Immigrant Settlements and Social Organization in South Dakota J
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South Dakota State University Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange South Dakota State University Agricultural Bulletins Experiment Station 6-1-1937 Immigrant Settlements and Social Organization in South Dakota J. P. Hohansen Follow this and additional works at: http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/agexperimentsta_bulletins Recommended Citation Hohansen, J. P., "Immigrant Settlements and Social Organization in South Dakota" (1937). Bulletins. Paper 313. http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/agexperimentsta_bulletins/313 This Bulletin is brought to you for free and open access by the South Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station at Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bulletins by an authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. J Bulletin 313 June, 1937 IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENTS AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA By John P. Johansen Department of Rural Sociology Agricultural Experiment Station_ South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Brookings, S. D. � """'••• 6 i. t • • •••••••• ¢, + • + • • , ........ ... + • + •• r.. + .............. Table of Contents Page I. Introduction Aim and Scope of the Present Study ----------------------- 3 The Conservation of the Immigrant Heritage --- ------------ 4 II. Immigrant Settlements in Dakota Territory and in South Dakota The Censuses of 1860 and 1870 --------------------------- 6 Norwegian Settlements and Their Social Organization _______ 8 Norwegian Pioneer Settlements in Dakota Territory ____ 8 Persons Born in Norway, 1860-1935 ___________________ 9 Churches and Related Organizations ___________________ 12 Sons of Norway Lodges and the "Bygdelag" ____________ 14 The Norwegian Singers' Association of America ________ 15 Swedish Settlements ------------------------- ------------ 16 Danish Settlements and Their Social Organization __________ 17 Danish Immigrants in South Dakota, 1870-1936 _________ 19 Denominations Represented in Danish Settlements ______ 19 Societies Which Function in Danish Communities ____ _:___ 21 Bohemian Settlements and Their Social Organization _______ 23 Beginnings in Southwestern Yankton County, 1869 ______ 23 The Village of Tabor ------ -- ------------------------ 24 The Westward Trend of Bohemian Settlements _________ 25 Social OrganiZation in Bohemian Settlements __________ 26 Immigration of German-Russians, 1873 -------------------- 29 Sub-groups among German-Russians __________________ 29 The Coming of the Mennonites and the Hutterites ______ 30 Hutterite Branch Colonies along the James River _______ 33 A Visitor Describes One of the Colonies in 1912 _________ 35 Principles of Hutterian Social Organization ____________ 37 Swiss-German Mennonites from Russia Transplant Whole Villages ---------- --------------------- -- --------- 39 Later Immigration of German-Russians ________________ 41 III. The Pattern of Nationality Settlements of the State, 1890-1930 The Concentration and Dispersion of the Foreign-born ______ 44 The Westward Expansion of Settlement ----- - ------------ - 4 7 IV. The Assimilation Process, Its Nature and Extent The Concept of Assimilation -- ------ ---- -- -------------- - 32 The Assimilation of Immigrant Churches ------------------ 52 The Language Problem in the Immigrant Church __ ____ 53 The Displacement of Norwegian by English ____________ 54 Stages of Levels in the Formation of Foreign Church Organizations ------------------------------------- 57 Tendency Toward Union and Federation --------------- 58 Factors Affecting the Assimilation of Churches _________ 60 V. Summary: Immigratio� and Social Organization Immigrant Settlements and Social Organization In South Dakota By John P. Johansen Introduction Aim and Scope of the Present Study In a previous study, "Immigrants and Their Children in South Da kota," we discussed mainly the influence of immigration upon the com -position and growth of the population of the state. In the present study, we are not so much concerned with the numerical or statistical aspects of immigration, but we aim rather to describe the historical, social, and cultural aspects of immigration into South Dakota. We make a brief ac .count of the historical circumstances that led to the establishment of immigrant settlements in that part of Dakota Territory which later be came South Dakota. We aim to answer the question "Where were these settlements located and by what nationalities were they made ?" Having answered that question, we outline the system of social organization of the foreign settlements. , We pay special attention, therefore, to those group bonds which unite immigrant settlements into churches and church related associations; into lodges based upon nationality consciousness; and into a great variety of other associations organized by immigrants for social, charitable, and cultural purposes, both in the local communities and at large in the United States. Immigrant nationality groups are not divisible according to state lines. On the contrary, they are united by many bonds and in fluences, such as newspapers, educational institutions, radio broadcasting stations, fraternal societies and synodical affiliations which have head quarters in other states, if not in South Dakota. Another objective of the present study is to discuss the process of assimilation as it affects immigrants individually and in groups, and as it conditions the social and cultural life of the people of the state. One large aspect of the assimilation process is social-psychological in nature. It comprises those gradual changes whereby immigrants and their children become American in sentiments, ideals, and behavior. Another large as pect of assimilation is that which pertains to the material culture of the immigrants, the things they bring from the old world. With regard to this process of assimilation, we may seek to answer various inquiries: To what extent has it taken place, not only in regard to individuals, but with regard to immigrant institutions ? How may this process of assimi :ation be promoted ? And lastly, how may these immigrant settlements with their varied cultural heritage be considered assets or sources of ma terial, social and cultural enrichment of the life of the people of the. state ? 4 BULLETIN 313 SOUTH DAKOTA EXPERIMENT STATION The tendency .is to forget this heritage and to fail to appreciate its significance. Immigrants, in a certain sense, live in two countries, the new and the old. They occupy marginal positions in relation to two so cieties and cultures. Their children, in a slightly different sense, do like wise. Culturally there is a break, a lack of continuity, or even an es trangement between the two generations. Generally speaking, if we are to live fully we must make careful use of the heritage of our fathers. Certainly we should seek to understand the various origins from which we have come. In the public schools, children study the cultural foun dations of the United States laid by English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, and other nationalities. In a similar manner the history of South Dakota may and should be studied. Through this approach to our own background and origins, history can be related quite directly to our fathers and forefathers and to the great movements and trends of their times. In this bulletin, therefore, we have aimed in some measure to bridge this gap in the history of the state. We have sought to assemble ma terials from numerous sources and publications which are not available to the general public. Out of these materials, we have put together our discussion of the various immigrant settlements in Dakota Territory and in South Dakota. The Conservation of the Immigrant Heritage In the homes of immigrants many objects are found which were brought from the old country, such as pieces of furniture, trunks, spin ning wheels, kitchen utensils, garments, footwear, tapestries, linen, et cetera.1 Many of these objects possess great beauty of design and ex cellence of workmanship. To let them be forgotten or destroyed would be a great waste of cultural resources. Here and there certain individ uals have gathered private collections. Some historical societies, notably the Norwegian "Bygdelag", have evinced an interest in establishing mu seums for such collections. While it is desirable that private initiative f.hould undertake such efforts at the outset, in the long run the cost of proper display, care, cataloguing, and storage of such objects is too great for private enterprises. In the larger cities of the state public museums have been established and beginnings have also been made in various county seats. A great task, however, remains undone in reaching and de veloping the interest and good will of the foreign contributors. Similarly in immigrant settlements there are likely to be many valu able records of parishes, congregations, and affiliated societies .. Some of these records may have considerable legal value for persons as well as for corporations. There are also likely to be found records of the organiza tion and activities of early farmers' associations and farmers' coopera tives. The records of townships, school districts, and the like are often kept in the vaults of public offices at county seats. Yet there is great need for the services