WILLIAM MUCH

William Much gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. January 5, 1903 in Lauenburg, Schleswig-Holsteinm, Germany
M. Army Air Forces Veteran (September 24, 1942 – August 5, 1944); Private
D. October 8, 1974 (last known residence in Round Lake area, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

According to the New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957:

“LIST OR MANIFEST OF ALIEN PASSENGERS FOR THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION OFFICER AT PORT OF ARRIVAL
ALL ALIENS arriving at a port of continental United States from a foreign part or a port of the insular possessions of the Untied States, and all aliens arriving at a port of said insular possessions from a foreign port, a port of continental United States, or a port of another insular possession, in whatsoever class they travel, MUST be fully listed and the master or commanding officer of each vessel carrying such passengers must upon arrival deliver lists thereof to the immigration officer.
This (white) sheet is for the listing of STEERAGE PASSENGERS ONLY
S.S. “Albert Ballin”, Passengers sailing from Hamburg, May 22nd, 1925. Arriving at Port of New York, 1 st day of June, 1925.

No. on List.: 10; Family Name: Much; Given Name: Hermann; Age Yrs: 24; Sex: m; Married or single: s; Calling or occupation: gardener; Able to Read: yes; Read what language: German; Write: yes; Nationality: German; Race or people: German; Last Permanent residence, Country: Germany; City or  Town: Neu-Hammerstein; The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came.: father: Hermann Much, Neu-Hammerstein; Final destination: Ills. Chicago; Whether having a ticket to such final destination: yes; By whom passage paid?: uncle: Hermann Hallmann; Whether ever before in the United States?: no; Whether going to join a relative or friend; and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address.: uncle: Hermann Hallmann, Chicago, Ills. 3635 Greenview Av; Height: 5 11; Complexion: fair; Color of Hair: dbld.; Color of Eyes: br; Place of birth: Chotzlow; Immigration Visa Number: 49918; Issued at: Stettin; Date: 3/31/25″

 According to the Illinois, U.S. Federal Naturalization Records, 1826-1991:

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PETITION FOR CITIZENSHIP

To the Honorable the DISTRICT court of THE UNITED STATES at CHICAGO ILLINOIS
The petition of HERMANN ALBERT MUCH, hereby filed, respectfully shows:
(1) My place of residence is R. #2, Box 41, Lake Villa, Ill. (2) My occupation is Gardener & Caretaker
(3) I was born in Chotzlow, Kreis, Germany on October 30, 1900.  My race is German
(4) I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on August 17, 1927 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, at Chicago, Illinois
(5) I am not married.  I have no children
(6) My last foreign residence was Neu Hammerstein, Germany.  I emigrated to the United States of America from Hamburg, Germany.  My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States as at New York, N. Y., under the name of Hermann Albert Buch on June 1, 1925, on the vessel Albert Ballin
(7) 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 well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.  It is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever an allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to The German Reich of whom (which) at this time I am a subject (or citizen), and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States. (8) I am able to speak the English language
(9) I have resided continuously in the United States of America for the term of five years at least immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit, since June 1, 1925 and in the County of Lake, this State, continuously next preceding the date of this petition, since July 1, 1929, being a residence within said county of at least six months preceding the date of this petition.
(10) I have not heretofore made petition for citizenship.

AFFIDAVITS OF WITNESS

Herman F. Hallmann, occupation Lawyer
residing at 3539 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, Illinois
Edward C. Hallmann, occupation Architect
residing at 5726 N. Richmond St., Chicago, Illinois
each being severally, duly, and respectively sworn, deposes and says that he is a citizen of the United States of America; that he has personally known and has been acquainted in the United States with HERMANN ALBERT MUCH, the petitioner above mentioned, since July 1, 1925 and that to his personal knowledge the petitioner has resided in the United States continuously preceding the date of filing this petition, of which this affidavit is a part, to wit, since the date last mentioned, and at Lake Villa, in the County of Lake, this State, in which the above-entitled petition is made, continuously since August 1, 1929….
   Subscribed and sworn to before me by the above-named petitioner and witnesses in the office of the Clerk of said Court at Chicago, Ill. this 25th day of January Anno Domini 1933.  I hereby certify that certificate of arrival No. 11-77961 from the Department of Labor, showing the lawful entry for permanent residence of the petitioner above named, together with declaration of Intention No. 183455 of such petitioner, has been by me filed with, attached to, and made a part of this petition on this date.
CHARLES M. BATES, Clerk
By Marjorie Glass, Deputy Clerk”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Herman Albert Much; Place of Residence: Sand Lake Road, Wadsworth, Lake County, Illinois; Mailing Address: R.F.D. 1 c/o Frank Pitchman, Wadsworth, Ill; Telephone: x; Age in Years: 41; Date of Birth: Oct. 30 – 1900; Place of Birth: Germany; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Name: Mr. Paul Wildermuth, Lake Villa, Ill.; Employer’s Name and Address: Frank Pitchman; Place of Employment: R.F.D., 1, Wadsworth, Lake County, Ill.; Race: White; Height: 5′ 11″; Weight: 165; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Signed: Feb. 16 – 1942”

 According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Friday, May 2, 1941, page 18:

“4 held to Grand Jury
as Operators of Still
   Four men were held to the federal grand jury yesterday by United States Commissioner Edwin K. Walker on a charge of operating a 900 gallon illicit still.  They are Frank Pitchman, 44 years old, tenant on a farm on U. S. highway 45 near Grand avenue; Herman Much, 43, a farm hand; Anthony Palmeri, 51, of 1511 Taylor street, and Fred Schifano, 31, of 460 North Carpenter street.”

Additional Information:

According to the New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957:

“LIST OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS
(FOR THE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES)
S.S. “BREMEN” sailing from Bremen, JUNE 7TH, 1935, Arriving at Port of NEW YORK, JUNE 13th, 1935
No. on List.: 4; Family Name: MUCH; Given Name: WILLIAM; Age Yrs: 32; Sex: M; Married or single: S; IF NATURALIZED, GIVE NAME AND LOCATION OF COURT WHICH ISSUED NATURALIZATION PAPERS, AND DATE OF PAPERS: PASSPORT 42117 WASH. D.C. JUNE 25, 1933; ADDRESS IN UNITED STATES: CHICAGO, ILL. ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL,

According to the Illinois, Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991:

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DELCARATION OF INTENTION
Invalid for all purposes seven years after the date hereof

State of Illinois,}
County of Cook,}                                        In the Superior Court of Cook County.
   I, William Much, age 24 years, occupation carpenter, do declare on oath that my personal description is: Color white; complexion fair, height 5 feet 10 inches, weight 155 pounds, color of hair brown color of eyes brown, other visible distinctive marks none.  I was born in Lauenburg, Germany on the 5 day of Jan., anno Domini 1903.  I know reside at 3232 N. Seminary Ave., Chicago, Ill.  I emigrated to the United States of American from (blank) on the vessel Thuringia; my last foreign residence was Germany; I am not married;… It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to The German Reich of whom I am now a subject; I arrived at the port (blank) in the State of (blank), on or about the 11 day of June, anno Domini 1925; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein: So Help Me God.
Signed: William Much
Subscribed and sworn to before me in the office of the Clerk of said Court
at Chicago, Ill., this 13 day of Oct anno Domini 1927
Daniel E. Erickson, Clerk of the Superior Court.
By L A Portman, Deputy Clerk.”

According to the Illinois, Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991:

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PETITION FOR CITIZENSHIP

To the Honorable the DISTRICT Court of THE UNITED STATES of CHICAGO ILLINOIS.  The petition of WILLIAM MUCH, hereby filed, respectfully shows:
(1) My place of residence is R. #2. Box 41, Lake Villa, Ill. (2) My occupation is Caretaker & Farmer
(3) I was born in Lauenburg, Germany on January 5, 1903 My race is German
(4) I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on October 13, 1927 in the Superior Court of Cook County, at Chicago, Illinois
(5) I am not married…I have no children…
(6) My last foreign residence was Neu Hammerstein, Germany.  I emigrated to the United States of American from Hamburg, Germany.  My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at New York, N. Y., under the name of Willi Much on June 11, 1925, on the vessel Thuringia as shown by the certificate of my arrival attached hereto.
(7) 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 well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.  It is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to The German Reich of whom (which) at this time I am a subject (or citizen), and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States. (8) I am able to speak the English language.
(9) I have resided continuously in the United States of America for the term of five years at least immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit, since June 11, 1925 and in the County of Cook this State, continuously next preceding the date of this petition, since June 1, 1930, being a residence within said county of at least six months next preceding the date of this petition.
(10) I have not heretofore made petition for citizenship. Signed January 25, 1933”

AFFIDAVITS OF WITNESS

Herman F. Hallmann, occupation Lawyer
residing at 3539 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, Illinois
Edward C. Hallmann, occupation Architect
residing at 5726 N. Richmond St., Chicago, Illinois
each being severally, duly, and respectively sworn, deposes and says that he is a citizen of the United States of America; that he has personally known and has been acquainted in the United States with WILLIAM MUCH, the petitioner above mentioned, since July 1, 1925 and that to his personal knowledge the petitioner has resided in the United States continuously preceding the date of filing this petition, of which this affidavit is a part, to wit, since the date last mentioned, and at Lake Villa, in the County of Lake, this State, in which the above-entitled petition is made, continuously since July 1, 1930….
   Subscribed and sworn to before me by the above-named petitioner and witnesses in the office of the Clerk of said Court at Chicago, Ill. this 25th day of January Anno Domini 1933.  I hereby certify that certificate of arrival No. 11-77960 from the Department of Labor, showing the lawful entry for permanent residence of the petitioner above named, together with declaration of Intention No. 194543 of such petitioner, has been by me filed with, attached to, and made a part of this petition on this date.
CHARLES M. BATES, Clerk
By Marjorie Glass, Deputy Clerk”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Warren Township, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“Herman Much, head, age 39, single, highest grade completed: 8, born in Germany, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: gardner – country estate; William Much, brother, age 37, single, highest grade completed: 8, born in Germany, lived in rural Lake County, IL in 1935, occupation: carpenter – building construction”

According to the U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: William Much; Place of Residence: R.F.D. 1# c/o Frank Pitchman, Wadsworth, Lake County, Ill; Mailing Address: Same; Telephone: Grays Lake 5 133; Age in Years: 39; Date of Birth: Jan 5 1903; Place of Birth: Germany; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Paul Wildermuth, Lake Villa, Ill.; Employer’s Name and Address: H.E. Ericsson, 228 LaSalle; Place of Employment: U.S.N.T.S., Great Lake, Lake County, Ill; Race: White: Height: 5′ 9″; Weight: 156; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light Brown; Signed: Feb. 15, 1942”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Park Avenue, the household members were:

“William Much, head, age 47, married, born in Germany, Occupation: Carpenter – Carpentry, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: Germany, What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S12, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year in how many weeks did this person do any work at all?: 46, Last year (1949) how much money did he earn working as an employee for wages or salary?: $4,200, Last year how much money did he received from interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income?: $150, Last year how much money did his relatives in this household received from interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income?: $480, Did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during: WWII?: Yes, WWI: No, Any other time including present service?: No; Maria F Much, age 46, married, born in Austria”

According to the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010:

“Name: William Much; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 5 Jan 1903; Death Date: 8 Oct 1974; SSN: 353107146; Enlistment Date: 24 Sep 1942; Discharge Date: 5 Aug 1944; Page Number: 1”