FAMILY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OESTE FAMILY IN THE UNITED STATES LOEFFLER-KOTHERMEL SALZMANN
FAMILY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
OESTE FAMILY IN THE UNITED STATES
LOEFFLER-KOTHERMEL SALZMANN
December 5, 1979
Dear Family members, near find far,
For some time we have been working on a family history to Rive us all
a real feeling of our common heritage and of the kinship that binds us to-
gether as a family.
The enclosed booklet is the result of those labors, which we send to
you with our sincere greetings at this time of year.
We hope all the details are correct, and will appreciate hearing
about any omissions or corrections you may notice. Send ua a note about
your reactions to our project. Then next Christmas we can come back to
you with an update on the entire family story.
vie take this opportunity to send our best wishes for a Merry and
Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Yew Year.
ßeorgqr I. Oeste Thona- H. Oeste
Florence L. Oeste Anna G. Oeste
Y HISTORY AND B A C K G R O U '
THE OE3TE FAMILY IN THE UNITED STATES
THE LOEFFLER-ROTHtRMEL FAMILY
THE SALZMANN FAMILY
AND PRESENT-DAY DESCENDANTS
DECEMBER, 1979
THE OESTE FAMILY ÎN THE UNITED STATES
By George I. Oeste
19 79
Immigration records of the United States Government tell ub that several persona
bearing the family name of Oeste came to the shores of America during the middle of
the Nineteenth Century. The first of these was Jacob Oeste, twenty-five years of
age, a weaver from the town of Eschen-Struth, in the independent state of Hesse. He
arrived in Baltimore, September 20, 1852, and soon thereafter migrated to the north-
west, where he settled in the State of Wisconsin. His exact relationship to the later
arrivals of members of this family is unknown, but we do know that he came from the
same small town from which all the others originated. It is known that his family did
not stay in Wisconsin, but some years later traveled west to California, where hi3 de-
scendants live today in the city of Davis.
The immigrants who established the family in the eastern United States were Georg
Heinrich (George Henry) and Katherina Elisabeth Oeste, who arrived at the port of Bal-
timore on the steamer Berlin on August 19, 1868. They were at the time, respectively,
30 and 28 years of age, and with them were their two infant sons, Frederick, two years
old, and Henry, just two months of age. Their vessel had taken three weeks to cross
the Atlantic from the port of Bremen in Germany.
These immigrants were my grandparents, whom I remember well from childhood days.
My brother and sister and I grew up in our parents' home, and since our grandparents
also lived with us, we heard many stories about their life in the "old country" and
of their experiences In coming to and living in the new world. Based upon the inter-
est aroused by these early memories, I have endeavored to reconstruct the story of
the family with the aid of facts and dates gathered from many =ourees. Some of these
have come from family members who supplied information which they had available.
Many other details were found in directories and records in the Philadelphia City Hall,
in cemetery records, and in other public and private sources wherever they could be
found. The information about the arrival of immigrants war; obtained from ^hlp pass-
enger lists which 1 and my wife found in the National Archives in Washington.
I remember hearing my Grandparents speak about the voyage from Europe and their
landing in Baltimore. The time of their arrival -was just three years after the close
of the American Civil War, and in Baltimore they were astonished to see for the first
time large numbers of black people, most of them recently freed from slavery. They
did not stay long in Baltimore, but soon made the trip by railroad to Philadelphia,
where George Henry's younger sister, Anna, who had preceded them to America, war. living.
She had come to Philadelphia in 1866, when only nineteen years of age, and was support-
ing herself by working as a seamstress. They decided upon the change to Philadelphia
after receiving a letter from Anna in which she described working conditions there as
being much more favorable for German immigrants to find employment. A second sister,
Maria, had also come to the United States, in the year 1867. She had married Frederick
Salzmann in Germany before coming to America, and was the mother of a one-year-old son,
Henry, born in 1866. In Philadelphia the Salzmanns joined with other Germans who were
going as settlers to Hermann, a new German-American community on the banks of the
Missouri River, fifty miles northwest of St. Louis. They had already left for the
west at the time of the arrival of George Henry and his family in 1868.
In the new life which the immigrants faced in America, there were many difficult
adjustments to be made. Grandfather did find work in a factory, but wages -..■ere low,
and the language barrier was hard to overcome for the newcomers, who spoke only Ger-
man. Their home was a small rented house of three or four rooms in lower Kensington,
in a crowded city area far different from their former home in a small country village.
The Federal Census records for 1870 show that they lived at 234-9 Sepviva Street, al-
though the family name was recorded as "Eister." The City Directory for 1870 also
listed their home at that address, but spelled the name as "Oester."
Why did the first George Oeste and his small family leave Germany? Conditions in
that country at the time would have to be considered responsible. He had been trained,
as had his father and grandfather before him, to be a linen weaver, in an area where
the growing of flax made the manufacture of linen a major industry. At one time this
work had been done chiefly in people's homes, but by mid-eighteenth century it h?.d de-
veloped into a flourishing factory business. He lived and worked in the small village
of Eschenstruth, in the independent state of Hesse, about fifteen miles southeast of
the city of Kassel. Hesse was one of-a number of saall German states eventually uni-
fied into the modern nation of Germany. In 1867, when Hesse had been taken over by
Prussia, the dominant German state, all able-bodied men vere called up for military
service in the Prussian army. According to a story related by my grandfather, he was
rejected for service in the army because he was an inch too short in height. History
tells us that Prussia was preparing for war with France, which actually did take place
in 1870. Grandfather believed that when the need for soldiers grew greater, the army
would draft those men who had been rejected at the previous call. He therefore made
application to the government for an official release from royal sovereignty, asking
for permission to leave the country. The release was granted for himself and his fam-
ily, in a document which I have in my possession along with various other family papers.
Before August fir-.t, the family was aboard ship and on its way to America, vhere
reports told of an abundant life and plenty of work for everyone, and where no demands
were made upon the citizens for military service. Thus began the story of the Oeste
Family in the United States, which has now continued for six generations.
To return to the life of the new immigrants in Philadelphia, we know that they
continued to live in the Kensington area for several years, where in 1870 a third
child, Anna, was born. Then the family moved to Hulmeville, a town northeast of the
city, where Grandfather worked for a time in a weaving mill near the Neshamtny Greek,
There another child, Elizabeth, was born in 1872, and a baptismal record exists from
a church in Hulmeville for Anna Oeste in 1873. Another daughter, Christina, who is
known in family accounts only as "Dina," was born in 1875, However, when the family
moved back to Philadelphia, =^he died of a childhood disease, at the age of fifteen
months, on August 1, 1876.
After the family moved back to Philadelphia, two more children were born, Mary,
in 1877, and George, my father, in 1880. During this period, the home of the Oeste
Family was on Weikel Street, near Ontario, in upper Kensington. Grandfather v/as still
listed by the Philadelphia City Directory as a weaver, but during the 1880's his occu-
pation was recorded as "milk dealer," According to family tradition, he had a small
horse-drawn wagon in which he delivered milk to customers in the Kensington area. He
and his wife also served as sextons at St. John's Reformed Church, the German language
church on Frankford Avenue of which they were members.
During the later years of the 1890's, Grandfather bought several lots in an out-
lying section of North Philadelphia known as Feltonville, and in 1898 moved into the
house at 4837 Hascher Gtreet which he had built upon the property. At the time, only
the two younger children, Mary and George, were still living at home with their par-
ents. All the others had married, and some already had children of their own.
My grandparents continued to live at the Mascher.Street address until their death
in the 1920's. It was to this home that the younger George Oe-^te brought his new -*ife,
Alvina Mergner Oeste, in 1905t and this was also the home in which my brother, sister,
and I grew up. We had the opportunity to live in the same home with our «randp-irents,
and therefore knew them well in the years of their old age.
In the pages which follow, I have endeavored to record the names, dates, and -one
small description of each of the members of the family to the present day, as well as
providing an address list of presently living family members,
I have also tried to provide brief histories of the descendants of th? two sisters
who preceded George Henry Oeste to America in the 1860's, One of these sisters, Anna,
married Friedrich Loeffler, a German immigrant who came to Philadelphia In 1872, after
having served as a soldier In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Their descendants are
recorded today under various names: Fritz, Ruoff, Hemberger, Littig, and Emery. The
descendants of the second sister, Maria, who married Friedrich Salzmann and went to
live in Hermann, Missouri, will also have a place in this narrative.
MEMBERS OF THE OESTE FAMILY AND THEIR DESCENDANTS IN THE UNITED STATES
FIRST GENERATION
Georg Heinrich (George Henry) Oeste, born at Eschenstruth, Germany, No-
vember 30, 1837, was by occupation a linen weaver. He married Katherina
Elizabeth Helmer, June 9, 1862. He arrived in the United States with his
wife and his two eldest children, August 19, 1868. He died June 22, 1922,
and is buried in North Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Hi? wife, Katherina Elisabeth Oeste (nee Heiner) was born in Eschenstruth,
Germany, May 12, 1840. She arrived in the United States with her husband
and their two eldest children, August 19, 1868. She died June 21, 1*^5,
and is buried in North Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Their children were: Frederick Oeste, Henry Oe=te, Anna Rausch (nee Oeste),
Elizaaeth Metius (nee Oeste), Christina Oeste, Mary Oeste, George Oe-;-te.
SECOND GENERATION
1. Frederick Oeste, born July 14, 1866, in Eschenstruth, Germany. He was
by occupation a machinist. He married Anna Tyrol in 1387, and died
January 22, 1946. He is buried in Lawnview Cemetery, Philadelphia.
His wife, Anna Oeste (nee Tyrol) was bom September 9, 1866. She died
January 3, 1946, and is buried in lawnview Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Their children were: George F. Oe-te (died at the age of eight months),
Joseph H. Oeste, Frederick Oeste, Jr., and Anna Pearson (nee Oeste).
2. Henry Oeste, born June 16, 1868, in Eschenstruth, Germany. His occupa-
tion was originally that of a machinist, and for a time he was a foreman
at the Midvale Steel Company, Philadelphia. In his later years he was a
produce merchant in Atlantic City. He married Martha Ann willi^ms in
1389, and died December 31, 195<% in Ventnor City, New Jer-ey. He is
buried in Laurel Memorial Park, Pomona, New Jersey.
His wife, Martha Ann Oc;te (nee '-fillinmO was born February 1*S 1R6I.
She died January 30, 1932, and is buried in Laurel Memorial Park,
Pomona, New Jersey.
Their children were: J. Henry Oeste and Irvín F. Oeste.
3. Anna Rausch (nee Oeste) was born August 12, 1870,in Philadelphia. She
married Louis W. tausch April 21, 1897, and died March 17, 1955. The ia
buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Her husband, Louis W. Rausch, was born June 21, 1872. He was a furniture
dealer at 2148 E. Sergeant Street in Kensington until 1909. He then pur-
chased a farm near Fairview Village in Montgomery County, where he engaged
in farming and poultry raising for the rest of his life. After the death
of his wife, he lived in Morristown, Pa. He died December 13, 1859, and
is buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia.
They had no children.
4. Elizabeth Metius (nee Oeste) was born August 5, 1872, at Hulmeville, Pa.
During most of her life she worked in textile mills in Philadelphia. She
married (1) Harry E. Hertzler, September 5, 1894, from whom she was divorce
June, 1904; and (2) Charles Metius. she died November 22, 1947, and is
buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia.
¡1er first husband, Harry E. Hertzler, was born December 31, 1868. The date
of his death is unknown.
Charles Metius, her second husband, was born May 7, 1860, and died January
12, 1934. He was by profession a violinist, and played in several orchestras.
In his later years he became treasurer of the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Hill Cir-
cuì, and traveled throughout the United States every spring and summer with the
circus. During the time when I was his very young nephew, he sent me postcards
from nearly every town where the circus was playing, many of which I still have
in my possession. On one occasion, when the circus was playing in Philadelphia,
he took me to the show, where afterwards 1 shook hands with the famous Buffalo
Bill in person. He is buried in C-reenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Charles and Elizabeth Metius had no children.
5. Christina ("Dina") Oeste was born in April, 1875, in Hulneville, Pa. She
died of a childhood disease at the age of 15 months, on August 1, 1876, She
is buried in North Cedar Hill.Cemetery, Philadelphia.
6. Mary Gertrude Oeste was born August 23, 1877, in Philadelphia. She worked in
textile mills in Philadelphia, devoted her life to church work, and never
married. Since she lived at home with the family of my parents, she was al-
ways a favorite aunt of mine and of my brother and sister as well. She died
January 16, 19<,9, and is buried in North Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
7. George Oeste, my father, was born December 13, 1880. He was a machinist and
skilled toolmaker. During his lifetime he was an active church worker and
Sunday School superintendent. He married Alvina Mergner, May 23, 1905. He
died August 25, 1963, and is buried in Lawnview Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Alvina Oe'=te, his wife, daughter of John and Theresa Mergner, was born
January 1, 1881, and died March 25, 1967. She wa- a devoted mother and a
dedicated church worker. She is burled in Lawnview Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Their children were George Irvin Oeste, Thomas Henry Oeste, and Elva Grace
Barber (nee Oeste).
THIRD CEÍÍERATION
1. Joseph H. (Henry) Oeste, son of Frederick and Anna Oeste, was born February
14, 1890. He was for many years an independent pharmacist, and Inter becare
a chemist and executive of the E. F. Houghton Company. He married (1) Sarah
C. Arnold; and (?) Vivian M. Coombs. He died December 7, 1961, and is buried
in Lawnview Cemetery, Philadelphia.
His first wife, Sarah C. Oeste (nee Arnold) was bom December 3, 1889, in
Firthcliffe, New York, the daughter of William and Emily Arnold. They -ere
married December 5, 1917. She died February 19, 1934, and is buried in
Harley Cemetery, Camden, Mew Jersey.
His second wife, Vivian M. Oeste (nee Coombs) -as the daughter of Charles and
Lillian Coombs, and was born December 19, 1915. She married Joseph H. Oeste
September 3, 1938. Since the death of Joseph H. Oeste, she married Irvin
Rodkey, who was deceased in 1969.
The children of Joseph H. Oeste and Sarah C. Oeste were: Joseph A. Oeste, and
Margaret Reeder (nee Oeste). The daughter of Joseph H. Oeste and Vivian M.
Oeste was Elizabeth Gentile (nee Oeste).
2. Frederick Oeste, Jr., son of Frederick and Anna Oeste, was born January 4, 1894.
He was a pharmacist, and many years maintained his own store in the Frankford
section of the City. He served in the United States Army in World 'Jar I. He
married (1) Rose Tonery; (2) Helen Kamill; and (3) Louise Fahrbach. He died
December 21, 1976, and is burled in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.
His first wife, Rose Oeste (nee Tonery) was born November 22, 1898, and was
married to Frederick Oeste, Jr., April 5, 1920. She died November 24, 19¿3,
and is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia. Her only son was
F. Paul Oeste.
His second wife, Helen L. Oeste (nee Hamill), daughter of Mrs. Henrietta
H.anill, "as born January 24, 1897, and married Frederick Oeste, June 15, 1947.
She died February 7, 1949, and is buried in Lawnview Cemetery, Philadelphia.
His third wife, Louise Oeste (nee Fahrbach) was horn December 2, 1901, and
■■-as married to Frederick Oeste, Septenber 15, 1950.
Anna E. Pearson (nee Oeste) was born October 19, 1905. She is the daughter
of Frederick and \nna Oeste. She was enpared in secretarial v.'Ork prior to
retirement. She married (1) Gillian Chester Evans, June 10, 1922; and (?)
.albert C. Pearson, July 18, 1979.
!Ier first husband, Chester Evans, was born October 10, 1900, and wa = executive
secretary of the Micetown Boys' Club, Philadelphia. He died July 17, 1963.
He is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Philadelphia. The couple had no children.
Her second husband, Gilbert C. Pearson, is retired.
J. (Janes) Henry Oeste, son of Henry and Martha Oeste, -./as born Au rust lb,
1$90, in Philadelphia. He served in 7Jorld war I. He was an office m-in-,«ar
for the Pennsylvania S.P.C.A., and in later year- "as an automobile ---ile-man.
He married Marie Desmond, Aug-uwt 23, 1-23, at the Little Church Around the
Corner, New York City. He died Aujrust 15, 1966, and is buried in Vhitenarsh
Xenorial Park, Prospectvilie, Pa.- He had no children.
His wife, Marie Oeste (nee Desmond) was the daughter of Lewis and Lydie Van
Artsdalen De-aaond. She wa = born May 10, 1897, it Holland, Pennsylvania.
She v.'as a teacher and later Director of Vocational Arts for Elementary Schools
in the Philadelphia Public Schools. She died June 22, 1962, and is buried in
'■/hitemarrh Memorili Pirk, Prospectvi lie, Pennsylvania.
Trvin F. Oeste, son of Henry and Martha Oeste, was born 'larch 5, 189?, in "ew
Jersey. He served in the Field Artillery of the American Army in France in
A'orld War I. He married Jewel Colston (Julia L. ) on June 16, 1920. He served
as a tru-=t officer at the Guarantee Trust Company in Atlantic City, later as
a Bank Examiner for the United States Treasury Department, and eventually as a
consultant for the Veterans' Administration. He died April 24, 19^7, and is
buried in 'Jhitemarsh Memorial Park, Pro-pectville, Pa.
His wife, Julia L. Oeste (Jewel) nee Colston, va'- the dau-hter of Thomas and
Mary Colston, and was born June 21, 1890, in Philadelphia. She died December
27, 1966, and is buried in Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Prospectville, Pa.
The children of Irvin F. and Julia L. Oeste were Jerome, William Montague,
Russell B., and James H. Oeste.
George Trvin Oeste, son of George and Alvina Oe = te, was born August 1«, l°0-s.
He carried Florence L. Langrock, Sectember 1, 1933. He was a teacher and ad-
- - " ' - and from 1968 to 197-" '.vas a
ilds the degree of Ph.D. in
io*t retired, and has be<-n
'H= wife, Florence Lillian Oeste (nee Lan«rock) v.^s born October 9, l°in.
She is the daughter of Frederick and Frieda Lan^rock, of Philadelphia. She
-.a'- engaged in -ecretarial work, and has been an active worker In church
affairs and in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of
Christ.
The children of Georpe I. and Florence L. Oeste were Ruth A. Kraus- (nee
Oeste), George F. Oeste, and Dorothy F. Whltlock (nee Oeste)
7. Thomas Henry Oeste, son of Geor.ee and Alvina Oeste, was born December 1, 1011.
Ve carried Anna G. Boos, May 4, 1945. He -vas a clerical <aipervisor and office
manager =.t the Philadelphia M-val Base, and later at the Defense Industrial
Siipnly Center in Philadelphia. Ile is no-,: retired.
Hi* wife, Anna Grace Oeste (nee Boos) i = the druc-htcr of Mr. and Mr".. Arthur
Boos. She vas born March 29, 1910, and married Thomas H. Oeste, May A, 1945.
-.he was enpar.ed in secretarial work before her marri are.
Their -on i-. Robert T. Oeste.
?■. Elva Grace Barber (nee Oeste), da'i-hter of Oeorce and Alvina Oeste, ---as horn
November 13, 1918. She married Rev. "ayne 3. Barber, October 30, 19'1. She
is a graduate of Temple University ^nd of N'ew York Ho-pital School of ?Tursina.
She and her husband have been missionaries in Brazil, -South america, since
l^.'tl. She received the decree of Master of Rali?iou= Education from ^r.->nd
Rapid-- Baptist Bible College 3nd Seminary In 1978.
Her husband, Rev. '-.'ayne Beverly Barber, was born June 17, 1913, in Austin,
Minnesota. He is -a Baptist Minister, and has served in the mission field in
Brazil since 1938. He is a graduate of Northwestern Bible Seminary.
Their children are Thomas R, Barber, Gary Lee Barber, and Martha Ann "Varber.
■003TH .NERICA" GENERATION
1. !o snh A. Oe-te, son of Joseph H. and "arah C Oct?, -.-a- born !)ncr"-Vr ""O,
19?0. He i- a technician at the Philadelphia '.'-val Base. He married lor- s
Mac Ihilljn, December ?0, 1941.
His '.-ife, Doris Oeste (nee M.ac Mullan), wa- born July 1% 19^1. She — rrird
Joseph A. Oeste, December 20, lQ41.
Thev have no children.
?. Margaret Reeder (nee Oe=te), daughter of Joseph H. and Sarah G. Ce?-te, -.-as
i,orr. j„iy g( -¡gao. She married Ellis Reeder, Scotenber ?0, 195?.
Her husband, Ellis J. Reeder, -.i- born January 1, 1927, and married 'lirnrft
Oeste, September 20, 1952.
Their children are Elli^ Reeder, Jr., and Jane Reeder.
■>. Elizabeth Gentile <"" Oeste), da'i-hter of Jo-eph H. ?nd Vivian Oeste, -.-as
born May ?2, 1940, and married John Gentile, January 12, 1957.
Her husband, John Gentile, was born April 19, 1934, and was married to Eliza-
beth Oeste, January 1?, 1957. He is employed by Sears, Roebuck and Conoanv,
Philadelphia.
Their children are John Gentile and Lisa Gentile.
4. F. (Frederick) Paul Oeste, son of Frederick Oeste, Jr. and Rose Tonery Oeste,
was born August 26, 1924. He served in World War II. He is at present an
accountant and office manager. He married Marie Mc Dade, June 19, 1966.
His wife, Marie Oeste (nee Mc Dade) was born April 29, 1924, and married
F. Paul Oeste, June 19, 1946.
Their children are Gerald Oeste and Rose Marie Oeste.
5. Jerome Irvin Oeste, son of Irvin F. and Jewel Oeste, was born March 19, 1921.
He is employed by the jewelry firm of J. E. Caldwell and Companv. He married
Ada Grilli, September 19, 1959. He served in the Navy in World War II.
His wife, Ada Oeste (nee Grilli), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Domenico Grilli,
was bom July 7, 1926. She married Jerome Oeste, September 19, 1959.
Their children are Jerome Oeste, Jr. and Christopher Oeste.
6. William Montague Oeste, son of Irvin F. and Jewel Oe^.te, was born September
10, 1923. He married Mary Louise Mc Manus, June 3, 1950. He i= engaged in
the building and construction business.
His wife, Mary Louise Oeste (nee Mc Manus), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Francis Mc Kanus, was born March 4, 1926. She married William Montague
Oeste, June 3, 1950.
Their children are: Barbara Mary Munch (nee Oeste), Anne Louise Mc Civney
(nee Oeste), William Montague Oeste, Jr., and Mary Louise Oe^te.
7. Russell Bernard Oeste, son of Irvin F. and Jewel Oeste, '..'as born February
19, 1926. He is a builder and contractor. He married (1) Jane Desslno, June
4, 1949, and was divorced from her in 1970; (2) Jeanne Wiedenmver, March 27,
1971.
His fir=t wife was Jane Oeste (nee Dessino).
Their children were Russell Oeste, Jr., Thomas Oe=te, Katherine Oeste, and
Keith Oeste.
Hi = second wife, Jeanne Oeste (nee Wiedenmyer) v;a = born November 2, 1942.
8. James Harvey Oeste, son of Irvin F. and Jewel Oeste, was born October -'-,
1929. He is a builder and real estate developer. He married Elaine Di
Fulvio, September 25, 1954.
His wife, Elaine Oeste (nee Di Fulvio) was born January "9, 1929, and married
James H. Oeste, September 25, 1954.
Their children are Patricia Oeste, James Oeste, Jr., and John C. Oeste.
9. Ruth Anna Krauss (nee Oeste), daughter of George I. and Florence L. Oeste,
was born January 8, 1937. She is a graduate of Radcliffe College and has a
Master's Degree in Education from Harvard University. She married "eoree
Krauss, Jr., September 10, 1960. Her interest in vocal music has provided
the basis for an absorbing avocation.
lier husband, George Krauss, Jr., son of George and Bertha Krauss, was born
May 14, 1933. He holds a doctorate from t^e Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, and is a Professor of Metallurgy at the Colorado School of Mines.
Their children are Matthew George Krauss, Jonathan Mark Krauss, Benjamin Paul
Krauss, and Thomas Peter Krauss.
10. George Frederick Oeste, son of George I. and Florence L. Oeste, was born June
6, 1941. He is a graduate of Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, and re-
ceived the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching front Wesleyan University in
Connecticut. He is a teacher in the American School of Madrid, Spain. He
married Maria Luisa Villavieja in Madrid, December 27, 1975.
His wife, Maria Luisa Oeste Villavieja, daughter of Gregorio and Teresa
Villavieja, of Molina, Spain, waß born October 9, 1951. She ts a graduate
of the University of Madrid.
Their daughter is Teresa Oeste Villavieja.
11. Dorothy Florence Whitlock (nee Oeste), daughter of George I. and Florence L.
Oeste, was born May 12, 1967. She is a graduate of Radcliffe College, and
has a Master's Degree from Boston College. She was formerly a teacher in
Lexington, Massachusetts. She married John L. Whitlock, September 13, 1969.
Her husband, John L. Whitlock, son of John and Virginia Whitlock, was born
October 24, 1946, and is a graduate of Harvard University and of Harvard
University Law School. He is an attorney in Boston, Massachusetts. He
served in the United States Army, 1968-1970.
Their daughter is Sarah Katherine Whítloek.
12. Robert Thomas Oeste, son of Thomas H. and Anna G. Oeste, was born June 17,
1949. He is a graduate of Albright College, and obtained his Master's Degree
and Doctorate at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is a secondary
school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland.
13. Thomas Robert Barber, son of Wayne B..and Elva G. Barber, was born October
16, 1943, in Brazil, where his parents were serving as missionaries. He is
a graduate of Elmhurst College in Illinois, and is at present in the interior
decorating business in the city of Chicago, Illinois. He was married to
Gloria J. Smetana, October 8, 1971.
His wife, from whom he is now separated, wa = Gloria Jeannette Barber (nee
-Smetana).
Their son is Thomas Andrew Barber.
14. Gary Lee Barber, son of Wayne B. and Elva G. Barber, was bom July 12, 19i9,
in Brazil. He served a number of years in the United States Army Air Force.
He married Kathleen Merideth, March 9, 1974, and is at present attending
Grand Rapids Bible Seminary, in Michigan. He is a graduate of Faith Baptist
Bible College, Ankeny, Iowa.
His wife, Kathleen Barber (nee Merideth), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald
Merideth, is at present attending Grand Rapids Bible College in Michigan.
15. Martha Ann Barber, daughter of Wayne B. and Elva G. Barber, was born Decem-
ber 11, 1958, in Brazil. She is at present attending Grand Rapids Bible
College in Grand Rapids, Iowa,
FIFTH AMERICAN GENERATION
1. Ellis Reeder, Jr., son of Ellis and Margaret Reeder, was born March 28, 1953.
2. Jane Reeder, daughter of Ellis and Margaret Reeder, was born May 26, 1954.
3. Lisa Gentile, daughter of John and Elizabeth Gentile, was born September 1,
1965.
4. John Gentile, Jr., son of John and Elizabeth Gentile, was born April 10, 1969.
5. Gerald Oeste, son of F. Paul and Marie Oeste, was bom July 31, 1950. He
married Mary Marlene Schonberger, October 6, 1973. He is at present a branch
bank manager.
His wife, Mary Marlene Oeste (nee Schonberger) was born November 3, 1952,
and married Gerald Oeste, October 6, 1973.
Their son is Douglas Paul Oeste.
6. Rose Marie Oeste, daughter of F. Paul and Marie Oeste, was born November 29,
1953. She is a graduate of Our Lady of Angels College, and is employed in
personnel work by Sears, Roebuck and Company.
7. Jerome Oeste, son of Jerome and Ada Oeste, was born March 10, 1961.
8. Christopher Oeste, son of Jerome and Ada Oeste, was born July ?_3, 1963. He
is a senior high school student.
9. Barbara Marv Munch (nee Oeste), daughter of William Montague and Mary Louise
Oeste, was born March 29, 1951. She married Gary M. Munch, October 4, 1968.
Her husband, Gary M. Munch, was born March 17, 1950, and married Barbara Mary
Oeste, October 4, 1968. He is a carpenter and contractor.
Their children are: Gary Munch and Keith Munch*
10. Anne Louise (Nancy) McGivney (nee Oeste), daughter of William Montague and
Mary Louise Oeste, was born November 30, 1952. She married William Thomas
McGivney, August 16, 1975.
Her husband, William Thomas McGivney, was born April 12, 1952, and married Anne
Louise Oeste, August 16, 1975. He is a graduate student (1979) at the Univer-
sity of Arkansas, and is planning to attend Harvard University.
Their daughter is Erin Barbara McGivney.
11. William Montague Oeste, Jr., son of William Montague and Mary Louise Oeste,
was born January 7, 1954. He married Sharon Eileen Cummings, June 3, 1978.
His wife, Sharon Eileen Oeste (nee Cummings) was born October 1, 1956, and
married William Montague Oeste, Jr. June 3, 1978.
12. Mary Louise Oeste, daughter of William Montague and Mary Louise OesÇewas born
May 14, 1958. She is attending Bryn Mawr Hospital School of Nursing (1979).
13. Russell Oe=te, Jr., son of Russell B. amd Jane Oeste, was born December 15,
1952. He is a florist.
14. Thomas Oeste, son of Russell B. and Jane Oeste, was born October 22, 1954. He
is a graduate of Indiana (Pa.) State University and is a senior at Duquesne
University Law School.
15. Katherine (Kathy) Oeste, daughter of Russell B. and Jane Oeste, was born October
28, 1955. .She is a graduate of Gwynedd-Mercy College, and is a laboratory
technician at Suburban Hospital, Norristown.
16. Keith Oeste, 9on of Russell S. and Jane Oeste, was born February 6, 1962. He is
a senior at Wissahiekon High School (1979).
17. Patricia E. Oeste, daughter of James H. and Elaine Oeste, was born November 26,
1956. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and is employed at
Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia.
19. James H. Oeste, Jr., son of James H. and Elaine Oeste, was born September 17,
1956. He is attending Bloomsburg State College (1979).
19. John Colston Oeste, son of James H. and Elaine Oeste, was born July 24, 1962.
He is attending Kent Hill School, Augusta, Maine (1979)
20. Matthew George Krauss, son of George Krauss, Jr. and Ruth A. Krauss, was born
April 29, 1962. He is attending Evergreen Senior High School.
21. Jonathan Mark Krauss, son of Georre Krauss, Jr. and Ruth A. Krauss, was born
July 15, 1964. He is attending Evergreen Senior High School.
22. Benjamin Paul Krauss, son of George Krauss, Jr. and Ruth A. Krauss, was born
January 31, 1966. He is attending Evergreen Junior High School.
23. Thomas Peter Krauss, son of George Krauss, Jr. and Ruth A. Krauss, was born
July 28, 1967. He is attending Evergreen Junior High School.
24. Teresa Oeste Villavieja, daughter of George F. Oeste and Maria Luisa Oeate,
was bom May 14, 1977, in Madrid, Spain.
25. Sarah Katherine '■/hitlock, daughter of John L, and Dorothy F. V/hitlock, was
bom October 1, 1978.
26. Thomas Andrew Barber, son of Thomas and Gloria Barbar, was born November 29,
19 72.
SIXTH AMERICAN GENERATION
1. Douglas Paul Oeste, son of Gerald and Mary Oe=te, was born August 27, 1976.
2. Gary Munch, Bon of Gary and Barbara Munch, was born March 27, 1970.
3. Keith Munch, son of Gary and Barbara Munch, was born July 25, 1973.
4. Erin Barbara McGivney, daughter of Thomas and Anne Louise McGivney, was born
September 2, 1979.
GERM-VN ANCESTRY OF THE OESTE FAMILY
Compiled fron information obtained fron church records at Eschenstruth,
Germany, and supplied by Rev. E. W. Magdanz, Pastor of the Church there.
The earliest ancestor for whom records have been found was Andreas Qeste
born in the town of Furstenhagen, province of Hesse, Germany, in or near the year
1650. The Family name, Oeste, seems to designate an Easterner, or a person from
the East. A similar spelling is found in the name for Austria, in German spelled
Oestarreich, meaning eastern kingdom.
Johannes Oeste, --on of Andreas, born in 1636, migrated fron Fur-te^hr-en to
the to-m of Eschenstruth (several miles to the westward) and there married Anjvi
Maria ''.orn. in 1712. He died in 1747.
Their =on, Lukas Oeste, born in 1714, lived in Eschenstruth, as did all oc
the family members from this time onward. He was by occupation a linen "e-iver.
He married Maria Elisabeth Mont in 1734, and died in 175S.
Their «on, Franz Oeste, was born in 1737, married *.nna Elizabeth HupoTch in
1759, and died in 1782. He too was a linen weaver, as in fact -.-ere ill the
member- of this ancestral line.
Their -on, Johann Heinrich Cejóte, born in 1779, married Anna Maria Tr-hir;
in 1801, and died in 1833.
Their son, Johann Georg Oeste, bom in 1302, married Katharina Klis-heth
Hecknann in 1836. He died in 1S61.
Their son, Georg Heinrich Oc-te, born in 1817, ■./.^. the i-micrant who came to
the United .itates in 1868, and who become the founder of the Or-,te Family in the
new -orld. "e married Katherina Elisabeth Heiner (horn May 12, lR^O) on June 9,
1 o Ù2.
r.roT", Heinrich Oeste -■■■as by occupation a linen ■.■reaver, at n tine -•■.en mort
of the spinning and weaving in the German countryside ;;3=, still done in "orne-; «r
In --nail --orVhop", although a gradual transition to weaving in fietorie-; w-?s
til:inn place. The region of South Central Germany, where E-c^.en-truth is located,
■..as for many years
rs known for the srowinj» of flax, from which linen is made.
The transition to America where textile manufacturing in larqe factories v.?.:
^Ire-dv -/ell established must have been a difficult one for the country-bnrn
weaver'whose experience had been limited to snail establishments. Uthofgh *e
w«<= able to obtain employment in his new land, hi- Hvlne and working condition-
■/ere far different from those in "the old country."
LOF. FFLER-ROTHERMEL FAMILY
This is a record of the descendants of Anna Katherine Loeffler (nee Oe ;te)
who cante to the United states from Oemanv in 1866
FIRST AMERICAN GENERATION
Anm Katherine Loeffler Cnee Oeste), born February 17, 1867, in Eschenstmth,
Go.r-nnv. 5h« v;>s the daughter of Johann Oeors* Oc-te and Katherina Elisabeth
Oe=te (nee Beckmann) • She came to the United States a== an inn tyrant in 18n6
and worked as a seamstress in Philadelphia. She married Frederick 0. Loeffler,
December 12, 1873. She died November .30, 1906, and is buried in Mount Peace
C --ne ter y, Ph i lari el nh i a.
Her hu^lvmd, Frederick C. Loeffler, was born March 10, t"45, in Heilbronn,
>rr-.-.ay. He -erved in the Prussian Army in the Franco-Prussian 'Jar in 187*"*,
and carie to the United States as an immigrant in 1872. He married Anna Oe^te,
December 1?-, 1875. In Germany, his occupation was that of a 'Veiasaertner"
but in the United States the census records li "ted him as a brewer. In the
Icter vears of his life he served as a niçht watchman. He died December 18,
I".?!, ind is buried in ¡fount Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia.
¡"-eir dauchter was Anna M. Rothermel (nee Loeffler)- There vere rêverai other
children, v.-ho died in infancy.
.jl-XQHD AMERICAN GENERATION
Anna M. Rothermel (nee Loeffler), daughter of Frederick C.and Anna K. L0.7fri.er,
vfis bom September 8, 1977. She married Frederick Rothemel, October 18, li'Oa.
:jhe died April 3, 1949, and is buried in ^Je-t Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Har husband, F-r<?derick Rothermel, *-.m?. horn December 27, 187?. He married ..nnj
M. Loaffler, October 18, 1905. 'le -.-a-:, by occupation a naperb.în".er. i'e di"d
"c-ptenber 10, 1946, -md is burled in '-/e'-t Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Their children vere Anna K. Fritz (nee Rothermel) and Katherine Ruoff (nee
Hothf-mel).
THIRD AMERICAN GENERATION
1. Anna K. Fritz (nee Rothermel), -,73-, born Auaust 27, 1906. She married >-rn
Frit-, May 9, 1931.
Her husband, John Frit?, was born Mry ?7, 1904, in Ehingen, Germany. ;:«
married Anna Rothermel Mav 9, 1931. -Us occupation was that of a carpenter
and cabinet maker. He died May 11, V77, and is buried in He-t Laurel Hill
Cemetery.
Their children were Anne E. Henborger (nee Fritz) and Ruth H. Littifi (nee
Fritz),
?. Katherine Ruoff (nee Rothermel) -,-*s bom June 23, 1900,and married Otto
Ruoff, Au-yi = t 6, 193?.
Her hu-band, Otto Ruoff, v;as born December 20, 190^ in Kilin-en, Germany.
He mTri?d Katherine Rothermel vuau-;t 6, PT?.
Their children were William 0. Ruoff and Marion Emery (nee Ruoff)
LOEFFLER-ROTHERMEL FAMILY (CONTINUED)
FOURTH AMERICAN GENERATION
1. Anne E. Hemberger (nee Fritz), daughter of John and Anna Fritz, was born
February 10, 1933, and married Robert Hemberger, April 24, 1955.
Her husband, Robert Hemberger, was born June 11, 1931, and married Anne E.
Fritz, April 24, 1955. He is a meat cutter.
Their children were: John Hemberger, Paul Hemberger, and Jean Hemberger.
2. Ruth H. Littig (nee Fritz), daughter of John and Anna Fritz, wa^ born May 27,
1941, and married Albert C. Littig, July 29, 1961.
Her husband, Albert C. Littig, was born December 24, 1937, and married Ruth M.
Fritz, July 29, 1961. He is a graduate of Drexel University and is a civil
engineer.
Their children were: Ronald Littig, Audrey Littig, and Scott Littig.
3. William Otto Ruoff, son of Otto and Katherine Ruoff, was born January 9, 1935.
He married Dorothy E. Snyder, May 21, 1960.
His wife, Dorothy E. Ruoff (nee Snyder) was born May 8, 1935, and married
William 0. Ruoff, May 21, 1960.
Their children were: Susan Elizabeth Ruoff and William Offo Ruoff, Jr.
4. Marion Emery (nee Ruoff), daughter of Otto and Katherine Ruoff, was born March
15, 1939. She married Walter Emery, May 6, 1961
Her husband, Walter Emery, was born September 20, 1937, and married Marion
Ruoff, May 6, 1961
Their children were: Denise Louise Emery, and Mary Anne Marie Emery.
FIFTH AMERICAN GENERATION
1. John Hemberger, son of Robert and Anne E. Hemberger, was born January 15, 1956.
2. Paul Hemberger, son of Robert and Anne E. Hemberger, was born March 3, 1958.
3. Jean Hemberger, daughter of Robert and Anne E. Hemberger, was born August 22,
1962.
4. Ronald Littig, son of Albert C. and Ruth M. Littig, was born August 17, 1966.
5. Audrey Littig, daughter of Albert C. and Ruth M. Littig, was born June 20, 1967.
6. Scott Littig, son of Albert C. and Ruth M. Littig, was born June 7, 1971.
7. Susan Elizabeth Ruoff, daughter of William 0. and Dorothy Ruoff, was born
February 15, 1961.
8. William Otto Ruoff, Jr., son of William 0. and Dorothy Ruoff, was born January
25, 1964.
9. Denise Louise Emery, daughter of Walter and Marion Emery,, was born January
21, 1962.
10. Mary Anne Marie Emery, daughter of Walter and Marion Emery, was bom April
10, 1965.
SALZMANN FAMILY
This Is a record of the descendants of Maria (Mary) .Salzmann (nee Oeste), Dorn in
Eschen.truth, Cenan«, who cane to the United States as an immigrant «ich her hus-
hand, Frederick Salzmann, and her son, Henry, in the year lPf.7
FIRST AMERICAN GENERATION
Anna Maria (Mary) Salzmann (nee Oeste), born February 6, 1840, in Eschenstruth,
Germany. She was married in Eschenstruth in IH65 to Friedrich Salzmann, and
entered the United States with her husband and child in 1867. The family treveled
westward soon after arriyal in Philadelphia to settle in Hermann, Kisaouri, where
she died January 23, 1916. She is buried in the cemetery in the town of 'nermann.
Her husband, Friedrich (Frederick) Salzmann, was born in Germany, August 1% IR■'.(!.
He came to the United States with his wife and son in 1567, and settled in 'Ter-
manu, Missouri. He died October 17, 1913, and 1. buried in the cemetery in the
town of Hermann. He was engaged in the occupation of farming.
Their children were: Henry Salzmann and another child who died in infancy.
SECOND AMERICAN GENERATION
Henry Salzmann, son of Frederick and Mary Salzmann, was born in January, 18«, in
Eschenstruth, Cerasny. He wa = for many years a furniture dealer and undertaker an
Hermann, Missouri, until he retired in 1927 and went to live in the city of St.
Louis. The enact date of his death is unknown, and he is said to be bu-acd in
Southstde Cemetery, St. Louis.
His first wife, Maria A. Salzmann (nee Caeblcr) was horn December 1, l»fl, In
Missouri. She died May A, 1909, and is buried in the cemetery im Hermann.
Their children were: Harry, Armin, and Anna Salzmann.
HI- second wife '-..-lie Sslamann, was the mother of »1111am Henry Salzmann (died in
infancy), and EKrida 'alznann. She went to Uve in St. Louis with her hu-hand an
1927 and is buriad 'n Southslde Cemetery in that city. The date of her death a.
unknown.
THIRD AMERICAN GENERATION
Henry Salzmann, -on of Henrv and Maria Salzmann, was born In Fcbru-rv, 1»9!, In
Hermann, Missouri. It Is believed that he later went to St. Louis to l"e but
no record has been found of the date of his death, or of hi« marriage and children.
Amin 0. Salzmann, son of Henry and Maria Salzmann, was born June 9, IMS in Her-
mann, Hls.ouri, and died November 27, 1R99. He is buried in Hermann,
■nna Salzmann, daughter of Henry and Maria Salzmann, -was bom in March, 1898, in
Hermann, Missouri, "o record has been located of her 1-ter life.
Elfrida Salzmann, daughter of Henry and Amalle Salzmann, was born in Hermann, but
the exact date is unknown. No record has been located of her family or children.
FOURTH AMERICAN 3ENEKATÏ0N
No information has been located about later member, of this family, who have in
recent years been living In St. Louis aSter Henry Salzmann left the town of 'ermann
in 1927.
PRESENT ADDIE^SES OF FAMILY MEMBERS (1979-1980)
THIRD GENERATION
George I. Oeste (Florence)
Dr» and Mrs
8505 Jeanes Street, 1st floor
Philadelphia, Pa.-19111
Mrs. Louise Oeste
5262 Horrocks Street
Philadelphia, Pa. I9l?û
Mr. & Mrs. Wilbert C. Pearson (Anna)
18 Karberth Place, Lei suretum,
Vincentown, N. J. 08088
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Oeste (Anna)
5823 Reach Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19120
Rev. & Mrs. Wayne Barber (Elvi)
Baptist Seminary of the Cariri
Caixa Postal 51
6.3180 Juazeiro do \Torte
Ceara, Brazil
Mrs. Vivian M. Rodkey
360Ä Wootlhaven Road
Phil-delphii, Pa. 191¿9
FOURTH GENERATION
Mr. & Mrs. George F. Oe^te (Maria Luisa)
Calle Francisco .Salvador, 2-4 C
Pozuelo de Alareon (Est.)
Madrid 23, Spain
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Oeste (Doris)
1344 Marlborough Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19115
Dr. Robert T. Oeste
Emersonian Apartment«, Apt. 3-B3
2502 Eutaw Place
Baltimore, Md. 21217
Mr. & Mrs. F. Paul Oeste (Marie)
1928 Lardner Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19169
Oeste (Ada)
Oe = te (Jeanne)
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome I.
131 Erdenheim Road
Erdenheim, Pa. 1911'
Mr. & Mrs.Russell B,
Ivy Lane,
Collegeville, Pa. 19426
Mr. f. Mrs. James H. Oeste (Elaine)
11 Regency Circle
Penllyn, Pa. 19422
Mr. S Mrs. John L. '.fhitlock (Dorothy)
133 Bradford Street
Needham, Mass. 02192
Mr. & Mrs. '■Jm. Montague Oes
10 Hodgson's Lane
Brant Beach, N. J. 08008
(Mary
Louise)
981
Blu
Jane Oeste
'Ventz Road,
• Bell, Pa. 1942
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Lee
1000 Leffingwcll, rn
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mr. Í. Mrs. Ellis J. Re
3420 Arthur Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 1911
Sarber (Kathleen)
#31
Dr. f. Mrs. George Krau ss, Jr, (Ruth)
3807 S. Ridge Road
Evergreen, Colorado 8O437
Mr. Thomas R. Barber
1017 Palmer Street
Downers Grove, 111. 60515
Miss Martha Ann Barber
Baptist College, Keithly Hal1
935 E. Beltline, N.E.
Crand Rapids, Michigan 49505
Mr. & Mrs. John Gentile (Elizabeth''
3726 Academy Road
Philadelphia, Pa. 19114
FIFTH GENERATION
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Oeste (Mary Marlene)
174 - 6th Street
Feasterville, Pa. 19047
Mr. & Mrs. Gary M. Munch (Barbara Mary)
8 Edwards Drive
East VJindsor, N. J. 08561
Miss Rose Marie Oeste
200 '-f. Chestnut Street, Box 37
Hacungie Village, Pa. 18062
Mr. L Mrs. Thomas McGivney (Anne Louise)
Apt. 1911, 1400 Old Forge Drive
Little Rock, Ark. 72205
FIFTH GENERATION (CONTINUED)
Mr. & Mrs. William Montas-ue Oeste, Jr. Mis^ Patricia E. Oeste
(Sharon Eileen) M den Park Manor
476 Roff Street Wissahickon & Chelten Aves.
Palisades Park, N. J. 07650 Philadelphia, Pa. 19164
FR1TZ-RU0FF FAMILIES
Mrs. Anna K. Frit' Mr. & Mrs. Otto Ruoff (Katherine)
6131 N. 7th Street 6516 Montour Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 191?0 Philadelphia, Pa. 19111
Mr. 6 Mrs. Robert Meraber^er (Anne E.) Mr. 6 Mr = . ''illiam 0. Ruoff (Dorothy)
615 Brighton Street 738 Lonr/treth Road
Philadelphia, Pa. mil '■.'armin-ter, Pa. lB97-'¡
Mr. 6- Mrs. Albert C. LirtiR (Ruth M. ) Mr. t Mr-;. :'alter Emery (Marion)
1825 Sharon Road, 6605 Claridge Street
Meado-Jbrook, Pa. 1'?'166 Philadelphia, Pa. 19111