Gerhard Wingen, Postmaster and merchant, North McGregor, was born on the Rhine River, in the village of Stockhausen, Prussia, Germany, June 13, 1826. His parents were Peter M., a farmer and Marie A. (Weisenfelts) Wingen. They were members of the Catholic church, and had a family of five children, three sons living, viz.: William, a farmer in Sauk County, Wis.; Peter, retired famer, residing in Eau Claire, Wis., and Gerhard, subject of this sketch. He attended school in Germany until fifteen, and worked at the carpenter's trade until twenty, when he and his brother Peter came to America. Being fifty-three days at sea, they landed at New York City; from there they went to New Lisbon, Columbiana County, O., and were engaged at carpentering and building boats and locks for eighteen months; then followed carpenting at Milwaukee, Wis., two years; then at Baraboo and Sauk City, Wis., until his marrige to Isabella Dahmen, Nov. 19, 1851. She was born in Cologue, Prussia, Germany, and was the daughter of Christian and Helena (Breuer) Dahmen. In May, 1858, Mr. Wingen located at North McGregor, Ia., where he followed the carpenter's trade until 1866, when he opened his present store of general merchandise. On the 17th day of February, 1879, he was appointed Postmaster of North McGregor. He and wife attend the Catholic church, and have had a family of four sons and one daughter, viz.: John H., born Nov. 21, 1854, engaged as fireman of a locomotive for the C., M. & St. P. R. R.; Herman J., born March 15, 1856, and Christian, born Dec. 25, 1857, are partners with their father in the store; Isabella born April 19, 1862, and William, Dec. 27, 1871. Mr. Wingen & Sons carry a $10,000 stock of dry goods, notions, groceries, etc. In politics Mr. Wingen is rather independent. He is one of the old settlers and enterprising men of the county, having been identified with North McGregor since May, 1858. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1006-1006 |