Heinrich Halbur, 1899 Biography

HALBUR, SÖVERS, SOEVERS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/13/2007 at 13:24:01

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:

Heinrich Halbur

This man, who has already closed his hard but successful life, and due to his honorable character is still recalled favorably by all the citizens in the southern part of the county, also belongs on the list of old pioneers of Carroll County.

Mr. Heinrich Halbur was born on 2 April 1837 in Westphalia, Germany, and after he had attended school, he dedicated himself to farming and assisted his father on his parents’ farm.

In 1854 he carried out his long-held plan to immigrate to the United States of North America. He made his way to Dubuque County, Iowa, where he worked for several years on various farms. On 3 October 1865, he married the respected Miss Maria Sövers [Soevers], who was born on 17 March 1848 in Cincinnati. Upon her marriage to Mr. Halbur, she received a 160-acre farm as a gift from her parents, where the young couple moved and lived for eight years. In 1873, the young family moved to Roselle Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where they purchased an 80-acre farm on which they built a residence and stables.

Mr. Halbur was a hardworking and capable farmer, who in the course of years brought his real estate holdings to 480 acres, which can be counted as among the most valuable properties in the county. The land has a splendid location, the soil is very productive, and the farm is equipped with large and solid stables, barns, grain bins, and a fine residence.

For many years, the name Halbur has also been connected with the history of this county, because the little town of Halbur, situated on the Southwestern Railway, was named after this family.

On 26 September 1898, this hardworking man, who because of his peaceful and upright character was highly esteemed by all his neighbors and acquaintances throughout the county, ended the earthly course of his life, leaving behind his wife and children in good circumstances. But since the deceased was such a good and caring family father, so is the loss occasioned by his death still painfully felt today by the grieving widow and her children.

This happy and truly Christian marriage produced 11 children, seven of whom have already died and certainly sit at God’s throne united with their father. The names of the children still living are: Heinrich, Anton, Johann, and Anna.