Bernard H. H. Wessling, 1899 Biography

WESSLING, GEBHARD

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/6/2005 at 21:57:11

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

Bernard H. H. Wessling

This man, of whom the Anniversary Edition presents an excellent picture, is an old pioneer of Wheatland Township, who, along with his family, enjoys the respect of all the citizens of the township. He was born on 12 March 1829 at Coesfeld, Government District of Münster, Westphalia, Germany. He received his education in the local elementary school. He then took employment with wealthy families in the area of Coesfeld and Billerbeck and remained in this capacity for 20 years. On 26 July 1861, he arrived in Baltimore with his brother Joseph, and made his first stop with an aunt in New Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa. After he had earned his living there for one year, in the fall of 1862, he traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, and served in the Civil War for three years as an administrative carrier [perhaps hauler or courier]. After the war ended, he traveled to Minnesota, but did not find a suitable place to live. In the fall of 1865, he returned to New Vienna, and there, on 30 January 1866, he married Miss Katharina Gebhard, a very virtuous young woman. Thereafter, he was engaged in farming for seven years near Petersburgh [Petersburg], Delaware County, Iowa. In 1873, he purchased 80 acres of land and another 120 acres in 1880, in Wheatland Township, where the family still lives today. The farm is well-equipped with fine buildings and other valuable improvements, and it is well cultivated. In 1893, he purchased an adjoining 80-acre farm, which his son Joseph now successfully operates. This happy marriage has produced 13 children, of whom, however, only six are still living. They are named: Joseph F., George J., Magdalena M., Maria, Anna E., and Johann Hermann.