Jette Reitzenberger  

Edited according to the chronicle of Mr. Moritz Tuchmann and according
to the information of Mrs. ¹Sanitätsrat Berta Hollerbusch.

Moritz Tuchmann writes: "My sister Jette married the widower Hajum Reitzenberger in Burgkundstadt, an efficient businessman who was popular everywhere and who imported cattle from Saxony and Prussia to Bavaria, but who later gave up this business and became a hop merchant on the advice of his wife and my father and later moved to Bamberg, where his extremely industrious wife became renowned for her great thrift and accuracy. This marriage was an excellent one and she never felt that her stepson Simon, a child of her husband's first marriage, was not her natural son and he revered her with great love and esteem."

Mrs. Sanitätsrat Hollerbusch writes: "Hajum Reitzenberger was first a linen weaver in Burgkundstadt and moved to Bamberg in 1852. He later travelled the ²Hof area with a handcart. Chajim Reitzenberger's business was continued by his sons Simon and Berthold. The former died before his mother (28 September 1885). His mother was never able to get over his death. Simon and his wife Helene, née Rosenblüth, had four children, the two older sons Emil and Oskar continued the business in perfect harmony with my father Berthold until he moved away from Bamberg in 1904. My parents then moved to Nuremberg to be closer to their children, but my father died a few months after his move. Berthold Reitzenberger was a very clever man whose most ardent wish in his youth had been to be allowed to study, but the means were not sufficient. He was generally popular, even among his Christian fellow citizens. I have a thick volume of poems of his own composition." ‐ ‐

Unfortunately, it was not possible for me to find out more about the Reitzenberger family, so I am enclosing some letters:

Burgkundstadt, 30. III.(Probably in 1849).

Dearest parents!

I received your letter this morning and as I have just had the opportunity, I will answer it immediately. I am well with my whole family, especially your grandfather has been well again for a few days and I hope that he will grow up healthily for the sake of your grandparents. I am doubly pleased that you have been content here, only if it had lasted longer and I was very sorry that I let you go on Monday, as it was a holiday in Bamberg.

Well, the railway is always going and the summer is just beginning, so that I certainly hope to see my dear father, who often comes to Bamberg, here soon. I believe that you, dear mother, now need to be here for Passover. This year things are different for me, even though my maid does nothing but sweep and sh-sh-sh-sh that one has to laugh about it. I won't leave the parlour at any price, because I'm too timid and would rather be awry. I have received a tender letter from our Schlome; he is expecting you, dear mother; you can follow it and go for a walk again soon‐ Now I don't know anything more for today. I greet Brother Moritz and his wife and am your daughter Jette with the wish for you to live well.

Your daughter

Jette.  

The following poem by Jette Reitzenberger, written in 1885 or thereabouts, addressed to her daughter‐in‐law Mary, has survived:

Take this work gladly,
As gladly as I give it
Keep your faithful mind,
And your cheerful life.
Stay healthy with your own hereafter
Then I am content with my lot.