The Mathias Braun Family

Dec 1887 – Anna Braun marries John Michel, an German immigrant shoemaker on December 27, 1887 at St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran church (aka Old Zion). Anna is approximately 21.5 years of age. Their story is captured on this page on this site.

Jun '89 – Bertha, their first-born, is calculated to have been born on 6 Oct 1888 Saturday. Sadly, on 20 Jun 1889 she passes away at 14 months of age at their home 2428 Ridge Ave and is buried in Mount Vernon Cemetery.

Dec '90 – John Lewis Michel (herein JLM) is born about 18 months later on 15 December 1890 at 2428 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia. Dr. Adam J. Dundore signed the birth certificate for JLM. The rest of their story is covered here.

Jun 1880 – The 1880 census has George Mathias as a machinist at age 18. The 1900 Census has him employed in real estate (matches his death certificate occupation).

May '91 – Michael (Mathias) Braun wins a judgment against John Michel for $2,278.90 , "payable in one day". That amount is comparable to $79,554 in 2025. Perhaps he was in a business contract with his son-in-law or he sued on behalf of his daughter?

Jun '93 – George marries Bertha Kuhlemeier of Philadelphia in St Michael's and Zion church on 15 Jun 1893. They live at 8015 Stenton Ave, Wyndmoor, PA. The 3,517 sq ft home was built in 1896.

Jun 1900 – The 1900 Census has the Mathias Braun family now living in Norriton Township, Montgomery County, PA. Mathias has "farmer" as his listed occupation. The family name is also listed as "Brown", not Braun but all the names of Kunigunda (rare name) and children and dates of marriage match up correctly. Grandsons George E Sauffer (Stauffer?) (12 yrs) and John L Mitchel (9 yrs) are living at this home. JLM was born in December 1990. It seems that JLM and likely his mother are living with Mathias. This aligns with Mathias suing John Michel in Jun '91 following a judgment note from May 1891.

Nov '32 – George PJ Braun dies 23 Nov 1932 at home: Wyndmoor Rd and Stenton Ave (8015 Stenton Ave, Wyndmoor) of coronary thrombosis at age 71. He was a real estate broker; survived by Bertha, his wife. George is buried at West Laurel Hill cemetery (1125 W Lehigh Ave) by CA Quinby & Son undertakers on 28 Nov 1932.

Nov 1905 – Mathias passes away on 14 Nov 1905 at home: 2309 W Thompson St, Philadelphia, at 74 years, 11 months, and 14 days of age due to "enlargement of the heart". It looks like Dr. AJ Dundore signed his death certificate. He is the doctor who signed JLM's birth certificate in 1890. His office in 1905 was at 2041 Master St in Brewerytown section of Philadelphia. Mathias was buried in West Laurel Hill cemetery by Pfizenmaier Charles Sons undertakers, 1330 Poplar (1887 Boyd's directory) or 1400 N 29th St from death certificate.

Nov '05 – Mathias' funeral bill of $395 in 1895 is comparable to $14,102 in 2024 dollars.

Nov '05 – The probate filing of Mathias' estate named wife Kunigunda, son George PJ, and daughter Annie Michel as Executors. Real estate named was their home at 2309 W Thompson St and 1810 Van Pelt. 1810 Van Pelt is where Annie is living in 1910 and 1913 and wherein she is running a boardinghouse. This is assumed to be after her separation/divorce from John Michel, her husband.

Nov '05 – The probate document calculated a value of $2364 for the contents of Mathias' home, cash, and real estate (properties discussed previously). This is comparable to $81,570 today. The probate document of 24 Nov 1905 has George living at 2409 W Thompson St.

Jun '10 – 1910 Census has Kunikunda (sic) as widowed and unemployed; living at 2309 West Thompson St. She owns the home.

Jun 1910 – At some point after the birth of John Lewis Michel in 1890 and 1910, Anna and John Michel are divorced. The 1897 Philadelphia Directory previously discussed has John's address as 2430 Ridge Ave but the 1910 US Federal Census lists a "Anna K Michel" residing at "1810 Van Pelt St, divorced". The census lists her occupation as "head of boardinghouse", with one border (Edgar K Davis, 38, a railroad brakeman) and her son, John Lewis (JLM). JLM is 19 years old and his occupation is listed as a "stenographer at a bank" (some info on stenography here). In 1900, stenographers (mostly female) were paid about $900/yr with male clerks earning $900-$1200.¹

'14 – The 1913 and 1914 Philadelphia White telephone pages lists a "Mrs Anna K Michel 1810 N Van Pelt St, Philadelphia". There is a "John MIchel 2320 N 23rd St" but it is unknown if this could be Anna's former husband. There were no shoe-related businesses in these books related to a John Michel or to his known historical addresses. No other phone directories from that period were available for review. As an aside, an early history of telephones in the US available here.

Jun 1910 – Census has Kunikunda (sic) Braun, age 70, widowed, living at 2309 W Thompson St, PHL. It states she immigrated from Ger-Bavaria in 1857.

Jun '29 – Kunningunda (sic) Braun dies on 4 Jun 1929 at 89 years, 11 months, and 25 days of age at 2309 W. Thompson St, her home. Her cause of death was chronic bronchitis exacerbated by kidney failure. AJ Dundor, MD (who else!) of 1939 Master St signs her death certificate. She is buried with Mathias in West Laurel Hill cemetery on 7 Jun 1929 by CA Quinby & Son undertakers, 1125 W Lehigh Ave. Her birth father was George Dietrich; mother's name not listed.

~'30 – Circa 1930, a letter was written to I assume JLM. It was written in German from a person named JC Loring who wrote that he was the grandson of Mathias Braun. A translation of the letter and related material are shown. The original letter may be downloaded here.

'47 – Anna's sister Elizabeth was married to a Harry Stauffer. She died in 1947 of myocardial failure. Her last residence was 116 W Walnut Lane in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. It appears a relative, George E Stauffer, DO, whose address was 116 W Walnut Lane as well, signed her death certificate.