Franz LADEWIG--Iron Cross pin>Gartz, Prussia>Chicago

[Barbara BeckerBarbara A. Becker]

I am interested in learning the history of my great-grandfather's
lapel pin. Franz Ladewig was born in Gartz an der Oder, Prussia in
1859, immigrated to the US in the early 1880's(?), and died in
Chicago in 1928. This pin had some special significance to him as he
was photographed (professionally) with it on his lapel. It is a
small German iron cross, 5/8" at its widest points and appears to be
made of silver with a black inlay center. The writing on each arm
and in the center looks like this:

D
K 1892 V
So.C

The pin's separate backing piece says:

Steiner
E & B
Co. (D.O.) or (O.O.)

The following possibilities might exist:

1. He was a German veteran and the pin signifies this.
2. This a a fraternal order pin of some club or organization.
3. This pin has some religious significance (he was a founding
member of an Evangelical & Reformed Church in Chicago).

I would appreciate any information regarding the history of this pin
(or of Franz Ladewig). Thank you very much.

Lynne H. DeMont
Phone: (503) 725-3683
Fax: (503) 725-4524
email: ly...@godzilla.lib.pdx.edu