Love and Freedom Preface I am the 7th generation to have lived in America. Johann August Goeldner, my great, great, great grandfather, was only four years old when he came to the United States of America with his family. In writing the story of his journey, I have supplied the dialog and feelings, but the events are real. Chapter One – Moving Day When four-year old little John opened his big blue eyes he saw a sea full of wooden crates. He ran to his father and called out, “Daddy, daddy!” “What, son?” responded Johann Gottfried, looking up over one of the crates. “We’re leaving today, father?” “Yes, we are leaving today for the United States of America!” As Johann Gottfried lovingly picked up his little son, he exclaimed, “Guess what? Johann August Goeldner, today is your last day in Silesia, Prussia!” “Who will help us when we get there? What will we eat? Can I bring my toys? How will we get there?” “Don’t worry, son,” laughed Johann Gottfried, “Aunt Anna will meet us in Baltimore because the rest of your uncles are already in Iowa.” “Where is Baltimore, daddy? Will Aunt Anna have candy for me?” “Look, son,” said Johann Gottfried laughing again, “I have a lot to do. Why don’t you help mommy with baby brother and we can talk more on the train.”
Chapter Two – The Train As Johann Gottfried and his family neared the train station, little John heard something like rolling thunder coming closer. When the train pulled up, he shouted, “Oh no, father, a monster!” Johann Gottfried, laughing as little John squeezed his hand tighter, replied, “It’s the train to Bremen. From Bremen we have just a short trip to Bremerhaven to board a steamship that will sail to the United States of America!” “Will we get on that thing, father?” asked little John, recovering from some of his scare. “Yes, Johann, let’s go!” Once on the train, Johann Gottfried set down a book and gently took his little son on his lap. “What book is that, daddy? What does it say?” “It’s called ‘Report About a Journey to the Western States of North America and a Several Year Visit on the Missouri.’ That’s a very long name that you probably don’t understand but this book is by a respected man who went to the United States and wrote to tell us Prussians about the freedom and good opportunities there. This book is what convinced many of our family to go.” “Who went, daddy?” “Well, Uncle Henry went first in 1850 because he wasn’t married yet. He went to explore the situation. He sent back a good report, and so in 1852, the year before you were born, Uncle Benjamin, Uncle William and their families, Uncle August, Uncle Fred and Aunt Anna all went together.” ”Daddy, is it true that all the boys are named Johann?” “Yes, son, it’s true.” “Can you tell me the names?” “Alright. Your Grandpa, Johann Benjamin Goeldner, named us Johann Heinrich, Johann Benjamin II, Johann Wilhelm, Johann August, Johann Friedrich, and me, Johann Gottfried. Your Aunt Anna is really named Johanna Roseana.” When Johann Gottfried finished listing all those names he noticed that his little son had fallen fast asleep! Chapter Three – The Steamship “Oh, father,” mumbled little John, “I got the belly hurts. Can I lay down next to you?” “Sure, son,” replied Johann Gottfried. “We don’t call what you have a belly hurt, we call it seasickness.” “But it’s my belly that hurts, daddy. Why do you say the sea is – what was it that you said?” “Well, I guess you’re right, son. It’s your belly that hurts, but it’s called seasickness anyways.” For a few minutes it was silent in the cabin of the ship, but then little John stirred. “Daddy, please can you tell me the story of when I was born?” “Okay, son, that sounds good to me. Well, let’s see. You were born July 31st, 1853. We named you Johann August Goeldner.” “Why did you name me August if I was born July 31st?” “Good question, son!” laughed Johann Gottfried. “We planned to name you after your Uncle Johann August, but of course we thought you would be born in August, too. We had already decided to name you August, and so we didn’t change that even though you were born in July.” After a few more seconds of silence, little John asked, “Why are we leaving Prussia?” “Because in Prussia the king and nobility, who own the land, are bad and selfish, and keep all to themselves. They don’t give hardly anything to the hard-working peasants and make life hard for the middle class, like us.” “Was the government always bad, father?” “No, son. There was a time, about fifty years ago, when more people could vote and the peasants could earn more money and do better. But after the war with Napoleon the times became harder, and the king took away the good reforms. Do you understand, son?” “I think so,” responded little John, nodding. “When you say bad it’s like when little brother went into the kitchen and turned the bag of flour upside down. Remember that we didn’t have any bread that day?” “Yes,” replied Johann Gottfried as he laughed again. “Who could forget that? Why the kitchen looked more like a snow fort than anything else!” Then Johann Gottfried became serious and whispered, “I want you to know that the main reason for our leaving Prussia is because . . .” and he paused as tears came to his eyes, “Is because I love you, and want you to have freedom, to have a good government, and to have opportunities.” Chapter Four – The German Society Mingling among the crowd at the wharf, little John suddenly felt lonely and small. He held his father’s hand tightly. Finally they spotted Aunt Anna waving joyfully. After leaving the wharf, little John asked inquisitively, “Where are we going, father?” “We are going to the German Society with Aunt Anna. We can’t stay at her house because she is the maid. Aunt Anna says the German Society will help us get started so she will take us there.” In about fifteen minutes they arrived at the German Society. Johann Gottfried got in a long line with his family. Little John, who was still feeling kind of small, saw a group of young boys off to the side speaking German. He asked his father if he could go play with them. “Yes, you may go,” responded Johann Gottfried. “But stay where we can see you.” “Yes, father,” answered little John as he ran off to join the boys. “We are from Russia,” one boy commented pointing to his brothers and friends. “Where are you from?” “I am from Silesia, Prussia,” said little John, still feeling lonely but also a little puzzled. “Why are you speaking German if you are from Russia?” “Many years ago our fathers moved from Germany to Russia and . . .” “Why did they do that?” interrupted little John. “My grandparents moved to Russia because at that time Russia offered immigrants from Germany different things, like free land, no taxes, freedom from military service, and we didn’t need to learn Russian. Now the government is changing and taking away those privileges. That is why many of us are moving to America. Our parents want us to have freedom.” As the boy finished speaking little John looked around at the crowd of people. He thought of the love all these parents had for their children. He noticed his father looking at him smiling tenderly and little John smiled back at his father. As he turned to talk to the boys, he no longer felt lonely. Epilogue Johann August Goeldner (he later dropped the “e”) married Mary Bennett in 1880. Their first son was Edward Randolph Goldner. His first and only son was named Glen R Goldner, who named his first son Marvin Lee Goldner. Marvin had three children, one of whom is my mother, Cheryl Marie (Goldner) Durand. I have been to two Goldner Family Reunions in my life and am hoping to attend many more. |
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