Frederick M. Hemmerling

HEMMERLING, KEGEL, ROSEBROUGH, DAVISON, COLLIER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 17:11:53

FREDERICK M. HEMMERLING is one of the prominent farmers of Beaver Township, Grundy County, and is another of the representatives that the great nation of Germany has sent to our shores. Like so many others, he has found the land of his adoption a very pleasant and fruitful one.

Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, July 21, 1838, and is the son of Martin and Mary J. (Kegel) Hemmerling, also natives of the Fatherland. Martin Hemmerling was a stonemason by trade, and at the same time carried on the occupation of gardening. The parental family included seven children, namely: Christian J., Frederick M. (our subject), Gusta, Mary D., William G., Johanna M. and August J. The mother, who received a good education in Germany, was again married two years after the decease of our subject’s father, and in 1858 came to the United States, locating in Stephenson County, Ill. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and departed this life in 1861, when in the forty-ninth year of her age. Martin Hemmerling, who also was a member of the Lutheran Church, died of cholera in his native county in 1855, aged forty-four years.

Frederick Hemmerling emigrated to this country in company with his mother, and located in Rockford, Ill., where he began life on his own account. His first work was on a farm, and later he followed his trade of a mason until the outbreak of the Civil War. Then, being desirous of entering the service, he enlisted September 6, 1861, and became a member of Company D, Thirty-ninth Illinois Regiment. His term of enlistment expiring three years later, he again joined the ranks in January, 1864, and fought until the close of the war. He did brave and valiant service, and participated in the following well known battles: Bath, W. Va., Winchester, Strasburg, Woodstock, Morris Island, Fts. Wagner, Gregg, Richmond and Pike, and Drury’s Bluffs.

In the last named battle Mr. Hemmerling was taken a prisoner and sent to Petersburg, and thence, June 22, 1864, he was transferred to Andersonville Prison, where he remained in confinement until September 13. On the above date he and many of his comrades were loaded on a train which was to take them to their lines for exchange. When about three miles out of Andersonville the train ran off the track, and in this wreck Mr. Hemmerling was badly injured, having two ribs broken, his arm badly crushed, his ear cut and his hip broken. He was then taken back to Andersonville Prison, together with the other soldiers who were not killed in the wreck, and during his illness which followed does not remember how long he remained there. On convalescing, however, he was exchanged, and later participated in the siege of Petersburg, Ft. Gregg and Appomattox. During his service, Mr. Hemmerling was made Corporal of his regiment, November 1, 1862, and March 1, 1865, was promoted to the position of Sergeant. Being mustered out a Norfolk, Va., December 6, 1865, he returned to Illinois, and ten days later received his final payment at Springfield. He saw much hard service during that time, and now draws a pension of $6 per month.

On the establishment of peace, Mr. Hemmerling thought to continue work at his trade, but soon found that he was unfitted to do so on account of the injuries received in the wreck. In 1866 he came west to Iowa, and a year later purchased a quarter-section of land in Beaver Township, Grundy County, where he is residing at the present time. He has been a hard worker, and by good financial management has added to his property until he now owns a fine estate of six hundred and forty acres, comprising some of the best land in the state.

Our subject has been very popular among his fellow-townsmen, and among the many positions which he has held are those of Justice of the Peace and School Director. As may be supposed, he is an enthusiastic Grand Army man, and is an influential member of Robert Olmstead Post No. 243, at New Hartford. He is also connected with the Legion of Honor. In religious affairs he supports the Lutheran Church, of which he is a member.

March 30, 1868, Mr. Hemmerling married Mrs. Margaret J. Rosebrough, widow of J. M. Rosebrough, and the daughter of James M. and Caroline M. (Davison) Collier. The father of Mrs. Hemmerling was born in England, of Scotch parents, while his good wife came from New Brunswick. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of six children, who bear the names of Eddy G., Nellie J., Willis F., Rosa G., Harrison J. and Freddie C. Mrs. Hemmerling was born, reared and educated on a farm in Illinois, and after her removal to Iowa taught school for four terms. Mr. Hemmerling is one of the influential and highly respected citizens of Grundy County, and is now living a life of retirement on his fine estate. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, and is always found ready to aid in any means for the upbuilding of his community.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894

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