Life in Cincinnati
The Imwalle brothers.
There were many Germans living in Cincinnati, but the sights and sounds of the new city in a new country were surely hard for Henry and Bernard. Henry was determined, however to adopt his new country and become a part of society in Cincinnati. Henry became an American citizen on October 10, 1860, just three short years after leaving Germany and his entire family.
Henry found much happiness in his new country, and soon after becoming an American, he met a woman named Maria Anna Kokenge. They fell in love and decided to marry on June 28, 1862 at St. Philomena Church in Cincinnati. This church was near the riverfront and was built to serve all of the Germans settling in Cincinnati.
Using the trade that he learned back in Rieste, Henry found much success as a shoe manufacturer. He had so much success that within a few years he bought a three story building on East Fifth Street to use for his business. Cincinnati had plenty of tanneries, which is a place that processes skins and leathers for shoe manufacturing materials, and Henry had many customers requesting shoes.
Business was good and his best clients were some very wealthy women on Dayton Street in Cincinnati. This part of Cincinnati was called "Millionaire's Row." Henry had to deliver the shoes to these women by horse drawn wagon, because they refused to come into his shop. These women were afraid that by stepping in his shop, they might be seen with common folks. These ladies all spoke German, which worked well for Henry since that was all he spoke.
Henry and Maria lived a happy life in Cincinnati, and even had five children. Their youngest son, George was born in 1882, when Henry was 49 years old and Maria was 40 years old. .
Henry found much happiness in his new country, and soon after becoming an American, he met a woman named Maria Anna Kokenge. They fell in love and decided to marry on June 28, 1862 at St. Philomena Church in Cincinnati. This church was near the riverfront and was built to serve all of the Germans settling in Cincinnati.
Using the trade that he learned back in Rieste, Henry found much success as a shoe manufacturer. He had so much success that within a few years he bought a three story building on East Fifth Street to use for his business. Cincinnati had plenty of tanneries, which is a place that processes skins and leathers for shoe manufacturing materials, and Henry had many customers requesting shoes.
Business was good and his best clients were some very wealthy women on Dayton Street in Cincinnati. This part of Cincinnati was called "Millionaire's Row." Henry had to deliver the shoes to these women by horse drawn wagon, because they refused to come into his shop. These women were afraid that by stepping in his shop, they might be seen with common folks. These ladies all spoke German, which worked well for Henry since that was all he spoke.
Henry and Maria lived a happy life in Cincinnati, and even had five children. Their youngest son, George was born in 1882, when Henry was 49 years old and Maria was 40 years old. .
Henry and Maria in their later years.
St. Philomena Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. Built in 1846.
Elegant homes on Dayton Street today. Once the homes of the wealthiest in Cincinnati.
