“They Came Here In A Covered Wagon”
By Stanley Pieza
Staff Writer of The Chicago Herald-American

“The long white mustache of Jonas Bertulaitis of Klaipeda quivered like a leaf as he shouted his horse to stop in a mud hole on the shores of Lake Michigan and the foot of the river where Chicago was beginning its career way back in 1834. Men, women and children gathered curiously around the covered wagon in which were Bertulaitis’ wife and three children, all dressed in colorful Lithuanian homespun. Strange to them was the tongue of this blue-eyed, tall, sturdy Lith [sic] from the Baltic.

But Bertulaitis liked Chicago, as he jumped off the wagon, assisting his wife and children. Historians state they lived here for seven months, later proceeding north to a section near Milwaukee, where they started farming and making Lithuanian cheese.

Chicago Liths 108 Years Old
This marked a great event in Chicago’s Lithuanian colony, for the Bertulaitis’ arrival in the covered wagon from New York began the Lithuanian colony here 108 years ago. This Lithuanian family arrived here even before the city’s incorporation.

And in the Cavalcade of Chicago in the last one hundred years stands out the Lithuanian vanguard.

The Lithuanian settler, hard working and adventurous, helped make Chicago the fourth city in the world, his deeds adding to the drama, stirring events and colorful personalities that is Chicago today.

Largest Lith City
Next to Kaunas, Chicago is the largest Lithuanian city in the world, numbering nearly 100,000 in Cook Count.

Arriving from the home of Vytautas, Maironis, Basanavicius, Adam Mickiewicz, General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, from the temple of Dainos and the land of amber, the immigrants of Lithuania brought here their gifts and laid them upon the altar of Chicago.

There are no records of Lithuanians in Chicago after Bertulaitis up to about the great Chicago fire of l871.

Lived Near Mrs. O’Leary
Several years before the Chicago fire, a few Lithuanians settled around DeKoven and Des Plaines streets. Some of them worshiped in St. Wenceslaus Roman Catholic Church, Desplaines and DeKoven sts., just about a stone’s throw from where Mrs. O’Leary’s cowshed stood.

Following the Chicago fire more Lithuanians came, some directly from New York, others from the coal mines of Pennsylvania, seeking jobs in a big city. The earlier arrivals assisted Chicago in rebuilding itself after the havoc allegedly wrought be Mrs. O’Leary’s cow. It can be definitely and historically stated that the cow did not belong to a Lithuanian!

Men of Great Faith
Many of the old-timers joined with the Polish settlers on the near North-East Side, becoming active members of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and later of Holy Trinity, both on Northside’s Noble St.

While working in the stockyards, in the tunnels, on the lake boats, in tailor shops, Chicago’s Lithuanians did not forget their God and their Church.

Even Prior to the 90’s, Chicago Liths were planning to build a church. Their dreams came true, when St. George Church was started fifty years ago in Bridgeport. This church was destined to become the ‘mother church’ of Chicago’s Lithuanians.

Now Thirteen Parishes
As their children increased, the sturdy Liths spread to other sections of Chicago, to the near West Side, North Side, on the South, until now in the vast archdiocese of Chicago there are thirteen fast growing Lithuanian Roman Catholic churches, with schools, spacious auditoriums and club rooms.

With the progress of the church increased the cultural, economical and social life of the Lithuanians. Catholic weeklies became dailies; grade schools turned into academies; small societies turned into great national organizations.

Charity also was honored among them. The pioneers built a hospital and are now engaged in erecting an old people’s home. And St. Casimir Cemetery, 11th St. and Crawford Ave, is one of the most beautiful in the Middle West.

Great American Patriots
Then came World War I. Progress among them was momentarily stopped, as Lithuanian mothers sent their boys to Uncle Sam’s armed forces, while fathers worked in defense plants and purchased Liberty bonds by the millions of dollars.

After the war, new colonies increased, and more homes were purchased by the Lithuanians. It is hard to find a Lithuanian immigrant who doesn’t own his own home! His sons and daughters are also now learning the economies of their elders.

Lithuanians of Chicago did not forget also their homeland, Lithuania, for after World War I, it was shown that they assisted in Lithuania’s resurrection in the aftermath of the war by funds and other means.

Ready Before Pearl Harbor
Today Chicago’s Americans of Lithuanian ancestry are faced with a war once more. Their homeland is once more occupied by the enemy, and the country of their choice – the United States -- is fighting an aggressor.

Even before Pearl Harbor Lithuanians were sending their boys to the armed forces. Thousands of them are in the air corps, the marines, navy and army. Many of them are officers. Many of them are heroes of Bataan, The Coral Sea battle and the Solomons. Many of them are in Ireland and in Iceland.

Five Million in War Bonds!
Meanwhile, in Chicago – on the home front – Chicago’s Lithuanians are buying war bonds. It was recently estimated that they have to date purchased more than $5,000,000 in war bonds.

Yes, sturdy is the Lithuanian vanguard in the Cavalcade of Chicago. In it are the church leaders, the business men, the professional men, the political leaders, the skilled workers, the housewives, the men of the fighting forces, and children – all Americans! ”