Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Source |
Froelich Foundation 1890s Village Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Statewide Settlement (1869-1896) |
Chronological Tag |
The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900) |
Catalog Number |
2018.037.006 |
Credit line |
Froelich Foundation 1890s Village Museum - McGregor, Iowa |
Description |
This is a photograph of Herman Schneider, one of the earliest settlers of Giard Township, Iowa. In 1829, Schneider left his home in Hessen, Germany and immigrated to the United States in order to avoid being drafted into the German Army. After he arrived in New York, Schneider was taken in and trained by a German blacksmith. He then joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin during the Blackhawk War. After the Blackhawk War, Schneider claimed a 160-acre homestead in Giard Township in present day Clayton County. He invited 28 of his close friends, including Henry Froelich, to join him in Iowa. After arriving in Iowa, Froelich helped found a village of Froelich, Iowa, which was named after him and his family. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration and SS-US 9-12.23 Iowans Influence US History in a lesson on immigrants experience in Iowa and Iowans impact on the BlackHawk war. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
While positioned in the army at Ft. Crawford, Prairie du Chien as a gunsmith, Schneider met his wife Martha Foster, who worked at the hotel of the town. During serving in the Blackhawk War, (a war between the US Government and the Sauk and Fox Native American tribes over ownership of territory in the West), Scheider was able to learn how to communicate with several tribes. After the war ended, a treaty was signed that stated the US government would repair any guns of the Native Americans to be used again for hunting. Schneider was assigned to this project and travelled between Ft. Atkinson and Ft. Crawford establishing peace between the Native Americans and white people. A story goes that one night while staying at an inn in the town of Luana, a group of Native Americans who had too much to drink, began to cause a ruckus outside the inn. Devising a plan to harm the innkeeper who had denied them alcohol (Luana was included in the "Neutral Grounds" which banned alcohol), the Native Americans had planned to burn the inn down. Schneider, being able to speak their native language, was able to gain control of the situation and talk the men out of their plans. |
County Tag |
Clayton |
People |
Schneider, Herman Froelich, John |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
War & Conflict The Military in Iowa Immigrants War Homesteading |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Froelich Foundation 1890s Village Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
