Charles H Beiger

Apt 501-S

110 W. Butterfield Rd.

Elmhurst, IL 60126

February 19, 1981

Dear Bob & Linda

Your letter of December 4 was received at a time when we were not only deep into holiday planning, but also in the middle of buying a condo apartment; the legal and financial ramification of converting a large apartment complex into a condo took much of our time. After the last paper was signed, we packed in a hurry and are here in Florida until after Easter. That’s the reason you have not heard from me sooner. I did not bring sufficient personal stationary with me to use in this letter, so excuse the school boy paper.

I’m going to put down some memories as they come to me in hopes that they will be of use and interest to you.

I was in the 3rd grade when we left Mishawaka and moved to Cadillac, Mich., that would make me about 10 years old and the year 1914. Great-grandpa Buchheit lived next door to us with his daughter and son-in-law (Charles Frederick Frank). I saw him often both in his room and at the window of his room. He and I would wave to each other as I played in the drive way and yard between our houses. I do not remember him ever being downstairs, he spent those last years either in bed or in his lounge chair at his window.

My most vivid memory of gr-grandpa Buchheit was (as I was told) very exciting. One summer day, I looked up at his window and saw him asleep. The next time I looked up there was smoke coming out through the screen. I ran into our house hollering for my mother, she would not let me go with her into my grandparents house. GrGrandpa Buchheit had fallen asleep and his pipe or cigar had set fire to his upholstered chair. No harm came to him, only to the chair. My mother told me that I was a hero for several days as they told the story over and over. My mother had a vivid imagination and I’m sure the story improved with each telling.

I know my grandparents (the Franks) came from the Pittsburgh area. Grandpa Frank emlisted in the union army from there.I often heard the name of Monongahela spoken by my grandfather.

A story I heard my dad tell many times concerned Gr Grandpa Buchheit’s taste for whiskey. He was continually finding fault with the brand or taste of the whiskey his son-in-law kept him supplied with, claiming he was tired of drinking rot-gut Indiana whiskey. Quite the opposite was true. Grandpa Frank kept buying different brands of expensive booze in his efforts to please. In desperation he bought the cheapest whiskey he could find – at last Great grandpa Buchheit was happy.

I have no reason to doubt this story, because in later years I heard my mother say that her parents had a hard time caring for Gr Grandpa Buchheit.

I do not recall the details of his death, as I recall both he and my grandfather died within a short time of each other. He died at 815 Lincoln Way West, Mishawaka, IN. Shortly after the death of her husband and father, my grandma Frank sold the house and moved in with some close friends, the Kelly’s. Great Grandpa Buchheit is buried in the Frank Lot in the city cemetery in Mishawaka. I’m quite sure of this, although I’ve not visited there for several years.

About my Grandma Frank, she was one of the finest ladies God ever created. My sister and I would play with her hour after hour, her laugh – mostly giggle – made everyone happy.

Here are sone estimated dates, all based upon assumptions:

Assuming my Grandpa Frank joined the Union Army in 1863 at age 18, his birth year would be 1845. Assuming my grandma Frank (Mary Ann Buchheit) was two years younger than her husband, her birth year would be 1847. Assuming her father, Gt Grandpa Buchheit was 22 years old when she was born, his birth year would be 1825. If I was 10 years old at the time of his death (1914) it would mean that Gr Grandpa Buchheit was 89 at the time of his death.

I would be interested to have you correct or confirm these assumptions. This has brought many memories back to me. I hope they will be of help – should you write me before Easter, mail to

140 Seaview Court

Admiralty House

Apt 105-S

Morco Island, Florida 33937

Sincerely,

Charles (Chuck) Beiger