Heinrich Wurzer, 1899 Biography

WURZER, KERPER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/15/2005 at 16:25:28

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:

Heinrich Wurzer

A fine portrait showing Mr. Wurzer and his respected wife adorns the Anniversary Edition of the Carroll Demokrat. This man was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, on 21 December 1859. He there attended the public and parish schools, and completed his education in Willey, Carroll County, where his parents had moved. He then took up farming and worked loyally and industriously on his parents’ farm until he was 24 years old. He then rented the farm of Mr. Theod. Kerper, and on 16 October 1883, he married Miss Gertrude Kerper, a respected and virtuous young woman. The young wife was born in Röhl, County of Bittburg [Germany], on 8 March 1865. In 1865, she immigrated to America with her parents, who later purchased land and settled in Carroll County.

Right after the wedding, the young couple obtained a beautiful farm of 160 acres near the little town of Willey, given by Mr. Wurzer’s parents. After a year, the couple moved to this farm, and they have operated it since then with good success. He improved the farm, built barns, stalls, and a fine residence, and in 1898 he added another 80 acres of land. It is a beautiful farm, distinguished by its location and the good quality of its soil.

This very happy marriage has produced eight children, namely: Anna, Barbara, Maria, Gertrude, and Franziska. The sons are Johann, Heinrich, and Lorenz.