Wilhelm Lesle, 1899 Biography

LESLE, KROHN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 2/28/2006 at 23:45:50

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:

Wilhelm Lesle

This man was born in Zaatzke, near Wittstock, Province of Brandenburg, on 4 May 1831. After successfully completing school, he devoted himself to farming, and in 1854, he went to Spandau as a soldier in the 24th Infantry Regiment. After two and a half years of service, he was honorably discharged. He then married Miss Louise Krohn, a fine young lady. In 1857, he and his wife came by way of Canada to America, where they settled near Burlington, Wisconsin. After 12 years there, the family moved to Sac Township, Sac County, Iowa, where they purchased a 120-acre property. From 1865 to 1866, he was inducted as a soldier in the United States Army and was then discharged with honors. He then returned again to the plow, and after selling the above-mentioned farm, he acquired a 160-acre farm in the same township. Gradually, Mr. Lesle purchased another 240 acres, but he later signed 80 acres each to both of his sons. In 1891, Mr. Lesle and his wife retired from farming and moved to the little town of Auburn to enjoy the fruits of their successful labor, but unfortunately his dear life’s companion died on 11 April 1894. This happy marriage produced five children, two of whom died at a young age. Mr. Lesle was a loyal subscriber to the Demokrat and has been a constant and attentive reader since it first appeared. May the jovial old man be granted sunny twilight years.