Franz, Sauer and Rettig Family Papers
Collection Organization
The collection consists of family correspondence starting with the Franz family before and during the Civil War, and then the Sauer and Rettig family correspondence which is dated until 1975. The Franz family letters consist of Henry Franz’s letters to his parents and siblings during his time in the Union army during the civil war. The original letters are all written in German, but still provide an intricate series of events during the Civil War as seen through the eyes of a young German immigrant. The correspondence of the Sauer family consists of three letters of varying years, the letter from 1975 provides Sauer family history. The Rettig family correspondence consists mainly of postcards to Raymond Rettig, but there is one letter from 1954 in which Louise Schriber provides Mrs. Ray Rettig (Emma Sauer) information of the family’s history and old photograph negatives. Other interesting information found in the Rettig family collection is different musical documents, such as piano recital programs and newspaper ads for their music store.
The rest of the collection consists of varying Literary Productions including a memoir which describes the family’s initial immigration to the United States, Legal Documents such as Henry Franz’s military pension information, Financial Documents, newspaper clippings of the Rettig family’s music store, printed materials of various old books, and photographic materials, all of which supply details of the family history and activities.
Researchers may be interested in this collection for its correspondence of Henry Franz while he served in the Union Army during the Civil War, the music information provided by the Rettig family, and the various other historic documents found throughout the collection such as war ration books and a Lane Bryant magazine from the late 1920s.
Correspondence: Letters to Franz Family, 1853-1860
- Dates
- Creation: 1853-1860
Correspondence: Letters from Henry Franz to family during Civil War, 1862
- Dates
- Creation: 1862
Correspondence: Letters from Henry Franz to family during Civil War, 1863
- Dates
- Creation: 1863
Correspondence: Letter from John Herbosheimer (first husband of Irene Franz) to Franz family, 1864
- Dates
- Creation: 1864
Correspondence: Letters from Henry Franz to family during Civil War, 1865
- Dates
- Creation: 1865
Correspondence: Letter to a friend (Henry Franz?) from George Hoffmann, 1867
- Dates
- Creation: 1867
Correspondence: Letter and envelope to Carl R. Sauer from Rev. Ludwig A. Moser, 1914
- Dates
- Creation: 1914
Correspondence: Fragments of letters from Henry Franz to family during Civil War, n.d.
Correspondence: Mrs. Charles Schreiber to Mr. Charles R. Sauer and wife, June 11, 1923
- Dates
- Creation: June 11, 1923
Correspondence: Berta Ruoff and Karl Sauer to Mrs. Irene Sauer, November 22, 1949
- Dates
- Creation: November 22, 1949
Correspondence: Kathryn Franz Cole to Emma Sauer, July 7, 1975
- Dates
- Creation: July 7, 1975
Correspondence: Various postcards to Ray Rettig and one post card to Archie Rettig from Ray Rettig, 1910-1918
- Dates
- Creation: 1910-1918
Correspondence: telegram to Mrs. William Campbell from Floyd, 1919
- Dates
- Creation: 1919
Correspondence: Miss Louise Schreiber to Mrs. Ray Rettig (Emma Sauer), January 14, 1954
- Dates
- Creation: January 14, 1954
Subject File: Emma Sauer Piano Recitals- Pupils, 1919-1920
- Dates
- Creation: 1919-1920
Subject File: Rettig Music Honors, 2005
- Dates
- Creation: 2005
Literary Production: George-Franz Family Reunion, August 24, 1911
- Dates
- Creation: August 24, 1911
Literary Production: hand-written prayer in German, written on wax paper, n.d.
Legal Document: Abstract of Title- 905 Latty St., Defiance, OH, June 10, 1969
- Dates
- Creation: June 10, 1969
Legal Document: Abstract of Title- 1208 Emory St., Defiance, OH, April 11, 1982
- Dates
- Creation: April 11, 1982
Legal Document: Warranty Deeds, 1974-1976
- Dates
- Creation: 1974-1976
Legal Document: Henry Franz Pension files, 1861-1919
- Dates
- Creation: 1861-1919
Financial Documents: Emma N. Sauer Ledgers, Piano Students, n.d.
Financial Document: Louise Sauer Ledger, n.d.
Financial Document: Tax receipt, Treasurer’s Office, John Franz, 1876
- Dates
- Creation: 1876
Financial Document: Postcard receipt, German Mutual Fire Insurance Association, Charles Sauer, 1920
- Dates
- Creation: 1920
Scrapbook Materials: Family Obituaries-Franz, Sauer and Rettig, n.d.
Scrapbook Materials: Rettig Music News clippings, 1946, n.d.
- Dates
- Creation: 1946, n.d.
Maps: Elk Rapids, Michigan, Tourist map, n.d.
Printed Materials: Sauer family certificates, 1863-1890
- Dates
- Creation: 1863-1890
Printed Materials: Louise Paullina Sauer- Confirmation Certificate, May 16, 1920
- Dates
- Creation: May 16, 1920
Printed Materials: War Ration Books, Irene W. Sauer, 1943
- Dates
- Creation: 1943
Printed Materials: Grade Report, Raymond Rettig, 1907-1908
- Dates
- Creation: 1907-1908
Printed Materials: Miniature Calendar Cards, A.B. Chase Piano, 1898
- Dates
- Creation: 1898
Printed Materials: Souvenir, Bortz School, District 6, Pupils, Flatrcok Township, Henry County, 1905-1906
- Dates
- Creation: 1905-1906
Printed Materials: Souvenir, Bortz School, District 6, Pupils, 1908
- Dates
- Creation: 1908
Printed Materials: Souvenir, Bortz School, District 6, Pupils, 1917-1918
- Dates
- Creation: 1917-1918
Printed Materials: Postcard, School Group, Bortz School? n.d.
Printed Materials: Woolson Spice Company Card, n.d.
Printed Materials: Lane Bryant-Baby’s Own Book, Fall and Winter: 1927-28, 1927-1928
- Dates
- Creation: 1927-1928
Printed Materials: German Prayer book, 1849
- Dates
- Creation: 1849
Printed Materials: “Radway’s Almanac”, 1894
- Dates
- Creation: 1894
Printed Materials: “Das Pergament” by Dr. Chr. G. Barth, 1910
- Dates
- Creation: 1910
Printed Materials: “Three Yuletide Tales” (German), n.d.
Franz Family Photograph, n.d.
Karl Robert Sauer photograph, n.d.
Photocopies of Rettig Family photographs, n.d.
Artifact: Pure Sugar Cane Sack, n.d
Family History, n.d.
Printed Materials: Rettig family certificates, 1894-1909
- Dates
- Creation: 1894-1909
Family certificates, mainly marriages, 1867-1920
- Dates
- Creation: 1867-1920