The (-1G), etc., after the names indicates the number of generations before Erven Thoma

His middle name Henry may have been Heinrich originally. His middle initial "L" may stand for Leo after his uncle, Leo Thoma (Sr.) (-2G).

Picture of Otto Jr. and Walter when very young. Taken ca. 1894
The house at 2817 Wyoming where Otto Thoma and family lived from ca 1891 to after 1920. The house still stands (in Aug. 2001) but is in very poor condition.
Click on this thumbnail to enlarge the picture of Otto Jr. This picture might have been taken at his wedding date,

A man named Christian Stettner and Otto's (Jr) father, Otto Thoma (Sr), took over a St. Louis brewery in 1886. They operated under the name Stettner and Thoma Weiss Beer Brewery. In 1906, they moved the brewery to 128-130 Sidney Street. In 1908, they merged with the Missouri Weiss Beer Brewing Company and operated as a branch of that concern until closing in 1913. As was typical of these brewers at the time, they only produced Weiss beer. Otto's (Jr) uncle, Leo Thoma, assisted Otto (Sr) in the brewery, as did Otto (Jr) and his brother Walter.

In the Gould's St. Louis City Directory, 1890, Otto's father and uncle Leo are listed. An address of 1503 S. 7th St. is given. Most likely that is the address where Otto Jr. was born. The 1900 Census says Otto Jr was born in 1889 but the S. S. application says 1890.

In the 1900 Census from St. Louis (enum. dist. 154, sheet 10, ward 10), Otto, his parents and siblings are living at 2817 Wyoming St. in St. Louis. At this time (June 8) the father is 35 years old and has been married 10 years. 1880 is given as his year of immigration and he has been in the country 20 years. The father owns his house and it is mortgaged. He can read and write and can speak English. Otto's (Jr) mother is 34, born in MO. Otto (Jr) is 10, born in Dec. 1889 in Missouri. His brother Walter is 7, born in Apr. 1893 in Missouri. The two boys are at school at the time of the Census. Sister Clara is 3, born in Oct. 1896 in Missouri. Living with the family is the father's half-brother, Emil Thoma.

In the Gould's St. Louis City Directory, 1904, Otto's father is listed as a partner of the Stettner-Thoma Brewery located in the rear of 1535 S. Broadway. His residence is 2817 Wyoming.

In the 1909 St. Louis Dir. Otto H. Thoma is listed as a clerk at 2936 LaSalle, living at 2817 Wyoming.

The 1910 Fed. Census for Missouri (district 170, sheet 163?) taken on 23 April has the Soundex index 102 0170 0379. The family is living still at 2817 Wyoming in St. Louis City. The father, Otto, is 45 years old, born in Germany, immigrated in 1880, naturalized. He and his wife have been married 22 years. The parents of the father were born in Germany. Otto's (Jr) mother, Mary Elizabeth, is 44 and was born in Missouri. She is a clerk at a packing house and her parents were born in Germany. Otto's (Jr) parents own the house but it is mortgaged. Otto (Jr) is 19 and was born in Missouri. His brother Walter A. is 17 and was born in Missouri. His sister, Clara, is 13 and was also born in Missouri. With the family is the mother's sister, Amalia Juenel (Juengel), 53 years old, born in Germany.

The 1910 St. Louis Directory lists Otto H. Thoma as a clerk at 2936 LaSalle, living at 2817 Wyoming.

Otto married Edna Huth (-1G) in Dec. 1912 in St. Louis. The license was issued on 13 Dec. (vol. 78, p. 324, #111611).

The 1913 Directory lists Otto H. Thoma as a clerk at 2936 LaSalle, but living at 4427 Nebraska.

An infant (stillborn) Thoma was buried (interred on 14 Oct. 1914 in block 7, lot 41) in New St. Marcus Cemetery in St. Louis County. This may be a child of this Otto.

The St. Louis City Directory of 1915 lists Otto as a salesman at 2936 LaSalle, living at 3344 Michigan Ave. The 1916 St. Louis Dir. has Otto H. Thoma, salesman at 2936 LaSalle, residing at 2817 Wyoming. The 1917 Directory has Otto H. Thoma Jr., salesman at 2936 LaSalle, residing at 3457 Minnesota Ave.

Their first live birth, son Otto Walter Thoma (0G) was born on 30 May 1916, probably in St. Louis, MO..

Otto registered for the World War I Draft on 05 June 1917 in St. Louis with draft board 11. His brother Walter registered on the same day. (roll 1683749, card 39, form 2740) Otto was born on 16 Dec. 1890 in Missouri. His address at this time was 4447a Nebraska St. He was a salesman for Am. Packing Co. in St. Louis. He was of medium height and build and had gray eyes and dark brown hair. Otto claimed exemption because of a dependant wife and child.

In the 1918 Dir. Otto H. Thoma Jr. is a salesman at Am. Packing Co., with a home at 4447a Nebraska Av.

Son Roy A. Thoma is born on 8 Mar. 1918 in St. Louis.

The 1920 Fed. Census (vol. 105, district 206, sheet 10, line 21) lists the father Otto and his family still living at 2817 Wyoming in St. Louis. The father is 55 years old, born in Germany, immigrated in 1878 and naturalized in 1885. Otto's (Jr) mother, Mary E., is 54 years old, born in Missouri. Otto's (Jr) sister, Clara, is 23 years old, born in Missouri. Also living there is Amalia Juengel, the mother's sister, 63 years old, born in Missouri (1910 Census says born in Missouri). But Otto (Jr) and his brother Walter are no longer living with their parents.

The 1920 Missouri Census (vol. 100, enum. district 159, sheet 7, line 85) shows Otto (Jr) and his own family living at 2303a S. 13th St. in St. Louis city. He is 28 years old, born in Missouri. He is a meat wholesaler.  His wife, Edna, is 27 years old and was born in Missouri. Their son Otto is 3 years, 7 months old and their son Roy is 1 year, 10 months old; both born in Missouri. Also living with them is Edna's father George Huth (67 years old, born in Hanover), Edna's mother Katherine Huth (61 years old, born in Missouri), and Edna's brother Frederick Huth (35 years old, born in Missouri). George immigrated in 1871 and was naturalized in 1886. George's parents were also born in Hanover. Katherine's parents were born in a Rhine province in Germany. Frederick is a polisher of toy jewelry and is widowed.

The St. Louis City Directory of 1922 lists Otto H. Thoma, salesman, living at 3109 Wyoming.

Another infant (stillborn) Thoma was buried (interred on 06 Sep. 1922 in block 7, lot 41) in New St. Marcus Cemetery in St. Louis County. This could be a child of this Otto.

The 1924 Dir. has Otto H. Thoma Jr., salesman at Columbia Products Co., residing at 4653a Morgan Ford Rd. In this year his brother Walter and his father Otto (Sr.) have separate listings at different addresses. In the 1925 Dir. the information is the same.

Their third child that lived, Gene A. Thoma (0G), was born on 23 Apr. 1924 in St. Louis(?).

The father's businesses are mentioned on p. 266 in "Who's Who in North St. Louis", published by the North St. Louis Business Men's Assoc. in 1925. At that time he owned and operated the Columbia Products Company at 2545 West Dodier Street in St. Louis, MO. That company were canners of Columbia and Bavarian malt extracts and dealers in domestic and imported hops, crown, porcelain stoppers and cappers. The article says that Walter and Otto (Jr) assisted in this business too.

The St. Louis City Directory of 1926 lists Otto H. as a salesman, living at 4653a Morgan Ford Rd. The 1927 Directory has the same information as in 1925.

His sister Clara died ca 16 June 1928. She was buried (block 7, lot 41, grave 6) in New Marcus Cemetery in St. Louis County.

The Directory of 1929 shows Otto H. Thoma Jr. as assist. manager at Columbia Products Co. and is living at 4129 Fillmore.

In the Standard Masonic Directory of St. Louis and St. Louis County (1929) Otto and his father are listed. Otto Jr. is living at 4129 Fillmore and was a member of Lodge No. 2 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and a member of Alhambra Grotto (MOVPER). Erven E. Thake (my grandfather) was also a member of the same Grotto at this time.

The 1930 Fed. Census for Missouri (T626_1234, enum. dist. 471, supv. dist. 9, sheet 8B, lines 93-97, dated 8 Apr. 1930) show Otto H. Thoma (Jr) and his family living at 3675 Wilmington in St. Louis (ward 13, block 5865). They are renting at $40/month from Otto's parents who live upstairs; they have a radio set. Otto is 39 years old, is married since age 22, is not attending school, and was not a vetran of a war. He was born in Missouri, his father in Germany and his mother in Missouri. He reads, writes, and speaks English. He is a manager at a malt manufacturing plant. His wife Edna, is 37 years old, is married since age 20, and is not attending school. She was born in Missouri, her father in Hanover Germany and her mother in Missouri. She reads, writes and speaks English, and has no listed occupation. Their son Otto is 13 and was born in Missouri. He is attending school and reads, writes, and speaks English. Their son Roy A. is 12 and was born in Missouri. He is attending school and reads, writes and speaks English. Their youngest son, Gene A., is 5 and was born in Missouri. He is not yet attending school but he speaks English.

His father died ca 31 May 1930 and was buried (block 7, lot 41, grave 3) in New Marcus Cemetery in St. Louis County.

The 1930 St. Louis City Directory lists Otto H. Thoma as employed at Columbia Products Co. He and his family are living at 3675 Wilmington Ave., a house that was built for his parents by Theodore (Ted) Winge (-2G), a brother-in-law of his father's half-brother Emil Thoma (-2G). This listing also gives his wife's name--Edna. The 1930 Directory also lists an Otto A. Thoma (with wife Anna) as a radio mechanic, living at 3960 McRee Ave. The 1931 Directory lists Otto H. Thoma and his wife Edna living at 3675a Wilmington. He is working at Columbia Products Co. The 1932 Directory lists Otto and Edna living at 6511 Leona Ave. He is a malster at Columbia Products Co. The 1936 Dir. has Otto H. (Edna) Thoma, salesman, with a home at 6511 Leona. A Leo J. Thoma (with wife Alma),printer with the Star-Times, is listed in the St. Louis City Dir. of 1936 with a home at 6927 Salzburger Ave., but this has to be a different, unrelated, person.

Otto's (Jr) S. S. number is 487-26-1414 and is dated May 14, 1941. At that time he said he was 50 years old, born 16 Dec. 1890. He was living at Route #1 Eureka, MO. He did own his own business, but is now working for the Ritz Beverage Co., located at 1822-24 S. 12th St. (or 17th?) in St. Louis, MO. His parents' names and his middle initail are given.

The St. Louis Directory of 1941 shows Otto W. Thoma, with wife Della [?] living at 3675a Wilmington Av. He is a driver. This could be the one son of the Otto of this page. The St. Louis Directory of 1955 shows Otto W. Thoma (with wife Edna), salesman at Consumers Glue, and a home at 5543a Grace Ave. The 1956 Dir. has the same information. The 1958 Dir. has Otto H. Thoma (Edna) salesman at Consumers Glue, with a home at 5726 Goener. The 1960 Dir. has the same information except he is living at 4948 and a half Fyler Ave.

He was the informant on the death certificate of his mother who died on 22 May 1960 in St. Louis. Her funeral was handled by John L. Ziegenhein & Sons at 7027 Gravois. On the 25th her body was removed to New St. Marcus Cemetery in St. Louis County. At this time he and his family are living at 4948 and a half Fyler Ave.

The St. Louis County Directory of 1965 lists Otto H. Thoma, with wife Edna, a salesman at Consumer Glue in St. Louis, living at 9405 Pancho Dr. in Affton, MO. The 1966 County Dir. has Otto H. (Edna) Thoma, retired, with a home at 9405 Pancho Dr. in Affton.

He and his family moved to Shreveport, LA some time between 1965 and Apr. 1966. Sometime after 1965 there was a fire in the Shreveport home of Otto Jr. which unfortunately destroyed family records and photos.

-------------------------------

His wife died after 1965, I do not know exactly when but I assume that it happened in Shreveport. His son Roy A. Thoma died on 2 Oct. 1991, perhaps in Shreveport, LA. His son Gene A. Thoma appears in the 1994 Phone and Address Directory database on Ancestry.Com. At that time he was living at 2027 Captain Shreve Dr. in Shreveport,Caddo Parish, LA. Gene died on 25 Jan. 2005 while he was living in Zip Code 71105 which is in Shreveport, LA. Son Otto Walter Thoma died on 22 Jul. 2005 in Shreveport, LA.
 

Created 18 June, 2000. Updated 14 Mar. 2007.