Joseph - Bio

There are eight (8) Joseph Wiberding's in this family. This entry only refers to Joseph Wilberding who is the 7th child of Carl and Maria Anna Wilberding. He isprobably the least known of Carl's children. City Directory shows Joseph living with his mother Maria Anna in Cincinnati, Ohio (1890) and Norwood, Ohio (1893).Joseph is listed as a sculptor in the U.S. 1930 Census. One word comes to mind when trying to describe Joseph : Eccentric - a true artist! Born 23 Jun 1869 - Holdorf, Oldenburg, GermanyBaptized 26 Jun 1869 - Sts Peter & Paul Church, Holdorf, Oldenburg, Germany

Married 26 Dec 1923 - St. Anthony church, Browns Valley, Daviess Co, KY
Died 17 Feb 1942 - Norwood, Hamilton Co, OH
Buried 20 Feb 1942 - St. Mary Cemetery, St. Bernard, Hamilton Co, OH

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Joseph met his wife, Margaret, while he was working in Kentucky. It is reported that he was building grottoes in various areas while working with a local priest. He married Margaret Knott-Hite, a widow on 26 Dec 1923, Browns Valley, Daviess Co, KY. They had no children; however, Margaret had six children from her previous marriage They continued to live at 1745 Mills Avenue, Norwood, Ohio.

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Family tales re: Joseph..........
"Joseph Wilberding came to Dubuque on a "one-way ticket" from his wife,Margaret, for Henry's 50th wedding anniversay celebration - set up shop inthe garage and created lots of plaster dust, making plaques of Jesus and Mary for his brothers and sisters - a life sized head of Christ with "moving eyes" for Henry - stayed until Henry bought him a return ticket to Cincinnati." Margaret Wilberding-Upstone, July 1991
"Uncle Joe was a quiet, gentle looking person to a 10-11 year-old Bob Wurtzler around 1938. At that time he would ride the Cincinnati streetcar on a Sunday 25¢ all-day pass from Norwood and visit our family in Oakley. He was always alone. We had an old-dilapidated shed in the backyard, and Joe took upon himself to remove it and build us kids a fine play house/storage shed - two separate rooms, windows, concrete floor tinted pink, and a stucco exterior. No doubt that he was quite a carpenter, builder, mason, etc. I recall that he stayed with us until the job was completed." Bob Wurtzler, Mar 2004

"He (Joe) visited here (Dubuque) when Henry and Anna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversay, and there was much talk about Joe. There was an instance of his sleeping on the piano one time. I hope it was a "grand"! Did I mention that a statue in Grant Park in Chicago had been cast by Joe. I don't remember whether it was a horse or man or both." Dorothy Lassance-Wilberding, Dec 1989

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I received the following comment to a previous posting regarding Jospeh Wilberding and his many artistic talents, etc.

Steve Hutzel Jan 17, 06: "Uncle Joe Wilberding was considered quite an artist, particularly working on Catholic churches. He built beautiful Lourdes grottoes for many churches as well decorating their interiors. He also carved the headstones for various members of the family, while he does not have one on his own grave. I was told he was acquainted with Frank Duvenek, the famous painter. "
............................................................Thanks, Steve.

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NOTE: If anyone has any info to add or correct for Joseph, please drop me a note, and I will follow through on it. I would really appreciate getting an individaul photo of him if any exist. (E-mail: w4903@fuse.net)

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1. Carl Wilberding (1827-1888)
**2. Joseph Wilberding (1869-1942)