None of the German states had American colonies. In the 1670s, the first significant groups of German immigrants arrived in the British colonies, settling primarily in Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia. Immigration continued in very large numbers during the 19th century, with eight million arrivals from Germany. Between 1820 and 1870, more than seven and a half million German immigrants came to the United States.
They were pulled by the attractions of land and religious freedom, and pushed out of Germany by shortages of land and religious or political oppression.[9] Many arrived seeking religious or political freedom, others for economic opportunities greater than those in Europe, and others for the chance to start fresh in the New World. The arrivals before 1850 were mostly farmers who sought out the most productive land, where their intensive farming techniques would pay off. After 1840, many came to cities, where "Germania"—German-speaking districts—soon emerged.
Cities along the Great Lakes, the Ohio River, and the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers attracted a large German element. The Midwestern cities of Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago were favored destinations of German immigrants. Also, the Northern Kentucky and Louisville area along the Ohio River was a favored destination
Dutchtown is a neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. It is called "Dutch" from Deutsch, i.e., "German", as it was the southern center of German-American settlement in St. Louis in the early 19th century
Overseas immigration to Missouri began in earnest in the 1830s when large numbers of Germans began to settle the farm country west of St. Louis and south of the Missouri River known as the "Missouri Rhineland.
Ironton is a city in Iron County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,460 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Iron County. 759 in 1880. Nickname(s): Queen City of the Francois Mountains.
Ironton was designated county seat in 1857, soon after the formation of Iron County.[7] Like the county, Ironton was named from the deposits of iron ore found in the vicinity.[8] A post office called Ironton has been in operation since 1858.[9]
In early August 1861, Brigader General Sam Grant led a force of four regiments in the area. In a letter to his wife he described the area as “one of the most delightful places I have ever been in”.
When Iron County was formed February 17, 1857, the name was derived from its principal mineral. When the county was organized, H. N. Tong and David Carson who operated a mercantile business at the base of Shepherd Mountain, immediately sprang into action and laid out a town. They named it Ironton and entered it on the list with Arcadia, Pilot Knob and Middlebrook as competing points for the county seat. The election took place in 1857. Ironton was ultimately chosen after the second round of voting, due in large part, to the “sweetened offer” provided by Mr. Tong and Carson after the first vote had taken place. Having already cleared and graded a tract of land for town lots, they offered to sell alternating lots, the proceeds of which would be donated toward the building of a court house. In short, proceeds donated to the county totaled $10,602.68, Ironton was selected, and the historic Iron County Courthouse was built.
Prior to 1857, the only way for the Pilot Knob Iron Company to transport its iron ore to market was over the old plank road to Ste. Genevieve in oxen-pulled wagons. It was a time of celebration throughout the region when the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad was completed all the way to Pilot Knob, sister community to both Ironton and Arcadia. Homes and businesses sprung up and Ironton became the center of commerce for the area.
The region and Ironton were thriving; that is, until the specter of the Civil War began to encroach upon Missouri . . . the time of celebration came to a halt. The recently completed railroad at Pilot Knob was valuable to both sides, Union and Confederate, as it transported many raw materials to the city of St. Louis. The war pitted Missourian against Missourian wreaking havoc, pain, death and destruction in its path through Missouri. The Battle of Pilot Knob at Fort Davidson in Pilot Knob was one of the most important battles in the state. Read more about the Civil War in our region here. The historic Iron County Courthouse still bears the scar of a cannonball. Also in Ironton, General Ulysses S. Grant, received his commission as brigadier general and became commander of the union forces in southeast Missouri, while camped by a spring which still flows in Ironton. A monument to General Grant rests on the lawn of the Ste. Marie Du Lac Catholic Church. (Please see photo at top of page.)
After the war, the area once again became a bustling community and was popular as a nineteenth century summer resort for wealthy St. Louisans and others. Today graceful antebellum homes and turn of the century mercantile buildings recall a rich history.
The city was named after the Pilot Knob mountain nearby, which served as a navigational landmark or "pilot" to hunters and travelers.[7] A post office called Pilot Knob has been in operation since 1858.[8]
The Battle of Pilot Knob in the fall of 1864 was a notable clash in the area during the Civil War. A museum near the battle site is dedicated to this event. In 1870, pop 581, 1880, 1359, and in 1890, back down to 757, before declining even further.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Americans
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironton,_Missouri
https://missouri-vacations.com/locations/ironton/
