In 1859, Maier moved to Ulm, where he acquired the Pfleghof malt factory (previously owned by the widow Eberhard Bühler) and incorporated it into his hop business. He now married the beautiful Sofie Eckstein, the neighbour's child from Schnaittach, to whom his deep affection belonged, and took the seventeen‐year‐old into his home. Maier was an outstandingly capable businessman, inspired by a bold spirit of enterprise, and gifted in organization. Due to his solid work, he enjoyed great confidence among the customers and enjoyed general popularity. In the sixties he introduced the Hungarian barley import business and expanded the Pfleghof operation more and more. One March evening, fate put an abrupt end to all his plans for the future. Maier suffered a stroke, to which he succumbed after a few hours. He died at the age of 49, much too early for his own. It was an irreplaceable loss for the company. He left behind a devastated widow and five orphans, the youngest of whom, a girl, was just six weeks old. The Pfleghof plant, which until then had been a place of great happiness, had been cast in deep shadows that would not go away. Sofie Winkler remained there with her children. In 1892, after the death of her eldest son, she moved to Regensburg with her youngest daughter and died there on October 5, 1894.

Julie Winkler, born on February 28, 1851, was the eldest daughter of David and Ele ‐ She was a clever, fine and efficient girl who was a great support to her mother in the household and in looking after her younger siblings. She married Mayer Rosenbaum in New York in 1849, who died on the high seas in 1853, leaving behind a son. Julie married for the second time in 1854, with her cousin Simon Davidsohn from Schnaittach in New York. This marriage resulted in 7 children, Julie died on July 21, 1878 in New York.

Simon Davidsohn was a generous merchant who brought his family to high esteem and great wealth. After the death of his wife he came to Germany several times, looking for relatives to whom he was always attached. He died in New York on January 9, 1893.

Moritz Winkler, born on February 12, 1836 in Schnaittach, also attended the local elementary school and then the commercial school in Bamberg. In August 1850, the fourteen‐year‐old emigrated to America. In his farewell letter to Uncle Salomon Tuchmann in Fürth, he wrote:

Schnaittach, July 29, 1850 ‐

Dear Uncle and Aunt!

Because of my quick departure to America, I am not allowed to say goodbye orally and I am reluctant to fulfill this obligation in writing. I'm particularly sorry, having not previously had the pleasure of getting to know Ernst and Maro.

Greeting you and your loved ones again, I remain

Your loyal nephew

Moritz Winkler.

And his mother Ele, relating to Moritz's letter, complains to Salomon's brother and sister‐in‐law: "I am really worried about his departure from here on August 6th via Erlangen."

Moritz went through all the vicissitudes of American life over there. He lived with his sister Julie Davidsohn, where he went to New York like most young Germans to learn the English language, to school and an apprenticeship, and later turned to California, the gold digger department. There he got a so‐called store, built a street with other emigrants in Williamscreek, and when the work was finished and he had gathered a nice pile of money, the gold fever drove him to another area. Unfortunately he was not happy there and his money and his dreams ran away. After many wanderings, after a nineteen year absence, Moritz returned from America in 1869 with 20,000 guilders to visit his parents and siblings. He spent his time partly with his parents in Nuremberg, partly with his brother in Ulm, and later wanted to return to America. At the instigation of his brother Maier, whose business had meanwhile grown considerably, Moritz decided to settle entirely in Germany and teamed up with Maier. He was a very distinguished businessman with a great sense of responsibility, tirelessly active, popular with customers. On his frequent trips to Italy and Austria‐Hungary he expanded his international business and his general knowledge. He had a perfect command of English, French and Italian and could communicate well in Spanish and Hungarian. His knowledge of history and literature was extensive. In contrast to his brother Maier, he was a quiet, withdrawn nature, the kindest, most selfless person, the noblest character. As a scholar, he would have fulfilled a greater mission. ‐ Soon after his return home, he proposed to Sofie's sister, the graceful Mathilde Eckstein, who, after some hesitation, shook hands with the much older man. She has never regretted it, he carried her on his hands all her life. She was smart and