Possibly the younger son of Anton (Tonschl) Schimatowitsch, grandson of Mrs. Schimatowitsch, hence “adoptive” grandson of Wilhelm Schenker, and thus an “adoptive” grand nephew of Heinrich Schenker; younger brother of Anton (Tonerl) Schimatowitsch.

Identity

The name “Karli” appears four times in Schenker’s diary for 1925–1926, and seven times in Heinrich’s correspondence with his elder brother Wilhelm between 1925 and 1934. The surname “Schimatowitsch” is nowhere used in the Schenker papers; the grounds for identification are set out in the profile Anton (Tonschl) Schimatowitsch. The remainder of this profile is predicated on that identification.

Life Summary

Karli was baptized in St. Pölten on July 24, 1911, the second child of “Tonschl” and his unknown wife, whose death, as reported by his older brother Tonerl, is recorded in Heinrich’s diary for January 10, 1921. After their mother’s death and that of Dodi Schenker in 1923, Wilhelm took primary responsibility for the upbringing of the two boys, with Heinrich advising, and younger brother Moriz Schenker (who died in 1936) and wife Lisl supporting financially.

Nothing is known of Karli’s childhood or schooling other than that he and Tonerl had mumps in 1918 when living in the household of Wilhelm and Dodi Schenker, where they were called “the children” (OJ 5/38, [1], January 24, 1918); but at the age of 13 he is reported as displaying a talent for drawing, in reaction to which Heinrich suggested a possible career as a commercial artist, at the same time voicing the possibility of a military career (diary, February 2, 1925; OJ 5/38, [16], February 3, 1925). Later in 1925 he is said to be “well-placed” (OJ 5/38, [21], September 14, 1925), without further clarification. In 1934 Heinrich inquired whether Karli and Tonerl had been caught up in the Austrian civil uprising of mid-February (OJ 5/38, [87], April 15, 1934).

There is no further information until late 1934, when Karli is described as a lance-corporal in the “Flying Division” (branch of service unspecified – OC A/296, December 24, 1934). He died on February 10, 1946, and his body is buried in the War Grave Section of St. Severin Cemetery, Am Severinstor 9, 94032 Passau, Bavaria, Germany.

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