Gerson Friedenheit (1833 - 1920)

Born 24 Dec 1833 in Bavaria

Husband of Fannie (Winklein) Friedenheit — married 16 Feb 1859 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, United States

Descendants

Died 29 Sep 1920 at age 86 in New York City, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: David Zuckerman [send private message] and AJ Jacobs [send private message]

Biography

Gerson Friedenheit has Jewish Roots.

Gerson Friedenheit has German Roots.

Private Gerson Friedenheit served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Aug 28, 1861
Mustered out: Oct 10, 1861
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 25th Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia

Gerson Friedenheit was born in Bavaria^[1] in 1833^[2] and immigrated to the United States as a young man. His death record identified his parents as Isaac Friedenheit and Fanny Fradella. The 1900 U.S. Census record shows that he immigrated in 1850.

He married Fannie Winklein in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, on 16 February 1859.^[3] Family tradition recounted by Ann Sunstein and Annie Jacobs indicates that they were the second couple married in the Reformed Jewish religion in the USA, in the temple founded by Rabbi Wise, who performed the ceremony."^[4] This is a reference to Rabbi Isaac Mayer (Weis) Wise (1819-1900), who is regarded as the founder of Reformed Judaism in America. He took up the position of rabbi for Congregation B'nai Yeshurun in Cincinnati in 1854 and introduced a number of Reformed practices there,^[5] so it is very unlikely that the marriage of Fannie and Gerson in 1859 was only the second one performed there. Gerson Friedenheit and Fannie Winklein obtained their marriage license in Hamilton County, Ohio, on 15 February 1859. The public record does not include the customary "return of marriage" record confirming that the marriage was performed;^[6] this is also missing from a number of other Hamilton County marriage license records from the same time period.

From Ann Sunstein:^[4]

Gerson came from Germany as a young man and worked in stores (not unlike his future son-in-law, Morris). He later brought his widowed mother over. Gerson was considered very handsome, as well as a good family man.

Though never wealthy, one son, Isaac, became a member of the Jewish Harmonic Club.

From Annie Jacobs:

According to one story, Gerson Friedenheit was an only son. His father, who sold cattle, died when Gerson was an infant. Gerson's mother appears in a photograph with Gerson and ten of his children. When Gerson arrived in U.S.A., about 1845, he was asked by immigration authorities to state his surname. In Europe surnames were not used. Gerson replied, "Es ist mir zu frieden." (loose translation, it's all the same to me. Note that "frieden" mean peace, or I'd be at peace with any name). Friedenheit, state of being at peace. Gerson brought his mother to the United States. She died in 1888, and lived with Gerson until her death. Gerson became a United States citizen in 1857. In 1865 he moved to N.Y.C. from St. Joseph, MO. Gerson had an older brother. Gerson and Fannie were married in Cincinnati on February 16, 1859. It was the second marriage in the Reformed temple performed by Rabbi Wise. They moved to St. Joseph in a covered wagon. Their four oldest children were born in St. Joseph and the youngest ten at 23 West 96th St., N.Y.C.

In 1860, Gerson, Fanny, their newborn son Isaac, and Gerson's fifty-seven-year-old mother Fanny were residing in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. Gerson owned a clothing store and had real estate valued at $700 and personal property valued at $2,000.^[7]

During the American Civil War, from August to October 1862, Gerson served as a private in Company H of the 25th Regiment of the Enrolled Missouri Militia under Captain John Loving. He began duty, in the local area, on 28 August and was discharged on 10 October on the advice of the post surgeon.^[8]

In 1863 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service assessed G. Freidenheit for excise tax in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was assessed tax of $30 for his income of $1000 and $33.39 as a wholesale dealer.^[9] In July of that year, Gerson began advertising in The Morning Herald the opening of a wholesale clothing house at Numbers 44, 46, & 48 at the corner Edmond Street and Market Square. He was hoping the immigrant trade would purchase his "coats, pants, and vests."^[10] The same ad ran through April 1864 in the Herald. St. Joseph, in Buchanan County, Missouri, was an important trade hub for the west during the American Civil War^[11] and was the eastern terminus of the Pony Express. In 1862, Gerson was a witness against John Leopold and his southern leanings, and that John had been in Gerson's store in the summer of 1861.^[12]

By 1866 the family had moved to Manhattan, New York, where Gerson engaged in the retail clothing business. From the records, it appears that 1866 was the year they relocated. Trow's New York City directory for 1866-7, published in 1866, listed Gerson Friedenheit, clothing, living at 156 W. 50th St.^[13] In 1866 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service assessed G. Friedenheit for excise tax in both St. Joseph and New York. G. Friedenheit of St. Joseph, described as 2nd cl. pedler (apparently a secondhand clothing peddler) was assessed tax of $10.42.^[14] G. Friedenheit of 156 W. 50th St. was assessed for $150 in tax, based on a total taxable value of $3000 from his income and his possessing a watch.^[15] Gerson was not listed in the 1865 New York City directory. As late as 1867 Gerson was listed as a clothing seller in a city directory for St. Joseph.^[16] Daughter Rachel, born in 1865, is listed in the 1870 census with a birthplace of New York and in the 1880 census with a birthplace of Missouri.

In December 1866, Fannie gave birth to their son Julius in Manhattan, New York County, New York.^[17] He lived just six weeks before passing away on 30 January 1867 in Manhattan.

The 1870 U.S. Census recorded Gerson in Manhattan as George Fridenburg, 36. He was a native of Bavaria and a U.S. citizen, working in the retail clothing business. His wife Fanny was recorded as 29 years old and born in Pennsylvania. Their children were recorded as Isaac, 10, Hattie, 8, and Sophie, 7, all born in Missouri; and Rachel, 5, and Simon, 2, both born in New York. Gerson seems to have fairly prosperous at this time. He reported $5000 in real estate and the household included a domestic servant, Lizzie Strunk, 20, born in Prussia.^[18]

Later Gerson Friedenheit went into the insurance business. In the 1878 city directory, Gerson was selling insurance and residing at 225 East 93rd Street.^[19] The 1880 U.S. Census recorded Gerson Friedenheit, age 45, a fire & life insurance broker, and his wife Fannie Friedenheit, age 39, on 55th Street in Manhattan, New York, with their 10 children and Gerson's 82-year-old mother, Fanny Friedenheit. The first four children, Isaac, 20, Hattie, 18, Sophie, 17, and Rachel, 15, were born in Missouri, and children Simon 12, Leon, 10, Sarah, 8, Hannah, 6, Emanuel, 4, and Esther, 1, were born in New York. ^[20]

In February 1882, their son Emanuel passed away at age five.

In February 1886, their son Leon passed away. He was only fifteen years old.^[21]

Trow's New York City Directory published in 1889, lists Gerson Friedenheit, insurance, living at 352 E. 116th, with his business at 109 Grand. Isaac Friedenheit, ribbons, is listed at the same home address, with his business at 111 Grand.^[22]

In February 1897, their daughter Sarah passed away at age twenty-five in Newark, New Jersey. She left behind a husband and two small children.

The 1900 U.S. Census (enumerated in June 1900) recorded Gerson Friedenheit (transcribed on websites as Gersino Friedenhut) and family at 178 West 64th St. in Manhattan, New York City. As listed, Gerson Friedenheit was 65, born in December 1834 in Germany of German-born parents, with occupation of "agent." He had immigrated in 1850 and was a naturalized U.S. citizen. Fannie Friedenheit, his wife, was 54, born in September 1845^[23] in Ohio to German-born parents. They had been married 39 years and Fannie had had 14 children, of whom 10 were living. Others in the household were daughter Hannah Friedenheit, 23, born May 1877: son Simon Friedenheit, 28 (crossed out by a census worker who changed it to 27), born in June 1872; daughter Estelle Friedenheit, 20, born January 1880; daughter Erma Friedenheit, 19, born April 1881; daughter Clara Friedenheit, 17, born February 1883; son Arthur Friedenheit, 12, born April 1888; their widowed son-in-law Louis Abrahams, 40, born January 1860; his children Rita Abrahams, 6 (born December 1893), and Julian, 3 (born January 1897); and three women identified as servants.^[24]

In April 1910, Gerson, Fannie, and five of their children, Simon, Arthur, Esther, Clara, and Hattie, were residing in the Borough of Manhattan, at a house they rented at 23 West 96th Street. Seventy-six-year-old Gerson was working as an insurance broker. His wife, Fannie had given birth to fourteen children during their fifty-one years of marriage, but only ten were still living as of 1910. Their widowed daughter Hattie Hirsch and her three adult children, Lawrence, Irwin, and Reina, were residing with them.^[25]

In 1915 the New York State Census recorded 81-year-old "Geison Freidenheit" and his 74-year-old wife Fannie "Freidenheit" living on West 96th Street in New York City, together with their sons, Simon, 41, and Arthur, 28. All were U.S. citizens. "Geison" and Simon worked in insurance; Arthur was employed in neckwear.^[26]

In February 1919, Gerson and Fannie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a party at their home on 23 West 96th Street in Manhattan.^[27]

Gerson Friedenheit died at his home at 23 West 96th Street in New York City on 29 September 1920. He was 86 years old and was survived by his wife. The death record indicates that he was born in Bavaria on 24 December 1833 and identifies his parents as Isaac Friedenheit and Fanny Fradella. His occupation was recorded as insurance broker. Burial was in Bethel Cemetery.^[28]

Sources

1. ↑ The 1880 U.S. Census indicates that he and his mother were born in Bavaria to parents born in Bavaria
2. ↑ Birth date is according to his death record.
3. ↑ "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZJS-P99 : 26 August 2019), Gerson Friedenheit and Fannie Winklein, 15 Feb 1859; citing Intended Marriage, Hamilton, Ohio, United States, 289, Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm. The marriage return is not filled out on the record, but obtained license on 15th. Family sources say they married on the 16th.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Sunstein, Ann. "A Capsule Description of Parents, Grandparents, & Great-Grandparents of Ann & Ted Kheel," written July 1984, at the request of Marti Kheel.
5. ↑ May, Max Benjamin. Isaac Mayer Wise: The Founder of American Judaism; a Biography. New York & London: G. P. Putnam, 1916.
6. ↑ Image of marriage license accessed at "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-BJNB-2?cc=1614804&wc=Q6SP-F5Y%3A121350801%2C122906901 : 15 July 2014), Hamilton > Marriage records 1859 vol 20 > image 102 of 231; county courthouses, Ohio. Also at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61378/images/TH-1-17957-15260-25
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHCB-TXS : 11 November 2020), Geo Fredinlule, 1860.
8. ↑ Missouri Digital Heritage. Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I. "Gerson Friedenheit." https://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00776/s00776_1116.pdf : 10 January 2021.
9. ↑ The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Tax Assessment Lists for Collection Districts in the State of Missouri, 1862-1865; Series: M776; Roll: 16; Description: District 3; Annual and Supplementary Lists; May-Dec 1863; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006. Accessed on Ancestry.com at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1264/images/rhusa1862_101924-00109
10. ↑ [Advertisement]. The Morning Herald (St. Joseph, Missouri), 2 July 1863, page 4, column 2. Newspapers.com : 10 January 2021.
11. ↑ https://stjosephmuseums.fandom.com/wiki/The_Civil_War_Comes_to_St._Joseph
12. ↑ Union Citizen's Files. "John Leopold. (https://www.fold3.com/image/287457554: 10 January 2021.)
13. ↑ Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. "New York City directory". The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1866. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/f02a69a0-5363-0134-aba2-00505686a51c, page 357.
14. ↑ The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Tax Assessment Lists for Collection Districts in the State of Missouri, 1862-1865; Series: M776; Roll: 22; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006. Accessed on Ancestry.com at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1264/images/rhusa1862_101930-00314
15. ↑ U.S. IRS Tax Assessment List, 1866. Ancestry.com. New York, Division 10, Collection District 9, F-G.
16. ↑ Frank Swick's Resident and Business Directory of Saint Joseph, 1867-68. Accessed on Ancestry.com at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/41199_1220706242_4154-00194 . Clothing -- Wholesale and Retail: Friedenheit G, 44 Edmond. Also listed on page 69 at 44 and 46 Edmond.
17. ↑ "New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HQY1-TD3Z : 21 January 2020), Gerson Fridenheil in entry for Julius Fridenheil.
18. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M86Q-4G5 : 3 January 2021), George Fridenburg, 1870.
19. ↑ Trow's Printing and Bookbinding Company, 1878. "Gerson Friedenheit," page 501. (https://www.fold3.com/image/77600597?terms=friedenheit : 10 January 2021.)
20. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZXM-LH7 : 7 September 2017), Gerson Friedenheit, New York, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district ED 561, sheet 454C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,893.
21. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WJ5-L1H : 3 June 2020), Gerson Friedenheit in entry for Leon Friedenheit, 25 Feb 1886; citing Death, Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,373,982.
22. ↑ Trow's New York City Directory, Vol. CIII, for the Year Ending May 1, 1890, page 670. New York Public Library Digital Collections.
23. ↑ This date is impossibly early; she was declared to be over 18 when she married in 1859.
24. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X9W-ZHB?cc=1325221&wc=9BWH-SPL%3A1030551901%2C1035804001%2C1036119201 : 5 August 2014), New York > New York County > ED 660 Borough of Manhattan, Election District 15 New York City Ward 24 > image 35 of 39; citing NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
25. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M57Q-GL6 : accessed 7 January 2021), Gerson Friedenheet, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 593, sheet 11A, family 200, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1023; FHL microfilm 1,375,036.
26. ↑ New York State Census, 1915. Enumeration sheet for Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 08; Assembly District: 17; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 04. Accessed on Ancestry.com at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2703/images/32848_B094071-00557
27. ↑ "Married Sixty Years." The New York Herald, February 18, 1919.
28. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WBG-ZZC : 3 June 2020), Gerson Friedenheit, 1920.

• "Married Sixty Years." The New York Herald, February 18, 1919.

• US Federal Census; Year: 1910; Census Place: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York; Roll: T624_1023; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0593; FHL microfilm: 1375036.

• Profile on Geni.com

• Annie Jacobs' research dated November 6, 1998.