Later Life

John Jungwirth became a citizen on 24-Oct-1898 in Chicago. His naturalization papers indicate he had lived in the U.S. for six years, five of these in Illinois.

John was a carpenter for 35 years, working at the Peter Schoenlager Brewing Company at 18th and Canal Sts. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners Local No. 58. (See two-sided ribbon, in the possession of John Peter Jungwirth; black side was worn for funerals.)

In the early years of their marriage, John and Katie lived with her parents at 31 Solon St., in the St. Francis of Assisi parish. While they both spoke High German, Jacob and John spoke different dialects, which was a source of conflict between them.

By 1900, John, Katie, John Jr. and Edward lived at 45 Green St. This location no longer exists, but it would have been near Madison & Halsted Sts.

By 1904, John owned and occupied a two-family frame home, built in 1893, at 511 Southport Avenue. (This was later renumbered as 2738 N. Southport Avenue.) The home was in the parish of St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington, in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. It had been moved around the corner from its original location on Diversey Avenue. There must have been a corner brewery nearby, since youngest daughter Susan remembered being sent there with a nickel and a pail to bring back a brew for "Pa."

The family's final home (lower right) was at 4231 N. Whipple St., in Our Lady of Mercy parish, 4432 N. Troy Street. John purchased the 2-year-old brick two-flat on Feb. 28, 1920. Here he kept his beloved aquarium on the back porch (see photo below).