After the death of Elisabeth Florentine Homrighausen Wetter on April 29, 1828, the adult Wetter children were anxious to forge a new life even if it meant taking chances. The presence of political unrest, famine, cholera epidemics, the desire to own land, economic depression, lack of religious freedom, military service and other factors influenced 19th century transatlantic auswandering about 1816.
Little is known of their voyage or of their first two years in Baltimore. They eventually settled into their new life in America. Gabriel and Elisabeth would eventually produce a daughter that would marry into the Launspach heritage. It is because of Herman and Catherine's letters that Gabriel and Elisabeth were also enticed to head for America.