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Subject: [OHROOTS] From: Henry's Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio--Hamilton county
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 20:21:12 EDT

The German Element in Cincinnati
pages 848-848


In 1826 appeared the first German newspaper, Die Ohio Chronik. In 1834 the
Germans formed a German society, that they might aid each other to assure a
better future, and to secure generally those charitable aims which are “
impossible to the single individual.” Among those who formed this was HEINRICH RODTER,
journalist and lawyer. He was editor of the Volksblatt, founded in 1836 as
the organ of the Democrats. In 1847—48 , as a member of the Ohio Legislature,
he had passed the law which secures workingmen a lien on houses built by them,
and also a law reducing the cost of naturalization to foreigners. Although a
Democrat, he voted against the black laws and was anti-slavery in his
sentiments; at one time was a lawyer partner with the eminent J. B. STALLO. Hamilton
county He died in 1857. KARL GUSTAVE REEMELIN was born in Wurtemburg in
1814, and at the age of 18 years arrived in this country. This was on the eve of
the election of Andrew JACKSON, when he became attached to the Democratic
party, to which he has always adhered. “His studies and experience at home had
already given him an enthusiasm for free trade and a prejudice against paper
money and a banking system; and he thought he was in the Whig party an
inclination toward Puritanism which was naturally repugnant to the genuine German
nature. The name Democracy had a certain charm for the Germans; and as the wealthy
classes most belonged to the Whig party they classed them with the European
aristocracy. REEMELIN became one of the founders of the Volksblatt, studied law
but never practised, and entered into politics. As a member of the Ohio
Legislature he criticized very sharply the then defective method of taxation, and
evinced a through study of political economy.” He was a leading member of the
Constitution Convention in 1850—51; the article in the constitution is due to
his exertions which prevents the legislature from making arbitrary division
in the electoral districts. Through this great abuses had arisen, minorities
at times having gained a majority in the legislature. He visited the reform
schools in Europe, and guided by his report the legislature established the
Reform School at Lancaster. Becoming tired of politics he eventually retired to
his beautiful farm and vineyard near Cincinnati, where he has written much for
agricultural journals—one upon “The Climate of Ohio” He has published “The
Vine Dresser’s Manual,” “The Wine Maker’s Manual,” and “Politics as a
Science.”

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