Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah June 26, 2020

On the roster of county officials appears the name of George A. Poeppe, who is now filing the position of auditor and is proving most loyal to the trust reposed in him. His birth occurred near Steinheim, Westphalia, Germany, on the 23d of April, 1863, his parents being John and Theresa Poeppe. His paternal grandfather, John Poeppe, was a farmer by occupation and passed away in Germany at the age of fifty-two years. He was the father of two sons and two daughters, namely: John, William, Theresa and Catharine.

John Poeppe, the father of George A. Poeppe, followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and died in Germany when seventy-six years of age. He served in the German wars of 1848, 1864 and 1866, ever proving a most loyal and valiant soldier. His wife also passed away when seventy-six years of age. Both were faithful communicants of the German Catholic church. Unto them were born eight children, three of whom still survive, as follows: George A., of this review; Frank; and Josephine. There was also a stepson, Joseph, who now makes his home two miles west of Carroll, Iowa.

George A. Poeppe spent his first eighteen years of his life in the fatherland and came to America in August, 1881, settling in Carroll county, Iowa. He had acquired an excellent education in Germany and after his emigration to the new world followed the profession of teaching for nineteen years. Subsequently he was engaged in business as a general merchant of Mount Carmel for eight years, also serving as postmaster of the town for a period of six years. On abandoning mercantile pursuits he began farming in Kniest township and devoted his attention to the work of the fields until 1907, when he became deputy county auditor, serving in that capacity for four years. On the expiration of that period he was elected county auditor and no one has reason to complain of the way in which he administers the affairs of the office.

On the 11th of February, 1890, Mr. Poeppe was united in marriage to Miss Lena R. Wernimont, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Catharine (Peters) Wernimont, who were born in Luxemburg. Unto our subject and his wife were born nine children, namely: Cecelia, who is deceased; George N.; Theresa; Theodore; Loretta, who has likewise passed away; Martha; Albert; Isabel; and Coleta.

In politics Mr. Poeppe is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, to which his wife also belongs. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought—which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man—and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of his nation, and his name has long been enrolled among the representative and respected citizens of Carroll county.

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