Gerhard H. Grütermann [Gruetermann], 1899 Biography

GRÜTERMANN, GRUETERMANN, MANEMANN, BUDDELMEIER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 6/6/2006 at 21:04:02

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:

Gerhard H. Grütermann [Gruetermann]

Although this man, when he first moved to Carroll County, was not initially a land-owner, he must still be counted among the earliest German settlers of Carroll County, because by 1871 we see him engaged in farming on the farm of Mr. Wm. Arts near Breda, and then two years later, he purchased his own fine piece of land in Wheatland Township.

Mr. Grütermann has, therefore, already lived quite a long time in Wheatland Township. And so, it is also easy to understand that, due to his long residence there, he is known by everyone. But the family also is among the best German families in the county. Simple and unpretentious as the family is, it has known the importance of preserving the German traditions. Honesty and integrity are the characteristics of this family, which is respected by all their acquaintances.

Mr. Grütermann was born on the 12th of August 1842 in Baccum, District of Lingen, Province of Hanover. He spent the years of his youth and attended elementary school in his hometown. After finishing school, he took up the plow and worked on neighboring farms until he was 18 years old, and then worked for five years in Belgium and Holland. In the spring of 1869, he crossed the ocean to seek his fortune in the United States of North America. He made his way first to an uncle in Wisconsin, where, however, he remained only a month. He then moved to Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, where he found employment with Mr. Henry Manemann. After two years, we see him on the way to Carroll County, where he worked for four years on the farm of Mr. Wm. Arts near Breda. In 1873, he acquired a farm of 160 acres in Wheatland Township, and after another two years, on the 13th of April, 1875, he married the respectable Miss Maria Theresia Buddelmeier. In 1887, Mr. Grütermann increased his real estate by another 80 acres, which bordered his farm.

The family still lives today on this valuable farm, which is well-equipped with a fine residence and solid stalls and barns.

This very happy marriage has produced eight children, one of whom, however, died at a young age. The names of the children still living are: Helena, Maria, Franz, Heinrich, Anna, Emma, and Louise.

Mr. Grütermann is an old reader of the Carroll Demokrat, who has subscribed to the paper since it was founded.