Henry Wieseler

• General Notes
  • Obituary Henry Wieseler
    On October 16th, the whole community was shocked to hear of the death of Henry Wieseler, an esteemed citizen and Gentleman.
    Mr. Wieseler had been sick but a short time. The cause of his sudden death has been ascribed to acute uremic coma.
    Mr Wieseler was Born about 50 years ago in Dubuque Co. Iowa. Shortly after his birth, he moved with his parents to Nebraska, where he lived for 25 years. Twenty-five years ago he came to Hand county, where he settled and lived until his death. He started his career in South Dakota like all the rest, poor, but due to his energy and pluck, he turned the barren prairie into much yielding fields. At his death he was one of the wealthiest farmers of his community. He raised a family of 12 children, 7 boys and 3 girls, one boy and one girl having preceded him to the grave. Besides a sorrowing widow and 10 children, he leaves behind to mourn his loss 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Two brothers John and Frank and two sisters, Antionette and Mary attended his funeral.
    Deceased was laid to rest in the St Laborious cemetery Polo, last Thursday. A solemn Requiem was chanted by the pastor, Rev Burkel, assisted by Rev Jno. Krebs of Bowdle as deacon and Rev J A Reilly of Faulkton as subdeacon. Father Burkel delivered the funeral sermon.
    With the death of Mr Wieseler, St Liborious parish and the Polo community in general has lost a good, honest, energetic friend and helper.
    May he rest in peace.
    Note from "Wieseler 1822 - 1985 " compiled by Jeanette Wieseler.
    Henry grew up and married Renata Schmidt in St Helena NE. Renata had also migrated from what is now known as Germany with her two brothers at the age of 18.
    After they were married, they set out for the Dakota Territory in 1881, with a covered wagon pulled by white horses. Their only possessions were the horses, a wagon, and a plow. This was at the time when there was a great amount of land settlements in the Dakota Territory. The Sioux Indians were slowly being driven farther west.
    In 1881, Henry and Renata homesteaded northwest of Miller SD in Fairview Township. Their original homestead was located on the present day Myron Wieseler farm.
    Their first home was a dugout sod house. In June of 1886, their oldest son, Frank was born. He was the first white child born in Fairview Township Hand County.
    Henry and Renata remained on this homestead for the rest of their lives. Many of their children and their grandchildren still live there.

Details of Henry's family with Renata Schmidt