Wessel, John 1823 - 1901

WESSEL, GRIEM

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:22

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer July 30, 1901, FP, C4

John Wessel, an old settler in this county, died at his home in Paris twp., last Friday and was buried on Monday. He died quite suddenly, having been sitting on the porch but a few minutes before his death although his health has been gradually failing all summer.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Sept. 20, 1901, LP, C7

Obituary.
John Wessel was born February 13th 1823, at Schlackendorf, Provinz Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany. Soon after his birth he was baptized according to the custom of the Evang. Lutheran church. He went to school at Call in the same Provinz, completed his term with good success and was also instructed in religion and confirmed. After confirmation he became a shepherd, to which calling he adhered as long as he lived in Germany. He was married to Anna Griem, June 10th, 1853, by Rev. Rirhahn, which marriage was blessed with ten children. Five days after their marriage they came to America after a long voyage of 8 weeks and 3 days. They settled first in Alarie, Ohio, where they remained two years and a half; here Mr. Wessel worked in a stone quarry. From Alarie they moved to Watertown, Wis., and stayed there one year and came to Madison, Wis., where they lived for 14 years, he made his living there by digging wells In 1870 they came to Paris twp., Howard county, Iowa, and bought the farm where he lived over 30 years. He was one of the pioneers of Howard county and had seen very hard times, but he also lived to see better days. Mr. Wessel was always strong and healthy but the death of his beloved son, John, in 1898, was a great shock to him. Since the spring of this year his health failed more and more, but he never complained. Two days before his end he took the Lord’s supper and made ready for the other world. He died quietly Saturday, July 27th, 1901, at 1:30 a. m. He leaves a widow and four children who mourn the loss of a kind and dear husband and father. His neighbors lose in him a peaceful, honest and upright man. Mr. Wessel was a member of the Martins Congregation of Davis Corners, Iowa, and as a church member has set a good example both in attending the services and in giving freely for all the purposes of the congregation. The funeral was held by his pastor Rev. C. Niedermeier, of Cresco. The interment was in the New Oregon cemetery. May he rest in peace.

New Oregon Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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