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OTTO REUTER 1868-C1940Born in Solingen'Auta' is the source of the name of 'Otto', an ancient Germanic name meaning 'Wealth' Source: Babynamer.com Visit CLARA REUTER sister of Otto WALBURGA APP REUTER 1872-C1929Born in WürtembergThe source of Walburga is an ancient Germanic name meaning 'strong protection'. Source: Babynamer.com Walburga's Family PAULINE REUTER 1894-?Pauline is from the latin expression meaning 'kind'Source: Babynamer.com ALMA A. REUTER GOOCH 1904-1973Alma is from the Latin expression meaning 'small'Source: Babynamer.com |
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Otto was born January 1868 in Solingen (zoh'-ling-en), Nordrheine-Westfalen, Germany, son of Anton Reuter and Alwine Schmittert. In 1887 he came to the U.S. at the age of 19. His occupation has been listed as a cutter for a cutlery firm. On 26 Mar 1893, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Otto married Walburga Mary App from Würtemberg, Germany. She had arrived in New York 5 Jun 1888 at the age of 16 aboard the SS Werra. After they again migrated, only this time to Buffalo, they lived at 358 William St. Daughter Pauline had been born 23 Jan 1894 in Milwaukee, and Alma Oct 1899 possibly in Buffalo. Social Security records state Alma's birthdate as 5 Oct 1904, yet Alma was 8 months old in the 1900 Census dated 2 June 1900. Otto went home to Germany for a visit in 1902. He left Bremen 2 Aug 1902 and arrived in New York on the S. S. Barbarossa 13 August 1902. Perhaps the trip was just to visit, or there may have been an illness or death in the family. On 7 Sept 1905, Carolina Ritterskamp, age 23, formerly of Solingen, left Antwerp and arrived at Boston, Massachusetts aboard the S.S. Menominee on 19 Sept. She stated that she was to reside with Otto Reuter family at 358 William St., Buffalo. As of July 2008, I have not found the relationship of Carolina to the family. About April 1909, the family went back to visit Germany. The manifest of the S. S. Zeeland, listed Otto, 41, Mary (Walburga) 37, Pauline 11 and Alma 4. The ship arrived in New York on 4 May 1909. They were listed as American citizens. When Otto was naturalized in 1901, his wife and children would automatically become citizens. Before April 1910, Otto purchased a building with four apartment rental units at 505 Broadway. Otto lived in one, and rented the other three units. This building had a store front, which was typical of the area. It's value was $75,000., per the April 1930 Census. Such an accomplishment for an immigrant, to own property of such value in America in the 1930s. Otto formed 'Otto Reuter Company' in Buffalo. His advertisments listed 'Barber and Beauty Shop Equipment and Supplies'. They sold chrome furniture, imported cutlery, and did grinding of all edge tools. 
1927 Buffalo Directory
1938 Buffalo DirectoryOtto again went back to Germany around March 1929, this time as a widower, age 61. He returned on the S S Dresden which left Bremen 10 Oct 1929, and arrived New York City 21 Oct 1929. His passport was dated 22 March 1929. Accomodations were 'Tourist Third Cabin' No doubt third class. Walburga had passed away sometime before 22 March 1929 No further data is available for Pauline as of this writing. Alma's husband was John A. (Jack) Gooch 1900-1968, who was born in London, Ontario, Canada, the son of Frederick A. & Nellie Gooch. Originally from Ontario, the Gooch family lived in Buffalo at 996 Kensington Ave. Frederick was spl (special loan?) officer at the Delaware Ave. Branch, M & T Trust Bank. After Otto passed away, Alma continued the business while living at 505 Broadway. Husband Jack was a clerk/salesman and they lived at the Broadway address until at least 1956, the latest Buffalo directory data searched. Alma passed away in June 1973. Internment sites for Alma & Jack are not known. To be continued, as more facts become available. |
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Read about the five ships mentioned in this biography: To enlarge, click on photos These ships used 40-45 tons of coal  S S Zeeland  S S Barbarossa  S S Menominee  S S Dresden Scroll down to paragraph seven for a look at this beautiful ship in an undated photo from Andrew Tompkins. The USS Zepplin was launched in Jun 1914. The ship was the SS Dresden from 1927-1934. This photo was taken after it was wrecked off Norway, 20 Jun 1934, while sailing as a cruise ship. Some stories say it struck submerged rock, others say it struck a submerged shipwreck. Four lives were lost during the launch of the lifeboats. Specs: Tonnage 14,690 (rebuilt). Dimensions: 550' x 67'. Twin-screw, 15 knots. Quadruple expansion engines. Two masts and two funnels. Built by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, Germany for Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd).  S S Werra Built by John Elder Co., Glasgow for North German Lloyd, she was launched on 4 July 1882. Iron hull, the ship was 433.1 ft. long and 45.9 ft, in width. With a gross weight of 4,817 tons, she had two funnels, four masts, and a single screw with a speed of 16 knots. The ship could accommodate 125 first class, 130 second class and 1000 third class passengers. Her final voyage was between Genoa, Naples and New York 28 August 1901. |
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27 June 2008
Great-Grandniece
Joan Hapeman Somers
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