- Heinrich Schoembs (James) of Baltimore
CLICK to trace the ancestors of Heinrich Schoembs - The Story of Heinrich Schoembs (*1813 Dorn-Durkheim, +1891 Baltimore MD)
- The Story of Heinrich needs to be completed with the help of his descendants.
- Heinrich, the first child of Mathias (*1787 Friesenheim) and Maria Catherine Weber Schoembs, was born 14 Aug 1813 in Dorn-Durkheim. He is one of three known Schömbs emigrants who changed their family name to "James" at some time after their immigration.
- Marriage and Emigration
- Heinrich and Regina (*~1820 Germany, +09.12.1898 Baltimore) were married probably before 1845. Marina was most likely from the area around Dorn-Durkheim, as most people did not tend to travel far and married spouses from nearby. At the time of their marriage Heinrich was perhaps 30 and Regina five or more years younger. Heinrich and Regina emigrated with their two children in 1854, settling in Baltimore, Maryland.
- In the District and Circuit Court of Maryland there is a record that Heinrich (Henry) became a citizen of the United States. Unfortunately the transcription of the record gives nothing more than his name and birthplace as Hesse-Darmstadt.
1860 Baltimore City Directory - The first probable record we have located of Heinrich's being in Baltimore is from the Woods 1860 Baltimore City Directory. However, it does list his name as John. Heinrich was not a Johann Heinrich as far as we know. But then as we look at Directories from later years we see a pattern.
- The Life of Heinrich and Regina
1864 Baltimore City Directory 
1870 Baltimore City Directory 
1880 Baltimore City Directory 
1891 Baltimore City Directory 
1891 Baltimore City Directory - James 
1905 Baltimore City Directory - From the various City Directories (CDs) of Baltimore we can trace their lives in Amerika. But first let's address the name in the 1860 CD. As we can see John in 1860 was a coachmaker. In the 1864 CD Henry Schombs and his partner Kohlhepp were coachmakers.
Then in 1870 Henry is enumerated as a laborer, still living at 403 Canton Ave as he had been six years earlier. In 1870 Henry would have been 57 years old. His son Henry (Jr.) was about 15 years of age. Presumably the Henry in the 1870 CD is Henry Sr., but we cannot be sure.
In 1880 Henry is identified as a boxmaker, still living on Canton Avenue. Also listed is his son Philip, laborer, living in the family home on Canton. Henry Sr. is 67, Henry Jr. is 25 and Philip is 21. Interestingly, son Charles does not appear in any of these Directories.
In 1891 Henry Sr. dies. Which Henry is the Henry in the 1891 CD is unknown. But most likely it is Henry Jr., age 36, as he is listed as a laborer, unlikely for the 78 year old Henry Sr.
Also shown for 1891 is the listing for the Henry James's. As mentioned above the family changed their family name from Schoembs to James. It is unclear when this happened and whether all or just some of the family did so. But we do see in the 1891 CD that there are two Henry James listed, one (a laborer) living at 1804 Lancaster and the other (in the oyster business) at 813 S. Wolfe and living (h) at 724 S. Wolfe.
Finally in 1905 there are two Henrys listed, both at the same address and one shown as a Jr. Henry Sr. (*1813) had passed away in 1891. More is presented below.
- The Death of Heinrich
- Heinrich passed away 18.12.1891 in Baltimore.
- Descendants of Heinrich Schoembs
- Children: (4)
- 4.1.....Katherine Schoembs (*Feb 1845 Germany, +after 1900 USA)
- The 1860 Census indicates that Katherine was born in Germany. However, the 1900 Census says Pennsylvania. It is unclear at this time which is correct. In about 1867 Katherine Schoembs married August Glazier (*Jun 1844 Germany, +after 1900).
The 1900 Census indicates that they had had three children, none of whom were living in 1900. No children are enumerated in the 1880 Census, so perhaps they did not have children or they died very early in their lives.
August and Philipp were day laborers in 1900. 
1900 U.S. Census 
Charles Schoembs (*1853) and Granddaughter Elizabeth (*1905) (circa 1910)
Click to enlarge- 4.2.....Charles M. Schoembs (James) (*26.08.1853 Germany, +21.11.1920 Baltimore)
- In the 1871 City Directory for Baltimore Charles is living with his parents at 403 Canton. His profession was a carpenter. Charles married Anna Thiele (*25.12.1854 Baltimore, +28.09.1941 Baltimore). In 1900 they were living on S. Ann Street in Baltimore. They had been married 26 years, therefore were married in about 1874.
- Children: (4)
- 4.1.....Elizabeth Schoembs James (*25.02.1876 Baltimore, +04.06.1940 Sunbury PA)
- Elizabeth married Harry Preston Scoggins (*17.03.1870 Baltimore, +05.01.1951 Baltimore) on 27.01.1897 in Baltimore.
- Children: (2)
- 2.1.....Elizabeth Annie Riley Scoggins (*25.11.1905 Baltimore, +26.06.1997 Columbia MD)
- Elizabeth married Russell James Crouse (* Burwick PA) on 15 Aug 1931.
- Children: (3)
- 3.1.....Elizabeth "Susie" Margaret Dorothea Crouse (*1941)
- Susie married Minteng Chen (*30.10.1931 Taipei, Taiwan, +08.09.2011 Rancho Palos Verdes CA). Minteng was a composer, musician, teacher and lover of Taiwan. He composed the Formosan Suite among other works.
- Children: (2)
- 2.1.....Christopher David Chen (*1965 Taipei ROC)
- Chris and Jennifer Chien (*1970 Taipei ROC) were married 6 September 2004 in Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles County. Chris is an inside counsel for Franklin Templeton Investments working on securities transactions and restructurings. He received his undergraduate degree from Carnegie Mellon and law degree from Georgetown University. Jenny received her education at UC Irvine, with her graduate work at the University of Michigan. She works in the insurance industry. The Chens live in Hermosa Beach CA with their dog (Hershey) and cat (Hachi).
- Children: (3)
- 3.1.....Riley Chen (*2005 Torrance CA)
- As an eighth grader, Riley was a California State Champion in gymnastics!
- 3.2.....Remy Chen (*2006 Torrance CA)
- Remy too is a gymnastics champ - she was a California Regional Champion!
- 3.3.....Camden Chen (*2008 Torrance CA)
- Camden's principal sport is baseball. He plays on three different teams as a fifth grader. In 2019 he was an All-Star, playing shortstop and outfield. He also plays soccer.
- 2.2.....Timothy James Chen
- 3.2.....Russell James Crouse
- 3.3.....David Bruce Crouse
- 2.2.....Dorothea Pauline Scoggins (*13.04.1910 Baltimore, +09.01.2003 York PA)
- Dorothea Scoggins married Armond Hunt Gilpin (*25.11.1906, +11.1986) on 18.04.1932. In 1940 they had no children. Armand was raised by his grandparents. He died in 1986.
- 4.2.....Laura Schoembs (*Jul 1875 Baltimore)
- In the 1900 Census Laura was listed as 24 years old, single and a dress maker.
- 4.3.....Irene Schoembs (*Feb 1878 Baltimore)
- In the 1900 Census Laura was listed as22 years old, single and a sales lady at a shoe store.
- 4.4.....Paul Leonard Schoembs (*Jun 1880 Baltimore, +17.01.1967)
- In the 1900 Census Laura was listed as 19 years old, single and a clerk at a rubber goods company.
- 4.3.....Henry Schoembs (*~1855 Baltimore)
- While we do not have specific reference to a marriage of Henry Schoembs (*1855), there is ample evidence to know of his wife and son. Notice in the 1905 City Directory above. There is both a Henry, in the oyster business, and a Henry Jr. living at 724 S. Wolfe.
In the 1920 U.S. Census there is a Francis Schoembs (*1862 Maryland), a widow, living at 724 S. Wolfe in a home which she owned. Living with Francis is her son Henry (*~1886 Maryland). From the original Census page we know both mother and son are retail merchants in the oyster business. It is clear that Henry Schoembs (*1855) married Francis (*1862 Maryland). We only know of one child, Henry Jr. In 1940 Francis is living alone and 78 years old.
- Children: (1)
- 1.1.....Henry Schoembs (*06.01.1885 Maryland, +Sep 1964)
- Henry enlisted in the armed services on September 12, 1918 during World War I. The process was cards one and two. He listed his profession as chauffer, self-employed and 33 years old.
- Henry is enumerated in the 1920 Census as being married, although his wife nor children are listed. In his draft registration in 1918 he lists as next-of-kin Marie Schoembs. This undoubtedly was Henry's wife but by 1920 perhaps they were not living together. In the Social Security Death Index is a Marie C. Schembs (*08.01.1903, +23.10.1992 Baltimore). If the dates are all correct, Marie was 18 years younger than Henry and about 16 years old when they married and she had their child.
- 4.4.....Philipp Schoembs (*Oct 1859 Baltimore , +29.12.1918 Baltimore)
- The 1900 Census enumerates Philipp as living with his sister Katherine and her husband August Glazier. Philipp was 40 years old and single.