Wunderlich Family History

Ferdinand G. or C. Wunderlich was born on September 17, 1843 in (Berlin?) Germany. He was married three times. With his first wife, name unknown, he had one son, Richard Wunderlich. He had no children with his second wife, name also unknown. With his third wife, Anna K. Ender (born Nov. 11, 1839 Berlin?), he had four children, (Harriet, Max, Amelia, & Herman). In 1883, the family boarded a ship headed to New York to start a new life. At the time, Ferdinand was 40, Anna 44, Richard 18, Harriet 8, Max 7, Amelia 6, and Herman 4. (How long did the trip take?) The Wunderlich family arrived in New York on April 21, 1883. It is interesting to note that this is before the Statue of Liberty was erected in New York Harbor, the statue was dedicated on October 28th 1886. They became United States citizens on June 7, 1888 in the State of New York, County of New York.

The New York City Directory of 1890 lists Ferdinand Wunderlich, turner, h r 265 Av. A. The family lived for a while in Rochester, New York between 1910 or 11 and 1918. Ferdinand is listed as living in Rochester with Anna, Herman, Hattie, Amelia and her son Nathan on the 1910 census. Ferdinand was 66 and Anna was 70. They were married for 36 years making their marriage year about 1874. The census indicated that this was Ferdinand's third marriage, Anna's first and that they had 7 children, 4 who were surviving. At this time Ferdinand was listed as a wood turner in a camera shop, and he is the only one in the family who is listed as having German as his primary language, and they were renting their home. Ferdinand and Anna eventually moved to 11 Margaret Street, Johnson City, New York to be close to their youngest son, Herman. Anna died at their home on March 9, 1912 of Influenza and Edema of the lungs. Ferdinand passed December 26th, 1913 at 5 am. after a few hours in the hospital of a "Perforated Gastric Ulcer". Ferdinand's occupation was listed as "wood worker" and the certificate was issued to his daughter Amelia Dodge. Ferdinand and Anna Wunderlich are buried together in Floral Park Cemetery in Johnson City. (Ferdinand and Anna are pictured above.)

Richard Wunderlich was born November 24, 1865. His wife Mary Griess, (born abt. 1868), was also born in Germany. Family lore said she worked as a cook. Mary died May 18th, 1935 and is buried in Staten Island Cemetery in New York. I received the death certificate of a Mary Wunderlich who died at age 65 on May 18, 1935 of Diabetes and Gangrene of left foot at Staten Island Hospital. Her parents are listed as Michael Greis and Margaret Phister both of Germany. Mary was born December 21, 1870 in Germany and emigrated to New York "40 years before". Her occupation at the time is listed as housewife. She is also listed as a widow, which means that if this is the correct Mary, Richard predeceased her. Her usual residence is listed as 85 Beacon, N.D. N.D. could stand for New Dorp which is consistent with Uncle Walt's recollection and the location of the Cemetery.

Mary Wunderlich was buried May 22, 1935 at Moraveau Cemetery. I found the following on Rootsweb: "Moravian Cemetery Also known as United Brethren Church Cemetery, Status: Active, Size: 108 acres, Location: Intersection of Richmond Road and Todt Hill Road, New Dorp-Grant City, (Formerly Northfield), Earliest known burial: 1763, Contact: 2205 Richmond Road, Staten Island NY 10306-2557 718-351-0136. [Note: The private Vanderbilt Family Grounds are located to the rear of this cemetery.] " The mystery of this certificate is that the Undertaker's Certificate says "I hereby certify that I have been employed, without any solicitation on my part or that of any other person, as undertaker herein by JOHN Wunderlich of Staten Island who is the son and nearest surviving relative or next of kin of the deceased. This statement is made to obtain a permit for the burial or cremation of the remains of the deceased. I can't make out the signature, but the address of the funeral home was 159 Richmond Rd. Permit #2638. Richmond Rd is about 1 block from the family residence on Beacon Ave. My conclusion at this point is that this is the correct certificate for Mary Gries Wunderlich and the Undertaker wrote the wrong first name of her son.

They had two sons, both born on Staten Island, New York. Ferdinand, (known as "Freddy") born November 24, 1894, and Daniel Wunderlich, ("Danny") born October 28, 1895. (Picture on right believed to be of Daniel Wunderlich.) Ferdinand's birth certificate said the family was living at 429 W. 31st. and Richard's occupation is listed as Carpenter. Richard listed his age as 29, Mary was 26. Ferdinand was born at home.

The boys spend a lot of time at Herman and Erma's summer cottage at Hatch Lake when they were young. I found the World War I Draft Registration Card record from 1917-1918 for Daniel Joseph Wunderlich which stated that he was of medium height, slender, grey eyes, brown hair and working as a Sterotype Apprentice and was employed, but I could'nt read where. He claimed exemption because he was the sole support of his Mother. Daniel never married and continued to live in the family home on Staten Island. Based on recollections by Walter Wunderlich, Danny worked as a type setter for one of the "large old newspapers in Manhattan" and passed away sometime around 1951.

I was surprised to find a Military - World War I Draft Registration Card record from 1917-1918 for Fred Wunderlich born 24 Nov 1894 New York;United States of America Residence: Manhattan, New York, New York Other: Manhattan City which lists him as tall, slender, grey eyes, brown hair and insane. He address is a hospital for the insane in NY. Research indicates that Fred was living in Smithtown, NY when he passed away on September 15, 1966. An application for Social Security Account Number was filled out in Fred's name by Iris Wunderlich on Sept. 25, 1939. At the time, he was unemployed and aged 44. It is likely that Iris was his wife, rather than daughter. Nothing more is known at this time.

Harriet "Hattie" Wunderlich, (Pictured on left), was born in Berlin, Germany on July 11, 1875. She never married. She would spend several months at a time with her youngest brother Herman and his wife, Erma in Johnson City, N.Y. She worked for a time in the Endicott Johnson Mrs. and Children shoe factory. The 1910 Census for New York, lists Hattie as living with her parents, brother Herman, and sister Amelia and her son Nathan in Rochester, NY. Hattie's profession is listed as a dressmaker. The 1930 census shows Harriet Wunderlich as 54 and a border in the Goodman family home in Johnson City. I could not read her exact occupation at but she worked in a Shoe Factory (probably Endicott Johnson). She stated that she, along with both her parents were born in Berlin. She died on March 7, 1956 at Wilson Memorial Hospital , and is buried in Floral Park Cemetery in Johnson City, New York.

Maxmillian "Max" Adelbert Wunderlich was born on July 23, 1876 in Berlin, Germany. One surviving family story is about a practical joke Max played on Herman when they were boys. Apparently, one night while he was sleeping, Max took the opportunity to nail Herman's shoes to the floor. It must have been quite a funny episode, because this story was told over and over in the family. We have postcards addressed to Hattie, Anna, and Herman in 3 Fayette Street, New Haven, Connecticut in 1908, so they must have spent some time with Max and his family.

At some point before 1920, Max, who worked as a tool and dye maker in New Haven, CT changed his last name to Wunderlee and started using his middle name "Adelbert" as his first name. Max married Beautrice Wittney and had three sons. Paul W. Wunderlee (November 20, 1911-November 1971), wife Ruth FAIRCHILD (30 DEC 1913 - 27 MAY 1988). Ruth was said to be an Assembler at WHITNEY BLAKE HAMDEN. Gordon Wunderlee (22 Apr 1914-13 Nov 1998) who was married to LUCRE (d. 20 March 1956, age 35, New Haven, CT). Gordon was a Machine operator at KASDEN SCRAP IRON and lived in Berlin, Hartford, CT. Donald W. Wunderlee (11 SEP 1916 - 4 JUN 1998), also of New Haven. Donald was married to Sophie (CIAK ?), who was born August 8, 1921 and passed July 10, 1986. At the time of his death, Donald's profession was listed as Stone Mason working for HAMDEN MASON CONTRACTORS.

In the 1920 census, Adelbert's sister-in-law Gladys, aged 18 was living with the family. His wife Beatrice was born in MA, Gladys was born in CT. Their father was born in Kentucky and their mother appears to have been born in Canada, her mother tounge was English. Adelbert's profession is listed as tool designer.

In the 1930 census for New Haven, CT, Beatrice's mother who's name was Ella (Cummings?), age 68 was living with the family. The census states that Ella was born in Canada, as were both her parents. In this census, Adelbert is listed as an xxxxxx engineer.

Amelia Sophie Wunderlich was born in Berlin on October 17, 1877. She married Nathan Dane Dodge, Jr. and had two children. Emily Amelia Dodge was born July 3, 1903. Emily died of small pox around the age of 6. Nathan Dane Dodge, Jr. was born September 22, 1904 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Nathan Sr. seems to have been a car dealer, who was originally from Ma.

Amelia and Nathan split after the death of their daughter. In the 1910 Census, Amelia and Nathan Jr. were living with her parents, brother Herman and sister Harriet in Rochester, NY. Amelia was working as a shoemaker at a factory. Family lore states that Nathan had been married before and had lost a daughter, of about the same age as Emily, also of Small Pox. The strain was too much for him and he left. Nathan appears to have ended up in California, and would occasionally make anonymous inquiries about the welfare of his son. I found a record of a Nathan P. Dodge, born in Maine who died 9/24/1941 in Los Angeles, CA. I'm not sure if this is the correct Nathan or not, but it is a start.

The 1910 Census for New York, Monroe County, 19-wd Rochester, District 190 lists Amelia and Nathan as living with her parents, Herman, and Hattie in Rochester, NY. At the time, Amelia is listed as a shoemaker working in a shoe factory. I assume that Nathan, who was 5, was being cared for by his Grandmother Anna while Amelia was at work. Anna is the only one on the census not listed as working outside the home. Amelia and her young son Nathan moved with her parents to 11 Margaret Street in Johnson City, NY. We know that she was there in December of 1913, because it was Amelia who registered her father Ferdinand's death.

There is also a story of Nathan being wittiness to a drowning of another young boy at Hatch Lake.

Amelia died, aged 51, on August 3, 1929 of T.B. in a sanatorium in Massachusetts. She is buried in Floral Park Cemetery in Johnson City, New York, but there is no headstone. Based on research in the SSIndex, Amelia's son Nathan Dodge, Jr. applied for a SS Number on November 27, 1936. At the time he was working for the firm of McCarthy & Gallagher and living on Great Hill, Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. It seems that Nathan, Sr. was from the same area, and might have had a brother named William Dodge who had contact with Nathan, Jr.

In 1932 or 3, Nathan married Esther Tuttle, daughter of George Thomas Wiswall Tuttle and his wife Mary Lavinia Hardy Tuttle. Esther was born on November 9, 1906 in Newburyport, Ma. Esther had also lost her parents. In 1936, her SS application states that she was working for the Towle Manufacturing Company in Newburyport, Ma. Nathan worked as a designer and patternmaker of ladies shoes, which was an important local industry.

A close family friend of the pair said that they were very social and civic minded. They loved golf and bridge. Esther and Nathan did not have children, but seemed to have had a happy life together with their little dog Hanson. Ester had a very weak heart and suffered six heart attacks before she passed in 1973. This was very difficult for Nathan. He passed in 1997 in Hampton Falls, NH.

Ferdinand and Anna's youngest child, Herman Otto Wunderlich, was also born in Berlin on January 16, 1879 (d. Nov. 25, 1952). According to the Baptism Register of the Lutheran St. Nicolai Church in Berlin, Arthur Otto Hermann Wunderlich who was born on 16th January, 1879 at 8:30 pm, as the son, by marriage of the Lathe Master Johan Friedrich Ferdinand Wunderlich of Lutheran Confession and his wife Anna Johanna Karoline Ender of Catholic Confession on the 20th of April 1879. The Baptismal Witnesses were Mr. Gottlieb Wunderlich (Ferdinand's Brother), Mrs. Zimmerman (Ferdinand's Sister), and a Miss Hulda Vergin (a research note says "most likely a french huegenaut"). Other documents show that Herman was Confirmed in his Lutheran faith on March 14, 1893 (at age 14), at a German speaking church in New York. His confirmation certificate is completely in German even though it was issued by the Synod of North America.

Herman served in the Spanish- American War. His pension records state that he enlisted the 29th of June, 1899 at New Haven, Conn. as a Private of Troop K of the 8th Regiment Calvary for a three year term. He was described as 20 and 5/12 years old, 5ft 9 1/2 inches tall , fair complected with blue eyes #9 and light brown hair, and was by occupation, a laborer. He served in Cuba, arriving on the S.S. Kilpatrick, from July 28, 1899 until February 25, 1902. The 1900 Census which was recorded on June 5, 1900 lists him as living at Camp Road MacKenzie, Cuba, Military and Naval Forces (48 Greenwood) . Herman was age 21, a Private, from New Haven, CT who was born in Germany in 1879 and became a US citizen when he was 16. He was honorably discharged from Fort Riley, Kansas, on June 28, 1902. His discharge paper lists his character as excellent. Afterwards, he went on a tour of South America and sent his mother Anna postcards from all the places he went. We have the postcards from Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica.

By 1910, Herman is living in NY. The census for 1910 lists Herman's profession as Cabinetmaker and shows that he was living with his parents and two sisters in Rochester, NY. In September of 1918, his WWI Draft Registration card states that he was living on Main St. in Johnson City and was already employed as a wood worker by Agfa Camera. He stated that his closest relation was Amelia Dodge who lived with him. By the 1920 census he was living with Berton and Elizabeth Harmon as a border in Johnson City, and working as a Wood worker for a factory. This was a year before he married Irma Bryan. In this census, he states that both his parents were born in Berlin, Germany.

Herman's Pension Declaration which was filed on January 18, 1928 stated that "since leaving the service he has resided at New Haven, CT, Rochester, NY, and Johnson City, NY, and that his occupation has been cabinet maker." He also stated at that he was "partially" disabled "to wit: Pyorrhea causing the loss of all teeth, defective eye sight, Rheumatism, Catarrk, nervousness, and weak back." He was 49 at the time. He was granted a pension of $25 a month.

The 1930 census for Johnson City, NY states that he is a Wood worker for Agfa Camera Suppliers. Interestingly, he stated that his year of immigration was 1882. The Johnson City phone directory for 1939 confirms that he was working at Agfa-Ansco.

He worked as a cabinet maker at Ansco camera for most of his career. He crafted beautiful inlaid wooden lamps, candle sticks, and furniture for a hobby. Some of these pieces are still in the family today. It is known that he enjoyed sauerkraut and beer, both of which Erma made for him in the basement, and that his favorite flower was the Black Eyed Susan. He was also said to have had a very strong New England/New York accent. He would call out Aaathhhh-aaahhh when he wanted Arthur home.

Herman met his future wife while working at the Agfa Ansco Camera Company. After a long courtship, (Herman refused to get married while his mother was alive), Herman wed Erma Mae Bryan of Scottdale, Pa. She was had originally come to Johnson City to attend Bible College (Methodist). Erma and Herman were married on September 3, 1921 by Crisenberry A. Ritchie, Paster of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, on Main Street in Binghamton, NY. Their Marriage Certificate states that Herman was 42 years old and living at 126 Main St. and Irma was 24 years old and living at 145 Beethoven St. The marriage was witnessed by Harry C. and Mary Dildine. I know Irma's family was not present at the ceremony because Irma's sister Jane remembered when Irma brought her new husband Herman "home" to meet the family shortly after the wedding. At some point, Erma changed the spelling of her name to Irma.

Together Herman and Irma built a home at 27 Baker Street, Johnson City, N.Y. where they lived throughout their lives. The family also built a summer cottage at Hatch Lake, N.Y. known as "The Camp" that remains in the family. Herman and Irma had two sons, Walter Otto and Arthur Harry Wunderlich.

Irma used to tell her grandchildren stories about how Herman would constantly tease her. He would do things like write her name in the dust on the overhead door trim. She would find it when she did her spring cleaning. He was always threatening her with the "white glove test" and teasing her about her housekeeping. This was funny because she was always a very neat housekeeper.

Irma was still quite young when Herman passed away. Even though her sons were grown, she refused to remarry because she "didn't want to give her boys a step-father", she also said that she would never settle for less than she had in Herman. Irma kept a sense of humor her whole life, even in her 90's she would be sitting out on her porch in summer and we would ask her what she was doing. She would reply with a twinkle in her vibrant blue eyes "I'm still lookin!"

Herman had a history of heart problems. He had a heart attack in 1943. A second heart attack on November 18, 1952. He passed on November 25, 1952 at 4 a.m. He is buried at the place of his choosing which is Kattelville Cemetary. Herman and Irma used to pass this place on the way to the camp.

Walter Otto Wunderlich was born in Johnson City, N.Y. on March 19, 1926. He attended Johnson City High School, served as a xxxxxxxxx in ? location during WWII. After the war, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. In 1961, he married Carol Shipley, of Rockford, Illinois ?. Together they had six children. James Arthur (b.1962), Eric Carlton (1964), Christopher Drew (1965), Ahn (1967), Heidi Ann(1969), Jason Cole(1971).

Arthur Harry Wunderlich was born on September 7, 1927. As a young man he attended Johnson City High School where he lettered on the football team. At 17, he enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII and taught Photo topography at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While at Fort Belvoir, Art wrote his autobiography for inclusion in the Bryan Family History. He was Honorably Discarged form the Army on May 27, 1947. He received $100 Mustering Out Pay and $17 dollars travel pay. After returning home, he attended the University of Syracuse and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and Pi Beta Kappa honors. He worked on projects in many countries including France, Libya, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, and Alaska (1950). He eventually went to work for Esso Oil Company, as an engineer in Research and Development. He did research on new building materials and techniques. He then worked in England, Spain, and Holland.

In February of 1963, he married Agnes Hamill, a nurse. Agnes was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland on November 1, 1930 to James and Agnes Hamill. Agnes and Arthur were living in Cleveland, Ohio at the time. Arthur was a partner in Tkach & Wunderlich, Consulting Engineers and Barb Inc., a home building and contractors firm. Walter was also a partner in Barb Inc. The wedding party was small, Arthur, Agnes, Erma Wunderlich, Walter & Carol Wunderlich, and John Hamill, Agnes' brother. Karen, the first of their four children was born in Lakewood, Ohio on November of 1963. While in New Jersey, the family rented the home of the man who invented the shunt to drain water off the brain. He was an engineer and his son was afflicted with a disease which caused this dreadful condition. His father believed that there must be some way to relieve the his son. He eventually came up with the shunt, unfortunately not in time to save his son, but his device has saved countless lives since.

After traveling abroad for several years, the family eventually settled in Addison, Illinois. Agnes still resides at 550 Memory Lane, Addison. Art started his final and most successful businesses here, including: AHW Enterprises, AHW Architects & Engineers, AHW Construction Company, W-R Realty, and other concerns. In 1981, Agnes and Arthur divorced. Arthur later married Patricia Thompson of Darien, Illinois. Pat had one son, Jack, from a previous marriage.

Throughout his career, Art worked on inventions, and was published in professional journals. He had a special interest in solar technologies and de-salinization processes. Art was known for his commitment to hard work and risk taking, his love of travel, fine food, wine, cigars (he could blow a smoke ring through two other smoke rings!), and classical music. Arthur died on August 30, 1989 after a short illness of Multiple Myeloma, a type of bone cancer. He is buried at a cemetery in Darien, Illinois.

Karen Anne Wunderlich was born in Lakewood, Ohio on November 17, 1963. I married Richard Stezowski of Elmhurst, Illinois on August 18, 1991. Clara Hamill Stezowski was born January 24, 1997. Alexander Joseph Stezowski was born in 1999. Willliam Bryan Stezowski was born on August 15, 2003.

Mark Edward Wunderlich, was born on October 21, 1964, also in Ohio. Mark married Michelle Bigham of DuQuoin, IL in August, 1989. In 2000, Mark married Nancy Hilgendorf. Mark and Nancy have twin daughters, Grace and Briget born Jan. 2, 2003. Robert Scott Wunderlich, called "Scott" by the family, was born on October 18, 1965. He married Leian Leverence of Addison, Illinois, in 1989. Dirk Bryan Wunderlich was born October 4, 1974 in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Gottleib Wunderlich was born September 10, 1848. His wife was named Anna. Gottleib owned the G. Wunderlich Furniture Factory in Lubbenau, which is located in the area formally known as East Germany, about an hour drive from the Polish border. He had two daughters, Martha and Anna . The information on the girls and their families, comes from a letter written in German, and dated November, 1907.
Page from the Gottlieb Wunderlich Furniture Catalog

Gottleib and Anna's youngest child Anna Wunderlich married Mr. Richard Muller, a printer. Together they had three children, Bernhart who was 3 1/2 years old in 1907, and Lotchen, no mention of age. Their second child died. Richard Muller took over the furniture Factory when Gottlieb died. Muller sold the factory to a Mr. Baendel, however, Baendel had financial problems and sold half back, or gave half back to Muller. The factory then became a partnership.

Martha, the older daughter, married a Mr. Becker. They had five children, two of whom died. The November 1907 letter says that they had one son who was eight years old, a daughter who was 5, and another child who was 3 1/2. Mr. Becker eventually went to work in the furniture factory after it was sold to Baendel, and was having financial problems. Nothing more is known of them at this time.

Anna Wunderlich, dates unknown, married a Mr. August Zimmerman, who was employed by the Post Office. They had two children, a son Robert Zimmerman, and a daughter Agnes Zimmerman.

A letter from 1912 states that Anna and August lived in Lankwitz, Germany. At this time, Agnes was living with them. Agnes was unmarried and worked at the Post Office in Lichterfelde as a Telephone Operator. Robert was married, and had a daughter that was 6 years old in September, 1912. Robert and his family lived in Lichterfelde. This is all we know about Anna Wunderlich Zimmerman and her family at present.

Thank you for visiting the Wunderlich Family History. We will continue research on this project, and add information as it becomes available.

NOTES:
I believe the family may have been from the Brandenburg area of Germany. Both Lubbenau where Gottlieb Wunderlich had his furniture factory, and Berlin where I know that Herman Wunderlich was baptized are in this area. Also, Uncle Walt mentioned that there was a story that the family was from an area north of Berlin in an area "with a lot of lakes".