Ernestine Kohlhepp - October 22 1905 Letter (Eda's Passing, First Letter to Fred)

Fred noted in his journal how he learned about the death of his sister, Eda Kohlhepp Epple, from a letter from his wife, Ella on October 28th. He wrote his father and sister on the 30th, no doubt asking why they had not told him about it, so that he would need to hear about it from his wife Ella instead. Tinnie (Ernestine) wrote back explaining that she had. She questioned if Fred got her letter. The wonders of the post office that a letter from Boston took longer to get to him than a letter that Ella wrote from American Falls, given that Ella had to first be notified by a letter from Tinnie herself.

The letter transferred from New York on October 22nd, and didn't get to Thun until November 2nd. We have that letter:

Jamaica Plain
October 22nd 1905

Dear Fred,

We got your letter from Liverpool, Eng, all right, and were very glad to hear from you, and glad that you had a good voyage. It was beautiful weather here all the while that you were in the water, and I was in hopes you had the same on the ocean.

Well now you have crossed the continent

[p.2]
also the ocean. That is what I hope to do some day. Your discription of Liverpool was very interesting. is it anything like the size of Boston? You said its streets looked like ours. How did you like London and Paris? I think you can write us an intensely interesting letter from there. I mean now.

I have still something to tell you, it is not pleasant news. Just two weeks after the day we saw Eda she was buried.

[p. 3]
She died on Monday morning the week following the one we saw her. Aren't you glad you saw her once more, and did you think she would go so soon? Father feels pretty much broke up over it. Of course coming so soon after mother's death, makes it hard for him.

I hope you will keep in good health and continue and have success in the good work. You didn't lose any time in preaching your first meeting, The evening of the same day you landed.

[p. 4]
Write again when you have an opportunity, as we will always be glad to hear from you.

With love from father and myself. I am your affectionate sister

Ernestine

P.S. I wrote to inform Ella of the death in our family

Letter from Sister Ernestine Kohlhepp - December 19 1905

Several years before my grandmother, Laurie Teichert Eastwood, passed away, I had the fortune of visiting her home in San Bernardino, California. She pulled out her genealogy paperwork on the Kohlhepp's, and let me scan all of her work. I wish I had done some higher quality copies, but there was so much material, I am simply glad that I caught what I could. I've been unearthing multiple hard drives where some of this material was stored, and publishing it here into the cloud. Much valuable material comes from family letters. This first one comes from Fred's mission in December 1905, while Fred was serving in Thun.

Jamaica Plan
Dec 19th 1905

Dear Fred,

Your letter of the 4th was received with much pleasure. we also received one that you had written on Oct. 30th.
We are glad you are well, and enjoying your labour. also the wonderful scenery of the Schweitz.
Thun must look quaint with the overhanging roofs as you mentioned.
You didnot say whether
[p.2]
you had got a letter from me or not. I wrote to you in care of "Balliff" [Serge F. Ballif] if I remember correctly. I told you all about Eda's [Eda Henrietta Kohlhepp] death. But you said in your letter that you had heard it from Ella [Mary Ella Hickman]. I wrote it to you, before I wrote to her - didn't you get that letter?
Mr. Epple [Henry Epple] + Louis [Louis Epple] are living in the city in furnished rooms for the winter, and Eda [Louise Epple] has gone down to Florida. She was quite used up after her mother's death.
[p.3]
Was quite surprised to hear that there is also consumption there. I believe there is hardly a spot in the world free from it.
Father is well, altho' he often says this will be his last winter[.] he appears to be feeling all right. and I am very well. I have to thank you for your kind remembrance of Mr. Peavey.
I am glad you wrote it. P. V. It was a puzzle for Anna [Kramer], + she hasn't guessed it yet! We are having the real winter weather now, but not as
[p.4]
severe as last winter.
Well, Christmas is coming, I am afraid you won't get this till after Xmas, but I am surely in time to wish you a "Happy New Year" which I hope will be a self-satisfying one to you in regard to the work which you will accomplish.
Father and I both wish you the best of health + happiness.
Your loving sister

Ernestine [Clara Kohlhepp]
P.S. Oscar [Neuman] sends his love to his uncle Fred.

Observations:

- We can tell from the content of Tinnie's response that Fred described a lot of the surrounding beauties of Thun -- both in terms of its architectural quaintness and natural beauty with the lake and mountains.
- We see a "missing" letter from Tinnie from earlier where she mentioned Eda's death. It's not really missing, it just arrived late.
- We're seeing how many members of Eda's family handled the aftermath of Eda's passing.
- While responding about Eda's passing, Fred no doubt mentioned how consumption was already an ailment he'd seen in Switzerland. This month, Fred dealt with the death and burial of a Bro. Weber, who passed from consumption (see journal entries for December 8, 14 - 17 1905).
- We see that Fred's family is cordial in regards to his missionary efforts, even if they are not open to it themselves.
- We see some of Tinnie's playful behavior as relates to her eldest half-sister, Anna Kramer.
- It isn't clear when Fred received this letter from his journals.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journals Entries - October 1905 (3 of 3)

10 October 1905 – Tuesday

Sept. [Oct] 10th Went back to Du[“]renast.

11 October 1905 – Wednesday

Sept [OCT] 11th Wrote letter home in forenoon in afternoon[N10] Bro. [John] Springer and I went tracting, had Gospel conversation with a lady bei Dürenast. Held Bible

[p. 14]
Class in evening.

12 October 1905 - Thursday

Oct. 12 President Maus [Mans] came to visit us and he turned the books of the Durenast Branch of[f] to Bro. John Springer, who will now be the presiding Elder of the Thun Branch. On the Evening we went to [Wimmis] to hold Bible Class stayed overnight at Bro. Millers.[N11]

13 October 1905 – Friday

13th Oct. Bro. [John] Springer and I went to a tow[n] called Wimmis and distributed trac[t]s and held some Gospel conversations with some of the people in the town. In the evening we went to Thun to make some purchases[.]

14 October 1905 - Saturday

next day 14th.

15 October 1905 – Sunday

Sunday 15th held Sunday School and Sacrament meeting in Du[“]renast.

16 October 1905 - Monday

Monday 16th Went to Thun on buisness. Bro. Hirschi left for Liverpool on his journey home.

17 October 1905 - Tuesday

17th. Went to Metlin to hold Bible Class.[N

[p. 15]
18 October 1905 – Wednesday

18th. Tracted on way back from Metlin to Durenast.

19 October 1905 – Thursday

19th Oct. Bro. [John] Springer and I went to Wimmis and held a Bible Class.

20 October 1905 – Friday

20th Went back to Durenast snowed all the forenoon in afternoon we went to Thun and bought us a Petroleum heating stove.[N13]

21 October 1905 – Saturday

21st. Cloud and stormy stayed at home and studied.

22 October 1905 – Sunday

22nd. Oct. Bro. [John] Springer went to Waternvil [Wattenwil] and I went to Wimmis and held Sacrament meetings came home same evening and held meeting in Du[“]renast. I got lost, took the wrong road coming home, and came late to meeting.

23 October 1905 – Monday

23rd Oct. Monday study in forenoon went to Thun on buisness.

24 October 1905 – Tuesday

24th. Bro. [John] Springer and I went to Wattenurgl [Wattenwil] and held Bible Class.

25 October 1905 – Wednesday

25th. Held Bible Class at Du[“]renast.

[p. 16]
26 October 1905 - Thursday

26th held Bible Class at Wimmis. Visited three Saints[.]

27 October 1905 - Friday

Friday distributed tracts.

28 October 1905 – Saturday

Oct 28th 1905. Saturday went to Thun on buisness, Received letter from home Oct. 28th 1905.[N14]

29 October 1905 – Sunday

Sunday Oct. 29th Held Meetings in Durenast.

30 October 1905 – Monday

Oct. 30th  Prest. Jacob Mause [Mans] who was visiting with us left for Langn[au] his head quarters, We spent the day studying, I broke one of my teeth in biteing a piece of bread and had to go to Thun next day Oct. 31st and get it pulled out.[N15] Wrote letter home, also one to father [Johann Friedrich] + Ernestine [Clara Kohlhepp].[N16] The letter I received from home Oct. 28 contained the sad news of my sister Eda’s death. Oct. 29th Studied the Scriptures + went to Thun.

NOTES:

[N10] I unfortunately lack this letter. It would have been great to get some of Fred's early impressions mentioned to his family since he is so brief in his journal entries without much description or feeling.

It could be that this letter is simply this postcard he sent, and started writing 2 nights before. It has a note across the front.

[N11] South of Thun, near Faulensee. 1891 map:

[N12] Metlin is not a real city. I'll need to study surrounding geography to figure out what this likely was.

[N13] I can just imagine these 2 Americans getting adjusted to the realities of an approaching Swiss Winter.

[N14] Missing letter. We get some of its contents from the October 30th entry, which notes that it contained news of his sister Eda's death.

[N15] This mission is going to be very physically demanding on Fred; we have these health incidents, but for a man in his mid-40's traversing in the cold mountains.

[N16] No knowledge of contents of this letter. Likely a communication to his family regarding Eda's death and his condolences.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Letters - September 22 1905

Fred set sail for Great Britain on September 11, 1905. The following day, Fred wrote a letter to his family about his visit with his family and some details of the journey:

S.S. “Arabic”
Liverpool.     22nd Sept. 1905 

Dear Ella + children. 

Out on the briney deep; I am writing this letter about two hundred miles out from land. We left Boston yesterday at 3.30 p.m. Anna [Anna Wilhelmine Kramer], Tinnie [Ernestine Clara Kohlhepp], + Ern[e]st Schneidt accompanied me to the Ship. I had an e[n]joyable time while in Boston, although the weather was wretched it drizzled and rained all the time. It is lovely now and the ocean looks grand. There are about twenty Latter Day Saints on board. There are two bound [for] Germany besides myself. Bro. Flamm and his wife and another young brother. I wish you were with me. I have been somewhat home sick the last day or two, but I must get over it. The steamer Arabic [Arabic II] is just grand, 600 feet long, and elegantly furnished, like a Palace.  I visited Eda [Eda Henrietta Kohlhepp Epple] on the 20th I found her looking very bad I do not think she will live much longer.[N1] But she has hopes, consumptives alway’s do have, you know. She is going to move to New O[r]leans for her health, They are going to sell their home in Roslindale[, MA], and leave for good. I tried to preach our Gospel to father but he said he did not want to hear anything about our religion. He said he was a Free-mason and that was all the religion he wanted but they all treated me very well, and made the time pass pleasantly for me, but not I getting anxious to get to my field of labor.[N2]  I have not been sea sick yet and I feel splendid phisicaly. I hope you are feeling as well as I am, I hope Viva [Survivor Kohlhepp], is feeling better now. I suppose he is calling for papa yet.[N3] Bless his little heart, kiss him for me a thousand times. I study some but there is to much excitement + bustle around. Father gave me ten dollars + Anna two dollars when I went aboard, to help me along. I will will try to write again when I get to England. 

Your loveing husband + father.
Fred. J. Kohlhepp.

Notes:

N1:  Eda would never make this trip (interesting that here is noted as New Orleans and in his journal he mentions Los Angeles, California). This is the last time Fred would visit with his elder sister. Eda passed away only a couple weeks after Fred's visit on October 2, 1905. 

N2: This point to Johann Friedrich's general irreligious attitude. He didn't seem to join any particular religious sect, although Lutheranism did run in different strains of the family, including in his own children.

N3: Viva would have been only a little over 2 years old at this time, and definitely still yearning for the parent he long knew after coming into tworld.

Elizabeth Wetzler Kohlhepp - Will (1905)

Shortly before Frederick's mother, Marie Elizabeth Benedicta Wetzler Kohlhepp, passed away, she made a will directing the execution of her estate and what she'd inherited from her brother, Ernst Wetzler. There are not many documents I have that describe Elizabeth's life, and unfortunately, this document does not tell us very much.

Document Type: Will

Document Date: Made on April 11, 1905; Proved on June 8, 1905

Created by: Elijah George

On Behalf of: Elizabeth Kohlhepp

People referenced: Elizabeth Kohlhepp, Ernst Wetzler, Anna Kramer, Eda Kohlhepp Epple, Elizabeth Kohlhepp Huber, Constance Kohlhepp Halbach, Frederick Kohlhepp, Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp, Amelia Kohlhepp Piquet, Ernestine Kohlhepp Neumann, Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Joseph M. Fitzgerald, Mary E. Fitzgerald

Notes: It isn’t clear from the will if one had already been created and this was a corrective document, or if that is written as a matter of course and procedure. I should check a few other wills written by Elijah to make that determination.

The will is rather straightforward:

• Pay off debts and funeral expenses
• Brother’s estate, give $1000 to Anna, Eda, Elizabeth and Constance; Frederick, Amelia, and Ernestine had already received their portion prior. Residue of that estate to be shared amongst all children evenly. Family records of mine, along with the introduction to the Letters of Minerva Teichert, claimed that Frederick benefited from estate distributions from his Uncle, Mother, and Father, and this substantiates those claims.
• Elizabeth’s estate to go to Johann Friedrich, and he is the executor of the will.

It is curious how often these wills were written, or who could afford to do so. The record just prior to this was will from 1901, four years prior.

The witnesses are interesting – who were the Fitzgeralds listed and what was their relationship to the Kohlhepps (Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Joseph M. Fitzgerald, Mary E. Fitzgerald)?

Elizabeth Kohlhepp, Will, Proved June 8, 1905

Know all men by these presents, that I, Elizabeth Kohlhepp, wife of Frederick Kohlhepp, of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do make this my last will and testament, herby revoking all wills and codicils by me heretofore made. First, I direct my executor hereinafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as soon as may be after my decease. Second, Of the estate given to me by the will of my deceased brother Ernst Wetzler, I give and bequeath to my daughters Anna, Eda, Elizabeth and Constance the sum of one thousand dollars each, and the residue of said estate in equal shares to all my children, and to the issue of any deceased child, such issue taking by way of representation. (My children Frederick, Amelia and Ernestine have already received one thousand dollars each.) Third, All the rest and residue of the estate, both real and personal, of which I shall die seized or possessed, or to which I shall be in any way entitled, or over which I shall have any power of appointment, at the time of my decease, I give, devise, bequeath and appoint to my said husband, Frederick Kohlhepp, absolutely and in fee simple. Fourth, I appoint my said husband Frederick Kohlhepp executor of this my will, and direct that no sureties be required on his official bond as such executor.  In witness whereof I hereto set my hand, and declare this to be my last will and testament, this 11 day of April, A.D. nineteen hundred and five.

Elizabeth Kohlhepp.

I hereby assent to the provisions of the above will.

Fred Kohlhepp

Signed by the testastrix and by her declared to be her last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of each other have hereto set our names as attesting witnesses.

Patrick H. Fitzgerald

Joseph M. Fitzgerald

Mary E. Fitzgerald

A true record Attest.

Elijah George Register

Poem in Sister Ernestine's Autograph Book

Also while going through Kimberly Teichert Parker's documents related to Ernestine, I located this poem written by Fred for Ernestine in her Autograph Book. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to date this piece. Fred does not date it, and entries in the autograph book are not made in chronological order, so I cannot find an easy date range to drop it into either. However, perhaps I could look at the beginning of the autograph book and see if the cover, or the first entry has a date. I could at least note that it is past that date. That I will have to do. The entry of the poem reads:

"Our lives are albums written through
With good or ill, with false or true
An as the blessed Angels turn,
The pages of our years, God grant
They read the good with smiles,
And blot the ill with tears.

Your Affectionate Brother Fred."

It is not a very good poem, but it is another instance of where Frederick writes one. It simply notes the contrasting experiences in our lives, and hopes God will be merciful and compassionate in enjoying our good moments and forgiving our ill ones. From surveying Kimberly's documents, Ernestine wrote many poems herself. The autograph book has many other poems written by Fred's family members in it to Ernestine as well. Fred's wife Mary Ella also wrote much poetry, and Minerva Teichert did some herself. It appears to have been a family interest or hobby. Pictures of the Autograph Book and poem are below.

Birthday Card to his Sister Ernestine

Kimberly Teichert Parker has a large chunk of documents relating to Frederick's sister Ernestine, which she has gracefully posted online. While combing through these documents, I found this birthday postcard Fred sent to her. It reads:

"Birthday Greetings for your fourty fifth birthday, from your brother Fred + family and wishing you man more happy birthday's. Your brother Fred."

Nothing too interesting here. We know that the postcard was sent in 1912, since Ernestine was born in 1867 and Fred mentions her 45th birthday. We learn that Frederick was in correspondence with his family at this time. This postcard has no stamp on it, so it must have been sent in an envelope, likely with a now misplaced letter. The card also notes that it was printed in Germany, so he may have picked up this card while on his mission, or equally likely one could purchase cards that were made from Germany in the United States. Besides this, we know that Frederick likely referred to himself as "Fred" amongst his family members. Pictures of the front and back of the postcards are posted below.