After some research I was able to substantiate my suspicions and now the record can be set straight. (Not that you folks were concerned about it.) The information does, however, provide a window into the history of the first metalworks factory in the area of Esslingen.
Carl Christian Ulrich Deffner died 26 Oct 1846 in Esslingen. His two sons, Carl Ludwig and Wilhelm Adolf continued the work of their father. Carl Ludwig (born 1817) died 11 June 1877, so the factory was then left to Wilhelm.
Wilhelm Adolf Deffner was born 15 Sept 1829 in Esslingen. About 1854, he married Emma Adelheid Elisabeth Stierlan. Records show two sons, Carl and Otto (1866-1949). They grew up working in the factory with their father and when he died in 1897, they inherited it and continued the work in metal works of art for the home.
Carl Deffner was born 13 Oct 1856 in Esslingen. On 11 June 1892 he married Charlotte (Lolo) Schoenleber. Records show only one son for Carl and his wife, Karl "Max" Deffner (1900-1985) who was an engineer. Max�s children (one being Georg Deffner 1925-1981) may have been the acquaintance of George's brother. Carl died in 1948.
From about 1890 to 1915 the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style was prominent in his work, which is what you'll be seeing here on these pages.
In the 1881 British census, Carl age about 24, was found as a lodger at 117 St James Road�Croydon, Surrey, England. It lists his occupation as �Clerk to Metal Broker�. We know he spent some time there and many items of his are found in England today.
All of the Deffner men had extensive schooling and training in the arts and metalworks in places such as England, Norway, Sweden, other areas of Germany and France and many awards were won for their excellent works and creativity. 1873 AWARD
The factory was sold at the end of 1969.
Source: Al Deffner (Archiv d. Stuttgarter Vereins fur Familienkunde)
1881 British Census�RG11-Folio 0812 / 94-page 54
