The Wiese Families of Scott County, Iowa

Henry Wiese, who has lived retired in his pleasant home at No. 835 Harrison street in Davenport since 1900, won his prosperity as an agriculturist and is still the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive farming land in Benton county, Iowa. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 16th of October, 1840, his parents being Marx and Lucy Wiese. The father, who was born in 1800, learned the blacksmith's trade and in early manhood served as a soldier of the German army. In 1853, in company with his wife and children, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New York. Thence he made his way direct to Moline, Rock Island county, Illinois, where the family home was maintained for about twenty years. They first took up their above in a log cabin which stood on a tract of eighty acres of land which the father had purchased, about twenty acres of which were improved. As his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and capable management, Marx Wiese added to his landed holdings in Rock Island county and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He passed away in 1886, having for four years survived his wife who was called to her final rest in 1882, when seventy-two years of age. Unto them were born three sons and one daughter, namely: Fred, who is deceased; Henry, of this review; John, who is a resident of Geneseo, Illinois; and Anna, the wife of Henry Operdicke, of Port Byron, IlHnois.

Henry Wiese pursued his education in the schools of his native land until thirteen years of age and then came to the new world with his parents. He continued his studies to some extent in Rock Island county, Illinois, but owing to the sparsely settled condition of the country, schools were few and far between and he did not find much opportunity to attend. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and started out in life on his own account, purchasing and locating upon a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in Coe township, Rock Island county. It was raw land upon which no improvements had been made, but with characteristic energy he began its development and cultivation and soon converted it into a productive farm. He likewise erected a house and put up fences and later bought an additional tract of eighty acres adjoining. In 1874 he disposed of the property and removed to Benton county, Iowa, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land in Cedar township. The place had been improved to some extent and there were several small buildings upon it. There he carried on his agricultural interests energetically and successfully until 1900, since which time he has lived retired in Davenport, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. Prospering in his undertakings, he added to his holdings by additional purchase and is still the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in Benton county.

On the 4th of January, 1865, Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Kahler, a native of Holstein, Germany, where her birth occurred on the 1 6th of June, 1846. In 1852, when six years of age, she was brought to. the United States by her parents, Mathias and Lena Kahler, who took up their above in Rock Island county, Illinois. They were farming people and both passed away in Benton county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiese were born eight children, as follows: Anna, Charles and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased; John, who is a resident of Davenport; Louisa and Albert, both at home; Augusta, the wife of Charles Stelk, of Virginia; and Dorothy, who is likewise still under the parental roof.

Mr. Wiese is a stanch democrat in his political views and has capable served in a number of township offices, including those of road supervisor and school director. He is a member of the German Pioneers Society of Scott county. In his business career he has displayed excellent ability and unfaltering diligence and as the years have passed his labor has been the measure of a gratifying success. He and his wife are people of the highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the confidence and friendly regard of all who know them.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The student of history doesn't carry his investigation far into the records of Scott county without learning that the German element in its citizenship has played a most important part in its upbuilding and progress. One of the representatives of the Teutonic race, Fritz Wiese long resided in Davenport, where for more than a quarter of a century he was connected with the livery business. He was born in Holstein, Germany, June 17, 1838, a son of Max and Lucy Wiese. At the usual age he entered school in his native country and when fourteen years of age came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Moline, Illinois. From that time forth Fritz Wiese was dependent upon his own resources. He secured employment with the Deere works as a blacksmith, being one of the first engaged for the shop. In time the business was developed into the great enterprise known as the Deere Plow Works. Mr. Wiese continued to live at Moline for about three years, at the end of which time his parents purchased a farm in Rock Island county and he took up his above there. His parents remained occupants of the old home place until called to their final rest.

On the 2d of January, 1863, Mr. Wiese was married and continued to live on the old farm in Illinois for about five years, after which he made his home in the vicinity of Rock Island until 1868. He then purchased a farm near Mount Joy, where he made his home for seven years, and on the expiration of that period he rented his land and took up his above in Mount Joy. He turned his attention to the cattle business at Davenport and later engaged in the livery business, which he continued for about thirty years, at the end of which time he retired, turning over the business to his son. His remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his death occurring February 17,

It was on the 2d of January, 1863, that Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Christina Schnack. She was born near Kiel, Germany, June 24, 1840, a daughter of James and Christina Schnack. Mrs. Wiese came to the United States with her brother John and an aunt in 1860, landing in New York, after which she made her way westward to Davenport. Here she was married and became the mother of five children. Lewis, of Davenport, who is now conducting the livery business and is serving as alderman from the fourth ward, married Bertha Springmier and has three children: Fred and Henry, twins; and Lillie. Laura is the widow of Frank Peto and has two children, Ellis and Camello; with whom she resides in Davenport. Emil, of this city, wedded Bertha Ruge, who died, leaving one child, Thelma. Alvina is the wife of Frank Bey, of Davenport, and has five children: Alvin, Clarence, Frank, Lawrence and Raymond. Anna is the widow of William Brandt and has three children: Lucile, Lillie and Isabelle.

Mr. Wiese was a member of the Turner Society and the German Shooting Society. He was a man of liberal and generous spirit who gave freely of his means to advance worthy public movements and at the same time rendered aid in many individual cases. His good qualities were numerous and won for him a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Mrs. Christine Wiese, now living in Davenport, where she is widely known and has many friends, is the widow of Peter Wiese, long a resident of Scott county. He served as postmaster of Mount Joy for over thirty years and had a wide acquaintance in the rural districts as well as in the city. He was born in Holstein, Germany, September 4, 1832, and was a son of James and Gretchen Wiese. His father was a shoemaker in Germany and, in accordance with the laws of that country, served in the army. He continued his residence in his native land throughout his entire life.

In the schools of Germany, Peter Wiese acquired his education, after which he worked as a farm hand in his native country until 185 1, when, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he came alone to the United States. He was at that time a young man of about nineteen years. He landed at New Orleans, made his way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis and remained there for a time, owing to the fact that his brother, Claus H. Wiese, was residing there. The next spring, however, Peter Wiese continued on his way to Davenport and after reaching this city secured employment as a farm hand by the month. Later he purchased a threshing machine and engaged in threshing and farming for about thirteen years. He then went to Mount Joy and took charge of the hotel there, conducting it until it was destroyed by fire on the nth of February, 1896. He continued to live at Mount Joy until his death, which occurred on the 6th of December, 1897. He was one of the best known men in that part of the country. He served for over thirty years as postmaster of Mount Joy and was also township clerk of Sheridan township. He likewise held other offices and at all times was loyal to the trust reposed in him, whether in connection with public affairs or otherwise. He took a contract to build forty miles of Milwaukee railroad and successfully executed it. In part payment for his services he took five hundred and sixty acres of land in Pottawattamie county, but later sold that property.

On the 24th of January, 1859, Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Christine Pieper. She was born in Holstein, Germany, April 23, 1840, near the birthplace of her husband, and was a daughter of Henry and Anna Pieper. Her mother died in Germany but the father afterward came to the United States in 1856, accompanied by Mrs. Wiese. They landed at New York and, crossing the country, made their way to Davenport, where Mr. Pieper engaged in shoemaking. Later he became proprietor of a hotel at Mount Joy, where he lived until The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wiese was blessed with seven children. Meta, the wife of John Ploehn, of Davenport, has four children: John H., who married his death on the 27th of October, 1886, when he was seventy-eight years of age. Grace Gilchrist; Elsie C.; Carl; and Camilla. Anna is the wife of Henry Priester, of Davenport, and has three children: Walter C, who married Nora Boecken and has two children, Roma and Allen; Wilma, who is the wife of Frank Junggohan and has four children. Vera, Lula, Carl and Fred; and Cora. Julius, living at Eldridge, married Anna Goertz and has two children, Elsinda B. and Rollie P. Emil, of Minnesota, married Emma Wellendorf and they have nine children: Rona; Herle; Alvin P.; Thorwald; Herbert; Ruth and Rubie, twins; Ethel; and Lillian. Henry, living in Eldridge, married Lena Cabel and has three children; Lois, Hazel and Donald. Christian, of Davenport, wedded Tecla Miller and they have two sons, Arnold and Otis. Helena is the wife of Herman Baustan, of Sheridan township, and has one son, Wilbert.

All through his life, save for the brief period spent in St. Louis, Peter Wiese remained a resident of Scott county after coming to the United States, and the success which he achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors, for his resources were very limited when he crossed the Atlantic. As the years went by his carefully directed labors brought him substantial success, enabling him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He possessed a genial, social nature and courteous manner, and these qualities were an element in bringing to him the extended circle of friends who through his life enjoyed his companionship and since his death have only respect and commendable words for him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Heinrich Wiese, a well known and prosperous agriculturist of Davenport township, is the owner of an excellent farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 25th of January, 1838, his parents being James and Katherine Wiese. The father was a weaver by trade and followed that occupation in his native land. In 1859, in company with his wife and children, he set sail for the United States and after crossing the ocean landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, whence he made his way up the Mississippi river to Davenport, Iowa, arriving here in the month of June. Subsequently he devoted his attention to the operation of rented land in Clinton county, this state, where the demise of his wife occurred. Later he removed to Carroll county, Iowa, and there made his home with a son until called to his final rest. Unto him and his wife were born three children, as follows: Heinrich, of this review; Claus, living in Minnesota; and James, who is a resident of Carroll county, Iowa.

Heinrich Wiese, who obtained his education in the schools of the fatherland, was a young man of twenty-one when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world in 1859, since which time he has been a resident of Scott county, Iowa. He first secured employment as a farm hand and later rented the place of one hundred and sixty acres in Davenport township which he now owns but which was then in the possession of a Mr. Hershel. About the year 1878 he purchased the property, erected a commodious and attractive residence and has made many other substantial improvements on the place, so that it is now lacking in none of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. As the years have passed by he has won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and has long been numbered among the prosperous and respected citizens of the community.

On the 15th of March, 1865, Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Arp, a native of Holstein, Germany, who was but three years of age when brought to this country by her parents, Peter and Dora Arp, the family home being established in Scott county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiese have been born seven children, the record of whom is as follows: Herman, who is a resident of Linn county and wedded Miss Emma Kirby, by whom he has two children. Hazel and Erma; Gustaf, likewise of Linn county, Iowa, who married Miss Emma Paustian and has three children, Henry, Arnold and Louisa; Julius, who makes his home in Muscatine county, Iowa, and wedded Miss Freda Tah, by whom he has a son, Raymond; Otto, who is at home; Rudolph, who is a resident of Sheridan township and has one son by his marriage to Miss Kobaugh; and Dora and Hugo, who are yet under the parental roof.

Mr. Wiese is a stanch democrat in his political views and has capable served as a school director and also in the office of road supervisor. The period of his residence in this county now covers a half century and he is therefore widely and favorably known within its borders. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and, making the best of these, he has steadily worked his way upward.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES H. WIESE.

Among those who have come from foreign lands to take a place among the well known agriculturists of this county is James H. Wiese, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township, about three and a half miles west of Eldridge. He was born in Holstein, Germany, December 20, 1852, a son of Peter and Bertha Wiese. The father was a laborer in the old country and in 1865 with his family sailed for America. Landing at New York, he came direct to Davenport, where his daughter Lena, who married Henry Meier, was living, and then rented a farm in Winfield township. Later he bought the place in Sheridan township on which his son James now makes his home, living thereon until about four years before his death, when he retired and removed to Eldridge, where he passed away. His widow is still living in the village at the age of ninety-seven years. She is the mother of five children: Lena, the wife of Henry Meier; Kathrina, who married Mr. Haller, of Buffalo, Iowa; Amelia, the wife of Henry Schneckloth, of Minden, Iowa; Marie, the wife of William Meier, of Sheridan township; and James H., of this review.

James H. Wiese had attended school a little in Germany and after the family home was established in Scott county he became a pupil in the district school of his locality. When his lessons were over he devoted his entire time to farming, assisting his father in his work until he was twenty-four years of age, when, having married, he desired to establish a home and engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account. Accordingly he rented a farm in Slopertown, Sheridan township, where he lived twenty-eight years, at the end of which time he removed to his present place, which he had previously purchased of James Calderwood. He has worked industriously since then to improve his farm, has built all the barns and outbuildings, has tiled his land, and done other things to make it a representative farm of the twentieth century, modern in every detail. He raises various crops adapted to soil and climate, and as the years have passed he has met with success in his agricultural interests, owing to his untiring labor and excellent business management.

At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Wiese wedded Miss Emma Keppe, and they became the parents of six children, as follows: Amelia, who is now the wife of Fritz Speth, of Davenport, and has six children: Henry, who married Anna Batram and lives on the old home place at Slopertown; Reda, who is the wife of Emil Oetzmann, of Sheridan township, and has two children, Clarence and Edna; Frank, who married Emma Oetzmann and lives in Lincoln township; Emma, a resident of Donahue; and Walter, who lives in Eldridge. Mrs. Emma Wiese died in 1891 and was buried at Pine Hill, and on the lath of March, 1893, Mr. Wiese married Miss Alvina Claussen. She was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and in 1888 emigrated to America with her parents, William and Marie Claussen. They landed at Baltimore, whence they came direct to Scott county, Iowa. The father died here at the age of sixty-three years, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Davenport. Four children have been born of this union: Maggie, Emil, Alfred and Elmer, all of whom are at home.

In politics Mr. Wiese affiliates with the democratic party, on whose ticket he was elected to the offices of trustee of Sheridan township and road supervisor. He was faithful in the discharge of his duties and gave his support to every measure for the public good, so that he holds the respect and good will of his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Turners Society of Eldridge and the Shooting Society of Maysville, and is widely known as a man who is always honorable in his dealings and has gained his success by methods that are above reproach.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.