Letter from Wilhelm Opitz,(Prussia) to Karl Opitz , Phillipsburg, NJ
I had this letter in my wife's possession translated from the original german:
Gorlitz, March 3, 1904
Dear brother Karl,
Since we haven't heard a word from each other for several years and you haven't written to me any more and August hasn't either, I really feel a need to hear something from you, whether you are still well, and how your children are doing. As for me, unfortunately I have been suffering from head and nerve weakness for a year now and unfit to work. My daughters are both married and have families and are getting along fairly well. Business was very bad in 1902 and 1903. This year it's somewhat better, but then there's the war in East Asia with Russia, which is sure to have consequences for us.The last few winters have been very mild here. I can't write you anything about the other relatives, because they've all died. I'm the only one still living. Give me regards to brother August and tell him he should write to me some time.If my brother Kark or my brother August has died, which is certainly not to be rule out at our age, please ask the sons, Wilhelm or August, to write and tell me. I'll close now, in the hope that my letter finds you well.
Your faithful brother,
Wilhelm
Best regards from my daughters.
My address is:
Wilhelm Opitz, Wheelwright
Hilgerstrasse No. 10
Gorlitz, Kingdom of Prussia
District of Liegnitz, Silesia
PLease answer soon and let me know if you received the letter.
(Note was written on the front page: I received the letter on 21 March 1904 and responded).
August's parents were Johann Karl Benjamin Opitz born 16 June 1831 and Emilia Herkner born 24 September 1828.
August Carl Opitz was born 16 Nov 1867.
When Karl came to the U.S. he first settled in New York City before moving to Phillipsburg, Warren County, New Jersey.
My wife descends on her mother's side, Julia Opitz, from Karl's line.
I thought sharing this information would interest people interested in family history.
Sad to say, my wife knows very little of her Prussian roots or of her Opitz relatives. This side of the family, it seems to me, were not very emotionally demonstrative.
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Re: Letter from Wilhelm Opitz,(Prussia) to Karl Opitz , Phillipsburg, NJ
Carolyn Keene 11/09/11