7th Birthday

John Wise on his 7th birthday in Long Beach, California

Today, I turned seven years old. I live at 94 E. Market Street in Long Beach, California, our apartment is in the back right up the stairs. With a note from my dad, I’m allowed to pick up cigarettes for him at a small store on our side of the street. Sometimes, I even get enough money to buy ice cream. My father works for Owens-Illinois on Fruitland Avenue in Vernon, a glass factory making bottles. Life is a bit upside down while my mother still lives in New York, though I won’t truly appreciate that for years.

Stephanie and Grandfather Christian Engelhardt

Christian Engelhardt and Stephanie Engelhardt in Germany around 1967

This is Christian Engelhardt holding his granddaughter Stephanie Engelhardt at some time around 1967 or maybe even 1966, but we’re not sure. Christian is Hanns’s father (father of Caroline and Stephanie) and lived in Höchst just outside of Frankfurt for the majority of his life. Christian’s professional life was that of a teacher and was the encouragement behind Hanns becoming a lawyer.

The church in the background is from the year 830 A.D. and is the oldest building in the Frankfurt area.