I’m getting to know my Great Grandmother Albers gradually. She’s one of the still mysterious ladies. There are many
This family connection was a chance to know living family that I somehow let go by. Note to self: Don’t let that happen again.
Martha remains elusive. So, should I skip great grandmother Martha Marsischky Albers in my “Ladies In My Line” series? Maybe wait until I have a more complete story? I did consider that. But instead I have decided it could be a helpful process for me to write about her now. Besides, my sister, Martha, has curiosities about her also. So, here goes.
Martha Marsischky was born October 1, 1874, in Berlin, Germany and immigrated to America when she was seven years old. Her parents were Wilhelm and Caroline (Mischky) Marsischky. The Marsischky family lived in New York State for approximately eight years, according to the births of her sisters and brother. But the exact place and time of this residence aren’t clear yet. By 1889 the family was living in Indianapolis.
In 1892, when Martha was 17 years old, she married Charles Albers, also an immigrant from Germany. I have no records, yet, of the church where they may have been married. Although I do have an Indianapolis marriage record and we know that the family was Lutheran. There were five children born to Martha and Charles between 1892 and 1905, one being my grandmother, Louise. As far as I can conclude, Martha was keeping house and raising her children during these years at two homes in Indianapolis, 1901 Hazel Street and 635 Alabama Street.
Tragedy first struck in Martha’s life when Charles died in 1915 and she became a 40-year-old widow with four children. Additional family sorrow came into her life in 1919 when her daughter, Louise, and six-month-old grandson, Walter, died during the flu pandemic. (Louise’s story is here.)
Martha started a new chapter in her life on October 14, 1919, when she married Paul Jantz, a blacksmith, in Indianapolis. He was fourteen years her senior. We can’t know what developed with this relationship, however, in October of 1926 she marries again, to Andrew Jutte. The evidence I have is that Paul Jantz did not die until 1930, so perhaps they divorced. Martha had no children by either her second or third husbands, as far as I know at this time.
She remained with Andrew Jutte until her death at the age of 77 in 1952. Yet again, this is only my current research information. His death date is unknown. But there are reasons I believe Martha stayed married to Andrew that I still have to substantiate.
Part of that reasoning involves stories in the family of “Jutteville.” They relate to the south side Indianapolis area where Martha and Andrew Jutte lived, Habig Road or Lane. The story goes that this area of property became known as “Jutteville.” Entwined with that story are mentions of Grandma Jutte. Several families in my line lived on Habig Lane and in the nearby area in the 1920s-1950s. This is an ongoing investigation of mine, to put together the Jutte family association and the reasons for this name for the Habig Road/Lane area. So there’s another mystery in Martha’s story that I am gradually assembling into a full portrait.
I still have many questions: What did she look like as a young person? Why is she not listed with Andrew Jutte in the 1930 census at the Habig Rd address? Where is Martha in the 1930 census? Why can I not locate her death certificate? Did she also work at C. B. Cones Overall Manufacturing Co., as so many in this family? and so on……
One final segment of Martha's story that I do have is that she lived on Habig Road (Lane) at the time of her death. Her obituary in The Indianapolis News on May 22, 1952 reads:
JUTTE--Martha Albers, 124 Habig Road; mother of Mrs. Clara Wyrick, William and Julius Albers, sister of Lena House Bernitt and Carl Marsischky, passed away Wednesday. Services Saturday, 1 p.m., J.C. Wilson Chapel of the Chimes. Friends invited. Friends may call at the Chapel of the Chimes.
There is a closing for Martha’s tale though. She is buried with her first husband, Charles Albers, in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, (Section 54, Lot 305), not far from Louise and Walter. Her final chapter must have been setup well in advance.
But this “Ladies In My Line” story isn’t finished. I’ll continue the search for the facts about Martha Marsischky Albers Jantz Jutte, my great grandmother. If you are related or aware of information, I would appreciate hearing from you.
If you are interested in the Marsischky/Albers lines in my family, CLICK HERE.
You may leave me a message by clicking “Comments” just below this post. Thanks for following along on my family research journey.
What a complicated life's line to follow, Nancy, especially with all those marriages. I can understand why you are interested in pursuing it, though. I'm with you: I crave the stories of each ancestor's life, with all the details of every stage of it--young, old, steps along the way.
ReplyDeleteIs your sister named after your great-grandmother? Perhaps she has that added interest in seeing these details uncovered.
Hi Jacqi, Actually, my sister is not named after this great grandmother since this family connection faded when my grandmother, Louise, died when my father was three. But I think I can speak for my sister in saying she has developed an interest in the Martha that became obscure. Thanks for your comments.
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