The following was sent by Elma (Buehler) Lehmann to her cousin Walter Johnston's son Wesley in 1987. I have added some square-bracketed notations and reformatted the text for easier reading.

GERHARDT  HEINZ LEHMANN

Born on January 26, 1918 in Berlin, Germany. [WJ: actually his birth was at Neukoelln, according to the 7 Oct 1925 S. S. "Berlin" arrival list] Married Elma Buehler on July 14, 1937 at Crown Point, Indiana. Was married for forty-siz years.

Gerhardt died on December 6, 1983 at St. Therese Hospital 2615 Washington St. Waukegan, Il. Dr. Nho attending physician of Round Lake, Il, our family physician. Death was caused by Cardio Respiratory Failure, Diabetic Ketoscidosis/Anemia, Coronary Arteriosclerosis, Coronary Bypass Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Had open heart surgery on August 25, 1980 a triple bypass at St. Luke's Hospital in Milawukee, Wis. Physicians were Dr. Zeft and Dr. Shore who did the surgery. Burial was from MacGilles Funeral Home 222 North Rosedale & Cedar Lake Rd Round Lake and buried in Avon Centre Cemetery at Rt 83 & Shorewood Grayslake, Il. Officiating was Reverend Lisle J. Kauffman. Lunch was served at Kristoffs' Entertainment Center 421 W Rollins Rd Round Lake Beach. Gerhardt was 65 years old.

LIFE'S HISTORY

 Gerhardt, his mother Minnia, brother Guenther and his grandmother Emily Schemel left Berlin and went to the seaport of Bremen, Germany where they boarded the Steamship "S. S. Berlin" to come to the United States. [WJ: actually their last residence on the arrival list was given as Neukoelln -- see Media Gallery] After crossing the ocean for nine days the most beautiful site to see even though he was only seven years old was the "Statue of Liberty" in the New York Harbor where they landed on October 9, 1925. [WJ: actually the arrival list is dated 7 Oct 1925; departure from Bremen was 28 Oct 1925]

From there they had to get to Ellis Island to be examined by immigration doctors before coming to Chicago where hs father, Uncle William and Aunt Lucy Schemel were waiting for them. They now were going to live at 5241 S. Shields Ave in a five room flat.

He was baptized on August 11, 1918 in Magdalene Lutheran Church in Berlin, Germany. Godparent was Clare Johnson.

His school transfer date was August 1924 and was released from school August 12, 1925 and his passport was dated June 24, 1925. [WJ: The arrival list shows that their U. S. immigration visas were issued 21 Jul 1925 in Berlin -- numbers 10 704 through 10 707.]

Gerhardt was confirmed at St. Stephens Lutheran Church at 5632 S. Sangamon [Chicago] by Pastor H. Groth. They lived at 5634 S. Union Ave at this time.

He graduated from Dewey Grade School on June 9, 1933 located at 5415 S. Union Ave. Went to Tilden High School for two years at 4747 S. Union Ave. In order to get a diploma you had to go another two years. So Gerhardt dropped out and went to Washburn Trade School at 3100 S. Kedzie.

The reason he had to get his own citizenship papers because his father had gotten his second papers too later for Gerhardt to get citizenship under his father's papers. Gerhardt became a citizen on April 11, 1940, was married at the time and lived at 3540 S. Damen Ave Chicago, Il.

During the Second World War Gerhardt was called by the United States and Germany. He had received a letter from the German Consulate Office in Chicago. We had to have his mother read it for us because we couldn't read German. I still have the letter. It was telling him to come down and report for duty in the German Army. I brought his citizenship papers to show that he was now a citizen of the United States.

When World War II broke out, the United States had a fish bowl drawing for men to go into service. It was held at the White House in Washington, D. C. At the time our President was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson who drew the first serial number 158 and order drawn was number one. There were 6,175 draft districts in the nation. Gerhardt's serial number was 312 and order drawn was 5374. His draft board was Number 90 at 4440 S. Western Ave Chicago, Il. He was rejected the first time due to his eyesight. The second time called was excused due to working for C. H. Milles Foundry at 35th & Bell because they made vital parts for out "Liberty Ships".

His first job was with Methe Coal Co. on 22nd St & Blue Island Ave. He carried coal sacks on his back or was shoveling coal into bins for homes, apartment buildings and stores. He made 56 1/2 cents an hour for a 42 hours week. His wages was $23.73 minus $2.00 for union dues. He belonged to the Coal Drivers Union Local 704 Helpers & Handlers International.

His second job was with my father's business called "Buehlers & Jacob". After my Uncle passed away, my Dad, Gerhardt, & Uncle Louis Abraham formed a partnership and called the business Buehler & Co. They manufactured cement bird baths, benches and vases and also did landscaping. They all made about fifty dollars a week after the company bills were paid. But then the Depression wiped them out.

His third and last job was with C. H. Milles Foundry at 35th & Bell Ave Chicago, Il. He started as a Grinder and worked himself up to a Traffic Manager in the shipping department. He had twelve men working in the department. His wages in the beginning was $30.00 a week and ending making $400.00 a week before taxes were taken out. He started there in 1939 until August 1982, when the place closed its doors due to the economics of the national steel business. He was there forty-three years and was traffic manager for twenty-five years, during that time. He belonged to the International Molders and Foundry Workers Union Local 233.

Gerhardt belonged to the Illinois Railway Museum at Union, Il. since 1875 from 1983. Also charter member of the Franklin Mint Collectors Society 1970 thru 1974. Indian Hill Coin Club 1965 thru 1969 and also held offices in club. The National Geographic Society 1967. Loved to bowl. He bowled for the C. H. Milles Foundry, the Cabin owners, the Jacobs, Johnson Tavern ownersCarl & Blanche Johnson, Emers Tavern owners Elmer & Lee, Chris' Inn owners Frank & Evelyn Pollack & Chris & Dolores Kruse, Beachview Bowling Lanes owners John & Helen Syroka and last was Chain of Lakes Amusement owned by Sherman & Elaine (Abraham) Anderson, my relatives. Elaine is my cousin and her parents were Louis & Viola (Staack) Abraham.

Places he lived of course was in Berlin, Germany. Here in the U. S. and in Chicago, Il., were 5421 S Shields, 5632 S Lowe, 5634 S Union. When he married he lived at 5634 S Union, 60th & Artesian, 6022 S Western, 3540 S Damen, 3513 S Seeley, 4505 S California. In Round Lake lived at 1323 W Hawthorne Dr, 1319 W Rollins Rd and finally bought a home at 24683 W Hawthorne Dr Round Lake in Avon Township, Long Lake area.

Relatives who lived nearby were Uncle Walter & Aunt Henrietta Johnston, his parents George & Martha Johnston, Cousin Eric & Katherine (Vandre) Hoffman, my brother Emil & Madge Buehler, Uncle Louis & Aunt Viola (Staack) Abraham, cousin Sherman & Elaine (Abraham) Anderson, and cousin Edward & Elizabeth (Vandre) Polejewski.