Joseph Wiewel, 1899 Biography

WIEWEL, GRAF

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 2/28/2006 at 23:18:50

I translated the following biography from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published in a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the paper on Friday, 20 September 1899. Information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Joseph Wiewel

Whoever has visited the friendly village of Mt. Carmel on a summer day and looked around for a good refreshment has certainly also had the opportunity to get to know the “Bayerischen Hof” [Bavarian Inn], which has been operated for years by Mr. Joseph Wiewel, of whom we print a fine picture in another place in this paper. Mr. Wiewel is a friendly, jovial innkeeper, who is always offers a hospitable reception at any time, and who always keeps an excellent glass of beer on tap.

He was born in Bobenheim, on the Rhine River, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, on 11 September 1837. He received his early education there, and after completing school, he learned the trade of shoemaker from his father. Since his father operated a small farm, he also assisted his father in the fields in his free time. Having been found physically fit for service, he was inducted as a soldier in 1860 and served six years active duty with the 13th Infantry Regiment. As a reservist, he took part in the campaign against Prussia, and when the German Brother War [Austro-Prussian War] ended, he was honorably discharged. He then returned to work with his parents for a short time, and on 19 November 1867, Mr. Jos. Wiewel married Miss Elisabeth Graf. On 1 May 1868, the young couple immigrated to the United States of North America. They settled first in Grant County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Wiewel established a shoemaker shop. On 19 March 1875, he and his wife moved to Mt. Carmel, Carroll County, Iowa, where they acquired a fine home, and Mr. Wiewel worked at his trade and also opened the above-mentioned inn. The Wiewel family lives there still today, highly respected by all their acquaintances. This happy marriage has produced seven children, and those still living are: Joseph, August, Maria, and Johann.