Born in Osterwick, Germany near Münster, he was drafted into the army at the age of 20, but deserted during the German Revolution of 1848 and immigrated to the United States in 1849.
Born in Osterwick, Germany near Münster, he became a cabinet maker like his father and an apprentice at the age of 13. He was drafted into the army at the age of 20, but deserted during the German Revolution of 1848 and immigrated to the United States in 1849.