Joseph Feld, 1899 Biography

FELD, KUEMPEL, KÜMPEL

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 3/11/2007 at 19:03:31

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:

Joseph Feld

This man also belongs on the list of old settlers because he has lived in Carroll County since 1876 and has contributed greatly to the development of this county. Therefore, both he and his family are well-known throughout the county and enjoy an excellent reputation. Mr. Feld was born on 3 July 1845 in Eitorf, County of Siegburg, on the Rhine. He attended elementary school there, and after he had received First Holy Communion, he attended private school until his 18th year. He then took up farming and worked on his parents’ farm. At the age of 21, he crossed the ocean to seek his fortune in America. He made his way first to Mendota, Illinois, and he arrived there in March 1867. He then worked steadily on various farms until 1876, and on 15 February 1876 he married Miss Katharina Kümpel, a well-brought-up and cultured young lady. He then moved to Grant Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where had purchased 160 acres of land three years earlier. It was still uncultivated virgin soil that he worked, building himself a house and stables, etc., and he has lived on this farm since then. Mr. Feld now possesses real estate consisting of 340 acres of the finest land, and the old homestead is equipped with a fine residence as well as other solid buildings. Through inheritance, Mr. Feld received a share of a very successful and valuable silver mine in Colorado. Mr. Joseph Feld and his wife and children are honest German-Americans and are popular everywhere. This happy marriage has produced seven children, one of whom died at a tender age. The names of the children still living are: Johanna G., Wilhelm, Johann Joseph, Emma H., Johann H., and Frank E.