"In 1924 I had an
opportunity to
go to America"

Henry's neighbor, in Wahn, Germany, was originally the one scheduled to come to America. But, at the last minute, his fiancée refused to marry him if he immigrated, so he changed his mind, and Henry took his place. He was sponsored by his neighbor's Uncle, Baldus Wirtz (La Salle Company), to work on his farm, in Ruttland, Illinois for a period of one year.

Henry would say in later years, that they worked him too hard on the "Wirtz" farm. But he loved to plow the fields and never lost his love of the land. They must have really worked him hard too, because his height decreased by one inch, per his citizenship papers. (From 5'8" on the ship's manifest, to 5'7" on his citizenship papers.)

Henry left Germany from the port of Bremen on Dec 13, 1924, with $36.00 in his pocket.

Map of Germany



"It took 9
days to sail
by ship.
Most of the
people got sick
but I did not."

Columbus

The ship was called the Columbus:


 
 

COLUMBUS MANIFEST
Passenger Record for Henry Hupperich

 
 

1

No. on List

 

14

 

2

Head-Tax Status

 

--

3

Name in Full

Family Name

Hupperich

   

Given Name

Heinrich

4

Age

Yrs.

23

   

Mos.

--

5

Sex

 

M

6

Married or single

 

S

7

Calling or occupation

 

Farmer

8

Able to--

Read

Y

   

Read what language (or, if exemption claimed, on what ground)

German

   

Write

Y

9

Nationality (Country of which citizen or subject)

 

Germany

10

Race or people

 

German

11

Last permanent residence

Country

Germany

   

City or town

Wahn

12

The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came

 

Father Heinrich Hupperich Wahn/Rhld

13

Final destination

State

Ill.

 

(Intended future permanent residence)

City or town

Ruttland

14

No. on List

 

14

15

Whether having a ticket to such final destination

 

No

16

By whom was passage paid? (Whether alien paid his own passage, whether paid by relative, whether paid by any other person, or by any corporation, society, municipality, or government)

 

Self

17

Whether in possession of $50 and if less, how much?

 

$36.00

18

Whether ever before in the United States; and if so, when and where? Yes or No If yes--- Year or period of years. Where?

 

No

19

Whether going to join a relative or friend; and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address

 

Uncle Baldus Wirtz, Ruttland, Illinois, La Salle Co.

20

Purpose of coming to United States

Whether alien intends to return to country whence he came after engaging temporarily in laboring pursuits in the United States

No

   

Length of time alien intends to remain in the United States

Always

   

Whether alien intends to become a citizen of the United States

Y

21

Ever in prison or almshouse, or institution for care and treatment of the insane, or supported by charity? If so, which?

 

No

22

Whether a polygamist

 

No

23

Whether an anarchist

 

No

24

Whether a person who believes in or advocates the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the United States or all forms of law, etc.

 

No

25

Whether coming by reason of any offer, solicitation, promise, or agreement, expressed or implied, to labor in the United States

 

No

26

Whether alien had been previously deported within one year

 

No

27

Condition of health, mental and physical

 

Good

28

Deformed or crippled. Nature, length of time, and cause

 

No

29

Height

Feet

5

 

 

Inches

8

30

Complexion

 

Fair

31

Color of--

Hair

Bl

 

 

Eyes

Bl

32

Marks of identification

 

None

33

Place of birth

Country

Germany

 

 

City or town

Duesseldorf

34

Immigration Visa

Date

Okt. 18, 1924

   

Place of Issuance

Cologne

   

Number

12253

 
 

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On December 22, 1924, Henry arrived at Ellis Island, "America's Gateway".