From History of Walworth County Wisconsin, Vol. 1, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 749 - 750
 
JOHN DESING.  Biographies should not be published unless there is something in 
the life and character of the individual worthy of emulation or imitation by 
others under the circumstances - certainly not for self-aggrandizement; but 
sufficient has been drawn from the life history of the gentleman whose name 
appears above to show that there is something in the inner life of this man 
worthy of more than incidental mention.  He began life practically at the 
bottom of the ladder, which he has climbed to the top with no help but a brave 
heart, industrious hands, an intelligent brain, and a faithful life companion, 
and is a living example of what may be accomplished by the foreign-born 
citizen in this republic of the "sundown seas" by thrift and perseverance, 
even under the discouraging circumstances; and now, as this worthy old German 
couple pass down the outmost incline of life's rugged pathway, over beyond the 
crest of hill that marks the divide between youth and old age, they rest 
secure in the respect and esteem of all who know them, because of the high 
ideals and honest motives which have actuated and controlled their lives.
 
John DESING, for many years a successful farmer in Lafayette township, 
Walworth county, now living retired in his cozy cottage in Elkhorn, was born 
in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, not far from Brandenburg, Germany, in 1830.  He is 
the son of Henry and Sophia (WODRICH) DESING  His boyhood was spent as a farm 
hand and a working man in the village of Brun.  He was married in 1855 to 
Wilhelmina WILK, who was born in Brun, Germany, in 1831.  She is the daughter 
of Carl and Sophia (KARDOW) WILK, and there she grew to womanhood and was 
married.
 
John DESING and wife went to housekeeping at Brun and there continued to 
reside for a period of eight years after their marriage, living on the estate 
of Henry von Oerzen, a member of the nobility and the owner of an extensive 
estate.  Seeing no hope of bettering their condition, they emigrated to 
America in 1863 and settled at Youngstown, Ohio, but remained there only five 
months, then came on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and located in Sugar Creek 
township, where, in order to get a start, Mr. DESING worked out as a farm 
hand, his wife also working for wages.  They economized and labored persistently
and finally rented a farm, and in 1872 were able to buy a farm of one hundred 
and forty-four acres, forty-four acres of which lay along the line of Lafayette 
township, in Geneva township, the balance, one hundred acres, being in 
Lafayette township.  Here they established their home, gradually  improved the 
farm and made a success of general farming, laying by a competency for their 
declining years, continuing to reside there for a period of about twenty-seven 
years.
 
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John DESING, one of whom died in 
Germany when ten days old; the three living are, Charles, who is farming in 
Lafayette township, where he has a farm of his own; he married Lena KOEPPEN, 
and they have six children, four daughters and two sons, Arnold, Hulda, 
Alvina, Alma, Lulu, and Merton.  August DESING, the next in order of birth, 
lives in Elkhorn, engaged in business, and a complete sketch of him appears 
elsewhere; Minnie married William KOEPPEN and lives in Williams Bay, where Mr. 
KOEPPEN maintains a restaurant; they have three children, William, who is now 
twenty-four years old, and two daughters, Nettie and Erna.
 
John DESING and wife moved into Elkhorn in April 1899, retiring from the 
active duties of life.  They are faithful members of the Lutheran church.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)