Johanna Maria Magdalena von Schwemler

Notes:

IGI lists surname as von Schwemmler:
Christening: 19 AUG 1834 Milatary Records, Frankfurt Am Oder Stadt, Brandenburg, Preussen
Mother: JOHANNE EMILIE KRUEMMEL
Father: FERDINAND GUSTAV VON SCHWEMMLER

Johanna married Wolf Leopold Moritz "Leopold" von Beschwitz 1 Nov 1852, Zittau, Sachsen, Germany. Wolf (son of Hans Christoph Moritz von Beschwitz and Henriette Agnes von Gersdorff) was born 14 Nov 1826, Groß-Schweidnitz, Sachsen, Germany; died 27 Nov 1888, Schmochtitz, Sachsen, Germany; was buried 29 Nov 1888, Taucherfriedhof, Bautzen, Sachsen, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Major General in German Army. Only those of nobility could be officers then.

Hans married Walthere Helene Zschille 14 Nov 1887, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany. Walthere (daughter of Gustav Fedor Zschille and Therese Ernestine von Einsiedel) was born 27 May 1867, Großenhain; died 24 Apr 1910, Großstädteln. [Group Sheet]

Hans married Mathilde Johanna "Hanna" Zschille 3 Apr 1913, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany. Mathilde (daughter of Gustav Fedor Zschille and Therese Ernestine von Einsiedel) was born 19 Feb 1863, Großenhain, Saxony, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, Ward 34, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

Lived in Chicago, Illinois.

Ernst married Hedwig "Hattie" M. Nathenson 1 Oct 1891. Hedwig (daughter of Julius Nathenson) was born 24 May 1870, Berlin, Germany; died 16 Feb 1927, St. Lukes Hospital, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; was buried Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Agnes married Paul Toennies 15 Jun 1886, Berlin, Germany. Paul died 29 Oct 1905, Blankenburg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: BCHF-1L

Notes:

Name Index to Cancelled, Rejected, and Relinquished Land Entry Files
Dodge City, Kansas and Topeka, Kansas Land Offices, ca. 1905-1937 (Record Group 49), in NARA's Central Plains Region (Kansas City, MO)

Dodge City, Kansas in 1916.

Rudolph married Anna Elsia W. Droegemeier 2 Aug 1894, Ellsworth, Ellsworth County, Kansas. Anna (daughter of Henry August Droegemeier and Mary Ann Brandt) was born 7 May 1876, Peotone, Will County, Illinois; died 30 Jul 1968, McPherson, McPherson County, Kansas. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Majestic Theatre, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Concertmaster
• Residence: 1888/1892, Schmochtitz, Sachsen, Germany; Schmochtitz knight estate purchased for 298.000 Marks sold for 314.000 Marks
• Census: 1910, 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Naturalization: 13 Feb 1919, Illinois
• Census: 1920, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1930, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

Born in knight estate Alt Hörnitz 2 miles West of Zittau, Sachsen, Germany.

Georg performed Felix Mendelssohn's violin concerto in a command performance before the King of Saxony at the age of 12.

While in Vienna studying under the Hungarian violinist and composer Joseph Joachim (28 June 1831 - 15 August 1907), Georg was asked if he would like to join Joachim in a visit to the home of a close friend. The two descended steps to a basement apartment where they were greeted enthusiastically by Joachim's friend. The friend, in excited voice, asked the two to please be seated so he could play for them something he had just composed. The friend went to the piano and played "Brahms Lullaby". Thus Georg was presented a unique introduction to Johannes Brahms, one of the great classical composers of Europe during the latter part of the 19th century.

Purchased Schmochtitz for 298.000 Marks in 1888. Was sold in 1892 for 314.000 Marks.
http://www.benno-haus.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=84

At the age of 24, Georg migrated to the middle of the United States to the booming railroad city of Chicago. The reason for his migration is unknown but many at this time left for the new world to seek their fortune.

George, as he was known in the U.S., was an accomplished violin and violist. He was first chair viola and one of the founding members of First Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also played for the Chicago Opera Orchestra. George was a pupil of the famous violin master, Pablo de Sarasate (10 Mar 1844 - 20 Sep 1908) and performed as a concert violinist in tours all over the world.

During the interim between concert seasons, George was concertmaster at the Majestic Theatre in Chicago (now the Bank of America Theatre). The Majestic played vaudeville. George felt a great challenge in playing vaudeville since all music direction was in accordance to what the performers were doing on stage rather than from the music score. Every performance was unpredictable, particularly those involving animals. This presented a real challenge to the concertmaster, a challenge George enjoyed.
----------
References:
Chicago Federation of Musicians letter.
Chicago Sun obituary, 9 March 1945.

Moritz married Maude Eleanor Elizabeth Wheeler 22 May 1901, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Maude (daughter of Edmund Lyon Wheeler and Eleanor Elizabeth Sarah Smith) was born 29 Aug 1873, Spencer Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died 3 Sep 1961, Mercer Island, Washington; was buried 8 Sep 1961, Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Cook County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Gotha lists an Elisabeth born 6 November 1870 in Alt Hörnitz, immigrated to the US and died 1893 at the age of 23 in Buffalo, NY. Maude von Beschwitz lists a Gretian dieing in her brother Rudolphs home in Kansas. I suspect this is one and the same. Rudolph lived both in Buffalo, New York and Kansas.

Notes:

Blankenburg March 4, 1947

My Dear Maude:

Please excuse me that I haven't answered your letter sooner because I got it in the middle of February. The bad conditions we are having here make it difficult. Thanks for the picture. I had a picture of George's boys and home in Michigan, but lost everything when bombed out in Dresden, and all our memories went with. On January 31 I thought of George and our lives. If he were living he would have been writing about me. I hope he didn't worry too much about us the last days of his life.

You asked our ages - Agnes 84, Carl will be 81 and I am 74. We thought we would have it better in our old age.

We are thankful from the bottom of our hearts for your warm feelings and desire to help us so much. We are very thankful that Milton is going to send things to us. I only hope that all the packages will get here because they go through so many zones. I will write immediately when we receive a package. Please write very clearly Carl or Marie and Goldberg 14-A. There are about four families with the name Thilo. Your offer to send tobacco and cigarettes would be very much appreciated.

It is very hard to write because of the intense cold. Our house consists of two rooms and a kitchen. We have to live, sleep, and cook in one room because we can not get much coal or wood. The temperature inside is thirty nine degrees which makes writing difficult with numbed hands. The light is turned off and we go to bed at seven in the evening.

We can't get gas and heating supplied and can't properly prepare food. Since December 10th everything is frozen and we get water from next door. Living in Germany is bad. You should be thankful you are in America. I love my
fatherland but if I were young I would leave it. The saying is you can't take an old tree and transplant it.

Carl is not getting any pension, Henry lost his life going against Hitler. Gunther made a remark and nearly went to prison. Everywhere you went you couldn't talk because of spies. If George would have written anything we told him and his letter were opened it would have been difficult for us. Many families were in trouble.

Agnes is living with Edith in Mariemburg. She thinks of you often and she helps us as much as she can. Edith's husband still has the factory. She has all her furniture but have their difficulties and have to work hard. Agnes had three eye operations and her heart at her age is not too good.

Our children Gunther and Gretle help all they can and both are working hard to make ends meet. Gunther works for a family.

I hope dear Maude this letter will arrive.

Hearty greetings to all,

Marie
----------
Reference:
Letter to Maude von Beschwitz

Therese married August Ferdinand Carl Thilo 1 Oct 1902, Blankenburg, Germany. August was born 24 Jul 1866; died 28 May 1948, Bad Blankenburg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Adelheid married Ernst Herbert Duerr Leipzig. Ernst died 15 Feb 1917. [Group Sheet]

Adelheid — Otto Walter Erlecke. Otto (son of Andreas Christoph Erlecke and Dorothea Karolina Minna Becker) was born 24 Oct 1881, Straßburg; died Abt 1945. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: FB8B-3T
• Also Known As: Ernst Moritz von /Beschwitz/
• Census: 1910, Ward 34, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1930, Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
• Immigration: 1945, Brazil

Notes:

Birth name Ernst Moritz von Beschwitz

Letter sent to 829 Columbia Drive, Vernam Park, R.D.I., Clarington, Pennsylvania but returned no such address:

24 March 1941
537 Arlington Place
Chicago, Illinois

My Dear Ernest

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure to see your sister in law as she visited us in our home here in Chicago and I was certainly very glad to hear so good news about you! It is a long time ago that I wrote to you, but received no response to my letter. Well dear Ernest, believe me I am very anxious to hear from you and your doings. I was glad to hear that you are married to a lovely girl and have your own little home now. My two sisters living in Germany are always asking in their letters to me, about you, but I had so little information. Milton and George are busy here in Chicago and Willard is in Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas, with the 202 Coast Artillery, he belongs since many years to the National Guard. How is the military drafting effect you?

Now my dear Ernest let me hear from you. We are all interested in your welfare and your happiness and let us keep up our correspondence in the future, and should you come to Chicago, don't miss to see us. You and your wife will be always heartily welcome here in our home.

With the best wishes to you and your wife,

Your Uncle,

George von Beschwitz
----------
Reference:
Returned George von Beschwitz letter.

Ancestral File submitter:
Debra Ann Conaway
730 Anherst Lane
Deer Park, Texas 77536

Ernest married Kathryn Marsaleete Cornelius 15 Nov 1930, Cleveland, Ohio. Kathryn (daughter of William Austin Cornelius and Willie Jefferson Moore) was born 15 Nov 1904; died 2 Jan 2001, Pittsburg, Texas; was buried 4 Jan 2001, Rose Hill Cemetery, Pittsburg, Texas. [Group Sheet]

Walter — Margot Zectz. Margot was born 11 Nov 1900. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"Thanks for package, when it arrived Agnes could not enjoy it because she was so ill. My husband is sick in bed too but is getting better. You can imagine what work it is to take care of 2 sick people.

Your package made us so happy we gave Marie half of the package.

Hope you are in good health."

8 Sept 1947

My dear good Aunt Maude,

Today I am sorry to write bad news. My dear Mother passed away. She was sick 5 weeks. At the end she could hardly see - had several operations and dropsy and her liver gave out. She had no appetite so she lost all her energy. It was very hard to see her so and not be able to help her. She suffered so much and we could give her no relief. It was hard to watch her those last hours our beloved mother. You probably understand.

We were so close to each other and so much love for each other - we had lived together so long.

Our mother had so much love for us all and she always wanted to help everyone she could.

I was today at her grave again - she is in the family mausoleum where her husband is. She is better off now and no longer suffers.

How often she said during the war "I wonder if George is still living" and her thoughts for him were in the past from her youth. They were both musical.

When she heard violin concerto on radio she could name them all and said "George played that".

She was mentally alert even at her advanced age. She always had the right answer.

She was so happy over your lovely package although she was unable to eat any of the food. She wanted so much to write to you. I have found it hard to write to you about her. I am very busy - too much work, Agnes always helped me until she could no longer do so.

Thank God things are better now with my husband - he feels much better - needs a lot of rest and no work and good care. I have a big garden which makes a lot of work. Now the crop is in and it takes a lot of work to can all the vegetables. It is such a help for the whole year. I always spent so much time in the garden which I neglected when Agnes and my husband were ill. I got an old man to help in the garden and now I can accomplish more. We also have some livestock which needs care.

Potatoes are very small because of lack of rain. Laundry, darning, cooking and care of house keep me so busy I have no time to be lonesome.

Please excuse poor writing I write in so little time. Even with hard work I can hardly make things go as they should. My responsibility is double what it was. We make everything count I do not waste anything.

We are having hard times. The mean Russians will not wait long - we cannot see what this winter will bring. Very little food and wood - it will be a catastrophe.

Our factory is closed and work was less and less so it closed.

Life is not a small problem anymore. It must be better with you, thank God.

How is all your family? Hope all are healthy and happy.

How is the small child (Robert M. Beckwith) - how old? Uncle George wrote about him and his music. It runs in the family.

Now dear Aunt Maude, do not be angry with me because it took me so long to write.

I would be very happy to hear how you're getting along.

Very best to you,

Edith
----------
Reference:
Last letters to Maude von Beschwitz.

Edith — Conrad Pohlhaus. Conrad died Abt 1950. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Killed in World War I.
----------
Reference:
Family group photo.

Other Events:

• Also Known As: Milton Morris von Beschwitz
• Census: 1910, 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1920, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1930, 1516 Ardmore Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

Milton changed his name from Milton Morris von Beschwitz. The Morris was probably an Anglicized Moritz.

Rescue Three Canoeists.

Most spectacular of the lake rescues was that of three youths, whose sailing canoe was capsized by high waves half a mile out from the foot of Pratt boulevard. Three life guards from the Toughy beach, Sommers, Van Beschwirtz (sic), and Tresch, rowed out at the risk of their own lives to save them.

The rescued canoeists, numbed by the cold and the lashing of high waves are Harvey Cohen, 1110 Pratt boulevard; Albert Levin, 5474 Harper avenue, and Major Lawrence, 1311 Farwell avenue. All are about 18 years old.

Saturday, October 10, 1981

Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet

11 AM

Memorial service of Milton M. Beckwith.

Born Sept. 27, 1901 - Chicago, Illinois

Died Aug. 25, 1981 - Dunedin, Florida

Married Sept. 24, 1927 to: Marjorie Mateer Beckwith

One son: Robert M. Beckwith

Three grandsons: Robert, John and David Beckwith

Two great granddaughters: Crystal and Yvette Beckwith

One surviving brother: George L. Beckwith

Milton Miles Beckwith was the eldest of three sons born to George and Maude von Beschwitz. As a teenage youth he became interested in a relatively new organization, the Boy Scouts of America which was rapidly growing throughout the nation. Milton was one of the organizers of Boy Scout Troop 87 at the Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Covenant Church in Chicago. This initial interest in helping other people through a youth organization was to become the ultimate cornerstone of his life. More than 20 years later he returned to the same troop with his son as scout and he as scoutmaster. It was this service to youth during World War II which helped fill the gap left by younger scout leaders engaged in military defense of their country. During his youthful days and continuing into his college years, Milton and his brothers became excellent swimmers over the vigorous objections of his mother who always feared the water. A strong believer that anyone could learn to swim with just a pail of water, Milton spent many summers as a life guard at the beaches of Chicago or the YMCA camp at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin ... again typical of his concern for the welfare of others, primarily youth.

During his years at Northwestern University from which he earned his degree in Business Administration Milton continued swimming. He won many honors as a member of the University's swimming team. Later while obtaining a law degree from the Chicago Law School he became a member of the Illinois Athletic Club swimming team. During this period he sharpened his competitive spirit by joining a team mate in lively pursuit of ducks swimming in one of Chicago's boat harbors.

While the team mate, Johnny Weismueller, went on to Olympic fame and movie stardom as "Tarzan", Milton settled down to marriage, raising a family and joining the credit department of Marshall Fields. But the memorable experiences Milton had swimming with, and sometimes against, "Tarzan" have become legendary to his family and friends.

Following his interest in scouting, Milton turned his career from the field of credit management to the field of youth development. To help young people gain an appreciation of the free enterprise system and learn how to successfully operate their own small businesses, Milton became manager of a Junior Achievement center on the northwest side of Chicago. Working with boys and girls of all backgrounds and religious beliefs and with the schools and business leaders, Milton built a J. A. youth program that lacked a counterpart anywhere in the city.

His life, his love for youth, his words of wisdom and counsel to the young, his knack of stimulating youth's creative spirit has been imparted in the minds and hearts of thousands of former J.A.ers who are today's adult leaders.

For seventeen years Milton, known affectionately as "Mr. B" by his J.A.ers, served the teenagers of Chicago's northwest side ... and he served to help build in others an appreciation of our economic system which has helped make this a nation great.

Upon his retirement Milton entered what may be regarded as the most beautiful and rewarding phase of his life. The time had come to serve as elder statesman ... to impart the family heritage and fulfill all the other important responsibilities of being a grandfather. And the time had come to enter into a closer spirit with the creator and those He created.

As a young man Milton was very active in church work and served as Sunday school superintendent ... now as a retired citizen he returned to an active role in the Presbyterian Church of Evanston. As trustee of the church he found many ways to be of service.

While his working years left no time for Milton to join organizations for his personal fulfillment, he now made up for this neglect by joining the Masonic Lodge of Evanston. His commitment to this brotherhood, as to his work in Junior Achievement, resulted in exceptional achievement and advancement. His unselfish service and the deep respect he held for others brought about a deep inner sense of self esteem.

Shortly after becoming a Shriner, Milton and his wife, Marjorie, left the confines of Chicago area and for the next ten years "to the day", August 25, 1971 to August 25, 1981 established a new life in Dunedin (Dun nee' din), Florida. A happy ten years, he found many wonderful new friends and time to travel and enjoy a relaxed social life. This was the time of life when Milton's keen sense of humor and love to engage in hilarious antics showed at its finest ... and warmed the hearts of all ... and filled the air with howls of laughter.

And till his end on this Earth, Milton Beckwith never stopped swimming ... like a fish under water, or a porpoise cresting the surface, his graceful form never aged.

Milton competed in life as he competed as a swimmer ... always with grace, determination, and poise. He did not become an Olympian nor a cinema star, but he did become "our" Tarzan ... and for this he will swim in the heavens of our Lord and we shall follow his wake.
----------
Reference:
Newspaper article.
"Milton Miles Beckwith Eulogy", Robert Milton Beckwith, 1981.

Milton married Marjorie Ruth Mateer 24 Sep 1927, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Marjorie (daughter of Fred De Loss Mateer and Blanche Ridenour) was born 8 Jan 1904, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; died 12 May 1994, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried 30 Jul 1994, Elmhurst Memorial Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1920, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

P.F.C. Willard von Beschwitz
Reg. Hq. Bat Band Sec.
202 C.A. & A.A.
Fort Bliss
El Paso, Texas

Willard married Birdie M. Avery 5 Dec 1930, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Birdie (daughter of William Webster Avery and Josie May Sharp) was born 11 Dec 1899, Owensville, Gibson County, Indiana; died Dec 1978, Washington; was buried Fern Hill Cemetery, Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1920, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Notes:

George changed his name from George von Beschwitz.

George — Gladys. [Group Sheet]

George — Ruth E.. Ruth was born 7 Jan 1923; died 24 Jul 2008. [Group Sheet]

Agnes married Heinrich "Heinz" von Kieserisky 6 Jun 1936, Dresden, Germany. Heinrich was born 29 Jan 1895; died 16 Jun 1940, Dresden, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Dr. G. Thilo
Head - Master of High-School 17.3.1948
Bad Blankenburg/Thuringia-Forest
Germany
Frobelstr. 7

Mr. Milton and Mrs. Majory B e s c h w i t z
457 Roslyn Pl.
C h i c a g o 14, Ill.
U.S.A

Dear Cousin Milton!

It is now three years, that this war with all its senseless cruelties is over and this is the first time that I write you a letter, I hope you will excuse my bad English. When we got the first letter of your dear mother, aunt Maud, our eyes filled with tears. That your dearest father, our uncle George, has gone away for ever without seeing the end of this cruel war and that you are all thinking of us with cordiality, these both facts have affected us strongly. So many years have passed, that uncle George has left Germany, and although, he remained always one of our dearest relatives. Since the first day of my youth, my dear mother has spoken so much of her elder brother George and about his excellent violin-playing. That was my mother's greatest desire, that I should continue this splendid tradition of our common grandfather Leopold and uncle George, and so I began violin-playing when I was a child of six years. Although the musical art hasn't become my profession I am fond of violin-playing also still to-day and every week I have the pleasure to play with some excellent artist's quartettes of stringed instruments, and the notes, we use, are the old volumes of grandfather and of your dearest father. Uncle George has written so many signs in it, and so I have an everlasting memorial of your dear father. I am happy to have saved these notes, worse luck I have lost my beautiful violin by the bombardment of Dresden, also an old remembrance of Beschwitz family. On my piano in Dresden there was always placed a picture of uncle George together with his intimate friend Concertmaster Alfred Meyer - Wianko, my own teacher in violin-playing, unfortunately, both pictures are burnt.

I was glad to hear of Majories letter, that your son George, the dear "Bob", as uncle George has often written, is also fond of music and above all of Chopin, the favorite of my dear mother. Alas! I have rarely time to play music, my scientificall works occupy myself completely. Last year in September I got the position as head-master of a high school, I give every week lectures in history and literature. During the time of National Socialism I was not permitted to practice my profession on account of my antagonism to the Nazis, that were bad times for my little family, my wife has lost her health by these calamities, 1933 - 36 I have spent some years in France, the Nazi-government has me given no work in Germany, because of my membership to the social - democratic party. Indeed these were difficult times and above all my dear mother was always declining this government. But we were never allowed to write uncle George a word about these things, we should have lost our heads! And now, dear cousin Milton, I hope you are confessed, that we can write you "everything". But don't we speak about.

With your dear father, the last of my mother's brothers and sisters has gone in a better world, my mother was the youngest of all, I have had two sisters, my eldest sister Annemarie has died few weeks after the bombardment of Dresden, this was the worst day of our life, my parents house has completely dashed to pieces. But I will be always full of gratitude to the Lord, that I was able to save my old parents and my younger sister out of the ruins, Gretel has also lost her husband by the National Socialist terror. Two days after the bombardment we have moved from Dresden to the lovely Blankenburg/Thuringia - Forest, the native - town of Beschwitz family, and we are happy, that God in His grace has given us the joy that we can live here all together. On account of the heavy illness of my wife, she and my little son have lived here in Blankenburg already before the end of the war. I have married 1935, my wife Hanna is two years younger than I, (38) and my son has been born 1938. I have given him the old name of Beschwitz family "Hans - Christoph". He is the single heir of Beschwitz and Thilo name in Europe, a handsome boy, I may say without presumption diligent, he thinks to become a medicin, but we have to wait, nobody can say, what future will bring to Germany! It is only so mournful, that the childhood of our little - one has to miss all. He doesn't know all these beautiful things, children like so much. You can't imagine the beaming eyes he has made, when he tasted the chocolate on Christmas, he received from his grandmother, the present of dear aunt Maud. Up to this moment he has never seen something like, though he is ten years old! But we will not complain of, we will be thankful to our Savior, when we don't starve, but may be, there are still more serious dangers ahead of us.

But now I will come to an end with my letter, dear cousin Milton, I cannot but thank you, dearest aunt Maud and Majory that you have supported my old parents with some parcels, that was a very pleasant assistance for them in this unimaginable hard struggle for life. Papa has had the kindness to give me the tobacco, because he is non-smoker. We are only ashamed that we can do nothing for our dear relationship in America, we can only thank the Lord for so much love. I myself, I should be very glad to keep up a correspondence with one of my dear cousins, that maybe an interesting interchange and besides I should be thankful to improve my English knowledge. Please, give me notice of my mistakes.

What is your dearest mother doing? Has she arrived already by cousin Willard? We have nothing heard so long time of her.

Dear cousin Milton, dear cousin Majory
with kindest regards
your cousin G u n t e r and H a n n a

P.S. We were full astonished that Claus Erleck has written you. Till now he has neer cared for his family not to mention his relationship in America. He is the grandson of our dear uncle Moritz, the eldest brother of uncle George and my mother. We were often sad, that this part of the family had so little interest for Beschwitz family, this was also and everlasting grief of our dear uncle Moritz up to the end of his life (1934). But now, it is a favorite pleasure of many people here in Germany to write American relationship, although they never cared for them before.

In this moment, my dear mother comes to see me, she also is sending you the best greetings. Have the kindness and write, if you are able to read my "exellent" English, I enclosure a small Photo of my little family, hoping to give you an impression of my wife and son. Will you send me also some photos? I have some photos of you, but only made at the time 1925 - 1936.

Your G u n t e r

Karl married Johanna Wilfrieda Margarete "Hanna" "Margo" Luboch 3 Mar 1935. Johanna was born 30 Jun 1908, Calau; died 22 Mar 1949, Bad Blankenburg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Karl married Wera Lutze 1 Oct 1955, Bad Gandersheim, Germany. Wera was born 2 Jan 1927. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

With husband in the Westerwald in the French Zone in early 1948.

Ruth married Hans Becker 14 Aug 1934. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Greatly Honored Uncle George;

Certainly, first you will have to consider who this Klaus Erlecke could be, when you receive my letter. It is the first time that this Klaus Erleck writes you a letter. I am sorry to say, the first time, but worlds are separating us; and times when one could still write freely to his relatives, his mother relieved this Klaus Erlecke of writing letters, and your niece "Maus" (Adelheid), because at that time, the writer of today was still a child.

It is your real grand nephew who writes you today and only deeply hopes that his letter really reaches you, because he has to tell you something and would be also overhappy if God would have left him a relative of the older generation to whom he could turn in his letters and to whom he could at least write a nice word which in past times, he would have liked to say to his parents.

Who I am you now know. Who you are, greatly honored Uncle, I have only a vague picture in my mind. When my good Mother in past times once said, "I will write Uncle George, or when she said, "Today I have mail from Uncle George," this was a great event for us children. I was always gifted with a burning fantasy and then was asking my Mother to give me your letter and I read it not often enough and even without any effort, learnt it by heart most parts of it. Not enough could Mother or Grandpa tell us of this Uncle and Brother respectfully, and then you appeared to me more as a mythical person than a man of flesh and blood.

One thing to be was bomb sure at that time: when I am grown up I shall visit this Uncle, I shall report to him about the home and wonderful homeland and I shall not cease trying to persuade this Uncle to go with me to those people who have told me so many good things about him.

Now I am grown up, I am 26 years old and I have made, although not a journey to you but a journey which took me far around in the world and which lasted seven years. Only four months ago I returned home again. Oh, God, home! How carefree and free of trouble I was when I had to leave home. How little could I understand great sorrow and grief of all the people who so sadly saw me leave. Today I know and can understand what made their hearts so heavy that, at last they were broken down. I had, at that time, in 1939, built my "Abitur" and was drafted.

I became a soldier with the "anzerjager" and since then, except for short furloughs, wore the gray uniform. I went to the front, was wounded, went again to the front, was promoted to a Reserve Officer, was again wounded and in April 1945, as a soldier not fit again for combat duty, I became prisoner. Four months ago God gave me my freedom and I hurried home. But what did I meet there! I had lost my Mother already in 1944 in an air raid. Although terribly wounded she suffered nearly nine hours with patience and strength, which she always had and had shown to my father and me, (I being at home at that time for a short furlough) as cheerful face. My Father had left the house which had become uninhabitable and went to my sister, Ruth, and her three little children to Clesia. There, however, instead of finding peace, he was forced, together with my sister, to abandon their beautiful home, in ice and snowstorm, and for many days had to camp on the highway, while nobody took any notice of the refugees. In this way, he took his daughter and grandchildren to Grandma at Oberwartha and arrived there just at the time when the beautiful Dresden became a victim of this senseless war. As a completely broken man he returned to Merseburg shortly before the "break-down" and started again his profession in our house which had been restored as well as possible. But he perished after all this terrible experience. And when I returned home he was not alive anymore. My homeless sister received me in the home of the parents, since she cannot stay with her husband, on account of the four partitions of our fatherland, and has now to wait until it will be possible.

Grandma, I was lucky to see her once more, then she, too, died and we buried with her the last of our next relatives. My Brother, Hans, we are three children, is still as far as we know, a prisoner in Russia. So, I found my home country again!

I had begun to study forestry after I had found an interest in it in the office of my brother-in-law. Today I not able to do it on account of my wounds and I wanted to study Law in order to take over later the practice (office) of my Father, which is carried on today by a gentleman not related to us. But as a "lieutenant of the reserve" I have not been admitted to this field of study. I have not given up, however, but will try and try again and sometime in the future will succeed, I hope. I did not commit a crime and am free as the bird who has to take care of nothing except of himself.

This finishes the report of what was to be reported about us three last descendants of your brother Moritz, our dear Grandpa. I do not know whether you are in touch with Aunt Aurei. She lost everything when Dresden was attacked. Annemje died after those strenuous experiences and long illness (T.B) Now the whole family Thielo is in Blankenburg in the house of Aunt Agnes. We are living so near to each other and never the less, cannot visit on account of the adverse conditions, enough that the mail reaches each of us. So the families are separated and destroyed and our beloved fatherland, too. That is the fruits of this terrible war which had already cost us sacrifices, even before it had started.

It would be a great pleasure to me, greatly honored Uncle George, if I would hear from you and yours. Great would be my pleasure if I could hear that you all are going along well. I greet you and am asking you to greet all those dear to you, from your grateful,

Grand nephew,

Klaus Erleck.
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Klaus Erlecke
(19a) Merseburg,
Ernst-Thalmann Sr. 34
Germany, Russian Zone
February 20, 1948

Dear Robert,

A few days ago I received that marvelous parcel from you. You surely cannot imagine my joy, and I really don't know how to thank you - how to tell you how grateful I am to your dear parents and to you. Well, I can't do anything but thank you with words.

You hardly have an idea what it means to me to be able to drink a cup of good coffee. I told you already that during the war I broke my head three times; so I have sometimes a terrible headache, especially when the weather changes. A cup of black coffee does wonders then. And then the cocoa and tea. All these things are fairly-like marvels - hard to believe.

After a very mild winter we at last have snow and cold since a few days. I hope this state of the old man winter will not last too long a time. We must be very economical with our coal. In spite of the fact that we have sacrificed the beauties of the landscape to the coal pits, we have even less coal than food.

If I just said that we sacrificed the beauty of the scenery I did not quite speak the truth, Besides the fact a coal-pit has its own beauty, there are in our Saale valle and in the Thuringian fore-land many charming spots. The river Saale itself is beautiful and its upper course from Merseburg with the castles and residences. Not far from us, at a distance of about 20 miles, lies among other the "Schonburg", a gorgeous ruin; in the year 1225 a certain Fabian von Beschwitz lived. We often drove there by car and had our dinner. It was really grand that we could drive from Merseburg by car and reach in a few minutes time the most beautiful spots. There is the heath, forest small lakes and beautiful rivulets. It was very easy to reach places so that in peace time, when my parents lived we never took our dinner at home, but always at one of the castles or in a forest, or in one of the beautifully situated inns. At that time we used to have a dog, and father always liked to take him into the forest and let him get into burrows; it was a badger and he simply loved getting into a rabbit's or foxes burrow. Today this would be more difficult. The car's gone, the motor-bike sold; if I wanted to drive off now I would have to take the bicycle. But distances are too great and the injuries I received during the war also. Should I be able to move about better later on, I hope there will still be some forest left in Germany.

Let me tell you something of my plans for the future. I have not yet been admitted again to the university. However I do not want to wait any longer. In the meantime I have been teacher. This month I shall know whether I will be permitted to take up dentistry. I could establish myself after five years and open my own laboratory. I would like to do this and besides try to be admitted to the university in order to study dental medicine. The laboratory would then be a good background and I could specialize on Jaw Surgery. On this basis I could later on enlarge my laboratory. Should I not be permitted to take up studies, I would still have the laboratory as a life task, which would enable me to work rather independently. If, however, I should not succeed in becoming a dentist, I still have the assurance of becoming assistant regisseur with the motion-pictures; this I could then take up, of course.

Things are not at all easy in post-war Germany, but with some energy and with confidence in God it is possible to get on. It would be much simpler for me if my parents still lived. As this is not the case I am entirely dependent on my own resources and must try to get along. My sister is with her husband in the Westerwald in the French Zone. That's a foreign country for me. You are not farther away than they are. She is doing well and will be quite astonished when I tell her about your parcel. My dear brother is still in Russian captivity. He writes every month, is well and hopes to be dismissed soon. He is a farmer and we must try to find a suitable position for him.

With many kind regards, I am,

Your grateful,

(signed) Klaus.

Klaus — Gundula Bader. Gundula (daughter of Karl Martin Wolf Bader and Margaretha Pagels) was born 1920, Lübeck; died Bef 13 Feb 2002. [Group Sheet]

Hans married Eleonore "Lore" Krienitz 8 Oct 1949. (daughter of Paul Krienitz) [Group Sheet]

Theo — Elsbeth Heller. Elsbeth was born 9 Feb 1924, Breitungen, Germany; died 1 Apr 2008, Breitungen, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Hans-Georg — Marianne Schrumpf. Marianne was born 7 Aug 1929, Breitungen, Germany; died 9 Oct 1996, Breitungen, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: From 1928 to 1929, Grenada Hotel, 525 Arlington Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1929 to 1931, North side of Chicago (Altgeld?)
• Census: 1930, 1516 Ardmore Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1932 to 1933, North Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Kindergarten
• Residence: From 1934 to 1935, North Kenneth Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 1st/2nd grade
• Residence: From 1936 to 1937, Cramer Street, Shorewood, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; 2nd/3rd grade (building no longer standing, replaced by apartment complex)
• Residence: From 1937 to 1938, 2107 East Menlo Blvd., Shorewood, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; 3rd/4th grade
• Residence: From 1939 to 1942, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 5th/7th grade
• Census: 1940, 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1942 to 1952, 457 Roslyn Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 8th thru first year of marriage
• Residence: From 1952 to 1953, 1201 West Wood Street, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1953 to 1958, 4687 West Main Street, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; House no longer standing, now part of Millikin University campus.
• Residence: From 1958 to 1963, 5 Northland Drive, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1963 to 1964, 721 S. Lodge Lane, Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1964 to 1993, 709 S. Lodge Lane, Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois
• Residence: From 1993 to, 1680 Valley Woods Drive, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee

Notes:

Bob learned to play piano at an early age and kept it as a hobby most of his life, thus carrying on the family musical tradition. As a teenager, he joined the Boy Scouts of which his father was the leader. In high school he attended Lane Technical magnet school in Chicago, Illinois.

World War II ended before Bob was of draft age. He then attended two years at the University of Illinois Navy Pier campus in Chicago and completed his bachelor's degree in education at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.

Bob met his bride Jeanette while on a family trip to the Tennessee mountains. In 1953, he took his wife and first son 200 miles south of Chicago to Decatur, Illinois to take on a 6th grade teaching position. To satisfy his musical interest and tradition, he led the school choir.

In able to support a growing family, Bob also took on part time work in a local grocery store. Even so, he was able to complete a Masters degree in education from the University of Illinois in Champaign.

In 1963, Bob joined the Illinois Education Association to represent teachers throughout the state of Illinois. He then moved his family to Lombard, Illinois, a suburb twenty miles West of Chicago.

Bob kept his piano skills tuned by accompanying his children in their musical recitals. He also became known for his whistling skills and he often could be heard belting out melodic tunes.

In 1968, Bob took on the position of Education Manager for the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. There he worked closely with state educators and legislators. When he retired, the Illinois State Senate and House both declared the day "Robert M. Beckwith day" by official proclamation.

Bob retired 1 January 1993 and is presently residing with Jeanette in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Robert married Jeanette Lee Clabo 25 Aug 1950, Original First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee. Jeanette (daughter of Eddie Lee Clabo and Charity Alice Reagan, daughter of Media Edards "Edd" Shields and Davie Eliza Shults) was born 12 Mar 1927, Eddie & Charity Clabo homestead, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

There is phone listing for a:
Hans-Christoph Thilo
Asternweg 53
737527 Schwäbisch Gmünd
07171 73356

Ernst married Doris Marianne Heppam 1967, Tubingen, Germany. Doris was born 17 Aug 1942, Tubingen, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Sabine — Hermann Müller. Hermann was born 29 Jun 1954. [Group Sheet]