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Grandpa's Story |
Finally, on April 17, 1883, they told us that our ship would dock in Baltimore, Maryland the next day. What a relief it was to see land again! We had to go through the immigration center to make sure we were all healthy enough to stay in America. There were friendly people who spoke German who could help us make plans for our trip to Minnesota.
Another train ride! But this was going to be a lot longer than the one we had in Germany. It was spring in America so we got to see a lot of green. The trees were leafing out and farmers were planting their crops. America is so big!
Finally we arrived in Minnesota. Grandma Minnie and dad’s sister’s families were there to meet us and take us in. Grandma almost smothered us with hugs and kisses.
Faribault was much larger than Meesow. The farmers around Faribault needed workers to cut hay and other farm chores. Many homes and businesses were being built for the growing population so dad could find work in many places. Some of the work was seasonal.
We were in Faribault about 5 months when my youngest sister, Ida, was born on Oct. 1, 1883. Our family now numbered 7, my mom and dad, half sister Tina, half brother Herman, myself and sisters Anna and Ida.
Mother got sick and died on January 1, 1886. She was only 39 years old. Now dad was left with 5 children ages 15 to 3. Other family members and friends helped us out while dad worked and tried to keep the family together. I was only 8 years old when mother died.