1898 SCHULTZE

1)    Johann Christian “Chris” SCHULTZE, 12, of Drachhausen

 

At only 12 years of age Chris came to the USA by way of New York City, entering through Ellis Island. He may have left to avoid the German draft, which he was eligible for at 12. He came from Cottbus, but his family was from Drachhausen.

 

Because his fare was paid by his great uncle, Martin Mehlisch Sr.; he went to, LU VERNE, KOSSUTH COUNTY, IOWA first (north of Fort Dodge and west of Mason City);  where he worked for his great uncle until he had paid for his ticket.

 

He moved with his uncle to the State Center Iowa area, about 1901, where many other Drachhausen Wends were living. He married Laura Voss, in 1909, having 2 boys that died at birth and 3 girls who lived to adulthood. Laura was German & had difficulty understanding his Wendish tongue. He farmed near Colo, until he retired in 1936.

 

He was best friends with Matt Mehlow, who had immigrated from Drachhausen in the same year as Chris, & was married Marie Koch, of Wendish descent. He spoke daily with the Hannusch’s.

 

Johannes Christian had a Wendish Bible; which he frequently read & wrote in. When he died, in 1965, his daughter, Goldie SCHULTZE Walker,  had it was buried with him, in STATE CENTER, IOWA, where he had attended the German Lutheran Church.

 

1 sister and 2 of his brothers also immigrated and became US citizens it is not known when or how they immigrated:

2)    Fred MEHLISCH, “Chris’s” oldest, illegitimate, ½ brother, born 1883. His mother was Maria MEHLISCH of Drachhausen.  He worked in ST. PAUL, MN and never married & retained the MEHLISCH name.

3)    Analiese SCHULTZE, born 1888, married Herman GRUNER and lived in SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

4)       Otto SCHULTZE, born 1892, immigrated, but returned to Germany as the draft for World War I began. He did not feel he could go to war against other Germans.                                                                         

(Added Oct 25, 2005)