Nov 15

Letters From a WWII Soldier

Yesterday I started sorting through the World War II letters my dad wrote and sent to my Aunt Em and her husband decades ago. A few weeks ago Em’s family gave me the stack of letters that had been stored away in Em’s attic all those years.

I plan to eventually transcribe them all, but for now I am sorting them out. I noticed that most of the letters were very general in content. My dad did not to give his whereabouts or any details of his squad’s activities. He undoubtedly was not allowed to give out that information.

Herb Miller in Paris

Herb Miller in Paris, WWII.

My dad repeated several things over and over in the letters he wrote: Thank you for the packages. Send more packages. I would love to have some home-baked cookies and fruit cake. How are things on the farm? How are things in Chattanooga?

The letters start when he was in basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, during the summer of 1944. The rest were sent from Europe. Ten of the letters were the small V-Mail letters, all written in 1945. I transcribed two of the V-Mail letters below:

March 10, 1945
Germany

Dear Sis, Jack and all,

How is everything coming along back Chattanooga way. I imagine the farm work is pretty well under way by now.

I received your box of Lady Wagner chocolate today and I mean to tell you they were really delicious. The squad thought they were good, too. There are twelve men in the squad and they are all regular fellows. When we receive a box we share alike.

I’ve now gotten the Combat Infantry man’s badge. I get $10 more per month, now with $4 more for P.F.C. and $70 for overseas. That makes my pay check $74 before deductions.

Well Jack I’ve got myself a Luger now and also a German paratrooper knife. They will make nice souvenirs.

I received the Rockford newsletter today. It’s got quite a bit of news in it. Must close for now and thanks again for the candy. Tell Mom not to worry. I’ll write tomorrow. Hope to see you soon.

Love,
Herbie

V-Mail from Herbert Miller, 10 March 1945.

V-Mail from Herbert Miller, 10 March 1945.

Undated

Dear Em & Jack,

How are things coming along around Chattanooga and vicinity? I hear Bud Oakley is in 4-8 again. I’ll bet that makes him mad.

I can’t tell where I’m at neither can I give the date. I think they are military secrets.

I’ve been receiving my mail pretty regular but still no boxes. I sure would like to have some of those home baked cookies and cakes. I get pretty hungry for ice cream and malted milk, but will have to wait till I get back to the states to get anything like that.

I received the copy of the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” yesterday. Thanks a lot for sending a lot of songs like that one. We tried to sing but couldn’t remember all of the words.

Today for dinner we had baked beans, rice and meat balls, pears, bread, jam and coffee. This morning we had French toast, syrup, cereal and coffee.

I wrote to Mom and Dad yesterday and decided to write you today. I’m hurting pretty good for stationary or I could write more often. Guess I’d better close for now.

Love,
Herbie

PS Please send me a box of home baked cookies, hard candy or peanuts, and stationary to write back to you.

Envelope made from Map of Scotland, 1946.

Envelope made from Map of Scotland, 1946.

One envelope, postmarked 17 March 1946, caught my eye. The return address was from Corporal Herbert Miller with the American Red Cross name and emblem on the flap. But it was the inside of the envelope that was unique. It was a map! A map of Salachail and the surrounding area in Scotland. I do not know if the Red Cross provided fancy designer envelopes or if my dad made this envelope from a map. As far as I know, my dad was never in Scotland.

Envelope made from a map of Scotland, 1946.

Envelope made from a map of Scotland, 1946.

My dad, Herbert Miller, served in the Army from 1944-1946, in the 84th Infantry Division, 333rd Regiment, Company L, known at the Railsplitters. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and fought in Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Holland.

I will continue to transcribe these letters and will post some from time to time.

Nov 12

Tombstone Tuesday–J. Michael Grund

J. Michael Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

J. Michael Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of J. Michael Grund, located in row three of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The broken marker is inscribed:

J. Michael
Sohn von
[?] & E. Maria
Grund
Gestorben
Den.19, Novbr. 1857
Alter
24 Jahre, 19 Tag

Translation: J. Michael, son of [unreadable] & E. Maria Grund, died the 19 November 1857, age 24 years, 19 days.

This broken marble marker is nearly impossible to read. In 1992 the Van Wert County Chapter OGS read the surname on the tombstone as “Griebe” but I believe the name is Grund.

By using Zion Schumm’s church records I believe it is the tombstone of Johann Michael Grund. His is the only death recorded in November 1857 and the dates on the tombstone match the church records fairly well, but unfortunately, not exactly. The church records indicate he immigrated the same year as an older Grund couple and the wife’s name of that older couple matches the name of the mother on the tombstone above.

Zion’s death and burial record of Johann Michael Grund states that he was the son of Johann Grund. The record goes on to say that Johann Michael died very suddenly on 11 November 1857 at the age of 24 years and 22 days. It indicates that he was born in Oberamt Gerebronn, Württemberg, and that he arrived in America in 1852. He was born 20 October 1833, calculating his date of birth from the church records.

Zion’s records also give quite a bit of information about Johann Michael’s parents. Johann Heinrich Grund was born 4 May 1809 in Gerabronn, Württemberg. Johann Heinrich was married to Eva Maria Brenner and they immigrated in 1852. Johann Heinrich died 12 Nov 1875 and was buried 14 November.

Eva Maria Brenner was born in Michelbach, Württemberg, on 17 March 1805 and she died in Van Wert County 18 May 1880 at the age of 75 years, 2 months, and 1 day, according to the church records. The records state that she was married to Johann Heinrich Grund.

Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria Grund had five children but four of them were deceased when Johann Heinrich died in 1875. At that time their only living child was their son Georg Grund (1844-1926). Georg and his wife Maria (Rettig) Grund (1853-1913) were the subjects of last week’s Tombstone Tuesday post.

The following are four of Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund’s children, as mentioned in Zion Schumm’s records:

Margaretha (c1830-1861) (m. Martin Geier) Died in childbirth with her child; no tombstone remains
Johann Michael (1833-1857)
Margaretha “Rosina” (1838-1861) (m. Adam Büchner on 9 September 1858)
Georg (1844-1926) (m. Maria Rettig)

The grave markers of Johann Michael Grund and his sister Rosina (Grund) Büchner are in the same row, with one stone in between them.

Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund are probably buried in Schumm Cemetery but their stones no longer exist. There are several bases that no longer have stones and several burial plots in the old section that have no base or marker.

Nov 08

A Story for Veterans Day

This coming Monday, 11 November, we commemorate Veterans Day. Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created to recognize of the end of World War I.  Fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”  Veterans Day was made a legal holiday in 1938.

One of the great things about writing family history blog posts is being contacted by distant relatives from all over the world. Last summer I received an e-mail from Friedemann, a distant Rueck relative who lives in Germany. We shared family information and discovered that we both had knowledge of the following story that occurred in Germany during World War II.

My dad’s grandparents, Jacob and Christine (Rueck) Miller were German immigrants. Christine Rueck immigrated about 1880 with her immediate family—her daughter, parents, siblings and her male cousin.

The Ruecks were from the Crailsheim and Appensee area of Württemberg, and according to Friedemann, one of the main reasons they left Germany was the lack of farm land on which to raise their large family. Our branch of the family immigrated but many Rueck relatives remained in Germany. All through the years Christine and her family in America kept in contact with their Rueck relatives across the ocean.

Jacob Miller passed away in 1918 and after that his widow Christine lived with my dad’s family for a while. She was still living when my dad went off to Germany to fight in the war.

PFC Herb Miller, "The Railsplitters."

PFC Herb Miller, 84th Division, 333rd Co. Infantry; “The Railsplitters.”

My dad said that his grandmother Christine told him he should visit some of his Rueck relatives while he was in Germany. She specifically mentioned her first cousin, Babette “Barbara” (Rueck) Leiberich, who was also my dad’s great-aunt and Friedemann’s great-grandmother.

At some point when my dad was in Germany during the war he took a train to Barbara’s home, introduced himself, and stayed there overnight. During the visit he also met some Rueck cousins. I am not sure when or how he managed this visit.

I mentioned this story to Friedemann in one of my e-mails and asked him if he had ever heard anything about this incident. He said that he had heard the very same story from his mother!

His mother told him that one night after the war an unknown American soldier knocked on Barbara Leibrich’s door. The soldier went on to explain that he was a Rueck descendant and that his grandmother was Christine Rueck, who had immigrated to America decades before. That young American soldier was my dad.

Friedemann believes that Barbara was probably at the home of relatives in Appensee at that time because Barbara’s house in Crailsheim had been completely destroyed during the war. Barbara may have written Christine about her house and told Christine where she was living after it was destroyed.

Back then, none of the Ruecks in Germany spoke any English and Friedemann supposes that his mother was the translator. She would have been about 15 years old at the time and was a good English student.

Herb Miller (2)

Herb Miller

Friedemann said that one April during the war the Americans reached the old and beautiful city of Crailsheim and conquered it without resistance. But several days later fanatic Nazi troops came and took the town back. He said many American soldiers died during the fighting and the center of the city was completely destroyed. That was probably when Barbara’s home and all her possessions, including family papers, were destroyed.

It is a tragedy to think that relatives may have fought other relatives during the war. Friedemann mentioned that several Rueck family members, including his uncle, died during the war.

While e-mailing Friedemann I discovered that we also have another connection. My cousin and her mother [my aunt—my dad’s sister] visited Friedemann and his family in 1970. What a small world!

We owe all of our veterans a big Thank You for their service to our country. Remember to thank a veteran this coming Veterans Day and remember those veterans who are no longer with us.

Nov 05

Tombstone Tuesday–Georg & Maria Grund

Georg & Maria Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

Georg & Maria Grund, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Georg and Maria Grund, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

GRUND

Maria
Ehefr. bon
G. Grund
Gest. Den
9 Marz 1913
Alter 59Y, 3M, 26T

Georg
Grund
Geb. Den
12 Dez. 1844
Gest. Den
5 Apr 1926

Translation: Maria, wife of G. Grund, died 9 March 1913, age 59 years, 3 months, 26 days. Georg Grund, born the 12 December 1844, died the 5 April 1926. Scripture, written in German, is also carved below each name.

Maria Grund’s date of birth was 11 November 1853, as calculated from the tombstone. This agrees with the information in Zion Schumm’s records: Mrs. Maria Grund, daughter of Mr. Johann Rettig and wife Freidericke, was born 11 November 1853 in Marion, Ohio. She died 9 March 1913, at the age of 59 years, 3 months, and 28 days. [There is an age discrepancy of two days between her tombstone and the other records.] She was buried on 11 March in Zion’s Cemetery. Survivors included three daughters, her husband, one brother, one sister, three half-siblings, and five grandchildren. Maria’s death certificate indicates that she died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County and that her mother’s name was Fridrica Goodhil. [1]

Zion Schumm’s records indicate that Georg Grund was born to Johann Heinrich (1809-1875) and Eva Maria (Brenner) Grund (1805-1880). Johann Heinrich and Eva Maria had four other children.

Georg Grund died at the age of 81 years, 3 months, and 24 days, as calculated from the tombstone. According to Georg’s obituary and Zion Schumm’s records, Georg immigrated to America with his parents in 1852. There is no record of Georg’s death or burial in Zion Schumm’s records, although it appears he is buried in the church cemetery. Georg’s death certificate indicates he died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County. [2]

According to the records of Zion Schumm and Van Wert County marriages [3], Georg Grund married Maria A. Rettig on 27 March 1874 at the church. Zion Schumm’s records indicate they had the following children:

Anna Katharina Rosina Sophia “Sophie” (b. 14 September 1876; m. Louis Nofer)
Margaretha Magdalene Martha “Martha” (b. 14 November 1879; m. Carl Nofer)
Johanna Katharina Christina “Christine” (b. 13 March 1882; m. Christian Klein)

Obituaries:

Mrs. Maria Grund Also Goes to Her Reward
Maria Grund, daughter of John Rettig and wife was born at Marion, Ohio, November 11, 1853, and died at her home in Willshire township, March 9, 1913, aged 59 years, three months and 28 days.

In her early days she moved here with her parents. She was instructed and confirmed in the German Lutheran church and has been a consistent and faithful member all her life.

In 1783 [sic] she was united in marriage to Geo. J. Grund. To this union three children was [sic] born. Mrs. Louie Nofer, Mrs. Chas. Nofer and Mrs. C.L. Klein.

She leaves to mourn her departure, a husband, three daughters, one brother, one sister, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were conducted from the German Lutheran church at Schumm, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Meyer. [4]

Willshire Township Deaths
George Grund, a resident of Willshire township for more than 70 years, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Nofer, Monday, April 5, 1926. He was aged 81 years, three months and 23 days. He was a victim of pneumonia. He was born in Germany, and at the age of 8 years came to this country with his parents.

He made his home after arriving at a man’s estate on a farm one and on-half mile north of Schumm, which he owned at the time of his death. Mrs. Grund preceded him in death a number of years ago, the only survivors being the three daughters, Mrs. Charles Nofer, Mrs. Louis Nofer and Mrs. Chris Kline, all residents of Willshire township.

Funeral services were held from the Charles Nofer home and from the Schumm Lutheran church Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Jr. Bienert.  S.S. Buchanan & Son were the undertakers in charge. [5]

 

[1] “Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/F6CF-L5H : accessed 3 Nov 2013), Mary Grund, 9 Mar 1913.

[2] “Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F6CF-P9W : accessed 4 Nov 2013), John George Grund, 5 Apr 1926.

[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD24-RVD : accessed 3 November 2013), John George Grund and Mary A. Rettig, 26 Mar 1874; citing Van Wert, Ohio, United States, Vol 4:221, reference 221; FHL microfilm 1015860.

[4] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 13 March 1913 p. 2.

[5] The Willshire Herald, Willshire Ohio, 8 April 1926, p. 1.

Nov 01

Remembering Aunt Em

Our Miller family gathered together this week. We met for the visitation and funeral of my aunt Em. We gathered for the same reason just last year, when my dad passed away. The family is once again a little smaller.

Emelene Miller graduation.

Emilene Miller graduation, 1942.

Emilene (nearly everyone called her Em) was one of my dad’s older sisters. There were eight siblings in their family–five sisters and three brothers. Now four of them remain.

Em passed away this past Monday, 28 October, and family and friends met Thursday to mourn her passing and celebrate her life.

Emilene Beatrice was the third child born to Carl and Gertrude (Brewster) Miller–their third daughter. My dad was the fourth born and was their first boy. Em and my dad were only a year apart in age.

My aunts and uncles have always been close. They enjoy getting together and reminiscing about the old days. They always have many stories to tell about their childhood.

I learned a few things about aunt Em’s childhood the past couple days. Em was the quiet one in the family. She did not play as many pranks or get in as much trouble as some of her siblings. Her sisters would say that the Miller girls were too busy working in the kitchen and around the house to get in trouble.

Emilene Miller

Emilene Miller

Em was smart. Her father taught her to read when she was very young and she was good in Latin in high school.

When Em was little she liked Shirley Temple. In fact, she wanted to be called Shirley and would do additional household chores if her siblings would call her Shirley.

Once her oldest sister was spinning around with her arms outstretched when she accidentally hit and knocked Em down. She knocked the wind out of Em and was afraid she had killed Em.

Emilene Miller confirmation, 1938, Zion Lutheran, Chatt.

Emilene Miller confirmation, 1938, Zion Lutheran, Chatt.

I knew Em all my life and she was one of the nicest people I have ever met. She always had a smile on her face and was always willing listen and to help anyone in need. Her son Ron described her as being generous,sharing, tenacious, and energetic. She was all of those things.

Em had a green thumb and always put out a vegetable garden and lots of flowers. She also grew a variety of herbs. She still tended her yard and garden into her 80s. Em was also a very good cook. She was known for her pie-making skills and was best known for her coconut cream pie. The Millers would all race to get a piece of her made-from-scratch coconut cream pie at our annual reunion. That pie has been a reunion staple as long as I can remember. Thanks to cousin Ellen, who has taken on the responsibility of making the coconut pie for the reunions, using Em’s recipe.

Aunt Em cutting her coconut cream pie. (2001 photo by Karen)

Aunt Em cutting her coconut cream pie. (2001 photo by Karen)

Aunt Em had been in failing health for several years. She moved from her life-long home into a facility this past spring. I saw Em last July. We visited her at the facility and she attended the Miller reunion the next day. She was doing well until she developed pneumonia a couple weeks ago and had to be hospitalized.

Em’s family recently sold her house. While sorting through her papers they found a large stack of old letters from my dad. He wrote them during the war and sent them to Em and her husband. Her children graciously gave the letters to me and they are truly a treasure.

I always wandered if my dad sent letters from Europe to the folks back home and if he did, what had happened to them. I am so grateful that aunt Em saved them and had them packed safely away. I have not had time to go through them yet but I plan to digitize and transcribe all of them. You will have the opportunity to read some of them in future posts.

Emilene Beatrice (Miller) Henkle, 9 March 1924-28 October 2013.

Rest in peace, Aunt Em. You will be missed.