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Gustav Speder - Immigrant Stories
Gustav Speder is a West German immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1956. He was born in 1941 at a transition camp in Rummelstein, Germany (now part of Poland). Originally from Lithuania, his family was forcibly moved to a transition camp when their home was sold by Germany to the Soviet Union. Gustav's father was drafted into the German Army in 1943 and sent to the Eastern Front, from which he never returned. After the war, his family lived in poverty in East Germany until they were able to escape to West Germany, and later to the U.S.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Speder’s early life in Germany during WW II & emigration to U.S
Interview Session 02 (Audio0
Review of life in Germany, and adjusting to his new life in Illinois
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Johann Speder (far right), father of Gustav Speder, as a young man with friends at unknown time and place.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Wedding picture of Anna Fressdorf Speder and Johann Speder, Gustav’s parents, circa 1935.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1935
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Johann Speder, Gustav’s father, in 1940.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
The Rummelsburg transition camp in Germany was where the Speder family was forced to go in 1941 after their homes in Lithuania were sold by Germany to the Soviet Union.
Where:
Germany
When:
1941
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder as a baby being held by his mother with his brother, Walter Speder. 1942.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1942
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder, about age two, standing on chair next to his mother with brother, Walter.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1943
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav, on left, at age 9 with his mother and brother Walter, in Burgsteinfurt, Germany.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
age 9
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav, on left, at age 9 with his mother and brother Walter, in Burgsteinfurt, Germany.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
age 9
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder at age 14 visiting war memorial in Burgsteinfurt, Germany, with his mother and grandmother in the background.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
age 14
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder in 1952 with fellow patients from TB sanitarium visiting the Hermanns-Denkmal Memorial commemorating the victory over a Roman Legion.
Where:
Hermanns-Denkmal Memorial
When:
1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder in 1955 standing in front of rented home on Graf-Ludwig Street in Burgsteinfurt, Germany.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
1955
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Group of friends in Burgsteinfurt, Germany, who called themselves the Lehmloch Band. Gustav is standing on fence in back in the middle. About 1955.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
About 1955
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav, on left, in Burgsteinfurt,with his mother and brother, Walter. 1956.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
1956
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Classroom in Burgsteinfurt, Germany in 1956. Gustav is in third row at desk on the left.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
1956
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav’s confirmation class outside the Luther House in Burgsteinfurt, Germany. 1956.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
1956
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The home of Tony Ramanauskas, where the Speder family first lived after arriving in Springfield, Illinois in 1956
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1956
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder’s confirmation class at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Springfield, Illinois. The minister is Pastor Meyer. Gus is the tallest one in middle, back row. 1957.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1957
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
These two Speder households in Sintauten, Lithuania, were sold to the Soviet Union pursuant to a pact between Hitler and Stalin.
Where:
Sintauten, Lithuania
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav in his army uniform, was home on leave in 1965.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1965
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Wedding picture of Gustav and Katherine Speder, July 16, 1965, in Springfield, Illinois at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with Dr. Naumann presiding.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
July 16, 1965
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav’s aunt, uncle, wife and mother in Schrebergarten in Burgsteinfurt, Germany. Circa 1969.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
Circa 1969
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder, a teacher at Springfield High School, stands in front of the school in 1969 with his first group of students who signed up for a tour of Germany.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1969
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder, seated on ground in front, with classmates at TB sanitarium, Senne I, in Germany.
Where:
Germany
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder’s family in Springfield, Illinois in 1995. Left to right: Greta, Katherine, Gustav, Gus and Andrea.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1995
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder, front row, second from left, with group of fellow patients at TB sanitarium, Senne I, near city of Bielefield, Germany.
Where:
Bielefield, Germany
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav Speder (back row, third from left, holding shovel) in Burgsteinfurt, Germany, participating in confirmation class project digging for underground crypt in church cemetery.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Confirmation class in Burgsteinfurt, Germany, preparing to dig for underground crypt in cemetery at Grosse Kiriche. Gustav is standing in the middle of three students holding shovels up, back middle right.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Gustav is in the doorway of the family’s home in Burgsteinfurt, Germany with his mother and grandmother, standing outside.
Where:
Burgsteinfurt, Germany
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Unknown
Caption
Tony Ramanauskas, Springfield sponsor of Gustav Speder and his family, allowing them to enter the United States.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo