Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 487

FREDERICK OEPING, a prominent citizen and representative farmer, residing on section 18, Moscow Township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Muscatine County. He was born in Prussia, Feb. 5, 1830, and is a son of Henry Oeping, who resided in Prussia until his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1848. He left three sons and two daughters, but with the exception of our subject none ever became residents of America. The members of the family living are Frederick, Casper, and Henry. Elizabeth died in 1888, leaving a family, while the other daughter died in early life.

Our subject was reared to the occupation of farming and stock-raising, which he has followed throughout his entire life. When quite a young lad his greatest desire was to cross the broad ocean to America, and in 1845, when fifteen years of age, a fine opportunity presented itself by which he might realize his ambition. His maternal uncle, Henry Peitsman being about to embark for the United States, offered to pay the passage for his young nephew if he would accompany him. Frederick quickly decided to accept his uncle's generous proposition, and his parents making no objections the matter was soon settled. They sailed from the harbor of Bremen about the middle of August, 1845, landing at Baltimore after a passage of six weeks. Going at once to New York,where a relative of the family was living, they remained until fall, when the entire party, consisting of the uncle, his relative in Pennsylvania, Christian Ruhrrup, and our subject, came to Muscatine County. Frederick assisted his uncle in improving a farm in Wilton Township, which is now part of the Lang property, and during the fall and winter of 1846 was afflicted with fever and ague, then so common in the West. The desease reduced him to quite a low state, but he received the tenderest care from Frederick Stoneburner, a kind old gentleman and pioneer from Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1847, having somewhat recovered his health and strength, he engaged to work for Jesse Stoneburner, a son of his benefactor. Their relations being mutually agreeable, he continued in that employ for seven years, when Mr. Stoneburner died. He then worked for the widow a year, after which he rented the farm for the succeeding twelve months.

On St. Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1855, Mr. Oeping was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Pflueger, who was born in Waldeck, Germany, June 8, 1830. Her parents died in that country, and she came with friends to America during her girlhood, and for about six years made her home in the family of a Mr. Paulson. In 1858 she came to Muscatine County, residing with an uncle until her marriage. She also had a sister who came to to America in 1847, and died in the spring of 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Oeping are the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters : Diana, born Feb. 2, 1857 ; Henry, August 18, 1858 ; Hiram, Oct. 19, 1860 ; Charles, Oct.8, 1862 ; Frederika, Dec. 9, 1865 ; John, Oct. 24, 1867 ; Edward, Nov. 2, 1869 ; and Lillie Ann, Dec. 19, 1871.

Soon after marriage our subject and wife settled upon the farm where they yet reside. No improvements of any importance had at that time been made on the place, with the exception of a little log cabin that had been built and a few acres that had been broken. The farm at first comprised 120 acres, but from time to time Mr. Oeping has added to the original purchase until he now owns about 400 acres in Moscow Township, together with some land in Goshen Township. As we have seen, he is one of the earliest settlers of this community. Coming here in the days of his youth he has passed all his mature years on his present farm or in its immediate vicinity. Beginning life a poor boy, by energy, industry, and perseverance he has acquired a competence, and is the owner of a beautiful home and fine farm, the result of his own labor. He is numbered among the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county, and as a citizen has the respect and confidence of all. He is a lover of peace and order, and has never had a lawsuit in his life, preferring to make compromises and concessions than to resort to law. He has counseled his neighbors and friends to settle any misunderstanding which may arise between one another in like manner, and in that way has prevented many a lawsuit and much bitter feeling. Held in high esteem by all, in loving remembrance by many, he is honored as a pioneer, and is regarded as one of the leading business men of the county.


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