Found on passenger list #13 of the ship Caspar arriving 29 Jun 1841(age 17). Found again on passenger list of ship Bessell arriving 6 Aug 1846 in Baltimore, MD (age 22).

His home was listed as Vlotho, his occupation as a merchant and his age as seventeen. Information obtained from micro-film at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.. The reel's title was "Arrivals at New Orleans, Gulfport and Eastern Seaboards in 1841."

Louis was also listed as a passenger of the vessel "Bessel", arriving August 6, 1846 in Baltimore, Maryland, age 22, left Osnabruck and his destination was St. Louis. Listed below Louis is Caroline Wigmann, age 18, and below her another passenger, all three sailing from the same place and going to the same destination. Under the column "Trunks and Baggage" there is a bracket at the side of these three names with three chests written, indicating the three were traveling together. This Caroline's age checks as being the same as Louis Grotjan's sister Caroline. Family legend said that Louis Grotjan returned to Germany a second time to bring over a family member or members.

He was a general merchant, tobacco grower and shipper of Dalton. Started handling tobacco as early as 1856. He served throughout the Civil War.

He opened his own store in 1874 and became very successful. Aggregated over 600 acres in 3 first class farms, including the former Harper farm on which he lived (one mile west of Dalton).

Louis and Maria deeded the land where the Dalton Immanuel Church now stands to Henry Bucksath, William Nolting, Fredrick Feaker, Henry Meier and Peter Sleyster, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be used as a place of "Divine Worship" for the use of the ministry. The deed, dated, May 27, 1879, states if the premises aren't used two years in succession for "Public Divine Worship" then this deed shall be void. This deed is recorded in Book Eleven, Pages 485-486 in the Circuit Clerk and Recorder's Office, Chariton County Court House, Keytesville.

The Death of Mr. Louis Grotjan (Obituary)

Mr. Louis Grotjan died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D. Iglehart, of Dalton, on Monday last, aged 72 years, 9 months and 18 days. Mr. Grotjan's death is believed to have resulted from a shock. On Saturday morning he desired to cross the street in Dalton and found the crossing blocked by a freight train. Mr. Grotjan then went to the rear of the train to cross and it is supposed the the switching of cars on a rear track confused and frightened him, and while attempting to get out of the way, stumbled and fell. He was picked up in a dazed condition and carried to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Iglehart, and a physician called, who found no serious injuries.

Mr. Grotjan's forehead and face was scratched and he complained of severe pains in his back for a time previous to his death.