Henry Jacob Jabusch (1893 - 1986)

Born 7 Dec 1893 in Acadia, Louisiana, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Gertrude (Wirtz) Jabusch — married 4 Nov 1918 in Crowley, Acadia, Louisiana, United States

Descendants

Died 27 Mar 1986 at age 92 in Crowley, Acadia, Louisiana, United States

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Biography

Henry Jacob Jabusch, son of Robert C. Jabusch and Magdalena Heintz, was born 7 December 1893 in Acadia, Louisiana. He married Gertrude Wirtz 4 November 1918 in Crowley, Acadia, Louisiana. Gertrude, daughter of Alphonse C. and Lina Iona Kilmer, was born 22 January 1900 in Acadia, Louisiana. They had 3 children.

12 May 1910 U.S. Federal Census Ward 4, Acadia Parish, LA -Henry, 16, was living with his parents and siblings. He could read and write.

Henry and his brother, Robert C Jr., helped their father, Robert C., Sr., on the family rice farm on McCain Road in Acadia Parish.

5 June 1917 WWI Draft Registration -Henry, 23, served as a United States Army Private in World War I. He was single. Henry was described as white, medium height and built, light blue eyes, and light brown hair.

18 January 1918 - Henry was officially discharged from service. After the war, Henry married his sweetheart, Gertrude. He continued to farm rice.

27 February 1930 U. S. Federal Census Ward 4, Acadia Parish, LA - Henry 24, Gertrude 22, Anna Mae 3 months. Henry and his family were living with his parents. Henry’s occupation was farm laborer. He was paying rent.

3 April 1930 U.S. Federal Census Ward 4, Acadia Parish, LA -Henry 36, Gertrude 30, Annie Mae 10, Frederick 8, Frank 5. Henry occupation was farmer on what was called Gray Road.

1939 -When Henry’s father, Robert, died the land he owned and farmed was divided among Henry and his 2 siblings. The old Jabusch house was standing smack dab on the boundary of Henry and his sister Annie’s property. Henry took the task of moving the house onto his property by using one mule and a bunch of round logs. The process was slow, and it took days to move the house through the rice field approximately one-half mile to its present location. (19th Annual Germanfest Publication October 3, 2013 as told by Frank Jabusch)

2 May 1940 U.S. Federal Census Ward 4, Acadia Parish, LA -Henry 46, Gertrude 40, Anna Mae 20, Frederick 18, Frank 15. Henry’s occupation was rice farmer.

Henry farmed some cotton. He also raised cattle, mules and a horse. In the barnyard, he and Gertrude raised chickens, geese, Muscovy ducks, guineas, turkeys, turkeys, pigeons, and pigs. Henry had a very large truck patch and garden. He had a potato patch and he fixed some screen shelves to keep the air flowing for his potatoes to preserve them. Frank remembered hunting doves and geese with his daddy. On Sundays, the family came over for barbeque lamb, and they would sit under the shade tree to visit. Sometimes he played an old Sears Roebuck accordion. Every now and then he would come out with some German sayings to just confuse his children. (19th Annual Germanfest Publication October 3, 2013 as told by Frank Jabusch)

Gertrude also was born and raised on a rice farm. Her father, Alphonse Wirtz was one the early families to settle in the Ellis area north of Crowley. (19th Annual Germanfest Publication October 3, 2013) She would gather eggs for family use and to sell. One grandson remembered that his grandmother made dark black gravy, fried thick slices of bacon that she sliced with the rind still on and a German rabbit dish, Hasenpfeffer.

Henry Jacob died 27 March 1986 in Crowley, and Gertrude died 3 March 1987 in Crowley. They were both laid to rest in the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum, Crowley.

Sources

• Family info. and stories, 19th Annual Germanfest Publication October 3, 2013 as told by Frank Jabusch (The Crowley Post Signal, Crowley, Acadia, LA)