Chris,
Was there a German Theater in Evansville in 1850s or later? Xavier and
Anna Maria Strasser with daughters Sophia and Fannie (Franziska) tried
to
found one in St. Louis MO in 1851 which
failed. He had been a theater manager in
Germany before coming here, first to Cincinnati (Ward 10-1850 census),
then
St. Louis and finally Evansville by 1853 where he had a saloon, grocery
and provisions store through th Civil War. He died Jan. 3, 1869. Is
there a record of
deaths then and the cause? A newspaper
item from that date, probably a German language paper, might have the
story.
In 1854, son Jacob went to Davenport IA where he formed an orchestra and
the German Theater. Earlier he was a musican with an Italian opera
company
traveling to South America. He lived in Iowa from 1855 until his death
in 1912. His wife Philomena Sachs died of typhoid fever in Feb. 1873.
They had 12 children, four of whom lived to maturity. A grandson lives
there now. He is 90 this year. A granddaughter 93 lives at Iowa City.
Music played an important part in Strasser
life. I am one of 8, all with musical talent.
Michael Strasser has exchanged
e-mails from INVANDER-L but we don't
know if we connect. He s a musicologist.
Charles Strasser of St. Joseph is a second cousin, grandson of Harry and
Tillie Strasser of Evansville
and son of Perry and Ruth Happel Strasser of Kratzvile Road, Evansville,
now deceased.
Anton>Xavier>Paul>William>Laura>me>
4 sons>6 grandchildren are the current
generations.
I've contacted TGS many times but no
results. I feel that Xavier and Anna would
have made the newspapers, being in business from 1853-1879 when she and
son Herman retired. He was injured at Shiloh TN and Champn's Hill MS in
the
War. 11th Indiana Infantry under Lew Wallace.
Any tips for pursuing these people?
Thanks. Best Wishes,
Eleanor Dobbs