Brother Otto Writes to the Chicago Gehebs In Germany Hitler had a strong grip on Germany, and the people were just getting by. Brother Otto wrote in 1936: “The political situation in Germany is all right…
Life in Chicago In 1936, the Chicago Gehebs were thriving and little Willy even had his own car to drive. This picture…
Home Sweet Home After being away from his family in Schmirma, Germany for 11 years, Willy Geheb returned to Germany in 1934. He brought along his wife, Irma, and their baby son, Willy. Although it was…
Willy always missed his family in Germany. He wrote to his siblings offering to pay to bring them to America and help them build their new life. Willy was the only family member to leave…
Finding His Way Through Chicago
Chicago was thriving in the 1920s, but with prohibition still the law of the land criminal activity was peaking. Gangland murders were common as the gangsters fought to control the lucrative illegal liquor industry.
The Geheb family in Germany was always concerned about their adventurous son and brother. Willy was the only one of the family to move farther than twenty-five miles from the family home.
The Geheb’s Patriarch
The family was guided by patriarch Karl Geheb, a God-fearing man, who was a Master Blacksmith and a farmer.