John Manderscheid, b. 12 May 1833

ANSCH, ALTMAN, DEDLER, GOEDERT, SIREN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 23:28:05

Hon. John Manderscheid is a fine representative of the German element that has done so much toward the development of Jackson County, and is an important factor in its present material prosperity. He was a pioneer of the county, and is one of the most prominent and influential of the German settlers in the northwestern part of the county. He has for many years been closely connected with its agricultural interests, and owns and occupies one of the finest farms in Richland Township.

Our subject was born May 12, 1833, in the village of Neudorff, in the German Province of Luxembourg. His father, Henry Manderscheid, was a native of the same village, where his father, also named Henry, a farmer, passed his life. The father of our subject was a stonemason by trade, and became a contractor in that line. In the year 1856 he left his native land forever to found a new home for himself and family in the United States of America, and, locating in Tete des Morts Township, this State, bought 100 acres of land, and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, excepting the last year of it, which he spent in retirement in Le Mars, where he rounded out eighty-two years of existence, in 1877. Politically, he was a supporter of the Democratic party; religiously, he was a Catholic, firm in the faith of his fathers. The mother of our subject died in Germany while yet a young woman, in 1840. Her maiden name was Mary Margaret Ansch, and she was born in the German Province of Luxembourg, where her father, Henry Ansch, was a farmer. Four children were born of her marriage: Peter and Henry died in Germany; Jacob was a victim of the late war, in which he served three years, and contracted a disease, of which he died.

John, the subject of this biography, received a very good education in the excellent schools of his native village, which he attended until he was thirteen years old, becoming proficient both in the French and German languages. When seventeen years old he learned the mason's trade, which he pursued in the Fatherland until he left it in the spring of 1855, to try his fortunes in the New World, embarking at Antwerp on the sailing-vessel "Anna Kimball," and after a pleasant voyage of forty-five days landed in the city of Boston. He came from there to Tete des Morts, Iowa, where he secured employment on a farm. One year later he resumed work at his old trade of a stonemason, and the ensuing five years was engaged in contracting and building. In 1863 he came to Richland Township, having decided to give his attention to agriculture, for which he had a natural taste, and bought 100 acres of uncultivated prairie land, on which there were scarcely any improvements. He went diligently to work to grub and clear it, and fence it, having first erected a log house for his shelter. He has since bought 120 acres of land adjoining, and now has 220 acres of as fine farming land as is to be found in the vicinity under his management, 180 acres under plow, beautiful groves and an orchard adding to the attractions of the scenery, with springs and an abundance of running water, Cottonville Creek passing through the farm, and all the modern conveniences for conducting agriculture profitably. There is a neat and commodious set of buildings on the place, including a good-sized, conveniently-arranged dwelling, 24x40 feet, wing 24x16 feet, and two substantial barns, 36x63 feet, and 40x38 feet, respectively. Mr. Manderscheid has his farm well stocked with graded Durhams, Poland-China hogs (raising a car load each year), and has ten valuable blooded Norman horses, and uses three teams about the farm work.

Mr. Manderscheid has been twice married. The first time in Galena, Ill., in 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Altman, a native of Luxembourg, Germany. The young wife and mother died in 1861, after a brief wedded life of scarcely two years, leaving a child, Annie M., who is now grown to womanhood, and is the wife of A. Dedler, of Le Mars. The second marriage of our subject occured Dec. 29, 1862, in Bellevue Township, on which occasion he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Susannah Goedert. She is a native of Germany, born in the village of Garnich, Feb. 18, 1843. Her father, Nicholas Goedert was also a native of Germany, and was there reared to the life of a farmer. In 1861, with his wife and children, he left Antwerp on the sailing-vessel "Katie Sampson," bound for America, and after a voyage of thirty-one days landed in New York City. The family made their way from there to Iowa, and located in Prairie Spring Township, where Mr. Goedert invested in 130 acres of land. In 1883 he removed to Nebraska, and lived retired in Adams County until Dec. 24, 1888, when his death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. The maiden name of Mrs. Manderscheid's mother was Mary Siren, and she was born in Luxembourg seventy-five years ago, and is spending her declining years in Nebraska. She is a devoted member of the Catholic Church, to which her husband also belonged. They lived together over half a century, and celebrated their golden wedding Aug. 19, 1886. Of their marriage seven children were born - John, Nicholas, Anna M., Susannah, Annie, Peter, and Theresa. Nicholas served in the Civil War six months, and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. Mrs. Manderscheid was a young lady of eighteen years when he accompanied her parents to America, and she remained an inmate of the parental household until her marriage. She is the mother of twelve children - Mary, Nicholas, John M., Susan T., Josephine, John B., Peter, William, Annie, Margaret, Henry, and Frank. Nicholas is married, and is farming in Wisconsin. The others are at home.

Mr. Manderscheid has for many years been a conspicuous figure in the public life of his townhip and county, and has held several important offices. He is a man of noble qualities, of incorruptible honor, and a wise and safe counselor. His course as a statesman, in which he worked for what he conceived to be the best interests of farmers and taxpayers, was highly creditable to him, and reflected honor upon his county, while he won the full respect of all his colleagues, and had not an enemy among them. He affliliates with the Democratic party, is a man of long experience in politics, has been a delegate to the State and County Conventions, and is careful, reflective and conservative in his views. He has been Supervisor of Roads for twenty-three years, and has served as School Treasurer of the township. In 1881 he was elected County Supervisor on the Democratic ticket, held the office three years, and was President of the Board one year. He has been County Assessor for ten years, and County Collector for four years; is a member of the grand jury at present, and has served on the petit jury. In 1884 Mr. Manderscheid was elected to the Twentieth Session of the Iowa State Legislature for a period of two years, and served so satisfactorily that he was re-elected to represent his constituency in the twenty-first session of that honorable body, from 1884 to 1887. He was a member of the committee of compensation of public offices and of bridges and road buildings both terms, and served on several minor committees. Our subject is an ardent Catholic and a valued member of the St. Lawrence Church, contributing freely to its support.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)