A Legacy of Grit: The Story of Jacob Heupel

In 19th century Russia, German immigrants came to cultivate land in exchange for economic incentives. Jacob Heupel was born to German-speaking enclaves in Russia in 1883. Jacob cherished his German heritage, but Russia began imposing Russification policies aimed at assimilation. Jacob left Russia in 1903 for Ellis Island. He went to Nebraska, where he picked corn for $2.50 a day. The Homestead Act made land available on the Great Plains, sending Jacob to Garrison, North Dakota. He broke sod only to learn the plot had already been claimed. It was a setback, but he then farmsteaded on the Heart River in Grant County. In 1907 he married Katherine, a fellow German immigrant. In 1911 Jacob officially became a naturalized citizen, as shown in this Certificate of Naturalization. It had taken him across an ocean and a span of eight years to achieve. Jacob and Katherine never let go of their cultural roots, speaking only German throughout their lives in North Dakota. Their home echoed the sounds of the old country through language, foods, and tradition. They had seven children including my great-grandfather. Through stories from my mother and grandmother, I know Jacob and Katherine as two strong-willed, hard-working German immigrants with grit who argued in rapid German. To me, Jacob and Katherine represent the essence of the American spirit, people who shaped their future through sweat, sacrifice, and love for family and heritage. 

– Amber Severson

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more