ANOTHER puzzle

11am January 21: Just now I called Olivet Memorial Park to get some details on Charles and Josephine Lowenguth. I got them alright. Now I have a new mystery...

First we found Charles Loewenguth, who died July 6, 1932. The year is etched on the faceplate of the niche in the columbarium. The date came from the California Death Index, but since the years 1905 through 1939 are only available as scanned images, we don't have a date of birth. He was 64 years old. What Olivet could provide was that he was 64 years, 7 months, 5 days old. His medical attendant was Thomas E Gibson, the funeral home was Wieboldts, he was born in Alsace Lorraine, died from Carcinoma of the bladder, recieved on July 8, 1932 and interred in niche 517 of room F. His last residence was 2687 Harrison Street, San Francisco, legal representative was his wife, Josephine Loewenguth.

Josephine Joos- Loewenguth, sister of Martin, Emilie and Philomena; aunt to Alice, Martin A., Charles, etc. The California Death Index says her date of birth was May 5, 1869, her date of death was July 11, 1948 in Alameda County. It also had her maiden name and mother's maiden name. Olivet told me that she was 79 years old, 2 months, 6 days old. She died at the King's Daughters' Home- which I believe is at 3900 Broadway, Oakland, Alameda County, Ca. and it appears to be a National landmark #1982004976. She had cardiovascular disease, H J Smith attended her, she also went through Wieboldt's funeral home. Cremated on July 13, 1948, recieved the same day, placed in a Bakelite urn and interred in niche 517, room F.

Here's the *huh?!* part... the informant or next of kin for Josephine was her niece, Mrs. G. H. Grimm residing at 2352 Cecilia Ave. San Francisco. I asked if there was a mistake, he said it was very clearly a G.H. Grimm. Now I'm racking my brain to think of who that was!

It may be Georgia Grimm, born about 1883, wife of George Herman Grimm. In 1920 and 1930 they lived in Oakland, Alameda County. George died in 1959, She may have remarried before she died, as there is no Georgia Grimm in the death index.

The First Joos

At first, we only knew of Martin Joos, the husband of Sophie Lowenguth and father of Alice, Charles, and Martin A. Joos.

In August of 2007 I started to think about this more. I wrote in my notebook,

"That mid-19th century cook book I have has written in the cover "Aunt Josephine", then "Alice V. Joos", then "Rowena Winkler". So- this Alice married one of Martin and Sophie's sons, leaving the "Aunt" part to be either a sister of Martin or Sophie. Since then, I've found a few more Loewenguths and Joos, especially JOSEPHINE JOOS LOEWENGUTH. I think we have a match."
The 1910 census has Martin and Sophie living near the Heglins (coincidence) and one census citation says he was naturalized and came to the US in 1880, age 17, then, since he was born in 1863? Sophie Loewenguth came to the US in 1884, age 20 since she was born February 1864.
I found a Phillip Loewenguth born about 1840 in France (1910 census has him as a lodger on Vermont Street, occupation Gardener doing odd jobs) and he could be an Uncle?
I found Henry and Caroline Loewenguth living at 975 Lombard Street in the 1910 and 1880 censuses...

And this isn't even the hard part.

Remember at Olivet I turned around and saw Charles and Josephine Loewenguth in the same room as some of our other family. I'm glad I made a note of them, because the California Death Index put me hot on the trail of Josephine, revealing her maiden name was JOOS, making her our "Aunt Josephine". She was a Joos, sister (?) of Martin, and was Charles related to Sophie? CADI also said Josephine's mother's name was OBER, another hot lead, but I tabled it until today.

Today I spent about an hour and a half at the San Francisco main library and found three more obituaries. Caroline Loewenguth who died October 15, 1909 at age 61, Henry (or Henri) Loewenguth who died March 17, 1913 at age 71, and Martin Joos who died April 15, 1936 at age 73. To my credit, I did first look for a death notice of sorts for Frank Ambrose's first wife, Annie, who died September 22, 1898 according to his memoir. We don't know for sure her maiden name or where she was buried and this has bothered me for years. Petty, huh? Oh well. It could be in another paper??? or not.

Well if you haven't already cross referenced yourself to Martin's post, do it now and you'll read the full text of his obituary from the SF Examiner. This cites not one sister (Josephine), but THREE. No brothers, but he may have uncles or cousins to account for all the other Joos families...

So we know now for sure:

Mr. Joos and Miss Ober in Alsace- Lorraine had at least

Martin Joos in 1863 who married Sophie Lowenguth.

Josephine Joos born May 5, 1869, came to the US in 1883?, married Charles Loewenguth who was born around 1868, lived in San Francisco... They were in the 1930 census together, he was a moulder and came to the US in 1884- same year as Sophie Lowenguth. He died July 6, 1932 and she died July 11, 1948 in Alameda county. They were both cremated and are at Olivet.

Emilie Joos born October 2, 1871, had a son I can only imagine, Adolph E. Koechlin who was born January 7, 1898 in California and appeared with Emilie in a couple censuses. Emilie died in Alameda county July 2, 1952, age 80. Adolph died July 3, 1965, age 67. The age difference is too great to believe them espoused, but stranger things have happened.

Philomena Joos, "Mrs. Charles Fritz" was born March 2, 1874 and died in San Francisco December 23, 1954, age 80. They appear in the 1910 census together in San Francisco. Charles, and only one Charles, is in the 1933 San Francisco phone book available through Vitalsearch, and his occupation is Butcher, address 3208 Mission.

There must be some alternate spellings the census takers recorded. The same may be the case with any of their children, unless they were all done having children before 1905.

Sigh. I haven't searched the death index using the maiden name/ mother's name thing yet, though. My brain is a little fried as it is right now.

Ron's Notes

This is just a bit of Ron Winkler's memories. I left spelling and grammar intact, it's part of his voice. This stream-of-consiousness style is a great way to let those remembrances just come out. No need to create your own obstacles of writing style or spelling. Good job, Dad... Here he is:

Life started in 1938 in Corte Madera, California. I don't remember too many things about our house except the key hanging on the wall of the garage above the garbage can. Apparently I was into garbage at an early age. Will and Mora lived next to us. Will went into the Army during the second war and Mora moved to an Apartment in San Francisco. My mother and I went there to visit. Years later, Will and Mora moved to Martinez. They had a daughter by the name of Ann. We went from Kentfield to Martinez every couple of months for a Bar-b-que. Ann and I went up to the train trestle to watch the train come by.

I was thinking back about visits with my grand parents. Catherine and Frank Ambrose lived in Petaluma, California. They had a farmhouse and a garage in the back, an enclosed back porch and a big kitchen. I remember Frank sitting in his rocking chair - I was sitting on his lap. He was also cooking mushrooms so maybe the event was Thanksgiving dinner. His wife, Catherine, also called Caty was there but I don't remember anything about her. Some years later, Caty came to our (my folks ) house in Kentfield to stay, It was the same year that Franklin Roosevelt died - maybe 1945. I would have been 7 years old then. Caty later developed some difficulty in talking and later, she became hard to handle and my mom ( daughter Rowena ) had to put her in a rest home in Lucas Valley where she later died.

Caty's other daughter, Alice, (Rowena's sister) also lived in Kentfield. She had two daughters - Alice and Shirley. In 1945, they were staying in an orphanage in San Anselmo. But, somehow, they didn't get an invite to our house in Kentfield and that blame rested with my father. I don't know what his objection would have been. Alice and Shirley never forgot that. Alice married later and lives with her husband (Dan ) in Marin County. No children. Shirley also married but her husband died and she never remarried. They had one son, Nickelous.

Alice Krogman was a neat person. I used to see her all the time. She worked at the Roger Kent estate in Kentfield. Roger was a congressman ( I thought ) in Sacramento but Shirley seems to remember as just an attorney. His two daughters ( Alice and Molly ) went to the same grammar school as I did - called the Adeline E. Kent school. Adeline was Roger's sister. Yes, everyone was related.

In case it seems confusing, there was Alice Krogman, her daughter named Alice and Alice Kent. Roger Kent's place was the largest in Kent Woodlands. He had a big Olympic sized swimming pool with six lanes. Also a tennis court. There were many local events held there. Roger had many special guests there also, big names in the Democratic party. Alice Krogman was the chief cook for those events. The table was long - maybe sat 20 people. Also, before my time, Alice was bought along to Hawaii to take care of the Kids. She stayed there for some time.

At Alice Krogman's place, she had other relatives visit there. There was Nita, Colleen, Lynn, and Rowena. Nita and Don lived in San Rafael, Lynn and Bill Bergeron lived in Fairfield (Bill was in the Air Force) Bill was the co-pilot of the B-17 crew called "the candy bomber" that flew the airlift into Germany. And of course Bud and Rowena lived in Kentfield. Bud worked at the shipyards in Sausalito during World War Two.

There was also Kathleen and Sam Guerin who lived in San Francisco then later, Sparks, Nevada where they had a health food store. Kathleen's daughter was Lynn (Bergeron)

Two other people were always in my life during those years. That was Fagan and Bill. They lived on 208 Monte Vista Avenue in Larkspur, California. They were always "were", like grand parents. I think friends of my father's mother when she lived in Corte Madera. Fagan was a switchboard operator for the town of Larkspur and Uncle Bill was the treasurer for the city of Larkspur. But his expertise was a calligrapher for the city documents. He used pen and ink - not ball point pens. He had a very special writing style from the 1880's era. We went to their house for dinner once week then the next week they would come to our house. That was before television. When at their house, I would go into the family room after dinner and listen to the radio programs: Amos and Andy, The Bob Hope show, Fiber Magee and Molly, the Lone Ranger, the Shadow and others. The grown-ups would play cards until midnight.

Last but not least were my dad's mother and her husband - Alice and Roy. They lived in a small house in Richmond, California. There was no bridge so we took the ferry boat to get there. My dad had a 1932 Pontiac. We went there for all day events. Usually Aunt Emmy and Uncle Al and their son Bobbie would come over from San Francisco. Emmy was my dad's sister or Alice's daughter. They would play cards until the late hours. During the summer, I was invited to stay there for one or two weeks. I pal'd around with the boy across the street - his name was Jack. His dad looked and sounded like Anthony Quinn. I liked Alice. I could talk with her about anything. I liked the type of answers she gave me. She was always happy to see me. And she was a great cook too.

We also went to Emmy and Al's place on Park Street in San Francisco. They had a row house, a two-story with a full basement. We always went there for Christmas day. My cousin Bob was 2 years older than I was and very wise in city ways. By comparison, we lived in the country with open lots and fruit trees to be picked. But things did not go well there. Emmy and Al eventually got divorced and after 1956, Bobbie committed suicide. Emmy remarried to Angelo Gatorna and I went there to visit ( when I was working at Bechtel ) up to 1962.

Renee and Trav lived in North Hollywood. On special occasion, they came to Richmond or we went down there, like in 1952 - in my dad's new black '51 Mercury car. Renee was Alice's other daughter or my dad's sister. ( There was Buddie, Emmy and Renee ) Renee had a daughter (adopted) called Jackie - she is 8 years younger than me. We have always kept in contact with each other. When I was at Edwards Air Force base (1956), I went to Renee and Trav's for Thanksgiving dinner.

Walter Joos was a retired Air Force major ( I think a cousin of my father) Since we each had an Air Force background, we spent some times together. He was called Uncle Walt. Renee was a close relative and they wrote to each other during WW2. Walt was a navigator on B-17s over Germany. Walt and I went to Renee's for a New Year's day Rose Bowl football game. We had a great time.

Another favorite was Eleanor and Earl - they lived in Hammond. Louisanna. And they had a daughter by the name of Sheilah. I always liked Eleanore (my mother's sister ) Earl was a highway contractor - he wore a hearing aide and he was hard to know.. He didn't like any of Eleanor's family line. I found out later that he was not friendly to his wife or his daughter. This came out after he died. Eleanore and Sheilah kept the house on North Pine street. But in 2004, Eleanore went into the hospital then died in July 2006. Sheilah has not spoken to me for many years. I don't know why. She has spoken to Karen and Marc.

Alice is another cousin who will not speak to me - since my mother died. Shirley (sister of Alice) is a good person - we were always close over the years. Shirley is about 10 years older than me.

In closing this time period, I should mention a few things about living at home. It seemed peacefull early on. Dad belonged to the Corte Madera fire department as a fire fighter. I have a picture with me sitting on an early vintage fire truck. Dad worked at the Marinship ship yards then, later, for Litchfield Constrution Company in San Rafael. Dad helped build the new addition to the Adeline Kent grammer school. That was the time that the movie "Blood Alley" with Lauren Bacall and John Wayne, was made at China Camp. Dad worked on that - I was in the 8th grade. We had an Austrialn Shepard dog who was jealous of me and growled whenever I was near her. The next dog was a Doberman Pincher. Cute as a puppy but became angry when my dad got near my mom. They ended up giving the dog away to a trainer.

Grammer school had its ups and downs. I can still name a few people from those 8 years. Some have died already. Jim Schultz and Margaret Brooks I still keep in contact with. As I approached the 8th grade, I realized some difficulty with Math. I was just a "C" student( If I was luckey) Margaret and her pals always got "A's". Our 7th grade teacher was Ray Monson, He later became the grammar school principal in Novato (Pleasant Valley School ) where our kids went to school.

My mother used some extreme measures to control me. Drop the pants and beat me across the butt. Later came the razor strap - 4" wide 1/4" thick and 3 feet long. She saw I was resisting that so she complained to my dad and he cut the bottom 12 inches into thin strips. That DID hurt ! My dad wanted me home by 6pm. I would wait across the street (by then 6pm) waiting for the cars to pass so I could cross to our driveway. My dad stood in the driveway taking his belt loose - getting ready to deal out his punishment.
So I made it thru all that business then went thru 4 years of high school. I played basket ball, had a Saturday gardening job, got a car which was a '48 Plymouth. Girl friends were Cathy Silcox and Gloria Ongaro. The summer of 1956, my graduation year, I worked at a summer camp for boys, met Laverne Hardy ( a separate story) then went on active duty with the Air Force doing helicopter Maintenance and search and rescue. (which is also another story).

Someplace, I should add an interesting observation. During grammer school and high school, all my relatives were older to the point, alot of them died. My dad, Uncle Walt, his brother (Bud Joos) and I were frequently Pall Bearers at funerals. I never thought much of the occassion other than another event to meet living family members. However, as time went along, I met other people my age who had never been to a funeral, much less a pall bearer. Part of life's many lessons.

Alice J Joos

The one daughter of Martin Joos and Sophie Lowenguth was born in San Francisco, California on December 15, 1889, and given the name Alice Josephine Joos.

She was a very attractive young woman of French and German descent. She seemed to enjoy the outdoors very much, as you'll see in photos below...

Her first husband was Phillip Winkler, who lived a few blocks away from her parents' home near Holly Park. He was a plumber in his early years, then inheriting his father's cabinet shop and building/maintaining pianos until he retired. They married in 1903 and had three children together, Emma, Edward, and Rowena.

Alice left him in 1917 or 18, taking the children to Marin County. They still had a relationship with their father, as you will see in his post. Edward (Bud) was listed as the informant when his father passed away in 1934.

Alice's first (found) appearance in a Federal Census is in the 1920 Census as follows:
Marin County, California. San Rafael, Corte Madera Township
January 6th, 1920 at 62 Willow Avenue, line 23 of page

WINKLER, ALICE- Head, Renting the home. White female, age 30, divorced. Can read and write, born in California. Father and mother both born in France, speaking French. Alice can speak English. She is a buyer of Toilet Articles and is working.
- Emma- daughter. White female age 10 and single. Has been attending school, can read and write and speak English. Born in California, father born in New York, mother born in California.
- Rowena- daughter. White female age 8 and single. Has been attending school, can speak English. Born in California, father born in New York, mother born in California.
- Edward- son. White male age 9 and single. Has been attending school, can speak English. Born in California, father born in New York, mother born in California.
Craviotto, Stephen- Lodger. White male age 27 and single. Came to the US in 1890, naturalized in 1899 or 98. Can read and write. Born in Italy, spoke Italian in the home. Father and mother both born in Italy, spoke Italian. Can speak English. Works as a Vulcanizer (for tires?) He is on line #27 of the page.

We are not certain exactly when Alice married Steve. Originally it was thought their marriage only lasted about 3 years, but evidence shows their relationship as a 'family' was more far-reaching than that. He appears in photos of the 20's and 30's. When Bud married in 1937 his mother was still using the name Craviotto.

Alice's third and final husband was Charles Roy Ferguson, who was born March 11, 1890 in Canada. Alice passed away in Richmond, CA in 1978 and Roy died May 27, 1981 in San Rafael, California (age 91). Edward H Winkler, stepson, was the informant/ next of kin when Roy passed. Alice's grandson only remembers his grandparents as Alice and Roy Ferguson.

Olivet Memorial Park

Another large cemetery in Colma, California is Olivet Memorial Park. The address is 1601 Hillside Blvd. The phone number is (650) 755-0322. I haven't found an official website yet, but there are numerous references to it in other sites such as Rootsweb and San Francisco Genealogy. We have a lot of family here, I've arranged them like a walking tour.

In the Columbarium, adjacent to the new office:

Three niches in a cluster in Room F
(Niche 416 )
JOOS, Martin born in France July 5, 1863, died in San Francisco April 15, 1936 (age 73)
JOOS, Sophie (Lowenguth) born in France February 21, 1864, died in Berkeley, California December 22, 1954 (age 90)
JOOS, Edward Henry (their son?) born May 15, 1899 in California, died September 10, 1915 in San Francisco. (age 16)
FERGUSON, Alice Josephine (Joos) born December 15, 1889 in San Francisco and died March 10, 1978 in Richmond, California. (age 89)
FERGUSON, Charles Roy (husband of Alice) born March 11, 1890 in Canada and died May 27, 1981 in San Rafael, California. (age 91) Edward H Winkler, stepson, was the informant/ next of kin.

Room F, Niche 418
JOOS, Martin W born 1916 in San Francisco, died August 29, 1962 in San Francisco (age 46)
JOOS, Martin A born 1896 in San Francisco and died in February 10, 1972 in San Francisco (age 76)
JOOS, Alice Victoria (Peterson) born 1892 in California, died October 24, 1972 in Burlingame, California. (age 80) *Relative listed as Georgina Rannizi Also in Room F a little higher on the left is Charles and Josephine Loewenguth, which I believed to be too much of a coincidence to Not be related to Sophie Lowenguth Joos. This Josephine's maiden name is Joos, also. One of my family books once owned by Alice and Marty Joos refers to "Aunt Josephine", so that's too many coincidences... CHARLES is Sophie's brother, JOSEPHINE is Martin's sister. Room I, Niche 102 at the bottom
GRIMM, Albert L. born September 24, 1906(or 05) in California. (He was the first husband of Emma Winkler) Died May 12, 1964 in San Francisco. (age 58?) Next of kin was his son, Robert L Grimm at 161 Bismark Street, Daly City.
GRIMM, Jacqueline Renee born October 18, 1937 at 374 Park Street, San Francisco, Ca. She died September 9, 1941 at the same address. (age 4)
GRIMM, Robert Lewis was born October 18, 1937, a twin. He died May 6, 1968. (age 31) Informant/ next of kin was his mother, Emma L. Gattorna at 475 Alvarado Street, San Francisco. His death was alcohol related.
Palm Room, Niche #724
GRIMM, Lewis Robert born March 23, 1876 - died December 2, 1956 (father of Albert L. Grimm, above)
GRIMM, Mary (Koch) born June 16, 1880 - died March 6, 1960 (daughter of Geo. & Maria)

Outside, you will find

Sycamore Section B
KOCH, George died February 12, 1934 at age 81 (grave 1)
KOCH, Maria M. died April 2, 1935 at age 73+ (grave 2)
George and Maria owned 13F-Section B Sycamore together with L.R. Grimm*. They were once thought to be just family friends, but they are actually family on the Grimm side.

*L.R. Grimm born March 23, 1876, died December 2, 1956 at 71 Forest View Drive, San Francisco. Husband of Mary- may be Albert's parents.
Right next to the Koch grave, previously thought to be anonymously burried with them is:

GATTORNA, Emma Louise (Winkler) born October 28, 1909 in San Francisco, she died January 13, 1972 in San Francisco. (age 63) Her husband, Angelo, was the informant.
GATTORNA, Angelo born 26 May 1913 in Italy - died 18 July 1994 in Sonoma County, California.

Sycamore Section FAMBROSE, Frank Murray born March 24, 1872 in Calabria, Italy. Died October 19, 1945 in Santa Rosa, California. (age 73)
AMBROSE, Catherine Agnes (Howard) born June 17, 1876 in San Francisco, California. Died April 25, 1952 in San Rafael, California. (age 76) She and Frank are in Sycamore section F, Division C, Grave 84.
You go around to where section H and I meet, allign yourself with two very large trees and a private mausoleum (you can see the building between the two trees) walk straight on and in the 2nd row back you'll see them.
(Their daughter, Kathleen (Kay) purchased a double grave in this same area, grave 45, in or around 1952, but I suppose she sold it to someone else...)


Linden, Lawn 1Lot 29 (10 graves in this lot- directly behind "Baby Land" on the Right)


WINKLER, Henry Edward (#3) Owner of the lot, born October 6, 1843 in Germany. Died June 30, 1914 in San Francisco. (age 71)

WINKLER, Caroline Ann (Rohrbach) wife of Henry, born December 2, 1855 in New York. Died August 6, 1918 in San Francisco. (age 63)

WINKLER, Phillip born in New York October 10, 1872, died November 7, 1934 in San Francisco. (age 62)

WINKLER, Edward born in San Francisco October 15, 1877, died in Richmond, California on July 10, 1929 (age 52)

WINKLER, William born in New York on June 19, 1878, died February 24, 1908 in San Francisco. (age 30)

WINKLER, Fredrick born July 18, 1880 in San Francisco, died in San Francisco on November 29, 1907. (age 27)

FRISCHE, William H. born May 1, 1913 in San Francisco to Amelia Winkler. Died August 1, 1915 in San Francisco. (age 2)

FIELDS, Louise (Winkler) born in San Francisco August 11, 1889, died September 28, 1928 in San Francisco. (age 39)

BRUNO, Nicholas born in Italy 1875, died in Redwood City on January 5, 1916 (age 41)

BRUNO, unnamed still born baby boy, born December 4, 1911 at 280-C Shipley Street (between Folsom & Harrison), San Francisco, CA (buried at the back of grave 9)

In 1913 a Bruno girl was born to a Winkler mother.

Walter James Joos

"Retired Air Force Major Walter J. Joos, 75, died Thursday at his home in Coulterville..." begins Walt's obituary in an unknown newspaper.

Walter James Joos was born November 15, 1915 in San Francisco, California to Charles Joos and Eva McGarvie.

You can't help talking about the military and especially WWII when you talk about Uncle Walt. In his 21 years of service to the Army Air Corp/ Air Force (1940 to 1961) he earned 29 medals and decorations, including:

6 Bronze Stars
1 Silver Star
The Distinguished Flying Cross
The American Defense Medal
The Korean Medal
A Purple Heart

The obituary continues:

"The (Purple Heart was given) for injuries received August 11, 1944 flying a mission over Germany. After the hit, he was honored as Hero of the Week by the city of San Francisco for helping safely bring down his plane, “The Mammy Yokum”, a B-26 Marauder.

A Bombardier and navigator with the 98th Bombardier Squadron, he served the Strategic Air Command from November 1940 through January 1961.

He was the US Air Force representative at the dedication of a chapel in England commemorating the Americans killed during the Battle of Britain. When he retired, he bought property in Santa Rosa, where he lived until moving to Coulterville a year ago.

Major Joos, a member of the American Legion in Marin, was a counselor for Boys State for 10 years. He is survived by a brother, Charles M Joos of Concord; a sister, Lorraine Pierce of Coulterville, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Evelyn Flores of Coulterville.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 1 pm, the Lake Don Pedro Baptist Church. Heuton memorial chapel is in charge of arrangements. Donations in Major Joos’ memory may be made to the American Heart Association."

My father also remembers he flew with the 5th Air Force in B-17’s

There are several websites dedicated to Marauder history. Here is a picture of the Plane Nobody Loves, shown below is an actual photo of "Walt's plane", with successful bombing embellishments AND his name painted on the side. Walt himself is there front and center. (Notice the before-after shots...)

Personally, I remember going to his house in Santa Rosa when I was a little girl. Walt and my dad would reminisce (or whatever) in the house while my brother and I chiefly played outside in the back yard. The area was wooded and at the bottom of a hill. There was a nice patio with a few large aviary enclosures off to the right. I remember dozens of colorful birds in there, parakeets, finches, and probably canaries, too. Just beyond was a shed he kept the Trout Chow in, which was fun to toss out into the pond at the end of the day so you could see just how many fishy mouths there were to feed. Walt's pond was where I learned to love fishing. It helps when it's easy fishing to gain enthusiasm, and fishing from the wooden bridge, trying to out-cast my brother while catching glimpses of our 'prey' below added to the rich memories. I don't even know exactly how many times we were there, but I'll never forget it.
I remember once going in the house and seeing the walls covered with military memorabilia that made little sense to me at the time.

Phillip Winkler

The Firstborn of Henry E. Winkler and Caroline A. Rohrbach, Phillip came into the world on October 10, 1872 in bustling New York. This is the only existing photograph of him that we know of- so far. It would have been taken around the mid-1920's.

The family center once they moved to California was right around Holly Park, in San Francisco. I'm sure, as the oldest of 10 children and growing up in a Victorian age family with a servant in the house, he had a decent upbringing. He did have whooping cough when he was about 9 years old, there's a question on the 1880 census about health issues like that. At some point he was introduced to music, as later careers would suggest. He was certainly a man who could get things done, plumbing, carpentry, keeping a piano in tune...

He married Alice Josephine Joos in San Francisco, California in 1903. She was the daughter of Martin and Sophie Joos who lived a few blocks away.

They had three children: Emma Louise, bottom right(Oct 1909) ; Edward "Bud" Henry, at left (Oct 1010); Rowena "Renee" Sophie, the youngest (1912 )

Alice took the children and left him in 1918, moving to Marin County, California. This is probably why she is not in this portrait, however it still demonstrates the civility and respect they had for each other.

Left is a picture of one of the houses Phillip had. This was given to Emmy after his death. Her children also were born there.

Phillip appears in only three census records, for some reason. City Directories for the Cabinet Shop/ Piano Shop are the records after 1900.

1880 Census and 1900 Census- shown with his parents, the 1910 census married to Alice but listed as Vankler. Obviously the census taker didn't understand the accent.

He passed away the year after he retired, on November 7, 1934. His son, Edward, was the informant. He was buried at Olivet Memorial Park alongside his parents.

Although they never met, it is astonishing how similar Phillip's grandson, Ronald, looks to him.

Take a little clue...

Step One:
Find a website that has relevant information. In this case, since I knew Uncle Walt was very active in WWII, I started with little details found in his obituary. One case study is www.b26.com

Step Two:
Post to the site or email the webmaster.

Here is mine : Monday 7-17-06

Marauderman's Name: Major Walter James Joos Bomb Group: Bomb Squadron: 98th Years in service: 21 years (1940 – 1961)
Perhaps it is better to tell you what I “know” and then you may be able to help me find more reliable information.

Walter James Joos was born November 26, 1915 in San Francisco, California. He died January 31, 1991 in Coulterville, Mariposa County, at/ near the home of his niece.

An Unknown newspaper article about his death said the following:

(see Walt’s blurb)

My father also remembers he flew with the 5th Air Force in B-17’s

IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING MORE about my “Uncle” (really cousin) and/or his missions etc., please email me.

I also contacted the curator at http://www.sfmuseum.org/ on the same day with:

I have a newspaper clipping of my “uncle”s obituary that points to San Francisco history.

I don’t know the paper it came from, however it mentions him honored as Hero of the Week during WWII. I’ve included the full citation below, what I want to know is where to look/ whom to ask about more specific details. Thank you in advance- and I love your site!

Step Three: Hope

July 18th (Yes, the NEXT day!) the webmaster of B26.com replied:

Hi Karen, Walter James Joos served with the 596th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb
Group in WW2. If you can scan a few pictures of him with his crew and plane and
email to me I am happy to create a dedication page for him on B26.COM - .jpg
images in the 200-300kb (200dpi) range work best.

Thanks, Mike

And the very same day:

Karen, Gosh, it was nice of Mike to send me this message.
Walter Joos was high on my list of heroes in WWII. We were in the 596th Sq together. I have the loading lists for the first mission on D-DAy. I was flying on the right wing Walt's lane on that mission.
I can' recall whether Walt ever had a copy of the D-Day Booklet of the 397th BG ...anyhow, I suspect his children and grandchildren would be real proud of his accomplishments. He, Pilot Bill Rhodes, Navi John Hannigan and Bombardier Joos made up a lead team for our Group.
Best wishes,
--If you have not seen the latest Thunder it is about the all-B-26 Units gathering, Dayton, OH --August 23-26, Crowne Plaza Hotel...let me know....
George Parker
Columbia, MO

On the 18th also, I wrote back:

Dear Mike and George,
Sadly, I haven't seen anything more than what I sent you. I was too young to make much sense of all the things on his walls in his home in Santa Rosa, other than "Uncle Walt" was some kind of a hero and I liked him a lot.
Walt never had any children of his own, although he was involved with them from time to time. I have tried to find his other nieces who might have all of his photos and goodies, but I haven't had any luck.
Believe me, if I had anything I'd slap it up on my website faster than you can
slap a flea.

http://familyology.blogspot.com/
and
http://amshstwi.blogspot.com/2006/07/walter-james-joos.html

No one has submitted anything with him in the background even? I'd give almost anything to just see his face again and know it was him. He was the only relative on my father's side I knew as a kid- apart from my grandparents- and that makes him that much more special to me.
Please keep me posted, and I'll do the same. Thank you!
Karen Winkler Fragassi

PS

Anything you have relating to Walt and his career, stories about him, impressions of him, The Karma-fairy will award you top dollar for it.

Please look at my site, it's still growing, and sources like you gentlemen are exactly what I need.

On the 30th of July, (about two weeks after my initial post) Mike of B26.com forwarded to me a reply he got from my first message put out to the world. This and two pictures of the Mammy Yoakum and her crew came through.

Ms. Fragassi:

My father, Sterling Hoch, was a pilot in the 596th. I have done a lot of research on his service, and have copies of microfilmed monthly histories of the squadron, which mention your uncles name. I could dig through those and provide you with references. Also, attached are two pictures, one of your uncle and other crew in front of the Mammy Yokum II, and another of my father and his crew in front of the same plane. It appears the pictures were taken some time apart because of the substantial number of missions flown, as represented by the bomb images on the plane.

I received the photo with your uncle from another member of his family, but unfortunately, I have had some computer problems and have lost all my old e-mail, and no longer have that person's identity (maybe it was you!!). Anyway, I hope this info will be of some use.

Donald
S. Hoch

Well I promptly emailed those to my dad and demanded to know which one was Walt. A week later (it seemed) Dad said Walt was front and center.

On the 31st of July I sent this to Mike and Donald

Dear Donald,
I swear my heart just about skipped a beat to see those vivid images. They definitely did not come from me, as I told Michael before, I don't have ANY pictures of Walt or know anything more other than what is represented below. My father would remember more because he hung around Walt like a puppy dog. Dad didn't serve 1/4 the time Walt did and of course never saw that much action...
How do you think this person found you, Donald? The website? Can we put a lost and found kind of post there too, to hopefully flush out whomever else remembers him? I've tried to get ahold of his niece to no avail...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Karen

Mike replied, same day:

Hi Karen - we don't have a lost and found section on the web site b26.com but your guest book entry generated a *successful* contact from Mr. Hoch... so that's the best we can do. When there are more contacts, you'll get them too.
-Best, Mike

Later the same day, I got this from Don :

I just found the individual who I corresponded with. It is on a
website named:http://www.b26marauder.com/
this is the post:
Entry: 42 Time: Wed. Aug 3, 2005
Lew Homan City: Coulterville

(Your Uncle) Major Walter J. Joos flew 397th Bombardment group in Europe 1943 and 1944. He received several medals of valor. His total medal count is 29. Passed away in Coulterville, CA 1989. The name of his plane was "The Mammy Yokum." I have his records.

I corresponded with him (Lew) once or twice and he sent me the picture.

Don Hoch

Well I recognized the town of Coulterville right away and got on that lead like ugly on an ape...
Don also sent me this, later, same day:

Attached are excerpts from the 596th BS monthly histories. I have hi-lited all instances of Walter Joos being mentioned in the histories. The document is a Microsoft WORD document, about 10 pages long. I transcribed these histories from the originals which are stored on microfilm at the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. They should be fairly accurate, but may have some typos, because some
of the microfilm was not very legible.

Don Hoch

August 1st, 2006 I received this note from Lew, actual blood kin :

Karen I am Walter Joos's nephew, Lewis Homan. My mother was his sister, Lorraine. My sister Dot may have known your father or grandfather, Bud.
Call me at: 209-555-****. or my sister Dot at; 209-555-****. (She is the family
historian). Lew

I called Dot that very night. What a wonderful woman. I know this is one of those times when you find you're related to someone, but you also find you could also have just been friends with them. Does that make sense to you? It does to me, I would enjoy her immensely even if we weren't related. (hee hee hee...)

In September, George emailed me this:

Karen,
I have a few items to mail to you. I need an address?

One spiral bound book about 140 pages I put together was entitled: D-Day Plus Special Missions & History Sketches, 397th Bomb Group.
I think you will be interested in the content of this book...it is on file at Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson AZ and at Univ of Akron, .. Either place should be able to copy that book for the cost of copying and mailing.
I could get it done at Office Depot and the copying and mailing shoud be about $20.00.
I have copied a few pages involving Walter Joos that I will send to you.

George Parker
Columbia, MO
The B-26 MarauderArchive, Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E. Valencia Rd, Tucson AZ 87506
http://beta.blogger.com/www.pima.air.org

So, as you can see, sometimes it IS that easy! Sometimes...

But if you look at it, because of the internet and email, and these very active Veterans, in two weeks I went from knowing only what was on paper to finding a cluster of relatives who have also been wishing they could know more of their kin. We have been trying to arrange an informal reunion, I wanted to go out there in September, but money has prevented this. I am regrouping and planning on the new year. We will have many mutual discoveries...

Please, regard this as motivation to make that contact, write that letter, research that little lead... You never know what it may lead to if you're open to it. Document everything you find and don't find. Don't give up hope.

Found more Alsatians

Speaking of course of the Alsace-Lorrainne...

Through an online haven for WWII Bomber enthusiasts (www.b26.com), where I was looking for more information on "Uncle Walt"- who's really a cousin- serving in Europe, I was actually able to stumble upon some more cousins from my father's side.

This line, Joos or Joost (say "yost"), beginning on the American soil with Martin Joos (who married Sophie Lowenguth- my 2nd great grandparents) mentioned as coming from France, speaking French in the home, and also coming from Germany, speaking German. That would be because the beautiful Alsace-Lorrainne was frequently a border-battle between the two countries.

Now this doesn't sound too exciting here, but wait until you see a more thorough transcript of it.

NOW... for some pictures...

I am so excited to have contact with this side of the family and hope we have many wonderful revelations together about our family's history and heritage.

CAN ANYONE identify the people in these dear photographs? It was before 1936, for that was when Martin passed away. It was before the 30's altogether, because my grandfather couldn't be out of grade school yet... The people I know are Sophie and Martin Joos in the back (pic with all the kids) The girl in front of Sophie is Renee Winkler, the boy with a tie on, standing in front of Martin is Edward Winkler, the girl next to him is Emmy Winkler. Other names written on the back are "Snooks and Lawrence", the rest was too hard to read.

The only woman I know for sure here is Sophie. I think Alice, my great grandmother, is next to her in the wide-collar dress. I think...

Stephen Craviotto

Steve was only related to us by marriage and he and Alice Joos had no children together, but he is in so many old family pictures and... well he just keeps showing up- so we had to give him his own profile.

Stephen J. Craviotto was born August 1, 1892 in Varazze, Liguria, Italy which is near Genoa way up in the North. He became a citizen of the United States by virtue of his father's naturalization, around 1899. He was living at 2383 Greenwich St. San Francisco at the time of the 1917 draft for the (first) World War. He was single, had no dependants, no prior military experience, no exemptions. He was 24 years old, caucasian, medium build, medium height, brown hair, brown eyes, all limbs in good working order... (this info came from his draft registration card)

At the time of the 1920 census he was living as a boarder at the home of Alice Winkler. He is listed as a Vulcanizer for his occupation. We can only assume he had already served his time in the war by then. The pictures we have of him in uniform have no dates.

He had a car. The "family" went on a lot of outings; camping, visiting family, fishing... He appeared to be in good graces with Alice's parents, judging by the photos.

I was surprised and amused while looking for Frank Ambrose in some old Larkspur Fire Department photos at the Fire Museum when in a large group photo from 1923, there was smiling Steve with a badge on. The fire chief said not everyone in the photo was from Larkspur, and that the Corte Madera FD and others were probably in there. It made me wonder if the badge I have from the Corte Madera Volunteer Fire Department was my grandfather's or Steve's!

There was some confusion about Steve Craviotto and Travis Hale looking too similar in photos. Here are two mug shots as best as I can get, that's Steve with the grapes. Trav's hair is straight and receeding differently from Steve's hair, which is also very wavy. Another discerning point is body type and height. Trav is taller than Steve, I think, relative to Bud as an adult. Finally, you have to consider that while Steve was a few years younger than Alice, he was married to her, not Alice's youngest daughter, Renee! He was an adult in the photos with Renee as a child and adolescent.

Martin Joos

Martin Joos was born in 1863 in NIEDERBRONN, Alsace- Lorraine . We don't know his parents' given names yet, going on fresh information (October 2007) we know that his mother's name was OBER. Martin was a youth when he came to the US (says census info and Union Journal Obit) and he had to have been with someone...

He married Sophie Lowenguth, also born in "France", daughter of August Lowenguth and Madeline Swatz from France.

Memorize their faces. Germanic and French. Both were from Alsace. Martin was a pretty handsome guy, I think. They must have had some property with a barn, I’m not sure where, because many of their pictures are in a farm-like setting. Here is an orchard snapshot, who’s orchard I’m not absolutely sure. There’s another picture I have of everyone ceremoniously eating grapes. I remember seeing another Joos in a city directory who lived in Martinez and was a vintner who may have been kin to Martin. Who knows...?

Another photo here with my Great Grandmother, Alice, and her then-husband Steve Craviotto. The boy down in front is Edward (Bud) Winkler, my grandfather. The curly-haired doll behind him is Renee (Renee and Trav), and at left is Emmy. Here is a hillside picnic shot in 1924 with a large group of people. You may recognize some.…

I'm working on this with the help of extended family...

I inherited a copy of an article I would love to see an original of. The photo of Martin is barely discernable in the old photocopy paper. The text is in fine shape, and a transcription follows.

INTERNATIONAL MOLDER’S JOURNAL
Page 365

San Francisco, Calif., May 14, 1936.
Editor Journal:

It is with sincerest regret that local Union No. 164 reports the death of one of its oldest and most honored members, Brother Martin Joos, which occurred April 15, 1936. Because of failing health he had quit work about ten years ago. His passing was not unexpected, but when it came, it was a shock to his friends as well as his family.
Brother Joos was born at Niederbronn, Alsace Lorraine, and came to San Francisco when a boy. He was initiated by local Union no. 164 upon Thanksgiving Eve, 1886, so if he had lived until Thanksgiving Eve, 1936, he would have been a continuous member for fifty years.
Brother Joos was a true member as well as a long-time member. He was extremely active in the affairs and interests of the International Molders’ Union, especially in his younger days. In the big molders’ strike here in 1890 and 1891, he was closely associated with our reverend former President Joseph Valentine, in the carrying on of the strike. They remained warm friends during their life time.
Brother Joos was an excellent mechanic. He worked in several local shops but the major part of his working career was spent in the employ of the Steiger & Kerr Stove and Foundry Company. He was a fine shopmate and was sincerely liked by everyone.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, and several grandchildren. The many beautiful floral offerings and the large number of friends who were at the funeral denoted the high esteem in which Brother Joos was held.
Local Union No. 164 extends sincerest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family in this hour of sorrow.

A.T. Wynn
R.W. Burton
Frank Brown
Committee
Local Union No. 164

The San Francisco Examiner published the following obituary on April 16, 1936.

JOOS- in this city, April 15th, 1936, Martin, dearly beloved husband of Sophie Joos, idolized father of Mrs. Steve Craviotto, Charles L. and Martin A. Joos, loving grandfather of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and beloved brother of Mrs. J. Loewenguth, Mrs. Charles Fritz and Mrs. Emily Koechlin; a native of Alsace-Lorraine, aged 73 years. A member of Iron Molders' Union No. 164, and Court Hubertus No. 15, F. of A.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral Saturday, April 18th at 2 p.m. at :Wieboldt's" Funeral Parlors, 835 Valencia St., bet. 19th and 20th. Incineration, Olivet Memorial Park.

See the recent post about the beginning of unfurling a dizzying mystery.

1906 Earthquake in San Francisco

Famous as it is among disasters, it takes on a whole new meaning when you actually had family involved.

The Winkler and Joos families lived in the Southern part of the City, where there was "less" fire damage. No records have been found yet as to how their homes and belongings were affected by the tremors.

The Ambrose families, however, living North on Greenwich, were forced to live in tents at the Presidio for a time before being herded like cattle on a boat and brought North to Marin County. The Northern part of the city and downtown are in most of the pictures you've seen over the years.

Actual facts and details of the Seismic Event are found on the map of the damages, and more.
Kites in the air...

Sophie Lowenguth

Born in France February 21, 1864, to August Lowenguth and Madeline Swatz, Sophie Loewenguth came to the US reportedly with a sister, we do not know her name as of yet. Sophie died in Berkeley, California December 22, 1954 (age 90)

Forgive me for the brief nature of this post, I just wanted to get something up about Sophie, beloved wife of  Martin Joos. I have a lot of pictures of her and she just looks like the sweetest person. I really wish I could have known her, but that's presumptuous that I haven't already or ever will.

She was a family catalyst, having so many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 'adopted' children... We have found another pair of Loewenguth's who have to be related somehow, we're just not sure yet.

She acquired some illness in her advanced age that made it necessary to tie her down to the bed. Great-granddaughter Dotty remembers her this way from a visit to Aunt Alice's house. Alice took care of her then, but it became too much after a while and Sophie had to spend her last days in a hospital in Berkeley.