Documented History
Mattie was born on 21 September 1874.
Mattie lived with her parents and siblings in 1880 at 320 Nineteenth St., Jefferson, Kentucky. Her father, Frederic (age 53) was a Machinist born in Bayern.
Her mother, Bernedine (age 48) kept the home and was born in Oldenberg. All of Mattie’s siblings were born in Kentucky.
They were: Emile (age 25), Kate (age 24), Sizzie (age 22, a Milliner), Mary (age 18, a Saleslady in a store), Sophia (age 16, Learning Milliner’s trade), Rachael (age 15), Annie (age 13 and still in school), Kenny (age 12 and still in school), and Alexander (age 8 and still in school).
Mattie lived at 2406 South Magazine St, Kentucky in 1900 according to the 1900 Census Record.
She lived with her parents Frederic App who was born in March 1827 and immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1831 and Berenada who was born in August 1833 and immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1837.
She also lived with her sister Katherine born in November 1852 and brother Henry born in July 1868, both born in Kentucky. Mattie was 26 years old at the time.
According to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Mattie lived at 2415 W. B’way in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky in 1904.
In 1910, Mattie rented a house at 3513 Greenwood Ave with her husband Claude Miller. She was 35, he was 38. Their first two sons had been born, Thurman (age 2) and Bertram (under 1).
According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Mattie and Claude lived at 4715 4th St., Allison, Kentucky in 1920 with their three kids.
Claude was 48, Mattie was 45, Thurman was 11, Bertram was 9, and Aloys was 8 years old. All could read and write. All were from Kentucky.
Mattie’s parents were from Germany and spoke German. Claude was a manger at a Dry Cleaning Company.
The 1930 Census shows Claude and Mattie living with all three children at 2032 Lakeside Dr., Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky.
Claude owned the home worth $8,000. He was 57 years old.
Mattie was 55, Thurman was 22, Bertram was 20, and Aloysius was 18. Claude was 32 and Mattie was 30 when they were married.
Claude was a manager at Dye Works and Bertram was an electrician.
Death
Mattie lost Claude on 25 July 1934 to carcinoma of the tongue. He also had anemia.
They were living at 4418 Taylor Blvd., Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky at the time of his death.
Mattie died on 22 April 1956 according to Kentucky, Death Index, 1911-2000, at age 81 in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Mattie was buried at Saint Louis Cemetery in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, according to U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current.
This record confirmed the following details: Martine Belle App was born on 21 September 1874 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky and died in the same place on 22 April 1956 at age 81.
Her parents were Frederick F. App 1826-1913 and Mary Bernadine Meschede 1832-1908. Mattie’s spouse was listed as Henry Claude Miller 1871-1934.
Her siblings were listed as:
- Emil F. App…………………………………….1854-1924
- Katherine App…………………………………1855-1939
- Elizabeth R. App (Gliessner)……………1858-1940
- Josephine App (Keller)…………….……..1859-1953
- Sophia Elizabeth App (Lentsch)………1862-1944
- Mary E. App (Boleman)…………………1863-1932
- Rachel Mary App………………………….1865-1882
- Thomas Alexander App…………………1872-1971
So, that’s about all I’ve found for Martine Belle App so far. It looks like I have some hints to explore for her parents and I think, with as many siblings as she has, I may be able to find some additional information out there some where when I do a deep dive on her. At this point, I’m only processing the hints on Ancestry. I will be exploring other sites and doing deep dives at a later time.
Finally, if you knew Mattie or have some memories of her family that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them! Just drop a few lines in the comments below and I’ll get your information added to this post.
Until then, take care and hug your loved ones!
~Kris
