The history of the Le Bert line is rather short. It begins
with Christian Lebert, who was born on February 14, 18161,2 in the Grand Duchy of Baden.
In the 20th century, the Le Bert family claimed Alsatian
French origins. They might have adopted this identity because Germans in the
United States were persecuted during the First World War and hated even more
after the Second World War. However, the “Le Bert” surname spelling is present
in publications from Denver, Colorado as early as 1884.
A French influence in Baden is undeniable. During French
Revolutionary Wars, Baden initially fought against France but switched sides in
1805 and joined Napoleon’s France in the War of the Third Coalition. In 1806,
Baden became a Grand Duchy and joined the Confederation of the Rhine, which was
created by Napoleon and included 16 German states. The Napoleonic Wars ended in
November 1815, just before Christian was born, and Baden became a sovereign
nation within the German Confederation. Although Baden was German during
Christian’s childhood, his parents would have had recent memories of living
under French authority.
There is evidence of French spelling of the Le Bert surname
that dates to the period of the Napoleonic Wars. Eugene LeBert, Sr. owned a
silver cigar box that was engraved with the following:
Offert à François Le Bert, vaillant
soldat de la Garde Impériale de Napoléon, pour m’avoir sauvé la vie, à la
Bataille de Waterloo.
Paris, 3 Septembre 1815. Jules Devos
The connection,
if any, between this Fran
çois Le Bert and Christian Lebert is unclear. Shortly
before the battle of Waterloo, Baden again changed its allegiance and joined
the German Confederation, which was allied with England in opposition to
Napoleon. Further, it seems unlikely that a citizen of Baden would have joined
Napoleon’s Imperial Guard rather than serving with a regiment from Baden.
Finally, although family legend suggested that François Le Bert was some sort
of ancestor, one story said that Eugene LeBert, Jr. had found the cigar box in
a shop and purchased it because it referred to a Le Bert.
Thus, the LeBert story begins with Christian Lebert of Baden,
who immigrated to Buffalo, New York, probably in the late 1830s or early 1840s.
To date no records have been found to identify either his family in Baden or
his arrival in the United States.
The earliest evidence of Christian’s life in Buffalo is an
entry in an 1842 business directory, which shows his occupation as a machinist at
Buffalo Steam Engine Works.3 However,
he could have been in Buffalo by 1838 or earlier. A certificate
dated April 21, 1848 states:
This is to certify that Christian Lebert has served as a Fireman for the
City of Buffalo the full term required by Law and is entitled to all the
exemptions and privileges secured thereby.
Witness the hand of the Mayor and the Seal of said City. This twenty-first day of April 1848.
According to the History of the Volunteer Fire Department
of Buffalo, New York, in 1838 the Mayor was directed to issue certificates
of exemption to “those who had served the time required by law, which was then
ten years.” 4
The occupation “machinist” suggests that Christian was a
skilled worker who built and/or repaired machines. He probably served an
apprenticeship to learn his trade. He continued working as a machinist or
mechanic for most of his life,5 but he also was
involved in other enterprises. According to an 1844 business directory,
Christian was as a brass and bell founder associated with the firm of Lebert
and Miller.6 This firm persisted for several years
but dissolved in May 1848. The following notice appeared in various issues The
Buffalo Daily Republic in June, July, and August 1848:7
Christian’s last occupation shown in a city directory
was “model maker.”8 This occupation
suggests that he might have had some artistic talent, which is not surprising.
His son Christian, Jr. and his great-grandson Eugene were artists.
On July 6, 1848, Christian appeared before the Erie County
court and declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States. He
swore an oath renouncing forever “all allegiance to any foreign Prince, Potentiate,
State or Sovereignty whatsoever and particularly to the Duke of Baden.” He
appeared before the court again on September 16, 1852, when he solemnly swore
to support the Constitution of the United States and “absolutely and entirely”
renounced his allegiance to the Duke of Baden. Upon swearing this oath, he was
admitted to “all the rights and privileges of a citizen of the United States of
America.”9
Christian Lebert married Frances Obermeyer,2 who usually was called Fanny. According to
Richard LeBert’s handwritten records, Fanny was the daughter of John Obermeyer2 (spelled “Oppermeyer” in some church records10). She
was born in Munich, Bavaria on November 22, 1829.2,11 To date no records have been found to
identify her family in Munich or provide specifics of her arrival in the United
States.
Likewise, no marriage records have been found.
According the 1900 census, Fanny arrived in the United States in 1849.12 Since they came from different German states,
it is unlikely that Christian knew Fanny before her arrival in Buffalo.
However, Fanny’s and Christian’s first child was born in October 1850, which
gave them little time for courtship between their meeting and their marriage.
Christian and Fanny Lebert had the following five
children:
Richard LEBERT was born in Buffalo on October 23,
1850.2, 13 He was christened in St. Peter's German
Evangelical Church on April 21, 1851.13 His
sponsor Michael Demuth. Two Demuth children were baptized the same day with
Christian and Fanny Le Bert as sponsors.
Fannie LEBERT was born in Buffalo on September 8,
18532 and died there on April 4, 1857.2
Maria LEBERT was born in Buffalo on April 13, 18562 and died there on April 2, 1857.2
Christian LEBERT, Jr. was born in Buffalo on February 15,
1858.2
Eugene William LEBERT was born on January 9. 1861.2 The family Bible, as translated by Richard
LeBert, shows that he was born in Hamilton, Ontario, (Upper Canada),2 but census records say that he was born in New
York;14 if so, that location probably is Buffalo.15
Although he lived mainly in Buffalo, there is evidence
that a Christian Lebert was in Hamilton, Upper Canada in the early 1860s. The
1861 Upper Canada census for Hamilton lists a Christian Labert (Lebert?) living
without his family.16 The Hutchinson’s Hamilton City
Directory, 1862-1863 shows a Christian “Lebrt” residing in the city at
Caroline and York; his occupation is “machinist.”
Adding confusion to his movements, the 1860 and 1861 Buffalo
city directories list Christian Lebert, a machinist working at the corner of
Court and Pearl Streets and residing at 34 Batavia Street.17a
However, he is not listed in the 1862 or 1863 directory.
In any case, Christian was living in Buffalo at 34
Batavia Street by 1864. In April of that year, he petitioned the city for
permission to build a wooden addition to his house to be used as a kitchen.17b
The petition was referred to the Committee on Fire.18 In addition,
Christian is listed in the 1864 Buffalo city directory.5
Christian
Lebert died in Buffalo on January 7, 1866,19 leaving Fannie a widow
with three sons. The eldest son, Richard, largely supported the family by
working as a clerk for the Erie Railway Co. According to the 1875 New
York State census, Fannie contributed to their support as a dealer in
groceries.14 Richard was also involved in this business (see Richard
LeBert).
In 1880,
Richard moved west and settled in Denver, Colorado. Fannie soon joined Richard
in Denver, as did her other sons, Christian, Jr. and Eugene. The city directory
for 1884 showed all four residing together at 681 Holladay Street, one of the
oldest streets in Denver. Eugene was a fireman for the Denver and Rio Grande
Railway, while Christian was an artist.20
According
to a family story, Eugene was suffering from tuberculosis. On October 29, 1884,
he died at home.2,21 On the following day, Rocky Mountain Lodge No.
77 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen adopted several
resolutions, including that “as a token of respect for the memory
of our dead brother, our Charter be draped in mourning for the space of thirty
days, and a copy of the resolutions be forwarded to the bereaved family…”22
Fanny
LeBert died in Denver on November 8, 1905.11 The funeral was held at
the family home, 2747 Arapahoe Street, where she still lived with Christian,
Jr.23
 |
| Artwork by Christian LeBert, Jr. |
Following
his mother’s death, Christian, Jr. continued to live in the family home and
work as a painter. According to the family, he painted sets for the Elitch Theater.
This theater, founded in 1891, was home to the oldest summer stock theatre in the
United States. In 1905 and 1906, performers included the famous and soon-to-be
famous: Cecil B. DeMille, Sarah Bernhardt, and Douglas Fairbanks.24
On January
30, 1906, Christian, Jr. married Elizabeth B. Ross.25 Unfortunately,
the couple were not to enjoy a long marriage or have a family. Christian, Jr.
died just over a year later, on April 7, 1907.2,26 He was buried
beside his mother and his brother Eugene in a plot that Richard had purchased
at Riverside Cemetery. The deed for the plot specified “perpetual care” of the
graves. However, the perpetual care lasted less than 100 years. In 2001,
Riverside Cemetery lost its “handshake agreement” to water rights from
the South Platte River. Without irrigation turf grass and trees died. By 2008,
the cemetery was covered with weeds, patches native grass, and many dead or
dying trees.27
Source Citations
1.
St. Peter's German Evangelical Church, "Church Records,
1848-1968." (Microfilm copy of original records at New Covenant United
Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY. Family History Library FHL US/CAN Film
1381672.), Christian LeBert Funeral Record.
2. Richard
LeBert (translator), Card with handwritten translation of original entries in
the LeBert Family Bible (in old German script) and supplemental information;
also the Bible with original entries.
3. Genealogy
Trails Transcription Team. City Directory, 1842 Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
Genealogy Trails: Erie County, New York Genealogy and History. [Online] http://genealogytrails.com/ny/erie/1842buffalodirectory_pg3.html.
Accessed 4 Apr. 2023.
4
Enders, M. (Ed.). 1906. History of the Volunteer Fire Department of Buffalo, New York. Buffalo, NY: Wm. Graves, Printer.
Page 13.
5.
Ancestry.com Operations Inc, "U.S., City Directories,
1822-1995" (Lehi, UT: 2011), Buffalo, New York, City Directory, 1864,
citing Christian Lebert.
6.
FamilySearch, "United States City and Business Directories, ca.
1749 - ca. 1990" (https://www.familysearch.org),
(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZNV-4RHC : 24 January 2022),
Christian Lebert, 1844.
7. The
Buffalo Daily Republic, Buffalo, NY: 10 Jul 1848, page 1. [Online]
Newspapers.com. Accessed April 19, 2023.
8.
Ancestry.com Operations Inc, "U.S., City Directories,
1822-1995" (Lehi, UT: 2011), Buffalo, New York, City Directory, 1865,
citing Christian Lebert.
9. State
of New York, Erie County Court. Original document granting U.S. citizenship to
Christian Lebert dated 16 September 1852. In possession of Annette Smith.
10. St. Peter's German Evangelical Church,
"Church Records, 1848-1968." (Microfilm copy of original records at
New Covenant United Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY. Family History Library FHL
US/CAN Film 1381672.), Funeral records for Fanny and Maria LeBert.
11.
Colorado Department of Health, Death Certificate - Frances Obermeyer
LeBert, File No. 7747. Photocopy of original issued May 27, 1981.
12.
1900 United States Federal Census (Denver, Arapahoe, Colorado,
Enumeration District 35, Roll 117, Sheet 8.
Completed June 8, 1900. US
Census Images Online, Ancestry.com and microfilm T-1062 #475 (in archives at
Denver Federal Center).
13.
“St. Peter's German Evangelical Church,
Church Records 1848-1968.” (Microfilm
copy of original records at New Covenant United Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY.
Family History Library FHL US/CAN Film 1381672.). Richard LeBert christening
record.
14.
Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. (Buffalo Ward 4, Erie,
New York; Roll: M593_933; Page: 465A). Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2009.
15.
Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1875. (Erie County, Second
District, Fourth Ward, Page 47). Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
16.
1861 Census of Canada. Hamilton, St. Andrew’s Ward, page 84. [Microfilm
C-1092]
17a. The
Commercial Advertiser Directory City of Buffalo, 1861. Buffalo: R. Wheeler
& Co. 1861. [Online] The
Commercial Advertiser Directory for the City of Buffalo, [etc.] - Google Books.
17b. Buffalo
Daily Courier, Buffalo, NY: April 12, 1864, page 1. [Online]
Newspapers.com, accessed April 19, 2023.
18. Buffalo
Morning Express, Buffalo, NY: April 12, 1864, page 3. [Online]
Newspapers.com, accessed April 19, 2023.
19.
City of Buffalo, Division of Vital Statistics, Transcript of Death -
Christian LeBert (Vol. 3 - Cert. 239).
20. “United
States City and Business Directories, ca. 1749 - ca. 1990”, database,
FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org
/ark:/61903/1:1:6Z2K-HZQS, accessed February 1, 2022), citing Mrs. Frances
Le Bert, 1884. Source Publication: City directory of the inhabitants,
institutions, incorporated companies, manufacturing establishments, business,
business firms, etc. in the city of Denver, 1884 (twelfth annual), page 416.
21. “Death of Mr. Eugene Le Bert.” Rocky
Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, October 30, 1884, page 6. [Online] https://www.genealogybank.com/.
Accessed May 10, 2023.
22. Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine, Volume 9, page 53.
23. The Denver Post. Died. Denver,
CO: November 7, 1905, page 11. [Online] [Online] https://www.genealogybank.com/.
Accessed April 21, 2023.
24. The
Historic Elitch Theatre. [Online] https://historicelitchtheatre.org/.
Accessed May 10, 2023.
25.
Colorado State Archives, Historical Records Index, Database online at http://www.colorado.gov/dpa
/doit/archives/hrd/index.htm. Accessed
June 5, 2006, Record ID 1617133.
26. Rocky Mountain News. Died.
Denver, CO: November 7, 1905, page 11. [Online] [Online] https://www.genealogybank.com/.
Accessed April 22, 2023.
27.
Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery. “Welcome to Riverside.” 2008.
{Online} Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery
(friendsofriversidecemetery.org). Accessed May 11, 2023.
