St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 9: European Immigration, 1881

LL our western states contain a large proportion of naturalized citizens and their descendants. Illinois came in for its share at an early period ; in fact, its first colonization is the work of Europeans. At the time of the organization of the county, in 1790, the white population living within the present limits of the county must have amounted to seven or eight hundred souls. Cahokia and environs counted one hundred families as early as 1783. An election held in the county in 1799 brought out 185 voters, and the population of 1800, according to the census was 1255. The only means to ascertain whether any foreigners had settled in the county at that early date, are the county records on naturalization. The period is so remote that recollection does not reach it, and tradition is, to say the least, not reliable.

The records bear witness that foreigners were naturalized in St. Clair county as early as October, 1816. The following persons were then and there admitted to American citizenship, to wit :

John Hay, Etienne Pensoneau, Samuel Gillham, Louis Binette, Nicolas Jarrot, Michel Lacroix and Patrick Lee appeared as their witnesses in court, and testified " as to the moral character and length of residence of said applicants," whereupon the court ordered that they be admitted to citizenship respectively. The records do not mention the nationality of these applicants, but the orthography of their names settles the question. Schoenberger was a German, the others are French.

In April term 1817 another French immigrant, Francois Bouttellier, was naturalized. From 1816 to 18.38, a period of twenty-two years, no applications to be admitted to American citizenship seem to have been made, with one exception. James Davis, an Englishman, was naturalized in 18-34. The few immigrants arriving at that period of time devoted themselves to opening farms and other manual labor. The right of suffrage was granted to all whites after a residence of six months in the state, and the difference between this right and the privilege of citizenship was neither known nor appreciated. Early in this century we find Frederick Germann making a farm and settlement at a gulch in the bluflTs, in the northwest of the county. They were Germans, and their settlement goes under the name of " Dutch Hollow " to this day. Besides these, the records mention the death of one William Meyer in 1809, and Daniel Schultz in 1812. Samuel Holtz and Matthias Schillinger lived in the county before the year 1820. Bernard Steiner, together with Rudolph Wildi, Jacob Hardy and others, settled in the southern part of the county about the year 1815, on what is called " Dutch Hill " to-day. Steiner and his people were natives of Switzerland. Steiner came to the United States in the very first years of the present century. His early history is quite interesting. He had, while working at his trade in Neufchatel, Switzerland, formed the acquaintance of the daughter of a wealthy family there, and soon obtained the consent of the parents to a marriage, under the condition, however, that he would accompany the family to America. They were to embark at Antwerp. Steiner had placed his effects and his money in custody of his prospective father-in-law. The sailing of the vessel was delayed, however, and their stay at Antwerp became tedious. He was prospecting around for useful occupation, and on coming home to his quarters one night, he learned to his dismay that his friends had embarked and were now at sea He was without money and without friends. Taking advantage of the credit system, to be mentioned hereafter, he took passage to Philadelphia, where on his arrival he was sold into a three years' servitude to pay for the expenses of his voyage. After the expiration of this term he engaged in peddling, in hopes that some day or other he would find his lost love. He followed the business for years, successfully, in point of money, at least. He was soon enabled to engage in a more extended business ; became an importer of goods, made six or seven trips to Europe in the interest of his business. He remained single, and resolved to devote his means to the benefit of his sisters, six in number, and their families. He had bought about four sections of land in this county, located, as stated above,' where he and his kinsmen permanently settled. Steiner continued to carry on an extensive mercantile business, opened a branch store at Kaskaskia, and made preparations for the establishment of a clock and watch manufactory. This latter project was not carried out, death preventing it. Steiner lost his life on his way to Kaskaskia in 1821, either by accident or by the hand of a highway robber. The sale of his personal estate lasted many days, and brought nearly twelve thousand dollars, a very large amount considering the low prices of produce and the scarcity of money at that early period. The writer has examined the records of public sales held as early as 1722 and up to 1830, but in no instance has he found lower prices than those obtained at the Steiner sale. Cows were sold in this county for $30 and $35 a head as early as 1790, while at Steiner's sale they did not bring more than three or four dollars per head. The price of all other property was in proportion. The settlement on Dutch Hill grew in prosperity from year to year. Jacob Hardy became one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. His herds of cattle were counted by hundreds of heads in 1830.

The actual immigration of Germans into the Western States commenced about twenty years after these sporadic settlements had been made, and as the German immigration has given to this region some of its conspicuous and characteristic features, it should have more than a passing notice in this chapter. Hon. Gustave Koerner, of Belleville, in his work. Das Deutsche Element, (The German Element), published by A. E. Wilde & Co., Cincinnati, has treated this subject in a superior manner, and we are indebted to his work for valuable and accurate data.

The immigration of Germans to the American colonies in the last century is usually underrated, in point of numbers as well as in point of material. True, it may scarcely have reached a hundred and fifty thousand souls, yet this number must surely be considered a factor in a population of less than three millions. True, the overwhelming numbers of those German pioneers were drawn from the poorest and most oppressed classes, the peasantry and the trades. But it should also be borne in mind, that these poor peasants and oppressed tradesmen had enjoyed a proportionally better school education than persons from a similar station of life in England or France. Germany enjoyed a common school system as early as the year 1600, and although the war of thirty years, 1618 to 1648, had almost laid waste the beautiful land and reduced a whole generation of people to barbarism, the years of peace had restored the school system during the succeeding century, the common schools flourished again, and Sunday-schools provided for a continual education even after the youths had quitted the public schools. Neither England nor France had made any provisions for the education and instruction of children in their rural districts during said century. It is not our province here to state to what measures the government of France resorted to populate the wilds of Canada, and later the swamps of Louisiana, nor to relate how, and by whom, Great Britain undertook to colonize Georgia. History has told all that. While this forclble.and compulsory system prevailed with them, the German emigrants, most always led by their teachers and preachers, came of their own accord, with the desire and firm resolution to found homes for themselves and their children by honest and hard labor. Have they done so ? This question is answered. They left their homes, alas, not happy homes in many instances, poor, oppressed and bowed down with the bitter woe of separating themselves forever from their beloved friends, but determined and resolute. The emigrants of the earlier part of the last century belonged to certain religious protestant sects, which were not recognized by the home government, Mennonites, Re-baptists and others. Later and larger numbers, driven from home in consequence of the terrible and destructive wars of France against Germany, came from the Rhein province known as the " Palatinate ; " they also were protestants, either Lutherans or Reformed. Among them are found a large number of school-teachers and clergymen, some merchants, skillful tradesmen and wealthy agriculturists. Churches and schools were erected simultaneously with the huts and dwellinghouses of the immigrants.

look with more pride and satisfaction, than upon the fact, that nearly all of his prominent or leading countrymen have labored for the improvement of our public schools, and supported the system with zealous hearts and liberal hands.

New York and Pennsylvania absorbed the larger share of the immigration of the 18th century, which, however, remained in constant communication with their people in the fatherland. The Pennsylvania Dutchman is to this day a type, almost as often seen or mentioned as the famous Yankee of New England.

The county of St. Clair drew its first white population from European immigrants and Canadians ; but it should not be forgotten that the typical Pennsylvania Dutchman also arrived soon after the organization of the county. The chapter on pioneers and early settlers will mention names, and in our biographical sketches many more may be found.

The early German immigrant had also acquired an enviable reputation as to honesty and reliability. " He did not think it smart to avoid paying a just debt " Dr. F. Brunk, of BuflTalo, in speaking of those German pioneers, of the last century, says : " The Germans, who came to the State of New York after the year 1820, owe to the early German settlers from the Palatinate a debt of gratitude, on account of the good reputation which they had secured to the German nationality. Even as late as 1834, a German immigrant was trusted with money or goods without further inquiry."

We will here add a few words in reference to the hardships and privations endured by these early settlers, first in getting to this country, and next in making a start in life. An ocean voyage in our days of steam and palatial vessels, is an enjoyable tour of ten or twelve days' duration, affording to the traveler all the luxuries of the two continents ; and now let us hear what an emigration trip of 1750 amounted to. Gottlieb Mittelberger, in his Reise naeh Pennsylvanien, (Voyage to Pennsylvania), has* given a vivid description of one. Mittelberger undertook a voyage to America in said year ; his purpose was to deliver an organ, built in Heilbronn, Germany, for a German church in Philadelphia, to said city. He embarked on a river craft, down the Neckar and Rhein, to Rotterdam. This trip alone was worse than annoying, as the authorities of the countless petty states would extort duty on all baggage, thus delaying the river trip beyond endurance, as there were not less than thirty-six such inspections and examinations, which the " Gentlemen of custom-houses " hold at their leisure or convenience. Rotterdam is finally reached ; Mr. Mittelberger, together with some 400 emigrants are packed, herring-fashion, into the steerage of a small ship. His description of the condition of affairs in this hell is brief Stench, horror, vomiting, fever, flux, headache, heat, sores, hunger, thirst, fear, want, vermin and wailing! The few remaining in health, would sometimes break out in maledictions, cursing one another or themselves and the hour of their birth ; but chiefly they would cry vengeance against the kidnappers, who had brought them there. Children from one to seven years of age hardly ever survive : he says, "I have seen thirty-two little corpses thrown into the sea"

The expenses of this voyage, fifteen weeks from Rotterdam to Philadelphia, amounted to $80.00 per adult. Those who had paid this amount were permitted to leave the ship at Philadelphia, the others had to wait until they were " bought" and liberated by their purchasers. It was a kind of servitude, into which these poor people sold themselves, and it took years to regain their liberty. "Every day," says Mittelberger, "brought Dutchmen, Englishmen and high Germans from Philadelphia and other towns, some probably a hundred miles off, to the ships, having human freights from Europe on board, and select persons suitable for their purposes. They bargain with them about the length of time of their serfdom. Healthy adults get off with three or four years. Youths from ten to fifteen years must serve to their twenty-first year. Many parents are forced to trade off their own children, iu order to free themselves from the ship's owner, who had furnished transportation on credit. Families are frequently separated in this manner, never to be united again. If any one undertakes to run away from his master because of cruel or inhuman treatment, he will not get far, for the laws in reference to such fugitives are well enforced, and high rewards are paid to the one that captures such fugitives."

Europeans, thus bought and sold, must work very hard, as these Americans are constantly clearing new fields, and thus our countrymen soon learn that oaken stumps " in America are just as hard " as in Germany. Mittelberger remained three years in Philadelphia. He tells also of a ship that had been six months at sea before reaching Philadelphia, and that of 340 passengers, only 32 survived.

Quite a number of German families arrived in this county in the year 1831, and settled on or near Turkey-Hill, east of Belleville. They were well-to-do agriculturists and tradesmen from Hesse- Darmstadt. Among them we mention John Knobloch, Thomas Heberer, Balthaser Mueller, Jacob Mueller, George Meser and George Merger. Jacob Weber and son settled in Twelve Mile Prairie ; Jacob Ensinger and Jacob Mohr further south, in Monroe county. The Turkey-Hill settlement received reinforcements in 1832, when John Wendelin Knobloch, (father of John K.) together with his family - Balthaser and Thomas Knobloch, George Hehret, Adam Bop, Merkel, George Fischer, the Siebert and Funk families arrived. Most of these people devoted themselves to agriculture, and nearly all of them with marked success. They and their descendants now occupy thousands of acres of the most fertile land on earth. Heberer, who had enjoyed the advantages of a course of study at the agricultural academy of Fellerberg iu Berne, Switzerland, was not satisfied with the cultivation of corn and wheat alone. He planted a vineyard as early as 1832, and was highly elated with his success in raising a crop the following year. John Knobloch, however, more practical than enthusiastic, calls this earliest product of Heberer's vineyard, the vilest and meanest stuff that ever went under the name of wine. Orchards were also planted, and the Turkey-Hill settlement became soon a worthy rival of that on Dutch-Hill. The German settlers on Turkey-Hill started a German school in 1832, probably the first one in Illinois. They obtained the services of a teacher, George Kheinhard, at a very low salary, four or five dollars per month. Eheinhard was a well educated man, who would also conduct divine services on Sundays, and ofiiciate at weddings, baptisms and funerals.

The German, although in most instances an excellent and successful farmer, is not exactly a pioneer or frontiers man. He prefers to make his home in districts where the American pioneer has performed the arduous task of opening the wilderness to cultivation. The plow is the German's "forte," not the axe jior the lifle.

The so-called immigration of 1833 brought a number of highly educated Germans, - Lateiner (Latin scholars), as popular wit and humor named them, to this county. A few of these Lateiner are still living, honored and respected by all. Their comrades of 1833, who have departed this life, have left to their descendants a proud record, and their memory is cherished as that of honorable, patriotic men. , The causes which led to this immigration were more or less of a political nature. The July .revolution of France, in 1830, was still reverberating on the east side of the Rhine, in G' rinany, where the feudal system was most severely felt by thinking men Their efforts to break the yoke were futile. Disappointed in this, and disgusted with the political misery of Germany, in many instances even suffering under the petty political persecutions of despotic governments, and despairing of ever seeing their beloved fatherland occupying a proud position as a nation among the other nations of Europe, they resolved to emigrate. They abandoned remunerative positions in official and commercial life, and concluded to find new fields for their labor in America. They chose the valley of the Mississippi as their future home. Charmed and attracted by the glowing descriptions of life in the west, as published by Dr. Duden. who had sojourned a few years on Lake Creek, Montg )m!ry, now Warren, county, Missouri, they hastened to the great west.

Horace's Beatm illequi procul negotii», etc., was now to be tried in good earnest. The student, the scholar, the doctor of philosophy, the professor, the merchant, all wanted to become farmers.

It is not the writer's province to state how this dreamed " happiness" came, nor how those enthusiasts "practiced with their steers." A few succeeded, while others returned to their former occupations or to public life.

Returning to the subject, a bripf sketch of the "Lateiner" settlement in what is now called Shiloh valley, may find room here. This sketch is based upon an article published in "Das Westland," North American periodical for Germans, edited by Capt. C. Neyfeld and Dr G. Engelmann, of St. Louis, printed at Heidelberg in 1837. The author, Dr. Engelmann, in speaking of said settlement, writes : - " I was one of the first Germans who came to that region ; have known it when but a few homesteads were in the possession of our countrymen ; have witnessed the increase of immigration; and observed the constant growth of prosperity. I have practiced there as physician for nearly two years, and am befriended with all, and, although I left the settlement in 1835, have, by frequent visits, remained in intimate connection with those settlers. Nearly the whole settlement is situated in Town 1 North, R. 7, and extends from 5 to 9 miles east of Belleville." The Dr. now branches off in describing the beautiful landscapes, the rolling prairies, the herds of fat cattle, etc., etc. Bpeaking of the climate and climatic diseases, he says: - " AmTong eighty Germans, inhabiting the settlement, we had fifteen cases of sickness during two years, two terminating iu death, one of which fatal cases could not be ascribed to climatic causes."

His lengthy remarks about geology, flora and fauna, as well as about the products of agriculture, are of great interest, and give evidence of a most diligent study.

Two years of experience had now somewhat tempered down the agricultural ardor of many of those enthusiasts, and a reaction set in. Observing that their neighbors, the practical farmers, or peasants, living on poorer land, were getting out of debt and into prosperity, and that the farmers by choice were not at all successful in this pursuit, many of those named above resolved to abandon farming. Engelmann who had changed his farm into orchards and vineyards, established a starch factory besides, Busch a distillery, Eupelins to preaching the Gospel, and others returned to their former occupations. Th. Krafft, in connection with Mr. Flanagan, went into very succe.«sful commercial business in Belleville. Dr. G. Koerner, Jr., in order to familiarize himself with the practice of the American bar and law, attended lectures at the University at Lexington, Kentucky, and soon after established himself as counselor at law and attorney in Belleville. Fleischbein and Dilg erected a brewery, not only supplying the thirsty of Belleville, but even those of St. Louis, with their superior products. Mrs. Abend moved to Belleville, ia order to have better facilities for the instruction and education of her children. Kaising opened a butcher-shambles. Hilgard and Wolff erected a steam-distillery, and Busch a cooper shop in said town. Weber became editor of the Anzeiger des Westens* Haren a merchant, Th. Engelmann a real estate broker, and Dr. Engelmann a practising physician in St. Louis.

The population of the Latin settlement had been somewhat reducjd by this exodus, bat others filled their places.. The township has now - 1837 - a population of 400 souls, of whom 160 are Germans. Speaking of the size of farms, the Dr. says, tliat many Germans are satisfied with 30 or 40 acres and a few have as many

* Weber remained in charge of the Anzeiger until 18i^0. In the very beginning of hi.s career as editor, he had occasion to exhibit to his fellow-citizens the stout and-niauly heart of a IK e Join-loving republican. A police officer of St. Louis had been mortally wounded by a free negro whom lie was attempting to bring to jail. The negro was arrested and put in jail. A mob was organized that very night, the jail entered and the negro dragged out, to be roasted alive at a slow fire. The torture lasted fully thirty-five minutes. Tills was done in the presence of thousands, and within the city limits.

Weber's article, relating this outrage, commences witli the following words: " We have witnessed last night, a barbarity, so cruel and monstrous, as the most deba.sed brain could think of to offend humanity, and to violate law. Citizens of St. Louis ! You will never blot out the stai'n, with wliich the history of your city was soiled in that night!" The authorities of the city and county, under whose very eyes tJie outrage had been committed, and who had not made an effort to prevent it, were tlien severely censured, but in very moderate language. The Commercial Bulletin, came out in an article against Weber and his paper, cautioning Weber and reminding him that he was a foreigner, permitted by a magnanimous people to live in their city, etc. This article of the Bdletin created a very bitter feeling, and Weber and his friends expecting to see a mob attack the Anzdger building in the next night, had armed themselves to defend the place and " hold thefbrt." Weber replied to the Bdletin, on the next day, in order to substantiate what he had said in his first article, and to express his opinion as to the "foreigner" and the "magnanimous people " lie wrote in substance, the following : '' While we readily acknowledge and gratefully appreciate the^goodness and the magnanimity of . the American people, we must be permitted to say, that we are not depending upon it, but upon ourselves and upon the fruits of our labor and talent, small though it be. We claim only what the law of the land grants unto us ; and we came, fugitives for freedom's sake, tj the hospitable shores of this land, to live under liberal laws and a rational and happy constitution ; we came not as beggars, to appeal to individual benevolence and magnanimity, but as men. well qualified to appreciate liberty, ever ready to battle for it, in common with any and all in this land.''

This reply of Weber's put a quietus on the BiiUetin ; the best people of St. Louis endorsed him and became his friends. Weber died in the year 1852, forty- four years of age, loved and respected by all who knew him. 9 .

as 300, while their American neiglibors usually are in possession of not less than 400 acres. The pries of farming land ranged in those, days between $-5 00 and $10.00 per acre ace jrding to improvements, houses and outhouses made and built, the prices having advanced, over 16 per cent, since 1834. The Dr. also deplores, that the Germans even at that early day manifested a great desire to isolate themselves from their American neighbors, of whom he mentions,, in most respectful language, the Whitesides, Moores, Middlecofff, Scott.^, and above all Robert Hughes. " The second generation of. Germans," says the Dr , " will ba fully conversant with the. English language and the customs and hab ts of this land, and will appear as Americans and act in concert with them." Returning to the causes which led to the exodus mentioned above, the Dr. makes some remarks which will do to be here repeated.

These new comers, raised, as they were, in European cities, accu.3-, tomed to enjoy countless: little comforts, which life iu such cities affords, were now thrown into surroundings, where nothing of the kind was offered. Their wants were too numerous to be supplied. They had bought farms, and had pai.l for them, but the log cabin,, that had sheltered the former occupant, would not answer now,. Houses had to be built, or to be itnproved and adorned, cellars had to be dug and wells to be sunk, fences needed repairing ; the little garden patch of (he pioneer could not now give satisfaction ; a vege-. table garden was only an appendix to ths fl.>wer beds. All this was thought to be absolutely indispensable with comfort, they had : to have it, or be miserable. In their haste and desire to have things yield more comfort, much labor was wasted, and needful work neglected. The fields that were to supply bread were indifferently, tilled, and the raising of stock was lost sight of. A few of them only, if any at all, had formerly devoted themselves to agricultural pursuits, and the others of course could not now compete with their, neighboring American and German practical farmers. They workc dhard themselves, and hired labor besides, but could not make farm- - ing a success.

Their American neighbors frequently expressed their wonder, that the Germans.'who were rated among the best farmers in Pennsylvania, were such poor farmers in Illinois.

The Doctor says: " The diligent American agriculturist prospers and accumulates wealth ; the German peasant, after a few years of hard labor, pays his debt-', buys the land he had heretofore rented,' and gets along finely. These are facts ; and it is also a fact, that the. Germans from other stations in life will lose money in trying, to be a farmer."

The Doctor's remarks were made forty-four years ago, and bear evidence that he was a close observer and accurate chronicler;, but some of those old " Lateiuer " became splendid and successful, farmers.

This German settlement, however, has done more for the county, than it is credited with, for it became the nucleus of the settlements, of the thousands who followed, and developed the rich resources of this county. It was the pen of these "book farmers" that told of the advantages with which this region is blessed.

The German immigration from now on poured into the States of the Mississippi Valley. We introduce here a list of persons who were naturalized in the courts of St. Clair county, from 1838 to 1844 : - Gustav Koerner, Frederick Engelmann, Philip Eckert, John Scheel, Gustavus Heimberger, Theodore Hdgard, Edward Hilgard, Theod. J. Krafft, all of whom were naturalized in 1838. Adolph Berchelmann, Lewis Engelmann, George Brenner, Conrad Westermann, George Neuhoff, Henry Buff, George C. Bunsen, Conrad Schrag, George Bush, and August Conradi in 1839. In 18 10 citizens'! papers were is.ued to Ernst W. Decker, George A.dam Popp, Cas-.

par J. Kurtz, Francis Kurtz, Philip Rauch, Adam Fritz, Geo. Kriech baum, George Heberer, Joliu Maus, Joseph Lodergerber, Balthaser AVeber, natives of Germany, and. Francis Perring, a Frenchman ; in 18-11 to Erasmus T. Hilgard, George Henckler, Peter Rap pauf, Herman Wolf, Cornelius Hennig. and Frederick Knoebel. In 1842 to Jacob Knoebel, John Geiger, Wm. Zimmermann, Johann Freivogel, Christian Probst, Adam Probst, Gottfried Probst J. N. Schmalenberg, Jacob Wetzsr, Sebastian Pfeifer, Carl Knoebel, Frederick Aul, Conrad Bornmann, Christian Metzler, Jaeob Kumm, J. L. Horeth, H. C. T. Schleth, George Eckert. Christian Vierheller, George Hehr, F. A. M. Hassl, George Briesacher, Jean Briesacher, Henry Lintz, and Michael Mueller; in 1843 to B. Robker, Henry Schraer, Henry Harwarth, William Harwarth, John Masuiann, J. H. A^gemann, W. Kracht, BjriiharJ Diiigwjrth, Michael Funk, Philip Hoff, J. G. Eckert, Henry Kaysiiig, Christian Kaysing, Jacob Kaysing, Francis Wezel, Cliarles Tittraann, Charles Earth Franz Oppmaun, Peter Steinheimer, Michael Jung^, Germans, Michel Bage and George Perring, Frenchmen, and James Gibbons, an Englishman ; in 1844 to Conrad Mueller, Martin Funk, Henry Funk, George Funk, Valentin Metzler, Hainrich Eidmann, George Winter, C. H. Kettler, Michel KleinschmiJt, Christoph ReinUold, John Wiesenborn, Heinrich Pfeffir, John Krick, Nicolas Hdrtel, August Holzappel, Balthaser Mueller, Aloysius Ewers, Johannes Sjhaefer, Henry Knoebel, Frederick Germann, John Winter, Jacob Laeuffert, Michel Bossle, Franz Stolz, Seb. Joseph Rsichert, Karl Grossmau, Frederick Glaser, Philip Baum, John Knobloch, Nicolas Werner, George Ritter, John Weilbacher, Joseph Hock, George Kuutz, Jacob Huber, George Fischer, Anton Wichers, Adam Haas, G. P. Fein, Martin Weilmuenster, Albert W. Djenewald, Henry Bergkotter, Henry Zieren, Henry Unnigmann, Joseph Biermann, Peter Sauer, Frederick Kress, Joseph Abend, Martin Roos, Adam Hoffman, Anton Amrein, Christian Ddlsch, Samuel Just, David Ameiss, Henry Friederich, J. G. Neubarth, Adam Schaefer, Peter Horst, Bernhard Lake, J. G. Kratsch, John Deschner, Ferdinand Friederich, Lorenz Reichert, Philip Jeckel, John Keck, John G. Heberer, George Rauch, Peter Schneider, Michael Ilild, Matthias Finklang, J. Adam Krick, John W. Sjholl, Johann Kehrer, Louis Vierheller, Henry Moeser, J. Wendel Eckert, Christian Gruenerwald, Peter Diehl, Conrad Beelman, Martin Sieber, G'orge Mittelstadter, Joseph Kopp, Peter Kalbfliiisch, Franz Urban, Franz Schultheis, Jacob W. Michel, Ed. Abend, Conrad Liebig, John P. Trautwein, Michel Flick, Julius Soheve, and Philip Pfadler, Germans ; Gregor Neyser, Ignatius Brovo, Antoine Wagner, Lsonard Bool, and Nicolas Babo, Frenchmen; James Tracy, an Englishman, and Frederick Meyer, a Swiss. In all two hundred and six, of whom one hundred and ninety-one came from Germany, twelve from France, two from England, and one from Switzerland. We forbear to continue this list ; it is getting too large, and yet it does not give all the names, as many immigrants received their certificates of naturalization from the courts of St. Louis, Mo. The tide set in with the year 1850. The late lamented Frederick Hecker, after the collapse of the revolutionary movements in South Germany, organized by him, led the van. He arrived in Belleville iu 1849, to meet G. Koerner, whom, however, he had met once before.

If we said above, that the pen of our Lateiner had called the attention of immigrants to this country, we are permitted to state that the sword, too, has aided. Gustavus Koerner, while yet attending the lectures at the University of Heidelberg, in 1832, had a hostile, meeting with Frederick Hecker, which led to a duel an affair of frequent occurrence then, as well as now, among students of different society or class. This duel however, and its result, inspired Hecker with a high esteem for his then adversary.

When the political troubles of 1848 had exiled Hecker, and brought him to America, he hastened to meet Koerner, this time, however, not with sword in hand, but with the cordial grip of friendship and a brother's love.

It is but a few months ag.o that the writer stood at the open grave of Fredjricis Hscker, listening, in deep emotion, to the touching and beautiful words of Hon. G. Koerner, spoken at the funeral of his friend.

Returning to the subject of immigration of Germans into this country, we shall merely add a few statistics. The number of certificates of naturalization, issued by the courts of this county, increases from year to year for fifteen years. Our civil war checked the flow, and in later years the immigration seems to have directed its courss elsewhere; The greatest number of foreigners were naturalized in the years of presidential elections, voters being then in great demand. The whole number of certificates of naturalization issued by the courts of St. Clair county is seven thousand, four hundred and twelve.

It is stated above that many of the naturalized citizens of this county have occupied positions in public and political life, and it is proper that their names be mentioned. Philip Engel, a residiut of Prairie du Pont iu 1783, was for years (1793 to 1798) a member of the court of common pleas. His nationality, however, cannot definitely be given. He came over with the French colonists, and may have been from one of the then German provinces of France. Johann Schultz was county commissioner from 1824 to 1830. Jacob Eymann coroner from 1828 to 1832, and county commissioner from 1838 to 1842. Theodor Engelmann circuit clerk from 1845 to 1852. John Schtel county treasurer from 1847 to 1849, and county clerk from 1849 to 1857. C.W.Schoedo treasurer from 1855 to 1857. George Bunsen county superintendent of schools from 1855 to 1861. Charles Seitz county treasurer from 1857 to 1859. C. L. Emmerich county commissioner and associate justice of the county court from 1857 to 1877 - twenty years. William Krafft county commissioner from 1857 to 1869. F. Mayer sheriff from 1858 to 1860. Bernhard Wick county clerk from 1861 to 1869. Theodor Joerg coroner from 1862 to 1864, and from 1868 to 1870. Joseph Veile county commissioner from 1869 to 1875. Fred. Ropiequet sheriff from 1862 to 1864, county treasurer from 1873 to 1875, and again sheriff since 1880. Hermann G. Weber county treasurer from 1863 to 1867, and sheriff from 1874 to 1880. Henry A. Kircher circuit clerk from 1864 to 1868. Fred. Graner surveyor from 1855 to 1857. Gustav Hilgard surveyor from 1861 to 1863. Henry Holbrook surveyor from 1863 to 1865. Edward Rutz surveyor from 1665 to 1867, and treasurer from 1867 to 1873. Gustav F. Hilgard surveyor from 1867 to 1877. G. M. Roeder circuit clerk from 1868 to 1874. Charles Becker sheriff from 1866 to 1868, and circuit clerk from 1872 to 1880. F. H. Piepar county judge from 1868 to date. Sebastian Fietsam, county clerk from 1869 to 1873. C. L. Starkel county clerk from 1873 to date. F. C. Horn county commissioner from 1874 to 1880. G. W. Sieber treasurer from 1875 to 1878. Frank Poignee county commissioner from 1875 to date. Henry Barthol county commissioner from 1876 to 1879. 1868. C. H. Fietsam county commissioner from 1880 to date. Louis Graner surveyor from 1880 to date. G. H. Stolberg, circuit clerk from 1880 to date. Philip Schildnecht coroner from 1873 to 1875; and John Bader coroner from 1878 to date.

The number of Germans in this county having held office by appointment of the federal government is large ; and as their official life is not a part of the county history, a recital of names would be out of place.

But it is not in the civil service of this country alone where the German name is so frequently met. In the hour of danger, when the enemy arrayed his forces on our frontier in the war against Mexico, or when the very existence of the Republic was threacened by a rebellion, the like of which history does not mention, the naturalized citizens rivaled with the native-born in hastening to the front. Our chapter on Patriotism mentions names and numbers. Philip Engel, of Prairie du Pont, mustered a company as early as 1790. The Indian wars were fought principally, if not exclusively, by native-born citizens. In the war against Mexico, we find the majority of officers and men in Gapta;in Raith's company, 2d 111. volunteers, to be Germans ; and among the dead and wounded of the battle of Buena Vista, the names of naturalized citizens are recorded with those of native citizens.

The United States Census of 1880 shows a population of sixtyone thousand souls in this county, and it may safely be said that three-fourths of said number are Germans, or of German descent, proportionately represented in all vocations of life.