Charles Edward Switzer was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 22, 1860, the seventh of eight children born to Andrew Oakely Switzer and Martha Turner Switzer.
Charles first shows up in the records in the 1865 New York Census at the age of five. He is living with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, New York. The occupation of his father, Andrew, is shown as "carpenter."
Ten years later in the 1875 New York Census, Charles is shown as age 16 and living at 176 Concord Street in Brooklyn with his parents and his sister, Emma Elizabeth. Once again his father's occupation is listed as "carpenter." Charles' occupation is shown as "plumber's assistant," and the occupation of his sister, Emma (age 18), is shown as "envelope maker." Charles' older brother, George Washington Switzer (age 26), also lives at the same address along with his wife, Anne, and their children Lillie, George, and Florence. George's occupation is shown as "plumber," so it is likely he is the plumber that Charles assists!
Since no US Census exists for 1890 (destroyed in fire), the next time we find Charles in the records is as executor for his father's estate in 1891. Probate papers show there are only four siblings left of the original nine: Charles, his older brother George Washington, and his older sisters, Emma Elizabth (Henderson) and Martha Jane (Brower).
In March, 1892, Charles married Mabel Beatrice Spates in Brooklyn, New York. Mabel was born in Massachusetts in 1878, but she was living with her uncle, Captain Richard Nelson Spates and his wife, Mary Anderson Spates, in Brooklyn, New York. At the time of their marriage, Charles was 32 years old and Mabel was 14. The Spates and Switzer families lived near each other and had other marriages between them, so this is probably how Charles and Mabel met and were allowed to marry despite the age difference.
By the time of the 1900 US Census, Charles has added "Strong" as another last name. Anecdotal family information always indicated this change came about as the result of his owning a clothing store named Strong's. Customers and vendors started calling him "Mr. Strong," so he added it to his name just to make things simpler.
For years, no evidence was found of his actually having been a store owner or that there was a store named Strong's. However, in 2017, an obituary was posted on Find A Grave for his uncle by marriage, Captain Richard Nelson Spates, with whom Mabel Spates lived before her marriage to Charles. The last line in this obituary printed in 1914 says: "He is survived by a son, Nelson Spates, manager of the firm Strong the clothier, at Brooklyn." So the store existed, and it is likely Charles Switzer worked with Mabel's cousin, Nelson Spates, there. But it's still not known if Charles actually owned the store.
Nevertheless, he changed his name, and the 1900 US Census lists him as "Strong, Charles E. S.," born August 1860 and living in Brooklyn, New York. His occupation is shown as "clothing dealer," which lends some credence to the anecdotal story about his owing a clothing store. He lives with his wife, Mabel B. S. Strong, born January 1876, and their daughter, Myrtle B. S. Strong, born December 1898. The census shows the birthplace for all three as New York.
Charles and Mabel would have two more daughters, Olive Hannah, born May 20, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York, and Genevieve Mabel, born July 7, 1906, also in Brooklyn. Of the three daughters, Myrtle would continue using both last names of "Switzer Strong." However, Olive and Genevieve would use only "Strong."
Around October 1908, Charles moved his family to Los Angeles, California. Anecdotal family information indicates this was because he had some kind of lung ailment and thought California would be better for his health.
Unfortunately, Charles died just four months later on February 7, 1909 at his residence in Los Angeles at the age of 48. His death certificate lists the cause of death as "chronic nephritis" (a kidney infection that can lead to kidney failure). The attending physician indicates he had been treating Charles at home for about a month.
The death certificate lists the place and date of burial as "Rosedale Vault" on February 10, 1909. Cemetery records (now called Angelus Rosedale Cemetery) confirmed he was buried there. However, his body was later moved to Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, NY where his wife also is buried. (Charles E Strong in Maple Grove Cemetery Interment Book Vol. 2 page 44 - Buried 28 Feb South Border 94-8, died in Los Angeles, CA 2 Feb 1909)
(Lora Hammond Weber - Bio as of May 20, 2018)
Charles first shows up in the records in the 1865 New York Census at the age of five. He is living with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, New York. The occupation of his father, Andrew, is shown as "carpenter."
Ten years later in the 1875 New York Census, Charles is shown as age 16 and living at 176 Concord Street in Brooklyn with his parents and his sister, Emma Elizabeth. Once again his father's occupation is listed as "carpenter." Charles' occupation is shown as "plumber's assistant," and the occupation of his sister, Emma (age 18), is shown as "envelope maker." Charles' older brother, George Washington Switzer (age 26), also lives at the same address along with his wife, Anne, and their children Lillie, George, and Florence. George's occupation is shown as "plumber," so it is likely he is the plumber that Charles assists!
Since no US Census exists for 1890 (destroyed in fire), the next time we find Charles in the records is as executor for his father's estate in 1891. Probate papers show there are only four siblings left of the original nine: Charles, his older brother George Washington, and his older sisters, Emma Elizabth (Henderson) and Martha Jane (Brower).
In March, 1892, Charles married Mabel Beatrice Spates in Brooklyn, New York. Mabel was born in Massachusetts in 1878, but she was living with her uncle, Captain Richard Nelson Spates and his wife, Mary Anderson Spates, in Brooklyn, New York. At the time of their marriage, Charles was 32 years old and Mabel was 14. The Spates and Switzer families lived near each other and had other marriages between them, so this is probably how Charles and Mabel met and were allowed to marry despite the age difference.
By the time of the 1900 US Census, Charles has added "Strong" as another last name. Anecdotal family information always indicated this change came about as the result of his owning a clothing store named Strong's. Customers and vendors started calling him "Mr. Strong," so he added it to his name just to make things simpler.
For years, no evidence was found of his actually having been a store owner or that there was a store named Strong's. However, in 2017, an obituary was posted on Find A Grave for his uncle by marriage, Captain Richard Nelson Spates, with whom Mabel Spates lived before her marriage to Charles. The last line in this obituary printed in 1914 says: "He is survived by a son, Nelson Spates, manager of the firm Strong the clothier, at Brooklyn." So the store existed, and it is likely Charles Switzer worked with Mabel's cousin, Nelson Spates, there. But it's still not known if Charles actually owned the store.
Nevertheless, he changed his name, and the 1900 US Census lists him as "Strong, Charles E. S.," born August 1860 and living in Brooklyn, New York. His occupation is shown as "clothing dealer," which lends some credence to the anecdotal story about his owing a clothing store. He lives with his wife, Mabel B. S. Strong, born January 1876, and their daughter, Myrtle B. S. Strong, born December 1898. The census shows the birthplace for all three as New York.
Charles and Mabel would have two more daughters, Olive Hannah, born May 20, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York, and Genevieve Mabel, born July 7, 1906, also in Brooklyn. Of the three daughters, Myrtle would continue using both last names of "Switzer Strong." However, Olive and Genevieve would use only "Strong."
Around October 1908, Charles moved his family to Los Angeles, California. Anecdotal family information indicates this was because he had some kind of lung ailment and thought California would be better for his health.
Unfortunately, Charles died just four months later on February 7, 1909 at his residence in Los Angeles at the age of 48. His death certificate lists the cause of death as "chronic nephritis" (a kidney infection that can lead to kidney failure). The attending physician indicates he had been treating Charles at home for about a month.
The death certificate lists the place and date of burial as "Rosedale Vault" on February 10, 1909. Cemetery records (now called Angelus Rosedale Cemetery) confirmed he was buried there. However, his body was later moved to Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, NY where his wife also is buried. (Charles E Strong in Maple Grove Cemetery Interment Book Vol. 2 page 44 - Buried 28 Feb South Border 94-8, died in Los Angeles, CA 2 Feb 1909)
(Lora Hammond Weber - Bio as of May 20, 2018)
Charles Edward Switzer was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 22, 1860, the seventh of eight children born to Andrew Oakely Switzer and Martha Turner Switzer.
Charles first shows up in the records in the 1865 New York Census at the age of five. He is living with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, New York. The occupation of his father, Andrew, is shown as "carpenter."
Ten years later in the 1875 New York Census, Charles is shown as age 16 and living at 176 Concord Street in Brooklyn with his parents and his sister, Emma Elizabeth. Once again his father's occupation is listed as "carpenter." Charles' occupation is shown as "plumber's assistant," and the occupation of his sister, Emma (age 18), is shown as "envelope maker." Charles' older brother, George Washington Switzer (age 26), also lives at the same address along with his wife, Anne, and their children Lillie, George, and Florence. George's occupation is shown as "plumber," so it is likely he is the plumber that Charles assists!
Since no US Census exists for 1890 (destroyed in fire), the next time we find Charles in the records is as executor for his father's estate in 1891. Probate papers show there are only four siblings left of the original nine: Charles, his older brother George Washington, and his older sisters, Emma Elizabth (Henderson) and Martha Jane (Brower).
In March, 1892, Charles married Mabel Beatrice Spates in Brooklyn, New York. Mabel was born in Massachusetts in 1878, but she was living with her uncle, Captain Richard Nelson Spates and his wife, Mary Anderson Spates, in Brooklyn, New York. At the time of their marriage, Charles was 32 years old and Mabel was 14. The Spates and Switzer families lived near each other and had other marriages between them, so this is probably how Charles and Mabel met and were allowed to marry despite the age difference.
By the time of the 1900 US Census, Charles has added "Strong" as another last name. Anecdotal family information always indicated this change came about as the result of his owning a clothing store named Strong's. Customers and vendors started calling him "Mr. Strong," so he added it to his name just to make things simpler.
For years, no evidence was found of his actually having been a store owner or that there was a store named Strong's. However, in 2017, an obituary was posted on Find A Grave for his uncle by marriage, Captain Richard Nelson Spates, with whom Mabel Spates lived before her marriage to Charles. The last line in this obituary printed in 1914 says: "He is survived by a son, Nelson Spates, manager of the firm Strong the clothier, at Brooklyn." So the store existed, and it is likely Charles Switzer worked with Mabel's cousin, Nelson Spates, there. But it's still not known if Charles actually owned the store.
Nevertheless, he changed his name, and the 1900 US Census lists him as "Strong, Charles E. S.," born August 1860 and living in Brooklyn, New York. His occupation is shown as "clothing dealer," which lends some credence to the anecdotal story about his owing a clothing store. He lives with his wife, Mabel B. S. Strong, born January 1876, and their daughter, Myrtle B. S. Strong, born December 1898. The census shows the birthplace for all three as New York.
Charles and Mabel would have two more daughters, Olive Hannah, born May 20, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York, and Genevieve Mabel, born July 7, 1906, also in Brooklyn. Of the three daughters, Myrtle would continue using both last names of "Switzer Strong." However, Olive and Genevieve would use only "Strong."
Around October 1908, Charles moved his family to Los Angeles, California. Anecdotal family information indicates this was because he had some kind of lung ailment and thought California would be better for his health.
Unfortunately, Charles died just four months later on February 7, 1909 at his residence in Los Angeles at the age of 48. His death certificate lists the cause of death as "chronic nephritis" (a kidney infection that can lead to kidney failure). The attending physician indicates he had been treating Charles at home for about a month.
The death certificate lists the place and date of burial as "Rosedale Vault" on February 10, 1909. Cemetery records (now called Angelus Rosedale Cemetery) confirmed he was buried there. However, his body was later moved to Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, NY where his wife also is buried. (Charles E Strong in Maple Grove Cemetery Interment Book Vol. 2 page 44 - Buried 28 Feb South Border 94-8, died in Los Angeles, CA 2 Feb 1909)
(Lora Hammond Weber - Bio as of May 20, 2018)
Charles first shows up in the records in the 1865 New York Census at the age of five. He is living with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, New York. The occupation of his father, Andrew, is shown as "carpenter."
Ten years later in the 1875 New York Census, Charles is shown as age 16 and living at 176 Concord Street in Brooklyn with his parents and his sister, Emma Elizabeth. Once again his father's occupation is listed as "carpenter." Charles' occupation is shown as "plumber's assistant," and the occupation of his sister, Emma (age 18), is shown as "envelope maker." Charles' older brother, George Washington Switzer (age 26), also lives at the same address along with his wife, Anne, and their children Lillie, George, and Florence. George's occupation is shown as "plumber," so it is likely he is the plumber that Charles assists!
Since no US Census exists for 1890 (destroyed in fire), the next time we find Charles in the records is as executor for his father's estate in 1891. Probate papers show there are only four siblings left of the original nine: Charles, his older brother George Washington, and his older sisters, Emma Elizabth (Henderson) and Martha Jane (Brower).
In March, 1892, Charles married Mabel Beatrice Spates in Brooklyn, New York. Mabel was born in Massachusetts in 1878, but she was living with her uncle, Captain Richard Nelson Spates and his wife, Mary Anderson Spates, in Brooklyn, New York. At the time of their marriage, Charles was 32 years old and Mabel was 14. The Spates and Switzer families lived near each other and had other marriages between them, so this is probably how Charles and Mabel met and were allowed to marry despite the age difference.
By the time of the 1900 US Census, Charles has added "Strong" as another last name. Anecdotal family information always indicated this change came about as the result of his owning a clothing store named Strong's. Customers and vendors started calling him "Mr. Strong," so he added it to his name just to make things simpler.
For years, no evidence was found of his actually having been a store owner or that there was a store named Strong's. However, in 2017, an obituary was posted on Find A Grave for his uncle by marriage, Captain Richard Nelson Spates, with whom Mabel Spates lived before her marriage to Charles. The last line in this obituary printed in 1914 says: "He is survived by a son, Nelson Spates, manager of the firm Strong the clothier, at Brooklyn." So the store existed, and it is likely Charles Switzer worked with Mabel's cousin, Nelson Spates, there. But it's still not known if Charles actually owned the store.
Nevertheless, he changed his name, and the 1900 US Census lists him as "Strong, Charles E. S.," born August 1860 and living in Brooklyn, New York. His occupation is shown as "clothing dealer," which lends some credence to the anecdotal story about his owing a clothing store. He lives with his wife, Mabel B. S. Strong, born January 1876, and their daughter, Myrtle B. S. Strong, born December 1898. The census shows the birthplace for all three as New York.
Charles and Mabel would have two more daughters, Olive Hannah, born May 20, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York, and Genevieve Mabel, born July 7, 1906, also in Brooklyn. Of the three daughters, Myrtle would continue using both last names of "Switzer Strong." However, Olive and Genevieve would use only "Strong."
Around October 1908, Charles moved his family to Los Angeles, California. Anecdotal family information indicates this was because he had some kind of lung ailment and thought California would be better for his health.
Unfortunately, Charles died just four months later on February 7, 1909 at his residence in Los Angeles at the age of 48. His death certificate lists the cause of death as "chronic nephritis" (a kidney infection that can lead to kidney failure). The attending physician indicates he had been treating Charles at home for about a month.
The death certificate lists the place and date of burial as "Rosedale Vault" on February 10, 1909. Cemetery records (now called Angelus Rosedale Cemetery) confirmed he was buried there. However, his body was later moved to Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, NY where his wife also is buried. (Charles E Strong in Maple Grove Cemetery Interment Book Vol. 2 page 44 - Buried 28 Feb South Border 94-8, died in Los Angeles, CA 2 Feb 1909)
(Lora Hammond Weber - Bio as of May 20, 2018)
