For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 451
GEORGE WEISS....The difficulties to be overcome by foreign born citizens in America are little understood by persons born and reared under the stars and stripes. Tens of thousands of young men have come to America from Germany and other European countries having no knowledge of the English language or the customs of the people. They find themselves among strangers and very often their resources are exhausted by the expenses of the trip and they are thrown upon their indomitable qualities of grit and perseverance to win a daily subsistence. That they survive the ordeal is astonishing, but much more astonishing is the remarkable success many of them attain in the face of the greatest obstacles.George Weiss, a well known and highly respected farmer of Muscatine county, who died July 8, 1910, was one of the sturdy characters who permitted himself to be daunted by no difficulty. He apparently could have won his fortune anywhere. Born in Germany, October 20, 1827, he was the son of Phillip and Barbara ( Muendle ) Weiss. The parents were also natives of Germany and came to America in 1848. The father died in St. Louis shortly after arriving in this country. Other members of the family moved to Rock Island county, Illinois, and located upon a farm. The mother passed away in 1858. Eight children constituted their family, namely : Michael, George, Barbara, John, Margaret, Christian, Gottleib, and Catherine.
George Weiss was educated in his native land and at twenty years of age came to America, but after spending one year in this country he returned to the fatherland and brought his parents to the United States. At the age of twenty-six years, having married, he began farming on his own account near Edgington, Illinois, where he continued successfully until 1876, when he sold his farm and removed to section 22, Goshen township, Muscatine county, Iowa, resuming the pursuits of agriculture and stock-raising with such good results that he acquired four hundred acres of land, which he greatly improved, making his place one of the most valuable in the township.
On the 25th of April, 1854, Mr. Weiss was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fuhr, who was born at Buffalo, New York, and to them were born Mary, who became the wife of N. Spilger, of Muscatine conty, and died in 1884 at the age of twenty-nine years ; Catherine, the wife of George Stemm, of Lone Tree, Iowa ; Margaret, of Muscatine county ; Phillip, a farmer of Muscatine county ; Louisa ; John, who assists in operating the home farm ; Clara ; Emma ; Christian, who is married and lives near Muscatine ; Valentine, who died in infancy ; Lydia and Barbara, now the wife of Carl Timm of Muscatine county. John, Louisa, Clara, Emma, and Lydia are living at home.
The head of a large and intelligent family, Mr. Weiss set a worthy example of industry and integrity and gained recognition as one of the most valued members of the community. In politics he supported men rather than parties, preferring to vote independently. He was brave and resolute, and as a citizen ever attempted to perform his entire duty. Mrs. Weiss still continues at the old homestead and is greatly loved by her children and respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In religious belief she adheres to the German Lutheran church, of which her husband was also a member.
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