Nickolaus Kirsch, 1899 Biography

KIRSCH, NEPPEL, NEPPLE

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 4/25/2004 at 16:15:35

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. I have not changed the place or name spellings, but I have added some notes at the end. It reads as follows:

Nickolaus Kirsch

This gentleman is also a very old settler of Carroll County, for he has lived in Roselle Township since 1872. He is among the most progressive farmers in Carroll County, and has not only invested much effort to introduce a superior breed of cattle, but also has been constantly intent on cultivating the best varieties of corn here.

Mr. Kirsch was born in Holsdum, County of Bittburg, Germany, on 4 December 1813. After finishing school, he worked on his parents’ farm or with other farmers. He came to America in 1867, and settled first in Wisconsin, where, however, he remained only one year. He then moved to Illinois where he worked again for seven years, and in 1872 he settled in Roselle Township, Carroll County, Iowa. He purchased a 120-acre parcel of land that he has farmed successfully since then, and has furnished it with fine buildings. On 15 April 1875, Mr. Kirsch married the virtuous Miss Katharina Neppel. This marriage has produced six children, three of whom died at a tender age. The names of those still living are: Andreas, Maria, and Katharina. The Kirsch family enjoys a good reputation and is much liked everywhere.

NOTES: The article states that he was born in “Holsdum” in “Bittburg” County, Germany. I am reasonably certain that this should be the town of “Holsthum,” which is just a few miles southwest of “Bitburg.” Both towns are in the far west part of Germany, about 20 miles northwest of the city of Trier, and very close to the Luxemburg border. The article also says that he came to America in 1867, worked one year in Wisconsin and seven years in Illinois, and then came to Roselle Township in 1872. The dates do not add up.