THIRD GENERATION
Back Row: Elemar, Alfred, Alfonso & Herbert Hannusch
Front Row: Wanda Hazelton, Alma Rafferty, Melita Lehman & Ada Roser
ALFRED HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Alfred Hannusch was born, on July 28, 1881, in the German settlement of Heidelberg, Waterloo County, Ontario, where his father, grandfather and uncle operated their own tailor business.
He began his education at the nearby school of St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church. Not too long after his education began, the family moved to the town of Berlin, Ontario. Here he attended the school of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
On the occasion of "Centennial Week," in Kitchener, Alfred Hannusch related to the children at St. Mary's school, as recorded in the Kitchener Record:
"After his first day of school," the Kitchener Record records during Centennial Week in Kitchener, "six-year-old Alfred Hannusch took the wrong way home and landed up in the Greenbush. Retracing his steps to St. Mary's School, he started out anew and hours later arrived at his parent's farm, then in the north end of the village of Berlin, Ontario. The Greenbush was where the present K-W (Kitchener-Waterloo) Hospital now stands. . . . . . . . . . . . . He (Alfred Hannusch) recalled for the wide eyed St. Mary's pupils, days when he went to school in a converted house near where the school playground is today. That was in 1886, he said. Both Waterloo and Berlin students attended the school. He went there for four years. A Mr. Fennel kept a fine herd of Jersey cows in a stable nearby. His fence came right up to the edge of the school property." The newspaper story continues, "then young Mr. Hannusch moved to the enlarged St. Mary's rectory and two room school, both combined to make a six room school. He was graduated in two years at the age of twelve."
Alfred Hannusch was raised to maturity in the two-story family home and farm at 66 Blucher Street in Berlin, Ontario and lived under the influence of the family grocery-tailor business located at 108 Ahrens Street. After graduation from St. Mary's School, Alfred Hannusch went to work in his parent's grocery-tailor shop. Here he passed his early teens as a clerk, stock-boy and apprentice to his father's tailor craft.
Over a period of five years, around the turn of the century, he held a series of jobs with some of the local factories and businesses. For a brief period he was employed in the button factory. From the button factory he moved to the shoe factory, a job he held for two years at a wage of five dollars per week (two weeks wages would not pay for a pair of shoes for himself). He then took employment with the Bell Telephone Company where he worked as a carpenter and mason in the construction of underground cement cable carriers.
It was around the spring of 1902 when Alfred Hannusch first turned his labors toward the field of husbandry. He first accepted a job as a hired hand for the Grant Brothers who owned two farms in the Strasburg area south of Berlin. His wages were $5.00 per month and board during the summer; board only in the winter months.
Two years later he hired on to a farm owned by Robert Hislop, located on RR #1, Blair, Ontario, this farm situated next to that of William Lattner. It was during this short period of his employment that Alfred Hannusch became acquainted with Agnes, the daughter of William Lattner.
In 1906, Alfred Hannusch moved to Western Canada where he worked, for about a year, grain thrashing for J. C. Wallace.
On his return to the City of Berlin, Alfred Hannusch decided to go into farming for himself and rented a farm on the Roseville Road, near Galt, Ontario. His sister, Melitta, moved into the home as his housekeeper.
"A pleasant time was spent at the home of Mr. Alfred Hannusch on Roseville Road, on Monday evening last, when a number of neighbors and friends assembled there to bid farewell to Mr. and Miss Hannusch. The following address was read by Miss Cassle M. Bryden at the proper time. Miss Ethel Markle presented Miss Hannusch with a silver belt buckle and Mr. James B. Cowen presented Mr. Hannusch with a clock. "Mr. and Miss Lydia Hannusch: 'Dear friends - on the eve of your departure from our midst, we take this opportunity of expressing to you our regrets at your removal from our neighborhood, and though your stay amongst us has been brief, we have learned to appreciate your true worth as neighbor and friends. We feel that we cannot allow you to go without expressing our good will towards you and therefore we ask you, Alf, to accept this clock and, Lydia, this buckle as a slight remembrance of the pleasant time spent amongst us.' Signed on behalf of your friends. Robert S. Barrie, Robt W. Bryden. "Both Mr. and Miss Hannusch made appropriate replies thanking the donors for their kind remembrance and good wishes," from a newspaper article.
In 1908, Alfred Hannusch purchased a fifty-acre farm, on RR #1, Blair, Ontario. A couple of years later he purchased an additional fifty acres across the road. It was here, on this farm, for nearly five decades, that he provided for his family from a successful business in crop and livestock.
On November 23, 1909, Alfred Hannusch exchanged the vows of marriage with Agnes Lattner, the daughter of William and Emilia (Voison) Lattner. Children: 1) Elmer Hannusch, b. February 13, 1911; 2) Langdon Hannusch, b. March 8, 1912; 3) Lorne Hannusch, b. March 27, 1913; 4) Edgar Hannusch, b. June 13, 1914; 5) Isobel Ruth Hannusch, b. October 24, 1915; 6) Bernice Elnora Hannusch, b. December 9, 1916, d. July 6, 1917; 7) Norbert James Hannusch, b. May 16, 1918, d. May 5, 1919; 8) James Hannusch, b. July 4, 1919; 9) John Hannusch, b. June 16, 1922; 10) Leonard William Hannusch, b. January 6, 1925; 11) Raymond Clare Hannusch, b. July 4, 1927.
"The second wedding was solemnized at 9:30. The contracting parties were Mr. Alfred Hannusch, son of Mr. Theobald Hannusch, of Berlin, and Miss Agnes Lattner, daughter of Mr. William Lattner, of near Strasburg. The groom was attended by Mr. John Rafferty and Miss A. Hannusch attended the bride. The ceremony was performed by Rev. A. J. Fischer." "A party was held at the home of Mr. Alfred Hannusch on Friday night. It was a reception in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hannusch who recently have been united in the bonds of wedlock. The bride was the recipient of many valuable and useful presents. The gathering after all had spent a very enjoyable time, broke up early in the morning.
The farm demanded long hours from the first thaw in the spring and it lasted until long after the frosts in the fall of the year. Still, he seemed to find the time for an enjoyable evening game of cards with his neighbors and friends. During a two-week period, each fall, with a group known as the "Blair Gang," he took to the back woods for the enjoyment of deer hunting. He usually returned with good results for the venture.
With deep concern for his wife's ill health, Alfred Hannusch sold the Blair Road farm in 1946 and, he returned to the City of Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario and took up residence at 160 Cedar Street. The comforts of the new home seemed to help his wife.
Even in retirement, the enchantment of the open field continued to hold his interest. He took his usual two-week hunting trip, with his old friends, and headed into the local backwoods. But now the uncharted lands to the north began to draw like a magnet. With a group of friends, from Kitchener, by chartered flight, he set out in search of moose in northern Canada. It was on one of these occasions that his catch brought him notoriety in the local press.
On April 21, 1954, his wife, Agnes (Lattner) Hannusch, passed away and was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Kitchener, Ontario.
Over the next decade, as a widower, his life was filled with family, friends and the call of the land.
Though retired from farm life, the rural scene never really left his heart. A life of four decades could not be shut down completely with a pension check. At every opportunity he returned to the country to walk the fields and visit with those of his friends still working their farms.
On November 13, 1963, Alfred Hannusch died at Kitchener, Ontario and was buried beside his wife at Woodlawn Cemetery, Kitchener, Ontario.
ARTHUR HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Arthur Hannusch was born November 3, 1883, at Heidelberg, Ontario, in the small German settlement where his father, grandfather and uncle operated their tailoring business. The family moved to the city of Berlin, Ontario shortly after the death of his grandfather, his education now gained at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School, in Berlin.
Arthur Hannusch was raised in the two-story family home and farm at 66 Blucher Street in Berlin, Ontario and under the influence of the family grocery-tailor business located at 108 Ahrens Street.
After his graduation from school he entered the business world in the employ of the Robe and Clothing Company, of Berlin, Ontario.
In about 1808, Arthur Hannusch exchanged vows of marriage with Emma Kunkel. Children: Roman Hannusch, b. August 16, 1909.
A few years after their marriage, Arthur Hannusch, purchased a farm on the Blair Rd., near the farm of his parents. It was sold soon after.
On March 26, 1918, Arthur Hannusch died, at Blair, Ontario, and is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, in Kitchener, Ontario.
ALMA MARIE HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Alma Marie Hannusch was born, June 11, 1885, at Heidelberg, Ontario just prior to the family move to the City of Berlin, Ontario. She was raised on the family farm and home at 66 Bloucher Street, in Berlin, and attended classes at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School. She was led to that institution by her older brothers and later, she herself, led younger members of the family. Her education was accomplished under the combined use of the German and English languages.
Alma Marie Hannusch took employment as housekeeper and cook for Mr. Boulby, brother of the Crown's Attorney. Her long hours in this kitchen provided the lavish foods for the numerous entertainment events put on by this prestigious family.
At a church social, in the City of Waterloo, Alma Hannusch met and was afterwards courted by John Thomas Rafferty. On June 1, 1910, the young couple were married and settled down in the City of Waterloo for the next few years. Children: 1) Pearl Rafferty (Kitchener, Ontario; Buffalo, New York; and Los Angeles, California), b. August 30, 1914; m. June 1, 1937, Jerome Charles Moser; children: Julianne, b. June 3, 1939; John, b. December 29, 1946 (magistrate in Los Angeles, Ca); and Lisa, b. October 18, 1952, (living in Los Angeles); 2) Florence Esther Rafferty, d. shortly after birth; 3) Rita Laureen Rafferty, b. July l3, l924, d. July l7, l973.
With an eye for the country, John Rafferty purchased a five-acre farm on the Blair Road and moved his family into their new home. From here, but a short distance from her brother Alfred's farm, John Rafferty commuted daily to his place of lifetime employment, the Eastern Steel Products Company, in Preston, Ontario.
After several years, the farm in Blair was sold and a new residence was acquired on Allen Street in the City of Waterloo, Ontario.
With the death of her father, Theobald Hannusch, in 1934, Alma (Hannusch) Rafferty and her husband gave up their Allen Street home and moved into her parents home, at 52 York Street, in the City of Kitchener. Here she cared for her mother, whose health was on the decline, over the next four years. After the death of Mary (Gies) Hannusch, in 1938, the title to the York Street house passed on to the possession of Mr. and Mrs. John Rafferty.
As the years passed the long daily drive into Preston began to take its toll on John Rafferty. The York Street home was sold. A new home, on Malrose Street, in Preston, Ontario, provided the needed convenience and garden beauty for the family.
Following major surgery, Alma Rafferty was limited to short distance walks, consequently, convenience became essential to her life. The home on Malrose Street was sold for a new home located within a half block distance of the main street in Preston. Only a block and a half from her church, she found it convenient to attendance at church as well as allowed for attendance at the weekly bingo.
In her home, Alma Rafferty initiated a business venture in which she sold British knits, a business she carried on until her health again failed her. With this last set back they were forced to sell their home and move into an apartment.
On February 21, 1971, Mrs. Alma (Hannusch) Rafferty died in her home in Preston, Ontario, and was laid to rest in the Roman Catholic Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Kitchener, Ontario.
Two years later, on September 27, 1973, her husband join her.
MELITTA HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Melitta Hannusch was born, June 2, 1887, at Berlin, Ontario and raised to maturity in the family home and farm at 66 Bloucher Street. Attending school at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School, she lived under the influence of the family tailor-grocery business at l08 Ahrens.
Along the way, "she developed a strong character and motherly leadership in the family," her brother remembered. In about 1907 her brother, Alfred, having rented a farm on the Roseville Road, lacked someone to care for the house. Melitta Hannusch moved into her brother's home to serve his domestic needs as cook and housekeeper. Throughout her life she was affectionately known as "Liddy," or "Lydia." Alfred Hannusch (see Alfred Hannusch) and her praises were acclaimed by their neighbors at the time of their departure from this farm a couple years later.
On January 21, 1913, Melitta Hannusch exchanged the vows of marriage with Peter Lehman, father to all her children. Children: 1) Marie Lehman, m. Joseph Quirk, resided Toronto. her children: Shirley Quirk, and Eddie Quirk; 2) Edna Lehman, m. Ivan Beatty, resided Toronto. son James Marvin Beatty; 3) Gladys Lehman, b. May 20, 1917, m. Paul Ziegler, resided Toronto. children: Rickey Ziegler and Todd Ziegler; 4) Roy Lehman, m. Lillian Kress, m. 2nd Laurence Levesque, resided Kitchener. children: Kenneth Lehman and Robert Lehman; 5) Mae Lehman, m. Walter Janowski, resided Kitchener. children: Dianne Janowski, Donald Janowski, Rita Janowski and Norma Janowski.
Over the years her husband successfully established himself in the grain business while she raised their family and cared for the home.
They are recorded as living at 186 Wilmot Street, Kitchener in 1938; and resided on Victoria Street, facing the entrance to Victoria Park at the time of her husband's death on April 25, 1940. Their home was the scene of many family gatherings, dinners and celebrations; both before and after the loss of her husband.
She married second Mr. E. Brown, a marriage that remains in the shadows of a few brief years.
Melitta (Hannusch) Lehman-Brown moved to the City of Toronto, Ontario and purchased her own home on Handle Street, near daughter's Marie and Edna.
When her son-in-law and daughter, Edna & Ivan Beatty, moved to a new home in Cooksville, Ontario, she took residence with them in a newly constructed apartment over her daughter's home. Here she resided for the next eleven years.
Melitta (Hannusch) Lehman-Brown died on March 15, 1963, and is interred in the Roman Catholic Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Kitchener, Ontario.
ARMOND HERBERT HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Armond Herbert Hannusch was born, July 25, 1889, in the City of Berlin, Ontario. He was raised to maturity in the two-story family home and farm located at 66 Bloucher Street; and lived under the influence of the family tailor-grocery store at 108 Ahrens Street. He attended school at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School, in midtown Berlin.
As a young boy he took lessons on the violin, and, as his younger brother states, "was quite accomplished on the instrument."
Herbert Hannusch went to work in the first rubber factory, Merchant's Rubber Co., when it opened in the City of Berlin and, was selected by them to go to the United States to learn the business and its products.
At about the same time Herbert Hannusch courted Cecelia Audlin, the daughter of Wright and Regina (Bierschback) Audlin. The couple were married in about 1915. Children: 1) Reginald Hannusch, b. February 16, 1916; 2) Armandine Hannusch, b. December 21, 1917; 3) Bertram Hannusch, b. June 27, 1919; 4) Frank Hannusch, b. March 15, 1923.
When Dominion Rubber Company opened its factory in Berlin, Herbert Hannusch became one of the first foremen.
At the same time he invested considerable capital to bring one of the first vulcanizing machines to the City of Berlin. He went into business for himself in a shop located at 12 College Street. Other interests keeping his attention, Herbert Hannusch turned the vulcanizing business over to his brother Alfonso. The two brothers had been close, during these years, and were involved in several ventures and adventures together. Later Herbert Hannusch reclaimed the business, moved it to the City of Waterloo, and there took his father-in-law into the business as a partner.
From this time the family lost track of his activities, only rumors to fill the void. He was recorded "of Toronto in 1938." He was (his sister Melitta always seemed to have an inside track on his whereabouts) available for a family photograph and picnic at the Victoria Street home of his sister, Melitta (Hannusch) Lehman, in about 1939. His activities seem vague over the next decade.
In about 1950 Herbert Hannusch was observed, on the street by his niece, in the City of Toronto, Ontario. He accepted an invitation to a visit and dinner in the home of his sister, Melitta, and her daughter, Edna Beatty. Sparce but regular contact was kept up thereafter.
His wife, Cecelia (Audlin) passed away on January 2, 1945, in Kitchener, Ontario. Herbert Hannusch died, May 3, 1979, at Toronto, Ontario.
WANDA HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Wanda Hannusch was born August 6, 1891, in the City of Berlin, Ontario. She was raised to maturity in the two-story family home and farm at 66 Bloucher Street and under the influence of the family grocery-tailor store at 108 Ahrens Street. She attended school at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
"Unhealthy as a child Wanda spent time in Penetang, Ontario," her brother relates, "and while there she took an interest in nursing." She is recorded on an October 14, 1911, communication, as in the School of Nursing, Geneva Hospital, Geneva, New York. She graduated from that institution as a registered nurse.
July 16, 1916, Wanda Hannusch married Charles Hazleton, of the United States, and the couple settled in the City of Detroit, Michigan. They lived at dwellings, in that city, at 752 Grand River Ave., on Russell Street and on Clay Avenue. Before long the couple turned their attention toward new business enterprises. She had no children by this or her second marriage.
In the 1920's Wanda and her husband purchased a business in the City of St. Clair, Michigan, the recalled name, "The Riverside Tavern." Owning a tavern with a speedboat on the St. Clair River, while, "Prohibition" was the law in the United States. This was an open invitation to stories and speculation. True or not, they were not immune with their location and business.
After several successful years in this business they sold "The Riverside Tavern" and purchased a hotel in the City of Port Huron, Michigan. This Hotel, in turn, was later sold to invest in a ferry boat line that spanned the St. Clair River to Canada.
Soon after making the ferry boat investment her husband, Charles Hazleton, died at St. Clair, Michigan. He is buried at "Hillside Cemetery" in St. Clair. The widow carried on the business for a time.
In need of medical attention, Wanda (Hannusch) Hazleton entered the hospital at Geneva, New York. It was here that she met and soon after married Thomas Hennessey.
During this second marriage: she resided first in the City of Buffalo, New York; moved to Phoenix, Arizona; and returned to Buffalo.
Wanda (Hannusch) Hazleton-Hennessey died in Buffalo, New York, May 2, 1971, and is buried beside her first husband at Hillside Cemetery, in St. Clair, Michigan.
ALFONSO HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Alfonso Hannusch was born at Berlin, Ontario, on December 18, 1894, and was raised to maturity in the family home and farm at 66 Bloucher Street and under the influence of the family grocery-tailor shop located at 108 Ahrens Street, Berlin.
He was educated to nine grades, in both the German and English language, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School in mid-town, Berlin.
Following his formal education, Alfonso Hannusch worked for a time in the sugar beet factory and then learned the basics of woodworking while in the employ of the "Jacob Baetz Furniture Company."
He became involved in several automobile related enterprises with his brother, Herbert Hannusch, and ran his "Reliable Tire Vulcanizing Company," located at 12 College St., in Berlin. The business cards were made in the name of Alfonso Hannusch at this time. This business was later reclaimed by Herbert Hannusch.
Elimar Hannusch relates the following adventure: "In 1913 Herbert bought a new Model T Ford. Your dad didn't have much money but he went along for the ride. I think it was to Buffalo where they bought an old 2 cylinder Reo Car. When he got to the border they wanted a lot of money for duty which he didn't have. So he left the car and came home. Herb said we'll get it. They went back and done something to the car so it would hardly run and when they got to the border they worked away to get it going. The border men told them to get the thing out of there. I'm not sure if they had to pay any duty or not. But they got it going and got away. When they were far enough over the border they fixed it so it ran all right again. They didn't get too far and she really did go on the blink. Garages were scarce at that time. They got it loaded on a freight car to get her home. Well your dad took it all apart and put it together again and got it going. He made it into a truck and used it for some time. I don't remember what he did with it in the finish."
He playe the violin, on occasion, and had made a violin or two in his lifetime, one, partly finished, later found among his personal effects.
Early in 1917, Alfonso Hannusch moved from Berlin, Ontario, Canada to the City of Detroit, Michigan (a brief part of this time spent in Bay City, Michigan) to enter the automobile factories. In 1917 he resided at 353 Orleans Street, in Detroit, and worked at Wilson Body Works. Murray Body and the Cadillac Motor Car Company were among other of his later employers.
September 19, 1917, Alfonso Hannusch was inducted into the United States Army, trained at Camp Custer (at Battle Creek, Michigan) and his unit was ordered to France as a part of the American Expeditionary Force. "Enroute," as he told the story, "he was removed from his unit, by order of General John Pershing, and reassigned as an essential tradesman." He was then attached to the "404th Aero Construction Squadron; Spruce Production; Aviation Section, Signal Corps; at Vancouver Barracks, Washington State." The following letter received by Mrs. Theo. Hannusch of R.R. # 1 Blair, Ont., from her son, Pfc. Alfonso Hannusch, of Squadron 404, Aviation Section, Signal Corps, Vancouver, Wash., will be of interest.
Vancouver, Wash., Dec. 6, 1917, Dear Mother, No doubt you were surprised to hear that I left Custer and traveled nearly 3,000 miles to another home, but such is army life, and to tell the truth I am not in the least sorry that I changed. I did not have to come but volunteered about a month ago and when the time came of course I went. While at Custer, the brigade I was in was Reserve Infantry and now am in the Aviation Section. It is a new branch of the service and I think it is the best one. We had a very strict Captain at Custer and I was only twice to Battle Creek and once to Detroit while I was there and for those passes I had to beg. Here we are in the City of Vancouver and across the Columbia River is Portland, Oregon. After 6 p.m. till 11 p.m. every day, unless on special detail, we can do whatever we please. Was to both places already Vancouver and Portland, and wish this was my home. It sure is some different climate. I have so much to say that I don't know how to start and if I did say, I could fill a storybook! But here I will give you a slight idea of our wonderful trip. About 700 sammies and 16 coaches left Custer Wed., November 28, at 4 p.m.. Here are some of the towns we passed till the next afternoon. Battle Creek, Michigan; Michigan City, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Ottawa, Illinois; Rock Island, Iowa; and at Waterloo, Iowa, we stopped for exercise. A soldier must have a ½ hr exercise every 24 hours, so that's the reason. We sure were welcomed there and in every town we went. In Iowa you could see all kinds of cribs filled with corn and fields with the stalks still standing. From Iowa we passed into Minnesota, a level state you can see no hill but land just like a table it is a wheat state. We passed through St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn. and many smaller towns. Arrived at Buckenridge at 1 p.m. on the following day and had exercise there. The people all turned out to greet us and every sammie got an apple. Seems small for one but look how many for all of us. From Minnesota we crossed into N. Dakota and there too the land is level and the only trees there are which the farmers plant to protect their houses or rather shacks. The barns there are like chicken coops. We delayed for 7 hours in Willisburg owing to a wreck just outside the city where a freight hit another engine. Then crossed into Montana and the first half of that state is Indian Reserve, and we saw a lot of them too. The whole state is hills and they look artificial. We passed through Glacier Park and that is certainly pretty. Crossed through Idaho and into Wash. For hundreds of miles we were riding around the side of the mountains with the Grand Canyon on the side. Imagine a mountain of hundreds of feet on the side of the train and just winding around them and in many places through tunnels. At one time we were 5,202 feet above sea level. Some mountains I saw were covered with snow and some you could see a cloud stuck on the side of it and the peak showing above. I suppose you will be tired of reading all of this junk, so you can lay the letter aside and rest and after read the end. I'm going to tell you something of my home now. Were in fir forest in wooden barracks and have wood stove heat, although we don't need much of it for it's nice and warm, but damp. The grass is green just like in spring at home. We still wear summer underwear and drill in shirt sleeves and our drill grounds are parks. We have a fine bunch of officers and also cooks for we get good mess out here. They didn't feed us good on the train, that is we didn't get very much to eat, but the idea is to keep down sickness. I am back on my weight again 175 pounds, that's more than I ever could weigh in the city. Our mission out here is to go out into the spruce forests which are located between here and the coast and cut airoplane lumber. This camp is less than 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean. At present we drill and are waiting for orders to go into the woods. It is very hard to say how long we will be here, we may leave any day for France, and still we may stay here and never leave, that is one thing I cannot say. I'm acting Corporal of the first squad of our squadron and expect to get a warrant pretty soon. That will pay $36 per month and I will have the squad to command. At Custer, I was the mechanic so I had no chance of getting higher in rank, still I had to drill raw recruits. When we get into the woods we are going to receive civilian pay that will be about $4 per day. I wrote and told you I would be home for Christmas, but you better call it off. I don't think I could have gotten enough time to make a successful visit anyway, but after this war is over I will be home for some time to make up for it. Well I think this is about enough news for this time, so let others read this for it's too much to write to everybody. Will say goodbye and God bless you, remain as ever your son
Here, at the rank of Sergeant First Class, he was honorably discharged, January 30, 1919. Following his discharge, on May 19, 1919, came his naturalization as a citizen of the United States. In that document the "c" was dropped from his last name.
After his discharge, Alfonso Hannusch remained on the west coast and took up residence in the City of Portland, Oregon. Here he was employed in that city's cable car system.
He met and courted Gladys Louise Reed-Clark, daughter of George and the late Edith (Drew) Reed, adopted daughter of Linus and Louise (Salzer) Clark (her maternal grand mother). The couple were married February 19, 1921, in Portland, Oregon. Children: 1) Russell Gerald Hannush, b. February 15, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan; 2) Virginia Mae Hannush, b. May 2, 1932.
Later that same year he returned to the City of Detroit, with his new bride, and resumed his employment in the automobile plants. At the same time he returned to the books to complete his high school education at Detroit's Eastern High School (night school). Apartments on Grand River and Russell Street served as home.
In the mid 1920's a home was purchased, at 3908 Gladwin Avenue. In l928 he built a new home, at 12061 Corbett Avenue, and the Gladwin Avenue home was sold. In the financial "Crash of 1929," the Gladwin Avenue home was forfeited by the purchaser and the house returned to him as the seller. Two houses could not be maintained under the existing financial conditions, thus, the Corbett Avenue house was sold and the family moved back to Gladwin Avenue.
It was during this period that his automobile woodworking profession gave way to that of cement mason. At the same time the old wood framed automobile was also giving way to the steel and iron frame work. From that day he built residential and commercial cement block basements for such builders as C.B.Helmer; Walter Mast; and, the Hintze Real Estate Company.
In 1938 he was crippled with arthritis. Unable to find treatment in Detroit, he was sent to the Veteran's Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. The xray experiments proved unsuccessful and, as he said, "he was sent home to die." Through a mutual friend he was introduced to Dr. Henry Gardiner (a divine healer). Several treatments later he was able to return to work without the severe pain and locked body joints.
With the outbreak of World War II, home construction came to an end as the nation swung into the war effort. Alfonso Hannusch was hired as a civilian in the United States Army Corps. of Engineers. For the next four years he became responsible for the inspection of military equipment in several Detroit factories and concluded his service with the inspection of boat motors produced by the Gray Marine Boat Works.
In 1941 he became a confirmed member of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church and served that congregation in several offices. He also served one year on the board of the Detroit Lutheran High School, as well as on several committees for the Detroit Lutheran Deaf Institute.
At the conclusion of the war the building trades revived, but now took on many of the mass production methods developed during the war. The two man operation gave way to larger crews. On the suggestion of a friend, Alfonso Hannusch took the Civil Service Examination for the City of Detroit. Age limits were waved for his experience and he was hired as a building inspector for the City of Detroit. Experience again played a roll when he was elevated to the position of commercial building inspector.
A long time member of the Grosse Point Post of the American Legion, after the war he became involved in the organization of the Detroit Lutheran Post of that organization. He served two terms as post commander and later as its representative to the Detroit Districts Association.
Late in 1949, while on a routine building inspection, part of the floor of the building he was inspecting gave way under his feet. The result was several cracked ribs. That injury appeared to heal quickly and he was soon back on the job.
Late in 1950 he complained of abdominal pains, these pains later diagnosed as gall bladder trouble. In February 1951, he was admitted to the Veteran's Hospital in Allen Park, Michigan.
Alfonso Hannush died in the Veteran's Hospital, on February 19, 1951, and is buried at Gethsemene Lutheran Cemetery in the City of Detroit.
ELIMAR HUGO HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Elimar Hannusch was born July 10, 1902, in the City of Berlin, Ontario and raised to maturity in the family home and farm at 66 Bloucher Street as well as under the influence of the family grocery-tailor shop located at 108 Ahrens Street in Berlin.
He first attended school at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School, but after the initial year he was removed to the newly constructed St. Anthony's Roman Catholic School. Church membership was also moved to the school's adjoining Church of the Sacred Heart.
At the age of fourteen Elimar Hannusch had completed his basic studies and left school to take his first job at the Dominion Button Factory. A brief series of poor paying jobs followed concluded as an employee at Walter Rumpell's Felt Company.
During this period, in local politics, the old guard German settlers and their immediate descendants found themselves in a long bitter struggle with the anti-German sentiments brought on by World War I. The latter finally won out and the name of the city was changed from Berlin to Kitchener, Ontario in honor of the English title.
At the time that Elimar Hannusch was in search of satisfactory employment, his parents secured a farm a short distance from his brother, Alfred Hannusch.
In April of 1917, Elimar Hannusch left the City of Kitchener, Ontario to take temporary residence with his brother, Alfred. Under his brother's guidance he apprenticed in the farming profession, learning the business from a practical application.
Early in 1918 his parents moved to their new farm while Elimar Hannusch worked their land over the next nine years. At the same time, he secured a four year contract with the government to deliver the rural mails. This he accomplished by horse in winter and by car during the summer time.
In 1928 his parents returned to the City of Kitchener and took up residence in their new home on York Street. Elimar Hannusch now took complete control of the farm.
On June 5, 1933, he exchanged the vows of marriage with Kate (Chambers) Davidson, a neighbor and the widowed mother of four children: Lillian, Jack, Robert and Donald Davidson. Their children: 1) Peter James Hannusch, b. February 7, 1935; 2) Jerome Elimar Hannusch, b. May 22, 1937; 3) Ronald Hannusch, b. January 2, 1939; 4) Lawrence Hannusch, b. Mar. 22, 1946, d. Sept. 2, 1946.
In the closing days of the 1920's the world was thrown into deep financial depression, a depression that changed the destiny of nearly every human being. In the rural communities' farm after farm collapsed in the wake of large surpluses and falling prices. The small farm was the first to suffer with many of them brought down in the first couple years. Elimar Hannusch had held on for a time, but the inevitable came. In the fall of 1936 he was forced to auction off stock and equipment and leave the land behind.
A short distance from their lost farm, a part of a farm house was rented while plans were worked out to begin anew. Over the next few years two further rental locations fell through: one in a title dispute; the second in Roseville sold out from under them.
Shortly after the loss of the family farm, Elimar Hannusch had invested in twenty acres of undeveloped land. Now, shoved from pillar to post and their money dwindling, it was decided to build on that land. With new and available lumber and the assistance of his wife's family, they were again living under their own roof.
To keep his growing family in food, clothing and shelter, Elimar Hannusch hired out to local farmers, particularly during the planting season, when help was at a premium. Through these employers he was able to bargain the use of a horse and wagon to haul wood that would keep the family warm during the winter months.
As the war chased the remnants of the depression, so went the struggle for jobs. In the summer of 1941 Elimar Hannusch took a job at Sandilands, in the City of Galt, and purchased his home located at 7 Augusta Street. In 1942 he went to work at Greenfield's Tap and Die, a job he held until their business slackened. In 1950 he went to work for the Galt Metal Company and remained in their employ until he retired in 1967.
His retirement has been filled with children, grandchildren, garden, woodworking hobbies and the assembly of many of the facts in this family history.
His lifelong enjoyment of family camping finally had to be curtailed in 1982 when he went through an operation for the removal of a disc in his back. Despite that set back he remained active until 1991 when he suffered a slight stroke. He had to give up his home to reside in an apartment in the home of his son, Peter.
Elimar Hugo Hannusch died May 6, 1994, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. He was buried from St Gregory's Roman Catholic Church and interred at Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
ADA HANNUSCH (Theobald, Johannes, Ignac, Josef)
Ada Hannusch, the last of nine children, was born at Berlin, Ontario on July 21, 1904. She was raised in the two story family home and farm at 66 Bloucher Street and under the influence of the family grocery-tailor business at 108 Ahrens Street.
She attended St. Anthony's Roman Catholic School.
In 1918 she moved with her parents to the Blair Road farm and returned with them to the York Street home in 1928. In the 1937 Kitchener City Directory Ada Hannusch is recorded as a resident on York Street living with her mother. (Note: city directories usually reflect a year or so before their specified date.)
In 1935 Ada Hannusch exchanged the vows of marriage with Emil Roser, son of Karl and Pauline (Meier) Roser who had remained in Germany when their son came to Canada. Soon after the couple took up residence in their home at 53 Onward Avenue, in Kitchener, Ontario. They had no children.
In her working career Ada (Hannusch) Roser was employed by the Merchant's Rubber Company, on Breithaupt Street, and the Wunder Furniture Factory; both were in Kitchener.
Struck with cancer (a lump on side of her face) in the early 1940's, Ada (Hannusch) Roser had sought out cures in Canada and the United States, but all the efforts proved futile.
Ada (Hannusch) Roser died in Kitchener, Ontario, on December 18, 1944. She is buried below her parents in the Roman Catholic Mausoleum, Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener, Ontario.
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