Joseph Schiesser was born near the Rhine, in Wurtemburg, Germany, February 12, 1834, where his early life was spent, and his education obtained. His parents were both natives of Wurtemburg, and had nine children, (five boys and four girls) of whom Joseph was the eldest son. At the age of nineteen years, Joseph, in company with two companions, started to the United States. He worked in New York several months, and then gradually worked his way to the west, until he reached St. Louis, Christmas eve, 1853. He worked in and about St. Louis for some time, until he was taken sick. He was finally cured in Jefferson, by Dr. Grouce, after a nine month’s spell. He then worked around at St. Paul and Dubuque, staying at the latter place nearly four years. In 1857 he was married to Caroline Ostwalt, in Iowa, now dead. Farmed for five years in Minnesota. He married again, to Agnes Gartner, who is also dead, February 17, 1871. His third wife, Barbara Keller, is still living. In 1880 he came to Saline and settled on his present farm.
