During America’s colonial years many Germans came to settle. Though they appeared in all thirteen colonies, the largest group made their home in Pennsylvania. During the years of the American Revolution and then the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, almost all emigration ceased. In 1806 the Holy Roman Empire was formally dissolved and in 1815, at the close of Napoleon’s wars, the Confederation of German States was formed. All of the areas where our ancestors lived, joined the Confederation, but Thuringia and Lippe retained their independence within the Confederation. The Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Prussia were both a part of the Confederation. Prussia’s power grew steadily.

After 1815 emigration to America began to gradually pick up again. We do not know what inspired our ancestors to leave their homeland for America in the 1840’s and 1850’s. There are several likely factors.

Even after the formation of the Confederation in 1815, the German states remained unstable. War seemed always on the horizon, and many families were tired of giving up their young men to senseless warring. They sometimes sent them to America to avoid being drafted into mandatory service in the Prussian army. Our Rosenstiel family preserves the story that one of the sons of Jacob Rosenstiel, Christian Rosenstiel, had a university education. He received a contract to come to America and collect specimens for the university. His younger brother accompanied him and, after fulfilling their contract, they chose to remain in America. Other members of the family followed after.

A small percentage of Germans coming to America uprooted themselves to seek after greater political or religious freedom. Poor harvests in the mid-1800’s may have forced some of Germany’s lower class to emigrate. But, for the largest proportion of German emigrants to America, ‘land’ was the calling card.

The Rosenstiels, Gassmans and Biesemeiers were probably influenced by reports of America that appeared in emigrant handbooks and newspapers. Letters from friends and neighbors who had already immigrated to America were often the inspiration for a move across the ocean. Certainly the Rosenstiels received reports from their two sons who had made a trip to America in 1840 and decided to remain. The young men worked at various jobs until the arrival of their father, mother and siblings. Because farmland was becoming scarce in Germany, prices were relatively high. The Rosenstiels may have been able to sell their property, pay for their passage, and, pool their resources to establish themselves comfortably in America.

When the Rosenstiels and Gassmans emigrated in the 1840’s they came by sailing ship – an arduous journey – recorded to have taken eighteen weeks (125 days). This may have been the time it took from leaving their village to arriving at their destination in America. The voyage by sailing ship varied considerably, depending on wind and weather, but generally it took about fifty days. Most ships of this period were crowded and uncomfortable. Gradually, through the mid-19th century, travel conditions began to improve. When the Biesemeier brothers immigrated to America from Lippe in 1854 they had the good fortune of traveling by the newer steamships, which greatly reduced the travel time. Passage by steamship generally took about two weeks.

German emigrants of the 1800’s generally did not follow the practice of emigrating in large groups from their hometown to a new group settlement in America. Individual families usually made their own plans related to emigration and settlement. But, they would often settle in communities where they knew a few other people from home.

Our ancestors chose Stephenson county Illinois as their new home. Census records reveal that many German families were settling in this area, and it is likely that there were ‘families from home’ already settled in the community. Most German emigrants settled in German communities. It was the most comfortable method of assimilation. The bond of shared language and tradition was comforting and the communities established German businesses, schools, churches and societies.

The farming practices of the German settlers set them apart from their English and Irish neighbors. They had a strong sense of taking care of what they owned. They had well-constructed houses, sturdy fences, and neat gardens with excellent vegetable crops. They were among the earliest to practice crop rotation and they appreciated the value of trees. They were particularly noted for their barns and outbuildings. They planned well for the care of their crops after harvest and they took excellent care of their livestock, believing that they should be carefully housed. They built sheds for their farm equipment instead of leaving them exposed to the elements. A German farm was usually a pleasant picture for the eye and an efficient operation. German farmers were among the most successful.

Germans lived comfortably in their communities. The emigrants were able to socialize and conduct business in their native language. But, they were willing to work with their English speaking neighbors and their children and grandchildren began the process of assimilation in their new home. For several generations the Germans continued to conduct their schools and churches in the German language. German newspapers and social societies helped to keep traditions alive. German taverns abounded in their communities and families continued the tradition of public eating and drinking at local beer gardens – a practice that mystified their English-speaking neighbors. Most German men smoked and drank whiskey and water. As an ethnic group the German’s were strongly opposed to all efforts to prohibit the use of alcohol. Family life, social gathering with neighbors, and creating and enjoying music were among the most valued traditions of the German people.

German women were important to family life. They worked hard within their family circle, often having many children. They assisted with farm chores and sometimes filled the role of menial servants and laborers. They rarely worked outside the family. It has been said that they were “without grace and beauty” – certainly a generalization. They were lovers of music and were active in the life of the church.

Our Hoffman ancestors came to America about 35 years after the Rosenstiels, Gassmans and Biesemeiers. The year of emigration was 1881. The emigrants of this period generally seemed to be of a different group than the middle-class German farmers who came in the 1840’s and 1850’s. In the 1880’s a high percentage of German immigrants were single young men seeking employment in the industrial cities. They were generally poorer and less skilled than the earlier immigrants. We don’t know what brought our Hoffman ancestors to America. We don’t know if Charlotta Krueger Hoffman was married, widowed or remarried when she came. But, she came with her three teenaged children, two daughters and a son, and settled in Ogle county Illinois. She joined in an already well-established German enclave. Within ten years, two of her children married second and third generation members of the community.