WILHERMSDORFER, Solomon - 1912 Bio (1832-1910)

WILHERMSDORFER, KATZ, KNESS, STRAWSER, SAVAGE, BROWN, OLIVER, BOWMAN, BAKER

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 8/7/2003 at 00:30:11

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 276-282

SOLOMON WILHERMSDORFER.

“Solomon WILHERMSDORFER, who passed away February 2, 1911, was formerly a prominent merchant but since 1878 he was actively and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in Jefferson county. He was born in Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany, September 18, 1832, the son of Samuel and Babetta (KATZ) WILHERMSDORFER. He was reared in his native country but started for America when not quite twenty years of age, reaching New York, November 6, 1852, after a voyage of sixty-two days on the sailing vessel Rhine, which was nearly wrecked on the passage. In New York he found employment as a florist and gardner, a profession which he had acquired in the royal gardens in the old country, and remained there until the spring of 1853, when he came to Ohio and engaged in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1854 he went to Iowa City, Iowa, and in the autumn of the same year removed to Fairfield, Jefferson county, where he opened on the north side of the public square the first clothing store in Fairfield, the business being under the firm name of Simon Krause & Company. In the spring of 1855 he, together with an elder brother, Julius WILHERMSDORFER, bought out Krause & Company and started a store under the firm name of J. & S. WILHERMSDORFER, establishing what was known as the Railroad Clothing Store. They remained there until the fall of 1857, when they removed their stock of goods to Brunswick county, Missouri, and one year later sold out the business and returned to Fairfield, where Solomon WILHERMSDORFER entered into the nursery business just south of Fairfield, in partnership with Attorney Slagle, but one year later sold his interests and repaired to Monmouth, Illinois. There he was engaged in the dry-goods and clothing business for six years, after which he moved to Young America, Illinois, now known under the name of Kirkwood, and continued in the same line of work. Subsequently he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and traveled for a time for a nursery house. In 1878 he returned to Jefferson county, Iowa, and purchased his present farm, on section 35, Polk township, on which he lived until his death, February 2, 1910. He died suddenly on account of heart trouble. His widow continues to live on the farm, renting out a part of the land and with hired help oversees the remainder.

On the 20th of July, 1858, Mr. WILHERMSDORFER wedded Miss Mary Martha KNESS, a daughter of George and Lydia (STRAWSER) KNESS, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio, but both of German descent. They moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, at an early date and in February, 1844, came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and settled on a claim in Polk township, where they lived until the death of the father, May 20, 1871. In their family were thirteen children, twelve of whom reached maturity, but now only Mrs. Mary M. WILHERMSDORFER and one brother, Daniel KNESS, of Cozad, Dawson county, Nebraska, survive. The latter was a watchmaker by trade in Illinois but came to Nebraska in 1882 and began farming. He was married in Illinois to a Miss SAVAGE and they have two children living, Dolly and Edna May. Another brother, Noah V. KNESS, served in the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Tallahassee, Tennessee. Another brother, who was a soldier and enlisted in service for five years, was mustered out in the Mexican war but was never heard from afterwards. To Mr. and Mrs. WILHERMSDORFER were born the following children: Ralph H., who is a jeweler in Seattle, Washington, married Maggie BROWN, of Ottumwa, Iowa. Fannie May, who died in 1896, was the wife of Judge OLIVER, of Onawa, Iowa, who is now judge of Monona county, and they had four children: Marcus, who will graduate from Rush Medical College in the spring of 1912; Ralph, who is a lawyer in Sioux City, Iowa; Marjorie, an instructor in languages, of the same place; and Frank, who is still attending high school. Justin H., who is now postmaster at Harrison, Nebraska, is married to Miss Zua BOWMAN, of Ioka, Iowa, and they have one child, Maritz. Dollie Zeta wedded G. B. BAKER, a well known music dealer of Ottumwa and Fairfield, and they have four children, Demonta, Mary, Marthanna and Ruth Esther.

Mr. WILHERMSDORFER was a democrat in politics and always took an active interest in the welfare of the community, and for several years he served as supervisor of Jefferson county. He gave much time to the cause of education and for over thirty years he was a director in the home school district, and for the greater part of that time he was also secretary and treasurer of the school board. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Monmouth, Illinois, and his widow is a member of the Rebekah Lodge. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Wherever Mr. WILHERMSDORFER was known he was greatly admired and his life stands as a splendid example for those who wish to make themselves strong and useful citizens of the community.”

I am copying this information for the benefit of genealogical research and am not related to said individuals.

Mary M. KNESS WILHERMSDORFER photo - click here
 

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