John Pitzen

(The handwritten notes say: Writing is taken out of the Homeland Book from Mayen in the year 1957. Please return.)

Wall saying from Eifeler farm parlours:

Where belief, there is love

Where peace, there is God

Where love, there is peace

Where God, there is no need

As you believe, so you live

As you live, so you die

As you die, so you ride

As you ride, so you remain.

By: Hugo Ostermann, Ahrweiler

The Colony Johnsburg in the State of Illinois (USA) established by a Virneburger

In the year of 1850, the Midwest of the United States was a wide vacant prairie with som Indian trives and a few white homesteaders who were scattered here and there. With the intent to attract more settlers, the government gave away large tracts of land that had to be cultivated by the pioneers. Some tracts were as large as 60 acres. to become the owner of this land, it required proof of a five-year settlement and the cultivation of the land. Should not these tempting offerings, especially by people in distressed areas, find a willing ear? Among other reasons, poverty in teh Eifel forced people int he 19th Century to emigrate. In the 50th year of the 19th Centrue, the Eifel was befallen with more distressed. The poverty throughout the Eifel villages for that generation was unbearable. Two-thirds of the population enjoyed meat only once a year, whereas the other third could not even afford meat every Sunday. Almost all farmers were indebted. The desperate Eifeler had to turn to drastic ways and means and emigrate. Our Eifel saw thousands of their children cross the ocean.

Among these Virneburger was Nikolaus Frett (Footnote 1). He arrived in America in 1841 and first settled down in an area near Chicago. In a letter dated 08/30/1841, Frett write as following: "My piece of land is according to German measuremens, 200 Morgen. I have a very nice meadow with grass so high that is grows over my head. The forest consists of many fruit bearing trees, walnuts and hazelnuts. Also, lemon grow wild in an abundance. Nikolaus Adams von Hirten and Jakob Schmitt von Muenk have their lands next to mine. Once we are settled we are able to keep 100 cattle. Cattle feed themselves in teh pasture. Cows, pigs, oxes, horses are always outside. We thank God every day that he brought us here. In Buffalo, I heard that Fuchs from Virneburg shoudl be in Michigan, but I would advise not to move to him because it is unhealthy there and the land is not as good as here." Free with wife and children worked many years in a strange country. he ended his letter with, "I remain, your faithful friend and brother-in-law."

Do you recognize that longing fro the homeland that he left out of dispair? After this, we did not hear from Frett any more. He only lived 10 years more. His son, Johann, grew up and too over the property so hard worked for. He worked for many years on the culitvation of more land that he acquired. For who,m? He owned enough for himself. Letters from the old homeland addressed to his father still arrived becuse nobody knew that he had died already. Here in the homeland, poverty still lingert on. Acquaintances from Virneburg and its neighbouring villages also wanted to come, to help and work and find a new homeland. Could he disappoint them? The thought of having people from his homeland join him, and work with them, gave him much joy and endurance in his hard work. Here stood a man of German origin, a son of the Eifel, a stranger in this still strange land, who himslef was probably not even aware of the great task; to have a new land for other and thsoe to follow. The found now, son Johann Frett, who greeted them with open arms and from now on all worked very hard. After several years, they established their own colony. A homestead without a name. Is it a surprise that all settlers agreed to name is "Johnsburg," after John Frett? They discussed the name, wrote it down and the surrounding settlers used the name, and at last it was accpeted by the government. Frett and all the others from Johnsburg who came from the Eifel where they lived as good Christians and pledged to continue and preserve and cultivate Christianity in their new homeland. Therefore, they built a church, the St. Johanniskirche with a small cemetary.

Today, Johnsburg is a very nice, small town. Its surroundings are beautiful and during the last 40 yars, it has developed into a popular summer resort. Johann Frett had a brother, called Wilhelm. Both had many children. In the cemetery of Johnsburg are laid to rest Nikolaus Frett and his two sons. The daughter of Johann Frett, Helen, whose married name is Chillo, traveled in April of 1929 through Europe and visited Koblenz. She could not remember anything of the homeland of her grandfathers and fathers. She searched for it, but was unsuccessful and traveled home again. On 12/20/1932, she read an articled in the Chicago Tribune about German emigrants which also included the before mentioned letter of her grandfather. She then wrote a letter, "...I read your article in the Chicago Tribune and was overjoyed. I showed it to all the Fretts still living here. We were all very touched. Best greetings to all the Frett families still living and their descendants from the Frett family." I am thankful for the opportunity to publish this unknown story to the people of Virneburg and vicinity fo the following reason. Firstly this story proves that people who left our homeland were not loafers. Secondly, we can be proud of our people, like Frett, his work and the establishment of a town in the USA that carries his name. Should not all schools of the Virneburger land be made aware of Johnsburg? They should be proud of Virneburg and its eautiful surroundings, but they should also be able to say to their children: one of our Virneburger is the founder of a town, 30 miles from chicago, near the town of McHenry, that carries his name.

Let's not be ashamed of the love of our homeland. What they write today should be a reminder and a commitment. Mrs. Kirchmann, a descendant of Fretts and still living, ended her letter with the following quoatation: "My sister and I were the first to return to the birthplace of our fathers and it gave us unbelieveable excitement to become acquainted and familiar with the Eifel province, its past and present history. I still have a feeling that I am a part of you."

FOOTNOTES:

Footnote #1:

EMIGRATION RECORDS FROM THE GERMAN EIFEL REGION 1834 - 1911, pages 8 - 9, Compiled and Authored by Dr. Hanns Egon Freund. Published by McHENRY COUNTY ILLINOIS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, P.O. Box 184, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014-0184, copyright 1991. Excerpts from the Foreward written by Dr. Hanns Egon Freund of Munich in January 1991 and translated by Helmut Mueller of Palatine, Illinois: Letters sent to friends and family in the Eifel district from those who had immigrated to America encouraged what was to become one of the largest mass emigration movements in the world, rivaled only by the Irish emigration during the potato famine. During the years 1834 to 1911, 140,000 people, almost half of the entire population of the Eifel district, left their homes forever to emigrate to America. "Why did these emigrants leave the Eifel? Emphatically, their motivation was not religious persecution [in contrast to the Palatines, south of the Moselle]. Rather, it was the abject poverty of the region, coupled with three consecutive years of failed crops which led, by 1840, to total deprivation and starvation. Most of these people left because they did not want to die, although mandatory military service in the Prussian Army [three years] and other problems may have played a minor role." Two letters are known of that greatly influenced the Eifel emigration. Nikolaus Frett wrote a letter dated "Chicago, August 30, 1841" addressed to "the merchant Marhoffer" at Virneburg. The letter described excellent conditions at Johnsburg, Illinois and "....emigrants from the towns of Engeln, Wanderath, Hirten, Luxem, Weiler, etc. settled in McHenry County, Illinois, especially Johnsburg." Johann Fuchs had written previously (his letter is mentioned in Nikolaus Frett's) about Westphalia, Michigan. "Those who followed him came from Langenfeld and the nearby towns of Langescheid, Jammelshoven and Kolverath. German settlers in the "Holy Land" of Wisconsin originated from places such as Nitz, Drees, and Bruck." With letters from friends and family in America as their guide, emigrants from the Eifel region settled at four major destinations: McHenry County, Illinois, Clinton County, Michigan, eastern Wisconsin including Fond du Lac and Brown Counties, and Lorain County, Ohio. "The original emigrant records can no longer be found and may have been destroyed during World War II. Fortunately Dr. Joseph Scheben, an official at the records office in Adenau in the 1930's, took an interest in the old files and created his own catalog. Dr. Scheben's files are now in the custody of the Institut Für Geschichtliche Landeskunde der Rheinlande an der Universität Bonn....The director of the Institute, Professor Dr. George Dröge, gave the author access to the files in 1982 with the understanding that the information would eventually be made available to the public."

Footnote #2: (http://www.johnsburg.org/welcome.htm)

Johnsburg is a picturesque community bordered to the east by Fox River, and located at the gateway to Northern Illinois' acclaimed Chain of Lakes recreational area. Our village retains much of its original character and charm due to careful planning. Architectural landmarks have been preserved and are complimented by new neighbors. Our downtown district is preparing for thoughtful redevelopment. Vast areas of open space have been protected throughout our community, and native vegetation and wildlife are abundant. Johnsburg has a rich history and relatives of some of its original settlers are still around to share its story. Today, nearly 6,000 residents are proud to call Johnsburg home - and with very good reason. Our superior elementary and high school system enjoys the support of enthusiastic booster clubs. Skyhawk fever is everywhere! Religious facilities of all faiths are close at hand. Modern medical and emergency services are within comforting reach. Johnsburg is serviced by one of the highest rated fire protection districts in the State of Illinois. Community parks and playgrounds are plentiful, and are well-used by residents.

Our Village is also proud of its many local volunteer service organizations, whose members work to provide assistance to those in need, and provide services and recreational events for both residents and visitors to enjoy. Johnsburg offers attractive neighborhoods, diverse housing opportunities and a strong sense of community to potential new residents. Commercial opportunities abound along Johnsburg's Route 31 corridor, which extends for 1.3 miles and encompasses over 700 acres of commercial and light industrial zoning along the Village's western boundary. Johnsburg really does have it all! We're the Hometown with Spirit, featuring friendly residents, a proud heritage, good municipal and education services, and exciting growth opportunities for business.