Latin Settlement
Encyclopedia
Latin settlement is a term that refers to a handful of communities founded by German immigrants to the United States
in the 1840s. Most of these were in Texas
, but there were "Latin Settlements" in other states as well. These German intellectuals, so-called freethinkers and "Latinists" (German "Freidenker" and "Lateiner"), founded these communities in order to devote themselves to German literature, philosophy, science, classical music, and the Latin language.
As a consequence of their political struggle in the German states
during the revolutions of 1848
, many professors and students saw no other option but to emigrate to North America in order to avoid being arrested and prosecuted or to implement their political ideal of a "free German nation" in the fairly new state of Texas in the United States, which at the time was still a growing nation itself, or both: "Ubi libertas, ibi patria", Latin for "Where there is freedom, there is my homeland, my country". These refugees of the post-1848 era later came to be called "Forty-Eighters
", in the tradition of earlier political refugees being called "Dreißiger", which is German
for "Thirtiers".
From as early as 1832-1833 onwards, German intellectuals had been emigrating to North America. Since many of them went to North America organized in groups and with the support of emigration organizations such as the Gießener Auswanderungsgesellschaft
(i.e. the Emigration Association of Gießen
) or the "Mainzer Adelsverein
" (i.e. the Association of Noblemen of Mainz
), most of them settled down in self-contained communities, which were called "Latin Settlements."
These settlements, however, were not destined to survive for very long. The settlers were young adventurers or classically educated intellectuals, so-called "Latinists" or "Latin Ones" (German "Lateiner"), sometimes both, but by no means farmers. It is therefore no wonder that most of them went to bigger cities like San Antonio or Houston after the Civil War
and the phenomenon of "Latin Settlements" gradually disappeared.
One very telling description of the German settlers' ways of life at that time can be found online in an article of the Karl May
foundation: Frederick Law Olmsted
(1822-1903), a landscape architect and traveler in Texas, went to visit these Germans. He described them and their peculiarities. According to this article, they had valuable madonnas hanging on wooden walls, they drank coffee out of tin cups which they placed upon saucers of fine Dresdner porcelain, they played the piano and had trunks half filled with potatoes and half filled with books. After dinner, they would walk miles to meet in a log cabin to play music, to sing and to dance.
The ideas of these utopians, however, were doomed to fail and degenerated into a farce. Even though they would not want to change places with anyone else, it soon became apparent that they were not really happy. On his journey to Texas in 1867, German-American author Friedrich Kapp
met a former university friend of his, who explained his situation to him thus: "I am not happy in the true sense of the word, but neither I am unhappy, for I live freely and without coercion. I do not depend on anything except on my oxen and on the weather. There is nothing hindering me in expressing my revolutionary thoughts, except that there is no one listening to me." The evening after this encounter, Kapp attended a meeting of the "Latin farmers." The original purpose of the meetings had been to revive aspects of their former student life in Heidelberg
, with its traditions, its songs and its drinking sessions, but the meeting ended in meaningless conversations: "Our life here would actually be quite bearable, if we only had a bowling lane."
, a large group of men who had been members of the “Burschenschaft
en,” the German student fraternities of a political cast, which had been made special objects of vengeance by the arbitrary governors of the reactionary
period in Germany. Many friends of gymnasium
or university days gathered together within the radius of a few miles. Such were George Engelmann
, G. Bunsen, A. Berchelmann, Gustav Körner
, Theodor Hilgard, Theodor Kraft, Georg Neuhoff, Theodor and Adolf Engelmann, Karl Schreiber, Karl Friedrich, Ernst Decker, Wilhelm Weber, August Dilg. In 1849 there was added Friedrich Hecker, the leader of the insurrectionary forces in Baden
during the revolution of 1848-49. At the university Hecker had fought a duel with Gustav Körner; now these men extended to one another the hand of comradeship in their new home.
The German immigrants of St. Clair County, Illinois
, were interested and wide awake
in politics. In Belleville, with over 15,000 inhabitants, it happened that for years no native-born American sat in the city council, and that all civic offices were filled by German immigrants. The county officers likewise were generally German immigrants, and their influence extended beyond the county limits. Eduard Retz was three times state treasurer, and Gustav Körner was lieutenant-governor of Illinois in 1852. Under Julius Raith, a company of German immigrants was recruited for the Mexican-American War, and during the Civil War
all men capable of bearing arms fought for the cause of the Union. As early as 1836 a “Deutsche Bibliotheks-Gesellschaft” (German Library Association) was formed in Belleville, which founded a library that in 1879 contained 5,500 volumes, exclusive of public documents presented by Congress.
Occasionally the following locations in Texas are also named among the "Latin Settlements":
Outside Texas the following are also sometimes considered "Latin Settlements":
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1840s. Most of these were in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, but there were "Latin Settlements" in other states as well. These German intellectuals, so-called freethinkers and "Latinists" (German "Freidenker" and "Lateiner"), founded these communities in order to devote themselves to German literature, philosophy, science, classical music, and the Latin language.
Texas
Historic states of Germany
This article lists the member states of the German Confederation of 1815-1866, the North German Confederation of 1866-1871 which became a federal empire in 1867, the German Empire of 1871-1918, and lastly the republic of Weimar Germany of 1919-1933....
during the revolutions of 1848
Revolutions of 1848 in the German states
The Revolutions of 1848 in the German states, also called the March Revolution – part of the Revolutions of 1848 that broke out in many countries of Europe – were a series of loosely coordinated protests and rebellions in the states of the German Confederation, including the Austrian Empire...
, many professors and students saw no other option but to emigrate to North America in order to avoid being arrested and prosecuted or to implement their political ideal of a "free German nation" in the fairly new state of Texas in the United States, which at the time was still a growing nation itself, or both: "Ubi libertas, ibi patria", Latin for "Where there is freedom, there is my homeland, my country". These refugees of the post-1848 era later came to be called "Forty-Eighters
Forty-Eighters
The Forty-Eighters were Europeans who participated in or supported the revolutions of 1848 that swept Europe. In Germany, the Forty-Eighters favored unification of the German people, a more democratic government, and guarantees of human rights...
", in the tradition of earlier political refugees being called "Dreißiger", which is German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for "Thirtiers".
From as early as 1832-1833 onwards, German intellectuals had been emigrating to North America. Since many of them went to North America organized in groups and with the support of emigration organizations such as the Gießener Auswanderungsgesellschaft
Gießener Auswanderungsgesellschaft
The Gießener Auswanderungs gesellschaft was founded in 1833 in Gießen with the aim of establishing a German-populated federal state within the United States. A majority of the five hundred politically motivated members, from the middle and upper class, settled in Missouri in 1834...
(i.e. the Emigration Association of Gießen
Gießen
Gießen, also spelt Giessen is a town in the German federal state of Hesse, capital of both the district of Gießen and the administrative region of Gießen...
) or the "Mainzer Adelsverein
Adelsverein
Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, better known as Adelsverein , organized on April 20, 1842, was a colonial attempt to establish a new Germany within the borders of Texas.-History:...
" (i.e. the Association of Noblemen of Mainz
Mainz
Mainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire...
), most of them settled down in self-contained communities, which were called "Latin Settlements."
These settlements, however, were not destined to survive for very long. The settlers were young adventurers or classically educated intellectuals, so-called "Latinists" or "Latin Ones" (German "Lateiner"), sometimes both, but by no means farmers. It is therefore no wonder that most of them went to bigger cities like San Antonio or Houston after the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and the phenomenon of "Latin Settlements" gradually disappeared.
One very telling description of the German settlers' ways of life at that time can be found online in an article of the Karl May
Karl May
Karl Friedrich May was a popular German writer, noted mainly for adventure novels set in the American Old West, and similar books set in the Orient and Middle East . In addition, he wrote stories set in his native Germany, in China and in South America...
foundation: Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted was an American journalist, social critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, although many scholars have bestowed that title upon Andrew Jackson Downing...
(1822-1903), a landscape architect and traveler in Texas, went to visit these Germans. He described them and their peculiarities. According to this article, they had valuable madonnas hanging on wooden walls, they drank coffee out of tin cups which they placed upon saucers of fine Dresdner porcelain, they played the piano and had trunks half filled with potatoes and half filled with books. After dinner, they would walk miles to meet in a log cabin to play music, to sing and to dance.
The ideas of these utopians, however, were doomed to fail and degenerated into a farce. Even though they would not want to change places with anyone else, it soon became apparent that they were not really happy. On his journey to Texas in 1867, German-American author Friedrich Kapp
Friedrich Kapp
Friedrich Kapp was a German-American lawyer, writer, and politician. He was an outspoken opponent of Germany's colonization fervor during his time as a National Liberal Reichstag deputy. This was exemplified in his speech to the annual Congress of German Economists...
met a former university friend of his, who explained his situation to him thus: "I am not happy in the true sense of the word, but neither I am unhappy, for I live freely and without coercion. I do not depend on anything except on my oxen and on the weather. There is nothing hindering me in expressing my revolutionary thoughts, except that there is no one listening to me." The evening after this encounter, Kapp attended a meeting of the "Latin farmers." The original purpose of the meetings had been to revive aspects of their former student life in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, with its traditions, its songs and its drinking sessions, but the meeting ended in meaningless conversations: "Our life here would actually be quite bearable, if we only had a bowling lane."
Illinois
A. B. Faust speculates that the appellative “Latin settlement” or “Latin farmers” was first used in connection with some German settlers of Belleville, IllinoisBelleville, Illinois
Belleville is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 44,478. It is the eighth-most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area and the most populated city south of Springfield in the state of Illinois. It is the county...
, a large group of men who had been members of the “Burschenschaft
Burschenschaft
German Burschenschaften are a special type of Studentenverbindungen . Burschenschaften were founded in the 19th century as associations of university students inspired by liberal and nationalistic ideas.-History:-Beginnings 1815–c...
en,” the German student fraternities of a political cast, which had been made special objects of vengeance by the arbitrary governors of the reactionary
Reactionary
The term reactionary refers to viewpoints that seek to return to a previous state in a society. The term is meant to describe one end of a political spectrum whose opposite pole is "radical". While it has not been generally considered a term of praise it has been adopted as a self-description by...
period in Germany. Many friends of gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
or university days gathered together within the radius of a few miles. Such were George Engelmann
George Engelmann
George Engelmann, also known as Georg Engelmann, was a German-American botanist. He was instrumental in describing the flora of the west of North America, then very poorly-known; he was particularly active in the Rocky Mountains and northern Mexico.-Origins:George Engelmann was born in Frankfurt...
, G. Bunsen, A. Berchelmann, Gustav Körner
Gustav Körner
Gustav Philipp Körner, also spelled Gustave or Gustavus Koerner was an Illinois lawyer, politician and historian....
, Theodor Hilgard, Theodor Kraft, Georg Neuhoff, Theodor and Adolf Engelmann, Karl Schreiber, Karl Friedrich, Ernst Decker, Wilhelm Weber, August Dilg. In 1849 there was added Friedrich Hecker, the leader of the insurrectionary forces in Baden
Baden
Baden is a historical state on the east bank of the Rhine in the southwest of Germany, now the western part of the Baden-Württemberg of Germany....
during the revolution of 1848-49. At the university Hecker had fought a duel with Gustav Körner; now these men extended to one another the hand of comradeship in their new home.
The German immigrants of St. Clair County, Illinois
St. Clair County, Illinois
St. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. In 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau placed the mean center of U.S. population in St. Clair County. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 270,056, which is an increase of 5.5% from 256,082 in 2000. Its county seat is...
, were interested and wide awake
Wide Awakes
The Wide Awakes was a paramilitary campaign organization affiliated with the Republican Party during the United States presidential election of 1860. Similar organizations affiliated with the Democratic Party were called the "Douglas Invincibles", "Young Hickories" or "Earthquakes"...
in politics. In Belleville, with over 15,000 inhabitants, it happened that for years no native-born American sat in the city council, and that all civic offices were filled by German immigrants. The county officers likewise were generally German immigrants, and their influence extended beyond the county limits. Eduard Retz was three times state treasurer, and Gustav Körner was lieutenant-governor of Illinois in 1852. Under Julius Raith, a company of German immigrants was recruited for the Mexican-American War, and during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
all men capable of bearing arms fought for the cause of the Union. As early as 1836 a “Deutsche Bibliotheks-Gesellschaft” (German Library Association) was formed in Belleville, which founded a library that in 1879 contained 5,500 volumes, exclusive of public documents presented by Congress.
Settlements
The five Texas settlements "officially" considered historical "Latin Settlements":- Bettina, Llano CountyLlano County, TexasLlano County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 19, 301. Its county seat is Llano, and the county is named for the Llano River....
, 1847 named after Bettina von ArnimBettina von ArnimBettina von Arnim , born Elisabeth Catharina Ludovica Magdalena Brentano, was a German writer and novelist.... - LatiumLatium, TexasLatium , is an unincorporated community in Washington County, Texas, United States. It is one of five Latin Settlements founded by German Texan political refugees in Texas after 1848....
, Washington County; the founder was the German Victor Witte (1820-1900), among the first settlers were the artist Rudolph Melchior and Wittes Schwager, as well as the engineer Hermann Rogalla von Bieberstein. - Millheim, Austin CountyAustin County, TexasAustin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas adjacent to the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 28,417 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Bellville. Austin County is named for Stephen F...
- SisterdaleSisterdale, TexasSisterdale, Texas, is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1847 and located north of Boerne in Kendall County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The community is located in the valley of Sister Creek. The current 2010 population is 25...
, Kendall CountyKendall County, TexasKendall County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2008 census, its population was 32,886. Its seat is Boerne....
, Nicolaus ZinkNicolaus ZinkNicolaus Zink was the founder of Sisterdale, Texas and builder of the fort Zinkenburg. Under the direction of Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, Zink led a caravan of new settlers from Indianola to New Braunfels. He laid out the town and divided the original allotted farm acreage...
built the first house in 1847, Ernst KappErnst KappErnst Kapp was a German philosopher of technology and geographer, he was also a follower of Carl Ritter.He was prosecuted for sedition in the late 1840's for publishing a small article entitled 'Der konstituiert Despotismus und die konstitutionelle Freiheit' and was subsequently forced to leave...
founded the settlement in 1849 - Tusculum, Kendall County, founded in 1849, name changed in 1852 to BoerneBoerne, TexasBoerne is a city in the Hill Country of Texas in the United States. It is the county seat of Kendall County. Boerne was named in honor of Ludwig Börne, a Jewish German author and publicist, and its population was 10, 471 in the 2010 census. The city is noted for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court...
after the German author and publicist Ludwig BörneLudwig BörneKarl Ludwig Börne was a German political writer and satirist.-Early life:Karl Ludwig Börne was born Loeb Baruch on May 6, 1786, at Frankfurt am Main, son of Jakob Baruch, a banker. His grandfather had been a government bureaucrat.-Education:Börne and his brothers were privately tutored by Jacob...
.
Occasionally the following locations in Texas are also named among the "Latin Settlements":
- BluffBluff, TexasBluff is an unincorporated community in central Fayette County, Texas, United States....
, Fayette CountyFayette County, TexasFayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat is La Grange. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero... - CastellCastell, TexasCastell is a small unincorporated riverside town in Llano County, Texas, United States. Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, its northern border is formed by the Llano River. Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964, Marker number 9440....
, Llano County - ComfortComfort, TexasComfort is a census-designated place in Kendall County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,363 at the 2010 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Kendall County - FrelsburgNew Ulm, TexasNew Ulm, Texas is an unincorporated community in Austin County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 650 in 2000...
, Colorado County - Leiningen, Llano County
- MeyersvilleMeyersville, TexasMeyersville is an unincorporated community in DeWitt County, Texas, United States.The Meyersville Independent School District serves area students in grades kindergarten through eight. Ninth through twelfth grade students attend Cuero High School in the Cuero Independent School District....
, DeWitt CountyDeWitt County, TexasDeWitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 20,013. DeWitt County is named for Green DeWitt, who founded an early colony in Texas. The seat of the county is Cuero. It was founded in 1846.-Geography:... - Ratcliffe, DeWitt County
- Schoenburg, Llano County
- ShelbyShelby, TexasShelby is an unincorporated town in Austin County, Texas, United States. Shelby was settled in the early 1840s. The community was named for David Shelby, one of the first settlers in the area. Most of the early residents were members of Adelsverein, and for a time the community was identified with...
, Austin County
Outside Texas the following are also sometimes considered "Latin Settlements":
- DutzowDutzow, MissouriDutzow is an unincorporated community in southeastern Warren County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Route 94 about three miles north of Washington in what was referred to as Lake Creek by author Gottfried Duden, whose farm adjoins the early village...
, Warren County, MissouriWarren County, MissouriWarren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Warren County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area and is located west of the city on the north side of the Missouri River. As of 2008, the population was estimated to be 31,214. Its county seat is Warrenton... - BellevilleBelleville, IllinoisBelleville is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city has a population of 44,478. It is the eighth-most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area and the most populated city south of Springfield in the state of Illinois. It is the county...
, St. Clair County, IllinoisSt. Clair County, IllinoisSt. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. In 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau placed the mean center of U.S. population in St. Clair County. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 270,056, which is an increase of 5.5% from 256,082 in 2000. Its county seat is...