Bert Edward Mothersbaugh (1888-1918) is not a direct relative. He was the brother-in-law of my great-great aunt Maria Raiffeisen Mothersbaugh. Bert was the youngest of five brothers (Lewis, Charles, Walter, …
Although he was born Lewis Arthur Mothersbaugh (1875-1941), our family knew him affectionately as “Uncle Bud.” Bud was married to my great-grand aunt, Maria Magdalena Raiffeisen. I never had the chance to meet him but I have gotten to know him through his own words written in a diary and letters he sent home when he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. This is the beginning of our shared story…