Note: There was a large immigration to this country from Germany in the early 1700s. Some of this was for religious freedom. Another migration occurred about 1850 due to a book written and sent back to Germany for fiancial gain and then the glowing reports from relatives living here encouraging them to come. There was an influx of German peoples to the St. Louis region and other points on the Mississippi River. Quincy was a thriving trading center at this time.