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From: "Robert J. Widenmann" <>
Subject: August Widenmann, Ann Arbor
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 00:18:45 +0100


(Karl) August Widenmann, my grgrfather, b. 21 Aug 1826 in Blaubeuren,
Kingdom of Wurttemberg, d. 22 June 1884 in Ann Arbor, came to Ann
Arbor in 1851, opened a hardware business the following year and on
11 March 1864 was appointed Consul for the Michigan area by King
William II of Wurttemberg. There are indications that he at the time
was also speculating in real estate. At any rate the family was
wealthy.

In 1873 or '74 he suddenly lost everything: his financial resources,
his home and - most important - his reputation among his fellow
Germans. The family was thus reduced to poverty.

What happened to cause all that? I have a couple of theories but
nothing concrete in the way of documentation. Does anyone on this
list recall having encountered mention of A.W. in a contemporary
newspaper article, biography or letter - in short, anything that
might throw some light on the cause of his demise?

I am currently living near Copenhagen, Denmark, which hampers direct
research in primary sources, and would thus be very grateful for help
of any kind: a clue, a hint - anything!.


--

Regards,

Robert J. Widenmann


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