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Gc 974.7 P936 v.1 1605404
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GC
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 6498
PROMINENT MEN AND WOMEN OF NEW YORK
THE ACHELIS FAMILY IN AMERICA WRITTEN BY ELISABETH ACHELIS, PRESIDENT, THE WORLD CALENDAR ASSOCIATION
1
NOTICE
The World Calendar Association and its connection with the Achelis family. See Elisabeth Achelis, Page 52.
PROMINENT MEN AND WOMEN
OF
NEW YORK
INDIVIDUAL BIOGRAPHIC STUDIES
WITH
CHARACTER PORTRAITS
LIBRARY EDITION
Published by HISTORICAL RECORDS NEW YORK
Copyrighted, 1944 By Historical Records
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ET A 177
E .A 11
1605404
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"All honor to those who remember their forbears"
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Through the courtesy of the American Historical Society, Inc., and Miss Elisabeth Achelis, permission has been granted to reprint in part the geneology of the Achelis family in America, believing that this rec- ord may be of interest and help to future generations.
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emp
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Achelis
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ACHELIS ARMS
Arms-Azure, on a mount vert and purpure, a lamb passant proper, carrying with the sinister foreleg a banner argent, cross staff or Helmet.
Crest-Between two wings argent a mullet of eight points or. Mantling-Azure and argent. ( Arms in possession of family.)
ACHELIS
HE Achelis family of New York is a branch of one of the leading families of the Free City of Bremen, which, next to the Free City of Hamburg, is the most important maritime center of Germany. Bremen is a city of great antiquity. The line of descent of the Achelis family and the useful and frequently eminent careers of its principal members have been published in book form under the title, "Die Familie Achelis in Bremen, 1579-1921." Of this work, published in 1921, two members of the family, Dr. Joh. Achelis and Dr. Hans Achelis, are the authors, and from it most of the information contained in the following pages has been taken.
Åchelis, as a family name, is known in two different forms, Achelis and Achegelis. The surviving members of the Bremen family all call themselves Achelis.
The earliest documentary evidence about the Achelis family, found so far, comes from Rostock, a city located in what was formerly the grand-duchy of Meckenburg- Schwerin. According to the Burgerbuch von Rostock, for the years 1421 to 1585, one Hans Achenius, originally of Lingen, became a citizen of Rostock in 1579. In the follow-
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ing years this same register refers to him by the name of Archelis, Achegelis and Achelis. By trade he was a weaver and on January 1, 1615, he was rated as the first of the masters of the trade. It is assumed that he died in 1620, be- cause one Thomas Achelis, paid for an inheritance, and it is to be assumed, therefore, that the latter was his son. Thomas Achelis' name appears in the Burgerbuch also as Achellis, Acheles, Achels, Achgelis. After 1608, he resided on the "Schilde," also followed the trade of his father and was likewise a leader in this work. His name appears signed to many bonds and to many minutes of the master weavers, the latest of which is dated March 2, 1630. Soon after this he died, leaving his widow and several sons. His wife, the daughter of Jurgen Bullen, married, second, in 1639, Albrecht Bartem.
In this Thomas Achelis, who died in 1630, there un- doubtedly is to be seen the father of the Thomas Achelis, a leather tanner by trade, who settled in Bremen in 1641. A brother of this Thomas Achelis of Bremen, named Johann Achelis was away from home at the time of his father's death. In the beginning he too must have been a weaver, as in 1639, a decree was prepared by the guild of weavers in his home. After 1659 he is listed as a merchant. He died either in 1671 or 1672, leaving a widow, who died in 1692. After that the name of the Achelis family disappears from Rostock. Without a doubt Adam Achelis was also a son of Thomas Achelis, the older. He, too, was a weaver, be- came a master of this trade on November 11, 1637, but died soon afterwards, on March 9, 1639.
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Hans Acheniu 5
Achei
lother Pand Feelhorse
Lur vousmann leter leschemacher m nulharina vimo
Jakob Achelis Thomasichtais m Aug 21, 1651 Anne Goosmann FE!
Anna Papen or Joost Pape (n)
Pretyn Bardensvet
Johann Meyer Kan
Iscine Buschantoni
Anna Knops
Hans Hestenr.
Joost AchElis
b. 1697; 4 1733
Ibpt Dec 121638 rath bot 166
hinrich Meyer m Nov. 19, 1699
huhlenkamp Johann
Erge bert Whichel- Peter Michelhaus
In 1230 Anniblu about 1565 -M
Huns Hatterot: 1
Valentin Mutenrott
-1.
babł. 1730
Johann Adolph
bert Schneidenund Schnedewind
Rev. Just Her- Maria Elisabeth Konig, b. 1745
König d175ze& ConradWilheim
Lübeckerna
Cramer,b.1777
Katharina
Houttuin
Id. Dec. 5,1865
Bertha
Franziskahonig d Sept 20 1921
ick (Fritz) Achelis 1. Dec 23 . 1924
Iulie RHitleroty
Marie Karoline Eckhard Klocke or Gloche Klocke
b. Dec. 6, 1919
m Nov 2, 1918, Louise Musgrove
m. Sept 1, 1384, Eminy Buckler
Johann Ughn) Achelis, younger bro
Julie Rosine Hutterott 6 Jan 14 1821 in
A Thomas Achelis. 6 Oct 22. 1807 in Brem.
1. Julie Margaret Acheiis 2. Elisabeth Achelis (twins) b. Jan 24,1880 3 FREDERIC GEORGE ACHELIS b Mar 14,1885, d.Sept 18,1926 m. Apr 9, 1913, Helen Bruff
16 Oct. 6.1792 d Sept 2. 1861
John (Jack) Achelis
Johnfritz Achelis, b Aug 6,1890
ther of @ Frederick ( Fritz ) Achelis,
Breinen: d April 29, 1905 in Brooklyn, NY
eric Nur 27, 1872 in NY; m Mar. 5.1940
Gertrud Engels Stechder
m Nov 12,1763
Johann Redenich Peter Johann
Maria Magdy-
Böker, b 1772
Diederichs b170
d July 2, 1796 m May 29,1800 ker- Funke
b.Oct. 5, 1801
Anna Elis Huschen von den Steinen
Johann Dieder Helene Fran-
Whann Dientenicht Peter Johann Diederichshine
Anna Elis Huscher von den Steinen m Aug 30, 1777
Hilger.bpt 1753
I Audrey Achelis . b April 22,1915 II FREDERIC ACHELIS.b April 11,1919 III Gertrude Achelis, b.Oct 8,1923
.
1
S
Johann Peter Hutteroch,b170
Jacob Philipp
Martha Elisabeth Johann Georg
Pickert
Anna Adelheid
D. Dec 28, 1776
d May 8, 1844 d May 21, 1808
Georg Huttercity Hutterott, Ni6
Bruckmann-Damm
Rutger Stalader Elisabeth
Johann Gottfried 10 Boker, b 1734
Yohana AGame,
July 1
Freder-
m. Dec 6,1831 Auguste Bò
4.1878
JohannGottlieb
Peter Allen JohannHouttun
d.Dec.22,1824 Cramer b/801
Thos Achelis A
d Nov. 25,184|Marie Elisa- Rebecca d.May 15,1848 Fiche Metje Hullmann Johann Georg Justine Wilhel ne bpt Oct 231712 mine Friederike Peter Wichel- Stock, d. 1810/m June 23,18:3 Cuensell, bli d Dec 28.1750 thomas Achelis otheu Juliane Gerhart Meyer sen, b Dec. 15,1750 Adelheid Denezen [Elisabeth Linds! 6 Sept. 7,1755 i normas Achelis 01706 Anna Fiche m 2nd Jan 181303 d Jan 20, 1926 opt Mar 25,11 Schrievers b Oct 19.1725 |m.Oct. 26,1786 etteFriederike Johann Hein-Friederike Dor- Wellner, b.1789 Peter Wichelhaufhausen, b. 1712 m Jan 8,1760 beth Meyer
Susserot
Sophia coninra
rich Quensell Elisabeth Mar-
m Dec 29,1750 Franz Wellner
We Iner, b 1712 |ConradfriedrichErnestine Henri
d Mar. 12, 175|m.Apr 16, 1780 Friedrich König
m.Ist. July 5, 1735
Carl Wilhelm
b 1731, d.Apr 13 /8/7 2 May 20,1/20 Pape, d 1749 Gretche Keelhors!
Johann Mallmann
m May 10, 169!
Rebecca hoppen glories Hoppenrath
para Elisabeth Mich: herRing(50ccm
Farne permaand
Luter Anops
Engelbert Wich-
elhaus
AMERICA
Wichel haus, b. about 1475; d 1541
. Wichelhaus babout 1505; a. 575 , m. Margarete -
helm Wichelhaus, babout 1532
Johann Wichelhaus, b.about lu Dec 19, 1590 Ursula, a of Peter Si Sr. and his wife. Christine
n 1633, Ursula leschemacher
Stock
thamFriedrich
rethe
ingetber ! Wichelhaus, bapt. Jar
hausen m 1700 Kriste x'snext in excemit 1470. deter 15. Hans Hoettenrod Burchard Deneken Susanna Passa Puñal Passavant
Just in June 24, rod hara Groschel Mans grossnel Antonius Hutry Beanone d'huilerock
BarbaraElisabet Johan Schelmen
m May 4, 1742 Schellmann, 151 Martha-
1 Oct. 29, 1782 b Jul, 18, 1790 2 Oct 15, 1830 Pickert or Bucker a Mar. 12,1873 Martha Juliano
m Apr. 12.1818-Meurer,m.3rd./63
Jakobranden Som Maria Flis Cath
Whub vonden Stern Maria Elis Cath
ichs, bupt 1/43
Helene Maria Kisha Diederich!
d Sept 13,1787 d Dec. 10, 1857 |d. June 6,1877
Andre 13 Hilver Johann Peter Anna Hundercher Hilger, & 1788 Johannes Hütz Maria Gertrud Anna KSturttberg Hütz, & 1788
Johann Peter Gottfried Boter
Wichelhauserm Mar 26, 177610 July 18, 1720
m 3rd lbv 16 145 | vant. d. Feb !1 1700 Agatha Schonbares
ANCESTRY OF THE ACHELIS FAMILY IN
I.
THOMAS ACHELIS, undoubtedly the son of Thomas Achelis, of Rostock, was born in Rostock. He founded the Achelis family in Bremen where he settled in 1641. He was a leather tanner by trade. In the same year in which he settled in Bremen, in 1641, he took the citizen's oath and three days later he was appointed the chief official of the tanners' guild.
Married, first, at St. Ansgarii Church, Bremen, in 1641, soon after coming to Bremen, Anna Goosmann, daughter of Berend Goosmann, of Bremen. Berend Goosmann who died prior to his daughter's marriage, being called "de- ceased" in the record of that marriage, was baptized at St. Ansgarii Church, Bremen, in 1583, the entry in the church register reading as follows: "1583, (without day), bapt. Berents, son of Lur Goosmann. Sponsors: Wolder Norran- holdt, Harmen Dreier, Hinrich Becker, 'de Kostersche' " (wife of the sacristan). He became a citizen in 1618, when he is recorded as "having a gun and sword": Thomas Achelis, married, second, Greetje Varrelmann.
Issue, by first wife:
1. Berend Achels.
2. Abraham Achelis.
3. Thomas Achelis
4. Johann Achelis.
5. JAKOB ACHELIS, of whom below.
6. Isaak Achelis.
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II.
JAKOB ACHELIS, son of Thomas and Anna (Goos- mann) Achelis, was born in Bremen and died in 1722 or 1723. He is the merchant"X" referred to in E. Dunzelmann's Aus Bremens Zopfzeit (from Bremen's Age of Pigtails), who, in 1705, complained to the president of the Kollegium Seniorum (Aldermen of the Merchants' Guild) regarding unfair treatment meted out to him by an attorney of the Kollegium.
Jakob Achelis married, at St. Stephen's Church, Bremen, August 21, 1681, Anna Papen or Pape, who died in 1749, and was buried on June 28th of that year, daughter of Joost and Gretche (Keelhorst) Papen or Pape. Her father, who became a citizen in 1655, when he is recorded as "having a gun and a sword," was the son of Christopher Pape, and was married, in 1659, at St. Ansgarii Church, Bremen, to Gretche Keelhorst, daughter of Johann Keel- horst.
Issue: ·
1. Thomas Achelis, born in 1682.
2. Jost Achelis, born in 1684
3. Joost Achelis, born in 1685.
4. Anna Achelis, born in 1686.
5. Margareta Achelis, born in 1688.
6. Jakob Achelis, born in 1690.
7. Margareta Achelis, born in 1692.
8. Anna Achelis, born in 1695.
9. JOOST ACHELIS, of whom below.
10. Magdalena Achelis, born in 1699.
11. Jakob Achelis, born in 1702.
12. Jakob Achelis, born in 1705.
..
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L
III.
JOOST ACHELIS, son of Jakob and Anna (Papen or Pape) Achelis, was born in Bremen in 1697, and was bap- tized March 1, 1697; died in 1733. He was a tanner by trade. . :
Joost Achelis, married, May 20, 1720, Rebecca Hull- mann, daughter of Johann and Rebecca (Hoppenrath) Hullmann. She was baptized at St. Ansgarii Church, Bremen, December 12, 1698, her sponsors being Albert Brumer, Hermann Schomacker's wife, Susanna, Johann Muhle's wife Lucke, Jurg Giffenig's wife, Anna Busers. Her father, who was probably a son of Albert Hullmann, and became a citizen in 1691, was a tanner. Johann Hullmann married, May 10, 1691, at St. Ansgarii Church, Bremen, Rebecca Hoppenrath, who was baptized at St. Ansgarii Church, Bremen, in 1665, daughter of Glories or Glorius and Gretyn, Grethe or Gretche (Bardewische) Hoppen- rath. Glories or Glorius Hoppenrath married, at St. Ans- garii Church, in 1663, Gertyn or Gretche Bardewische, who was baptaized at St. Ansgarii Church, in 1633, daughter of Johann Bardewische, who died prior to his daughter's marriage.
Issue:
1. Anna Achelis, born in 1721; died young.
2. Rebekka Achelis, born June 30, 1723; died young.
3. Anna Achelis, born January 26, 1725.
4. Rebekka Achelis, born in 1726.
5. Jakob Achelis, born in 1729.
6. Johann Achelis, born in 1730.
7. THOMAS ACHELIS, of whom below.
8. Johann Achelis, born in 1733.
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IV:
THOMAS ACHELIS, son of Joost and Rebecca (Hull- mann) Achelis, was born in Bremen, in 1731, and was bap- tized on June 3, 1731; died April 13, 1817. Though the date of his death is given as May 13, 1817, in the family tree of 1837, the April date seems to be established beyond any . doubt as correct through various entries in the quite de- tailed dairy of his daughter, Rebekka, a family document of importance and interest still carefully preserved by members of the family. She states definitely that her father died on April 13, a Sunday, and that he was buried the fol- lowing Friday, and in the year 1817 this sequence of dates holds good for the month of April, but not for the month of May. He was buried in St. Michaelis Cemetery, his pastor, the Rev. H. Muller, preaching the funeral sermon.
On January 15, 1759, Thomas Achelis took the citizen's oath and on January 20th he was admitted to the tanners' guild. He inherited his father-in-law's tannery, which was located in the rear of St. Stephen's Cemetery, and which he later left to his son, Justus. Thomas lived a very simple , life and did not hold or desire any public office. His motto was "No one is so happy as a forgotten citizen." However, he was greauy respected and loved by all with whom he came in contact. He resided from 1794 to about 1815 at Hinter Stephanikirchhof 22, a house in the rear of St. Ste- phen's Cemetery. In 1802 he founded the firm of Thomas Achelis Senior and Son, of which he and his son, Justus, " were the owners and which continued to be carried on by members of the family up to modern times.
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The old business house, No. 22, in the rear of St. Ste- phen's Cemetery, has been in the possession of the family since 1660. As early as 1660 a tannery was operated there, and the firm of Justus Achelis and Son still own books kept in that year. The business grew steadily and the house several times underwent extensive alterations. After the great fire in 1868, when the six large packing houses nearby were burned to the ground, the site of one of these was bought for the purpose of erecting a new tannery, and the first machines were installed there. In 1889, after Bremen joined the customs union, the tannery was im- proved through the addition of many more machines. In- stead of the antiquated winches, gas motors were installed and a tanning-bark mill was erected, the bark previously having been ground in wind-mills on the outskirts of the city. In 1906 other and greater alterations were made and the gas motors were supplanted with a steam plant, a factory chimney was built and the last word in tanning machines were installed, making the tannery in every way modern in design and equipment. A driving belt factory was erected in 1890 in the tannery purchased from Fried, Achelis, Wtw., in 1858. After Mr. Wilhelm Achelis retired in January 1921, because of illness, Johannes Achelis and his son, Justus Achelis, became owners of the firm.
In 1795, Thomas Achelis bought fifty-one morgen (about fifty acres) of moor land at Grasdorf from the Royal Do- main in Hanover for a yearly rent of three "taler," twenty- two "gute Groschen," and eleven pennies. Grasdorf is located near the village of Borgfeld in Bremen and the
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adjoining Lilienthal in Hanover. His intention was to plant acorns and raise shrub oaks and oak trees in order that his descendants might never lack a supply of tanning bark. The experiment, however, failed. The "Moor" was too swampy, and the young oaks froze in the winter. The project proved very expensive, as many outlet canals had to be built. Besides, it was a wilderness of marsh and bar- ren land, without roads. However, on this tract, he erected, in 1804, a residential building, which still stands. This was a difficult task, as it was very laborious and expensive to deliver materials there. Until 1817 considerable sums were continuously spent on the property. After the death of Thomas Achelis, in 1817, the property was turned over to his widow and after her death, January 20, 1826, it was inherited by their son, Thomas Achelis, Jr. Since then it has always been held, either by inheritance or purchase, by some member of the family. On August 15, 1851, all future rents were liquidated by one payment, and the owners thus acquired a free and clear title to the property.
The "Moor"has always held a strong attraction for the family. Thomas Achelis, Sr. and his wife spent weeks and months there during the summers, as did their children after them, and likewise for longer or shorter periods. Those in residence often had the pleasure of receiving visitors · from the city, who traveled there mostly by coach, though others came on horseback or by foot. Often as many as fifty members of the family and their friends were to be found at one time at the "Moor." There were all sorts of festivities, and simple, but plentiful meals were served,
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weather permitting, under the oak trees, and at other times under the side-porch. For in spite of the initial failure quite a number of stately oaks eventually flourished. A spirit of sincere heart-felt gaiety developed, alike among the young and old. Some would go for walks and others would engage in group plays; others would pick flowers and wind them into wreaths; still others would jump over the - 'ditches or cut peat in the peat boat on the canal. It was an ideal place for all kinds of gentle. amusement. Thus time would pass quickly, until the evening fell, all too soon for everybody, reminding the visitors of the return journey, during which many a song rang out into the warm sum- mer night. In the afternoon, while coffee and cake were served, poems were read, poems that had been composed by poetically inclined members of the family in praise of the "Moor" especially the "Moorlied" ('Moor Song') after Schillers poem, "Die Glocke" by Professor Heinrich Ul- richs, of Athens. After the narrow gauge railway had been built to Tarmstedt, the trips to the "Moor" became less difficult, as one could travel by rail to the station at Worpe- : dorf-Grasberg, from which place it was only a matter of about one-half to three-quarters of an hour's walk to the "Moor." Thus the "Moor" has remained a source of unal- loyed joy down to the present generation, who still finds inscriptions on benches and tables as a mute testimony to the simplicity and the goodness of the forebears.
Thomas Achellis was the first to whom can be traced the family coat-of-arms, which is shown on a seal used on a letter dated August 31, 1811, and is now in possession of
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one of his descendants, Mrs. Johanna Achelis, widow of the late Senator of Bremen. Silhouettes of Thomas Achelis and his wife are treasured family heirlooms, as is also a very fine, small porcelain picture, originally probably a part of either a finger-ring or else a brooch. It is a profile study of Thomas Achelis, dressed in a black or dark blue coat and wearing a white wig.
Of the last years of Thomas Achelis, his daughter Re- bekka, gives a very clear picture in her diary. In 1814 or 1815 he gave up the old family home at No. 22, in the rear of St. Stephen's Cemetery, and moved to a smaller house at No. 3 Diepenau. This arrangement represented the ex- change of domiciles between father and son, for Justus Achelis, then the oldest surviving son of Thomas Achelis moved from Diepenau No. 3 to No. 22. It was at Diepenau No. 3 that Thomas Achelis spent the last few years of his life, interrupted, however, by several trips to the "Moor" and other places. To this estate he was deeply attached and its care and development continued to occupy his mind even after advancing age had resulted in serious illness and had affected both his speech and his judgement. At Diepenau No. 3 Thomas Achelis finally gently closed his eyes after a long illness, surrounded and lovingly cared for by his wife, children and grandchildren, his death occuring at the ripe old age of eighty-six years.
Thomas Achelis married, January 8, 1760, Marie Elisa- beth Meyer, daughter of Gerhart and Anna (Ficke) Meyer; she was born September 8, 1740, and was baptized at St. Stephen's Church, Bremen, September 14, 1740; died Jan-
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uary 20, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Achelis celebrated their golden wedding on January 8, 1810.
Issue: all born in Bremen:
1. Gerhard. Achelis, born in 1761, baptized January 18, 1761; died in 1805; married, June 14, 1795, Anna Louise Catharine Bley. Issue, one child.
2. Justus Achelis, born in 1762; died in 1765.
3. Rebekka Achelis, born in 1763; died in 1765.
4. Heinrich Nikolaus Achelis, born November 2, 1764; died December 28, 1831; married, first, April 29, 1798, Margareta (Meta) Thibeta Christina Wichel- hausen; married, second, September 10, 1809, Anna Maria Behrens. Issue, by first wife, four children.
5. THOMAS ACHELIS, of whom below.
6. Justus Achelis, born in 1767; died May 19, 1837; married, January 18, 1803, Elisabeth Gloystein. Is- Issue, three children.
7. Anna Achelis, born in 1768; baptized December 11, 1768; died in 1796; married in 1790, Bartholomaus Ulrichs.
8. Rebekka Achelis, born in 1770; died February 20, 1833.
9. Maria Elisabeth Achelis, born in 1771; married, in 1800, as his second wife, Bartholomaus Ulrichs, widower of her older sister Anna.
10. Johann Ludwig, born in 1773; died, unmarried, at Bristol, March 29, 1805.
11. Anna Elisabeth Achelis, born July 15, 1775; mar- ried, in 1801, Simon Heinrich Broschen, a merchant.
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1
"From a painting ly .B .D. Tanke - 18.3.5
-
thomson Jalchdis
From a painting ty B.T. Funke-1835
V.
THOMAS ACHELIS, fourth son of Thomas and Marie Elisabeth (Meyer) Achelis, was born in Bremen in 1766, and was baptized May 4, 1766, and died November 25, 1841.
In contrast to his father, who rarely came into the pub- lic eye and seldom spoke of his activities, Thomas Achelis occupied, in his sphere of activity, a very distinguished position, which his natural talents enabled him to fill ex- tremely well. His winning personality, great kindness of · heart and keen sense of humor were qualities that gained for him the affection of all with whom he came in contact. Å tanner, like his father and his brother, Justus, who was only a year younger than himself, he worked with the latter in the neighborhood of Zurich, Switzerland. It was during this period that the meeting of the three brothers, already recorded, occurred. It was also at that time that news was sent to him from Bremen that he had a chance to marry into a tanning firm, whose owner, Johann Gloy- stein, had died in Bremen-Neustadt and had left a young widow with three children, Elisabeth, Tilmann and Johanne, the last being born after her father's death, if he won her hand in marriage. Rather unwillingly Thomas Achelis, then twenty-four years of age, decided to follow this sug- gestion. For as his father was still vigorous, and his young brother could take over his father's business later, he rec- ognized this as a desirable opportunity to become inde- pendent early in life. He found his future wife over- whelmed with grief at the death of her husband; later he
Page 24
often related how, if he wanted to please her at that time with his conversation, he found it necessary to talk to her about her late husband. But he became an excellent and loving husband to her and a true father to her children; he loved his youngest stepdaughter hardly less than he later loved his own daughter.
Through his early marriage to the widow of Johann Gloystein he acquired control of the tannery left by the latter, which he conducted very successfully. His tan-yard was located at the Buntenthor from 1794 to 1805, then on Buntenthor Strasse from 1806 to 1809, and finally from 1810 to 1837 at No. 11 Osterstrasse, there his son, Johann, took over the business. In 1830 he established the firm of Thomas Achelis and Son, the owners of which were himself and his Son, Johann. He lived through the French occupation of Bremen, but as his business was that of a tanner and the French used much leather, his business prospered. Therefore, it was possible for him to provide well for his family during the difficult times of that period, though they lived simply and economically. Cheerfulness and content- ment reigned in their home.
He caused the name of Thomas Achelis to be especially honored and respected. He was a member of the Bremen City corporation and a member of the building committee of St. Pauli church in Bremen-Neustadt. He was ever ready to counsel and help those who needed advice and assistance and especially the widows and orphans, both amongst his own family and within the circle of his friends.
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.
.
He had a tender affection toward all children and always carried with him a bag of candy for them. Many of his phrases and witty expressions have been preserved by the family. Some of these were: "The clock is for ignorant people," "I don't like water even in my boots, much less in my stomach," "I eat what pleases my taste, and accept whatever consequences must follow."
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