132 The American Geologist. March, 1896 
only was written and the final proofs were being read when 
the angel of death beckoned him. The triumphant joy of be 
holding the completed structure of a noble life's work was not 
his lot. Deprivation of what he held dearest took the place 
of conquering satisfaction in the very hour of victory. In- 
scrutable laws we seek to comprehend and striving, strive in 
vain. 
Charles Wachsnmth was born September 13, L829, in the 
city of Hannover, Germany, and died February 7, 1896, at Bur- 
lington, Iowa. He was the only son of Christian Wachsmuth, 
a lawyer of considerable reputation and a member, in 1848. of 
the German parliament at Frankfurt. Although in feeble 
health almost from the hour of his birth, it was the wish of 
his father that young Wachsmuth should study law, and he 
was accordingly sent at an early age to the gymnasium of his 
native place to receive a classical education; but to his 
father's great grief and his own he was obliged at the age of 
sixteen to give up all studies on account of failing health, 
and on the advice of the attending physician entered the mer- 
cantile career. 
In 1852 the subject of our sketch .'ame to America, having 
been seni to New York as an agent of a Hamburg shipping- 
house, in which capacity he served for a period of over two 
years. This gave him an excellent opportunity to see the great 
West, which made on him a very favorable impression. As the 
climate of New York did not agree with him. he concluded, 
after barely recovering from a severe attack of pneumonia and 
while still very feeble, to try to find relief in the West in a 
change of climate. At the suggestion of friends it was de- 
cided to go to Iowa, then a young but promising state. The 
town of Burlington was finally selected in which to dwell, but 
without the slightest suspicion of the treasures which were 
there in store. In 1855 Mr. Wachsmuth was married to Miss 
Bernandina Lorenz, also a Hannoverian. In the same year he 
embarked in business on his own account. The dry western 
country did not afford the expected improvement in health 
and the consulting physician advised that as much time as 
possible should be spent in the open air, and that for exercise 
fossils should be collected. It did not take long to develop 
into an enthusiastic collector, so that the greater part of the 
