Carolina Leonhard's Life in New Orleans

Life in New Orleans
Part I (1846-1862)

Ludwig and Louisa Leonhard and their three young children (Carolina was then 2-1/2 years old) made their new home in downtown New Orleans, joining many other immigrants—Germans and Irish, Protestants and Catholics. The Leonhards affiliated with what was then known as the German Evangelical Orthodox Church in New Orleans (today's St. Paul Lutheran Church).

Once in New Orleans, Ludwig and Louisa had more children:
          Magdalena Leonhard was born 15 October 1848.
               She presumably died before the 1850 census, taken in September 1850.
          Michael Leonhard was born 3 December 1849.
               He was deceased by 1881, as he was not included in his mother's succession.

Both children were baptized at what is today St. Paul Lutheran Church.

On 5 September 1850, the Leonhard family was enumerated in the federal census. They were living in the same household with "B. and Bridget Conner," Irish immigrants, who had an eight-month-old daughter.

Ludwig was listed as being 33 years old (he was 42) and was a "Laborer." The record also showed that their two sons, Daniel and Ludwig, had attended school during the year, presumably the school associated with their church.

Next door lived Louisa's brother-in-law and sister, Michael, a drayman, and Katharina Ries.

The complete census page can be seen here.

Perhaps at the time of the 1850 census and certainly by 1852, the Leonhards were living on Montegut Street, between Casa Calvo (today's Royal) and Moreau (today's Chartres) Streets.

Ludwig is first found in a city directory in 1852. It listed his address as No. 34 Montegut. He was included in the 1853-1856 directories at the same address.

From the 1850 census and the birth records of his children born in the 1850s, it is known that Ludwig's occupation was "Laborer." What he did is not known, but there were many opportunities for work in the nearby cotton presses, railroad freight sheds, or at the riverfront.

Detail from 1883 Robinson Map, Plate 19
Street names added

While living on Montegut Street, the Leonhards had three more children:
          Magdalena Leonhard was born 5 April 1852.
               She was deceased by 1881, as she also was not included in her mother's succession.
          Johann Michael "John" Leonhard was born 7 May 1854.
               In 1878, John married Josephine Henriette Boey. They had five children. He died in 1931.
          Karl Heinrich "Charles" Leonhard was born 2 May 1857.
               He never married and died in 1920.

Ludwig Leonhard saw to it that the civil authorities were notified of the births of his children. He signed at least two of the documents.

As with the other children born in New Orleans, all three were baptized at the Leonhard's church, a walk of five blocks from their residence.

Because of an apparent error by the enumerator, the entire Leonhard family was not included in the 1860 federal census. Only their youngest sons, John, listed as age 4 (he was 6), and Charles, 3, were included.

The city directories available in the 1860s (there were none published during the Civil War) show Ludwig Leonhard (listed as "Louis") as living at No. 35 Montegut Street. His occupation was listed as a "printer" or a "newspaper carrier."

During the 1860s, the three oldest Leonhard children, those who emigrated with their parents, were married.
          Daniel Leonhard married Carolina Hebel on 3 July 1862. She was also born in Jettenbach, Rheinbayern.
               Daniel was a barber. He and Carolina had four children, but none survived into adulthood. He died in 1869.
          Ludwig Leonhard married Magdalena Josephina Schuler on 6 April 1863.
               Louis began a dry goods business as early as 1866. He had six children and died in 1901.
          Carolina Leonhard married Philipp Neff on 18 December 1862.
               Carolina and Philipp had six children, five of whom married and had children. Carolina died in 1876.
               [The story of her life with Philipp Neff is in Part II of his life.]

St. Paul Lutheran Church as it appeared from 1843-1860.

All three of these marriages took place at the First German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of New Orleans, located at the corner of Port and Craps (later Burgundy) Streets. This congregation, known today as St. Paul Lutheran Church, is still in the same location.

St. Paul Lutheran Church as it appeared from 1843-1860

The Leonhards were included in the 1868 city directory. Louis Leonhard is probably the first "D." Leonhard, operating a shoe store. Daniel Leonhard was a barber.

Ludwig Leonhard was listed as "Louis," working as a "paper carrier," and living at 35 Montegut in the Third District [d 3].

The other Leonhards are not known to be related.

On 21 June 1870, Ludwig and his family were enumerated in the federal census. Living with Louisa and him at home were their two youngest sons. John was likely working at his brother Louis's dry goods store. Charles was still attending school. The complete census page can be seen here.

Ludwig Leonhard was listed in the 1874 city directory. He was still living at 35 Montegut Street and was listed as being employed as a "carrier," presumably a newspaper carrier.

In 1875, Ludwig Leonhard apparently suffered a stroke and passed away on 5 May 1875. The death record indicates that he died at the home of his son-in-law, Philipp Neff, at No. 713 Dauphine Street. The death was reported by his son John. On 6 May 1875, a death notice was published in the Tägliche Deutsche Zeitung (page 4, column 6).

Death–Notice

     Yesterday evening at a quarter before nine o'clock after
a short illness our much beloved husband, father and father-in-
law Ludwig Leonhard died at the age of 67 years, 4 months
and 26 days, born in Reichenbach, Rheinbaiern,
and for the last 28 years a resident of this city.
     Friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully
invited to attend the funeral, which will take place this afternoon
at 4 o'clock beginning at the house of his son-in-law Philipp
Neff, No. 713 Greatmen Street, near Clouet.
     The grieving survivors:
                          Louisa Leonhard, born Gettel
                                                             Widow.
                          Louis Leonhard,
                          John Leonhard, Sons,
                        Charles Leonhard,
                          Carolina Neff, born Leonhard,
                                                         Daughter.
                        Philipp Neff, Son-in-law,
                      Carolina Leonhard, born Hebel,
                                                  Daughter-in-law,
                          Josephine Leonhard, born Schuler,
                                                  Daughter-in-law.

The Leonhard family tomb in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, No. 1.

Ludwig was buried from the home of his son-in-law, Philipp Neff. The funeral was conducted by the Pastor of his Lutheran church, where his death is recorded.

His remains were interred in the Leonhard family tomb in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, No. 1. (This tomb may have been purchased for the family's use in October 1869, upon the death of Daniel Leonhard.)

In June 1880, at the time of the 1880 census, Louisa was living with her son Charles on Montegut Street. Perhaps Louisa was the informant and she misunderstood the enumerator. For whatever reason, Ludwig, who had been deceased five years was included as the father in the household. His occupation was listed as "Cotton Screwer," perhaps one of the occupations he pursued when he was a laborer.

The complete census page can be seen here.

In 1881, Louisa Leonhard suffered a stroke and after a brief illness passed away on 16 March 1881. On 20 March 1881, a death notice was published in the Tägliche Deutsche Zeitung (page 4, column 3).

Death Notice and Thanks

     On Wednesday, the 16th March 1881, at 4 o'clock in the
morning, Widow Louisa Margaretha Leonhard, geb. Gettel
died blessed in the Lord after a brief illness at the age of
65 years, 2 months and 27 days, born in Jettenbach,
Rheinkreis Bayern, and for the last thirty-five
years a resident of this city.
     To all friends, relatives, and acquaintances and especially the
members of Evangelisch-Lutherischen St. Paulus Gemeinde
our deeply felt thanks for the sincere condolences at our
difficult loss and for the countless expressions of support at the
burial of the deceased. To Pastor
Mödinger for the words of comfort spoken at the sickbed
and at the burial.
                                                       The Leonhard Family.

Louisa's remains were interred in the Leonhard family tomb in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery.

Upon Louisa's death, a succession was opened in order to divide the property and other assets that they owned. Their heirs included their three surviving sons—Louis, John, and Charles—and the three children of their deceased son Daniel and the five children of their deceased daughter, Carolina Leonhard Neff.

Additional information on this succession can be found here.

Oath of administrator, John Michael Leonhard

Oath of administrator from succession of Ludwig and Louisa Leonhard.

Go to next section: Carolina's Life with Philipp Neff

Return to Leonhard Family History Opening Page