Sussman-Laabs

Emmigrated to the US in October, 1874. Occupation: furrier. Part owner of "Sussman & Hoffmann" furriers and taxidermy in Toledo, OH. After Augusta's death, Robert married Emma L. Witte (b: June, 1871, Green Springs, OH, d. January 31, 1926 Toledo, OH) in December 1899. Emma's parents were John and Sophia. After Robert's death, Emma married salesman William H. Fridley on November 3, 1917. Edith Sussman lived with William long after Emma's death. Death by suicide: arsenic poisoning. Buried in Woodlawn cemetary, Toledo, OH

"Toledo and its Germans" German American Biographical co., 1899 pp 292-294 (This book is written in German; Art Sussman has the original. This is a translation by a friend of Art Sussman)

Robert Sussmann

Among the various Germans who were unfolding a selfless activity in Toledo at the height of Germanic influence back then was Mr. Robert Sussmann.

He was born on January 26, 1848 to master carpenter Franz Sussmann of Reichenbach in Silesia, the land of sour wine. The boy Robert enjoyed an education until age 14, when serious life hit him in the form of a three year apprenticeship as a furrier. At the end of this he went out into the world, equipped with practical knowledge and perfection in his craft. Nothing stood in the way of his wish to travel throughout Germany, so he moved to the greatest cities in Germany. Bonn held him the longest, but then came “America Fever.” In October, 1875 we find him passing through New York City on his way to Detroit. He stayed there nine years, working as a furrier, until he came to Toledo in 1884 with his friend and fellow furrier Emil Hoffmann to found the “Alaska Fur House,” the present-day gathering place for women who wear furs.

During his nine years in Detroit, he met his wife Augusta Fecht, whom he married on June 2, 1881. The happy marriage produced seven children. After years of worrisome struggles, the economic status of the family gradually improved. But after moving into a magnificent dwelling on Fulton St., the family was struck by the death of the dear wife and mother. The entire family suffered a nervous breakdown, with the oldest daughter wrestling with a high fever while her mother was being buried at the cemetery on February 4, 1891.

By nature a good-hearted, original and sociable fellow, Mr. Sussmann played an important role in local German society. His influence in various German undertakings was exemplary. The German Gymnastics Club blossomed with his presence; at his suggestion and under his direction, the German Theatre Society was founded as an auxiliary to the Gymnastics Club and accomplished some considerable things. We mention the performance of “The Vagabond Hobo,” “The Abduction of the Sabine Women” and the “Festival of the Craftsmen” and many others. The Women’s Auxiliary was also started by Mr. Sussmann.

The Toledo Men’s Choir had Mr. Sussmann as its first president during the first 3 years of its existence. His presidency certainly cannot be reproached for any lack in the spirit of sacrifice. Later, he was the first German president of the Revere Council of the National Union. He was also a member of the cabinet of the National Union. In addition to this, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum of the A.O.U.W. of Detroit and of the Brother’s Lodge #52 of the K.O.T.M. of Toledo.

In 1892, he belonged to the Organizing Committee for the Centennial of Toledo; it was his idea to dress up 42 women in red, white and blue to represent the 42 states of the union. At the end of 1896, he found a new dear mother for his children in Emma Wittig of Green Springs, Ohio.

Mr. Sussmann’s participation in everything that is called German and everything that is genuinely German is most excellent. He is modest and reserved in respect to politics. He has not applied for public office and has decisively turned down all requests to run. His place in society has him completely satisfied and he never lets political ambition come up.

National Union - ??? A.O.U.W. - Ancient Order of United Workmen, a Masonic-based workman’s association, which focused on offering life insurance to its members. K.O.T.M. - Knights of the Maccabees, a Masonic-based association which focused on life insurance. Its headquarters was in Detroit. It eventually evolved into the Maccabees Mutual Life Insurance Company.

.