Wunderlich Family HistoryFerdinand, Anna & Gottlieb Wunderlich and their DescendantsThe information presented below was compiled from old family letters, official papers, notes, and some "lore". The research was begun by Arthur H. Wunderlich (1927-1989) and continued by Karen Wunderlich Stezowski. Ferdinand Wunderlich (1843-1913)Ferdinand G. or C. Wunderlich was born on September 17, 1843 in (Berlin?) Germany. His full name is recorded as Johann Friedrich Ferdinand Wunderlich. He is the son of Johann Georg Wunderlich. His mother's name is unknown at this time.
Ferdinand was married three times. With his first wife, Sophie Therese Anna Hauer, daughter of Friedrich August Hauer (m.5 Mar 1865), whom he married at age 21, he
had one known son, Richard Wunderlich. He had no known children with his second
wife, Louise Ernestine Gabbert, daughter of Ludwig Gabbert (m. 28 Nov 1869 Berlin), whom he married at the age of 26. With his third wife, Anna Karoline Ender (born Nov. 11, 1839 Berlin ? or 9 Feb 1839 is on her marriage certificate), he had four children, (Harriet, Max, Amelia, & Herman). Johann Friedrich Ferdinand Wunderlich married Anna Johanna Amalie Ender, daughter of Johann Alois Bonifaz Ender, in Berlin, Brandenburg, PreuBen on May 2, 1873. Ferdinand was a twice widowed 29 year old father of a 7 year old.
Richard Wunderlich was born November 24, 1865 and died before 1910. His wife Mary Griess, was also born in Germany. Family lore said she worked as a cook. The 1910 Census shows Mary(41), widowed, and working as a Dealer in a Delicatessen Store, Ferdinand(15), Daniel(14), and a border, George Nolte(30) who was working as a driver for a Dairy company, living in Newark Ward 16, Essex, New Jersey. Mary is listed as immigrating in 1884. 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. 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. 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 living in Manhattan, of medium height, slender, grey eyes, brown hair and working as a Sterotype Apprentice and was employed, but I couldn't 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. The 1940 Census lists Daniel J Wunderlich, age 45 as single, head of household, living at 85 Beacon Avenue, New York City, NY. His residence in 1935 was the same. His occupation was Stereotyper in the Printing industry. He owned his house. Highest Grade completed was 8th grade. He worked 40 hours a week for 50 weeks in 1939 for an income of $2,600 and had other income. In 1942, his WWII Draft Registration Card stated he still lived at 85 Beacon Ave, NY, did not have a telephone, and listed Fred Wunderlich as a "person who would always know your address". 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. 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. Fred was still alive in 1942 and is listed in Daniel's WWII Draft Card. Research indicates that Fred was living in Smithtown, NY when he passed away on September 15, 1966. Nothing more is known at this time. Hedwig Wunderlich who was called Harriet or "Hattie" Wunderlich, (Pictured on left), was born in Berlin, Germany on July 11, 1875. She came to New York with her Mother and siblings on the Polaris which arrived on May 25, 1884. 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. Beautrice Wittney Wunderlee is known to have died on December 17, 1935. Adelbert died August 15, 1954 in New Haven, CT. At the time of his passing, he is listed as married to Mary Wunderlee. I found a record for Mary Wunderlee, widow of Adelbert, passing on March 7, 1960, age 78 yrs. in New Haven, CT.Amalie changed to "Amelia" Sophie Wunderlich was born in Berlin on October 17, 1877. (Name: Therese Sophie Emalie Wunderlich
Gender: weiblich (Female)
Birth Date: 16. Okt 1877 (16 Oct 1877)
Birth Place: Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland (Germany)
Registration Date: 1877
Civil Registration Office: Berlin I
Father:
Johann Friedrich Ferdinand Wunderlich
Mother:
Anna Johanna Caroline Wunderlich
Notes: BirthRecord
Certificate Number: 1872
Source: Landesarchiv Berlin; Berlin, Deutschland; Personenstandsregister Geburtsregister; Laufendenummer: 227 )
She came to New York with her Mother and siblings on the Polaris which arrived on May 25, 1884. 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.
The Polaris ship's passenger list also has Paul Wunderlich, age 7 1/2 months. Nothing more is known of his fate at this time. Ferdinand and Anna's son, 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.
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 census states that German was his native tongue, and that both his parents were born in Berlin. 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!" Walter Otto Wunderlich was born in Johnson City, N.Y. on March 19, 1926. He attended Johnson City High School. He enlisted to serve in the Army during WWII on May 12, 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey for the duration of the War. He was honorably discharged on April 24, 1946. He re-enlisted on September 12, 1951 and was released on October 23, 1952. 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). Walter passed at his home in Hamilton, NY on June 26, 2010. 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). There are passport/immigration records of him arriving from London in NY on 25 Nov 1952, he came back to NY from Paris on 27 Jan 1953, he arrived at Idlewild Airport (NY) again on Feb. 15, 1953. 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.
Gottlieb Wunderlich (1848-1907)Gottleib Wunderlich was born September 10, 1848. His wife was named Anna. They married on 26, September 1894 at Berlin, Brandenburg, Preußen. He was 26, she was 28. His wife's full name was listed as Anna Emilie Caroline Lemmer, born 2 Feb 1846. Anna was the daughter of Eduard Lemmer. 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 and 90 miles from Berlin. 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. 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 WunderlichAnna 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. Brought to you by Karen Wunderlich Stezowski. Visit other sites I've designed from my Home Page |