CHAPTER XIII.

GERMAN AND GERMAN-AMERICAN FARMERS OF ANAHEIM, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

[For General Tables see pp. 884 to 895.]

INTRODUCTION.

About fifty years ago a group of German artisans of San Francisco purchased at small cost 1,165 acres of cactus land located in the center of Orange County, Cal., which they set out in grape vines. After three years it was subdivided into fifty 20-acre tracts, with as many house lots laid out in a group. The purchasers removed to the place and built their homes, forming the nucleus of the thriving town of Anaheim, which has now some 3,000 inhabitants. A large percentage of this number are Germans or of German descent, but there are besides, Americans and foreigners of various races. The best farms near the town are still owned by Germans, who came there with the idea of securing comfortable homes with conditions similar to those to which they had been accustomed abroad. Few have come direct from Germany to begin farming here. A large majority came from cities and other farming localities in the United States. The mild climate of California and the opportunities presented for fruit growing and association with people of their race have been the inducements which have brought so many to this locality.

As farmers the Germans have been very successful, and the wellorganized town of Anaheim, with municipally owned water and light plants, owes much to the business capacity of the German element found there in every line of business. For thirty years after its settlement, Anaheim was a well-known wine-making center. About twenty years ago, however, the so-called Anaheim vine disease destroyed the vineyards, so that the farmers gave more attention to other crops, of which a large number are now successfully grown. But the ambition of most farmers is ultimately to have either an English walnut farm or an orange orchard, as these, when successful, bring in the largest incomes per acre. It has been found from experience that certain limited belts of land in the locality are peculiarly adapted for nut growing as well as for the production of oranges, and more trees are being planted each year. Yet even when these trees have matured the farmer seldom depends upon the income of any single crop, but utilizes the space between the trees for the growing of berries and vegetables. The land is irrigated and the cultivation is intensive. All produce is disposed of at good prices, as there are ample transportation facilities to both Los Angeles and San Diego, cities in neighboring counties. What is not directly shipped there is sold to the commission merchants, canneries, and to four fruit-packing houses of Anaheim.

During the autumn of 1908 an agent of the Commission secured schedules for 32 representative German heads of families and for 9 German-Americans. The details are presented in the following sections of this report.

THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE GERMAN AND GERMAN-AMERICAN

FARMERS.

At the present time these 41 farmers control 1,068.25 acres of highly productive land. Forty of them own land, but 6 of these, in order to obtain more land for productive purposes, add to their own holdings others under lease. The remaining farmer is a tenant only. Of the total acreage, 955.25 is owned, while 113 acres are leased 2 farms for a share of the crops and the rest for cash. The greater number of these farms are considered good-sized holdings for this locality, the largest 2 containing 100 and 103 acres each. Of the remaining 39, 1 contains 80 acres, 4 from 40 to 48 acres, 17 from 20 to 34 acres, 11 from 10 to 19 acres, while only 6 have an acreage of less than 10. The median farm of the German is 28.8 acres, that of the German-Americans 16.28 acres. (General Table 289.)

The general desire for a fruit and nut farm has not as yet been realized by most of these farmers. In 1907 no fewer than 32 of the 39 reporting data sold animal products, chiefly from their poultry yards. Twenty-one sold dairy products, an equal number sold vegetables, and 16 sold fruit of one or more kinds. Walnut crops were produced by 15, while only 1 sold grain and forage and this for less than $1,000. (General Table 292.) At the same time almost all of the farmers produced a large part of their own food supply. All have gardens, and most have their own orchards. All but 4 have from 1 to 6 cows, which not only enable them to sell dairy products in many cases, but also provide their families with milk and butter. Thirty-nine keep poultry and 13 keep swine which furnish a part of their meat supply. It is evident that the sales represent only a part of the returns from the farms, yet every farmer has some income from products sold. The smallest amount reported for the year was $178, the largest $5,000 from a 40-acre potato farm. Two sold produce for more than $2,000 but less than $3,000, while 14 others had crops valued at $1,000 but less than $2,000. Of the others, 11 sold for between $500 and $1,000, an equal number from $178 to $500. (General Table 292.) The average amount per farm received for crops was $1,048.77. In addition to the incomes from their farms, some of the farmers as well as a number of the older sons derive incomes from other sources. This is especially true where the families are large; so much help is not needed at home and employment is found on neighboring farms and in town. These farms are of such a character that little outside help is needed. When assistance is required the sons of neighbors are usually employed. If such help is not available, however, Japanese or laborers of any other race obtainable are procured without reference to nationality. For summer work the German-American farm laborers usually receive $2 a day without board or lodging, while the Japanese hands are paid $1.25 to $1.75 per day, without board or lodging. The

Five of these were widows.

attitude of these farmers in the matter of races employed is similiar to that of their American neighbors.

THE SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS OF THE GERMAN FARMERS.

This German colony has proved most successful. The population of Anaheim and vicinity is still increasing. One farmer reporting has been in this locality forty-three years and 3 others over twenty years. Nineteen have come there within the past ten years, and others are still selecting this thriving locality for settlement. For the most part these immigrants have been in the United States for many years. Three of the 27 German farmers from whom data were obtained came from Russia, while the others were born in Germany. The parents of 2 of the Germans from Russia had previously left Germany to avoid military service. Of the 27 farmers only 2 had been in the United States under ten years, while the others had been here from ten to fifty-seven years. Only 8 of the 27 were 25 years old or over at the time they came. Six of the 8 were married and came with wives in search of a new home, but only 1 of them came directly to Anaheim. Of the others, 7 were between 20 and 27 years, 2 between 18 and 20, and 10 under 18 when they came to the United States. Eleven had no occupation abroad. A number of these were children who immigrated with their parents, while others had just finished their schooling. Twelve had been wage-earners, 3 had been farmers, while 1 had engaged in business on his own account. Their first occupations in the United States were very similar to those engaged in abroad. Some had learned trades and found no trouble in finding employment in them in this country. Of the entire 27, 12 were at first wage-earners, 6 began work as farm hands, 3 were first common laborers, while 2 were independent farmers, and 1 went into business for himself. The first occupations of 3 of these farmers were not reported. (General Table 290.)

Of the 36 farmers from whom data were obtained, 14, before purchasing their present holdings, were farming in other localities in the United States. Two began farming when they first arrived in the United States, 1 in the present locality, the other elsewhere. One farm was inherited. In 19 instances the men worked for wages and, after accumulating some capital, bought land and began to farm in the locality. It is interesting to note that only 8 of this entire number of farmers had ever worked as farm laborers before. becoming independent farmers.

The progress of the farmers at Anaheim is indicated by several facts. The first purchases made by 39 aggregated only 799.25 acres. They now own 935.25. The difference is accounted for by the fact that 8 have purchased more land. Four have smaller holdings at present, having sold some of their land. The indebtedness is less, while more land has been purchased. Although these farmers have not finished paying for their land, very few have other debts. Two of the entire number owe $400 besides their mortgage indebtedness.

The greater part of the Anaheim land when first leased or purchased was covered with cactus. It was level and easily plowed and tillable, if not under cultivation. When the Germans first purchased their 31 farms, 17 were tillable holdings, while 13 had three

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fourths or more of the land they included under cultivation. Of the 8 farms owned by the German-Americans, 3 were tillable when first purchased and 5 had three-fourths or more under cultivation. The Germans paid an average price of $75.04 per acre for the tillable land and $202.51 per acre for the cultivated holdings. The average price paid by the German-Americans was larger, being $182.14 per acre for tillable land and $361.48 for cultivated land first purchased. Of the entire number of acres now occupied by the 41 farmers only 23 acres are reported as uncultivated. (General Tables 289 and 291.) In marked contrast to the sums of money brought to this locality, 36 farmers reporting the amount of $123,050, is the total value of property now owned by the same farmers. This is estimated to be $475,102. One farmer has less property than when he came to the community, all the others have more. In five instances the amount of property brought to the locality is not reported.

The smallest amount of property held by any one of these farmers is valued at $1,250. He is the only tenant farmer and brought but $300 to his present farm. Another farmer is worth between $1,500 and $2,500. Seven others have property valued between $2,500 and $5,000, 13 between $5,000 and $10,000, 14 between $10,000 and $25,000, and 4 more than $25,000. The total property, less indebtedness, is $516,979, an average of $12,924.48 for each of the 40 farmers reporting complete data.

SOCIOLOGICAL DATA.

The houses on these farms are of the usual neat frame bungalow type so common in California. The average number of rooms per house is 5.34. The water for family use comes from wells and nearly all have pumping plants in connection with these, so that water can be piped into the houses.

The homes are well kept and are not crowded. Nearly all have a general living room not used for other purposes. The majority have a dining room separate from the kitchen as well. With one or two exceptions the furnishings are simple. While the furniture of 15 families is valued at less than $150 each, 11 have furniture valued between $150 and $300, 15 between $300 and $500, while 5 have furniture valued at more than $500.

How completely all ties with their native land have been severed is evidenced in one way by the fact that in 1907 the families investigated did not send any money abroad, either because their relatives did not need any help or were all in this country. All expect to remain permanently in the United States. Of the 27 farmers, only 7 have not become citizens, and one of the latter has been here but four years. Three of the 7 have their first papers, but have neglected to secure the second. The majority of the Germans have always taken an intelligent interest in politics; only a few are entirely indifferent. They especially appreciate the absence of compulsory military service in this country. The Germans have long taken an active part in the municipal government in Anaheim, as the town was first organized by them. That they have been successful is apparent. The Germans have always ranked high in literacy, and these farmers are no exception to the rule. Of 72 foreign-born Germans reporting

a The condition of one at the time it was purchased was not reported. (General Table 291.)

data, only 1 man and 1 woman are not able to read and write. They are, moreover, seldom slow in learning to speak the English language. The great majority have been in the United States many years. Forty-five of 74 have been here over twenty years, 11 between fifteen and nineteen years, 3 from ten to fourteen years, 13 from five to nine years, and only 2 as short a time as four years. Of 72 foreign-born Germans 10 years of age or over, only 4 are unable to speak the English language, while 48 can speak, read, and write English. In the families from whom data were secured there are 162 individuals 10 years or over. All but 2 of this entire number can read and write. (General Tables 298 to 304.) The children have excellent educational advantages, as the public schools are graded and the high schools well conducted. Many of the children have been taught to read and write German in German schools conducted by the Lutheran churches. They have not been taken out of school to work. In the group there are 60 under 16 years of age who are of school age. All but 2 of this entire number are attending school. (General Table 305.) But when the course in the public school is completed few of these children pursue their studies elsewhere. They either begin work on the home farm or secure employment elsewhere. These farmers keep in touch with current affairs through the many newspapers and periodicals they take. All but 1 family are subscribers to two or three newspapers. Eighteen take both English and German newspapers, 7 only papers printed in German, while 15 take papers printed in English exclusively.

In the families studied only one or two of the older daughters are reported at work. Most of them when through school remain at home until married, assisting their mothers. The married women do not work outside the home. In the neighboring towns most of the second generation of women are at work in all branches of employment open to women workers.

The Germans are less inclined to be clannish than other foreigners, but in Anaheim, where there are so many of their own race, few have intermarried with other races. Of the 27 German men who are heads of households, 6 were married previous to immigrating to this country. The others have all married in the United States. Twelve of the latter have as wives foreign-born German women, the other 9 native-born women of German parentage. Of the 9 GermanAmerican farmers, 3 married foreign-born German women and 6 German-American women.

In Anaheim there are four churches of as many denominations, in which the services are in the German language. The majority of the farmers investigated are members of the Lutheran Church, but a few are Roman Catholics. The services in the latter church are conducted in English.

There are a number of German fraternal organizations in the town, but these farmers are freely admitted to the American organizations also. Only one or two of those investigated, however, had united with any of these societies, because they prefer the associations connected with their churches.

Because of the high standards of living brought with them from their own country these Germans have always associated freely with Americans and are considered desirable immigrants.