Gustave Wurtzel
Among those of foreign birth who came to the new world in
search of the superior opportunities offered by this county and
who through hard labor, well directed efforts and unfaltering
perseverance released their expectation in substantial manner is
Gustave Wurtzel. As the name indicated he is of German descent
and in his life has ever exemplified the sturdy characteristics
of that race. Born in Barndenburg, Germany, January 22, 1851, he
is a son of Carl and Elizabeth (Beymert) Wurtzel, also natives of
the fatherland. The parents accompanied their son Gustave to the
new world in 1881 and continued to make their home with him
throughout their remaining years, both passing away at the age of
seventy-nine.
Gustave Wurtzel was reared to manhood of his native country and
in German schools acquired a good education. There he was married
to Miss August Wilhelmina Schwock, a daughter of Carl and Johanna
Louise (Beck) Schwock, and in 1881, with his wife and two
children, came to the United States. The young couple had not
been particularly successful in the struggle for a living in
their native country, and when they arrived in Iowa their entire
worldly possessions consisted of but seven hundred dollars. Hope
was strong within them, however, and neither feared hard work,
and for two years after they took up their home in La Fayette
township, Allamakee county, both worked out for wages. At the end
of that period their combined savings permitted Mr. Wurtzel to
purchase eighty acres of land in Center township, which is now
known as the Thomas Zeglum farm. At the time it came into his
possession it was a wild tract, but the characteristic energy he
set about clearing and improving it and when at the end of twelve
years he sold the land it had been converted into rich fields,
productive of good harvests. After disposing of that property he
invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Center
township, upon which he still makes his home. It had been but
slightly improved but under his supervision has become a highly
cultivated tract. He remodeled the house, built commodious barns
and outbuildings, introduced modern machinery to facilitate the
work of the fields and in many ways made it a model farm. He
carries on general farming and his energy, industry and thrift
are meeting with excellent results.
As the years passed Mr. and Mrs. Wurtzel became the parents of
eight children, of whom five are now living: William, who was
born in Germany and there passed away; Gustave, who was also born
in the old country but died after the arrival of the family in
the United States; Marie, the wife of Herman Schultz, of Traer,
Iowa; Louise, who married William Schultz, of Paint Creek
township; Otto and Bernard, both at home; Julius, deceased; and
Robert, also at home. The members of the family belong to the
German Methodist church. Mr. Wurtzel gives his political support
to the principles of the republican party. He has never had
occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world,
for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their
utilization has been signally successful.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index