Adam Bayer, 1899 Biography

BAYER, SCHULTES

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 3/3/2007 at 19:01:26

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:

Adam Bayer

Mr. Bayer, of whom the Anniversary Edition presents a fine picture, was born on 24 August 1839 in Trauschendorf, Royal District of Weiden, Oberpfalz, Bavaria. He attended school and received First Holy Communion in Rogenstein. After finishing school, he took up farming and assisted on his parents’ farm until his 17th year. He then learned the trade of miller and traveled through Bavaria and Switzerland. In 1869 he immigrated to America and settled near Lake Superior, Michigan, where he worked at various jobs. On 15 September 1869 he married the respected Miss Theresia Schultes, who was born on 18 August 1845 in Woppenried, Bavaria. In 1873 he moved to Fayette County, Iowa, where he acquired 40 acres of land. In 1875 he moved with his family to Pleasant Valley Township [Carroll County], where he purchased 137 acres of land. The family still lives on this place today, although he has gradually increased his real estate to 862 acres. Adam Bayer is a jovial old man who has risen from the bottom up, and from humble beginnings has acquired a remarkable amount of property. Mr. Bayer and his wife are honest, hospitable Germans and are respected by all their acquaintances. This happy marriage has produced nine children, whose names are: Robert, Johann, Aloysius, Adam, George, Franz, Joseph, Theresia, and Lorenz.