Legacy

The EMRICK surname consists of many variations. Such spellings include: Emmerich, Emmerick, Emrich, Emerick, Emerich, Emrick.

Emrick history is also filled with many stories and myths. The most famous family legend says that this group is descendent from the semi-famous fur trader, John Nicholas Emerick, who taught John Jacob Astor everything he knew about the fur industry. Current research has not yet produced a direct link to John Nicholas; however, the real story of the Emerick-Astor partnership according to Calvin I. Hoy, L.L.B. in John Jacob Astor: An Unwritten Chapter is as follows:

John Nicholas Emerick comes from a town called Darmstadt in Germany. The family was well known and respected in the town. His father, John Daniel, was the son of a prominent innkeeper in their hometown. John Nicholas had two brothers, John Christopher and John Valentine, and a sister, Marie Mary. His mother died during the birth of Marie Mary when John Nicholas was just six years old.

John Nicholas left Germany and set out for the New World where after years of hard work and learning experiences, he became a well respected and successful fur trader. He often traveled between Europe and America to trade. During one of his journeys, he met a young John Jacob Astor, another German, who was making his first trip across the Atlantic to America. Astor and Emerick became fast friends. Emerick described the fur trading business in great detail and Astor absorbed the information with interest.

Once in America, Emerick helped Astor get settled and even found him a job with a furrier. After about two years, the two men decided to work together and a year later they became partners. Since Astor was still relatively new to fur trading, he took a 1/3^rd share in the business while Emmerick took the remaining 2/3^rd share.

They worked well together and managed to amass large sums of money. During this period, there were no banks. Therefore, it is impossible to know for sure how wealthy these men really were. Astor did eventually deposit money in one of the first banks and is credited as America’s first millionaire. From this, we must assume that Emerick was also a millionaire as he had a greater share in their company.

Upon Emerick’s death his fortune was willed to his brothers’ children as he himself had no children. He set up a trusteeship with Astor whereby his estate would be transferred to his brothers’ heirs 90 years after his death. However, Astor took complete control of the company upon Emerick’s death and years later, the Emerick’s would lose any rights to the company and its profits in a dispute over the Emerick will even though John Nicholas was quite clear:

“a). With this I declare, that I, John Nicholas Emerick, two-thirds partner-owner, and partner, that my possessions will go into trusteeship for 90 years to my partner John Jacob Astor. After that time, all my possessions, together with their gains, shall be given to the descendants of my two brothers Christopher and Valentine, and they shall be distributed among them. The said heirs shall be found every ten years via publications until they are found and the required measurements have been taken.

Further, I state that John Jacob Astor was a poor boy when I loaned him money. Furthermore, I say, that my wealth is estimated to be about $1 million, that I count ships as my own, 35 acres of land in New York City – partially within the present borders of the city, I own 4000 acres of land in the coal area of Berks County/Penn. which borders on the possessions of Stephan Girard, with whom I had business relations at some time. I also own 3000 acres within the city of Germantown, and other parcels of lots. I have other legal documents mapped out, since I am afraid that Astor is not the man I had believed him to be when I made him my partner.

I am leaving those documents in my suitcase, to protect my possessions.

October 24, 1815

Germantown, Penn. John Nicholas Emerick (seal)”

Generation 1

Wilbur Gaston EMRICK

– August 10, 1929

and

Ida Mae ROBINSON

May 8, 1887 – August 6, 1931

Wilbur was born in Upstate New York and was studying medicine when he was kidnapped and taken aboard a ship to serve as a doctor. After being released from his duty on the ship, he returned home and later married Ida Mae ROBINSON. However, before Wilbur and Ida were married Ida was married to a man with the last name of HAMILTON. They had children together.

After her first husband died, Ida married Wilbur and they had two children of their own, Wilbur Russell (Sr.) and Leona. The family lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Paulsboro, New Jersey.

Years later after a day at the bar, Wilbur was found loitering in Paulsboro. A policeman rapped him on the head with a billy club. Wilbur never recovered from the blow and died shortly thereafter.

Memories…by Wilbur Russell EMRICK, Sr.

The Hamilton boys didn’t much care for my father, their stepfather. One day when I was about ten, they decided to gang up on him. They caught him off guard as he was walking along the railroad tracks on his way home. Dad put up a good fight and won.

Generation 2

Richard “Dick” HAMILTON

Dick married a woman named Gladys. They had two children: Lillian and Richard, Jr.

Emma HAMILTON Watson

She married a man named Leon Watson.

Harry HAMILTON

He lived in Baltimore.

Robert HAMILTON

Wilbur Russell EMRICK Sr.

January 27,1905 – September 30, 1973

Wilbur, or Bill, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked for Socony Mobil in Delaware and later purchased farmland in Swedesboro, New Jersey, becoming a gentleman farmer. He was a past Master of the Masons and belonged to the Shriners and Tall Cedars.

Memories…by Wilbur Russell EMRICK, Jr.

After World War II, my father and I would walk along the railroad tracks picking up any coal that fell off the trains as they roared past. This helped keep us warm.

Leona EMRICK Gattuso

September 13, 1910 –

Generation 3

Lillian HAMILTON Olson

Lillian married Raymond Olson. They had two sons: Raymond “Skippy” Jr., and the other was possibly named Richard.

Richard HAMILTON

He died of cancer.

Wilbur Russell EMRICK, Jr.

May 17, 1939 –

Wilbur Russell was named after his father; so, everyone called him Russell to avoid confusion. He was born in Paulsboro, New Jersey – the first son of Wilbur, Sr. and Eliza Morris. He grew up in the rambling countryside of South Jersey and learned how to be “street-savvy” at an early age.

During his college days at Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, he met his future wife, Helene SAMOUR (see SAMOUR Group), who was studying at nearby Trenton State College. They were married on July 9, 1959 and had three children: Wilbur Russell, III; Helen Lynn; and Virginia Lynn.

Russell worked many odd jobs in the beginning of his marriage. Times were hard and he would do whatever it took to support his family. Eventually, he settled into the insurance industry and opened his own company.

Russell is an avid golfer and also enjoys trading on the stock market. He is a member of the Elks, Lions and is in the 32^nd Degree of the Free Masons.

Memories…by James Stuart EMRICK, Sr.

When I was in school, I owned 1956 Chevy. Somehow, a buddy of mine and my car keys were the same. One day, this guy decides to play a trick on me and move my car – little did he know my brother borrowed the car that day. When Russell saw him getting in my car, he nearly beat him up. If I hadn’t come along, my buddy might have ended up with two broken legs.

James Stuart EMRICK, Sr.

January 9, 1942 –

James Stuart was named James after his maternal grandfather and Stuart after his maternal step-grandfather, but most of his family knows him as Stuart. In 1965, he married Janet FELDMAN, and they had three children: James, Jr.; Lori Michelle and Jennifer Lynn.

Stuart and Janet divorced and he later married Cyndy BRAUD, whom he met while in Mississippi with the Navy Reserves. Cyndy had two children from a previous marriage: Sandy and Scott SHARLOW. Since Stuart used his first name in the Navy, his new family knows him as Jim.

Stuart works for Air Products and Chemical Company, Inc. and spent most of his life in the Navy Reserves handling supplies – retiring in 1999. He is a part of the Free Masons organization and is a past master of his lodge. He is very involved with his church as a lay leader, council chairperson, Sunday school teacher and member of the Finance and Evangelism Committee.

Memories…by Wilbur Russell EMRICK, Jr.

One day when I was about four, I was pushing Stuart around in his carriage to entertain him. Toots (mother) came home from work and I was excited to see her. So, I decided to push the carriage over to her and show her what a good brother I was. Well, I just happened to be upstairs at the time and lost control of the carriage. Stuart, carriage and all went flying down the whole flight of stairs and Stuart ended up with a broken nose.

Wilbur GATTUSO

1942 –

Wilbur works as a physical therapist.

Vincent GATTUSO

1933 –

Theresa GATTUSO

Emma GATTUSO

Andrew GATTUSO

Madalyn GATTUSO

1939 –

Generation 4

Wilbur Russell EMRICK III

September 15, 1960 –

Like his father, Wilbur Russell, III simply went by Russell. Often, he was designated as “Little Russell” to separate him from his father. He was a curious child and loved to fiddle with all things electronic, which led him to a career in computers.

When he was eighteen, he enlisted in the Navy Reserves and completed his basic training outside of Chicago. He was discharged shortly after graduation due to health reasons. He returned to New Jersey and met his future wife, Bonita Susan STEIN (“Bonnie”). They were married in May 1980 and had two children: W. Russell, IV and Adam Michael.

After Russell and Bonnie divorced in 1986, Russell moved back to New Jersey from York, Pennsylvania. He had various computer related jobs and became very involved in his church, where he met his fiancé, Debbie KEYSER, in 1988. Russell and Debbie broke up in 1989. Later, Debbie moved to Delaware and gave birth to Russell’s third son, Joel Phillip KEYSER, whom Russell never met.

In 1991, Russell met Jane Elizabeth CHARLIER. They were married in July 1993. They are very active in their church. Russell still enjoys computers and electronics. Jane is a homemaker. Their first child, Timothy Gerould, was born in January 2000.

Helen Lynn EMRICK

February 13, 1962 –

Helen Lynn was born in the middle of a blizzard and her life has been a flurry of activity since. She was active in many clubs and events and has many hobbies. She passed through all the stations in “Rainbow” (a Masonic organization for girls).

During her college years, she worked in sales and volunteered as a Sunday school teacher of the preschool class. While a junior in college, Helen lived in Seville, Spain and perfected her fluency in Spanish. While there, she traveled extensively through Europe and met many interesting people.

Helen spent many nights learning the art of woodcarving for which she excels. Her feathering technique was rated “best in the class.” Due to a car accident, she has had to put this hobby aside but hopes to return to it soon.

She is currently employed with the Wall Street Journal and the YMCA. She enjoys caring for her animals and studying holistic medicine.

Virginia Lynn EMRICK

November 25, 1967 –

Virginia (AKA Ginny) earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications specializing in Radio/TV/Film and a Master’s in Public Relations from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in Glassboro, New Jersey. Her undergraduate internship was with Storer Cable where she learned how to apply her production skills in a real world setting. She also created original 30 and 60 minute commercials for the local cable station along with writing and assisting on various other commercials. Her graduate internship was at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Philadelphia where she worked in the Marketing Department assisting on various newsletters and the promotion of a new rehabilitation center. Ginny also worked as a graduate assistant in the Graphics Technology Office of Glassboro State College to pay for her graduate studies. As part of this assistantship, she was responsible for layout and design for various school projects and supervising the computer lab.

Ginny worked as a teller at Cherry Hill National Bank (now First Union) during high school and college. In May of 1992, she moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles, California via car to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. After working for the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) for close to two years, she decided to take a computer related job. She worked at XY-Systems, Inc. mainly as a technical support analyst for four years. While there, she also handled various sales and marketing tasks. This led her to her current position at Imperial Bank where she works as a special events planner in the Marketing Department and also handles miscellaneous graphics projects.

Her interests include writing, genealogy and languages (English, Latin, Spanish and Farsi).

In My Own Words…A Personal Essay by Virginia Lynn EMRICK

September 1989

It was your ordinary November Saturday. The morning air was still filled with the pleasant scent of Thanksgiving, but the family was not thinking about left over turkey. There were more important things to think about, such as when the baby would arrive, whether it would be a girl or a boy, and if the chosen names would fit. By the afternoon, everyone was worn out from anticipation. Then, finally, the announcement came: “It’s a girl! Virginia Lynn.” Everyone was excited about the new baby – from Mommy and Daddy to big brother and sister to Nanny and Pop Pop.

After a few days, the baby came home and did what every baby does. She grew up – getting bigger with each day and doing your average baby things. When she was two, her maternal grandparents moved into the apartments just down the road from her house. This meant that little Virginia – or Ginny as she was called – could see Nanny and Pop Pop every day instead of weekends only.

Ginny spent a lot of time with these grandparents and became very close to them, especially Pop Pop. The two did so many things together. Everyday after school, Pop Pop would pick Ginny up, and then, they would go for walks, to the playground, to the store, etc. One of Ginny’s favorite places to go was Kramp’s Liquor Store where Pop Pop would buy his “medicine” once a month. There would be rows and rows of shiny bottles to catch the wondering eyes of a little girl. At the check out, Pop Pop would always buy his granddaughter a small bag of Planter’s Peanuts – this was her “medicine.” This happy carefree life with her grandparents nearby lasted a little more than seven and a half years.

Her family moved thirty minutes away. So when Ginny started fourth grade, Pop Pop wasn’t there to pick her up anymore. Things seemed to go very wrong that first year in her new house. In November, only three months after she left, Pop Pop became seriously ill. Something was wrong with his heart and he had to stay in the hospital. This upset Ginny very much because she was too young to visit him – hospital rules, you know. Then, Pop Pop began to feel better and said he’d be home in a week to celebrate Ginny’s tenth birthday. When she heard this, Ginny was really excited and couldn’t wait for him to be back with her. She came home from school the next day still bursting with happiness only to find that everyone was home and very unhappy. That’s when she first heard the bad news – Pop Pop had “passed away” in his sleep.

In the beginning, she didn’t believe it. It certainly couldn’t be true. He sent her a message just yesterday that he would be home to eat a piece of her birthday cake. Pop Pop would never lie to her or go back on his promise. He couldn’t be dead. He’d be there for her birthday. She knew he would. Of course, he would. He promised! But – Pop Pop never showed up, and Ginny was left with an empty spot in her heart that, with time, would be filled with all the wonderful memories of what they had together.

James Stuart EMRICK, Jr.

February 26, 1967 –

Jimmy worked as a waiter and other odd jobs while putting himself through nursing school. He works as a nurse at Underwood Hospital and is part of a bowling league.

Lori Michelle EMRICK

April 26, 1968 –

Lori studied nursing at Thomas Jefferson University and worked as a nurse at Jefferson hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while studying law. After graduating from Widner College of Law, she began working in a law firm in Philadelphia.

Jennifer Lynn EMRICK

February 2, 1972 –

Jennifer went to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey as a journalism major. After graduation, she moved to New York City for a year. She is an aspiring screenwriter and actress. In January 1998, she moved from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles to pursue her goals in the entertainment industry. She is currently residing in Pennsylvania and working on a screenplay.

Generation 5

Wilbur Russell EMRICK IV

January 1, 1981 –

Adam Michael EMRICK

August 19, 1984 –

Joel Phillip KEYSER

Abt. 1989 –

Timothy Gerould EMRICK

January 30, 2000 –