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Joseph Stang, born in 1809, left his home in Baden-Württemberg, Germany at the age of 31. We don't know why he made the decision to leave, but German citizens were seeking opportunity in America during that time for many reasons: limited land that was expensive to purchase, increasing political unrest, and religious persecution. Joseph arrived in Baltimore, Maryland aboard the Lucilla in August of 1840, accompanied by "one bundle of clothing."
Joseph Stang, born in 1809, left his home in Baden-Württemberg, Germany at the age of 31. We don't know why he made the decision to leave, but German citizens were seeking opportunity in America during that time for many reasons: limited land that was expensive to purchase, increasing political unrest, and religious persecution. Joseph arrived in Baltimore, Maryland aboard the Lucilla in August of 1840, accompanied by "one bundle of clothing."
Once in Baltimore, Joseph connected with other German immigrants. By 1843 he had met and married German-born Anna Dorothea Henrika Hagen. Their first child, Anna, was born in 1844. Joseph became a naturalized citizen in 1847; shortly after, the couple moved to Montgomery County, Maryland where they appear in the 1850 census with their three young children, Anna, Frederick, and Martin. Joseph was an accomplished blacksmith, a profession always in demand in the 19th century, and may have been drawn to Montgomery County by the established German population there, centered in Germantown within the Berry District.
Once in Baltimore, Joseph connected with other German immigrants. By 1843 he had met and married German-born Anna Dorothea Henrika Hagen. Their first child, Anna, was born in 1844. Joseph became a naturalized citizen in 1847; shortly after, the couple moved to Montgomery County, Maryland where they appear in the 1850 census with their three young children, Anna, Frederick, and Martin. Joseph was an accomplished blacksmith, a profession always in demand in the 19th century, and may have been drawn to Montgomery County by the established German population there, centered in Germantown within the Berry District.
Naturalization oath of Joseph Stang (1844) and the index record of his naturalization (1847).
For the next ten years, the Stangs lived as tenants in Montgomery County-- first near Germantown and then on the farm of Benoni Allnutt, situated between Dawsonville and Seneca. In 1859, they were able to purchase a 4-acre piece of property in Dawsonville, near the intersection of Sugarland Road. Joseph built a farmhouse for his family, now grown to include five children, using quarried Seneca stone for the first floor and frame construction for the upper stories.
For the next ten years, the Stangs lived as tenants in Montgomery County-- first near Germantown and then on the farm of Benoni Allnutt, situated between Dawsonville and Seneca. In 1859, they were able to purchase a 4-acre piece of property in Dawsonville, near the intersection of Sugarland Road. Joseph built a farmhouse for his family, now grown to include five children, using quarried Seneca stone for the first floor and frame construction for the upper stories.
But the prosperity Joseph had established in his new home was short-lived. According to family lore, Joseph Stang returned to Baltimore to work for the government after the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. The full truth was far more tragic.
But the prosperity Joseph had established in his new home was short-lived. According to family lore, Joseph Stang returned to Baltimore to work for the government after the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. The full truth was far more tragic.
The Stang house as it appeared in 1967 (Montgomery History)
Article from the Sentinel, describing the incident. The reporter incorrectly identifies Stang as "John." (December 13, 1861)
In early December, 1861, apparently "under the influence of liquor," Joseph got into an argument with a neighbor while they worked together to butcher a hog. The fight escalated a few hours later at the local water pump, prompting Joseph to grab his rifle and shoot his neighbor John Lochner at point-blank range and on purpose. Lochner died instantly.
In early December, 1861, apparently "under the influence of liquor," Joseph got into an argument with a neighbor while they worked together to butcher a hog. The fight escalated a few hours later at the local water pump, prompting Joseph to grab his rifle and shoot his neighbor John Lochner at point-blank range and on purpose. Lochner died instantly.
Joseph Stang was tried the following March for second-degree murder, and found guilty. He was sentenced to eight years in the Maryland Penitentiary, located in Baltimore. Technically the family story was truthful: he did go to Baltimore to work for the government, but unfortunately as a prisoner and convicted murderer.
Joseph Stang was tried the following March for second-degree murder, and found guilty. He was sentenced to eight years in the Maryland Penitentiary, located in Baltimore. Technically the family story was truthful: he did go to Baltimore to work for the government, but unfortunately as a prisoner and convicted murderer.
Temperance was a strong movement in the later 19th century for precisely this reason-- activists blamed the demon liquor for destroying a man's health and his family life, as well as causing violent and criminal behavior. Though meetings and conversations about temperance began organizing in the 1830s, the Temperance Alliance wasn't formed in Montgomery County until 1879, followed by 1880 legislation establishing it as a "dry county"-- prohibiting sale or consumption of alcohol within its borders. As Lutherans, the Stangs and their community would likely not have supported temperance, as the movement was centered more in the Quaker and Methodist traditions.
Temperance was a strong movement in the later 19th century for precisely this reason-- activists blamed the demon liquor for destroying a man's health and his family life, as well as causing violent and criminal behavior. Though meetings and conversations about temperance began organizing in the 1830s, the Temperance Alliance wasn't formed in Montgomery County until 1879, followed by 1880 legislation establishing it as a "dry county"-- prohibiting sale or consumption of alcohol within its borders. As Lutherans, the Stangs and their community would likely not have supported temperance, as the movement was centered more in the Quaker and Methodist traditions.
Anna Stang was left in Dawsonville during wartime, alone with four of her five children (her daughter Anna had married only a month before the incident, at the age of 17). Frederick, the eldest son, was only 16 at the time, but had likely already learned the blacksmith trade from his father. Friends and neighbors helped out. She also apparently had support from Union soldiers in the area-- in exchange for her excellent cookies, the troops protected her property and children. She told a story in which "two Rebs were shot" in her front yard.
Anna Stang was left in Dawsonville during wartime, alone with four of her five children (her daughter Anna had married only a month before the incident, at the age of 17). Frederick, the eldest son, was only 16 at the time, but had likely already learned the blacksmith trade from his father. Friends and neighbors helped out. She also apparently had support from Union soldiers in the area-- in exchange for her excellent cookies, the troops protected her property and children. She told a story in which "two Rebs were shot" in her front yard.
Sadly, Joseph never returned to his family. He died in prison of dysentery on December 31, 1864, only halfway through his imposed sentence.
Sadly, Joseph never returned to his family. He died in prison of dysentery on December 31, 1864, only halfway through his imposed sentence.
After Anna died in 1897, the Dawsonville house passed to her son Peter Joseph-- also a blacksmith-- who by 1915 had six children of his own. One of them-- Oscar Francis Stang--inherited the house after Peter's death in 1922. Oscar was a fixture for many decades as the owner and operator of the general store in town. A bachelor, Oscar lived his whole life in Dawsonville, passing away in 1971.
After Anna died in 1897, the Dawsonville house passed to her son Peter Joseph-- also a blacksmith-- who by 1915 had six children of his own. One of them-- Oscar Francis Stang--inherited the house after Peter's death in 1922. Oscar was a fixture for many decades as the owner and operator of the general store in town. A bachelor, Oscar lived his whole life in Dawsonville, passing away in 1971.
Anna's gravestone, Monocacy Cemetery near Beallsville. Joseph was buried in an unmarked grave in Baltimore, where he died.
The Stang blacksmith shop, coverted to part filling station, c. 1927 (Montgomery History)
Oscar F. Stang, grandson of Joseph and Anna Stang of Germany, sitting outside his store in Dawsonville, c. 1960. (Montgomery History)
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