Gustav Fredrick Ressel
Among the worthy representatives of farming interests that
Germany has furnished to Allamakee county, is numbered Gustav
Fredrick Ressel, who owns and operates a well improved farm of
eighty acres, located in Fairview township. He was born in
Silesia, Germany, January 24, 1863, a son of August and Eleanor
(Pool) Ressel, who were likewise natives of Silesia. The father
owned a small tract of land and engaged in farming in his native
country, and he also was employed by others at various times. The
parents spent their entire lives in Germany and both are now
deceased.
Gustav Fredrick Ressel acquired his education in the schools of
his native land, attending until he had reached the age of
fourteen, when he began learning the carpenter’s trade.
Believing that he might enjoy better business opportunities in
the new world, he accordingly set sail for America in 1883. He
spent abut eighteen months in Chicago,, working at his trade, and
also worked at his trade in McGregor for about six moths after
coming to Iowa. He then purchased his present farm, comprising
eighty acres in Fairview township and from that time to the
present he has given his attention to its further development. He
is engaged in general farming and follows the most progressive
ideas in his work, so that he is meeting with success. He also
raises stock to some extend and this branch of his business adds
not a little to his annual income.
Mr. Ressel established a home of his own by his marriage in
November, 1893, to Miss Augusta Kegel, who was born in the
province of Pomerania, Germany, July 22, 1863, the marriage
ceremony being celebrated in Chicago. Her parents have always
lived in their native land. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ressel
has been blessed with two daughters, Catharine, who was born
November 12, 1895, pursued a business course in the Dubuque
Business College, and is now employed as a stenographer in that
city. Mollie, born July 10, 1897, graduated from the same
institution and is at home.
Mr. Ressel’s study of the political questions and issues of
the day has led him to give stanch support to the democratic
party, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in
the Lutheran church. He has never been active in political
affairs and the only public office he has ever held has been that
of school director. Possessing all the traits and characteristics
of his German ancestry, he is withal loyal to American interests,
for he has found here the opportunities he sought, and having
availed himself of the advantages here to be found he is working
his way upward to success.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index