Annual Christkindlmarkt Ornament
Ferdinand Historical Society's Commemorative Christmas Ornaments...
The Sonderman home, a Victorian Queen Anne residence erected in 1903-1904, has served the Sonderman family for four generations over the past 120 years.
The beautiful, ornate home was built by Clemens Lueken, a noted educator, for his daughter, Catherine and her husband, Joseph Sondermann, with the stipulation he be allowed to live with them for the remainder of his life. Clemens started teaching in what became known as the Lueken School in 1862. This was a log structure built north of Ferdinand in 1856 for the sum of $107. Before noon all the lessons were in German, switching to English in the afternoon. His tutelage of Ferdinand children continued for 48 years.
Joseph Sondermann (the second “n” was dropped at some point in history, a common practice) was the son of Albert Theodore Sondermann, who emigrated from Schreibershoff, Westphalia, Germany in 1856. He married Frances Rademacher of Celestine on November 21, 1865. A merchant, Albert eventually purchased the Poschen Store, a vernacular, red brick building built in 1854 at the southeast corner of what is 14th and Main today, and re-established it as the Sondermann Store. In 1883 Albert added an ornate, red brick (with yellow brick trim) Italianate building connected to south side of the 1854 structure. Both faced Main Street, and on the east butted against what is today Keith Fritz's Fine Furniture Company (1440 Main). Both historic brick structures were torn down around 2006, except for the east walls. Keith has creatively restored those red brick walls of both structures inside his building just north of the Sondermann home.
Sadly, shortly after the 1883 addition was completed, Albert passed away on September 10, 1884. His widow and 17-year-old son Joseph continued the business, and it was Joseph and his wife, Catherine, for whom the house was built.
Their son, Albert F. Sondermann, was the next resident of the home. Among his many accomplishments, Albert was the author of Business Activities in Ferdinand, published in 1965 for Ferdinand’s Quasqui-centennial and as a companion to the centennial book, Ferdinand, Indiana 1840-1940.
Albert partnered with Theodore Peters in the Petson Pump Company of Ferdinand. (Petson was a hybrid word combining Peters and Sondermann.) Their principal undertaking was the development of new, patented devices for liquid and fluid control. The company designed and made pneumatic water lifts, a double-acting patented force pump, patented air and water pressure regulators, a new design of safety valve, and a self-computing liquid dispensing device for gasoline curb-service sales. The basic principle of interchangeable price-regulating gears is still in use today in gasoline dispensing apparatuses. He also was district manager of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company and worked for the Sondermann Store and Beckmann State Bank.
Albert married Gladys C. McNab, born in Toronto, Canada, on April 18, 1923, at St. James Catholic Church, in Dayton, Ohio. They were the parents of six children—two who died in infancy. Albert’s son Arthur “Pheff” Sonderman and his wife, the former Rita Bockting, who wed on October 3, 1959, were the next residents of the home. Pheff and Rita had three children, Tom, Carla, and Andy, and they have eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and another on the way. Pheff was a US Army veteran, a retired brick mason, and a former volunteer firefighter. He passed away on October 21, 2022, at the age of 88. His wife, Rita, still lives in the home built by her husband’s great-grandfather. The home today serves as a warm gathering place for family members.
The iconic structure survives on Main Street as a visual testament to Ferdinand's heritage. It features the classical turn-of-the-century Queen Anne architectural details like the wraparound porch, corner tower, and varied, artistic clapboard beneath the vinyl siding (added in 1972). The home and preservation of its integrity through the years serve as a statement to both the ingenuity and longevity of those who decided to call Ferdinand home. From living and working in log cabins to building homes and businesses of great beauty and significance to the community, these early residents have left their legacy—an indelible mark on Ferdinand's history.
The annual ornaments are listed below and can be purchased at Tin Lizzie’s Home Décor & Gifts at 430 Main Street, Ferdinand, IN or at the Christkindlmarkt every November or by calling Ann at 812.367.1266. [email protected]
The beautiful, ornate home was built by Clemens Lueken, a noted educator, for his daughter, Catherine and her husband, Joseph Sondermann, with the stipulation he be allowed to live with them for the remainder of his life. Clemens started teaching in what became known as the Lueken School in 1862. This was a log structure built north of Ferdinand in 1856 for the sum of $107. Before noon all the lessons were in German, switching to English in the afternoon. His tutelage of Ferdinand children continued for 48 years.
Joseph Sondermann (the second “n” was dropped at some point in history, a common practice) was the son of Albert Theodore Sondermann, who emigrated from Schreibershoff, Westphalia, Germany in 1856. He married Frances Rademacher of Celestine on November 21, 1865. A merchant, Albert eventually purchased the Poschen Store, a vernacular, red brick building built in 1854 at the southeast corner of what is 14th and Main today, and re-established it as the Sondermann Store. In 1883 Albert added an ornate, red brick (with yellow brick trim) Italianate building connected to south side of the 1854 structure. Both faced Main Street, and on the east butted against what is today Keith Fritz's Fine Furniture Company (1440 Main). Both historic brick structures were torn down around 2006, except for the east walls. Keith has creatively restored those red brick walls of both structures inside his building just north of the Sondermann home.
Sadly, shortly after the 1883 addition was completed, Albert passed away on September 10, 1884. His widow and 17-year-old son Joseph continued the business, and it was Joseph and his wife, Catherine, for whom the house was built.
Their son, Albert F. Sondermann, was the next resident of the home. Among his many accomplishments, Albert was the author of Business Activities in Ferdinand, published in 1965 for Ferdinand’s Quasqui-centennial and as a companion to the centennial book, Ferdinand, Indiana 1840-1940.
Albert partnered with Theodore Peters in the Petson Pump Company of Ferdinand. (Petson was a hybrid word combining Peters and Sondermann.) Their principal undertaking was the development of new, patented devices for liquid and fluid control. The company designed and made pneumatic water lifts, a double-acting patented force pump, patented air and water pressure regulators, a new design of safety valve, and a self-computing liquid dispensing device for gasoline curb-service sales. The basic principle of interchangeable price-regulating gears is still in use today in gasoline dispensing apparatuses. He also was district manager of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company and worked for the Sondermann Store and Beckmann State Bank.
Albert married Gladys C. McNab, born in Toronto, Canada, on April 18, 1923, at St. James Catholic Church, in Dayton, Ohio. They were the parents of six children—two who died in infancy. Albert’s son Arthur “Pheff” Sonderman and his wife, the former Rita Bockting, who wed on October 3, 1959, were the next residents of the home. Pheff and Rita had three children, Tom, Carla, and Andy, and they have eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and another on the way. Pheff was a US Army veteran, a retired brick mason, and a former volunteer firefighter. He passed away on October 21, 2022, at the age of 88. His wife, Rita, still lives in the home built by her husband’s great-grandfather. The home today serves as a warm gathering place for family members.
The iconic structure survives on Main Street as a visual testament to Ferdinand's heritage. It features the classical turn-of-the-century Queen Anne architectural details like the wraparound porch, corner tower, and varied, artistic clapboard beneath the vinyl siding (added in 1972). The home and preservation of its integrity through the years serve as a statement to both the ingenuity and longevity of those who decided to call Ferdinand home. From living and working in log cabins to building homes and businesses of great beauty and significance to the community, these early residents have left their legacy—an indelible mark on Ferdinand's history.
The annual ornaments are listed below and can be purchased at Tin Lizzie’s Home Décor & Gifts at 430 Main Street, Ferdinand, IN or at the Christkindlmarkt every November or by calling Ann at 812.367.1266. [email protected]
- 1999 St. Ferdinand Church $12.00
- 2000 Kitten Steam Engine $12.00
- 2001 Covered Bridge $10.00
- 2002 Monastery Dome $12.00 (sold out)
- 2003 Ferdy Flyer $12.00
- 2004 Rev. Joseph Kundek $15.00
- 2005 Fire Department $15.00
- 2006 Ferdinand News $15.00
- 2007 Wollenmann House $15.00
- 2008 Grade School (1908) $15.00
- 2009 Baseball Memories $15.00
- 2010 Wooden Shoe Township $15.00
- 2011 Moonshine Memories $15.00
- 2012 Chapel on the Hill $18.00
- 2013 St. Ferdinand Church Rectory $18.00
- 2014 Ferdinand 175th Anniversary $20
- 2015 Ferdinand Town Plat $18.00
- 2016 Archangel Gabriel Window
- 2017 Monastery Immaculate Conception
- 2018 Weyer-Mullis Tourist Home $20
- 2019 Original Fleig's Cafe $20
- 2020 Weaver-Backer Home $20
- 2021 New Farmer's Store $22
- 2022 25th Annual Christkindlmarkt $22
- 2023 The Peter Müller Home $22
- 2024 Sondermann Home $25