Herman F. Wurmke

WURMKE, DIERKS, DAVID, JENSEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/25/2011 at 13:46:13

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Volume 2, Excerpt, pages 1024, 1025, and 1026

HERMAN F. WURMKE

It is somewhat surprising in passing through the farming sections of Clinton and other counties in the great valley of the "Father of Waters" to note the large number of young men who are operating the farms. This is as it should be, for they are full of energy, ambition and are desirous of getting a start, and so much more can be accomplished in the first half of one's life; then, too, it is good to see the old patriarchs, fathers of these young men, who labored long and hard in the clearing and developing of the farms here now enjoying a respite and living in honorable retirement in their pleasant homes. They need the rest and the young blood needs the chance to do something.

One of the young men of Clinton county who is making good as a farmer is Herman F. Wurmke, who is living on the place on which he was born on May 5, 1883. He is the son of Diedrich and Mary Anna Wurmke, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to America in 1858 and 1861, respectively, being then single, having grown to maturity in the Fatherland, and they were married after reaching the United States.

Diedrich Wurmke embarked in a sailing vessel at Hamburg, Germany, and was nine weeks and two days on the water. He landed at New Orleans, where he remained for three years, when, accompanied by two brothers, he went to Davenport, Iowa, by wagon, being three weeks on the road. There he was employed at day labor. He was saving of his money and when he had accumulated eighteen hundred dollars he bought his first land in Clinton county, that being in 1864, and the purchase comprised eighty acres. He was progressive and fifteen years later added one hundred and thirty acres, making a total of two hundred and ten acres, in Hampshire township. He cleared much of this land and placed it under excellent improvements, and had one of the best farms of the community. He was not a public man and lived a quiet and retired life.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Diedrich Wurmke, named as follows: Mrs. Carolina Dierks, of Lincoln. Nebraska; John, who lives in Bloomfield. Nebraska: Mrs. Anna David, of Idaho: Paulina Jensen, who lives in the state of Washington : Emma Amanda lives at home: Bertha Louisa also lives at home; Herman F , of this review. The father of these children was railed to his reward on October 7. 1903 ; the mother is still living.

Herman F. Wurmke was educated in the common schools of his home district, grew up on the farm and has made farming his life work, having assisted his father until his death. He is now the owner of one of the choice farms of the township, consisting of two hundred and ten acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising in a manner that stamps him as being abreast of the times in every respect. He keeps his place well improved and his buildings are substantial and in good repair, in fact, his place presents a pleasing appearance, for he is a good manager and a hard worker, and is deserving of a very high rank in the list of Clinton county's young agriculturists.

Politically, Mr. Wurmke is independent, and has never aspired to public offices. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and is a young man of steady habits. He has remained unmarried.