German Immigrants to Pulaski County
Pulaski County has had many immigrants from Germany, in groups that came to America at different times. One such group came in the period of 1850-1856. Quite a number of families settled in that period in the northwest part of the county, particularly in what became Cass Township. Some immigrated from Germany to the Michigan City and Wanatah areas.
Many of the men obtained work on construction of the Monon Railroad. This construction started in Michigan City and worked south, while another started in Lafayette to work north. The halfway point was said to have been between Medaryville and Francesville, about where West Central School is presently located.
Much of the land from there to the north was either sandy or swampland. The German immigrants were thus enabled to purchase land at a low price. They established homes and churches. The first schools were conducted in the German language in the churches.
The Old Chest
Click on these photos to see them full-sized.
- Gothart (d 1904 at the age of 96) and Mina Maddens (1798 – 1865) Fealke. Gothart (gravestone says ‘Falk’) and Mina are buried in Sutton Cemetery near Medaryville.
- Johann (or John) Krabbe (1819 – 1894) and his first wife Frederike (daughter of Gothart and Mina, 1834 – 1866). Frederike died at the age 0f 32 leaving four children.
John married again, to Johanna; there were 3 children of this second marriage. One child was Caroline Krabbe.
The chest could have belonged to either family group, but most likely Gothart and Mina. Mina would have been 48 years old when the chest was built; Frederike would have been 12.
Following the death of Mina, the chest stayed with Frederike’s family. After her death, it passed to Johanna, the second wife, and then to Johanna’s daughter, Caroline Krabbe.
Caroline (1864 – 1897) married Henry Busch (1858 – 1958). Henry was born in Germany. Shared German history continued through the family line. When the Genealogical Society read the tombstones of the Krabbe extendended family, it was Caroline and Henry’s daughter, Clara Busch, who read the German script for them.
The chest remained with Caroline and Henry, then with Henry, who lived many years following her death. He lived to be 100 years 6 months, and died at his home about three miles east of Medaryville.
Following Henry’s death, their daughter Clara left the farm and moved to town. She held a farm auction in which the beautiful, handmade, hand-painted chest was sold. The chest then found its way to the Pulaski County Historical Society’s museum.
Last Owners of the Chest
Henry appears to be the last person to love and hold onto the chest. Following his death, at age 100, his daughter Clara (who never married) sold the chest at an auction.
