German Families Arrive in Carroll, 1882

MEIS, NEPPL, KECKEVOET, BRUENING, WIDEMEYER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 5/19/2007 at 16:37:46

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on Friday, 3 March 1882. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

“What is wrong with Germany?” So the question buzzed around the streets of Carroll on Friday. “Does all of Germany wish to come to America?” And it was certainly no surprise to hear the Americans asking this question, because the morning express train had left no fewer than 68 families at the local train station who had made the trip across the blue waves of the Atlantic ocean with the North German Lloyd steamer “Elbe” in order to seek a new and happy home here in the distant West in Carroll County. As we heard, Mr. Frank Meis of Mt. Carmel has brought 44 families from the land of the red earth [Westphalia], while Mr. Jakob Neppl has brought 24 families from the land of dumplings, sausages, radishes and cheese [Bavaria], and these fine things will take root here in the future because the people themselves intend to become good citizens of this glorious republic. The latter families came from the Bavarian Forest in the vicinity of Regen, Zwiefel, Deggendorf, etc., while the former hail from the so-called Paderbörnschen [region near the town of Paderborn] in the vicinity of Büren. “Der Demokrat” gives them all a hearty welcome in their new homeland. Among these newcomers is also to be found a nephew of Mr. Louis Keckevoet. He followed the invitation of his uncle to visit him here and he will soon feel at home. Louis Keckevoet was delighted over the arrival of his nephew and for this purpose he was going to purchase a small keg, no, a truly large keg of beer. The young man was heartily received by all the family members. His name is Henry Brüning [Bruening] and he is from Schöppingen in Muensterland. Joseph Widemeyer also returned back to the fields of Carroll County. Everyone who has traveled across to Old Germany in the early spring is in agreement that America is the only country where one can have a free and independent life. As we have become aware, more immigrants will follow shortly.