Wilhelm Heuton, 1899 Biography

HEUTON, FOKKEN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 9/9/2004 at 01:25:56

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. Information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Wilhelm Heuton

He was born in Ludwigsdorf, district of Aurich, on 9 May 1843. He spent his youth in his home village, where he attended school and was confirmed in the local church. He later began service on a merchant ship, and he traveled to Emden and other inland [river] ports until he was 24 years old. He then emigrated with his mother and brothers to the free states of North America, and upon arrival settled in Adams County, Illinois, where he took up farming. He worked one year for a farmer, and during this time, on 2 June 1868, he married the virtuous Miss Geschen Fokken [or possibly Folken], who was born on 6 April 1843 in Westersander, district of Aurich. At this time, the young couple rented a farm in Adams County, Illinois, and in 1870, they purchased a parcel of land in Champagne County. They sold this land [illegible] and then bought a farm in Adams County. After three years they sold it again and moved to Grant Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where they lived on a rented farm for four years. In 1879, he purchased an 80-acre farm and after a few years increased the size of the farm by about another 80 acres. In 1883, he moved from this farm and rented it to his son-in-law. He then moved to Glidden Township, and after two years he moved to the town of Glidden. A year later, he moved to Pleasant Valley Township, where he lived for seven years. In 1899, he moved back to the town of Glidden. Since Mr. Heuton moved from his farm, he has been employed in hauling milk and dairy products. The Heuton family is very respected and enjoys an excellent reputation. Two children (daughters) complete the familial bliss of this German-American family.

NOTES: The towns mentioned are in Ostfriesland (East Frisia), a region in the northern part of Germany. At one time, they were part of Hanover. Aurich is about 20 miles straight west of Wilhelmshaven. Ludwigsdorf and Westersander are about five miles south of Aurich. Emden is a port on the North Sea at the mouth of the Ems River.