Swiss American Historical Society Review
Abstract
Andreas Hanselmann (1825-1905) had his roots in the Toggenburg, a valley belonging to the Canton St.Gallen and situated in the northeastern part of Switzerland. Born in 1825, he left his wife Susette and his two children-a son who died early and a daughter Frieda, born 1856 in Wattwil-in 1860 and went to the United States. In those days, the dominant textile industry in the Toggenburg was hit by an economic crisis that led also others to emigrate, but Hanselmann offers no explanation for his departure. Being caught by the Civil War in New Orleans shortly after his arrival, he enrolled in the Louisiana Militia and, after the fall of that city to the Union forces, he changed sides and finished the war fighting for the North.
Recommended Citation
Blatter, Richard
(2011)
"Prefatory Note,"
Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 47:
No.
3, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol47/iss3/2