Aunt Dot's (Werner) letter to Frankie Schulman
Grandmother Kuhlman – sons Mathias and Harris. She was married 3 times – second husband father of her two sons. Your mother resembled her greatly. They lived in a small town in Lithuania. Grandfather lost his life when he was dared to lift a heavy rock in the village square.. Uncle Mathias sold my father into the army to take his place. It was done in those days. Mathias came to America and later sent for my father [note we’re not sure of this since Sydney Brisker’s writeup says that Harris was here first]. Father landed in England with mother – and he went on to America – and she remained in England for a while until he could send for her.
Now about mother. Her father was a writer of the Torah – red-haired. My mother's mother died at her birth. However, her stepmother was wonderful to her. They lived in a much smaller town and were very poor. Both families lived in Lithuania. Grandfather Schaffer became blind through such close work – and wrong treatment by the village druggist. When my father heard of this beautiful blond, he wanted to meet her. A shadchan arranged a meeting. Father also was very good looking – and after one more meeting they were married.
Mother came over by way of steerage – pregnant. Everyone was so good to her – so she had more to eat than most. Many years later when we lived on Third St – a man whom mother met on the ship came to visit us. He had become very successful.
My father landed in Phila – and a very wonderful family by the name of Levy befriended my parents. Their son Gerson later became chief Rabbi in Chicago.
My uncle settled in Allentown and father followed him and settled in Bethlehem. He began to peddle pictures and frames all through the South. The black people were so kind and he learned to like them. He told us many interesting stories.
We had a (?) and a (?) when we lived on the hill where most of us were born. Rae was born in Phila. Your mother and I were born on the hill. I'll make a correction – Joe, Ted, Ben, Flo and Hilda were born on Third St.. I'll never forget when we moved. It was a great improvement and when they put my father's name in gold on the window of the store, I think it was the biggest thrill of my life.
From then on, I think you know the rest. The struggles etc. Mother was loved by all – an unusual woman. Dad was sweet – but how he loved to gamble. He'd sneak off in the afternoon for a game of poker and left mother to do everything. Of course when he came home a winner it wasn't so bad, but a loser there was hell.
I don't know if this is what you want Frankie – if you have any questions, just ask me.
Our home on Third St was always open house – and when any Jews came to town – there was always an open door and food for them.
Since your mother had a good job at Hess Brothers and Rae at another department store – much of the work fell on me – after ironing 23 shirts when my brothers grew up – I would dash out on dates – how in the world did I live so long. I did have a happy spirit – and maybe that helped – but you don't want the story of my life and my affairs – that would take forever.
Love, Dot
By the way, Uncle Mathias had 12 children – Dad had 8 – so there are Colemans spread far and wide.
By the way again: When I married Chase there was the same doubt in the Werner group, but since my mother-in-law loved bridge, she soon began to accept me and like me. I always ? her.
Now about mother. Her father was a writer of the Torah – red-haired. My mother's mother died at her birth. However, her stepmother was wonderful to her. They lived in a much smaller town and were very poor. Both families lived in Lithuania. Grandfather Schaffer became blind through such close work – and wrong treatment by the village druggist. When my father heard of this beautiful blond, he wanted to meet her. A shadchan arranged a meeting. Father also was very good looking – and after one more meeting they were married.
Mother came over by way of steerage – pregnant. Everyone was so good to her – so she had more to eat than most. Many years later when we lived on Third St – a man whom mother met on the ship came to visit us. He had become very successful.
My father landed in Phila – and a very wonderful family by the name of Levy befriended my parents. Their son Gerson later became chief Rabbi in Chicago.
My uncle settled in Allentown and father followed him and settled in Bethlehem. He began to peddle pictures and frames all through the South. The black people were so kind and he learned to like them. He told us many interesting stories.
We had a (?) and a (?) when we lived on the hill where most of us were born. Rae was born in Phila. Your mother and I were born on the hill. I'll make a correction – Joe, Ted, Ben, Flo and Hilda were born on Third St.. I'll never forget when we moved. It was a great improvement and when they put my father's name in gold on the window of the store, I think it was the biggest thrill of my life.
From then on, I think you know the rest. The struggles etc. Mother was loved by all – an unusual woman. Dad was sweet – but how he loved to gamble. He'd sneak off in the afternoon for a game of poker and left mother to do everything. Of course when he came home a winner it wasn't so bad, but a loser there was hell.
I don't know if this is what you want Frankie – if you have any questions, just ask me.
Our home on Third St was always open house – and when any Jews came to town – there was always an open door and food for them.
Since your mother had a good job at Hess Brothers and Rae at another department store – much of the work fell on me – after ironing 23 shirts when my brothers grew up – I would dash out on dates – how in the world did I live so long. I did have a happy spirit – and maybe that helped – but you don't want the story of my life and my affairs – that would take forever.
Love, Dot
By the way, Uncle Mathias had 12 children – Dad had 8 – so there are Colemans spread far and wide.
By the way again: When I married Chase there was the same doubt in the Werner group, but since my mother-in-law loved bridge, she soon began to accept me and like me. I always ? her.