George Danzer, 1899 Biography

DANZER, NAGL

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 9/18/2004 at 15:42:43

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:

George Danzer

Mr. Danzer was born in Hub, in the parish of Kinzing, Bavaria, on 6 February 1856. He spent his earliest years in Hub, where he attended school for a few years. His parents then moved to Kirging in the same parish, where little George continued with his schooling until age 13. He then took up the plow, and alternated working for his father and on other farms. He was drafted as a soldier in 1882, and served with the sovereign’s [probably either the King of Bavaria’s or a prince’s] own personal infantry regiment for two years, and then he received an honorable discharge. He then worked a year with his brother, and two years on other farms. Then he carried out his long-held plan to try his luck in America. Upon arriving here in the United States, he came immediately to Roselle Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where he initially stayed for a few weeks with his relatives. He then moved to Washington Township, where he worked on a farm for a few years. During this time, he purchased 120 acres of prairie in Pleasant Valley Township where he later moved. On 14 August 1885, Mr. Danzer married Miss Maria Nagl, a respected young woman. He had previously taken care of providing suitable buildings and a comfortable house on his property. He still lives on this farm with his wife, respected and highly regarded by all his acquaintances. This happy marriage has produced six children named: Maria, George, Franziska, Theresia, Joseph, and Crescenz. Mr. Danzer later purchased another 80 acres in the same township, 40 acres in Newton Township, and 80 acres in Pleasant Valley Township, so that today he calls 320 acres of land his own. For his great success he may thank hard work, perseverance, and most of all the cultivation of barley, for which he has received a very good price for several years.

NOTES: The locations of the German towns are difficult to find with certainty. Kinzing may refer to Kinsing, which today is part of Salzweg, north of Passau in southeastern Germany. There does not appear to be a Kirging. There is a village called Hub, listed as being in the jurisdiction of Passau.