THE SCHWERTFEGER / SCHWERT FAMILY:

Family and Descendants of
Johann (= John) Schwertfeger / Schwert
(1858 - 1938)

Spouse: Augusta Lorenz
(1858 - 1912)

Spouse: Carrie (née Wright) Wittig
(1869 - 1964)


John Schwertfeger / Schwert.
(Click to enlarge, 35K)
Johann Schwertfeger was born on October 20, 1858 in Klein-Golmkau, West Prussia. The village is today Gołębiewko (Tczew), Gdańsk, Poland. The baptismal ledger of the Catholic church at nearby Gardschau shows that Johann was baptized on October 24, 1858, with Jacob Modrejewski and Caroline Modrejewska being witnesses.

In early 1882, we know that Johann was residing with his parents in the tiny manorial village of Lagschau, Kr. Danziger Höhe, West Prussia. Johann departed to join his siblings Franz and Francisca (née Schwertfeger) Schlia in the industrial city of Buffalo, New York. Johann first traveled to Hamburg, Germany, where he then boarded the steamship India on April 5, 1882. After his arrival in Buffalo, Johann Americanized his name to "John Schwert."

On April 10, 1883, Johann married Augusta (probably originally Auguste) Lorenz at Saint Boniface R.C. Church, 124 Locust Street, in Buffalo. Augusta was the daughter of August and Julianna (née Malinowska) Lorenz from the tiny settlement of Klopschau, located south of Katzke, West Prussia. According to the 1900 U.S. Census, Augusta was born in May, 1858. After their marriage, the couple resided at 18 Willow Place in Buffalo. Johann and Augusta had at least three sons and six daughters. The 1890 City Directory for Buffalo gives Johann's profession as being a "laborer." The 1928 City Directory lists his profession as being an "elevator operator."

Records provided by Geri Ellerbrock present the following on Johann's U.S. citizenship status:

  • John Schwert
  • Country: Germany
  • Naturalization: 24 Oct 1888
  • Declaration of allegiance, Erie County: 21 Oct 1886
  • Cert. or Vol. # 26 page 378, Superior Court # 2291
  • Witnesses: Mathias Feist and Charles D. Wilson

    Augusta died on June 2, 1912, at the age of 54 years, 24 days, of complications due to gallstones (cholecystitis). Johann married Carrie (née Wright) Wittig, born in 1869. He became foster-father to her daughter, Grace. According to the 1900 Census, Carrie had been the wife of John Wittig; the Wittig family had resided at 54 Mulberry Street in Buffalo.

    Johann died on January 8, 1938. He is interred with Augusta in Lot 428, Section VV, United German & French Cemetery (Pine Hill), Cheektowaga, NY.

    Carrie Schwert-Wittig died at the age of 94 on August 30, 1964, of myocardial infarction. Carrie is interred with her daughter Grace M. (née Wittig) Acquard and Grace's husband Clarence W. Acquard (1890-1964) in Lot 339, Section I, Mount Calvary Cemetery (Pine Hill), Cheektowaga, NY.

    • 50th wedding anniversary of Frank Carl and Julia (née Schlia/Schlee) Schwertfeger/Schwert. Left-to-right: Frances (née Schwert) Schlia/Schlee, Julia (née Schlia/Schlee) Schwert, Rev. John Bernard Schwertfeger/Schwert, Grace Elizabeth Mary, Franz Carl Schwertfeger/Schwert, and Johann (= John) Schwertfeger/Schwert. This photo appeared in the Buffalo Evening News, which reported "Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schwert of 115 Nevada Street celebrated their golden wedding at which their son, the Rev. John B. Schwert of St. James Church, officiated. The original witnesses, Mr. Schwert's brother John, and his sister, Mrs. Frances Schlee, were present." (1928)

    (Click on photo for enlargement, 64K)

    Parents of Johann Schwertfeger / Schwert:
    Descendants of Johann and Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger / Schwert:

    Grave of Johann and his first wife, Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger / Schwert , Lot 428, Section VV, United German & French Cemetery (Pine Hill), Cheektowaga, NY.

    (Photo by Bernard Patz, 2001. Click on photo for enlargement, 82K)

    Grave of Carrie Wittig-Schwert, Lot 339, Section I, Mount Calvary Cemetery (Pine Hill), Cheektowaga, NY.

    (Photo by Bernard Patz, 2001. Click on photo for enlargement, 75K)

    Documents and Other Artifacts:

    • Marriage Record: Johann and Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger. Married April 10, 1883, at Saint Boniface R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY.

    • Baptismal Record: Joseph August Schwert, born on November 29, 1884. Baptized on November 30, 1884, as "Joseph Johan" Schwert, Saint Boniface R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY.

    • Baptismal Record: Magdaline Juliana Schwert, baptized on August 1, 1886, Saint Boniface R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY.

    • Baptismal Record: John Andreas Schwert, born on February 27, 1888, and baptized on March 4, 1888, Saint Boniface R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY.

    • Baptismal Record: Johana Juliana Schwert, baptized on November 1, 1891, Saint Boniface R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY.

    • Baptismal Record: Aurelia Julia Schwert, baptized on February 16, 1896, Saint Boniface R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY. Sponsors were "Franz" and Julia Schwert.

    • 1900 U.S. Census: John and Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger/Schwert, and family, 18 Willow Place, Buffalo, NY.

    • 1900 U.S. Census Enumeration: John and Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwert, and family, 18 Willow Place, Buffalo, NY.

    • 1900 U.S. Census: John, Carrie, and Grace Wittig, 54 Mulberry Street, Buffalo, NY. Records show that Carrie was born in "Sept., 1869." Grace was born in "Sept., 1897."

    • Obituary 1: Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger/Schwert, June 2, 1912.

    • Obituary 2: Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger/Schwert, June 2, 1912.

    • Interment Record: Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwertfeger/Schwert, Lot 428, Section VV, United German & French Cemetery (Pine Hill), Cheektowaga, NY.

    • Marriage Record: Aurelia Julia Schwert, as a notation on the bottom of her baptismal record. Married to Ed Schwartz, February 24, 1914.

    • Obituary: John Schwert, January 8, 1938.

    • Cemetery Lot Record: John and Augusta (née Lorenz) Schwert, United German & French Cemetery (Pine Hill).

    • Death Record: Diocese of Buffalo death record for Carrie Schwert-Wittig, died April 30, 1964, at the age of 94. "Omnia" means "all."

    • Obituary: Carrie Schwert-Wittig, April 30, 1964.

    • Interment Record: Carrie Wittig-Schwert, Lot 339, Section I, Mount Calvary Cemetery (Pine Hill), Cheektowaga, NY..

    Schwertfamily.net is maintained by Donald P. Schwert, great great grandson of Carl and Veronica (née Modrzejewska) Schwertfeger (Schwert). We seek your assistance in helping us to develop this family history. Correspondence can be mailed to: Donald P. Schwert, 300 Broadway N #204, Fargo, ND, 58102-4720 U.S.A.


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