Albert and Johanna's children were: Walter David (b. I6 Apr 1916), Roger James (9 Oct 1919-1 Nov 1946); Erlin Charles (b. 6 Nov 1923); and Donald John.  (See separate articles for each).

Womeldorf, David and Mary (Smith)

(Fran Jeffers)

Mary Amanda (Smith) and David Womeldorf
October 18, 1853 Stephenson Co. IL.

David, the son of Frderick Womeldorf II and Barbrah (Bierly) was born 9 Oct 1829 in Centre Co., PA. In 1844 the family moved from Pennsylvania to Stephenson Co., IL. The parents died of cholera during the great epidemic in that area. David and his younger brothers Michael and Jacob were left on the farm. David married Mary Amanda Smith (b. 7 Sep 1837) daughter of John B. and Sarah (Hass) Smith 18 Oct 1853. (John and Sarah were both born in PA as were their daughter Mary and sons Lewis and Ellis.) The Smiths lived in Stephenson Co. a short distance from the Womeldorfs. In 1855 David and Mary moved to Pleasant Twp. in Winneshiek Co. in the 1856 census we find brothers Michael and Jacob Womeldorf living with them. Both brothers iater married: Michael to Abigail Drake and Jacob to Sarah Kniss.

David purchased forested land by Canoe Creek and acquired the sawmill from John Brandt. He and Michael did carpentry work while Jacob did masonry. Michael was the first constable of Pleasant Twp. Jacob served in the Civil War and later was a sheriff of Winneshiek Co. David served as trustee of Pleasant Twp. and later as a supervisor of Pleasant Twp. When the Winneshiek Co. Fair was in its infancy David was a member of the Agricultural Fair Society’s “working committee.” Interest in exhibiting at the county fair was carried down to his son and later generations as well.

David and Mary were parents of 3 children: Sarah Agnes (b. 28 Feb. 1856); Lewis Nelson (b. 5 Nov 1867); and Walter Stephen (10 Dec 1870-5 Jun 1871). Sarah Aanes married Elias Topliff Reed 18 Nov 1877. She and

Elias had 2 children, Charles Wesley and Ethel Amanda. Sarah died in April of 1888 when Ethel was just a few months old. Lewis Nelson married Aasine Eriksdtr Anderson 3 Sep 1889. They had 6 children: Albert, Frederick, Minnie, Emma, Ella and Hattie. (See L. Nelson Womeldorfs bio.) The great-great-great granddaughter of David has the walnut spindle bed and rocking chair that David made and her sister has the 3-drawer chest of drawers also made by him. These items were in the home of Frederick and Freda (Josvanger) Womeldorf, grandson of David and his wife, until after their deaths. The furniture was in the home of F. Howard Womeldorf until his death. Now a 4 greats-grandson, Evan Guetziaff, will have the bed and rocker in his bedroom when he’s big enough! What treasures Evan will have!

David died 31 Oct 1891 and was buried in the Freeport, IA Cemetery. In Feb of 1893 Mary Amanda married Albert Wheeler in Kossuth Co. She died 4 Apr 1915 in Algona; however she was buried beside David in the Freeport Cemetery.

Womeldorf, Donald and Madeline (Pirie)

(Erlin Womeldorf)

Donald J. Womeldorf High school graduation 1950

Donald John Womeldorf was born on the family farm south of Decorah, the fourth son of Albert and Johanna (Johnson) Womeldorf. His 3 brothers are Walter, Roger and Erlin. Don attended Blount School near Decorah through 8th grade and graduated from Decorah High School in 1950. After graduation he attended Iowa State University.

Don married Darlene Osborne on 26 Apr 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Brother