Family members ADAM, HER ELDEST BROTHER
"THE DEAR ADAM"
Adam Streitel was born in Mellrichstadt on August 16, 1846. He completed his studies at the grammar schools in Münerstadt and Würzburg. He would have gladly pursued a military career, but following his father's wish, he attended the Technical University in Munich. When he finally got his approval, he enrolled in military school and achieved excellent results.
In 1866, he took part in the 'Seven Weeks' war and four years later, in 1870, he fought in the Franco-Prussian war and reached the highest military posts.
Due to a serious eye disease contracted during the war, Major Adam Streitel was forced into premature retirement and spent the last period of his life in Munich, where he died on November 23, 1928.
"One of these days I will write to Adam" - says Mother Frances to her sister in a letter of 1888, revealing all her apprehension and tenderness for her eldest brother, whose memory recurs again and again in her letters to the family. Even from Marshfield, Wisconsin in America, she writes to her parents mentioning with affection, Adam's wishes:
“Adam could satisfy his desire to travel by coming here to America. Here there is art and things worthy of being seen in every realm of human knowledge and discovery. Nature, particularly in Wisconsin, is ruggedly beautiful. Here he could go, with his walking stick, to the
primeval forest”.
THE "TESTED" MAN
Adam: the eldest brother, but also the military man, Major Adam; the fighter, the war invalid, the tested man. He was immersed in tribulations also due to his wife's condition. She was hospitalized in a nursing home for a psychiatric illness.
Adam, the beloved brother who, as he could and as he knows he should, also devoted some of his time to his younger sister despite the already serious burden of his family. Mother Frances wrote to her sister Hedwig: “That Adam can devote so much time to you makes me happy”.
Mother Frances and the community
The good of my brothers is a holy thing!
In a letter dated July 21, 1897, to her sister Hedwig, Mother Frances expressed with finesse a delicate and strong love for her brothers:
”The good of my brethren
is holy to me,
and for this reason, on my knees,
I offer prayers and sacrifices
before God”.
Mother Frances Streitel
ADAM, JOY AND PAIN OF MOTHER FRANCES
Adam, Mother Frances' joy and pain: "the dear Adam", she wrote several times. And again, "...he suffers much on this earth." Every thought, in her last letter addressed to Hedwig, goes to him and his physical and moral recovery:
“May the good Lord bless you,
dear sister,
and may you soon be with Adam
who desires you as a dear sister
and faithful helper at home.
This time will be for Adam
a time of grace,
a time of both physical and moral recovery”.
A letter from Adam Streitel to his parents
Upon you the blessing of God!
Happiness and peace on your path!
Dear parents!
I express to you and to my good sister my heartfelt thanks for the good wishes you have sent me. I accept them with all my heart because I know that they spring from your love for me. May the Most High pour out his blessing upon you and sprinkle your path with flowers, happiness and peace: may these be the stars that always shine above you. This is the gift I place on your Christmas table, this is the wish that fills my heart.
Your obedient son
Adam
