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Note: It is believed that twins Joseph and Jacob Ewald were born in/near Danzig/Gdansk. According to family stories, Jacob served as a sergeant in the German Army into which he was drafted in 1883. He may have worked at the Post Office while in Germany, as a telegrapher.
Jacob immigrated to the US in 1890 according to 1900 census information. (His parents immigrated the same year; brothers August & Julius in 1888 and Joseph in 1891. Because of the closeness of the dates, it's also possible that they immigrated at the same time. I located the following ship passenger information indicating that "Jacob Ewalt" arrived on the same ship, the steamer "Karlsruhe," as did brother Franz/Frank and his wife Emma:
Baltimore Passenger Lists, 1820-1948 (from Ancestry.com)
Name: Jacob Ewalt Arrival Date: Mar 25 1891 Age: 25 Years 0 Months Years Estimated birth year: abt 1866 Gender: Male Race: Prussia Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany Ship Name: Karlsruhe Port of Arrival: Baltimore, Maryland Microfilm Roll Number: M255_48 Page: 6
The passenger list indicates that his destination was Baltimore, though brother Franz' said Michigan. Since he was arriving at the port of Baltimore, perhaps there was some miscommunication.
I have learned that the North German Lloyd Line in Bremen provided regular direct steamer service between Bremen & Baltimore every Wednesday, as well as service to NY every Sunday & Wednesday, and service to New Orleans & Galveston, TX monthly. The fares to Baltimore in 1888 were 500 marks, first class and 300 marks for second class. Children up to age 12 paid half price, while infants up to one year were charged 9 marks. "Between decks" service was also available, but the price is not printed on the contract which I have (June, 1888). However, in that contract, the adults were charged 100 marks each, the children 50 marks; these were likely lower deck, non-cabin prices. The contract also indicates that lower deck passengers were provided "full and nutritious meals" included in the passage price, as well as fresh baked white bread daily. However, the passengers had to provide their own blankets, dishes and "wash sets;" straw mats were provided. The lower deck is described as being "almost 8 feet high" and divided into rooms for families; lighted through "the side window," and with good ventilation. Every passenger was allowed a 1/2 cubic meter free luggage space. Every piece was required to be "marked in oil paint" with full name of owner, destination and date of ship departure. Passengers were required to report to the company's accounting department in Bremen at least 48 hours prior to departure, presumably to pay the balance of the fare due.
Why the Ewalds chose to travel through the Port of Baltimore is explained below in the following from Ancestry.com: "Immigration waves through Baltimore reflected that of other eastern U.S. port cities, like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. Irish famine immigrants began arriving in the late 1840s and continued to stream in during the ensuing decades. Even larger numbers of German immigrants were also arriving around this time. Other ethnic groups followed, although in smaller numbers. In 1867, immigration jumped when the North German Lloyd Steamship line entered an agreement with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, allowing immigrants to purchase one ticket that would take them across the ocean to Baltimore and inland by train. [BNote: this is the line taken by the Ritters.] Ships laden with tobacco, lumber, and cotton goods from Baltimore’s textile industries arrived in Bremerhaven and returned with European immigrants and goods. That year more than 10,000 people passed through the port, more than doubling the 4,000 immigrants of the previous year.
"In 1868 immigrants began arriving at the new B&O piers at Locust Point. Immigration inspections required of steerage passengers were conducted on board the ships as they made their way into Chesapeake Bay. When they docked at the pier, immigrants could go directly to the B&O trains that would take them on the next leg of their journey.
For those who had to wait for trains, the Immigration Station had contracted with Mrs. Augusta Koether who ran a large boarding house. She was paid $0.75 a day for each immigrant who stayed with her. According to Forgotten Doors: The Other Ports of Entry to the United States, her boarding house was a haven for immigrants for close to half a century."
I also found that Jacob apparently returned to Germany and came again to the US in 1893:
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Name: Jacob Ewald Arrival Date: 18 Feb 1893 Estimated birth year: abt 1867 Age: 26 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Antwerp, Belgium Ethnicity/Race/Nationality: German Ship Name: Belgenland Port of Arrival: New York, New York Line: 24 Microfilm Serial: M237 Microfilm Roll: M237_603
This record indicates that Jacob was a 26 year old cigar maker, a US citizen, traveling alone in Second Cabin with one piece of luggage. His last residece is listed as "Berrent."
Jacob was a cigar maker and, later, a custodian at Fisher Body. Jacob married Anna Przytulski in late 1893, according to the records of St. Josephat Church, Detroit. Witnesses were Julius Ewalt and Antonia Komb (sp? Glombin?).
Jacob Ewald is listed in the City Directory of Detroit, commencing 1 Aug 1894, pg. 1583, living at 782 Alexandrine between Superior and Willis, Detroit in a home with August Ewald, his twin Joseph Ewald and brother-in-law Ignatatz Webber/Weber.
The 1895 Detroit Directory lists Jacob Ewald, cigar maker, boarding at 776 Riopelle, Detroit. Perhaps he and Anna moved from Riopelle after the directory information was obtained because, by February, 1895 at the baptism of their daughter Constance, Anna & Jacob were living at 782 Hastings St., Detroit. According to St. Josephat records, their address in 1899 at the baptism of their daughter Leocadia was again 776 Riopelle, Detroit.
Anna & Jacob first appear in the US census together in 1900, living with their 3 children and Anna's son, Anthony Przytulski, at 782 Hastings, Detroit, a rented home. They'd been married 6 years and all 4 children Anna had born were alive at the time of the census. Jacob was employed as a cigar maker in a factory, probably that of his brother, Julius, although he'd been unemployed 5 months of the previous 12. According to son Alphonse, Jacob and brother Joseph worked in the St. Elmo Cigar Factory that was owned by their brother Julius. His immigration date is shown as 1890 and that he'd been in the US for 10 years. He was able to read, write and speak English. According to son Al, Jacob and his brothers Joseph and Julius used to sing in the church choir at St. Josephat Church, Detroit.
Daughter Lillian recalls that Jacob never accepted his wife's son, Anthony Joseph "Tony" Przytulski, and was cruel to him at times. From census records and immigration dates, it appears that Tony came to the US the year after Jacob and his mother were married. He may have stayed with his grandparents in their home village after his mother immigrated to the US. Tony was living with his mother and step family at the time of the 1900 census, although by the 1910 census was living with his aunt & uncle, Stella and Joe Pisarek (Pisareik according to census spelling).
I found the name of Jacob Ewald, Detroit, MI listed in the Cigar Makers' International Union of America "Cigar Makers' Official Journal," (Chicago: Sept 1903), Vol. XXVIII, pg. 15 as a new member. [Google Books]; he joined the same A.F. of L. union as did brothers Joseph and Julius.
Jacob's wife Anna died in 1908 due to complications from childbirth. They were living at 512 Alexandrine St., Detroit at this time. He allegedly abandoned his children to relatives and to care for themselves, occasionally seeing them as they grew up, using his wife's insurance money to care for himself. However, the family appears to have still been together in June, 1910, when the census occurred: Jacob, widower, and 5 children are listed living at 512 Alexandrine St., Detroit. He is shown as owning the house, mortgage-free. His date of immigration is listed as 1892. He was still a cigar maker and was able to speak English.
The family was clearly split up by 1920. Jacob is shown in that census as a roomer in the house of his parents, August & Katherine, at 429 Willis St., Detroit. His son, Alphonse, was also living there. Jacob was 54 years old at this time. His immigration date is shown as 1890, naturalization in 1898. See transcriptions below as respects his naturalization.
He lived the last years of his life in the home of his daughter, Constance Ewald Ritter and her husband, Frank, at 8166 Wisner Sr., Detroit, from at least WW II almost until his death.
I recall my great grandfather as being rather scary to a young child - he had a huge, gray handlebar mustache which he used to clean & curl after dinner. I recall him drinking coffee from a saucer (to help cool it off) and hearing stories told by my parents of him trying to comfort me as a crying infant by singing me German lullabies and Christmas carols as he held me in his arms.
At the time of his death he was living at the home of another daughter, Lillian Lesinski, on Ward St. in Detroit. He is buried with his son Alphonse Ewald, daughter Constance and her husband Frank Ritter at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit.
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The following research was done by Brett R. Ewald in 2005 [Lilbeaks@juno.com]. Included are 1) Petition for Citizenship 31 MAY 1899; Affidavit of Petition for Naturalization papers; 2) Petition for Citizenship 31 MAY 1899; Affidavit of Petition for Naturalization papers; 3) Declaration of Intention 1 MAY 1896 ; 5) Oath of Allegiance 31 MAY 1899; Naturalization Oath:
Title: Ewald, Jacob Affidavit of Petition for Naturalization papers 31May1899
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Microfilm
Text: Michigan State Archives
Lansing, Michigan
17JAN2005
“State of Michigan
In the Circuit Court for the County of Wayne
In the matter of the Petition of Jacob Ewald for restoration of Naturalization Papers
Affidavit of Petition
I am a resident of Wayne County, State of Michigan, and have lived in said County for the past 26 Years and upwards. I applied for naturalization papers in the Wayne Circuit County on May 31, 1899, before one of the Judges of Wayne County Circuit Court and the Clerk was instructed to enter an order for my said naturalization and in accordance a certificate of naturalization was issued to me by said court bearing date of May 31, 1999,
Jacob Ewald
State of Michigan
County of Wayne
On this 12th day of July A.D., 1917, before me a Notary Public in and for said County, personally came the above named affiant who is well known to me and made oath that the contents of the above affadavit are true.
Joseph W. Pilarksi
Notary Public, Wayne County, Michigan
My commission expires May 18th 1921
_________________________________
Transcribed by Brett R. Ewald, 6FEB2005
Title: Ewald, Jacob Affidavit of Petition for Naturalization papers 31May1899
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Microfilm
Text: Michigan State Archives
Lansing, Michigan
17JAN2005
“State of Michigan
In the Circuit Court for the County of Wayne
In the matter of the Petition of Jacob Ewald for restoration of Naturalization Papers
Your petitioner, Jacob Ewald, respectfully shows unto the Court that he is and has been a resident of Wayne County, State of Michigan for the past 26 years and upwards. That on the 31st day of May, A.D. 1899 he made application to the Circuit Court of Wayne County to be admitted a citizen of the United States and was duly admitted, but owing to an error, his name was not entered on the Journal of this Court which makes his certificate of naturalization defective through no fault of your petitioner.
Inasmuch as your petitioner is without remedy in the premises except in the Court, he prays the Honorable Court order the County Clerk of the said Count to restore the record of this court so as to make it appear that the said Naturalization certificate was ordered granted your petitioner on the said 31st day of May, A.D. 1899.
That such other or further order in the premises be made as to this Court shall be deemed meet and proper.
And your petitioner, will ever pray, etc.
Jacob Ewald”
__________________________________
Transcribed by Brett R. Ewald, 6JAN2005
Title: Ewald, Jacob Declaration of Intention 1May1896
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Microfilm
Text: Michigan State Archives
Lansing, Michigan
17JAN2004
“Declaration of Intention
State of Michigan
County of Wayne
City of Detroit
The Recorder’s Court of the said City, to-wit:
I, Jacob Ewald do solemnly swear that it is bona fide my intention to become a CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, and to RENOUNCE FOREVER all Allegiance and Fidelity to each and every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly the Emperor of Germany, of whom I am now a subject.
Sworn and Subscribed before me at Detroit, this 1st day of May A.D. 1896. Signed Jacob Ewald. F. R. Fenton, Dep. Clerk
State of Michigan
County of Wayne
I, GEORGE H. LESHER, Clerk of the Recorder’s Court of the City of Detroit, do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the original Declaration of Intention of Jacob Ewald to become a CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, as the same appears of Records in my office.
In Testimony Wherof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at Detroit, this 1st day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety six.
Geo. H. Lesher, Clerk
By F.R. Fenton, Deputy Clerk”
______________________________
Transcribed 4FEB2004 by Brett R. Ewald
Title: Ewald, Jacob Naturalization Oath 31 May 1899
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Microfilm
Text: Michigan State Archives
Lansing, Michigan
17JAN2004
Naturalization Oath
I, Joseph Lorkowski of Detroit and State of Michigan, do swear that the petitioner, Jacob Ewald has resided within the limits ounder the jurisdiction of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, five years, and within the State of Michigan in year; that is to say the said Jacob Ewald has resided in Detroit State of Michigan, for more than five years last past, all of which places are within and under the Constitution of the United States; and during his residence within the United States he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.
Joseph Lorkowski
Sworn and subscribed in open Court, this 31st day of May A.D. 1899.
________________________________________________________________________________________
RESEARCH NOTES;
Alphonse Ewald, son of Jacob, once told me that he thought he'd heard that the Ewalds were from "Lautenerg, Germany." I've learned that "Lauenburg" is a county (and city) just west of present day Gdansk, and that it includes towns such as Lauenburg (German Lebork), Gniewino (German Gnewin), and Neustettin, all in East Pomerania.
I, Jacob Ewald do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and that I do absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure forever all allegiance to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State, and Sovereignty, whatsoever, and particularly do absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to Emperor of Germany whereof I was a subject.
Jacob Ewald.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court, this 31st day of May A.D. 1899.
John C. Staht, Deputy Clerk”
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