Life in the United States
Philip Fritz Sr., the family patriarch, passed away in 1932, while Louise Schaffner Fritz died in years later at her 411 Bernard St. home. Their bodies are buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Boyle Heights, yet they would leave a lasting legacy in the Los Angeles through their three children.
Philip Fritz’s Youngest son Fred H. Fritz was a carpenter just like his father. He lived with the family at 411 Bernard in the early to mid-1890s. Fred had three marriages. He married Lottie Sophie Olson in 1907, and his second wife, Mary L Claussen, in 1912. Fred and Mary had a daughter Madeline Fritz in the next year. Sadly, the baby died after six months, and Mary passed away from disease in 1915. Fred soon married his third wife Pansy Barth, in 1916, and their son Walther Richard Fritz was born the following year. The family lived at 417 Bernard Street until the couple separated in 1929. Pansy moved out with their son and sued for divorce in 1929, alleging cruelty. Fred Fritz never remarried and lived alone at 417 Bernard Street until his death in 1933.
Philip Fritz Sr.’s eldest son Philip Fritz Jr. enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 19. In 1890, after he was honorably discharged, he married Delphine Belaude who is also believed to have originally come from Alsace. Her family left France for New York on September 2, 1885. Philip and Delphine had a daughter named Louise Madeleine Fritz in 1891. Unfortunately, Philip Fritz Jr. appeared on multiple news columns for aggressive behavior throughout his life. For example, he fell into a fit on Spring Street and was taken to the city prison for treatment in 1887. He was also arrested at Goshen and charged with insanity. He was sent to the county hospital to recover after he had evidently been doped and robbed, having eventually passed away in 1896 as his cause of death was epilepsy.
Although, it may seem that the first generation's time in the Unisted States may have been cut short, the family's legacy continue well into the the 2oth century Louise Madeleine Fritz who was raised by her grandparents at 411 Bernard Street, and who would remain on the property for her entire life.
