Christian Löffelholz [Loeffelholz], 1899 Biography

LOEFFELHOLZ, WILKINS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/16/2006 at 15:54:33

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:

Christ. Löffelholz [Christian Loeffelholz]

Anyone who is acquainted with the residents of Kniest [Township] also has the pleasure of knowing the jovial Christ. Löffelholz, of whom we publish [in another place in this paper] an excellent picture. Mr. Christ. Löffelholz was born on 25 April 1840 in Heuthen, County of Heiligenstadt, District of Erfurt, Province of Saxony, Germany, where he received his youthful education. After being released from school, he devoted himself to agriculture. He helped his father in operating the parental farm, but when he was 17 years old, he had the misfortune to lose his father through death. He worked on various farms up until 1864, when he took up the hiking staff and toured Bavaria, Wuerttemberg, and the beautiful Father Rhine. He stayed for three weeks in Alsace-Lorraine, and on 31 October 1865, he carried out his long-held decision to travel to the free country of America. On 1 January 1866, he set foot on the shore of America, landing in New York Harbor. He immediately turned towards the West, and settled in New Vienna, Iowa. At first he worked in a woolen mill, then in a brewery, and in 1869 he worked as a clerk in a store while also assisting in a barroom. On 26 April 1870, he came to Kniest Township, Carroll County to work a piece of land in that township which he had purchased a year earlier. On 15 June 1870 he married Miss Margaretha Wilkens, and this bride and groom were the first couple to be proclaimed married at St. Mary’s Church in Mt. Carmel by Rev. Father Heimbucher. While Mr. Christ. Löffelholz has been living on his land in Kniest Township, he has equipped his farm with a splendid residence as well as solid buildings, so that his farm may be counted among the best in Kniest Township. On account of his straightforward and open character, he is esteemed and popular and enjoys the respect of all his acquaintances. In the Mt. Carmel Protection Society Against Fire, he has at various times held important offices and is on the board of directors. On 15 June 1895, he and his dear wife celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, in which all their acquaintances very happily participated. Unfortunately, the worthy couple has not been immune from the decrees of God. After five of their children had died, a brave and virtuous daughter had to undergo a dangerous operation due to a tumor, and she succumbed to her illness on 11 May 1899, at the age of 24 years, 3 months, and 15 days. She is deeply mourned by her sorely tested parents, her loving siblings, and all her acquaintances. The names of the children still living are: Bernhard, Maria, Johann, Franz Martin, Joseph Albert, and Theresia Elisabeth.