Friedrich Reimann, 1899 Biography

REIMANN, HENKENIUS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/3/2006 at 20:00:13

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. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Friedrich Reimann

Mr. Reimann is a son of the red earth [nickname for Westphalian] and was born in Hegensdorf, County of Büren [Bueren], Westphalia, on 13 March 1839. After his school years, he worked first on a farm with his parents until he was liable for military service. He served his king in the 39th Infantry Regiment, which was garrisoned in Koblenz [Coblenz]. In 1866, after he had been discharged for one year, the war with Austria [Austro-Prussian War] broke out. And Mr. Reimann followed the call of his king and took part in the battles and encounters at Hühnefeld, Hammelsburg, Bischofsheim, etc. After the war ended, he worked again for a time with his parents, and he then immigrated to America. For five years he worked on farms near Petersburg and New Vienna [Iowa], and in 1872 he came to Carroll County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm in Wheatland Township. On 11 February 1873, Mr. Reimann gave his hand in marriage to Miss Bernhardina Henkenius, and then the young couple moved to the previously purchased farm, where they lived for 18 years. They then sold the farm and acquired 160 acres of land in Eden Township, where they still live today. Mr. Reimann belongs on the list of old pioneers, and he and his wife and children enjoy an excellent reputation. Twelve children were the fruits of this happy marriage, two of whom died at a young age. The names of the other children are: Joseph, Elisabeth, Bernhard, Maria, Friedrich, Johann, Theresia, Katharina, Dina, and Bertha.