·
The Welsh came to Emporia where an abundance of
timber was available. The Welsh built and operated sawmills on the Cottonwood River
and the Neosho River. By the summer of 1860 the area supported seven sawmills. Limestone was abundant and coal was
discovered early in the county. Many miners came from in Wales to work in these
mines. Welshmen came who had been building contractors, so they continued in
that profession in Emporia, working for the Santa Fe railroad. Welshmen who were brought to the United
States by their parents decided to come to Kansas where they believed there
would be greater opportunities for their families. They settled near Emporia
where they began to succeed as a cattlemen. Perhaps the greatest contribution
the Welsh have given to Emporia is their love of good music, especially good
singing. It was natural they would bring their festivals and folk songs with
them when they came to this country.
· From 1867 to 1871 Swedish immigrants settled in Lyon, Morris, Osage, Republic, Pottawatomie, & Rile Counties. At first the men worked on the building of the Santa Fe railroad, which in 1870 had reached Osage City. Later they worked in the stone quarry and strip mines.
· French colony of Silkville was founded in 1869 was founded for development of the silk industry.
· British town of Victoria was established in 1872 to engage in farming.
· Swiss and German Mennonites immigrated to Kansas from Russia from 1874 - 1979. They settled in Harvey County and founded Halstead where they built a flourmill by the Arkansas River. They settled in Reno County and founded Buhler – one of the oldest Mennonite Brethren churches in Kansas. They also settled in Marion County (Hillsboro) and North Newton. Swiss and German Mennonites from Russia founded Bethel College at Newton.
· Swedish farmers came to Stotler in 1874 to establish farms.
· Bohemian/Czech towns established in 1876 in Ellsworth, Marion, & Rawlins (Prag) Counties. They brought their love of music with them.
· Swedish immigrants who settled in Lindsborg founded Bethany College.
· A colony of English people settled in 1888 near Runnymede, Harper County and established farms and cattle ranches.
· In 1900, the last ethnic groups to enter Kansas in large numbers were Spanish-speaking Mexicans, brought to the state as laborers for various Railroad companies. They settled mainly in Railroad centers.
· In the 1920s, large numbers of Arabs leave Syria and settle in Wichita, Kansas. These families have established the Farha and Jabara Companies in Wichita.
Sources:
www.ukans.edu/heritage/owk/128/lineoftime.html http://www.kshs.org http://www.kshs.org/library/khq/1971/71_3_berneking.htm
http://www.kshs.org/library/khq/1935/35_2_olson.htm Wichita Eagle, May 7, 2002