Erna Anna Grunewald Sheets & Family

Erna Anna Grunewald was born January 13, 1929 in Ochsenfurt, Germany. She is the 2nd daughter of Franz Xaver Grunewald and Rosa Schmittner. She died on July 20, 2009 in Sanford, Seminole, Florida, USA.

Erna's son, 

William Grunewald was born February 13, 1950 in Ochsenfurt, Germany. He died on February 28, 2000 in Sanford, Seminole, Florida, USA. 

Eleonore Grunewald & Family

Eleonore known to us as Lore was born April 2, 1926 in Ochsenfurt, Germany. She is the daughter of Franz Grunewald and Rosa Schmittner. She died October 30, 1998 in Ochsenfurt. 

Lore pictured here with her daughter Barbara, sister Hildegard and nephew Billy Grunewald

Her daughter Barbara was born December 22, 1949 in Ochsenfurt, Germany

Babette Hillermeier

Babette Hillermeier was born in Wallmersbach on October 1, 1872 and she died in Ochsenfurt in 1934.

Her parents are Georg Hillermeier and Barbara Anna Schwartz.

 Babette married Georg Michael Seiler  from Oberdachstetten, Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany on October 2, 1892 in Ochsenfurt, Germany. Georg worked as a Muhlknecht (grinder of some type) in Tuckelhausen (a nearby village). They had 5 children before Georg died prior to 1906. 

Anna - Georg - Hans - Frederick 'Fritz' - Elizabeth 'Lisel'

On February 24, 1906 Babette and Max Schmittner were united in marriage in Ochsenfurt, Germany. Their union produced 4 more children:

'

Rosa (1907-1985) - Max (1908-?) - Arthur (?-1970) - Otto

They lived in this house located on Badgasse in the city of Ochsenfurt (near the new city hall).

This is a photo of Babette, as a  young girl, on her confirmation day.

This family photo is of some members of the Schmittner & Grunewald families. From left to right: Hans Schmittner's wife Centa, Max Schmittner's wife Baerbel, Rosa Schmittner Grunewald, Babette Schmittner, Max Schmittner holding granddaughter Hildegard Grunewald Grinnell (3 months old). In the front row the two little girls are from left to right: Erna and Eleonore (daughters of Rosa).

Birthplace of Max Schmittner

Max Schmittner 

 Born July 18, 1879 ~ Died 1945

Mom always thought Max was born in Freilassing, Bavaria, Germany because family members referred to him as "being from Freilassing." Now we know that "being from" and "being born" can be very different places.

We discovered Max's birth city when we came upon his World War 1 military record. It revealed that he was born in Feichten, Muhldorf, Toging am Inn in Bayern (Bavaria). At some point in time, Max and his mother Anna must have moved from Toging to Freilassing.

According to these military records Max Was born to Simon Boxhammer and Anna Schmittner. So far, we have been unable to locate any additional information on Max's parents. We do believe that Anna is from the area, as we can find numerous Schmittner records dating way back, but do not know the name of her father to verify these records as of yet. As for Simon, he is a mystery. Apparently, they were not married and the Boxhammer name does not return any records when doing a genealogy search.

Toging am Inn is a town located on the Inn River in the Muhldorf district in Upper Oberbayen, Bavaria, Germany. This area is not known for the many Medieval castles that can be found in other parts of Germany. Today it is a small town of approximately 9,000 people, and is known as a fun festival town with many street markets. 

I was able to find an old postcard photo of Toging, but am not sure what year this was taken.

Map of the city layout 

Max and his wife Babette Hillermeier raised their family in the City of Ochsenfurt, Bavaria, Germany. In the photo below from left to right are: daughter-in-laws Centa and Barbel, daughter Rosa, Babette, Max holding granddaughter Hildegard Centa Grunewald (Rosa's youngest daughter). Front row from left to right is Erna and Eleanor 'Lore' Grunewald (Rosa's 2 oldest daughters) 

A second World War 1 military record revealed the names of Max's parents. His mother's name is Anna geb. Schmittner Felben. Anna eventually married a man named Lorenz Felber who was a landlord. According to the same record his father's name is Simon Boxhammer (Boschhammer). We were not expecting to find this information, but records do reveal secrets. Unfortunately, the record did not reveal where Simon was born or lived.  

Max's granddaughter - Hildegard Centa Grunewald Grinnell - described him as a very patient and mild-mannered gentleman. Very kind and big-hearted.

Max Schmittner and Babette Hillermeier

Max Schmittner 

Max  who was born in Feichten, Toging Am Inn, Bavaria traveled to St. Petersburg Russia to learn the art of brewing beer. He worked as a brewmaster for the Oechsner Company in Ochsenfurt. 

and

Barbara 'Babette" Hillermeier 

Babette worked as a seamstress

who was born in Wallmersbach, Uffenheim, Bavaria married on February 25, 1906 in Ochsenfurt, Bavaria, Germany. 

Max was 26 and Babette was 33.  Babette was the widow Seiler and had 5 children when Max married her. Together they had the following 4 children:

1. Rosa Schmittner (our line)

Born April 13, 1907
Died - February 18, 1985

2. Max Schmittner

Born - August 1, 1908
Died - ?

3. Arthur Schmittner
Born - ?
Died - 1970

4. Otto Schmittner

They were married for 28 years before Babette died.

They resided on Badgasse (near the new city hall) in Ochsenfurt