Charles Ludwig Hoeness

HOENESS, MESSNER, SCHLEGEL, SPECHT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/13/2005 at 18:54:29

Charles Ludwig Hoeness, a prosperous and efficient farmer of Jackson township, is now living largely retired, having accumulated a competence in former years of labor. He was born in Erpfingen, Reutlingen, Wurtemburg, Germany on the 18th of November, 1848. The family history goes back to 1721, but, as the town and the records were destroyed during the Thirty Years' war, the ancestry cannot be definitely traced previous to that date. John Bernard Hoeness, who was born in 1721 and died in 1749, was a surgeon. His son, John Bernard, who was a farmer and brewer, was born in 1748 and passed away in 1834. Karl Ludwig, a son of the latter, was born in 1791 and died in 1830. He was a farmer by occupation and fought from 1813 to 1815 inclusive against Napoleon. His son Samuel was the father of Charles L. of this review.

Samuel Hoeness, who was born on the 22d of November, 1820, owned land in Germany and followed the occupation of a farmer. During his service in the German army he held the rank of sergeant and he was councilman of his village He possessed an unusually keen mind and as he was also well read had considerable influence in his community. In 1898, after retiring from active life, he joined his son and passed away here on the i9th of July, 1901. He was a member of the Lutheran church and quite active in its affairs. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Kathrina Seigler, was born in 18l8 and died in 1884. To their union were born six children and two of their sons became residents of the United States.

Charles L. Hoeness was given excellent educational advantages, attending both public and private schools in his native land. He worked upon his father's farm and also entered the employ of nearby farmers and by saving his earnings was at length enabled to purchase land which he operated until 1881. He then emigrated to America and made his way to McLean county, Illinois, which remained his home until 1894. In that year he came to this county and has since been numbered among the energetic and efficient farmers of Jackson township. His farm of two hundred and ten acres is on section 23, and is all under cultivation and well improved. He is a general farmer and stockman and his work is done systematically and thoroughly, neither time nor energy being wasted. His resources have increased from year to year and he is now living largely retired, enjoying the leisure which is his just reward.

In 1877 Mr. Hoeness married Miss Elizabeth Schlegel, a daughter of George and Caroline (Schlegel) Schlegel, the former a farmer and landowner of Germany. Mrs. Hoeness was born in 1847 and passed away in 1887, leaving a son, Samuel G. In 1888 Mr. Hoeness was married to Miss Ursula Messner, who was born in Trossingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, a daughter of Paul and Caroline (Specht) Messner, the former born in 1816 and the latter born in 1819 in Stuttgart. Mr. Messner learned the printer's trade in Stuttgart and served the required length of time in the German army. He later turned his attention to farming. He was active in the German Lutheran church and was highly esteemed in his community. His wife passed away in 1872 and his demise occurred some years previous. To their union were born four children, two sons and one daughter of whom came to the United States. Mrs. Hoeness is the only one of the family now living. Mr. and Mrs. Hoeness have two children. Helen, who attended Earlham Academy, is a teacher in the district schools and Katherine, who attended the Winterset high school is now teaching the home school. Helen is also a Sunday school teacher and both are very active in all lines of church and Sunday school work.

Mr. Hoeness is a republican and for seven years served as township trustee. He is a valued member of the United Presbyterian church at Pitzer and has always taken a great interest in its work. In all things he is progressive and his influence has invariably been given to the side of right and truth.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.