Wehling, Fred

KNIEF, GOMER, KETTELSON, KLEMP

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/9/2009 at 10:22:02

Fred Wehling, living retired in Denver, was born in Germany in 1856, a son of Fred and Mary Wehling, also natives of that country, where both passed away, the father dying in 1864 and the mother in 1866. They had two children: Fred, of this review; and Marie, the deceased wife of W. Knief, of Bremer county.

Fred Wehling acquired his education in Germany and in 1873 came to America, settling in Cook county, Illinois where he remained until 1888. In that year he came west and located in Bremer county, Iowa where he rented land. After engaging in farming upon this property for some years he purchased eighty acres and turned his attention to its improvement and development. He cultivated this farm for nine years and then retired from active life, moving into Denver, where he has since resided. His home, which is one of the finest in the town, is set in the midst of ten acres of land and here he enjoys leisure and comfort, the reward of many years of active and well directed labor.

In 1877 Mr. Wehling married Miss Minnie Gomer, who was born in Germany in 1854 and came to America with her parents in 1873. They settled in Chicago, Illinois, and at the end of two years moved into the country, where the father engaged in farming. The mother died in Lakemills, Wisconsin, and her husband survives. He is ninety years of age and has now twenty-five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He and his wife became the parents of five children, the eldest of whom resides in Germany. The others are: Fred, who died in Cook county, Illinois; Minnie, the wife of the subject of this review; Charley, of South Dakota; and Lena who married Gustave Kettelson, of Lakemills, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs Wehling became the parents of eight children; Fred, identified with the Knittel Creamery of Bremer county; William, engaged in farming in Bremer county; John, who is operating the Artesian Creamery, also in Bremer county; Sophia, the wife of Henry Klemp, a lumber dealer in Readlyn; Herman, a graduate of an automobile school in Chicago and now a dealer in automobiles and supplies in Denver; Minnie, at home; and Henry and Louis, who died in childhood.

Mr. Wehling is a member of the Lutheran church and a democrat in his political beliefs. He is now regarded as one of the represtative citizens of Denver and the weight of his influence is always on the side of advancement and growth.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914