Fritz Sporleder, 1899 Biography

SPORLEDER, WERNER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 11/22/2004 at 19:29:46

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

Fritz Sporleder

Mr. Sporleder was born on 1 April 1851 in Dassel, District of Einbeck, Hannover [Hanover]. When he was three years old, his parents moved to the District of Lüneburg, where he attended school in Drögeniendorf and was confirmed in the local parish-church. He then took up agriculture and worked on various farms in the area until he was 18 years old. At this time, he carried out his long-held plan to emigrate to the Free States of North America. He then crossed the ocean, and arriving in America, he made his way first to Will County, Illinois, where he again took up the plow and worked four years for other farmers. He then went into farming for himself, and rented a farm which he operated for five years. On 26 January 1879, he married Miss Franziska Werner, a well-brought-up and upright young woman, who was born on 26 March 1858 in Seifertshausen, District of Rodenburg [possibly Rotenburg], in Kurhessen. In 1883, Mr. Sporleder and his young wife moved to Grant Township, Carroll County, Iowa, where he purchased 80 acres of land. He took up residence on this farm, built a fine home, and good stalls and barns, and now and then increased his real estate, so that he now calls 320 acres of the best land his own, which by virtue of its fine location is among the best of properties. Mr. Sporleder and his wife are honest German-Americans and enjoy an excellent reputation. This very happy marriage has produced three children, named Anton, Arnold and Maria.

NOTES: Dassel is a town about 40 miles south of Hannover. It is about 10 miles west of Einbeck. Seifertshausen is in central Germany, about 20 to 25 miles southeast of Kassel and about 5 miles northeast of Rotenburg.