Johann Friedrich -- Dye Works Damages (1868, 1884)

In a prior post, I noted how between the years 1884 and 1886, Johann Friedrich's dye work factory disappeared from the maps for Jamaica Plain.

1884:



1886:



I was curious if I could uncover any explanation for the difference here, and I have found some more material explaining it. Snippets from Boston newspapers, namely the Boston Globe, the Boston Traveler, and the Boston Post have allowed me to piece it together.

In 1884, a few articles appear on Johann's property. First, he petitions for redress on damages to his property that resulted from the city's work on Stony Brook that ran through his land, which began in 1868 and were finally coming to a head. This request is handled by appointees from the Board of Alderman.

From the May 6th issue of the Boston Traveler:

"Alderman Curtis submitted a report from the Committee on Stony Brook on the petition of Frederick Kohlhepp and others, to be paid for land taken, and for damages occasioned by the improvement of Stony Brook -- That in their opinion the claim is not properly before them, inasmuch as by the provisions of Chapter 196 of the Acts of 1874 the Board of Aldermen are solely empowered to settle claims of this character. They therefore recommend that the claim be referred to the members of this committee on the part of the Board of Alderman.

Accepted and referred accordingly. Sent down.

Alderman Curtis offered an order--That His Honor the Mayor be authorized to appoint three suitable persons who shall determine the amount of betterment the Board of Aldermen may assess upon the estates bordering upon Stony Brook, on account of the improvement of the channel of said brook by the city of Boston, as provided in Chapter 196 of the Acts of 1874."

In the following week's (May 13th) newspaper, it reports the results of this committee, where they provide $1000 of the requested $3500 for the damage done to Johann's property. There are interesting descriptions of his manufacturing buildings being removed as a result of the improvements and damage done to his equipment, which would have impacted the Dye Works. We also see issues with fulfilling his business obligations to someone leasing his property, for which he got sued.

"Stony Brook.

Alderman Curtis submitted a report from the Committee on Stony Brook, on the petition of Frederick Kohlhepp and wife to be compensated for land taken and damages occasioned by the Stony-brook Improvement, that, having heard the petitioners, they recommend the passage of the following:

Ordered, That there be paid to Frederick Kohlhepp the sum of $1000 for all damages occasioned to his estate by the improvement of Stony Brook under Chapter 223 of the acts of 1868, or chapter 196 of the acts of 1874, or any acts relating to said improvement whether done by the town of West Roxbury or the city of Boston, upon his giving to the city a deed or release satisfactory to the city solicitor, granting to the city of Boston "the right and privilege to keep and forever maintain at its own proper cost and expense the new channel of Stony Brook, through the land of said Kohlhepp, at its present width, and to maintain and repair the stone walls on either side of said channel at their present height and width, and to enter on the same for the purpose of repairing and cleaning the said channel and walls, and of removing any obstructions to the free flow of the water in the said new channel of said brook, and an acquittance and discharge for all damages, costs, and expense in concequence of the taking and of other acts of said town or city;" said sum to be charged to the appropriation for Stony Brook Improvement.

Alderman Curtis -- This case was begun in 1868, and had been wending its way down through the courts and the city government until the present time. Their claim was $3500. We gave the party quite a number of hearings, and have finally compromised for $1000. The channel of the brook was changed from the line where it went through this man's land. His manufacturing buildings were removed and his machinery was destroyed or injured to a great extent. His building was let at the time, he was sued by the lessee, and judgment was rendered against him. He has been in court about as long as he wants to be. He came to this Board for redress in 1881. We have now agreed with him upon a settlement which I think is fair and equitable, and it does not take away the right of the city to assess betterments upon his land for the improvement of the brook. He has accepted our terms, and I think it is no more than fair and just that he should be paid.

The order was passed. Sent down."

This order being passed is described in the May 13th issue of the Boston Globe too, where it briefly notes, "to pay to Frederick Kohlhepp $1000 for damages occasioned to his estate by the improvement of Stony brook."

With this cleared up, it still doesn't answer how Johann's land was impacted between 1884 and 1886. What transpired in those proceedings was of a historical nature in the 1860's.

What really spells out what happened to the land is an article in the December 20th 1884 issue of the Boston Traveler. A fire broke out and burned his building:

"Alarm from 521 at an early hour today was occasioned by a fire in the dye house of Fred Kohlhepp, at Jamaica Plain, which before the firemen could get under control had badly damaged the building. The loss was placed by an employee at $3900 and is covered by an insurance of $1000.

It is estimated that the loss on the fire, which partially destroyed the building of Joseph H. Curtis of Jamaica Plain, will reach $8000, which is covered by insurance. A. A. Bestwick of Engine 28 had his right arm broken by a hose stricking him, while he was on a ladder player on the fire."

From the maps, it appears that the fire took the Dye Works building out of commission altogether.

Photos: Fred and Ella - 1910's

For my next photo, I'll share one of Fred and Ella that I've also restored, removing some slight scratches, a tear, and some imperfections. I've included both a more distanced and zoomed in view. Feel free to click and see more of the detail. Ella is looking to the side with a somewhat distant look, while Fred has a penetrating look right at the camera with his one eye. You can get a really good view of Fred's bad right eye that trails to the right. And what a mustache and beard! Fred is looking quite withered and "consumed" here, so I suspect that this photo was taken only within years of the end of his life (1915-1919). I suspect that in the background is the Snake River.

Photos: Ella - Late 1930's

Joan Sowards, a descendant of Eda Kohlhepp Lisonbee, posted a photo of Ella in her old age with her second husband, George Albert Martineau, Sr. I took the liberty of restoring the photo, removing flecks and imperfections (inc. the orange stain), and increasing contrast to reduce the fade of time. It turned out pretty well:

Joan Sowards dated the photo to circa. 1940. Ella here does look very similar in her pose (and outfit) as to her obituary photo, her face roughly at a mirror image to the one here. Joan noted the baby as James Lisonbee. The only James I am familiar with was Eda's son, James Rey, but that can't be right as James was born before Ella and George married. Joan is likely referring to another James I do not know of (a son of Eda's sons Lorenzo or Ovid?).

I'll be restoring and posting photos as I collect them.

Ella's Obituary (1941)

Document Type: Obituary
Document Date: January 13, 1941
Created by: Deseret News
Addressed to: Newspaper readership
People referenced: Mary Ella Hickman, George Martineau, J. Grant Iverson, Williams Adams Hickman, Minerva Wade Hickman, surviving descendants via Fred and stepchildren

Fred's spouse, Mary Ella Hickman ("Ella"), lived another 22 years after Fred passed away in 1919. 9 years after he passed away, Ella married George Albert Martineau, Sr., who was also a widower. George would outlive not only his first wife and Ella, but 2 others (Emeline E. Ellsaesser and Ida Billingsley). This was a man that did not like to be alone. When Ella passed away in 1941, an obituary was printed in the January 13th issue of the Deseret News (page 5), which read:

"Martineau Funeral Set

Active Church Worked Passes at 75

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Ella Martineau, 75, of 270 Vine Street, who died Saturday morning in a local hospital, will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m., at 36 East Seventh South Street, by Bishop J. Grant Iverson of the Capitol Hill Ward. Burial will be in the North Ogden Cemetery. Friends may call at the place of funeral prior to services.

A daughter of William Adams and Minerva Wade Hickman, she was born in Murray, Sept. 28, 1865. An active Relief Society member, she has been an active Temple worker for the past 15 years. She had also been recognized as a writer and artist.

Surviving are her husband, George A. Martineau; a son, Frederick Kohlhepp of Plymouth, Utah; six daughters, Mrs. Marie K. Nash and Mrs. Constance Shivley of Salt Lake; Mrs. Eda Lisbonbee and Mrs. Sara Bird of Mesa, Ariz.; Mrs. Minerva Teichert of Cokeville, Wyo., and Mrs. Annallee Averill of Los Angeles, Calif.; four stepsons, George A. Martineau Jr., of Sandy, T. Louis Martineau of West Jordan, Ernest Martineau of St. David, Ariz., and Douglas Martineau of Moapa, Nev., three step daughters. Mrs. Elazadie Hurst of Payson, Mrs. Nola Bauer of Mesquite Nev., and Wilma Luke of Junction, Utah; 76 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren."

Observations:

• This puts Ella's death date at January 11th, 1941, and burial on January 14th.
• The North Ogden cemetery was apparently a family plot for the Wades.
• Ella is described as quite involved in temple work (15 years), prior to when she would have met George.
• Recognized as an artist -- this goes along with the musical compositions, stories, and art contests I'd seen her involved in.

Journey to Lehi (Mesa) Arizona in 1911

Document Type: Memoir
Document Date: Approx. Spring 1972
Created by: Frederick Kohlhepp Nash
Addressed to: Funeral Services for Wilbur Roy Nash
People referenced: Wilbur Roy Nash, Mary Ella Hickman Kohlhepp, Frederick Kohlhepp

Frederick Kohlhepp Nash, Fred's eldest grand child via his daughter Marie Elizabeth Nash (although Frederick Kohlhepp Nash was from Marie's prior marriage to Daniel Bertoch), recounted the trek his family (with his step father, Wilbur Roy Nash) took from American Falls, Idaho to Lehi, Arizona (which became part of Mesa) at his father's funeral (1972). His grandparents, Fred and Mary Ella, also made the journey.

"Springtime 1911

Two families decided to move from American Falls Idaho to Lehi Arizona, near Mesa. I had never seen an automobile so teams and wagons did the job in 6 weeks time by driving hard over trails that were not even a wagon track in places.

To save time we went thru Salt Lake City down Redwood road, missing City center. Traveling through Richfield and crossing Lees Ferry was quite an experience for a groupe of strangers. As a kid it was fun to sit [on] the log ferry and dangle my feet in the river as we crossed.

As we approached the Moen[kopi] Wash we saw people camped across the swol[l]en stream. They said there is no chance to cross. We have been here 2 weeks and the high water has not gone down a bit.

Our hay & food supply were very limited so it was necessary for us to avoid delay and hurry to plant Spring crops. Dad took the tallest horse across the river in different places but water was over his back at [e]very crossing. The group called me from playing in the mud to kneel in a big circle and they prayed for the water to go down.

We got in the wagons as the water went down. I sat in the bottom of our wagon and didn[']t get wet. The gentiles saw what happened, rushed to load their outfit but the river was high again before they could harness the teams. Wonder how long they had to waite. I do believe the Lord helped Ancient Israel cross waters too.

We had a donkey that ran loose and followed us like a dog. At times he was ahead but usually tagging. We met some miners using a beautiful sorrell pony as a pack animal. When the two owners met they grinned and one said ["]shall we?["] ["]Yes[,"] said the other, so our burrow go the pack in the hills and I got a pony to ride when [I got] tired s[i]tting in the wagon. Also others rode him at times.

One ni[ght] we camped in the forest and I tagged dad as he unhooked the team. Flies must have bothered the horses as one slapped my face with his tail so hard I still remember the sting. Dear dad was my real pal. He made a swing with his lasso rope and a tall tree.

We stopped at a cattle ranch and the fine lonesome cowboys treeted us like royalty, feeding us like kings. They sure were good cooks. Mashed potatoes with gravy and all the trimmings with beef.
Mother hinted that I would like some milk. They had no milk cow so they threw a wild herford and proudly presented fresh milk.

After crossing the Colorado river we had to go up a LONG steep, narrow dugway out of the Grand Canyon. I sat on the cliff hang over side to see the canyon. After crossing the Colorado river we drove up the LONG Steep narrow dugway out of grand canyon. I sat on the river side of the seat and watched the horse step so close to the edge I was scared every step for miles it seemed. Someone asked[, "]what if we meet a rig coming down on this narrow dug way?["] ["]People have taken wagons apart to pass[,"] they said.

Another thing of interest to a kid was hundreds of prair[ie] dogs in the big petrified forest. Going thr[ough] Flagstaff we passed a saw mill where they pulled logs with oxen. They never heard of oil shortage either. Painted Desert was a sight to remember when you see it at slow wagon speed.

On the farm in Lehi Dad built us a new air cooled home. Walls were 4 ft high boards and screens above on all sides so breezes came from all directions. Grand parents lived next door also in a house with dirt floors."

Observations:

• Fred Nash would have been very young at this time, about 4 years old (he was born in 1907; this journey was in Springtime 1911). It's hard to imagine that he recalled the journey that well; a lot of the story would had to have been filled in by it being retold to him by other family members.
• Six weeks journey; quite the trek. How well known or travelled was the route they took if not even wagon tracks could be spotted in areas?
• The river receding episode has been recounted in another Kohlhepp story, albeit in different circumstances.
• I plotted out the places mentioned in Fred Nash's account. I've been tempted to look for some old Utah trails and try to determine the most probable course the took down to Lehi, Arizona. In the meantime, enjoy the google map.

• Fascinating description of the living conditions in Lehi for both the Nash and Kohlhepp families.

Estate of Johann Friedrich (1912)

Document Type: Summary of Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp Estate
Document Date: June 1, 1912
Created by: Unnamed Estate Administrator
Addressed to: Amelia Piquet?
People referenced: Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp, Amelia Piquet, Eda Epple, other inferred heirs of the estate (such as Fred)

"Boston, June 1, 1912

Estate of Frederick Kohlhepp

The following information is given for the benefit of the heirs of Frederick Kohlhepp.

*******

Assets of estate at death of Fr. Kohlhepp.

Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1500.
Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1800.
Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2000.
Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1910.
Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $700.

99 Brookside Ave (Assessed 3000.)

Total $10,910.00

--   --   --

Expenditures on account of death:

Mrs. Piquet, Services attending Mr. Kohlhepp   $1000.
Doctors, undertakers, assistants, etc.           375. (Approx)
Fixing over house 99 Brookside Avenue,           300.     "
Miscellaneous, bond, copies of appoint., etc.     60.     "
                                                _____
Total to date                                  $1735.00
Approximate final total                         2000.00

The expenses ultimately will probably be around $2,000.00, which will leave about $8900.00 to be divided among the heirs. From this $8900 should be deducted the estate, $3000.00, which cannot be divided of course until it is sold. This leaves a net balance of $5900. This balance divided into six leaves practically $1000 in cash for each of the six children of Mr. Kohlhepp. One of these sixths will be sub-divided into fourths, giving to the children of Eda Epple approximately $250 apiece.

The above sum will of course be increased when the property on Brookside Avenue is sold, and attempts will be made to do so at once. It is a question how much can be received for the attorney for a purchaser discovered certain defects in the title. The defects, while not material in some ways, were yet of such nature that the attorney refused to allow his client to purchase as he intended to do. This brought the matter back where it was in the beginning. This was the property on Boylston Avenue now Amory Street.

I am in hopes of being able to dispose of both of these mortgages on the Amory Street property, but expect it will take some time to do so. When they are disposed of, I shall make a partial distribution of the actual cash on hand. The law of this state provides that no final distribution shall be made for the full of two years, and that the administrator or executor shall at all times have enough money on hand to meet any outstanding or unexpected bills. For this reason I have held in the bank all the money I have received up to the present time.

The house, 99 Brookside Avenue, was in a very bad condition. No repairs had been made thereon for a great many years. The underpinning, foundation, and structure as a whole, was found pretty well rotted, and had to be practically replaced. The interior walls were covered with bugs underneath the top coating of paper (there being some six coats of paper in all thereon). To fix the house in proper shape to let out for tenants, or to make a sale and get a suitable price, required an additional expense larger than was estimated. To offset this expense, we are receiving monthly as rental for the property,- $12 for the lower floor, and $8 for the upper floor, making $20 in all.

You will observe from the above statement that your administrator is doing all in his power to straighten out the condition of affairs so as to make a distribution possible.

Very respectfully"

Observations:

• A little over 4 months later, and Johann's estate had not been distributed amongst his children yet. The cremation, burial, obituary, services, and so on had been taken care of, but some items were holding up the distribution of assets. We can see that the home was in a bad condition, making it hard to sell. Johann had been in bad health, and while Amelia had seen to his care and got an assistant as well, there was no handyman in or outside of the family that was making repairs. The description of the bugs and the six coats of paper leaves quite the image as regards to the state of the home.
• It is curious what the four different mortgages related to, and if that tied into other property that Johann Friedrich had owned. I expect so, and that these were the properties north of Stony Brook (since covered up by the city).
• Roughly $1500 would be distributed to the Kohlhepp children after the Brookside property was sold. About $1000 could be distributed prior to this. This, along with portion of Ernst Wetzler's estate that Fred was distributed, must have helped his family circumstances considerably out in Idaho.

Johann's Death -- Incomplete Letter to Fred from Amelia

When Fred's dad passed away, his sister Amelia wrote to give him notice.

Document Type: Letter
Document Date: January 25th, 1912
Created by: Amelia Piquet
Addressed to: Fred Kohlhepp
People referenced: Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp, Fred

"January 25th, 1912

Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Dear Brother Fred
Farther past away at quarter of three this morning, after a grate deal of surferings but at the very end he was peaceful and I think he had all his all mind clear, but had not the strank to to speak, but looked as if he felt that all was well. He will probaly be buried Sunday the 28th on his birthday, with the Free Masons rite Surmon + with be cremated at West Hills. I will write"

Observations:

• Amelia is obviously tired; she was up at 2:45 AM with her father, which had passed away, and it's affected her writing. It's not the spelling as much that shows this, but the repeating of words and improper phrases.
• Johann's birthday is noted as January 28.
• Interesting that the Free Masons not only conducted the services, but gave the sermon as well.
• Cremation noted as form of burial.

I have not been able to locate the rest of the letter.

Elizabeth Wetzler Kohlhepp - Will (1905)

Shortly before Frederick's mother, Marie Elizabeth Benedicta Wetzler Kohlhepp, passed away, she made a will directing the execution of her estate and what she'd inherited from her brother, Ernst Wetzler. There are not many documents I have that describe Elizabeth's life, and unfortunately, this document does not tell us very much.

Document Type: Will

Document Date: Made on April 11, 1905; Proved on June 8, 1905

Created by: Elijah George

On Behalf of: Elizabeth Kohlhepp

People referenced: Elizabeth Kohlhepp, Ernst Wetzler, Anna Kramer, Eda Kohlhepp Epple, Elizabeth Kohlhepp Huber, Constance Kohlhepp Halbach, Frederick Kohlhepp, Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp, Amelia Kohlhepp Piquet, Ernestine Kohlhepp Neumann, Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Joseph M. Fitzgerald, Mary E. Fitzgerald

Notes: It isn’t clear from the will if one had already been created and this was a corrective document, or if that is written as a matter of course and procedure. I should check a few other wills written by Elijah to make that determination.

The will is rather straightforward:

• Pay off debts and funeral expenses
• Brother’s estate, give $1000 to Anna, Eda, Elizabeth and Constance; Frederick, Amelia, and Ernestine had already received their portion prior. Residue of that estate to be shared amongst all children evenly. Family records of mine, along with the introduction to the Letters of Minerva Teichert, claimed that Frederick benefited from estate distributions from his Uncle, Mother, and Father, and this substantiates those claims.
• Elizabeth’s estate to go to Johann Friedrich, and he is the executor of the will.

It is curious how often these wills were written, or who could afford to do so. The record just prior to this was will from 1901, four years prior.

The witnesses are interesting – who were the Fitzgeralds listed and what was their relationship to the Kohlhepps (Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Joseph M. Fitzgerald, Mary E. Fitzgerald)?

Elizabeth Kohlhepp, Will, Proved June 8, 1905

Know all men by these presents, that I, Elizabeth Kohlhepp, wife of Frederick Kohlhepp, of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do make this my last will and testament, herby revoking all wills and codicils by me heretofore made. First, I direct my executor hereinafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as soon as may be after my decease. Second, Of the estate given to me by the will of my deceased brother Ernst Wetzler, I give and bequeath to my daughters Anna, Eda, Elizabeth and Constance the sum of one thousand dollars each, and the residue of said estate in equal shares to all my children, and to the issue of any deceased child, such issue taking by way of representation. (My children Frederick, Amelia and Ernestine have already received one thousand dollars each.) Third, All the rest and residue of the estate, both real and personal, of which I shall die seized or possessed, or to which I shall be in any way entitled, or over which I shall have any power of appointment, at the time of my decease, I give, devise, bequeath and appoint to my said husband, Frederick Kohlhepp, absolutely and in fee simple. Fourth, I appoint my said husband Frederick Kohlhepp executor of this my will, and direct that no sureties be required on his official bond as such executor.  In witness whereof I hereto set my hand, and declare this to be my last will and testament, this 11 day of April, A.D. nineteen hundred and five.

Elizabeth Kohlhepp.

I hereby assent to the provisions of the above will.

Fred Kohlhepp

Signed by the testastrix and by her declared to be her last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of each other have hereto set our names as attesting witnesses.

Patrick H. Fitzgerald

Joseph M. Fitzgerald

Mary E. Fitzgerald

A true record Attest.

Elijah George Register

Johann Friedrich - Dye Works and Home in Jamaica Plain

Frederick's family settled in Jamaica Plain in the 1860's, eventually establishing permanent roots at 99 Brookside Avenue, with property also on Boylston. There are many maps of the Jamaica Plain area that show Johann Friedrich's property, with Stony Brook flowing through it. Stony Brook would have numerous adjustments made to it throughout Johann's sojourn there, some of which are captured. I have arranged the maps in a chronological order so you can see the historical metamorphosis of the property and its surroundings.

1874: You can see Johann's property "F. Kohlepp," with property on both sides of Stony Brook. The long building by the brook would have been the dye works. His home would have been the building south of it on his property. It's interesting to the see the businesses that were near the Dye Works, such as the Eagle Rubber company to the west and the ETNA Rubber Mills to the east.

1884: Noted here as "F. Kohlhopp." The Dye Works is prominently called out, with the family property still to the south. There are now 2 structures on the other side of Stony Brook. Stony Brook below the south side of Brookside looks to have been built over.

1886: Just 2 years later, while there is still a structure on the south side of Stony Brook, it no longer appears to be the Dye Works. This structure looks to have been demolished. Johann still has properties on either side of Stony Brook. We can still see the Rubber Mills to the east, and around the corner we observe a Carriage Factory.

1891: A bird's eye view map of Jamaica Plain is produced. This one is not easily labeled with names, and so it becomes somewhat a process of deduction to determine where Johann's home would have been located. The artist took liberties in "condensing" the buildings and roads in Jamaica Plain. The factory noted in number 19 is the Cable Rubber Company, which was on the other side of Cornwall street, but not depicted here. We see Stony Brook cutting across the land. Johann's home would have been present amongst the artist's row of homes along Brookside Avenue, but due to his condensing of buildings, it's hard to consult an earlier or prior map and determine which it would have been, and if it would have appeared at all. If it portrayed, my best guess would be the properties noted in red.

1896: Another 5 years has past; in this case, there is little variation from the 1886 map. This time property is noted by Fred. Kohlhepp (2 P's on north property, 1 on the south).

1899: 3 years later, there appears to have been some construction on the property near Stony Brook.

1905: The structures near Stony Brook have completely disappear. Likewise, Stony Brook has been built over completely. It is likely in this city improvement project that the structures right there would have been demolished.

1914: We see that the northern property off of Amory has been sold to someone else, just the south property remains. Noted as "Fredk Kohlhepp."

 

Johann and Elizabeth -- Immigration

I've been working to uncover as close as possible when Fred's parents moved to America. There are a few different documents to consult here. The first place considered was the naturalization records, which typically spell out the Date and port of arrival in the U.S. Johann's records show this occurred on April 11, 1871. However, whomever took these records was not the most thorough. His address is just listed as "Jamaica Plain" and the Date and port of arrival is listed as empty.

The 1900 US Census has a convenient Citizenship section, which includes an input for "Year of Immigration to the United States," followed by "Number of Years in the United States." There are inputs for Fred and Elizabeth in the census, both for the year 1852, and thus calculating against the 1900 date of the census, they'd spent 48 years in the United States.

This sets us pretty well in the year 1852, but I wondered if I could get any more specific. Prior to migration, Johann and Elizabeth had given birth to some children, and consulting their records (particular Jean Kohlhepp, who was born, baptized, and died in 1852) we can get a closer date.

Ancestry's collection of "Hesse, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1661-1957" has 3 entries for Jean Kohlhepp born to a Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp and a Maria Elisabetha Benedicta Wetzler:

(a) General record of birth, baptism, death

Name: Jean Kohlhepp

Gender: Male
Birth Date: 11 Mrz 1852 (11 Mar 1852)
Baptism Date: 21 Mrz 1852 (21 Mar 1852)
Baptism Place: Evangelisch,Grossenlinden,Oberhessen,Hesse-Darmstadt
Death Date: 17 Jul 1852
Father: Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp
Mother: Maria Elisabetha Benedicta Wetzler
FHL Film Number: 269706

(b) Baptismal record

Name: Jean Kohlhepp

Gender: männlich (Male)
Event Type: Taufe (Baptism)
Birth Date: 11 Mrz 1852 (11 Mar 1852)
Baptism Date: 21 Mrz 1852 (21 Mar 1852)
Baptism Place: Hessen, Hessen (Hesse), Deutschland (Germany)
Father: Friedrich Kohlhepp
Mother: Maria Elisabetha Cramer [NOTE: Name from prior marriage]
Author: Evangelische Kirche Großen Linden (Kr. Gießen)
City or District: Großen Linden
Parish as it Appears: Großenlinden
Page Number: 16;17

(c) Burial record

Name: Jean Kohlhepp

Death Age: 4/12
Event Type: Beerdigung (Burial)
Birth Date: abt 1852
Death Date: 17 Jul 1852
Burial Date: 20 Jul 1852
Burial Place: Hessen, Hessen (Hesse), Deutschland (Germany)
Father: Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp
Mother: Maria Elisabetha Kohlhepp
Author: Evangelische Kirche Großen Linden (Kr. Gießen)
City or District: Großen Linden
Parish as it Appears: Großenlinden
Page Number: 12;13

Based on these records (I do not have the originals, it is a text only record database), they would have not left prior to Jean's burial in Grossenlinden on July 20, 1852. So the immigration occurred in the latter half of 1852. These records also cast further doubt on the Jewish heritage question; one could argue that one parent just accommodated the other in religious matters, but at the moment all we have is evidence of is a Lutheran background.

While this might seem to lock us into the 1852 date, there is some ambiguity in the records. The 1910 federal census, after Elizabeth passed away, still contains similar Citizenship information, and for Johann, this time it lists the year as 1856. Which is correct?

I'll need to find the specific records whether birth or marriage records documenting Amelia's birthplace, but the generic online records have her born in 1855 in Massachusetts, which would mean that Johann and Elizabeth migrated earlier.

Johann, Anna, Eda - Palm Leaf Workers (1865)

The 1865 Massachusetts state census makes mention of Fred's family, and interestingly enough, does not describe Johann Friedrich as a dyer. Instead, it lists him as a "Palm Leaf Worker." This is not a common term used today, so I was curious what this meant. A Compendium of the Census of Massachusetts: 1875 extrapolates that a palm leaf worker is involved with the production of hats. It lists, "hat maker, hat finisher, hat presser, hat packer, hat stamper." Palm leaf was used for other products as well (i.e. floor mats, tea mats).

Dyer and Dye House Worker were noted as occupations, with dyeing broken away into industries under "bleaching and dyeing" and Dyestuffs. So what Johann was doing at this time was not dyeing (dyeing did not fit in the palm leaf category). The Compendium makes a few other interesting notes on palm leaf production. It notes that in 1875, the average value of a palm leaf hat was $2.32 and of a palm leaf tea mat $0.19 respectively. 33,180 dozen palm leaf hats were made, and 7,000 dozen sets of palm leaf tea mats. As an industry, palm lead work rolled up under "Straw and palm-leaf goods," for $5.9 million. An interesting comparison is made of this industry from 1845 - 1875 (each column representing 1845, 1855, 1865, and 1875, respectively):

We can see that the number of establishments making straw/palm leaf goods more than doubled between 1855 and 1865, but then dropped 75% between 1865 and 1875. Interestingly, the number of employees dropped slightly between 1855 and 1865 (we might have expected an increase along the lines of the number of establishments made), but plummets to 5,004 in 1875. The value of goods made, however, increases over $1M in 1875. What can explain this shift? To speculate on the data, one might predict that there was greater entrepreneurialism in 1865, and then consolidation of businesses in 1875. There appears to be a reduction in force, but that stat can be quite deceptive. The Compendium notes later that "To the number of persons employed on Straw and Palm-leaf Goods, should be added 14,762 women furnished with work at their homes; the number in the table includes those only who work in the factory." Given only 5,004 were listed as employed in the factory, this entails that roughly 75% of the work force for the industry were women, who worked at home. It also breaks down the women furnished with work at home statistic between Palm-life goods (790 women) and straw goods (13,972). Another 1,000 were involved in "palm leaf splitting."

This likely included Johann's family. The 1865 census notes next to his step daughter, Anna Kramer (18), and his daughter, Eda (16), that they too worked as palm leaf workers (notice the '' in the occupation field, referencing the most recent written entry), so multiple members of the family were involved in doing this work, and would have been part of the statistic. The 1875 Compendium does not let us know how many women were working in 1865 in palm-life goods, but expecting it to be smaller in number than 1875, Eda and Anna would have been among ~750-1750 (grouping palm leaf goods and splitting together) women in Massachusetts doing this work from their home in 1865. There may have been a general transition from work at the factory to work at the home.

Fred was 3 at the time, and his autobiography makes no reference to this trade engaged upon by his family.

UPDATE [1/15]: This data is interesting, as it makes one wonder why Johann transitioned [temporarily] from being a dyer by trade to acting as a palm leaf worker. The 1860 census, when the Kohlhepps were still in Rhode Island, lists Johann as a dyer there, so it is not something he transitioned to following doing Palm Leaf work.

1860 was prior to the American Civil War, and 1865 at the tail end. Perhaps dyeing business was not as good then? Family lore describes that Johann dyed uniforms for the Union soldiers in the American Civil War, but if he was primarily a palm leaf worker in 1865, it does make me question that somewhat. But he could have done it prior to 1865 at an earlier part of the war, or done these jobs simultaneously. Johann had also moved the family over to Boston, at least by 1862, and perhaps had not yet found work as a dyer there?

After 1865, Johann did go back to the dye business. I'm looking for the earliest account of it past 1865. What I've found thus far is that in May 18, 1869 issue of the Boston Transcript there was an ad for his Dye House in Jamaica Plain (which repeated in later issues). He transitioned quite quickly back to running his own dye shop in the short span of 4 years. It's interesting to see the recommendation from a doctor, William P. Wesselhoeft, on the effectiveness of his work:

"F. Kohlhepp. Jamaica Plain Dye House. For washing, steaming, bleaching and purifying woollen blankets. I can recommend Mr. K.'s process of cleansing old woollen blankets. Besides making them look as good as new, this process destroys all contagion after diseases." The latter statement, I presume, was to reference removal of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.

If I find any earlier references, I'll modify this post.

NOTE: It's unfortunate that no other state census survived in MA than the 1865 and 1875, but this document is still a treat for disclosing this.