Voices from the Past

About the Book

In 1821, in a small village along the Rhine, he was christened Johann Dionis Schafer; and, by the time he had reached college age, he was determined to join the many thousands of his countrymen who were emigrating to America. His experiences and those of his family, so often lost in history, have been uniquely preserved in letters dating from 1842, and continuing until his death in 1898. The letters provide fascinating insight into the challenges faced by these early pioneers who farmed in the Midwest and, after 1871, in Washington Territory. Their thoughts, hopes, worries and concerns transcend time.

About the Author