After saying goodbye to their loved ones and cherished homes, the first
tedious leg of the journey took them from hilly, green Frankonia by small
boat, canal, train, by foot and by boat again to the Port Of Bremen. Their
courage was as great as their enthusiasm. The emigrant ship had hardly left
Bremen when four couples of the group were married by Minister August
Crämer who accompanied the party. Most of them had tried in vain to get
permission to marry at home, but many young couples did not qualify because
of the strict governmental marriage requirements which demanded proof of a
"safe and independent guaranteed income." Anna Margaretha Walther and
Lorenz Lösel were among the newly wedded.
tedious leg of the journey took them from hilly, green Frankonia by small
boat, canal, train, by foot and by boat again to the Port Of Bremen. Their
courage was as great as their enthusiasm. The emigrant ship had hardly left
Bremen when four couples of the group were married by Minister August
Crämer who accompanied the party. Most of them had tried in vain to get
permission to marry at home, but many young couples did not qualify because
of the strict governmental marriage requirements which demanded proof of a
"safe and independent guaranteed income." Anna Margaretha Walther and
Lorenz Lösel were among the newly wedded.
They had a tumultuous voyage across the Atlantic where they encountered several violent storms,
seasickness, the "pox", which killed one child, and they even managed to collide with a fishing
trawler. Wind blew them north and they had to dodge icebergs for three days through dense fog.
They didn't reach New York Harbor for fifty days. Then, to get to Michigan, they had to take a
steamboat and then a train which ended up colliding with a coal train, and then another steamboat.
They next took a steamer to Detroit and a sailing ship from there up Lake Huron for a 7 day trip to
Bay City where they had to pull the ship 15 miles up the Saginaw River to Saginaw.
seasickness, the "pox", which killed one child, and they even managed to collide with a fishing
trawler. Wind blew them north and they had to dodge icebergs for three days through dense fog.
They didn't reach New York Harbor for fifty days. Then, to get to Michigan, they had to take a
steamboat and then a train which ended up colliding with a coal train, and then another steamboat.
They next took a steamer to Detroit and a sailing ship from there up Lake Huron for a 7 day trip to
Bay City where they had to pull the ship 15 miles up the Saginaw River to Saginaw.
| A Brief Overview of the Frankonian Colonies |
Lösel came from Göckendorf near Schwabach and was until his emigration a coachman at Wilhelm
Löhe's parsonage building in Neuendettelsau. It wasn't the greatest honeymoon. The drunk captain's
mate grounded on a sand bar in the Weser River and then they had to sail around Scotland instead of
through the English Channel because of storms.
Löhe's parsonage building in Neuendettelsau. It wasn't the greatest honeymoon. The drunk captain's
mate grounded on a sand bar in the Weser River and then they had to sail around Scotland instead of
through the English Channel because of storms.
Once in Frankenmuth, on the 680 acres of Indian land purchased
from the federal government for $1,700.00, they cleared the land,
built up fertile farms and raised families while also faithfully tending to
their mission of educating the Indians. They soon built a combination
church, parsonage and log cabin school and named it St. Lorenz after
their churche at home. In 1846, a second group of about 90 more
emigrants journeyed to Frankenmuth. Pastor Löhe then organized the
three other colonies in Michigan. Immigration continued through the
end of the 19th century as friends and relatives of settlers joined them.
from the federal government for $1,700.00, they cleared the land,
built up fertile farms and raised families while also faithfully tending to
their mission of educating the Indians. They soon built a combination
church, parsonage and log cabin school and named it St. Lorenz after
their churche at home. In 1846, a second group of about 90 more
emigrants journeyed to Frankenmuth. Pastor Löhe then organized the
three other colonies in Michigan. Immigration continued through the
end of the 19th century as friends and relatives of settlers joined them.
Frankenmuth stayed somewhat loyal to its founders’ intentions for over a half century, and remained
a culturally isolated German and Lutheran enclave. In 1847, thee was a religious divide, and many of
the Franconians joined with Saxon German immigrants from Perry County, Missouri to form what
eventually became the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Early Frankenmuth, below
a culturally isolated German and Lutheran enclave. In 1847, thee was a religious divide, and many of
the Franconians joined with Saxon German immigrants from Perry County, Missouri to form what
eventually became the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Early Frankenmuth, below
Frankenlust is now a subdivision of Saginaw. Frankentrost is a just a church on a broad
highway. Frankenhilf, founded to help poor Germans lead better lives, changed its name
to Richville to avoid sounding "too German" during World War I. The churches founded
by Löhe are still standing and all have either a stained glass window featuring Löhe or his
portrait hanging in the church. Frankenmuth has a small exhibit of the original church
bells cast for Löhe’s settlers in Nürnberg, Germany, and brought across the ocean for
their new church.
highway. Frankenhilf, founded to help poor Germans lead better lives, changed its name
to Richville to avoid sounding "too German" during World War I. The churches founded
by Löhe are still standing and all have either a stained glass window featuring Löhe or his
portrait hanging in the church. Frankenmuth has a small exhibit of the original church
bells cast for Löhe’s settlers in Nürnberg, Germany, and brought across the ocean for
their new church.
| Frankentrost |
Meanwhile, hearing of the success of Frankenmuth and answering Löhe's call, about 60 more
Frankonian men, women and children decided to go to America, and in anticipation they sent a total
of about 6,000 guilders to Pastor Crämer in Frankenmuth for the purchase of land. This first group
left Nürnberg on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1847 and contained the following members: J.P. Schlenk
and wife, Adam Wißmüller, wife (Margaretha Schaitberger) and two children, Michael Huber, wife
and two children, George Wißmüller, Christian Frisch and wife, Conrad Munker, wife and daughter,
Ludwig Reinbold, wife and three children, and the widow Jäckel. The group spent the first night in
Kulmbach and met with Pastor Johann H.P. Gräbner. On Thursday they reached Hannover and on
Friday, Bremen. In Bremen, they spent eight days at the “Black Horse Inn.” On the Sunday after
Easter they came to Bremerhaven, hoping to set sail on the “Hermine” April 18, but when that ship
did not appear on time, they took another ship, the “Creole,” instead.
Frankonian men, women and children decided to go to America, and in anticipation they sent a total
of about 6,000 guilders to Pastor Crämer in Frankenmuth for the purchase of land. This first group
left Nürnberg on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1847 and contained the following members: J.P. Schlenk
and wife, Adam Wißmüller, wife (Margaretha Schaitberger) and two children, Michael Huber, wife
and two children, George Wißmüller, Christian Frisch and wife, Conrad Munker, wife and daughter,
Ludwig Reinbold, wife and three children, and the widow Jäckel. The group spent the first night in
Kulmbach and met with Pastor Johann H.P. Gräbner. On Thursday they reached Hannover and on
Friday, Bremen. In Bremen, they spent eight days at the “Black Horse Inn.” On the Sunday after
Easter they came to Bremerhaven, hoping to set sail on the “Hermine” April 18, but when that ship
did not appear on time, they took another ship, the “Creole,” instead.
After a rough voyage and tedious journey to Michigan, they reached Frankenmuth where they were
offered housing and assistance until they had purchased their own land and built cabins of their own
in Frankentrost. According to instructions from Pastor Löhe, Frankentrost was to be no less than six
miles from Frankenmuth. A surveyor was hired who recommended that they settle the land about
seven miles to the northwest of Frankenmuth and about the same distance from Saginaw. Here they
purchased land from the government land office on July 22, 1847, at 77¢ per acre. The colonists of
Frankentrost did not scatter their houses on farms as in Frankenmuth, but built them in a straight row
like a German “Weiler” as Löhe had perceived. A main street ran from east to west and the cabins
were built about two rods from this road on the north and south side. Frankentrost portion of
Blumfield Township where the settlers laid roads and built cabins. Later settlers, including Georg
Schaitberger, bought acreage immediately to the west in Buena Vista Township.
offered housing and assistance until they had purchased their own land and built cabins of their own
in Frankentrost. According to instructions from Pastor Löhe, Frankentrost was to be no less than six
miles from Frankenmuth. A surveyor was hired who recommended that they settle the land about
seven miles to the northwest of Frankenmuth and about the same distance from Saginaw. Here they
purchased land from the government land office on July 22, 1847, at 77¢ per acre. The colonists of
Frankentrost did not scatter their houses on farms as in Frankenmuth, but built them in a straight row
like a German “Weiler” as Löhe had perceived. A main street ran from east to west and the cabins
were built about two rods from this road on the north and south side. Frankentrost portion of
Blumfield Township where the settlers laid roads and built cabins. Later settlers, including Georg
Schaitberger, bought acreage immediately to the west in Buena Vista Township.
The close arrangement of the houses in Frankentrost made it necessary for the individual farms to be a mile
long. Church, School and parsonage were in the center of the colony and 56 acres were set aside for church
property with 40 acres for the parsonage. To pay for these 96 acres, each settler was to contribute the price of
every twentieth acre that they owned. The wives and children of the Frankentrosters remained in Frankenmuth
for the first summer and autumn, and by the end of October, after the clearing of the forests and building of
crude, clay floored cabins, the whole colony could move to its new location.
long. Church, School and parsonage were in the center of the colony and 56 acres were set aside for church
property with 40 acres for the parsonage. To pay for these 96 acres, each settler was to contribute the price of
every twentieth acre that they owned. The wives and children of the Frankentrosters remained in Frankenmuth
for the first summer and autumn, and by the end of October, after the clearing of the forests and building of
crude, clay floored cabins, the whole colony could move to its new location.
Swamp fever was prevalent in the beginning, and the nearest
other homes were six miles away on a rough, overgrown road
to Frankenmuth through the thick forest. A new road was
built the following year, but necessities still had to be
purchased in Saginaw or Flint, and frequently it was all but
impossible to get through to those towns. When Georg
Schaitberger arrived later, he saw this need and started the
second stage service to Flint. East Saginaw in 1848, left
other homes were six miles away on a rough, overgrown road
to Frankenmuth through the thick forest. A new road was
built the following year, but necessities still had to be
purchased in Saginaw or Flint, and frequently it was all but
impossible to get through to those towns. When Georg
Schaitberger arrived later, he saw this need and started the
second stage service to Flint. East Saginaw in 1848, left
The bravery and sacrifice of these early settlers cannot be understated. They left their homes in
Germany knowing they would probably never see their loved ones there again. They faced long and
dangerous sea voyages and often land journeys just as brutal. When they arrived after dangerous
ordeals, they found wilderness. The forests were thick and abundant with wild animals, the comforts
they enjoyed in their homeland were absent, and medical care, food, clothing and other basic needs
were not to be found. Injury, sickness, and death were commonplace for settlers. They suffered
physical injury, gunshot wounds, burns and were killed by falling trees. Animal, insect, and snake
bites, overturned wagons, drownings, scurvy, cholera, typhoid, consumption (tuberculosis), diarrhea,
pox, infections, including puerperal fever following childbirth, were all commonplace. Many women
got their long skirts got caught in moving wheels on emigrant wagons or farm equipment, and were
dragged or crushed, as were children. They were tormented by insects, vermin and some perished
due to extreme heat, cold, rain, blizzards or lightning. People, especially children, got lost, some
never to be seen again.
Germany knowing they would probably never see their loved ones there again. They faced long and
dangerous sea voyages and often land journeys just as brutal. When they arrived after dangerous
ordeals, they found wilderness. The forests were thick and abundant with wild animals, the comforts
they enjoyed in their homeland were absent, and medical care, food, clothing and other basic needs
were not to be found. Injury, sickness, and death were commonplace for settlers. They suffered
physical injury, gunshot wounds, burns and were killed by falling trees. Animal, insect, and snake
bites, overturned wagons, drownings, scurvy, cholera, typhoid, consumption (tuberculosis), diarrhea,
pox, infections, including puerperal fever following childbirth, were all commonplace. Many women
got their long skirts got caught in moving wheels on emigrant wagons or farm equipment, and were
dragged or crushed, as were children. They were tormented by insects, vermin and some perished
due to extreme heat, cold, rain, blizzards or lightning. People, especially children, got lost, some
never to be seen again.
They spoke a language others did not understand, and they came from hamlets called Dinkelsbühl
and Gunzenhausen, Wachendorf and Schweinfurt. Often their children died in infancy or at birth,
and at times whole families perished together. Yet, they had a strong, abiding faith in their God and
formed intense friendships and strong communities that clung together in hard times. Some arrived
almost childlike in their optimism, while others came in a frenzy, eager to leave the frightening and
uncertain times of revolution behind them. However, they all brought skills with them and in a short
time adapted because of their industry, virtue and patience. Out of about 10,000 Frankonians, in the
first 35 years of their history, they did not produce one pauper, and only once or twice did one of
their community members end up in jail. Even today, the crime rate is almost non-existent and the
divoce rate is extremely low among these hearty descendants of Charlemagne.
and Gunzenhausen, Wachendorf and Schweinfurt. Often their children died in infancy or at birth,
and at times whole families perished together. Yet, they had a strong, abiding faith in their God and
formed intense friendships and strong communities that clung together in hard times. Some arrived
almost childlike in their optimism, while others came in a frenzy, eager to leave the frightening and
uncertain times of revolution behind them. However, they all brought skills with them and in a short
time adapted because of their industry, virtue and patience. Out of about 10,000 Frankonians, in the
first 35 years of their history, they did not produce one pauper, and only once or twice did one of
their community members end up in jail. Even today, the crime rate is almost non-existent and the
divoce rate is extremely low among these hearty descendants of Charlemagne.
Seven people were killed on impact. In a document drawn up on the morning after the
accident, the events were described in detail. Donations poured in from neighboring
villages, including Cadolzburg. The Protestant ministers of middle Franconia also took up
a collection. The official investigations gave way to some controversy and accusations of
negligence since a bulge of the high wall had been observed for 30 to 40 years. When a
farmer excavated a portion of the mountain for a new barn, he also noted the weakness,
but the municipality responded that the wall simply required a bit of repair and was in no
danger of collapse. Then, in 1864, the mountain vibrated violently and people reported it.
Also, when the local chimney sweep Johann Schaitberger and a carpenter did their winter
fire-inspection, they noticed the that the castle wall was bowing and complained of it.
Again, the municipality expressed its confidence in the wall's strength, the high costs for
repair of the wall accounting for some of their hesitation. When after the tragedy it was
rebuilt, it was constructed at half the height of the old wall.
accident, the events were described in detail. Donations poured in from neighboring
villages, including Cadolzburg. The Protestant ministers of middle Franconia also took up
a collection. The official investigations gave way to some controversy and accusations of
negligence since a bulge of the high wall had been observed for 30 to 40 years. When a
farmer excavated a portion of the mountain for a new barn, he also noted the weakness,
but the municipality responded that the wall simply required a bit of repair and was in no
danger of collapse. Then, in 1864, the mountain vibrated violently and people reported it.
Also, when the local chimney sweep Johann Schaitberger and a carpenter did their winter
fire-inspection, they noticed the that the castle wall was bowing and complained of it.
Again, the municipality expressed its confidence in the wall's strength, the high costs for
repair of the wall accounting for some of their hesitation. When after the tragedy it was
rebuilt, it was constructed at half the height of the old wall.
The Schaitberger family also had ties to Rosstal. The entire area of old MittelFranken was tight-knit and included many
people of Salzburger descent. George Veit Schaitberger was the Minister in Rosstal from 1850-1863.Many of the folks
in the Frankenmuth area heard bad news from home in 1866. The largest disaster since the Thirty Years War had hit in
Rosstal: the collapse of the old castle wall which was then 30 meters high, double its current height. In the course of time,
water pressure collecting behind the wall had loosened the rock and on the night of March 15/16, 1866 the largest part of
the wall collapsed and destroyed two houses, a barn and 2 other buildings.
people of Salzburger descent. George Veit Schaitberger was the Minister in Rosstal from 1850-1863.Many of the folks
in the Frankenmuth area heard bad news from home in 1866. The largest disaster since the Thirty Years War had hit in
Rosstal: the collapse of the old castle wall which was then 30 meters high, double its current height. In the course of time,
water pressure collecting behind the wall had loosened the rock and on the night of March 15/16, 1866 the largest part of
the wall collapsed and destroyed two houses, a barn and 2 other buildings.
Eventually, the railroad would come to the area, changing the face
of business and travel. The Flint & Pere Marquette Railway was
organized January 22, 1857 with construction beginning in 1861.
The road was completed from East Saginaw to Mount Morris in
January 1862, Flint in 1863 and Midland in 1867.
of business and travel. The Flint & Pere Marquette Railway was
organized January 22, 1857 with construction beginning in 1861.
The road was completed from East Saginaw to Mount Morris in
January 1862, Flint in 1863 and Midland in 1867.
Soon, after their savings were extinguished, many Frankentrost men found it necessary to work in
saw mills to earn a living, alternately spending a month on their farms and a month in a mill. In the
first year, a road was laid through the village and 100 acres of timber cleared, so that by the spring of
1848, the first crop of corn, potatoes, wheat, and vegetables was grown, only to be killed by drought.
Many babies died in the first years and one settler lost his life when a tree fell on him.
saw mills to earn a living, alternately spending a month on their farms and a month in a mill. In the
first year, a road was laid through the village and 100 acres of timber cleared, so that by the spring of
1848, the first crop of corn, potatoes, wheat, and vegetables was grown, only to be killed by drought.
Many babies died in the first years and one settler lost his life when a tree fell on him.
The colonies soon had their own flour and wood mills and were industriously making a living. New
houses, churches and schools were built and the forests turned into fertile farms.
houses, churches and schools were built and the forests turned into fertile farms.
A pastel of Lorenz Lösel, one of the first brave young Frankenmuth settlers
The eventual St. Lorenz church
Once in America, very few returned to Germany. Although their common ethnic community bond
would last only a little more than a half a century in Loehe's other settlements, and the pledge to
remain loyal to their fatherland and to the German language was mostly forgotten, Frankenmuth is
still home to many descendants of the original settlers and has an active Lutheran church community.
One of two Lutheran churches in town, St. Lorenz has today 4,700 baptized members, five pastors
and three organists, and although only 30 to 50 worshipers still show up for the bi-monthly German-
language service, unlike most victims of anti-German hysteria in World War One, it somehow
managed to survive. There are 500 students in its parochial school, and 98 percent of Frankenmuth’s
high school graduates go on to college. The town retained some old charm and created new charm,
becoming a popular tourist spot as a "Bavarian" village. The old Frankish dialect is in danger of dying
out in the younger generation, however, and most folks here today communicate in High German.
would last only a little more than a half a century in Loehe's other settlements, and the pledge to
remain loyal to their fatherland and to the German language was mostly forgotten, Frankenmuth is
still home to many descendants of the original settlers and has an active Lutheran church community.
One of two Lutheran churches in town, St. Lorenz has today 4,700 baptized members, five pastors
and three organists, and although only 30 to 50 worshipers still show up for the bi-monthly German-
language service, unlike most victims of anti-German hysteria in World War One, it somehow
managed to survive. There are 500 students in its parochial school, and 98 percent of Frankenmuth’s
high school graduates go on to college. The town retained some old charm and created new charm,
becoming a popular tourist spot as a "Bavarian" village. The old Frankish dialect is in danger of dying
out in the younger generation, however, and most folks here today communicate in High German.
Four months after they left Germany, the 15 colonists then walked 12 miles through swamps and
forest with their belongings in an oxcart to Frankenmuth where they selected an area with slightly
rolling hills for their settlement because it reminded them of home.
forest with their belongings in an oxcart to Frankenmuth where they selected an area with slightly
rolling hills for their settlement because it reminded them of home.
Twelve young Frankonian men and women were among those who left their German homeland and
boarded the ship Caroline in April of 1845 bound for the wilds of America with the vision of forming
a mission-hamlet called Frankenmuth, Michigan. Eight of the group were from the village of Roßtal.
boarded the ship Caroline in April of 1845 bound for the wilds of America with the vision of forming
a mission-hamlet called Frankenmuth, Michigan. Eight of the group were from the village of Roßtal.
| Frankenlust |
Reverand Georg Ernst Christian Ferdinand Sievers was a native of Lueneburg in the province of
Hannover. In 1833, he entered the University of Goettingen where he studied theology and also
attended the University of Berlin and the University of Halle to continue his education. He was
ordained in 1847, and in that year he lead a group of Frankonian emigrants to the U.S., settling
initially in Frankenmuth.
Hannover. In 1833, he entered the University of Goettingen where he studied theology and also
attended the University of Berlin and the University of Halle to continue his education. He was
ordained in 1847, and in that year he lead a group of Frankonian emigrants to the U.S., settling
initially in Frankenmuth.
The following year, with financial support from the Franken Society for
American Missions in Erlangen, Germany, Sievers turned his attention to a new
settlement in Frankenlust; he purchased of 645.7 acres of Indian reservation
land from the government in the area which was then a part of northern
Saginaw County. This facilitated the arrival of a second group of emigrants to
the Frankenlust colony. They held thier first service at their newly organized St.
Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 25, 1848. Sievers spent the
rest of his life attending to the needs of the church community he founded.
American Missions in Erlangen, Germany, Sievers turned his attention to a new
settlement in Frankenlust; he purchased of 645.7 acres of Indian reservation
land from the government in the area which was then a part of northern
Saginaw County. This facilitated the arrival of a second group of emigrants to
the Frankenlust colony. They held thier first service at their newly organized St.
Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 25, 1848. Sievers spent the
rest of his life attending to the needs of the church community he founded.
| Frankenmuth |
| Frankenhilf |
As previously mentioned, marriage requirements of the day were very strict in Bavaria, and
sometimes a considerable sum of money was required before a couple could marry, money most
small farmers could not afford. Consequently, many couples "shacked up" together. Löhe raised
money for these common-law families to immigrate, provided they would promise to marry in the
eyes of God once they arrived. The families that agreed to Löhe’s offer settled in Frankenhilf. But
Frankenhilf had a shaky beginning. Most of the original group of settlers immediately left for Detroit
and other areas after arriving in Michigan in 1850, and only two families and their pastor, Herman
Kuehn, actually made it to the primitive settlement of Frankenhilf. The settlement consisted of only
6 families before 1852. It was the poorest of the settlements but was helped by the other villages until
the farmers could make their own living. The first log cabin church was built and dedicated on
September 29, 1853 and the took the name St. Michael Lutheran Church. After that, more families
arrived from Germany and the colony grew a bit. Since that time, the church congregation has grown
to almost 1,600 members, and continues to run its own school.
sometimes a considerable sum of money was required before a couple could marry, money most
small farmers could not afford. Consequently, many couples "shacked up" together. Löhe raised
money for these common-law families to immigrate, provided they would promise to marry in the
eyes of God once they arrived. The families that agreed to Löhe’s offer settled in Frankenhilf. But
Frankenhilf had a shaky beginning. Most of the original group of settlers immediately left for Detroit
and other areas after arriving in Michigan in 1850, and only two families and their pastor, Herman
Kuehn, actually made it to the primitive settlement of Frankenhilf. The settlement consisted of only
6 families before 1852. It was the poorest of the settlements but was helped by the other villages until
the farmers could make their own living. The first log cabin church was built and dedicated on
September 29, 1853 and the took the name St. Michael Lutheran Church. After that, more families
arrived from Germany and the colony grew a bit. Since that time, the church congregation has grown
to almost 1,600 members, and continues to run its own school.
