Lebenserinnerungen unseres Allverehrten Familienoberhauptes Leopold Weil

The file is the memoir of Leopold Weil (1832-1913) published by his son Albert (1862-1946). He was born in Laupheim, where his father was a small trader. He became an apprentice in the local printing business. In 1849 he finished his apprenticeship and started his wandering years. In Stuttgart he saw for the first time a steam train. When jumping over a small canal he twisted his leg. Winter had started and he and a fellow traveler continued to Nuernberg and crossed the Erzgebirge. His foot deteriorated and he arrived in Dresden, where they finally found work. After almost one happy year in Dresden his brother convinced him to move to Berlin. His time in Berlin is marked by sporadic work and poverty. He continued his journey but unemployment was high and he lived mainly on the street but was in good spirits. After being deemed unfit for military service he is offered a job in Vienna in 1853. On his way there he sees the devastation of a flood along the Danube. In Vienna he is responsible for printing the “Musikzeitung” (Music paper) and “Der Humorist” by Moritz Gottlieb Saphir. Later on he was in charge of (metteur on page) an entire newspaper named “Stadt und Vorstadt Zeitung” He spent his free time in theaters and concerts (Nestroy and Strauss). He also witnessed the arrival of Princess Elisabeth in Vienna for her wedding. After three years he moved to Ehingen and Saulgau where he found new positions. Finally, he is able to be in charge of a printing business located in Ellwangen. Here Leopold’s memoirs finish, because of his death, and are continued by his son Albert. Leopold got married in June 1858 but one year later his wife died in childbirth. in 1861 he marries again and becomes the father of 4 sons and 4 daughters. After he got sicker and frailer his sons sell the business in 1902. He was a passionate hunter and lover of nature, traits which he passed on to his children.