IAGenWeb Project - Clayton co.
updated 7/21/2010


J. H. Moellering
Garnavillo Twp.

J. H. Moellering, one of the early settlers of Clayton County, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1818. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native country, and in the summer of 1846 came to the United States. He resided in St. Louis, Mo., until the following spring, when he came to Clayton County and purchased a farm in Jefferson Township. In 1849 he bought a farm of eighty acres in Garnavillo Township, upon which he still resides. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 260 acres of fine improved land. He was married in his native country to Margaret Petering.

They have five children -- Eliza, Mary, Henry, William and Margaret. Like many others of the pioneers of Clayton County, Mr. Moellering was in very limited circumstances when he came here, but by steady application to business and fair dealing has accumulated an ample competence. His brother, H.H. Moellering*, was a soldier under Napoleon I. and served four years, participating in many of the important campaigns of the great warrior.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 806


*July 21, 2010 this annotation was added by Jon B. Moellering, gg-grandson of J.H. Moellering:
"The brother was not H.H. Moellering, he was Frederick William Moellering. Frederick William was in the Prussia German army in battles against Napoleon's French army. Taken prisoner, his life was spared because he was able to speak french. He was ordered to join in the war against his own countrymen. He endured severe northern winter and the lack of food. He remained a prisoner until the close of the war. It was always his belief that he would not have survived had it not been for his ability to speak the language of the enemy. J. H. Moellering's son, Frederick William Moellering was named after his uncle Frederick William Moellering from Germany, who was in the Prussia German army."

 

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