I see from other postings it must have been quite common for carpenters to come to this area. My 3rd great grandfather, Simon, was a master carpenter when he came from Prussia/Germany. In the 1856 Iowa and the 1860 federal census it shows his family (wife Katharine) in Guttenberg/Jefferson.
I think his daughter Bibiane must have died as a child in that area as she is listed in the 1856 census, but not in the 1860. I cannot find any record of the family in 1870, but in 1880 they moved across the river to Wayalusing, Grant, Wisconsin, and again she is not listed.

Does anyone have any information on this family? I'd like to find out more about his work as a carpenter, as it must have been a family talent. Two of my uncles currently are cabinet makers.

Simon Pechan, born 1818
Catharine, born 1832
children
Mathias
Paul (William)
Bibiane
Barbara
Bernard (Listed as Reinhart in 1860 census) I have baptismal record from St. Mary Catholic Church, Guttenberg
It is also odd becuase it lists the mother as Carolina Rudolph and not Catharine Apfeld as his sister Maria's listed as the mother. Simon and Catharine never split up if the mother was a different one, but I wonder if the baptismal record is correct. I did not actually see it, but rather this is the information I recieved from the Director of Archives at Dubuque Diocese.
Maria Elizabeth
Kate
Jane