Anton Hölker [Hoelker], 1899 Biography

HÖLKER, HOELKER, MEIS, KLEIN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/13/2007 at 13:26:30

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:

Anton Hölker [Hoelker]

The above-named man has done quite well for himself around Halbur, because he led a very brisk life in mercantile affairs, established a large grocery and dry goods business, conducted in his day a profitable trade in produce, and finally founded the well-known butter creamery in Halbur. However, he has for some time been retired from all business in order to enjoy the fruits of his difficult labors in peace.

Mr. Hölker was born on 3 October 1847 in Billerbeck, Westphalia. He immigrated to America in 1869 and settled in New Vienna, Iowa. In 1871 he married Miss Elisabeth Meis, and in 1873 the young couple moved to Roselle, Carroll County, where they operated a general merchandise business until 1881. Thereafter, they moved to the little town of Halbur, where they established a similar business. At this time, Mr. Hölker’s wife passed away. In 1892, after he had grieved the heavy loss of his dear wife for many years, he married the well-brought-up and respected Miss Wilhelmina Klein, with whom he has lived happily ever since.

It was also a heavy blow for the man when his son Bernhard was killed in an accident in the grain elevator at Halbur. In addition to this son, he also had two daughters, one of whom has died, and four sons, namely: Frank, who resides in Oklahoma, Anton, Hermann, Anna, and Wilhelm.