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Joseph Spielmann

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Joseph Spielmann

Birth	:	24 Jun 1801 Bavaria (Bayern), Germany
Death	:	19 Feb 1888 Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Saint Wenceslaus Cemetery, Spillville, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.2055000, -91.9538000
Inscription	:	Lying to the immediate right is the grave of JOSEPH SPIELMAN pioneer settler, landowner, businessman, civic leader and founder of Spillville. Born June 24, 1801 in Deitersdorf, Bavaria, Germany. Came to America 1836, located
Description	:	Joseph's first wife, Eva Margarethe Munchen (married 13 Nov 1825 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany), was born 30 June 1803 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany and died in 1855 [at Batesville, Fountain County, Indiana-???]. To this union four children were born: Margaret (1826-1863), spouse, Jacob George Rausch (1849-1927); John (1826-1903), spouses, Margaret Akler (1837-1874) & Mary Petzina (1850-?); Otilla (1829-1899), spouse, George Krapfl (1821-1878); Maria Magdalena (1831-1867), spouse, Roman Florian Expelier (1822-1898), and; Wendolyn (1835-?). Joseph's second wife, Anna Komeda (married 22 Oct 1855 in Spillville, Iowa at St. Wenceslaus Church), was born in 1805 in... Read More	Joseph's first wife, Eva Margarethe Munchen (married 13 Nov 1825 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany), was born 30 June 1803 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany and died in 1855 [at Batesville, Fountain County, Indiana-???]. To this union four children were born: Margaret (1826-1863), spouse, Jacob George Rausch (1849-1927); John (1826-1903), spouses, Margaret Akler (1837-1874) & Mary Petzina (1850-?); Otilla (1829-1899), spouse, George Krapfl (1821-1878); Maria Magdalena (1831-1867), spouse, Roman Florian Expelier (1822-1898), and; Wendolyn (1835-?). Joseph's second wife, Anna Komeda (married 22 Oct 1855 in Spillville, Iowa at St. Wenceslaus Church), was born in 1805 in Bohemia of the Czech Republic and died on 6 Dec 1889 in Winneshiek County, Iowa. Joseph was born to: Johann Valentin Spielmann Birth: 8 Nov 1769 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany Death: 9 May 1836 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany & Ottilie Heuchler Birth: 6 Sep 1767 in Pfarrweisach, Hassberge, Bavaria, Germany Death: 28 Jan 1852 in Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany -------------------------- SPIELMAN, JOSEPH & EVA SPIELMAN, JOSEPH & ANNA When Joseph Spielman came to the Spillville area, he had been in the United States for more than two decades and was already a naturalized citizen. A native of Dietersdorf, Bavaria, Germany, he was born June 24, 1801, in "Haus 13," to Johann Valentine and Otilia (Heuchler) Spielman. In 1825, Joseph married Eva Munchen. They had five children, all of whom came with them to America. In 1836, accompanied by another Spielman family, Joseph boarded the Austrian brig Matilda, bound for the United States. One can only guess what preparation such a voyage entailed. Not only did they have to bring trunks full of clothes, bedding, and personal belongings, but they also had to pack food enough to last them at least three months, and preferably more. Much of this would have been hard bread and salt pork, and possibly some cheese, as well as meal. It would be many more years before law required shops to provide sustenance for the passengers. On arrival, the Spielmans settled near Oldenburg, Indiana. In 1849, after the government forced the removal of the Winnebago Indians from Iowa, Spielman was one of six men who brought their families in covered wagons from Oldenburg to take up the lush prairie land on the frontier. To complete the journey in time for getting in their crops, the migrants left in February. The youngest member of the caravan was Joseph's first grandson, John Jacob Rausch. He was two weeks old. John's parents were Jacob Rausch and Spielman's oldest daughter, Margaret. The journey took more than a month. The acreage which Spielman pre-empted included fields of what had been an Indian village and farm. When the government surveys were completed and the land came on the market, he bought it for $1.25 and acre. With his crops in and his cabin built, Joseph began acquiring other properties, including the future site of Spillville, as well as some land in adjoining Howard County. He built a sawmill, added a gristmill, replaced his log hut with a substantial two-story dwelling, and began sub-dividing, renting, and selling lots near the mill. One of Joseph's early sales was a half acre lot to Roman Expelier, who was married to his daughter, Magdalene. Here, across the County road from Spielman's house, Roman built a dwelling similar to Spielman's, which also served as an inn, a use which continued into the next century. Joseph Spielman's other three children were John, who married Margaret Akler. Their home was north of Expelier's place, on the site of Spillville's Legion Hall. Following Margaret's death, John married Mary Mach, widow of Francis Mach and the daughter of cigar maker, Anton Petzina. They moved to Seneca, Kansas. Otilia married George Krapfl and lived in New Vienna, Iowa. Wendolyn, the youngest child, worked as a laborer, was unmarried, and moved to Humphrey, Nebraska. Eva Spielman died in 1855. Later the same year, Joseph married Anna Komenda, a Czech widow with four children. In 1859, when a conflict concerning church support of St. Clements's arose between the Germans and the Czechs, Spielman acted as mediator between the two factions. As a solution to a difficult problem he actively promoted, through the donation of land, the building of a Czech church. In May of the following year, construction of St. Wenceslaus began, with the laying of the cornerstone. That same month, Winneshiek County accepted Spielman's subdivision of "Spielville." Joseph Spielman is said to have been a kindly man, trustworthy, and a sincere Catholic. Bells in the church towers at Spillville, Protivin, and Festina attest to his charity. Perceptive and of sturdy stock, Spielman was man of many skills. He was a carpenter, blacksmith, miller, real estate broker, miller, merchant, brewer, banker, and for a while, even held a physician's license. Though anyone living under similar conditions today would be considered poor, by 1852 standards, Joseph was a wealthy man. The $18.96 property tax he paid that year was the County's fourth highest. During the County's early years, Spielman served as a Calmar Township trustee and election judge. He also sat on the sub-committee established during the Civil War to raise the County's quota of men and money. In the advent of his retirement years, Spielman suffered more than his share distress and grief. Not long after the Civil War started, two daughters [Margaret Spielman Rausch] and three grandchildren [Mary Magdalene Rausch, Jacob Rausch, Wendolyn Rausch (Margaret's children)] were struck down by diptheria [diphtheria in1863]. Heartbreak left Spielman unable to cope with life's normal situations, setbacks, and stresses. This subsequently led to alienation of neighbors, friends, and even members of his family. Joseph Spielman died February 19, 1888, the victim of a massive stroke. His wife, Anna, joined in his death on December 6, 1889.1 "The Quasquicentennial History Book of St. Clements & St. Wenceslaus Churches 1860-1985," Spillville, Iowa, Pages 497-499, Becky Neuzil & Beatrice Sbirl. Siblings: Katharina Spillman Wendelin Spielmann

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Joseph Spielmann's memorial?
Joseph Spielmann's memorial is located at: Saint Wenceslaus Cemetery, Spillville, Winneshiek County, USA.
When did Joseph Spielmann death?
Joseph Spielmann death on 19 Feb 1888 in Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Joseph Spielmann's memorial?
Latitude: 43.2055000
Longitude: -91.9538000

Family Members:

Spouse

Anna Komeda Spielmann

(1805 - 1889)

Children

Othelia Spielmann Krapfl

(1829 - 1899)

Maria Magdalena Spielman Expelier

(1831 - 1866)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Wenceslaus Cemetery
Spillville, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2055000, -91.9538000

2. Haug Cemetery
Spillville, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2089005, -91.9657974

3. Saint Clements Cemetery
Spillville, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1877000, -91.9635000

4. Garfield Family Cemetery
Conover, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2266900, -91.8846700

5. Saint James German Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1478000, -91.9408000

6. Saint Peters Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1474991, -91.9405975

7. Madison Settlement Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2607994, -91.9233017

8. Lincoln Cemetery
Ridgeway, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2627983, -91.9819031

9. Calmar Community Cemetery
Calmar, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1786003, -91.8728027

10. Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1425018, -91.9238968

11. Oak Hill Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1397018, -91.9353027

12. Bohemian National Cemetery
Spillville, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2168999, -92.0477982

13. Saint Aloysius Catholic Church Cemetery
Calmar, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1772003, -91.8636017

14. Calmar Lutheran Church Cemetery
Calmar, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1833000, -91.8588000

15. McIntosh Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2696991, -91.8833008

16. United Lutheran Cemetery
Ridgeway, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2916985, -92.0216980

17. Young Cemetery
Washington Township, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1102982, -91.9131012

18. Union Prairie Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2585983, -91.8368988

19. Springfield Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2221985, -91.8171997

20. Holy Trinity Church Cemetery
Protivin, Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2188911, -92.0916672

21. Aasa Haugen Home Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2698330, -91.8421110

22. Saint Marys Cemetery
Festina, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1205000, -91.8658000

23. Evangelical United Bretheran Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2843000, -92.0523000

24. Saint Johns German Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2849694, -92.0521090