November 24

© 1997, 1998 by Paul A. Schons

November 24, 1828

Birth of Heinrich Lomb in Hesse-Kassel, Germany. Lomb immigrated to the United States in 1849 and found work as a cabinet maker. By 1854 he had befriended another immigrant from Germany, Johann Bausch, who operated an optical shop in Rochester, New York. In 1854 he loaned his friend, Bausch, $60 to use in growing his optical business against the promise that if Bausch's optical business should grow to the point of needing a partner, it would be Lomb. In 1855 Lomb joined Bausch as a partner. Together they developed the business into Bausch and Lomb, one of the leading optical companies in the United States. Lomb died in 1908.

November 24, 1844 Birth of Franziska Streitel (1844 - 1911)

The processes of beatification has been initiated on behalf of Franziska Streitel. She was born on November 24, 1844 in Mellrichstadt in Bavaria, Germany. She became a Franciscan nun in Augsburg. In 1883 she founded a new order, the Sisters of the suffering Mother or the Adolorata Sisters. She was removed as the Mother Superior in 1896 on the basis of accusations which were since proven to be false. She then lived in cloisters in Rome until her death in 1911. The order is active today in Austria, Italy and the U.S.A. The sisters dedicate themselves to care of the sick and the education of young women.

November 24, 1887

Birth of Field Marshal Erich von Manstein in Berlin, Germany. At the onset of WWII he was chief of staff to General von Rundstedt and served with him during the invasion of Poland. He had devised a plan for the invasion of France through the Ardennes which was rejected by the high command. He brought it to Hitler, however, and Hitler accepted it. He commanded the 56th Panzer Corps in the invasion of the Soviet Union. He was fired by Hitler in 1944 after a retreat in the Soviet Union. He was tried for war crimes after the war and sent to prison. He was released in 1953 due to ill health.

November 24, 2001

Former German Minister of Defense, Gerhard Stoltenberg (CDU) dies of cancer at his home in Bonn-Bad Godesberg.