From his obituary in the Manitowoc Weekly Tribune.
The desire expressed in but last issue for Otto Troemel’s earliest possible restoration of health has not been realized; he died on Friday, February 7th at 4:30 a.m., of softening of the brain, after an illness of but a week, leaving a disconsolate widow, two little children and a host of friends to mourn his untimely loss.
Otto Troemel was born in Rosswein, Kingdom of Saxony, August 29th 1831, received a good school education and was then apprenticed in a mercantile establishment. After serving his time he was engaged as traveler and book-keeper for several prominent firms; but when the ” battle cry of freedom “resounded throughout Germany, in 1848, when the people rose against their oppressors and tried to break the fetters by which the federal party kept them bound, Otto Troemel too took up arms and joined hopefully the ranks of the people, combatting against their tyrants, and fought briefly throughout the Saxon revolution in 1849.
The and of this fearful strife is well known. Prussian troops were called and quelled the revolution which the King of Saxony was unable to subdue; and many of the brave men wrestling for liberty, were either shot or doomed to imprisonment of long duration. Otto Troemel was among the prisoners and it was with great pains and sacrifices that his uncle, a man of considerable influence, succeeded in obtaining his pardon. As soon as he was released he went to Hamburg where he found in engagement as traveler for a large wholesale house.
In the year 1853 resolved to leave Germany and to seek a new home in the United States. Soon after his arrival he went to Chicago, where he resided for some time, and in 1854 he came to Manitowoc, when a little village of stairs data scarecly one thousand inhabitants. Here he supported himself by whatever his hands could find to do, sometimes scartely earning a living, but ever mindful of the great interests of humanity and German immigration, ever interested in our public affairs and in the social condition of our German citizens. Thus he became one of the founders of the Freie Saengerbund and has ever remained one of its most active and influential members; he was also azealous member of the Turn Verein, acting for a long time as its secretary.
It was about the time of his arrival here when the Republican party was founded, he joined it immediately, has ever since remained one of its most faithful members and proved true, when hundreds of his countrymen were led estray in the late canvass I the cry of reform and the name of Carl Schurz. He was appointed a delegate to the Philadelphia convention wear he voted probably and cheerfully for the reelection of our noble President, U. S. Grant.
In 1861 he was enabled to commence a German republican paper, in this city called the Union, which in 1862 was merged with the Wisconsin Democrat and in the month of September of that year, he joined the 26th Regiment, Wisconsin infantry, as corporal, was promoted to 2nd and then 1st Lieutenant, and in the position slot in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Having been wounded at the latter place, the was obliged to resign his commission and was honorably discharged {Manitowoc Pilot}.
In 1864 he joined the 45th Regiment as Sutler, went with it to Tennessee and returned the year following, when that Regiment was mustered out of service. Since been he was constantly resided in this city, was elected to several important town and village offices, which he filled with the strictest integrity, and in June 1868 commenced the Manitowoc Zeitung, which he has continued with constantly increasing support until the present time.
On the 31st of last month he was taken ill with crisipelas in the face and the inflammation soon extended to the brain, the poor sufferer was almost constantly delirious, until last Friday death ended his earthly existence.
He was buried last Sunday afternoon with all the honors at the enter fraternity, the printers, the Saenger Bunds, the Trun Verein and his host of friends could bestow. Our worthy Mr. Esslinger spoke the last farewell at the graves, causing many tears to flow in memory of a beloved friend.
In regard to his character we here give the noble words of Mr. G. Schmidt, present editor of the Nord Westen, one of the most bitter political opponents that our department friend ever had:
“Mr. Troemel was an amiable companion, a faithful friend to his friends, a gentlemen in the true sense of the word, a good citizen. The republican party loses in him one of its most zealous members, and the press of Manitowoc one of its most capable, honorable representatives. Peace to his ashes.”
Otto Troemel was born in Rosswein, Kingdom of Saxony, August 29th 1831, received a good school education and was then apprenticed in a mercantile establishment. After serving his time he was engaged as traveler and book-keeper for several prominent firms; but when the ” battle cry of freedom “resounded throughout Germany, in 1848, when the people rose against their oppressors and tried to break the fetters by which the federal party kept them bound, Otto Troemel too took up arms and joined hopefully the ranks of the people, combatting against their tyrants, and fought briefly throughout the Saxon revolution in 1849.
The and of this fearful strife is well known. Prussian troops were called and quelled the revolution which the King of Saxony was unable to subdue; and many of the brave men wrestling for liberty, were either shot or doomed to imprisonment of long duration. Otto Troemel was among the prisoners and it was with great pains and sacrifices that his uncle, a man of considerable influence, succeeded in obtaining his pardon. As soon as he was released he went to Hamburg where he found in engagement as traveler for a large wholesale house.
In the year 1853 resolved to leave Germany and to seek a new home in the United States. Soon after his arrival he went to Chicago, where he resided for some time, and in 1854 he came to Manitowoc, when a little village of stairs data scarecly one thousand inhabitants. Here he supported himself by whatever his hands could find to do, sometimes scartely earning a living, but ever mindful of the great interests of humanity and German immigration, ever interested in our public affairs and in the social condition of our German citizens. Thus he became one of the founders of the Freie Saengerbund and has ever remained one of its most active and influential members; he was also azealous member of the Turn Verein, acting for a long time as its secretary.
It was about the time of his arrival here when the Republican party was founded, he joined it immediately, has ever since remained one of its most faithful members and proved true, when hundreds of his countrymen were led estray in the late canvass I the cry of reform and the name of Carl Schurz. He was appointed a delegate to the Philadelphia convention wear he voted probably and cheerfully for the reelection of our noble President, U. S. Grant.
In 1861 he was enabled to commence a German republican paper, in this city called the Union, which in 1862 was merged with the Wisconsin Democrat and in the month of September of that year, he joined the 26th Regiment, Wisconsin infantry, as corporal, was promoted to 2nd and then 1st Lieutenant, and in the position slot in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Having been wounded at the latter place, the was obliged to resign his commission and was honorably discharged {Manitowoc Pilot}.
In 1864 he joined the 45th Regiment as Sutler, went with it to Tennessee and returned the year following, when that Regiment was mustered out of service. Since been he was constantly resided in this city, was elected to several important town and village offices, which he filled with the strictest integrity, and in June 1868 commenced the Manitowoc Zeitung, which he has continued with constantly increasing support until the present time.
On the 31st of last month he was taken ill with crisipelas in the face and the inflammation soon extended to the brain, the poor sufferer was almost constantly delirious, until last Friday death ended his earthly existence.
He was buried last Sunday afternoon with all the honors at the enter fraternity, the printers, the Saenger Bunds, the Trun Verein and his host of friends could bestow. Our worthy Mr. Esslinger spoke the last farewell at the graves, causing many tears to flow in memory of a beloved friend.
In regard to his character we here give the noble words of Mr. G. Schmidt, present editor of the Nord Westen, one of the most bitter political opponents that our department friend ever had:
“Mr. Troemel was an amiable companion, a faithful friend to his friends, a gentlemen in the true sense of the word, a good citizen. The republican party loses in him one of its most zealous members, and the press of Manitowoc one of its most capable, honorable representatives. Peace to his ashes.”