Guttenberg Press, IA, Thursday, December 7, 1922, pg. 1, col. 1

ANZELM CONRAD KEPPLER

The death of Anzelm Conrad Keppler occurred at his home in Guttenberg, Dec. 5, 1922, at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 26 days.

The deceased was born in Prussia, Germany, Aug. 7, 1846, his parents having been Joseph and Christina Keppler. At the age of 11 years he came with his parents to Galena, Ill., but soon thereafter the family moved to the vicinity of Guttenberg. In 1872, Miss Margaret Hilby became his wife, the wedding taking place at Menominee, Ill. Until 1886 he and his family followed the farmer's life in the vicinity of Guttenberg, at which time they moved to a farm near North Buena Vista, remaining there until 1907 but they came to Guttenberg and ever since resided here. His wife and 11 children survive him. The children are: Henry of New Vienna, Iowa; Gustav of San Francisco; William of San-___, N. D.; Joseph and George of Monona, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Thill, Stanley, Wis., Mrs. Emily Fuerstenberg, of Delaware, Wis.; Mrs. Lena Burr and Mrs. Elizabeth Bouquet of Guttenberg; Miss Mathilda Keppler, Hazel ______, Wis.

The funeral occurred at St. Mary's church on Thursday forenoon, Dec. 7, 1922, conducted by Rev. J. H. Brinkman. Interment at Mt. Olivet cemetery.

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1984 History of Clayton County, Iowa, page 375

Anselm and Margaret Hilby Keppler

Our first ancestor to come to Clayton County was Anselm Conrad Keppler. He left Buttstedt, Prussia, in 1858 and sailed from Bremen, E. Germany, on the S.S. Ernst Moritz Arndt; fleeing political upheavel and poverty. Accompanying him were his parents and eight brothers and sisters. He arrived in New Orleans 2 1/2 months later. From there they boarded a train and traveled to the furthest point north, Galena, Ill. Anselm lived with his parents, Joseph Charles Keppler and Christina Funke, not far from them in Menominee, Ill., until leaving home.

He married Margaret Hilby, a Swiss emigrant, on Feb. 6, 1872, and farmed near Buena Vista, Ia., in Sections 20, 29, and 28 fo Buena Vista Twp. around 1902. (See 1902 Platt Book) Anselm was the only son in the family who continued to farm. As of this writing there are close to 200 living descendants of this man. These are the names of his 11 children: Margaret (Mrs. Frank Thill), Helene (Mrs. Frank Burr), Emma (Mrs. August Furstenberg), Elizabeth (Mrs. George Bouquet), Tillie (Mrs. Arthur Kaiser), Henry, Gustav, George, William, Joseph, and Leo.