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Backstory
Hans Weber was born in 1898 in Hamburg Germany. He was the only son of Oscar and Anna Weber. His only siblings were his two older sisters Gertrude and Olga. Hans had a great childhood growing up. He was well educated, and his family made a decent living by owning a few small family businesses. Life was good. -
Marriage and War
Despite the tragedy of the war, Hans Weber married his childhood sweetheart, Anne Muller. They wed on May 11, 1918. Hans managed to avoid being drafted, because of him only being 19 at this time. The drafting age for Germany was twenty. His father however, had to serve for several months. The rest of the family stayed behind to run the businesses. These times without Oscar Weber were hard on the family. -
Reason for Leaving
In November 1918, the war had ended. When Oscar Weber returned from the war he discovered his businesses in shambles. The German economy was in no shape to support small family businesses. The Weber family had nothing left after the war. The newlyweds Hans and Anne wished to start a family on a clean slate. Rather than starve the Webers decided to look at their last hope, America. They chose this country knowing that they would all be completely alone in America. -
Those who are left behind
The Webers wanted to learn the ropes of American life.They spoke English but not very well. The two older sisters Gertrude and Olga had no interest in leaving Germany. They had already married farmers who couldn't afford to give up their land. This was hard for Oscar and Anna. They knew when they left for America they would probably never see their daughters again. -
The Plan for Ahead
The close proximity of Amsterdam made this port an obvious choice for the Webers. It was a very popular port out of Denmark. The destination the Webers planned to go to was Cincinnati Ohio . The reasons for this decision was of them hearing of the growing of this city. This was also a popular spot for Germans to emigrate to at the time. By around February 1919, the Webers had their plans all mapped out. -
Going to Copenhagen
The Webers traveled to Copenhagen by train. It only to a few hours this way. Gertrude and Olga rode up with them even though they wouldn't be going to America. Hans, Anne, Oscar, and Anna were ready to endure the journey. They wore jacket upon jacket with only a few belongings in their pockets. The only money they had left was in Anna's silk clutch. They left their past behind them and looked ahead. -
The Voyage Begins
When they arrived at the port, they seen the place flooded with people.The Ship was called the Rezinger which in Dutch means traveler. They didn't have much time to say goodbye to Olga and Gertrude. The sisters thoughtfully gave them their blankets so they would have something to sleep on. Many tears were shed. Oscar and Anna's siblings planned to send them money overseas. The ship left on April 5, 1919. -
Life on the Seas
The ship itself was very crowded. The crew had told the emigrants that the voyage would take 92 days. Hans grew very bored on the voyage. He would do things like writing in his journal or playing card games to pass the time. They served them the same thing every day twice a day: soup and bread. The three months felt like three years. The ship reached Ellis Island on July 6th,1919. A new life would begin. -
Ellis Island
The passengers all flooded to the top of the deck. Nobody wanted to miss the sight of passing the Statue of Liberty. Everyone began gathering their things to get off the ship. The Webers were loaded on a ferry and brought into shore. Hans was excited for his feet to hit American soil. -
The Ellis Island Experience Continued
After the interviews, the Webers had to pay the tax fee of $1.35 cents per person. They were told that they had to stay in Cincinnati for six months before they could move anywhere else. Hans and his family were given the directions to the nearest train station. Before getting on the train the family all got in a circle and prayed for good fortune ahead. -
The Ellis Island Experience
As soon as the Ferry came in, Hans and his family were sent to a medical check. Thankfully, the Webers passed with flying colors, and were sent to a waiting room. The Webers were confused when they saw people scramble for seats, but they understood when they sat on the floor for nearly two hours waiting. First, Oscar and and Anna were brought in for what they called an occupation interview. Then, Hans and Anne were brought in next. The plan was to eventually open up a business in Cincinnati. -
Making a New Life
With the only money they had left, the Webers payed a down payment for a small apartment in a creepy Cincinnati building. It had only two rooms. Many other emigrants from Germany lived in this building as well. The Webers knew this situation wouldn't be permanent, but it was perfect for that time. Within days, Hans and Oscar both got jobs stocking and cleaning at a small local grocery store. Anna got a job cleaning a local church, and Anne became a live in maid at a wealthy house. -
Starting to Make Money
After six months, the family had saved enough money to afford Anne not being a servant anymore. The family was very cruel to her and she barely got to see the Webers. Oscar being the business man he was, worked his way up at his job. He and the owner of the grocery store had an agreement that he would give Oscar a loan to start a chain in a nearby city of Norwood Ohio. Oscar would soon be a business man again. -
One year Later
Hans and Anne used their saving to buy a three bedroom home in the Norwood suburbs. Hans made a living by being the head manager of his fathers grocery store. Anne became a math teacher at a Norwood high school. For Oscar his business was doing great. Him and Anne bought their own place as well. They also began reaching out to Olga and Gertrude. This however was difficult, considering how slow the letters got back and forth. The future looked promising for the family.
