Bio of Drees, Herman (b.1848) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Drees, Herman (p. 413), who after an active career of forty years or more
in this county, has arrived at prosperity by the hard but ready road of
agricultural activity, was born in Hanover, Germany, July 14, 1848, son of
Henry and Mary (Williams) Drees. His parents were farmers who lived and
died in their native land. There Herman also remained until 1875,
attending school to the age of 14, and out of school hours being obliged
to work, with little leisure for play. When he was 27 years old letters
received from a brother, Benedict, who had emigrated to Nova Scotia,
contained such a glowing account of this country that he resolved to
emigrate also, and accordingly in 1875 he set out, landed in Baltimore,
and came direct to Wabasha County. Here for six or seven years he worked
as a farm hand, being mainly employed in grubbing. During this time he
saved most of his earnings, and was finally able to buy 80 acres of land
on Zumbro Bottoms, back of Wabasha. In about a year he sold that tract,
and for six years or more subsequently was engaged in the saloon business
at Wabasha and Reed's Landing. In 1880 he returned to farming, buying his
present farm of 180 acres in section 23, Pepin Township, four and a half
miles west of Wabasha. The land was but slightly improved, most of it
being in timber, and Mr. Drees began operations by erecting a small board
house, in which he lived for some years. His subsequent career has been
similar to that of other hard-working and successful farmers, and he has
today a well developed farm, with a good two-story frame house, a barn 36
by 56 by 14 feet, with full stone basement, and other substantial
buildings, including a tool shed, corn crib, machine shop and poultry
house. He engaged in general farming, finding a ready market for all his
produce, and continued active work until several years ago, when he turned
over the management of the farm to his son, Bernhard, though still
residing thereon. Mr. Drees was married in 1883 to Mary Jennings, daughter
of Henry and Helen Jennings, and a native of Hanover, Germany, their
wedding taking place at Wabasha, to which place she, with her sisters,
Theresa and Helen, had come in 1882. Six children have been born to Mr.
And Mrs. Drees: Paul, born at Reed's Landing in June, 1884, died in
infancy; John, born at Reed's Landing June 1, 1885, who is a farm laborer
residing at home; Emma, born September 10, 1887, who is now Mrs. Anton
Voskar, of Arkansaw, Pepin County, Wis., and has two children, Dorothy and
Marcella; Bernhard, born April 30, 1891, who is operating the home farm;
Mary, born March 15, 1895, who died May 3, 1919; and Clara, born August 3,
1899, who resides at home with her parents. The family are of the Catholic
faith and members of St. Felix parish at Wabasha. In politics Mr. Drees is
a Republican. Though not active in public affairs, he is a well known and
respected citizen.