George Rolfes, 1899 Biography

ROLFES, SCHÖßLER, SCHÖTZLER, SCHOESSLER, SCHOETZLER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/19/2007 at 00:30:25

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

George Rolfes

In another location, our readers will find a fine picture of Mr. George Rolfes, who very successfully operates a business in the lively and friendly little town of Halbur. This man was born in September 1855 in Rütenbrock, District of Meppen, Province of Hanover. He attended school there from age 6 to 14. He then assisted his father, who operated a farm and ran an inn [possibly a tavern] in his home. He immigrated to the United States of North America in 1884. Upon arrival here, he settled first in the western town of Omaha. Mr. Rolfes worked there for three years in a tobacco and cigar business, and then four years in a furniture store, and then he moved to Carroll County, Iowa. He rented a business house in Halbur, and after a successful year he purchased the building.

On 16 April 1887, he married Miss Anna Katharina Schößler [or Schötzler, Schoessler, Schoetzler], a well-brought-up young woman who was born on 22 Novemebr 1864 in Hesse-Kassell.

In 1894, Mr. Rolfes purchased a 120-acre farm in Washington Township. This happy marriage has produced five children, the oldest of whom died. The Rolfes family enjoys a fine reputation and they are very popular among all their acquaintances.