Thanks to a German tabloid this past November, a letter from 1905 from Donald Trump’s grandfather, Friedrich Trump, was found, translated and published in Harper’s latest issue.
Friedrich first came to the US from Kallstadt, a Bavarian town in the German Empire back in 1885. And at the age of 16 – he illegally skipped out on mandatory military service. Hmmmmm….do you see a pattern?
Because of this, Friedrich lost his citizenship, later becoming a US citizen during the Yukon gold rush where he made his fortune running brothels and bars. Whoa, this is getting weirdly prophetic – I am convinced now occupations DO run in the family.
In the early 1900s, Friedrich returned to his homeland but was scheduled to be deported due to flaking out on the draft.
The translated letter below is addressed to Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, begging the ruler of Kallstadt not to deport Friedrich back to the US.
Image via Wikipedia
But the prince did not buy it and according to history, Friedrich found himself in the US again.
If he only knew his future kin would be in the prince’s position in 2018 — oh the irony.
Read the [melodramatic] letter below…
“Most Serene, Most Powerful Prince Regent! Most Gracious Regent and Lord!
I was born in Kallstadt on March 14, 1869. My parents were honest, plain, pious vineyard workers. They strictly held me to everything good — to diligence and piety, to regular attendance in school and church, to absolute obedience toward the high authority.
After my confirmation, in 1882, I apprenticed to become a barber. I emigrated in 1885, in my sixteenth year. In America I carried on my business with diligence, discretion, and prudence. God’s blessing was with me, and I became rich. I obtained American citizenship in 1892. In 1902 I met my current wife. Sadly, she could not tolerate the climate in New York, and I went with my dear family back to Kallstadt.
The town was glad to have received a capable and productive citizen. My old mother was happy to see her son, her dear daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter around her; she knows now that I will take care of her in her old age.
But we were confronted all at once, as if by a lightning strike from fair skies, with the news that the High Royal State Ministry had decided that we must leave our residence in the Kingdom of Bavaria. We were paralyzed with fright; our happy family life was tarnished. My wife has been overcome by anxiety, and my lovely child has become sick.
Why should we be deported? This is very, very hard for a family. What will our fellow citizens think if honest subjects are faced with such a decree — not to mention the great material losses it would incur. I would like to become a Bavarian citizen again.
In this urgent situation I have no other recourse than to turn to our adored, noble, wise, and just sovereign lord, our exalted ruler His Royal Highness, highest of all, who has already dried so many tears, who has ruled so beneficially and justly and wisely and softly and is warmly and deeply loved, with the most humble request that the highest of all will himself in mercy deign to allow the applicant to stay in the most gracious Kingdom of Bavaria.
Your most humble and obedient,
Friedrich Trump”
Yeesh.
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