Hermann J. Wess, 1899 Biography

WESS, BRINKEL, KROGMANN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/3/2006 at 19:08:53

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:

Hermann J. Wess

This man, who appears with his respected wife in a photo in the Anniversary Edition, was born on the 5th of June, 1843 in Bahne, County of Lingen, Province of Hanover. As a young man, he worked for six years on a farm in Ellbergen, and when he was 21 years old he was inducted into military service. He served in the Royal Hanoverian Guards Regiment, 7th Company. After one and a half years of service, he was released with the recognition that he had “served in the above regiment loyally and faithfully, and bravely in the field.” The next spring, he was again called to arms because war had been declared between Prussia and Austria [Austro-Prussian War]. Mr. Wess took part in the memorable battle of Langensalza, at which the entire Hanoverian Regiment surrendered [to the Prussians]. After spending a year at home, being now subject to Prussian service, he was called up and sent to Höxter, where he was trained in the Prussian military system. During 1868 and 1869, Mr. Wess stayed with his parents. In 1870, the war broke out with France [Franco-Prussian War], and he was again called to the flag and assigned as a fusilier to the 10th Army Corps, East Franconian Infantry Regiment No. 78, Depot Battalion, He took part in the battle near Saarbrücken and the encounters near Metz, and finally was ordered detached away with a transport from Paris to Saarbrücken. Mr. Wess was slightly wounded three times, and one day he was startled when an enemy bullet struck the camp cooking kettle.

On the 28th of October, 1871, he married Miss Maria Brinkel, a virtuous and fine young woman. This very happy marriage has produced five children, named: Anna, wife of Mr. H. H. Krogmann in Adrian, Minnesota; Bernhard; Rosina; George; and Joseph. In 1881, the family immigrated to America, and they settled in Breda, Iowa, where Mr. Wess purchased property in town. Later he purchased five acres inside the town limits, where he built a fine residence and stables, and in his spare time he works successfully at making wooden shoes. The Wess family has maintained the German customs and is respected and esteemed by everyone.