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Archiver > BRETHREN > 1997-10 > 0876526431


From: jana baker <>
Subject: Re: Kansas Migration
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 16:33:51 -0700


The Brethren were like many of their non-Brethren counterparts in reasons
for moving west. Land was cheap in comparison to more settled areas. The
"Brethren Encylopedia" also lists several other reasons for some of the
large groups of Brethren who chose to move to Kansas and elsewhere: land
speculators and the railroad. Both of these groups apparently actively
sought members of Brethren groups to settle lands west. They frequently
advertised colonization efforts in Brethren publications. The Brethren were
considered good risks to populate new areas because of their skill in
farming and willingness to create stable communities. The railroads offered
cheap travel as incentives to move and settle west. Land speculators and
those seeking to settle government lands also worked with the railroads in
an organized effort to attract settlers.
If you can find a copy of "The Brethren Encylopedia", it offers
interesting insight into the involvement of different forces that encouraged
a westward migration of Brethren settlers. Obviously many other social and
political factors were also involved, but I found the railroads involvement
and interesting aspect.
If anyone else cares to add to this dicussion, I would love to hear more.
Much of the above information was new to me upon studying the "Brethren
Encylopedia" while I have it on interlibrary loan, so I am in no way and
"expert"!

Regards, Jana

t 07:02 PM 10/9/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Rich sent the following to the list:
>***************************************
>I think it was on this page that someone posted a message about a
>migration of Brethren from Lancaster County, Pa. to Kansas in the late
>1800's. Does anyone have more information on this migration, or where
>could I get more information? I would like to know why the migration
>took place, who was involved, and what was its impact.
Jana Baker
<>

Researching the names: BAKER, BOWSER, BROWN,DANNER, LONGO, MATHEWS,MILLER,
MILLS, NESSELRODT, NEWCOMB, PURPURA, SONNERFRANK

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