Story by Bill Kretzer Great Grandson of Jacob:
Jacob Mildenberger did not come over to America at the same time as his daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This was even though they had all made the trip from Russia to Germany at the same time. Joseph Mildenberger, his son, had only saved enough money for passage of his wife and two children. They had arrived on Aug 5, 1923. It was less than a month later that Joe was able to purchase passage, on the same ship, S.S. Ohio, that had brought his wife and two children over. Jacob set sail on Aug 29, 1923. He was sent through Ellis Island on Sept 9th. The actual trip across the Atlantic would only take three or four days. But, all of the immigrants had to be quarantined for 8 days. Afterwards they would begin processing. They had evidently found something medically wrong with Jacob. He was admitted to the hospital on that first day. He was discharged on the 20th, but was immediately put in front of the Board for Special Inquiry. US immigration laws did not allow a person to enter if in the opinion of the board that the immigrant was "likely to become a public charge". That meaning the immigrant was likely to be on some sort of government assistance. Jacob was 62 years old and illiterate. This was enough for the board to determine that he should be deported. But, the procedure did allow for an appeal. I am sure that there was some sort of government advocate that interceded to help. A telegram or phone call was likely made to Iliff, CO to advise Joe and family of the situation. He would have then sent word, probably his own telegram, that he would provide for his father's welfare. Whatever was done, was enough so, that on Sept 27th, he was allowed to formally enter the United States.
Jacob Mildenberger did not come over to America at the same time as his daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This was even though they had all made the trip from Russia to Germany at the same time. Joseph Mildenberger, his son, had only saved enough money for passage of his wife and two children. They had arrived on Aug 5, 1923. It was less than a month later that Joe was able to purchase passage, on the same ship, S.S. Ohio, that had brought his wife and two children over. Jacob set sail on Aug 29, 1923. He was sent through Ellis Island on Sept 9th. The actual trip across the Atlantic would only take three or four days. But, all of the immigrants had to be quarantined for 8 days. Afterwards they would begin processing. They had evidently found something medically wrong with Jacob. He was admitted to the hospital on that first day. He was discharged on the 20th, but was immediately put in front of the Board for Special Inquiry. US immigration laws did not allow a person to enter if in the opinion of the board that the immigrant was "likely to become a public charge". That meaning the immigrant was likely to be on some sort of government assistance. Jacob was 62 years old and illiterate. This was enough for the board to determine that he should be deported. But, the procedure did allow for an appeal. I am sure that there was some sort of government advocate that interceded to help. A telegram or phone call was likely made to Iliff, CO to advise Joe and family of the situation. He would have then sent word, probably his own telegram, that he would provide for his father's welfare. Whatever was done, was enough so, that on Sept 27th, he was allowed to formally enter the United States.
Story by Bill Kretzer Great Grandson of Jacob:
Jacob Mildenberger did not come over to America at the same time as his daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This was even though they had all made the trip from Russia to Germany at the same time. Joseph Mildenberger, his son, had only saved enough money for passage of his wife and two children. They had arrived on Aug 5, 1923. It was less than a month later that Joe was able to purchase passage, on the same ship, S.S. Ohio, that had brought his wife and two children over. Jacob set sail on Aug 29, 1923. He was sent through Ellis Island on Sept 9th. The actual trip across the Atlantic would only take three or four days. But, all of the immigrants had to be quarantined for 8 days. Afterwards they would begin processing. They had evidently found something medically wrong with Jacob. He was admitted to the hospital on that first day. He was discharged on the 20th, but was immediately put in front of the Board for Special Inquiry. US immigration laws did not allow a person to enter if in the opinion of the board that the immigrant was "likely to become a public charge". That meaning the immigrant was likely to be on some sort of government assistance. Jacob was 62 years old and illiterate. This was enough for the board to determine that he should be deported. But, the procedure did allow for an appeal. I am sure that there was some sort of government advocate that interceded to help. A telegram or phone call was likely made to Iliff, CO to advise Joe and family of the situation. He would have then sent word, probably his own telegram, that he would provide for his father's welfare. Whatever was done, was enough so, that on Sept 27th, he was allowed to formally enter the United States.
Jacob Mildenberger did not come over to America at the same time as his daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This was even though they had all made the trip from Russia to Germany at the same time. Joseph Mildenberger, his son, had only saved enough money for passage of his wife and two children. They had arrived on Aug 5, 1923. It was less than a month later that Joe was able to purchase passage, on the same ship, S.S. Ohio, that had brought his wife and two children over. Jacob set sail on Aug 29, 1923. He was sent through Ellis Island on Sept 9th. The actual trip across the Atlantic would only take three or four days. But, all of the immigrants had to be quarantined for 8 days. Afterwards they would begin processing. They had evidently found something medically wrong with Jacob. He was admitted to the hospital on that first day. He was discharged on the 20th, but was immediately put in front of the Board for Special Inquiry. US immigration laws did not allow a person to enter if in the opinion of the board that the immigrant was "likely to become a public charge". That meaning the immigrant was likely to be on some sort of government assistance. Jacob was 62 years old and illiterate. This was enough for the board to determine that he should be deported. But, the procedure did allow for an appeal. I am sure that there was some sort of government advocate that interceded to help. A telegram or phone call was likely made to Iliff, CO to advise Joe and family of the situation. He would have then sent word, probably his own telegram, that he would provide for his father's welfare. Whatever was done, was enough so, that on Sept 27th, he was allowed to formally enter the United States.
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