As part of Seneca’s Oktoberfest celebration, I contributed to creating displays that showcased the stories of German immigrants who settled in Nemaha County, Kansas. One of these displays focused on the immigration journey of Andrew Reineke, chosen because of a family-shared reunion photo featuring the wagon he used during his travels from St. Louis to Nemaha County.
According to family records, Andrew Joseph Reineke, christened Johann Andreas Reineke, was born in 1840 and baptized in Brakel’s Catholic Church. In 1867, he set sail from Bremen to New York aboard the ship Helene. After settling in St. Louis, Andrew became friends with Josef and Anton Mueller. In 1870, the three men—Andrew and the Mueller brothers—relocated to Seneca, Kansas.
To gather more details about Andrew’s journey from Brakel to Seneca, I used Perplexity.ai to research the various stages of his trek. ChatGPT was then utilized to compile and organize that information into the following narrative.
Brakel to Hannover
- Likely by stage, wagon or on foot
- 90 to 100 kilometers (55-62 miles)
- Taking 11 to 12.5 hours plus rest stops for horses
- Cost 1-2 groschen per mile or 65 to 130 groshen which converts to 2 to 4 thalers [$60 to $200 in 2024 dollars]
- Prussian thaler was currency used before introduction of German gold mark in 1871
Hannover to Bremen
- Likely by train
- 120 kilometers (75 miles)
- Train speed of 30 to 40 km/h would require 3 to 4 hours
- Third class tickets ranged from 0.5 to 1 groschen per kilometer
- For 120 kilometer journey : Third class fare of 2 to 4 thalers
Lodging
Basic Boarding house cost—0.5 to 1 thaler per night
Bremen to Bremerhaven
- Commonly by riverboat
- 4 to 6 hours
- 0.5 to 1 thaler per person ($30 to $50 in 2024 US dollars)
According to family records, 27-year-old Andreas Reineke arrived in New York aboard the ship Helene on September 23, 1867. The passenger list for the Helene confirms the presence of a 27-year-old male named Andreas Reineke, whose listed occupation was mason.
Research conducted through Perplexity offers additional insights into steamship travel during that era.
Travel on Steamship
Steerage Class (Third Class)
- Cost: The most economical option, typically used by emigrants, was steerage class. The fare for steerage from Bremen to New York in 1868 was generally between 20 to 40 thalers.
- Accommodations: Steerage class provided basic accommodations with minimal privacy, and passengers were often responsible for bringing their own food or purchasing it onboard
From New York, Andrew likely traveled by train to St. Louis.
Rail from New York City to St. Louis area in 1869
Third Class
- 1 to 2 cents per mile or $10 to $22
- Very Basic Accommodations
- Wooden seats
- Unheated cars
In 1869, the rail journey from New York to St. Louis would have taken approximately 2 to 3 days (about 33 to 55 hours), depending on the speed of the train, the number of stops, and any delays encountered along the way. While direct trains may have existed, it’s likely that passengers would have needed to make at least one transfer, potentially extending the travel time further.
When Andrew and the Mueller brothers embarked on their journey from St. Louis to Kansas, they needed to purchase a wagon and team for the trip. Using Perplexity.ai, I researched the costs associated with this leg of Andrew’s journey.
Costs for a Wagon and Team in 1869:
Wagon:
- Basic Farm Wagon or Prairie Schooner: A typical farm wagon or prairie schooner (commonly used for westward migration) could cost between $75 to $150.
- Higher-Quality or Custom Wagons: More durable or specialized wagons could cost $150 to $250 or more, depending on construction, size, and custom features.
Team of Horses or Oxen:
- Horses: A team of two horses might cost between $100 to $300 depending on the breed, age, and condition of the horses.
- Oxen: Oxen were often used for heavier loads and were generally less expensive than horses. A pair of oxen could cost around $50 to $150.
Additional Costs:
- Harness and Equipment: Harnesses, yokes, and other necessary equipment might add another $25 to $50 to the total cost.
- Supplies: If the purchaser was preparing for a long journey, they might also need to buy supplies (e.g., food, tools, spare parts), which could add several more dollars to the overall expense.
Traveling by wagon from St. Louis, Missouri, to Seneca, Kansas, in 1869 would have been a challenging journey, covering roughly 300 to 350 miles.
Estimated Travel Time:
- Average Daily Distance: A typical wagon could travel about 10 to 20 miles per day. This rate accounts for the need to rest the animals, set up and break down camp, and navigate difficult terrain.
- Total Distance: The distance between St. Louis and Seneca is approximately 300 to 350 miles.
- Calculation: At 10 miles per day: The journey would take about 30 to 35 days.
On Nov. 4, 1870, Andrew Reineke declared his intention to be naturalized.
On 11 Sep 1890, Andrew Reineke was admitted as a citizen of the United States.
