The family seat of the Fahrenkopfs is in Bavaria, Empire of Germany, where they were a thrifty, industrious and respected family. They were tradesmen and farmers, usually holding communion with the Catholic church. The founder of the Albany branch was Joseph Fahrenkopf, who came to the United States in 1863. He was preceded, however, by kinsmen and an elder sister, Theresa, who settled in Albany and married Nicholas Brohm, also a native of Bavaria. They are residents of Albany, and are highly respected.
(I) Joseph Fahrenkopf was born in Bavaria, in 1842. He was educated in good schools, and early became a merchant of his native town. He was thrifty, capable and ambitious. From his understanding of the conditions in the United States, gained from the experiences of those of his kin who were already in this country, he believed that his labors would be more liberally rewarded and higher success attained here than in his native land. In 1863 he disposed of his interests in Bavaria, and in that year arrived in Albany, New York. He secured a suitable location, and began life as a merchant. He was successful from the start and began to accumulate property. He continued in business until his death, February 7, 1887. He left a substantial estate, including his home at No. 76. Elizabeth street, and other real estate. He married, in Albany, soon after his arrival in 1863, Francisca Maul, born in Bavaria, January 22, 1842. She was brought to the United States by her parents in 1847 and has resided in Albany since then. She was a tireless coworker with her husband and a valuable business assistant. She survives him and has cared for the estate, retaining eight hundred and seventy-two acres and the old home on Elizabeth street, where the children of the family were kept together, reared and educated, until they left her for homes of their own.
Children:
- Francisca, married Damian Remmert, and is deceased, leaving children, Nicholas and Matthew.
- Frank Joseph, a successful insurance agent of Albany, born June 21, 1869; married, November 22, 1905. Elizabeth Robinson.
- Nicholas J., a carpenter and builder; unmarried.
- Joseph.
- George J., in the insurance business. Married Louisa Witzel and has Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth and Norbert.
- Alexander, in the insurance business; unmarried.
- Theresa, married Matthew Schmitz and has three children, Norbert, Maria and George.
The family are members of the Catholic church.
Francisca (Maul) Fahrenkopf is a daughter of George and Francisca (Wagner) Maul, born and reared in Bavaria, both members of old and prosperous families of the Fatherland. They remained in Bavaria until after the birth of their third child, when they emigrated to the United States. Their passage across the Atlantic in 1847 was a tedious one, as their vessel was a slow sailer and encountered tempestuous weather. They joined the Bavarian colony in Albany who had settled there previously, and were even then becoming an important factor in the development of that part of the city in which they located. Mr. Maul was a tailor and possessed those valuable attributes of the German race, thrift and industry. He and his wife lived lives of earnest and constant labor, reared a family of four, and died in Albany, both aged 80 years. Their children are:
- Francisca, married Joseph Fahrenkopf, mentioned above.
- J. George, retired; married and has a family.
- Theresa, deceased.
- Mary, deceased.