Newberry Library - Raster, Mathilde - Correspondence to Hermann Raster, Hermann Raster family papers, 1871-1874

Raster, Mathilde - Correspondence to Hermann Raster, Hermann Raster family papers, 1871-1874

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Open book Raster, Mathilde - Correspondence to Hermann Raster, Hermann Raster family papers, 1871-1874

Title Raster, Mathilde - Correspondence to Hermann Raster, Hermann Raster family papers, 1871-1874

Creator Raster, Hermann, 1827-1891

Date 1871-1874

Place United States

Language German

Subjects Forty-Eighters (American immigrants), German Americans, Germans, Newspaper editors, Newspaper publishing

Summary The bulk of this collection consists of correspondenc--professional, personal, and family. Many of the letters in the collection are in German, written by prominent German-American and German editors, professors, diplomats, singers and authors. There are also letters in English from important Chicagoans covering topics such as the fledgling Chicago Public library, immigration laws, the Chicago Board of Education, anti-temperance and the Republican Platform. Many of Raster's letters to his family have been translated, including those that reveal his experiences and feelings as an immigrant in New York City and during the aftermath of the Chicago fire in 1871.

Biographical/Historical Note German immigrant "Forty-Eighter," editor of New York Abendzeitung and Illinois Staats-Zeitung. Hermann Raster was born in 1827 in Zerbst, Germany. He graduated from University of Leipzig in 1846 and the University of Berlin in 1848. In 1849 he took a job as the stenographer of the Anhalt Legislature. Raster took part in the revolutions of 1848, writing passionately against church and monarchy. He was forced to flee to America with fellow revolutionaries to escape prison. Raster arrived in New York in July 1851 and first found employment as a farmhand near Tioga, PA. He left for Buffalo in the spring of 1852, accepting the position of editor for the Buffalo Demokrat. His journalistic reputation grew quickly and in February of 1853, Raster was made editor of the New York Abendzeitung, the most influential German-language paper of the time. In 1867, Raster accepted the position as editor for the Illinois Staats-Zeitung in Chicago, where he remained until his death. Raster died in July 1891 in Silesia, Germany where he had traveled for his poor health. His third wife Margarethe and their three children, Anna, Edwin and Walther survived him. Raster was influential in leading the German-American switch to the Republican Party in 1856, swaying German public opinion via his pro-union, anti-slavery articles in the German press, and promoting the personal liberty (anti-temperance) cause.

Extent 6.2 linear feet (10 boxes, 2 oversize boxes)

Format Clippings, Correspondence, Diaries, Manuscripts, Photographs

User-Contributed Transcription Nov 30, 18711.Mein lieber guter Papa!Ach, mein lieber Papa ich danke Dir viele Male f��r die h��bschenPhotographien, welche Du mir von dem Brande von Chicago geschickt. Nach den Photographien zu urtheilen, mu�� Chicago schrecklich, allesnur Ruinen und Tr��mmer. Die prachtvollen gro��en Geb��ude auf der S��dseite und die sch��nen Villas auf der Nordseite, alles einTr��mmerhaufen, es mu�� ein schrecklicher Anblick sein. Die sch��neKirche neben meiner Schule, worauf die Gemeinde so stolz war und immer hofften, da�� sie die Mittel bekommen w��rde um sie fertig zu bauen, es ist wirklich gr��lich. Die Bilder so wie auch die Sterioskopen,welche Tante von Chicago hat, werden hier mit gro��em Interesse angesehen. Den Plan von dem Feuer, welchen Du so g��tig warst mir zu schicken, hat sich sogar die Herzogin angesehen. Du wirst entschuldigen, lieber Papa, wenn ich Dich auf Deinen Irrthum aufmerksam mache, aber Du hast zwei egale Photographiengeschickt, aber das schadet gar nichts deswegen bin ich Dir doch sehr dankbar.

Transcription Status Needs review

Transcription Note This document was transcribed by volunteers as part of the Newberry Transcribe crowdsourcing initiative.

Archival Collection Title Hermann Raster papers

Link to Catalog View finding aid | View record

Call Number Midwest MS Raster Box 10 Folder 166

BibID 998784178805867

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Size 1734px × 2664px 26.47 MB

Filename 998784178805867_mms_raster_box_010_fl_166_001_001.tif

Unique Identifier NL11CLHO

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