Friedrich Heinrich (Fritz) Unger 1875-1941
Friedrich Heinrich Unger was the eldest son, and third child of the naval engineer Richard Adolf Edward H. C. Unger 1842-1924 and Anne Catherine Glade. He was born on the 8th of November 1875 in Bremen, Germany, and was named after his paternal grandfather 'Friedrich' Wilhelm Unger 1810-1876 and his maternal grandfather 'Heinrich' Glade 1810-1896.
Fritz’s parents were married in 1872 in Bremen which was his mother’s native town. His father was originally from Gottingen but was living in Bremen, after having studied naval engineering there and later becoming Director of the Bremish shipping company A.G.Weser. On his mother's side, his maternal grandparents Heinrich and Johanna Catherine Glade still lived in Bremen, but most of his uncles were living abroad in Hawaii and Hong Kong. Fritz, and all of his siblings were born in Bremen and the family lived on Nordstrasse # 8.
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Since his grandfather, Heinrich Glade and his Glade uncles were all merchants, with strong connections to Hackfeld & Co., and other important trading companies in Bremen it is not surprising that Fritz followed their footsteps and decided to become a merchant. There was also a possible social relationship with the Melchers family in Bremen. He entered Melchers & Co., Bremen, as an apprentice when he was eighteen years old.
Upon finishing his apprenticeship, he was given a choice of destinations between Melchers & Co., branch in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, known as ‘Casa Melchers’, or on a small island off Japan. Fritz chose Mazatlán and in October 1896 he left the port of Bremen aboard the SS. Trave, bound for New York. Although he maintained strong relations with his family, and visited when possible, he would never return to live in Germany.
Upon finishing his apprenticeship, he was given a choice of destinations between Melchers & Co., branch in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, known as ‘Casa Melchers’, or on a small island off Japan. Fritz chose Mazatlán and in October 1896 he left the port of Bremen aboard the SS. Trave, bound for New York. Although he maintained strong relations with his family, and visited when possible, he would never return to live in Germany.
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Federico Unger arrived at New York on board the ship S.S. Trave on December 3, 1896. On the ships log he is described as; "Fritz Unger, a merchant, born Bremen, Germany, in transit to Mazatlán, and carrying one piece of luggage". Although we do not know the precise circumstances regarding his arrival to his post in Mazatlán, we have the description of the arrival of a young friend of his; Carl Max Hach (1885 - 1968) who also arrived at Melchers from Bremen in 1906. Fritz's arrival must have been similar, considering that they both arrived at Casa Melchers in the month of December.
"… in the early morning of the 24th of December 1906. I presented myself at Melchers & Co and they gave me a room at the top of the house.
Since it was Christmas Eve, and everyone was working, they gave me the task of decorating the Christmas tree for the festivities in the evening. My bosses were Mr. Emilio Philippi and Mr. Jorge Claussen and my fellow workers were Federico Unger, Gustavo Burmeister and Emilio Vidal. Carlos Bolken. Theodor Frickhoffer and Jorge Hauss also had rooms upstairs. We all formed the Melcher household, with a housemaid, a laundress, and a cook, and at the end of each month we would share the expenses.
Between the 24 and the 31st it was Emilio Philippe's birthday and there was a huge party to celebrate with authorities, professionals, workers from Melchers and all of the German society living in Mazatlán. I was frightened to see so much drinking! . There was a huge colony of Germans living in Mazatlán and they were very well respected within the high social circles of Mazatlán. We were always dressed in tails or smokings and on Sundays we used black Prince Albert suits. This was the standard dress code and luckily, I had been warned and I brought these suits with me from Germany. Once we were admitted to society, we all made great friends with all of the renowned families." Carl Max Hach-Memoirs.
(NOTE: Apart from being co-workers and friends, Carl Max Hach would later become related to the family through his marriage to Margarita Cornejo Navarro, daughter of Margarita Navarro Moreno, cousin of Federico’s' mother in law, Carlota Hidalgo Navarro).
Once arriving to México, Friedrich Heinrich would use the name Federico for all his official transactions and acts, known only as ‘Fritz’ by his family and close friends.
About 1901 Federico marries Maria Carlota Ferreira Hidalgo, daughter of the late, rich industrialist Vicente Ferreira Pesqueira from Hermosillo, Sonora and his wife Carlota Maria Hidalgo Navarro. Their first son, José Federico Ricardo Vicente Unger, who died as an infant, was baptized in November 1902. In 1903 their second son Ricardo was born in La Paz. At this time, it is highly probable that Federico was posted to La Paz, since most of the apprentices at Melchers were sent for some time to the different trading houses that the company owned in Baja California, Sonora and Sinaloa. |
Upon returning from La Paz to Mazatlán, Federico and Maria moved into their home on the street Arsenal in Mazatlán. Here, in December 1904, their first daughter was born, Ana Maria Unger. She was baptized on March 3, 1905 at the Cathedral and her godparents were Gustavo Eimbcke and his wife Emilia Ferreira Hidalgo, María’s sister. Unfortunately, the child died of lipoidemia when she was only just two years old.
Although Federico never returned to Germany to live, he maintained extremely close ties with his parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins, through letters and/or through frequent visits. All the children were educated in Germany except for the youngest, Beatriz. By the time she was of an age to go to Germany, the war was breaking out. Her father told her not to worry, that the war would not last long and then she would be able to go. Unfortunately, Fritz died in 1941, and the war continued. However, the elder siblings all had German governesses, were schooled in Germany and several of his sons graduated from German Universities, residing with their paternal aunts whilst in Germany.
At least once a year the Unger family would travel to Bremen, and if Federico was unable to get away from Casa Melchers, Maria would go ahead with the children, the governess and often her mother, Carlota Hidalgo, and Federico would follow later. In Bremen, the family would stay with Federico’s younger sister Mieze and her husband, Dr. Med. Kurt Bucking, on Elhornstrasse in Bremen.
At least once a year the Unger family would travel to Bremen, and if Federico was unable to get away from Casa Melchers, Maria would go ahead with the children, the governess and often her mother, Carlota Hidalgo, and Federico would follow later. In Bremen, the family would stay with Federico’s younger sister Mieze and her husband, Dr. Med. Kurt Bucking, on Elhornstrasse in Bremen.
On November 23, 1923, Doña María and several of her children, and Katie Claussen (daughter of J. Georg Claussen) are sailing from Bremen and entering Ellis Island, New York on the S.S. Muenchen.
Unger Children Escape Fire of Mexican Guns
The song of whistling bullets, the splattering of broken projectiles against crumbling adobe buildings or the buzzing of a speeding shell from a three inch gun were everyday happenings for months in the lives of a score of children who arrived here yesterday (3rd May 1914) from Mexico on the City of Sydney. |
Fritz
Fritz Unger was a family man, whose life centered around his wife María, whom he fondly called ‘Mary’, his children, and his work at Casa Melchers and the Cervezería. He was known as a pleasant gentleman, never known to create hostile differences nor opinions, and he was liberal in his views. He was not interested in titles or richness, having the ability to be friends with the humblest of the workers at Casa Melchers as well as with the owners and partners. A man of his word, in his personal life and in business, he expected the same treatment from others. Fair trade was important to him and he often said, “Don’t offer to someone else, something you yourself wouldn’t want”.
María his wife was more volatile, more indulgent, and more extravagant. Don Federico would give her subtle reproaches at times but loved to indulge her whims and fancies. He was very fond of beer, which he enjoyed most if it was accompanied by some good chocolate and the dinner table was never laid out without his favorite ‘Salsa Maggie’, which he went to great extremes to have sent to him. In the eyes of his mother in law, Doña Carlota Hidalgo Navarro, Don Federico was resorted to simply ‘Unger’, but perhaps he took solace in the fact that his brother in law Gustavo Eimbcke was also referred to as merely ‘Eimbcke’. For Doña Carlota, no matter how knowledgeable their skills, how important their position and how blue were their eyes, they were always foreigners, and never sufficient for her precious daughters Maria and Emilia. Whilst Doña Carlota lived, she ruled, not only her own household but those of her daughters. Don Federico managed these situations with the same low key, calm and orderly manner as he managed Casa Melchers. He could also negotiate equally well with the authorities of the Mexican Revolution as he could with the ‘Porfirian’ government officials of the time. Whilst admiring several qualities in the Mexicans, he often laughed at the Mexican soldiers, saying that they were the "only soldiers in the world who jumped over the puddles whilst marching.” |
Although he embraced completely his new lifestyle in Mexico, adapting to its culture and social customs, he would never consider renouncing his nationality, stating that, ‘Changing your nationality is not like changing your shoes.” He was proud of his German origins, and followed closely the events of World War I, hoping that Germany would prosper. At first, he believed that Hitler had good intentions, that he would help to unify the country and Germany would be victorious, but soon realized that this was far from the truth.
Although the family never knew, it appears that Federico was even more patriotic to Germany than the family believed. According to Bill Mills in his book, “Treacherous Passage. Germany’s Secret Plot against the United States in Mexico during World War I”, Federico, in his role as Consul for Germany, was the protagonist of an elaborate plot to launch clandestine sea raiders from Mazatlán to disrupt Allied merchant shipping in the Pacific. The book is well resourced, and although it’s hard to read about the beloved abuelo Federico being portrayed as a scheming, stereotyped German spy, holding secret meetings in the upper rooms of the Pacific Brewery, with his partner Gustav B. Burmeister, it does appear to be true, and furthermore, coincides with the fact that he received the Iron Cross for his services to the Fatherland during WW1.
There are one or two points that can be argued against the book. The United States is said to be the ‘archenemy’ of Federico, Burmeister and Melchers and this is hardly the case. Don Federico maintained excellent relationships with a multitude of United States citizens before, during and after WW1. Most of his wife’s family had emigrated to the States during the Mexican Revolution, and María and the children lived there for much of the time between 1910 and 1918, escaping the hot summers of Mazatlán. Inclusive, his son Kurt and his daughter Ana Luisa were born in San Francisco in 1914 and 1917, respectively. But, from a business man’s point of view, the United States did represent an obstacle to the German based firms in Mexico once they entered the war in 1917, and as a business man Don Federico looked to represent his home country and Melchers to the best of his advantage.
His brother in law, Gustav Eimbcke, was also accused of espionage in 1913, and most of the Germans living in Mazatlán were blacklisted by the United States.
The firm Melchers Succs, and all it’s sub-branches in Sinaloa, appeared on the United States blacklist, (which condemned the commercial activity of any German based company and it’s employers with the United States), on December 5, 1917. Don Federico appeared on May 1, 1918 along with his partner in the Pacific Brewery, Victor Minoprio. Other notable German ‘Mazatlecos’ who appeared on the list were: The Milan family: May 1, 1918, Capt. Francisco M. Miranda Y Castro: May 1, 1918, Eduardo Siordia December 5, 1917 (also with Melchers), Robert Stein & Co: December 5, 1917, Robert Stein: October 4, 1918, Guilliermo Urriolagoita: December 5, 1918, Transportes Maritimas & Co: March 15, 1918, Hermanos Schmelz: March 15, 1918, Hans Saack: May 1, 1918, Otto Meyer: May 1, 1918, Relojería Alemana: May 1, 1918, Wohler, Bartning: (where Gustav Eimbcke worked) 5 Dec 1917.
A review of the book -Treacherous Passage is available here:
There are one or two points that can be argued against the book. The United States is said to be the ‘archenemy’ of Federico, Burmeister and Melchers and this is hardly the case. Don Federico maintained excellent relationships with a multitude of United States citizens before, during and after WW1. Most of his wife’s family had emigrated to the States during the Mexican Revolution, and María and the children lived there for much of the time between 1910 and 1918, escaping the hot summers of Mazatlán. Inclusive, his son Kurt and his daughter Ana Luisa were born in San Francisco in 1914 and 1917, respectively. But, from a business man’s point of view, the United States did represent an obstacle to the German based firms in Mexico once they entered the war in 1917, and as a business man Don Federico looked to represent his home country and Melchers to the best of his advantage.
His brother in law, Gustav Eimbcke, was also accused of espionage in 1913, and most of the Germans living in Mazatlán were blacklisted by the United States.
The firm Melchers Succs, and all it’s sub-branches in Sinaloa, appeared on the United States blacklist, (which condemned the commercial activity of any German based company and it’s employers with the United States), on December 5, 1917. Don Federico appeared on May 1, 1918 along with his partner in the Pacific Brewery, Victor Minoprio. Other notable German ‘Mazatlecos’ who appeared on the list were: The Milan family: May 1, 1918, Capt. Francisco M. Miranda Y Castro: May 1, 1918, Eduardo Siordia December 5, 1917 (also with Melchers), Robert Stein & Co: December 5, 1917, Robert Stein: October 4, 1918, Guilliermo Urriolagoita: December 5, 1918, Transportes Maritimas & Co: March 15, 1918, Hermanos Schmelz: March 15, 1918, Hans Saack: May 1, 1918, Otto Meyer: May 1, 1918, Relojería Alemana: May 1, 1918, Wohler, Bartning: (where Gustav Eimbcke worked) 5 Dec 1917.
A review of the book -Treacherous Passage is available here:
Letters written by Fritz Unger to his wife María: Cartas del Abuelo
Don Federico Unger died of a heart attack on March 17, 1941 at his home at #214, Arsenal in Mazatlán. He was 66 years old.
The siren of the Pacifico Brewery rang out in mourning upon news of his death.
The siren of the Pacifico Brewery rang out in mourning upon news of his death.
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1944 Hotel Central, Mazatlán
Left to Right sitting on floor: Adelita Boner de Unger, Kurt Unger, Margot Rubin de Unger
Sitting on sofa. left to right: Federico Unger Ferreira, Victor Patron Rivas, Ana Luisa Unger Ferreira, Manuel Reynaud Hidalgo, Anita de la Barra, Agustin de la Barra & Luchi Luna de Ordaz
The first child of Fritz and María, named after his father and his paternal and maternal grandfathers, was born on July 16, 1902 in the casa vieja on Calle Arsenal, and registered on July 26, 1902 in Mazatlán. The witnesses at his birth registration were Carlos Luis Volquardsen and Gustavo Eimbcke Dietz. The child probably died as a very small child.
Ricardo Enrique Unger Ferreira, the eldest son of Fritz Unger and María Carlota Ferreira Hidalgo, was born on October 8, 1903 in La Paz, Baja California where his father Fritz was working. He was named after his paternal grandfather Richard Unger and Enrique after his father’s middle name (Heinrich in German). After his birth the family moved back to Mazatlán, to live at ‘la casa vieja’ on Arsenal.
The earliest travel papers for Ricardo show that on December 3, 1906 he was on board the S.S. Ammon with his grandmother Carlota Hidalgo de Ferreira, his aunt Emilia Ferreira de Eimbcke and his cousin Emilia Eimbcke Ferreira. The party were sailing from Hamburg, destination San Francisco. Also accompanying them was their German governess Gertrud Moessa who was born in 1886, Hamburg and had been working in Mazatlán for 8 years. |
At 11:20 in the morning of July 9, 1910 Fritz and María registered Ricardo´s birth in Mazatlán. The witnesses were Carlos Luis Volquardsen, who at the time was living at Mariano Escobedo #103 and Gustavo Bovig Burmeister who was living on Olas Altas.
At an early age Ricardo was sent to school in Bremen, Germany, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school. Whilst in Germany he lived with his paternal aunt Mieze Unger, who was married to Dr. Kurt Bücking. In 1914 he suffered from diphtheria , along with his cousin Hans Bücking.
At an early age Ricardo was sent to school in Bremen, Germany, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school. Whilst in Germany he lived with his paternal aunt Mieze Unger, who was married to Dr. Kurt Bücking. In 1914 he suffered from diphtheria , along with his cousin Hans Bücking.
The mail brought me a letter from Mieze and you’ll be glad to know that Ricardo has recovered well from his illness, and also is doing much better in school, passing to sixth grade! Poor Mieze has suffered, with the boys having had diphtheria, which can be dangerous, even in the home of a doctor, but luckily Hans is a strong boy and he can defend himself against the illness better than other more delicate children.(part of a letter from Fritz to his wife Maria in 1914)
It is not sure if he attended university in Germany, like his brother Carlos, but upon returning to Mexico he worked as an agriculturist. Ricardo was about 5ft 8 inches in height, with brown hair and hazel eyes, (in one record he is described as having blue eyes).
In the Mexican National Census taken on the night of May 15, 1930, he is single and living in San Lorenzo with Walter Melchers, whom he is working for. About this time Fritz, his father bought a sugar refinery in San Lorenzo, near Higuerra de Zaragoza, in Ricardo’s name. However, the river which provided water for the refinery changed course after a hurricane, cutting off the plant’s access to its waters and in due course they went bankrupt. The chimney of the refinery still stands to this day.
In the Mexican National Census taken on the night of May 15, 1930, he is single and living in San Lorenzo with Walter Melchers, whom he is working for. About this time Fritz, his father bought a sugar refinery in San Lorenzo, near Higuerra de Zaragoza, in Ricardo’s name. However, the river which provided water for the refinery changed course after a hurricane, cutting off the plant’s access to its waters and in due course they went bankrupt. The chimney of the refinery still stands to this day.
On February 25, 1935 Ricardo, who was living at San Lorenzo in Sinaloa at the time, working as an agriculturist, married Ruth Sanchez at Huatabampo, Sonora. Ricardo was 31 years old and Ruth was 17. The witnesses at the wedding on behalf of Ricardo were the agriculturists, Albert C. Kent of 35 years who lived in Higuerre de Zaragoza and Ricardo´s brother, Carlos Unger, who at the time was single, an engineer and living in Mazatlán. Ruth’s witnesses were José M. Sanchez, 59 years old, married, an agriculturist from Higuera de Zaragoza and Romulo Garate Escalante, 42 years old, married, and a merchant from Huatabampo, Sonora.
He and Ruth had several children, all born in Sonora. After a few years, the family went to reside in Caborca, Sonora where Ricardo continued as an agriculturist.
Ricardo died of a heart attack at 4.30 in the afternoon on December 19, 1960 in Mexico City, at the age of 57 years. His body was taken to Huatabampo, Sonora for burial which occurred on December 5, 1960.
Ricardo died of a heart attack at 4.30 in the afternoon on December 19, 1960 in Mexico City, at the age of 57 years. His body was taken to Huatabampo, Sonora for burial which occurred on December 5, 1960.
Ana María Unger Ferreira was born on December 15, 1904 at th Unger home on Arsenal and baptized on March 3, 1905 at the Santa Iglesia in Mazatlán. Her godparents were Emilia Ferreira Hidalgo, her maternal aunt and her husband. Gustav Adolf Eimbcke Dietz 1868–1950. Ana María sadly died when she was two years old, on December 31, 1906 from severe edema of glottis
Carlos Ernesto Unger Ferreira was the second son of Fritz and María and was born on October 23, 1906 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. It is not sure for whom he was named, but it could have been for Carlos Luis Volquardsen who was a friend of the Unger’s. His middle name, Ernest, was popular in the Unger family and comes from his great great-grandmother Ernestine Wurm. His birth was registered on November 5, 1906 and the witnesses were his uncle Gustav Eimbcke and Otto Meyer and he was baptized on March 16, 1907 at the Santa Iglesia Catedral in Mazatlán, where his godparents were his uncle Don Manuel Jorge Hidalgo Urriolagoytia 1878 – 1915 and his grandmother Doña Carlota Hidalgo Navarro.
Carlos went to school in Germany and then entered the Technische Hochschule in Berlin where he studied electrical engineering. Whilst studying in Berlin, Carlos lived with his paternal aunt Ernestine Dorothea Therese Unger 1874–1953, known as Ernie who lived in Berlin with her two children, Richard Weihe and Margaret Emma Marie Weihe 1905–2006. He also spent time with his uncle Willie, his father’s brother. |
Whilst in Germany he sent many letters home to his mother, telling her about his travels, his friends and giving her updates and news about his father’s family. He even writes about his English girlfriend, Marjorie, whom he dated during the summer.
Berlin-Lankwitz 20 Jan 1930
Since the 12th of this month I am back at Berlin. The holidays were very nice. I was in the mountains for almost four days, 4 days in Zugspritz and the rest of the time in Oberammergau where I made daily tips to the surrounding mountains. The ‘Laber’ is here which is 1800 meters high, the ‘Pirschling with 1500 meters, the ‘Aufacker’ with 1500 meters and the Hochplatt with 1800 meters. I made these trips with my friends from over there; Hermann Haur, son of the master where I live each year and Tom Prissinger, brother to the young girl who will represent Saint Magdalena en the ‘Passionspiele’. They are both fine youths of 17 years old and excellent skiers
On May 7, 1937, when he was 31 years old, he married Dora Ofelia Almada at Mazatlán, Sinaloa. In the 1940s he worked closely with his cousin, Hector Ferreira Acosta who along with Carlos's brother in law, Silvano Perez Ramos, owned Pesquera Industrializadora. S.A., in Guaymas, Sonora. Carlos was in charge of the supervision of the construction of the of the ice plant, along with his brother Kurt, who was the administrator of the company.
Later, Carlos and his family went to live in Mexico City. In 1960 he was working as an electrical engineer in a large freezing plant, and due to time spent in the cold units he caught pneumonia. He died on April 20, 1957 when he was only 51 years old.
Later, Carlos and his family went to live in Mexico City. In 1960 he was working as an electrical engineer in a large freezing plant, and due to time spent in the cold units he caught pneumonia. He died on April 20, 1957 when he was only 51 years old.
Federico was the third son of Fritz and Maria Unger and was born on June 28, 1908 in Mazatlán. On August 15, 1908, Federico was baptized with the name Friedrich Wilhelm Unger, named for his great grandfather F. W. Unger 1810-1876, however he was always known as Federico. His godparents were his uncle Gustavo Eimbcke (married to Maria´s sister, Emilia Ferreira Hidalgo) and his grandmother Carlota Hidalgo Navarro.
Like his brothers Federico was sent to Germany for his schooling. |
On October 19, 1937 Federico married Adela Boner Galindo, daughter of Cesar Boner of Dortmund, Germany and Antonia Galindo. They were married at the Santa Iglesia Catedral, Mazatlán, Sinaloa.
In 1943 he crosses the border at Nogales, giving his address as Melchor Ocampo and German Evers, Mazatlán, Sinaloa and is described as 5ft 11 inches in height, of a dark complexion, with black hair and brown eyes.
He was involved in several businesses in Mazatlán including 'Mariscos Tropicales' S. A, with Juan Gavica and Fernando Fuentevilla
After his father’s death in 1941 he was given a post at the Cervezería Pacifico in Mazatlán.
In 1943 he crosses the border at Nogales, giving his address as Melchor Ocampo and German Evers, Mazatlán, Sinaloa and is described as 5ft 11 inches in height, of a dark complexion, with black hair and brown eyes.
He was involved in several businesses in Mazatlán including 'Mariscos Tropicales' S. A, with Juan Gavica and Fernando Fuentevilla
After his father’s death in 1941 he was given a post at the Cervezería Pacifico in Mazatlán.
María del Carmen Unger Ferreira was the eldest daughter of Fritz and María and was born on June 22, 1910 at the Unger home on Arsenal in Mazatlán. She was named after her great aunt, Maria Dorotea Carmen Hidalgo Navarro (sister to Carlota Hidalgo. Navarro), and baptized on August 15, 1910 at the Santa Iglesia, Mazatlán. Her godparents were Jose Maria Menchaca and wife Maria Dorotea Carmen Hidalgo Navarro, represented in their absence by Pablo Hidalgo Navarro and Carlota Hidalgo Navarro.
Maria del Carmen, apart from studying in Germany also attended Menlo Park in California. She was fluent in English, Spanish and German. |
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When she was just 19 years-old she fell in love with Silvano Leopoldo Perez Ramos (1900–1975) from Sayula, Jalisco, Mexico, who had been living in Mazatlán since 1925. Fritz and María were horrified, considering that Maria del Carmen was far too young to be married, and made great plans to huddle her off to Europe to stay with her aunt Mieze in Bremen, in the hope that she would forget her romance, or at least gain another year in maturity. This plan, which was arranged through letters to and from Fritz, who was in Mazatlán and María, who was in San Francisco for the summer, involved Fritz’s mother-in-law, Carlota (who would finance the travel arrangements), Carlos (who would meet up with Maria del Carmen and accompany her to Germany, and Mieze Bucking nee Unger, with whom Maria del Carmen would reside in Bremen. All was done in secret, yet somehow María del Carmen found out and before she could be sent to Europe, she eloped with Silvano, marrying him in Durango, with no family members present, on October 14, 1929. After their marriage, the couple travelled to Laredo, Texas and crossed the border to the United States.
However, by May 15, 1930 the young couple had returned to Mazatlán to live and Silvano was accepted warmly by all members of the family, more so since Maria del Carmen was pregnant with their first grandchild.
On July 31, 1930 Carmen, eight months pregnant with her first child, travelled to California, where Silvano’s mother lived, and on August 21, 1930, their daughter Olga Patricia was born in San Francisco. María del Carmen and Silvano had several children and lived in Mazatlán, Guaymas, Nogales and Hermosillo. July 1934 travelling with three children aboard S.S. Santa Lucia from Mazatlán to San Francisco where Silvano had business. They give their address in San Francisco as, 3055 California Street, the home of Silvano’s mother, María Rosa de Perez Ramos. (Also travelling with them is Carmen’s cousin, Adelaide Ortega Ferreira, who was married Edmundo Avendaño Tarriba and her mother Adelaide Ferreira Vargas (1866–1948), (daughter of Jesus María Ferreira Pesqueira)
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Silvano died on February 27, 1975 in Hermosillo, Sonora, México
In 1912 the family travelled to Germany whilst María was several months pregnant with her seventh child. Whilst staying with her sister in law Mieze and Dr. Bucking, Maria gave birth to a baby boy on April 27, 1912. He was named Paul Alexander Unger, after Paul Isenberg, the husband of Federico’s maternal aunt, Beta Glade. Sadly, the baby boy was not healthy, and despite the attentions and efforts of Dr. Kurt Bucking, he died when he was 1 month 8 days old. He was buried on June 6, 1912 in the cemetery Friedhof Butentor Walle, alongside his great grandmother, Ernestine Wilhelmine Beata Unger nee Wurm 1814-1901. Two years later in 1914, when María gave birth to their next son, (Kurt Alfred Unger Ferreira) they named him after Kurt Bucking in thanks for his attentions to baby Paul.
Kurt Alfredo Unger Ferreira was named after his uncle, Kurt Bücking, who was married to Mieze Unger, his father’s sister. He was born on November 22, 1914 in San Francisco, California, United States, and like his siblings was sent as a young boy to school in Germany.
On June 29, 1926, when he was 11 years-old he travelled to San Francisco, accompanied by his sister Ana Luisa, in order to attend the Commerce High School in San Francisco. He would remain in San Francisco until 1934, living at 2846 Washington Street, with his aunt Victoria Savin (widow of Padilla) and her children. In the United States Census of 1930 he can be seen living at this address, with his aunt Victoria. |
About 1936 Kurt married Margot Rubín Rivas. Due to the ‘red terror’ massacre of thousands of clergy in Spain in the summer of 1936, and the persecution of priests in Mexico, the couple decided to have an inconspicuous marriage at the family ranch at San Rafael, about 7 km from Mazatlán. Kurt and Margot had four children, three girls and one boy.
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In 1959 he was the general manager of El Dorado Hotel, which was owned by Luis Patron Rivas, his brother-in-law Jaime Tarriba Rodil, and Mario Huerta.
Some American resort owners could take lessons from the way Mexicans conduct their hotels and fishing fleets. We are staying at Luis Patron's El Dorado, where Luis and his general manager, Kurt Unger, spare nothing to make you feel utterly at ease. All of their employers have been carefully trained and most of them speak excellent English. In fact, you hardly know you are in a foreign country while in the hotel. |
Ana Luisa Unger Ferreira, known as ‘Licha’, was born in San Francisco on November 28, 1916 and attended school in Germany like her siblings.
On Jan 12, 1938 Licha married Don Victor Manuel Patron Rivas (1915–2009) at the Santa Iglesia, Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Victor and Licha lived all their lives in Mazatlán.
Carlota Alicia Unger Ferreira was named after her maternal grandmother Carlota Hidalgo Navarro, and was born on July 8, 1918 at the house on Arsenal, in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. Her birth was registered on July 20, 1918 and the witnesses were Gustavo Bovig Burmeister, the partner of her father in Casa Melchers and Otto Meyer.
As all of her siblings she was sent to Germany to study and was promising artist, taking after her the family of her father. She enjoyed sculpture as well as oil and water painting. About 1936 she married Luis Saenz Ochoa, Son of Luis Alberto Saenz Plancharte and Ana Margarita Ochoa Irigoyen. Carlota and Luis had 5 children. |
María del Rosario Unger Ferreira was born on January 25, 1925 at the Unger's home on Calle Arsenal in Mazatlán but only lived for 1 hour, dying of asphyxia.
Beatriz Unger Ferreira was born July 20, 1927 at Arsenal #214, Mazatlán and her birth was registered on August 30. The witnesses were Don Walter Melchers and Georg Hauss.She died on May 5, 2001 in Cuauhtémoc, Distrito Federal, Mexico
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