John F. Bierbaum was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 5th day of June, 1834. He came to the United State in 1847, landed at New Orleans, thence by steamer to Guttenberg, Ia. He resided on the old homestead of his father in Garnavillo township, now occupied by his brother Gerhard, eight years, then purchased his present farm of 202 ares in Clayton Township. He has been twice married, first on Jan. 16, 1856, to Justine Bruns, of Hanover. Eight children were born of this union, viz.: Catherine E., born Nov. 14, 1856; Sophia M., Aug. 14, 1858; Maria J., Nov. 2, 1860; John H., Oct 2, 1862; Lucia W., Oct. 30, 1864; Margaret K., Sept. 27, 1866; Anna L., Nov. 21, 1868, and Florentina, Feb. 21, 1871. Mr. Bierbaum was again married on Feb. 8, 1872, to Susan Mettler, a native of Switzerland, born in 1841. They have had two children-Frederick G., born Dec. 8, 1874, and Albert L., July 2, 1878. Mr. Bierbaum is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 719 |