Wiegman, Bernard H.

WIEGMAN, RIPPERDA

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 21:02:59

WIEGMAN, BERNARD H.

Bernard H. Wiegman, whose handsome and well appointed farm is in section 7, Logan township, not far from Larchwood, is one of the hardworking and upright farmers whose thrift and industry have done so much to make Lyon County the agricultural garden that it is. He was born in Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1860, his birthplace being on a farm, and all his life has been devoted to the tillage of the soil. John B. Wiegman, his father, was born in Germany, and came alone to this country in 1830, while still a boy. His life was also devoted to the soil.

Bernard H. Wiegman was the third child in a family that numbered eight, and was reared to farm work in Wisconsin, where he was given such educational advantages as the condition of the family allowed. Remaining at home until he was twenty-two years of age he did much to improve the family patrimony, and assist his parents to a condition of comfortable independence before striking out into the world for himself.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1884, Mr. Wiegman was married to Miss Rosa Ripperda, also a native of Wisconsin. Her father, Bernard Ripperda, was a native of Germany, and had become very prosperous in his adopted country. To this union were born six children; Bernard, William, George, Stella, Clara, and Edward. For five years after his marriage Mr. Wiegman continued in Wisconsin cultivating his father's place; but in 1889, allured by the opportunity of a free farm, with rich and fertile soil, fine water and clear skies, he decided to remove to Lyon County. This he did in 1889, and bought land in section 7, Logan Township, at what was almost a nominal price, in the meantime renting a farm near Inwood, on which he continued two years. In the meantime he greatly improved his own land, put up a structure 14 by 20 feet, broke up the ground, and brought the land into a tillable condition.

In 1891 he took possession of his own farm, which was entirely bare of improvements at the time of his purchase. He now has a house, 16 x 26, with an addition 14 x 26, and a roomy and convenient kitchen. The place has all the needed farm buildings, and is adorned by a thrifty grove and a promising orchard covering an acre or more, which he early planted and has carefully attended. The farm is fenced on all sides, and has been brought under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Wiegman has served as school director five terms, and has filled the office of township trustee three years. He has always taken a leading part in the affairs of the community, and has ever been regarded as one of the representative men of the township. On two occasions he has suffered severe losses by hail, and has experienced his full share of the troubles and hardships of early life on the frontier, but has never lost faith in the future of the county, and is now enjoying to the full the results of his confidence.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson