George Bierl,Sr., 1899 Biography

BIERL, ROEDEL

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 5/2/2004 at 16:31:37

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:

George Bierl

In another place, the friendly reader will find an accurate picture of Mr. George Bierl and his good wife. This gentleman is a prominent farmer, well known in the entire county, who enjoys an excellent reputation. Mr. Bierl was born in Schwarzenberg, Bavaria, on 3 June 1844, where he grew from a child to a boy, from a boy to a young man, and from a young man to a man. Thus, here is the place he spent the years of childhood play, attended school, and, after completing school, turned to agriculture, at which he was later very successful. He worked on various farms until he was called to military service. He entered the 11th Infantry Regiment was just at the time of the armistice, and then peace was declared following the campaign of 1866. He served two years active duty.

As he had been acquainted with a respectable young woman for some time, he decided to marry. The wedding took place on 24 July 1868, and the chosen one was the virtuous Miss Franziska Rödel.

In 1870, when the war with France broke out, he again answered the call of his king and took part in the campaign. He participated in the Battle of Orleans and several other engagements, and was discharged on 25 February 1871.

Soon thereafter came the notion of emigrating to the Free States of North America. The plan, after careful consideration, came to fulfillment, and so in 1875, he crossed the ocean with his family to try his luck in this progressive country. He settled first in Gutenberg, Iowa, and after he and his family had lived there one year, they moved to Eden Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where Mr. Bierl bought 80 acres of land. He worked with great success, and now and then increased his real estate, so that today it amounts to 460 acres. The farm is well equipped, has good stables, barns, grain bins, and a fine, comfortable house. The land is also first rate, so that the extensive farm may be counted among the finest properties in Eden Township.

Mr. Bierl and his wife and children are well liked everywhere, and enjoy a good reputation. This happy marriage has produced six children whose names are: Johann, Joseph, Franziska, Anton, George, and Maria.

NOTES: George Bierl was born “Georg” Bierl, and was sometimes called George Bierl, Sr. The town of Schwarzenberg, Bavaria is located in southeast Germany, northeast of Regensburg, and very close to the Czech Republic border. The war referred to in the article is the Franco-Prussian War. I have seen his wife’s maiden name spelled various ways, including, Rail, Roedel, Rohrl, Roehrl. This article spelled it Rödel, with two dots above the “o.” The two dots (called an Umlaut) above the “o” can also be spelled by adding an “e” after the “o” when writing in English. George and Franziska Bierl are buried in Templeton, Iowa.