Klockenteger, Fred

KLOCKENTEGER, WESCHE, ROGERS, SVITER

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 7/28/2021 at 12:16:42

Fred Klockenteger, farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, Lime Creek Township, is a native of Germany, born June 12, 1838. He is the son of Conrad and Anna (Wesche) Klockenteger, both of whom were natives of Germany. In 1856 the subject of this sketch came with this father from Germany to America, landing at New York City, and then proceeding to Fulton County, Ohio, where they remained a short time and then went to Carroll County, same State, and worked by the month for one year, the two receiving for their year’s work $232. In 1857 they came to Lime Creek Township, Washington Co., Iowa, where the father bought 160 acres of land on section 15, to which his family came, he having sent for them while yet in Ohio. The farm is now one of the best improved in the township.

Our subject received his education in Germany, and had been a resident of this country on four years when he answered the call to arms, and on Aug. 24, 1861, enrolled his name among those of the many brave boys of the 10th Iowa Infantry, was mustered into the service at Iowa City on the 6th of September, and left for St. Louis, where the regiment was armed, equipped and organized, 910 strong. September 30 they left St. Louis, and arrived at Cape Girardeau October 7, where they remained preparing the place for defense, building forts, etc. In connection with troops from Commerce, Mo., they drove the rebel forces from Bloomfield, attempted a junction with the forces operating against Belmont, and after the battle at that place returned to Cape Girardeau on the 5th of November, and on November 14 relieved the troops at Bird’s Point, Mo. The regiment spent the winter following in scouring the country for thirty or forty miles back of the river, with an occasional skirmish with the rebel General Jepp, and Jan. 8, 1862, lost nine men killed and twelve wounded. March 4 they crossed the river and assisted in the capture of Island No. 10, then retired to Madrid, and April 11 joined the expedition under Gen. Pope against Ft. Pillow, then joined the forces at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. April 22 participated in the battle of Corinth, and after the evacuation of that place by the rebels, pursued them; their forces under Price and Van Dorn returned to Corinth, took part in Iuka, then rendezvoused at Corinth till November 4, when they formed part of the expedition under Gen. Grant, and entered on the march through La Grange, Tenn., Holly Springs and Oxford, Miss., to Yohony Creek. December 22 they again took up the line of march for Memphis, Tenn., a distance of 113 miles, the division having 600 teams which cut up the already muddy roads.

From Memphis the troops went to Holly Springs, and on Jan. 1, 1863, marched thirty-seven miles to Fayetteville, then retired to Memphis, where they remained, guarding the Memphis & Charleston Railroad till March 4, 1863, then went to Helena, Ark., where the regiment joined the Yazoo Pass expedition. It arrived at the rebel forts Pemberton and Greenwood on the 3d of April, and returning arrived at Helena April 9. Three days later they left for Milliken’s Bend, marching through Rodney, and crossed the Mississippi May 12; then took up the line of March for Jackson, Miss., participating in the siege of Vicksburg, engagements at Little Rock and Missionary Ridge, after which the regiment marched and counter-marched a distance of 130 miles, from Huntsville, Ala., to Cleveland. The 10th Iowa Regiment marched a distance of over 5000 miles, was in eleven distinct engagements, and had 410 men killed and wounded. May 16, 1883 [1863], our subject was wounded at the battle of Champion Hills, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He was discharged Sept. 6, 1864. Returning to Washington County he began to make himself a home, and with the money he saved from his service bought eighty acres of land, which he cultivated till 1873, when he bought 120 acres on section 23, to which he has since added until he now owns 365 acres. He has a fine farm with all modern appurtenances, and in 1887 built a handsome two-story frame residence.

Mr. Klockenteger was united in marriage, Feb. 22, 1866, with Miss Lavina Rogers. She was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, Dec. 7, 1841, and is the daughter of Bolza and Bethany A. (Sviter) Rogers, the former a native of Virgina, and the latter of Ohio. Her father died in 1845. Her mother is still living with the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Klockenteger have been the parents of eight children: Charles B., born in December, 1866, died Sept. 26, 1867; Mary A., born Jan. 7, 1868, died Dec. 31, 1873; Catherine M., born May 1, 1869, died April 18, 1873; Edith, born Sept. 15, 1870, died Feb. 18, 1872; Frederick W., born Aug. 25, 1872; August W., born July 23, 1875; John H., born Feb. 12, 1878; Otto E., born Oct. 13, 1880. The children are all receiving a good education.

Mrs. Klockenteger is a devoted member of the Christian Church; he mother has been a member of that Church for over twenty-five years. Mr. Klockenteger is a Republican in politics, and a member of the G. A. R. Post at Wellman. His wife is a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps No. 88, of Ed. Hamlin Post, G. A. R.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Fred Klockenteger, page 578-579.