Enjoy Baltimore Heritage's 'Five Minute History' on some of Baltimore's German Chocolatiers.

Albert Kirchmayr Chocolates

Mr. Kirchmayr (1956) emigrated from Munich, Germany in his early twenties.  He was born in 1956 and came to Baltimore in 1978.  He trained in Germany as a chef in a trade school in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  He began sending resumes and seeking employment in the U.S. in 1977.  One of his first jobs was at the Café des Artistes in Mt. Washington. 

In 1986, he went back to Europe because he had become fascinated with candymaking.  He studied the art for one year with candy master Karl Daeuvel (Munich) and completed his studies with a two week specialized course in Lucerne, Switzerland. 

His candies are ‘high end’ and he furnishes several hotels, caterers and country clubs in the area.  His chocolates are fresh and the chocolate is imported from Lubeck’s in Munich. 

He is a perfectionist, which may be part of his German heritage and his chocolates prove just that.  He opened his chocolate shop in 1985.   Recently Mr. Kirchmayr sold his business to 'long time' employees and they continue the operation at 1811 York Rd., Ste. E in the Aldi Shopping Center in Timonium.   See their website at https://fineeuropeanchocolate.com/. 

Edelweiss Bakery

Dietrich, Paul (to 11-16-2007)

Mr. Paul left East Germany in 1959 as a baker on tour with the German merchant marine.  He ended up in New York, then Pennsylvania and finally settling in Maryland where he opened the bakery and café in 2001 on Harford Road.  He and his wife, Genevieve Brogan made most of the delicacies themselves. 

One of the things that patrons remember most are the ‘German Thursdays’, where Alfred Zeller would come and play his accordion and the German community would get together to remember old times and the old country. 

Source:  Baltimore Sun, November 26, 2006;  Baltimore Sun, November 28, 2007

Ernest Uebersax, came to the U.S. from Switzerland. Upon arriving in Baltimore, Maryland, he obtained a job working as an apprentice baker at a small bakery called Fancy Bakery - it was here, that he met the baker’s sister-in-law and love of his life, Alvena Buttner.

Eight years later, in April of 1913, Ernest and Alvena were married and days later, started their own bakery which they called the E. Uebersax Bakery. Located on what was then called Columbia Avenue (now known as Washington Boulevard), the opening of the E. Uebersax Bakery would be the start of Fenwick Bakery’s many years of heritage and legacy.

By the early 1920s, Ernest and Alvena’s family (they now had a daughter and two young sons) and bakery were expanding, so they made the decision to move their family and bakery to the corner of Oliver and Montford Avenues. But in 1926, Ernest and Alvena made the difficult decision to close the bakery.

A year later however, they moved their family one more time to a slightly larger home in east Baltimore. Now living on Fenwick Avenue, Ernest and Alvena decided to reopen their bakery, this time naming it Fenwick Bakery. In the years that followed, Ernest and Alvena had another son and daughter and their reputation for producing unbeatable, fresh baked goods began spreading rapidly around town.

By 1952, their children were now adults and the business was doing so well, that they decided to retire and hand the bakery over to their eldest son, Walter (who became the bakery’s new President and co-owner) and youngest son, Ed (now the new Head Baker and co-owner). Eventually, their youngest daughter, Marta Gahs, would also become a part-owner of the bakery and worked for many years behind the counter, serving Fenwick’s many loyal customers.

In 1971, Fenwick was moved for a final time to its current location on Harford Road in Parkville, Maryland. And in the mid-1990s, Walt, Ed, and Marta decided it was time to retire themselves and sell the bakery to its current owners and long-time Fenwick employees, Al Meckel (President and Head Baker) and Claudette Wilson (Head Decorator). However, the Uebersax family continues to support and love the bakery. Their website was designed by Kate Gahs, the great-granddaughter of Ernest and Alvena.

Source:  http://www.fenwickbakery.com/our%20story.html

Glauber Chocolates

Glauber, John H. (8-8-1851 to 12-10-1931)

John H. Glauber opened a small candy factory in 1876 at 1037 South Hanover Street.  In 1912 his two sons, Milton (7-1888 to 1926) and Howard (10-1895 to), became partners and the firm name was changed to John H. Glauber & Sons.  He opened stalls in the Cross Street and Hollins markets and began supplying candy to department stores and bakeries.  The Hanover Street headquarters was outgrown and in 1935, they purchased a property at 1020 Regester Avenue.  They lived and worked there.  Mr. Glauber died in 1939 and the business continued under the management of Howard Albert and his wife Miriam and his oldest son Howard.  His youngest son, Kenneth also became a partner when he completed college.  In 1950 a candy stall was opened in the then recently rebuilt Lexington Market and in 1963 a card and candy shop at Yorkridge Shopping Center was added and in 1965 a retail outlet at the Perring Plaza.  In 1971, Eastpoint was added and in 1983, Towsontowne Mall.  Today, the original recipes are still used and several traditional procedures.

Glauber’s was sold on April 25, 2002 to Ruxton Chocolates (maker of Naron and Mary Sue).  Glauber’s chocolates may still be purchased at their retail operation at 18 W. Ridgely Road in Timonium, Maryland.  Mr. John Glauber and. Milton Glauber are  interred at Loudon Park Cemetery.

Goetz Candies

Goetze, August L. (5-23-1832 to 9-4-1906)

Goetze, William  (1863 to)

Goetze, R. Melvin (2-8-1889 to 2-1972)

In 1895 August L. Goetze and his son William Goetze  began manufacturing confections in Baltimore.  It was known at the time as the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company.  It was located in the same area as the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 1909 R. Melvin Goetze, son of William joined the firm. It was R. Melvin Goetze that made the Caramel candies, first at home and later for Goetz Candy in 1917.  They were introduced to the market in 1918.  In 1928 the company moved to larger facilities to meet the demand for the new candies.  It still exists at that location today.  R. Melvin Goetze’s son, R. Melvin Goetze, Jr., joined the firm in 1935 and led the way to automation.  In 1941, the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company picked their leading product and began exclusive production of that product.  In 1958, the company was incorporated under the name of the Goetze’s Candy Company.  In 1969, the fourth generation joined the firm.

Throughout the years various flavors of ‘Creams’ products have been manufactured by Goetze. 

In 1984 R. Melvin Goetze, Jr., was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.  This same year, the company began production of ‘cow tales’.

In 1992, the fifth generation entered the business.  In 1993, ‘Cow Tales’ were nominated as product of the year.  In 1995, they celebrated their 100th Anniversary.  In 1998, Spaulding Goetze was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.  

August Goetze purchased the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company in 1895 – but don’t let the name mislead you – candy was his business. Goetze’s passion ultimately led him to focus on perfecting a single, signature product. With soft, chewy caramel wrapped around a sweet fondant center, Caramel Creams® were born. Their unique taste has been delighting candy fans ever since – and setting the standard for consistent quality in the American candy business.

The name was changed to Goetze's Candy Company in 1951.

Goetz’s Candy Company has enjoyed a century of popularity. From horse and cart deliveries in downtown Baltimore, Goetze’s cooks and processes candy daily, for shipments all over the globe.

The Goetze's Candy Company proudly manufactures ALL their candies in the GOOD OLD USA! The factory has been located in Baltimore, Maryland since 1895 and is currently in the 5th generation of operation and ownership. 

Some personal details:  August (also shown on one census as Augustus) was born in Prussia.  He married Ellen (12-2-1831 to 5-6-1896), also born in Prussia.  Together, there children were Henry, William, Mary, Emma, George and August.  August and Ellen are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

William is found on the 1910 census listed as a widower and living at 813 Broadway with his children Randle (21), Sadie (19), and Catherine (13).  His father in law, William Weaver and sister in law Catherine also lived with him.  The 1930 census and is listed as a widower.  I believe the Catherine listed was his daughter (age 36), however, the census states it was his wife.  Also living with him was his brother August and his mother-in-law, Mary Clements. Both census lists his occupation as Chewing Gum Manufacturer.

Randle or R. Melvin is found on the 1930 census living at 1711 Lakeside Avenue, with his wife Bernadine (39) and children Audrey (17) and Randle, Jr., (13).  His occupation also listed as Chewing Gum Manufacture.  His date of death is 2-1972 and occurred in Broward, Florida. 

From the Goetze website:  The Goetze Family takes pride in the fact that we purchase materials from the U.S. whenever possible, regardless of price. Materials from the U.S. are governed by the FDA and the USDA following strict guidelines to keep our food supply safe. We feel as a United States family manufacturer it is our responsibility to SUPPORT other U.S. companies and more importantly, other Family Businesses that call our great country their home.

http://www.goetzcandy.com/index.cfm?page=madeinusa

The company continues to operate today at 3900 East Monument Street in Baltimore.  (Telephone: 410-342-2010)

Five Minute Histories by the Baltimore Heritage Foundation

Goldman’s Kosher Bakery

Fred B. ‘Fritz’ Cohn (1921 to 2006)-Mr. Cohn was born in Leipzig, Germany.  He wanted to be a physician like his father, but the Nazi’s, at that time, had come to power and Jews could not enter medical school.  He became an apprentice baker.  The family fled Germany in 1939 and settled in Bolivia.  Mr. Cohn, then 18, opened a small bakery.  He married Inge J. Falkenstein and together they moved to Baltimore in 1954 with $50 in savings.

In 1960 he opened Freddy’s Bakery and in 1965 he bought Goldman’s Kosher Bakery at Rogers and Park Heights Avenues.  He later moved (1973) the bakery to the Fallstaff Shopping Center on Reisterstown Road. 

Source:  Baltimore Sun, July 19, 2006

Goll, Bobby (1930)

On December 3rd, Bobby Goll Sr., who celebrated his 85th birthday last month, was honored by the German Society of Maryland,  for carrying on the tradition of his parents Eugene and Elsa Goll, who arrived in Havre de Grace on their honeymoon in 1930.  Both from Stuttgart, they arrived in Philadelphia at the ages of 18 and 17.  They married in Philly, but soon moved to Havre de Grace.  This was the beginning of the Great Depression but they followed their dream and opened their bakery.  Both were from German baker families.  They knew the business better than they knew their new neighborhood.  It was second nature and the bakery flourished.  December 3rd is the official 90th birthday of the bakery.

The first bakery was located a few blocks from their current location, which is at 234 N. Washington Street.  They even provided delivery services prior to the onset on WWII.  The Goll’s were blessed with four children.  Three of those children moved on to careers that did not include the bakery, however, it was their son Bobby who caught the fever and passion of baking and maintained the bakery.  The community of Havre de Grace love the man and the bakery.  They have served that city for over 80 years.  

Carrying on the tradition means more than just baking German pastries, etc.  They actually carry on the tradition using the same beautiful antique baking equipment purchased by Eugene and Elsa ‘in the day’, as well as all of the recipes that have been handed down.

Today, the tradition is being carried on by Bobby’s daughter Susie Goll.   The 90th Anniversary of the bakery on December 3rd will make it the first family business to make it 90 years in Havre de Grace.

Bakery Website:  www.GollsBakery4321.com

Hagel, Anton (4-17-1888 to 1-20-1967)

Mr. Hagel was born in Marbach, Hesse, son of Max and Louisa Hagel.  He immigrated and emigrated to Baltimore on June 12, 1912, where he began working at a bakery.  In 1914, he opened his own bakery, which was located at Pratt and Ann Streets.  He operated the bakery until his retirement in 1957.

He was past president of the Retail Bakers Association of Baltimore and treasurer of the Potomac States Association of the Baking Industry.

He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Baltimore Kiwanis Club, a board member of Spring Grove Hospital.

During WWII, Mr. Hagel was president of the Deutsches Haus, Inc. and is credited with saving the facility, which experienced severe financial strain and other difficulties during this time.  When he died in 1967, he was honorary President. He was a member of the German Society of Maryland serving as vice president, and belonged to the boards of the German Home for the Aged and the German Correspondent, Inc.

Anton, according to the 1930 census was married to Mary (born 12-22-1888 in Baltimore, Maryland to German parents) and lived on Crossland Avenue in Baltimore.  They had one daughter, Mary, at that time.

He is buried at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Hauswald’s Bakery

The bakery was founded in the early 1900s by Sophia Hauswald.   It was located on Edmondson Avenue. Sophia’s son Philip John Hauswald, Sr. (12-16-1892 to 2-1980) worked with her in the bakery.  The 1930 federal census has the family Philip, Sr., living at 1015 Poplar Street.  It notes that the father was German born and his mother was born in Maryland.  The children living there at that time were Ruth, Normi, Doris and Philip, Jr.  Philip’s occupation is baker.  Next door at 1019 Poplar Grove was Philip’s mother Sophia.  This indicated that both of her parents were German born.  Daughter Anna was living with Sophia and working as the manager in the bakery.  The 1910 census has the family living at 8 Pulaski Street, where Sophia is widowed and living with children Anna, Adelaide, Elsie, Philip, Carl and Myrtle.  Both Anna and Elsie worked at the bakery at this time.

Philip John Hauswald (2-15-1925 to 11-30-1998) worked in the family business founded by his grandmother, Sophia,  in the early 1900s.  He was a Baltimore native, graduated in 1943.  He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 during WWII.  He was a graduate of Loyola College.  Mr. Hauswald was the past president of the Potomac State Baker’s Association.  He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 

The Bakery was sold to the Schmidt Bakery in 1989.  The Hauswald family is interred at Druid Ridge Cemetery. 

Source:  Baltimore Sun, December 2, 1998; 1900 Federal Census.

Heinz Cake & Gift Haus

Heinz Hubert Luesse (10-7-1934 to ) came to the U.S. in 1960 with his wife, Elvira, in 1960.  He began his career as an apprentice baker in Hamburg, Germany in 1950.  He became a master pastry chef in 1959.  Mr. Luesse worked his way around the world working for the Hamburg American Steamship Company. 

He opened the bakery at the corner of West Main and John Streets in Westminster Maryland in 1972.  He and his wife worked at the bakery for 36 years when it was sold in 1996.  His son, Heinz Eric Luesse, had no desire to continue the bakery at that time.

Heinz Eric Luesse (9-6-1967 to) earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Frostburg State University and opened his own business.  The business was successful, but sold, when Heinz Luesse decided to go back into the bakery business.  The timing was right because the new owners of his father’s bakery sold it back to him. 

The bakery is located at 42 W. Main Street in Westminster, Maryland.  Telephone:  410-848-0808.

Source:  Baltimore Sun, January 15, 1996; Baltimore Sun, October 27, 1997

Muhly Bakery

Eberhard Muhly (6-8-1804 to 8-22-1885) came to America around 1852 as a cabinet maker.  He built a brick oven in his backyard to bake bread for his large family of 10 children.  He often brought home scrapes of wood from his carpentry job to burn in his oven.  He lived at 1115 Charles Street. 

He allowed women in the neighborhood to bring their bread over to his oven and he would charge them 2 cents a loaf to bake it.  He began selling his own bread for 5 cents a loaf to the neighbors.  When his bakery business became self-sustaining in 1855, he gave up the carpentry business.

Muhly's Bakery was commandeered by General Butler's Union Army during the Civil War.  The Union Army stationed on Federal Hill enjoyed many of Muhly's bakery goods, especially the gingerbread.

Muhly gave the bakery business to his son Christan after the Civil War and began to study homeopathic medicine.  He practiced medicine in his home on Light Street between 1870 and 1880.  He died in 1885. 

The Bakery was located on Charles Street until the 1990s.  Mother's Restaurant now stands in its place. 

Eberhard Muhly was the first president of Martini Lutheran Church.  The stained glass window of Christ healing the sick was given to the church by Muhly's grandchildren.  His picture hangs in Martini's heritage hall.  Mr. Muhly is buried in St. Paul's Cemetery.

Information was provided by Sandy Clark

Otterbein Bakery

Otterbein, Adam J.  (12-1845 to 3-5-1911)(1)
Otterbein, August Anthony (7-31-1884 to 3-14-1950)(2)
Otterbein, Joseph George (1923-2011)(3)
Otterbein, Mark (4)
Otterbein, Joseph, Jr. (4)

The Otterbein Bakery opened in Baltimore in 1881 as a storefront pastry shop.  The bakery was founded by Adam Otterbein, who emigrated from Germany in 1881.  The bakery began as a small retail shop in Locust Point, near Fort McHenry, actually on Fort Avenue and Jackson Street.  Adam married Anna Maria Sophia (Simon 1845-1922).  Their children were Theresa Sophia, Leopold Leo, August Anthony and Frank Joseph.

The bakery has been operated by family, four generations: Adam, August, Joseph and  Joseph, Jr. & Mark, since its’ opening.  It has also moved from Locust Point.  It is now operated by Mark  & Joseph, Jr. Otterbein.  

Joseph the father took over the business in 1947 and bought it two years later.  He moved the business to Northeast Baltimore in the late 1950s.  It established the bakery at the shopping center at Loch Raven Boulevard and Northern Parkway.  Joseph the father served in U.S. Army as a paratrooper in both England and France.   Joseph is also famous for his signature cookies, which are a thin, delicate sugar cookie, which he made in lemon, ginger and chocolate chip.  The bakery still served their traditional German breads, cakes, and pastries which included the popular peach cake and schmierkase (a type of cheese cake).  He retired in 1996 and his sons took over the business. (3)  

Mark Otterbein served in the U.S. Navy in 1972, but later came back and joined the family business.  He closed the retail operation and opened the wholesale business. (4)

The family is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Bakery Website:  http://www.otterbeinsbakery.com/history/

Source:  Baltimore Sun, May 24, 2006
Additional Information provided by William Wires (9-10-2021)

Rheb’s Chocolates

Louis Rheb (12-11-1890 to 7-19-1960)

Louis John (12.11.1890 to 7.19.1960) and Esther (Braun) Rheb (11.23.1893 to 10.19.1980), as newlywed, moved into their new home at 3352 Wilkens Avenue. In 1917, a year later, he started making candy in the basement of their home. Taffies, Brittles, Fudge and jellies were the first candies he learned to make. He was self-taught, studying from books and experimenting for many years. 

Louis was born to a German immigrant mother and his father was the son of German immigrants.  His mother arrived in 1880. (1910 Federal Census).

The candies were sold in the markets twice a week, Esther going to Hollins and Louis to Belair. In the mid-thirties, they opened in the Lexington Market. As the years passed, Louis developed more recipes, and Esther learned to hand dip the centers in a smooth and velvety chocolate which they had blended to complement each piece of candy and to their complete satisfaction. 

Many people came to Wilkens Avenue to buy candy, so they decided to convert their garage into a store. The Grand Opening took place in 1950, and today it is our main store. Hollins and Belair markets were closed a few years later. All the recipes Louis perfected remain in the family. We are into our third generation and we continue today with "Quality, Service and Value" as our most important ingredients.

The couple had two children, Albert and Esther.  Louis and Esther are buried at Loudon Park Cemetery.  His daughter Esther B. Rheb Harger worked six days a week at the family business.  She passed away on April 13, 2016 at the age of 96.  She is buried at Loudon Park as well. 

Store information:

See their website at https://rhebs.com/ 

Isaac and Dora Silber’s bakery was located on Lombard Street.  Isaac was born in Austria and Dora in Russia (according to the 1910 Census) and Isaac immigrated to the US in 1904, which is when he opened the first bakery, located at 1317 Lombard Street.  Together Isaac and Dora had eight children.  Their specialty was their rye bread.  Several locations were opened and their main bakery was located at Monroe Street and Westwood Avenue.  Isaac Silber died in 1945 and Sam Leonard Silber joined the bakery in 1949, eventually becoming the President.

Sam was born in Baltimore in 1914. He graduated from City College in 1930 and the University of Maryland in 1934.  He played lacrosse there and was an All American lacrosse player.  He enlisted in the Navy.  He served on board many aircraft carriers in the Pacific and flew Hellcats.  He received four Distinguished Flying Crosses and four air medals, as he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. 

Sam Silber was president of the University of Maryland’s ‘M’ Club and the Jesters Club.  Samuel Isaac died February 2001.

Bernard Silber (the oldest)  was a successful physician.  He attended Baltimore City College, the University of Maryland and the University of Chicago School of Medicine.   His focus was on internal medicine and he was also very learned in the area of nutrition and fitness.  Dr. Silber was a Captain in the US Army during WWII and stationed at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.  Bernard was born in 1911 and died in March 20, 2010.

Other Silber children included Meyer Silber, Libbye Silber Sneider, Sidney Silber, Dr. Earle Silber and Evelyn Silber Krohn.

Wockenfuss Candies

Wockenfuss, Herman Charles (1875 to )

Wockenfuss Candies is proud to be one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore.  The year 2015 was a special one for Wockenfuss, as they will be celebrating their 100th Birthday.  They are a family owned business that is now in its fifth generation of candy-making.

It all started for us when Herman Charles Wockenfuss was born in 1875 in West Prussia, Germany.  He was the son of Herman Julius Wockenfuss (6-12-1841 to 4-14-1929) and Gustina (Schumick 1837-1906). He came to America in 1887 and eventually learned how to make candy.  In 1915, he proudly opened the Wockenfuss Candy Company, known today as Wockenfuss Candies. 

Herman Charles continued to operate the business until his son Herman Lee and his wife Marian took it over in 1945 when Herman Lee returned from World War II.  Under Herman Lee’s direction, the business continued to evolve and added three more stores to its flagship location on Belair Road in Northeast Baltimore.  Herman Lee was instrumental in creating the signature homemade chocolate candies that are now so closely associated with Wockenfuss Candies’ reputation.

Though Herman Lee and his wife Marian are still involved in the business, their son Paul is now the owner and president of Wockenfuss Candies.  Under Paul’s direction, the business is continuing to evolve.  Presently, there are 9 retail stores in Maryland, including 3 in Ocean City, MD and also an internet business that continues to grow.  The internet website is www.wockenfusscandies.com.

As we continue to grow and near our 100th Birthday, the family is still very involved in every aspect of the business.  Presently, 4 generations of the Wockenfuss family are involved in the business.  This includes 10 family members who are eagerly looking forward to the next 100 years.

[Information courtesy Paul Wockenfuss, President, Wockenfuss Candy Company, Inc.]

Wockenfuss, Bernard (7-2-1915 to 8-26-2004)

Bernard 'Wocky' Wockenfuss was born in Salisbury, the first son of Herman C. and Ryda B. (Hudson).  He lived in Baltimore until 1942 and worked in his father's candy business.  He went to Johns Hopkins University from 1934 to 1935, General Motors Institute from 1936 to 1940, University of Michigan in 1944, University of Delaware of Delaware in 1947, Harvard University in 1954.  When he graduated from GMI he went to work for General Motors and retired from there after 39 years in April of 1974.

Bernard was married to Beatrice Wallace on January 11, 1941.  After her passing he married Eliza Cordes in 1975.  He had three daughters.  He died in Michigan.

Woodlea Bakery-Hergenroeder Family

John Hergenroeder, Sr. (9-8-1881 to 4-1967) Immigrated from Omerridenberg, Germany and opened what became the family business.  Woodlea Bakery was opened on April 3, 1943 in Northeast Baltimore.  He married Dorothy.  During those early days experienced many hard times.  Their opening coincided with the war rationing efforts and confections were made with black-market sugar and honey. 

Charles Hergenroeder, Sr.  ( to 2007)

John Hergenroeder (10-10-1909 to 10-28-1999) He was a regular parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church and a regular contributor to the African missionaries and the orphanages in the Baltimore area. 

Woodlea Bakery is located at 4905 Belair Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21206, 410-488-7717.  Website:  http://www.woodleabakery.com/frame.html. 

Source:  Baltimore Sun, October 12, 1999; Baltimore Sun, April 12, 2007; Social Security Death Index;

Zirkler Union Square Bakery

Erwin Zirkler (8-5-1910 to 11-21-1998) and his wife Helene (5-18-1913 to 1-3-2000) operated their row house bakery at Hollins Avenue and Carrollton Avenue, for more than 50 years.  Their three daughters also worked in the bakery.  The bakery was closed in 1978. 

Erwin Zirkler was a German immigrant.  He met Helene in the bakery and they married in 1934.  He did all of the baking from the basement ovens and Helene managed the store.  Helene Zirkler was also a German immigrant. 

Source:  Baltimore Sun, January 7, 2000; Baltimore Sun, November 25, 1998