Geneaology findings that make me proud...

Published on May 8, 2006 By ----- In Home & Family

I've been doing some family geneaology recently and came upon two pieces of family info that made me shine.

The first is a photo of a, Jacob Stadtfeld. He is my great-great-great-grandfather, from (then) Germany. It is followed by a photocopy of the obituary in the Oakland Tribune (June 2nd, 1906 ~ Evening Edition).

The next bit is the obituary of a, Matthias (also spelled Mathias) King Gray [the 1st, as we know him]. He is another great-great-great-grandfather. He is from England, Manchester I believe. Following it is a photocopy of the front part of a music book/pamphlet that his company published.

"GRAY--A Prominent Man Dead. Matthias GRAY, a well known music dealer of San Francisco, died in that city at 7 o clock Wednesday morning last. One week ago Mr. GRAY was stricken with paralysis of the brain, which was followed by congestion of the lungs and heart. He gradually sank and Wednesday morning brought the termination which the attending physician foresaw as inevitable from the first. He leaves a widow and a son 11 years old. He was a prominent member and director of the British Benevolent Society and a member also of the Bohemian Club. * * * Passed Away. Matthias GRAY, the well known and very popular music dealer of San Francisco, who passed from earth a few days ago was one of the most noble and generous men on the Pacific Coast. His many charities were mostly of a private nature, and bestowed in such a manner that the receiver hardly knew whom to thank. A few years ago a lady who was in trouble concluded to get up a concert at Platts hall, San Francisco. The lady was not personally acquainted with Mr. GRAY; but that generous man had heard of her misfortune and distress, and when she called at his store to ask what he would charge for the use of a Steinway piano for the occasion, Mr. GRAY very politely informed her that she could have the use of the piano free of charge. During the brief conversation he said: Madam, I am in deep sympathy with you in your trouble and I wish to assist you; accept this little gift [twenty dollars], and turning to the head clerk he introduced the heart-sorrowing lady and said, I authorize you to give Mrs. five dollars every week while she is obliged to remain in the city. The lady said, I will not impose on your generosity by calling. But the lady through a friend received five dollars each of the four weeks she remained in the city. Such men as Matthias GRAY don't die they merely pass from this to a better land." Source: San Joaquin Valley Argus (Merced, CA), 2 Apr 1887."

I'm glad, and honored to be related to these two fine gentlemen."

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Comments

1

Kimberly Stadtfeld Russell

on May 16, 2006

I was very curious about this article as my family also possesses the obituary notice on Jacob Benedict Stadtfeld, Sr. I too am a great-great granddaughter of this man, but my great grandfather was Jacob Benedict ,Jr.. He was an older brother of Helen Stadtfeld, who was married to Mathias Gray. I have some information on your side of the family, but nothing beyond the names of their children.
My brother and his family still live in San Francisco, but I live in Nevada.

2

-----

on May 16, 2006

email me at elindelwolf (at) hotmail.com with it.

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