Title: Germans in the Midwest | National Museum of American History
Headings: Germans in the Midwest
Germans in the Midwest
The Peter Glass Family
Glass Family Homestead, Scott, Wisconsin, after 1862
Bringing the Old World to the New
Inlaid wood table with patriotic themes, made by Peter Glass, 1868
Veneer panel, late 1800s
Gift of Mrs. Paul E. O'Sullivan
Scroll-saw blade used by Peter Glass
Gift of Mrs. Frank A. Vidano
Award won by Peter Glass for his woodworking, 1850–1868
Gift of Mrs. Frank A. Vidano
Award won by Peter Glass for his woodworking, 1850–1868
Gift of Mrs. Frank A. Vidano
Award won by Peter Glass for his woodworking, 1850–1868
Gift of Mrs. Frank A. Vidano

Content: Germans in the Midwest | National Museum of American History
Germans in the Midwest
More than five million Germans came to the United States in the 1800s, the largest foreign language group at the time. The majority moved to the Midwestern "German triangle," between Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Many were farmers in their homeland and pursued the same livelihood in the Midwest. Living in close proximity to other Germans encouraged these immigrants to maintain traditional customs and language. The anti-immigration sentiment so prevalent in some U.S. cities gained less ground in the rural areas of the Midwest. The Peter Glass Family
Peter Glass and his German-born first wife preserved aspects of their cultural identity by living near other Germans and keeping in contact with family in Europe. When his first wife died the Protestant Glass married an American-born daughter of German Catholic immigrants and became involved in her church. Glass Family Homestead, Scott, Wisconsin, after 1862
German immigrant Peter Glass came to the United States from Bavaria in 1844. Like many immigrants, he worked on the East Coast, before moving his family to a Wisconsin farm in 1857. There he lived near other Germans, Irish immigrants, and other white English-speaking migrants, along with Native people.