Figure 1.--Here are some of the pses of John in his German cadet uniform. American children, even German-American children were rarely photographed in German-looking uniforms.

John wears a military uniform with what looks like a sailor cap. The uniform is not one I have seen American boys wearing. I has rather the look of a German cadet to it. Our guess is that John's father personally selected this uniform for his son. For one reason, an 8-year old American boy would not have asked for a German uniform. We think American boys dressing up in German uniforms was not very common. This are several reasons for this. Many of the Germans who immigrated to America were famers and merchants who often had anti-military attitudes and objected to conscription. Many Germans came to America after the failed revolutions of 1848 which were put down by military force. German Americans who were second and third generation would not have likely chosen a German uniform. They would have chosen an American looking uniform. Three are epaulettes with piping and two rows of buttons. Hauerwaas does seem to be a German name. The cap looks to have a German emblem on it although the image is not clear enough to tell for sure. A few years after the portrait was taken, America went to war with Germany. Actually there were attacks on Germans and German shops were ransaked. German shepards were renamed Alsatians. John never would have worn this uniform during or after the War. We suspect that his father still had strong attachments to Germany. John assumes various military poses for the different portraits. A sword has been added for add to the martial image. Notice how it is perfectly scaled down for John. Of course an 8-tear old boy could do a lot of damage with a sword like that. My guess is that it was put away for safe keeping at home.

Created: 11:37 PM 12/6/2005
Last updated: 11:37 PM 12/6/2005