Sebastian Bruch, 1899 Biography

BRUCH, BERNHOLZ

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/15/2006 at 13:17:59

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:

Sebastian Bruch

Mr. Sebastian Bruch and his family are also among the earliest residents of Kniest Township. A copperplate of Mr. Bruch and his revered spouse, the original of which was taken on the silver anniversary of their wedding, appears in another location [in this paper]. He is one of the largest landowners in Kniest Township, and due to his open and honest character he enjoys the respect of all his fellow-citizens. Mr. Bruch was born on 11 October 1847 in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio. Soon thereafter, in the fall of 1853, his parents moved to New Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa, where little Sebastian received his schooling and received First Holy Communion. He then took up the plow and assisted his father in operating the parental farm. In the spring of 1870, the entire family moved to Kniest Township, Carroll County, where our Sebastian assisted his father in operating the farm for another two years. On 22 May 1872, Mr. Sebastian Bruch married Miss Maria Bernholz, and thereafter moved to his own farm, a property of 426 acres, where he still lives today with his family. On 19 June 1886, his elderly parents celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage, but on 15 October of the following year, the elderly man passed away, entrusting his dear life’s companion, who had already reached the age of 88, to the care of his son. On 3 June 1897, Mr. Bruch and his revered wife celebrated their own silver anniversary, in which a large group of relatives and friends participated. During the long years that Mr. Bruch has lived in Kniest Township, he has been honored to serve in various offices, and still today he is the Treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. This very happy marriage has been blessed with nine children, seven daughters and two sons, who are all still living. The children’s names are: Louise; Clara, a successful teacher; Agnes; Joseph; Francis; Maria; Rose; Laura; and Albert.