Augustus Charles Bublitz

  General Notes:

IMMIGRATION: April 1884 OCCUPATION: Farmer

The 1900 census shows him owning a farm in Frankenlust Twp. upon which he had a mortgage. He had filed naturalization papers. It shows that he could read and write and speak English.

August Bublitz's petition for naturalization, which reads as follows:

In the Honorable the Circuit Court of Bay County at Bay City, Mich. The petition of August Bublitz hereby filed, respectfully showeth First. My place of residence is1003-36th St., Bay City, Michigan; Second, my occupation is Retired; Third, I was born on the 1st day of December, anno Domini 1850 at West Prussia, Germany; Fourth, I emigrated to the United States from Hamburg on or about the 15th day of March anno Domini 1883, and arrived in the United States at the port of New York on the 6th day of April anno Domini 1883 on the vessel Florida. Fifth, I declare my intention to become a citizen of the United States on the 9th day of April anno Domini 1887; Sixth, I am married. My wife's name is Justina; she was born on the 19th day of August, anno Domini 1856 at Germany and she now resides 1003-36th St., Bay City Michigan. I have ten children (two step-children) Katherine Zielke, born Nov 20, 1877 in Ohio now lives at Vassar, Mich. Elias Zielke born Dec. 17, 1878 in Ohio, now lives at Bay City; Amanda, born June 13, 1882 in Germany, now lives in Bay City; Augusta, born July 11, 1883 in Germany now lives at Detroit; Charles, born Oct. 6, 1884; Bertha born Feb. 1, 1886 in Bay City, now lives at Detroit; Martha, born Nov. 8, 1888 at and now lives in Bay City; Anna, born July 15, 1894 [?] at Bay City, now lives in Detroit, Margaret, born July 16, 1894 Ernest born April 10, 1898 at and now lives in Bay City. Seventh, I am not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I am attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and it is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiances and fidelity to any foreign prices, potentates, state or sovereignty, and particularly to William German Emperor of whom at this time I am a subject, and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States. Eighth, I am able to speak the English language. Ninth, I have resided continuously in the United States of America since the 6th day of April 1883 and in the state of Michigan continuously next preceding the date of this petition, since the 8th day of April anno Domini 1883.
Declaration of Intention 11 December 1917

Witnessed by:
Charles Bublitz, retired, residing at 704 Marsac St., Bay City
Herman Mielens, farmer, residing at Munger R#2 Michigan

I found a little information on the ship, Florida.

FLORIDA
Built by Societa Esercizio Bacini, Rive Trigoso, Italy for Lloyd Italiano of Genoa, this was a 5,018 gross ton ship, length 381.4ft x beam 48.1ft, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 14 knots. There was passenger accommodation for 25-1st and 1,600-3rd class. Launched on 22nd June 1905, she started her maiden voyage on 18th Sept.1905 when she left Genoa for Naples and Buenos Aires. After this voyage she commenced Genoa - Palermo - Naples - New York sailings on 15th Nov.1905. On 23rd Jan.1909 she collided with and sank the White Star liner "Republic" in dense fog off the US coast. Although receiving a badly damaged bow, she managed to reach New York and was repaired. This was the first occasion when wireless telegraphy was used to summon assistance at sea. Her last Genoa - Palermo - Naples - New York voyage started 20th Apr.1911, and her first class accommodation was downgraded to 2nd class. Sold to Ligure Brasiliana of Genoa the same year, she was renamed "Cavour" and was used for Genoa - South America sailings. In 1914 she went to Transatlantica Italiana and was sunk in collision with the Italian Auxiliary Cruiser "Caprera" on 12th Dec.1917 near Armevilla. [North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.3,p.1344] - [Posted to The Ships List by Ted Finch - 12 October 1998]

  Noted events in his life were:

• immigrated to United States, 6 Apr 1883, New York, New York. Ellis Island

• Naturalization, 1919, Michigan. 1920 census shows naturalization in 1919

• Residence, 19 Jun 1900, Frankenlust Twp., Bay Co., Michigan. Owned farm

Augustus married Justine H. Brandenburg, daughter of Brandenburg and Unknown, in 1881 in Prussia.¹⁰⁵ (Justine H. Brandenburg was born on 19 Aug 1856 in Prussia, died on 10 Jul 1934 in Bay City, Bay, Michigan, USA and was buried in Bay City, Bay, Michigan, USA.)