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Home |  Pre-1852 |  Genealogy |  People and Families |  Photo Galleries |  Links ELIZABETH CHRISTINE (WÖLFLE) EITELMAN ("Lizzie")

Profile Born: 19 Jul 1856 Cleveland, OH Died: 9 Feb 1920 Fort Worth, TX Parents: Jake Wölfle Spouse: Michael Andrew Eitelman Children: Michael G., Emma, Lillie, Edward Occupation(s): Homemaker Letters of Emma and Lillie Lizzie's Funeral Sermon Lizzie's Gallery

Elizabeth ("Lizzie") was the third child of six and the only daughter born to Jake Wölfle and his wife. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1856, she married Michael A. Eitelman ("Grumpa") in 1876. Shortly after he settled in Fort Worth, TX, to work with his brother George in his horse shoeing shop, she moved her family of four young children from Cleveland to Fort Worth. The children included Michael George (1876-1942), Emma Elizabeth GILCHRIST (1877-1970), Lillie Helen INGERSON (1880-1969), and Edward Frederick (1881-1961) She and Michael shared the house at 1812 College Ave. with their daughter Emma and her husband Andrew Gilchrist in the early 1900s before moving into the house next door at 1816 in 1911 (according to the Fort Worth City Directory). They lived there until Lizzie's sudden death after contracting pneumonia in February 1920. Her daughter Lillie shared these recollections in 1966 regarding her early home life and Lizzie's family background: (contributed by Christine Hindle) The four of the Eitelman clan grew up, were married and had families, most of whom have now passed away. Your grandfather, Michael Andrew Eitelman, married "Lizzie" Woelfle and to them were born four children, Michael George, Emma Elizabeth, Lillie Helen, and Edward Frederick., all born in Cleveland. Their home place was in the south part of Cleveland, then called Brooklyn Village, and Father was foreman in the Lamson and Sessions nut and bolt factory. His brother George and family from Texas visited us in the summer in 1888 and he persuaded Father to come and try out the Texas climate in business for himself. Near the end of that year our home was sold and we moved to Fort Worth, a really homesick bunch for the first year or so but we soon made friends in church and school and became ... the name Wolfle was originally spelled Woelfle and pronounced "Wellfly" but the first generation adopted the American form and pronunciation. By Jake Woelfle a tinge of Jewish blood came into the family line. To this union were born six children, in order of age, Jake, John, "Lizzie," Charley, Fred and George. The mother passed away when these ranged in age from 20 down to a mere toddler. The father lived only a few years longer. All children lived to adulthood, were married and had families of whom a few descendants still remain. Our connection comes through Elizabeth Christine ("Lizzie") as will appear in the Eitelman line. Grandfather Wolfle served in the Civil War. Christine's father, Seymour Ingerson, wrote the following regarding Lizzie's forceful personality: I was only 7 years old when Grandmother died but I can remember how Grandmother was very dictatorial towards others in the family and she had very strong opinions on all sorts of things. You name it and she had a strong opinion on it. She used to come and visit us and I remember the first thing she would say when she came in the house was, "I don't like your hat." She would redecorate Mother's hat. Then after Grandmother went home Mother would redecorate it again and get it back the way she liked it." Seymour's remembrance is supported by what Fred Stockdale, Jr., recalls being told about Lizzie, even though his great-grandmother died 13 years before he was born. He recounts that sometime after Andrew Gilchrist died, Lizzie "ordered" Ed and Mary to move into Andrew and Emma's house at 1812 College Avenue, even though Ed and Mary were quite happy with their home a few blocks away on Jennings Avenue. In a 1966 letter to Lillie, Emma related her version of their early family background, their move to Fort Worth in 1888, and their mother's sudden death: After our early move to Brooklyn Village, I recall Grandpa's (actually her father) worry about his health. He worked in a great iron works in Cleveland, Lampson, Sessions. It was hot and poorly ventilated and Grandpa thought he had lung trouble and would soon die of consumption. He wrote to Uncle George Eitelman about it. Uncle George was in Fort Worth, Texas, owned a blacksmith shop and shod horses. He told Grandpa to move in with him and repair buggies, wagons, etc., Grandpa thought it such a good idea he decided at once to go. He left all the managing, selling of home and caring for four kids to her (his wife). She took it over and managed okay, but it was a hard job. She sold the house, took what furniture she needed and finally got started. The trains furnished no food so she cooked all the food for us at home, arranged how we would sleep, etc. She had to entertain us and keep us satisfied for four days and nights. I remember when we left home and the time we had getting to the street car on Pearle St. For it was cold, ice was thick on the walks and we constantly kept falling down. It took us a long time to get to the street car but we finally made it to the train. We were glad we had a comfortable trip and were glad to get a warm sunny climate. Grandpa had rented a house so it wasn't long until we got settled. ... You remember Grandma [their mother Lizzie] had pneumonia and died inside one week. Afterward I took in Grandpa and cared for him for 23 years until he died. Prepared by: Steve Stockdale with contributions from Christine Hindle

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