Settlements

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA: Belgian settlements by State

American Censuses
1850/1860/1870 :
link to the censuses by States Distribution according
to the State of settlement :
link to the State of settlement
The settlers
The Catholic Missions

Belgians Settlements in WISCONSIN at the time of the Civil War

Ron Flemal is handling a lot of information concerning the Belgian Immigrants to Wisconsin

it's the first place you want to go to find those Belgians

Charles Louis DESMEDT émigra avec sa famille au Wisconsin en 1844 par le navire Emma. Dans une lettre, il décrit la ville naissante de Milwaukee et la région avoisinante où il acheta 40 hectares de terres. Il parle de quelques Belges de sa région natale - Dixmude (Flandre Occidentale) - installés dans la région de Milwaukee et signale la présence d'un prêtre belge, de Tournai, vicaire à Milwaukee (peut-être le père Bonduel).
Un n° du Standaard van Vlaanderen (12 mars 1846) qui reproduit la lettre écrite par Charles Louis Desmedt décrivant son voyage et son installation à Milwaukee, signale qu'au début de 1846, qu'un groupe de candidats émigrants s'est constitué dans la région de Dixmude et que ceux-ci cherchent des compagnons pour le voyage.
( Source : A. De Smet : Voyageurs Belges aux Etats-Unis du XVIIe siècle à 1900 )

REV. W M. De KELVER, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, Depere, is a native of Belgium, from which country he came to America at eight years of age. He was educated at the college of St. Francis, Milwaukee, where he completed his theological studies to 1871, and the same year was ordained priest at Green Bay and appointed to the church at Kilbourn City. He came to his present parish in 1876.
Source : History of northern Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. ; Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, 1205 pgs.

Les premiers belges a s'établir dans la région de Port Washington furent les passagers du Silvanus Jenkins partis en mai 1845. De Port Washington, les colons, originaires des environs d'Arlon et menés par Jean Weycker originaire de Sterpenich, remontèrent vers le nord et s'installèrent à une dizaine de km de cette ville. Jean Weycker, donna le nom de Belgium (1848) à la colonie. La colonisation continuant à se développer, une autre paroisse Lake Church qui s'appelait à l'origine "Sainte Marie sur le Lac" (Homestead Lake View) fut fondée.

Jusqu'à la guerre de Sécession, Port Washington et Belgium servirent de tête de pont aux colons luxembourgeois qui s'établirent dans les comtés voisins de Sheybogan, Kewaunee, Calumet, Fond du Lac et Washington.

Peter JONES, Town Clerk; was born in Belgium, Europe in 1832; emigrated to the, United States in 1852, and after stopping at Port Washington six' months, went to Peshtigo, whore he. followed lumbering until 1858 ; he then returned to Ozaukee Co., taught school in the town of Fredonia one year, and then purchased 84 acres of land in the town of Belgium, 80 acres of which are in Sec. 20, while 4 acres are located at Holy Cross. Mr. Jones his since lived upon the latter. Ile has taught school in District No. 5F since 1880. Is a Democrat in politics, and is at present Town Clerk, which office he has held since 1880. Mr. Jones wag married; in 1858, to Margaret Schumacher; they have six children-Nicalas, Peter, Mary, Michael, Mar--aret and Anna. Religion, Roman Catholic.
Source : History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, churches, schools and societies, its war record, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin, statistics of the state, and an abstract of its laws and constitution and of the constitution of the United States.; Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, 644 pgs.

Peter WATRY, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Port Washington ; was born at sea during the voyage of his parents to this country, .June 19, 1847, and spent his younger years on a farm in the town of Belgium. In 1867, he was married to Catherine Young, and purchased his present farm of 80 acres(Port Washington), and has since been working the same. The children are John, Domnic, Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Leo Frank. Is a Democrat, and is at present Assessor, which office he has held since 1877. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Source : History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, churches, schools and societies, its war record, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin, statistics of the state, and an abstract of its laws and constitution and of the constitution of the United States.; Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, 644 pgs.

John P. WEYKER, Sheriff, Port Washington; was born in Belgium Dec. 10 1836 brought to the United States by his parents in 1848; lived in the town of Belgium Ozaukee Co., until 1865 ; then came to Port Washington; served as Under Sheriff one term ; then as Constable two years and as Jailer six months, at the end of which time he went to Peshtigo, where he followed lumbering and railroading. In 1871, he was burned out by the great prairie fire. He then returned to Ozaukee Co. and leaving his family in the town of Belgium, returned to Peshtigo and followed lumbering until June, 1872; he then began farming and railroading in Ozaukee Co. until December, the following year, when he was employed in the lumber yards of Port Washington, and worked in a store ; since October, 1874, he has been engaged in saloon business. He was Under Sheriff during the years 1877 and 1878, and, in the fall of 1880, was elected Sheriff. He was married in 1858, to Anna Lecher, a native of of Holland; they have had twelve children, only four of whom are living-Margaret, now Mrs. Hubert Kuepprath, of Milwaukee ; Nicolas, Susan and Peter.
Source : History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, churches, schools and societies, its war record, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin, statistics of the state, and an abstract of its laws and constitution and of the constitution of the United States.; Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, 644 pgs.

Joseph BLONG. One of the best known men of Auburn township, Fayette county is Joseph Blong, who was for some time engaged in farming in Winneshiek county, but is now a merchant and hotel-keeper at St. Lucas, in the interest of which place he has exerted a potent influence for years and is one of the leading citizens of this part of the county. He was born in Belgium. March 17, 1841, and his parents, John and Jennie (Lochrohr) Blong, were natives of the same place, the father born in 1805 and the mother in 1808. They grew to maturity, were educated and married in that country, and in 1855 the family came to the United States. when Joseph, the subject. was fourteen years old. They located at Fort Washington, Wisconsin, where the father spent the rest of his life, dying in 1865, having been survived by his good wife many years, she dying at the same place in 1886. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters, of whom, John, the eldest. is married and living in Winneshiek county, Iowa. with his family of seven children and devotes his attention to fanning; Katie is the widow of Theodore Ellenbecker, of Milwaukee county, Wisconsin; Joseph, of this review; Ambrose is now living in the Black Hills; John B., whose wife is deceased, lives in Charles City, Iowa., Margaret, who is the widow of Nicholas Ellenbecker, is the youngest of the family and resides in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
Joseph Blong began life by working in the copper mines of Michigan when only a lad. Remaining there for a time, he then worked out as a farm laborer until about 1888, when, with the capital he had saved through those long years of hard work, he came to St. Lucas, Fayette county, and opened a general store, which he has continued to operate in a very successful manner, having enjoyed from the first a very liberal patronage with the surrounding country. for at all seasons he has kept a very carefully selected stock of drygoods, groceries, provisions, crockery, notions, boots and shoes, etc. He was fortunate in securing a good location and is always busy. In connection with his store he maintains a hotel, which is well patronized by the traveling public and has a reputation for general convenience and where all guests receive the best consideration and courteous treatment.
Mr. Blong was married, in 1867, to Christiana Hovertha, at Belgium, Wisconsin. She was born in France, in 1842, in which country she grew to maturity and was educated, coming to America with her parents, in 1865, locating in Wisconsin, where she lived until her marriage. This union has resulted in the birth of ten children, seven of whom are yet living: Nicholas, the eldest. died in infancy; Mathias, who was born in Wisconsin in 1870, is now in Waucoma, Iowa; Katie, born in 1872, died when fourteen years old: Margaret. Lizzie, Burdice (died February 22, 1908), Theodore, Barbara and Gertrude (who died in May, 1907.) These children have been carefully educated in the local schools, and have also been taught German at their church. The many friends of this honored family attest to their industry and integrity, and Mr. Blong is recognized as one of the county's substantial and influential citizens.
Source : Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa; Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1910, 1643 pgs.

N. YOUNG, Port Washington; one of the early settlers and leading druggists of Ozaukee Co.; is a native of Belgium, born in 1834 ; he came to the United States with his parents in 1851, and came direct to Port Washington; he helped his parents on the farm four years, then clerked in the store of Young & Kaehler two years, after which he had charge of the branch business of B. -Blake, at Blakeville, until the spring of 1864; he then returned to Port Washington, and carried an a drug business in partnership with W Audier for about four years, at the end of which time he sold his interest to his partner, and soon after embarked in the drug business alone. He was married in November, 1860, to Miss Theresa Wunderle, a native of Ohio, born April 31, 1839; they have nine children living-Lizzie T., Rosa I., Clara H., Edward N., George A.., Anna R., Frances A., Emma A. M. and Amelia.
Source : History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, churches, schools and societies, its war record, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin, statistics of the state, and an abstract of its laws and constitution and of the constitution of the United States.; Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, 644 pgs.

Les premiers départs vers Green Bay (1853) auraient été le fait de deux familles du Brabant wallon : Alexandre Leurquin de Gastuche et Ambroise Degodt de Doiceau, familles apparentées entre-elles. Ces deux familles débarquèrent à Philadelphie dans le dernier trimestre de 1852 et gagnèrent le nord-est du Wisconsin, le long des Grands Lacs.

Ils appelèrent "Aux premiers Belges", "Bois des Belges", "Aux Belges", l'endroit où ils s'établirent. Mais c'est le nom de Robinsonville (du nom du parlementaire qui aurait obtenu l'établissement du premier "Post-Office" de la colonie) qui est arrivé jusqu'à nous.

Elles furent suivies en 1853 d'autres familles qui gagnèrent les Etats-Unis à bord du Quinnebaug, parti d'Anvers le 17 mai 1853, par New-York, où elles arrivèrent le 6 juillet 1853 après une traversée difficile et pour laquelle ils ont déposé une plainte au Consul de Belgique à Philadelphie : il y avait à bord 74 wallons et 7 flamands. Parmi eux, Xavier Martin, qui plus tard écrivit une histoire de l'installation des Belges au Wisconsin.

Le Rapport d' Adolphe Poncelet, Consul de Belgique à Chicago, en 1855, donne une bonne image de l'état de la colonie à cette époque. D'après ce qu'il dit, l'hiver 1855-56 fut terrible pour les colons. Son successeur fit aussi un voyage dans la colonie en 1858. Ce Rapport du Dr Henrotin donne une vue d'ensemble de la colonie à la veille de la Guerre de Sécession.

En 1859, le gouvernement belge jugea à propos de nommer un consul à Green Bay, devenu le principal centre de l'émigration belge dans l'état du Wisconsin. Mr Massé fut nommé à ce poste et envoya un premier rapport, en date du 1er février 1862, précisant que Green Bay " peut être appelé la capitale de la Colonie belge, et doit sa prospérité et son agrandissement à l'industrie de nos compatriotes ".

Parmi les émigrants qui s'établirent à Red River, il faut citer Adèle Brice née à Dion-le-Val, près de Wavre, le 30 janvier 1831, qui émigra en 1855 avec sa famille à bord du W. F. Schmidt. Jeune fille très pieuse, elle aurait eu des visions de la Sainte Vierge, début octobre 1859, à l'endroit où se trouve actuellement The Chapel Our Lady of Good Help à Champion. A la suite de ces visions, elle s'occupa de l'instruction religieuse, surtout des enfants de la colonie belge. Vers 1865 elle fonda une communauté de Soeurs près de "la Chapelle" et une école qui, en 1869, prit le nom de Saint Mary's Academy. Elle s'occupa de la direction de cette école et de la Chapelle jusqu'à sa mort le 5 juillet 1896.

Little Sturgeon - Gardner (1856) où s'établirent des colons attirés par F. Gardner, un homme d'affaire américain qui possédait depuis 1854 une exploitation forestière a laquelle il ajouta des scieries, des chantiers navals et un port artificiel.

P. A. GALLET, agricultural implement depot, Chilton. Born in Belgium, Nov. 12, 1840. Came to America and to Wyoming County, where he lived with his parents and attended school until they moved to the town of Russell in Sheboygan Co., since which he has been traveling in the machine business. He took a trip to California in 1872, and to Oregon where he intended to stay, but as the climate did not suit him, he returned in 1875, and bought a farm in town of Chilton. Moving on it, he engaged in the agricultural machinery business, and finely sold his farm and moved to the city. He has a wife and five children - Eliza S., Edward A., Helen A., Mary Adeline and Pauline A.
Source : Calumet County, Wisconsin Genealogy and History (brokrn link)

A. LOOS, farmer, Sec. 33, P. 0. Waupaca, was born in Belgium, June 11, 1832; his father was a miller and his son was soon placed under his vigilant eye to learn the same trade, which be followed in his native country till he came to America; Aug. 23, 1856, he landed at Green Bay, remaining there a short time, but soon found himself in Two River:, where he remained one year and ran a mill ; from there he went to Neshetah and ran a mill for two years, when he went to Neenah and continued milling a number of years, till his health gave way, and he was obliged to quit milling; he then built a large bakery and ran it eight years; his oldest son, in the meantime, becoming a practical baker; one year he ran a hotel and saloon. January 29, 1881, he moved onto his present farm of 187 acres ; he has 138 acres under cultivation; which is free from stumps and stones; his farm good and the location fine. He was married in Belgium in 1856, to Miss Rosy L. Estas; she was born in Belgium, June 22, 1832. They have nine children, and their change from city life seems a pastime to them.
Source : History of northern Wisconsin : containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. ; Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, 1205 pgs.