German Businesses
German immigrants brought with them many skill sets from the old world. Many immigrants were artisans or skilled laborers. Many businesses were opened by the Germans such as breweries, butcher shops, bakeries, farms, manufacturing, music stores, printers, taverns/biergartens, tobacconists, and much more.
Some of the most influencial businesses that were opened by the German immigrants were banks and newspapers. This allowed for the immigrants to pool their money together at the banks to support one another, and know the latest news that influenced their lives.
Der Demokrat was founded in 1851 by editor Theodor Johannes Hesdorf Gülich. This paper served as an outlet for the German-Americans of the area to preserve their German language and culture. This paper's motto 'Jedem das Seine!', or 'To Each Their Own!', was a nod to the sentaments felt by many of the forty-eighters of the area. This paper promoted the democratic ideals that led to their revolution in their original homelands. Der Demokrat also served as a political booster that led to many of the readers to be known as 'Know Nothings', which later helped form the Republican Party. Additionally, the paper's editors were ardent abolitionists and promoted the rights of all people.
Banking was an important business for the Germanic immigrants into Davenport, Iowa. The German Savings Bank was one of the most important and influencial banks in Davenport, Iowa and the entire state. When the Forty-eighters arrived, they needed a place to do their banking and to help one another. The German Savings Bank provided their customers with services in both English and German, and offered convenient hours to service their customers no matter their work schedules.