Bernhard A. Espenhöver [Espenhoever], 1899 Biography

ESPENHÖVER, ESPENHOEVER, HÜSSMANN, BRÜNEMANN, BRUENEMANN, HUESSMANN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/20/2007 at 11:34:46

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:

Bernhard A. Espenhöver [Espenhoever]

Mr. Espenhöver, of whom the Anniversary Edition presents a fine portrait, was born on 11 August 1851 in Ottmarsbochholt, County of Lüdinghausen, Westphalia. He attended the schools in his home village, and after he successfully finished and had received First Holy Communion, he took up farming. In November 1871, he put on the King’s colors and served as a foot-soldier in the Fourth Guards Regiment, which was garrisoned at Spandau. For three years he wore the uniform of the Kaiser and was then discharged with honors.

When he returned home, he again turned to agricultural work and found employment with his uncle on a farm. For a long time he had held a plan to seek his fortune in the United States of North America, and he carried out this plan in 1882. Upon arrival here in America, he first made his way to the family of his brother Theodore, who lives in Roselle Township, Carroll County, Iowa. After a few weeks, he took a job with Mr. B. Hüssmann [Huessmann] until the following spring.

On 6 February 1883, he married Miss Bertha Brünemann [Bruenemann], a young lady from Westphalia, whom Mr. Espenhöver had known in the old fatherland. He then rented a farm in Roselle Township, where he and his young wife moved and where they successfully farmed for six years. Mr. Espenhöver then purchased a 160-acre farm in the same township, not far from the friendly little town of Roselle. Over time they remodeled and enlarged the residence, built stables, and so forth, so that the farm is now among the most valuable properties in the township. Mr. Espenhöver and his wife are children of the red earth [nickname for Westphalians], who have preserved the good old German customs and traditions, but especially their dear native language. They are genuine, honest Westphalians, who deserve the respect they are paid by their acquaintances. This Christian marriage has produced two children, named Heinrich and Wilhelmina.