Konrad Fink

Konrad Fink

Konrad Fink, 1835-1916

• Father: Jacob Fink b. 4 June 1777, d. 12 November 1838
• Mother: Christina Marthaller b. 18 July 1795, d. 27 November 1876

• Konrad Fink was grocer and saloon keeper, according to the 1875 census.
• He was born on 2 August 1835 in Seißen, Württemberg.
• He was baptized/christened on 3 August 1835 in Seißen, Württemberg.
• He was confirmed in 1849 at Seißen, Württemberg.
• He applied in January 1854 in Blaubeuren, Württemberg, to emigrate.
• Konrad Fink departed circa 21 February 1854 from the Port of Le Havre, Normandy, France.
• Konrad Fink arrived in the Port of New York on 8 April 1854, Also a passenger on the Charles Thompson were Margaret Walter and Melchior Kelberer.
• He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Christian Fink on 7 June 1858 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara, Niagara Falls, New York.
• He married Margaretha Walter, daughter of Johann Gottlieb Walter and Johanna Stump, on 27 November 1858 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at Zion Lutheran Church.
• Konrad Fink and Margaretha Walter appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Christian Fink. Also in the household was Christina Fink, age 12 and born Württemberg, possibly sister of Konrad.
• He was a blacksmith, according to the 1860 census.
• He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Anna Maria Seitz on 20 January 1866 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
• He and Margaretha Fink witnessed the marriage of Georg R. Kölle and Cäcelie Walter on 19 October 1869 in Niagara County, New York; according to the churchbooks of Zion Lutheran Church.
• Konrad Fink and Margaretha Walter, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Christian Fink, Christiana Fink, Dora Fink, Jacob Fink and Margaret Fink.
• He was a grocer and saloon keeper, according to the 1870 census.
• Konrad Fink and Margaretha Walter appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1875 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Christian Fink, Christiana Fink, Dora Fink, Margaret Fink and Maria Elisabeth Fink.
• He was operating a grocery and saloon, according to the 17875 census.
• He and Anna Marie Kammerer witnessed the marriage of Samuel G. Ade and Christiana Fink on 23 June 1885 in Niagara Falls, New York; at the home of Konrad Fink.
• The following appeared on 5 September 1885 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Konrad Fink of Suspension Bridge, are visiting in Chicago.
• He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Emma Barbara Fink on 17 January 1886 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara County, New York; in Suspension Bridge.
• Konrad Fink became a widower at the 13 August 1887 death of his wife Margaretha Walter.
• The following appeared on 16 August 1887 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Fink, wife of Konrad Fink, President of the village of Suspension Bridge died at her residence Saturday afternoon, after a two weeks illness of typhoid fever. The deceased was about fifty-nine years of age, and came to this country from Germany with her husband about 30 years ago, nearly all of which time they have been residents of Suspension Bridge, where they have reared a family consisting of one son and four daughters, acquired a competency, and a high social standing in the community, for all of which this estimable lady did her full share. Her death has not only brought sorrow to her grief stricken family, but to a large circle of friends, whose sympathy will go out to the family and by whom the deceased will ever be held in fond remembrance.
       The funeral was observed yesterday afternoon from the German Lutheran Church Rev. O. A. Gallenkamp officiating. The remains rested in a cloth covered casket which was literally covered with beautiful floral tributes. The bearers were: Messrs. F. Weideman, Theadore Hager, Geo. Haberlie, M. Seifang, L. Elsheimer and L. Schmidt. The deceased was a member of the society of married ladies connected with the Lutheran church, and her death was the first that has occurred in the organization.
• He married Fredericka (?) circa June 1891.
• The following appeared on 6 June 1891 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Konrad Fink of Suspension Bridge, returned this morning from their bridal tour.
• The following appeared on 8 June 1891 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Konrad Fink of Suspension Bridge is enjoying a western trip and it is understood that he will bring a bride with him on his return.
• Konrad Fink became a widower at the 6 February 1892 death of his wife Fredericka (?)
• The following appeared on 7 February 1892 in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Mrs. Konrad Fink, wife of a prominent resident of Suspension Bridge, died Saturday, age 46 years.
• He married Margarete Walter, daughter of Andreas Walter and Katharine Schwartz, on 10 September 1895 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York, at Zion Lutheran Church parsonage.
• The following appeared on 11 September 1895 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Konrad Fink of Main street and his niece, Miss Maggie Walters, were married about 8 o'clock last evening at the parsonage of the German Lutheran church by the Rev. J. H. Asbeck. Mr. Fink is a well-known citizen and at present holds the office of assessor. He is 60 years old, while his bride is but 26 summers. It is Mr. Fink's third matrimonial venture. His second wife died thyree years ago. His children opposed the affair.
• The following appeared on 17 December 1896 in The Buffalo Courier: (Niagara Falls) Mrs. Christian Ade, wife of Samuel G. Ade of Chicago, died at the residence of her father, Assessor Conrad Fink of this city, last evening, aftrer a long illness, aged 35 years. A husband, two children and many relatives and friends survive her. The funeral is announced to take place from the residence of Mr. Fink at 10 o'clock Friday morning. The Rev. J. H. Asbeck, pastor of the German Zion's Church, officiating.
• The following appeared on 23 May 1897 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Konrad Fink of North Main Street are rejoicing over the arrival of a handsome baby girl.
• Konrad Fink appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 907 Niagara Avenue. Other members of the household included Margarete Walter, Marie Ruth Fink, Dora Fink and Samuel K. Ade.
• He was a saloon keeper, according to the 1900 census.
• The following appeared on 20 July 1912 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Jacob Fink Left Estate of $5,000. Judge-Surrogate Charles Hickey in Surrogate's Court at Lockport yesterday granted letters testamentary on the estate of the late Jacob Fink, of Niagara Falls, to Mary Fink, the widow, and Konrad Fink, whose relationship is not stated in the papers. The property of the decedent is given as $5,000 real property and $300 personal property. There are four surviving children, two sons and two daughters, all residing in Niagara Falls.
• The following appeared on 20 May 1916 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: After an illness lasting about fifteen days, during which he was confined to his bed, Konrad Fink, one of the oldest residents of the city, passed away at his home at No. 915 Niagara avenue, this morning at 5:20 o'clock. He had been ailing since January.
       Mr. Fink was in his eightieth year. He was born in Seasan, Koenigreich, Wurtemburg and came to Niagara Falls when it was but a hamlet in 1854. He made his home at what was then Suspension Bridge and soon was numbered among its most prominent citizens.
       He was president of the village and also served as a trustee and assessor. He was a director of the Bank of Suspension Bridge, now the Peoples' Bank, from its inception in 1886 and was the oldest bank director in point of service in the city.
       Mr. Fink belonged to several fraternal orders and soeicities. He was a charter member of Niagara Falls Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F., an Exempt Fireman, a trustee of the Zion Lutheran Church for twenty-one years, and president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association.
       Up until his retirement a few years ago, Mr. Fink conducted an inn at the corner of Main street and Niagara avenue. It was run along the same lines as the old country taverns. Farmers from far and near made it their rendezvous, and among them Mr. Fink had many dear friends. His was the soul of honor, and his virtues gave him a place of esteem in the hearts of all who knew him.
       Mr. Fink was twice married and besides his second wife he is survived by four daughters, Mrs. George Haeberle, Mrs. Charles Heywang, the Misses Dora and Marie, and one son, Christian, all of this city.
       The funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon from the above address and at 2:30 o'clock from the Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev. Herman Brezing officiating. Interment will be made at Oakwood cemetery.
• Konrad Fink died on 20 May 1916 at age 80 in New York.
• Margarete Walter became a widow at his death.
• He was interred on 22 May 1916 at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
• The following appeared on 22 May 1916 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: The funeral services of Konrad Fink were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home at No. 915 Niagara avenue and at 2:30 o'clock from the Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev. Herman Brezing officiating. Interment was made in Oakwood cemetery. The bearers were seven grandsons of the deceased: Samuel Ade, Walter Fink, Walter Haeberle, George Fink, Fred Fink, Carl Heywang and George Haeberle.
       Despite the bad weather a large number of the friends of Mr. Fink and the family attended the funeral at the church to pay their last respects. A large representation from Niagara Falls Lodge No. 81 I. O. O. F. and the Board of Directors of the People's Bank were present and the large number of floral tributes attested the esteem in which Mr. Fink was held.
       The Board of Directors of the People's Bank met in their office on Saturday night and drew up the following resolution on the death of their fellow director:
       "At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Peoples Bank of Niagara Falls held this day, the members of the board with profound sorrow place on record the death of Mr. Konrad Fink, their late associate and beloved friend.
       "In the death of Konrad Fink, there is removed from life the last member of the original Board of Directors of this institutiion. For thirty years Mr. Fink served the interests of htis bank with perfect loyalty and just estimate of his responsibilities; punctual in attendance at meetings of the directorate, his amiable disposition and lovable qualities assured him of the esteem and affection of his associates who feel a deep sense of loss in his death.
       "Our friend will be greatly missed from the councils of this board, and as a tribute to his memory and appreciation of long and valued service it is ordered that this minute be entered on the record of our proceedings, and a copy thereof forwarded to the bereaved family."
• A biographical sketch of Konrad Fink (1835-1916) appears in Niagara County, New York: One of the Most Wonderful Regions in the World , published in 1921:
       Konrad Fink, who maintained his residence in Niagara county for more than half a century, was one of the oldest and best known citizens of the north end of the city of Niagara Falls at the time of his death, on May 20, 1916. He had long been a substantial business man and influential citizen of the village of Suspension Bridge, and there continued to reside after the village had become an integral part of the city of Niagara Falls. He contributed to the civic and material upbuilding of the city and was known as a man of integrity and honor.
       Mr. Fink was born in the kingdom of Wurttemburg, Germany, Aug. 3, 1835, a son of Jacob Fink, and he was nearly eighty-one years of age at the time of his death. He acquired his youthful education in the schools of his native land and when eighteen years old came to the United States and established his home in Niagara county, N. Y., in 1854. He had previously become skilled at the blacksmith trade, and within a very short time he found employment in connection with the construction of the first suspension bridge across the Niagara river. He became one of the pioneer settlers and in 1857 found employment in the shops of the New York Central Railroad, at Niagara Falls. He continued in the employ of this railroad company ten years. In 1866 he opened a store on Cleveland avenue, and long conducted a prosperous enterprise in the handling of groceries and provisions. For the accommodation of his large and substantial business he finally erected, at the corner of Main street and Niagara avenue, one of the first substantial business blocks in the village of Suspension Bridge. Here, in addition to handling groceries and provisions, he maintained what was virtually an inn, and concerning this popular headquarters the following words have been written: "It was operated along the same lines as the old country taverns. Farmers from far and near made it their rendezvous, and among them Mr. Fink had many dear friends. His was the soul of honor, and his virtues gave him a place of esteem in the hearts of all who knew him." In 1913 Mr. Fink sold his business block when he retired, the remainder of his life being passed in generous comfort and ease at his attractive home, at No. 915 Niagara avenue.
       The sterling character and mature judgment of Mr. Fink gained him prominence and influence in connection with the communalo affairs of the village of Suspension Bridge, where he served several years as president of the village, besides having been a trustee after the adoption of the commission system of municipal government, his home village having in the meanwhile become consolidated with that of Niagara Falls, to form the city of the latter name. He served fifteen years as assessor, and after the consolodation with Niagara Falls he was for some time a member of the municipal water commission. He was always ready to aid in the furtherance of every worthy movement projected for the best interests of his home city and county. He became a stockholder and director of the Bank of Suspension Bridge at the time of its organization, in 1886, and continued as a director of the institution, now known as the People's Bank, until the time of his death. In the closing period of his long and useful life he was, in point of active service, the oldest bank director in the city of Niagara Falls. Mr. Fink was a Democrat in politics, and was an earnest communicant of Zion Lutheran Church, of which he served as a trustee for twenty-one years, besides which he was for several years president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association. He was a charter member and first noble grand of Niagara Falls Lodge No. 81, Odd Fellows, his affiliation with which covered a period of forty-nine years, and he held membership in the Exempt Firemen's Association of Niagara Falls.
       The large and representative assemblage on the occasion of the funeral of Mr. Fink offered definite attestation to the high regard in which he was held in Niagara county. The pallbearers at his funeral were his seven grandsons: Samuel Ade, Walter Fink, Walter Haeberle, George Fink, Fred Fink, Carl Heywang and George Haeberle. The board of directors of the People's Bank of Niagara Falls held a special meeting and passed the following resolution: "In the death of Konrad Fink, there is removed from life the last member of the original board of directors of this institution. For thirty years Mr. Fink served the interests of this bank with perfect loyalty and just estimate of his responsibilities. Punctual in attendance at meetings of the directorate, his amiable disposition and lovable qualities assured him of the esteem and affection of his associates, who feel a deep sense of loss in his death. Our friend will be greatly missed from the councils of this board, and as a tribute to his memory and appreciation of long and valued service, it is ordered that this minute be entered on the record of our proceedings, and a copy thereof forwarded to the bereaved family."
       On Nov. 20, 1858, took place the marriage of Konrad Fink to Mrs. Margaret (Walter) Fink, widow of his brother Christian. Mrs. Fink died in 1887, and was survived by one son, Christian, of her first marriage, and by three children of her second, the latter being: Margaret, who is the wife of George C. Haeberle, a representative business man of Niagara Falls; Dora, who resides in Niagara Falls; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Heywang, also of Niagara Falls. Mr. Fink was married (second) on Sept. 10, 1895, to Margaret Walter, a niece of his first wife, and she still occupies the fine old homestead which he erected on NIagara avenue. Mrs. Fink has a host of friends in her home city and is an earnest communicant of Zion Lutheran Church. Her only child, Marie, is the wife of William Metz Crandall, and they reside in the Metz apartment building on Jefferson avenue, in this city. They have one son, Walter Fink Crandall.

• Last Edited: 12 Jun 2015

• Charts: Descendants of WALTER Gottlieb & Caecilia Kölle (#1), Descendants of WALTER Gottlieb & Caecilia Kölle (#2)