I live in the country, east of Piedmont SD. My hobbies/interests are: reading, working with animals, painting, listening to music and walking my dog, Snickers. My sister has written many stories before and I was interested, when old enough to enter, to write, too. My grandparents also have encouraged me to write an essay telling of our families heritage. |
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German Story Christoph Flaig and Christina Schaible were united in marriage on December 20, 1883 in Odessa, Russia. During the first 8 years of their marriage they had nothing but hardship. Some of their hardship included losing several children and Christoph’s inability to find steady work. In 1901, joy was brought into their lives with the birth of their first healthy son, David Benjamin Flaig. Soon after, they received a letter from Christoph’s relatives in Kulm, North Dakota, telling of their good lives there and of the decent work that was available. Christoph thought of his new-born son and young wife and the promise that America held. Together they decided to make the journey to America. They obtained tickets to board a ship bound to America in 1902. Close to their departure time, their one year old son, David, came down with a terrible cough. They decided to take thejourney anyway, hoping their son would get better. After spending some time on the ship they began to socialize with the other passengers. Christina overheard other passengers saying that if anyone on board the ship, especially children, were found to be ill there was a chance they would be thrown overboard. Christina immediately know she would have to conceal her baby’s sickness. For the remainder of their journey, Christina wrapped little David tightly in blankets, holding him close to her body. Christoph and Christina sat close together through the whole journey praying that their baby wouldn’t cough or call attention to his illness. Finally, on June 2, 1902, their ship arrived in America. They initially settled in Kulm, North Dakota. They moved in 1904 to a homestead by New Leipzig, North Dakota where they lived for many years. Christoph remained a carpenter all his life passing his craftsmanship to his son, David. David Flaig was my great grandfather, and as his father passed the skill of being a carpenter to him, David passed it to his sons. His oldest son, Harold, is my Grandfather. This story was told to me by my grandparents, Harold and Ruby Flaig. |
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This essay is copyrighted and no parts of it shall be used by others in any form without permission of the author. |