Deuker, William

DEUKER, LOTZ, STEINER, HENN

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/7/2020 at 15:13:14

William Deuker, section 22, Lime Creek Township, is a farmer and stock-raiser. He is the son of Peter and Ann (Lotz) Deuker, and was born in Germany on the 24th of February, 1830. His parents were also natives of Germany, and were the parents of five children: George, a resident of Baltimore, Md.; Margaret, yet in Germany; Catherine, also a resident of Baltimore; William, our subject; and Peter, a farmer in Polk County, Neb. The father died in 1842, and the mother in 1843. They were good Protestant people.

The early life of our subject was spent in Germany, working upon a farm and attending the common schools until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when in company with Peter Schraide, he set sail for America, the friend paying both fares. The voyage was made in forty-eight days, and arriving in America young Deuker found himself without money and $30 in debt for his passage. He engaged to work on a farm near Niagara Falls, and by the fall of 1855 had earned enough to pay back the $30, and had also saved $56 with which he started for Iowa. He settled in Washington County, purchasing eighty acres on section 22, Lime Creek Township, of Samuel Hankie. The purchase price of his land was $410, and to partly pay for this he worked for Mr. Hankie one year for $144.

In the winter of 1857, Mr. Deuker built a small log cabin on his farm, where he brought his young wife, to whom he had just been married. Her maiden name was Catherine Steiner, and she was the daughter of Peter and Emma (Henn) Steiner, both natives of Germany. Mrs. Deuker was also a native of Germany, but came to this country with friends in 1846. Her parents afterward came to this country, and both lived and died in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Deuker have become the parents of three children: Anna, born Aug. 29, 1858, died April 6, 1876; Mary, born Nov. 2, 1859, died March 22, 1861; and Henry William, born Feb. 7, 1864. The have given their son a good education.

Mr. Deuker has from time to time added to his original purchase until he now owns 400 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, and twenty-six acres of timber. He has a good story-and-a-half residence, with a fine barn 42x94 feet, with twenty-foot posts and a stone basement. As has been already stated, he landed in this country $30 in debt, and all that he now owns is the result of his own industry and good management. For some of his land he paid as high as $35 per acre. He is a man respected by all; is proud of his citizenship in this American country, loves her flag and honors her laws.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of William Deuker, page 468.