Fraternity-Testvériség, 1971 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1971-01-01 / 1-3. szám

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN HUNGARIANS

TO THE

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICA*

By RICHARD W. AROS

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

So reads the inscription on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty that stands in New York Harbor. Thus they came, immigrants from many countries, searching for a new homeland which would be better than their own. They were seeking freedom and an opportunity to develop their skills and talents which were being stifled in their own homelands. The Hungarians were among those immigrants who made the journey to America. Their contributions to America’s history and culture are many and varied.

Early American history records the presence of a Hungarian, Tyrker, present with Leif Ericson around the year 1000 A.D. when Ericson first landed on the shores of Newfoundland. Thus a Hungarian could have been the first to see America.

Hungarians played a part in one of the earliest settlements made in America. A member of Sir Hun- phrey Gilbert’s expedition was from Hungary. He was Stephen Parmenius of Buda. As official chronicler of the expedition, he described its feats in Latin. Unfortunately, the ship used in this journey crashed on the rocks and sunk.

The early settlers of America were makers of her early history. Among these first settlers was the “maddest of good men”, John Kelp, who journeyed to Wissa- hickon, near Philadelphia. He led a hermit’s life and the district where he lived today is called “Hermitage” and has become part of Philadelphia.

Enhancing the religious history of the U. S. was Father Ferdinand Konsag in 1720. He became head of a mission at St. Ignatius in California and later was visitator of all California missions. From his travels throughout California, he drew a map of this area in 1749. Father Konsag and men like him helped advance religious development in the early days of America.

News of America and its settlers was spread throughout Europe in a two volumn book Journey in North America written by Ágoston Mokcsai Haraszthy and an Englishman, Mr. Bryant. Haraszthy bought

10,000 acres of land from the American government which became Sauk City, Wisconsin.

His son settled in California and there founded a huge raisin growing industry using the Muscat Alex•This is one of the first prize winner essays of our Study Contest.

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andria grape. Young Haraszthy later imported 200,000 wine cuttings among which was the Tokay grape. He pioneered in an industry which was to have an investment of half a billion dollars and employ directly or indirectly 125,000 persons. Haraszthy became California State Commissioner of Viticulture. Thus the wine industry in California was greatly helped by a Hungarian immigrant.

History then turns to the War of Independence. Washington’s army contained Hungarian officers, one of whom was Michael Kovats. He was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Pulaski Legion and was killed by the British. However, he like other Hungarians helped shape America’s destiny in the War of Independence.

America owes much to her early explorers. Among them was Angelo Heilprin who explored the Florida Everglades and the Mexican Gulf coral reefs. He later became curator of the Philadelphia Academy and among his children were a lawyer, an analysist, an editor and a mathematician.

Sándor Boloni Farkas wrote an instructive book about his experiences in America and contrasted American and Hungarian ways. He spread the news of America to the world. He defended men’s rights and said America was happy, young and progressive.

The Civil War was a struggle involving the principles upon which America had been established. It was a critical time in American History. When the War broke out there were around 3000 Hungarian refugees and immigrants in America. During this war, Hungarians urged each other to enlist and most did enlist despite their family obligations. Many gave their lives for this new land which had given them homes.

Quite a few Kossuth’s were high-ranking officers in this War. There were two Hungarian major generals and five brigadier generals. Hungarians rallied to support the Union. Gabriel Korponay, a captain in the Mexican War, offered the services of 100 men. Hungarians organized a company which later merged with the 24th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Geza Mikalotzy became Colonel of this group and the company was named “Lincoln Riflemen” upon the consent of President Lincoln. They upheld this name with honor and victories.

Another Hungarian general was General Julius Stahel-Szamvald who, when the Union was at its lowest ebb, was defending the capital. He was often with Presi