Floyd Carl Merzke, Sr.

Floyd Carl Merzke, Sr.

Floyd Carl Herman Merzke, the sixteenth and last of Maria and Henry's children, was born at home at 181 Weaver Street on Monday, August 26, 1912. He was born approximately twenty minutes after twin sister Marge. He always said that he was a gentleman and believed in letting ladies go first. At this time Charles Merzke, Henry and Maria's oldest child was living in the house directly behind the house on Weaver St. Following Floyd's arrival, Henry ran through the backyard shouting to his daughter-in-law Nora "make more diaper, there are two of them"

Floyd was baptized that same day. The story was that he was so weak when he was born that his parents wanted him baptized right away just in case he did not live through the night. His sponsors were Eleanore Merzke, Edward Missel, and Herman Kuiltz. Floyd's middle name was in honor of the minister that baptized him, Rev. Carl Conrad.

Floyd was always a frail child and Maria was always concerned about his health. She kept a special ceramic jug of grape juice in the cellar just for him to build his blood. In grade school, he attended what was known as a fresh-air class. In this class at Lincoln #22 school, the children took a nap every afternoon on cots on the roof of the school building. Their weight was carefully monitored and they received a special certificate every time they managed to gain five pounds. When Floyd was eight he woke up one morning and could not walk. He said it happened suddenly just out of the blue. He had an operation that resulted in a frozen hip, one leg shorter and smaller than the other, and a permanent limp. Maria saw to it that he had a good physical therapist and in time he learned to walk again.

Floyd was confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church on April 27, 1927 along with his nephew Charles “Chick” Merzke and his best friend Arnold “Porky” Schock.  Floyd did not complete high school. Like the rest of his brothers and sisters, he chose to leave school after the tenth grade in order to get a full-time job so he could contribute to the family's income. In his early twenties, he left Concordia Lutheran Church and began attending Bethel Full Gospel Church on Ripley St. There he became very involved in church work and would remain so for many years.

Floyd married Jeanette Louise (Przeworski) Taylor on June 29, 1945 in Bethel Full Gospel Church. Floyd’s twin sister Marge was matron of honor, Dillon Frost was best man, and attendants were Ann Tarquinio and Arnold Schock. The newlyweds lived with Maria in her home at 181 Weaver Street until her death in December of 1946. In Maria's will she provided for Floyd to live in the for as long as he chose. However, if he chose to move, the house was to be sold and the proceeds divided by the brothers and sister except for Floyd. Floyd and Jeanette continued to live in Maria's house until June of 1963 when they moved to 127 Collingwood Drive, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.  They lived there until their deaths.

Floyd was a born comedian and storyteller.  He loved to talk and people were glad to listen.  He had a gift for teaching and taught a large adult Sunday school class at Bethel for many years.  He was also a deacon and the church secretary.  Floyd spent his entire work life in the clothing industry beginning when he left school after the tenth grade.  He worked for Keller, Herman, Thompson Company as a helper and as a presser.  He worked for Timely Clothes Inc. from 1952 until he retired.  Jeanette worked for Eastman Kodak Camera Works during the Second World War.  After the children were born she worked for Norton Cleaners and then in lace and trimmings for Sibley’s.  She went to night school at Rochester Business Institute and eventually worked as a clerk for the New York State Supreme Court.

Floyd and Jan had two children; Nancy Marie Merzke and Floyd Carl Merzke, Jr. (both are still living.)  My father Floyd died peacefully on June 18, 1991 of congestive heart failure.  My mother Jan died of cancer on November 1, 1999.  They are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Marjorie & Floyd - Twins

Floyd & Marge about age 6

Marge & Floyd about age 3

Marjorie and Floyd were Maria and Henry Merzke’s second set of twins and their last babies.  Marjorie was born first.  Floyd always said that he let her go first because he was a gentleman and believed in the saying, ladies first.  Floyd was the smaller and weaker of the two.  He was so weak when he was born that they were not sure he would live.  Maria and Henry had the minister in to baptize the babies on the day they were born - just in case.

Confirmation Picture

Easter 1944

Marjorie and Floyd were always good friends.  He said that sometimes she would get after him, but no one else better try it.  She always watched out for him and protected him.  They went to #22 School together where Floyd was in a special class that was called a Fresh Air Class.  He had to work hard to gain weight and would receive a certificate every time he gained five pounds.  His class took naps on cots on the roof of the school so they could take advantage of the fresh air.  After grade school, they went to East High School. They quit early to go to work in the tailoring industry, not unlike their brothers and sisters had done. 

Each was in the others wedding party when they married.  They visited each other frequently and exchanged birthday and Christmas gifts each year.  They shared a deep love of God and family and took pride in their Merzke heritage.  The last Merzke Family Reunion was held in August 1987.  It was marked by the celebration of Marge and Floyd’s 75^th birthday.  

Marge & Floyd at age 75

Anna Bertha Marie Merzke

(The Story of Two Little Girls Named Anna)

Anna Bertha Marie Merzke, the second child and first daughter, was born at home at 82 Maria St. on October 19, 1890. She was baptized that same day. Her sponsors were Albert Bonke and Caroline Rach. (Note: This Caroline Rach was not Maria's mother. She was most likely Maria's aunt by marriage.) Anna's middle name and baptismal name are those of her mother and not those of her sponsors as was typical for the Merzke naming pattern. Baby Anna died the next day, October 20, 1890 at home. The cause was listed as convulsions. She was buried October 21, 1890 in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Maria's half-sister, Anna Smarcz was born to Julius and Albertina Smarcz on June 6, 1887 in Stolp, Prussia. She came to America with her parents and older brothers in the early spring of 1892. Upon arrival, the family came to Rochester and came to live with Maria and her young family. Anna had little time to get acquainted with her big sister Maria and her family. Anna Smarcz died of diphtheria on Mar 17, 1892 at the age of 4 years, 11 months and 11 days. She is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in the same burial plot with her big sister's daughter Anna Merzke.

For years and years my father, Floyd and his sister, Marian decorated the graves of their parents and four sisters buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. I went along with them for as long as I can remember. For all those years that they planted flowers for their sister Anna, I do not believe they had any idea there were two little girls named Anna buried in that grave. I only discovered the fact while researching the family history.

Maria Bertha Smarcz Merzke

Maria Bertha Smarcz was born December 22, 1869 in Stolp in the Pommern section of Prussia.  She was the second child of Julius Smarcz and Caroline Rach. As a young woman she worked in the brickyard and this is likely where she met Henry the stonemason. Maria probably came to the United States in 1888. She traveled alone by ship in steerage passage at a cost of $25. She came to Rochester New York where she joined Henry.  Maria was 18 years old. Maria and Henry eventually had sixteen children including two sets of twins.

Maria learned to read and write in English. She especially enjoyed reading westerns and mystery novels. She was an excellent homemaker and cook. She taught all of her children to be good cooks. Each day was devoted to a specific task.  Monday was washday, Tuesday for ironing, etc. On Saturday Maria baked bread.  Saturday night’s supper would be scrambled eggs with ham and warm homemade bread with butter. She ruled the house with an iron fist but always kept it covered with a velvet glove. If Henry came home two nights in a row having had too much to drink, she never had words with him. She just cut back on his spending money.

After Henry’s death, Maria continued to live in the Weaver St. home with her youngest son Floyd.  She had no retirement income to speak of and for this reason she preferred gifts of money for her birthday and Christmas.  It was this money she would use to give gifts to her many grandchildren.

Maria died on November 9, 1946 of Carcinoma of the Peritoneum & Acitoo (liver cancer) at the home of her daughter Marge Magin at 102 Balmeade Drive in Irondequoit New York. At the time of her death there was a newspaper strike. News broadcaster Al Siegel read the death notices on the radio. There were so many flowers at the funeral that they were three rows deep all the way around the room. Maria is buried with Henry in Mount Hope Cemetery.