Paul Follen
Encyclopedia
Paul Follen was a German-American attorney and farmer, who had founded the Gießener Auswanderungsgesellschaft
(Gießen Emigration Society).
He was born at Gießen
, in Hesse-Darmstadt
, Germany
, to Christoph Follen (1759-1833) and Rosine Follen (1766–1799). His father was a counselor-at-law and judge. He was the brother of August Ludwig Follen
and Charles Follen
, and the uncle of the biologist
Karl Vogt
. During his studies at the University of Gießen
he became friends with Friedrich Muench and in 1825 married his sister Maria.
Naturalist Gottfried Duden
, a German attorney, settled on the north side of the Missouri River
along Lake Creek in 1824. He was investigating the possibilities of settlement in the area by his countrymen. In 1827 he returned to Germany, which he felt was overpopulated. There he published Bericht über eine Reise nach den westlichen Staaten Nordamerika's ("Report of a journey to the western states of North America") in 1829.
The romantic description of the free life in the US motivated the Protestant minister Friedrich Münch
and the attorney Paul Follen to found 1833 the Gießener Auswanderungsgesellschaft
. Both had participated in the outlawed republican and democratic movements in Germany in the wake of the French July Revolution
of 1832. As there was no immediate hope for success, they intended to establish a "new and free Germany in the great North American Republic" to serve as model for a future German republic.
Already in 1834 they led 500 German settlers into Missouri. They soon realised that the plan for a separate federal state would remain an Utopia
. They settled in the German populated Dutzow
in Warren County, Missouri
not far from the former farm of Gottfried Duden.
Follen died rather young in Dutzow. His son Dr. William Follenius (1829–1902) married Emilie, a daughter of his friend Friedrich Muench.
His brother Karl
had emigrated to the US already in 1824.
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...
(Gießen Emigration Society).
He was born at 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...
, in Hesse-Darmstadt
Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. It was formed in 1567 following the division of the Landgraviate of Hesse between the four sons of Philip I, the last Landgrave of Hesse....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, to Christoph Follen (1759-1833) and Rosine Follen (1766–1799). His father was a counselor-at-law and judge. He was the brother of August Ludwig Follen
August Ludwig Follen
August Ludwig Follen was a German poet.-Biography:He was born at Gießen, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, to Christoph Follen and Rosine Follen...
and Charles Follen
Charles Follen
Charles Follen was a German poet and patriot, who later moved to the United States and became the first professor of German at Harvard University, a Unitarian minister, and a radical abolitionist.-Life in Europe:...
, and the uncle of the biologist
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
Karl Vogt
Karl Vogt
Carl Christoph Vogt was a German scientist who emigrated to Switzerland. Vogt published a number of notable works on zoology, geology and physiology...
. During his studies at the University of Gießen
University of Giessen
The University of Giessen is officially called the Justus Liebig University Giessen after its most famous faculty member, Justus von Liebig, the founder of modern agricultural chemistry and inventor of artificial fertiliser.-History:The University of Gießen is among the oldest institutions of...
he became friends with Friedrich Muench and in 1825 married his sister Maria.
Naturalist Gottfried Duden
Gottfried Duden
Gottfried Duden was a German emigration writer of the early 19th century. His famous book Bericht über eine Reise nach den westlichen Staaten Nordamerika's gave romantic and glowing descriptions of the Missouri River valley between St. Louis and Hermann, Missouri...
, a German attorney, settled on the north side of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
along Lake Creek in 1824. He was investigating the possibilities of settlement in the area by his countrymen. In 1827 he returned to Germany, which he felt was overpopulated. There he published Bericht über eine Reise nach den westlichen Staaten Nordamerika's ("Report of a journey to the western states of North America") in 1829.
The romantic description of the free life in the US motivated the Protestant minister Friedrich Münch
Friedrich Münch
Friedrich Münch was a German-American Rationalist, winemaker, Missouri State Senator, and prolific author for German emigrants, beginning in the 1830s....
and the attorney Paul Follen to found 1833 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...
. Both had participated in the outlawed republican and democratic movements in Germany in the wake of the French July Revolution
July Revolution
The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution or in French, saw the overthrow of King Charles X of France, the French Bourbon monarch, and the ascent of his cousin Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, who himself, after 18 precarious years on the throne, would in turn be overthrown...
of 1832. As there was no immediate hope for success, they intended to establish a "new and free Germany in the great North American Republic" to serve as model for a future German republic.
Already in 1834 they led 500 German settlers into Missouri. They soon realised that the plan for a separate federal state would remain an Utopia
Utopia
Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt...
. They settled in the German populated Dutzow
Dutzow, Missouri
Dutzow 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...
in Warren County, Missouri
Warren County, Missouri
Warren 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...
not far from the former farm of Gottfried Duden.
Follen died rather young in Dutzow. His son Dr. William Follenius (1829–1902) married Emilie, a daughter of his friend Friedrich Muench.
His brother Karl
Charles Follen
Charles Follen was a German poet and patriot, who later moved to the United States and became the first professor of German at Harvard University, a Unitarian minister, and a radical abolitionist.-Life in Europe:...
had emigrated to the US already in 1824.