According to Michigan death record, John was the son of John Frey (b. Germany) and Mary Frank (b. Germany). However, it should be noted that family records say he was the son of John Jacob Frey and Annie Straub. This needs to be evaluated further.
BIO:
John Frey (Johann Frey) was born on 5 Aug 1850 in Königreich Württemberg (Koenigreich Wurttemberg), Germany (i.e. Kingdom of Württemberg that is now part of Germany). His parents were John Jacob Frey (Johann Jakob Frey) and Annie Straub (according to family records). He had little or no formal education, but could read and write some. He spoke and understood both German and English.
He was small for his age and walked several miles to school. He was usually the last to arrive and his teacher would send him out every day to bring his his "growler" of beer which he drank at lunch. He was often absent at school. At the age of seven or eight he left school and entered an apprentice program to learn shoe-making. He became the "last maker" and was well qualified.
At this time in German history, all young men on their eighteenth birthday were required to enlist in the "Kaiser's Army" and serve at least two years. To avoid service, he left his homeland and arrived in New York City on 2 Nov 1868 on America. He was processed through Castle Garden. The ship manifest lists him: John Frey, 17, farmer. His room on the ship was in the steerage. He appeared to travel on his own, no other family members went with him.
After arriving New York City, he headed for Detroit and immediately found employment through the Pingree Shoe Co., where he was employed for many years.
As soon as John arrived in Detroit, he applied for naturalization. In 1870 he was naturalized after living in U.S. for 30 years (see 1900, 1910 Census). Or so he thought and got naturalized in 1875 (see 1920 Census). (I still cannot find the naturalization papers).
On April 25, 1878 John Frey and Mary Ann Beck (Anna Marie Beck) were married in the Trumbull Ave. Presbyterian Church (Trumbull and Brainard) in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan and they lived in a small cottage on Harrison Ave near Ash (250 Harrison Ave) until after their daughter Matilda was married in 1901. They were lifetime members of this Presbyterian church.
John and Mary had three children:
1. Matilda Lillian Frey (often called as "Tillie")
2. Amelia E Frey
3. John Leonard Frey
Although, John received his first citizenship papers, he assumed that he was a full-fledged U.S. citizen. he registered and voted as a citizen. In 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and all the area south of Jefferson Avenue was off bounds for all aliens. The Taxi Cab offices were east of Woodward Ave and south of Jefferson Ave. One day the Immigration Services people arrested him while he was at work and put him in jail. It took all the influence his son and son-in-law could muster to get him released. He was required to be escorted to and from the garage by police each day and not permitted to leave the garage during his work day. He stood this embarrassment for only a week or two. He quit this job and went to work as a metal polisher for the Hall Lamp Co.
In the spring of 1908, John bought a lot on the northeast corner of Cadillac Blvd and what is now Charlevoix Ave (588 Cadillac Ave). This properly was at the extreme easterly limits of the city of Detroit. He contracted with a builder to construct a two-family flat. Through an error, the builder excavated the basement about a foot too shallow and when the house was completed, about two hundred loads of fill dirt was required to bring the lot up to the new grade. He spent all of his spare time wheeling the dirt from the street and grading his front yard. It was by now winter before walks could be built and no tenant could be found to rent his lower flat. His mortgage payment became due and he stood a good chance of losing the house. His son-in-law Charles Peter Sieder assumed the mortgage becoming a joint owner. In the middle of the winter, Charles' family moved into the flat. His children trotted to the Scripps School. Three years later, the two families, the Freys and the Sieders, decided to move closer to town. John Frey bought a small brick bungalow on Helen Ave (915 Helen Ave) north of Sylvester Ave while the Sieders moved to a flat that Charles already owned on Helen south of Kercheval.
John Frey was a small man, slight of build, neat as a pin, quiet by nature, never known to complain. His house, basement, yard and garden were always groomed to
perfection. Hew grew flowers and garden vegetables in abundance. He had few friends, had no car or expensive habits, went to work by bus or street car every day of his life. He had no sports or hobbies and yet was the most contented man. He attended church regularly and enjoyed music as played on his phonograph from his record collection.
He caught a severe cold which developed into pneumonia and in a few days died on Jan. 31, 1920. His wife Mary Beck Frey moved her daughter Matilda Frey Sieder's home on East Grand Blvd and lived with her and her husband until she died on Nov. 9, 1939. She was widowed for almost twenty years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1880 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
This record shows John Frey's family living at #336 Montcalm Street. John's occupation was shoemaker.
John Frey 22, b. in Hessen [this is incorrect, should be Württemberg]
Mary Frey 24, b. in Baden [This is incorrect, she was born in Detroit, Michigan, and her parents were not born in Baden but in Bavaria]
Tillie Frey 1, b. in Michigan
1900 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 8, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 250 Harrison Ave.
John Frey 49, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 44, wife, b. in Michigan
Matilda Frey 21, daughter, b. in Michigan
Leonard Frey 11, son, b. in Michigan
Matilda Beck 27, sister-in-law (Mary's sister), b. in Michigan
This census shows that John and Mary were married for 22 years and that they had three children, but lost one. He was a shoemaker.
1910 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 17, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 588 Cadillac Ave.
John Frey 59, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 54, wife, b. in Michigan
John L Frey 21, son, b. in Michigan
It shows that John and Mary were married for 32 years and that they had lost one child. Only two of three were living at this time of census. John was a machinist at a shop. This census shows he was naturalized in 1870. (Note: Their daughter Matilda Frey Sieder and her family lived at 580 Cadillac Ave).
1920 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
John and Mary owned the house at 915 Helen Ave.
John Frey 70
Mary Frey 64
It shows that he was naturalized in 1875. He was an auto polisher at Auto Works.
BIO:
John Frey (Johann Frey) was born on 5 Aug 1850 in Königreich Württemberg (Koenigreich Wurttemberg), Germany (i.e. Kingdom of Württemberg that is now part of Germany). His parents were John Jacob Frey (Johann Jakob Frey) and Annie Straub (according to family records). He had little or no formal education, but could read and write some. He spoke and understood both German and English.
He was small for his age and walked several miles to school. He was usually the last to arrive and his teacher would send him out every day to bring his his "growler" of beer which he drank at lunch. He was often absent at school. At the age of seven or eight he left school and entered an apprentice program to learn shoe-making. He became the "last maker" and was well qualified.
At this time in German history, all young men on their eighteenth birthday were required to enlist in the "Kaiser's Army" and serve at least two years. To avoid service, he left his homeland and arrived in New York City on 2 Nov 1868 on America. He was processed through Castle Garden. The ship manifest lists him: John Frey, 17, farmer. His room on the ship was in the steerage. He appeared to travel on his own, no other family members went with him.
After arriving New York City, he headed for Detroit and immediately found employment through the Pingree Shoe Co., where he was employed for many years.
As soon as John arrived in Detroit, he applied for naturalization. In 1870 he was naturalized after living in U.S. for 30 years (see 1900, 1910 Census). Or so he thought and got naturalized in 1875 (see 1920 Census). (I still cannot find the naturalization papers).
On April 25, 1878 John Frey and Mary Ann Beck (Anna Marie Beck) were married in the Trumbull Ave. Presbyterian Church (Trumbull and Brainard) in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan and they lived in a small cottage on Harrison Ave near Ash (250 Harrison Ave) until after their daughter Matilda was married in 1901. They were lifetime members of this Presbyterian church.
John and Mary had three children:
1. Matilda Lillian Frey (often called as "Tillie")
2. Amelia E Frey
3. John Leonard Frey
Although, John received his first citizenship papers, he assumed that he was a full-fledged U.S. citizen. he registered and voted as a citizen. In 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and all the area south of Jefferson Avenue was off bounds for all aliens. The Taxi Cab offices were east of Woodward Ave and south of Jefferson Ave. One day the Immigration Services people arrested him while he was at work and put him in jail. It took all the influence his son and son-in-law could muster to get him released. He was required to be escorted to and from the garage by police each day and not permitted to leave the garage during his work day. He stood this embarrassment for only a week or two. He quit this job and went to work as a metal polisher for the Hall Lamp Co.
In the spring of 1908, John bought a lot on the northeast corner of Cadillac Blvd and what is now Charlevoix Ave (588 Cadillac Ave). This properly was at the extreme easterly limits of the city of Detroit. He contracted with a builder to construct a two-family flat. Through an error, the builder excavated the basement about a foot too shallow and when the house was completed, about two hundred loads of fill dirt was required to bring the lot up to the new grade. He spent all of his spare time wheeling the dirt from the street and grading his front yard. It was by now winter before walks could be built and no tenant could be found to rent his lower flat. His mortgage payment became due and he stood a good chance of losing the house. His son-in-law Charles Peter Sieder assumed the mortgage becoming a joint owner. In the middle of the winter, Charles' family moved into the flat. His children trotted to the Scripps School. Three years later, the two families, the Freys and the Sieders, decided to move closer to town. John Frey bought a small brick bungalow on Helen Ave (915 Helen Ave) north of Sylvester Ave while the Sieders moved to a flat that Charles already owned on Helen south of Kercheval.
John Frey was a small man, slight of build, neat as a pin, quiet by nature, never known to complain. His house, basement, yard and garden were always groomed to
perfection. Hew grew flowers and garden vegetables in abundance. He had few friends, had no car or expensive habits, went to work by bus or street car every day of his life. He had no sports or hobbies and yet was the most contented man. He attended church regularly and enjoyed music as played on his phonograph from his record collection.
He caught a severe cold which developed into pneumonia and in a few days died on Jan. 31, 1920. His wife Mary Beck Frey moved her daughter Matilda Frey Sieder's home on East Grand Blvd and lived with her and her husband until she died on Nov. 9, 1939. She was widowed for almost twenty years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1880 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
This record shows John Frey's family living at #336 Montcalm Street. John's occupation was shoemaker.
John Frey 22, b. in Hessen [this is incorrect, should be Württemberg]
Mary Frey 24, b. in Baden [This is incorrect, she was born in Detroit, Michigan, and her parents were not born in Baden but in Bavaria]
Tillie Frey 1, b. in Michigan
1900 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 8, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 250 Harrison Ave.
John Frey 49, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 44, wife, b. in Michigan
Matilda Frey 21, daughter, b. in Michigan
Leonard Frey 11, son, b. in Michigan
Matilda Beck 27, sister-in-law (Mary's sister), b. in Michigan
This census shows that John and Mary were married for 22 years and that they had three children, but lost one. He was a shoemaker.
1910 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 17, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 588 Cadillac Ave.
John Frey 59, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 54, wife, b. in Michigan
John L Frey 21, son, b. in Michigan
It shows that John and Mary were married for 32 years and that they had lost one child. Only two of three were living at this time of census. John was a machinist at a shop. This census shows he was naturalized in 1870. (Note: Their daughter Matilda Frey Sieder and her family lived at 580 Cadillac Ave).
1920 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
John and Mary owned the house at 915 Helen Ave.
John Frey 70
Mary Frey 64
It shows that he was naturalized in 1875. He was an auto polisher at Auto Works.
According to Michigan death record, John was the son of John Frey (b. Germany) and Mary Frank (b. Germany). However, it should be noted that family records say he was the son of John Jacob Frey and Annie Straub. This needs to be evaluated further.
BIO:
John Frey (Johann Frey) was born on 5 Aug 1850 in Königreich Württemberg (Koenigreich Wurttemberg), Germany (i.e. Kingdom of Württemberg that is now part of Germany). His parents were John Jacob Frey (Johann Jakob Frey) and Annie Straub (according to family records). He had little or no formal education, but could read and write some. He spoke and understood both German and English.
He was small for his age and walked several miles to school. He was usually the last to arrive and his teacher would send him out every day to bring his his "growler" of beer which he drank at lunch. He was often absent at school. At the age of seven or eight he left school and entered an apprentice program to learn shoe-making. He became the "last maker" and was well qualified.
At this time in German history, all young men on their eighteenth birthday were required to enlist in the "Kaiser's Army" and serve at least two years. To avoid service, he left his homeland and arrived in New York City on 2 Nov 1868 on America. He was processed through Castle Garden. The ship manifest lists him: John Frey, 17, farmer. His room on the ship was in the steerage. He appeared to travel on his own, no other family members went with him.
After arriving New York City, he headed for Detroit and immediately found employment through the Pingree Shoe Co., where he was employed for many years.
As soon as John arrived in Detroit, he applied for naturalization. In 1870 he was naturalized after living in U.S. for 30 years (see 1900, 1910 Census). Or so he thought and got naturalized in 1875 (see 1920 Census). (I still cannot find the naturalization papers).
On April 25, 1878 John Frey and Mary Ann Beck (Anna Marie Beck) were married in the Trumbull Ave. Presbyterian Church (Trumbull and Brainard) in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan and they lived in a small cottage on Harrison Ave near Ash (250 Harrison Ave) until after their daughter Matilda was married in 1901. They were lifetime members of this Presbyterian church.
John and Mary had three children:
1. Matilda Lillian Frey (often called as "Tillie")
2. Amelia E Frey
3. John Leonard Frey
Although, John received his first citizenship papers, he assumed that he was a full-fledged U.S. citizen. he registered and voted as a citizen. In 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and all the area south of Jefferson Avenue was off bounds for all aliens. The Taxi Cab offices were east of Woodward Ave and south of Jefferson Ave. One day the Immigration Services people arrested him while he was at work and put him in jail. It took all the influence his son and son-in-law could muster to get him released. He was required to be escorted to and from the garage by police each day and not permitted to leave the garage during his work day. He stood this embarrassment for only a week or two. He quit this job and went to work as a metal polisher for the Hall Lamp Co.
In the spring of 1908, John bought a lot on the northeast corner of Cadillac Blvd and what is now Charlevoix Ave (588 Cadillac Ave). This properly was at the extreme easterly limits of the city of Detroit. He contracted with a builder to construct a two-family flat. Through an error, the builder excavated the basement about a foot too shallow and when the house was completed, about two hundred loads of fill dirt was required to bring the lot up to the new grade. He spent all of his spare time wheeling the dirt from the street and grading his front yard. It was by now winter before walks could be built and no tenant could be found to rent his lower flat. His mortgage payment became due and he stood a good chance of losing the house. His son-in-law Charles Peter Sieder assumed the mortgage becoming a joint owner. In the middle of the winter, Charles' family moved into the flat. His children trotted to the Scripps School. Three years later, the two families, the Freys and the Sieders, decided to move closer to town. John Frey bought a small brick bungalow on Helen Ave (915 Helen Ave) north of Sylvester Ave while the Sieders moved to a flat that Charles already owned on Helen south of Kercheval.
John Frey was a small man, slight of build, neat as a pin, quiet by nature, never known to complain. His house, basement, yard and garden were always groomed to
perfection. Hew grew flowers and garden vegetables in abundance. He had few friends, had no car or expensive habits, went to work by bus or street car every day of his life. He had no sports or hobbies and yet was the most contented man. He attended church regularly and enjoyed music as played on his phonograph from his record collection.
He caught a severe cold which developed into pneumonia and in a few days died on Jan. 31, 1920. His wife Mary Beck Frey moved her daughter Matilda Frey Sieder's home on East Grand Blvd and lived with her and her husband until she died on Nov. 9, 1939. She was widowed for almost twenty years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1880 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
This record shows John Frey's family living at #336 Montcalm Street. John's occupation was shoemaker.
John Frey 22, b. in Hessen [this is incorrect, should be Württemberg]
Mary Frey 24, b. in Baden [This is incorrect, she was born in Detroit, Michigan, and her parents were not born in Baden but in Bavaria]
Tillie Frey 1, b. in Michigan
1900 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 8, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 250 Harrison Ave.
John Frey 49, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 44, wife, b. in Michigan
Matilda Frey 21, daughter, b. in Michigan
Leonard Frey 11, son, b. in Michigan
Matilda Beck 27, sister-in-law (Mary's sister), b. in Michigan
This census shows that John and Mary were married for 22 years and that they had three children, but lost one. He was a shoemaker.
1910 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 17, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 588 Cadillac Ave.
John Frey 59, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 54, wife, b. in Michigan
John L Frey 21, son, b. in Michigan
It shows that John and Mary were married for 32 years and that they had lost one child. Only two of three were living at this time of census. John was a machinist at a shop. This census shows he was naturalized in 1870. (Note: Their daughter Matilda Frey Sieder and her family lived at 580 Cadillac Ave).
1920 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
John and Mary owned the house at 915 Helen Ave.
John Frey 70
Mary Frey 64
It shows that he was naturalized in 1875. He was an auto polisher at Auto Works.
BIO:
John Frey (Johann Frey) was born on 5 Aug 1850 in Königreich Württemberg (Koenigreich Wurttemberg), Germany (i.e. Kingdom of Württemberg that is now part of Germany). His parents were John Jacob Frey (Johann Jakob Frey) and Annie Straub (according to family records). He had little or no formal education, but could read and write some. He spoke and understood both German and English.
He was small for his age and walked several miles to school. He was usually the last to arrive and his teacher would send him out every day to bring his his "growler" of beer which he drank at lunch. He was often absent at school. At the age of seven or eight he left school and entered an apprentice program to learn shoe-making. He became the "last maker" and was well qualified.
At this time in German history, all young men on their eighteenth birthday were required to enlist in the "Kaiser's Army" and serve at least two years. To avoid service, he left his homeland and arrived in New York City on 2 Nov 1868 on America. He was processed through Castle Garden. The ship manifest lists him: John Frey, 17, farmer. His room on the ship was in the steerage. He appeared to travel on his own, no other family members went with him.
After arriving New York City, he headed for Detroit and immediately found employment through the Pingree Shoe Co., where he was employed for many years.
As soon as John arrived in Detroit, he applied for naturalization. In 1870 he was naturalized after living in U.S. for 30 years (see 1900, 1910 Census). Or so he thought and got naturalized in 1875 (see 1920 Census). (I still cannot find the naturalization papers).
On April 25, 1878 John Frey and Mary Ann Beck (Anna Marie Beck) were married in the Trumbull Ave. Presbyterian Church (Trumbull and Brainard) in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan and they lived in a small cottage on Harrison Ave near Ash (250 Harrison Ave) until after their daughter Matilda was married in 1901. They were lifetime members of this Presbyterian church.
John and Mary had three children:
1. Matilda Lillian Frey (often called as "Tillie")
2. Amelia E Frey
3. John Leonard Frey
Although, John received his first citizenship papers, he assumed that he was a full-fledged U.S. citizen. he registered and voted as a citizen. In 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and all the area south of Jefferson Avenue was off bounds for all aliens. The Taxi Cab offices were east of Woodward Ave and south of Jefferson Ave. One day the Immigration Services people arrested him while he was at work and put him in jail. It took all the influence his son and son-in-law could muster to get him released. He was required to be escorted to and from the garage by police each day and not permitted to leave the garage during his work day. He stood this embarrassment for only a week or two. He quit this job and went to work as a metal polisher for the Hall Lamp Co.
In the spring of 1908, John bought a lot on the northeast corner of Cadillac Blvd and what is now Charlevoix Ave (588 Cadillac Ave). This properly was at the extreme easterly limits of the city of Detroit. He contracted with a builder to construct a two-family flat. Through an error, the builder excavated the basement about a foot too shallow and when the house was completed, about two hundred loads of fill dirt was required to bring the lot up to the new grade. He spent all of his spare time wheeling the dirt from the street and grading his front yard. It was by now winter before walks could be built and no tenant could be found to rent his lower flat. His mortgage payment became due and he stood a good chance of losing the house. His son-in-law Charles Peter Sieder assumed the mortgage becoming a joint owner. In the middle of the winter, Charles' family moved into the flat. His children trotted to the Scripps School. Three years later, the two families, the Freys and the Sieders, decided to move closer to town. John Frey bought a small brick bungalow on Helen Ave (915 Helen Ave) north of Sylvester Ave while the Sieders moved to a flat that Charles already owned on Helen south of Kercheval.
John Frey was a small man, slight of build, neat as a pin, quiet by nature, never known to complain. His house, basement, yard and garden were always groomed to
perfection. Hew grew flowers and garden vegetables in abundance. He had few friends, had no car or expensive habits, went to work by bus or street car every day of his life. He had no sports or hobbies and yet was the most contented man. He attended church regularly and enjoyed music as played on his phonograph from his record collection.
He caught a severe cold which developed into pneumonia and in a few days died on Jan. 31, 1920. His wife Mary Beck Frey moved her daughter Matilda Frey Sieder's home on East Grand Blvd and lived with her and her husband until she died on Nov. 9, 1939. She was widowed for almost twenty years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1880 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
This record shows John Frey's family living at #336 Montcalm Street. John's occupation was shoemaker.
John Frey 22, b. in Hessen [this is incorrect, should be Württemberg]
Mary Frey 24, b. in Baden [This is incorrect, she was born in Detroit, Michigan, and her parents were not born in Baden but in Bavaria]
Tillie Frey 1, b. in Michigan
1900 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 8, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 250 Harrison Ave.
John Frey 49, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 44, wife, b. in Michigan
Matilda Frey 21, daughter, b. in Michigan
Leonard Frey 11, son, b. in Michigan
Matilda Beck 27, sister-in-law (Mary's sister), b. in Michigan
This census shows that John and Mary were married for 22 years and that they had three children, but lost one. He was a shoemaker.
1910 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit Ward 17, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Lived at 588 Cadillac Ave.
John Frey 59, head, b. in Germany
Mary A Frey 54, wife, b. in Michigan
John L Frey 21, son, b. in Michigan
It shows that John and Mary were married for 32 years and that they had lost one child. Only two of three were living at this time of census. John was a machinist at a shop. This census shows he was naturalized in 1870. (Note: Their daughter Matilda Frey Sieder and her family lived at 580 Cadillac Ave).
1920 US FEDERAL CENSUS, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
John and Mary owned the house at 915 Helen Ave.
John Frey 70
Mary Frey 64
It shows that he was naturalized in 1875. He was an auto polisher at Auto Works.
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