Maria Schmidt & Heinrich Lueth

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Subject: Left to Right: Maria Schmidt and Heinrich Lueth.
Date: 1879
Location: New Ulm, Minnesota.
Occasion: Portraits.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship: Second Great Paternal Grandmother and Grandfather.

Heinrich Lueth was born September 2, 1818 in Meckel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. At age 27, he married Maria Schmidt in Staven, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany before immigrating to the United States. I do not have any information as to the exact date they arrived in the States, but Heinrich and Maria are recorded in the 1880 Census residing in New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota. Heinrich was a farmer. He passed away by an accidental drowning, the exact date unknown but attributed by Elfrieda Schutt as September 11, 1896 at the age of 78 in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Maria Schmidt was born in 1821 in Meckel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. She passed away on February 6, 1897 at age of 76 in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Heinrich and Maria had four surviving children, Augusta Rudolphi Lueth(1846-1903), Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann(1848-1935)(My Maternal Great Grandmother), Elise Lueth(1853-1878) and Frederick T. Lueth(1861-1945).

Johana kept in contact with her brother Frederick. Fredrick moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked and is the place of  his death.

These photographs were in the possession of my maternal grandmother, Lucy Waswo. They were together in a frame. I carefully removed them and scanned the photographs to preserve them digitally.

Below is the death notice from the New Ulm newspaper provided by my Cousin Judith Jacob.

In the future, I will return and share more photographs and information about this portion of my family tree.

Portrait of Henning William Traulsen Sr.

Subject: Henning William Traulsen Sr.
Occasion: Unknown
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date: Unknown
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Charcoal drawing
Photographer: Louis Forrai

Henning was born on December 23, 1860 in Karlberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He emigrated to the United States and arrived on May 5, 1885.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. They were wed on October 15, 1886 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This is a photograph of a charcoal drawing done of my Maternal Great Grandfather. I carefully unframed the drawing, but there is no indication of the artist or date. My guess would be the late 1890's. The drawing measures 16 x 20 inches. It was framed in a hand carved ornate wood frame, that is very typical of the period. At this time large photographs were for the most part unheard of.  Therefore painting or drawing were done for larger portraits.

Originally, my Grandmother Lucy stated this drawing hung in the parlor of her Grandmother Alma's home.  The frame was dark wood. It was my Grandmother Lucy that changed the color of the frame to gold glitz. During my childhood, the drawing was stored in the attic. When my Grandmother Lucy moved from the house on Richard and Ring to the townhouse, my mother obtained the drawing. It hung in the hallway with other family photographs.

Henning passed away on November 2, 1906. The story of his death was relayed to me by my Cousin Caroline. She stated that Henning suffered from epilepsy. During this era, the disease was thought to be a social stigma. The disease worsen to the point where Henning could no longer work in the bakery. He did not want the world to know he had the disease. He took a hand gun and shot himself inside the stable at his residence. I can only imagine what a shock it was to the family.  

mamma and papa

Subject: Henning William Traulsen Sr. and Alma Helen Wolff
Occasion: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Photographer: Wollensak Studio, 500 National Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Henning was born on December 23, 1860 in Karlberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He emigrated to the United States and arrived on May 5, 1885.

Alma Helen Wolff was born on November 23, 1865 in Schniedermuhl Proving
Rosen, Germany (my spelling may be incorrect as I was reading it from a very old document). Alma arrived in the United States on October 12, 1882.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. They were wed on October 15, 1886 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

On the back of the photograph is written mamma and papa, and it appears to be in my Grandmother's handwriting.

I take a break once again in the time line, to return to a photograph I recently found of my maternal, maternal, great, great grandparents. Unfortunately, I know very little about this photograph. I feel it was taken after 1886 the date of their wedding, as both appear older to me. The photograph is mounted on heavy cardboard.

Henning and Alma ran a bakery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The exact location is unknown to me. After Henning's death in 1906, the bakery was run by Arthur, Henning Jr. and my Grandmother Lucy. I do not remember any stories that revealed the demise of the bakery. Arthur passed away in 1960 and Henning Jr. in 1966.

Next week we will discover what life beheld the bakers, and my Grandmother Lucy's role.

Arthur Herman and Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen

Subject: Arthur Herman and Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen
Occasion: Unknown
Date: September 1891
Photographer: Unknown

Family Link:
Parents: Henning and Alma Helen Wolff Traulsen
Children: William Paul Edwin (1887-1899); Arthur Herman (1889-1960); Lucy Albertine Helene (1891-1987); Henning W (1893-1966); Alma Bertha (Reichardt) (1897-1966).

This is the last of the photographs that I have currently scanned that was mounted on heavy cardboard. Unfortunately, the border was cut away, apparently to allow the photograph to fit in a frame. Therefore, I do not have the identity of the photographer.

From a previous post, we learned that William Paul was the first child of Henning and Alma, and that William passed away in 1899. I have heard from my Cousin Dorinne Green, that William is buried at the Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI. Dorinne lives near the cemetery, and says she will photograph the headstone.

In this picture we have Arthur Herman who would be the second child. He was two years old in this photograph. Arthur is standing. Seated in the chair is Lucy Albertine age 6 months and the third child. Lucy is my grandmother.

I can remember looking at this photograph as a young child. I always thought it was a photograph of two girls. I guess this was the style of the era for boys and girls to wear what I would consider a dress. I remember grandma telling me that the boy standing was her brother. I found it very amusing that he was wearing a 'dress'. Plaid must have been the fashion design of the era as well. I do not have any memory of Great Uncle Art, as he passed away when I was one year old.

Viewing this photograph as an adult, I admire what must have been a very difficult time preparing and posing children. Especially Lucy, who was only 6 months old at the time. This was so unlike the digital age where you can fire away the shots, keep the best, and discard the rest. It amazes me how perfect this photograph is, almost like two china dolls posed for a toy advertisement flier. I can visualize the photograph displayed on a mantel or table in the home of my great grandparents. Apparently, the Traulsen's treasured their children.

Heartache

Subject: William Paul Edwin Traulsen
Occasion: Birth? First Birthday?
Date: Unknown
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Photographer: Unknown

William is the first child of Henning and Alma Traulsen. William was born August 22, 1887. Imagine the joy, Henning and Alma's first child. Photography was expensive, but they needed to mark this very special occasion. Unfortunately all their dreams faded when William passed away on November 29, 1889. He was one year and three months old, and is buried in the Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI. I do not know the details of young William's passing. What heartache Alma and Henning must have felt? What potential was lost with William's untimely death? You are probably looking at the only picture of William.

The picture itself was large close to 6" x 8". It was mounted on heavy cardboard. I do not know what the original was like, as the photograph was cut into an oval shape, and placed in an oval frame. I assume the frame was broken, as all that remains is the photograph. I don't know who cut the photograph, was it the once proud mother, Alma? Or was it her daughter, Alma Bertha? Alma Bertha might have wanted to remember her older brother even though he passed before she was born.

Subject: George Daniel Waswo III
Occasion: High School Graduation
Date: 1966
Location: West Allis, WI
Photographer: Unknown

Daniel was the son of George Daniel Waswo, Jr. and Lucille G. Waswo. He was born on June 23, 1948. Such great potential was lost at an early age, as Dan passed away on May 18, 1974 at the age of 25. He is buried at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, WI. At the time of his death, Dan was working on his car. It was speculated that the wind closed the door to the garage, and Dan was overcome by carbon monoxide. It was a shock, and I remember it.

As a child, my brother and I loved Dan, and his brother Rick. We loved it when Dan would babysit us. Dan would take what he had learned and presented it in an imaginable way that not only entertained, but taught.

I have fond memories of our living room becoming a cave. Dan would turn off all the lights, and we would walk around with flash lights. The furnishings magically transformed into cave architect through our imagination. I remember my mom and dad coming home early from their evening out, to find the house dark with light from the flashlights beaming around the living room. I can only imagine now what at the time they were thinking.

Dan sparked my imagination as well as opened my mind to enjoy learning. This is a trait I have carried through my entire life. When he passed, it was a major blow, and I have always felt a piece of my heart died that day with him. I can still visualize it in my mind.

Henning William and Alma Helen Traulsen

Subject: Alma Helen Wolff(age: 21)and Henning William Traulsen Sr.(age: 26)
Occasion: Wedding Day
Date: October 15, 1886 (but also reported as October 30, 1886)
Photographer: Runkel, 469 Third Street, Milwaukee, Wis.

I posted two views of the same photograph to give you the historical context of what photography consisted of at the turn of the century. The photograph was mounted on heavy cardboard.

Henning was born on December 23, 1860 in Karlberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He emigrated to the United States and arrived on May 5, 1885.

Alma Helen Wolff was born on November 23, 1865 in Schniedermuhl Proving
Rosen, Germany (my spelling may be incorrect as I was reading it from a very old document). Alma arrived in the United States on October 12, 1882.

I am not sure whether this marriage was arranged. In fact, I know very little history. It is my hope that some of my other family members will comment and provided some additional information.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. That is my connection.

In my opinion, photography during this time was an art form. In a way, a poor man's painted portrait. Painting by far, was much more time consuming and expensive. One might say that at this time all photography portraits were similar. I beg to differ. Upon viewing this photograph you are immediately drawn to the people. Every detail was carefully prepared before the photograph was taken. I like the earrings, but notice the lack of a necklace on Alma. There appears to be a wedding band on her left hand, but Henning's left hand is not prominent and you can not really tell if he is wearing a band. I also like the view of the watch chain and fob.

I doubt very much that this picture was taken on the actual wedding day. It was probably scheduled after the wedding. It appears much preparation went into the making of this photograph by the subjects, as well as the photographer.

I also want to share, that I have started my family tree on ancestry.com. Many of you reading this are probably located in the tree. Please contact me and I can provide access to the tree. Feel free to share any information, dates, places, events and even stories regarding any member of our family. I will be happy to include it. Stories add to our history so that it is not just statistics. Our family lived and loved and I think it is an honor to remember them.