Eliza, an Iowa Pioneer

By Frances Bries Wojnar

Longer synopsis and biography for Xlibris Website

In ELIZA, AN IOWA PIONEER , immigrant stories are written in epistolary form to Elizas papa, her sisters and best friend in the old country. The letters are taken from tales My Family History As Far Back As I Can Remember as narrated by Eliza to her granddaughter, Elizabeth Leitgen, from oral history and American history from 1836-1860. At the age of 16, Eliza, and her brother Heinrich, age 14, are put on a ship with a trunk of bread. It is a solution to their papas financial crisis that is compounded by the potato famine in Lower Saxony, now part of Germany, and his lack of dowry for Eliza. Landing in New Orleans, Eliza and Heinrich are taken in by a kind lady in whose home they work and learn English. From there they make their way north on the Mississippi River, stopping in St. Louis where Eliza meets and marries a fellow countryman, Johann Rolwes. The couple continue north stopping briefly in Quincy, Illinois, then settling permanently on ninety wooded acres of land near Waupeton, Iowa, a trading post on the Mississippi River twenty-five miles north of Dubuque.
Elizas letters to her family in the old country reflect the ingenuity, humor and hopes of frontiersmen before the Civil War. She tells of putting a kettle of bread dough in bed with her, allowing her body heat to produce the rising action to save fuel. Detailed encounters with bears, wolves and Indians are experienced and dealt with. Eliza explains how she and Johann chose to make coffins and lay out the dead for their settlement.
The completed manuscript include her shipboard journal, sixty letters, maps, and line drawings. Historical notes are added on how to make soap, gestation of pigs, spring butchering, weaving, and fee schedules reflecting the economy of the times are included.
Various stages of revision were read to my students in Vallejo. One student returned after graduation to find out how the story ended.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 15, 2005
• ISBN: 9781477181454

Frances Bries Wojnar

Frances Wojnar was raised in Holy Cross, Iowa, a small village near Waupeton where her great-grandparents, Eliza and Johann Rolwes, settled in 1850. Often Frances listened to her grandmother, Eliza’s daughter; tell stories about her family’s experiences on the frontier. Later, when compiling family history, Eliza’s narrated tales “My Family History As Far As I Can Remember”, were given to Frances. She felt Eliza’s descendents needed to be introduced to her. Frances lives with her husband, Edward Wojnar, in Pleasant Hill, California

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Copyright © 2005 by Frances Bries Wojnar.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

First Printing, July 1991

Second Printing April 1992

Third Printing February 2005

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Eliza’s Journal

Letters 1-35

Interlude

Letters 36-64

Epilogue

My Family History As Far Back As I Remember

Search for Origins

Endnotes

This book is a tribute to the undaunting spirit of the immigrants who came to America and laid the foundation as evidenced by my thirteen-year-old grandson, who feels Eliza should be on the required reading list for all students studying American history.

Fran Wojnar weaves an intriguing tale.

—Jacque Hall, author of

WHAT DOES THE RABBIT SAY and

FOUR FROM CALIFORNIA.

Fran Wojnar, using stories told by her great-grandmother, has recreated the journey sixteen year old Eliza made in the year 1836 by ship from Lower Saxony, Germany, to New Orleans.

It was a time of famine and hardship in her home in that part of Germany formerly known as Lower Saxony. Eliza’s father sent her and her younger brother to America with nothing to sustain them but a trunk full of bread and their own courage and resourcefulness.

This is the story of Eliza’s journey, her early life in America when she worked for a slave owning family, and how she and her brother found their way north to Iowa and a community of German speaking fellow immigrants.

This book, ELIZA, AN IOWA PIONEER, give us a fascinating glimpse into history of our country. One can only wonder if teenagers today would be as capable of meeting a similar challenge.

—Laura Leonard, author of FINDING PAPA

Due to possibility of error, no representation is made to complete accuracy. Real names and places are used only when they fit into the area and time frame.

Acknowledgements

To Edward Wojnar, my husband who shared my hopes and took on many of my chores so I could write.

To Ron Baumhover, who gave me the copy of My Family History As Far Back As I Remember by Elizabeth Leitgen. To Alice Leitgen Swanson, who urged her mother, to write down these memories. To Josephine Bries, my mother and granddaughter of Eliza, whose memory at 90 could say, Yes, that’s the way they would do it. To the residents of Balltown, who contributed pioneering stories?

To Clair Gustafson, who encouraged me to finish the letters in his Creative Writing Class. To Dan Doyle, my nephew, Joan Killian, and Thomas Savignano MD, who read and made valuable suggestions.

To Joan Zamolo, who first put it on her computer in 1991. Special thanks to Al Villaire, who spent many hours helping me with my computer for this printing.

Introduction

NEW ORLEANS

NOVEMBER 20, 1836

Sixteen-year-old Eliza Korte slumped on the edge of the rough sawn bunk, which had been her home for the past month, and wept. She lingered there, finding comfort in the harsh surroundings because the thought of stepping off the New Orleans was more terrifying. The ship was her solitary link to Osnabrueck her native city located in the northwest section of Lower Saxony.

Eliza struggled to put aside her homesickness and fear of the foreign country at the end of the gangplank, and she attempted to sort out for the thousandth time the reason why she was here. She knew the once fertile fields of her homeland were spotted with rotten potatoes that could not produce enough food for the enlarging population. She

History Note: Prior to 1837, Eliza’s homeland, Lower Saxony, wouldn’t have been referred to as Germany. The unification of German speaking states started in 1848. It was completed by 1871.

also knew her family’s estate had been divided and subdivided with each succeeding generation until the small acreages failed to meet each family’s needs. Eliza’s papa, a rich man’s son, had never been taught to make a living. Papa’s drinking and gambling along with her mama’s illness had decided Eliza’s fate. His inheritance was spent long ago.

In her mama’s last days she had called Eliza to her. You’re the oldest, Eliza. Promise me you’ll take care of Gretilese and Anna when I’m gone. Then I can die in peace. Papa means well, but you know he isn’t dependable.

Oh Mama. Eliza spoke softly as she wiped her mama’s face with a cool cloth. I’ll do all I can, but please don’t leave us. I can’t do everything you do.

Four days later, Mama died of tuberculosis. The Korte family still mourned when Papa left on one of his sudden trips. It was a habit of his to go to his friends when there was a crisis.

When Papa returned a week later, he lowered his heavy frame into his chair ceremoniously and announced: Everybody in Minden is talking about emigrating to America! Getting his breath, he looked steadily at his empty pipe, and then he shifted his eyes to Eliza. This year we had a poor potato crop like last year and now we have to make other plans.

Filling his pipe, he continued. There’s no other way. Eliza, you’re sixteen. When your mother was your age she was married to me, he boasted. She had a handsome dowry, but that’s gone. Jerking his snug-fitting satin vest, reminiscent of more prosperous years, over his paunch he continued. Because of the poor crops I can’t provide a dowry for you and it’s time your marriage was arranged. He took two short noisy draws on his pipe. I’ve made a decision. You and your brother, Heinrich, who is now fourteen, must find a better life in America!

Eliza stood holding Gretilese, gently swaying her from side to side. When she clutched the baby to her breast, Gretilese’s shrill scream sent a chill through the room. Eliza pretended she didn’t hear Papa’s words and cooed into the baby’s ear. When the baby quieted, Eliza spoke in a soft voice. Papa, I can’t go to America. I promised Mama on her deathbed I’d take care of Gretilese and Anna. Her voice broke. I couldn’t go. The little ones need me more now that Mama’s gone. How could you think of such an idea? And where am I supposed to go? Across the ocean, to a foreign land? I’ve never been to Minden.

We’ll be all right. Anna is mature for her years. She can help with the baby.

Anna is only six! She’s just a child and must go to school. I’d rather stay a spinster than have to go to a foreign land.

"Ach, I’ve thought of that too. Of course I wouldn’t expect Anna to do all that you do. I’ve asked Tante Catharina to come. Tante’s agreed to cook our dinner and check on the little ones. He got up and tapped his pipe on the stove. Eliza, you worry too much. When Anna and Gretilese are old enough, I’ll send them to you in America. By that time you and Heinrich will be able to help them. He stared out the window and smiled. What a grand reunion that’ll be. I just hope I live long enough to come with them. If Mama were here, she’d agree this was the best solution.

Eliza wanted to respond. It was a crazy dream. It had to be. Could her family be reunited in America? That seemed impossible.

But Papa, I’ll miss you all so much. Poor Anna. She’ll miss me the most and I’ll miss her so. Gretilese is too young. She won’t even remember me. Eliza broke into sobs.

Juergen Korte said, I don’t want Heinrich and you to suffer because of my gambling and drinking habits. You’ll do better without me in America, the land of opportunity. His face glowed.

Eliza had read about the advantages in America from letters of other emigrants. They had been passed from family to family in the village. One told about the man who owned eight horses and about land that sold for only $1.25 an acre. She also read about America in school.

But I don’t know the language, Papa, she pleaded.

Ach, you’re young. You’ll learn it when you get there. That’ll be no trouble.

Eliza thought Papa was always so confident and often had impractical solutions, but did he really know? Her troubled heart urged her to be cautious. How will we get to Bremen? It’s over a hundred and fifty kilometers from Osnabrueck.

"Listen to me, Eliza. We’re all going to Bremen. I want to see you off myself. I heard the American shipping companies have their own ships now on the Weser River to connect with the ocean-sailing vessels in Bremen.

Many emigrants take this route. You’ll meet them on the way and get acquainted. A ship departs from Bremen twice every month on the first and fifteenth for New Orleans. The shipping companies are anxious to get passengers and they speak of the opportunities in America for young people who are willing to work. He sighed, I just wish I could go too. After my affairs are settled we’ll all come.

Eliza shuddered, picturing the dreaded separation.

It was decided. Preparations began. Eliza made a dark blue serge skirt and matching sateen blouse. A paisley shawl left from her mother’s things, along with under clothing, was laid out on a spare bed. Papa and Heinrich built a trunk of pine hewn from trees on their land. It was twenty-eight inches square. Papa had a lock and metal band put on it. Heinrich put in an axe and a knife. Eliza packed cooking utensils, adding a ring and a locket, precious mementos of her mama. The remaining space was filled with bread.

Eliza spoke very little about these sudden plans to the neighbors and relatives. On the Sunday before her departure, she was surprised when they greeted her with bunches of flowers. A procession formed as they walked up Bauenschaft Road leading to St. Johanneskirche for Sunday Mass.

The massive, stone church with the twin towers, visible for miles, was the religious and social center of the villages surrounding Osnabrueck. Here Eliza’s family and ancestors were baptized, married and buried.

During the homily of the Mass, the pastor paid special tribute to the courageous young travelers. He raised his arms to bless them. A part of us all go with Eliza and Heinrich Korte to America. They don’t go alone. Our hopes and prayers go with them and we want them to remember this when they are lonely. Let us pray for their safety as they embark on the voyage to America. Let us pray for their success.

After the service, the pastor led the congregation through the cloisters of St. Johann into the enclosed courtyard. Dressed in her new blue pleated travel skirt and blouse, Eliza stood tall, keeping her head high. Her long brown hair was rolled in a bun on her neck. Eliza’s lithe figure bobbed up and down as she bent over to receive wishes, gifts and warnings. As if Eliza was in total agreement with Papa’s plan, she talked in an excited tone though hidden deep in her heart was fear.

Gertrud Bauer, Eliza’s closest friend and cousin, called to her, Wait, Eliza. This is a sad day for me. It’s the last time we can talk together.

Eliza said, "Ach, Gertrud, soon you and Dieter Schmidt will be married. You won’t have time to miss me." She tried to hide how envious she was of Gertrud’s arranged marriage. Gertrud could stay.

Heinrich disappeared with his cousin, Hubertus, into the cloister walk. Caught up in the festive spirit, he showed Hubertus an advertisement from the shipping company. It read: Thirty Million Acres of Fertile Prairie Lands to be had in Central Dakotas. Under the headline a map showed emigrants the route.

Frau Braum tugged at Eliza’s elbow. When she spoke she had to look up. Liza, Liza, her face rosy with excitement. Are you really going to America? Watch out for those Indians.

Papa waved two tickets high. I heard about these reduced tickets in Minden. A new American ship company is returning to America with an empty hold. I got these for $50 each. He kept repeating how he and the girls would join Eliza and Heinrich to see them safely on the ship.

Just imagine, Eliza and Heinrich are going to cross the Atlantic Ocean. I’ve never been to Bremen, said Eliza’s cousin Maria as she touched the tickets that were still warm from being passed around.

Later relatives and friends accompanied Eliza and her family back to her papa’s house for a final farewell with food and spirits. It was the first gathering in their home since Eliza’s mama had died. Eliza had forgotten that there could still be laughter and festivities there. She tried to enjoy the feeling and was surprised that her departure could be such a gay occasion.

Let us drink a toast to the world travelers, Papa’s deep voice warmed by schnapps rang out. And to the time our little family joins them in America.

Six-year old Anna, dressed in