For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 382
EDWIN W. WEDEKIND....Edwin W. Wedekind, who lives in Sweetland township, and has clearly demonstrated his ability as a farmer, was born in this township, February 19, 1880. He is a son of Fritz D. and Pauline ( Pasche ) Wedekind, the former of whom was born in Hanover, Germany, June 15, 1837, and the latter in St. Louis, Missouri, July 26, 1847. At fourteen years of age the father joined a ship's crew and for eight years followed the sea, visiting the principal ports of the world. Tiring at last of the ocean, he cme to America and after living for a short time in St. Louis enlisted in 1861 in Company F. Second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three months. At the expiration of this time he reenlisted for three years, and, having served out that term, enlisted once more, continuing at the front until hostilities ceased. He participated in seventeen battles, among which were the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Pea Ridge and Dalton Georgia. He was honorably discharged and mustered out of service in January, 1866, having acquitted himself with the highest credit under many trying circumstances. He returned to St. Louis and started a general store, which was shortly afterward destroyed by fire and as he carried no insurance upon his stock he was obliged once more to begin at the bottom of the ladder to build up his fortune. About 1868 he left St. Louis and after spending several years at Keokuk, Iowa, he went to Brooklyn, this state, but after a short time removed to Davenport, where he engaged in fishing in the Mississippi river. He next followed farming and in 1877, came to Montpelier, Muscatine county, remaining here for only a short time, however. He next went to Fairport, Iowa, where he continued for nineteen years. After spending seven years in Rock Island county, Illinois, he finally settled at Sweetland Center, Muscatine county, where he departed this life September 23, 1904. He was successful as a farmer and acquired one hundred and sixty acres in this county. He was a man of high character and held membership in the German Lutheran church. Politically he was an earnest advocate of the principles of the reupblican party. The mother of our subject is now living on the home farm. There were seven children in the family : Ernest, deceased ; Pauline M., now the wife of Ed Davis, a farmer of Fairport ; Henry J.; Albert G., of Muscatine county, who married Mary Eis and is the father of three children ; Floyd, John and Ernest ; Edwin W., our subject ; and John, deceased.Edwin W. Wedekind was educated in the common schools and has been, since his earliest recollection, identified with the farming interests. After leaving school he assisted his father on the home farm and is now living with his mother, having charge of the home place, which he cultivates assiduously, producing abundant harvests. He also raises stock for the market. He stands high in the esteem of people of Sweetland township, as is indicated by his election to the office of assessor two years ago for the years 1909 and 1910. Industrious, energetic, reliable and thoroughly progressive, Mr. Wedekind is recognized as a worthy representative of the younger element among the farmers of Muscatine county. He was married February 22, 1911, to Lulu C. Dippel, a daughter of Carl and Marie Dippel, of Sweetland township.
Back to Biographical Index Page