dec 1966 Mary Zons died c 24 Dec 1966 at Chicago, Cook County, IL. One possibility for Anna's daughter (or, more likely, stepdaughter by her marriage to Theodore Zons) is Mary Zons Ross:

    Chicago Tribune, Dec 25-26 1966:

    "Mary A. Ross, nee Zons, beloved wife of Hugo; dear mother of Herman Waldsmith [Myrtle], Violet Reymann [Heinz]; grandmother of four; great-grandmother of four; sister of Ann Gleason, Charles Zons, and the late Frank, Joseph, and John. At Mee & Ramme Funeral Home, 3918 Irving Park road. Eastern Star service 1 p.m., Tuesday under auspices of Germania chapter, No. 552. Interment Ridgewood cemetery. IN 8-0038."2 

    Citations

    1. Obituary, Anna Zons, Mar 17, 1954, Chicago Tribune.
    2. Obituary, Chicago Tribune, Dec 25-26, 1966.
    Close