For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 514
PETER GREENWALD....Peter Greenwald, a resident of Wilton township, now seventy-four years of age has spent fifty four years of his life in the United States and here attained a prosperity which is the direct result of his well applied efforts. Born in Germany, October 30, 1836, he is a son of Christopher and Margaret ( Beeck ) Greenwald. The parents were both natives of Germany and lived and died in the fatherland.The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Germany and after reaching twenty years of age, being moved by a laudable desire to see the world and also to advance his own personal interests, he came to America and made his home for twenty-eight years in Scott county, Iowa. He began by working as a farm hand for twelve and a half dollars a month and after continuing in this capacity for five years he rented land for twenty years. Having acquired sufficient capital, he purchased eighty acres in Wilton township, Muscatine county, which he proceeded diligently to improve, and as time passed he bought more land until he became the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is located on section 23, Wilton township. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, which he delivers each year to the market. He is recognized as a thorough farmer and a good judge of stock and a competent manager, showing in his affairs an ability which reflects upon him the highest credit.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Greenwald was drafted for military service but, having recently arrived in this country, he did not believe it to be his duty to enter the army. Therefore, he hired a substitute, whom he was obliged to pay nine hundred dollars. He borrowed the money at ten percent interest and although it required some years to pay the debt, he resolutely persevered and succeeded in discharging it to the last dollar.
In 1864 Mr. Greenwald was united in Marriage to Miss Margaret Hanson, who was born in Germany and came to America alone when a young woman. She was a daughter of Detlef and Gertrude ( Serck ) Hanson. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Greenwald, two of whom died in infancy, the others being ; Christ, now deceased ; Minnie, who married Christ Neumeyer, of Nebraska ; Dora, the wife of William Neumeyer, also of Nebraska ; Anna, who married J. Fink, of Nebraska ; Bernard and Frank, also of Nebraska ; Amanda, the wife of George Hesler, of Nebraska ; Emma, now Mrs. Frank Reed, of St. Louis, Missouri ; and Daniel, in charge of the home farm. The beloved wife and mother died in 1886, and was laid to rest in Durant cemetery.
Mr. Greenwald is essentially a self-made man. He showed his spirit of independence early in his career by leaving home and friends in order to better his condition. He was obliged to borrow money to meet the necessary expenses of the journey but this he promptly repaid and he has been able to rear a large family and to assist each of his children in making a fair start in life. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party. He served two years as supervisor and for ten years as member of the school board, showing a fidelity to his duties which greatly pleased those who were most interested. As a business man he has been energetic and wide-awake and now in the evening of his life enjoys the fruits of many years of earnest labor.
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