POST 36: THE WOINOWITZ ZUCKERFABRIK (SUGAR FACTORY) OUTSIDE RATIBOR (PART I-BACKGROUND)

REVISIONS MADE ON OCTOBER 21, 2018 BASED ON COMMENTS PROVIDED BY MR. PAUL NEWERLA

Note:  This article is about the sugar factory located in Woinowitz, a small village outside Ratibor, that was co-owned by Adolph Schück and Sigmund Hirsch.  These men were married to sisters, Alma and Selma Braun, great-great-aunts of mine and children of Markus Braun, owner of the M. Braun Brauerei in Ratibor.  Below I briefly examine the history of the sugar factory in a regional context.

Related Post: POST 36, POSTSCRIPT: THE ZUCKERFABRIK IN WOINOWITZ OUTSIDE RATIBOR

Figure 1. Postcard written in 1912 showing the M. Braun Brauerei, then owned by my great-grandfather, Hermann Berliner

Post 14 was about the Brauereipachter, tenant brewer, Marcus Braun, my great-great-grandfather who owned one of the oldest breweries in Ratibor [today: Racibórz, Poland]. (Figure 1)  Markus had a dozen children by his first wife, Caroline Spiegel, then another two by his second wife, Johanna Goldstein. (see the table at the bottom of this post for details on Markus’s 14 children)  Earlier, I told readers I am related to numerous cousins in America through Markus and Caroline Braun’s descendants.  Two of Markus and Caroline’s children, Alma and Selma Braun, married men who were partners in the Zuckerfabrik, sugar factory, located in the village of Woinowitz [today: Wojnowice, Poland] (Figure 2), just outside Ratibor.  Alma Braun (Figure 3) was married to Adolph Schück (Figure 4), and Selma Braun to Sigmund Hirsch.

Figure 2. Bi-lingual town sign for Woinowitz (Wojnowice, Poland) in 2014

 

Figure 3. Alma Schück née Braun (June 5, 1851-March 25, 1919)
Figure 4. Adolph Schück (July 5, 1840-November 3, 1916)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 5. The still-standing Woinowitz sugar factory in 2014

The sugar factory still stands today (Figure 5), and part of my purpose in writing this post was to determine, if possible, the circumstances surrounding its closure, sale and/or possible confiscation during the Nazi era.  In compiling this narrative, I again consulted Paul Newerla, retired lawyer and Racibórz historian, whom I’ve discussed in earlier posts (Figure 6); he has written extensively about the history of Racibórz and Śląsk (Silesia).  His books and questions I asked him form the basis of much of what I write, although any mis-representations or mis-interpretations are entirely my responsibility.

Figure 6. Racibórz historian, Paul Newerla, and me in 2018 standing by the historic statue of John of Nepomuk, located in the middle of a parking lot

 

Figure 7. 1905 map of the Kreis (district) of Ratibor with towns mentioned in text circled

The fertile lands surrounding Ratibor produced a lot of sugar beet that were processed in at least four local sugar factories, the one in Ratibor proper, along with ones in Woinowitz [today: Wojnowice, Poland]; Groß Peterwitz [today: Pietrowice Wielkie, Poland]; and Bauerwitz [today: Baborów, Poland]. (Figure 7)  All were built along the railway line running between Ratibor and Leobschütz [today: Głubczyce, Poland] constructed in 1856, that was extended to Jägerndorf [today: Krnov, Czech Republic] in 1895.  The railway was critical for the transport of the sugar beet to the plants, and, subsequently, for the transport of the refined product to the various makers of the much sought-after chocolate and candy produced in Ratibor.

Figure 8a. A postcard of the Woinowitz sugar factory as it looked in the early 1900’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 8b. Same angle as Figure 8a. showing how the sugar factory looked in 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sugar factory in Woinowitz (Figures 8a-b), which is the subject of this post, was built by the company Adolph Schück & Co. G.m.b.H. (“Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung”); the American equivalent of a G.m.b.H would be a limited liability company (LLC), meaning the owners (Gesellschafter, or members) of the entity are not personally liable or responsible for the company’s debts. 

Mr. Newerla has been unable to discover exactly when the Woinowitz sugar factory was built.  The railway between Ratibor and Leobschütz, which opened on November 1, 1856, already existed at the time the factory was built, and the nearest railway station at the time was “Woinowitz”; thus, the sugar factory was referred to by this name although it was closer to the town of Schammerwitz/Schammerau [today: Samborowice, Czech Republic].   Interestingly, Mr. Newerla discovered a postcard illustrating both the Woinowitz railway station, thus named, and the sugar factory, but with the postcard, perhaps aptly, labelled as “Schammerwitz.” (Figure 9)

Figure 9. Historic postcard showing the Woinowitz train station and sugar factory identifying their location as Schammerwitz

On November 20, 1895, the railway line from Ratibor was extended to Troppau [today: Opava, Czech Republic], with stops in Ratibor, Woinowitz, Kranowitz, Kuchelna, and Troppau. (see Figure 7)  At this time, the Woinowitz railway stop was renamed Mettich [today: Lekartów, Poland] (Figure 10), but the sugar factory retained its original name; this station still exists today. (Figure 11)  When the railway line was extended in 1895, a bus stop was built in Woinowitz, along the railway line.  This bus stop then became Woinowitz, and the railway station Mettich, although referred to as “Bhf (station) Weihendorf” on a 1941 army map.

Figure 10. Historic postcard of the town of Mettich (today: Lekartów, Poland)
Figure 11. The Lekartów train station as it appears today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Paul Newerla, Adolph Schück’s sugar factory ceased production in the 1920’s, well before the Nazi era.  Readers should know that from 1742 until 1871, Woinowitz was part of Prussia, and thereafter part of the German Reich until 1945; it was only after WWII that Woinowitz became a part of Poland.

As previously alluded to, in the 1920’s, there existed four sugar factories between Ratibor and Leobschütz: Ratibor, Woinowitz, Groß Peterwitz, and Bauerwitz. Mr. Newerla sent me a letterhead from the sugar factory in Groß Peterwitz, “Landwirtschaftliche Zuckerabrik-Aktien-Gesellschaft” (Figure 12), along with a postcard of this same factory identifying it by then as a “Flachsfabrik,” flax factory. (Figure 13)  It seems that in 1925 the factory was prohibited from processing sugar by order of the Zuckerfabrik in Bauerwitz and was acquired by the “Oberschlesischen Flachs-Industrie G.m.b.H. zu Groß-Peterwitz,” and converted into a flax factory.  The reasons for the closure of the sugar factory in Woinowitz are unknown, but the existence of four factories within 15 miles suggests they were unprofitable, and that consolidation was necessary. 

 

Figure 13. Historic postcard identifying the former sugar factory in Groß Peterwitz as a flax factory
Figure 12. Letterhead from the sugar factory in Groß Peterwitz (today: Pietrowice Wielkie, Poland) “Landwirtschaftliche Zuckerabrik-Aktien-Gesellschaft”

 

 

 

 

 

According to Paul, there existed, in fact, six local sugar factories, factoring in a fifth one in Polnisch Neukirch [today: Polska Cerekiew, Poland], and a sixth in Troppau [today: Opava, Czech Republic]; the latter was part of Austria until 1918, then later belonged to Czechoslovakia. 

Let me digress briefly to discuss the sugar factory located in Ratibor.  It was built in 1870 by a Julius Zender along the Oder River, near the railway tracks.  In 1896, this sugar factory became the “Ratiborer Zuckerfrabrik G.m.b.H.” with the largest number of shares being held by Karl Max Fürst von Lichnowsky (born Kreuzenort, Upper Silesia [today: Krzyżanowice, Poland], 8 March 1860 – died Kuchelna, 27 February 1928); the Lichnowsky’s were a Czech aristocratic family of Silesian and Moravian origin documented since the 14th Century.  At the time, the Ratiborer Zuckerfrabrik processed 20,000 tons of sugar beet a season and employed 500 people. 

Karl Max, Prince Lichnowsky is relevant to our story because not only was he part owner of the Ratibor sugar factory, but he also owned shares in the sugar factory of Adolph Schück & Co. G.m.b.H.  The Lichnowsky’s had aided in the construction of the railway line from Ratibor to Kuchelna and Troppau in 1895, so were later given permission to develop a train connection from Troppau to Grätz, where the Lichnowsky’s had a grand palace.  When Kuchelna, Karl Lichnowsky’s headquarters, eventually became part of Czechoslovakia in 1920, Lichnowsky chose to retain his German citizenship.

Beyond Lichnowsky’s contribution to the expansion of local transportation, and advancement of the sugar industry in Silesia, he is better known as Ambassador to Britain beginning in 1912.  Prior to the outbreak of WWI, Prince Lichnowsky was one of the few German diplomats who sought to prevent the war.  He warned Kaiser Wilhelm II that in the event of war, England would align itself against Germany, as ultimately happened.  Lichnowsky’s assessments were withheld from the Kaiser.  After declaration of war, he was regarded as responsible for the unfavorable situation.  He wrote several articles and pamphlets defending himself and reproaching the German politicians for not having pursued “realpolitik” (i.e., politics or diplomacy based primarily on considerations of given circumstances and factors, rather than explicit ideological notions or moral or ethical premises), which eventually resulted in his being expelled from the Prussian government in July 1918.

Figure 15. Dr. Erick Schück, the son of Alma & Adolph Schück, who managed the family businesses after his father and Sigmund Hirsch’s deaths
Figure 14. My third cousin once-removed, Larry Leyser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regrettably, none of Paul Newerla’s research, which has included examination of the Lichnowsky family papers, has so far shed any light on the ultimate disposition of the sugar factory.  As previously mentioned, Paul says the sugar factory was shuttered in the 1920’s.  However, this differs from what Adolph and Alma Schück’s descendants were told.  Larry Leyser is my third cousin once-removed (Figure 14), and his great-great-grandmother, Alma Braun, was married to Adolph Schück.  Larry’s family claims that following Adolph’s death in 1916, and Sigmund Hirsch’s demise in 1920, one of Adolph’s son, Dr. Erich Schück (Figure 15), assumed control of and continued to run the sugar factory and other family businesses.  During the Nazi era, Erich was approached by the Nazis, and given a low-ball offer on the business, which he rejected.  Ultimately, the business was seized, the family lost everything, and Erich committed suicide.

However, an alternate story circulates, namely, that some unscrupulous member of the family sold the business and absconded with the proceeds.  Blame here has squarely been placed on Sigmund Hirsch’s wife, Selma Braun; the problem with this theory is that Selma Braun pre-deceased her husband by four years, in 1916, when the sugar factory was assuredly still in operation and likely run by her husband after Adolph Schück’s death that same year.  In the absence of any proof of sale document, one may never know exactly whether the sugar factory was confiscated or sold, and, if so, by whom.

Figure 16. The watchman in 2014 at the Woinowitz sugar factory

When my wife and I visited the existing factory in May 2014, we were immediately approached by a watchman who demanded to know what we were doing. (Figure 16)  Paul Newerla, whom I’ve previously told readers is a retired attorney, assisted the current “owner” of the sugar factory purchase it from the Polish Government; how the government came to own the factory remains unclear.  According to Paul, the owner has the “proper” papers.  The factory was once the headquarters of a magazine, and is now used to store chemicals to treat crops.

 

 

Figure 17a. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries
Figure 17b. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 17c. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries
Figure 17d. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

 

 

Figure 17e. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

 

Figure 17f. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

Figure 17g. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 17h. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries
Figure 17i. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 17j. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries
Figure 17k. One of Adolph Schück’s many obituaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 18. Undated photo of Alma & Adolph Schück at the Great Sphinx of Giza; possibly, Selma & Sigmund Hirsch are on horseback to their immediate left

Larry recently had the good fortune to access photos and documents from one of his cousins that he scanned and shared with me.  Included within this trove were copies of eleven obituaries about Adolph Schück (Figures 17a-17k), who passed away on November 3, 1916 in Ratibor.  

I asked another one of my cousins to summarize these, and they give us a good measure of Adolph. (Figure 18) Little is written about the sugar factory proper, except that Sigmund Hirsch was his partner.  However, we learn that Adolph had been on Ratibor’s City Council from 1879 until 1901, and from 1890 onward was the Chairman of the City Council.  He was also the speaker of its Budget Committee (Haushaltsausschuss); his business acumen lent itself well to carefully managing the city’s expenditures and keeping taxes in check for a long time. 

Adolph was very active in the Jewish community. One obituary, from an association that aided the city’s destitute Jews, praised Adolph upon his death .  On his 75th birthday, a delegation from the City of Ratibor came to his home in Ratibor to present him with flowers.  More than 40 people showed up on his birthday, half of whom had worked for him more than 25 years. (Figures 19a-b) He used this occasion to give all his employees cash bonuses.  His workers acknowledged his lofty standards and hard work.  When he died, the entire Ratibor City Council attended his funeral.  One of the obituaries is unusual in that it was written by two of Adolph Schück’s servants, Albertine Kudella and Klotilde Fuss, suggesting Adolph’s staff held him in high regard.

 

Figure 19a. Employees of the Woinowitz sugar factory on a postcard mailed from there on November 20, 1909 by Sigmund Hirsch to his grandson, Fritz Goldenring (front)

 

Figure 19b. Text on back of postcard showing the Woinowitz sugar factory employees

 

 

 

 

 

Adolph and Alma Schück, as well as Sigmund and Selma Hirsch, were once all buried in the former Jewish Cemetery in Ratibor.  (Figures 20 & 21)

Figure 20. Alma & Adolph Schück’s headstone in the former Jewish Cemetery in Ratibor
Figure 21. Selma & Sigmund Hirsch’s headstone in the former Jewish Cemetery in Ratibor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDEBAR

Figure 22. German transcription and translation of text on back of Figure 19b

Figure 19b, the backside of the postcard showing a lineup of employees who worked in the Woinowitz sugar factory, gives me an opportunity to make a connection to an individual discussed in Post 25, specifically, Fritz Goldenring who died in the Shanghai Ghetto on December 15, 1943.  The postcard, dated November 20, 1909, was addressed to him, care-of his uncle Paul Goldenring living in Berlin.  At the time, Fritz would have been seven years of age.  The postcard was sent to Fritz by his maternal grandfather, Sigmund Hirsch, who thanked Fritz for the well-wishes on his birthday; Sigmund’s birthday was November 18, 1848.  Readers can read the German transcription and the translation. (Figure 22)

____________________________________________

NAME DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH DATE & PLACE OF DEATH COMMENT
       
MARKUS BRAUN CHILDREN WITH CAROLINE b. SPIEGEL
Leo Braun July 4, 1847

Ratibor, Germany

UNKNOWN Married Frida Burchardt on 9/8/1883 in Berlin.
Julie Braun March 4, 1849

Ratibor, Germany

UNKNOWN Married to Nathan Goldstein.  Nathan & Julie Braun had three children:

Gustav (b. 1/27/1869-d. _)

Max Markus (b. 2/3/1871-d._)

Ernst (b. 9/19/1873-d. 1941)

Adolf Braun May 14, 1850

Ratibor, Germany

UNKNOWN Immigrated to America & became US citizen.
Alma Braun June 5, 1851

Ratibor, Germany

March 25, 1919

Ratibor, Germany

Married to Adolph Schück (b. 7/5/1840-d. 11/3/1916).  Adolf & Alma Schück had three children:

Auguste (“Guste”) (b. 1/26/1872-d. 10/5/1943)

Elly (b. 9/7/1874-d. 4/28/1911)

Erich Schück

Olga Braun July 23, 1852

Ratibor, Germany

August 23, 1920

Ratibor, Germany

Married to Hermann Berliner (b. 5/28/1840-d. 9/3/1910).  Hermann & Olga were buried in the former Jewish Cemetery in Ratibor. Hermann & Olga Berliner had three children:

Margareth Auguste (b. 3/19/1872-d.__)

Else (b. 3/3/1873-d. 2/18/1957)

Alfred Max (b. 11/6/1875-d. 2/19/1921) 

Fedor Braun August 27, 1853

Ratibor, Germany

UNKNOWN  
Jenny Braun June 7, 1855

Ratibor, Germany

May 12, 1921

Breslau, Germany

Married to George Pinoff (b. 3/2/1844-d. 9/3/1914).  George & Jenny are buried in the Jewish Cemetery in Wroclaw, Poland.
Selma Braun July 11, 1856

Ratibor, Germany

July 11, 1916

Ratibor, Germany

Married to Sigmund Hirsch (b. 11/18/1848-d.10/14/1920), partner with his brother-in-law Adolph Schück in the sugar factory in Woinowitz.  Sigmund & Selma were buried in the former Jewish Cemetery in Ratibor. Sigmund & Selma Hirsch had three children:

Robert (b. _-d. 1943)

Henrietta (b. 2/8/1873-d. 7/29/1955)

Helene (b. 3/25/1880-d. 1/1968)  

Julius Braun July 11, 1857 UNKNOWN  
Emma Braun June 7, 1858

Ratibor, Germany

January 17, 1904

Ratibor, Germany

Married to Nathan Zweig (b. 5/1/1851-d. 8/12/1921). Nathan & Emma had two daughters who perished in the Holocaust:

Elizabeth (b. 3/20/1885-d. 10/9/1944)

Susanne (b. 3/2/1890-d. 7/18/1943).

Hermine Braun May 23, 1859

Ratibor, Germany

September 20, 1921

Ratibor, Germany

 

Married to Siegfried Zweig (b. 8/25/1855-d. 1/7/1932).  Siegfried & Hermine had a daughter and a son:

Magdalena (b. 11/14/1886-d. _)

Hans (b. 8/23/1889- d. 9/12/1929).

Hugo Braun August 7, 1860

Ratibor, Germany

UNKNOWN Married to Hildegard Köhler (b. 2/9/1875-d. _) on 5/30/1896. Hugo & Hildegard had two children:

Anna-Marie

Peter

       
MARKUS BRAUN CHILDREN WITH JOHANNA b. GOLDSTEIN
Eugenia Wanda Braun April 21, 1869

Ratibor, Germany

October 25, 1918

Breslau, Germany

Never married
Markus Braun May 23, 1870

Ratibor, Germany

UNKNOWN Married to Eva Wondre (b. 11/10/1871-d._) on 12/11/1900.

 

 

4 thoughts on “POST 36: THE WOINOWITZ ZUCKERFABRIK (SUGAR FACTORY) OUTSIDE RATIBOR (PART I-BACKGROUND)”

  1. Good use of archival data as it makes the post easy to follow. I also liked the chart as it connects all the people.

    I had no idea that there was such a large sugar industry in that area— always thought of sugar production in the tropics. In any case you set up the disappearance of one sugar plant within the political context.

    Interesting.

  2. Good use of archival data as it makes the post easy to follow. I also liked the chart as it connects all the people.

    I had no idea that there was such a large sugar industry in that area— always thought of sugar production in the tropics. In any case you set up the disappearance of one sugar plant within the political context.

    Interesting.

  3. Thanks for all your hard work putting all this information together. It was interesting and informative. I enjoyed learning more about our family.

Comments are closed.