{"id":1877,"date":"2026-05-26T09:41:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T09:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/bonadurer-emigration-brazil\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T07:59:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:59:57","slug":"bonadurer-emigration-brazil","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/bonadurer-emigration-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonadurer Emigration Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Emigration \u00b7 Brazil \u00b7 Graub\u00fcnden<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Swiss Emigration to Brazilian Coffee Plantations\n\u00b7<\/em><\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1852\u20131888 \u00b7 Untervaz, Graub\u00fcnden<\/h1>

Summary and excerpts from: Eva Dietrich \/ Roman Rossfeld \/ B\u00e9atrice Ziegler (eds.), The Dream of Happiness. Swiss Emigration to Brazilian Coffee Plantations 1852\u20131888.<\/em> Baden 2003. In connection with the private family research of the BONADURER family. <\/p>

Between 1852 and 1857, approximately 2,000 impoverished Swiss men and women emigrated to the province of S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil, where they worked as coffee pickers on 25 coffee plantations. The paradise in their minds quickly gave way to the harsh reality of daily life on the plantations \u2014 and the revolt against it became a Swiss state affair. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Introduction to the History<\/h2>

In autumn 1995, a poster campaign was launched in Untervaz. Roland Bonadurer asked the public for information about emigration from Vaz. The response was sobering \u2014 two phone calls referred to Eveline Hasler’s book: \u201cIbicaba \u2014 The Paradise in Their Minds\u201d<\/em>. <\/p>

Finally, Lorenz Kr\u00e4ttli (Stotzlenz) provided extensive material, with which he published reports in the B\u00fcndner Monatsblatt<\/em>. Further sources: Kaspar Joos (Untervaz municipal archive), Silvester Davatz from Malix (documents on Thomas Davatz), as well as Timothy Philipp, Ron Kraettli, and Gisela Heitzmann from America and Brazil. Roland obtained the rest from the Graub\u00fcnden State Archives. <\/p>

History of Untervaz<\/h2>

Untervaz was first documented in 831. In the Middle Ages, the village belonged to Pf\u00e4fers Abbey, politically to the Cent Chur. From 1567\u20131577, the population bought their freedom \u2014 partly originally Walser. In the 17th\/18th century, a well-known bath existed on the northeastern edge of the municipality. <\/p>

Until the mid-20th century, Untervaz was a purely farming village and one of the poorest municipalities in Graub\u00fcnden. When B\u00fcndner Cement AG settled there in 1957, the village experienced a transformation. Today, approximately 2,000 people live in Untervaz. <\/p>

Conditions in the Village at the Time of Emigration<\/h2>

In 1851, Untervaz, along with Vals, supplied the most ‘Schwabeng\u00e4nger’ \u2014 boys and girls who worked in Swabia for half a year for a pair of shoes. In 1848, the renovated church became smaller than planned because workers grew tired of forced labor. <\/p>

The B\u00fcndner Zeitung<\/em> reported in 1846 on the \u201cDispute of the Claws and Horns in Untervaz\u201d: a conflict between long-established citizens and poor settlers who demanded equal rights. An arbitration court in 1844 named the causes: \u201cconstant increase in the number of poorer inhabitants, floods, waterlogging of good land\u201d<\/em>. Untervaz had the third-highest number of homeless people in the canton, after Chur and Mesocco. <\/p>

How the Emigration Came About<\/h2>

By October 12, 1854, 43 families had decided to emigrate. The municipal council turned to the Small Council; the latter replied on December 18, 1854: Brazil was climatically unsuitable for Swiss people, and yellow fever was prevalent. But the hardship was great. Agents presented positive letters from earlier emigrants. <\/p>

Thus, by April 1855, 23 families with a total of 116 people<\/strong> signed \u201csharecropping contracts.\u201d Costs: CHF 348.\u2013 per adult, CHF 264.\u2013 per child under 8 years, infants free. Total advance from the municipality: CHF 39,458.\u2013<\/strong>, financed by felling 600 larch trees below Zamunt<\/strong> \u2014 a logging operation that occupied the entire municipality for one winter. <\/p>

Destinations<\/h2>

North America \u2014 Hermann, Missouri<\/h3>

In 1850, 62 people from Untervaz lived in North America. Peaks of emigration: 1844, 1846, the 1850s, and early 1870s. Many moved to Hermann, Missouri \u2014 founded by Germans in 1844, German-speaking, with cheap fertile land at 1.25 cents per acre. <\/p>

Brazil \u2014 S\u00e3o Paulo Province<\/h3>

The destination was clear from the start. The people from Vaz had it contractually assured that they would all go to one plantation together \u2014 a promise that was broken. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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At a Glance<\/p>

43 families<\/strong>decided to emigrateOctober 12, 1854<\/small><\/p>

23 families \/ 116 people<\/strong>signed contracts<\/p>

CHF 39,458.\u2013<\/strong>Municipal advance<\/p>

600 larch trees<\/strong>finance the journey<\/p>

April 8, 1855<\/strong>Departure from Tardisbr\u00fccke<\/p>

July 8, 1855<\/strong>Arrival in Ybicaba<\/p><\/div>

Sources<\/p>

  • Graub\u00fcnden State Archives (St. A. GR IV 31 C)<\/li>
  • Lorenz Kr\u00e4ttli, B\u00fcndner Monatsblatt 1986<\/li>
  • Thomas Davatz, Travel Report 1855<\/li>
  • Letters from the Emigrant Families<\/li>
  • Timothy Philipp, Ron Kraettli (USA)<\/li>
  • Gisela Heitzmann (Brazil)<\/li>
  • Eveline Hasler, Ibicaba<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    The Journey to Brazil<\/h2>

    April 8 \u2013 July 8, 1855 \u00b7 From Tardisbr\u00fccke to Ybicaba<\/p>

    Overland Journey Through Europe<\/h3>

    Early in the morning of April 8, 1855, 118 people from Vaz, 50 from Fanas, and other people from Graub\u00fcnden boarded omnibuses and semi-open wagons at the Tardisbr\u00fccke<\/strong>. Via Walenstadt (steamboat), Zurich (railway), Baden, Brugg, Basel, Mannheim, Cologne to Hamburg. German customs officials barely checked them. In Hamburg, they had to wait five days<\/strong> for the \u201cKronprinz Ernst August\u201d \u2014 damaged on its return journey from North America. In Hamburg, a child of Joh. Joseph Hug Jr. from Untervaz died, only a few days old. <\/p>

    Davatz lamented the long stay in Hamburg: the city was \u201cfull of vice and sin.\u201d Clever businessmen sold all sorts of useless things to the naive emigrants from the mountains. <\/p>

    The Sea Voyage \u2014 51 Days on the Atlantic<\/h3>

    April 19: Embarkation. Mrs. Schlittler gave birth to twins \u2014 too early, both died. The Rupert family had a healthy baby. On April 25<\/strong>, with favorable winds, Captain C. Meyer from Haarburg was on board. By April 30, they were already on the Atlantic. The ship crossed the Equator<\/strong> on May 24, 1855, at 8:30 AM. <\/p>

    June 15, 1855 \u2014 a day of misfortune:<\/strong> The youngest sailor fell into the sea early in the morning \u2014 not rescued. Two hours later, a two-year-old boy from Aargau died. Elsbeth Jost from Fanas gave birth to a healthy girl. On the same day, while anchored in Santos, a child of Georg Pilat from Untervaz drowned. <\/div>

    Overall, it was a successful sea voyage \u2014 normally 10% of passengers died. Menu: beef, bacon, herring, sauerkraut, rice, barley, lentils, plums, flour, rusks, wine. An Untervaz family brought scabies, which did not spread thanks to medical treatment. <\/p>

    Overland Journey in Brazil \u2014 17 Days to Ybicaba<\/h3>

    Seven days of rest in Santos (until June 22) \u2014 stable-like accommodations, ship mattresses, or bare earth. To the Ybicaba colony: 37 leagues (approx. 40\u201350 hours), covered in 17 days. Mules for children and the weak; stronger individuals had to walk or pay extra (approx. CHF 70.\u2013). 16 nights spent on the open ground. <\/p>

    Daily routine: catch and load mules \u2192 breakfast \u2192 departure 8\u201310 AM \u2192 overnight camp in the afternoon \u2192 gather wood \u2192 cook. Only 3\u20135 hours of marching per day. Dead, half-rotted mules lay on the roads \u2014 simply left there. <\/p>

    On July 8, 1855<\/strong> \u2014 exactly three months after Tardisbr\u00fccke \u2014 the emigrants from Graub\u00fcnden arrived in Ybicaba. They were greeted by a son of Senator Vergueiro and the plantation director. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Letters from North America & Family Bibles<\/h2>\n

    Voices of the Emigrants \u00b7 1849\u20131874 \u00b7 Hermann, Missouri<\/p>\n

    What can be learned from these letters: Over the years, the emigrants and their families wrote dozens of letters to Switzerland. These reflect the hopes and disappointments of emigration, daily life on the farms, the Civil War, the gold rush, and family tragedies. The letters are owned by Daniel Philipp and Magdalena Philipp. <\/p>\n\n

    First Letters 1849\u20131851Allemann \u00b7 Hans \u00b7 Peter Kr\u00e4ttli \u00b7 Sutter \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    Samuel Allemann, May 17, 1849:<\/strong> Georg left Hermann and returned to Switzerland. Georg's brother Hans settled in Hermann and likes it very much. Samuel authorizes Georg to sell everything in Untervaz \u2014 he urgently needs money for a bakehouse. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Hans Kr\u00e4ttli, May 1849:<\/strong> Hans bought 120 acres of land for $440 \u2014 paid $240 cash, owes $200 at 6% interest. He asks his brother for the second time to send him the money. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Peter Kr\u00e4ttli, December 31, 1849:<\/strong> Should sell Georg's land for $400 \u2014 he would do better to offer it for $200. Cholera raged in the summer (only one death in Hermann, about 1,000 in St. Louis). Harvest was good. Weddings: Margreth Philipp with H\u00fcttenrauch, sister Anna with farmer Georg. Finally: \u201cLately I heard you would like a rich wife and had been running around everywhere. But they don't want you, you are too old.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Johann Sutter, May 28, 1850:<\/strong> Samuel Allemann and Hans Kr\u00e4ttli are in California. Hundreds are said to have panned gold worth over $100,000. Inflation: two oxen cost $60 instead of $30. Hermann now has a Masonic lodge with 35 members. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

    Peter Kr\u00e4ttli \u2014 The Great Letter, August 27, 1850Complete \u00b7 Gold Fever \u00b7 Prairie \u00b7 Farm \u00b7 Missouri \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    This letter is reproduced in full here \u2014 it shows how and what exactly was written in such letters:<\/p>\n

    Dear Brother,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I received your letter from February on May 12. Hans departed for California on April 30 in the company of Michel Philipp and a man from Zurich. They abandoned the plan via Panama because it was too expensive. They bought a wagon and three pairs of oxen and are making the journey across the prairie. By July 1, 40,000 people with 8,900 wagons are said to have passed Fort Laramie. Since then, 36 million dollars have been extracted from there. <\/p>\n

    This spring we sold: 2 yoke of oxen for 55 and 50, a pair of steers for 24, 4 cows at 12, 2 light horses for 60 dollars. 15 bushels of wheat at 1.05 dollars, more than 100 bushels of corn at 45\u201350 cents. We also produce sheep's cheese at 20 cents a pound, as well as cheese, wool, tallow, and butter. <\/p>\n

    We had a lot of misfortune this year. Hardly had my father-in-law recovered from a long illness when, on May 2, a heavy ox jumped over little Menga, breaking her left thigh. Three weeks later she went into labor \u2014 stillbirth. Now we are all healthy. <\/p>\n

    Best regards to everyone \u2014 from your brother Peter<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Johann Sutter, August 10, 1851:<\/strong> Samuel Allemann and Hans Kr\u00e4ttli are doing well. Gold is harder to find \u2014 someone for whom $15 a day used not to be enough is now glad to get $4\u20135. Hermann is growing; many stone mounds have been turned into vineyard land. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Peter Kr\u00e4ttli, March 24, 1853:<\/strong> Johann Sutter drove a herd to California and bought 300 acres in Marysville. Hans Kr\u00e4ttli is mining gold in Jacksonville and is said to be very miserly. No one knows anything about Michel Philipp \u2014 probably dead. One cow: $110\u2013120, a pair of oxen: $190\u2013200. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Christian Kr\u00e4ttli, April 12, 1854:<\/strong> Has been in First Creek (near Hermann) for over a year. Peter is in California, running a timber business with two men from Zurich and earning well. Brother Hans has returned \u2014 very ill, but wealthy. Silvester Kr\u00e4ttli tends the cattle; cousin Georg works in a dairy ( $60\/month, board included). <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

    Letters from the Civil War 1861\u20131865Peter \u00b7 Johannes \u00b7 Menga Kr\u00e4ttli \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    Peter Kr\u00e4ttli, August 26, 1861:<\/strong> The Civil War has been going on for a few months. Peter strongly advises against travelling to America \u2014 pirate ships are operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of soldiers are passing through Hermann. \u201cAfter all, there still need to be farmers who plant something.\u201d<\/em> He will not take part as long as he is left in peace. Four weeks ago, a Christian was born. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Johannes Kr\u00e4ttli, April 4, 1863:<\/strong> For two years, neither written nor received a reply. Business at the slaughterhouse is miserable. In the winter of 1861\/62 there were three floods \u2014 in autumn 1861 they had 800 head of cattle; after the winter only 150 remained! The North is said to be keeping 600,000 soldiers ready. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Menga Kr\u00e4ttli, August 12, 1865:<\/strong> War over, Confederates surrendered. Father Danuser was shot in the leg \u2014 the perpetrator was hanged from the next tree. Georg was a prisoner of war in Texas for ten months and received only water and cornmeal there. She reports on market prices, Henry Wolf\u2019s steamboat, and upcoming weddings. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

    Christian Kr\u00e4ttli \u2014 late letters 1866\u20131874Cattle trade \u00b7 Floods \u00b7 Fates \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    January 2, 1866:<\/strong> Still active in the cattle trade. Many floods. Mat\u00e4us Danuser had a woman brought over from Ireland for the purpose of marriage, on the condition that she had to please him. When she arrived: \u201che said she was a big Irish beast and that he would rather live with a pig.\u201d<\/em> A major earthquake in San Francisco. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    March 10, 1867:<\/strong> No letters from Switzerland arrive anymore. A G.G. sold wool and sheep for $20,000, but fell out with his son, who spent $35 on clothes (only $25 approved) \u2014 the boy disappeared forever. $12,000 was stolen from a safe; when it was opened, only 45 cents were left inside \u2014 10 of them counterfeit. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    June 18, 1874:<\/strong> Harsh winter. Neighbour Grydly lost 8,000 sheep in the floodwaters \u2014 he is so rich that it does not bother him. About deceased friends: \u201cHoward has also stopped making iron gates; he more or less died in a drunken stupor, while his colleagues around him were still singing cheerful songs. It would not surprise me if barley were to thrive on his grave, because he loved its juice so much.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

    Family history of Michael Kr\u00e4ttliFrom the family Bible \u00b7 Hermann, Missouri \u00b7 1844 \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    Both parents were from Untervaz (born 1819 and 1821) and married in 1840. In 1844 they emigrated to America with the Philipp, Schindler and Gruber families. Sea voyage Le Havre \u2192 New Orleans: 86 days; July 1844 in Hermann, Missouri. Land near Berger, MO for only 12\u00bd cents per acre \u2014 very fertile, much better than in Switzerland. <\/p>\n

    1848: Gold rush \u2014 Michael\u2019s uncle set off. 1853: His father drove a cattle herd to California. Civil War: Father volunteered to fight against slavery and returned after three years, severely wounded. 1861\/62: Two children died. <\/p>\n

    The sons: Georg to St. Louis (\u2020 Jan. 14, 1912), Jacob to Kansas (\u2020 Sept. 20, 1911), Anton to Sullivan, Missouri (\u2020 Feb. 21 1913). The family\u2019s vineyards were the pride of the region.<\/p>\n

    Michael Kr\u00e4ttli himself was born on October 13, 1850, and died on March 24, 1934, in Kansas City.<\/p>\n

    (From Family History of Michael Kraettli<\/em>, received from Timothy Philipp)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

    The story of Anna Philipp-CarlUntervaz \u2192 Hermann, Missouri \u2192 Kansas \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    Anna Philipp married 37-year-old Georg Carl on March 9, 1849. She grew up in Untervaz \u2014 her father ran a mill on the Rhine. Around April 1, 1844, the Philipp family sold everything, said \u201cgoodbye\u201d to the Rhine and the mountains, and travelled to Le Havre. Sea voyage 86 days; July 1844 in Hermann, Missouri. Land for 12\u00bd cents per acre. <\/p>\n

    After arriving, the mother became severely homesick: \u201cShe somehow felt like a prisoner of these dense forests.\u201d<\/em> In autumn 1844, just a few months after arriving, she died. When Anna\u2019s father remarried, Anna (17) left home and worked for three years as a maid in Hermann for Mrs Keane. <\/p>\n

    Despite major differences \u2014 he without schooling, she playing the piano and culturally interested; he Catholic, she Protestant \u2014 they found each other and had 11 children. When the Methodists founded a church and Anna converted, there was a long dispute. Georg died at the age of 68. <\/p>\n

    (From The story of George Carl<\/em>, received from Timothy Philipp)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>

    Governor Emanuel Lorenz Philipp \u2014 Wisconsin 1914\u20131921Grisons statesman \u00b7 Governor of Wisconsin \u2193<\/span><\/summary>\n
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    In 1849, Luzi Philipp emigrated from Untervaz to Wisconsin with his wife Sabine Ludwig from Zizers and two children. Emanuel Lorenz Philipp<\/strong> was born on March 25, 1861. His father fought in the Civil War for three years and returned severely wounded. Emanuel financed higher education by raising turkeys on the farm. <\/p>\n

    Career: rural schoolteacher \u2192 mechanic \u2192 railway employee \u2192 stationmaster (1882) \u2192 adviser to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (1887) \u2192 transport agent for the Union Pacific Railroad. 1893\u20131903 timber transport company on the Mississippi \u2014 a town named Philippstown<\/strong> in his honour. <\/p>\n

    Elected Governor of Wisconsin in 1914 \u2014 re-elected in 1916 and 1918. During his term, the Senate wrote: \u201cDuring the difficult time of the war, Governor Philipp administered the state with prudence and wisdom.\u201d<\/em> He wrote two books: The truth about Wisconsin\u2019s freight rates<\/em> and Political reform in Wisconsin<\/em>. <\/p>\n

    Governor Philipp died on June 15, 1925, in Wisconsin. His successor said: \u201cPhilipp was a man of remarkable perseverance \u2014 an example of what can be achieved through unremitting work.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n

    (From B\u00fcndner Monatsblatt 1962, \u201cA Grisons statesman in America\u201d by Elisa Perini)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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