Joseph Thielke, 1899 Biography

THIELKE, WIEDERIEN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/7/2006 at 16:27:26

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:

Joseph Thielke

Mr. Thielke was born on 30 November 1845 in Eversen, County of Höxter, Westphalia. He attended school in his home village and received First Holy Communion in the local parish church. He then faced his first important question, namely, what sort of occupation to devote himself to. Like his father, he chose to be a peasant farmer and worked on his parents’ property. In 1867 he was called as a soldier and served in the 6th Westphalian Infantry regiment, No. 55, which was garrisoned at Höxter. After three years of service, the war with France began [the Franco-Prussian War]. Herr Thielke marched out with his regiment to war and took part in the battles at Forbach on 6 August, at Collen on 14 August, at Gravelotte on 18 August, and in various actions. The Regiment later marched to the Swiss border in order to offer battle to Garibaldi, but there was no encounter. After the war, Mr. Thielke was honorably discharged with a decoration. After returning back home, he soon prepared to travel, and emigrated to the United States of North America. After he had crossed the ocean and arrived here in America, he made his way immediately to Carroll County, Iowa, where he purchased and operated a 120-acre farm in Grant Township. On 11 April 1877, Mr. Thielke married Miss Louise Wiederien, a virtuous and cultured young woman. In 1894, he built a splendid house, and during the next several years he built barns and stalls, etc. , so that now the farm is among the most valuable in the township. Mr. Thielke, along with his wife and children, enjoy an excellent reputation and are popular with all their acquaintances. This happy marriage has produced six children, whose names are: Edward, August, Anton, Veronika, Wilhelm, and Rosa.