Anton Schwarz

Anton is a very important figure in our family history. Anton was undoubtably what we call today an Entrepreneur. I have tremendous admiration for what he achieved. Not just because he's my great grandfather! He travelled to a strange country and learned a new language, married a local girl, and started a business which became very successful. The business he started, A Schwarz & Sons, is still trading today in Holywell after 145 years. In fact during his life he was responsible for at least four separate businesses. He left behind a tremendous legacy for all to see.

Family members have told me that Anton was travelling to Holyhead to stay with someone called Kleiser but when he reached Holywell junction he thought he was at Holyhead and got off the train. Realising his mistake he stayed overnight in Greenfield and went up the hill into Holywell only a couple of miles away the next day to have a look around and decided to stay. There is a Jewellers in Holyhead today called Kleiser which was established in 1848. This information came from Alice Schwarz (Hall) who was the wife of Bernard one of Anton's children. Apparently she often sat with him and listened to his stories of his early life. Alice died some years ago but her account was transcribed by her daughter Marie Jennings.

Once he settled in Holywell he became totally committed to his chosen country. He married a local Welsh girl, became a naturalised British citizen and his sons Leo and Basil fought for Britain during the First World War. Anton also set the stage for his two brothers, Leonhard and Augustin, to join him. They are shown as living with him in Whitford Street in the 1871 census.

Anton's Timeline

1837 - Anton born in Oberharmersbach - 14th January 1837

1843 - age 6 - Anton's bother, Christian, dies at birth.

1861 - age 24 - Travelled to the UK. Appears in 1861 census living at 27 Church Road, Flint, North Wales,

living with German (?) Lehman who I think was a cousin. He describes himself as

a Journeyman Clockmaker.

1864 - age 27 - Started his own business as a Watch Maker in Whitford Street Holywell

1866 - age 29 - Anton's brother, Benjamin, dies aged 27

1870 - age 33 - Anton's father, Franz Anton, dies in Oberharmersbach age 58

1871 - age 34 - Appears in 1871 census as a Watchmaker living in Whitford Street, Holywell

1876 - age 39 - Married Sarah Eleanor Hughes on 29th August 1876

1877 - age 40 - First child, Gertrude was born on 15th July 1877

1878 - Age 41 - Second child, Teresa, was born on 3rd November 1878

1880 - Age 43 - Third child, Bertha, was born on 24th September 1880

1881 - age 44 - Appears in 1881 census as a Watchmaker, living with his wife, 3 children, and a servant

1882 - Age 45 - Fourth child, Leo, was born on 10th September 1882

1884 - Age 47 - Fifth child, Rosina, was born 26th August 1884

1887 - Age 49 - Sixth child, Bernard, was born on 9th January 1887

1890 - Age 53 - Seventh child, Basil, was born on 8th October 1890

1892 - age 55 - Anton's mother, Katherina (Schyle), dies in Oberharmersbach aged 76

1899 - Age 62 - Became a naturalised British Citizen.

1901 - age 64 - Appears in 1891 census as a Watchmaker at 7 Whitford Street

1905 - Age 68 - Youngest daughter, Rosina, dies on 6th August 1905 aged 20

1906 - Age 69 - Oldest child, Gertrude, marries Henry O'Beirne on 16th July 1906

1919 - Age 82 - Died on 27th November 1919 at 7 Whitford St, Holywell