In 1848, a small group of immigrants from the Schleswig-Holstein area of Germany arrived in what was then a remote wilderness to found New Holstein. Seeking political freedom and economic opportunity, they left Germany because of the failing struggle for democracy and opportunity in the new land. In 1847, Calumetville hotel owner and land agent Charles White and William Ostenfeld traveled to the Schleswig-Holstein area, and their glowing description of Wisconsin convinced a number of people to emigrate. In April of 1848, White, Ostenfeld, and the immigrant group sailed from Hamburg on the ship Brarens and disembarked in New York forty days later. Traveling by steamship, train, and ox-drawn wagon, they arrived in Calumetville within the following two weeks. On May 29th, Ostenfeld and seven men walked to this location and selected their land to build farms, homes, and New Holstein.