Josef Anton Rusch
The Early Years
Born as an orphan in Dornbirn, Austria and never knowing his parents Josef and Josefa Rusch, we know through his daughter, Irma Rusch, that Josef Anton (or “Anton” as he preferred) did not have an easy life growing up. His mother died 10 days after he was born, and his father died two years later, leaving the family orphans where Anton lived in a series of different situations. Irma Rusch (Becker), Anton’s daughter, believed that he was raised until about the age of 12 by two school teachers. As Irma accounted, Anton became a handful for the two single teachers, and went to live in an orphanage for a time. We don’t know how long he lived there, but we do know that he had to be very resourceful to get along at that point.
According to the Dornbirn city archives, Anton also had had five older brothers and sisters: Josefa Elizabeth born in 1882 (likely died young), Berta Eugenie born in 1884, Rudolph Sebastian born in 1885, Karl Otto born in 1887 and Rosina Katharina born in 1888.
According to the Dornbirn city archives, Anton also had had five older brothers and sisters: Josefa Elizabeth born in 1882 (likely died young), Berta Eugenie born in 1884, Rudolph Sebastian born in 1885, Karl Otto born in 1887 and Rosina Katharina born in 1888.
Becoming a Man
When WWI broke out, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The Central Power and Allied countries piled on from there, intensifying into WWI from 1914 to 1918.
Anton served as a 'Kaiser-jager' in the second regiment, fourth field battalion, of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Army. The army was often referred to as the 'k.u.k.' which is a German abbreviation for 'kaiserlich und koniglich' which literally translates to Imperial and Royal in English. |
As a part of the Imperial and Royal Army, Anton was likely engaged in the Central Powers forces on the Italian front, but there were also huge numbers of the Imperial and Royal Army on the Russian front, some in the Balkans and even a little known contingent in Turkey and Palestine.
The regiments were disbanded in 1918 at the end of the war, which also marked the end of the Habsburg monarchy in which he was serving. |
We believe Anton may have been stationed somewhere near Wildberg, Germany which is where is wife Anna Maria Bauer was from. It was common that soldiers received extended periods of "R&R" time (rest and recuperation) and they would find second jobs or stay with friends in neighboring villages. We believe Anton may have met Anna Maria during one of his "R&R" periods.
In search for a New Life, Opportunity
The family departed from Hamburg Germany, ready to voyage "The Wuerttemberg" ship on the "Hamburg - Amerika Linie" (actual ship pictured to the right). The ship departed on December 7, 1922 and the family rode third class. According to the German Passenger List, the family was currently living in Stuttgart, Germany, where Anton was working as a Locksmith.
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After 15 days on the ship, on December 23, 1922, the family arrived to the United States through Ellis Island, an immigration port located in New York City. Upon his arrival, Anton had just $54.00 dollars on his person.
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Once they arrived to the U.S., the family traveled to Anton's cousin, Erna Namany, located at 241 4th Avenue in Clinton, Iowa to find work. This information is according to the ships manifest, found through the Ellis Island documentation. The family quickly moved to the Chicagoland area after Anton found work with The Pullman Railroad Company.
Anton purchased a 5 acre plot of land in Alsip, Illinois, a farming community just outside the Chicago city limits. He had a small farm on that land where he grew crops, had chickens and a cow named Peach. Anton was very handy and resourceful, as he built the family home beginning with the garage. The family lived in the garage until he dug out a foundation, and started building a proper home when he could afford to purchase the supplies he needed to continue to build the families 2 story farmhouse (pictured to the right). Once the family settled in Alsip, the couple had three more children: Irma (the first American born), Ericka and Irene.
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All-American Life
Eight years after their immigration, according to the 1930 Census, Anton now owns a home, which was valued at $2000, he owns a radio, and is working as a “Tinner” in the “Car Shops” (which we assume to be the railroad car shops). According to Wikipedia, a “Tinner” is a Tinsmith, who makes and repairs things made from tin or light colored metals. Using a document we retrieved from the Pullman Railroad Company website, you can read more about the railroad car manufacturing occurring during this time, and the shop Anton likely worked at. See the “The 20th Century and the Decline of the Company” section of this document.
In the 1930 Census, Anton also indicates that he, Maria and William currently have their “First Papers” which means they are not yet U.S. citizens but it seems to be an indicator that the process toward citizenship has been initiated. The entire Rusch family is living together at this time: Anton at age 40, Maria at age 38, William at age 16, Irma at age 6, Ericka at age 4 and 4 months, and Irene at age 2. He and Maria both indicate that they can read, write and speak English. Their house number is 12210 and they currently reside in what was then, Worth Township.
Later in the year, Anton was finally provided with his U.S. Naturalization documentation on November 13, 1930. This was discovered using the U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 c/o Ancestory.com.
According to the 1940 Census, Anton is now age 50 and still works as a “Tinner” for the Pullman Railroad Company. His annual income is indicated at $1200, but he also indicates that he receives other income as well. Anton’s home is now listed as a Farm, where as in the 1930 Census, it was not. Perhaps this is how he is earning additional income. Both Anton and Maria both indicate that they completed up to the 8th grade in school. Additionally, children William and Irma are living at home. William is now 25, has completed up to one year of high school and is currently working as an Electrical Welder and earning $1400 annually (a little more than his father). Irma is age 17, has completed all four years of high school and is currently not working. Perhaps she is getting ready to move to Seattle for her boyfriend at the time…
In the 1930 Census, Anton also indicates that he, Maria and William currently have their “First Papers” which means they are not yet U.S. citizens but it seems to be an indicator that the process toward citizenship has been initiated. The entire Rusch family is living together at this time: Anton at age 40, Maria at age 38, William at age 16, Irma at age 6, Ericka at age 4 and 4 months, and Irene at age 2. He and Maria both indicate that they can read, write and speak English. Their house number is 12210 and they currently reside in what was then, Worth Township.
Later in the year, Anton was finally provided with his U.S. Naturalization documentation on November 13, 1930. This was discovered using the U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 c/o Ancestory.com.
According to the 1940 Census, Anton is now age 50 and still works as a “Tinner” for the Pullman Railroad Company. His annual income is indicated at $1200, but he also indicates that he receives other income as well. Anton’s home is now listed as a Farm, where as in the 1930 Census, it was not. Perhaps this is how he is earning additional income. Both Anton and Maria both indicate that they completed up to the 8th grade in school. Additionally, children William and Irma are living at home. William is now 25, has completed up to one year of high school and is currently working as an Electrical Welder and earning $1400 annually (a little more than his father). Irma is age 17, has completed all four years of high school and is currently not working. Perhaps she is getting ready to move to Seattle for her boyfriend at the time…
New Horizons for Anton
Anton divorced Maria in the late 1940’s. He kept the house in Alsip, sold off portions of the land, and continued to live there.
It was during this time, that he married another woman, Marie. We do not know her last name, but they were married for many years, as many as 25. We understand that the marriage collapsed when Marie wished to have her name put on Anton’s property. We also understand that Anton was protective of his assets and that was something he was unwilling to do. As such, Anton left for Austria.
It was during this time, that he married another woman, Marie. We do not know her last name, but they were married for many years, as many as 25. We understand that the marriage collapsed when Marie wished to have her name put on Anton’s property. We also understand that Anton was protective of his assets and that was something he was unwilling to do. As such, Anton left for Austria.
As
the divorce from Marie was in the works, he boarded a ship to Austria and
met another woman, Grete, a widow from New York. He and Grete lived together in
Austria for eight years. Eventually they decided to return to America, and when
they did, Anton and Grete lived part of the time in Lake Placid, NY,
where Grete kept a home. Eventually they moved back to Anton’s home in Alsip
until Grete passed away. Anton then continued then to live in the house in
Alsip.
While Anton was abroad, his daughter Irma maintained his home in Alsip. The two exchanged many letters to communicate with one another. To the right, is one of the envelops Irma sent to Anton. It looks like Anton returned to his home town of Dornbirn, Austra, and was living at Hangasse 20, Dornbirn 6850.
While Anton was abroad, his daughter Irma maintained his home in Alsip. The two exchanged many letters to communicate with one another. To the right, is one of the envelops Irma sent to Anton. It looks like Anton returned to his home town of Dornbirn, Austra, and was living at Hangasse 20, Dornbirn 6850.
Later In Life
"Anton-Isms"
A few of Anton’s interesting expressions….when asked "How are
you?", if he wasn’t feeling great, he would say, "so-la-la." And he would always
reply to any possible calamity, “There’s always something to keep heaven from
coming down.” He was a Democrat through and through and had many lively
political debates with his daughter Irma.