Letter 10: Selma, Reinhold and a hoped-for visit
June 11, 1859 — Mount Vernon [Indiana]
From: Gotthold Leukroth/Lenkroth
To: His brother-in-law, probably David

Current reading edition, September 24, 2026. Square brackets mark uncertainty or editorial explanations. Compared with the historical translations; unresolved wording is not supplied as fact.

### Page 1

**Mount Vernon, June 11, 1859**

**Dear brother-in-law,**

May the blessing of the Most High be with you.

Dear brother-in-law, we received your dear letter on June 3 and were heartily pleased, especially about the state of your health and your circumstances generally.

As for us, thank God, we are all still well. Your mother in particular is a testimony to God's love and mercy in her old age. She [praises/loves] the dear God and thanks the Lord daily. By day and night [she offers] fervent prayers with tears [for you], and asks the Lord that he might also [open the eyes of] your soul. [The exact verb in the final request is uncertain.]

As for me, I am still blessed with health. It is my daily prayer that the Lord may grant me and all of us health and crown us with grace. Up to now [he has not allowed] my faith to be put to shame, for the dear God has done so much for us, in body and soul.

[The next sentence is not securely deciphered. It appears to refer to a shared religious experience involving "all three," but its event and wording remain unresolved.]

[The final lines refer to celebrating Pentecost and compare the gathering with Jesus's disciples long ago; some connecting words are unclear.]

### Page 2

Your dear sister was afflicted with illness this winter, after Christmas: namely, inflammation of the chest and lungs, for **ten to eleven weeks**. It was hard for her and for us. God has helped her, and she is now quite well again and [has regained her former strength — wording provisional]. [Thanks] to the dear Lord.

Dear brother-in-law, I need not write to you about **Reinhold**, because he writes to you himself. He would like to see the **oxen you have bought**. I said to him, "Perhaps he will bring you one." Then he said, "Oh, [Father?], it would be better if I wrote to my uncle that he should bring the oxen along."

You may also wish to know something about our **Selma**. She is healthy and well, [lively and cheerful — descriptive words uncertain], and gives us and her mother much pleasure. She is now **two years and five months old**.

Dear brother-in-law, we learned from your letter that you intend to visit us next summer. This pleased us greatly, and we wish you much good fortune with it.

I cannot write much to you about business. The house I bought I have **[rented out?] to a friend**, [for] **110 dollars**. [The transaction verb is provisional and the payment period is not stated.]

[Johann/Jan] Zimmermann is still with us and sends you many greetings. [He has a bride; the passage concerns a possible wedding when you visit. Some connecting words remain uncertain.]

### Page 3

**Franz [Kappemann/Kappenmann?]** had his wedding two weeks ago to **Catharina Hoffmann**. I and [another person, possibly my son] were there too.

[Name uncertain] has run away with [a cooper, according to the historical translation] to [Louisville?].

The girls are all getting married. **Catharina [Stiehl?]**, a fine, tall young woman, is still available and sends you many greetings. [Another greeting includes names not securely deciphered.] **Friedrich** is still in **Alsleben**. [The following wording about letters and addresses, including August, remains uncertain.]

You mention the **Staats-Zeitung** [newspaper]. [The following phrase concerns a wish to read it, but is not completely deciphered.] It costs **2½ dollars**, whereas the [Apologet?] costs only **1 [dollar a year?]**. If you want it, I will send it to you. [The subscription period and the exact identity of the paper need confirmation.]

In Mount Vernon [many/each year — wording uncertain] fine houses are being built, and **Main Street is now being paved**. [A further sentence concerns land still available near the town; the figures appear as "10 - 6 - 2," but their units and meaning are unresolved.]

I will close in the hope that our letter finds you in good health. We all send you heartfelt greetings. Write back to us at once!

**Your loving brother-in-law,**

**[Gotthold Leukroth; also recorded as Lenkroth]**