Johann B. Lemker, 1899 Biography

LEMKER, BOECKER, SANDERS, KUHL

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/6/2004 at 00:39:51

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:

Johann B. Lemker

The bearer of this name, who is among the most intelligent and influential farmers in Carroll County, was born in Salzburg, Westphalia, Germany on 9 December 1844. After he had attended school there up to age 16, he took up agriculture and emigrated to America in 1860. He landed in New Orleans, and then made his way to Galena, Illinois, where he learned wagon building and carpentry. First, he lived near Galena, Illinois, then near Dubuque, Iowa, then in New Vienna, and in the mean time worked alternately at farming or at his trade. In February of 1871, he married Miss Maria Kuhl, whereupon the young couple moved to a parcel of land near Galena that belonged to his young wife. After selling the farm, they moved to Carroll Township [later Maple River Township] in the spring of 1876, where Mr. Lemker had earlier purchased 300 acres of prairie. Over time, he made the farm quite comfortable and built there a fine residence and good solid stalls. Later, he purchased an additional 180 acres, as well as another 200 acres in Marshall County, so that he and his wife now have real estate holdings of 680 acres. This happy marriage has produced eight children, whose names are: Hermann; Anna, married to Mr. Heinrich Böcker [Boecker]; Maria, married to Mr. Jos. Sanders; Bernhard; Theresia; Franz; Elisabeth; and Joseph.