Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1881 — A Numerous Family of Immigrants [ARTICLE]

A Numerous Family of Immigrants

Pittsburg Telegraph. f The class of people pouring through this city from the Old World to tne newer portions of the New would afford an interesting study for those who hold that the proper study of mankind is man. Night before last there arrived jrtnong the passengers a German family —grandfather, grandmother, and their nine’children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom were married, with their families, on board the same train. There were 40 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The entire relationship consisted of 95 people. The head of the family, Solomon VVhichter by name, was a stalwart German, 73 years old, and his wife, with a lovely face, retaining, even in its old age, traces of beauty, was 68 years old. This family goe’s to Northern lowa, and will settle in the same township, the men being practical farmers, butchers, weavers and shoe-makers. It was a tribe, withaa patriarch at its head leaxing the Fatherland to find genuine freedom and prosperity in the New World. In the matterof baggage,these immigrants cany, tn many insnances, Immense quantities. Baggage Agent Menges states that yesterday one irn migrant turned up with 1,100 pounds of extra-weight baggage, mainly consisting of such lustry iron-bound chests as made the life of Menges a hideous night-mare for the time being. Ono of the cheats being accidentally opened, disclostd fold upon fold ot linen,enough to stock a small store. Evidently, in the matter of fiuinanity and baggage the Western prairies will not want.