Otto Joseph Schneider was born on 5 December, 1883 on an estate called Breitenau, located about 6 miles from the rural town of Hardheim (in Baden). He was the third of nine children (and the oldest son) born to Wilhelm Schneider and Walburger Ballweg. Wilhem was the forester for the landowner. The lack of employment opportunities may have been the impetus for young Otto's emigration to the United States. He was encouraged by an uncle, Herman Ballweg, to leave his homeland for America in 1902. Uncle Herman helped him get a job in the baking business.While riding a streetcar one day, Otto saw a face that he recognized from the "old country." It was Anna Herold, whose family lived in Hardheim. She had come to America at the instigation of her older sister, Karoline Herold. They renewed acquaintances and were married on 10 October, 1908, at St. Leonard's Church in Brooklyn.
In 1922 Otto and Anna moved their family to the little village of Northport, on Long Island's north shore. Otto continued to work as a baker until his death from throat cancer on 29 December, 1942.
Their children were/are:
At a very young age, Herman Schneider, born on 16 August, 1909, knew that he wanted to become a Catholic Priest. He realized his dream in 1935 when he was ordained into the Domincan Order. Before and after World War II--during which he served as a Navy Chaplain--Fr. Schneider was sent to a variety of posts until becoming an instructor of German at Providence College in Rhode Island.
Fr. Schneider was a life-long sports fan and became the "Father of Providence College Hockey" when he organized a team at the small college. One of his players, Lou Lamorello, went on to become the General Manager of the Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils of the NHL. The Providence Friars now play in Schnieder Arena, built on the campus in 1973.
Herman Schneider died suddenly on 28 December, 1963, and is buried in the Domincian Cemetery at Providence College.
Otto, Jr., was born on 6 June, 1911. In 1936 he married Florence Mastriano (b. 28 August, 1916). Otto worked at a variety of jobs to support his family as well as helping out at home after the death of his father in 1942. After living in East Northport for many years, Otto and Florence moved to Marietta, Georgia.
The children of Otto Schneider and Florence Mastriano are/were:
Named for two of her grandparents (Wilhelm Schneider & Louisa Amalia Seitz), Wilma Schneider was born on 25 July, 1913. She never married, and took very seriously her role as eldest daughter in the Schneider household. She was ill during the last few years of her life. At the time of her death on 27 July, 1990, she was the only child of Anna and Joseph still living at the Schneider home on Scudder Avenue in Northport. For many years she worked in the Insurance office of Oliver Hartt.
Artie Schneider was the 3rd and last son born to Anna and Otto Schneider (8 May 1915). After his schooling was completed, he obtained a job in the Northport Post Office. He worked there until he was drafted during World War II. While in the service he served in his unit's post office, and to the relief of his mother, never got posted anywhere near the front lines. It was only at the war's end that he was shipped overseas. Although he found himself in the vicinity of his parent's home town of Hardheim, he never got the chance to visit the place.
After the War, Artie returned to his job at the Post Office. He married Marie Jenelton in the early 1950s.
Like his brother, Herman, Artie died at a young age. He lost a leg to cancer before passing away on 12 May, 1967.
The children of Arthur Schneider and Marie Jenelton are:
Clara was the glue that held the Schneider family together. Born on 12 August, 1917, she lived her entire life in Northport, working at the VA Hospital there. She never married but was one of those people who counted her friends by the legion. She was very active in St. Philip Neri RC Church and was an avid bowler. Clara, familiarly known as "Kaki", died on 12 August, 1985 and is buried with her parents and sister, Wilma, at St. Philip Neri Cemetery in East Northport.
Gertrude Walburger (Schneider) Mackey
Trudy always cringed at the sound of her middle name (she was named for her grandmother Walburger Ballweg Schneider). She was born on 3 October, 1919. Of the four Schneider daughters, only Trudy and Bea married. Trudy married William Mackey. They had three children. Sadly, before Trudy's death on 19 December, 1990, she had buried two of her three children: Bobby died in a house fire in 1966, and Diana passed away in 1986.
The children of Gertrude Schneider and William Mackey are/were:
© 1997 lkennedy@suffolk.lib.ny.us
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