USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 73
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The eity was distrieted and Bernard Roloff was made superintendent of of Sonth District, Miss Nell Alexander of the East, and Miss Emma O. Ennd- berg of the West District. Mrs. Katherine L. Van Wyck became the general secretary, also giving part time service to the Central Council of Phil- anthropies as its general secretary until September, 1915.
A central registration bureau was started and maintained until January, 1916, when it was transferred to the central council.
The eonstrnetive side of the work has been steadily developed and trained workers added as was possible to make the work efficient.
The rule was established that necessary food and fuel, where none is in the home, shall be put in at onee to prevent suffering while the investigation of situation is pending; further relief and service to be given as shall be necessary.
Realizing that undernourishment of children and the depleted vitality re- sulting therefrom is one of the chief causes of insufficient earning power later in life, the society in 1911, adopted a scientifie family budget as the basis for its material relief.
The Associated Charities considers the need of material relief merely a symptom of some trouble, and when the relief is supplied it is only a means to the end of re-establishing the family in self-dependence.
A modern family case history of each family known to the society is made that the work may be based on an intelligent understanding of the family and its members which is the first step. The second, a diagnosis of the real trouble to be followed with such form of service as shall return the family to normal citizenship in the shortest possible time.
To accomplish this, economie, physicial, social, and moral problems sep- arately or in combination, must be met and solved.
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THE GESU CHURCH
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PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARITIES OF MILWAUKEE
In so many instances, the ignorance and lack of opportunity of the wife and mother had been found to be the cause of poverty and marital troubles, that in 1911 visit'ng housekeepers were engaged to teach in the homes the essentials of family life. They were supported through the cooperation of the women's societies of Westminster, Immanuel, Plymonth. and St. Paul's Churches as parts of their home missionary work.
This service has now been made a department with its own director and five vis ting housekeepers are doing this fundamental educational work with excellent results for the present and future. Nothing undertaken has been more far-reaching.
Finding that the word "Charities" in the title keeps many away who do not want "charity" but who do need advice and a helping hand to escape dependeney, and also to enable the society to broaden its usefulness to meet community needs as may be shown to be advisable, the board of directors d - eided to change the name of the society from "The Associated Charities" to "The Family Welfare Association of Milwaukee, " thereby falling into line with the general trend through the United States.
The society assumed its new name December 1, 1921.
It always has been helpful in promoting social measures for the prevention of dependency in cooperation with other agencies working along health, juve- nile protection and other lines of social service.
The officers, the directors and the advisory board are active men and women elosely in touch with the work and bearing with the staff the burden of its responsibility. They are :
Board of Directors-Edwin E. White, president ; Wm. C. White, vice pres- ident : Fred W. Rogers, secretary ; G. W. Augustyn, treasurer; Edward W. Frost, H. II. Jacobs, Nelson P. Hulst, Albert Friedmann, Henry P. Andrae, Sheldon J. Glass, Rev. Holmes Whitmore, Miss Mariette Tweedy, Mrs. Otto II. Falk, John Le Feber, Mrs. Arthur Holbrook, S. M. MeFedries, Frederick L. Pierce, Mrs. C. J. MeIntosh, Lonis Quarles, Herbert F. Lindsay, George Gibbs.
Advisory Board-Mrs. Arthur MeGeoch, Mrs. George Lines, Mrs. E. J. Kearney, Wm. C. Frye, Mrs. Walter Stern, Max Babb, Rev. Chas. II. Beale, Fred D. Goldstone, Mrs. Alfred W. Gray, Mrs. Lawrence Fitch, Mrs. Arthur Il. Gallum, J. Traey Hale, Sam Gates, Mrs. Clement C. Smith.
Vol. 1-48
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ST. JOSAPHAT'S CHURCH (POLISH) First and Lincoln avenues
TEMPLE EMANU-EL
CHAPTER XLIII
THE TRANSITION, ALT-MILWAUKEE TO AMERICAN CITY
The transition from foreignism to Americanism forms a chapter in the life of Milwaukee which has never been discussed in all its essential angles. For many years the impression has prevailed throughont the country that the city was intensely German in its ideals, customs and habits. Its fame as a beer brewing center strengthened that impression to a considerable degree, and while this impression in certain respeets was warranted it was not alto- gether true or fair to its people.
There was undoubtedly a period in the life of the community when it was intensely German in the observance of old world customs and habits. But, it is equally true that it responded at all times to the national spirit and was intensely loyal to the institutions of the American Republic. While those of German birth remained German in their family life, fostering Ger- man social customs, reading German newspapers, attending German churches, and employing the German language in their social and business relations, they were also intensely American in their civic and political relations. They espoused American patriotism as eloquently in the German language as it could ever be esponsed in the English language. They participated in the Civil war, shed their blood freely for the preservation of the Union, and won high distinction for bravery and courage on the battlefield. Thus, we have the picture of a people whose conception of America was of the most tolerant and liberal character.
The fact, however, that the community was at one time intensely foreign tended to emphasize old world characteristics and rendered the process of assimilation somewhat slower than it would be in centers where only a sprinkling of the foreign born had entered a native born population. Dur- ing the middle of the last century the Americanization methods, now employed, were unknown. The foreign born was sought by the political parties for his vote. The naturalization laws were lax, and the immigrant became a voter immediately upon h's arrival, or as soon as he declared his intentions of be- coming an American citizen, and his loyalty to his adopted country was un- questioned.
. The literature which the political parties supplied to the immigrant, how- ever, possessed some value. While much of it dealt with party achievement, and sought to invite the new citizen into this or that political party, it afforded splendid lessons in self-government and citizenship. The foreign born re- eeived copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States printed in his native language. Ile became to all intents and purposes a loyal American citizen without having discarded either his mother tongue, or his foreign customs and habits.
Dreamers and Idealists .- The German immigration had its beginning in the
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
early forties of the last century. Those who came here were mainly peasants from the rural distriets of Germany and mechanies and laborers from the cities. The immigration received its intellectual impress through the student refugees who as the result of the revolution of 1818 in Germany fled to this country in large numbers.
When the spirit of democracy began to assert itself in the revolutionary outbreaks of 1848 throughout Germany there was a sympathetic response in the German circles of the United States. The thought that Europe would break the traditional fetters of monarchial oppression and enter upon a new era of self determination enthused all nationalities.
In Milwaukee this feeling found expression in a picturesque demonstration. A parade was formed at Market Square which was participated in by the Anglo-Americans, Germans, Irish, and French. A great crowd participated. The Stars and Stripes led, followed by the French tri-color, the German and Swiss banners. Big cannons thundered their approval while the parade moved towards the courthouse on the hill.
Ilere the Washington Guard Band played the Star Spangled Banner and the Marseillaise followed by speeches in English, French, and German. An Irish priest championed the freedom of Ireland. The adoption of resolution. espousing the cause of human liberty, followed. In the evening there fol- lowed bonfires, illumination and fireworks.
It became evident to the promoters of this demonstration that something more substantial must be done if the cause of freedom in Europe was to be aided. The Germans then organized a number of so-called "Three Cent So- cieties," the members of which contributed three cents a week for the support of the German revolution. These contributions were soon doubled and tripled and sent on to the East where similar organizations had come into life. But the revolutionary movements failed, with the result that many of their partici- pants sought refuge in this country.
These young men were not only cultured but high-spirited and imbued with a strong love of freedom. They became the intellectual leaders of the German element of the United States and played an important part in the social, commercial, and political progress of their countrymen. They became the editors, schoolmasters, artists, musicians, etc., and gave an uplifting char- aeter to an element that up to this time did not enjoy the esteem of the Amer- ican to which it was entitled.
Here we might mention, parenthetically, a tendeney which manifested itself on the part of some of these student immigrants and which may be designated as characteristic of the race. The German is essentially a dreamer. His inner life is accentuated with a strong idealism which at times transgresses the domain of the possible.
Among German students who tled from their native country in ISIS was found also the idealist. the dreamer. H's love for liberty in thought and action led him to dream of the fulfillment of his plans and purposes. He saw in the great number of his countrymen which he found on every hand here. the foundation of a new German Empire on the American Continent. lle saw the rise of splendid institutions founded upon the fraternity, justice and
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TRANSITION, ALT-MILWAUKEE TO AMERICAN CITY
liberty, whose halls would echo and re-echo with the glorious achievement of a Teutonic race in every field of human endeavor.
But, alas, his dream was but an air castle. The free institutions of the new world were too securely founded to permit a new empire or even a new republic within a republic. The latter had been wrested from an oppressive mother country at a cost which involved vast treasures and precious human life.
The German-American while clinging to his mother tongue and to his native customs readily adapted himself to his new enviroments, and had im- bibed the spirit of American institutions. While he was a German in his home and social life, he had become a fullfledged American in his political views, and in his commercial professional and industrial activities.
Again, we might refer to the hardship which befell this contingent of im- migrants who came to a new and strange land. The educated and refined student frequently found himself compelled to accept arduons manual labor in order to keep body and soul together. We find instances where a college professor was obliged to work as a common day laborer digging trenches for railroad construction or a youthful, delicate student working in the pit of a coal mine. But where there was an honest incentive to work and an intelli- gent direction of human effort, the ambition to succeed was gratified.
These men made their mark and left an indelible impression upon the char- aeter of their time and furnished some of the brightest names in the history of American civilization. Gen. Carl Sehurz's contribution to American stato- manship and independence of political thought, is well known. Gen. Franz Sigel's military leadership and splendid patriotism need not be discussed. And so we might mention scores of names, all of them written in bright let- ters upon the seroll of fame in American history.
The most conspicuous among the local so-called "Achtundvierziger" was Carl Sehurz, who practically began his political career in Milwaukee, and who attained great eminence in the higher political life of the nation. He became a cabinet officer and was only barred from becoming a presidential possibility by his foreign birth. The Germans of that day dwelled with pride upon the claim that they had made the election of Abraham Lincoln possible. Led by Carl Schurz and other German-Americans of that type they readily de- elared their opposition to slavery and their support for the preservation of the Union.
Moreover the idealist discovered that the German element could not be united into one compact controllable body nor could they be herded into one or the other of the great political parties. They found their way into the parties that most nearly met their political views. The German Lutherans in the main joined the republican party and the German Catholies allied them- selves with the democratic party. Between them there was always a vote that shifted from one to the other party in accordance with their acceptance or rejection of campaign issues.
The cultured among the German-American quoted authors, one among them who wrote: "In the great struggle for independence made by the Amer- ican colonists frequent mention is made of the Hessians, some twenty-eight.
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HUSTORY OF MILWAUKEE
German soldiers who were sent over under command of English generals This unfortunate incident in the great struggle for American Independence has frequently been commented upon in an unpleasant manner, and some- times with a wrong interpretation. The facts are that the Hessians were under the control of several German princes, and were by them sold to the British government. They were helpless as far as their own will and ambi- tion was concerned and too ignorant to understand the great question at issue. Suffice it to say that those of German blood fought for the cause of independ- ence and such men as Generals Von Steuben, De Kalb, Muehlenberg and others rendered such magnificent service as to immortalize them in the annals of this great nation.
"Under this heading a long chapter might be written telling a story of loyality and patriotism which was paid for in precious blood. Over 300,000 German-Americans entered the Civil war with the same enthusiasm, the same readiness to sacrifice limb and life for the cause of human liberty that was mani- fested by their Yankee brothers. Twenty German-Americans served as gen- erals, hundreds as colonels and minor officers of the army. This page in his- tory is so fully recorded and so generally known that it requires no further treatment at my hands.
"It may be held here that in the strieter sense there is no German ele- ment. The Germans separate on religions lines belonging to the various de- nominations, and they also separate on political lines. It may be added here that even social or educated classes hold themselves aloof from the nnedu- cated classes, and while there are strictly German churches, and social or- ganizations there is no such thing as a general compact of the German speaking people. Thus, in the religious or political sense at least it cannot be 'said that there is a German element.
"Innumerable names of German-Americans who gained distinction might be mentioned. Daniel Boone, the great pioneer, the first white man who tray- ersed the western country : the Roeblings who designed and constructed the Brooklyn bridge: Henry Villard who connected the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean by construeting the Northern Pacific Railway. ete."
Customs and Habits .- Old world habits and customs in family life found their adaptation to new world conditions. The exigencies of immediate sur- soundings as well as usage among the native born made their impress. Ex- pedieney became the controlling factor whereby the immigrant adjusted pre- conception and former habits to new world realities.
The little homes that were built in an earlier day on Market. East Water. and River streets, and the streets crossing them, had their backyard vegetable gardens with "salat, schnittlauch und petersilia." and there was always a patch of flowers with astors, forget-me-nots, while morning glories and sun- flowers graced the back fences.
The boys in those days had chores to do. They had to do errands for . mother, run to the market, to the grocer, the butcher and the baker. They had to saw and chop wood on Saturday mornings, turn the grindstone for father who sharpened his tools, earry water and wood into the kitchen, attend
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TRANSITION, ALT-MILWAUKEE TO AMERICAN CITY
to the smokehouse and rock the baby. The girls were generally busy in helping mother about the kitchen and the household.
Here was the old time baker whose ovens were open to the good house- wives of the neighborhood who prepared their own dough in size and. form to suit their own faney. He merely charged them for the baking. In selling his rolls he invariably counted out thirteen in order to comply with the pro- verbial rule of a baker's dozen.
The butcher who did his own killing in the backyard had at the beginning a somewhat limited trade in fresh meats. The average family bought a pig or a quarter beef in the fall of the year which was salted down for the winter's use. It also made its own sausages and "schwartemager." The boy or girl who came to the butcher for an order of fresh meat always secured a com- plinientary slice of sansage for serving as earrier. Gradually with the rise of the meat packing houses the preparation of meats by families declined, and the so-called individual meat butcher became a modern meat market man.
The fuel industry, too, underwent marked changes. The old time wood market, located in the vicinity of Poplar and Fourth streets saw its rise and decline. Farmers brought in loads of cordwood, of maple, bass and oak, and unloaded it on the purchasers' premises. It was not until wood became scarcer and the prices higher that coal came into general use as a fuel.
The families of a former day not only salted their pork and beef for winter use, smoked their hams in an old smokehouse in the backyard, but also used the remnants of lard and grease for making soap. Somebody in every neighborhood owned an iron soap kettle and knew how to make lye and boil soap. Every family had its assortment of irregular cubes and squares of home-made washing soap. Every German neighborhood was the possessor of a cabbage cutter and every hausfrau piekled her own sauerkraut.
There was the barber who dignified his calling by noting on his street sign that he was prepared to do "schroepfen" (eupping or blood-letting) as a side line. There were among the foreign born those who believed that the leeches applied by the barber would ease rheumatism, neuralgia and other ailments.
The linguistie peculiarity of the neighborhood was found in the variety of English spoken by the German born. A keen ear could distinguish the North German from the South German by his English. The Mecklenburger from the North found the English language easier than did the Bavarian of the South. The former was aided by a similarity between Low German and English while the latter was hampered by a corresponding dissimilarity be- tween his old world dialect and the new world tongue. He constantly con- fused the hard and soft consonants and found difficulty in giving his vowels the exact shade of pronunciation.
Between the forties and sixties the Fourth of July celebrations assumed a most festive air. The main streets were decorated with green trees, garlands. bunting and flags. The forests about the city were stripped of saplings and shrubbery which were placed on the gutter side of the walks and at the entrances of small shops and saloons. The refreshing vegetation ornamented with flags and bunting, gave atmosphere, color and zest to the holiday spirit.
The youth of the city was extremely busy burning powder and exploding
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MILWAUKEE GARDEN
18!
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GUIN - 63
THE OLD TIME MILWAUKEE GARDEN SALOON AND RESTAURANT ON THE WEST SIDE IN THE SIXTIES
SCHLITZ PARK, FOR MANY YEARS KNOWN AS QUENTIN'S PARK Now Lapham Park
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TRANSITION, ALT-MILWAUKEE TO AMERICAN CITY
"firecrackers." There was an ineessant bang and rattle of explosions from early morn until the late hours of the night. The roar of monster cannons and fireworks at night closed loudly and picturesquely the observanee of Independence Day. The casualties reported on the following morning indi- rated that the boys had been patriotic to an enthusiastic and reekless degree. There were lost fingers, injured eyes and powder-marked faces. The gutters and alleys gave evidence of a great day in the debris of crackers and Roman candles and sky rockets that had spent their glory of color, no'se and illinnina- tion. The fire department usually recorded a busy day fighting numerous fires caused by a reckless observance of the nation's greatest holiday.
The so-called "greenhorn" was a common product. The immigrant who groped his way through the English language amid American customs had au easy time when he moved among his fellow countrymen. But his embarrass- ment and troubles began when he was obliged to deal with the American element.
The immigrant boy fared much better. He was ridienled for a time by his new playmates for "the funny way" he expressed himself, but he boldly picked up words and phrases and with surprising rapidity. In a short time he talked and cussed as fluently as the rest of the boys. He was particularly apt in enriching himself with enss words and the street profanity indulged in by h's youthful contemporaries.
The manerical strength of the Germans, their prestige and standing in the community, together with the popular use of their language made its impress upon other nationalities. Many among the Anglo and Irish-Amer- icans seeured a smattering of German and in social gatherings learned to s'ng German songs. Many who could not speak German could at least under- stand it. Occasionally some non-German would speak the German quite well. This was quite frequent among the Poles, Norwegians and Hollanders. Sometimes an Irishman coming from one of the counties to the immediate north of Milwaukee would surprise and amuse his German friends by speak- ing Plattdeutsch with fineney. Occasionally, too, some one with an English name could tell a Swabian or Bavarian dialect story because his mother had been born in Wuertemburg or Bavaria.
The local German dailies published column after column of the most minute news happenings pertaining to the cities and villages of Germany. These news items were usually reprodneed from newspapers printed in Germany and covered every section of that country, arranged and classified under kingdoms, dukedoms and provinces for the convenience of the reader.
With the constant accession of the immigrant classes it was only natural that in time the foreign element would ontnumber the native born. But here it must be added that the average American family was small while the foreigner raised large families. This added to the number of native born and in time again over-balanced the foreign born, though it did not immediately change the foreign complexion of the community.
While the so-called Pennsylvania Dutch, spoken in the German counties of Pennsylvania, has held its own for over two hundred years the Germanized English of Milwaukee has been of a fleeting duration only. It has never be-
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
come sufficiently enduring or fixed to find expression in printed books as has the Pennsylvania Dutch. The process of assimilation has been too rapid to permit the establishment of a mixture of English and German into a distinc- tive jargon.
The older among the Germans were guilty of grotesque forms of English pronunciation and sentence construction as interpreted by the Dutch comedian on the American stage. Yet there was also the enltured German whose Eng- lish was most choice in point of diction and extremely faulty in articulation. The roll of gutteral r and the lack of a sharper distinction between the letters d and t and p and b gave a foreign flavor to the English employed.
The school children of German parentage on the other hand usually gave correct pronunciation to English words and were inclined to enter upon queer sentence construction. The following Germanisms, picked up on the play ground of a public school on the north side of the city a number of years ago, illustrate the lapses indulged in by some of the pupils: "Annie, please make my apron shut"; "I think it will give yet rain today"; "Hans come home ! Mother is already on the table, and father is half ate up": "Come good home. yes!" "Do you want some butter bread?" "Over tomorrow I go to a picnic"; "Your head is strubly"; "I seen a horse burn through (run away) "; "Lena she is by the dressing room making her hairs": "De ball stands by de tree already": "I'm late because I went by my aunt"; "Teacher, my paper is all"; "I first stood up at 8 o'clock this morning."
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