This project is now completed and ready to be published. It is to be used by the Behrend History Project and added to their database. From there it will be posted to the website for all interested in the histroy behind the Behrend name to enjoy.
This is a simple request for Judy to respond to Linda Lawrences inquiry for more information on the Behrend family. The request is from someone named Ruth and was put in on August the 28th.
This looks like a response to Ruth's request to respond to Linda's inquiry. Another possibility is they could be personal notes to prevent forgetting anything. Responded to Linda 3 days after Ruths request.
The signature of Linda Lawrence. First and last name included
Signature of Judy Glembocki, she only uses her first name.
The large majority of this document is written in hand by Lane. The only exception is the type at the head of the page giving the name of the school and address information.
The large majority of this document is written in hand by Glenn Mounger. The only exception is his name which appears to have been either typed or stamped into the top of the page. Glenn uses a bigger lowercase a instead of uppercase A. Also doesnt seem to put punctuation everywhere.
During encoding of the texts, all spellings including possible errors were left as presented by the text. The specific layout however may have been modified where needed for the convenience of the encoder. Hand written text is translated to the best of the my abilities, errors are possible. I transcribed typed text by utilizing OCR within google docs, then copy and pasted the text over. Any errors that the OCR produced were then corrected to accurately represent the document. Notes for clarification of some uncommon words and abbreviations are included. Hand written notes have their own section that offers an interpretation of each.
The purpose of this project is to contribute to digitizing the history of the Behrend family. This specific collection this document is part of is aimed at the purchase of Ernst Behrend's personal Dusenberg by Glenn Mounger, what he did with the car, and the exchange of information about the car. It will provide a brief glimpse into the journey Mr. Behrends Dusenberg took after parting with its original owner.
Between the years of 1928 and 1937, approximately 481 Model J. chassis's were built. Of the 38 coach builders worldwide that fitted bodies to them, the Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California produced about 135 cars in 14 different styles. The car shown in this photo is the only surviving L.W.B. Murphy of this style.
Ernst R. Behrend originally purchased this Duesenberg. Mr. Behrend was the president and founder of the Hammermill Paper Company. He lived in Erie, Pennsylvania and took delivery of this car on October 14, 1929. Mr. Behrend owned the car for about two years before selling it to Mr. William Rosenwald in 1931. Records indicate that While Mr. Rosenwald Owned the car, he had the Durham Company do extensive restyling of the car (however, recent findings indicate it may have been Bohman&Schwartz that did the restyling). The rework included the dramatic lowering of the top to just five inches at the center of the windshield. The traditional Murphy windshield was replaced with a windshield that opened out from the bottom, and a side screen replaced the louvered hood panels. The car's most impressive feature, the "rear folding dual cowl windshield” was removed and upholstered over-remaining hidden for the next 60 years.
Glenn Mounger of Bainbridge Island, Washington purchased the Duesenberg in December 1988. In doing so, he became the twenty-first Owner of the J225. By this time, the car was in need of a full restoration. Having judged Duesenbergs for twelve years at Pebble Beach and other Classic Car events, Mr. Mounger knew the restoration would not be an easy task.
After three long years, the car premiered at the 1992 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Duesenberg won its class against heavy competition! Then, on to Auburn for the “Year of the Duesenberg' where the J225 again won it's class, along with the Mayor Award and the Fred August Duesenberg Trophy. Since that time, the Duesenberg has won a number of Classic Car Club Events in the Pacific Northwest, and remains the pride of Mr. Mounger's classic car collection.
Judy, would you please respond? Ruth 8/28
I am writing on behalf of Mr. Glenn E. Mounger, owner of Pacific Trail, Inc. Mr. Mounger is a collector of classic automobiles and has in his collection a 1929 Duesenberg J-225, 4 door Convertible Sedan originally purchased by Mr. Ernest R. Behrend, a president of Hammermill Paper Co. Mr. Behrend originally purchased the car on October 16, 1929, according to what we have been able to learn.
From our inquiries to Ms. Cindy Kerchoff at the Erie County Library, we learned that that the Behrend family donated land for your school. We thought perhaps you might have access to some of the family archives which could shed some light on the family for us.
Mr. Mounger is searching for history about the 1929 Duesenberg and would like to learn all he can about Mr. Ernest R. Behrend, his childhood, his wife, Harriet, his children, are there any children still living, or grandchildren; if so, where can we get in touch with them. Hopefully someone has an old family photo album with pictures of the Duesenberg and perhaps Mr. Behrend. We would also like to learn about Mr. Behrend's business career. He was president of Hammermill Paper Co. but was he also an owner? Did he move to other businesses? Does your libary have any information on the Duesenberg? We understand his son, Warren M. Behrend, died in an automobile accident--do you have a death notice or information about the incident. It is possible Warren was driving the Duesenberg at the time he tried to avoid hitting a schoolbus full of children. Are there any brothers or cousins still alive?
We do have information that Mr. Behrend sold the Duesenberg in 1931 to Mr. William Rosenwald, a Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive who paid $4,000 for the car. We have been fortunate to learn a little about Mr. Rosenwald so we are not looking for additional information on him.
Any assistance you or your staff can provide will be very much appreciated. Please advise us of any fees involved for research and photocopies so that we may reimburse you. You can reach Mr. Mounger or me on our toll-free line 1-800-877-8878, or by fax (206) 464-1421. We look forward to hearing from you.
Enclosed is a photocopy of the Duesenberg prior to restoration. The restoration will be completed very soon and the car will be beautiful
Thank you for being so patient while I looked for the information you requested on the Behrend family and the Duesenberg once owned by Ernst Behrend. I hope what I have enclosed will be helpful.
Unfortunately, I did not find a photograph of the Duesenberg. However, Richard Sayre, grandson of Ernst Behrend, told me he will look through his family photographs for a picture of it.
After Dr. John Lilley, Provost and Dean of Penn State-Behrend, read your letter, he asked me to invite you and Mr. Mounger to visit if you are ever in this area. He would enjoy sharing the Behrend family history that is maintained on our campus and in our traditions. Lunch in Glenhill Farmhouse, former home of the Behrend family, is one of those traditions
Congratulations on the near completion of the Duesenberg restoration. I look forward to receiving the pictures and will send one to Richard Sayre. If, after looking over this material, you have any other questions, please be sure to call. Happy holidays.
Thank you for the wounderful photos of your magnificient Dusenberg and for your kind offer to send me more information about Mr. Behrend's preferred car. I hope to use at least one of them in the editing stage. When it is finished I shall send you a copy. In the meantime, I have
Enclosed please find 3 photos of my 1929 Dusenberg Conv. Sedan. As you know this car was purchased new by Mr. Behrend on Oct 16, 1929. I am the 21st owner and have restored it to show condition The Dusenberg has won every event it has been entered into, including Pebble Beach, the auburn
I know Mr. Behrend must have have been proud of this car when he bought it and I think he would still be today.
Please call me if you would like more info on the Dusenberg.