Waltershofen, 11 Janurary 1904

Dear Brother!

It is a long time since we wrote to one another. Whilst talking about the New Year, amongst other subjects we got on to that of America. We decided to write you a letter. We hope this letter finds you in good health. We should like to know how things are with you, as you have not written us for such a long time. So once more we let you have news of us. For four years we have been operating a bicycle store and also make repairs. But the business is not so good any more because most people today have bicycles and there are many in the business. Repair work is better in the factories. The oldest son, Konrad, works in the factory. The second Matthew is a carter. The third, Karl, is hired man on a farm and serves Albert Frei, son of Martin Frei. He has been married five years at the old home in Hilpertshofen. The fourth, Ludwig, is in Ravensburg learning woodcarving of images and has already made much progress. In the first half year of his apprenticeship he carved out of wood a beautiful round table with design of Mother Ann on it and a statue of Christ teaching. He was allowed to bring these home as reward for making good so quickly. In his first nine months he made an apprentice show piece for the State Exhibition as Stuttgart and received second prize. He is also doing well in drawing and received second prise in drawing at Ravensburg. The fifth, Engelbert, learned to be a locksmith at Laiblach, (Horrbranz, District Bragenz on Badensee). He was released from apprenticeship in August, 1903. He is at home now until Spring as it is hard to get work as a locksmith in Winter. This Spring he has to go to the second review when he will be through military service and then this Spring he starts out to look for work. At the moment he is occupied with the present American correspondence. The sixth, Sebastian, has to go to school one more year. The seventh, Maria, will be out of school this Spring. We are all pretty well.

Our affairs are going along as usual. As to Church and State things are pretty well. Religion and Cloister are protected by our good Kaiser Wilhelm who is always striving to bring about unity and peace.

In conclusion we wish you all a Happy New Year. In particular, we all wish you, for your coming birthday, much happiness, blessing and health, a long life and Heaven at the end.

Do write us a lot of news how things are with you. Do you still carry on as a shoemaker or are you now retired? Are your daughters married? Are there any locksmithing factories in Philadelphia? Do they pay good wages? This, in case Englebert takes it into his head to go to America.

At my father’s request I have undertaken to write this letter and am looking for an early reply.

Many greetings from us to you all, particularly from your brother.

I am a local tax collector, meat inspector and co-operative society auditor (reckoner) for the “Seuerni Hilznothofen Diuren”.