Julia and David Hoexter Correspondence Collection

The Julia and David Hoexter Correspondence Collection contains the courtship correspondence of this couple in addition to some later letters and some letters of others, including of family members. Users of the collection should note that the first folder of the collection contains translations of handwritten letters in German and summaries of nearly every letter in the collection; the arrangement of folders thereafter follows the order of the translations in the first folder.

Most of the letters from autumn 1882 through spring 1882 focus on the forthcoming wedding of David Hoexter and Julia Boehm and on David's preparation of their apartment in Hoeringhausen. The couple's letters were written frequently, nearly every day. Both anticipated their wedding with great optimism although there was some disagreement about where it would be held; their letters of April 1882 indicate that the wedding took place in Frankfurt am Main in May, with the civil ceremony held in Treysa. Biographical details on them, such as David's occupation as a teacher and Julia's life in Vienna, are mentioned in passing, but for the most part the letters discuss on their relationship and their future plans as the couple got to know each other through their letters. In a letter from February 1882 David asked about her interest in games and books, and a letter from March hopes that they will like each others' looks. Some of Julia Boehm's letters are in English; her brother Nathan Boehm owned a business in the United States and in an early letter of October 1881 she tells him that she prefers to write in English. Other letters of her mention her family members or relate activities such as attending performances.

The final folder of the collection holds letters of others, including several family members. About half of these handwritten letters are not summarized in the initial folder of the collection. Some are between family members other than Julia and David, and some mention their emigration to the United States. This folder includes one letter from David in New York City to Julia in August 1882, written on Boehm & Co. stationery.

One folder holds letters and postcards from 1888 were written after the Hoexters had moved to the United States. These were all written from Julia to David in New York City – Julia seems to have been away from the city for the summer with their children. This correspondence centers on the activities and health of their children, especially two sons, but also often requests David for various supplies.