Michael [Kobolt] [Koppold] KOBOLD

  General Notes:

Notes for MICHAEL KOBOLD: George Kobold believed there were 2 more children, but had not found names prior to his death.

An excerpt from the Genealogy byClara Kobold Zick:

"Their oldest son John came to America alone in 1872 at the age of 14. He came directly to Peru, Illinois. He was traveling with friends by the name of Greiner. These people had relatives who farmed north of Peru, Illinois. Prior to 1881, four (4) more sons (to avoid German military training) came to America. They came directly to Peru, Illinois and stayed with their brother John and his friends the Greiners. Later coming to Iowa and other parts of the U.S.A.

Their leaving Germany was kept in utmost secrecy, to avoid unpleasantness to the family who remained behind. The German police used to question the younger children, while they were out playing; thinking they wouldtell them the truth. Either the children were well versed or did not know thewhere-a-bout of their brothers. All the sons taking out American Citizenship as soon as possible, so the German government could not make them return.

Michael & Eva wished to be near Eva's brother so the children would have a place to stay. Wendell tells of staying with George & Elizabeth Schechinger and alsowith the Bartell Stoll family (Eva's brother Martin's married children). Wendell helped on the farm and went to school in the winter time in Lincoln Township, where his cousins lived at the time. (For an allowance, Wendell was given 25 cents a month).

Michael was a blacksmith in his native land, but took up farming in America. He purchased 120 acres of land at $25.00 an acre. No doubt, his blacksmithing skill came in handy many times in the course of farming anda successful one. He place extensive improvements on his farm. He continued farming until 1899, sold the farm to his son Wendell, and he & Eva moved to Westphalia, Shelby County, IA. Here he remained until his death in 1913.

Afterhis death, Eva continued living in Westphalia, visiting among her children wholived near by. Eventually she lived from family to family among her children. I recall her spending several months at our home (her son Tom) at Seneca, SD"

1900 US Census Iowa-Shelby Co.-Westphalia Twp. Kobbold, Mike-head-born Feb. 1830-age 70-born Germany -------, Eva-wife-born Dec. 1836-age 62-12 living children-born Germany

Michael married Eva SCHECHINGER 1856?1857 in Bavaria, Germany. (Eva SCHECHINGER was born on 24 Dec 1837 in Bavaria, Germany, died on 13 Oct 1925 in Westphalia, Shelby Co., IA and was buried in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Westphalia, Shelby, IA, USA.)