(Author's Note)

From the records at the Port of Philadelphia, we find the following named Lederers leaving Europe for America: 1732 - From London - John Paul Lederer 1751 - From Rotterdam - Andreas Lederer 1752 - From Rotterdam - Bartholmaius Lederer

Also in 1710, some Swiss were leaving their Alps behind. The Brubakers, headed by John Brubaker, worked their way to America, settling in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Again Uncle resumed; "When Grandpa Johann Frederick was born, 1732, Charles Rudolph was duking but in 1744 to 1797, the Eugene Dukes were in the saddle and by the time Duke Frederick 2nd, 1799, came on deck, Wurtemburg was Protestant and the Royal line has remained thus down to our day."

"Johann F. was our marrying ancestor; three wives and 5 children. He became mayor of Geradstetten when the war of the American Revolution was on. One of the sons became a painter on glass and in oil and some of his work may be seen in the Augsburg Cathedral in Bavaria."

"Now begin the gradual tapering off of Duke authority; the beginning of revolutionary thinking thruout the world. First a stirring up then a leavening of justice, tinting the inflated aristocracy of dukedom, etc. This for our Wurtemburg Province especially."

"When in 1755, England allied with the Prussians of Germany against France in the 7-years War, our ancestors found it shot-gun strategy to pal with France. Again, some Lederers were drafted into the bow and arrow division or sling-shot brigade. The home guards used moist cow-chips for ammunition on any Prussian caught snooping."

"I was a boy of 10 or 11", said Uncle Frederick, "when Johann F. then 76, told me about the exciting and heartening news, reaching us here in our town about the Declaration of Independence being signed in far away America. It was months after July 4th, 1776, before we learned of that great happening."

He summed it up about as follows, and I shall never forget how deeply he was impressed with the tidings: "From the time of Christ - for 1776 years - mankind had struggled, yes fought for, towards this hour! Gods plan working out that man might make use of justice! A harvest from the seed of Christ's teaching or sown along the centuries by crusaders of His truth! So much wasted by war on rock and desert - so little seed rooted to fruiting - so long to wait for! What a patient God!"

"Then Grandpa handed me a translation from the English, written by an American philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, in 1777."

---- Hence tis a Common Observation here, that our Cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting their Liberty in defending our own. Tis a glorious task assigned us by Providence; which has, I trust, given us Spirit and Virtue equal to us, and will at last Crown it with Success. -------- B. Franklin --------

(Authors notes on the early war records of Lederer and Brubaker) York County, PA, records give the name of Jacob Lederer as a member of the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of Revolution. From the War Department, Washington DC: (This office shows a number of soldiers by name Brubaker served in War of 1812 and that several Brubakers were paid for forage furnished during Revolution from Lancaster, Pennsylvania 1776 - 1780). (One thing we can be proud of - not one Wurtemburger sold their birthright for a mess of enemy booty, as did the Hessians of Germany).

"This", continued Greatuncle Frederick, "was the beginning of the french Revolution, hailed by many of the best minds in Germany as a new era. There was much trembling among the dukebound, the princebound, and such. Napoleon gave Prince Frederick of Wurtemburg the title of Elector. The little Corsican had tons of such doodads to distribute."

"Wurtemburgers had scarcely settled a grudge with France, by treaty in 1802, when they were compelled to ally with her, under Napoleon, in war against Austria. Father here had a hand in this, serving in the battle of Ulm where the entire army of 30,000 surrendered to the French in 1805. Ulm, as you know, is only two days away from Geradstetten by a hot-foot."

"When Jefferson was President in America, 1806, Elector Frederick moved up a notch to become King of Wurtemburg. About this time Napoleon demanded further payment for his gilding curtsies. So King Fred joined in the drive to Moscow, by a loan of 16,000 strong. Caught in the Russian blizzards of that winter and linked by a defensive foe, only a few hundred returned and Napoleon, the licked bully, retreated by a sneak homeward, leaving his followers to their fate. Grandfather's brother Gottleib, made the one-way trip."

"Revolutionary swirls thruout Europe and America also lapped at the shores of Wurtemburg. Laymen like Schlayer, roused much independence of thought. A few of the more rabid were squelched for a time by the threatening of a good beheading, but the movement continued."

"King Frederick joined the German Confederation then quit in favor of William 1st. There was plenty of king timber but revolutionary termites were bother to quite a few too."

"Kind Willie was caught sign languaging with the Papacy but the peoples Diet turned thumbs down on the idea. This was about the time Andrew Jackson was President of the United States of America. 1829 - 18337. Frederick William 4th of Prussia offers tid-bit promises to Wurtemburg and other southern provinces to sit in the gallery." "All this while and up to now, dear folks", concluded Uncle, "we are hearing more and more about the wonderful land, America, and its golden opportunities. It might well be that God has not only blessed, in a remarkable way, that distant land, but He may be, in His wonderous way, calling many of us to gird ourselves and journey across." Thus the Christmas eve of 1852 came to an end and Christmas Day began, at the midnight hour for the Lederers at Geradstetten. Frederick's father, Carl and mother, Anna, then led the singing of the Christmas Hymn, "Stille Nacht, Heiliche Nacht!".

On February 20th, 1855, grandparents Gottleib and Catherina, 46 and 42; their children Anna 16, Lizzie 12, and Carl 4, left by covered wagon, the town of their birth and headed due east 75 miles to Hehl. Crossing the Rhine at Strasburg, they disposed of their vehicle, purchased tickets for LeHavre port, via Paris, by rail. Following the course of the Marne River to Paris, thence along the Seine to LeHavre, where for two weeks they awaited the coming of their sailing vessel, the French "Confederation", bound for her second trip to America.

From March 3rd to April 25th may not seem very long in our day, but to father's parents it was like moving from Alpha to Omega. Only a most wonderful faith could stout-heart them for 49 days, many of which storm-tossed their staunch craft backwards on 25 foot waves. Some of the 49 nights were calm for which they gave heart-felt deep thanks.

The French Captain and crew did not seem so terrible to a 4-year old boy when the sailing when well, but the red-headed master was a stern sea-dog with short patience toward his 2nd and 3rd class load. Father remembers the rope he used as a whip to encourage convalescents updeck for fresh air. To father, said Captain resembled that character which many old country parents chastened their progeny, with descriptions of "Der Tiful" which memory father was everlastingly thankful.

New York was a bewildering city at the journey's end, especially to father when an over-zealous hackman gathered him up, presumably to convey him and baggage to some hotel. But grandpa had other ideas which resulted in their first train ride int he new world to Philadelphia. Here they were greeted by John and Ricka, grandma's brother, Baeder, a butcher and friends.

At the death of President Taylor, Willard Fillmore became President. 1856 was election year and James Buchanan, Democrat, was elected the 15th President. Born in Franklin County, PA, not far from mother's birth place, a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, served in the War of 1812, never married.

Grandfather took out naturalization papers, though not in time to vote this year. Thee was a special pride in living in Philadelphia, for it was a city that was of this United land and where that most sacred of documents was signed, the Declaration of Independence!

Father, now a city lad of 6, played on a street near the Pennsylvania Railway ships near his home. Steam propelled engines and railroading were at once something he failed to respond to her call. She would have him become an obedient American. (JL Editorial note - something missing in the second sentence?)

Philadelphia in 1850 was the fourth city but by 1857 had become the second largest city of the United States.

From here, grandfather footed it 30 miles north to work on the farm of Obediah Barnes, near Tylersport, later moving the family to that neighborhood where all found employment. Father's brother, John, was apprenticed to a wagon maker for a term of two years, at a salary of board and clothing. Here he learned the trade and the principal of earning and negotiating rather than striking.

Christmas on a farm in Montgomery County was enjoyed even more than in the city.

Grandfather bought an 18 acre tract of timber land, with a plentiful supply of oak and hickory, about 25 miles north of Philadelphia. He staked the same out in lots, the sales of some paying for the venture and providing a homesite.

A stone quarry on the place furnished material for house and barn. From white oak trees father helped hew beams for framing, which were joined by mortise and tenon, using white oak pins.

From this homey spot, father skedaddled two miles to school for his learning while seated on a backless, wood-legged benches.

This Kulpsville school was presided over by a grand lady teacher for whom father used to gather flowers enroute. One time the entire class were kept after school for a slight fracture of the rules. "Karl" petitioned the teacher to be allowed to precede the others home on the grounds that his folks might worry. Father never forgot this teachers kindly, affirmative nod.

The vision of a Christmas in their town was nearing reality in 1858.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, 1809, when our United States was a vigorous 33 year old youngster and America was 317 years of age. Grandpa Lederer was born the same year in a be-whiskered German Province, 200, in a Germany some 1000 years and in a Europe more than 2000 ages old. How different the horizons! Leader of a people; an adopted citizen. Yet created equal! Now Lincoln was preparing himself for his part in the nearing titanic crisis, by speeches in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

When grandfather and family moved into their stone house they were farming on a small scale. A contract to do sewing for clothing firms in Philadelphia kept the family busy. At first an old type Singer machine was used, later on a more improved Grover and Baker make. Grandpa was sent to be agent for the latter, price $30.00 His commission $10.00.

They were paid $2.00 per suit, extra for fancy jobs. Delivery by horse and wagon starting at 4 AM, or in the afternoon and overnighting near the same turnpike toll road as traveled by grandpa with father by his side. Every trip an adventure for a 9-year old, loving more each day this glorious land; Pennsylvania in America!

This holiday was welcomed as never before. In the four short years they had earned and built a home in their America; one that would have taken as lifetime to acquire in the Germany they had left behind.

Two prominent Americans passed away. Author, Irving, 76; Educator, Mann 63.

In the six years leading up to Lincoln's nomination, many began to ask questions about him and so his history came to be known. A pioneer home, little schooling, few books, hard labor at many occupations, early entry in law and politics, twenty five years of poverty and struggle, now at 50 he had become a national figure.

Grandfather became a follower of Lincoln and was much impressed with the words of an address, given in the high tide of his speech-making, when he uttered his famous declaration;

- THE HUMAN HEART IS WITH US; GOD IS WITH US! WE SHALL AGAIN BE ABLE NOT TO DECLARE THAT ALL STATES AS STATES ARE EQUAL; NOR YET THAT ALL CITIZENS AS CITIZENS ARE EQUAL; BUT TO RENEW THE BROADER BETTER DECLARATION INCLUDING THESE AND MUCH MORE THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL!!!"

Father's four mile daily jaunt during the four months winter school term meant early rising for chores. He relates the oft times studying his arithmetic lesson enroute. How well he mastered this, his most difficult study, we order kids realized when, after some forty hears he helped solve our problems by his practical solutions.

In reading his notes we are amazed at his fine penmanship at 80, even 90. And all his descendants may know how he put in his time in the school room. However studious or the serious side of life became his lot, he also acquired a steady humor which served him well many times in his long career.

The political rumbles of this year, caused by an exciting presidential election, failed to mar the even tenor of the Lederer household. God was to be specially praised with thankful heart this Christmas, for Lincoln was elected President. Philadelphia gave him 15,000, Pennsylvania 70,000 plurality. Both grandfathers, Lederer and Brubaker, had voted well.

On January 1st, Aunt Ricka was married to Geo Pfundstien, farmer neighbor. Also, on October 20th, their eldest son, Jake, was born.