Charles and William Barth
Charles and William Barth left Germany some time in the
1860's for America.
According to my father, they left because of the constant wars that were going
on. The family had lost all their land and money to the invaders and were
sick and tired of the fighting. They came to America for peace and to try
to build new lives.
Both Charles and his brother, William, were blacksmiths and tin smiths and experienced in the building trades. Charles enjoyed
several careers as listed in the Voting Registers of San Francisco,
California. According to the 1890 and 1892 Great Registers of San
Francisco, California, Charles Barth became a U.S. Citizen 23 October 1873
in Chicago, Illinois, and is listed as a Cornice Maker. In 1896 he is
listed as a Metal Worker and in 1898 as a Fireman. Charles founded a sheet
metal business in San Francisco, California, in the 1880's employing many family
members until 1911 when he died.
According to the 1892 Great Register of San Francisco, California, William
was Naturalized 30 July 1897 in San Francisco, California, and listed as a
Cornice Maker. He was also experienced in farming and, after he retired,
planted and cared for an orchard on his land in Lost Altos, California.
Charles taught his nephew, William Spormann, the sheet
metal and cornice worker trades and employed him for several years until William
decided to move back to his hometown of of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. William
went on to become a partner in the Cedar Rapids Cornice Works, manufacturers of
galvanized iron, copper cornice, steel ceilings and roofing materials.
There was a Charles Barth listed in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois in the 1860
Census. I don't know if this is my Charles, a relative of Charles, or any
relation at all. But, I have a feeling that there is a connection.
E-mails Welcome!
Address found on Home page
The information contained
herein is being made available for the purpose of furthering genealogical
information and is not to be sold or reproduced to be sold in any form,
electronic or otherwise.
Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by Patricia
J. Dunne
All rights reserved
This page was last updated 07/10/05
Return to Top of Page
