Olanie Family History
Agatha Marie OLANIE LEWIS (1862 - 1919) was my great grandmother. She was born in Bitschwiller-les Thann, France and emigrated with her parents in the 1860's travelling first to New York then across the Isthmus of Panama and on to San Francisco. Some years later, she survived a ship wreck when travelling with her new husband Thomas John Lewis from San Francisco to the Washington Territory -- she was four months pregnant at the time. This is the story of Agatha and her family
Agatha's Story - From Alsace, France to Washington Territory (with a brief growing up period in California)
| Agatha Olanie age 16
Oakland, California, ca.1878
|
Agatha Marie Olanie Lewis (1862 - 1919).
1862, 4 Jan. Agathe Olanie is born to Xavier Olanie and Therese REBISCHUNG. "The year 1862, the six January at nine hours of the morning in front of FRANCOIS ANTOINE WALTER delegated mayor to function as officer of the records civil of the commune of Bitschwiller, canton of Thann, department of Haut Rhin, there appears XAVIER OLANIE, modeleur, age of 22 years domiciled in this commune, now presents an infant of the sex feminine, born the 4 Janvier 1862 at five hours of the yesterday night in his house situated on the street of the church in this commune and the THERESE REBISCHUNG, housekeeper, age of 20 years -- and to which is given the prenom of AGATHE"
Agatha's grandfather, died in 1862 and her family decided to emigrate to the USA. They had inherited one-half of the family home in May 1862. In order to get sufficient funds for the journey, Xavier sold everything he could.
- 10 March 1863: half of the house was sold to Gaspard WEISS for 1800 francs
- 10 March 1863: a meadow was sold for 400 francs
- 30 March 1863: another meadow was sold for 1500 francs
The feelings of the emigrants are reflected in two songs written at the time and sung at an emigration festival in the 1930's.
Alsatian Emigration Songs
The OLLANIER family arrived in New York on the ship New York on April 29, 1863. They had sailed from Bremen and were listed on the passenger manifest as:
- Xavier OLLANIER, age 24 a merchant from France,
- wife, Francisca, age 21, (this was Theresa)
- son Julius, age 2, and
- daughter Agathe, age 1.
(Germans to America, lists of passengers arriving at US Ports 1861-1863, Glazier and Filby)
The family left New York and travelled to San Francisco over the Isthmus of Panama. They settled in San Francisco in 1864 and lived there for the next seven years until moving across the bay to Oakland.
1870, Census, San Francisco: Xavier Olanie, age 31, Theresa, 28, Julius, 10, Agatha, 5 (all born in France), Henry, 5, Celestin, 3, born in California
Agatha Marie and Thomas John Lewis first met when she was 12 years old. Julius Olanie had befriended Thomas John at the Union Iron Works and took him home and introduced him to his family.
Agatha fell in love with Thomas John who was wiry with dark waving hair and grey eyes, which looked black in moments of passion, and bright red lips. Although her parents wanted Agatha to marry another much older and richer man, she finally persevered. Her father stormed and threatened to lock her up and her step-mother wept but Agatha stood firm and at last they consented.
On 28 November of 1880, Agatha Marie was 18 and Thomas John Lewis was 23. They were married by the Rev. Hamilton Lee at a quiet wedding in her father's house in Oakland, California. Witnesses to this event were Agatha's Uncle Julius and her seven year old sister Jenny.
Hungering for land, Agatha prevailed on her father Felix to help Thomas John Lewis find work in Washington Territory. Felix accommodated the request and Thomas John Lewis was hired by Union Iron Works to install winch anchors at the Shipyards at Seabeck, Washington Territory. Thomas John Lewis sold his sloops to buy household equipment and provisions for a year in order to begin a new life in the Pacific Northwest. So less than a year after they were married, when Agatha was four months pregnant with their first child, the couple with their furniture and supplies took passage on the "Olympus" for Seabeck, Washington Territory. They homesteaded 160 acres in Crosby, near Seabeck (not too far from where the Trident submarine base is today on the Hoods Canal). There they had 12 children -- many of whose descendants still live in the Pacific Northwest.
HENRY OLANIE followed his sister Agatha to Washington Territory when he was 17 years old. He worked in the mill and homesteaded next to Thomas John in Crosby. He had a very good mind especially with numbers and worked in Port Gamble at the mill as a Mathematician. Henry fell in love with the local Doctor's daughter, Eliza Rounds. They married He was killed in a freak accident by the caving in of a wharf on which he was working (Washington Standard, Jan. 31, 1902) p3 col 4). Apparently he was called on to help on the wharf after a storm. He is buried at Port Gamble where his gravestone reads, HJFX Olanie, born August 1, 1865, Died Jan 24, 1902. Aged 36 Yrs. 5 mo. 23 days. Though lost to sight, to memory dear, . (Seattle Public Library, Cemeteries in Kitsap Wa , See also, Kitsap History, p.46 & 54). His descendants are located in Seattle and Hillsboro, Oregon.
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Francis Xavier Felix Olanie (1839 - 1907) Ohlanier, Xavier b. 9 Feb., F-Xavier Ohlanier (38), M-Francoise (Bitschwiller les Thann microfilm births 1832-1852 (mark fields))
1839, 5 Feb, Xavier OLLONIER is born. In the year 1839 on 5 February at 5 pm over before PIERRE FRANCOIS BORNEQUE, Mayor and public officer of the state in this commune of Bitschwiller, canton of Thann, department of Haut-Rhin does appear XAVIER OLLONIER, age of 38 years, carpenter, domiciled in this commune which he now presents a male infant that he declares to be born in their dwelling place yesterday at one in the afternoon. Of his declaration and of FRANCOISE HALLER, age 31, his spouse and to which infant he gives the first name of XAVIER. In the presence of THIEBAUD HALLER, age 41 years, voiturier (carrier or transporter of goods) and of JEAN LUTTINGER, age 43, engraver, the two domiciled in this commune.
1842 - Therese REBISCHUNG, born 30 March, 1842, daughter of Josephine GSTALTER and Thiebaud REBISCHUNG, in Bitschwiller.
1860 - Jules REBISCHUNG (Olanie), born 22 June, the son of Therese REBISCHUNG, in Bitschwiller
1861. 22 June, Therese REBISCHUNG marries Xavier OLANIE. In the year one thousand eight centuries sixty-one on the 22 of June at six hours of the evening before me FRANCOIS JOSEPH GSTALTER (the bride's uncle) functioning as the mayor and keeper of the civil records of the commune (town) of Bitschwiller canton (county) of Thann department (state) of Haut-Rhin (the southern half of the old province of Alsace) comes XAVIER OHLANIER dit OLANIE (dit is used as ditto or aka) a modeleur (modelmaker) age of 22 years a minor with respect to marriage (nb. Napoleon decreed that a woman be 21 and a man be 26 before they could marry without their parents consent) born in Bitschwiller the son of XAVIER OLANIE modeleur age of 61 domiciled here consents to the marriage of their son and of FRANCOISE HALLER deceased in this same place 15 April 1842 of one part.
THERESE REBISCHUNG tisseure (weaver) age of 19, born in Bitschwiller in 1842 and living in this commune a minor woman needing assistance to marriage. THIEBAUD REBISCHUNG proprietaire, age of 55, and of JOSEPHINE GSTALTER without calling, age of 54, both living in Bitschwiller give their consent of the second part. They have followed the required procedure in the solemn performance of their marriage -- and have with the registry of the civil records the publications made without opposition in this commune on the Sundays nine and sixteen of June current. In this manner they also wish to present the certificate of births of the future spouses, the certificate of death of the mother of the future husband, and the certificate of the birth of the infant. The documents attached of everyone as read thus in chapter VI of the document of marriage in the Code Napoleon. In execution of his law the future spouses and persons present permitted this marriage. They wish to themselves for husband and for wife to bind two to answer, XAVIER OLANIE AND THERESE REBISCHUNG united in marriage. Also they now known as new spouses, they have declared which is born of both one infant of the sex masculine written upon the civil records of Bitschwiller the 22 June 1860 which he is grateful for their infant the latter is written under the prenom of JULES. The witnesses were: Frederic Olanie, tanner, age of 26 years, cousin of the groom, Thiebaud REBISCHUNG, woodworker, age of 33 years, brother of the bride, Joseph Schupp, 32, farm worker, Thiebaud Weiss, 31. The two latest brothers-in-law of the bride all four domiciled in this commune and they witness and sign after reading the interpretation of the facts. The signatures at the bottom are: Olanie Xavier, REBISCHUNG Therese, Olonier, REBISCHUNG, X RABISCHUNG, Joseph SCHUPP, Weiss and GSTALTER.
1862 - Agatha OLANIE , born 4 January, 1862, the daughter of Therese REBISCHUNG and Xavier OLANIE, in the commune of Bitschwiller. (Microfilms of civil records in Colmar, France, R. Lewis)
1863, Xavier OLANIER inherited the ground floor of the house at 6 Rue de la Chapelle from his parents (His father died 28 February 1862; his mother had died in 1842). He then requested a passport for himself to go to San Francisco in the company of his wife, Therese REBISCHUNG and their two infants, Jules, 3 years and Agathe, one year. NB. Jean Pierre and Paulette Gasser (our cousin) and their daughter Odile still live in the house.
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Olanie's in Oakland, California
The region of Alsace-Lorraine where Felix and Therese Marie were married has historically been contested by both France and Germany. At the time of their marriage, France was ruled by Napoleon III. Napoleon had suppressed the press and the universities. He had driven Victor Hugo into exile. On the positive side, Napoleon had rebuilt Paris, expanded industry and built railways. In 1861, his eyes were turned toward the new world as he sponsored a Mexican expedition. The next year, 1862, Mexico overthrew its Republic and proclaimed Mexican assembly with Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria. It was in this political climate that the Olanier's decided to leave France.
Felix and Therese Marie lived at 6 rue de la Chapelle in Bitschwiller les Thann. They sold their half of the house to finance their emigration to the United States. Then they came to New York in 1863. Julius the eldest son was three years old and Agatha Marie was just one year. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean on ship New York from Bremen to New York, arriving on April 29 1863. The family crossed to the Pacific by way of the Isthmus of Panama and up the west coast by ship to San Francisco, where they lived for seven years.
1863, OLLANIER'S emigrate to USA. Listed on ship, New York from Bremen to New York, arrived April 29 1863, Xavier OLLANIER, age 24 a merchant from France, wife, Francisca, age 21, son Julius, age 2, and daughter Agathe, age 1. (Germans to America, lists of passengers arriving at US Ports 1861-1863, Glazier and Filby). nb. Francisca is Theresa
1864. San Francisco City Directory of 1864/65 lists Xavier Olanie employed as a pattern maker. Residence in Hinckley Alley at Dupont. JB Johnson is a maker of windmills and hat blocks.
Frenchmen had been in San Francisco for many years. J.J. Vioget came to San Francisco in 1839 and laid out the plan of the city. French pioneers of San Francisco arrived in 1849. By the 1860's the area around Clay Street was known as the French Quarter. French churches and societies (including the Alsace-Lorraine society) were in great evidence.
When they arrived in San Francisco, the Olanier's Americanised their name and moved into the French speaking section of the town. Felix began to work as a pattern maker in San Francisco. The family settled into their new home. Living at Hinckley Avenue, Charles Street and Pacific.
1865,1 AUG, HENRI FRANCIS XAVIER OLANIER born to Francis Xavier Olanier and Therese REBISCHANY in San Francisco. Baptised on Victoires, 566 Bush St. San Francisco, CA. 94108. by the Rev. Jan Molinier. The sponsors being Henry Fez and Josephine Escalle. (Cert of baptism dated Feb 23, 1977)
1867/8 Olanie, Xavier, patternmaker with JB Johnson, res. 22 Charles. 1867 CELESTINE OLANIE, born in May 1867 in San Francisco
1869/70 Olanie, Xavier with James B. Johnson, corner of Beale and Mission . 1870, Census, San Francisco: Xavier Olanie, age 31, Theresa, 28, Julius, 10, Agatha, 5 (all born in France), Henry, 5, Celestin, 3, born in California. 1871 Olanie FX. worked at Vulcan Iron Works and lived at 1316 Pacific .
1873/4 Olanie, Xavier, patternmaker, City Iron Works. res. Oakland. City Iron works are producers of ornamental iron and architectural specialties.
1873 EUGENIA OLANIE, born 8 June, 1873 in Oakland. Eugenia or 'Jenny' was born a few weeks after the family had moved to East Oakland and Therese had nursed the entire family through typhoid fever single handed. Jenny was so tiny that Therese could not dress her. She was wrapped in linen hands and her every breath was guarded. At three months she wore two large wedding rings as bracelets. She learned to walk and talk at an early age but at seven years old was still wheeled everywhere in a large doll carriage. At the age of eight, she began to grow very rapidly and was soon a normal sized small girl for her years. She and Agatha Marie were very close.
1874/5/6 OLLANIE, Xavier, Olanie & Steiger Iron Works res. East Oakland. Pattern and model makers, SE corner of Beale and Mission (110-112 Beale St). Listed in Oakland City Directory as living at NS East Fifteenth between Sixteenth and Seventeenth Ave. E. Oakland (1874), In 1875 lived at 1170 Sixteenth Ave. E. Oakland
1877 TERESA OLANIE, died 8 June, 1877, of hepatitis, age 35 years, 2 mo. 9 days.
View Cemetery, Oakland. Sorrow came to the Olanie family when in 1877, just after Jenny celebrated her fourth birthday, Therese Marie died. She was lovingly buried by Felix and the family in Mountain View Cemetery and a beautiful cast iron tombstone erected.
Young Agatha Marie had to leave school to take care of the family. This saddened her because she had loved her Catholic School where she had studied cooking, household arts, land nursing. Although she never attended school again, Agatha Marie had developed a lifelong love of French novels.
1879/80 Olanie, Francois X. patternmaker with George F. Buswell. res. 1016 E 16th. E Oakland or 978
E 16th. (Duplicate directories for Oakland). Also 1880 listed as 1171 Sixteenth ave.
1880 Marriage of daughter AGATHA to THOMAS J LEWIS, 28 Nov, 1880, Oakland
1880-87 Olanie, Francois X. Patternmaker, Wm F. Buswell, res. East Oakland. Buswell is a millwright and engineer, at 108 Main. (Jules comes to work with FX Olanie in 1882)
1888/9 Olanie, Francis X. patternmaker, r. Oakland. with WF Anderfuren & FX Olanie, proprietors, San Francisco Pattern Works, 110-112 Beale St.
1890-93. Olanie, Francis X. patternmaker, with Wm F. Buswell, r. East Oakland. 1892 JANE OLANIE, the second wife of FX Olanie, buried, 15 Nov, 1892 in the family plot in Oakland. she was born in Scotland. Age at death, 53, due to heart degeneration. Address at time of death, 978 East 16th, Oakland
1893 KATE ANDERSON marries FRANCOIS X OLANIE, May 21st in Oakland. 1893/4 Olanie Francis X. patternmaker with W.F. Buswell, r. East Oakland.
1900-04 Olanie, Francis X. patternmaker with Joshua Hendy Mach Wks. res. 978 E. 16th and 2037 E 14th in Oakland.. Hendy is a large builder of hydraulic machines: boilers, engines, pumps, sawmills, and also ship repair etc. 38-44 Fremont St.
1901 KATHERINA OLANIE, the third wife of FX buried 6 Dec 1901, in the family plot in Oakland. Cemetery records say she was born in Germany in 1841, 60 years old at time of death. Death due to vascular disease. The 1900 Census says she was the wife of FX Olanie and was born in Germany in 1848.
Felix Olanie was an architect and ironworker. He is said to be responsible for much of the iron work adorning buildings in the area. He worked for many pattern makers in San Francisco including Buswells. He owned his own pattern making business before the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. It is said that Felix missed the earthquake because he was in South America on business at the time. The earthquake must have been very hard on him because Felix died the next year in 1907.
1907, Felix S. Olanie dies 22 Feb, in St. Thomas Hospital, San Francisco. He was buried in the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.. Death was due to myocarditus, as per the death certificate, signed by Jules.
Jules, Celestin and Jenny remained in Oakland. Jules never married. He worked with his father as a patternmaker in 1882-1892. He moved to Fruitvale, California briefly and back to East Oakland. He then moved to Alameda and worked as a farmer.
Celestin, a small, wiry man, worked as a machinist at the Union Iron Works. He was a dredger and installed ice making equipment. He was a quiet man who loved sports, hunting, and horse racing, and fireworks. Laura, his wife was born in New York and her parents were both from Germany. Laura was married previously and had two children from that marriage living at home (Geo. Conklin B. may 1881 in California, a machinist, and Lottie, B. Nov. 1883 in Cal. Lottie was still living at home in 1910 and worked as a stenographer in a lawyers office). Celestin had begun working as a machinist with United Iron Co. He also worked at the Oakland Iron Works. His son Celestin Jr. worked as a Pattern Maker at the iron Foundry beginning in 1909. Celestin W. became a foreman in 1922 and apparently worked until his death in 1933. Ernest was a machinist at the pump factory in 1910. One child had died at birth between 1900 and 1910 (Census 1900 = T623 . no. 81, Census 1910 = T624 No 71, ED 209 Sh 6 L 61).
Celestin married Laura CONKLIN and they had six children: (Marriage Register Bk L3917 p201)
--Celestin OLANIE (27 September 1888 - April 1985)*,
--Julia OLANIE(died in infancy of spina bifida),
--Ernest OLANIE (1893),
--Mildred Helen OLANIE COFFIN (1897),
--Walter Herbert OLANIE, and Ralph Edward OLANIE (1901).
Jenny married Tom Rogers and had two daughters.
*Celestin's grandson, also Celestin Olanie is a screenwriter in San Francisco. He is married and has a son, Alyosha. Grandpa Celestin had some photos he'd taken of Socialist Presidential candidate Eugene V. Debb's whistle stop campaign. This was considered strange as he was a registered Democrat but had never voted or engaged in political talk. His daughter, Thelma, was a woman of skill, creativity and ambition. She designed and made jewellery, painted watercolours, sculpted, drove a trolley at the 1939 World's Fair, and designed dresses. Sadly, these talents were seen as hobbies by her family and she became a mother and homemaker. Celestin informs me that Olanie's settled in Portola California. Some Olanie's also worked at a vineyard in Dublin, California which today is a public park.
See letters from Tess and Florence. Also Census records 1880. T737 No.23. V1 ED19 sh 28 L 14. and 1900 = T623. No83. V4 ED390 Sh 8 L 52. Also San Francisco and Oakland City Directories
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