Fred Neumayer

NEUMAYER, SMITH, THIELEKE, WITTEMAYER

Posted By: Mona Sarratt Knight
Date: 10/25/2015 at 10:06:55

FRED NEUMAYER, one of the pioneer citizens and successful farmers of Carroll County, who is now serving as supervisor from Kniest Township, was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on the 15th of August, 1854. His parents, Charles and Lutgardis (Smith) Neumayer, were both natives of Baden, Germany, the former born February 2, 1812, and the latter, August 12, 1811. In 1850 they emigrated to America and first located in New York state, where they made their home for four years and then removed to Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, whence they came to Iowa, in 1872. They spent their last years in Carroll County, where the mother died on the 21st of October, 1889, and the father passed away on the 22d of November, 1904.

Their only child was Fred Neumayer, the subject of this review. He acquired his education in the common schools of Ottawa, Illinois, and after laying aside his text-books devoted his entire attention to farming, having become thoroughly familiar with that occupation when assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Carroll county, Iowa, in 1872, and is still living on a part of the old homestead, his father having purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1868. To this our subject has added until he now owns eight hundred and forty acres of land in Carroll County, besides a tract of four hundred acres in Oklahoma.

On the 30th of October 1888, Mr. Neumayer was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Thieleke, a daughter of Anton and Marie (Busse) Thieleke, both of whom died in Westphalia, Germany. It was in 1881 that Mrs. Neumayer came to the United States in company with her sister, Mrs. Wittemayer. She had one brother who served in the Civil war and lost a leg in battle. To Mr. and Mrs. Neumayer have been born five sons and they also have an adopted daughter, namely, Charles A., Joseph R., Albert J., Leo W., Anthony A. and Clara.

Mr. Neumayer is a Catholic in religious belief and is a member of the Roman Catholic Protective Association, while in politics he is a democrat. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in public affairs and for eleven years served as township trustee, while at present he is a member of the board of supervisors of Carroll County. He is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of the community and in business affairs has met with remarkable success.

Source: History of Carroll County Iowa, by Paul MacLean, Illustrated, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company (1912) Chicago, Volume II, page 299.