Kemmerich-Urbain Correspondence, 1903-1932
LETTERS WITH NO DATES
| Unknown date & location, from Maria Anna - one page only | |
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Veilgeliebte Kinder Dein werthes Schreiben erhalten und daraus sehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was bei mir nicht der Fall ist die letztewoche waren August und Maeri beim Dockter das Wasser ist wieder ziemlich fort aber ich fuehle auch zimlich schwach. ich trinke bieeftee zwischen dem Essen hab auch Tropfen das herz das leidet auch von der Krankheit ich hab die ganze tee getrunken geschwitzt das hilft nicht mehr ich muss gute Medizin einnehmen das hilfth am besten. Nun will ich Schliessen mit vielen Tausend gruessen euch alles Froehliche
Weinachten Gesundheit und Wohlergehen wuenschend euere Mutter und Grossmutter
naechstemal mehr Anna |
Beloved Children: I received your valued letter and see from it that you are all still well which is not the case with me. Last week August and Mary were at the Doctor's, the water is pretty well gone again, but I also feel quite weak. I drink beef tee between meals and I have drops for the heart which also suffers from the illness. I have drunk the whole tee [and] sweated, that doesn't help anymore, I have to take good medicine, that helps the most. Now I wish to close with many thousand greetings, wishing you all a joyous Christmas, health and well-being, your Mother and Grandmother. More next time. Anna |
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This is a scrap from Maria Anna, probably went with
one of the other letters, but it's not clear which
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| Liebe Ana [ich] hab dir gewiess den verkehr ten Brief geschueckt oder gar keinen kan ich gestern den 10ten Mai in mein Schreibbuch und finde dort den letzten Brief den ich dich geschrieben habe ich warte schon auf Antwort | Dear Anna, I must have sent you the wrong letter or none at all. I can [see? - missing word here...] yesterday the 10th of May in my writing book, and I find there the last letter that I wrote to you. I've been waiting for an answer. |
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so gehts wen man ist man wierd noch ganz dum die baeume sind verblueht aber es ist sehr trocken hier heute haben wier den ersten Regen for 6 wochen soweit alles gesund viele gruesse |
That's how it goes when one is [missing something? "old" maybe?] one gets quite stupid The trees have finished blooming but it is very dry here. Today we have the first rain for 6 weeks. so far, all are healthy, many greetings. |
1903
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Birds View den [??] April 1903 Vielgeliebte Kinder August sagte wen ihr wollt so viel geschrieben haben so sollt ihr uns ein Teibreiter schuecken. Euern werthen Brief letzten Freitag, und gerstern an meinem Geburtstag hab ich von Tine und Agnes ein Brief bekomen was mich sehr freute. Barbara und August waren gerstern in Hamlinton sie bracht mich Kalko fuer ein Saeck, und Marichen hatt mich ein schoenes Kaeck gebacken die andere Kinder waren in den Busch gegangen und brachten [mich?] [einen?] grossen Bunsch blumen wovon ich klein Julius ein paar schuecken tuh, Julius braucht nicht gross zu thun mit [taentlein] [soger] wier haben schon welche gehabt ueber ein Monat am Mittwoch habe ich noch am [River?] |
Birds View [19]? April, 1903 Beloved Children August said if you want to have so much written, you should send us a typewriter. I received your last esteemed letter Friday, and yesterday on my birthday, a letter from Tine and Agnes which makes me very happy. Yesterday Barbara and August were in Hamlinton [Hamilton?] they brought me calico for a [sack? - could be a bag, but perhaps dialect..], and little Mary baked me a lovely cake. The other children went into the bush and brought me a big [bunch?] of flowers of which I send a few to little Julius. [This next bit makes no sense to me; here it is, word for word...] Julius need not big to do with [little aunts? dandelions?] [even] |
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[p2] Nun maechte ich dich Anna [bitten?] wen du uns kaenst etwas [entdiefchen] Samen im Brief schuecken das naechste mal. habe Maeri und Maeth auch geschrieben Beste Gesundheit einen [?Wasserpoehl; Wassergoel] voll geholt sind aber jetzt zu gross hab auch dem am [River?] die wilde Strohbeeren bluehen gesehen die Obstbaeume bluehen auch bald. Wier haben auch von Donnerstag Kohl was jetzt aus schoesslinge waren [??spinat] gekocht, wier haben auch noch [?? Paarseps?] im land die so dueck wie [?? arms, arns] denn es frierts hier nichts. Die Zeitung haben wier erst zweimal bekomen [der?] Freitag vor PalenSontag deine gerstern das erste mal war keine musickstueck aber gerstern war eins dabei 40 Paeges mite Muesick
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Now Anna I would like to ask you if you could send us some [some kind of plant] seeds in a letter the next time. [I] have also written Mary and Maeth [Matthias?]. Best health a [water plant of some kind?] full fetched but are now too big I have seen wild strawberries blooming by the river; the fruit trees will also bloom soon. From Thursday we have also cooked [spinat - greens?] from cabbage that are now shoots. We also have [parsnips?] in the ground as thick as [??] because it doesn't freeze here. We have [lit "first" - just?] received the paper twice, the Friday before [Paul's Sunday?], yours yesterday [.] The first time there were no music pieces, but yesterday there was one with it 40 [pages?] with music. Now I will close with many thousand greetings, Your mother and grandmother. |
| Transcribed German | English |
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Birdsview Aug. 23, 03
Liebe Anna und Schwager Euren [werthen?] Brief haben wier erhalten und danken euch fuer euer Beileid. Eis ist ein jarter Schlag fuer mich, die kleinere Kinder scheinen es nicht so zu fuehlen. Es scheint Barbara hatte eine Vorahnung davon. Sie war seit sie schwanger fuehlte viel ernster wie frueher, und hatte keine Ruhe bis ich sie nach Chicago gehen liess, und auch als sie zurueck kam war sie stiller wie sonst.
Sie meinte |
Birdsview Aug. 23 [19]03
Dear Anna and Brother-in-Law We have received your [valued?] letter and thank you for your condolences. It is a hard blow for me, the smaller children don't seem to feel it. It seems that Barbara had a premonition of it. Ever since she felt herself pregnant she was more solemn than before and had no peace until I let her go to Chicago. And even when she came back she was quieter than usual. On the morning of her death she said to me she thought it would come in the night of the next day. At noon she even ate with us at the table. At four in the afternoon I asked her if I should send for the doctor.
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[Page 2 starts here] es waere noch zeit. Wen der Doktor mit dem abendzug kaeme (10 Uhr) sie erwartete nicht vor naechsten Morgen, [Krank?] zu [werden?]. eine Stunde spaeter aber begann schon die geburtswehen. Um halb 7 war das kind schon geboren. Da schickte ick fuer der Doktor (der naechste Doktor ist 2 Meilen fort). Er kam auf mit den 10 Uhr Zuge aber sie war schon eine Stunde Tod. Eine halbe Stunde nach der Geburt fing das Blut an zu laufen, und weil die Nachgeburt nicht kam wurde es immer schlimmer, bis si ¼ vor 9 Uhr starb. Nachtraeglig hoerte ich das der Doktor den wier beim Mark hatten, gesagt haette wen sie wird ein kind bekaeme so mueste sie Sterben, auch der jetzige Doktor sagte als er kam das schwerlich Huelfe fuer sie gewesen waere. |
[Page 2 starts here] there was still time; if the doctor came on the evening train (Ten o'clock). She didn't expect to be ill [in labor?] before the next morning. But the birth pains started just an hour later. At half past six [that night] the child was already born. When I sent for the doctor (the nearest doctor is two miles [ old German 1 mile = approx. 3 miles] away. He came on the ten o'clock train but she had already been dead for an hour. A half-hour after the birth, the blood began to flow and as the afterbirth didn't come, it got worse and worse until she died at a quarter to nine.
The current doctor also said when he came that there could scarcely have been any help for her. |
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[Page 3 starts here] Er sagte das ein Krebs artiges Geschwuer- mit der Nachgeburt verwachsen waere. [welches?] zum [Herzen?] ginge, und das das Herzbluter ihr Tod [war]. Fuer sie habe ich keine angst. Sie war gut und frome und hatte nah kuerzlich mit uns alle gebeichtet. Der Kleiner Bube ist gesund und stark und wachst [graechlig?] die Grossmutter hatt jetzt ihre Haende voll mit ihm. Es ist ein grosses Glueck fuer mich das Grossmutter mmit Barbara gekommen ist, sonste waere ich schlacht dann mit dem Kinde den die Maedchen sind zwar gut und willend aber sie koennen doch dem Schlaf nicht entbehren und zudem versteht Grossmutter es auch besser mit dem kleinen kindern umzugehen. |
[Page 3 starts here] He said that a cancer-like tumor had grown together with the afterbirth, which went to the [heart?] and that bleeding was her death. I have no anxiety for her. She was good and pious and had recently been to confession with all of us. The little boy [Alphonse] is healthy and strong and grows [ ? ]. Grandmother has her hands full with him now. It is a great good fortune for me that Grandmother came with Barbara. Otherwise it would have been a great struggle for me with the child because [while] the girls are good and willing but they can't go without their sleep, and furthermore Grandmother understands much better how to handle little children. |
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[Page 4 starts here] Sie fuehlt auch recht gesund hier und hatt 10 [a? year?] zugenommen. Wir haben auch Frucht von aller Sorten, und ein mildes Klima so kann sie vieleicht noch lange Leben. Gestern ging der Priester wieder fort von uns er war 3 Tage hier. Wier alle sind recht gesund, wunschen euch auch daselbe. Komt uns mal besuchen. Es wird schwer werden das ich notch einmal zu euch kommen kan wen Gott mir noch 10-13 Jahre zum Leben laest, bis die kleinste Kinder etwas heran gwachsen sind, so will ich zufrieden sein. Gruest mir all Werwandte und Bekante, ich kan nicht jedem schreiben. Es faelt mir schwer, Als gott befohlen im Jenseits hoffe ich Barbara und euch alle wieder zu sehen. Gruest euch alle eure August. |
[Page 4 starts here] She also feels quite well here and has taken off ten years. We also have fruits of all kinds and a mild climate so she can probably live many more years.
If God grants me ten to thirteen more years of life until the smallest children are grown up a bit more, I will be content. Give my greetings to all the relatives and acquaintances. I cannot write to them all. I find it difficult. As God has commanded I hope to see Barbara and all of you again in the hereafter. Your August greets you all. |
1904
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[p1] Birdsview, Wash. Hello Everybody, As Grandmother is writing I think I will do a little scratching. We are all quite well at present except Grandmother. Her open legs is bothering her night and day. And since she was sick last winter she is not what she was last year. She drinks that Juniper berry tea that you wrote about, several times a day, and takes other medicine that the doctor ordered for her. |
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[Pg. 2] It keeps her from filling up with water but still it does not cure. Last summer she said she felt better than she did for ten years but not so this year. Of course we cannot expect a person as old as she is to be young any more. We had a very dry summer this year. It was not so very hot, but no rain for about 4 weeks and only two showers since about the middle of June. The last couple of days it has made the farmer's heart rejoice again no matter how much he hated it last winter. But it is clearing up again this morning. |
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[Pg. 3] It was so smokey during the last 3 or 4 weeks that we could not see the mountains that are just across the river from us. There have been large forest fires burning all over the country. Last summer Mr. John Hightower cut all the timber away from the west side of our ranch so now it is more open on that side anyway. He has a large lumber mill and logging camp about a mile from us. There is where we sell all of our butter, eggs and garden truck. Alphonse has been walking about |
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[Pg. 4] four weeks now and has 2 teeth. He is the strongest baby we ever had. We think the cows' milk did him a lot of good. I churn 3 times a week butter now. That is a lot of extra work. Annie and I have been doing a lot of papering and painting this last summer. Annie will be sixteen years old Friday. The family is growing up fast. Joe is the biggest boy for his age here. He weighed 180 pounds last winter, is pretty near six feet tall and strong like a mule. Grandmother says he would make to [two] Nicks Jr. [*] Katie is going in the sixth grade this year. School will begin the 5th of Sept. [* This may be a reference to Grandmother Maria Anna Hommerding's son Nicholas, b. about 1868]. |
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[Pg. 5] We are going to have a man teacher this year. I think that will be better than the young woman we had last winter, but we will have to wait and see. I wish you could come here to see us next summer. The X rates will be cheaper then on account of the fair at Portland[*] and it would be nice for the children and for you also, as you have never been in the real backwoods as God made them. I have been in the city about one year but I tell you in all that time I did not see anything
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[Pg. 6] like it is here. It would please Grandmother also to see you and it would be a nice surprise to her also if you did not let her know when you were coming. You could write to me and I could go to Everett to meet you and all would be well. But of course it would be a long trip but I would be glad to see you for dear Grandmother's sake as much as for mine. We will hope and pray for the best. That is all, Well, good bye. From your niece, |
1905
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Birdsview, Wash. Yesterday afternoon papa told you how Grandmother is. The Priest came here at half past six last night. He brought the consecrated Host with him and gave her the Last Sacraments. Then [he] had to go right back again in order to be in Woolley this morning as it is the first Friday. He drove up in a buggy. It takes him about 7 hours to make the round trip. Pretty hard work in the middle of the night. Joe went to Seattle Jan. 2nd and came back last night. He will go back in about two weeks to stay. He went down to see about the work that I was telling you about in a former letter. Will have to stop as I must go to work and Annie is waiting for me to get through. So she is going to the P.O. for the mail. Your niece and Cousin, Mary Kemmerich Written in a different handwriting, a note from Annie: Did you get the cushion which I sent you for Christmas. With best regards to you all, I am Your niece, Annie |
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Birds View den 23ten Aprill Liebe Kinder Euer Schreiben erhalten und daraus ersehen dass ihr noch alle gesund seid was August und die Kinder sind. ich bin jezt leidend ob schon ich nicht noch im bett brauch zu legen, aber ich pfluecke den buben noch die hofen und strumpfe schaehl die karthafeln und geh mit dem kleinen Alfons spazieren Hier ist es jetzt schoen Sommerwetter die Baeume bluehn manche sind schon verbluet heute. Ostern bluehen die lailachs strohbeeren bluehen Erbsen sind schon ein paar zoll aus der Erd. Die Tine und Klein Agnes haben auch diese Woche geschrieben dass sie bald bei ihren Vater ziehen taeth ob es wird gut thun Karlolina Verhaag hatt auch diese Woche geschrieben |
Birds View April 23, 1905 Dear Children Received your letter and from it see that you are still all well, as August and the children are. I am suffering although I don't yet have to lie in bed, but I still [lit pluck, here, patch?] the boys' pants and stockings and peel potatoes and go walking with little Alphonse. It is already summer weather here now, the trees are flowering; some have already faded today. [At] Easter the lilacs bloom, strawberries bloom, a few peas are already an inch out of the ground. Tina and little Agnes have also written this week that they will soon [move close to, move in with?] their father, whether it will be good to do [??] Karolina Verhaag has also written this week |
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[p2] Sie schrieb dass sie mich diesen Somer taeth besuchen ob es spass oder ernst ist will ich einmal abwarten Wier haben an 3 Tonne Kartofeln verkauft und haben noch blenti. die erste 2 und ein halbe Tonn die Ton zu zwanzig Thaler jetzt 5 Saek for 4 Thaler Nun will ich schliessen mit viele Tausend Gruesse euch, euere Mutter und Grossmutter Froeliches Alleluja |
[p2] She writes that she will visit me this summer, whether that is just talking or in earnest I will wait to see. We have sold 3 tons of potatoes and still have [blenti... no such word in dictionary, could she be spelling out the English word "plenty"?]. The first 2 and a half tons at 20 dollars a ton, now 5 sacks for 4 dollars. [looks like she actually use the English word "for"] Now I will close with many thousand grettings to you, your Mother and Grandmother Joyful Alleluja [meaning Easter?] |
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Birdsview, Wash. Dear Cousin Julius, As Grandmother is writing I thought I would write a few lines too. We are all well and hope you are the same when this reaches you. I made my first Holy Communion the 20th of August. I went to Woolley (1) to make it where the priest stays most all the time. I went down on Tuesday and came back Sunday. There was a mission while I was down there. I stayed for the mission. Woolley is about 20 miles from here. School is going to start a week from tomorrow. I am going in the seventh grade. Papa bought a thresh machine to thresh our grain. We were thresing three days last week. Well I guess this is all. Best regards to all. Write the next time your mother writes. From your cousin, Katie Kemmerich [(1) "Woolley" is Sedro-Woolley, WA] |
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Birdsview, Wash. Dear aunt, uncle, and cousins, We received your letter a week ago and were glad to see that you were all well. We are all pretty well except Grandmother, she has been failing now about 6 weeks, but the last 3 weeks she has been pretty low again. I went to see the Dr. last Wed. He gave her some medicine which helped her a little but that is all. He says she is too old and weak to stand much strong medicine so he does the best he can for her to ease her a little. In one week she got ten pounds heavier and does not eat hardly anything. He says after a while he may have to tap her in order to take the water off. Annie has not been home this last week. She has been staying with a sick neighbor. She came home this afternoon but will go back again this evening. Did you receive the folding cards we sent you when we were in Portland at the fair? I tell you it was fine. I would not have missed it for anything now that I have been there. We did not know we were going until a few days before we went. We wanted Papa or Joe to go with us but they wouldn't do it but Papa wanted some of us to go, so we went and saw a whole lot of things we may never see again. It cost us two about fifty dollars. Pretty steep living for one week, but no one will thank us any after we are gone for stinting ourselves. The week before we went to Portland I went to visit my old classmate. She was our nearest neighbor for nine years ( a half a mile away) but moved away a few years ago. She lives in a place called Avon about 30 miles from here. This is something for cousin Julius- While we were in Portland (which is about 300 miles from here) we went on what is called Portland Heights and then up in an elevator and then we were 1,000 feet above the city. I tell you that sight was fine. We could see a half.-dozen of the highest Mt. peaks in the "west." They were all covered with snow and being as it was in Oct. of course the leaves of the trees on the foothills were all colors. I can see mts. Every day but that was the finest sight of all. We have had the nicest Nov. that we ever had since I can remember. It was more like spring than fall. Oct. was a nasty month. The snow is further down the mts. today than it has been this year, about half-way. It became cold and wet about the middle of last week. We bought a threshing machine this fall. We sold six ton of oats and had in every way a good harvest this year, even if it was a dry summer. Potatoes are only 75 cents a sack here. Joe [ age 19 ] is going to Seattle in the spring to work. He wants to become a machinist. Well he is certainly strong enough for that job. Well this year will soon be one of the past and a new one begin. I will cut it short this time (as I have some more letters to write) by wishing you a merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Love to all
From Wikipedia: "It was a worldwide exposition in Portland, Oregon
in 1905 to celebrate the centennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
While not officially considered a World's Fair, it is often informally
described as such. The exposition attracted both exhibits and visitors
from around the world. During the exposition's four month run, it attracted
over 1.6 million visitors, and featured exhibits from 21 countries. Portland
grew from 161,000 to 270,000 residents between 1905 and 1910, a spurt
that has been attributed to the exposition." ] |
1906
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Birds View Jan 4 06 Werthe Anna und Familie Heute war ich wieder den Docktor holen fuer Grossmutter. Sie ist ziemlich schlecht jetzt. der Docktor wollte ihr das Wasser ablassen; [Tappen]; aber das Wasser ist in Schliem uebergegangen er sagte er mueste fuer andere Instrumente schicken, er hatt allerhand Pillen Verschrieben welche das Wasser wieder aufloesen sollen, wen das nicht gelingt dan ist ihre Zeit bald abgelaufen. Si hatt grosse Schmerzen zu zeiten, aber so lang der Docktor das Wasser abtreiben konte mit Medizin |
Birds View Jan 4 06 Dear Anna and Family Today I called the doctor again for Grandmother. She seems worse now. The doctor wanted to drain the water [urine?] from her, but the water has turned into mucus, he said he must send for another instrument. He prescribed all kinds of pills which should [? aufloesen=dissolve] the water again. if that doesn't succeed then her time will soon run out.
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[p.2] dan hatte sie imer 2-3 Wochen ziemlich Ruhe, aber jetzt hatt sie 40-50 Wasser, oder Schleim in sich, und wen es nicht los wird kan sie nicht mehr lange leben.
in zwei Tagen muss ich wieder den Docktor holen wen bis dahin die Medizin |
[p.2] then she had 2-3 weeks of apparent peace, but now she has 40-50 [pounds
of? - doesn't say] water or mucus in her, and if it can't be got rid of
she can't live much longer. If you want to speak to the other relatives now, [be sure that] they, or yourself, too, don't let Grandmother know how it stands with her. it [would?] make her feel even worse. Hopefully she will still live long but I don't want to have it on my conscience that I didn't let you konw how it stands with her later if she should die soon. In two days I have to bring the doctor again if by then the medicine |
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[p3] das Wasser etwas [?? ver_uent] ist [s_?] wird es abzapfen wen es nicht duen wird so wird er keine Rath mehr. sie wicht jetzt 200 [lb?] und wen das Wasser fort waere 145 [lb]. Also soltest du sie besuchen wollen und koennen, so weist du wie die Sache steht. Ich hab heute nach dem Prister geschickt. hoffentlich komt er Morgen oder uebermorgen. er ist auf einer Station heut und kaemt vor Morgen nicht nach Haus, hoffentlich komt er dan. Sie hatt hier gute Pflege die Maedchen sind gut zu ihr und bekomt auch aller was sie wuenscht. Ihre offene |
[p3] [has made?] the water somewhat [??] [he] will draw it off. it isn't thinned he has no more advice [he will be at his wits' end] She now weighs 200 [lb?] and if the water were gone 145. So if you are willing and able to visit, you know how the thing stands. I sent for the priest today. Hopefully he will come tomorrow or the next day. He is at a [station??] today and will not come home before tomorrow, hopefully he will come then. She has good care here, the girls are good to her and she receives everything she wishes. Her open |
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[p.4] Beine sind kuerzlich zugeheilt. so alle die Materie welche da heraus kam, bleibt jetzt im [?? _oerge - Soerge, perhaps?] hangen. was es soviel schlimmer macht sonst sind wier alle gesund, mein aeltester Sohn Joe ist jetzt in Seattle, er will in einer Maschienen shop arbeit suchen, das Farmen gust der Jungen zu langsam. Ich selber bin noch recht ruestig und kan noch [?? taechtig] arbeiten. Betet auch ihr mal ein Vater unser fuer Barbara. Gruest mir alle Verwandte un Bekante. wen nicht hier hoffentlich im Himmel sehen wier uns wieder. August Kemmerich |
[p.4] legs are just now healed over. so all the [matter?] that came out of
there, is now [hangenbleiben: caught on, stuck on] [??] which makes
it so much worse. Otherwise we are all well. My eldest son Joe is in Seattle now, he wants to look for work in a machine shop. Farming is too dull for the youngster's taste. Myself, I am still quite sprightly and can still work [daily?]. You, too, pray an Our Father for Barbara sometimes. Give my greetings to all the relatives and acquaintances. If not here, then hopefully we will see each other again in heaven. August Kemmerich |
1907
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Birds View den 2ten Juni Vielgeliebte Kinder Euer Schreiben erholten und daraus ersehen das ihr noch alle gesund sind was wier auch Gott sei dankt sind. Heute waren wier nach Hallinton in die Kirche ohne Maeri war zu Haus geblieben Josepf ist arbeitet an Baecker Laek Fischhaescheri [?? saan] 30 Meilen von hier und Anna ist in Tokuema an 150 Meilen von hier schon zwei Wochen auf besuch. in ein paar wochen werden unsern Strobeeren veif sein dann Kirschen zunaechst
Rassbeeren, wenn kein |
Birds View June 2 Beloved Children Received your letter and from it see that you are still all well, which we are too, God be thanked.
In a couple of weeks our strawberries will be ripe, then the cherries, next the raspberries, if we don't have bad weather then there will be [plenty] of everything. |
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[p2] am 24ten Mai war ich mit Maeri und die andere Kindern auf Schull Picknueck gefahren eine Meile von hier das war den letzten Tag Schul so haben unsern Kinder jetzt schon Vakantz. [som? schon?] ein paar wochen zurueck hatt unser Frenz geschrieben dass sie soviel krank gewesen sind. Nun will ich schlessen mit vielen gruessen euere Mutterund Grossmutter, Gruess von August und Kinder Baldige Antwort |
[p2] On May 24 I went with Mary and the other children on the school picnic a mile from here. That was the last day of school so the children are already on vacation.
Now I will close with many greetings, your Mother and Grandmother. Greetings from August and the children Answer soon |
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Birds View den 8ten Dezember
1907 Vielgeliebte Kinder Deinen Brief liebe Anna haben wier erhalten und daraus ersehen dass ihr alle noch gesund sind was wier Gott sei Dank auch alle sind. Wier komen hier nicht so frueh fort als wier anfangs gedacht haben wier koenen nicht so schnell verkaufen koenen weil die meiste [?Schaebstapen?] und die Bank gebrochen ist wo die leut ihr geld verloren haben die noch bei uns kaufen wolten. das liebe Weinacht fest naht wieder heran wo sich jung und wieder freut ich deinen Kindern gern was geschuekt aber ich hab |
Birds View the 8th of December Your letter, dear Anna, I have received and see from it that you are all still well, which, God be thanked, we are too. We won't get away from here as early as we thought at first we can not sell so soon because most of the [__?] and the bank is broken where the people who wanted to buy from us lost their money. The dear Christmas feast is coming close again whereby [one?] is young and happy again I would like to send your children something but I have |
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[p2] hier ueber fuenfzig Taler schon verdocktert bin aber ganz gesund seit ich so geblutet habt. unsere Frenz hat vor ein paar wochen geschreiben haben Geburtztag und Hochzeit mit der aelsten Tochter Maeri den 11ten Setember gefeiert allso leb ich der hoffnung urgrossmuter zu werden hatt zuletzt noch um unterstuerzung gebeten Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen Tausend gruessen euch allen froehliche Weihnachten und Glueck und gesundheit im neuen jahre wuensch und verbleibe ich euern Muter und Grossmutter Baldige Antwort |
[p2] already been [doctored?] over fifty dollars here but I've been very well since I bled so much. Our Frenz [Frances?] wrote a few weeks ago [they?] celebrated [?whose?] birthday and wedding with the eldest daughter Mary on the 11th of September so I live in the hope of becoming a great-grandmother. [I] had at last prayed for support Now I will close with many thousand greetings to you I wish you all a joyous Christmas and good fortune and health in the new year and remain your Mother and Grandmother Answer soon |
1908
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Mount Angel Oregon den 2ten Liebe Anna dein Schreiben erhalten und daraus ersehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was ich Gott sei dank bin den ich gehe jeden Tag in die heilige Messe. Unsere Kinder hatten meist alle halsweh die letzte woche sind aber all reith jetzt hatt August etwas von guinse aber nicht schlimm. Naechste woche wierd das hopfen Pfluecken anfangen Wir haben noch ein Schlafzimmer jetzt angebaut gerstern ist der Schreiner fertig geworden |
Mount Angel, Oregon, September 2, 1908 Beloved Children Dear Anna, I received your letter and see from it that you are all still well, which, God be thanked, I am too, because I go to holy Mass every day. Almost all of our children had sore throats last week but are all right now. August had some quinsy but not bad. Next week the hop-picking will begin then all our children will go picking because the parish school doesn't start until next month. We have just built another bedroom the carpenter finished yesterday. |
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[p2] Nun liebe Anna es tuth mir sehr leid und es krankt mich dass Maeth nichts mehr von sich hoehren laesst. du brauchst die zeitung nicht mehr zu schuecken denn wir bekomen sonst so viele zeitungen wo ich grad [=gerade?] so viel von Chigago hoehren. Ich will dir etwas Blumensamen den must du jetzt saehen den winter im haus stehen lassen hier kan man sie den ganzen Winter aus lassen denn friert es nicht. Hier war es auch sehr heiss Juli, August hab ich mehr geschwaetzt als in 5 Jahr in Waschinton jetzt ist es aber Morgens kuehl Nun will ich schliessen mit Vielen gruessen euere Mutter und Grossmutter Baldige Antwort |
[p2] Now dear Anna I am so sorry and it upsets me that we don't hear anything from Maeth anymore. You don't need to send the newspaper anymore because we get so many newspapers that I even hear so much from Chicago. I want [to send?] you some flower seeds which you must sow now [and] keep inside in the winter; here one can leave them out the whole winter because it doesn't freeze. Hier it was also very hot in July. In August I sweated more than in 5 years in Washington but now it is cool in the mornings. Now I will close with many greetings your Mother and Grandmother Answer soon. |
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Mount Angel den 29ten November Vielgeliebte Kinder Deinen Brief liebe Ana und die Bilder letzte DonersTag und Freitag erhalten hatt mich recht herzlich gefreut sie sind nicht so klein unsere Klara hier wird im Januar 11 Jahr alt sind so gross wie die auch dieser Tage wirst du auch ein Comnions Bild bekomen hab fuer euch drei eins bei unser Mari geschueckt von unserm Julius er wird im Januar 13 Jahre alt ich werd dir auch zu Weinachten eine Karte schuecken mit der stadt Maunt Angel an wier haben noch nicht viel Kalthier aber viel Regen jetzt [? Entiefchen?] steht noch ganz frisch im Garten |
Mount Angel, November 29 Beloved Children Your letter, dear Anna, and the pictures I received last Thursday and Friday have made me very happy. They are not so small [the pictures, or the kids perhaps?]. Our Klara here will be 11 years old in January, so big that you will also get a Communion picture one of these days. I have sent you by our Mary three [copies?] of one [picture, presumably] of our Julius he will be 13 years old in January. At Christmas I will also send you a card with the town of Mount Angel on it. it is not very cold here yet but it rains a lot now. There are still [some kind of flower?] all fresh in the garden. |
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[p2] und [?Kapes?] auch ueberhaupt bleibt der den ganzen Winter im garten stehen wir sind noch alle gesund ich bin noch imer gesund und gehe noch jeden tag in die Kirche wen es nicht zu viel Regnet wir haben hier im ganzen haus das Eleksisches Licht. ich kan noch stricken und lesen dabei naechsten Sonntag faengt hier das 40 stuendige Gebet Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen an euch alle euere Mutter und Grossmutter Onkel August und Cousins Baldige Antwort |
[p2] and [another plant?] also generally remain in the garden. We are all well, I am still will and go to the church every day if it doesn't rain too much. We have electric light in the whole house here. I can even knit and read by it. Next Sunday a 40-hour prayer and a mission will begin here. Now I will close with many greetings to you all, your Mother and Grandmother, Uncle August, and Cousins. Answer soon |
| Froehliche Weihnachten und Neu
Jahr von Mutter und Grossmutter, Onkel und Cousins. Unser Haus, Kloster
Kollege und Schwesterhaus sind nicht auf die Karte. Glueck Gesundheit
wunschend euere Mutter und Grossmutter. |
Merry Christmas and New Year
from Mother and Grandmother, Uncle and Cousins. Our house, the
monastery college, and the convent are not on the card. Wishing
you good fortune and health, your Mother and Grandmother. |
1909
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Mount Angel den 3ten Januar Geliebte Kinder Nun sind die Feiertage wieder bald vorueber, und ich danke Gott dass
er mir so schoene Weinachten und am Neujahrs Nachmittag war ich mit den Kindern in die halle dort haben die Schulmaed ihre gespielt und gesungen unterm Christbaum
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Mount Angel, January 3 Dear Children Now the holidays will soon be over again, and I thank God that he let me live to see in good health such a lovely Christmas and New Year in the church. On Christmas I was at the second high service. The Abbot conducted the service with eight priests from the college. Our priest played the organ. The Abbot was dressed just like the Bishop, he gave us the blessing with the staff and the high bishop's [hat?] On New Year's afternoon I was with the children in the hall where the schoolgirls played and sang under the Christmas tree. |
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Mutter und Grossmutter Onkel u Cousin
Alfons war auch mit wier schuecken naechst fruehjar in die Schule denn er ist gross und stark wir haben noch gar nicht kalt gehabt hier es ist alles grun hier die Paenzis bluehen im garten und ich hab noch entifge im Garten die ist noch ganz gruen weil zu klein war zu binden nun liebe Ani und [Kamil?] in was machen unsere Maeri habe noch nicht diese Feiertage von ihnen verannen sonst von allen hab ich Carts und Briefe emfangen. Wenn du Onkel Julius sein Atress weiss sueck mire sie den ich hab sie verloren er hatt auch nichts von sich hoehren lassen Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen grussen und Wuenschen und fuer dein
Geschenk danken dass dieses Schreiben euch so gesund antrifft wie es uns
verlaesst euere |
Mother and Grandmother, Uncle and Cousins Alphonse was also with us; we will send him to school next spring because he is big and strong. It hasn't been cold at all here, everything is green here and the pansies are blooming in the gardens and I still have [entifge - a flower of some kind?] in the garden that is still all green because [it was] too small to tie. Now dear Annie and [?] what is our Mary doing I haven't yet heard from them this holiday other than that I've received cards and letters from everyone. If you have Uncle Julius' address send it to me because I've lost it and I also haven't heard from him. Now I will close with many greetings and wishes and thanks for your gift, may this letter find you as well as it left us, your [last line at top]
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Mount Angel den 2ten Februar 1909 Geliebte Kinder Euer Schreiben erhalten und daraus ersehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was wier Gott sei dank alle sind. Zehn Tage hatten wir hier auch richtiges Winter wetter ueber ein Fuss hoch Schnee Kalt bereits wie bei euch ist was eine Seltenheit hier ist eine woch und ein Sontag war ich nicht in die Kirche gegangen geh aber jetzt wieder jeden Tag meine Beine sind imer offen aber ich brauch keine Salbe dran von zeit
zu zeit bath ich sie dan tuh ich aber vom wasser weis ich nichts mehr. Zwei oder drei jahr hab ich imer Medizine eingeholt kein Fleisch darft ich essen bereits ein jahr hab ich keine [illegible blot] Mediesin brauchen einzuholen. |
Mount Angel, February 2, 1909 Dear Children Received your letter and see from it that you are all still well which God be thanked we all are too. We had real winter weather here for ten days too, over a foot of snow and cold besides like you have what is rare here is that I didn't go to the church for a whole week and a Sunday but now I'm going every day again. My legs are always open but I don't need ointment on them from time to time I [bathe] them then I put a little cloth with tallow on the sore that's just as good. But from water I don't know any more [meaning she is no longer having this problem?]. For two or three years I always had to take medicine and couldn't eat meat. For a year already I haven't needed to take any medicine. |
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[p2] ich kan jetzt einiges essen auch fleisch ess ich fast jeden tag kans[es]auch vertragen dabei bin ich mager und schrumplich wie eine gebacken Pflaum nun sag Klaerebas da sind bei euch viele docters sie kan aber in Platz fleisch fleischegstrackt nehmen nun weis ich nicht haben die Docktere ad er den schoenen heissen Sommer hier mir geholfen Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen an euch alle euere euch liebende Mutter und Grossmutter heute war ich hochamt da [sind?] die Kerzen gesegnet worden Baldige Antwort |
[p2] now I can eat some, even meat I eat almost every day and tolerate it but still I am skinny and wrinkled like a baked prune. Now [Klaerebas?] says there are many doctors there by you but instead of meat she can take [fleischegstrackt - maybe fleischgetraenk? lit "meat drink" - bouillon, broth perhaps?] Now I don't know if [it is] the doctors or the nice hot summer here that has helped me. Now I will close with many greetings to you all, your loving Mother and Grandmother Today I was at High Mass; the candles were blessed there. Answer soon. |
| Maunt Angel den 18ten Aprill 1909 Geliebte Kinder! Liebe Ana und Julius dein Schreiben mit dein Geschenk den Kindern ihre karte richtig erhalten meinen herzlichsten dank dafuer und Gottes reichsten Segen darfuer nun habe ich 76 jahre erlebt bin noch imer gesund bin aber schelcht zu fuss den sie sind imer offen. geh aber jeder tag in die Messe. heute war ich ins hochamt da ist ein Mann begraben worden der war noch vor zwei wochen in der Kirche er war erkrankt an der Lungenzintung bloss 58 jahr alt ich war auch mit aufn Gottes acker jetzt ist es so schoen hier die Baeume bluehe alle in schoenster Pracht |
Mount Angel April 18 Dear Children! Dear Anna and Julius received just fine your letter with your present from the children their cards, my heartfelt thanks for them and God's richest blessing for them. I have now lived 76 years and am still always in good health but have bad feet because they are always open. But I go to Mass every day. Today at High Mass a man was buried who was in church just two weeks ago he was ill with [Lungenzintung - some lung disease] only 58 years old. I went to the cemetery with them. It's so beautiful here now the trees are all blooming most splendidly |
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[p2] sie haben die alte Kirche angefangen etwas abzubrechen den sie wird [?gemuft? genucht?] und eine neue wird auf den Platz gebaut um was machen deine Blumen unsere bluehen schon und ich will dir ein straeuschen davon in diesem Brief schuecken Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen in der hoffnung dass dieses Schreiben euch so gesund antreffen wie es uns verlast wierd verbleibe ich euern liebende Mutter und Grossmutter es gruesst euch August
und Kinder |
[p2] They've started tearing down the old church because it is [?] and a new one will be built in its place. What are your flowers doing, ours are already blooming and I will send you a little posy in this letter. Now I will close with many greetings in the hope that this letter will find you as well as it has left us I remain your loving Mother and Grandmother. Greetings from August and the children Answer soon |
| Maunt Angel Orgen den 11ten Juli 1909
Vielgeliebte Kinder Dein Schreiben liebe Anna hatt mich sehr gefreut hab gesehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was wir auch Gott sei dank sind ich war ein paar wochen nicht alle Tage in die heilige weil die alte ist gemuft worden dan war alles so durcheinander das ich fuehle zimlich Alterschwach und wacklig auf den beinen geh aber jetzt wieder alle tag in die Kirche. Den 4ten war hier ein groses Puecknick zum besten zur neuen Kirche Kinder
und August waren dorthin ich war alein zu haus sie haben 1400 Thaler gemacht |
Mount Angel, Oregon July 11, 1909 Dear Children Your letter dear Anna made me very happy I see that you are all still well which we are too, thanks be to God. for a couple of weeks I did not go to the holy [mass] because the old [church] has become [gemuft - Dutch muffen = German mueffeln, "to smell musty" - might fit here, but it just might be that it was being torn down] then everything was so muddled that I feel pretty infirm and wobbly on my legs but now I go to the church every day again. On the 4th there was a big picnic here to [besten - to benefit, perhaps?] for the new church. The children and August were there, I stayed home alone. They made 1400 dollars |
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[p2] wir haben letzte woche thueig [maybe tuechtig?] Regen gehabt der ist tausende Tahler werth sonst haetten wier wenig gemues bekomen jetzt waechst es aber gut Erbsen und neun Kaepses haben wir schon bald gibt es auch bohnen und neun Kathofeln Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen euch alles gute wuenschen euern Mutter und Grossmutter Baldige Antwort ich gratuliere dich liebe Anna zum NamensTag |
[p2] Last week it rained good and proper which is worth thousands of dollars otherwise we would have gotten less vegetables but now they are growing well. We already have peas and cabbage and soon there will also be beans and new potatoes. Now I will close with many greetings, wishing you all the best, your Mother and Grandmother Answer soon Congratulations, dear Anna, on your name day |
| Maunt Angel Orgen den 15ten August 1909
Geliebte Kinder Liebe Anna dein Schreiben erhalten und daraus gesehen dass ihr noch alle
gesund sind was wier auch alle sind. Mari und Kaethe sind schon ueber
ein Monat aus waerts arbeiten Mari ist 25 Meilen von hier bei ein Soda
Spring eine kleine Kurort in die Kueche arbeiten Kaethe bei bekanten ueber
40 Meilen weit komen beide wieder heim naechsten Monat dann geht das Hopffen
Pfluecken wieder los da gehen die Kinder wieder alle sie nacher geht die
Schule wieder letzte woche haben wir tuechtig bohnen eingekant den es gibt dieses jahr
nicht so viel Obst. Morgen will ich wieder bohnen Pfluecken |
Mount Angel, Oregon August 15, 1909 Dear Children Dear Anna [I] received your letter and see from it that you are all still well which we are too. Mary and Kathy have been working out of town for over a month Mary is working in the kitchen of a small spa at a soda spring 25 miles from here Kathy is with acquaintances over 40 miles away both are coming home again next month then the hop picking starts again and all of the children will go again afterwards the school will start again last week we canned a huge [amount] of beans because there isn't so much fruit this year. Tomorrow I will pick beans again |
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[p2] dan wollen ich und Ana noch mehr einmachen. wir haben 98 quart Kirschen eingemacht die haben wir umsonst bekomen die Kinder waren bei ein Farmer sie um die haelft Pfluecken bald weird auch der Ekstein zur neuen Kirsche gelegt ich gehe noch alle tage in die Mess ich freue mich die schoene bohnen zu pfluecken welche wir dieses jahr haben auch so schoene gute Kathofeln ueberhaupt laesst das gemuese nichts zu wuenschen uebrig. du bist die einzige die mir imer regelmaessig schreibt unsere Frenz hatt mir auch geschrieben dass sie eine gute Ernte bekomen Nun will ich schliessen euch alle gruessen euern Mutter und Grossmutter
August und Kinder hatt unsere Maeri seine Silbern Hochzeit nicht gehalten
Baldige Antwort |
[p2] then Anna and I will put up still more. We've put up 98 quarts of cherries that we got for free the children were at a farmer's they [?? haelft - "half" - possibly "helped" but that should be geholfen] pick. They will also soon lay the cornerstone of the new church I still go to Mass every day I'm happy to pick the nice beans that we have this year and we also have such fine good potatoes overall the vegetables leave nothing to be desired. You are the only one who always writes to me regularly, our Frenz has also written me that she had a good harvest Now I will close, greetings to you all from your Mother and Grandmother August and the children Has our Mary not held their silver anniversary Answer soon |
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[in the Picasa album, this one is labeled Feb? 7 1909] |
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Maunt Angel Orgen den 7ten Otober 1909 Vielgeliebte Kinder Dein schreiben Liebe Anna gestern Abend erhalten das erste seit zwei Monaten erhalten habe mit Schmerzen drauf gewartet. ich dachte du waerst krank. wier haben viel eingemacht und die Kinder waren alle hopfen Pfuecken da muss ich als ein bischen mithelfen habt die zeit gekocht und Geschirr gewaschen. Die zwei aelsten sind wenig zu Haus Arbeiten aus warts. letzte woche waren sie alle zu Haus aber der Josepf is wieder fort. ich bin noch geh noch alle Tage in die Kirche wen es nicht schlechtes Wetter ist denn es Regnet jetzt hier viel ich bin aber recht Alterschwach bin gleich so mued kann aber noch Essen |
Mount Angel Oregon October 7, 1909 Beloved Children Dear Anna [I] received your letter yesterday evening the first I've had in two months it hurt me waiting for it. I though you might be ill. We have put up [canned] a lot and the children were all at the hop-picking I had to help out a little, [I] had the time, cooked and washed the pots. The two eldest work away and are seldom home. Last week they were all home but Joseph is gone again. I still go every day to the church if it's not bad weather, because it rains a lot here now but I am quite infirm, I'm just so tired, but I can still eat. |
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[p2] Nick hatt mich auch vor ein paar wochen geschrieben dass er sein Platz verkauft hatt. wen er die schueld noch darauf hatt dan mein ich haett er noch zugesetzt. du musst die Blumen stecke einstellen wo sie nicht verfruehren unsere stehen das ganze jahr im Garten bis Maerz hoechstens Aprill bluehen sie den hier frueht es nicht viel nun wierst du es schoen haben mit Musick unser eine Maedchen sagte wie ich den Brief letzte warum ihr uns nicht besuchen kaemst. Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen euern Mutter und Grossmutter
August und Kinder Baldige Antwort |
[p2] A few weeks ago Nick also wrote me that he has sold his place. If he still had the blame for that then I think he would have added to it. [well, I don't get it, that's the best I can do - KH] You should set the flowers [stick?] where they won't freeze, ours stay all year in the garden until they bloom in March or at most April because it doesn't freeze here much. [verfruehren not in dict. - I'm assuming "verfrieren" - KH] Now you will have it nice with music One of our girls said like me [in?] the last letter, why don't you come visit us. Now I will close with many greetings, your Mother and Grandmother, August and the children Answer soon |
| Maunt Angel Orgen den 8ten November 1909
Vielgeliebge Kinder Liebe Anna Julius und Kinder dein werthes Schreiben erhalten und daraus gesehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was wier auch sei dank alle sind wier hatten [?vorgigen] Samstag und Sontag vierzig stuendig Gebet und Montag Diensttag [?Pockolucka] [?Ablass] also 4 Feiertag es hatt dieseganze woche Stark geregnet dass ich die halbe zeit nicht in die Kriche gehen kont heute war ich em hochamt wir haben auch wieder blenti fuer menschen und vieh eingeerntet dieses jahr die vier unser guenster [meaning juengster?] Kinder gehen in die Schuele
lernen alle gut gehen jeder tag in die Kirche |
Mount Angel, Oregon, November 8, 1909 Beloved Children Dear Anna Julius and children, received your valued letter and see from it that you are all still well which thanks be [to God] we all are too [last?] Saturday and Sunday we had a 40-hour prayer and Monday/Tuesday a [?] [?], so 4 holidays it rained so heavily this whole week that half the time I couldn't go to the church [but] today I was at high mass This year again we also have harvested [plenty?] here for man and beast Our four youngest children are all in school [and] all learning well [and] go to church every day |
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[p2] unsere Anna hatt dir eine Kart und ihr alle Geschwister Bild geschueckt denn sie waren vorgigen Monat wider alle zu hause Joseph ist wieder nach Californien und Maria arbeitet hier im Stor Maeri Jungblut hatt mir ge Nort Avene Zeitung geschueckt dort steht es in dass sie und ihr Mann Luis Lichtenstein und Kindere abends in die Michelskirche waren ausgeraubt sind worden Schrecklich Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen Tausend gruessen dich und deine Zwillinge zum Geburtstag gratulieren euch euere Mutter und Grossmutter es freut mich von herzen dass Maria wieder eine eigen heimat haben |
[p2] Our Anna has sent you a card and picture of all of her siblings because last month they were all home again. Joseph has gone to California againand Maria is working here in the store. Mary Jungblut [Youngblood] sent me the North Avenue newspaper it says there that she and her husband Luis Lichtenstein and [their] children were robbed in the evening in St. Michael's church [it has] become terrible. Now I will close with many thousand greetings. Your Mother and Grandmother congratulates you and your twin on your birthday It gladdens my heart that Maria has a home of her own again. |
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Maunt Angel Orgen den 5ten Dezember 1909 Liebe Kinder Dein Schreiben liebe Anna erhalten und daraus gesehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was wir Gott sei dank auch alle sind wir haben jetzt winterwetter hier gerstern hatt hier einen halben Fuss Schnee gefallen einen Monat fruher wie form Jahr hatt der winter sich eingestellt so konte ich heute nicht in die Messe gehen durch die wehe beinen Nick hatt mir diese woche geschrieben dass sie in ihr neuns heim eingezogen sind sie haetten jetzt eine gute Wohnung was mich recht freut. nun komt bald die schoene Weinacht zeit dan freut sich Alt und jung moecht das Christkindlein uns allen viel Glueck und |
Mount Angel, Oregon December 5, 1909 Dear Children Received your letter dear Anna and from it see that you are all still well which, God be thanked, we are also We have wintery weather here now yesterday half a foot of snow fell here a month earlier than [form? last] year[.] the winter has set in so that I couldn't go to Mass today because of the pain in my legs. Nick wrote me this week that they have moved into their new home[.] now they have a nice apartment which makes me very happy. Now it will soon be the lovely Christmas time then old and young rejoice[.] may the Christ Child bestow good fortune and |
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[p2] Gesundheit bescheeren Fraenzis haben wier auch eine Karte geschueckt ich will dier ein Bild
von mir schuecken welches unser groesster gunge letzter Otober hier auf
besuch war genomen hatt hab blos zwei soll noch mehr bekomen Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen euch froehliche Weinachten
und euch ein Glueckliches Neues jahr wuenschend verbleibe ich euere Mutter
und Grossmutter Maria Anna Hommerding Baldige Antwort |
[p2] health on us all. Frances also sent us a card[.] I will send you a picture of myself that our biggest boy took on a visit here last October [.] [I] have only two, will need to get more then I will send the other [auf eins] Now I will close with many greetings[.] Wishing youe a joyful Christmas and a fortunate New Year I remain your Mother and Grandmother Maria Anna Hommerding Answer soon |
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Baroda, Mich. Dear sister, I will answer your letter this morning. We are all well and hope you all are the same. We all enjoy our christmas [find?] and I hope you did too. We had lots of snow. We spending our Christmas at Pete's place. We all was there. Mary and her man was there too and new years I think they all will be here. Pete is getting all right now. He use his arm [a] little. Mary is very poorly. She has the same sicks that you have. She is not very well. You ought to see her little boy. He is a [nice?] boy. He can talk. He will be two years old the 25 of [?]. This is all I know for this time. Wish you a happy new years. Good by from yours truly sister. Mrs. Frances Johns Answer soon |
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[Note: "Mary" may be Frances and Peter's daughter, Mary Richards. I don't find any child of Frances named "Pete" so this Pete may be Frances' husband. Frances may be referring to Mary and Anna having the same "sicks" as Anna had her last child, Walter on April 8, 1910. Mary had a son, Frank "about 1909." BH ] [Note: Frances stayed in Michigan while Maria Anna and her younger children returned to Chicago sometime after Jacob Hommerding died in 1878. Frances Johns probably lived quite near to where Maria Anna and Jacob Hommerding lived at the time of his death. Both lived in Berrien County. B.H.] |
1910
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Beloved Children: Received your letter with the postcards. We all congratulate you to your young son and wish you luck and blessings to it. A sign that Anna is quite well again. What do the other children say to the new baby? I hope they are very happy with it. Caroline Verhaeg was with us two weeks on visit and traveled away again last Friday to her brother Matthias. Most of the time it was rainy when she was here, so one could not go on walks much; however, now the last few days the weather was beautifully sunny. Apple and pear trees are iin full bloom; your seeds of are in bloom. All nature outside is full of the frangrance of flowers. I, myself, am well, go to Mass every day, and include you in my prayer. Now I wish to close. Hope this letter finds you out of bed (recovered). Luck and health wishes you, Your loving mother and grandmother Please write soon. |
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[Note: When this letter was written by Maria Anna, her daughter, Anna, had just given birth to her youngest child, Walter Urbain. Caroline-22 yrs old, was the daughter of Maria Anna's sister, Clara Verhaag. BH] [Note: This letter was typewritten and in English. Very likely it was
transcribed by Anna Urbain's daughter, Clara Urbain, at a much later date.
Clara was a legal stenographer in Chicago. BH] |
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Maunt Angel Orgen den 27ten Juni 1910 Geliebte Kinder Eueren werthen Brief mit dem Bilder erhalten und daraus gesehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was wier auch Gott sed Dank alle sind. unsere Klara hier ist vorigen Sontag gefirmt worden werdet auch bald ihr Comnions bild erhalten unsere Kinde haben jetzt auch Vakanz Anna und Katherina sind auch ausm dienst zu Haus gekomen nach dem 4ten Juli geht Mari wieder an den Kurort wo sie vorgiges jahr war am Tisch aufwarten. wier haben schon verschieden neues gemuese im Garten Erbsen Caebisch und gelbe rueben koenen auch Kathofeln haben haben noch blenti alten bohnen fangen an zu Bluehen |
Mount Angel, Oregon, June 27, 1910 Dear Children [I] received your valued letter with the pictures and see from it that you are all still well which we are too, God be thanked. our Clara here was confirmed last Sunday [you] will soon receive her Communion picture too. our children have vacation now Anna and Katherine have also come home from their service[.] After the 4th of July Mary will go back to the spa resort where she was last year to wait on tables. we already have new vegetables in the garden, peas, cabbage, and carrots? [we] can also have potatoes [though] we have plenty of old ones[.] the beans are beginning to bloom |
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[p2] Nun will ich mein Schreiben schliessen mit vielen gruessen und dich zu deinem NamensTag gratulieren Mutter herzlich gruesst euch alle euere liebende Mutter und Grossmutter Baldige Antwort |
[p2] Now I wish to close my letter with many greetings and congratulations to you on your nameday Mother heartfelt greetings to you all [from] your loving Mother and Grandmother Answer soon. |
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Maunt Angel Orgen den 20ten Juli 1910 Liebe Kinder Dein werthen Schreiben liebe Anna habe ich erhalten und daraus gesehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind wie wir Gott sei Dank auch alle sind vergangene woche habe ich auch von Frenzis einen Brief bekomen dass der
alte Pieter gestorben ist es tuht mir herzlich leid aber ich kan auch
nicht mehr thun fuer sie als Beten. ich habe grad auf dein Schreiben gewartet
dass du ihr ausfuehrlich Schreibst dass sie mit ihren Kindern zusamen
Arbeiten und beten sollen dan wird der liebe Gott sie nicht verlassen.
leg den Kindern es auch an Herz dass sie ihre Mutter nicht im stich lassen
du weist ich kan nicht Englisch Schreiben |
Mount Angel, Oregon, July 20, 1910 Dear Children [I] received your valued letter dear Anna and have seen from it that you are all sill well which God be thanked we are too[.] last week I also had a letter from Frances that old Pieter is dead. I am very sorry but I can't do anything more for them than to pray. I have just been waiting for your letter [so] that you write her in detail that she should work and pray together with her children then the dear God will not forsake her. Put it to the children's heart, too, that they do not abandon their mother[.] You know I cannot write in English. |
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[p] sonst haette ich ihr geschrieben die Maeri hier ist nicht zu Haus den andern mag ich es nicht anztrauen zum schreiben. ich bin noch imer gesund aber sehr Alterschwach Pflueck wieder bohnen und Erbsen hol auch sonstig Gmues ausm Garten geh jeden morgen in die Kirche. Sag dabei imer dieses das letzte jahr dass ich bohnen und Erbsen pluecken und so gehts so lang wie Gott will. Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen dich zum Namens tag gratulieren
in der Hoffnung dass dieses Schreiben so gesund an treffen wird wie es
uns verlaesst gruesst euch euern Mutter und Grossmutter August und Kinder
wier haben jetz sehr heisses und Trockens Wetter Baldige Antwort |
[p] otherwise I would have written her[.] Mary is not here at home I don't like to [trust?] the others to write. I am still well but very infirm. I'm picking beans and peas again, and bring in other vegetables from the garden[.] I go to the church every morning[.] I always say that this is the last year I [will] pick beans and peas and that's how it goes so long as God wills. Now I wish to close with many greetings and congratulations to you on your nameday in the hope that this letter finds you as well as it leaves us[.] greetings to you from your Mother and Grandmother, August and the children. We're having very hot and dry weather at present. Answer soon |
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Mt. Angel, Ore. Dear Aunt Annie, I have not wrote to you for such a long time and as grandmother is writing I thought I would write a few lines. We are all well at present. It hasn't rained here since the end of May but we need rain very bad. It is very cloud today and the wind is blowing so I think it will soon rain. I have been working out all spring but am home now. Annie is also home but Mary is working in a hotel about twenty miles from here. * We received Clara and George's First Communion pictures. They are very good. I suppose Julius [Jules?] is a large fellow now. We have lots of fruit and grapes this year. Tell Clara to write. I will close now. With best regards to all Answer soon |
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* Probably the Wilhoit Springs Hotel in the Cascade Mts. Foothills south of Molalla, OR "By 1882, Wilhoit Springs featured a road, post office, and hotel. The two springs (one sulfur, one soda) on John Wilhoit's old Donation Land Claim had been developed into one of Oregon's finest and most popular resort destinations by Frank W. McLeran. Along with the post office and hotel, it had its own cabins, bath houses, swimming pools and was serviced by daily stage service. For whatever reason, perhaps it was the sobering of the nation due to the World War or the failing economy, the resort entered into decline. Ownership changed hands but it never again equaled the successes while at its peak in the "Gay '90s." The post office was officially closed on September 29, 1928." |
1911
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Maunt Angel Orgen den 29ten Januar 1911 Vielgeliebte Kinder Dein Schreiben liebe Anna erhalten und daraus ersehen dass ihr noch alle gesund sind was wier Gott sei dank auch alle sind wir hatten noch nicht viel kalt ein paar tage Schnee den driten tag ist er etwas vergangen dann kam wieder schweren Regen dass das wasser ueber die Seitwag geflossen ist und jetzt friert es etwas bei nacht dan gibt es wieder etliche Tage Regen und so geht den ganzen Winter aber so kalt wie bei euch wird es hier niemals und doch wird es mir zu kalt hier fuer viel auszugehen den ich brauch zu viel zeit vor hinzu komen Karolein Verhaag hatt mir eine karte geschueckt zu Weihnachten |
Mount Angel, Oregon, January 29, 1911 Beloved Children I received your letter dear Anna and see from it hat you are all still well which, thanks be to God, we are all too. We still hadn't had much cold, snow a couple of days then the third day it was somewhat gone, then it rained again so hard that the water flowed over the sidewalk and now it freezes somewhat by night then a few more days of rain and so it goes the whole winter long but it never gets so cold here as by you, and still, it is too cold here for me to go out much because I need too much time to get anywhere. Caroline Verhaag sent me a Christmas card
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[p2] das is auch all was ich von ihr gehoert hab es thut mich auch leid fuer
unsere Fraenzis ich hab gedacht wie Piet gestorben war sie waer gestorben,
aber wir missen denken was Gott thut ist wohl gethan wier wollen fuer
sie beten und Gott moege noch alles zum besten nun will ich auch noch Schreiben wie ich die eingemachte bohne fertig mache, erst Koch sie gut ab wenn sie zu Salzig sind giess das wasser ab mach eine braune mehl Sause dran Schmalz und Peffer dan Schmeckt es gut. letzte mal hatt ich es vergessen Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen an dich und die deinen euern euch liebende Mutter und Grossmutter Gruss von August und Kindern Baldige Antwort |
[p2] that is all I've heard from her. I'm also sorry for our Frances, I thought when Piet died she might die, but we must believe that what God does is well done, we will pray for her and may God yet guide all for the best. Now I will also write how I prepare the canned beans, first cook them up well, if they are too salty pour off the water, make a brown flour sauce with fat and pepper, that makes it taste good. Last time I forgot it. Now I will close with many greetings to you and yours, your Mother and Grandmother who loves you. Greetings from August and the children. Answer soon. |
| Maunt Angel Orgen den 16ten Aprill 1911 Vielgeliebte Kinder Dein Schreiben mit dem geschenk erhalten meinen herzlichsten dank darfuer, habe nun bereits 78 Jahr erlebt vieleicht weird es wohl das letzte sein. so wie Gott will. wir die letzte zwei woch schelches wetter am Mittwoch Schnee gestoeber mit haagel unsere Buben haben Schnee ballen gemacht was sie in dieser Jahreszeit noch nie erlebt hier haben heute stehen Pflaumen birn und Apfel baeume in voller Bluehte, Naechsten Sonntag emfangen Mark und Allfons die erste heilige Komminon
spaeter werd ihr auch ein Bild von ihnen bekomen |
Mount Angel, Oregon, April 16, 1911 Beloved Children Received your letter with the present, my heartfelt thanks for it. Now I've already lived for 78 years, likely this one will be the last. As God wills. We've had bad weather the last two weeks, on Wednesday a snowstorm with hail. Our boys made snowballs which they've never experienced in this season. Today the plum, pear, and apple trees are in full bloom Next Sunday Mark and Alphonse will receive first holy communion, later you will get a picture of them. |
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[p2] Anna und Kaethi dienen in Portland Orgen haben leichte Plaetze Anna bekomt 25 Tahler den Monat Kaethi 18 Johanes ist in Waschinton bei unser Farm arbeten Joseph ist in Californien Nun will ich schliessen mit vielen gruessen euch alles gute wuenchend
verbleibe ich euere euch liebende Mutter und Grossmutter hoffentlich dass
dieses Schreiben euch so gesund antreffen wird wie es uns verlaesst Gruess
von August und |
[p2] Anna and Kathy work in Portland Oregon, they have easy places. Anna gets 25 dollars a month, Kathy 18. John is in Washington at our farm, Joseph is in California. Now I will close with many greetings, wishing you all the best, I remain your loving Mother and Grandmother, hoping that this letter reaches you in as good health as it leaves us. Greetings from August and the children. A blissful Hallelujah [Easter?] |
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Maunt Angel Orgen den 19ten Juli Dein werthen Brief erhalten und dar aus gesehen dass euer baebi krank is was mich sehr leid thut hoffentlich weird es auch wieder besser wier hatten hier auch ueber eine woche so heises wetter Dass einem das wasser ueber den Ruecken runter lief sonst haett ich schon eher geschrieben heut ist es etwas kuehler einen Abend hatt es gedonnert und geblitzt aber kein Regen es ist so drocken dass wenn nicht bald regnet vieles vertrocknet. unsere ist in Portland Orgen beim Dockter ist auch nicht recht gesund
will diese woche wieder heim kommen ich bin zwar noch gesund aber sehr
schwach |
Mount Angel, Oregon, July 19, 1911 Dear Children Received your valued letter and learned from it that your baby is ill, for which I am very sorry, hopefully it will be better soon. We've had such hot weather here for over a week that the water [i.e., sweat?] runs down one's back, otherwise I would have written before this. Today it is somewhat cooler. One evening there was thunder and lightning, but no rain, it is so dry that if it doesn't rain soon a lot of things will wither. Our [who? - no name] is in Portland at the doctor's, not very well, but will come home again this week. I am healthy but very weak. |
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[p2] ich hab mich sehr gefreut dass die Misischganer gewagt haben einmal nach Chigago zu komen hoffentlich haben sie dir kein Trubel gemacht Nun will ich Schliefen mit vielen gruessen und dich zu deinen Namenstag
grratulieren und noch viele zu erben bei den deinen dies wuenscht von
herzen euere Mutter und Grossmutter August und Kinder |
[p2] I'm very happy that the Michiganers ventured to come to Chicago, hopefully they didn't give you any trouble. Now I wish to close with many greetings and congratulations to you on your nameday, and may you enjoy many more with your loved ones, this I wish for you from my heart, your Mother and Grandmother, August and the children. Excuse my shaky scratchings |
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Maunt Angel Orgen sen 3ten Setember 1911 Liebe Kinder Liebe Anna ich haette dir eher geschrieben aber unsere Kinder hatten
alle die Momps es hatt etliche wochen gedauert bis sie alle durch gekomen
sind diese woche sind noch drei an die reih kom Maeri, Kaethe und Julius die sind auf konten heut aber noch nicht in die Kirche gehn, die naechste woche faengt das hopfen Pfluecken an wier sind beim birnen einkochen haben auch etliche Bueschl verkauft 75 Cent wir haben hier auch aus nahms weis einen heisen Somer gehabt bis jetzt gerstern hatt es angefangen zu Regenen das kuehlt was ab heut war ich im Hochamt kan aber kein wort von der Predigt verstehen |
Mount Angel, Oregon, September 3, 1911 Dear Children Dear Anna, I would have written you sooner, but our children all had the mumps, it's lasted several weeks before they all came through it. This week three of them, Mary, Kathy, and Julius were able to get up again but not yet to go to church today. Next week the hop-picking starts. We have been cooking up pears, and have sold several bushels at 75 cents. We've also had an exceptionally hot summer so far. Yesterday it began to rain which cooled things off a bit. Today I was at High Mass, but couldn't understand a word of the sermon. |
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[p2] kan auch nicht viel aus gehen, und doch tuh ich imer noch was, Kathofeln schaelen, Birnen 6 gallonen bohnen eingemacht, auch sie und dan einmal kochen auch was fluecken Stricken lesen und so geht die zeit rum Maeri ist Nervoes und Blut arm Nun will ich Schliessen mit vielen gruessen euere Mutter und Grossmutter nebst August und Kinder wier haben es sehr Trocken gehabt ein paar Monat keinen Regen Baldig Antwort |
[p2] I can't go out much either, but I still do some things, peel potatoes and pears, I've put up 6 gallons of beans, and then sometimes cook and sometimes pick, knit, read, and so the time goes around. Mary is nervous and anemic. Now I wish to close with many greetings, your Mother and Grandmother along with August and the children. It's been very dry, we haven't had any rain for a couple of months. Answer soon |
| Maunt Angel Orgen den 15ten Oktober 1911
Vielgeliebte Kinder Liebe Anna dein Schreiben erhalten und daraus ersehen dass ihr noch alle
gesund sind was wir Gott sei dank sind. mit mir ist es nicht vielmehr
mein Beine sind diesen Herbst so schlim dass ich nicht viel aus gehen
kan auch bald nicht mehr in die Kirche nun so lang wie Gott will ach waerest du hier gewesen wier haben so viele Barltels birnen bekomen
haetts du auch blenti bekomen wir haben 12 Gallonen zu Birnenbutter gekocht
sonst noch in Kaens eingemacht 15 Buscheln |
Mount Angel, Oregon, October 15, 1911 Beloved Children Received your letter dear Anna and see from it that you are all still well which, Gott be thanked, we are too. As to me, it is just my legs are so bad this fall that I can't go out much, soon not even to the church anymore. Well, as long as God wills. Oh, if you were here, we have gotten so many Barltels [Bartlett's] pears
that you would have plenty too. We have cooked 12 gallons into pear butter,
we've sold 15 bushels put up in cans. We haven't had any frost yet but
a few times late flowers are still blooming in the garden, those and also
one of the roses. |
| die Schule hatt hier im Oktober begonnen, Mark und Alfons
gehen in die Paarschule Julius geht in die Kolege und Klara geht in die
Klosterschule bei die Schwestern ohne ein Block von unserm haus
Nun will ich schliessen mit viele gruessen euch alles gute wuenschend
verbleibende liebende Mutter Grossmutter |
The schools started in October here. Mark and Alphonse are going to the parish school, Julius goes to the College, and Clara goes to the convent school with the sisters just a block from our house. Now I wish to close with many greetings wishing you all the best, I remain your loving Mother Grandmother Greetings from August and the Children |
1912
Mt. Angel, OR Dear Aunt Annie and family, It is some time ago since we got your last letter but have been very busy so couldn't write some and besides papa couldn't meet the man about the headstone as he was out of town. The parish school was out Friday but the college and Academy won't be out 'till the 10th of June. Mark passed into the 6th grade and Clara expects to pass into the normal while Julius will go into the second year high or Latin course. The 30th of June we will have a big day here as our new church will be dedicated and being that it is the nicest church in the Northwest, all the Bishops and priests that can possibly be here are expected. Besides all the country and cities around will send a goodly number. There are already 1600 tickets sold in Portland alone for the excursion train that will come here that day. We will send you one of the souvenir books that are being printed. We intend to have some sort of a fair that day so you see we all have our hands full. I wish you were nearer so you could be invited also as it seems nice to have some relatives near to come on such occasions. Joe [Mary's oldest brother] is still in the east. The last I heard from him he was in Lacrosse, Wis. I told him to hunt you [up?] when he dropped in Chicago so when you see a strange 6-footer you can guess who it is. It is nearly 3 years since we saw him last. But he writes to me or the other of us every week, so we keep pretty well posted. Annie and Katie are both in Portland and will be all summer if nothing happens. We are having real nice weather this year so far and will have lots of fruit. The strawberries are ripe and cherries will be before very long. I got a letter from Johns [1] saying they were going to see you again this summer. Math Verhaag [2] was here one week but got only one postal after he left but have not heard from him since he got settled. Don't know if he stayed in Baker City [Oregon] where the postal was from or not. So will have to find out from Carrie [3] where he is when she writes. Will close with love from your niece and cousin |
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1 Probably Frances and Peter Johns who lived in Berrien County, Michigan.
Frances was Anna Urbain's eldest sister. 3 Probably Carolina Verhaag, youngest child of Jacob and Clara Verhaag. [BH] |
| Mt. Angel, OR
Dear Aunt, Uncle & cousins, We received your letter this noon and as I have some spare time will ans. [sic] right away. We are all as well as can be expected when the apples are getting ripe and the children cannot keep away 'till they are ripe. So they have what I call "Green apple Sick" and my treatment is a dose or two of castor oil. We had very nice weather all along this year. It was very hot this week but yesterday and today it was cooler and wound up with a thunder shower which laid the dust. We had a sort of fair here on the 30th of June and raffled a stove that was donated by some wholesale hardware house. It was a $50 range and Annie won it. 1 Joe 2 has been in Colorado and Missouri the last 6 weeks and today we got a letter from him saying he had orders to leave for Quincy, Ill. So [he] will leave Denver for there the 25th of July and then will try to see you some time from there. He will be able to explain about his business much better than I can write it. It will be 3 years this fall since we saw him last. I tell you we miss Grandmother [3] a great deal as there were so many things she [illegible] and could do sitting, such as preparing vegetables, helping with the mending. [illegible] It just seemed so lonesome in the house after [her death]. I had been used to having her always with me. I am going to have some masses said for mama and G. soon as it will soon be 9 years since she [Barbara] left us. It is a year tonight since I came home from Portland on the road to recovery and thank God I don't feel as I did then. Even if I get a little nervous at times it is nothing compared to that time.[4] I took part in the play given by the Dramatic Club on June 30th. I certainly had a crazy part to play. An old maid always hunting up a certain old bachelor to make the people laugh. Every other time that I have played with them I have always taken the sad parts and most people thought that was all I could play but I showed them different. I have been doing quite a bit of sewing all along with the rest of the work and in that way earn my own pocket money. Annie has gone again to Seaside, [Oregon coast] with the same people as last year, for the summer or until school begins. And Katie's people are going to the coast also till school opens again. They each have fine places now, are treated like one of the family. John is staying around Portland watching his chance to get into the Electric shops as he has been studying that for some time and I think will try to make that his business. That is-to be an electrical engineer. Well, I think Clara will have everything in her letter I didn't get down so will close with love to all. I am your niece and cousin Mary K. Mary added notes at the top of several pages of her letter. They appear to be concerned with providing a headstone for Maria Anna's grave in the older cemetery in Mt. Angel, OR. "You … take your own time and judgment in regard to the head stone for Grandmother. We had a share of bad luck also this last year so do not feel able to get one." "and …did what was mo.. necessary..took care of her last days and paid funeral expenses. We felt as though we did our share. When you wrote in regard to your share we thought you…. "… could do it in that way. We fixed the grave and will plant some ornamental tree on it in the fall so it can get a good start over winter. Mary |
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--------------------------- [2] Mary's brother, Joe Kemmerich, was embarked on his career with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He started his career in 1908 at the Birdsview fish hatchery; later assignments included Afognak, Alaska, Baker Lake, Washington, and in 1939 Joe was promoted to District Supervisor at Leavenworth, Washington where he was in charge of the Grand Coulee Dam fish-salvage program. He retired in 1945. B.H.] [3] Maria Anna Hommerding died on March 25, 1912, one month before her
79th birthday. Most likely cause of her death was congestive heart failure.
Alphonse Kemmerich wrote in his memoir: [4] There is no other reference to Mary's illness. [BH] |
1913
Mt. Angel, OR Dear Cousin Clare, As Mary is writing to your mother I thought I would also write. Today is my birthday. Our neighbor's girl was over here and she wanted to see me but I went and hid for I knew what she wanted me for. There was about eight inches of snow here Saturday but it is melting fast. I think it is going to rain tonight. Friday afternoon about 5:15 our electric wire broke and we had no light until last night due to the snow. The next morning the telephone poles were laying flat on the ground. They were working at them today. Joe was home for Christmas and went to California on the 4th of this month. On New Year's we were all home which was the first time in three years. Joe left his Kodak here because he wanted to get a better one. Saturday Mary took a picture of our house and also of a group of trees as they were covered with snow. What did you get for Christmas? I got a box of candy, 9 handkerchiefs (Santa Claus must think I am very "Ritzy") a belt and am going to get me a ring one of the [sic] days but it will be very late for Christmas. It shall be more suitable for a birthday present. As I don't [sic] anything else to write I shall close. I am, as ever |
| Mt. Angel, OR
Dear Aunt, Uncle and cousins, As I have the time I will write you a few lines tonight. We are all well except for colds since New Year began and hope you are all well. We have had a very windy year all along and this winter it has kept right at it. Wind and rain nearly all the time till about a week ago it began to snow. Had about 6 inches of snow but it will soon be all gone again. It hasn't been very cold here, but in Washington on our farm it is cold and almost 2 ft. of snow. Joe came home Xmas. He certainly surprised us as we didn't expect him. He stayed 2 weeks when he got word to go to California till spring when he will go on a car [1] again for the summer and hopes he will be able to stop in Chicago this year. He said he was within 50 miles of Chicago several times but couldn't manage to get in the City. He was feeling alright again but had quite a cold, nearly went to pneumonia. The other three came home from Portland so we were all home together once more which I hardly think will ever happen again as Joe expects to winter in the east some place next time. Well, you might see me in Chicago some time this summer when the rates are on again as I would like to see you all and would like also to make that trip so have been thinking when Annie comes home that I will go on a bum somewhere but am not sure just where I will go. I wrote to Carrie Verhaag [2] a long time ago but she doesn't ans., [sic] and I haven't heard from Johns [3] either. How is Mrs. Jungblut [4] and everybody in our family. I certainly would like to know them all and will this year or next if my plans don't fall through. The 16th was Julius' birthday. He is 17 now, and Clare is 15 today. As I don't know much to write I will close, hoping to hear from you soon again. I remain your niece and cousin, Mary
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---------------------- Footnotes for Mary Kemmerich's Jan. 20, 1913 letter. [1] I believe Joe was a "messenger," transporting fingerling fish by railcar. My father, Alphonse Kemmerich, also told about doing this in the Skagit Valley area. "Beginning in the 1870s, fish culturists with the now U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) devised a simple method of transporting fish in milk cans. Rail baggage cars were used and hatchery "messengers" accompanied the fish to their final destinations. The messengers' primary concern, like today's culturists, was to keep the fish alive and healthy. Messengers did not have today's sophisticated equipment at their disposal. Their options were limited to adding ice to cool the water, manually aerating the water using ladles, or completely exchanging the water in the milk cans. Many states adopted this uncomplicated and very successful "messenger system." [Joe was a career employee of the Bureau of Fisheries/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He started his career in 1908 at the Birdsview fish hatchery; later assignments included Afognak, Alaska, Baker Lake, Washington, and in 1939 Joe was promoted to District Supervisor at Leavenworth, Washington where he was in charge of the Grand Coulee Dam fish-salvage program. He retired in 1945. B.H.] [2] "Carrie" was probably Carolina Verhaag, youngest child of Jacob and Clara Verhaag. Clara Butzen Verhaag was a younger sister of Maria Anna Butzen Hommerding. [3] The "Johns" family was Frances and Peter Johns, who lived in Berrien County, MI. Frances was Maria Anna's oldest daughter. [4] "Mrs. Jungblut would have been Maria Anna's next youngest sister, Frances, who married Mathias Jungblut, also a German emigrant, from Koblenz. Like Maria Anna, Frances was a widow, but would outlive Maria Anna by two years, dying Dec. 17, 1914. Frances and most of her family lived in Chicago. |
1914
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Mazomanie, Wis. Dear Aunt Anna & family, Beatrice (1) told me the other day that you wished me to find out about some more eggs. I called the poultry house today but they said they didn't have any fancy & strickly [sic] fresh as the others were because most of the farmers keep their eggs this time of year waiting for higher prices. They said they had plenty of such eggs and also storage eggs but none of the first class article just now. But would call me and let me know when they happen to get enough for a crate. The first of last week they sold the last case for .35 a doz. They were the first class ones. You can let me know if you will want them when they call me. Then I will give them your address and they said they would take them to the station and we could pay afterward. I can send bill when eggs are shipped & then you can send draft later. Let me know if that will be satisfactory to you. You see it may be several weeks & it might be a few days when they would have enough to send & while we wait for money & write a few letters forth & back some one else may get the eggs. Of course they may be a little higher by that time also. That you know. Don't worry about the trouble as we can pay them sometime at church if we don't happen to see them otherwise. They both go to our church. So Joe(2) got to see you at last. Maybe you think I wasn't surprised when I got his letter one morning saying he would be with us that afternoon. Did he send you a card or let you know he was coming, if not, did you know him? Did Walter(3) get afraid of him like he did of Barney? (4) Well about 1 day more of corn husking and then the 1914 crop will all be under cover. We are slow but there are others slower & they didn't built a barn either to keep them backward with the farm work. Christmas will soon be here then it will soon be a year since I left home. It don't seem possible that a year can go so quickly. But when one is busy the longest day is to [sic] short. I live in hope for a better time next year when I won't have so many men around all summer. No I don't think that Annie(5) figures on coming this winter as she wrote last time that she wanted to go to work after the holidays. She seems to want to go to Salem [OR] this time. We went to the old folks(6) for dinner Thanksgiving. That is about the only place we go but some of these days I'm going to visit the neighbors as I have the time now & there are some real nice people in the neighborhood. The last I heard from home the folks were all well & busy as usual.
As I don't know much news to write will bring my letter to a close. Hoping
to hear from you soon in regard to the eggs. I remain ever your niece. Dec. 9 |
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Footnotes for Mary Kemmerich's Dec. 7, 1914 letter. 1 "Beatrice" was a sister of Basil Stupfel. Mary and Basil Stupfel were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Angel, OR on January 13, 1914. Basil was from Mazomanie, Wis. I don't know how he met Mary Kemmerich way out in Mt. Angel, Oregon! Obviously they first set up housekeeping and farmed in Mazomanie. Later, they moved to St. Paul, Oregon. I don't know the date, but their second child, Marcella, was born at St. Paul in 1919. 2 "Joe" is Mary's brother, Joseph who worked for what is now the US Fish & Wildlife Service. At that time he was working at least part of the time as a "messenger" delivering young fish via railroad baggage cars. This work apparently took him around the Midwest. 3 "Walter" was the youngest child, of Anna and Julius Urbain, born in April, 1910. He would have been four years old at the time of this letter. 4 "Barney" is probably a brother of Basil Stupfel. 5 "Annie" is Mary Kemmerich Stupfel's next-youngest sister. 6 "The old folks" are probably Basil Stupfel's parents. |
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Thurs p.m. Dear Aunt Annie, We were in Mt. A. [Angel] today and finally got a paper for you. He said he forgot to send yours. The undertaker left Mt. Angel this p.m. for Birdsview. He will be back next Mon. so we will go over again next Tues. for the burial. We have a nice monument for both of them.[2] We have had a lovely spring, in fact too nice as we haven't had any rain for two months and would like to see some. Yesterday it was 90, several people were overcome in Salem. Bas [Basil Stupfel] [3] is still in the hospital and the doctor has no idea how long he will be there. A bone specialist examined it and said it is healing but very slow as it was such a bad break. Write when you have time and hoping you get the paper O.K. Rather late but it was the first time I was in Mt. A. during the week. Love from all. Kathryn |
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Footnotes for Kathryn Kemmerich Stupfel's May, 1926 letter. [1] Kathryn married Basil Stupfel's brother, Camille, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Angel, OR on Jan. 18, 1916. The couple lived in Mazomanie, Wisconsin until sometime after the birth of their second child in 1918. Then they moved to Salem, Oregon. They farmed and had a dairy. [2] I don't know what "paper" is being referred to. Perhaps a newspaper article noting that the Kemmerich family was arranging to have Barbara Kemmerich's remains removed from the Hamilton, WA cemetery and brought to Mt. Angel for burial with August Kemmerich. August had died in Jan. 1926. [3] Basil Stupfel was the husband of Mary Kemmerich. After living in Wisconsin for a few years, they moved to St. Paul, OR where they had a farm and dairy. [Barbara Halliday] |
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St. Paul, Ore Dear Aunt Annie & family, I got your letter and card a few days ago. Was glad to see you were all well so far. We got a nice little girl Oct. 5th, named her Beatrice Loretta. She is doing fine and the other children sure are pleased with her. Have the 3 older ones in school. Anna May [1] wasn't strong enough to start so am feeding her pretty heavy with cod liver oil so she may be able to start in the spring. She is very anxious to receive her 1st communion as she will be [7] in April. She seems bright enough but is always troubled with bronchitis and is as thin as her father. The older ones are a big help as they help with the milking and feeding morning and evening. I think it is good for them as it keeps them outdoors more. We had very good crops this year and feel we have a great deal to be thankful for even if we are still traveling in the same old Ford we took Clara [2] out to the Ocean in, ha! So far she [the car] has never refused to bring us home. The church in Mazomanie burned (complete loss) a month ago and some seem to think it was set afire as there wasn't any fire in the furnace at the time. About a $50,000 loss. Had a little insurance. We sure had a dry summer and fall. No rain from June 15 to Dec. 7 and since then it can't stop. Hope it don't get very cold this winter as we don't need it here. Bas' leg still drains a little. Annie [3] is planning on buying us 3 girls' [4] share of the ranch this winter then she will have all except Joe and Al and they took mostly wood land as their part. It sure is too bad the boys [5] didn't make more headway when they were on the ranch. Mark is back in the hospital at Walla Walla again for the winter. [6]
Alphonse was married a year ago and is living in Alaska. [7] It seems…….[rest
of letter is missing] |
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[1] Anna Marie [Anna May] was Mary's fourth child, born April 13, 1923. [2] This is probably Clara Urbain. [3] "Annie" is Anna Kemmerich who married William (Bill) Ackerman July 5, 1925. They built a home on a portion of the August Kemmerich ranch that is now the site of the parking lot at Rasar State Park. Rasar St. Park encompasses all of the former Kemmerich ranch. [4] "Us 3 girls" would be August's other daughters, Mary, Kathryn and Clara. [5] "the boys" would be August's sons, Julius and Mark. [6] August's son, Mark, is thought to have contracted tuberculosis while
in the U.S. Army during World War I. However, it was not apparent until
later. After his discharge from the Army, Mark returned to the Kemmerich
ranch in Birdsview, WA where he raised chickens. [7] Alphonse, the youngest of August's children, went to work for the Bureau of Fisheries (now US Fish & Wildlife Svc) at the age of 16. In 1928 he was promoted to Foreman at theYes Bay Hatchery near Ketchikan, Alaska. On Dec. 26, 1928 he married Pauline von Pressentin of Sedro-Wooley, WA and they soon left for Alphonse's new assignment. [Barbara Halliday] |
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St. Paul, Ore Dear Aunt Annie & Family, I have been intending to write to you this past month but always something seems to interfere. First I must tell you that Mark [1] died March 28 in the Veterans Hospital at Walla Walla, Washington just 6 years + 2 mo. after Pa left us. Kathryn, Clare & her Joe & baby, [2] and I drove up to see him 4 weeks before. Were with him for his 32nd birthday, Mar. 4th & it was plain then that he couldn't live long. He was so thin and suffered so, as soon as he would eat or drink. Had to have a hypo before eating or drinking to quiet him enough so he wouldn't vomit it. But toward the last nothing did any good. His bowels moved from 12 to 15 times a day & straining to vomit all the time. He sure suffered. I think I told you that his lungs were healed but several years ago he had an attack of intestinal flu and he never really got over it although he was discharged from the Hospital & last fall he broke down & had to go back. But he had good care & was well prepared & resigned to go. Hoping to get some reward for all his suffering. His wife is a brave & sensible woman & he left a fine big boy just 9 months old today. His wife will get some pension & insurance & is home with her people & will get along till she can leave the baby to go to work after awhile. Mark wanted to be buried in Mt. Angel. The Disabled American Veterans post of Salem gave him a military funeral. Joe & Julius [3] drove down from Birdsview. Anna & John [3] couldn't come. May He rest in Peace. Well things don't seem to be picking up very much out here & if they keep on this way next winter will be worse than last as far as unemployment goes. We can get plenty of help on farm for .50 to 1.00 per day with board of course. We are all quite well & busy. I am getting too close to 50 to be as able as I used to be but have a lot to do so can't afford to cut down too much on the work just yet. Dorothy is to receive her first Holy Communion this coming Holy Thursday. This is Friday morning. Just read this over & see I failed to tell you that Mark's passing away was because of T.B. in the intestines. We are still having a lot of wet cloudy weather and I think most crops have a fair outlook so far so we won't complain. Margaret will finish the grade school this spring and will go to High in the fall. Have 5 in school & sure some job getting the lunch buckets ready every morning. As I must get busy about the dinner will have to close. Love to all Mary Stupfel Hope all the folks are well in Chicago. Write again. |
| Footnotes for Mary Kemmerich Stupfel's May 1, 1932 letter.
[1] August's son, Mark, is thought to have contracted tuberculosis while
in the U.S. Army during World War I. However, it was not apparent until
many years later. After his discharge from the Army, Mark returned to
the Kemmerich ranch in Birdsview, WA where he raised chickens. [2] This would be Kathryn K. Stupfel, Clara and Joe Bartosz, and son Paul. All lived in Salem, OR. [3] This would be August's sons, Joseph and Julius. "Anna and John" would be Anna K. Ackerman and John Kemmerich. |
Transcription notes on the letters originally
written in German: