August E. Sibbel

SIBBEL, RIESBERG

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/20/2006 at 22:44:50

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:

August E. Sibbel

This man first saw the light of the world in Sebenrede, Westphalia on 28 April 1866. He spent the years of his youth and attended elementary school there, and when he was released from school, he worked loyally and industriously on his parents’ farm until 1886. His long-held plan to immigrate to the United States then came to fruition, and when he had crossed the ocean, he made his way to Roselle Township, Carroll County, Iowa. At first, he worked with Mr. B. Huffmann, then on the farm of Mr. Schröder [Schroeder] near Manning, then for three years with Mr. Wm. Rupiper in Roselle Township, and in 1892 he purchased a 160-acre farm in Eden Township. On 6 February 1893, he married Miss Bernhardina Riesberg, an upright and Christian young woman, and in the same spring they moved onto his farm, which is especially notable for its location, good soil, and buildings. A very comfortable residence is also located there. He still lives on this farm with his spouse today, respected and esteemed by everyone. Four children are the fruits of this happy marriage, and their names are Francis, Wina, Willi, and Elsa.