Ursie and Mary Fuhrman worked as seamstresses at the Albert E. Isaac Co. in Fond du Lac, WI in 1928. The sisters, my 2nd great aunts, never married and lived together their entire lives. Both were about 50 years old at the time.
Ursie and Mary dressed for their sister Elizabeth's wedding in 1900
Albert E. Isaac, Co. - Fond du Lac, WI
When my Grandpa and Grandpa Hau passed away several years ago, I was lucky enough to receive many of their things. Among them was my grandpa’s high school yearbook. Raymond Christian Hau was raised in Fond du lac, WI. His father, John, was in the restaurant business, a business that Ray would eventually join. Ray graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School in 1926.
The 1920′s in America was an era distinguished by several inventions and discoveries of far-reaching importance, unprecedented industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand and aspirations, and significant changes in lifestyle. The city of Fond du Lac was no exception. It was a classic American mid-western small town, highlighted by its bustling main street. After his graduation, Ray attended Lawrence college in Appleton, his being the first generation of the Hau family to attend college.
Yearbooks from this era are far different from the color photo laden, current events filled books of today. They contain pages full of poetry and song; pages detailing highlights of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes; and in-depth descriptions of the accomplishments of the Service Club, Glee Club, Commercial Club, Peptimist Club, etc. The class motto for the Senior Class of 1926 was “Character is All!”
The class president described their senior year as follows: “…it was our senior year that we must look to appreciate truly our high school life. The hopes of years were at last realized. Early in November the school addition, containing the new combined gymnasium and auditorium, was finally completed. What senior has not experience a sincere thrill of pride and of satisfaction as he has entered the gymnasium for programs, pep meetings, parties, and basketball games? We are equally proud of our cafeteria where we have enjoyed hot dinners on cold winter days and appetizing lunches after organization parties. Our school life has been further rounded by the new courses of home economics, manual training, auto mechanics, and physical education….”
It’s hard to imagine our ancestors as high school kids. My only memory of my grandpa is as…a grandpa. I’m grateful to have these treasures. They really help me to know him better.
My 2nd great grandfather on my mom’s side, Anton Fuhrmann, came to America from Germany in about 1845. Anton and his wife, Maria Katherine Michels settled in Marshfield Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, where they farmed. They had ten children together. Their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, married John Hau in 1900.
Maria Katherine (Margaretha?) Michels – Born April 13, 1842 in Germany. She died on August 14, 1923 in Johnsburg, Fond du Lac Co., WI and is buried in the St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Johnsburg, Fond du Lac Co. Maria is my 2nd great grandmother and Anton Fuhrman’s wife (see below).
Anton Fuhrman – Born April 15, 1831 in Germany. He died December 17, 1912 in Johnsburg, Fond du Lac Co., WI and is buried in the St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Johnsburg, Fond du Lac Co. Anton is my 2nd great grandfather and Maria Michels’ husband (see above). They married on June 19, 1860 in Johnsburg.
Andrew Newcomb and Grace Ricks – Married April 15, 1662 in Boston, Suffolk Co. in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They are by 9th great grandparents.
The above information is based on information from several sources and isn’t fully verified at this time.
This rosary belonged to my great grandmother, Elizabeth (Fuhrman) Hau. My grandmother, Florence (Heller) Hau, carried it on her wedding day. She married Raymond Hau on October 10, 1933 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI.
