The Belgians of St. Joseph County

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• The Belgians of St. Joseph County
• An Historical Sketch
• November 11, 2006

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Emigration The Push Factors

• Collapse of the cottage flax industry as linen
  production is mechanized
• Overpopulation, famine, and subsequent disease
  epidemics
• Cheap grain imports from the U.S. undercut
  agricultural production
• Government sought to unload its social burden
• Source From the Belgian Countryside to the
  MidwestBelgian Emigration to the United States
  -- National Botanic Garden of Belgium

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Immigration the Pull Factors

• Cheap, available land
• U.S. states sought farmers to develop
• the land and acquire laborers for factories
• Come-on letters from early settlers
• Low taxes, no military service, abundant food,
  class equality, families re-joining, etc.
• Source From the Belgian Countryside to the
  MidwestBelgian Emigration to the United States
  -- National Botanic Garden of Belgium

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The Red Star Line
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Cost of Passage

• Red Star Line.-For Antwerp AndParis. Sailing
  from New-York and Antwerpevery
  Saturday.Noordland.......Saturday, May 28, 930
  A.M.Rhynland................Saturday, June 4, 4
  P.M.Spring and Summer rates First cabin, 60 to
  100 excursion, 110 to 180 second cabin,
  45excursion, 80 and 85. Steerage at very low
  rates.Peter Wright Sons, Gen. Agents, 55 B'way.

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Early St. Joseph County Employers

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Mishawaka Woolen Ball Band
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South Bends Earliest Belgian Settler
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South Bend Rises to Prominence
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St. Bavos Church, Mishawaka - 1903
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Belgian American Club Mishawaka1915
Left to Right Van Ooteghem, Stevens, Bauwens,
Leliaert, Bauters, Coppens, Hallaert, Breiaert,
Van Rie, Van Holsbecke, Braeckelaere, De Waelshe,
Couverour, Meuninck