Û Lehmann
Family Photos
Submitted by Brian & Beth Erland
Fredrick G. Lehman, Mary Theresa (Nichols),
Fredrick August, Alma,
Elizabeth Anna (Reitz-Nichols)
Lehman, Bertha, Bottom Row: Martha
(Mattie), and Paul.
Frederich G Lehmann's family came from
Dresden, Germany, where they were gardeners to the royal family.
Frederich received an education at the castle where he lived as a child.
He had lost his sight in one eye, but was a trained artist and painted
many family portraits. He came to the US to avoid serving in the German
army.
Immigration: 22 Dec 1856, from Hamburg, Germany to New York
on the ship, Borussia
At home in Anamosa, he painted murals on
the walls of his house, however, after he lost his house to a fire, he
vowed only to paint on canvas so his paintings might be quickly gathered
in case of another fire. He was married to Mary (last name unknown) in
the 1870 census, and after Mary died, married Elizabeth Anna Nichols
(Reitz). Fredrick died in 1917.
Anna Elizabeth Reitz was born in
Koblentz, Prussia, Apr 1840 to Johann and Margarethe Reitz. They arrived
from Bremen, Germany to NY on 1 Jul 1857 on the ship, Young Sam. The
Young Sam was a 1012 ton ship, rigged vessel, that was built in 1855.
She was made of oak with copper and iron fasteners. Her dimensions were
172 ft long x 35 ft beam and had a draught of 23 ft. She was filled with
merchandise and 348 passengers.
The Reitz family settled in
Anamosa and on 1 Sep 1861, Elizabeth married Fred W. Nichols. They had
four children; Maria, Amelia, Mary and Henry. Fred died sometime around
1871. Elizabeth married George Lehmann, 26 Aug 1872. Three of the
children from Elizabeth's first marriage all died within a 3 month
period in 1874 of diphtheria; Amelia, Mary and Henry. Two of George's
children from the previous marriage were put up for adoption as small
boys, Harold and Charles. Between the 1880 and 1890 census shows the
following children: Mary, Bertha, Alma, Martha, Augustus, Frederick and
Gustaf. Elizabeth died on 12 Aug 1909.
On Thursday, June 12, 1902, at 4 o'clock P.M., occurred the happy wedding of the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Lehmann, Miss Alma E. to Albert Henry, at the home of the bride's parents. Rev W. E. Glanville officiating. Mrs. Glanville also being present. The bride and groom stood under a grand archway of roses with a lovely background of green and white ferns. The bride was attired in a beautiful pale fine silk dress. The groom wore a suit of black. The bride is one of the most charming young ladies of our city and is loved and respected by all. The groom is an honest and industrious young man and has worked for a number of years for Col. Shaw. After the ceremony was performed, their picture was taken by the bride's father and then all proceeded to the dining room where a decorated table with luxuries was awaiting them.
Brian Erland says: "Frederick Lehmann was a painter and in 1890,
painted a picture of Fisher's Mill, built in 1853 on Buffalo Creek,
Anamosa, IA. We believe he studied at the School of Arts & Painting, in
Berlin, Germany, as he also has a painting of this building. He was
blind in one eye, but the paintings are wonderful. We have managed to
collect 31 of them to date, however, his daughter, Martha (Mattie)
(Lehmann) Harvey, who lived in Monticello, had many more in her garage,
under her porch, and hanging in her house. We'd appreciate information
on additional paintings."
Gary Lehmann has supplied scans of the
1900 "Cooling Off in the Wapsipinicon River," the 1909 "Sunday Stroll,"
and the self-portrait. The bridge in the background in "Sunday Stroll"
is still there in Anamosa.
Fisher's Mill | Cooling Off | Sunday Stroll | F G Lehmann |