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Gustav Wurth
Married Barbara Stäckler
Children: | Aunt Massal | Loni Palkovic |
Gustav Wurth was born in Hemsbach, Germany in 1892.
He was the second oldest of 7 children born over 11 years. Gus' father died in 1904, when he was 14 years old. His mother remarried. He was not found of his stepfather. I heard that he moved out of the house when he was 17 years old. His mother died in 1911, when Gus was 22 years old. Teddy Balles, his half brother was born in 1911. We believe that his mom died in childbirth. [Update 6/2008. Checking sources, maybe Anna did not die in childbirth.]
Wrestling
Gus enjoyed the sport of wrestling and shared interesting stories with his grandsons about the medals he won. I hope some of the grandsons will share these and other stories about their grandfather with us. We have this wonderful photo of the Wrestling Club in Hemsbach in 1910. I can't recognize Grandpa or either of his two brothers in the photo. I wonder who from the family is in that photo?
Sergeant in World War I
Gus was a sergeant in the Kaiser's army in World War I. He suffered from shapnel wounds. Grandpa's opinion of war was simple: WAR IS HELL ! His solution to end wars was to send the members of the congress to the front lines to do the fighting.
My favorite story is this. One cold Sunday, he marched his men to church. He planned to wait outside, but it was so cold, that he slipped in the back row. During the sermon, the pastor told the troops to get out there and kill the enemy. Grandpa was indignant. He stood up and challenged the pastor. "Christ said to love your enemy." And he walked out of church.
Marriage and Children
Gustav married Barbara Stackler, who was born on 9 Feb 1894 in Neiderliebersbach. They had two children, Anna born in Niederliebersbach on 15 Oct 1914 and Loni Frieda born in Hemsbach on 14 Jun 1920.
Immigration
When Gus was 30 years old and inflation was out of control in German, he took his wife and family to the United States. They arrived at Ellis Island on June 14, 1923. It was Flag Day and Loni's third birthday. He told his daughter that all the flags were flying to celebrate her arrival to the United States.
Gus was a mason in Germany. Early on, he got a job as a toolmaker in the General Electric Company. He worked there until his retirement, probably at age 65 in 1957.
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This is the oldest family portrait we have c.1926. |
Barbara, his wife.
Barbara did housework for affluent people. Before long, they were able to buy land and build a house at 73 Roosevelt Avenue in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Schenectady. Various members of their family lived with them or in the apartment upstairs at various times . There home served as the family party house for many years.
Barbara was a homemaker who maintained a large garden of fresh vegetables and herbs. Every year, she canned lots of fruits and vegetables for the winter. [cherries, peaches, pears, green beans, sauerkraut]. She baked wonderful kuchen [apple, plum, streusel ]. She made schupfnudel. There was also her famous birthday cake: a chocolate swirl pound cake made in a large, scalloped bunt pan. It was always covered with frosting and a generous supply of sprinkles.
► The origins of schupfnudel in the Palkovic family started here See: schupfnudel.htm
Established in Schenectady, NY
Both Gus and Barbara were active in the Turnverein, the German American Club. Barbara was in the Ladies Auxiliary and is credited as one of the founders of the Ladies Chorus. Gus was the Business Manager for the Turner Topics, the club's publication. He also served on the Board of Directors.
Gus loved to fish and make his own wine. They both enjoyed their eleven grandchildren.
We all remember when Gus bought his first brand new car. It was a shiny black Hudson. He and Grandma used to came and take the four of us kids for a ride to Mariaville Lake for an ice cream and then bring us home.
In 1960, they made their first trip back to Germany.
In 1966, they celebrated their 50 wedding anniversary.
► Got any stories about Gus and Barbara. We'd love to have you share them with us. Send an email.
There is a lot more to tell and pictures to add. This page will develop over time.
