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Coming to America
On April 17, 1860, I have decided to come to America and hopefully start a new life. My reasons for immigrating to America is that there is cheap land in the west, new work, and fertile soil for farming. I am on the Bark Stella Ship with 160+ passengers, and we are headed for Ellis Island. My name is Carl Friedrich. -
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Immigrating to America and moving west
I am Carl Friedriech, and I have immigrated from Germany -
First Job
On May 2, 1860, I found work in New York city as a construction worker. Since I just started working as a construction worker I am doing the hard and dirty jobs such as laying pipes and digging holes. I took this job becasue i needed some kind of staedy pay that I can rely on so i can have meals and have a roof over my head. -
Second Job
On February 6, 1861, I have quit my old job as a construction worker laying pipes, and I am now going to be digging the holes for subway's and other under ground travel. Some reasons that i have chosen to work for something else is that this job will have better pay, and help me get closer to my goal of money to be able to move west. Although I am having problems with this job because it is very dangerous with explosions going off, and sometimes getting trapped in a space with limited air in it. -
Homestead Act of 1862
In 1862, an act was passed that would make sure that farmers would have no cost to there land because they were farmers, and this act was called the Homestead Act of 1862. The government wanted farmers to have the land for free because they thought they would be more succesfull and be able to sell something, then just normal pioneers. There amount of land would usually consist of around 165 acres. -
Finally Moving West
On July 30, 1863, I have made the decision of moving west to the Oklahoma territory to pursure my dream of having my own land and my own farm. To ensure that I safely make it to Oklahoma, I am going to work on the rail roads all the way to the west. I am choosing to do this because I will be fed and payed while making the rail roads, and the money will also help me in the west. Although there is one problem, and that is that our jobs may be getting replaced by an automatic nail hitter. -
Starting to Settle In
On September 14, 1863, I now officially own my 6 acre section of land in Oklahoma. I have already started building my house and gathering materials for my house. I started this early on my house because winter is approaching, and I will need a roof over my head to ensure my safety out here in the wild west. Soon I will start fertilizing the soil and prepare for my farm, and I hope to be able to make a living off of selling my crops. -
Marriage
On September 24, 1865, I married Susanna Margaretha. I have known this lady for quite some years now, and she just happened to move out west at the same time as I did. I am very happy that we married and are partners now because now on the farm it won't be as lonely and I have another person to help pick the crops with. This will be great for both of us to settle down in the west.
