Leonard Schutze Interview, 1990

Leonard Schutze's daughter Elizabeth Nick (at the time Meehan) interviewed her father on 30 September 1990 at his home in Plymouth, Michigan. He was age 78 at the time. He related what he knew of his ancestry and reminisced about his life.

The interview consists of two cassette tapes which can be accessed (or downloaded) by clicking on these two links:

Alternatively, clips from the interview can be heard by clicking on an audio control box's play button (▷) below.
The length of the clip is shown in the control box, and the slider allows you to move backward or forward in the clip.
The volume can be adjusted with the volume (🔊) slider.

Clip 1: Early Family History

Interview introduction: parties and place
Relationships of the Schrotzberger and Schutze families
The Estall (Estelle) sisters: Bessie and Lily
Schutze and Schrotzberger families in Los Angeles 1911-1912

Clip 2: Leonard's Early Years

Leonard's birth in Los Angeles and move to Detroit
Background on Len's aunts and uncles in L.A. and Detroit
Births of siblings in Detroit

Clip 3: Summer Vacations with the Moffat Family

Leonard's sister Nedra
Childhood summer visits to Moffat family in Stratford, Canada

Clip 4: Leonard's Boyhood on Colfax Avenue in Detroit

Life on Colfax Avenue
Leonard's father Herman's neighborhood hunting forays
Leonard's grandmother Hannah
Herman's work at Roberts Brass Works; laid off during the Depression
Leonard's trips to the Strauss butcher shop

Clip 5: Leonard's Education

Leonard's education from primary school through college
Change in plans caused by the Depression

Clip 6: Leonard's Work History

Leonard's jobs in Detroit and Ohio
Move to Washington, D.C. in 1943 in support of the war effort

Clip 7: Leonard Meets Jean McCrie and They Start a Family

Leonard meets Jean in camera shop
Jean reluctant to have children after a miscarriage

Clip 8: Leonard's Early and Later Years with Edith Duranceau

Leonard meets Edith where Uncle Paul (Haeger) has a summer cabin
They drift apart during the Depression
They reconnect after wife Jean's death