Salvation Army

Fred John Wessel Sr. is the brother-in-law of Ivy Roberts, marrying her sister Hatttie Anderson on September 16, 1946. They were later divorced in October, 1967. He would marry and divorce twice more before he diced. He had an interest in magic and ventriloquism. He was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1943. He was also an officer in the Volunteers of America starting around 1950.

Fred Wessel
Session	Valiant
Birth Date	July 4, 1923
Death Date	May 23, 1997
Relations	Wessel Family

A dapper, young, sorrel-topped Salvation Army Lieutenant and his popeyed, loose-jawed stooge are attracting more and more young people to religious services here.

Fred Wessel, 25, commanding office[r] of the Marshalltown Salvation Army corps, is a clever ventriloquist and skillful magician.

And Johnny is an insolent, flirtatious, boy-sized dummy, who has become an effective factor in Wessel's religious teachings.

“Oh, I have quite a problem in handling Johnny, quite a problem,” said Wessel, as Johnny jerked his defiant jaw around to face the lieutenant. “He winks at all the girls, talks back to me, and hisses at the boys.”

“But,” said the ventriloquist, “he does create a lot of interest among the children and young people. They always remember the things that Johnny says - and they don't always remember what I say.

“Little kids often get so taken with his make-believe that they start asking him questions - where he goes to school, how old he is, and treat him like a human. He's quite an attendance builder.”

Wessel, who came here last September to take command of the corps, has accompanied Johnny for appearances at civic clubs, community programs and in the schools.

“I started playing around with magic when I was a youngster in St. Louis,” Wessel said. “I've been at it ever since.”

The lieutenant is a professional magician now. He takes on bookings to augment his income from the Salvation Army. His professional car has an insignia showing a rabbit pulling a magician out of a top hat.

Wessel's ventriloquism has been developed in the last two years and Johnny is his second dummy. The earlier stooge was a smaller, less flexible type.

Born in St. Louis of Catholic parents, Wessel became interested in the Salvation Army when, during his childhood, his parents were converted tot the Army's faith. He attended St. Louis schools before entering a war plant where he was employed as a machinist making bomb sights.

Wessel attended the Salvation Army Training college, attracted by the Army's band. He plays any brass band instrument, but is a soloist on the cornet.

Since coming to Marshalltown - after service in Illinois, Missouri and in Des Moines - Wessel has organized a 12-piece Salvation Army band and is training his musicians as he directs them.

Mrs. Wessel, the former Hattie Anderson of Sioux City, assists in the band. She plays a baritone, but can fill in with the cornet if necessary.

Wessel, slight of build and youthful in appearance - despite his near-invisible, little red mustache - seems like a lad in military school, a most disarming impression.

But he's an active and respected worker in the ministerial association, elvie clubs, and in community projects.

And Johnny, the stooge who pointedly interrupts Wessel during his sermons to young people - giving the lieutenant a chance to emphasize a point by repetition - also is becoming a widely known figure in Marshalltown.

Despite his insolence, calling Wessel “half pint” and “Shorty,” and despite his singing - his versions of “Lonely Little Petunia” and “She's Too Fat for Me” have not attracted Metropolitan Opera offers - Johnny has become a key figure in the religious interest of many young people here.

Des Moines Tribune, April 14, 1949

The annual Christmas party sponsored by the Salvation Army in Mason City will be held at Lincoln school Tuesday beginning at 7:30 p.m., Maj. E.H. Tieman announces. Thousands have attended the event through the years, made possible largely through contributions made to the kettles in downtown Mason City during the Christmas season.

Capt. Fred Wessel of the Salvation Army at Marshalltown, will present feature entertainment. A ventriloquist and professional magician, he will present “Johnny,” his boy-sized dummy.

Mrs. T.J. Kiesselbach will present a vocal solo and Mrs. Al Crowder will entertain with her accordion. A tap dance will be given by Mary Beth Sartor and Mrs. Forest Jacobs is to present a reading, “Why the Chimes Rang.”

Ken Kew is to be master of ceremonies. The evening program is to include carol singing and a Christmas movie. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program.

The Mason City Globe Gazette, December 27, 1950

Leading a tour of Volunteers of America Facilities, N.L. McLaughlin, advisory board chairman, conducts Capt. and Mrs. Fred J. Wessel, new officers for the agency, through the Sunset Club.

Change of command brings Capt. and Mrs. Fred J. Wessel to Long Beach to be in charge of operation of the Volunteers of America programs to replace Col. and Mrs. Oliver P. Strickland, according to N.L. McLaughlin, chairman of the advisory board.

Capt. Hattie Wessel will supervise the Sunset Club and welfare departments, with her husband managing the headquarters and salvage store at 1185 East 15th St.

McLaughlin explained that the Sunset club, started 10 years ago by the Stricklands, has been one of the most successful organizations in the southwest, now serving between 1,600 and 1,800 senior citizens each month.

“Money from the Community Chest supplements membership dues of the club, while another chest allocation provides an emergency relief fund that aided 1,814 local citizens last year,” McLaughlin continued.

He said that proceeds from the industrial operation furnishes temporary employment and assists in the Volunteers' rehabilitation of alcoholics and parolees.

Capt. Wessel stated that the Volunteers will continue to operate the sick room supply loan center, as well as prison visitations and non-sectarian religious services.

The Wessels have been officers of the Volunteers of America for 12 years, coming here after working at Volunteer headquarters in New York City, Washington, D.C., and the midwest. Col. and Mrs. Strickland will be in charge of the Southern area office, working out of Los Angeles.

Independent Press Telegram, August 10, 1961

Capt. Fred J. Wessel, with his wife, Hattie, has been appointed to command of the local Volunteers of America post, it was announced today by Perry L. Hart, chairman of the advisory board.

The Volunteers of America is a charity and welfare organization especially concerned with the care of older men and transients. It operates sheltered workshops, furniture and clothing services and summer camps for needy children.

Capt. and Mrs. Wessel established an outstanding record as post executives for the past three years in Long Beach, Calif., Mr. Hart said, and served earlier in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Don S. Newcomer, secretary of the Battle Creek Volunteers, said the board “Expects a period of growth and improved service, and especially an expansion program for the rehabilitation program, under the dynamic leadership of Capt. Wessel.”

Capt. Wessel and his wife have three children, Fred Jr., 14, Robert, 13, and Kathy, 12. The Wessels are still searching for a home.

Battle Creek Enquirer, July 14, 1964

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