Hans Friedrich Karl Lange

A history of Hans Friedrich Karl Lange (1895-1967), son of August Ferdinand Lange (1865-1950) and Emma Bertha Wilhelmine Mattick (1865-1952), and the father of Helen Carrie Lange Amundsen, John Marvin Lange, and Ruth Irene Lange Smith. Variants of his name include Hans or Johannes, Friedrich or Frederick, and Karl or Carl.

Hans or Johannes Frederick Carl Lange was born in Bredow, a small city about five to eight miles from Stettin, Germany [now Szczecin, Poland]. Stettin is a Baltic Sea port at the mouth of the Oder River and is a shipbuilding and ship-repairing center. Factories there manufacture iron, paper, and textiles.

It was the 24th of June 1895 when Hans first voiced his opinion of the world. Since the language of most infants is more readily understood by their parents, August Ferdinand Lange and Emma Bertha Wilhelmine Mattick probably were the only ones who comprehended this opinion in its more specific meaning. Hans was the second child of six children born to Emma and August. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Stettin. Here two more children were born to August and Emma.

August was a blacksmith in Stettin and well established. He and his wife were of the Lutheran faith and when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they believed it and were baptized. Their testimonies never faltered, and they were active members from the 30th of May 1898 through the remainder of their mortal existence, and without a doubt into the eternities. They were both strong of character and hard workers.

Hans was a happy boy and brought pleasure to his mother. He was a very generous person—sometimes to a fault—for he would give the shirt off of his own back. At one time when he did not have anything himself and someone came to him in need, Hans sent him to his brother Bruno's office for assistance. He was of an artistic nature—he both played the violin beautifully and with feeling, had an artistic penmanship (which he used to help earn his living at different intervals in his life), and drew and painted pictures which were entered in the State Fair. He was not known to say anything of a detrimental nature about anyone.

Hans, his sister, two brothers, and parents came to America when Hans was about five years old. After arriving in America, August and Emma had two more children—both girls.

Several times during Hans's life he was seriously ill. The first time was before they emigrated to America. At this time he had spinal meningitis. His temperature was dangerously high, but he recovered, which was somewhat of a miracle. Another time was after arriving in America during his boyhood days. He was a messenger boy (by this means he earned part of his own support) and had an accident while riding his bicycle. Along with the accident came an acute case of erysipelas. His mother spent many hours caring for Hans, and once more he recovered.

Before the First World War was over Hans was part of the American Army even though he had been born in Germany. At one time he rescued one of his buddies who was drowning. As he dove into the water he hit his head, injuring himself, but still he pulled his companion out of the water and saved his life. This act received notice in the papers. Whether it was because of the blow on his head or perhaps due to shell shock, his years shortly after his marriage were ones of periods of confinement.

He married Berenice Peterson in the Salt Lake Temple on the 30th of August 1922. They had three children—two girls and one boy. It seemed difficult for him to earn a living. He felt uncomfortable in crowds. It was necessary that his wife work. It seems there were periods when he was normal and other times when he could not be controlled. After their last daughter was born in 1926, his wife went to Great Falls, Montana. From this time on the government cared for him in the Veteran's Hospital.

The last few years of his life he was placed in a rest home in the southeast part of Salt Lake City, Utah, and he died at the age of 71 on the 26th of January 1967.