Born: June 28, 1851, Germany
Died: January 12, 1937
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grandfather
Christian Paulus arrived in America from Germany on this date 133 years ago (June 18, 1880). The ship "Main" left from Bremen, Germany and landed in New York, New York. He did not go through Ellis Island because it did not open until 1892.
Two years after arriving, Christian married Charlotte Poelger (?) and two years after that their first child was born (Wilhelmina Paulus; 1884-?). Next came my great grandfather Friedrich Paulus (1886-1934), then William (1889), Louisa (1892), and Emilie (1894). By 1892 they were living in Scranton, PA, though they were probably there all along, since Friedrich's birth location in census records is listed as Pennsylvania.
For some context, when Christian arrived, Rutherford B. Hayes was finishing his presidency. James Garfield then won the 1880 presidential election (nominated by the Republicans over Ulysses S. Grant who was seeking a 3rd non-consecutive term) and is sworn in in 1881. Garfield was assassinated in 1881 and was succeeded by his vice president Chester A. Arthur. Then came Grover Cleveland followed by Benjamin Harrison, then Grover Cleveland again ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
All kidding aside, Christian was arriving at a time where we don't remember much about the presidents or the politics (a big debate over the gold standard or free silver), but it was a stable time in America. The Civil War is 15 years behind us and we know now that the first World War is almost 30 years away.
In fact, the 1880s were one of the best times to come to America. Notice in the chart above that immigration in the 1880s (bar in orange) was the highest it had yet been and the third highest between 1820 and 1924. Not only was there no war, but the economy was stable, at least compared to the depressions of the 1890s.
In Immigration studies, people talk about push and pull. What conditions in the home country encouraged immigration (push) and what countries in the new host country encourage emmigration (pull). The relative stability in America during this time was an attractive pull.
We'll look at conditions in Germany in another post and see if there was any push.
In Immigration studies, people talk about push and pull. What conditions in the home country encouraged immigration (push) and what countries in the new host country encourage emmigration (pull). The relative stability in America during this time was an attractive pull.
We'll look at conditions in Germany in another post and see if there was any push.
