Charlotte Sommer Gretsch

 

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    1872

November 21 Charlotte's parents, Theresa Leicht and William Sommer, were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 6th Ave & 15th Street, New York City.

 

When did Charlotte's Catholicism start?
Most Sommer and the Leicht family members were buried in the Lutheran Cemetery.

1873

October 7 Susan Regina Sommer was born. She was the first child born to Theresa and William. Her birth was carefully recorded inside the family's brand new " Pictorial Bible". To see pictures of and learn more about this bible see "Library" on the home page of this website.

1874

August 10 Susan Regina Sommer died. She was 10 months old.
 
December 21 Philip Sommer, the second child of Theresa and William was born.

1876

August 18 A third child, baby girl Theresa was born to William and Theresa.
 
September 24 Just over one month old, baby Theresa died was buried on this date at the Lutheran Cemetery. She was the second infant daughter of Theresa and William to die in the early years of their marriage. The entry of her birth was the final entry in the family bible.

1879

October 30 Anna Sommer, the youngest sister of William Sommer was married to Johann Michael Schmidt.
Anna was 26 years old and William was 31. He lived at the time of his marriage at 112 West 53rd Street. this was also the home of William and Theresa.
Anna is living with her mother at 242 West 33rd Street. 

 

1880
 

June 7 According to the 1880 census, taken on June 7, 1880, the Sommer family consisted of William age 33, working in a butcher Shop, Theresa, age 28, his wife, Philip age 5, William age 3 and Louis age 1,  and Margaret Ginety (sp?) age 25 a servant, from Ireland in their household. The address at this time was a single family dwelling.
 
August
 
Regina Schmidt born. Regina was the first cousin of Charlotte. The daughter of Anna Sommer Schmidt.
Charlotte's mother Theresa was herself pregnant at the time with her 6th child. Imagine her thoughts at the birth of a new baby girl in the family.
 

December 16

Charlotte was the sixth child born in eight years to Theresa Leicht and William Sommer. Two older sisters, Susan the first child of the marriage and Theresa both died in infancy.   Charlotte's older brothers Philip, William and Louis, were the only children in the family when Charlotte was born in 1880.

Perhaps, Charlotte was named after Charlotte Holzderber who had just recently married J. George Flammer. In 1880, the Sommer, Flammer and Holzderber families were all involved in the grocery and meat business. Louie Sommer, William's brother had married Carrie Flammer circa 1874. The connections between the three families, Sommer, Flammer and Holzderber remained close through the years. For example, in 1914, Willaim Flammer the son of Charlotte Holzderber and J.George Flammer would be a witness to the marriage of Theresa and William's son, Leo Sommer to Gertrude Rohe.

In the year that Charlotte Sommer was born, on June 4, Louis Sommer and his young family were living at the home of Louis' wife family, the Flammers.  Also living at that address, 901 Eight Avenue, was George Flammer age 23, a lawyer, the brother of Carrie Sommer. He was soon to marry Charlotte Holzderber. 

In that same summer, William and Theresa Sommer only lived about 13 block away. Theresa was pregnant with her sixth child when George Flammer married Charlotte Holzderber.  Perhaps, the young bride, Charlotte and Theresa became good friends. Or perhaps, Theresa just liked the name Charlotte. Theresa and William had already named their first daughter Susan Regina. Susan was the name of Theresa's mother and Regina was the name of William's mother. Another daughter Theresa was given her mother's name. Each of these little girls had died in infancy. Perhaps, Theresa and William decided to name their new daughter after Charlotte who had just married into the family.

For years Charlotte Holzderber's family, like the Flammer family and just recently Louis and William Sommer were all involved in the meat business in Manhattan.

At the time of her marriage in 1880, Charlotte Holzderber was living with her mother, Henrietta Holzderber a widow, her grandmother Barbara Becker and her three brothers John, Jacob and William Holzderber on West 28th Street in Manahattan. See photograph below in 1896 where several Holzerderbers are pictured. There is however, no picture of Charlotte Holzderber Flammer.

There was another little girl named Charlotte in the family circle. Charlotte Flammer born in 1877 was the daughter of Charles A. Flammer, the older brother of Carrie Flammer. Carrie was the sister in law of William and Theresa. William and Theresa would have know this little girl very well. The Sommer and Flammer families were often together.

At the time of Charlotte Sommer's birth, her family lived at
112 West 53rd Street NYC. For more information about the
neighborhood, to see a picture of what the house might have
looked like, and to lean more about the Rockefeller family
who also recently moved into the neighborhood, click on the
above address.

 

Click on birth certificate below to see enlargement.

 

For more information about the various places where the Sommer
family lived in the 1800's, go to the "Historical Addresses" site
on the home page.





 

December 20 On this date, just four days after the birth of new baby Charlotte,
 a mile of Broadway not far from the Sommer home
 was illuminated for the first time by Brush Arc Lamps.

Imagine the excitement which the novelty of such overwhelmingly
bright night light caused not only in Charlotte's family but also in her
neighborhood and around the world.

I can imagine Charlotte's three older brothers, Philip, William and
Louis being more interested in the outside light available now in the
winter darkness than in their new baby sister.

I can imagine, Theresa, Charlotte's mother, up in the middle
 of the night caring for her new daughter and basking in
the incredible magic of night light.

What they all must have imagined for the future!

The New York Times reported that the darkened streets
 "flooded with daylight" as the experiments
for this new type of lighting were being conducted.



This picture of Brush Arc Lights on Broadway, provides a
very clear glimpse into the world in which Charlotte was born.

The inventor of these lights, Charles Francis Brush had graduated
from the University of Michigan in 1869. Years later,
Charlotte's youngest son, Richard would graduate from the
same university and also have an illustrious career
in engineering and lighting.

To read more about Charlotte's son's career in lighting during
the second part of the 20th century go to:

 http://www.nu.com/aboutnu/clpco.asp

 and scroll down to " a period of complex growth" and look for
the name Gretsch.

 
For more information on Charles Francis Brush and
the lighting which illuminated Charlotte's babyhood
go to the website listed below:

http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/~eugeniik/history/brush.html

 

 

1881

  In this year 1881, The Windermere, an apartment complex at West 57th and Ninth Ave. was built. "It is older but not as famous as the Chelsea Hotel on West 23rd St. (1883) or the Dakota  on West 72 St. (1884)." In its heyday in the late-19th-century the Windermere was famed for its "marble fireplaces, its uniformed "hall-boys" and the latest in technological wonders, the hydraulic elevator and the telephone." "It originally had 39 large apartments, some with as many as six bedrooms."( NYT, October 22, 2008)

This is the neighborhood Charlotte grew up in.
 

March 4 James Abram Garfield, Civil War hero, Ohio Republican and twentieth president of the United States was inaugurated in Washington, D.C. He succeeded Rutherford B. Hayes who served one term at the White House under the cloud of an election varioudly described as "disputed" and "stolen". (Patricia O'Toole, The Five of Hearts)
 
July 2 President Garfield was shot in a Washington Railroad Station. Mortally wounded, Garfield lay in the White House for weeks. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, tried unsuccessfully to find the bullet with an induction-balance electrical device which he had designed
 

July 24

Regina Schmidt , first cousin of Charlotte Sommer, died at 112 West 53rd St.  Note that Regina died at the same address where Charlotte was born just a few months earlier. Regina was the daughter of Anna Sommer Schmidt and Johann Schmidt. Anna was the youngest sister of Charlotte's father, William.


Regina was named after her grandmother, Regina Winklein Sommer ( see photo below). Regina was just days short of her second birthday when she died.

On little Regina's death certificate, 112 West 53rd Street is described as a multifamily dwelling, three families living there. Regina's family lived on the second floor. Baby Regina was buried with Philip and Regina Sommer at the Lutheran Cemetery in Brooklyn.

This is the same Cemetery where the victims General Slocum disaster  would be buried in 1904. See 1904 on this timeline for more details.

To learn more about Charlotte Sommer Gretsch and the General Slocum disaster read " Agility and Elegance" in the Essay section of this website.

 

September 19 President Garfield died.

1882

June Charlotte's cousin, Clara Schmidt was born. Clara was the second daughter of Anna Sommer and Johann Scnmidt . In 1904, Clara would be in Charlotte's wedding.

1883

March 27 Charles Sommer, Charlotte's younger brother was born.

1884

February 12 Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee was born at 6 West 57th Street just a few blocks north of where Charlotte and her family lived at West 53rd Street. In this house Theodore who was a New York State Assemblyman at the time lived with his wife and his widowed mother. Two days after Alice's birth, her mother died of Bright's disease and her grandmother, Martha Bullock Roosevelt died of typhoid fever.

Elliot Roosevelt, the brother of Theodore lived on West 55th Street, also in Charlotte's neighborhood. Elliot Roosevelt was the future father of Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

December 13 Charlotte's grandmother, Regina Winklein Sommer died at 1658 Lexington Avenue. She had been living with the family of her youngest daughter Anna Sommer Schmidt. Anna was pregnant at the time she was caring for her dying mother.

To see an enlargement of this picture and to learn more about Charlotte's grandmother, Regina Winklein Sommer, click on this picture.

 
   
December 16 Charlotte's fourth birthday. " William Vanderbilt has sold ...a plot on the north west side of 54th Street just east of 5th Ave. to William Rockefeller." NYT.  Charlotte's neighborhood as a child was certainly one surrounded by the very rich both the Rockefellers and the Roosevelt's.

1885

January 5 A cousin, Adele Schmidt, daughter of Anna Sommer and Johan Schmidt was born at 1658 Lexington Ave. Little Charlotte at age five has lost a grandmother and gained a new baby cousin in less than one month.

1886

June William "Buffalo Bill"Cody (1846-1917) famous western scout and buffalo hunter brought his "Wild West Show" to an area of Mariners Harbor called Erastina (named for Staten Island promoter Erastus Wiman) for two seasons from June to October in 1886 and again in 1887. During the winter of 1886 the show moved indoors to Madison Square Garden. His show, featuring Native Americans, trick riders, "the smallest cowboy" and sharpshooters (including Annie Oakley) is said to have drawn millions of visitors to the island. His autobiography is called The Life and Adventures of Buffalo Bill (1st ed. 1879: later editions include information about the Staten Island shows).(http://home.epix.net/~landis/buffalobill.html)

At that time Madison Square Gardens was located at 5th Ave and 23rd Street. Charlotte was almost six years old. Surely, her older brothers were very interested in this Wild West Show and undoubtedly Charlotte was too. 

Did Charlotte go to the 17 mile opening day parade in June in New York City?

Annie Oakley was the most famous women in the whole country. Possibly, little Charlotte went to the show at Madison Square Garden. Surely, her older brothers, Philip and Louie were there. Anne Oakley and the Wild West Show was the talk of the town. Charlotte and her many cousins would have followed all the excitement.
 

winter John G. Flammer died. John was the father of Caroline Flammer who married Louis Sommer. John was very wealthy. He had worked for years in the meat business. He also was a founder and an officer of the West Side Savings Bank, and a founder of the Third Avenue Surface Railway. He however lost most of his wealth in the Panic of 1873. One year after his grandson Arthur Sommer was born, John G. Flammer fell on the ice and broke his leg. He died the next day.

His daughter Caroline and her family continued to live in the family house on Eight Ave. with Caroline's mother and her younger brother Theodore.

 

1887

April 5 Charlotte's younger brother, Leopold Leicht Sommer is born.
 
December 17 Grandpa Leopold Leicht died at 404 West 40th Street, New York City.
  Leopold owned several adjacent properties on Ninth Avenue, West 40th street and West 39th Street, in the 20th ward when he died. At his death, the properties went to his wife and children. Theresa, Charlotte's mother came into some money at this time. These properties included the sites of the furniture business which Leopold operated with his sons, Leopold and Charles and the family's home at 404 West 40th where Theresa lived at the time of her marriage.
 
  Both William Sommer and his brother Louis Sommer married well. The father of William's wife, Theresa owned lots of property in Manhattan. Louis's wife Caroline was the daughter of a once very successful meat merchant.
Perhaps, the funds for what would be "The Sommer Brothers' Market" came initially from their wives' families.

1888

   
November 25 Charlotte's cousin Adele Schmidt died.

1889

December 21 Charlotte's younger brother, John Sommer born.

1890

May 13 Construction began for Carnegie Hall on 7th Ave between  56th and 57th Street, just blocks from where Charlotte lives.

1891

May 5 Carnegie Hall is inaugurated with a concert conducted by Peter Tchaikovsky (New York City Access Richard Saul Wurman, Access Press, 1991) Charlotte and her family must have paid close attention to the festivities.
 
December 30 First Children's concert was held at Carnegie Hall.  Charlotte ( age 11) and her siblings just might possibly have attended.


 

1892


Click on this imagine to see an enlargement.
Arts Students League was built at 215 West 57th Street in Charlotte's close neighborhood. This magnificent "French Renaissance Palace" designed building housed the Fine Arts Society, the Architectural League and the Art Students League.  It was the scene of nearly every important exhibition at the turn of the century.
  Augusta Flammer born. The first cousin of Charlotte Sommer.  Charlotte must have been delighted that another girl was born into the family.
 
  In this year Charlotte Holzderber Flammer and her husband J. George moved to 124 West 87th Street. "From there, J. George would ride horseback with his friends in Central Park. They had a clock installed on the reservoir pump house in Central Park so that they could tell time without unbuttoning their heavy coats in wintertime. The clock is still there and running." Thanks to Harry M. Anderson for this family story. Harry's wife, Caddy Flammer, is the granddaughter of Charlotte Holzderber Flammer.

Charlotte Holzderber Flammer and her husband never had a daughter. Prehaps, they felt close to Charlotte Sommer who was part of the large family circle.

1893

June Economic Panic
September 14 Grandma Susanna Leicht died at 404 West 40th Street.
Years later, Charlotte recorded this date in her diary. Charlotte's middle mane Susan was perhaps taken from her grandmother's name. Charlotte undoubtedly felt close to her grandmother.
 
December 16 Charlotte's thirteenth birthday and Dvorak's New World Symphony premiered at Carnegie Hall just around the corner from where Charlotte lived. Charlotte and her family must have been aware of this world famous event. That it would coincide with Charlotte's birthday must have been spoken of in the family.

1895

February 18 Charlotte's first cousin George Moeller died (age 35), son of Eliza, William's eldest sister.
 
May Uncle Louie Sommer, brother of William Sommer, died. No death certificate for him could be found in New York.
Perhaps he died elsewhere and his body returned home for burial. This was Charlotte's father's only brother. It's easy to imagine a close connection between the children of both these brothers. The picture below points to just such a closeness between the cousins.

 

 

November 21 William G. Rockefeller, son of William Rockefeller married in New York City. Charlotte, soon to be 16 years old, would have paid close attention to this big society wedding of her neighbors.
 
December 4  Charlotte Sommer's father, William Sommer purchased family plot where Charlotte would be buried

1896



Click on this image to see an enlargement
Theresa and William Sommer and their children around 1896.
Back row: Louis and Charlotte
Center row: Philip, Theresa, William
Bottom row: Charles, John and L
eo

NB.
This picture is taken outside which is unusual for the time.

This virtual picture was given to Gretchen Elsner-Sommer in May of 2005 by Barbara Sommer Shea.
Gretchen is the granddaughter of Charlotte Sommer and Barbara is the daughter of John Sommer.
 

July 26
Click on this image to see an enlargement.
The Brooklyn Eagle reported on this Sunday, that the following guests (among others) were at the Fort Lowry Hotel and Cottages, a sea side resort at Bath Beach Long Island:
Mrs. C.W. Sommer, Louis Sommer, William Sommer, Arther Sommer, George and Charles Sommer, Mrs. J. Flammer, Mrs. Augusta Flammer, Miss Olive Flammer, Miss Alice Flammer, Theodore Flammer, Mr and Mrs. William Sommer.
 

Click on the image to see an enlargement.

Perhaps, it was the above occasion in which this picture was taken.

The date on the picture reads "Bath Beach in 1895?"

Also pictured are members of the Flammer and Holzderber families.

Charlotte is the first girl in the second row on the left. Her Aunt Carrie Flammer Sommer stands behind her. Also included in the picture are Charlotte's older brothers Phil and Louie (third and fourth from left on top row). Standing next to these boys is their mother Theresa Leicht Sommer. Charlotte's younger brother Charlie is the fourth child from the left on the bottom row. Next to him is Charlotte's youngest brother John. Another brother Leo is the boy on the end of this row. Sitting in the first row amongst their cousins are Louie and Carrie's children, Arthur, Augusta, an unidentified boy behind, and George.  William Sommer, Charlotte's father is on the far right on the top row.   Next to him is a Holzderber man. Also, the first man on the top row is a Holzderber. Perhaps, these are the brothers of Charlotte Flammer, John, Jacob or William Holzderber.

This picture was taken after the death of Louis Sommer. Louie's widow Carrie Flammer Sommer and several of his children are in the picture. Members of Louie's wife's family, Flammer, are also in the picture. Carrie Flammer Sommer's brother  J. George Flammer was married to Charlotte Holzderber. Sitting next to Charlotte Sommer are unidentified persons named Mrs. Cook, and her sister. Next is Mrs. Holzderber (The mother of Charlotte Flammer) Grandma and Grandma Flammer (Carrie Flammer Sommer's mother). I am thankful to Carlotta Shaw whose husband Ransom Shaw is the grandson of Arthur Sommer. Carlotta pointed out for me the connection between the Holzderber family and the Flammer family.

The connection to The Fort Lowry Hotel was pointed out to me by Harry M. Anderson. Harry is married to Caddy Flammer, the granddaughter of Charlotte Holzderber Flammer.

The original identification at the bottom of the photo was done by John Sommer, the youngest brother of Charlotte. Later, his daughter Barbara Sommer Shea added more information.

 

1898

February 15 On this day, the USS Maine,  pride of the American Fleet and an imposing warship, was destroyed by a explosion in Havana Harbor. Cuba's war of independence from Spain attracted attention from around the world. The  Maine was equipped with some of the U.S. Navy's most advanced technology and had been sent to Cuba ostentatiously on a mission of friendly courtesy.  In reality, she was also there to protect American lives and interests. "Yet the visit was neither spontaneous or altruistic; the United States had been eying Cuba for almost a century" (Remember the Maine, Smithsonian, Feb. 1998). Only 84 of the 350 crew and officers aboard survived the blast.
 
February 17 William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal headline read "THE WAR SHIP MAINE WAS SPLIT IN TWO BY AN ENEMY SECRET INFERNAL MACHINE".
 
April 15 Congress declared war on Spain.
 
May 12 71st Regiment left New York to fight in the Spanish American War.
  There were certainly a lot of Sommer young men who were old enough to fight in this war. Did they? Did Charlotte have any brothers, cousins or know any young men involved in this?
Perhaps, her older brothers had friends fighting.
 
Charlotte Sommer in 1898. She is 18 years old. On the back of this picture is written " With Compliments, from Lottie 1898". Six years later Fred and Charlotte would marry. This picture was found at the Gretsch family home on Shorthill Road. Therefore, I think even though Fred's name is not part of the inscription that it was given to Fred Gretsch in the years before their marriage. The photographer was Fernando Lessaurl at 423 Eighth Avenue, New York. This is the same photographer who took many of the pictures found in the Bible of Charlotte's mother, Theresa Leicht. (For more information about Theresa's Bible see "Library" in this website.)

Click on this image to see an enlargement.
 

September 30 This was the last day of a large 3-day celebration for Admiral George Dewey in New York City.
  After his successes in Manila Bay, Dewey was considered chief among naval heroes of the world. His naval triumphs raised in a moment's time the prestige of American arms throughout the world.  Charlotte, who was 18 years old at the time, was I'm sure there to watch the parade, perhaps, with her friend Clara Schutheis who would later marry her brother Louie. Louie and Clara would later have a daughter who they named Marrieta. This beautiful Spanish name was also the name of one of Admiral Dewey's ships.

1899

July 20
Date
recorded in Charlotte's Diary.
Charlotte's first niece, Charlotte Elizabeth Sommer was born in New York.  She was the first of two nieces who would be named after Charlotte. This little niece was the daughter of Charlotte's brother Philip and Augusta Sommer.
(Died February 12, 1912). 
I can find no listing for Philip Sommer and his family in the 1900 census.

1900

June 4

 

 

The US Census records show that Charlotte Sommer 's household located at 243 West 54th Street was a crowed one.
In 1921, the house was described as a brick three story residence with a basement. It was 18.9 feet wide and 50 feet deep. This is possibly how it looks when Charlotte's father purchased the lot in 1903. Theresa, Charlotte's mother had purchased the adjoining lot in 1900.

William and Theresa lived at the above address with their children Louis, Charlotte, Charles, Leo and John. Also in the household was a 45 year old single white Male with the initials L.R. His name and occupation are unreadable on the bottom line of this census page. His is recorded as a lodger. What is strange is that his name appears right below Charlotte's and above the names of her younger brothers who are listed on the next page. Usually, the children are all listed together.
There are also two women servants from Germany. Louisa Belzner age 22 and Sophie Therner age 29.

In the 1905 New York Census, Charlotte and L.R are no longer living at this address and two other women have replaced the maids.
   

1901

February 8 The New York Herald Tribune reported on the wedding of Queen Wilhelmina of Holland and Duke Henry. Included in the coverage of this royal wedding were many photos and a special article about the bride's wedding dress.  No doubt young Charlotte's attention was captured by this romantic event.
 
September 6 William Mc Kinley, 26th President of the United States, was shot by an anarchist while attending the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition. He died 8 days later.
  Mc Kinley was the third of the last nine presidents to be assassinated while in office. This fact is reflective of the turbulence and violence of the times. The other recently assassinated Presidents were Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield. Theodore Roosevelt became President on McKinley's death. Roosevelt would have been well known to Charlotte's family. Roosevelt was from New York City. He had served earlier terms in the New York State Legislature and as the Governor of the state. Whether the Sommer family liked his politics or not, the story of this local boy turned president would have made the catastrophic events of his coming to office seem close to the family.

1902

July 27 "Amelia’s birthday (Died November 10, 1919)"(This information is from Charlotte’s diary. The date of death is wrong. Emilie (her name must have been changed, died in 1915) Amelia was the younger sister of Charlotte Sommer. (See above July 20, 1900.)

 1904

January 20 Charlotte and Fred Gretsch were married at her parents home 243 West 54th Street . This house was purchased by William Sommer in 1903. The house is no longer there (2004). 
In 1921, the house was described as a brick three story residence with a basement. It was 18.9 feet wide and 50 feet deep. This is possibly how it looks when Charlotte's father purchased the lot in 1903. Theresa, Charlotte's mother had purchased the adjoining lot in 1900.
Charlotte and Fred were married by an Evangelical Lutheran Pastor, William Koepchen (residence 431 W.43rd Street). Fred's siblings, Walter and Elsa Gretsch and Charlotte's cousin, Clara Schmidt were witnesses. Obviously Fred and his brother Walter were quite close not only in business but also in their family lives. 
 

 

Wedding Document of Charlotte & Fred Gretsch.
Click on the image to see enlargement.

Charlotte's wedding was very different from her mother's wedding which was also a New York City wedding. In 1872, Charlotte's mother, Theresa Leicht had a large wedding with many attendants. Theresa was married in a Lutheran Church. Charlotte, on the other hand was married in her parents' home with only three witnesses who were all close family members.

Charlotte's first cousin Clara Schmidt was one of the witnesses. Clara was the daughter of William Sommer's youngest sister Anna Sommer Schmidt. In 1872, Charlotte's mother Theresa also had her first cousin Carrie Meyer as a witness in her wedding. So both brides, mother in 1872 and daughter in 1904, having no sisters, choose their first cousins as witnesses and maids of honor at their wedding.

According to "The Music Trades" a trade magazine, Fred traveled extensively throughout the United States in the early part of the 20th century. So, Charlotte was presumably often home alone after her marriage.

 

This is the back of Charlotte and Fred's Wedding Document. Note Charlotte's intriguing signature.
Click on the image to see an enlargement.
It is quite possible that Charlotte accompanied Fred to Europe on a business trip as part of their honeymoon. According to Nathan Jonas's autobiography ( See Through The Years on the library page of this website) it was customary for a new bride to accompany her spouse on a wedding/business trip.

This very small photo of a very young Charlotte Gretsch might have been the identification picture which she carried on her wedding trip. According to the National Archives passports were not necessary at this time for American citizens.

 

The large oval serving plate pictured below is Charlotte Sommer Gretsch's china. It is part of a once much larger set. Plates of this set were very kindly distributed by Dick Gretsch (Charlotte's youngest son) via his children to all of Charlotte's grandchildren in the late 1990's. The gold leaf initials are "CSG".
Most likely, this set was purchased in Dresden on one of the many business trips that Charlotte took with her husband in the early part of the 20th century. Note the "K.P. Dresden" marking on the back of the plate. This plate once belonged to Happy Gretsch Copley (Fred's daughter) but is now in the home of Charlotte Gretsch Pretat (Bill's daughter).

Click on each imagine to see an enlargement.

 

June 15 On this bright clear day, a small fire turned into a horrendous disaster aboard the "General Slocum" in New York harbor. This pleasure ship was carrying mostly German Lutherans to a church picnic outing on Long Island. 
 
  One thousand people mostly women and children were killed. This was the biggest tragedy to date in New York City. This calamity struck at the heart of the local German and Lutheran communities. Is this perhaps the event that caused Charlotte and her mother to change their religion? All the documents I have before this event cite Charlotte and her mother as Lutheran. All documents afterwards record their faith as Roman Catholic. For more information see "Agility and Excellence" in the essay section of this website.
 
October 27 After years of struggle and mountains of problems associated with its being built, the first passengers boarded the subway in New York City. The first line was opened by August Belmont's Interborough Rapid Transit Co. (IRT) ran for 22 miles and immediately gained public support. It was soon carrying 600,000 passengers daily and making substantial profits. The IRT trains ran at 40 miles an hour and triggered rapid urbanization of the western part of the Bronx.( Historical Atlas of new York City)

 

1905

March 10 Charlotte's first child, Fred Gretsch Jr. was born at  178 Nostrand Avenue. The only copy available of his birth certificate was one that was made on September 22, 1922 and sworn to by his father, Fred Gretsch.
           
Click on the images to see enlargements.

 "Dear Fred, This is an old picture of you taken many years ago. Hope you like it. Sidney Newcomb, March 1, 1962"

Thank you, Sidney Newcomb for saving this priceless photograph and for sending it to Fred Jr. in 1962.

 

 

"Troop C" armory erected in 1904-5 on Bedford Street between President and Union. This new Amory was a model structure. Charles I De Bevoise, Captain. Former quarters were North Portland Ave. This Calvary troop, organized in 1895, served in Puerto Rico in the Spanish American War from May to November in 1898 and in 1900 at the Croton Dam Labor Strike." Kings View of Brooklyn.
This Armory was just a few block from where the Gretsch boys grew up on President's Street. The young Gretsch children would have been well aware of its significance in their neighborhood.

For more informaiton about the importance of Armories in American history and to see a detail from the original "Troop C. Armory" in Brooklyn go to:
http://crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/19-1/19-1-1.pdf

 

 

 

 
April 24  On this date papers were filed for the Incorporation of the Fred Gretsch Realty Company. They were filed by Charlotte's husband Fred, his brother Walter and his mother, Rosa for the purpose of buying and selling of real estate, and for the building of buildings on the property. These three were also the director's of the company. Rosa lived in Bensonhurst, on Bay 25th Street and Benson Ave. Walter lived with her. Fred lived at 178 Nostrand Ave.

1906

January 27 "Aunt Clara's wedding day" This entry was found in Charlotte's diary. Clara was the wife Charlotte's brother, Louis Sommer.

 

  Despite being married by an Evangelical Lutheran minister, Charlotte raised her children Catholic. According to stories, her husband was not always supportive of her fervent faith. For instance, Barbara Sommer Shea remembers her mother saying that Charlotte's husband, Fred would not allow his children to be dressed for their first communion in his house. Charlotte had to take her children elsewhere to prepare them for this Catholic ritual.
 
May 20 Charlotte's parish, Church of St. Gregory the Great in Brooklyn was dedicated. Charlotte, pregnant with her second son, was surely there at its dedication. Less than a year later, her second son, William, would be baptized there.

Click on this picture to see an enlargement.
At its dedication, this new church was a frame and blocked tin building, seating 450 people. It was known as "the tin roof church" and was built at a cost of $10,000.  Father Fitzgerald was the new pastor and came from St. Monica's Church in Jamaica. He brought with him Father Smith from St. Monica's to be the first resident Assistant Pastor. Father Smith baptized William. Charlotte would have been very familiar with these priests.
 
December 1 Charlotte's niece Clara Marieta Sommer was born. She was the daughter of Clara Schultheis and Louie Sommer. One can imagine Charlotte and her sister in law Clara as both awaited the birth of their children.
 
December 13 Charlotte's second son, William Walter Gretsch was born. According to a letter written in 1960 by a distant cousin, Dora Gretsch Sitzer, he was affectionately called "Willie Walter". This most likely was to distinguish him from his second cousin William Charles Gretsch who was born in 1901. William Charles Gretsch descended from Jacob Gretsch. Jacob Gretsch was the brother of  Willie Walter's grandfather, Wilhelm Gretsch. 

Willy Walter was most likely named not only after his father's grandfather but also after his mother's father, William Sommer. Walter was the name of his father's brother. Walter Gretsch and Fred Gretsch were very close business partners at the time of Willie Walter's birth.

The family was living at 285 Kingston Avenue in Brooklyn.
The only copy available of his birth certificate was one that was made on September 22, 1922 and sworn to by William's father, Fred Gretsch.
For the purpose of this time line, William Walter Gretsch will be occasionally referred to as Willy Walter.

1907

January 2 William Walter was baptized (St Gregory the Great Parish) by Reverend John Smith. His maternal grandmother Theresa Leicht Sommer was the godmother. Theresa had been married in the Lutheran Church. When did she change her religion?
 
  William oldest daughter, Charlotte Gretsch Kahrs Pretat tells me that it is a German tradition to have grandmothers act also as godmothers. She is godmother for her son's daughter, Sarah Kahrs. Sarah's maternal grandmother is godmother to Sarah's sister, Alice.
 
  Bank Panic of 1907. It began with the Knickerbocker Bank and spread to the smaller banks where the poorer people and the immigrants had their money (Jastrow, Looking Back).
 
  

 
This post card photo of Charlotte and Fred and their two sons was taken in early 1907. Thanks again to Sidney Newcomb for saving the pictures.  Click on the images to see an enlargement.
 
April 10 Louie Gretsch, uncle of Charlotte's husband, died. Louie had been named guardian of his brother's children and executor of  his will when Fritz died in 1895.
 
May 17 Charlotte's husband returns from a business trip to Europe.  He left Cherbourg on May 8th on the "Kronprinz Wilhelm".
 
June 24 Rosa Gretsch, the mother of Charlotte's husband and David Kling were married in Richmond Hill, Queens. It is interesting that Rosa married so soon after Louie died. Perhaps, Louie did not approve of his sister in law's marrying again.
 
Summer This mostly is the summer when baby Willy came down with polio which would cripple him for the rest of his life.

In the summer of 1907,  there was a large outbreak of polio in New York City.. People, including the medical profession, didn't yet know exactly what polio was nor did they know its causes nor its treatment.

Since Willy was so little ( he was only 6 months old that summer) and couldn't tell his mother about his symptoms, Charlotte might have first become aware of his illness when she went to pick him up from his crib. He would have howled in pain at the slightest touch of her hand.

This must have scared Charlotte who was so used to her welcoming, smiley little "Willy Walter". She might have then for the first time noticed he had a small fever.

A short time after that Charlotte would have noticed that her baby's little legs did not kick up to her when she tried to change his diaper. Rather, they laid unusually limp on the hard surface of the changing table.

Something must be terribly wrong. Charlotte's fear can only be imaged as there is no record of it. She only knew the bare facts that were known at the time about the disease. It was a killer, a mutilator of infants and children and it was spreading rapidly around the city.

Knowing how much a mother can love her six month old baby and knowing what Charlotte knew at the time of polio, gives a very terrifying picture of this young mother's thoughts as she dealt with her discovery.



 

1908

June 14 Charlotte's third son, Richard Gretsch born.

Please note that Richard was born just one day before the fourth anniversary of the General Slocum Disaster. One thousand people mostly women and children were killed on that day in 1904. See above.

New Yorkers would have remembered this date well, as Americans today remember 9/11.


 

June 28 Richard was baptized at the Church of St. Gregory the Great in Brooklyn. His grandmother, Theresa Sommer was godmother. Father Timothy Murphy performed the ceremony.
     

Click on the image to see an enlargement.

Charlotte and her children soon after Richard was born.

1909

  The following pictures are from a photo album which belonged to John/Jack Sommer, Charlotte's youngest brother.

They were probably taken around 1909 or 1910. It is also quite possible that they were not all taken in one particular summer.

It seems as if William and Theresa Sommer, their children and grandchildren had gathered around a rented vacation home.
 

It is interesting to note that there are three generations of the family represented.
A special dog appears in several pictures and there is even a kitten for the little children.                                                                                            

Many of the pictures in the album have not yet been identified. However, the picture below are surely of Charlotte and her family. Note the tent in the background of the auto picture.
Perhaps, the family camped out when they visited their Sommer relatives.

Click on each image to see an enlargement.

  


Charlotte and Fred and children. Note the tent in the background.
 

Freddie and Willy Walter with unidentified friend.
 
 

   Dick Gretsch


 

Freddie & Willie Walter with Clara Sommer.
Note the cats and Willy's large shoe.


 

Freddie and Willy Walter with unidentified women.

Charlotte and Fred with
Willy Walter and Freddie.

 



Fred and Willy
Walter
Note the awkward
angle of Willy's
foot as his brother
helps him walk in
in the sand.
   

The photos below are from the same album.
Pictured here are Philip Sommer, Charlotte's oldest brother with his wife Augusta (Gussie) and their children.
Charlotte is their oldest daughter, Emilie the second daughter and William Sommer.
These children were first cousins to the Gretsch boys pictured above.

 

      
Philip and Gussie Sommer
Charlotte and Emilie
     
Gussie and her three oldest children.
   
William, Emilie and Charlotte Sommer.
Children of Philip and Gussie.

 

  The photos underneath are from the same album. Note Charlotte's parents and brothers.
      

Charlotte's parents, William
and Theresa. Note the riding coat that that they are both wearing. Riding in an open car was dirty business.
     
Theresa and her son Jack.
 

     


Theresa, her son Charlie and granddaughter, perhaps Clara Sommer, daughter of Louie Sommer.

    


    Jack, Theresa, William
     Philip, Clara, Louie(?), (?)
  Note, this is the same little girl pictured with the Gretsch boys and the cats.
      

         At some point in the time frame of Willy Walter's toddler hood, he contracted polio.
His younger brother Richard told his own son Rick in 2005 that Bill had had polio since he was a toddler
.
Looking at the pictures above of the Gretsch boys on the beach it is noticeable that Willy Walter's right foot may have been having some difficulty.
 

June 2 Elsa Gretsch and Joseph Clauss married. Elsa had been living with Fred and Charlotte and their young children at 285 Kingston Avenue at the time of her marriage.  Perhaps, she was helping to take care of the new baby Richard and Willian who was recovering from Polio.
  Elsa and Joe's oldest son Teddy told the story that in 1908, his father Joe Clauss worked with Louie Gretsch at a Bank in Brooklyn. Both  men were bachelors. Louie lived with his mother and siblings at the time. One night, Louie took Joe home to dinner. At the dinner table, Louie introduced Joe to his three sisters, Elsa, Helen and Hertha. " Pick one", he said.  So the story goes. Joe who was raised Catholic left the church when he married Elsa. This caused a great riff between him and his parents.
Charlotte on the other hand was adamant about raising her children in the Catholic Church. One can imagine the family discussions around these issues.
 
October 2 More than a million people watched the parade which commemorated the "discovery" of the Hudson River in 1609 and the invention of the steam engine. This parade was credited at the time as being the greatest in the history of New York City. It began at 1 pm on 110th Street and Central Park West , going down Central Park across Columbus Circle, and down Fifth Avenue. (Jastrow, Looking Back)
   
  Would the family, especially little Fred and Willy Walter, have been invited to watch the parade from the home of Charlotte's Aunt Eliza Kruger who lived at 113th Street ? Charlotte's cousins Anna and Elizabeth Moeller also lived nearby.

1910

March 11 Charlotte's sister in law, Helen Gretsch, gives a  performance as Helene Hope at a New York theatre. Did Charlotte attend?
 
Thursday, March 15 Helene Gretsch, graduates from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. 
A New York Times article dated March 16, reads "The graduation exercises of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts were held at the Empire Theatre yesterday afternoon and consisted of the awarding of diplomas to members of the class and of an address by Helen Ware."

In 1980, Ted Clauss wrote to me that the American Academy of Dramatic Arts was a four year program held at Carnegie Hall.
Before entering that course, Helene studied at The Emerson School Of Elecution in Boston, Mass.
 

Helene Hope on stage during this period.

Click on the image for an enlargement.

Ted Clauss wrote further of Helen's work " Aunt Helen's first work in the theater was secured for her through the Academy, and she had small parts in plays with De Wolfehopper. Later, she toured in  straight with Sidney Drew, in light comedy, and also with John Drew, in the heavy stuff. She did no musicals. During the years she did several short plays with Wiliam Farnaum, one of which I saw at the Flatbush Theater in 1918, and can still remember it. She had a regular agent, who shipped her on tours all over the U.S. and Canada. She used the stage name Helene Hope . She also toured with Otis Skinner of theatre fame and knew Cornelia Otis Skinner the  monologuist (?)"
 

April 28 The US Census taken by Mrs. Norma Pidgeon on this day enumerates:
Frederick Gretsch with his wife Charlotte, sons Frederick (5), William(3) and Richard(1).
Private Nurse Helen Swigg age 25 is living with the family. She is from Georgia.
Selma Weiss a servant 25 years old also lives with the family. She was born in NY but is of German decent.
The family is living at 285 Kingston Ave. and owns the home.
The Private nurse, Helen is new with the family because in the year 1909 she was without work for five weeks.
Two other women also live at this same address. They rent their apartment. Katherine F (age 35) and Helen Waddy (age 27) are sisters of Irish decent. The oldest sister is a Milliner and works at home, the younger is a public school teacher.

The US Census in this year also notes that Charlotte's oldest brother Philip L Sommer is living in Passaic, New Jersey at 96 high Street with his wife Augusta, daughter Charlotte age 10 born in New York, daughter Emile born in New York, age 7, son William age 6 born in New York and son Philip, 3 months. Two servants Theresa Hukel age 18 and Ida Morakovitch age 16 both born in Germany are also listed. Theyowned this house and Philip worked as a manager of wholeesale houses(?). The family would live at this address for many years.

Note the family pictures above of Philip and his family.
 

Charlotte's children, Fred, Dick and Willy Walter around 1910. Dick tells the story that his grandfather, William Sommer who owned a grocery store in Manhattan, would pick up the boys in his horse drawn delivery carriage and take the boys with him as he took baskets of groceries to his high class clients on Long Island. Perhaps the basket in this picture is from the children's grandfather's store.
Click on the image to see an enlargement.

 

This picture of Charlotte's older sons Fred and Willy Walter was probably taken at 285 Kingston Ave. in Brooklyn circa 1910 in the winter time.
Click on the image to see an enlargement.
Note again the lard shoe on Willy Walter's right foot.
 To read an essay about this photo, go to the home page and on the navigation bar select "Essays". Then select "Unrecorded Influence".
 

1911

March 5 Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire, 150 people killed.

1912

February 12 Charlotte's niece, Charlotte Sommer, daughter of Augusta (Gussie) and Philip, died of diphtheria. She was 12 years old. She was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in a plot purchased by her grandfather, William Sommer. See her picture above in the summer of 1910.  
 
March 1 New York Times reports that a fire shortly after 6 o'clock last night at 374 Bedford Ave. "The fire threatened to spread to the new Gretsch Building, a six story concrete structure directly behind the factory running from South Fourth to South Fifth Street"
 
April 10 The Titanic began its maiden voyage from England on April 10, 1912 with much celebration and hoopla. It was reported to be an unsinkable ship. On the Titanic's first class passenger list was John Jacob Astor IV and his bride, Madeleine Force who was pregnant. (Also two servants and an Airedale named Kitty!) There was much whispering about Madeleine as she was so much younger than her newly divorced husband. She was only 19.
 
April 12 The Titanic struck an iceberg. There were not enough life boats for all of the passengers.
  John Jacob Astor IV went down with the ship, as did Guggenheim and several other prominent millionaires. Astor's bride got into a lifeboat and was among those saved. The baby she was carrying was born later that year, John Jacob Astor V. He eventually (1943) married Gertrude Gretsch who was the only child of Fred's brother Walter Gretsch. (Fred Gretsch in fact walked Gertrude down the aisle at her very stylish wedding.) At the time of the disaster (1912), Walter was not yet married to Gertrude's mother.

While Charlotte didn't know of her family's future connections to the Astor family, she most certainly was very much aware of the sinking of this "unsinkable" ship.

   
June 12 Fred's cousin Johanna Morgner married Fred Brose in Winachee, Washington. Johanna was the only child of Phillipina Gretsch Morgner. Charlotte must have been keeping track of this marriage of her husband's cousin. Johanna was married by a Catholic priest. Phillipina Gretsch made the trip to Washington State to attend the marriage.
   
September The school for the Church of St. Gregory the Great was opened in two houses at 995  & 997 St. John's Place. Did the Gretsch boys attend this school?
 
November Dora Gretsch, a second cousin of Fred, left Brooklyn and went to Detroit to marry Daniel Setzer. Daniel whose family lived in upstate New York, was working as a street car driver in Detroit. They had met in the Catskill mountains where the Gretsch family often vacationed in the 1890's. Dora's much older sisters Emily and Wilhelmina Gretsch with whom she had been living and who never married, highly disapproved.
Dora had been close to Fred and his siblings while they were growing up. Charlotte, who was pregnant with her fourth child, must have been aware of this large upset in the family.
 
  Woodrow Wilson elected president.
 

December 12

 

Philip Gretsch, uncle to Charlotte's husband dies in San Francisco.
 

December 28

Charlotte's husband Fred wrote a letter on this date to his cousin Llewellyn Gretsch age 18, son of Philip Gretsch.
Llewellyn's parents were divorced in the early 1900's and Llewellyn mother's Frederica Junker was remarried in 1909 to George Ponarouse.
Click on the letter below to read an enlargement.

       

1913

February 13
McGown Pass Tavern

Click on the image to see an enlargement.

On this date the new York times reported that the Early Risers Riding Club met at the Mcgown Pass Tavern in Central Park to elect new officers and select new members. J. George Flammer, the husband of Charlotte Holzderber Flammer was elected an honorary member.

This postcard of the McGown Pass Tavern gives an insight into life at the turn of the last century for riders in Central Park. I wonder if Charlotte and her boys keep in touch with Charlotte and George Flammer.

Charlotte and George Flammer had a son Harold who was seven years younger than Charlotte Sommer. Charlotte and Harold would have grown up knowing each other. Perhaps, Charlotte and Fred named their new born son after Harold Flammer.
 
February 27 Charlotte's son, Harold Joseph Gretsch born.
 
February 28 Harold Joseph baptized, Charlotte's brother Leo Sommer was the sponsor.
So presumably Leo was also Catholic.

Where was Charlotte's mother, Theresa? Was she too sick to attend? She had been at the baptism of  Charlotte's older sons, William and Richard. Baptized by Msgr. Maurice P. Fitzgerald.
 
                         

Click on the image to see an enlargement.

Charlotte Gretsch's boys on President's Street in Brooklyn around the time that her last son Harold was born in 1913. Dick remembers that they owned their own pony.

Note: Pete Sweeney standing up in back; Bill (aka Willy) in front left corner; Fred in front right corner; Ray McGill between Fred and Bill; Dick in back of Ray; Milton Guick in back of Bill.
 

On the back of the photo, the photographer's stamp reads: Horses in Action, Home Portraits, 55 Cedar St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Phone 6768 Brunswick. H.G. Grimmell, Speed Photographer.

 

Charlotte around 1913. This small picture of Charlotte was found in a rectangular brass frame in the home of her son Fred Gretsch circa 1973.
Click on the image to see an enlargement.
 
Charlotte's youngest son Dick had this small passport photo of his mother in 1996. It looks as if both pictures were taken in the same photographic sitting. The angle of the pose is different but the hat and outfit appear to be the same. Click on the image to see an enlargement
 
March 4 Woodrow Wilson inaugurated. With a brand new sick child in the house, I am sure Charlotte wasn't paying close attention to the political situation.
 
March 9 Harold Gretsch died at  1460 President Street.
 
March 10 Harold Gretsch buried at Lutheran Cemetery next to his young cousin, Charlotte Sommer. Very strange that Harold would be baptized Catholic and then be buried in a Lutheran Cemetery.
 
  The day Harold was buried was the eight birthday of his older brother, Fred.
 
April 13 Charlotte's aunt, her father's eldest sister, Eliza Sommer Kruger died.
 
June 16 Charlotte's mother, Theresa Sommer died, Bautis disease, cirrhosisof the liver, (62 years old).
Theresa was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery with her two infant grandchildren. There is a very large stone there with a woman in mourning sitting on top. Was this stone placed there at Theresa's death?
At the time of her death, Theresa lived in the same house on West 54th Street where Charlotte was married 11years previously.
 
   
June 18 Charlotte's husband Fred returns from a business trip to Europe. He must have left shortly after the death of their infant son, Harold. He arrived on the ship Imperator which sailed from Hamburg.
 
  So Charlotte's husband was gone in the months after the death of their son and during the illness and death of her mother. It was some years before Fred left on another trip to Europe.
   

 

Click on the images to see enlargements. Note Charlotte's beautiful hand writing.

August 6 On this date, Charlotte sat down to write a note (see above) to Aunt Susie and Uncle Jim. By signing the note "our love" Charlotte accentuated the bond between this aunt and uncle and her boys.

No doubt she also wanted to share her pride in her fine looking sons. This was a difficult year for Charlotte. She lost a baby, her aunt died and her mother passed away. This saved post card gives us a glimpse into one moment of this year. Perhaps, there were many times when Charlotte wrote to friends and family. However, this is the only saved record. Charlotte must have been comforted often in this sad year by the energy and health of her three young sons.
 
Margaret Sanger publishes her newspaper Woman Rebel in NYC. Although Sanger did not give information about birth control in the first issue, she promised to do so in the ensuing ones. The publication was confiscated by the US Mail and was not delivered. At the time, there was much press about this action. Charlotte was steadfastly Catholic, but she had had 4 pregnancies. Charlotte at the very least would have been thinking about birth control and the timely issues which surrounded its use. Did she know about this publication going on right in her own city? Was she interested?
 
December 28 The New York Times announces the engagement of Charlotte's younger brother Leo to Gertrude Rohe. Her father Charles Rohe is in the meat packing business and lives at 17 West 87th Street in Manhattan.

1914

June 28 Archduke Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated.
 
August World War 1 starts in Europe. A time of anguish for German-American as they watch the war unfold. The War's consequences on the growing Gretsch business was certainly an area of concern.
 
  Nathan Jonas writes in his autobiography about the circumstances surrounding the building of the Gretsch Building Number 4 at 60 Broadway.

 " After we merged with the Manufacturer's National Bank in 1914, there was a row of unsightly building taking up the whole block below the office of the Manufacturer's National Bank. Acting upon my creative policy as bank president, I prevailed upon Fred and Walter Gretsch to plan a large manufacturing building on that site, helped them with their plans and with their financing, including assisting in securing a first mortgage on the building.
They were so grateful for all the time and assistance I had given them, which included nights and Sundays, that they insisted on giving Mrs. Jonas a certificate for $2000.00 of the preferred stock in the new building cooperation. While I felt that here was one case where perhaps the taking of this stock by Mrs. Jonas was justified, I would not accept it until I had presented the letter and the offer to the Board of Directors of my bank.
When they approved of its acceptance, a notation was made in the minutes of the meeting to that effect. It happened that this was the only case where I permitted stock to be presented to either Mrs. Jonas or myself. After I had left the bank this matter was scrutinized by my successors but my record was crystal-clear."

Charlotte, whose husband was away so often during the planning and construction process was
also certainly  affected on a very personal level by the growth of her husband's business. She would have discussed this with her friend Jennie Jonas. The friendship of Jennie Jonas and Charlotte Gretsch was often described as "intimate" in Nathan's autobiography.
 

November 1
New York Times : The Wedding of Miss Gertrude Rohe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rohe of 17 West Eighty-seventh Street, and Leopold Sommer, will take place on Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, in the Church of the Advent. Miss Elsa Dohse is to be maid of honor, and the brides-maids will be Misses Vivienne Kranich, Loretta Kuser, Olga Moore, and Frances Paine. Charles S. Sommer is to be his brother's best man, and the ushers will include William Flammer, John Dohse, Charles Rohe, Jr. and John Sommer.
 
November 12
This picture of Gertrude Rohe Sommer and her bridesmaids was sent to me by her granddaughter Cindy Reya in 2005. The bride looks radiant and the elegance of the wedding is reflected in the flowers and dresses of the wedding party.
Click on the picture to see an enlargement.

New York Times: Miss Rohe Weds Leopold Sommer
Miss Gertrude Rohe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rohe of 17 West Eighty-seventh Street, was married to Leopold Sommer at 8 o'clock last evening in the church of the Advent, Broadway and Ninety Third Street. The Reverend Walter M. Horn, Minster of the church officiated.
Miss Elsa Dohse was maid of honor. the brides-maids were the Misses Vivienne Kranich, Olga Moore and Frances Paine.
Mr. Sommer had as his best man his brother Charles W. Sommer. the ushers were John Dohse, John Sommer, William Flammer, and Charles Rohe Jr.
The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Hotel Savoy.

Please note that one of the ushers was William Flammer. This was a first cousin of Leo's first cousin Arthur Sommer. William Flammer lived at the time at 124 West 87th Street, not too far from where the bride lived. Perhaps, it was through William Flammer that Leo and Gertrude met.
 

December 22 Charlotte's husband's aunt, Phillipina Gretsch Morgner keeper of a boarding house called "Myra Cottage," commited suicide in Bath Beach, Brooklyn. Fred being the oldest of the nephews would have been contacted immediately. This family death and burial must have dampened the family's Christmas.
 
December 26 Phillipina was buried at The Evergreens Cemetery. She is buried with her younger brother Jacob Gretsch and various in-laws. She is not buried with her husband and young son who also laid to rest at The Evergreens years earlier.
 

1915

January 30 After the suicide of Philippine, Johanna M. Brose and Fred Gretsch of 1460 President Street petition the court for the property of Johanna's mother, Philippine. Her property did not exceed $1250.00 and included no real estate.
 
February 10 Fred Gretsch solemnly swore and declared that he will well, faithfully and honestly discharge of the duties of Administrator of the Goods, Chattels and Credits which were of Philippine Morgner, deceased, according to the law. This was the 34th birthday of Fred Gretsch.
 
May 6 Hertha Gretsch, youngest sister of Charlotte's husband wins her court case and secures the small fortune left to her by Jacob Hyman. Read more details on Hertha's time line in this website.
The winning of this court case secured the sudden wealth of Fred's younger sisters. Hertha received the largest portion of  Jacob's estate. to read more about the circumstances around this inheritance see Hertha's timeline on this website.
 
May 7 The Lusitania, a British passenger liner with several hundred American citizens aboard, was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. Many people believed that this was a powerful reason for the United States to enter war against Germany.
 

Click on the image to see an enlargement
Willy Walter Gretsch standing above his brothers, Fred and Dick, circa 1914. According to Timothy J. Mallery this picture " looks...like one of the small, swampy lakes formed by small dams around Tannersville." There was such a lake in Elka Park. Timothy sent me the picture below of such a lake in Elka Park.

"From the collection of Timothy J. Mallery, http://www.catskillarchive.com".
Click on this image to see an enlargement.         

This picture of the Gretsch boys was given to Gretchen Elsner-Sommer in the fall of 2002 by Barbara Sommer Shea.  It was found in a photograph album belonging to Charlie Sommer. Charlie was a younger brother of Charlotte. It's not surprising to find a picture of Charlie's young nephews in his photo album.

.


In these years, when the family traveled to Elka Park, they would have taken a boat from Manhattan up the Hudson and " almost certainly landed at Kingston Point, to meet the U&D train to Phoenicia, and then the train to Tannersville."
Thank you, Timothy J. Mallery for this archival information about travel in the Catskills.

These old postcard give a clear picture of just what travel looked like in that neck of the woods, when Charlotte's boys were small. You can almost see Charlotte and her boys in the crowds at the station.


The U&D RR Station, Catskill Mountains, Tannersville, New York.


Station at Kaaterskill, Catskill Mountains, New York


Catskill Mts. New York, The Incline Railway

Once the family arrived, they most likely stayed here in the Club House.

Elka Park Club, Tannersville, Catskill Mts. N.Y.

Or perhaps, they stayed in the Kliegl home. Charlotte's brother John, had many friends at Elka Park in this era of his bachelorhood. Below is a picture postcard from the Klieg's porch. Tim Mallery describes the scenery, "The view is directly north, the mountains in the distance are Thomas cole, Balck Dome, and Blackhead."

"From the collection of Timothy J. Mallery, http://www.catskillarchive.com".
    

  "From the collection of Timothy J. Mallery, http://www.catskillarchive.com".   

In 1925, John Sommer married the Kliegl's daughter, Frances. It is unclear if Charlotte and her boys traveled to Elka Park before John married Frances Kliegl. However, Dick Gretsch, Charlotte's youngest boy has a clear memory of breaking his nose climbing the tree in Frances Kliegl Sommer's yard in Elka Park.

 

To see enlargements of these postcards, click on the images.
 

June 2 The New York Times reported that "Charles William Sommer was married last night". His bride was Frances May Duval.

 
Click o