Joseph Dontenville, the oldest son of Nicolas Dontenville and Philomena Kleinprintz was born in Dieffenbach-au-Val on July 12, 1884. He immigrated to the United States with his parents and sister and brother in 1891. As a young man Joseph assisted his father delivering milk before and after school. Joseph became a baker in Brooklyn, New York.

He met his future wife, Johanne Weber in the neighborhood where they both grew up in Brooklyn. They were married on December 1, 1906. Three children were born to this marriage. Lawrence Charles was born on June 8, 1908. Helen, born March 6,1910, married Ferdinand Catania. They had three daughters. Lillian, born August 17, 1912, married Thomas Braun and had seven children

Joseph took a fancy to motorcycles and had one of the first in his neighborhood. It was a leather belt driven Indian motorcycle unlike the chain drives of today. He rode motorcycles for the better part of his life. He did not drive cars as he said he didn't trust them. Joseph died n his home in Howard Beach, New York on March 28, 1960. He is buried in The Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

631.1 Lawrence Charles Dontenville, 1908 - 1999
born in Brooklyn, New York June 6, 1908, married Florence Marie Wissel on July 2, 1932 in Queens, New York, three children: Lawrence Charles, Jr. born June 10, 1936, Patricia Marie March 28,1938 and Frederick Joseph July 31, 1941. Florence died on June 28,1950, Lawrence married Evelyn Belmer, September 22, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, two additional children: Karen Ruth, September 24,1952 and Paul Martin, April 20,1954

631.2 Helen Dontenville, 1910 - 1979
born in Brooklyn, New York on March 6, 1910, married Ferdinand Catania August 21, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York, three daughters: Linda, Judith, and Jeanne.

631.3 Lillian Dontenville (1912 - 2000)
born on August 17, 1912 in Brooklyn, New York, married July 11, 1931 to Thomas Braun in Brooklyn, seven children: Lillian in 1933; Joan, 1934; Thomas, 1937; Barbara Ann, 1939, Shirley A, 1946; Robert in 1950 died at birth; and Susan in 1955.

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