The Arts

Louis Amateis in Studio (Architect of the Capitol, Washington, DC).

We seldom think much about “The Arts” when speaking of the Imles. Not that they were uncultured, just agrarian, at least the earlier ones. But Helen Imle, daughter of Christian (“Chris”) and Alta Imle, did provide a connection to The Arts when, around the time of the second World War, she married Harold Louis Amateis. For Harold had been born 5 Mar 1908 in DC to Louis and Dora (Ballin) Amateis, an artistic family of greatness and tragedy.

Harold’s father, Louis was born 13 Dec 1855 in Turin, Italy, where he was educated at the Institute of Technology and also the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the latter awarding him a gold medal for his work. After further studies in Paris and Milan, Louis immigrated to the United States in 1882, living first in New York City and then, after marrying, in Washington DC. It was at the nation’s capital that Louis achieved real fame, by his sculptures and by his founding and heading of the School of Architecture and Fine Arts at Columbian (now, George Washington) University. Although best known for the bronze “Amateis Doors” that graced the west front entrance to the Capitol (now on display within the building), Louis also sculpted the Heurich Mausoleum in Rock Creek Cemetery, the Qualities of Womanhood spandrels on Hearst Hall near the National Cathedral, and busts of Chester A. Arthur, Winfield Scott Hancock, General John Logan, and Andrew Carnegie, among others. His Texas Revolution Monument was erected in Galveston, and his Nathan Baldwin memorial, in Milford, Connecticut.

Amateis Doors (Architect of the Capitol).

But the family’s life of fame and fortune included a significant measure of distress. the first child Edmond, died a violent death on 4 Aug 1896 from accidental burns with carbolic acid. (A later son was named “Edmond Romulus Amateis” in his honor.) And at the height of his fame, on 16 Mar 1913, at the relatively young age of 57, Louis died suddenly from a stroke, leaving behind a widow and three sons, Roland Paul, the second Edmond, and Harold, the youngest, who had just turned five.

It was too much for Louis’s widow to take. A year later, on 12 Sep 1914, after setting up some small investments to care for her children, Dora placed a shotgun to her side and pulled the trigger.

Two of the three children were old enough to take care of themselves, but Harold had to be placed in St. John’s orphanage in Washington, DC, where he may have received little consideration. The orphanage incorrectly claimed that Harold had been born in Italy, with Italian as his first language. 

Our Amateis story does not end here but this is sufficient for now. A continuation will follow.

All genealogical data reported in these posts are from primary and/or reputable secondary sources, or reliable transcriptions thereof, and never from online trees. Contact the author to request sources, which have been omitted here to improve readability. Permission is granted to use any posted material for any purpose as long as this source is cited.

Adam Imle 100th Birthday

Elizabeth ('Liz") Smith, daughter of Edgar Imle and granddaughter of Fred Imle (and grandniece of Adam Imle), sent me a copy of the newspaper article (unknown newspaper, unknown date) about the 100th birthday of Adam Imle (2 Apr 1980).

ADAM IMLE OBSERVES 100^TH BIRTHDAY

In honor of their father and grandfather’s birthday, the following enjoyed dinner at the Colonial Kitchen on Sunday, March 30, Mrs. Mary Tapscott of Denver, Colorado,  Mr. & Mrs. John Tapscott of South Plainfield, N.J., Mr. & Mrs. James M. Tapscott and daughters, Kirsten and Andellyn of Perry Park, Colorado, Bob Tapscott and son, Michael of Albuquerque, N.M., Mr. & Mrs. Glen Imle II and Michelle & Jimmy of Waukegan, Ill., Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hartman & son, Peter of Land O Lakes, Wis., Mr. & Mrs. George Mobley & George II, Mr. & Mrs. James Goad, Michelle, & Jimmy, all of Terre haute, and Mr. & Mrs. Harold Imle.

In the afternoon, they met at the Burnsides Nursing Home where cake and punch were served to all and to the honored guest, Adam Imle, and Mr. Herman Imle, whose birthday was the previous week.

They were joined by Mr. & Mrs. Bob Dunlap, Mr. & Mrs. Dave Tennis and Calab and Keith Dunlap of Terre Haute, and Mr. & Mrs. Mark Dunlap of Paris, Ill. Several other relatives and friends called.

Mr. Imle was born in Gundelback [sic] Wurtemberg [sic], Germany April 2, 1880. He came with his parents, sister and three brothers to America. They landed in New York on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1881. From New York, they came to Illinois and settled in Darwin township, where he lived his entire life, until the last 10 years which he has spent in nursing homes.

He received greetings from many states of the Union, including one from President Carter, and Governor Thompson of Illinois.

A nephew, Ernest Imle, of Aldelphi [sic], Maryland, who had visited Germany in 1975, sent him pictures of the house where he and his sister and brothers were born. The grandson and great-grandson of the Mr. Schillinger's who bought the land and house and vineyards of his father, still operate it.

And here is the letter from Jimmy Carter:

Ferne Collier Imle

I was sorry to hear of the death of Ferne Collier Imle, widow of John Frederick Imle Sr., who was a son of my Great Aunt and Uncle Clara Josephine Coldren and Frederick Christian Imle ("Uncle Fred"). Her obituary is shown below.

Sunset Funeral Home, San Antonio, Texas

In Memory of

Ferne Collier Imle

June 16, 1912 - April 29, 2013

Ferne Collier Imle, 1912-2013, age 100, passed away on April 29th at home in NE San Antonio. After her marriage in 1938, she had lived almost continuously in San Antonio except for brief periods on the island of Trinidad and in Dallas and Houston.

She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, John F. Imle, a pioneering geophysicist, in 1993. Ferne is survived by her son John of New York City, his wife Janet and by three granddaughters - Kara of Anchorage, AK.; Patricia and Barbara of Southern California. Ferne was born in Chillicothe, MO. on June 16, 1912, one of five siblings (Albert, her twin sister Frances, Margaret and Wyatt), all of whom predeceased her. She lived a full and interesting life and was a devoted wife and mother and always a most gracious lady.

A memorial service will be held at The Inn at Los Patios, 8700 Post Oak Lane, on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. Private entombment will be at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 8415 Wurzbach Road; San Antonio, TX. 78229; phone: (210) 617-2600.

Biting Off More Than I Can Chew

I am probably biting off much more than I can chew.

I am beginning work (finally) on a book on the Imles. But at the same time, I am finishing up books on my wife's family, the Wehners of Southeast Missouri, and my father's family, the Tapscotts of Virginia, The Imle's (my mother's family) are easily traced since, to date, I have found no-one with that name, as spelled, in the U.S. to whom I am not related. One of the most difficult things is coming up with a name for the book. The second line will be "the Imle Family." But the first line?

It could be "Stock" (German for Roots), but that has been used and "Stock" is the same for English words of a different meaning. "Aus Gündelbach" ("Out of Gündelbach") is a possibility, but it seems a little too simplistic, and, besides, an umlaut in a book title makes referencing more difficult. "Die Winzer von Gündelbach" (the Winemakers of Gündelbach) is nice, but they quit making wine when they got to the U.S., the family are mostly teetotallers now (which means that relatives would be upset), and there is still that darn umlaut. Any suggestions? Right now it is just "The Imle Family", but I want something catchy. I need help.