Deaths on January 3

Alois Hitler, Austrian civil servant (b. 1837)

Alois Hitler Sr. (born Alois Schicklgruber; 7 June 1837 – 3 January 1903) was a significant, albeit often overlooked, figure in 20th-century history: he was the father of Adolf Hitler, the future dictator of Nazi Germany. As an Austrian civil servant, Alois held a respected position within the imperial customs service, a career that provided his family with a degree of social standing and economic stability in late 19th-century Austria. His personal life, however, was marked by complex family dynamics and an unusual lineage that would later pose significant challenges for his infamous son.

Illegitimate Birth and Mysterious Parentage

Alois was born out of wedlock in the small Austrian village of Strones. His mother, Maria Schicklgruber, was an unmarried peasant woman, and the identity of Alois's biological father remains unknown to this day, a fact that would have profound implications for his family’s future. In the social context of 19th-century rural Austria, being born illegitimate carried a significant stigma, potentially impacting one's social standing and opportunities.

This uncertain parentage led to enduring historical speculation and presented a particular challenge for Adolf Hitler’s later claims of racial purity under Nazi ideology. The mystery surrounding Alois’s father meant that Adolf Hitler himself could not definitively prove the identity of his paternal grandfather, which, according to the strict "Aryan descent" criteria of the Nazi regime's race laws (such as the Nuremberg Laws enacted in 1935), could have potentially undermined his own genealogical claims and political legitimacy. The inability to trace his lineage completely was a notable vulnerability in a regime obsessed with racial purity.

Adding further complexity to the family tree, there have been claims that Alois's third wife, Klara Pölzl (who would become Adolf Hitler's mother), was also related to him. Specifically, genealogical records and historical interpretations confirm Klara was Alois's first cousin once removed. This relationship stemmed from Klara being the granddaughter of Johann Nepomuk Hiedler, who was the brother of Alois's legally recognized father, Johann Georg Hiedler. While such consanguineous marriages were not uncommon in rural areas at the time, this close familial tie became legally recognized after Alois's official legitimation.

The Name Change: From Schicklgruber to Hitler

In 1876, at the age of 39, Alois took a significant step to legitimize his lineage and improve his social standing. He successfully convinced the Austrian government to officially acknowledge his deceased stepfather, Johann Georg Hiedler, as his biological father. Johann Georg Hiedler had married Alois's mother, Maria Schicklgruber, in 1842, five years after Alois's birth. This posthumous acknowledgment was a formal process to grant Alois legal legitimacy, which was crucial for social acceptance and inheritance rights in that era.

During this legal process, Alois's last name was formally changed to that of his stepfather. However, for reasons that remain historically unconfirmed – possibly due to a clerical error, a local dialect variation, or a deliberate simplification of the original "Hiedler" or "Hüttler" spelling common in the region – the Austrian authorities misspelled the name as "Hitler" instead of "Hiedler." This seemingly minor administrative detail had monumental historical consequences, resulting in the surname that would become synonymous with one of the most destructive regimes in human history.

It was through this posthumous recognition of Johann Georg Hiedler as his father that the aforementioned familial relationship between Alois and Klara Pölzl became legally cemented. As Klara was a granddaughter of Johann Nepomuk Hiedler (Johann Georg's brother), the legal adoption of the Hiedler name, even with the misspelling, formally recognized Klara as Alois's first cousin once removed.

Alois Hitler's Marriages and Relationship with Klara Pölzl

Alois Hitler Sr. was married three times during his life. His first marriage was to Anna Glasl-Hörer, a wealthy woman fourteen years his senior, which ended in separation due to her illness. His second marriage was to Franziska Matzelsberger, with whom he had two children, Alois Jr. and Angela. It was during his marriage to Franziska that his controversial relationship with Klara Pölzl began.

Klara, a distant relative, initially joined the Hitler household in 1876 as a domestic servant, likely a common practice in rural Austria for young women seeking employment. While Alois was still legally married to Franziska Matzelsberger, he began a clandestine affair with Klara. Their relationship, which would have been scandalous and socially unacceptable if widely known at the time, continued in secrecy for several years. Following Franziska’s death in 1884 from tuberculosis, and with Klara already pregnant with their first child (Gustav), Alois was prompted to marry her in January 1885. This immediate marriage was largely driven by prevailing social norms and the necessity of legitimizing their offspring, as having an illegitimate child would have brought significant social disgrace to Klara and the child.

A Dysfunctional Family Environment

Historical accounts and testimonies from those close to the family paint a picture of a difficult and often abusive domestic environment. Alois Hitler was described by a close family friend as "awfully rough" with his wife, Klara, and someone who "hardly ever spoke a word to her at home," indicating a cold, distant, and perhaps intimidating relationship. Klara, in turn, was largely submissive and devout, tolerating her husband's harsh demeanor.

This stern and authoritarian demeanor extended to his children, particularly the young Adolf. Alois treated them with similar contempt, often resorting to physical violence. It is well-documented by biographers that he frequently beat his children, including the young Adolf, often with a horsewhip. This harsh upbringing, characterized by a domineering and abusive father and a submissive, fearful mother, is often cited by biographers and historians as a significant factor in shaping Adolf Hitler’s early psychological development, contributing to his deep-seated resentments, authoritarian tendencies, and a complex relationship with authority figures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alois Hitler Sr.

Who was Alois Hitler Sr.?

Alois Hitler Sr. was an Austrian civil servant who worked in the customs service and is historically known as the father of Adolf Hitler, the future dictator of Nazi Germany.

Why was Alois Hitler's parentage a mystery?

Alois Hitler Sr. was born out of wedlock to Maria Schicklgruber, and the identity of his biological father was never definitively established. This lack of clear paternal lineage created challenges for his son, Adolf Hitler, regarding claims of "Aryan descent" under Nazi racial laws.

How did Alois Schicklgruber get the name "Hitler"?

In 1876, Alois legally changed his surname to that of his deceased stepfather, Johann Georg Hiedler. However, during the official process, Austrian authorities misspelled the name as "Hitler" instead of "Hiedler," a clerical error that inadvertently led to the infamous surname.

What was the relationship between Alois Hitler Sr. and Klara Pölzl (Adolf Hitler's mother)?

Klara Pölzl was Alois Hitler Sr.'s third wife and also his first cousin once removed. She was initially hired as a household servant before their affair began, leading to their marriage in 1885 after the death of Alois's second wife and Klara's pregnancy.

How did Alois Hitler treat his family?

Alois Hitler Sr. was known for his harsh and authoritarian demeanor at home. He was reportedly "awfully rough" with his wife Klara, often silent and distant, and frequently resorted to physically beating his children, including Adolf, creating a difficult and abusive family environment.