Posts

Hans Henry Jurgens

Image
Hans Jurgens was my grandfather and the son of Johann Jurgens from his second marriage.  Early Years Here are two photos of Hans in his school classrooms in Brooklyn, New York. In the first photo, Hans is seated in the third row from the left, the sixth student from the front. On the blackboard in the back of the classroom "class 1a" is written. This is his first grade class photo. Hans is in the third row from the left, the sixth student from the front. In the second photo, Hans is in the far right row, the fourth student from the front. I'm guessing this is his second grade class photo. Hans is in the far right row, the fourth student from the front. Other photos of Hans as a child appear in the earlier blog, Family Photographs. Places Lived Hans was born on July 20, 1900, in Hoboken, New Jersey. His registered name at birth was Heinrich Hans Luthjens. The mystery behind his birth was explained in an earlier blog. See Family Records of Johann Jurgens. Throughout his lif...
Post a Comment
Read more

Johann Jurgens's Death

Image
 This will be sad to read, and it is hard for me to write. Yet it is part of our family history and might turn out to be helpful information. We all want to be proud of our ancestors, and certainly Johann Jurgens did many things for which we can feel proud. He was a gifted artist and a talented gymnast. He had the vision of bringing El Dorado Carousel to Coney Island even though circumstances ruined his chance to profit from it. I think, however, he never found a lasting peace of mind. Actually, very few do. Even in his business, Johann moved to a new place every few years, always looking for better opportunities. If we track his location by the time we know he was definitely there, here's what it looks like. Altona, Germany, 1856 birth; August 1881 German citizenship certificate Germany, 1887-1880 military service Meiningen, Germany, March 1886 first marriage New York, August 1887 immigration Buffalo, NY, March 1891 photo Hamburg, Germany, April 1894 birth of son Ernst; August 189...
Post a Comment
Read more

Large Artworks of Johann Jurgens

Image
A few examples of artworks created by Johann Jurgens were passed down in the family to Robert Jurgens, the only child of Johann's son from his first marriage. Johann's style was very art deco, which was popular in the 1920's and 1930's.  After several years of trying to find Robert, I finally located him living in New York. My sister and I were able to visit him on a trip we took to NYC, and we struck up a friendship that included frequent phone calls. Upon Robert's death, the artworks were designated in his will to go to me, although I am willing to share. I have given these names so that it is easier to refer to them. The first painting of the lady in the hat is framed. The translation of the inscription is "in remembrance of Chicago, 1928." It is the painting in the best condition. Robert had it on the wall next to his bed in his nursing home. Lady in Hat, 29" x 21", 1928 The following pair of framed horse portraits is very well executed. Ther...
Post a Comment
Read more

Johann's Career

Image
Introduction On various documents, Johann Jurgens listed his occupation as lithographer, draftsman, designer, and artist. He was all of the above. He was also an engraver, calligrapher, inventor, and patent holder. According to one of his grandsons, the name of Johann Jurgens was held in awe at New York's Printing House Square. I find his artwork to be amazing in design and execution. See a later blog post for Johann's large art pieces. Johann's Businesses Two drawings exist for a portrait business in New Jersey and an art studio in Chicago. I believe they were used for newspaper advertisements. Fortunately, we have a calligraphy drawing that shows what kinds of design work was done by Jurgens Art Studio in Chicago. Categories of design work at Jurgens Art Studio. Print Portfolio Thank you to Robert Jurgens, Johann's grandson from his first marriage, who saved the print portfolio that Johann used in his business. Samples of his work were glued onto large boards. Here ar...
Post a Comment
Read more