Georg A. Poeppe, 1899 Biography

POEPPE, WERNIMONT, LUDWIG

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/16/2006 at 16:05:22

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:

Georg A. Poeppe

With special pleasure, the Anniversary Edition brings the biography of this man, who indeed enjoys an excellent reputation, and not just among the German citizens, but also among those of the English tongue.

Mr. Poeppe is a Son of the Red Earth [Westphalian] who is a credit to his small hometown. He was born on 23 April 1863 in Rolfzen, Westphalia. After successfully attending elementary school, he entered the Gymnasium [advanced high school] in Steinheim. By the time he was 18 years old, he had quickly completed all the classes of this excellent school, and in that same year he carried out his long-held plan of emigrating to the United States of North America. Upon arriving, he made his way to Carroll County, Iowa, where he initially made himself useful in various jobs, and through his industrious attendance in the public school, he acquired a thorough command of the English language. He then attended the Teaching School for several years, and since then Mr. Poeppe has been one of the most successful and popular teachers in the public schools in Kniest Township. On 11 February 1890, he married Miss Helena Wernimont, an esteemed young lady from Kniest Township. In 1891, he moved with his wife to Mt. Carmel, where Mr. Poeppe took over a general merchandise business. At the same time, he was granted the position of Postmaster by the Postal Service. After a few yeas, he went in as a shareholder with “Ludwig Brothers” and the firm was then called “Poeppe and Ludwigs.” Since 1892, Mr. Poeppe has been the owner of a 160-acre farm in Antelope County, Nebraska, and in 1897 he purchased a 120-acre farm in Kniest Township, which he increased a year later by 40 acres. In late fall of the same year, he built a large, comfortable house and stalls on this farm. After he gave up his business in Mt. Carmel in the beginning of 1899, he moved to this farm so that, in addition to his teaching occupation, he could devote his leisure hours to farming. This happy marriage has produced five children, two of which, however, died at a tender age. The names of the still-living children are George, Theresia, and Theodor.

NOTES: Mr. Poeppe was one of several Germans from the area around Steinheim and Rolfzen to emigrate to Carroll County. The Wiedemeier and Reineke families came from Steinheim. In addition to Georg Poeppe, the Klocke, Spieker, and Pietig families came from Rolfzen. The Thielke family also came from the nearby village of Eversen. There are probably other families from the area who also settled in Carroll County.