No. 152, March, 2011
Journal
The Nazi Connection
By Delores Miller
Ernest (1842-1910) and Lena (1837-1913) (Barkholz) Lembke immigrated from Ostakowa, Schubin, Posen Province, Prussia, now part of Poland on the ship Rugia arriving in New York on November 17, 1883 with their three teen age children Wilhelm, Frederick and Fredericka Zillmer. Settled on a 120 acre farm in the Township of Dupont, where they lived out their lives.
Through the years, letters between relatives left in Germany and the kin in Wisconsin passed back and forth. It has always been unclear exactly the connection. Surmising that it was Lena, was also related to the Kitzman, Struck and Weber families, besides the Barkholz.
World history tells us about World War Two and the attempt of Adolf Hitler to rule the world, including America. The siege of Leningrad, Russia and the blockade by Germany for 872 days from September 6, 1941 to January 24, 1944 and the starvation of over three million Russians. Even reports of cannibalism after they ate the birds, rats and pets. Bread was made with sawdust and waste oil. And Hitler tried to anniliate the Jewish population with over six million people perishing in concentration camps. American soldiers fought and died fighting the Nazis, many from the Marion area.
The German people were basically good people. They were drafted into the German Army and had no choice but to be a soldier, even though they did not agree with the teachings of Adolf Hitler.
The Brugmann family were the main contacts to the Lembke/Zillmer family in Wisconsin. They were living in Berlin. They, too, probably like the Lembkes originated in Prussia, but were forced to flee during the World War One. The family consisted of the parents. born about 1868 and their children, five sons Willi, Rudolf, Hans, Friedrich, Richard, two daughters Emmy and Lotte. The Mother Augusta died June 24, 1948 after a bad stroke with complete paralysis. The Father lived to a ripe old age, but had fallen down steps, broke two ribs and lost his hearing.
Monthly letters saved in the Lembke Family Achives, mainly from the years 1946-47. The German letters were typed, probably from a stenographical service and in the German language. In 2009 Mary Rahr translated and typed these historical documents and how interesting they are.
Excerpts from Han's letters: I've brought wood from the forest so we won't be so cold this winter. It is hard to get coal and are able to have just one hundredweight for the whole winter. Rationed electricity, outages every day, we sit most evenings in the dark. Much sickness and epidemics.
August 6, 1947 Thank you for the package you sent, the clothes,candy, the LIFE magazine.When we read your newspaper advertisements, our hearts bleed to see all of the nice things available to you. We had nice things too before the Russians took them. Even our radio is gone. My brother Richard was killed in Posen, we are all very sad. He was a soldier and was killed by the Polish Partisanen. We found this out from the International Kermite. We can't imagine what wounds the angry war gave us. Please God, that we will never have another war between us people, it will just cause disaster and suffering. You may wish to know what kind of work I do here. I am a Bauerbeiter (construction worker) and earn just 26 marks per week, which is about five dollars in your currency. This is not much to provide for my family. Our health is not good. My wife has been sick with rheumatism and anemia. The children do not have the proper nourisement. If the opportunity were given to me I would emigrate immediately. Please send us more food and clothing as we are starving.
So then packages sent from Wisconsin by the Zillmer family which included soap, garden seeds, beans, sweet corn, peas, dresses, candy, coffee, bib overalls, Spam, noodles, overcoat, jackets, sweaters, darning thread, candles. shoes, knee socks, powdered milk, felt hats, pudding mix, tobacco and a pipe, spices, herbs, pepper, cloves, bay leaves, vanilla, nutmeg sacharine, magazines, newspapers, material, cigarettes. They stated because of the Russia Blockade, food was rationed, and even potatoes and bread was hard to obtain.
The one writing the letters was Hans Brugmann, his wife Eva was sick with malnurishment and anemia and needed blood transfusions. They had one son, Hans Jurgen born in 1939. Also raised Eva's sister's son Peter whose Mother died when he was born. He begged for bib overalls and shoes and socks, which were stolen as he walked in the woods. Hans wrote thank you notes, stating he was in the 3rd year of school and had 48 students in his class.
When the Russians left Germany, they took all the German furniture and radios and clothing. The Brugmann family were sleeping on straw sacks, for three years. Food was air lifted from the Western Sector. The Russians were in control of their part of Berlin, and cupboards were bare. He states that it is called the COLD WAR. At times there was no work for Hans, but did receive a small stipend called Unemployment Compensation.
Sad letter in 1948 begging to be able to emigrate to the United States, if the Zillmer family would finance them. Or to come for a six month visit and work on the farm. The next letter said they could not come because of Eva's poor health. One must understand that the Zillmers were considered peasants and did not have the financial ability to sponsor the Brugmanns. We were happy to wear cast off clothing from rich city relatives, yet the Germans thought all Americans were rich and could send them anything they wanted, all they had to do was write letters beseechng us to send Care Packages. They did not understand us harboring hard feelings toward them when so many of our military men fought and died on German soil defending freedom and democracy.
Bounce ahead to August 1964 and they wrote about the crime against our President John F. Kennedy who was assinated in November 1963. They knew Barry Goldwater was running for President against Lyndon Johnson. Hans writes my son Hans Jurgen (born in 1938) is busy with his graphic art and his wife is a hairdresser. They have a nice home.
In December 1978 Hans Jurgen's daughter Kristen wrote she was 15 years old and in 9th classes at the Gabriele van Bulow grammer school. She had to practice on her violoncello to play Christmas carols.
In 1985 Hans again wrote that their children Hans Jurgen and Peter had grown. Hans and Karla had three children Kristen and twins Kai and Torsten and attend the University and studies languages and jurisprudence.
This was the last letter we received from the Brugmann family.
Eventually Germany, with the help of American aid and the Marshall Plan rebuilt and the Brugmann family no longer needed our help and sporadic letters after and dwindled down to nothing. Even now in 2011, with Google and the Internet, addresses were found, but they failed to answer our inquiries. Although we have lived on the same farm for 34 years, the post office changed our address four times, so it would be hard for the Brugmanns to send a letter to us.
Many photographs were sent, probably we sent as many back to them. They too survive. The ones of Hans with his Nazi uniform and another of his Fuhrer Adolf Hitler put an end to the parcels.
In my family histories and genealogy, I always include the Nazi Connection to confuse the younger generations. May America never experience life as the Germans had it during and after World War Two.
copyright 2011, Russell and Delores Miller
By Delores Miller
Ernest (1842-1910) and Lena (1837-1913) (Barkholz) Lembke immigrated from Ostakowa, Schubin, Posen Province, Prussia, now part of Poland on the ship Rugia arriving in New York on November 17, 1883 with their three teen age children Wilhelm, Frederick and Fredericka Zillmer. Settled on a 120 acre farm in the Township of Dupont, where they lived out their lives.
Through the years, letters between relatives left in Germany and the kin in Wisconsin passed back and forth. It has always been unclear exactly the connection. Surmising that it was Lena, was also related to the Kitzman, Struck and Weber families, besides the Barkholz.
World history tells us about World War Two and the attempt of Adolf Hitler to rule the world, including America. The siege of Leningrad, Russia and the blockade by Germany for 872 days from September 6, 1941 to January 24, 1944 and the starvation of over three million Russians. Even reports of cannibalism after they ate the birds, rats and pets. Bread was made with sawdust and waste oil. And Hitler tried to anniliate the Jewish population with over six million people perishing in concentration camps. American soldiers fought and died fighting the Nazis, many from the Marion area.
The German people were basically good people. They were drafted into the German Army and had no choice but to be a soldier, even though they did not agree with the teachings of Adolf Hitler.
The Brugmann family were the main contacts to the Lembke/Zillmer family in Wisconsin. They were living in Berlin. They, too, probably like the Lembkes originated in Prussia, but were forced to flee during the World War One. The family consisted of the parents. born about 1868 and their children, five sons Willi, Rudolf, Hans, Friedrich, Richard, two daughters Emmy and Lotte. The Mother Augusta died June 24, 1948 after a bad stroke with complete paralysis. The Father lived to a ripe old age, but had fallen down steps, broke two ribs and lost his hearing.
Monthly letters saved in the Lembke Family Achives, mainly from the years 1946-47. The German letters were typed, probably from a stenographical service and in the German language. In 2009 Mary Rahr translated and typed these historical documents and how interesting they are.
Excerpts from Han's letters: I've brought wood from the forest so we won't be so cold this winter. It is hard to get coal and are able to have just one hundredweight for the whole winter. Rationed electricity, outages every day, we sit most evenings in the dark. Much sickness and epidemics.
August 6, 1947 Thank you for the package you sent, the clothes,candy, the LIFE magazine.When we read your newspaper advertisements, our hearts bleed to see all of the nice things available to you. We had nice things too before the Russians took them. Even our radio is gone. My brother Richard was killed in Posen, we are all very sad. He was a soldier and was killed by the Polish Partisanen. We found this out from the International Kermite. We can't imagine what wounds the angry war gave us. Please God, that we will never have another war between us people, it will just cause disaster and suffering. You may wish to know what kind of work I do here. I am a Bauerbeiter (construction worker) and earn just 26 marks per week, which is about five dollars in your currency. This is not much to provide for my family. Our health is not good. My wife has been sick with rheumatism and anemia. The children do not have the proper nourisement. If the opportunity were given to me I would emigrate immediately. Please send us more food and clothing as we are starving.
So then packages sent from Wisconsin by the Zillmer family which included soap, garden seeds, beans, sweet corn, peas, dresses, candy, coffee, bib overalls, Spam, noodles, overcoat, jackets, sweaters, darning thread, candles. shoes, knee socks, powdered milk, felt hats, pudding mix, tobacco and a pipe, spices, herbs, pepper, cloves, bay leaves, vanilla, nutmeg sacharine, magazines, newspapers, material, cigarettes. They stated because of the Russia Blockade, food was rationed, and even potatoes and bread was hard to obtain.
The one writing the letters was Hans Brugmann, his wife Eva was sick with malnurishment and anemia and needed blood transfusions. They had one son, Hans Jurgen born in 1939. Also raised Eva's sister's son Peter whose Mother died when he was born. He begged for bib overalls and shoes and socks, which were stolen as he walked in the woods. Hans wrote thank you notes, stating he was in the 3rd year of school and had 48 students in his class.
When the Russians left Germany, they took all the German furniture and radios and clothing. The Brugmann family were sleeping on straw sacks, for three years. Food was air lifted from the Western Sector. The Russians were in control of their part of Berlin, and cupboards were bare. He states that it is called the COLD WAR. At times there was no work for Hans, but did receive a small stipend called Unemployment Compensation.
Sad letter in 1948 begging to be able to emigrate to the United States, if the Zillmer family would finance them. Or to come for a six month visit and work on the farm. The next letter said they could not come because of Eva's poor health. One must understand that the Zillmers were considered peasants and did not have the financial ability to sponsor the Brugmanns. We were happy to wear cast off clothing from rich city relatives, yet the Germans thought all Americans were rich and could send them anything they wanted, all they had to do was write letters beseechng us to send Care Packages. They did not understand us harboring hard feelings toward them when so many of our military men fought and died on German soil defending freedom and democracy.
Bounce ahead to August 1964 and they wrote about the crime against our President John F. Kennedy who was assinated in November 1963. They knew Barry Goldwater was running for President against Lyndon Johnson. Hans writes my son Hans Jurgen (born in 1938) is busy with his graphic art and his wife is a hairdresser. They have a nice home.
In December 1978 Hans Jurgen's daughter Kristen wrote she was 15 years old and in 9th classes at the Gabriele van Bulow grammer school. She had to practice on her violoncello to play Christmas carols.
In 1985 Hans again wrote that their children Hans Jurgen and Peter had grown. Hans and Karla had three children Kristen and twins Kai and Torsten and attend the University and studies languages and jurisprudence.
This was the last letter we received from the Brugmann family.
Eventually Germany, with the help of American aid and the Marshall Plan rebuilt and the Brugmann family no longer needed our help and sporadic letters after and dwindled down to nothing. Even now in 2011, with Google and the Internet, addresses were found, but they failed to answer our inquiries. Although we have lived on the same farm for 34 years, the post office changed our address four times, so it would be hard for the Brugmanns to send a letter to us.
Many photographs were sent, probably we sent as many back to them. They too survive. The ones of Hans with his Nazi uniform and another of his Fuhrer Adolf Hitler put an end to the parcels.
In my family histories and genealogy, I always include the Nazi Connection to confuse the younger generations. May America never experience life as the Germans had it during and after World War Two.
copyright 2011, Russell and Delores Miller