Hermann J. Brüggenkamp, 1899 Biography

BRÜGGENKAMP, BRUGGENKAMP, BRUEGGENKAMP, NIELANDER, NIELAENDER, NIELÄNDER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/1/2005 at 12:31:25

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:

Herm. J. Brüggenkamp

He was born on 15 February 1840 at Gressen, Government District of Münster, Westphalia, Germany. He received his schooling and youthful upbringing in his homeland, and upon release from school he worked on his father’s property. As a youth of 22 years, he immigrated to America. He made his way first to New Vienna, Iowa, where he worked for 10 years on various farms. In 1872, he purchased a parcel of 80 acres of virgin soil in Wheatland Township [Carroll County], where he moved in the following year. In 1877, he purchased another 80 acres of adjoining land, where he and his family live, and which is well equipped with valuable buildings and other improvements. On 5 October 1875, he married Miss Katharina Nieländer, a virtuous young lady. Mr. Brüggenkamp and his wife are honest German-Americans, who enjoy the respect of all their fellow-citizens. This perfect marriage has produced seven children, namely: Hermann, Heinrich, Maria, Katharina, Anton, Josephina, and Bernardina.

NOTES: According to cemetery records, Hermann Brüggenkamp died on 27 August 1909 and is buried in St. Bernard Cemetery in Breda.