Life in Newark, New Jersey (1865-1882)

The end of the Civil War brought many changes for Fidel Schlund’s family. Sadly his son Alois passed away during the war. The Illinois State archives list Alois’ death as a suicide. However, his brother, Max, wrote in his diary that Alois was killed in battle. Other documents at the Newberry Library corroborate Max's version of the incident. In 1865 Fidel, his wife Josephina, and his eldest son Anton moved to Newark, New Jersey. Joseph, Christian, and Peter stayed in the Chicago, Illinois area for the remainder of their lives. Fidel's other children, now with families of their own, moved to other states; Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and California.

Fidel Schlund in Newark, NJ city directory 1865

Fidel was an active member in the German Republican party in Newark. Fidel’s involvement is chronicled in the book, “A History of the City of Newark, New Jersey: Embracing Practically Volume 2.”

“A History of the City of Newark, New Jersey: Embracing Practically Volume 2.”

Fidel and Anton (Anthony) Schlund in Newark, NJ city directory 1869

Fidel Schlund in the 1870 Census- Newark Ward 13, Essex, New Jersey

Fidel and Anton Schlund in Newark, NJ city directory 1871

On April 8, 1871 a peace celebration took place in Newark. The Germans were celebrating the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the Unification of Germany. Being aware of their French neighbors the Germans decided to forgo a triumphal celebration an instead have a peace celebration. Fidel Schlund was one of the original “forty-eighters” who gave a speech at the celebration. The “forty-eighters” felt that the moment had come that gave their fight and struggle purpose. They embraced the cause of the Fatherland as their own; the injustice they had suffered was forgotten. 

“A History of the City of Newark, New Jersey: Embracing Practically Volume 2.”

Fidel and his wife Josephine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1876. The following article from “The Sunday Call”, tells more about the occasion.

The Sunday Call, March 26, 1876

Fidel Schlund and sons, Anton and Fidel Jr in Newark, NJ city directory 1876

Fidel Schlund and sons, Anton and Fidel Jr in Newark, NJ city directory 1878

Fidel Schlund and sons, Anton and Fidel Jr in Newark, NJ city directory 1879

Fidel and Anthony listed in 1880 Census- Newark, Essex, New Jersey

Fidel Schlund and sons, Anton and Fidel Jr in Newark, NJ city directory 1881

The "Forty-Eighters"

In one short year the Revolution of 1848 that Fidel Schlund had participated in, had failed. In 1849 Fidel was wanted for treason. I have an unsourced story in my old works that says that Fidel fled to Switzerland and while absent from Germany he was sentenced to be shot. The sentence was revoked and Fidel returned to Germany. I'm unsure if Fidel fled the country, but I do know that in 1849, Fidel was arrested for treason against Germany.

Fidel was imprisoned for seven months in Kempton as recorded in the German book, “Die Volkshalle”, (Translated to English)

“On July, 30^th 1849 the popular people's friend Fidel Schlund from Immenstadt was brought in the local prison accompanied by two policemen. Only political opinions could be the reason for this new arrestment. Mr. Schlund has a good royal Bavarian cast of mind, although he eagerly strives to realize the German Unit and the imperial constitution. Now the government defines this thinking as a crime, what they expected from the people last year.”

Due to Fidel’s involvement in the Revolutions of 1848 and his later immigration to America, Fidel is known as a “Forty-Eighter.” The Forty-Eighters were Germans, involved in the failed Revolution, who traveled to the United States, Puerto Rico and Australia after the Revolutions of 1848. They were disappointed by the failure of the revolution to bring about the reform of the system of government in Germany. Sometimes, as with Fidel, these actions landed them on the government's wanted list. They gave up their old lives to try again abroad. Many were respected, rich and well-educated, as such, they were not typical immigrants. Unsurprisingly, a large number went on to be very successful in their new countries and have become a important part of US and Australian history.

The term Forty Eighters is often used to more specifically to describe the the immigrants who took part in both the failed German Revolution and later the American Civil War. The vast majority of the German immigrants joined the Union effort. Led by the 1848 revolutionists, they enrolled in what they perceived to be their "Zweiter Freiheitskampf," their second fight for liberty. From the beginning, these Germans knew they were fighting not only for the preservation of the Union and democracy, but also for human rights, for the liberation of the slaves, and for themselves.