The story of Marcelle Hebert Grunsfeld begins with her autograph book, identified by her name
"Marcelle Hebert" and a date of December ("Xber") 1883, that was passed along through generations
and generously shared with me by Marcelle's granddaughter, Mary Joe Grunsfeld McIlroy.
Just a few years earlier in 1880, 5-year-old Marcelle was living with her parents, merchant H.G. Hebert
and Julie Hebert and her 2-year-old sister Eva Hebert in Shreveport, Louisiana, according to the
1880 census. Also in the household were jeweler Leon Strauss with wife "Edline" (actually Adeline Strauss),
2-year-old daughter Violet Strauss, and 15-year-old nephew Alfred Michel. Julie Hebert
and Adeline Strauss were sisters, maiden name Levy.
By 1885, according to a June 1st New Mexico territorial census, 11-year-old Marcelle was living with 41-year-old
father H. Hebert and 8-year-old sister Eva in Socorro, NM. 37-year-old L.F. Levy was also living in the
household. Julie Hebert is not listed. Interestingly, another 1885 New Mexico census dated June 29th lists
Marcelle and Eva Hebert as "adopted daughters" in the household of 40-year-old A.L. Strauss, 33-year-old wife
Adeline, and children 7-year-old Violet, 5-year-old Maurice, and infant son David, also in Socorro NM.
Incidentally, a 3rd 1885 New Mexico census from July 25th, specifically in the town of Sabinal, lists a
household with 47-year-old merchant Albert Levy, his 18-year-old wife Julia Levy, Albert's
42-year-old brother merchant Arthur Levy, and 20-year-old nephew Alfred Michel, working as a clerk.
There are a number of autograph entries during this time period. Violette Strauss made entries on
December 25th, 1883 (signed "your cousin"), August 1st, 1886 (signed "from cousin"), and November
12th, 1889 (signed "your sister").
Violette's younger brother Maurice Strauss had an entry dated July 2nd, 1886.
Violette's younger sister Essie Strauss (born July 1887)
wrote several entries to Marcelle - from November 20, 1897, from April 1, 1898 (signed "from cousin"),
and from May 25, 1901 (signed "your cousin").
In a Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Territory of New Mexico, for the year ending December
31st, 1893, Miss Marcelle Strauss was listed as a member of the Faculty in the Primary Department for the County of Socorro.
Marcelle married Albuquerque merchant Franco Frank in March, 1895. An announcement in an Albuquerque
newspaper noted that "The bride elect is the niece of the Socorro jeweler and also the niece of the Levys of
Sabinal, and is a charming and accomplished young lady. Mr. Frank is well-known as a wide-awake and successful
merchant." A son Herbert Frank was born in April, 1896. According to a newspaper notice, "There is a
little one at the home of Franco Frank, and that gentleman's happiness knows no bounds. The good health of
all the Frank family is reported."
Tragically, Franco Frank died suddenly in May, 1897. A May 20th Albuquerque article described his funeral.
"Mr. E. A. Levy of Sabinal and Mrs. A. L. Strauss of Socorro were in the city yesterday making arrangements
for the burial of the remains of their neice's [sic] husband Franco Frank. A short service was held at
Mrs. Frank's residence at 8 o'clock. The body was taken to Sabinal this morning and will be interred in the
cemetery with the father, mother and sister of Mrs. Frank [suggesting that H.G., Julie, and Eva Hebert have
all passed away at this time]. The grief-stricken wife, Mrs. Strauss and Mrs. Levy
accompanied the body to its final resting place. The burial will take place at Sabinal today." Another article
mentioned that, "he was married early in 1895 to Miss Marcella Herbert [sic], of Socorro, who is recognized as a fine violinist."
In March of 1900, Marcelle was engaged to Albuquerque's Siegfried Grunsfeld, who was "the
efficient bookkeeper at the whole sale dry goods store of Grunsfeld Bros., and was a popular
republican politician of the city." They were married in May at the Highland Hotel. Guests at the
wedding supper included "Mr. and Mrs. James Grunsfeld, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Grunsfeld, Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Grunsfeld, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Strauss and two daughters (who would be Violette and Essie),
Messrs. Sam Neustadt, J. B. Peabody, F. Lowenthal, M. Strauss and F. W. Schmaalmack."
Marcelle would have 2 additional children with Siegfried - Clarence Grunsfeld born in 1901,
and Norma Grunsfeld born in 1905. Herbert Frank, who signed his mother's autograph book on
May 25, 1901 at age 5 years, eventually changed his name to Herbert Grunsfeld. Clarence Grunsfeld
also signed the autograph book "To my dear mother" on September 26, 1915 at age 14.
Siegfried Grunsfeld passed away in September, 1917. According to the newspaper, "He had been ill for three
years and had been confined to his home for that period. Mr. Grunsfeld had lived in Albuquerque thirty years.
He was a prominent figure in public life in Bernalillo county and in Albuquerque and held the offices of
assessor, city clerk, and clerk of the board of education. Mr. Grunsfeld was born in Cassel, Germany, where
his mother still lives. A brother and a sister also live in Germany. Another brother, Ernest, is In New York.
The widow and three children - Herbert, Clarence and Norma - survive. He was a cousin of
Ivan, James and Col. Alfred Grunsfeld."
In a 1928 City Directory for El Paso TX, Marcelle and her 3 children were living together in the same
household at 2805 N Florence. According to the directory, Herbert was a traveling salesman for
Louis Chernis (who married Violette Strauss in 1903), Clarence was a salesman for Haymon Krupp & Co, and Norma was a teacher at Alamo
School. By 1930 the household of 4 had moved to Los Angeles.
Marcella Grunsfeld passed away March 17, 1949. An Albuquerque newspaper with the headline "Widow
of Pioneer Merchant Is Dead" contained the following details: "Mrs. Marcella Grunsfeld, Albuquerque
resident for 45 years and widow of a pioneer Albuquerque merchant, died Thursday in Los Angeles,
friends here learned Friday. Funeral will be Sunday in Los Angeles. Burial will be in Forest Lawn there.
Mrs. Grunsfeld was 67. Her husband, the late Siegfried was a wholesale merchant here for many years,
having his business at First and Gold, in the building now occupied by the Alvarado Garage. Mrs.
Grunsfeld moved to Los Angeles about IS years ago. She is survived by her two sons and a daughter,
Clarence Grunsfeld, Dallas, and Herbert Grunsfeld and Mrs. Norma Nayler, both of Los Angeles."