Max is my great Grandfather.
He was born in Pirna, Königreich Sachsenon (Kingdom of Saxony) on November 25, 1864. He enlisted into the Kaiser’s Imperial Preußen Army in 1878 at the age 14 and entered a NCO preparatory training school (Unteroffiziervorschulen). From there he went on to one of the NCO academes (Unteroffizierschulen) and was selected to join the Leibgendarmerie. I believe he attended the Königlich Militer Hufschmied (Royal Military Farrier/Blacksmith School) and learned the blacksmith trade while he was attached to the 1. Zug.
Max served under all three separate Kaisers during his military career starting in 1878 with Wilhelm I who was the first King of Prussia from 1861-1888; Frederick III was only King for 90 days from March 9 - June 15, 1888; and then Max served for the last king of Prussia/ Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II from March 15, 1888 to his retirement in 1898.
Max lost his Right Eye from some sort of wound (verletzung) he received on October 20, 1893. Speculation would say that he lost it in a duel, but unless I can find an official records giving the background to the loss, it will just be conjecture on my part. It's interesting that eight years after Max lost his right eye the Kaiser issued orders stating that soldiers would be disciplined for dueling.
Max retired from military service in 1898 and married on November 12, 1900 in Liegnitz, Prussia. Shortly after his marriage he received a Land Grant from the Kaiser and the Prussian Government for an estate in Brazil, South America.
Things did not work out in Brazil and on the way back to Germany he found himself in South Africa fighting on the Boer side in the Boer War as a volunteer for a short period of time, between 1901-1903.
In 1904 he and his wife immigrated to America onboard the RMS Carpathia of the Cunard Line as 3rd class passengers. He was 39 years old at that time and lists his occupation as a Blacksmith. They arrived at Ellis Island, New York on September 1, 1904 and were processed through and received into the United States of America on September 2, 1904.
Max died on February 22, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan.
For more information please contact me.
Blessings,
1. Zug