Submitted by Kay Boy
Anna Volz was born August 8, 1846, in Germany and immigrated to American in 1861 with her parents Anton and Clementine Volz. They probably left Germany through the port of Hamberg as many immigrants did. While living in New Orleans with her family, she met a 27-year-old Swede named Charles Lundberg. They married in 1868 and Charles learned the bakery trade as an apprentice before opening his own confectionery. In 1872 Anna and Charles moved to Austin to take advantage of new opportunities. First, they opened a confectionery business on Congress between 5tht and 6th streets. Anna’s nephew John Volz came to Austin with them and worked for his aunt and uncle before opening his own business.
Within three years, they saved enough money to construct a building for a bakery. The new building was completed in 1876. The top floor of the building was the home of Charles and Anna and the bottom floor was for their New Orleans Bakery. Charles worked the ovens with his apprentices and Anna managed the retail portion of the business. They sold sweets, bread, toys, cigars and ice cream. This building still stands on Congress Avenue as the Old Bakery.
AHC PICA 05269
In 1880 the Lundbergs made upgrades to the building including a larger oven. The bakery was near the Capitol and other offices, so their business was brisk. Anna and Charles were respected members of Austin society making donations for many events. The Lundberg’s bakery became the most successful in town. They in turn shared their success with the community supporting many organizations such as the Humane Society and the Children’s Home.
In February of 1895, Charles passed away suddenly after collapsing in the middle of the street. Following her husband’s death, Anna Lundberg, remembered as a heavy-set woman, sold the business to two of Lundberg's apprentices. In 1900, Anna built a home on West 10th Street. Here she was noted as a landlady, renting rooms to boarders.
Anna led a comfortable life and enjoyed travels to cities as St. Louis and Chicago. In 1906, Anna and other German citizens from Austin made a return trip to the old country. She also often traveled to New Orleans to visit relatives.
As a devout Catholic, Anna donated a stained-glass window in the memory of her husband in Saint Mary Cathedral where she was a member.
At the age of 78, Anna died at 6 o’clock Friday afternoon December 5, 1924, at 1704 Brazos. On December 10, she was buried next to her Charles in Oakwood.
When her estate was probated for $35,000 ($600,000 today), it provided $300 for low masses for the repose of her soul and $1400 to maintain the cemetery plot. Jewelry, clothes and furniture were left to many friends and relatives. She also left monetary donations to the Altenheim (home for elderly women), Ladies of Charity, St Paul de Vincent, Alter and Rose Society of St Mary’s Church
Section 4, lot 143.