John Liewer, 1899 Biography

LIEWER, WAGENER, SCHRECK

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/29/2005 at 01:18:45

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:

John Liewer

The above-named gentleman was born in Spang, Wittlich County, District of Trier, on 14 February 1837. After successfully completing school, he helped his father in the country [probably farming]. In 1858, he became a soldier and served with the 8th Horse Artillery Regiment in Coblenz. After wearing the uniform of his king for three years, he again took up the plow and worked partly on his own land and partly on rented land. When the war with Austria broke out, Mr. Liewer was once again called to the flag. He took part in the noteworthy battle of Königgrätz, where on 3 July 1866, the Prussians won an enormous victory over the Austrian and Saxon troops, and where they stood against a million enemy soldiers. After this battle, the regiment in which Mr. Liewer was serving marched to Vienna, at which time an armistice was declared and peace was made. Decorated with a war medal, he returned again to his home. He now took up again his old occupation of farming, and on 2 October 1869, he married Miss Anna Maria Wagener, a virtuous and upright young woman who was born in July 1846 in Dudeldorf, District of Trier. They had hardly been married when war with France broke out the following year. Torn from the arms of his dear wife, he rushed to service. He took part in several engagements and the shelling of Paris. Uninjured, and with honors, he returned again to his loving wife. He again took up the plow, and from his labors achieved a good livelihood. In 1881, he immigrated to America, where he settled in Carroll, Carroll County, Iowa. After a year, he rented a farm, and in 1891, he purchased 160 acres of land in Pleasant Valley Township, where the family still lives today, respected and esteemed by everyone. This happy and Christian marriage produced four children: Elisabeth, Mrs. Frank Schreck; Johann; Margaretha; and Katharina.