Leo Fix, 1899 Biography

FIX, SCHNARR

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 5/19/2006 at 19:29:43

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:

Leo Fix

Although this man lives in Viola Township, Sac County, he spends most of his free time in Carroll County, and he is an active member of St. Bernard’s Church in Breda and a faithful reader of the Carroll Demokrat. He was born on 9 December 1843 in Edelbach, Bavaria. After successfully completing school, he wished to learn the trade of tailor, but the business was not to his liking, and so he became a bartender in Aschaffenburg. In 1865, he became a soldier and served with the 6th Rifle Battalion in Zweibrücken. Serving in the front line, he took part in the campaign against Prussia [Austro-Prussian War] and fought at Rossdorf, Kissingen, and Rossbaum. At the end of the war, he was discharged with honors. He then went into the confectionery business in Hanau, and when the war with France [Franco-Prussian War] broke out, he was called again to the flag. He took part in the battles at Weissenburg, Wörth, Marstall, Dull, and Sedan. From 19 September 1870 until 10 March 1871, he was part of the besieging army around Paris. Without becoming wounded, he took part in many battles and engagements, although his comrades fell right and left. One time, even the man in front of him was knocked down, and it was fortunate that the bullet did not pass through and also hit him. In the following year, he immigrated to America, and after working for a time in Benton County, Iowa, and also in a beer brewery in Vinton, he married Miss Kath. Schnarr on 24 May 1875. He then purchased 100 acres of land in Viola Township, Sac County, where the family still lives today. Six children were the fruit of this happy marriage, but three died at a tender age. The still-living children are: Maria, Katharina, and Otto.