07/17/2023
“No one really dies until their name has been spoken for the last time”
One of the reasons I love working with family history & why I think it is so important, is because we are keeping each of our ancestors’ memories alive by speaking their names and learning about them. We are making sure they have never been forgotten, no matter how long ago they were here.
In keeping up with that quote today, I would like to honor one of my past relatives who died 32 years ago today. My great great Uncle.
William Henry Lang (b. Wilhelm Heinrich Lang) was the 1st born twin in Marburg, Germany - November 28, 1898. His twin’s name was Hans Lang.
His parents’ names were Heinrich Lang & Barbara Kappes. He had 2 brothers & 3 sisters: Hans, Anna, Heinrich, Luisa & Lillie.
At 15 years old, in the year 1914, he and his brother joined the German army at the start of WW1. Middle to upper class boys in Germany were often sent away for school & at the start of the war many professors would march their students up to the war offices to join the Army.
William actively fought in the war until September of 1918 when he was wounded & captured by British troops 2 months before the war ended. He spent his 20th birthday in the prison camp hospital. From there he was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of 1919 where he was made to clean up the battle fields AKA no man’s land. I am extremely fortunate to have all his letters he wrote to his mother during the war & have even translated them. It is quite extraordinary reading a first hand account of WW1. While reading these letters it is clear when he became a prisoner he saw the stark difference in how the British army treated the prisoners compared to how his own home country treated their soldiers. From the prison labor camp it was decided he was going to go to America after the war.
After WW1 he spent about 2 years back at home before he officially immigrated to America in 1923. He first moved in with his Uncle where he met his cousin’s best friend, my great great Aunt, Martha Kirchner. They married on August 3, 1929.
After marriage, and after coming from a family of butchers, William decided to open his own butcher shop called “Lang’s Market” in Chicago, Illinois. He ran the shop for about 10 years until he signed up for the draft to fight for America in WW2 in 1942. After the war he and his wife decided to buy a farm & spent almost the rest of their days farming & being with family. He also visited Germany a few times after immigrating & remained very close with his siblings who all remained in Germany.
On July 17, 1991. William Henry Lang passed away at the age of 92. Although I never met him, it is very clear he lived a memorable life. I’d like to think he lives on as his memories are shared & his name is spoken.
