Barbara Elinora Hoerl and Peter Sohn

"Immigrants: we get the job done" -- Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton

Barbara Elinora Hoerl and Peter Sohn married 1880-1881. He was the son of Annie C and Adam Sohn born in Maryland 1855-1856 - the 1900 US Census says February 1856. She was the daughter of Christina Wilhelmina Stengle and John George Hoerl born in Catonsville, MD, 09 Oct 1858. Both Christina Wilhelmina and John George were German immigrants. According to the 1870 US Census, Christina was from Württemburg and George, from Bavaria.

Christina Wilhelmina Stengle's last name may or may not provide a clue to how Barbara and Peter met. Peter appears to have been enumerated twice in the 1880 US Census, once in District 12 of Baltimore County with his family, where he worked as a wagoner, and a second time in District 3 where he lived with Margaretta and William Stingler and was a labourer on a farm. William Stingler was from Württemburg. Was "Stingler" an anglicization of Stengle?

Barbara and Peter had ten children, all born in Maryland. According to both the 1900 and 1910 US Census records, none of their children died young:

As of 1900 the family was living at 918 First Street in Baltimore. Peter was working as a labourer at a gas works. George was a day labourer, Daniel a motorman and 14-year-old Minnie a cash girl.

By 1910 the family had moved to 512 First Street. Peter was working as a driller at a rail mill. George was a motion picture operator. Daniel and John were both lever operators at rail mills. Charles, age 19, was a paper hanger and had his own shop. Gustav was a cork cutter in a cork factory.

The next ten years brought much change to the family. Daniel, Minnie, John, Charles, Gustav and Harry all married and moved out. In fact, the 1910 US Census is the last record I have for Minnie, as I have no clues as to her husband's name. The largest change, however, was that Peter died 07 Oct 1918. He was buried in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Baltimore. (His sisters Emma and Louisa and their husbands are also buried there.)

Louisa had also married, in or about 1918, but she didn't go far. The 1920 US Census found Barbara living at 512 First Street as head of a considerable household: her oldest son George, her youngest two sons Henry and Percival, Louisa's husband John Lawrence and their son George J Lawrence, born in 1919. George Sohn was still a motion picture operator. Henry was a passer in a shipyard, while John was a boiler maker for a coal company.

By 1930 the Lawrences had moved next door to #514. Barbara, George, Henry and Percival continued to live at #512. George still had his job in a motion picture theatre. Henry was working as a labourer in an ice house. Percival was a machinist at an airport.

By 1940, Barbara and Peter's son John had moved into #512 with his wife and son. According to the 1940 US Census, they were already living there in 1935, suggesting that they moved in before Barbara's death. George, Henry and Percival were conspicuously missing.

As described above, George John William Sohn lived with his mother Barbara at least up through 1930. He worked as a motion picture operator.

I couldn't find George in the 1940 US Census. I did find his WWII draft registration from 1942. George's contact person was his sister "Lula" Lawrence at 514 South Highland Avenue. The registration gives the address of his place of residence as 6315 Philadelphia Road, Baltimore. I couldn't find this address enumerated in the 1940 census, and there's a chance George may not actually have lived there. He said he was working for Joseph Butta and gives both Mr Butta's address and the address of his place of employment as 6315 Philadelphia Avenue.

However, there's another possibility for why George used this address. The Baltimore Sun published 04 Jul 1943 included the following advertisement: "HOUSE Trailer, very nice: food [good?] tires. 375 [$75?] terms, several others in same price range. Landay's Trailer Camp, 6315 Philadelphia road."

George died 13 Nov 1954. He was buried in the Oak Lawn Cemetery with his parents.

Marie Catherine Karcher and Daniel John Sohn married in or about 1918. Certainly they were married by 12 Sep 1918 when Daniel registered for the WWI draft. Marie was the daughter of German immigrants Friedericke Kull and Karl Karcher born in October 1885. Although her family had been living in Baltimore City in 1900, by 1910 Marie, her brother Charles and their widowed mother had moved to Election District 3 in Anne Arundel County. It's possible that Daniel met her when he moved out to Anne Arundel County to work on ships for WWI. His draft registration record says that he and Marie were living in Millersville and that he was working as "bolter up" for the Baltimore Dry Docks Co. Charles was living in 12 miles away in Pasadena and working as a delivery clerk for P&O Railroad, the same job he'd had in 1910.

By 1920, Marie and Daniel were living with Charles in Pasadena. Daniel was driving a truck for a grocery store, while Charles was trying his hand as a farmer.

Marie and Daniel's son Edward Daniel was born 14 Aug 1922. However, I can't find him in the 1930 US Census. By 1930, Charles owned a grocery store and Marie and Daniel were working there as clerks. Perhaps they were inspired by their parents, who had also been grocers.

Edward made his first census appearance in 1940, when he, Marie, Daniel and Charles were all living together. By then Marie and Daniel owned a farm, while Charles still had the grocery store. Daniel's WWII draft registration in 1942 mentions specifically that he was employed in raising poultry.

Charles died 22 Sep 1951, Daniel in 1959 and Marie in 1976. They're all buried under the same tombstone in the Western Cemetery in Baltimore City, which also holds the graves of one of Marie's and Charles' brothers, his wife and a woman who may be their paternal grandmother.

Edward married Nora Shaver, born in Mathias, West Virginia 14 Feb 1924, the daughter of Roxie Mae Mathias and Jacob Elmer Shaver. They were living in Severna Park, MD, when Edward died 03 Dec 2006. Nora died a month later, on 04 Jan 2007. They're both buried in the Friendship Cemetery in Anne Arundel County.

Birliena and John Henry Adam Sohn married in or about 1913. She's a bit of a mystery. According to the US Census records 1920-1940, she was born in Washington DC in 1896 (per the 1920 census) or 1891 (per the 1930 and 1940 censuses). Her mother's name was, as of 1930, Emma V Richmond, born in Delaware in or about 1871. This could indicate that Birliena's last name at birth was Richmond, or it could indicate that her mother had remarried after Birliena's birth. Her father was born in DC.

I haven't been able to find any records in the 1900 and 1910 censuses that fit with what the 1920-1940 censuses tell me about Birliena and Emma.

As of 05 Jun 1917, Birliena, John and their oldest two children were living in Baltimore at 423 South 12th Street. John was a steelworker for Bethlehem Steel. By 1920, the family (now including infant Emma) had moved to 424 3rd Street and John was working as an enamel operator.

By 1930 Birliena, John, their three children and Birliena's mother Emma V Richmond were living at 3500 Bank Street, three blocks away from John's mother, sister and brothers. John was working as a "dye setter" [die setter? see 1940] in a "peat sienie" company. Birliena was working as a saleslady in a bakery. Note that the family's address was less than a block away from Hoehn's Bakery, founded in 1927. Is that where Birliena worked?

Sometime between 1930 and 1935, Birliena, John and their family moved into his mother's house at 512 South Highland Avenue. John's mother died 15 Dec 1935. By 1940, John's three brothers, who'd been living with their mother in 1930, were gone. Birliena, John and Daniel were the only ones in residence. John was working as a die setter in a foundry, Birliena was still selling baked goods and Daniel was a butcher at a meat stall.

The issue of the Baltimore Sun published 29 Dec 1940 included 512 South Highland in a list of houses being sold at reduced prices. Certainly by 1942, John was living at 3516 East Baltimore Street. He was working for Anchor Fence and Post Co.

John's contact on his WWII draft registration in 1942 was Emma Thurlow at 24 North Highland Avenue. Emma had married Chester A Thurlow by 1940. Their son Chester A Jr was born 09 Jan 1940. The 1940 US Census reports the young family as living at 326 North Robinson Street. Chester was working as an aircraft mechanic. A second son, Richard J Thurlow, was born 01 Oct 1941. He died 26 Nov 2014, leaving a wife, two sons and two grandchildren.

Daniel enlisted in the US Army 03 Feb 1941, where he attained the rank of corporal. He later married Doris Marie Matejka, the daughter of Anna Biebl and William Joseph Matejka born 03 Jul 1920. They had two children, Anita L (later Anita L Sohn Lemonakis) and Daniel J. Daniel Sr died 30 Nov 1984. Doris died 28 Sep 2007 in Hagerstown, MD. She was survived her children and two grandchildren. Both Doris and Daniel are buried in the Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Rosedale, Baltimore County.

Mabel N McClelland and Charles F H Sohn married in or about 1911. She was the daughter of Susan and John McClelland born 04 Sep 1889.

Mabel and Charles had two children, Charles Peter born 14 Jul 1913 and Genevieve W born in or about October 1915.

Charles already had his own paper-hanging business as of 1910, and he continued to work in this. As of 05 Jun 1917, the family was living at 3922 Nail (or Fait?) Avenue in the Baltimore neighbourhood of Highlandtown. By 1920, they had moved to 3324 Fleet Street, less than a block away and around the corner from where Charles' mother, sister and brothers lived. Mabel's three Maddox nephews, the sons of her sister Anna V McClelland Maddox, were living with them. All of the nephews worked as labourers in cork factories.

By 1930 two of the nephews were gone and the remaining one, Ernest, was working as a chauffeur for a milk company. Charles was still working as a paper hanger but he no longer had his own business.

By 1940 Charles Peter had married. His wife, Sadie Bessie, had been born in Maryland 07 Sep 1913. Charles Peter was working as a shop worker for a railroad. His father Charles F was still hanging paper, both in 1940 and when he registered for the WWII draft in 1942.

Charles F and Mabel are both buried in the Oak Lawn Cemetery with Charles' parents. Mabel died 13 Jan 1964. The date of death on Charles' side of their shared tombstone is blank, but according to the US Social Security Death Index he died in September 1968 in Highlandtown.

Charles Peter and Sadie Bessie - AKA Sadie B or Sue B - are buried in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Balitmore. Charles Peter died 14 Jun 1977 in Highlandtown. Sadie Bessie died 01 Dec 2007 in Rosedale, another Baltimore neighbourhood. I don't know whether or not they had children.

Agnes and Gustav Adolph Sohn married in or about 1917, but definitely before 05 Jun 1917. Agnes was born in Maryland in 1897-1898. As of 05 Jun 1917, the couple was living at 422 South 12th Street, near Gustav's brother John at #423. Like John, Gustav was working at Bethlehem Steel.

By 1920 Agnes and Gustav had moved to 3827 Foster (I think) Avenue. Gustav was working as a blacksmith's helper at a forge works.

Agnes and Gustav had two children, Florence born in or about 1921 and Wilbur Lloyd born 30 Jul 1926. As of 1930, the family was living at 309 South Clinton Street, five blocks away from Gustav's mother, sister and brothers. Gustav was doing sheet metal work in a cornice factory. The family was still at the same address in 1940. Gustav was now doing sheet metal work in an airplane factory, while Florence was a clerk in a "kienges" store.

Something seems to have happened between Agnes and Gustav by 1942. When Gustav registered for the WWII draft, he gave his address as 9 North Clinton Street. His contact was Wilbur L Sohn at 309 South Clinton Street. Wilbur was all of 16 years old at the time, so he wouldn't have been living on his own.

Gustav died 25 Apr 1955. He's buried in the Oak Lawn Cemetery with his parents. Agnes isn't.

Wilbur remained in Baltimore until July 1943, when he enlisted in the US Navy. At the end of WWII he was discharged in San Diego and began working in dairy. I caught a glimpse of him arriving in NYC 21 Jul 1952 aboard the SS Ryndam out of Southampton. At the time he was living in Chula Vista, California. During a trip back to Baltimore, he met Barbara E Lawrence, whom he married 27 Jun 1954. Bill had been called back to active duty with the Navy during the Korean Conflict. He took a discharge from the Navy 14 Nov 1955 - and enlisted with the US Air Force the next day, not retiring until 01 Sep 1974.

Wilbur died in San Angelo, Texas 05 Dec 2018. He was survived by his wife Barbara, two sons, three grandsons and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one of his sons, both his parents and his sister Florence. Florence is referred to as Florence Sohn in his obituary, suggesting that she never married.

Barbara Eleonora Lawrence Sohn's date of birth is given in public records as 24 Dec 1929. This birth date would be consistent with Louisa Sohn and John Lawrence's daughter Barbara, who was three months old when the 1930 US Census was conducted as of April 1930. Note that Louisa's mother was Barbara Elinora Hoerl Sohn. However, the 1940 US Census gives Louisa and John's daughter's middle initial as "A" rather than "E."

As mentioned above, Louisa M Sohn and John F Lawrence married in or about 1918. According to his WWII draft registration, John was born in Baltimore 04 Feb 1888. His mother was born in Maryland. According to the 1920 US Census, his father was born in Germany, but the 1930 US Census says Maryland. I can't find a WWI draft registration for him, but this might mean that he enlisted instead.

As of 1920 Louisa, John and young George were living with her mother and brothers at 512 South Highland Avenue. John was working as a boiler maker for a coal company. By 1930 they'd bought the house next door, #514. John was working as a pumpsman for an oil refinery.

The Lawrences remaining at #514 at least up through 1942. According to the 1940 US Census, John was a dock foreman in the oil industry. His WWII draft registration says that he was working for Standard Oil Co at the Canton Refinery. Louisa and John's son George was working doing welding for an airplane manufacturer in 1940.

John died in 1961 and Louisa, in 1969. They're buried in the Oak Lawn Cemetery along with her parents.

George may or may not be the George J Lawrence AKA George W Lawrence born 30 Dec 1919 who's associated in public records with Doris K Lawrence born 24 Mar 1921, Robert N Lawrence born 14 May 1955 and the Highlandtown neighbourhood of Baltimore.

As mentioned above, Barbara may or may not be the Barbara Eleonora Lawrence Sohn born 24 Dec 1929 who married Wilbur Lloyd Sohn.

Emma A and Harry Herman C Sohn married sometime between 12 Sep 1918 and January 1920. In other words, he was still single and living with his mother at the time he registered for the WWI draft, but married by the time the 1920 US Census was conducted. Emma had been born in Maryland 20 Jan 1898. Her mother was also born in Maryland and her father, in either Maryland or Pennsylvania.

Like his brother Charles, Harry was a paper-hanger with his own business. This was the case in 1918 and it was still true in 1920, when he and Emma were living at 414 14th Street. By 1930, however, they had moved to 1915 Dundalk Avenue and Harry was hanging paper for an employer. 1940 found them at 422 Highland Avenue. Harry had his own business again. I couldn't find a WWII draft registration record for him.

According to the US Social Security Index, Harry died in March 1969 and Emma, in September 1972. Both were living in the Highlandtown neighbourhood of Baltimore at the time of their deaths.

Henry Peter and Percival L Sohn were both living with their mother Barbara in 1930. I couldn't find them in the 1940 US Census in Baltimore. However, I did find an interesting household living at 152 West End in Hempstead Town, Freeport, Nassau County, New York. Henry Sohn, born in Maryland in or about 1901, single, worked as a mechanic's helper at an airplane factory. He's described as the "brother-in-law" of the head of the household, but I think this might be incorrect.

The head of the household was Louis Sohn, born in Maryland in or about 1904, married, worked as a mechanic at an airplane factory. His wife Florence was born in New Jersey in or about 1908. To me it looks like Henry is Louis' brother, not Florence's. That gets me wondering if "Louis" is Percival L Sohn, who was working as a machinist at an airport in 1930.

Henry Peter died 26 Feb 1964 in Maryland. He's buried with his parents in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.

I don't know what happened to Percival. However, if the ages given for him in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 US Censuses are correct as of the date the data was collected (vs the official census date on the first of the month), then he was born sometime between the 3rd and the 22nd of April 1905. In November 1986, someone named P Sohn born 15 Apr 1905 died in Mastic, Suffolk County, New York. That's all the information I have.

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In memory of Janet A Werner, 1931-2015