Person:Joseph Stadler (3)

In the Monroe County naturalization records Vol 124, page 52, Joseph is listed as living at 31 Oakman Street. His occupation is laborer. He came to America, arriving in New York April 13, 1913. His last foreign residence was Oberndorf, Germany. Witnesses are: Henry Bauman, Laborer, at 23 Evergreen Street, and Peter Born, Laborer, 88 Evergreen Street. His wife is listed as "Lizzie" who was at the time (December 21, 1923) visiting in Germany. He notes he has two sons: Joseph and Alois John.

On February 7, 1923, he is listed on the manifest of the Olympic leaving from Southampton. He is listed as speaking German and English. It notes that he was in the US in 1920 in Rochester. His brother-in-law Stephen Holczimmer paid his passage and he has $50. He is joining Stephen at 31 Oakman Street, Rochester. It states he was born in Borendorf, Bavaria. Last permanent residence was Heidenkofen, Bavaria. The closest relative he left behind is his wife, Elizabeth, in Heidenkofen.

There many stories retold in our family about how Uncle Joe would beat Aunt Elizabeth and she would come to our home on Scrantom Street as her sanctuary. Uncle Joe would arrive on the scene shortly thereafter in a big state of remorse. One time he tried to crawl through the bathroom window and my brother Hank stood there with a baseball bat telling him not to enter as he (Hank) would swing the bat. When not drunk he was a gentle, friendly man. I can remember him laughing and chiding me when we visited the farm and I was told to call everyone to the table. I said (phonetically spelling) "cum fressen!" Uncle Joe laughed and laughed and said, "my little darling pigs 'fressen' and people "essen.'"

There was always a mystery concerning the death of Joseph. Supposedly he was in a drunken stupor and had fallen asleep on the living room sofa. The house burned to the ground and later it was found that gasoline had been poured in a circle around the house. Did he commit suicide or was he murdered?

It is interesting to note the words on his funeral card (see photo in scrapbook)--with references to burning. What a strange card to pick for someone who died being burned to death. A portion of the card is as follows:

"O Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Holy Sacrament you demonstrate your "burning" love for the poor whose souls are prisoners in the fires of Purgatory and we pray that you have mercy on the souls of your servants.

"Do not be harsh in your judgment, but let the costly drops of your blood put out the raging fires of Purgatory, O Blessed Redeemer..."

Snapshots: Abusive husband. Died in fire. Family felt it was arson.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Naturalization Pre-Form.
2. ↑ Funeral Memory Card.
3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Family Records.
4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Ellis Island Manifest.
5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 Draft Registration Form on Ancestry.com.
6. ↑ Draft Registration Form on Ancestry.com.

   Joe is recorded as having a wife and child (Joseph, Jr.).

7. ↑ Naturalization Certificate.

   Naturalization Certificate--Monroe County naturalization records, Vol 124, page 52.

8. ↑ Rochester Directory.
9. ↑ Census Records - FHC.

   1930 Census Records - FHC.