Born
February, 1868
New York City, New York

Died
July 19, 1943
Queens, New York

Parents
Martin Stern
Mary Stern

Siblings
Jacob Stern
Martin Stern
Anthony Stern
Mary Stern

Spouse
Ludwig Caspar Knittel
Married 1884 in unknown location

Children
Susan Marie Knittel
John Knittel
Margarethe Knittel
George Michael Knittel
Lena Knittel
Julia Anna Knittel
Anna Knittel

Life Story

Lena Stern, born in February 1868, was the youngest of five children born to Martin and Mary Stern and the only one born in New York. Her parents were immigrants from Baden who arrived to New York sometime between 1865 and 1867. Lena's older siblings included three brothers: Jacob, Martin, Anthony, and one sister, Mary.

Lena's father was a tailor, and his family lived in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. No records after the 1870 Census could be found for any members of her family. In 1884 at the age of 16 she married Louis Knittel whose family was also from Baden. She and Louis had four daughters and two sons over the span of ten years: Susan Marie, Margarethe, George Michael, Julia, Anna and John.

Lena and Louis moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn sometime between 1890 and 1892. She raised her children while Louis worked as a brass finisher and chandelier maker. At least three of her four daughters married: Susan married Jacob Mohr in June 1903; Julia married Leo Herr in March 1910; and Anna married Jacob Feinauer in April 1918. Neither of her sons married, and it is not known whether her daughter Margarethe (known as Maggie) married or died as no records of her could be found after 1915. Lena became a grandmother first in October 1904 when Susan's daughter, also named Susan, was born and again in 1911 when Julia gave birth to a daughter Charlotte.

Lena and Louis suffered several tragedies as at least three of their children predeceased them. Their firstborn Susan died at age 22 in July 1908 of appendicitis, and her husband died two years later in July 1910. Nine years later in June 1919 their daughter Anna died only 14 months after she married. In 1922 their son George died of a gunshot wound to his back; his death appeared to have been a homicide that occurred in the line of duty as a special officer. Her daughter Maggie may also have died sometime after 1915 but no record could be found.

Lena's husband Louis died in February 1924. She continued to live in Brooklyn and eventually moved to Queens where she lived before her death on July 19, 1943 at the age of 75. She is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery next to Louis and her son George (Prospect section, Lot 389A, grave #4).

Seeking Information

Marriage location and exact date

Facts

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Updated 12/5/14