The colony in São Lourenço, Brazil, was founded in 1858 by Jacob Rheingantz on “Serra de Tapes” in Pelotas Municipality in the state of “Rio Grande do Sul”. The first group of 88 german immigrants came in the netherland ship “Twee Vieden”.
During the german colonization period in Brazil, many colonies were created by private initiative-some with social purposes,but most of them with economical interest. This colonies,after some years of administration, had to received help of the government, which made them public. São Lourenço colony was one of the few colonies that were kept private until it was turned into an official village by the government.
In 1877, when Rheignantz died, the colony had 52 000 hectares and more than 6 000 citizens.
Geography Genius Project: German Colonies in Brazil 