Anton Haider (1903 – 1979)

Anton Haider was born on November 30, 1903, in Absam. His father, Max Haider, was a master tailor and sexton in Absam near Hall in Tirol. After completing his training to become a metalworker, Anton Haider took over the position of parish sexton from his father. He was committed to the church and the community and was appreciated for his helpful nature. He was active in the political party of the Fatherland Front, like many of his colleagues and friends from Absam.

Arrest

Anton Haider carried out his duties as parish sexton until March 1938, but then the political situation in Austria changed. On that fateful day of March 12, 1938, he was taken from his home by a group of young SA men aged 15 to 24.
His sisters, who were present, tried to prevent him from going with them, saying:
"You're not actually going to go with these insolent boys!"
But Anton Haider replied with presence of mind: "Please, sisters, be quiet, otherwise they will take you too!"

Arrest and Repression

​Anton Haider was arrested after a resident of Thaur denounced him to the Nazi Party (NSDAP) for having attended a meeting of the Fatherland Front in Vienna at the Theresianum in January 1938.
Consequently, he was taken to the police station in Hall, which was already under the control of the Gestapo, SS, and SA units. He was accused of hiding weapons for an uprising against the NSDAP behind the altar of the Basilica in Absam.
Anton Haider was subjected to multiple interrogations and was detained, along with other prisoners, in the police prison in Hall until April 2, 1938. During this difficult time, he and the other inmates found courage and solace through visits from the assistant priest Josef Lambichler, Martin Berger, and Dr. Paul Kathrein, who were not deterred from supporting them despite the threat from the Nazi authorities.
Anton Haider was denounced because of his membership in the Fatherland Front. This persecution by the National Socialists occurred solely due to this political affiliation. This highlights the harsh reality of that time, where such an arrest could also result in deportation to a concentration camp.

Release and Continued Persecution

After his release from the court prison in Hall on April 2, 1938, Anton Haider returned to his family in Absam. To his dismay, the local parish priest informed him that he could no longer employ him as the parish sexton because his imprisonment had made him politically compromised.
Anton Haider replied to the priest:
"He had taken on the sexton's duties with a handshake, he would stand by it, and he would continue to carry them out with his family."
Thus, even during the war, relatives could take over the duties. In addition to his modestly paid position as sexton, Anton Haider ran a small shop for Catholic votive offerings next to the church in Absam. The National Socialists destroyed the shop's windows and interior. From 1938 to 1945, the premises were used by the new rulers as a furniture storage warehouse, while Anton Haider and his family bore the economic consequences of these actions.

1941 – 1945: Service in the Wehrmacht

In 1941, Anton Haider was conscripted as a soldier into the German Wehrmacht. He served in the Yugoslav theater of war until the end of World War II.
In April 1945, he decided to make his way back to his homeland on his own. At the cemetery in Hall, he was checked by two police officers. He could not produce any valid identification papers, leading him to fear he would be shot. The younger of the two officers wanted to arrest him, but the older, more level-headed policeman instructed Anton Haider to report to the nearest military unit in Absam/Eichat as soon as possible. Upon arriving in Absam that day, he thanked the Virgin Mary for his deliverance. Anton Haider was able to hide in Absam until the war ended, thus surviving World War II.

Post-War Life and Political Engagement

After the war ended, he was reinstated to his position as parish sexton and regained his shop. Anton Haider participated in rebuilding democracy in Absam. He was also a driving force behind the movement for the community's independence from Solbad Hall, advocating for a public referendum. This vote was held in 1947 and resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor of Absam's independence from Solbad Hall. Following this, he served for many years as a municipal councillor and deputy mayor of the community of Absam.