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Roebling Memoirs
by
James Lieblang of Roebling, NJ
Published in the Trenton Donauschwaben Newsletter
(August-October 2001)
Dear Editor:
I wanted to write you a short note/letter about your recent
posting in our Donauschwaben Newsletter concerning
German-Hungarian businessmen in Trenton taken from the 1937
issue of the Deutsch – Ungarischer Familien Kalender.
My family
had a dairy and milk business in Trenton from 1916 to 1976. As
such, I was acquainted since boyhood with many of these (now)
elderly members of our community who came from “the old
country”. I served milk and collected bills from many of them.
Growing up, I certainly remember the names of various families
who it seemed all knew each other. The Schöns, Herdts, Basslers,
Bohns, Winklers, Drobneks, Rohrbachers, Fredericks, Hahns,
Weissers, Yungers, Ofners, Schmeltzes, Klespies, Knotts, Reegers,
Dingers, Weiners, Kiss’, Karlowitsches, Wildmanns, Mahlers,
Wilwols (sic) on and on and on.
Now to the particulars of your article. First, the Wildmans.
They ran a corner grocery in the Franklin Park section. I
remember they had an old wooden freezer I used to take cases of
milk into when serving. I think the wife’s name was Rosa. Maybe
not. Anyway, I remember the store from my youth. Very nice
people. The Weissers also ran a store as did the Klespies.
The Angebrandt's lived on Division Street down by Hewitt. One of
the benefits of having a Dad with a milk business and many
customers was that I was always getting “fixed” up to date one
of the daughters! I dated Mr. Angebrandt’s daughter once or
twice in my teens. He was a “paper hanger” like another German
customer, Frank Fiest.
Mrs. Stettner ran an upholstery business if I am not mistaken.
My Aunt Anna worked there as a young woman.
George Marosowitz is another name I remember. He and his wife
lived directly opposite St. Raphaels Church in White Horse. He
taught me how to use a SCUBA tank in his pool! George used to
deliver soda to our house. His partner was Joe. The store was
one or two blocks from where Kuser hits Hamilton, right near St.
Anthony’s school. George used to sell his own version of a cross
between Ginger Ale and Sprite called “Tune Up”. It was
delicious. He had a great “crème” soda and a “root beer” which
was the best. Home deliver of soda, like milk, soon went the way
of many things.
I don’t know if the Duachek is who I am thinking of but I seem
to remember one that was a tailor.
The Yungers (Tasty Bottling) lived (some of the family) right
by Franklin Park near the Schmeltzes and Ofners. I remember Mrs.
Yunger lived into her 90’s and eventually had a home off of
Parkside in West Trenton. She and the Ofners used to play
pinochle with my Oma and Opa often. As a matter of fact, the
Ofners were best man and bridesmaid to my Oma and Opa when they
got married in 1915. I still have their wedding picture. (My
grandparents came over in 1905 and 1907 from Banat and
Batschka).
I also remember the name Hengert put can not place it any
better.
James Lieblang
Roebling, NJ
Published at
DVHH.org 20 Jan 2009,
with permission of the Trenton Donauschwaben
Club
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