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Recollections of fRiedRich “f aR West ” M uench , GeRMan -a MeRican nestoR of MissouRi

riedrich Muench (1799– the Giessen Immigration Society 1881) was one of the most for a wide readership. 3 The autobi - Finfluential German pioneers ography and numerous obituaries in the history of Missouri and which appeared in the German- might rightly be viewed as one of American press describe his life the fathers of the German immi - and work in detail, covering the gration to the state. Widely known basic dates, facts and events. for his writings in German and Adding to our understanding of English, which often appeared this influential Missouri German under the pseudonym “Far West,” pioneer is an account of him writ - Muench was one of the more pro - ten by Gert Goebel, editor of the lific German-American authors of German-language pub - his time, writing on a whole range lished in Hermann, Missouri, the of social, political, cultural, histor - Hermanner Volksblatt .4 1 ical and philosophical topics. Goebel’s series of articles Muench is particularly well was entitled “Aus dem Privatleben known in the Missouri River des alten Veteranen Friedrich Valley region called the Missouri Műnch aus frűher Zeit,” or: “From Rhineland. 2 However, his writings the Private Life of an old Veteran played an important role in the from Early On.” This series history of German immigration appeared the Hermanner Volks- both to Missouri and to America. blatt in five installments from His many publications on Ger - December 23, 1881, to February man-American history illuminate 17, 1882. 5 Rather than writing a the time period in which he lived. standard obituary, Goebel chose to Additionally, there are his signifi - write a lengthier biographical cant works dealing with vinicul - essay consisting of his recollec - ture and his work as one of the tions of Muench. pioneers of winemaking in Mis - What follows is my transla - souri. tion of Goebel’s series of articles Ralph Gregory has translated together with explanatory notes. Muench’s autobiography, provid - Before this series appeared, ing a fascinating survey of the life Goebel published an announce - of this influential co-founder of ment that serves as an introduction Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 80

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to his series. As his series supple - same ship together in the summer ments and complements but does of 1834 to and several not replace the obituaries that months later to Missouri. We lived appeared in the press, one of them no more than twelve miles from is included here, following the one another and it was only the translation of his articles, as it fact that the Missouri River offers a concise biographical flowed between our farms, which sketch of Muench’s life and work kept us from getting together more on both sides of the Atlantic. often than was the case. 7 Taken together, they provide a pic - not many mortals have the ture of Far West as viewed and good fortune as did our old friend understood by his contemporaries of passing away so easily and in the German-American press of beautifully, with the proof of his Missouri. unending work, the grapevine 8 Friedrich Muench , by Gert shears in his cold hand. Goebel , Hermanner Volks- We were already about to go blatt , 16 d eceMber 1881 to press and have not collected our Yesterday evening, we received thoughts enough so as be able to the following postcard: calmly and freely write an obitu - ary of this worthy pioneer, but will Dutzow, 12 December 1881 try to make up for this in time for Friedrich Muench was found dead the next issue this coming week. this evening with the grapevine FroM the Private liFe oF an shears in his hand in his vineyard. 6 old veteran FroM early on, Burial, Friday, 2 P.M. Part i, by Gert Goebel , Her - Sincerely, Dr. Klueber manner WocHenblatt , 23 Even though it is not particu - deceMber 1881 larly noteworthy when someone Since we were informed of the dies at the age of 83, we neverthe - unexpected death of our old friend less were speechless for several Friedrich Muench by means of a minutes after receiving this post - postcard, it was already to late for card last night. us to report in detail of the loss We are probably the oldest of suffered by the entire German ele - the friends still living of our old ment of the u.S. as a result of the “Far West,” as we came on the demise of this outstanding pio - —80 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 81

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neer, as we were about to go to At that time, there were no press. trains in the East and we had to Due to the articles, which make the journey from Baltimore have appeared since last week in with freight wagons. The trip was the Westliche Post and the An - slow, as only 15 to 18 miles could zeiger des Westens regarding the be covered daily. The women and life and death of our old Far West, children rode on the packed wag - we have been beaten to the punch ons and the man and young boys in this regard and can only con - walked mainly on ahead or along - side them. 11 firm that which already been said. However, in these articles the The driver of one wagon had focus has been primarily on his the bad habit of drinking too much public life, as not much was and was once so intoxicated that known of his private affairs, espe - he could not steer the four-horse cially early on. 9 team and laid down in the wagon, unconcerned with his cargo. In Therefore, it might be of such cases, Muench mounted a interest for who knew him person - saddled horse and steered the ally to learn something of his early horses along, something he had life in Missouri before he had never done as a student or pastor. made a name for himself. Outside This was not really a great work of of his family we probably know art, as the horses knew their way more about his early history than and calmly walked behind the anyone else alive. other wagons. However, in all When Friedrich Muench emi - cases he never mistreated the hors - grated, he was in his 36 th year and es forcefully. was a large, slender and very One time when he was driv - robust man. My father and his ing the team, my father got tired family were Muench’s traveling and wanted to get down from the companions from Bremen to wagon and asked Muench to stop. Baltimore and from there to the He did everything possible to ful - distant West. 10 It was then that I fill my father’s request, but noth - got to know him as a man who ing worked. All commands, shout - took action when it was necessary ing, and reining-in did not have to do so and who knew how to the desired effect and the horses fend for himself. kept calmly moving on. Later on, —81 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 82

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my father sarcastically remarked our traveling companion, Fried - that his friend Muench “did not rich Muench. yet know the magic word to bring My father did not dare take American horses to a halt.” such journeys alone in the woods, Our highly learned friend was but I did. A friend, Ferdinand, who certainly not able at this time to had come with us to Missouri, deliver an English-language ad - decided to visit Muench several dress in the senate. months later. We found the way On the journey on the Ohio without difficulty to the then still River Muench was the lead singer quite insignificant settlement of almost every evening with his Washington. There we crossed the fine-sounding tenor voice, as we river, but then we stood like “oxen immigrants sang our German at the mountain” as the expression songs to the best of our abilities goes, since we had no idea which for the captain and his crew. 12 way to go and so took the first path In St. Louis we then split up. that we found. Soon we came to a Several weeks earlier, Paul rather large old farm in the bot - Follenius, Muench’s brother-in- toms. We stopped there, inquiring law, had already purchased what as to the direction to Muench’s was then called “classic land” in farm. the vicinity of the old Duden farm We were immediately recog - in Warren county and our friend nized as Germans due to our attire, 13 Muench followed him there. My our German hunting gear, but father moved to the area near the especially because of our gibber - old newport, on the other hand. ish, which was supposed to be Even though we lived only English. They were very friendly twelve miles from each other, it and endeavored to tell us the way. was not easy at the time to find Our friend Muench had already German settlers in the area. aroused the interest of his However, Muench searched American neighbors, since as and found his good friend, my much was we could understand, father, and I recall the joy we all people spoke with high regard of had one evening when we saw a the noteworthy German by the stranger walking down a forest name of “Minsch,” was the way path and then recognized him as Americans pronounced his name. —82 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 83

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Without further difficulties or So, after these kinds of adventures, we found what was changes had transpired, we man - then a small farm with a simple aged to see each other again. log house, located on a rather FroM the Private liFe …, P art steep hill. We were greeted with 2, Hermanner WocHenblatt , 13 the greatest joy as old friends by January 1882 the entire family, since traveling companions who had shared a The so-called Americanization in journey lasting almost six months practical matters took place much acquire a life-long affinity for one more slowly in the almost exclu - another. sively German settlements at Lake After this visit, it was almost creek than by us on the south side four more years (1838) until we of the Missouri, because there was saw each other again. In the mean - a lack of examples and teachers time, we both had learned much and only by means of untiring per - that we hadn’t known before, but severance and diligence was the the experiences we had made were difficulty in clearing the forests of a quite different kind. overcome. And, this was the main task, as only those with means The few Americans who had were able to buy the small, still settled in the hilly woods at Lake very insignificant farms of the creek and Femme-Osage were Americans, while the poorer folk almost all gone and Germans, had to build huts in the middle of many of whom had belonged to the woods. the Giessen Immigration Society, had moved their in droves. 14 Also, in this regard Muench In our neighborhood on the set a good example, as he one of south side of the Missouri River the most hard-working, but in the there were only a few Germans beginning he made the same mis - and I had no German friends of my takes as his neighbors, which was age. And, so I grew up among the quite understandable. backwoods hunters and their sons, The many Germans, who acquiring their language, customs came with us into the country, and traditions, as well as their made their way into these new cir - skills. However, I cannot say that I cumstances, even though their made any particular contribution prejudices and piety for their old to the progress of civilization. ways stood in their way for many —83 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 84

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years, as all German farmers are as German settlements were not even a rule not very progressive-mind - able to explain in an understand - ed. However, the countless strokes able way to an American how to of genius, which were accom - get to the next farm. plished by the many craftsmen and Our friend Muench had to even artists and scholars, who had deal with these kinds of difficul - never in their life had held a hoe or ties in the beginning, because he axe, bordered on the unbelievable rarely had the opportunity of and such reminiscences today pro - speaking English. vide often provide the stuff for However, he eagerly devoted amusing conversation. But the himself to the study of the English current generation does not always language and as a man with a thor - have a sense for, or understanding oughly scholarly education who of such matters. was knowledgeable of classical However, there are two sides languages, he was soon able to to everything. Even if these early write splendid essays in English. settlers were left to their own de - nevertheless, he still had difficul - vices and only slowly made some ty speaking it, as he thought in progress by means of great effort German and had to translate his on their part, they nevertheless thoughts while speaking. were spared for the most part from When I was with him and the humdrum of backwoods life. traveling Americans stayed over But such life was only the child of night, he usually said to me as a its time and had arisen from the rule: “Tonight, you will have to first primitive beginnings of civi - take over the conversation, as I lization and now been almost cannot handle this in the right completely overcome. way.” Most striking of all to me as I And, when we had talked for came to visit Muench and became a while in our backwoods lingo, he acquainted with his surroundings would often say: “I only under - was the fact that one seldom hear a stand half of what you are chatter - word of English, while in Franklin ing about with one another,” county I rarely spoke German because he couldn’t make out outside of my parental home. 15 many of the peculiar perceptions Even twenty-five years later, of the backwoodsmen, or their many of the older people in the non-classical expressions and —84 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 85

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phrases, which were foreign to we spent an evening with his him. However, a scholarly work in brother Georg, or with his brother- English, which was Greek to me, in-law Paul Follenius and there he could read without difficulty. never was a lack of stimulating As I was mainly with conversation at such get-togeth - Muench from the first days of ers. 17 April 1838 to the end of the year, I neighbors then were still fre - had the chance to really get to quently quite dependent on one know his household quite well. 16 another, especially when it came Everyone rose quite early to building log houses. On such each day and all those who could occasions, Muench and I were reg - work were busy the entire day. ularly the “corner men,” that is, And, even though the entire the ones who chopped the corner household was thoroughly Ger - notches that interlocked the logs. man, several American customs Then the only wine available nonetheless made their presence was the so-called French claret, or known. For example, for breakfast port wine, which, however contain there was bacon, corn bread and a drop of grape juice. Only coffee; the mid-day meal was a whiskey was on hand and people true German dinner; and the bev - were quite generous with it during erage at supper time was almost community building projects. 18 always spice tee. And, when the corner men At that time, I had taken on were given the bottle, Muench the task of clearing a strip of the would take a swallow and then forest behind the house and so did pass it on to me, while rubbing his not work with Muench. Therefore, sides, saying “Goebel —that does we often saw each other only at mealtimes and also sat together in one good on such a cold morn - the evenings. His conversations, ing—warms one up!” which frequently touched on I often think of such trifles, as philosophical topics, were often they show that people don’t quite new to me as an inexperi - change with time. Fifteen or twen - enced young man, but always ty years later, when he had wine instructive. After I had gone to that he produced in his cellar, he bed, he read and wrote until past looked down on beverages, such midnight. now and then, however, as beer and schnapps, but in earli - —85 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 86

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er times a glass of bitters had tast - meals had absolutely nothing. ed quite good. nights were used for study, but in FroM the Private liFe …, P art his free time during the day he 3, Hermanner WocHenblatt , 5 offered private instruction. How - February 1882 ever, the revenue was very mod - est, as at this time and later private During evening conversations our instructors were poorly paid. In old friend often spoke about the spite of all his thriftiness, his earn - life of his father, whose early ings did not go far enough and he childhood must have been in the had to try to preserve his only suit last years of the Seven Years in an appropriate condition, but War. 19 once its lower extremities were so According to him, his father worn out that he had to avoid was a small, slender man of great every rapid movement so no one learning and was for the time also could catch sight of how thread - a man who for that time quite bare it was. enlightened in terms of his reli - gious views, but in his sermons He was bitterly embarrassed, had to be quite careful, so that the because a student without money pious farmers of his congregation and without a name, could not get could understand him, or better anywhere. yet, not misunderstand him. Also, However, when the need is he did not want to come into con - the greatest, God is also the clos - flict with the church hierarchy, as est. At that time, the students in most of the wig-covered theolo - Hessian lands had the privilege of gians of that time were not that hunting and this of course includ - 20 bright. ed our student, who was in the Some of the episodes from possession of a rifle and now and the life of his father still remain in then practices the noble art of my memory, but are probably hunting and now and then earned known to no one else, and might some money by means of selling be told here for that reason. rabbit fur. And, exactly at the time Muench’s father attended the of his greatest need, he got two university of Giessen as a very foxes one evening and earned young, but poor student, who enough from their hides to get a aside from a small stipend and free new pair of pants. —86 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 87

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The great learnedness of our leagues in the surrounding villages theological candidate, his integri - were plundered. ty, and virtuosity won him in the In 1838, Friedrich Muench course of time the hand of a still functioned as an ordained pas - wealthy lady and the lucrative tor and held a position at a small, church position in nieder- free, non-denominational congre - Gemünden, where he remained gation in Dutzow, where he until his death and where his son preached in a log house, i.e. if you Friedrich served as an assistant can call it a log house, which had 21 during his latter years. been constructed for that purpose From the stories of our old and was very well attended. Georg friend we know that his father was Muench was also an important a courageous and determined man speaker and spoke with an over - in spite of his physique. powering eloquence. In the last decades of the 18th These two men did much century, there was a group of rob - good at that time and the effects of bers terrorizing the area and espe - their reasoned, erudite and tolerant cially the pastoral homes were lectures can still be found in the plagued with numerous break-ins, settlements of the area. as more was to be found in them At their church meetings the than in the homes of the farmers. Protestant ritual was of course Pastor Muench, however, maintained and the text of the ser - was dead set on defending his mon was always from the Bible, home and during this time of but the tendency of their sermons unrest a pair of loaded rifles hung was always in the direction of on the wall of the Muench home humanity, tolerance and responsi - and during the evening when he bility for one’s fellow man. was studying there were a pair of There was never a word of loaded pistols on his desk next to religious intolerance and likewise his books. nothing was said of the eternal These defensive measures, as damnation of Hell, which many well as the readiness to put up a wanted to believe in regardless of fight may well have become this, nor of the delights of Heaven, known in the area, as his home both of which we can known noth - was spared, while those of col - ing of, or what they consist of. —87 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 88

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Of Heaven and Hell not much recall. However, I believe it was in was said at all, because no one the year 1848, when the first great knows where these places actually catawba harvest of our old friend are, which cause so many fears to Michael Poeschel, who lived then people and not even the most at cole’s creek, which aroused faithful think about them often, such great interest, that Muench hoping that they will make it into had nothing more do to with the Heaven. ministry. 24 Every point on this earth can In that fall, visitors came be geographically determined and from far and wide, on horse and on by means of astronomy the loca - steamboats, (trains had not been tion of every star can be located in built yet) and traveled over the place and time, but the longitude rough hills at cole’s creek to the and latitude of Heaven and Hell small Poeschel farm, so as to cannot be found and just as little admire the heretofore unseen do we know in what galaxy these splen did grape of the vine. places that cause too much con - Muench also returned quite 22 cern may be. enthusiastically from Hermann FroM the Private liFe …, P art and devoted himself energetically 4, Hermanner WocHenblatt , 10 to viniculture and his demise is February 1882 proof that he remained true to his love of this to his last breath. 25 In the second half of the 1840s a log house was built on the land of Viniculture was then still a our friend to serve as the district quite new industrial branch. school and if I am not mistaken, The many wild grapevines, my father was its first teacher. which were found in great num - until this time, Muench had not bers in the hills around Hermann, only instructed the older ones of brought the many Southern his children, but also several of Germans and Swiss, who formed those of his neighbors at his home the core of the first settlers in and he was often sent pupils from Gasconade county, the idea that St. Louis and other places. 23 the region was conducive to the The time when he gave up his cultivation of the vine. position as an ordained minister is The first attempts that were something I can no longer exactly made with the cape and Isabella —88 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 89

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did not produce very favorable vineyard, as for example the results and only the introduction Altenburgers, were the first who of the catawba from Longworth in on the basis of their own observa - cincinnati, which however was tions, independent thought and accomplished by means of great their own experiences in their difficult and at great cost, can be youth, had come to the conviction regarded as the beginning of vini - that grapevines should be dealt culture in Missouri. 26 with differently here due to the So that this sketch does not different kind of soil and cli - develop into a history of vinicul - mate. 27 This view is now almost ture, we shall have to return to our generally held now, but there are old friend, Friedrich Muench. still a few fossil-types who handle The steep western slope of their grapevines like their fathers the high hills not farm from his and grandfathers in the Rhineland. house was the site he chose for his For years the success of our first grapevine field. At that time, friend was not very encouraging at people were not as yet emancipat - all, even though he gave his ed from the ideas regarding vini - grapevines the greatest attention culture that that they had brought and care. If his hopes were great in with them from Germany and con - the early summer, they were sidered digging up the soil as reduced to the bare minimum by absolutely essential. almost every fall. Our old friend devoted him - The uncertainty of a splendid self to this difficult task with untir - catawba was perhaps at least part - ing diligence and admirable perse - ly the cause why so many new verance, as he dug up the land at unreliable sorts of grapes were his place without any hired hands tried and our friend eagerly tried on an entire acre of land in some - everything that was new, a recent what rather stony soil. He dug 2–3 discovery, or some kind of foot trenches in which plant his improvement in the field of agri - grapevines, as well as his trellises, culture, especially horticulture. posts, and lattices (wire trellises And, he did so based on his exten - were not yet used then). sive correspondence and his read - It was strange, but true that ing of journals and at exactly those people who in his disposal. He never failed to Germany had perhaps never seen a have the latest sort of grapevine —89 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 90

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that he considered worthy of writing and wine-making. He was adopting, as progress in every area untiring in his efforts to introduce was his motto and he remained new sorts of grapevines and it was true to this belief to his very end. only a stump-tour through the East The many errors that many of with the freedom-fighter Friedrich the vintners succumbed to, such as Hecker during the campaign for the ideas of Dr. Gall, do need not Fremont in 1856 and a trip to be explained here. 28 By means of Germany that pulled him out of these countless blunders the wine his still-life household, both times trade in Missouri was almost taking him away from home for 29 destroyed. And, only in the past several months. few years have Missouri wines FroM the Private liFe …, P art again attained their former good Five , Hermanner WocHenblatt , reputation. Gall’s ideas should not 17 F ebruary 1882 be discounted, but should be In the fall of 1862, Muench, a ded - understood, as without being cor - icated emancipationist, was elect - rectly understood, they lead to ed to the Missouri State Senate nothing less than a mishandling of and in this high office represented vineyards. the loyal and human principles of Even our old friend was not his constituents in the most worthy error free in this regard, because fashion. His kind friendliness and he had to first learn from his mis - liveliness that he brought to every takes like so many others, but in conversation, especially with a the later years he succeeded in religious or political focus, producing very fine wines. aroused the attention and trust of Regarding his literary activi - his colleagues. And his conse - ty nothing much needs to be said quential steadfastness based on here, as his numerous publications principles of belief and his deci - in German and English speak for sive resistance to every kind of themselves, finding an audience corruption won him the regard of across the u.S. as well as in Ger - his political opponents in the same many and are well known to every measure as that of members of his reader of the press. own political party. until the outbreak of the war, Muench remained undis - he lived quietly on his farm, but in turbed so long as issues revolved constant activity in the area of around the general administration —90 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 91

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of the state, but as soon as ques - other. The pious senator felt that tions came to the fore that dealt his colleague Muench was on the with equal rights for all or issues road to the gates of Hell, while he that appeared unreasonable, then himself was now looked on as he was on his feet and ready to having gone overboard in his fight and became forceful and pas - remarks. The mutual attempt at sionate in debates. trying to convince the other of A certain example of this their error amounted to an uphill remains unforgettable to me. business both ways, as it was just as impossible to transform When it was once suggested Muench into a Sunday lawmaker, that the “Sunday laws” be sharp - as it was to make turn the other ened, a certain senator, an upright into a rational-thinking human saint, from the northwestern part being. of the state, held a long, unctuous speech in support of this idea. 30 The final result of the vote on But as soon as he spoke his final this matter is something I cannot word, Far West stood up and ven - recall, but in any event it was one tilated his opinion on the nonsense of the most interesting and enjoy - his colleague had just unloaded able debates of the entire session. and did so without regard or Soon after taking office, our mercy. This reply brought his col - friend became the corresponding leagues to their feet and then secretary of the State Immigration Muench spoke again and the dis - commission and remained in this putation, which had earlier had not post many years after his term had involved the others, now went on run its course (1866). until the mid-day recess. The members of the state In the afternoon, the Senate boards served without remunera - was called back to order and the tion, but in consideration of his two battle roosters began anew, services one of the last legislative both of them as if by mutual agree - sessions voted to grant him a small ment, now armed with the Bible. annual salary for the rest of his life Each read to the other, citing vers - and this was well-deserved recog - es from Scripture, rather than from nition of the great work he had law books. Both gentlemen meant rendered during his lifetime. well of the other in the debate and During the last twelve years seemed to commiserate with the of his life, Muench withdrew —91 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 92

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almost completely from public life Obituary frOm the Westliche and led a relatively quiet, but POst active life in the bosom of his fam - By way of comparison, the follow - ily. ing obituary from a major German-American newspaper in The last time I saw him was St. Louis follows in translation, as in May 1881. As I had not seen it conveys some of the basic bio- him for some time, I could not fail bibliographical data relating to to notice that he had visibly aged, Friedrich Muench, which are but he still was very lively and points that Goebel did not address never thought of such things as his in his series due to the fact that demise. When I let slip the obser - they had been covered by such obituaries. For the convenience of vation that we old-timers were the reader, this obituary is includ - past our prime, he became agitated ed here to provide the basic facts and replied with great emphasis: relating to the life and work of “What are you talking about Muench. there? I still have much to do, friedrich muench (Westliche which absolutely must be done Post , 16 d ecember 1881) and do can nothing else!” The year that took our Friedrich And, my observation that Hecker from us will not come to pro bably no one will be concerned an end without robbing us of with our affairs after our hour had another great Friedrich. Friedrich Muench, the German-American struck did not sit all that well with nestor and the pride of his coun - him. trymen in Missouri, was called Our dear friend was granted a away yesterday from whence there beautiful end, one which can only is no return! 31 be hoped for by all mortals. He Standing in his 83 rd year, died without pain, without any Muench enjoyed a uniquely long misgivings and literally “in har - history of a healthy body and ness.” mind. We hold in our hands the undeniable evidence of this fact: May he rest in peace – his Only three days ago we received name will be remembered for his last article for the Westliche many generations to come. Post, written in his finely written —92 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 93

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script. Its content, which deals deep sorrow for our oldest friend, with the state of German students a feeling that thousands and thou - today, will convince every reader sands of German-Americans join of the sharp intellectual powers of with us in. Then so great and so its author and this valuable work irreplaceable, so deep and widely will appear in the next Sunday edi - felt is our loss. Peace be with him tion. 32 and honor, the immortal honor to This, however, is but a great his memory! piece of consolation in our sorrow. * It was the dearest wish of the Friedrich Muench, the elderly departed to pass away in robust German pioneer of Missouri, sud - health, or as he said “in harness.” denly died yesterday morning on When he visited us a few weeks his farm in Dutzow, Warren ago, he bid us farewell with a par - county, most likely as the result of ticularly firm handshake, adding weaknesses due to his age. There with a smile: “So we will see each may be older Germans in Missouri other again in the spring, or not at and in the West, but there is no one all.” better known, whose name We would not see our loyal reached further and which attained old friend and colleague again! such high regard among German- After contributing to our newspa - Americans as the elderly Far West. per, whose pages were enriched For almost a half century this old with his beautiful essays that ele - gentleman lived in our state: he vated the spirit and mind, he has saw the Indians gradually disap - now passed away. True right up to pear, who swarmed around his his death, true to his beliefs and home in the woods fifty years ago; principles, true to his old and new he saw St. Louis and chicago fatherland, true to his family and grow to become great commercial his friends – thus lived Friedrich centers and saw blossoming towns Muench and thus he died. and cities arise, where prairie The course of his life, which grass waved and the forest stood he has described in such an inter - when he arrived. esting way for our readers on var - Muench was born 25 June ious occasions, is found here 1799 in nieder-Gemünden, briefly sketched. Here we would Hessen-Darmstadt, where is father like to again express our feeling of was a minister and studied theolo - —93 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 94

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gy at the university of Giessen. life across the ocean.” As Thereafter, he became an assistant described in Gustav Koerner’s his - at his father’s church. tory, from whence we have taken As a young country minister most of this information, Muench he continued his studies, devoting let himself be talked into this plan most of his spare time to philoso - by this imaginative and ingenious phy and the German language. At man, which ultimately met its the same time, he had an open well-known unfavorable conclu - mind for all that was happening sion. then even though he was spared Gottfried Duden from the horrors of the persecutions of Rhenish Prussia hat settled down the 1820s, he nonetheless re- in Warren county in 1824 and mained true to his belief in the published the most positive report principles of the German student of this, which caused Muench and movement and showed great inter - Follenius to lead their immigration est in public affairs. society to Missouri. However, the naturally, the July Revo - society dissolved before it had lution and the following inflam - reached its destination. Several matory developments in Germany deserted in new Orleans and greatly affected him. Many of his moved to Arkansas and here in St. best friends participated in the Louis some moved on to Illinois. popular movements of the time Muench and Follenius were not and several participated in the led astray and moved with their Frankfurt uprising. However, the families to Warren county, where reaction suppressed all hopes, as the young clergyman removed his well as the desire of removing pastoral garb and established a these unchangeable, hopeless con - home for his family as a Latin ditions in Germany, of the educat - Farmer in Marthasville. ed young people in general. The first years were obvious - Muench conceived of the ly quite difficult, but efforts were plan of immigrating to America. finally crowned with success. His friend and brother-in-law, Paul Soon his home was surrounded by Follenius, enthusiastically joined vineyards and fruit gardens, just in on the same, but expanded the like in Germany, and the industri - idea to that of a mass migration “to ous pioneer did not at all lose his create a worthy home for German interest in intellectual pursuits. He —94 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 95

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instructed his children and those to the memorable Republican of his neighbors and began pub - national convention in May 1860, lishing and writing for the press, which chose Lincoln as its presi - which soon acquired him a reputa - dential nominee. 35 The outbreak tion in the old and new worlds, so of the civil War brought him into that the German-American press personal danger, as secessionists today now sees its nestor being lived nearby his home. In spite of laid to rest. this, he remained at his home, two The journals for which he of his sons joined the Home Guard wrote for in the last forty or so and two others joined the volun - years are too numerous to list here. teers, of which one of them met a We only mention the Anzeiger des heroic death at Wilson’s creek in Westens , the Belletristisches September 1861. 36 Journal , and the Westliche Post .33 From 1862 to 1866, he repre - For more than twenty five sented Warren, Montgomery and years, he was editor of the Ameri - St. charles counties in the State kanische Agriculturist . More over, Senate. Muench was married he published a countless number twice. His first wife, with whom of interesting pamphlets and trea - he had two children (Pauline and tises. For example, he published Adolph), died after a short, happy Ueber Religion und Christenthum marriage in Germany. Shortly (1846) and A Treatise on Religion, before immigrating to America in Christianity, Orthodoxy and Ra - the spring of 1833, he married his tionalism (1847). Poems and no - second wife, who in her seventieth vellas also flowed from his pen. year survived him now. Four of Additionally, the following should their children, of whom their son be mentioned: Der Staat Missouri , Hugo Muench, a lawyer, resided Die Weinbauschule , Geisteslehre here, as well as thirty-three grand - fuer die heranwachsende Jugend , children and eight great-grandchil - Die sinnliche und geistige Lebens - dren survive him. 37 anschauung , and other prize- win - A rich, fully lived and useful 34 ning works and lectures. life came to a conclusion in these It was impossible that such a last days of the year. This unfortu - lively, active intellect would not nate year has witnesses the loss of take interest in the political life of many old friends and colleagues the land. Muench was a delegate of this paper: In the first days of —95 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 96

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the year, we lost Arnold Ruge in portraying the private life of Brighton, England, then Friedrich Muench, Goebel complements Hecker in Illinois and now the old - and supplements our knowledge est one is gone—Friedrich of Muench’s public life. Above Muench. 38 and beyond the accolades that he conclusion undoubtedly deserves for his Gert Goebel’s recollections of numerous accomplishments and Muench and the obituary in the achievements, we obtain a person - Westliche Post reflect the high al view of Muench by means of regard in which Muench was held. Goebel’s account, which helps Although the latter provides us underscore and confirm why he with the basic data regarding was called the German-American Muench, Goebel’s account brings nestor, while at the same time a more personal, close-up picture adding to our knowledge of him into focus that helps complete the and the role he played in German- image we have of Far West. In American history.

―DOn HEInRIcH TOLZMAnn cLEVES , OH

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notes

1 For basic bio-bibliographical infor - which contains numerous references mation about Muench, see: Don to Muench. Heinrich Tolzmann, “The Writings of 4 The Goebel family came to Missouri Friedrich Muench,” in: Don Heinrich as members of the Giessen Immi - Tolzmann, German-Americana: Se - gration Society, belonging to the lected Essays (Milford, OH: Little group that was led by Muench. At the Miami Publishing co., 2009), 113– time (1834), Goebel was eighteen 23 years old. Aside from working on the 2 A good example of Muench’s stand - family farm, he became an experi - ing in German-American history is enced backwoodsman, hunting the fact that H.J. Ruetenik included when ever possible, skills which him in his biographical dictionary of enable him to become a surveyor in 150 outstanding German-Americans. the 1850s. When the civil War broke See: H.J. Ruetenik, Berűhmte deut - out, he helped organize a unit of the sche Vorkämpfer fűr Fortschritt, home guard and then was elected to Freiheit und Friede in Nord- the state legislature in 1862. In 1864 Amerika, von 1626 bis 1898: Ein - and 1866 he was elected to the state hundert und fűnfzig Biographien, mit Senate and thereafter held other local sechzehn Portraits (cleveland, OH; elective offices. Later on, he pub - Forest city Bookbinding co., 1899). lished a valuable work entitled He was also included in the more Länger als ein Menschenleben in recent German-American biographi - Missouri . (St. Louis: c. Witter’s cal work: Gerard Wilk, Americans Buch handlung, 1877). Gustav from Germany , ed. Don Heinrich Koerner wrote of the book: “It con - Tolzmann. (Indianapolis: Max Kade sists of a chronicle of his impressions German-American center, Indiana and experiences of life in Missouri, university-Purdue university at In- including coverage of the most dia napolis & Indiana German Heri - important events that transpired in tage Society, 1995). In that volume the state in his time. However, the Muench was one of fewer than fifty main part of the book focuses on biographical entries, clearly indicat - events in his own immediate area.” ing that his ranking as one of the See Gustav Koerner, “German more significant persons in German- Immigration and Settlement,” in: American history. Don Heinrich Tolzmann, ed., 3 See Friedrich Muench, The Missouri’s German Heritage , second Autobiography of Friedrich Muench , edition (Milford, OH: Little Miami trans., Ralph Gregory (Marthasville, Publishing co., 2006), 22. For a gen - MO: Three Pines Publishing co., eral history of the settlement of 2001; reprint of 1964 edition). See Missouri, see: Russell L. Gerlach, also Ralph Gregory, The German- Settle ment Patterns in Missouri: A Americans in the Washington, Study of Population Origins, with a Missouri Area (Washington, MO: Wall Map (columbus, MO: univer - Missourian Publishing co., 1981), sity of Missouri Press, 1976). Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 98

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5 Many thanks to Lois Puchta, Director to make the journey from Baltimore of the Archives and Research center to the Ohio River. of the Gasconade county Historical 12 The group most likely reached the Society in Hermann for providing me Ohio River at Wheeling, West with copies of the Goebel’s articles Virginia, where travelers then could from the Hermanner Volksblatt . The board a steamboat for the journey Volksblatt was a weekly German-lan - down the Ohio River to St. Louis. guage newspaper published in This, of course, would have been a Hermann, Missouri from 1854 to much speedier way of travel than 1928 traveling by wagon from Baltimore. 6 A recurrent theme in Goebel’s writ - 13 Reference here is made here by ings of Muench, as well as in other Goebel to Muench’s fellow co- obituaries, is that Muench worked founder of the Giessen Immigration and was active right up to the very Society, Paul Follenius (1799 –1844), end of his life. who had preceded the other half of 7 Goebel’s family came with the part the society led by Muench. For a of the Giessen Immigration Society brief biographical sketch of Follenius that departed from Bremerhaven on and his son, Reinhold, see: Ernst D. June 3, 1834. This group, which was Kargau, The German Element in St. led by Muench, consisted of 250 peo - Louis: A Translation from German of ple and followed the first group led Ernst D. Kargau’s St. Louis in by Paul Follenius, which had depart - Former Years: A Commemorative ed several months earlier, on March History of the German Element , 3, 1834. See Don Heinrich Tolz - trans. William G. Bek, edited by Don mann, “A new Germany in America: Heinrich Tolzmann (Baltimore, MD: The Invitation and Explanation by clearfield company, Inc, 2000), Paul Follenius and Friedrich 321–23. note that although Kargau Muench, Part 1 of 3,” Der Maibaum focuses on St. Louis, he also makes 38:1 (2010): 4–5,14–15. many references to the Missouri 8 Here again Goebel touches on the Rhineland region. This may have theme of Muench’s dying while still been in part due to the fact that in “in harness” in the fields. 1860 he served as editor of the Hermanner Volksblatt , but also 9 For other obituaries of Muench, see because of the interconnectedness of Friedrich Muench, Gesammelte the region’s German element. For Schriften (St. Louis: c. Witter, 1902). further information about Follen ius 10 Baltimore was a major port of entry and his brothers, see Tolzmann, “A for those heading westwards; new new Germany in America,” 5. In the Orleans served as the other major passage of the text footnoted here, port, particularly before the develop - Goebel also makes mention of the ment of the railroads. influential book by Gottfried Duden. 11 Traveling at these speeds, it must In that regard, see: Dorris Keeven- have taken at least a couple of weeks Franke, “Gottfried Duden: The Man —98 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 99

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behind the Book,” in Tolzmann, ed., had its repercussions in America, Missouri’s German Heritage , 85–95. where the war was also fought out 14 Regarding Lake creek and Femme- and known as the French and Indian Osage, see Tolzmann, ed., Missouri’s War. German Heritage , 28, 30, 89–90. 20 Muench wrote of his father: “My 15 For a survey of the history of the father was pastor in nieder-Ge- German language in Missouri, see: muenden, a village in the Duchy of A.E. Schroeder, “Deutsche Sprache upper-Hessia, on the border of Vo - in Missouri,” in Heinz Kloss, ed., gels berg and Wetterau. I always think Deutsch als Muttersprache in den of him with thanks, love and real Vereinigten Staaten: Teil 1: Der respect. In him an instructive spirit Mittelwesten (Wiesbaden: Franz was joined to the warmest feeling. A Steiner Verlag, 1979), 125–59. manly, unterrified mind, thus a prac - 16 For a close-up look at Muench’s tical one, was something original to home, see Siegmar Muehl, “A Visit his whole being. He was conscien - with Friedrich Muench,” in tious even in the littlest things, gen - Tolzmann, ed., Missouri’s German uinely pious, without being bound to Heritage , 97–108. literal orthodoxy, and so serene he 17 Georg Muench, who was two years was often in a joyous humor; there - younger than his brother, came to fore, always active. In the basic Missouri in 1837. According to needs of life, he was at once the sim - Gustav Koerner, “He had many of plest and most temperate man I have the fine characteristics of his brother. ever known” (Muench, Autobio - After many years of hard work and graphy , 3). sacrifice, he built a fine country 21 nieder-Gemünden was incorporated home near Augusta in St. charles into the municipality of Gemünden county. He devoted himself to viti - in 1971. It is located near the city of culture with great success. He, too, Marburg. had enjoyed a sound education, and had served in Germany as a clergy - 22 H.A. Rattermann described man.” Koerner also calls him “one of Muench’s theological views as pan - the best and noblest German pioneers theistic. See: Muehl, “A Visit with of the West.” See Gustav Koerner, Friedrich Muench,” 102. Also, see “German Immigration and Settle - Muench’s lengthy discussion of his ment,” in Tolzmann, ed., Missouri’s religious views, which consists of German Heritage , 14. five of his lectures on the topic, in 18 See Koerner’s discussion of the Muench, Gesammelte Schriften , growth and development of the wine 135–216. industry in Missouri ( ibid , 25, 36). 23 For further information on the St. See also Kargau, The German Louis Germans, see: Kargau, The Element in St. Louis , 299– 301. German Element in St. Louis , espe - 19 The Seven Years War was fought in cially Part II on “German-American Europe from 1756 to 1763, but also Life,” 147–229. —99 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 100

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24 Koerner wrote of Poeschel with tainty, that we stand amazed only, regard to grape cultivation in the that so simple a process should not Hermann area that: “Michael have been discovered long ago. It is Poeschel and Hermann Burkhardt the old story of the egg of columbus; were the first successful cultivators but the poor vintners of Germany, of grapes. They obtained the plants and France, and we here, are none the of the catawba grape from nicholas less deeply indebted to those intelli - Longworth in cincinnati, and gent and persevering men for the Poeschel soon became an important incalculable benefits they have con - grape grower.” See Gustav Koerner, ferred upon us. The production of “German Immigration and Settle- good wine is thus reduced to a math - ment,” 23. Kargau refers to Poeschel ematical certainty; although we can - as “the pioneer of the Hermann grape not in a bad season, produce as high culture.” See: Kargau, The German flavored and delicate wines, as in the Element in St. Louis , 299. best years, we can now always make 25 For further information on the histo - a fair article, by following the simple ry of Hermann, see William G. Bek, rules laid down by Dr. Gall. When The German Settlement Society of this method was first introduced, it Philadelphia and its Colony was calumniated and despised— Hermann, Missouri (new York: called adulteration of wine, and even American Press, Inc., 1984). prohibited by the governments of Europe; but, Dr. Gall fearlessly chal - 26 nicholas Longworth (1782–1863) lenged his opponents to have his was a pioneer of wine-making in the wines analyzed by the most eminent Ohio Valley, specializing in the culti - chemists; which was repeatedly vation of catawba grapes in done, and the results showed that cincinnati. He had two hundred they contained nothing but such acres of vineyards himself and used ingredients which pure wine should grapes from German vintners as well. contain; and since men like Von See Henry Howe, Hamilton County, Babo, Dobereiner and others have Ohio: As Extracted from Henry openly endorsed and recommended Howe’s Historical Collections of gallizing, prejudice is giving way Ohio, edited with a new Preface and before the light of scientific knowl - Introduction by Barbara Keyser edge.” See George Husmann, T he Gargiulo (Milford, OH: Little Miami Cultivation of the Native Grape and Publishing company, 2005), 85–86. the Manufacture of American Wines 27 For references to Altenburg, (new York: F.W. Woodward, 1868), Missouri, see Tolzmann, ed., Mis - 149. Regarding Husmann, see Linda souri’s German Heritage , 41, 58, and Walker Stevens, “The Spirit of 133. George Husmann,” in What 28 George Husmann wrote of Dr. Wondrous Life: The World of George Ludwig Gall that he “has at last Husmann, a Photographic Exhibit on reduced the whole science of wine- the Life and Achievement of George making to such a mathematical cer - Husmann (columbia, MO: —100 — Tolzmann Muench_Layout 1 12/23/2011 11:15 AM Page 101

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university of Missouri-columbia OH: Little Miami Publishing co., and Western Historical Manuscript 2005), 107–115. collection, 2002), 13–27. Also, see 30 The reference to “Sunday laws” Kargau, The German Element in St. refers to those laws banning the con - Louis , 280, where Kargau refers to sumption of alcoholic beverages on Husmann as “the celebrated wine Sunday, a day which German- grower in Hermann, Missouri.” Americans viewed as a day not only 29 Hecker (1814–1881) was one of the for worship, but also for festivity. best known and popular of the This kind of a continental Sunday German Forty-Eighters. For biogra - phical information on him, see Alice contrasted sharply with the tradition - Reynolds, “Friedrich Hecker,” in al Anglo-American Puritan Sunday. Don Heinrich Tolzmann, ed., 31 The designation “nestor” derives Illinois’ German Heritage (Milford, from a figure in Greek mythology

FrontisPiece Picture oF Friedrich Muench FroM his Gesammelte scHriften (s t. l ouis : i M verlaG von c. W itter , 1902)

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noted for his advice and speaking St. Louis , 68, 84, 92, 103, 162, and ability. In current usage it refers to an 300. elder statesman venerated by the 36 Friedrich Schnake wrote a history of general public. Obviously, this is a German-Americans from St. Louis term that fits well with Muench in and surrounding areas in the civil terms of his reputation amongst War. See Tolzmann, ed., Missouri’s German-Americans. German Heritage , 45. 32 This particular obituary was reprint - 37 Hugo Muench and his brothers ed in: Muench, Gesammelte Ferdinand and Julius wrote the fore - Schriften , 521–23. word for their father’s selection of 33 For further information on the two writings. See Muench, Gesammelte papers published in St. Louis, the Schriften , vii–ix. They explain how and the they originally had arranged to have Westliche Post , see Tolzmann, ed., Konrad nies, a well-known German- Missouri’s German Heritage , American author, edit their father’s 115–16. writings, but that due to nies’ ill 34 For an annotated checklist of the health the work had to be completed works of Muench, see Tolzmann, by carl G. Rathmann. “The Writings of Frederick 38 Here it is of interest to note the Muench,” as cited in note one. importance placed on the two Forty- 35 Lincoln was especially popular with Eighters, Hecker and Ruge. Arnold German-Americans; and, as he came Ruge (1802–1888) was a German from Illinois, it is not surprising that Forty-Eighter who moved to London German-Americans, such as Gustav after the failure of the 1848 Revo - Koerner and Friedrich Hecker cam - lution. The press obituary here must paigned for him. See Tolzmann, ed., have been considered definitive by Illinois’ German Heritage , especially the Muench family, as it was reprint - the essays by Evarts B. Greene on ed in the posthumously published Koerner, 93–105, and Alice collection of Muench’s writings. See Reynolds on Hecker, 107–115. See Muench, Gesammelte Schriften , also Kargau, The German Element in 521–23.

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