Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 2 can be read here.

Coming to America

Margarethe had never been so concerned about her own life as now. She felt alone. At the hatchway she met her roommates. The little wispy governess was fussing with ribbons on her bonnet. She told her roommates, “When I get to New York Harbor, my mistress and her family will be there to meet me.” Olga, the other passenger with them did not say anything, but by her garments she was a common servant who was bought or bargained for. The dress was that of a factory worker’s.

….Meanwhile in America – Louise von Barsewisch, a sister of Margarethe, was willing to go wherever her husband would set up his brewery; which ended up becoming New York City. They had met in Margarethe’s church school, curing the greatest yearly migration of the area-Saxony, Germany. Louise and her husband had come to give L.O. Hammer the latest news from the Fatherland. They looked the epitome of the aristocracy.

L.O. Hammer’s good news was still on top when he arrived for work which was to be his last day before his assignment for more mission work in the Philadelphia area. Julius already had his assignment in Canada; but he had shipped out for the Fatherland to visit his family and carry Oswald’s messages too. From the messages that came from time to time, Oswald knew that Margarethe had finally decided to leave her church school to come and join the migration of the Lutheran Church to American and become a preacher’s wife.

…Back on the Ship – Upon arriving in American, the people would look for their kind-nationality or religion; not finding relatives or friends they would grasp at other straws sent out to help them.

Margarethe’s trip was mostly Lutheran’s; but Margarethe was in love. She was going to meet her intended. He was a minister. He was a very popular person, not only in the church but also in the life style of the various nations upon coming to American. The Oswald von Barsewisch family were quite smitten with the minister being ordained so early in his career…God go with you…attitude. Oswald greeted Margarethe and took her satchel while she carried her bag of personal things. He then took her to a compound where there were accommodations for his guest. Later he came for her and they had dinner – gee, a good German meal! – with the Pastor and his wife.

Pastor Mueller gave a simple sermon and soon the wedding vows were spoken. They left the church with its handful of newly arrived Lutherans and a few of Oswald’s friends from Ellis Island. Outside awaited a driver and a buggy for the couple to go for a ride around the city. The driver took them around with a slow walk trying not to get in the big jam packed streets.

Then almost into the country, L.O. said to the driver, “Speed up as fast as you can gallop until I say all of my speech.” So gallop they did…Oswald yelling to the startled street crowds, “My Greta has married me…My wife! My helpmate.”

It was in these turbulent times that brought Margarethe and Oswald to meet. The German empire was challenged by the industrial revolution and servants were in rebellion. Governments were faced with the powerful reformation.

Our two Saxons were at the age of maturity that brought them to the brink of wanting more than the European nations and their own Fatherland could give them. They found the migration of the New Reformed Divinity Lutheran Church to be something they would embrace.

Thus it was as they journeyed to America; he in 1892 and she in 1893. This became the couple’s Fatherland. They traveled separately across the bit Atlantic. Their marriage was mostly planned through Oswald’s brother Julius and he sister Louise. While Oswald was an educated seminary student; she was a Red Cross nurse.

Next week – The Family Grows.

Summarized by Janet Frederick

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