Jacques "Jacob J." OBRECHT (1869-1945)

Jacob was born 24 Jul 1869 in the town of Kunheim, canton of Andolsheim, state of Haut-Rhin, in the Alsace region of France. This area was part of the Kingdom of France until 1871, when the Franco-Prussian war resulted in the French cession of Alsace to the German Empire. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles reverted Alsace to France. Jacob emigrated to the United States in 1887, but was visiting in Kunheim in the summer of 1914 when World War I broke out.

1886 (Jan 26): Delayed birth certificate issued in Kunheim [copy courtesy PK].

1887 (Feb 24): Living in Kunheim [copy courtesy PK].

1887: Immigrated [with George HENNINGER? (the future husband of Jacob's 2nd cousin Mary BLANG)]. Departed Havre on La Bourgogne. Arrived New York February 21, 1887.


1893 (Dec 4): Naturalization in Cook Co., IL [copy courtesy PK].

1896: m. OBRECHT, JACOB & SCHLOEN, ANNIE 02/18/1896 / 245128 COOK Co., IL. License issued 16 Feb 1896. Jacob, age 26. Anna, age 24.

1900: Sedgewick St. 374 16 37 OBRECHT:
Jacob head W M July 1869 30 M 5 Germany Germany Germany 1886 14 Na Tailor R H
Anna wife W M[sic] Mar 1874 26 M 5 2 2 Illinois Germany Germany
Madeline daughter W F Oct 1896 3 S Illinois Germany Illinois
Edna daughter W F Nov 1898 1 S Illinois Germany Illinois
[North Town, Chicago Ward 22, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T623 272; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 673. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.]

1910: Cleveland St., 23rd Ward, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, T624_266, part 2, p.272B. OBRECHT: Jacob 40 M1 14, Ger German, Ger German, Ger German, 1887 Na, English, tailor - tailor shop, R H; Anna J. 36 M1 14 6 5, IL, Ger German, Ger German, English; Magdalene 13 S IL; Edna A. 11 S IL; Alice D. 8 S IL; Lilian W. 6 S IL; John M. 4 S IL.



1914 (Jun 11): US passport application Chicago, born Kunheim Germany 24 Jul 1869. Emigrated to US aboard Bringanne[?] from Havre about Feb 1887. Naturalized 4 Dec 1893 Chicago, occupation Taylor, age 45. Stature 5'6", forehead high, eyes brown, nose small, mouth medium, chin round, hair brown, complexion fair, face round [application document via ancestry.com].

1914 (Jun 13): US passport #34289 issued to Jacob Obrecht 13 Jun 1914 [passport copy courtesy PK].

1914 (July-Sept): Travel Diary

1914 (Aug): Travel documents

1914: Jacob Obrecht, age 45, 1773 Mohawk St., Chicago, IL, passport #34289. S.S.Potsdam, sailing from Rotterdam Sep 5th 1914.[Source Citation: Year: 1914; Microfilm serial: T715; Microfilm roll: T715_2369; Line: 11; Source Information: Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006. Original data: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls); Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 8892 rolls); Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives, Washington, D.C.]

1920: Mohawk St., Chicago, Cook Co., IL, T625_333, p.9A, ED#1239, Image#0333. OBRECHT: Jacob O M 50, 1887 Na 1890, France German, Germany German, Germany German, tailor - ???? house; Anna 46, IL, Germany German, France German; Edna 21 S IL clerk - shoe factory; Alice 18 S IL addresser - ???? order house; Lillian 16 S IL bill clerk - wholesale book store; John 14 S IL; Ruth 8 S IL.

1920 (Apr 10): US passport application, Jacob J. Obrecht 1737 Mohawk St Chicago, born Kunheim France 24 Jul 1869, father Matthew Obrecht born Kunheim France (deceased), emigrated to US sailing from Havre France about Feb 1887, naturalized 4 Dec 1893, occupation laborer, last passport obtained from DC 13 jun 1914, will return within 4 months, visit France (see Mother) and Switzerland (see friends), leave from port of New York, age 51. 5'6", forehead high, eyes brown, nose small, mouth medium, chin round, hair dark gray, complexion fair, face round, distinguishing marks small wart on throat, witness Mathias Wagner (Deputy County Clerk) 1747 Mohawk St (known for nine years), photo [application document via ancestry.com].

1920: Trip from the US to France to visit Mother, and to Switzerland to visit friends [US passport issued 19 Apr 1920; copy courtesy PK].

1926: Jacob Obrecht, grantee, assignment of agent, from Mariquita B. Barnes, 29Jul1926-19Mar1928, consideration $1.00, Record#254030, Book#214, Page#74 [Deeds 171/187]. Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

1926: Jacob Obrecht, grantee, assignment of agreement, from Mariquita B. Barnes, 29Jul1926-12May1931, consideration $1.00, Record#312287, Book#265, Page#2 [Deeds 171/187]. Glen Ellyn, IL.

1930: Glen Ellyn Village, Milton Twp., DuPage Co., IL, T626_511, p.5A, ED#47, Image#0629. OBRECHT: Jacob J. O $7000 R 60 M 27, France Alsace, France Alsace, France Alsace, French, 1893 Na, tailor - shop; Anna J. 56 M 22 IL Germany Germany; John M. 24 S IL orderly - government hospital; Ruth M. 18 S IL.



1945: OBRECHT JACOB M/W UNK 0014733 1945-05-20 COOK CHICAGO. IL Death Cert.: Jacob Obrecht, residence 1902 Henderson, Chicago, Cook Co., IL. Died 20 May 1945 4a.m., age 75y 9m 27d, 1200 W. Belden Ave., Alexian Brothers, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, cause myocardial infarct, coronary sclerosis, general arteriosclerosis. Male white married (Anna, age 71). Born 24 Jul 1869 Alsace Lorraine, occupation tailor Schomacher Company. father Mathew Obrecht born Alsace Lorraine France. mother Katherine Schneider born Alsace Lorraine France. Informant hospital records. Burial Irving Park 23 May 1945, Chicago. FD: Muelheofer 1458 Belmont lic#982.

1914 Travel Documents

These are old travel documents from August 1914, from the papers of Jacob Obrecht [copies courtesy PK]. Any context or clues to dates, locations, or people are greatly appreciated.

Help Needed: translation or transcription

Click on each image for a larger version. Please leave a comment if you can help.

August 9, 1914. Jacob Obrecht.

August 15, 1914. Jacob & Emil Obrecht.

August 20, 1914. Jacob Obrecht.

August 26, 1914. Jacob Obrecht.

August 27?, 1914. Mathias Obrecht.

Undated, presumably August 1914. Jacob Obrecht.

WW I Travel Diary (15pp)

This is an old fifteen-page hand-written letter from the papers of Jacob Obrecht [copy courtesy PK].

Any context or clues to dates, locations, or people are greatly appreciated.

Click on each image for a larger version.

Pages a, b, & c:



Pages d, e, & f:


Pages g, h, & i:


Pages j, k, & l:


Pages m, n, & o:


"It is the diary of a travel from July 16 to September 16 [1914], from America (Chicago) to Kunheim (Alsace) where he came from. He was in Alsace when the First world war began..." [Thanks, mawag25!]

Following is a rough (Google) translation, based on a transcription done by P. Hirtz:

I will talk a little about my trip to Germany. It was said to me that I can take the German or English language. Chose the German language. I looked forward to my trip to the old home to my mother to visit, which I have not seen more than 27 years. With a heavy heart I took leave of the family. At 11 clock am, the 16 July 1914 the Train from Chicago went off, at the Erin Road. Drove through Indiana, Ohio, through the mountains of Pennsylvania, and New York, where there were some beautiful views. Came at 8 clock in the evening at the 17th in Jersey City. From the station we took the subway to Hoboken. July the 18th at 11 clock in the morning we went to the ship, the Emperor, which is a very large and beautiful ship. Goods it 4000 passengers. At 12 clock went off the ship. The weather is nice and the sea is calm.

July the 19th a beautiful Sunday morning. Also thought to you here in the Wicanson Street Church. Run up to noon today 471 Email

July the 20th again a beautiful day, lead 552 Email

The 21th: the weather is still nice, lead 556 Email

The 22nd: Today light fog and cooler weather, leading 546 Email

July the 23th, a cold and dreary day, thick fog, lead 543 Email

July the 24th, the weather beautiful, the French coast came into view. It was pleased to see again the country. Lunch at 12 clock held the ship. Then it went into a smaller vessel. After a half hour drive to get to Cherbourg, France. It felt good to be back on land. To 3Uhr45 walked from the train to Paris. Arrived at 9 clock in Paris. Then we went to another station, bought a ticket to Strasbourg, Paris left 10 Uhr45 evening.

July the 25th, drove all night. Towards morning drove past at Toul. My neighbor was a young Frenchman, he spoke some English and German. He told me "if it even should be a war, the French, the Germans are stuck as Toul believe. Because very strong forts are there. I was quite frightened and asked him whether is talked of war? He said "no". In Lunéville he quit. Now think of him often. At 6 clock in the morning I was in Avricourt. That is the limit. Here you had to get out. The luggage is examined. Then it went into a German railroad train. At 8am, I arrived in Strasbourg. Now I am again in Strasbourg had already heard and read much of it. Also thought the song "O du Strasbourg beautiful city". Therein lies buried so many beautiful and also a brave soldier. Now come to more! But kept me on not long, because my plan was to come back later to see the city and the cathedral. Also have a dear aunt, the deaconess was here, and I wanted to visit her grave. Was my plan to nothing by the war.

Bought a ticket for Kolmar. At 9 clock went off the train. It was a beautiful drive where you saw the Vosges with its castles. Wanted to visit the Hochkönigsburg what did not come to execution. At 10 clock I arrived in Colmar, filled glad to be back. After several hours of stay we took the train to Munzenheim. From there I drove a friend to Kunheim my home village. He asked me what he should stop at the house, he said I knew the house no longer, because a new house is built, and I have not seen it yet. But he remembers. My brother, his son, who were in the street, who cried "Uncle, uncle," and called the mother. Then there was a happy reunion.

The 26 July: Sunday again wanted this afternoon after Munzenheim go to church. The rain overtook it. In the evening we had bed hour in our church in Kunheim, what law was blessed to have 65 members here.

THE 27TH: a cloudy and cool day. The newspapers, there will be war.

The 28th July: Today the preacher came to the evening preaching. He said the war clouds are warp again.

July 29: Mass rules were made for the war already. The newspapers carried the war is no longer to smelt.

To 31 July: Today evening after 10 clock soldiers came to the village and have proclaimed a state of war. 5 young men went away at once to the military. They went away very happy. Then there were long and full day care. Then came the 6 mobilization; 6 days ago, it had continued every day some. For married men it was to go away schwehr: they separated from his wife and children and yet they went boldly. A brother Reinhart, his brother in law where he said goodbye to me, he said "we know of no return and if everyone does his duty, we will prevail."

August the 1first: soldiers came into the village early on the morning to prepare pioneers around the bridges to blow up. Some stayed for guard there. All men of 17 too 45 years where would not be a soldier, were assigned to work -Kompanien. The need to build entrenchments.

There was now to see something different every day. Saw many soldiers and guns .......... as they shot them. Also wounded seen as they brought from the battlefield. Heard whole days the thunder of cannon and French songs. We also had a number of male soldiers in ......... which already had several skirmishes took part. Have pictures taken of what. Met in Kolmar 2 men and a woman from Denison, Iowa and a woman from Philadelphia. Were there to speak as one can come to America again.

I approached the nearest American consul. Who let me know that every week a ship from Rotterdam to America travels. So also came back the time where you had to say goodbye, which was not easy. I had spent wonderful days with my mother. Sheaths hurts!

August 31 morning 9 clock, I left my home again. My brother drove me to Breisach in Baden. From there take the train to Freiburg in Baden. From there to Frankfurt, where I had a day's stay. Visited also has the palm garden where brother Schwartz saw as many flowers. It is a very nice park. Then we went to Cologne, visited the cathedral where I ... ..... the bells proclaimed a German victory. From there we go to Rotterdam where I arrived 9 clock on 3 September evening. On the 4th, the evening 8 clock we went to the ship, which departed on 2nd clock in the morning, the 5th.

Then came on the 15th morning 8 Clock in New York. Am 2 clock in the afternoon we took the train to Chicago, where I arrived on the 16th 5 clock afternoon. At 6 clock I was safe and sound back at home. What I thanked God that he has protected us from misfortune and danger.

Alsace house postcards

These are two old postcards of the Obrecht home in Kunheim from Jacob Obrecht's papers. Any context or clues to dates, locations, or people are greatly appreciated. Please leave a comment if you can help.

"L. Obrecht" is probably Lilly, who may be the daughter of Jacob's brother Mathias.

The older postcard:

"To Mister Jakob Obrecht and Family

Kunheim, September 17, 1912

Dear Jakob, we send you the [image of the] house of your parents
it [the image] could be better, but we hope you will enjoy it.
We own it for already one year.
We greet you all from all our hearts. Obrecht family

It is raining for almost 2 months.
This will give us a lot to do.
We have nothing to pick, all was frozen latest Winter,
except for apples, that we will get fairly.
damage that grandmother can send nothing to you

We greet you all from all our hearts. L. Obrecht"

The newer postcard:

"The House of Mathias Obrecht in Kunheim"

[Thanks, Charles for the translations (link, link, & link)!]

Barbara Reinhardt Obrecht obit (Jan 11)

This is an old newspaper clipping from the papers of Jacob Obrecht [copy courtesy PK]. Any context or clues to dates, locations, or people are greatly appreciated.

Barbara was probably Jacob's sister-in-law (Jacob had a brother Mathias).

KUENHEIM, 11 Jan. - The first death of the New Year. Mrs. Mathias Obrecht, born Barbara Reinhardt, died last Monday morning at the age of 62 1/2. The deceased had been ill for a long time; last year she sought a cure in a Colmar hospital, where she underwent surgery, but despite all the care she received both here and later at home, she could not be saved. She was very popular and admired, she was also a faithful wife, a kind-hearted mother and a devout citizen. She was a key person in her husband's agricultural business, and will be sorely missed. Apart from her grieving husband she leaves behind two children; her son is active in the family business and her daughter is married to H. Paul Kreyenbuhl of Durrenenzen; a grand-daughter was the pride and joy of the deceased. Mrs. Obrecht was laid to rest this afternoon at 1 o'clock. Many relatives and friends together with local inhabitants attended the funeral in order to accompany the beloved deceased on her last journey. The protestant Preacher from the Colmar parish delivered a warm obituary, while the community choral society's performance of two songs gave the funeral service a particularly moving nuance. May the mourners derive comfort from their active participation. Mrs. Obrecht - Rest in Peace.

[translation courtesy GS]

M. Obrecht obit (Nov 28)

This is an old newspaper clipping from the papers of Jacob Obrecht [copy courtesy PK]. Any context or clues to dates, locations, or people are greatly appreciated.

This obituary may be for the father of Jacob Obrecht, which would date the clipping to about 1920 or before.



Kuenheim, Nov. 28. Tolerance — Today M. Obrecht, highly regarded field laborer who suddenly died of a heart attack, was buried by the whole community. Since 1866 M. Obrecht had belonged to the Evangelical Society, and holy services were held in his home; therefore the funeral festivities were not led by the village priest, but instead by a preacher from the Evangelical Society. In permitting this the village priest gave a beautiful example of true Christian tolerance, and although it was unprecedented, did not lead the funeral procession alone, and allowed bells to be rung at the grave. The village priest made a good impression by permitting this, after which the preacher gave a impressive speech on the heart's passage from mourning to consolation, approached the open grave, and gave a funeral address, drawing to a close with the idea that we are all Christian and that we seek and adore only Christ our Savior.

[translation courtesy CH]