52 Ancestors: Working - Dean Witter

Last week I mentioned that I "discovered" an album I'd stashed away where I found some great photos of my parents at their graduations from Stanford University - you can read it HERE.  PLEASE tell me that others have stashed things away and forgotten that they had them?

Also included in the album were a lot of newspaper clippings - remember that my dad had a bit of the scrapbooking gene in him.  Most of them were loose and just haphazardly placed into the album - his parents apparently didn't teach him appropriate scrapbook etiquette.  I never really had the scrapbook gene but I guess you could argue that my blog is the 21st century form of scrapbooking.

After my dad's graduation in 1951, they moved to San Jose where my dad began his career at Dean Witter.

San Jose Mercury, 17 Sep 1951

San Jose Mercury, 14 Oct 1951

Interesting that Dean Witter was located in the Bank of America Building - more on that later.

By 1952, Dad offered San Jose Chamber of Commerce members "a positive investment policy".  The article is small and hard to read but a couple of his rules to follow are below.

San Jose Mercury, 3 Feb 1952

• Select concerns manufacturing needed goods.
• Choose concerns that are leaders in their particular industry.
• Achieve diversification (such as five different companies in as many industries to spread the risk).
• Put the same amount of dollars in each company.  
• Buy shares listed on major exchanges.
• Choose shares having a 10-year earning and dividend record and only those shares which have earned $5 for every $4 paid out in dividends.
• Annually weed out poorer stocks and replace them with better ones.
• Deal only with a reputable brokerage house or bank.
• Buy only on one's own capital (instead of with borrowed money).

I wonder how Dad would feel now with the self-investing that is prevalent today.  I can remember him coming home after a day's work and saying how bad the market performed that day and he'd say "can you believe the Dow was down 25 points today?"  He'd be hanging on for the ride these days!

This article has no date but I assume it's from the same event.  Not as detailed but easier to read.

And then, the office moved from the Bank of America Building.  I often wondered if he started at the office on First Street and now I see that he did not.

Wall Street Journal, 15 Dec 1952

Newspaper and date unknown

Oh boy, I remember the quotation boards where someone would stand at a chalk board all day and change the quotes.  And they called that fast information and service.

And here's Dad posing in front of the new office.  I remember going there as a child.

Another interesting story that I could have helped Dad with.  In the 1980's Dad felt the need to "try out" another career and joined the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau - they must have liked his talk in 1952.  He spent a decade with the Chamber and then decided to go back to what he loved and re-joined Dean Witter.  I remember him telling me that when he went back they were not going to give him "credit" towards his pension for his previous service there.  Believe it or not, there were no computer records and my packrat father couldn't come up with an old pay stub or anything to prove that he'd previously worked there.  He told me that finally he was able to come up with a photo of him shaking hands with Dean Witter - success!  But if he'd only looked at his own scrapbook he would have found this.....

Dean Witter was a special part of Dad's life and I'm glad he left me some mementos so that I could take a trip in his honor down memory lane.

52 Ancestors: School - Gerry and Gordon Graduate

Labor Day weekend is always a tough time for me as my dad died on Labor Day in 2005 which was September 5.  I can't believe it's been 16 years ago today.  So when the prompt of School came up, I thought there was nothing better than to write about my dad, Gordon Levy and my mom, Gerry Martin.

Dad received his Bachelor's Degree in 1949 (5 years due to military service) - I wrote a bit about his early college days HERE and HERE.  I just ran across another photo album (WHY do I stash them in different locations?) and thought I'd share a few photos here.

My mom, Gerry Martin, graduated from Stanford with a BA, Economics 7 April, 1950.  I always wondered why she studied Economics - ick.  But she did and sure was a proud graduate.

Gerry Martin, 7 April 1950, Stanford University

Not sure if this was before or after the ceremony but, thankfully, dad labeled it for me.

Oh I'm sure Dad wished he had a telephoto lens - somewhere in that crowd of graduates is my mom.

And her graduation photo from The Quad, the Stanford yearbook, in 1950.

After his undergraduate graduation, Dad continued on with his graduate degree and kept at it even after their marriage in September, 1950.  And just like that he was done and then participated in the graduation ceremony on 6 April, 1951.

   Gordon Levy, MBA, 6 April, 1951, Stanford University

They looked so happy (and probably so thankful it was finally over).

Gordon and Gerry Levy, 1951

And proof that the parents all attended.  Fortunately, it's an easy drive from Fresno to Palo Alto.

Sig Levy, Loraine (Gunzendorfer) Levy, Clara (Fitzgerald) Hunter, Shel Hunter

And from the 1951 yearbook.

I think about my parents every day but Labor Day weekend is always so tough.  I'm always so happy when I can remember Dad in my blog.

52 Ancestors: Character - Dick Crawford

This week's prompt really had me stumped, probably because I'd already written about my grandfather, Sig Levy, for last year's prompt Quite The Character.  So I felt like I should get a little more creative and interpret the prompt a little differently.

I wondered if my grandparents had written about any characters in the letters they wrote back and forth from 1916-1919.  In checking Loraine's letters to Sig, the word was never mentioned.  But when I opened Sig's letters to Loraine and searched on 'character', a new world opened up to me.  

November 11, 1917

And what do you think my dear.  Dick did not pass his examination.  He came home last night really sad and if he can't pass, I don't think I would have stood a chance, as he is a young giant and one of the best athletes in this part of the country.  He has an excellent moral character and is high class in every respect, but the physical examination was too stiff for him.  They don't give any reasons, just "pass" or "don't pass".  But I think I'll be happier now because if we enlist, we will both go together or else wait for the draft.  You know they are to classify on the 15th of December, and call us out on February first.

I'm glad that you appreciated Dick's phoning you and that answers your question:  "Am I thinking of you?"  Now do you love me a lot for that?  Dick is a swell fellow - my closest friend and the only one in the world whom I would have ring you.  And I didn't want to miss the opportunity as I thought you would enjoy it, and you did, didn't you my dear?

I've read a lot about Dick in my grandfather's things so decided this would be a good time to research my grandfather's closest friend.

Dick Crawford, Fresno High School, The Owl, June, 1908

Dick was born Edwin Dickey Crawford to Annie Lee (Dickey) and James Malcom Crawford on 2 June 1892 in Temple, Texas.  I don't know the reason but somewhere between 1900 and 1910, the family moved to Fresno.  

January 13, 1918 - letter from Sig to Loraine

I am enclosing a clipping of a picture that I received from Dick.  As usual the paper got it all wrong and has him training for an aviator when in fact he is in the non-flying branch, but he will be all swelled up to learn that he is training for a flier.  So your friend is in the same camp.  Yes my dear, I think it would be great if he would meet Dick.  According to your address they are in the same camp but Dick is in the 10th squadron.  He most likely is registered as E.D. Crawford.  He will surely like Dick as they don't come any better.

Sig was probably referring to this picture (newspaper article) he had received from Dick.

Fresno Morning Republican, 13 Jan 1918, Page 14

Fresno has many proud sons in the service of Uncle Sam, but above is shown seven Fresnans who are in training for the aviation service at Camp Waco, Texas.  The picture was received here yesterday by Sig Levy, who has been recommended for the officers' training school for aviators, from Dick Crawford, who recently enlisted in the aviation service.  The boys report that they like the life.  In the picture reading from left to right they are:  (Upper row):  Dick Crawford, Fritz Prather, Hollis Pierson, Heitzig, Bouden, Kellog, Owen, all of Fresno; and Wikarons of San Diego.

Then on January 27, Sig wrote:

Haven't heard from Dick for weeks but saw his best girl this afternoon and she told me that he hasn't been at all well and is a little discouraged.  He is making a big fight again to get in the officers camp for flying and I certainly hope he makes it, because he would be a wonder.

Things didn't sound great in Sig's letter to Loraine on January 31, 1928:

I had a long letter from Dick and he has been very sick - and really sick at heart.  The poor fellow is certainly not in his regular company, but he is so game that I think he will get hardened to it.

A few weeks went by and on February 10, 1918 Sig wrote:

Haven't heard from Dick lately and I imagine he is about to depart for France as they are starting the aviation officers eastward - those who have been training in Texas.

Finally, a week later, February 17, 1918, Sig mentioned Dick again:

At last had a letter from Dick.  He is feeling better but not any too happy.  He says he is glad that I have a chance for a real job because his life is certainly tough and he said he would give anything to be back home.

And the weeks went on.  March 3, 1918:

Had a long letter from Dick last night.  He says for me to have all the fun I can while the going is good and he says this army life is a regular monk’s life.  However, he is now feeling fine and has gained ten pounds.  But all his Fresno comrades have left to parts unknown and he is very lonesome and has no idea when he will leave.  The weather down there is now getting dreadfully hot, but that is better than cold.

March 19, 1918.  Dick is still waiting to go - sounds like he and Sig were very close friends.

I heard from Dick today.  He is feeling fine and says he was given almost all his battle equipment which means France any day – and he can’t wait to go but said he wished hard to be with me for a few days before leaving, but of course that is impossible.

March 21, 1918.  

Later tonight I’m going to write Dick and it will most likely be the last he will get in U.S. as I think he will be on his way any day.  Poor kid, I hate to see him start without a higher position.

March 28, 1918.  Sounds like Dick was on his way during this past week.

Haven’t had a line from Dick so I think he must have departed so I soon expect to hear from him “over there” – you never can tell.

April 2, 1918.  Apparently, Dick hasn't left yet.  I'm glad to hear he had an opportunity to visit with friends - maybe friends from Texas?

I suppose you read where the yanks were about to enter things head first in France.  You know what that means – everybody all aboard soon and a big shift for “over there”.  But we are going to beat them dear and beat them terrible.  Heard from Dick yesterday.  They are letting him have a glorious time visiting friends as the time for leaving for France he says is any moment.

A few weeks before Sig mentioned Dick again.  April 18, 1918.

Today has been a rather peculiar one.  I heard from Dick last night – he is in Omaha and he is in training for a master truck driver and is very enthusiastic but working awfully hard.  But what do you think sweet – his mother died last evening.  It was very sudden and the cause was apoplexy.  It will surely wreck Dick as he was so fond of her.  She was a very fine woman and very young.  I suppose Dick will come home for the funeral.

Sure enough.  Annie Crawford died on 17 April 1918 at the young age of just 46.

Sadly, Dick was unable to return home for the funeral.  The 'little girl' mentioned was, apparently, his girlfriend.

Dick’s mother’s funeral was yesterday and he could not come.  Isn’t that tough.  I guess he feels pretty blue and his little girl is still in the sanitarium improving rather slowly.

After a few brief mentions of Dick, Sig wrote on May 14, 1918.

Haven’t heard from Dick for an age.  Several balloons exploded in his camp but his folks tell me that he didn’t happen to be in the midst.  He most likely will write me all about it.

Just a few days later - May 19, 1918.  I can't get enough of the loving words Sig and Loraine wrote to each other.

Heard from Dick and the poor fellow is certainly working hard.  He is driving a truck all day long and says he works until he is “all in”.  He will be one boy who will be happy when the war is over.  The girls out there treat the soldiers very nice but he says he craves for the company of the real western girl – and then he would be happy.  I supposed when I am on my way I will be worse in that regard than is he.  Saw a Red Cross picture last night of a girl in love with a soldier boy.  Sweetheart it reminded me of you so much because she loved him so much, and I really thought deeply of you all night.

June 2, 1918

Had a letter from Dick yesterday.  He likes Omaha better every minute.  He says the girls out there are just showering the boys with attention.  It won’t be long before Fresno will not have any young men left.  Every day bunches are leaving.  

Not much news about Dick until November 22, 1918.

Read in the paper that Dick Crawford is home on a furlough.  Isn’t that great. 

November 29, 1918 - SPECIAL DELIVERY

And I first just left Dick and Helen - poor kid leaves at 3 a.m. for Virginia.  He is on a furlough and tried to get discharged while here but nothing doing.  They wouldn't allow him an extension or anything - wired him to come right back.

December 11, 1918.  Was Dick heading home now?

Had a card from Dick en route and he said his train was crowded with aviators homeward bound.  

December 12, 1918.  Sounds like he was on his way home.

Just had a letter from Dick – he has arrived safely and expects his discharge before the 15^th.  He says he is crazy to get back into God’s country.  

December 26, 1918.  Just in time for Christmas.  I wonder what "quite natural" looks like.

Dick arrived home last night and is back for good.  He changed his clothes at once and looks quite natural.

January 5, 1919.

I’ve only been with Dick once or twice since he is back as I have spent most of my evenings writing to you and then home to bed and then thinking of you.  

January 14, 1919.  Sounds like Dick is busy catching up.

Don’t hardly see Dick at all – I fear he is too busy with dates.  

January 17, 1919.  Now Dick is planning to catch up with Sig.

Don’t see any of the fellows anymore, even at night.  They say they are all too busy, but I have a date with Dick tomorrow night.  I even sold his home this week – can you beat that.

January 18, 1919.  And they did!

I am up to the club with Dick and we are having a nice visit.  Just before dinner tonight I made a deal netting $200.00 commission.  Pretty good finish for the week.

January 19, 1919.  And now Dick is back to catching up with Helen.

It is a beautiful sunshiny day but I am too lazy even to go riding.  Dick just came in and he is half asleep and left to go out and see Helen.  He will have to wake up or she won’t enjoy his company. 

January 29, 1919.  Lots of changes in Dick's life.

I had a glimpse of Dick today – never get a visit with him as he is too busy with his women.  And tomorrow he is moving away out to their new place which I leased them so I guess he won’t get down town much at nights.  With all my deals I am changing many homes on the first of the month. 

February 14, 1919.  

Dick & I are going to visit a little while tonight.  There is a soldiers night at the armory but I’ll not go. 

February 15, 1919.  I'm glad Sig and Dick are still 'hanging out' and I'm sure they looked dapper in their uniforms - where are the photos of that?

What do you think?  I went out last night to the soldiers and sailor ball.  They requested me to come so Dick & I went in uniform.  It was simply packed and quite a sight.  The music and life was quite a change for me after all my strenuous grind of hard work. 

And as my grandmother would say, that was that.  Sig and Loraine were married just 4 days later so that was all I read about Dick.  It sounds like he was a special friend of Sig's but I don't know if their friendship continued after Sig was married.

I did learn that Dick followed in his father's footsteps and became an optometrist.  He went on to marry Estelle Kuster and together they had two sons, Stanly Francis Crawford (1920-2009) and Edwin Dickey Crawford (1926-2013).  

Edwin Dickey Crawford died on 13 Dec 1954, coincidentally the day before I was born.

Fresno Bee, December 14, 1954, page 1

I've contacted a few people on Ancestry who might have some knowledge of Dick but since it looks like he only had one grandchild, I'm not sure I'll hit pay dirt with those contacts.

I never heard Dick's name mentioned but since he died before I was born, I guess that's to be expected.  But I'm happy to learn what a great friend he was to my grandfather during a very difficult time for both of them.

 

 

52 Ancestors: Favorite Name - The "other" Ferdinand

As you probably remember, Ferdinand Gunzendorfer was my 2nd great grandfather.  He was born 1 August 1838 in Adelsdorf, Bavaria, Germany and died 20 October 1907 in Monterey, California.  He was married to Fannie Goldstein in 1863 and together they had four sons - Gustave George (1864-1939), Adolph (1866-1932), Abraham (1869-1944), and Jacob (1871-1960).  Abraham was the father of Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer, my paternal grandmother.  These facts are confirmed.

But there are other Gunzendorfers that I am trying to link to my Gunzendorfers.  I have put together a tree for a family in New York that I suspect are related to my Gunzendorfers.  

The most likely link of that family is Adolph Guzendorfer (1867-1943) who was born in Adelsdorf, Bavaria, Germany.  From passport applications from he and his brother, Ludwig (1874-1929), their father was Bernard/Bernahard/Bernardt (1829-1908?)  Adolph arrived in the United States somewhere between 1879-1888 and married Lena Wasserman 17 November 1895 in New York.  

I know that Adolph and Lena had one daughter, Lenore, who was born 13 October 1896 in New York.  My grandmother wrote in her 28 November 1918 letter to my grandfather, after they had announced their engagement: 

"Quite a coincidence, sweetheart.  Dad has a cousin in N.Y. who has a daughter my age and whose name is similar to mine, Lenore.  They were at Del Monte nine years ago when I met her.  We later corresponded for some time but the last few years lost track of each other.  Yesterday we received a letter telling of her engagement.  Funny, isn’t it?  Now I’ll have to write to her to inform her of mine."

I know that Lenore was married on 17 June, 1919 and my grandmother was married on 23 February 1919.  So if you're tracking with me, this means that Loraine's father, Abraham Gunzendorfer, was the cousin of Lenore's father, Adolph.  Right?  Which would mean that Abraham's father, Ferdinand, was the brother of Adolph's father, Bernard.  Right?  Dates of birth are within 10 years of each other so the timeline matches.

Years ago I connected with some of the New York Gunzendorfer family and this blog post reminds me that I need to get back to that.  I just KNOW they are related to my family.

But back to my favorite name.  While not necessarily my favorite name, the name that haunts me is Ferdinand Gunzendorfer.  No, not that Ferdinand but this one.

Congregation of Ahavas Achim Cemetery

French Camp, San Joaquin County, California

Findagrave memorial #25960680

One little clue.  My grandmother wrote on 30 September 1917 about a Dr. Franklin and said:

"my father's cousin in Stockton is a very good friend of his."

So her father, Abraham, also had a cousin in Stockton.  And the cemetery above, Ahavas Achim Cemetery, is located in Stockton.  But how does this Ferdinand fit in with the NY Gunzendorfers?  I've searched and searched for him and, for the most part, have come up empty.  I think that this Ferdinand may have actually been born in 1864 rather than 1874 as stated on the tombstone.  Which would make him fairly close in age to NY Adolph.  Maybe another brother to NY Adolph and his brother, Ludwig?  So did Bernard name a child Ferdinand in "honor" of his brother?  There are so many pieces that tie these two families together but I just can't put the puzzle together.

I've thought about this for so many years and even blogged about it before.  I NEED to get back on this and solve it once and for all!

Any suggestions?

52 Ancestors: Health - Sig takes a fall

Sig Levy, c. 1966

This week's blog prompt reminded me of a letter that my grandfather, Sig Levy, had stashed away in the metal box where he kept many (all?) of his "important" papers which now resides in my home.  I've looked through it several times and there really isn't much other than insurance policies and jewelry appraisals but each time his notes about a fall piqued my interest.  So, here it is.

September 18, 1966 

This is what happened to me at the Community Hospital Fresno.  I was a patient under Dr. Knudson’s care in room 429.

He had taken me over to the hospital I believe on Monday Sept 12 for Xrays because I had terrible pains & a swelling in my right chest under my ribs.  He suspected a stoppage in the ducts of my pancreas and came to the house in the morning of that day and gave me two injections.  He came back again around noon time & the pain was still severe so he gave me another apparent stronger injection and ordered me to the hospital for Xrays but by the time I arrived at the hospital the pain had subsided & the swelling was down.  But he had the Xrays performed which took about an hour or more & he and Dr. Mayhee (?) said they could find nothing serious after reading the Xrays.

I was sent to my room & put to bed and ordered on a liquid diet.  During that afternoon Dr. Nielsen came to my room; examined me & said I was OK.  I was on a liquid diet for 2 days – during that time I was given several pills, a cup of liquid & a shot in the arm – all this was given me to get ready for more xrays.  This medication caused a stoppage of passing any urine so that night they dumped (?) my bladder.  In the meantime they took 2 blood tests & reported all OK.  Then on Thursday they took me down for another complete almost 2 hrs xray & forced liquid thru my veins.  The result was that all showed OK so I wanted to go home on Thurs but Dr. Knudsen said he wanted me to stay another night for medication which he gave me causing me to go to the toilet to urinate about every 20 minutes or so.  So late Thurs aft I asked the nurse if the side of the bed could be left down so I could go to the bathroom & she said yes but that I was not to get out of bed at night.  And I said then you will pull up the side of the bed & she said she would before she could go home from her shift & that was the last I saw of her.  Later that eve another nurse came in and gave me 2 large red pills & a sleeping pill and shortly after I fell in a dead sleep.  Later on I was awaken by having to urinate so in a daze I was feeling on the bed to reach for the urinal which the previous nurse told me to do.  I reached the tube alongside the bed which moved & I together with the urinal fell on the side of the bed & landing on my head & shoulders on the hard floor.  It hurt terribly & I grabbed ahold of the sides of the bed & tried & tried to get on my feet but the floor was so slippery I kept falling flat on my face.  After about 10 minutes or more of struggling I finally made it into bed.

At once I buzzed for a nurse and an orderly & nurse came in.  I told them I had a bad fall on my head which was cut & I hurt badly.  They put a tape on my head & left the room.  I & the bed was soaking wet & I thot they came back change my wet bed clothes etc. but that was the last I saw of them.

Later about 10 minutes I couldn’t stand the pain & wet any longer so I buzzed again and a different nurse came in I told her of my fall & condition & she at once changed the bedding & gown to make me comfortable.  She said no one told her that I had fallen on the floor so I asked her to notify my doctor which she said she would.  Later I called again & asked a different nurse to bring me aspirin to relieve the pain which she did.  I also asked to notify my doctor & she said it had been done.

The doctor finally arrived about 9:45 the next morning Friday.  I told him of the accident & he said they notified him during the night & told him I wasn’t hurt badly.  He at once ordered Xrays to ascertain if I broke any bones & the result was that I had not.

When I hit the floor on the floor [sic] it almost knocked me out completely but I finally struggled to bed with a painful chest & ribs.  He released me for home by my wife later Friday.

Sig Levy

And almost as an afterthought, he added this.

When the second nurse came in Thurs eve and gave me a sedative even tho the previous nurse forgot to pull up the side of the bed rails the nurse should have taken care of it because she might know I would become dazed later in the night.  It appeared to be gross negligence on the nurse’s part. 

Why did he write this?  Was he anticipating a lawsuit of some kind?  Was there a lawsuit that I just haven't found evidence of?  So many questions.

I wasn't quite 14 when Sig died so don't have a ton of memories of him but I'm learning that he might have been a bit quirky.  He also, apparently, like to document things "just in case".

What's interesting is that just 2 years later, August 17, 1968 Sig died from pancreatic cancer.  You can see that the death certificate states he'd had it for 1 year.  

Was this event he describes above the beginning of the illness that took his life?  Who knew?

52 Ancestors: Fashion - Hats off!

This week's blog prompt, Fashion, had me going through some photos to discover a theme.  It was then that I noticed how many hats there were in my family, particularly on the paternal side.  It is amazing how many different style of hats there are.  So, hats off to those in hats!

My grandmother, Loraine (Gunzendorfer) Levy, had a lot of hats.  Here's a few through the years.

Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer, 1896

On her honeymoon?  1919

I remember "back in the day" when we would dress up to fly on a plane.  Looks like Loraine did just that before she took her seat.

I remember Grandma wearing a hat like this.

Grandmother back from Hawaii, c. 1959

Her mother, Bertha (Schwartz) Gunzendorfer, also liked hats and the two of them liked to show them off together.

Abe and Bertha (Schwartz) Gunzendorfer, Loraine Gunzendorfer c. 1919

Bertha (Schwartz) Gunzendorfer, Loraine (Gunzendorfer) Levy

She was sporting quite a hat at Dad's graduation from Stanford in 1949.

Here's an old one - check out all of these hats!  Bertha and Abe are in the front.

Even Bertha's family liked hats!

Parents Louis and Rebecca (Steen) Schwartz, 

Brothers Milton and Colman Schwartz

Looks like little Colman didn't have a hat - but he found a few!

Colman Schwartz, 1890

Colman Schwartz, 1896

And the Levys liked hats, too!

Sig Levy, 5th from the right - you'll see that style of hat again

Sig on the right with his WWI hat on

Sig Levy, ready for a costume party

Looks like Sig posing while on his honeymoon.  Is that the same hat?

Keeping the head warm!

My dad liked hats, too.  I remember in the 60's he always matched a hat to his suit.  Sadly, I haven't found any photos of that.  Check out this hat!

Gordon Levy, Vancouver BC, 1936 - Like father, like son

This one is a little goofy but SO "Dad".

Gordon and Gerry (Martin) Levy

Believe it or not, the hats got even goofier.

Now they're ready for a costume party

Keeping his head warm AND dry!

Crazy Hat Night at Family Camp

Even my sister and I got into the act.

What a pose!

And a few of our own creations from Crazy Hat Nights.

I'm in the middle - 1958

1961

But the most elaborate hat I came across was modeled by my grandmother's first cousin, Henrietta Schwartz.  Grandma's mother (Bertha Schwartz) was the younger sister of Henrietta's father, Joseph Schwartz.  Maybe she was going to the Kentucky Derby?

Henrietta Schwartz, date unknown

That's a lot of hats!!!