August Emmeck, 1899 Biography

EMMECK, WERNING, KRANZ, MAUSHART

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 3/11/2007 at 19:07:44

I translated the following biography from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published in a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the paper on Friday, 20 September 1899. Words in quotations are original. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

August Emmeck

This man was born on 1 November 1839 in Erxhausen, County of Rodenburg, Kurhessen, where he spent the years of his youth, attended school, and was confirmed in the local parish church. He then took up farming and worked loyally and industriously with his father on his parents’ farm until he was called to military service. He served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, which was garrisoned in Fulda. He was honorably discharged after three years of service. He then worked again with his father on his parents’ farm, and when he was 30 years old he immigrated to the free states of North America. Arriving here, he made his way to Ohio where an uncle of his owned a store, and Mr. Emmeck assisted in running the business. After 10 months, he moved to Benton County, Iowa, where he again took up the plow and worked for a farmer. On the first day of Pentecost in 1870, Mr. Emmeck married the upright and virtuous Miss Elisabeth Werning, who was born on 29 November 1842 in Dangerode, County of Rodenburg, Kurhessen. The young couple then rented a farm in Benton County, where they lived for six years. Mr. Emmeck then moved to a 194-acre farm in Grant Township [Carroll County], which he had already purchased a year earlier. From time to time, he improved the farm, built stables and barns, and improved the residence. Mr. Emmeck later purchased yet another 160-acre farm, so that he now owns real estate in the amount of 354 acres. The Emmeck family, which has now lived in Carroll County for 23 years, is very respected and enjoys the best reputation. This very happy, Christian marriage has produced eight children, of whom one child died at a tender age. The names of the children still living are: Emma, Mrs. Frank Adam Kranz; Jeanette, Mrs. Bernhard Maushart; Min; Christine; Wilhelm; Maria; and Wilhelmina.