Raveling, Peter 1862-1952

RAVELING, FRIES, VRYSE, STEFFEN, ROHWEDER

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/27/2012 at 06:18:55

One of the many well-known and prominent retired farmers of Remsen is Peter Raveling, who was born in Germany on November 10, 1862, the son of Henry and Cecelia Raveling, also natives of Germany, who continued to reside in the land of their nativity until 1882, when they came to America. On their arrival in the United States they came to Iowa and Henry Raveling rented land and engaged in farming until the time of his death in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Raveling were active members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, took much interest in church work and were held in the highest regard and esteem by all who knew them. They were the parents of ten children: John, William Trinka, Hilka, George, Jacob, Peter and three who died. The first three named are located in Minnesota.
Peter Raveling received his education in the public schools of his native land and there grew to manhood and engaged in farming until he came to America in 1880. On his arrival in the United States he came to Iowa and located in Remsen township, this county, where he worked as a farm hand for one year. After that time he and his father rented two hundred acres of land in the township for some years. After his marriage he moved to Marion township where he rented one hundred and twenty acres for two years. He then moved to Meadow township, where he rented two hundred and forty acres and there he remained for twenty-seven years, engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1916 he moved to Remsen, where he purchased seven and one-half acres of land and retired from the larger duties of farm life.
In 1883 Peter Raveling and united in marriage to Clara Fries [Vryse], and to that union eight children were born, Henry, George, Ceclia, Mary, Jacob, Hilka, Clara and Cecelia. George Raveling married Emma Struble and one child, Orville. Cecelia married Andrew Willerson and has one child, Lester. The rest of the children are still single. After the death of Ms. Clara (Freis) Raveling, Peter Raveling was united in marriage to Alvena Steffen, the daughter of James and Catherine (Rohweder) Steffen, and to this union two children were born, both of whom are deceased.
Alvena (Steffen) Raveling is a native of Grundy county, Iowa. Her parents were both natives of Germany, where they received their education. In their youth they came to the United State, first location in Scott county, Iowa, and later in Tama county, where they were married. After their marriage they went to Grundy county, where the father rented land, and there they now live. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living.

Source: The History of Plymouth County, Vol. II, edited by W. S. Freeman, 1917