Johann Meisel, 1899 Biography

MEISEL, STANGE, HOFFART, BACKES, HOSCHEID, HOSCHEIT, GUEGEL, WILLIAMS, ROSE

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 3/25/2006 at 11:26:09

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:

Johann Meisel

In the above portrait is presented an excellent picture of Mr. Johann Meisel and his respected wife. Mr. Meisel was born on 2 November 1830 in Odenhausen, District of Erfurt, Province of Saxony. After successfully attending school, he learned the trade of linen weaver, and he lived with his parents until he was 23 years old. On 10 August 1853, he married Miss Friederika Stange, after which he worked another two years at his trade in his hometown. He then immigrated with his young wife to the United States of North America and settled in Peru County, Illinois. He then took up farming, and he rented a farm where he lived for three years with his wife. They then purchased an 80-acre farm in Peru County, and after a few years they purchased an additional 96 acres. They lived on this farm for 29 years, and they then sold the land and moved to Roselle Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where they acquired 120 acres. They later purchased another 85 acres in Washington Township, and a while later another 160 acres, so that their entire real estate consists of 365 acres of the finest land, which, because of its excellent location, its quality of soil, and its good and solid buildings, may be considered among the most valuable of properties. After many years of the greatest industriousness and extremely hard work, the couple longed for retirement. So, Mr. Meisel and his wife purchased an elegant home in the First Ward in Carroll and moved there in 1894, in order to enjoy he fruits of their successful labor. They have lived here now for five years, and they are among the most respected German-American families, and they are very respected and popular among all their acquaintances because of their great integrity and their compassion for the sufferings of others. This very happy marriage has produced seven children: Augusta, married to Mr. Anton Hoffart; Anna, married to Mr. Nickolaus Backes; Johanna, married to Mr. Fred. Hoscheid [possibly should be Hoscheit]; Maria, married to Mr. Albert Hoscheid [Hoscheit]; Heinrich, married to Miss Julia Guegel; Benjamin, married to Miss Katharina Williams; and Emma, married to Mr. Heinrich Rose.