An amazingly
large group of Donauschwabs settled
in Mansfield, Ohio. It seems like an unlikely place
compared to the larger cities like Detroit, |
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Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and others.
But, in the early 1900’s and earlier, Mansfield was
a bustling industrial town, with the railroad
stopping to and from Chicago and other large cities.
Industries like
Tappan Stove,
Westinghouse,
Mansfield Tire
and Rubber, the
Steel Mill and
others needed
workers, and the
industrious DS
fit the bill. Many women
worked at the
Knitting Mill,
which put out
high quality
knits that were
sent to 5th
Avenue in NY City.
These settlers
congregated
mainly east of
the city in what
was referred to
as the
“syndicate.”
They were
members of the
social and
beneficial
society called
the Sons of
Hermann. Many
dances and
gatherings were
held here as
well as cultural
events. I
remember as a
child attending
Christmas
parties there.
My favorite
memory of the
Sons of Hermann
was attending a
wedding where I
saw with my own
eyes, my quiet,
very reserved
grandfather
dancing the
polka, whirling
grandma around
the dance floor. Additionally,
seeing grandma
dancing was just
as
unbelievable.
She was so
forthright,
efficient and to
me so
business-like.
Card playing
tournaments were
held also and
pinochle was the
choice of many.
Yes, with the
fist pounding.
The Danube Swabian in the
neighborhood lived
in very neat houses
on very neat
streets. Lawns and
gardens were
meticulously
tended. Even the
sidewalks shone. The streets are
still very nice
after all these
years. There were
small markets in the
area, such as Suman’s meat market,
Stimmlers Bakery,
and the larger
grocery store owned
by Frank Mitch.
These people were
industrious and
fared quite well. They pooled their
money and talent to
build a large park
that they named
Liberty Park. There
were playgrounds and
picnic grounds near
a lake with ducks
and swans that
nested on the island
in the middle.
Ball fields and a
large pool and pool
house were built
along with the
pavilion. This is a
large two-story
building. The
downstairs opened up
as a fresh air
picnic pavilion with
shutters to close in
inclement weather.
The upstairs was
used as a banquet
hall where many
wedding receptions
were held, including
my parents’ 60 years
ago. Thirty years
later, my brother
held his reception
there. My father
was a lifeguard at
the pool and I swam
there in my teens. The "hill" is still
a favorite sledding
place. The park is
still in use today.
As I read
messages on the
DVHH mail list, so
many names are
familiar to me.
Please take a
look at what is
available for
your research on
the Mansfield
page. If you
don’t find what
you are looking
for I would be
happy to help
you in your
research.
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1913 Mansfield Map
About ten years
ago,
I wrote a poem about my grandmother and
great aunt. They both emigrated while in their
teens, Grandma in 1909 and Aunt Mary
in 1905.
I thought my fellow DS family might make a
connection....
Linda Bautz McKenna
Just A Girl
Setting out on a journey
All alone
To a place faraway
A place unknown
Boarding a ship
Sailing the sea
All alone
To set yourself free
What lay ahead
In the months to come
Where the customs and language
Are different from whence you come
Was
anyone there when you disembarked
Were you alone
In a place far away
A place unknown
Setting off, a girl so young
From where did your strength arise
So many hard choices
How early you had to be wise.
-
Linda Bautz McKenna
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