File:Myrtle Jaus.pdf

JAUS

Martin Jaus, son of Simon Jaus, was born February 18, 1823 in Southern Germany, Schwabia, Kreis würtemberg. (This is in the Stuttgart, Germany area.) As a young man he was employed as a hired hand at a Bauernhof tending cattles. At this same time a young lady named Katherina Beck, born July 19, 1830, was a personal maid to the mistress of this same estate. The two young people fell in love, and 1854 were married at the estate of their employers at Haselwangen, Germany. The noblewoman gave Katherina a trousseau and a valuable string of pearls.

In order to attract settlers to the new province of Ontario, the Canadian government sent land agents to these rural communities in Germany, painting a rosy picture of the advantages in Canada. The newlyweds, together with their pastor and eight other families, decided to emigrate to America. The sailboat finally arrived in North America the fall of 1855, after a long, weary voyage. The settlers proceeded on to Delhi, Ontario. (Delhi is located east of Detroit.) The winter was filled with hardships, but they managed to survive the winter by living together and sharing their resources.

Spring brought further disappointments to the newly arrived settlers. The clay and rocky soil was only suited to the cultivation of tobacco, of which these men and women knew nothing. They struggled for nine years to make a living, the men hiring out to tobacco farmers. Five children were born to the Jaus couple while in Canada. Símon 1856, Martin 1858, Anna (John Bentz) 1860, John 1861, Martha (John Weller) 1863.

When news of the enactment of the Homestead Act of 1862 reached them, they decided to send their pastor to Minnesota, which had become a State in 1859, to inquire how they could acquire a homestead. He was informed that a new area in Carver County was open to homesteaders. The following regulations would have to met for 160 acres. 1--The head of the family had to be 21. 2--Declare his intentions of becoming an American citizen. 3--Clear at least five acres of land every year. 4--Improve the land by building a house on it. 5--Live on this homestead for five years.

In 1865 Martin and Katherina and their five children, together with seven other families, decided to come to Carver County. They traveled by sailboat most of the way, and the trip was again filled with hardships.

Martin was able to buy 160 acres of virgin timber for $500, and on this land a log house was built. They again encountered many hardships, but by pooling their labor, cleared the land of timber and stumps. The settlers found the land to be very productive. Martin even cleared a neighbors land by mistake. Four more children were born to them in Carver County. Mary (William Herman) 1865, Henry 1868, George 1870, Gottlieb 1873. They all attended parochial school.

The Sioux Indians were their close neighbors and often came to the home to exchange dressed venison for loaves of white bread baked by Katherina. They remained on friendly terms and were never attacked during outbreaks.

Martin died of cancer November 6, 1890 at the age of 60. Katherina died Feb.7, 1896 at the age of 66. Both were buried on the church cemetery at Hamburg, where they had been members since moving there in 1865.

source:Myrtle Jaus Memories. Copywrite:Myrtle Jaus Meyer.