His father was a Protestant (Volberianer) although he often was best able to uplift himself and his spirits and soul in the atmosphere of the catholic church. He was (his father) quartermaster of a regiment in the Hussars from 1801-06. He was also an actor (not very good) which caused his wife to fall in disfavor with her parents. He was first a tailor, teacher of penmanship for 32 years, theatre director, and secretary to the Saxony Cavalry General, Von Zastrow.
When Adolf Douai was 12 years old his father introduced him (so he thought) to his future wife Hettchen Winkler, Douai never saw her again.
Adolf Douai learned to read and write and "figure" at the age of 4 years while at home. At 12 he taught himself Latin and Greek so as to pass the exam at the gymnasium (high school) which he attended for 7 1/2 years.
He graduated with honors, and went to Leipzig University. In his 1st semester he wrote 3 novels of which he later admitted were immature. While there he studied Kant and Hegel. He established a fraternity at the University as they had previously been banned, and also a society. (This was an early indication of his free thinking and idealism that put him at odds with society, governments, and established thinking throughout his lifetime). Because of this, early in life he was involved in a few duels, in one of which he was wounded in the upper arm that required 22 stitches. (He makes no mention of the fate of his opponents). He was also involved in many fist fights at the University. He reasoned that his drinking caused his problems, and submitted to bloodletting to avoid apoplexy.
He wanted to become a professor of theology and philosophy at the University of Jena and took the candidate exams and passed with high marks, although in the Hebrew exam he just slipped by. He did not get the appointment, so he accepted a position as a private tutor in Russia.
In the meantime he fell in love with Agnes von Beust who promised to wait 2 years to wed so he could somewhat establish himself as he was in debt, at this time he preached in churches in Hoenstein.
In Dec. 1841 he arrived at Dorpat University in Russia, and took the exam for "head teacher" (schoolmaster) in religion and science. While there he studied Russian, French, English and Latvian, and became proficient in all. In his private tutoring he also taught piano and gave lessons so as to accumulate money for his upcoming marriage.
He traveled to East Prussia to marry Agnes von Beust on Sept. 25, 1843. By this time he had earned a Doctorate in Philosophy at the Univ. of Koenigsberg in East Prussia, when he submitted his dissertation on the philosophy of Hegel. His first born was Anna (Nov. 3, 1844). They lived in a castle-like edifice as a guest of an official of the Russian Czar. After the birth of Anna, his wife traveled back to East Prussia to visit her parents. While she was away he wrote "The Idea of God" in 2 volumes, and "The Rational State" (it's not known if they were ever published). These were the beginnings of his serious writing. During this time he contacted a stubborn infection that lasted for 6 weeks; he took a (sarsaparilla?) cure.
During his 5 years in Russia "he despised the fact that 9/10ths of the people were exploited by 1/10, that consisted of despots and revelers in luxury". He witnessed one uprising of serfs in Livonia which ended in the killing of its leaders and the rest being sent to Siberia.
In the summer of 1848 he returned to Altenberg, his home town. He wanted to establish a secondary school and a pre-gymnasium (a 6 year course). 9-year-old boys were to be prepared for a higher "real school" or for a gymnasium. There were few schools of this type in Altenberg and the need for such schools existed. This type of school would require living and eating quarters, as students would be coming from surrounding towns. Quite a bit of capital would thus be needed, he had only 200 thalers. He decided to start in a small way. His mother-in-law was having trouble with her 17-year-old son Bernhard, who had been to many schools with little success, and she entrusted him to Adolf Douai. He succeeded in giving him a solid and broad education as he had promised, and within 2 years he entered the University. (He became a successful doctor and later in this country was a Brigade surgeon at Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Cumberland, and Folly Island, South Carolina, just to name a few, during the Civil War with the rank of Major.) From this small beginning the number of Douai's students grew and he bought a larger house that he used as a school and dormitory with a 3200 thaler bank mortgage and 1600 thalers down, borrowed from his brother-in-law. His wife Agnes did all the cooking and "mothering" for these students and borders, and never had less than 16 at the table at one time, she did this for many years.
At that time the law required teachers to have a degree in theology, and to take time to preach periodically in one of the city churches, which he did. He put in 16-hour-days doing all these things, and to further increase his income taught and gave piano lessons. He was among other things a professor of music, and in his lifetime wrote some 60 compositions.
By this time his "free thinking" philosophy was taking hold, and he became an agnostic, and found it difficult preaching the gospel, however he always found a way to interject some of his own philosophy and recommendations for social reform. He could see a revolution was close at hand, and being a visionary he would eventually take an active part.
He became increasingly more active in political movements, and in March traveled to Leipzig with Blum, Ruga, and Keil (noted planners of the revolution) to participate in "The New Movement". Many public meetings were held and petitions were formulated with suggested reforms. Adolf Douai was deputized to present them to the government. It was being suggested that the monarchy be retained, but to be encompassed by democratic institutions. His wife's cousin, a Duke, introduced him to the minister of finance, von Braun, in a secret meeting at his home, trying to convince him to abandon the mission. As an inducement he was offered high positions in the existing government, but as can be expected he refused.
The rejection of the petition by the monarchy finally led to bloody uprisings in Vienna and Berlin. Back in Altenberg, Douai continued his onslaught against the monarchy with various publications, and on the 17th of June, 1848, orders were issued for the arrest of Erbin, Doelitzsch, and Douai. The next day the execution of these orders, and the charge of attempted treason were introduced.

These three had been elected Landtag members of Altenberg and had drawn up a new constitution limiting the power of the crown, and restoring democratic rule. Their intentions were well published and above board. They wanted more than anything to abolish feudal privileges, and the arbitrary actions of the police. On this day Douai had traveled to Neustadt on the Orla with his wife Agnes to speak before a large group of citizens, while his wife visited the nearby city of Moderwitz, her birthplace. The meeting had just concluded and his wife had returned when a mail coach filled with Altenberg citizens arrived so as to escort them both safely back home. At home they saw a peaceful uprising in progress. The citizens wanted to prevent the arrest of their three delegates. When the Duke of Altenberg realized they were in earnest, he ordered the Saxon troops to withdraw to prevent bloodshed and grant political amnesty, and summoned the Landtag to concur on a new constitution. The court considered this threatening and referred it to the regent of the empire, Grand Duke Johan, who sent a high Prussian official (von Muelinberg) to investigate. After a discussion with the Duke of Altenberg and the three delegates, even though they presented a valid case, he announced that the regent of the empire and his ministry would place empire troops in Altenberg. They came at once, a brigade of Royal Saxon militia. The citizens of Altenberg had an armed guard of 1800 men, which when the govt. troops entered the city also marched on both sides of them, presumably to prevent a sudden takeover of the town. This tense situation went on for 1/2hr. until Douai and the other delegates sensing a needless blood bath, persuaded the citizens' troops to withdraw, but not until once again they got the gov't.'s word to honor the agreement previously reached with the Duke. The citizens reproached Douai and his fellow delegates for giving up an important advantage, and felt the gov't negotiator would renege on the agreement. It happened as they had feared. A few weeks later early on the morning of Oct. 23, a coach immediately followed by 2 battalions of Saxons surrounded Douai's house. As he was getting dressed his neighbors gathered outside, and as he was being escorted to the carriage they cut the horses loose and the horses scattered. They then put themselves between Douai and the troop's bayonets. Douai so as to prevent a disaster persuaded the troop commander to have his brigade withdraw and for him to escort him alone to the courthouse. This together with his pleading with his neighbors eased the situation. On the way to the courthouse the neighbors followed and separated him from his escort while the troops followed at a distance, and Douai arrived alone. Later the troops blocked all entrances to the city as people were starting to crowd in. Douai insisted the charges be read and explained. They refused since current procedures did not compel them. He refused to answer their questions until they listed them. The judge left the court with his colleagues, and while they were gone Douai slipped behind the bench and read the charges (He was able to do this since the only one left in the court was the recorder and he knew him well). The judge returned as Douai completed it and said he would now answer the charge since he now knew why he was arrested. It seems a letter had been written to a former student in Jena by Douai that contained a statement to the effect that soldiers must be "republicanized" and this letter found its way into government hands. Douai argued that since a German parliament had been convened and recognized by the Princes for the purpose of drawing up a constitution, that might have a "republican" leaning, it would then follow that the soldiers would also have to be republicans. He made sure his answers were recorded exactly to prevent them from changing their meaning. At the end of the day he was lead between two battalions of soldiers into the prison while people mulled about. A lawyer by the name of Schumann sidled up to him as he went. During this time the Hungarians were defeated in Vienna, Robert Blum was killed, the Landtag was dissolved, and the uprising was faltering. His friend Alfred Erbe fled the day of his arrest and sequestered himself in Leipzig, then into Switzerland from where he then emigrated to America.
During Dec. 1848, Douai was in Leipzig at an inn, where he was in the company of Rossmoessler and many from the "ruins of the political ship of state". Some of those present included Poles, Czechs, and Slavs (they were from lands previously annexed into the Prussian Empire) and a member of the defunct Austrian Reichstag. They were planning a general simultaneous uprising throughout the empire. Douai reasoned that many of the empire's troops were already in sympathy with their cause and could be convinced to turn against the crown. So they laid their plans and departed, and Douai went back to Altenberg. He assembled the "citizens' guard" and instructed them to position themselves at secret locations, this he planned for the morning of May 1. Somehow the Prussian General was previously informed of the entire plans, and 1/2 hr. before the citizens' guard could take their assigned positions, he struck. He took his cannons to guard the Duke's castle (Douai had planned on taking the castle and holding the Duke and his family hostage), the general then sent troops to various parts of the countryside so as to prevent the gathering of the citizens' brigade. In the meantime he captured the barracks where the main part of the citizens' army and their arms were. This totally stymied Douai's well laid plans. Douai realized he had been betrayed, and suspected one named Bakumin, who knew all the pertinent details. As a pretext the government faked an arrest of him so as to cover his betrayal, and Douai never saw him again. This defeat prevented Douai from sending aid to Dresden as the plan had called for.
There were from the 3rd to the 9th of May serious uprisings in Dresden and on the Rhine, but not in Prague where Bakumin was supposed to start and send sympathetic Polish officers to Germany to direct citizens' troops. Ten years after Bakumin disappeared, he resurfaced to break up The International Workers Association and he succeeded. This more or less confirmed Douai's suspicions. The revolution continued throughout the empire, in a limited way but Douai's role was hampered by a continued surveillance. His travel was curtailed and the government restricted his talks in public halls by pulling the permits of those halls. His earning power was greatly reduced as they also removed his theology status which by law was necessary to teach. Even when he attempted to teach in private homes, those students were threatened, hence he also lost that means of income. At about that time, his father was arrested for revolutionary activities, as he was found with evidence linking him with the recruitment of a citizens' army. He was sent to prison for 1 1/2 yrs. Douai then took over his fathers emigration travel business. This too was somewhat curtailed by the govt. and Douai had to rent out the rooms in his house, that he was in jeopardy of losing. It got so bad the well-to-do farmers gave him occasional money that they collected among themselves, realizing his problems stemmed from his exposure for their sake. His brother Eduard had since sailed for America to avoid prison, which up to this point Douai had somehow avoided except for his 2 mo, served earlier. His financial status continued to decline when his writings were forbidden to be bought by the public. In the fall of 1849 he was sentenced to a year in prison. Two months for "insulting the press" and one year for "insulting the ministry" the second charge reduced to 8 mos. He was interned in an old monastery in Altenburg that was built by Kaiser Friedrich 1 Barbarossa in 1197. Douai here mentions for "the benefit of my descendants" that only the Red Spires and the nave of the church now (1854) stand". He was held on the 6th floor where he had a panoramic view of the countryside in 3 directions. The neighbors carted a pianoforte up to his quarters to make his stay easier and he, while in prison, composed 18 songs which he dedicated to his wife Agnes. Apparently he didn't suffer many inconveniences while there, except of course the confinement and separation from his family, as he was able to compose music and to contemplate much. This is when he realized if things didn't improve for him in Germany he too would have to emigrate to America. While in prison he also was able to smuggle out his manuscript, "Altenburger Volksblatt", until he was transferred to the lower floor where a guard was posted. However this afforded him another privilege that his wife was able to bring him his favorite foods by passing them through the window. He also was able to see his children, especially his newborn son Max, as his wife also would bring them. (Note: Max was to become my grandmother's father, my grandmother being Eliz. Douai Wulstein)
When it became better known that he intended to emigrate, some 400 of his followers wanted to sail with him, to start a German colony. The govt. also welcomed this news of his intentions. Douai would only agree to get them to America, and when they arrived if they still wanted to stay together, then he would help them found a new German colony.

Over the Ocean to America (7-8 weeks)

Douai chartered a sailing vessel, a windjammer named The Hohenstaufen, the captain's name Lamke, and the owners Pokranz & Hofman, of Bremen. Douai had decided to go to Texas in the area of New Braunfels, a German settlement already there, also he had decided to do some farming as this area was considered well suited. He wanted to bring up his family in such an atmosphere, as opposed to the turmoil they had already gone through. He too welcomed the raggedness such virgin lands offered. The mildness of the weather also appealed to him, as some harsh winters were common in Germany. All this he had read about, and had received information in the mail from his in-laws von Beust already there. So Texas it was, and in the latter part of May, 1852, they set sail but not before at the railroad station in Altenburg, the military showed up (the gov't wanted to be assured he left). His neighbors who the night before presented him with gifts of money, too were there. It was a very emotional scene as he was about to board, the soldiers dropped their rifles and embraced him, as he was known and admired by them too. Douai mentions it was the first time a dissident was given a "military send-off".
As the ship passed through the mouth of the Weser River and their fatherland began to fade, they had an empty feeling in their stomachs, but as Douai states that was the last time he had a longing for his birthplace since the gov't had made his life quite difficult.
Eighteen hours due to favorable winds, brought them by the lighthouse off of Dover and Calais, thirty six hours brought them into the English Channel. In 8 days they passed the Azores and entered the trade winds and equatorial waters. They had hoped with this progress to complete their journey in 3 weeks.
On board were his 4 small children, his wife Agnes, and his 72-year-old father. (One can imagine the daring of taking such a voyage in such a vessel with such a valuable cargo, to a strange land). The captain had loaded on many crates of live chickens and a number of pigs, also a number of sides of beef (no doubt it was salted to withstand the journey), also adequate water supplies. Douai had advised the passengers to take along their own supplies of various foods that would not spoil.
The early part of the ocean voyage was most enjoyable to all as the winds were brisk and the sea was relatively smooth. The captain was also pleased with the way things were going and broke out every night bottles wine of which he had many, and they all made merry and danced. With things going so well , they consumed the provisions at a greater rate than was prudent, since most of the ocean was still before them. At this point in the journey the weather suddenly turned foul. The captain in his eagerness to maintain the favorable winds that he had, chose to take the longer route between Cuba and San Domingo rather than over the Bahama Banks. He wanted to have the advantage of the trade winds and equatorial current. He stayed as close as possible to north of the equator, unfortunately this brought him north west storms that lasted 3 days. The joy that previously prevailed, now turned to seasickness and fear for many. Many began to complain and blame Douai for their plight, saying he should have cautioned them of the dangers. Some became panicky and abusive, but as Douai reasoned one had to expect such behavior, they had to blame someone to relieve the panic and seasickness they were having.
When the storm abated, a calm not only in the sea and wind prevailed, but also once again in the passengers. However now they faced an even greater danger, that of extreme heat and thirst. The captain realizing his ship was becalmed, and not knowing how long it would last, began to ration water and food. They had not been careful up to this point with provisions, and now it was imperative to be so. Once again Douai became the sounding board for complaints, from the same ones as before. The heat being so close to the equator was stifling, and the glare from the becalmed sea was intense. Douai slept on deck at night admiring the bright stars in the heavens. He had read books detailing the different constellations, and he busied himself identifying them. He was constantly feeding his mind with knowledge, which he had done since a child. Some of the others sometimes joined him, but mostly he was by himself. He enjoyed the quiet contemplation, recalling his exciting past experiences, and anticipation of what lay ahead in a new virgin land.
The calm lasted close to 5 weeks and both the captain and Douai did not make known the severity of the situation. They knew this area along the way was a virtual graveyard of many seamen who had succumbed to thirst and hunger. Surprisingly during the trip only one infant died.
In June 1852 they entered the Gulf of Mexico and while still outside of Galveston, a ship came out to meet them, and circled the ship many times. They all wondered at this for an explanation. The ship then pulled alongside and the pilot boarded their ship. He took the wheel and had the captain order all to the port side and then a few moments later to the starboard side, this he repeated many times. Douai wondered at this strange order until he noticed a silt from the sea bottom being stirred up. There were sand bars and the narrow channel only afforded 8 1/2 feet to their ship, and they were drawing about 9 1/4 feet. By shifting the passengers from port to starboard and back again, they caused the keel to swing back and forth and thus clearing a path in the channel for them. (Clever these Americans.) Had they not been so wasteful in using their provisions, they might have had to anchor in the harbor, for they would have been drawing much more. The sun was setting as they paralleled the coast and as Douai noticed it was quite barren, a few shacks and much sand. There was not a soul in the "street", no one to welcome them until there appeared along both sides of the ship many "hogfish" the size of small whales that followed them and kept jumping out of the water and performing gymnastics similar to what dolphins do. This lifted their spirits and there was much laughing and joy especially among the children. They slept on board that night, as darkness was closing in, nothing was to be unloaded till morning. They slept with much anticipation of what the future held.

The One Hundred Fifty Mile Journey Across the Prairie

The next morning they disembarked and were told that the steamship that had been agreed on to take them to Indianola, was to be replaced by a small schooner as recommended by Capt. Lamke. The captain said the steamship was a river boat with no keel, and a storm of any kind in the Gulf would be unsafe and uncomfortable. They all took a look at the small schooner in the harbor and could see they would be somewhat cramped, and went against the advice of the captain, and contracted for the steamer. They bid their farewells to the captain who was waiting for a return cargo, and loaded their cargo onto the steamer. Douai and a farmer named Wagner had brought along a wagon loaded with farm tools, the wagon would also provide them with overland transportation when they reached Indianola. They had to wait for most of the party to return as they had scattered like children into Galveston to gulp down various tropical fruits and drinks that Douai had cautioned them about, they also devoured the local beer made from syrup, malt and hops. As expected many returned very uncomfortable to say the least. They departed from the harbor and only 2 hrs. out encountered strong winds. As forewarned the flat bottomed no keel boat was not seaworthy, and was buffeted from side to side. Douai and the rest were sorry they had made the wrong decision, and were fearful for their safety. The next morning the little sailing ship they had refused to take, passed them at great speed even though it had left 3 hrs. later than they. The captain of the schooner as he passed close by, wished them a hearty good morning as he left them in his wake.
They docked that day and Douai and Wagner went into the town to buy some supplies and two mules, also two horses. They assembled the wagon and made a few short trial runs. Everything seemed O.K. so they loaded the wagon in such a way that allowed room for him and his wife and four children, his father and two others. They were in great spirits when they headed onto the beautiful green prairie with a couple of other farmers. The rest of the immigrants had contracted with some New Braunfels Germans to transport their belongings, and had left much before them. Douai felt much relieved at this arrangement since it relieved him of that awesome responsibility for their safety. It allowed him to concentrate on his family's safe journey, and he felt more elated than he had felt in a long time.
That first day they traveled 12 miles, and camped at the first spring that they reached. In this way they could refill their water kegs, and get some much needed rest for the 140 miles that lay ahead. They unhitched the animals and led them down to the spring water. They had tied a rope to each animal and three men and he held them tightly. They had made a large knot to prevent the rope from slipping through their hands. The horses took a long drink when one of them snorted, and if by signal, all four animals suddenly bolted and raced into the approaching darkness. Since darkness was upon them they camped that night with little or no sleep, worry plagued them, so just before daybreak they started their search. After 2 hrs. they still had not located them, when they came upon a small group of German freight haulers who had seen their horses in an area they had not searched. They finally captured them and again they were on their way. This was practically a daily occurrence, even though they took various measures to prevent it. Douai finally realized he had been cheated into accepting wild mustangs in Indianola, and the horses were barely broken. He had read about these animals and knew that many herds still roamed the plains, and that each night were attempting to rejoin the herd.
The nine days of their journey contained many hectic experiences too numerous to detail in this condensation of his autobiography, but there are two that deserve mentioning. One day one of the farmers that had joined their party decided to ride on the back of one of his draught animals. While his left foot was still in the stirrup it bolted and threw him under Douai's wagon and it too raced away, but not before it had run over the farmer. Douai's wife and children who were within screamed in fear as the wagon approached an embankment leading to the Guadalupe River. Douai, who had been walking alongside, gave chase on foot, and he and another caught them just in time. When they got back to the injured farmer he was just beginning to rise. His scalp was hanging down the back of his neck like a scarf with blood covering his head and face. Fortunately the commotion had gotten the attention of an American who was passing by in a carriage. He immediately came to their assistance, and without any explanation got down from his carriage and began to administer to the farmer. He poured what appeared to be whiskey over his head, then carefully folded back his scalp to make an exact fit like a part of a puzzle. He then tied a bandanna over his head and under his chin to keep it in place. The stranger acted as if a doctor, or one that had seen this type of injury before, as many settlers in the past had suffered such scalpings at the hands of the Indians. The injured farmer for the rest of the journey, unbelievably walked alongside the wagon and in a few weeks was practically as good as new to the amazement of all. The other incident concerned the death of his farmer friend Wagner. This incident occurred right after arriving in New Braunfels. Wagner had asked Douai to be a witness at his wedding. A short time after the ceremony, he, Wagner, and another decided to go for a swim in the nearby Comal River. (Apparently they had had some drink in them from the celebration). This River had a strong current, somehow Wagner got trapped in the current and went under. Douai swam to his aid but due to the frantic grasps of the drowning man, he was forced to retreat and the man drowned. Douai was devastated by this unfortunate tragedy since he was not able to save his dear friend who also had been active with him in the political movement in Germany, and had endured all the hardships of the sea voyage, and the overland trip to their new home, only to die in a freak accident. Douai prepared him for burial as the rest were fearful of disease as many had died on their journey over the plains from cholera. With much sadness Douai laid him to rest. Wagners new bride seemed concerned only with her inheritance. The loss of his dear friend caused Douai to lose interest in farming, as he had planned on a partnership with the experienced Wagner.

The Douais' in New Braunfels & San Antonio 1852-56

While in New Braunfels he filled some voids that existed there. He established a school and started to give piano lessons. (Somehow he possessed a piano, it's not known whether he brought it with him from Germany or where he got it in this far-away place). He also gave concerts solo, and eventually with other musicians that accompanied a German singing society. His wife Agnes also performed singing certain arias occasionally. His income was meager as New Braunfels was mainly a farming town and appreciation of concert music was not very strong. He had bought a small house, two cows and had a vegetable garden so at least his family had life's necessities. Somewhere in this time frame he came down with cholera, and at the same time his youngest daughter of six months came down with a skin disorder. His wife Agnes for the next 5 mos. nursed them both back to health. (And here Douai makes a point of her untiring efforts and implores his descendants of the future not to forget this.) This passage in his manuscript clearly indicates the quiet dedication of his wife Agnes, without which he could never have accomplished what he did during his lifetime. After recovering, Douai decided to conduct a concert trio in San Antonio, a more commercially oriented town. His trio consisted of his piano, a violin, and a cellist. They had many engagements and it was here where he composed some of the 60 odd pieces of music during his lifetime. (Note: This information of the number of musical compositions is listed in the N.Y.C. public library.)
This traveling back and forth on horseback was tiring and time consuming, but Douai enjoyed the cultural company in which he circulated in San Antonio, (except for his wife Agnes) which did not exist in New Braunfels. He decided to move to San Antonio, and early in 1854 he did so. His earnings improved, and while there he was offered the editorship of the San Antonio Zeitung, a paper yet to be formed. There were pledges from prominent Germans who inquired if he had been a citizen in 1852 who he would have voted for. He said he favored Pierce a democrat over Scott a Whig. He explained even though both supported slavery, Pierce would do more for the working man. (It should be noted here that most German immigrants opposed slavery). So therefore the two main policies of the paper were to be "the struggle of the worker", and "the abolition of slavery". It can be easily seen they were on a collision course with the conventional attitudes for the time and place, but they were idealists and were knowingly headed that way. When they finally got to print they were silent temporarily on these views so as to gradually "indoctrinate their following", the German colonists, because during the Mexican War (1846-48) the Germans were persuaded to support the annexation of the Texas territory by the promise that it would improve their economy, which did come about through the increased sales of milk and produce and meat to the armies that flooded into Texas. They were also persuaded not to allow Texas to become a free state, and support slavery. They were so pleased with their new-found wealth that they did indeed now support slavery. Therefore as Douai relates he had to go slowly and carefully in his editorials on slavery. Eventually he stepped up his ardor on anti-slavery that caused his advertisers to gradually withdraw. Naturally this created an economic crisis, and he had to let go most of his employees. To complicate matters his financial backers withdrew their funds, and he had to take a loan at an interest of 48%, money was very expensive in Texas at that time. He was now in debt for $600. He now had to perform most of the work to get the paper out, as he had little or no help. He sometimes worked 18 hrs. and didn't arrive home till the early morning hours. Not only did his family suffer, but it was starting to take its toll on his health. The agitation from the slavers continued to plague him. At one time he was visited by some thugs, and threatened with shotguns. Douai was stubborn and refused to be intimidated. Then finally word got to him that a lynch mob was being rounded up, and he finally realized it was foolhardy to continue along this path, the deciding factor was his concern for his family whose safety he was compromising. He quickly sold what he could and a good friend assumed the debts of the paper. Douai later repaid these when his finances improved back east. He booked passage on a schooner "Smith Tuttle" of 150 tons, it was overloaded with bales of cotton that made it lay low in the water. He and his wife, 6 children (one being 7 mos.), and his elderly father had to sleep between the bales. Seasickness made it very uncomfortable for them all, as the overloaded ship found it difficult to ride the sea buffeted by strong gusts of wind. At one point when passing Cape Hatteras a sudden gust laid the ship on its side tearing loose the bowsprit sail. Being that the ship was undermanned, only 4 crewmen and one of them a boy, the captain had Douai take the wheel while he rescued the bowsprit sail which eventually righted the ship. This happened at 10 o'clock at night and his wife and children were fortunately at sleep. He found his father sobbing with fear and had to console him, as his father was saying a very emotional farewell to him as he thought the end was at hand. From this point after passing Cape Hatteras, the ship had smooth sailing. The trip took 4 weeks; they arrived in Hoboken N.J. on June 10, 1856. He established himself in a meager dwelling, and left his father with his brother Eduard who had a cigar making business. His good friend Carl Heinzen, owner of a publication "The Pioneer", and Fredrick Law Olmstead (designer of N.Y. Central Park, and First Commissioner of The Sanitary Commission during the Civil War), also a good friend, helped to steer him to a number of possibilities with their recommendations. Among them a teaching job in Terre Haute Ind., another in Sandusky Ohio as an editor, and another in Boston as a speech instructor and teacher of German at a "Lady School", and also a number of students were given him for private piano lessons. He decided to accept the offers in Boston. This offer plus the fact that Boston was a very politically active city with a good number of German immigrants involved convinced him. The Irish dominated politics in Boston, and to diminish the activity of the "German Foreigners" introduced to the legislature a bill requiring a 7 yr. residency in order to vote. Douai was selected to go before the body to argue against it, as they knew he was a good debater, and if anyone could sway them he could, and he did. The basis of the argument that the bill would be self-defeating since the Germans were anti-slavery as was the North, and would be an ally in that respect, and could be helpful in accomplishing that end. Douai did not begin his teaching till after the Nov. elections 1856, where the Germans were backing Freemont at the urging of Douai. He made many political speeches in New York, New Jersey, and Conn. His travels and politics brought him into the company of such famous Americans as Banks, Mrs. H. Beecher Stowe (she wrote Dred Scott that Douai translated into German), Hawley, Sen. Anthony, Chas. Sumner, Lloyd Garrison, Chas. Dana, Ripley, and Horace Greeley (Go West Young Man) to name a few. Fremont lost the election that was mired in fraud, particularly in Phil. Pa., and Buchanan was declared the victor. Penn. was crucial with its 26 electoral votes and would have swung the election. Douai makes mention that if the election had been on the up and up Fremont would have been president and the Germans would have had a strong position in politics, Douai might even have become a cabinet member. After the election he got to the business of making a living and tending to his family, that up to now he had been neglecting. He taught German grammar to students at Harvard, wrote articles for "The Pioneer" also for Chas. Dana and Ripley's work " The American Encyclopedia" for the letters A to D, he also taught in Howe's Institute For The Blind, this in particular was very rewarding. He wrote many novels, one "Fata Morgana" won a prize awarded by a St. Louis publisher. At this time his father who had since joined him in Boston died at the age of 77. Douai said his constitution was weakened from the rigors of travel and harsh winters since leaving Texas. He died at Douai's home in Boston at 926 Washington St., and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. (Not sure if this is the one in L.I. N.Y. since Douai did not specify).
In 1859 with the support of the "working man's society" of which he formed, he organized an English-German elementary school where he established the first kindergarten in America. He introduced the Froebel system of teaching which combined the games children play with math., reading, and science. The forming of this school took over $3600, which he raised. A Prof. Carl Beck of Harvard, and the Prussion Consul assisted him in this. The school classes were held in his home on Washington St., and attracted 200 students, it was very successful. Eliz. Peabody, a prominent author and educator, noted in her writings his contribution to the educational system with the creation of his kindergarten. He and his sister Elenora recently widowed, came to live with him with her two children, also taught at the school.
He spent 4 yrs. in Boston with teaching, writing, composing and political activities. It seems he never spent more than 4 yrs. in any place. In 1860 he moved to N.Y.C. and became the editor of "The New Yorker Demokrat". This enabled him to put forth his political views, and as a result he, F. Kapp, and August Becker, attended the Republican National Convention of 1860 in Chicago, as delegates and observers so as to lobby the German delegates to take a stand on "anti-slavery". At this time they did not have a preference on the presidential candidate, but preferred Sumner, or Chas. Wade or Chase, over Hamlin for V.P. (Lincoln was nominated for president).
In 1863 he started plans for a German American University for teachers in Detroit, and collected pledges for many thousands of dollars. This to his dismay had to be abandoned as the Civil War broke out and it became impossible. This was a dream he never realized.
After John Brown's raid in Virginia, most abolitionists to who Douai still had contact in New England, were threatened with arrest. This together with his contacts in Texas decided to ease their thrust towards making Texas a free state and now concentrated on Kansas. As a result of his many speeches in various cities in the northeast, he made some acquaintances involved with Hoboken Academy, a newly formed school in N.J. As a result he was elected director of the Academy. So in 1861 he returned to his first love education. He also continued to write and in 1861 wrote "Die Goldene Hochzeit". The Academy thrived under his direction and grew to 450 in a year which necessitated the addition of two wings. (I believe this school later became Steven's Institute named after a holder of a mortgage on the school who took control after a feud with Douai in which he resigned).
His brother-in-law Bernhard von Beust came to N.J. from New Haven to establish a medical practice in Union Hill N.J. At the start of the Civil War he became a Brigade Surgeon, and Douai's brother Eduard joined the "hexametrische batterie" (this is actually Captain Hexamer's Artillery). They both left their families with Douai and his wife, also his sister and two sons lived with them. He then had born to him twin girls, Elise and Bertha in 1861. (Bertha was to become the mother of Richard Boerker who translated Douai's autobiography in 1910). In 1863 they had Emile. Agnes, his wife, cooked and tended for the entire assemblage, and most times had 15 at the table. His unmarried step- brothers Ernst and Robert also joined the army as regular infantry. After leaving Hoboken Academy he bought an elementary school at 498 7th. Ave. N.Y.C. and secured a 3 yr. lease for $3000, most of which he borrowed. His students consisted mostly of affluent Jewish families from N.Y.C. By the year's end 1866-7 he started to turn a profit. During this era the infamous "Boss Tweed" was mayor of N.Y.C. and he and his cronies decided to widen B'way and 7th. Ave., and this would cut into the school property. The council had passed a bill, to compensate the businesses affected, however later after completion of the work they repealed the bill and reneged. Douai was left high and dry. During this time his finances had improved as he often gave lectures at N.Y. Normal College and published his book "The Kindergarten" published by E. Steiger. During this time of not having his school, he wrote 7 short novels published by R. Keil and was paid $300 for them. Keil promised him $1000 to write a humorous novel. He worked steady for 4 mos., and when completed Keil wanted to buy it for the same price as the others. He kept stalling him, and finally Douai sold it to the Westlichen Post for $200. The novel was a satire on the "Prussian German" regime. No doubt all these novels were in German. "The Kindergarten" I believe was translated into English. As his finances dwindled, his only income was from his paying boarders or more correctly his wife Agnes's boarders, since she was the one rightly earning it. It should be noted here that in all the schools he had, his daughter Marie also taught, in fact without her he would not have been able to pursue his other interests of writing novels, editing newspapers, and politics. Just when things looked bleak, he was offered the directorship of the German-American Green Street School in Newark N.J. His daughter Marie was to head the kindergarten and together they were paid $1800 a year. His wife at this time 1871 inherited $1200, so they bought a house at 29 Liberty St. Newark, with a down payment of $1500 and a mortgage of $3200. They then put on an addition for $500. They reasoned this would be their house for the rest of their lives. They spent the happiest times of their lives at this home. The student body rose from 200 to 450, and the budget for the increase of 4 to 6 teachers rose from $2000 to $4000 a year. He also was asked to advise two schools in N.Y. on their starting kindergartens, and trained teachers in that vein. These included nuns from Catholic schools and some from Mormon schools.
It was during this time that his daughters Helena, Ottile, and Agnes grew up and he also trained them in teaching kindergarten. He became a member of a national teachers association, that took him to such cities as Cinn., St. Louis, Det., Toledo, and Cleveland for their conventions. During this time he wrote books for the N.Y.C. school system, also Newark. Towards the end of 1875 he got into a dispute with a new school board that wanted more emphasis on English instead of French. He argued they were already fluent in English, French was more beneficial, so after 4 1/2 yrs. there he resigned.
Once again after about 4 1/2 yrs. he was without steady earnings, once again one of his past acquaintances suggested he start another German-American school. He gathered together some backers but raised somewhat less than what Douai had estimated would be necessary to start up. The school was to be located in Irvington, N.J. From the start Douai was apprehensive, because of the meager start-up funds, and also the area was much less affluent than Newark (how times have changed) and surrounding Orange. He left his Newark home and rented it, and moved into the rented school house. His family had increased since his daughter Anna's husband had left her with 3 children, the household now swelled by four. The student body never went beyond 21 in number in ages 5-17 yrs. One bit of good fortune was shining during that period, he was able to move rent-free into a palace-like house, due to the generosity of a friend, Commodore Phelps, the owner, who was in California. This came at a good time as he lost his house in Newark for non-payment of taxes and mortgage, it was auctioned off for $100. He was drawing little or no salary and was just making a go of it. However as Douai reflected, this beautiful house with its large garden, many friends, and many guests, afforded he and his family happy times. He augmented his income by falling back on his writing ability. At this home the weddings of his children Max, Agnes, and Ottile were held. Arno had married 2 yrs. before in N.Y., and Marie 4 yrs. before and moved to California. Douai's income also included rent from 3 boarders (some more work for his wife Agnes), private lessons, and occasional teaching for his sister Elenora at the Douai Institute which she now headed. He eventually taught full time for her after 2 yrs., when the Irvington school failed. When the newly formed New Yorker Volkszeitung (Jan. 1878) opened, he wrote their editorials. He now traveled 4 hrs. to Douai Inst. and worked 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.., then to lower N.Y.C. to the paper, and finally back to N.J. This became too much for him and after 10 mos. of this he resigned from the Inst., thus his teaching career was now ended, except for occasional private lessons on the piano.
About this time Commodore Phelps sold his house and Douai moved back to Newark for 2 yrs., then back to Hoboken for 2 yrs. and finally to Brooklyn, N.Y. where he settled down for the last time and wrote his auto-biography, after 3 yrs. (1885). As he was reflecting back on his very active life, he made mention of the 3 grandchildren he and his wife brought up: Arno, Max, and Agnes. These were the children of his daughter Anna that had been deserted. She remarried a Krumbach, took her daughter but left the two boys Arno and Max. As Douai explains he and his wife could no longer take care of them and put them in an orphanage in Newark, of which he paid for their keep. Then through The Children's Aid Society they were placed on a farm in Kansas. He seemed to be apologizing for this as he felt bad. He mentions he had 23 grandchildren. This swelled to near 60 after his death. Douai died 3 yrs. after finishing his biog. on Jan. 21, 1888, one month before his 69th. birthday, his wife Agnes 10 yrs. later Dec. 13, 1898. Their ashes repose in a niche at Fresh Pond Cemetery Columbarium in Middle Village Queens N.Y.C.
I visited this spring 1988, 100 yrs. after (his death) while searching for his biog. and researching this family genealogy and discovered the ashes of many Douai's reside there, his children and grandchildren. The niches are cared for by a family named Haffner, and many by that name also are there. His daughter Emily married into that family, this I found out after contacting Allan Boerker, son of the translator of Douai's biog. The manager of the Columbarium refused to give me the address of the Haffners, I intend to research this further.
As one of Douai's descendants in the year 1988, 100 years after his death, I can only marvel at his many contributions to our country. His writings, musical compositions (60), his contribution to our educational system (1st. Froebel type kindergarten, readers, the many schools he founded), and the political contributions (delegate to 1860 Nat. Conv. and persistence in the abolition of slavery, besides others), and some of his political ideals not too popular by today's standards, that he describes as "Democratic Marxism?". In any event he was definitely an idealist who throughout his life strived towards those ideals.
One might question his placing his two grandsons in an orphanage, but one has to put oneself in the year 1878 and the conditions that may have existed. First the responsibility was clearly his daughter Anna's, who went off with her daughter and left her two sons. The health of Douai at this time is in question, also his mental outlook as he was relatively inactive. Together with his wife Agnes he provided for and raised 10 children and for the most part his grandchildren too. Agnes never complaining about the many-many moves she had to make during her marriage, following her husband from East Prussia to Altenburg, then to Russia, enduring while he was in prison, the trip across the ocean with 4 children, the overland trip across the Texas prairie, fleeing Texas and taking sail of 3 weeks this time with 6 children to Hoboken N.J., then off to Boston, back to N.Y.C. to Newark, Irvington, and Newark again, and finally to Brooklyn N.Y., keeping in mind she bore and raised 10 children along the way, and one should not forget she also maintained boarders most of this time. One cannot say enough of her contribution. Douai does not mention in detail much about Agnes except to say that she was devoted no matter what his circumstances were. However, it is self-evident when one reads the account of his life, that she is silently at his side.
In the search for Douai's biography, I located his great grandson Allan Boerker of Virginia. We have exchanged family history and pictures, I a picture of my grandmother Eliz. Douai Wulstein and he a family portrait of all the Douai children. It's been a long time searching for his manuscript since before my father died (1969), and this year (1988) it came to a conclusion. I located it at the Dartmouth College Library after a search was made by the research arm of the Morristown N.J. Library. The Cresskill N.J. librarian then requested it on loan and they complied and I made a copy in its entirety. It should be mentioned the original was written in German, and Allan Boerker's father Richard (son of the twin daughter of Douai Bertha) translated it into English in 1959, he was a 1910 graduate of Dartmouth, which accounts for it residing there. Dartmouth in turn provided me with Allan Boerker's address.
One further note: In going through some old papers, I came across my father's baptism. Agnes Douai was his godmother, no doubt Douai's daughter as she would have been in her late twenties in 1899, the year of his baptism.
I cannot make copies of the entire manuscript for all my relatives (187 pages), so that is the reason for this 15-page synopsis. It has been a labor of love, the search and this condensed version of the manuscript, my only regret is my father not being able to share my joy in having found it.

Martin Wulstein
Great-great-grandson 1988

"The Idea of God"- (1844) - Written while he was in Russia (published?)
"Altenburg Volksblatt"- (1849) - Written in prison - (published?)
18 musical compositions - (1849) - Written in prison - (published?)
Translation of H. Beecher Stowe's "Dred Scott" into German - published in 1857
"The Kindergarten"- published by H. Steiger N.Y.C.-1860
"Die Goldene Hochzeit" (published ?) 1861
"Fata Morgana"- 1860-61 - This won a prize given by a St. Louis publisher (?)

Editor of The New Yorker Democrat 1860
Editor of The San Antonio Zeitung 1852
Editor of The New Yorker Volkszeitung 1878

Wrote articles for the magazine "The Pioneer"-1857
Wrote material for the letters A to D for Dana & Ripley's "The American Encyclopedia"1857

The San Antonio Zeitung: This is the paper in which he wrote strong articles advocating the abolition of slavery, and had to flee Texas for his life. Shortly before his death, he was sent from Texas a special editorial from the same press, written by the new Negro owners, citing his untiring efforts towards their freedom as follows: "This paper which is owned and edited and whose types are set by Negroes, is printed upon the same press with which Dr. Adolf Douai first battled for the emancipation of the black men. He has the gratitude of the colored race who will ever remember his endeavors in behalf of freedom". Of all Douai's accomplishments, he treasured this editorial most.

The Above and Possibly Other Writings Might Be Found at the Following:
Baker Library, Dartmouth College, Hanover N.H.
Univ. of Texas, Austin, Texas
Public Library, San Antonio, Texas
Univ. of Maryland - College Park, Maryland

Additional Biographicals of Douai's Life May Be Found in the Following

Rudolph P. Biesels - "German Settlements in Texas - 1831-61" doctorial dissertation pp196-212 (Univ. of Texas ?) A. J. Schem - Texicon - vol. 3 pp745-6

Nina Vanderwalker - "The Kindergarten in American Education" MacMillan Press 1923

"The Forty Eighters"- edited by A. R. Zucker - Columbia Univ. press, N.Y. 1950--325.243 z83f

Carl Witte - Refugees of Revolution - Univ. of Penn. Press 1952 325.243 w786r

A. B. Faust - The German Element in The U.S. 2vol. Haughton Mifflin Boston-1909--325.243 f275g

Dr. Rossiter Johnson edit. Biographical Dictionary of America vol III
Also known as The 20th Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans. Bx 9b5214

Note: The above references were supplied by R. Boerker. The comments are mine. As of this date I have researched "The Forty Eighters", the rest I intend to in the future.

The Douai Children in Approx. Chronological Order

Anna born 1844- married into 1-Wolf--2-Gabriel family/-ies

Arno born 1847

*Max born 1849-(father of Eliz. Douai Wulstein, my grandmother)

Marie born (?)-married into Grosser family #

Elsie & Bertha (twins) Bertha married into Boerker family (mother of R. Boerker, translator of biog.)

Elsie married into Haffner family (caretakers of Douai's ashes )

Emily born 1863- married into Haffner family

Agnes born-(?)- married into Bosch family (Godmother of my father(?) )

Ottile born-(?)-married into Kempf family

Helena-(?)- married into Vosburg family

*Max married Agnes Reichmann, sister of Chas. Reichmann, my father's Godfather, who was the inventor of the oil cooking stove and whose name appears on the original patent. Max and Agnes's marriage ended in divorce when my grandmother ( Eliz.) was a young woman. This is how our families lost touch. He remarried to whom I don't know and Agnes married into the Terhune family of which Janet Terhune Ring was born. She is now deceased, but her two surviving sons Floyd and Arthur are in constant touch with our family.

Arno no doubt settled in Kansas where he and Max had been sent as children. At the time of this writing I have no additional history of him.

#Marie Douai Grosser in Brooklyn N.Y. in the year 1910, had printed an extract from the Douai biog. Somehow my father had a copy of this extract, and that is what started me on the hunt to locate the manuscript.

Martin Wulstein
MWulstein@aol.com