Konrad Krez (1828 – 1897)
Konrad Krez was a lawyer, politician, soldier, and poet born in Landau, Bavaria. He studied at the Speyer Gymnasium and attended the universities of Munich and Heidelberg, focusing on constitutional law. After the failed revolution of 1848 in Germany, Krez fled to France and, in 1851, immigrated to the United States.
In 1854, he settled in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he practiced law and served as city attorney from 1856 to 1859. He then took on the role of district attorney from 1859 to 1862. Additionally, he edited the “Sheboygan Zeitung” from 1860 to 1861. During the Civil War, Krez served as a colonel in the 27th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry from 1862 to 1865, eventually receiving the brevet rank of brigadier general upon discharge.
After leaving the military, Krez returned to his legal practice in Sheboygan and served as district attorney from 1870 to 1876. Dissatisfied with the Republican Party, he joined the Democratic Party in 1872. Krez was a regent at the University of Wisconsin from 1875 to 1878. In 1885, President Grover Cleveland appointed him as the collector of customs for Milwaukee, a position he held until 1889. He served as a state assemblyman from 1891 to 1892 and was the city attorney of Milwaukee from 1892 to 1894.
Krez authored several German-language poems, collected in his book “Aus Wisconsin”, published in New York in 1875. His contributions include references cited in works by E. B. Usher (Wisconsin, 8 vols., Chicago, 1914), R. G. Thwaites (ed., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1900), and J. R. Berryman (ed., “Bench and Bar of Wisconsin”, two vols., Chicago, 1898).
At your side, there were Germans, too
by
Konrad Krez
Not as burdens to these shores, we throng
From our cherished German Fatherland.
Indeed, we have brought so much along,
Unknown to you, yet by our hand.
And when from the dense forestall shields,
And the open wilderness you
wreath’d your vast and verdant fields,
At your side, there were Germans, too.
So much of that which in earlier days
You brought here from across the sea,
We taught you how to prepare, and ways
To produce more goods, yes, “twas we.
Dare not forget his, deny it n’er –
Say not that we did not so do,
For a thousand forges, witness bear:
At your side there were Germans too.
And though your art and your sciences now
Bring their strength and power to this land,
Their fame rests still on the German brow,
“Twas mostly done German hand,
And when from your song’s melodies ring
Memories of hearts once so true,
“Tis known to me in the songs you sing
Is much put there by Germans too!
Thus, with great pride on this soil, we stand,
Which from the wilds our strength brought claim,
Ever wonder then, what kind of land,
“twould be if n’er a German came!
And so we declared in Lincoln’s day,
And that day freedom’s horn first blew –
Yes, we dare undeniably say:
At your side, there were Germans too!
Translated from German into English
by Robert E. Ward
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei
by
Konrad Krez
Als Bettler sind wir nicht gekommen
Aus unserem deutschen Vaterland.
Wir hatten manches mitgenommen,
Was hier noch fremd und unbekannt.
Und als man schuf aus dichten Wäldern,
Aus öder düsterer Wüstenei
Den Kranz von reichen Feldern,
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei.
Gar vieles, was in früheren Zeiten
Ihr kaufen müsset überm Meer,
Das lehrten wir euch selbst bereiten,
Wir steilten manche Werkstatt her.
Oh, wagt es nicht, dies zu vergessen,
Sagt nicht, als ob das nicht so sei,
Es kündens tausend Feueressen,
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei.
Und was die Kunst und Wissenschaften
Euch hier verlieh’n an Kraft und Stärk’,
Es bleibt der Ruhm am Deutschen haften,
Das meiste war der Deutschen Werk.
und wenn aus vollen Tönen klinget
Ans Herz des Liedes Melodei,
Ich glaub’ von dem, was ihr da singet,
Ist vieles Deutsche auch dabei.
Drum steh’n wir stolz auf festem Grunde,
Den unsere Kraft der Wildnis nahm,
Wie war’s mit eurem Staatenbunde,
Wenn nie zu euch ein Deutscher kam?
Und wie in Bürgerkriegestagen,
Ja schon beim ersten Freiheitsschrei:
Wir dürfen’s unbestritten sagen,
Da waren Deutsche auch dabei.