John H. Kiesel, Superintendent
of the Insane Asylum, is a son of John George and
Katherine (Huene) Kiesel, natives of Germany. They came
to the United States in 1847, locating in St. Louis; they
now reside in McGregor, Ia. The subject of this sketch
was born April 1, 1844, in Germany, and came to the
United States in 1847. He was educated here, and learned
the carpenter's trade at Guttenberg, Ia., which he
followed three years, then engaged in clerking for a
number of years. He was married in 1874 to Katherine,
daughter of Peter and Maria Katherine Beckes, natives of
Hessen, Germany. They came to the United States in 1855,
and are now living in Jefferson Township, Clayton County.
By this marriage there is one child-- John H., born June
4, 1877. Mr. Kiesel votes the Democractic ticket. He
enlisted in 1862 in the Fourteenth Missouri, Turner's
German Regiment, Company C, under Captain Walsch. He
served about three years, and was honorably discharged
after going through the battle of Pea Ridge and many
other severe engagements without a wound. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1075-1076 |