Clemens Kohorst, 1899 Biography

KOHORST, ROSSAUER, KERPER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 2/23/2007 at 14:44:24

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:

Clemens Kohorst

Mr. Kohorst was born on 7 August 1847 in Dinklage, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. After he was released from school, he learned the trade of merchant. He was inducted into the military in 1868 and served in the 91st Oldenburg Infantry Regiment. In the fall of 1869, he was honorably discharged as a noncommissioned officer. In the summer of 1870, when the war with France [Franco-Prussian War] broke out, he was again called to arms. He took part in the notable battle of Mars-la-Tour, as well as 16 other battles and actions. With Prince Friedrich Karl, he marched with the Army out of Metz to the south because the commanding officer wanted to confront [French General] Bourbaki, who was ultimately defeated during 15 to 17 January. At the time of the armistice, there were still eight men present who had marched out in the beginning with the company (256 men strong) in which Mr. Kohorst served. In the summer of 1871, he was decorated with honors and honorably discharged.

After a year, he immigrated to America, and after visiting friends and acquaintances for three weeks in Cincinnati, he made his way to New Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa, where he worked for farmers for a few years. He then worked for a while with Mr. Jac. Kerper, and in 1877 he came to the little town of Roselle, in Carroll County, where he established a general merchandise business. In November of the same year, he married Miss Korolina Rossauer, a virtuous young lady who passed away on 2 April 1889, leaving her spouse with five children. In 1882 he established the Rose Valley Creamery, and in 1884 he was named postmaster, which office he still holds today. Mr. Kohorst is a trustworthy, honest businessman who enjoys an excellent reputation and who has earned the fullest support of all his fellow-citizens.