Tidal wave of German immigration helped settle Arlington Heights
The coming of the Germans in the 1840s brought more than a new language to the prairie community forming 30 miles from the lakeside town of Chicago. The Duntons of New York had traveled a long road by wagon, leaving the ordered villages and hamlets of the colonial east and passing through vast stretches of undeveloped forest and wilderness. They sought order when they reached the glacier-scoured prairie. They represented the culture of industry and entrepreneurship that had flourished in the original 13 colonies.
Arriving later, following upheaval in the cluster of states that comprised the German Republic of the 1840s, the German immigrants spread like a tidal wave along the western trails. Some dropped off in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but many continued around the toe of Lake Michigan and followed the trading posts north along trails blazed by trappers, traders and suppliers to the distant military forts, established, lost and retaken during the French and British wars. The Military Road passing the Rand Tavern from Chicago was such an artery.
Whether they had arrived by coach in Chicago to fit out for the journey north to their new farmstead, or had brought their possessions by the wagonload behind oxen and mules, the Old World Germans had already discovered a land totally alien to their European home. In Germany, farm lots were precious, small and handed from generation to generation to be worked for the landlord. The oldest sons inherited while the younger siblings went into the military, or fled to the cities or mines. Women were chattel and became property to be married off. What could be planted, how much and what livestock were allowed was dictated by the landowner authorities. Even the roads were symbols of the government, paid for with tithes and tolls.
In the new land, the German wagons rolled over roads that belonged to everyone with vast acres of rich grass and copses of timber falling away on both sides. Dense woods were no longer sanctuaries for bands of gypsies and highwaymen, or threatened the peasants with medieval myths. They provided building materials for new homes and barns. Everything to build a new life was there for the taking. As one farmer wrote home to the old country:
“Here, a man works for himself. Here, one is equal to another. One can make as much hay as he wishes ... without paying for it. The cattle support themselves, run out day and night — cows, hogs, oxen, horses and so on. Cows come home in the evening — and all the feed is free. Every day, we thank the Dear Lord that he has brought us out of slavery.”
The road to Dunton was an old Indian trail, gouged wider by the ruts of hundreds of wagon wheels and graded by boots, moccasins and horse shoes. It led past Minor's Trading Post and past the home of William Dunton. The Germans rolled on through, bringing their culture, strong backs, love of education and love of God to that wide space on either side of the prairie road.
About the series: As an incorporated village, Arlington Heights will be 125 years old on Jan. 18, 2012, and the village has already begun a yearlong celebration of that historic milestone. Throughout the anniversary year, local author and historian Gerry Souter will offer fascinating glimpses into the influences that shaped Arlington Heights into becoming the community we know today. Even if you are an Arlington Heights lifer, you're going to learn something you didn't know. 15361170The German farmers who came to Dunton built their own churches, like St. Peter Lutheran Church, shown here in the 1880s, with cows grazing on the grounds.Courtesy St. Peter Lutheran Church 23271457Workers on the Klehm family farm in Arlington Heights.Courtesy of the Arlington Heights Historical Socie About the authorGerry Souter is the author of 50 published books that include history, biography, young adult, fine arts, military and memoir. An international photojournalist, filmmaker, video producer and director and writer of numerous magazine and newspaper features, he settled into book authorship in 1997 and into exploring Arlington Heights' rich historical legacy.Gerry and Janet, his wife and co-author, have lived in Arlington Heights for almost 40 years and have written three books of village history. They edited and contributed to the award-winning Historical Society title, “Chronicle of a Prairie Town,” and wrote “Arlington Heights, Downtown Renaissance.” Their latest book, “A Brief History of Arlington Heights” for History Press is available through Barnes & Noble and the 125th Quasquicentennial.This series of short stories is a result of much research and observation of the village Gerry calls home. 177201Gerry Souter