Louise Baum Eitelman's History

Aunt Louise's family remembrances

Joseph Franz Baum born in Ludzwieg Haven Germany one of twelve children to Frantz Baum and ------Koenig( first name is unknown). He came to New York City, New York, USA as a young man, aprox 19 years of age. Died in Los Angeles, Calif .April 1947.
Louisa Lindic born 10/31/1872- 2/1/1953 in Austria one of three children, a sister and a brother (Martin Lindic). She came to New York by herself as a young woman. She worked as a maid and in a hat factory making ladies fine hats.

Joseph and Louisa met thru a mutual friend in New York. They were married in New York and had eight children. Three of their sons died, two died in infancy. The other lived to be six years of age. Aunt Louise remembers that he was always drawing churches and cutting out crosses. The oldest living son was Joseph Aloysius. The next son was Frank Gabriel, then came Richard (no middle name) 9/22/1905-11/5/1964. Followed by Louise Theresa born in Brooklyn June 14, 1907. Josephine Frances born in Montreal Canada, May 9, 1912 - Nov 5, 1962.
The family moved to Montreal because Joseph was offered a position tailoring at an exclusive store making custom mens suits. He did his work at home. Louisa helped him with the finishing touches. Louisa made all the children's clothes except the boys suits which Joseph made.
Frank was like his father, happy go lucky and generous. Joe was more like his mother, inclined to worry and fret, and not so generous. Richard was more your average guy, good hearted not as generous as Frank. But if you needed help and asked for it he would help. Louise was more like her father and Frances was more like her mother.
Josephine Frances was called Frances because a neighbor didn't like the name Josephine, she thought every one would call her Jo and that just wouldn't do. She was actually called Baby until she was sixteen and started working.
Joe worked for a while with Father tailoring then quit to work as a window dresser at Murphy's Department Store and later went on to become a buyer for them.
Frank never worked as a tailor. He became a florist in California as did Richard.
All the children attended Catholic schools. Louise remembers Christmas as being an especially happy time. Christmas Eve. The younger children went to bed early, while Mother and Joe decorated the Christmas tree with lots of glass ornaments and clip on candles. At midnight Mother put "Silent Night" on the phonograph player. This woke the children and they came down for Christmas. It was a magical sight to see the tree all lite up so beautifully. Under the tree each child had a soup bowl filled with fruit nuts and candy. Louise and Frances each got a doll every year until they no longer believed in Santa Claus.
Sunday was always a big family day with a big meal at noon after church. Easter was always special because it meant new clothes and shoes for dress up.
Frank moved to California first, found work as a florist, where he met his wife Ruth. After a while he sent for his mother to come visit him in sunny California. She loved it when she went home Richard and Father went to California to see for themselves what a wonderful place it was. They liked it so much they stayed and sent for Mother and the girls to come out on the train.
Louise was in love and did not want to move to California, so she thought she would return to Canada. She changed her mind. This was in 1929.
Louise worked for Barker Brothers Furniture as office help as did Frances. Louise didn't like it so she went to work at an Owl Drug Store in Los Angeles.
When Louise was thirty she met and married Kenneth Eitelman August 14 1937.
Kenneth Eitelman was born in Schenectady New York June 29 1904. They enjoyed thirty seven years of marriage. He died in Van Nuys California November. 28 1978.

Enjoy your visit.