During Queen Victoria's reign, many working-class immigrants came to America. Because of their shared language, Anglo ethnicity, and familiarity with English-based customs, these immigrants rapidly blended into American life. John W. Leonard and J. W. L. "Will" Johnson were two such Englishmen; they came to Beaumont, Texas, in 1869, assimilated quickly, and became "invisible immigrants."
Living in Beaumont for almost fifteen years, Johnson and Leonard carved out careers as teachers, lawyers, and newspapermen. Johnson operated a school, edited the "Neches Valley News, " and helped...