Fachman Family

FACHMAN PEGGAR

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/27/2010 at 22:48:46

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Fachman Family
By Frank Fachman

One of the pioneer residents of this area was Henry Fachman, who came to Sioux City in 1869. Henry Fachman was born in Naumberg, Saxony, Germany, on February 28, 1844. He was one of eight children, the son of Herman Fachman, a school teacher and soldier, who fought in the allied army against Napoleon. Herman Fachman was given a letter of honorable mention by the King of Saxony for his service in that war.

My grandfather, Henry Fachman, came to this country in 1861, and along with his younger brother, Charles, enlisted in the Second Ohio Calvary in 1862. They were under General O. O. Howard and they were sent to Johnson’s Island to guard confederate prisoners. Henry was given an honorable discharge in 1864 and then came west. He re-enlisted at Fort Union Kansas for three months to help keep down the Indian uprisings. It was here that he served under General Howard and General Custer.

After getting his discharge in 1866, he located at Missouri Valley and he opened a bakery there. It was here that Miss Julia Peggar came into his shop to make a purchase. He fell in love with her at first sight, proposed to her on the spot, and they were married in the afternoon. Never has there been a more devoted couple than Henry and Julia Fachman. To this union, fifteen children were born. Their family was the largest in Sioux City at that time. The children included: Eliza (Chicoine) born 1869, Fred 1870, Henrietta (first Mrs Metz) 1871, Julia (Borschein) 1873, William 1875, Virginia (the second Mrs Metz) 1880, Charles 1882, Edward 1884, George 1886, Frank 1888, Eva (Leahy) 1890, Mark 1892, and Ruth (Brennan) 1894.

In 1869, Henry sold his bakery in Missouri Vally and he moved his family to Sioux City. It was his firm conviction, at that time, that Sioux City would become one of the greatest cities in the west because of its location at the junction of three states.

Henry opened a bakery in Sioux Cityin 1869 which continued to operate until 1892. He then sold his business to his son-in-law, Henry Metz.

Not even a disastrous fire in 1874, which completely burned him out, could shake his faith in Sioux City. He rebuilt his business and by investing, little by little, he eventually became a wealthy property owner. His holdings included much of the property at the corner of Fifh and Jackson streets, as well as real estate in other parts of the city. He owned a great deal of farm land and in 1892; he bought a farm just north of town.

Henry was one of the first volunteer firemen in Sioux City. He died of a heart attack on June 17, 1907. At the time of his death, his son, my father Frank Fachman, was at serving on the USS Virginia. My father, Frank, married Zella M Billings in Sioux City on October 15, 1915. They had two sons, Frank (myself) and Richard Henry.

All the sons and daughters of Henry and Julia are now deceased. Among the many grandchildren still living in Sioux City are my brother, Richard, and cousin, Judge John Fachman.