FRITZ SAEMISCH
Fritz Saemisch came to this county in 1874, and bought two hundred and eighty acres of wild land in section 21, Noble township. He has erected good buildings and planted fruit, shade and ornamental trees, and has altogether a desirable residence. He has added to his original purchase and now owns four hundred acres, all improved. He was born in Magdeburg, Prussia, September 23, 1835. His younger days were spent in attending school. The last year that he spent in his native land, he attended an English school to acquire that language. His father was a leading man in the city of Magdeburg, and took the part of the people in their contest for freedom in 1848, and was a member of the peace conference at its close. The subject of this sketch was sixteen years old when his parents emigrated to America and settled at Farm Ridge, La Salle county, Illinois. They soon after moved to Livingston county, where they were early settlers. His father improved a farm in that county and is still a resident there. Fritz made his home with his parents until twenty-six years old, then settled on unimproved land, which he had bought two years previous. He improved this land and remained there until 1874. Mr. Saemisch has been engaged in farming and stock raising since coming to this county. He was married in 1863 to Elizabeth Eppelsheimer, a native of Germany. She died in January, 1883, aged thirty-eight. Ten children blessed their union, nine of whom are now living -- Julia R., Clara L., Elenora, Mary M., Frederick C., Louis and Louisa, twins, Emma and Nettie. He was again married in February, 1884, to Ida Krueger, a native of Prussia. He joined the German Evangelical association in 1864. He has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for a number of years. He was school director in Illinois several years and has also filled offices of trust in Noble township.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 673-674.
