Joseph Wilhelm Ernst, Prince of Fürstenberg (13 April 1699 - 29 April 1762) was a prince of Fürstenberg-Fürstenberg who changed his residence to Donaueschingen, at the head of the Danube, and thus converted the existing settlement into a town and constructed Schloss Donaueschingen.
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Early life
Born as a member of the House of Fürstenberg Joseph was the second son of Landgrave Prosper von Fürstenberg-Stühlingen (1662–1704) and his wife, Countess Sophie Anna Eusebia von Königsegg-Rothenfels (1674–1727).
Title of Fürst
On 2 December 1716 Joseph was awarded with the hereditary title of Fürst by Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor.
Marriages and issue
On 6 June 1723 he married Countess Maria Anna von Waldstein-Wartenberg, heiress of Pürglitz (1707-1756). They had six children:
Joseph Wenzel (1728–1783)
Karl Egon (1729 - 1787), married Countess Maria Josepha von Sternberg (1735-1803), father of Karl Aloys zu Fürstenberg
Maria Augusta Josepha (1731–1770), Abbess in Hradčany
Maria Henriette Josepha (1732–1772), married Alexander Ferdinand, 3rd Prince of Thurn and Taxis, had issue
Maria Emmanuele Sophie (1733–1776)
Maria Theresia Josepha (1736–1774)
In 1761 he married 37 years younger Countess Maria Anna von der Wahl (1736-1808). They didn't have children.