Herman Wittenberger
Born: 1853, Hungary
Died: 1908
Antonia Klein Wittenberger
Born: 1854, Austria
Died: 1930
Nace Wittenberger
Born: 1877, Austria or New York
Died: 1934
Ernestine Wittenberger
Born: 1878 – 1879, Austria or New York
Died: 1969
Theodore Wittenberger
Born: 1880, Austria or New York
Died: 1940
Evelyn Wittenberger
Born: 1882, Leadville, Colorado
Died: 1980
Little is known about the Wittenbergers before their arrival in Leadville and subsequent departure to San Francisco. Herman Wittenberger was born in Hungary [1] in 1853 [2] and Antonia Klein was born in Austria [3] in 1854, [4] both prior to the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867. Herman and Antonia married in 1876, [5] likely in the Austrian portion of the empire. The couple had two children prior to the end of the decade: son Nace in 1877, [6] and daughter Ernestine in 1878 or 1879. [7] However, their places of birth are uncertain as detailed further down.
Herman and Antonia reported their immigration year to the United States as 1881. [8] If this is accurate, the Wittenbergers moved to Leadville shortly after their arrival in the country. Typically, such a speedy move to Leadville after immigration indicated an existing familial or otherwise personal connection within the city. The Wittenbergers may have had a marital connection to the Feitleberg family [9] who lived in Leadville during the same period, although too little is known about the Feitlebergs to make such a claim with any certainty.
The lack of census listings for the family prior to 1900 generates ambiguity regarding the birthplaces of the children and their immigration year. Nace and Ernestine frequently provided birthplace information that contradicted their parents. Nace listed his birthplace as Colorado in the 1910, [10] 1920, [11] and 1930 [12] censuses; however, he often provided inconsistent and incorrect vital information regarding his parents. Adding to the confusion is the fact that Nace’s funeral record listed his birthplace as New York. [13] Ernestine, on the other hand, consistently reported her birthplace as New York. [14] The frequently reported birthplace of the third Wittenberg child, Theodore [15], contradicts those of Nace and Ernestine and also supports 1881 as the immigration year. In census records, either Theodore or his parents disclosed that he was born in Austria [16] and cited his birth year as 1880. [17] However, his funeral documentation listed his birthplace as New York. [18] It is unknown whether the family’s immigration year or the children’s reported birthplaces are correct. Nace’s birth in Colorado is unlikely partly due to the unreliability of his responses to other vital information and also implies the family was in Colorado much earlier than indicated in historical records. As such, the first three Wittenberger children were probably born either in New York due to inconsistently reported birthplaces found in census and funeral documentation, or in Austria because of the contradictory immigration year of 1881 conveyed by Herman and Antonia.
Despite the obscurity surrounding their immigration, it is clear that the Wittenbergers arrived in Leadville by 1882 at the latest, as the first indication of the family’s presence in the city was the birth of their fourth child, Evelyn. Mark Cohn, a descendant of Evelyn, stated that she described her birthplace as Leadville and her birth year as 1882. Her census listings largely corroborate that she was born in Colorado, but they provide no specifics as to the city or county. [19] The Wittenbergers do not appear in any Colorado historical records outside of Leadville, which further supports Evelyn’s claim of having been born in Leadville.
Only two historical records exist referencing the Wittenberger family’s time in Leadville, both dating from 1884. The 1884 Leadville city directory listed the family’s residence as 331 East 3rd Street and Herman’s shoemaking business at 100 East Chestnut Street. [20] Their singular newspaper mention concerns Antonia’s attendance at the birthday party of Henrietta Schloss in late October. [21]
The Wittenbergers probably left Leadville in late 1884 or in the first half of 1885 due to their absence in that year’s city directory. The family had permanently settled in San Francisco by 1888, when Herman first appeared in the city’s voter register. [22]
Herman and Antonia had their final child, Carrie, in 1890. [23] Ernestine and Evelyn both married members of the Kraus family while in San Francisco: Ernestine to Morris Kraus, and Evelyn to William Kraus. Nace married Maude Weston [24] and Theodore married a woman named Alwilda. [25] Carrie married Frank Weinstock. [26]
Herman passed away in 1908 and is buried at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma, California. [27] Antonia lived for an additional twenty-two years, passing away in 1930. She is buried next to her husband. [28] Nace, who died only four years after his mother, in 1934, is interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma, California. [29] Theodore passed away in 1940 and is buried alongside his brother at Woodlawn Memorial Park. [30] According to Wittenberger descendant Mark Cohn, Ernestine passed away in 1969, Evelyn in 1980, and Carrie in 1960, all in California.
1 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VM: accessed July 19, 2023), Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
2 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144103950/herman-wittenberger: accessed 19 July 2023), memorial page for Herman Wittenberger (May 1853 – 1908), Find a Grave Memorial ID 144103950; citing Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
3 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3V9: accessed July 19, 2023), Antonia Wittenberger in household of Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
4 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700630/antoinette-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023), memorial page for Antoinette “Antonia” Klein Wittenberger (March 8, 1854 – February 13, 1930), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700630; citing Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
5 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VM: accessed July 19, 2023), Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
6 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700418/nace-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023), memorial page for Nace Wittenberger (March 10, 1877 – August 4, 1934), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700418; citing Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
7 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG8-VXY: accessed July 19, 2023), Ernie E. Kraus in household of Morris M. Kraus, San Francisco Assembly District 40, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 250, sheet 10A, family 197, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982).
8 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VM: accessed July 19, 2023), Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
9 Births, Marriages, and Deaths (San Francisco: The San Francisco Call), April 24, 1913, P4.
10 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MRSL-V4H: accessed July 19, 2023), Nace Wittenberger, Headquarters Division, Manila, Philippines, Military and Naval Forces, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 256, sheet 1B, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982).
11 "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH4R-PGY: accessed July 19, 2023), Nace Wittenberger, Benicia Judicial Township, Solano, California, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 192, sheet 3A, family 66, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992).
12 "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCN7-9CR: accessed July 19, 2023), Nace Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 38-335, sheet 20B, family 492, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
13 "California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Records, 1895-1985," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/439633:2118?ssrc=pt&tid=155962543&pid=312402967839: accessed July 19, 2023), Nace Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, microfilm publication (San Francsico: Reaserchity, n.d.).
14 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG8-VXY: accessed July 19, 2023), Ernie E. Kraus in household of Morris M. Kraus, San Francisco Assembly District 40, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 250, sheet 10A, family 197, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982).
15 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VS: accessed July 19, 2023), Theodore Wittenberger in household of Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
16 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VS: accessed July 19, 2023), Theodore Wittenberger in household of Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
17 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700818/theodore-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023), memorial page for Theodore Wittenberger (September 22, 1880 – November 23, 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700818; citing Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
18 "California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Records, 1895-1985," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/434361:2118?ssrc=pt&tid=89635656&pid=382498813444: accessed July 19, 2023), Theodore Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, microfilm publication (San Francsico: Reaserchity, n.d.).
19 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3V3: accessed July 19, 2023), Evaline Wittenberger in household of Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
20 T. B. Corbett and J. H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Fifth Annual Leadville City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1884 (Leadville, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1884), P255.
21 A Birthday Surprise (Leadville, CO: Carbonate Chronicle), November 1, 1884, P5.
22 "California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/285684:2221?tid=&pid=&queryId=9388f1bd9c4aceb9a93ff5c72a520d61&_phsrc=mFk303&_phstart=successSource: accessed July 19, 2023), Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing Great Registers, 1866-1898, collection no. 4-2A, CSL roll no. 66, FHL roll no. 977627 (Sacramento: California State Library, n.d.).
23 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VQ: accessed July 19, 2023), Carrie Wittenberger in household of Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972).
24 "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH4R-PGB: accessed July 19, 2023), Maude Wittenberger in household for Nace Wittenberger, Benicia Judicial Township, Solano, California, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 192, sheet 3A, family 66, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992).
25 "California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Records, 1895-1985," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/434361:2118?ssrc=pt&tid=89635656&pid=382498813444: accessed July 19, 2023), Theodore Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, microfilm publication (San Francsico: Reaserchity, n.d.).
26 "California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Records, 1895-1985," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/434361:2118?ssrc=pt&tid=89635656&pid=382498813444: accessed July 19, 2023), Theodore Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, microfilm publication (San Francsico: Reaserchity, n.d.).
27 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144103950/herman-wittenberger: accessed 19 July 2023), memorial page for Herman Wittenberger (May 1853 – 1908), Find a Grave Memorial ID 144103950; citing Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
28 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700630/antoinette-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023), memorial page for Antoinette “Antonia” Klein Wittenberger (March 8, 1854 – February 13, 1930), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700630; citing Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
29 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700418/nace-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023), memorial page for Nace Wittenberger (March 10, 1877 – August 4, 1934), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700418; citing Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
30 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700818/theodore-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023), memorial page for Theodore Wittenberger (September 22, 1880 – November 23, 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700818; citing Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA, maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
Bibliography
A Birthday Surprise. Leadville, CO: Carbonate Chronicle. November 1, 1884.
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. San Francisco: The San Francisco Call. April 24, 1913.
"California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Records, 1895-1985." Database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/434361:2118?ssrc=pt&tid=89635656&pid=382498813444: accessed July 19, 2023). Theodore Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, microfilm publication. San Francsico: Reaserchity, n.d.
"California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Records, 1895-1985." Database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/439633:2118?ssrc=pt&tid=155962543&pid=312402967839: accessed July 19, 2023). Nace Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, microfilm publication. San Francsico: Reaserchity, n.d.
"California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898." Database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/285684:2221?tid=&pid=&queryId=9388f1bd9c4aceb9a93ff5c72a520d61&_phsrc=mFk303&_phstart=successSource: accessed July 19, 2023). Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United States; citing Great Registers, 1866-1898, collection no. 4-2A, CSL roll no. 66, FHL roll no. 977627. Sacramento: California State Library, n.d.
Corbett, T. B. and J. H. Ballenger. Corbett & Ballenger’s Fifth Annual Leadville City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1884. Leadville, CO: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers, 1884.
Find a Grave. Database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144103950/herman-wittenberger: accessed 19 July 2023). Memorial page for Herman Wittenberger (May 1853 – 1908), Find a Grave Memorial ID 144103950; citing Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA. Maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
Find a Grave. Database and images https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700630/antoinette-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023). Memorial page for Antoinette “Antonia” Klein Wittenberger (March 8, 1854 – February 13, 1930), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700630; citing Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA. Maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
Find a Grave. Database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700418/nace-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023). Memorial page for Nace Wittenberger (March 10, 1877 – August 4, 1934), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700418; citing Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA. Maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
Find a Grave. Database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77700818/theodore-wittenberger: accessed July 19, 2023). Memorial page for Theodore Wittenberger (September 22, 1880 – November 23, 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77700818; citing Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA. Maintained by SkåneBesökare (contributor 47402285).
"United States Census, 1900." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M954-3VM: accessed July 19, 2023). Household of Herman Wittenberger, San Francisco Ward 30, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 42, sheet 7B, family 178, NARA microfilm publication T623. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.
"United States Census, 1910." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG8-VXY: accessed July 19, 2023). Ernie E. Kraus in household of Morris M. Kraus, San Francisco Assembly District 40, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 250, sheet 10A, family 197, NARA microfilm publication T624. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982.
"United States Census, 1910." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MRSL-V4H: accessed July 19, 2023). Nace Wittenberger, Headquarters Division, Manila, Philippines, Military and Naval Forces, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 256, sheet 1B, NARA microfilm publication T624. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982.
"United States Census, 1920." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH4R-PGY: accessed July 19, 2023). Nace Wittenberger, Benicia Judicial Township, Solano, California, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 192, sheet 3A, family 66, NARA microfilm publication T625. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992.
"United States Census, 1930." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCN7-9CR: accessed July 19, 2023). Nace Wittenberger, San Francisco, California, United states; citing enumeration district (ED) 38-335, sheet 20B, family 492, NARA microfilm publication T626. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002.
To cite any of the information in this biography, please use the following reference.
AUTHOR: Quinn Whittington
EDITOR: William Korn & Andrea Jacobs
SOURCE: Jewish Surnames/Wittenberger
PUBLISHED BY: Temple Israel Foundation. Leadville, CO; USA. 2023
STABLE URL: http://www.jewishleadville.org/Wittenberger.html
