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Journey of a Young Immigrant

3/6/2012:

In the early 1900s, America was the land of dreams for the people from Eastern Europe who were seeking refuge from increasing political tension and deteriorating economic conditions. Among the millions who sought a new beginning were thousands of landless German-Hungarians. Having heard of the promise of rich land in America, they packed up their meager possessions and hurried for the ports of Bremen, Antwerp and Rotterdam. Here they boarded ocean-going vessels to begin a long sea journey. Most of these immigrants arrived at Ellis Island, known as the Isle of Hope and Tears. The hope was for a new way of life with a promise of freedom and land of their own. The tears were for leaving the old country and saying goodbye to their friends and family – people they would likely never see again.

On this date in 1909, Martin Lenhardt was rejoicing in a reunion with his father and new-found freedom in the heartland of America. His had been a long journey from Molidorf, Hungary, crossing the North Atlantic in winter on the storm-tossed seas. Although accompanied on the ocean voyage by others from his region of Hungary, most were en route to Pennsylvania. When young Martin arrived at Ellis Island he thought his father would meet him there and, like the rest of his party, he too would make the short trip to Pennsylvania. But upon arrival, Martin learned his father would not be meeting him. In fact, nine-year-old Martin would need to travel on, alone, almost fifteen hundred miles. His father had moved on, seeking the fertile lands he had heard about in the Northern Plains of the Dakotas.

So, bidding his friends goodbye, Martin boarded a train for Dickinson. Unable to speak English and all alone, Martin was tagged by the railroad officials with his destination, and the final leg of his journey began. He quickly made friends and was well cared for by the conductors along the route. When his train pulled into the station at Dickinson in the early hours of the morning, Martin waited impatiently for any glimpse of his father whom he had not seen in four years. Finally his father appeared, and expecting Martin at a later hour, he was greatly surprised as the young man rushed to meet him. And, for the brave, nine-year-old boy, his odyssey of more than five thousand miles was over,

Dakota Datebook written by Jim Davis

Sources:

Dickinson Press March 6, 1909

Plains Folk, North Dakota’s Ethnic Heritage, William C. Sherman Editor, 1986 Institute for Regional Studies Press