Benjamin S. Vierling

BRUETT, CAMPBRELL, JOHNSON, MILLER, VIERLING, WILLIAMS, WYKOFF

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/19/2004 at 14:29:54

“History of Madison County Iowa and Its People”
Herman A. Mueller, Supervising Editor
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915

Benjamin S. Vierling, deceased, was a successful farmer of Madison county, was a public-spirited citizen and a man of cultured tastes and a sincere friend. He was born on the 15th of October, 1837, at Salem, North Carolina, of which place his parents, Fraugott Theophilus and Catharine (Williams) Vierling, were also natives. The paternal grandfather, Dr. Samuel Benjamin Vierling, emigrated from Berlin, Germany, to North Carolina in 1789. He was a noted physician and the family for a number of generations back was very prominent, producing many eminent physicians, musicians and professors. Mr. and Mrs. Fraugott Vierling came with a number of friends to Iowa in 1849 and settled in Appanoose county, where the little colony founded the town of Moravia. Together they endured the hardships of pioneer life and persevered in spite of discouragements.

In 1870 the parents of our subject came to Madison county and purchased a home in Scott township. Upon that farm of eighty acres they resided until the death of the father. The mother then removed to Winterset, where she passed away in 1899. They belonged to that devoted sect, the Moravians, from which have descended some of the most sturdy and conscientious citizens of America.

Benjamin S. Vierling received his early education in Moravian schools of Salem, North Carolina, and learned from his God-fearing parents high principles of conduct. In 1862 his love for his country caused him to enlist in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and he was with his command as sergeant until the close of the war, proving at all times fearless and loyal and participating in much hard fighting. He was wounded in battle and carried the bullet in his hip throughout the remainder of his life. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged at Devall Bluff, Arkansas, in 1865.

After his return from the front, when peace was restored, Mr. Vierling engaged in the drug business and began the study of medicine, thinking to follow that profession in which a number of his ancestors had won distinction. However, the close confinement indoors soon began to tell upon his health and he gave up the idea of practicing medicine and again turned his attention to farming. He operated the homestead from that time until his death and gained a good income from his agricultural activities.

In 1867 Mr. Vierling married Miss Elizabeth Wykoff, a daughter of Jacob and Rachel Wykoff, who emigrated from Ohio to Jefferson county, Iowa, at an early day, and subsequently removed to Decatur county. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vierling, as follows: Anna; Mary, the wife of Henry L Bruett; George, who married Maud Johnson; Charles, deceased, who married Miss Josephine Miller; Ernest, who married Maud Campbell; and Eva, Frank and Henry, all of whom died in infancy.

In early life Mr. Vierling belonged to the Moravian church but later joined the United Brethren church at Providence and was for many years an official in his church. He took much interest in the work of his denomination and did all that was possible to further the cause of Christianity and secure the moral betterment of his community.

He found much in life to enjoy, taking great pleasure in the out-of-doors, and he was also fond of art, music and literature, being an exceptionally well read man. However, not the least of his pleasure came from his association with his fellows, as he was very congenial and was never happier than when with his friends. His demise, which occurred on the 31st of May, 1905, was felt as a personal loss to many, and all realized that the county had lost a man who had done much for its advancement along various lines of development. For years he served as township clerk and always took an active interest in political affairs. His ballot was cast in support of the Democratic party. Fraternally his only connection was with the Grand Army of the Republic. His widow is still living and makes her home in Winterset, where she is highly esteemed.

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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