Johann Jurgens's Life in Germany

 

Not much is known about Johann Jurgens's life in Germany before he emigrated to the U.S. There are a few documents and photographs that are helpful.

German Citizenship Certificate

The first record of his adult life is his 1881 German citizenship certificate, which has been handed down in the family.

Certificate of German citizenship for Johann Jurgens.

Proof of employment on back side.


Translation for certificate of German citizenship. 

"By the undersigned government is certified that Johann Cornelius Jacob Jurgens, born 25 August 1856 in Altona is (by birth) subject to the Deutsches Reich, and so a Preusse (Prussian).
Schleswig, on 9 August 1881
Royal Prussian Government
Freiherr von Frank
Made out (issued) by the Royal Landrat-Office in Altona on 9 August 1881. 
Certificate of Citizenship (this was cut off the original document)"

Back side in German:
Inhaber stand vom 12 August er. bis heute hier in Arbeit.
St. Johann, 5 November 1881
Das Polizei-Amt, I
I. A. (im Augtrag) 
Wilhelmy

Traslation of back side:
"Holder was employed here from 12 August er. (er.?) until today.
St. Johann, 5 November 1881.
The Police-Office
signed by Wilhelmy"

My German researcher thinks St. Johann could possibly mean Johann was employed by a gymnastic society that had the name St. Johann. The only other St. Johann was a church, which doesn't fit.

Military Service

Johann's reserve military service 1877-1880. Johann is in second row from the front with a checkmark.

Johann served in the Imperial German Army, commanded by Emperor Wilhelm 1, known as the Kaiser. At the age of 18, all German men registered for compulsory active military duty lasting two years, followed by reserve duty for 3-5 years. The above photo appears to be for a reserve duty group. A young man who had not served was required to get permission to emigrate from Germany.

The banner at the top reads: "long live (give three cheers) ... Regiment 31 we dedicated ourselves." A translation for what is written below is "Section 11, it will continue, Resv. Comp. No. 31, 1877-1880." The 31st division was headquartered in Strassburg from 1871-1912. 

I am assuming Johann was on active miliary duty from 1875-1877 and then a reservist from 1877-1880.

Meiningen Residency

In the 1887 passenger ship records, Johann's previous residence was shown to be Meiningen, Sachsen-Meiningen, Germany, which is west of Frankfurt. His occupation was lithographer. What was he doing in Meiningen?

During the 19th century, Meiningen had developed into a theatrical cultural center that coincided with the rise of lithography's popularity for printed materials, such as illustrations, posters and playbills, which fits Johann's interests. More on Johann's lithographic works in a later blog.

Gymnastics

Two photographs of Johann with his gymnastics team are dated in August 1894 and February 1896.

Johann Jurgens is seated in the center with a checkmark. August 1894.

The handwritten inscription in the top left of the above 1894 photo was a note Johann wrote. In German it says "Meinem Sohn Hans zur bleibenden Erinnerung." The translation is "To my son Hans for permanent (everlasting) remembrance."

Johann is lying down in front. Hamburg, February 15, 1896. 

I believe Johann was a member of a professional gymnastics team. The above 1896 photo appears to be from a gymnastics performance.

German Turnen gymnastics began in the early 1800's to create able-bodied and military-ready citizens. It followed on the heels of the physical culture movement that aimed at reducing the diseases of an affluent society (obesity, high blood pressure and gout). German gymnastics clubs, called turnverein, were popular in Germany. They promoted fitness, discipline, and camaraderie among young men. 

Jurgens & Bornemann

A letter addressed to Johann C. J. Jurgens of the firm of Jurgens & Bornemann of Hamburg, comes from a lithographic company, F. Huhn & Sohn of Hamburg, regarding a lawsuit filed because of the disreputable behavior of John Jurgens's former associate, Mr. Bornemann. The letter goes on to say in a rough translation, "I promised you during your last visit that I would treat you with consideration. I want to make my personal sympathy towards you clear. We can, upon request, extend the payment for the items you have ordered to a longer period." 

The date of the letter was cut off. It shows 17 October 189? Could this business partnership break-up be the reason for Johann to leave Germany once again and start fresh in New York? 

Finding the name of a company Johann was involved in is worthwhile, even though I couldn't find any records on that firm. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Johann's Career

Image
Introduction On various documents, Johann Jurgens listed his occupation as lithographer, draftsman, designer, and artist. He was all of the above. He was also an engraver, calligrapher, inventor, and patent holder. According to one of his grandsons, the name of Johann Jurgens was held in awe at New York's Printing House Square. I find his artwork to be amazing in design and execution. See a later blog post for Johann's large art pieces. Johann's Businesses Two drawings exist for a portrait business in New Jersey and an art studio in Chicago. I believe they were used for newspaper advertisements. Fortunately, we have a calligraphy drawing that shows what kinds of design work was done by Jurgens Art Studio in Chicago. Categories of design work at Jurgens Art Studio. Print Portfolio Thank you to Robert Jurgens, Johann's grandson from his first marriage, who saved the print portfolio that Johann used in his business. Samples of his work were glued onto large boards. Here ar...
Read more

Large Artworks of Johann Jurgens

Image
A few examples of artworks created by Johann Jurgens were passed down in the family to Robert Jurgens, the only child of Johann's son from his first marriage. Johann's style was very art deco, which was popular in the 1920's and 1930's.  After several years of trying to find Robert, I finally located him living in New York. My sister and I were able to visit him on a trip we took to NYC, and we struck up a friendship that included frequent phone calls. Upon Robert's death, the artworks were designated in his will to go to me, although I am willing to share. I have given these names so that it is easier to refer to them. The first painting of the lady in the hat is framed. The translation of the inscription is "in remembrance of Chicago, 1928." It is the painting in the best condition. Robert had it on the wall next to his bed in his nursing home. Lady in Hat, 29" x 21", 1928 The following pair of framed horse portraits is very well executed. Ther...
Read more

Hans Henry Jurgens

Image
Hans Jurgens was my grandfather and the son of Johann Jurgens from his second marriage.  Early Years Here are two photos of Hans in his school classrooms in Brooklyn, New York. In the first photo, Hans is seated in the third row from the left, the sixth student from the front. On the blackboard in the back of the classroom "class 1a" is written. This is his first grade class photo. Hans is in the third row from the left, the sixth student from the front. In the second photo, Hans is in the far right row, the fourth student from the front. I'm guessing this is his second grade class photo. Hans is in the far right row, the fourth student from the front. Other photos of Hans as a child appear in the earlier blog, Family Photographs. Places Lived Hans was born on July 20, 1900, in Hoboken, New Jersey. His registered name at birth was Heinrich Hans Luthjens. The mystery behind his birth was explained in an earlier blog. See Family Records of Johann Jurgens. Throughout his lif...
Read more