Grandpa Totzke's Journey to America
As I prepare for vacation and a visit home to Dad, my nostalgic gene is kicking in. So I best get this story written before it's gone again (or before I lose my notes.) I was happy to hear from my cousin Wes that he discovered my blog with the help of his daughter, who has been researching her family roots. I guess when she googled Ferdinand Totzke, she must have stumbled upon my blog, so she passed it on to her dad. Wes said these stories were all new to him, so I'm glad the blog is serving some purpose. Maybe someday I'll get to meet Wes' daughter Lindsay too, so we can share some of the history in person.
Grandpa Totzke was born in 1880 in Germany and grew up near Danzig. Dad says he was always telling them that he learned to swim in the Baltic Sea. I thought that was so cool! The thought of living there - so far from Edgar - seems exotic (for lack of a better word.) Maybe my love of the water comes from Grandpa somehow - even though I can't swim worth crap.
Grandpa came to the US in 1895 at age 14. He turned 15 in July here in his new home. Because he was so young, his sister Augusta had to sign for him, promising she would be responsible for him. But the thought of a 14 yr old traveling across the world by himself is to start a new life is astounding to me. I wonder if he spoke any English at all before he came here, but I rather doubt it. English was not as commonly taught in European countries then as it is now.
Grandpa came to the US by ship and entered through Ellis Island as so many thousands of other immigrants have over the years. Then he had to take a train from New York City to Wisconsin to join Aunt Gustie, who was already living in the town of Frankfort. Another brother, Otto, joined them later (about 1904 or 1905.) Uncle Otto was 4 years older than Grandpa, so it was surprising to me that Grandpa moved here first and so young. Ironically, Uncle Otto and Grandpa ended up marrying sisters from the Town of Frankfort here (as did Grandpa's sons - my Dad and my Uncle Fred.) I didn't think to ask Dad why Grandpa moved here so young, so if I remember to ask him on my visit this week, I'll update the story here.
But as interesting as Grandpa's story is to me, I really wish I knew more about Aunt Gustie. Dad told me some of her story, and it's the stuff of romance novels or epic movies. During that time in history, Germany was very much divided by class. There were the poor farmers who rented their land and homes, and then there were the wealthy landowners. Mingling between the two classes was highly discouraged. But Aunt Gustie, daughter of poor renting farmers, fell in love with Arthur Neitzel, the son of a wealthy landowner. Arthur loved Gustie just as much and they wanted to get married. Sadly, both of their families objected to the relationship and had forbidden the marriage. So Gustie and Arthur came to the United States and got married here. They had three children here, and eventually went back to Germany for an extended visit (a year or two) and had a fourth child (also named Otto) while back in Germany. I wonder if their families ever did accept the marriage or the children who came out of it.
However it began, it ended with many of the Totzke family members moving here and expanding by many more generations who now live all over the country. It has been fascinating for me to hear the stories to go with so many names and faces in old photo albums. I've become quite fond of those old names..... Gustie, Otto, Ferdinand, Emilia (or Amelia as I have also seen it spelled,) Carl.... it seems that there are many names that have repeated over the generations and carried on. Not all, of course. I don't believe there have been any other Ferdinands. However, I do know one of Otto's great-great grandsons is now named Otto as well. So they live on, all these generations later. I hope they would be proud of what has grown from those lonely journeys across the Atlantic.
Grandpa Totzke was born in 1880 in Germany and grew up near Danzig. Dad says he was always telling them that he learned to swim in the Baltic Sea. I thought that was so cool! The thought of living there - so far from Edgar - seems exotic (for lack of a better word.) Maybe my love of the water comes from Grandpa somehow - even though I can't swim worth crap.
Grandpa came to the US in 1895 at age 14. He turned 15 in July here in his new home. Because he was so young, his sister Augusta had to sign for him, promising she would be responsible for him. But the thought of a 14 yr old traveling across the world by himself is to start a new life is astounding to me. I wonder if he spoke any English at all before he came here, but I rather doubt it. English was not as commonly taught in European countries then as it is now.
Grandpa came to the US by ship and entered through Ellis Island as so many thousands of other immigrants have over the years. Then he had to take a train from New York City to Wisconsin to join Aunt Gustie, who was already living in the town of Frankfort. Another brother, Otto, joined them later (about 1904 or 1905.) Uncle Otto was 4 years older than Grandpa, so it was surprising to me that Grandpa moved here first and so young. Ironically, Uncle Otto and Grandpa ended up marrying sisters from the Town of Frankfort here (as did Grandpa's sons - my Dad and my Uncle Fred.) I didn't think to ask Dad why Grandpa moved here so young, so if I remember to ask him on my visit this week, I'll update the story here.
But as interesting as Grandpa's story is to me, I really wish I knew more about Aunt Gustie. Dad told me some of her story, and it's the stuff of romance novels or epic movies. During that time in history, Germany was very much divided by class. There were the poor farmers who rented their land and homes, and then there were the wealthy landowners. Mingling between the two classes was highly discouraged. But Aunt Gustie, daughter of poor renting farmers, fell in love with Arthur Neitzel, the son of a wealthy landowner. Arthur loved Gustie just as much and they wanted to get married. Sadly, both of their families objected to the relationship and had forbidden the marriage. So Gustie and Arthur came to the United States and got married here. They had three children here, and eventually went back to Germany for an extended visit (a year or two) and had a fourth child (also named Otto) while back in Germany. I wonder if their families ever did accept the marriage or the children who came out of it.
However it began, it ended with many of the Totzke family members moving here and expanding by many more generations who now live all over the country. It has been fascinating for me to hear the stories to go with so many names and faces in old photo albums. I've become quite fond of those old names..... Gustie, Otto, Ferdinand, Emilia (or Amelia as I have also seen it spelled,) Carl.... it seems that there are many names that have repeated over the generations and carried on. Not all, of course. I don't believe there have been any other Ferdinands. However, I do know one of Otto's great-great grandsons is now named Otto as well. So they live on, all these generations later. I hope they would be proud of what has grown from those lonely journeys across the Atlantic.
posted by Kris at 8/11/2008 07:59:00 PM
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