IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Fred H. Stopperan

 

Among the younger generation who are making their mark in agricultural circles of Allamakee county is numbered Fred H. Stopperan, who was born in Grand Meadow township, Clayton county, Iowa, January 23, 1879, and who is now conducting an excellent farm near Postville. He is the son of Carl and Elizabeth (Schroeder) Stopperan, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, the former born in 1835 and the latter in 1845. The father crossed the Atlantic about year 1860 and located in Pennsylvania, where for some time he worked as a deck hand on a boat. He later came to Iowa, settling in Grand Meadow township, Clayton county, where he rented land, which he developed and improved for four years, later purchasing a farm. He bought at that time one hundred and twenty acres and upon it he continued to reside until 1903, when he retired from active life and removed into Postville, where he died about three months afterward. His wife survives him and makes her home in that city. They were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are yet living, the subject of this review being the seventh in order of birth.

Fred H. Stopperan acquired his education in district school No. 7, Grand Meadow township, and in his childhood divided his time between his books and work upon his father's farm. He remained in Clayton county until he was twenty-two years of age and then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he spent one summer in the employ of others. Returning to Postville, he secured a position of driver of an ice wagon for Mr. Buecher, for whom he continued to work for three years, resigning his position in order to learn the cement and mason's trade. At this he became very proficient and he continued to give his entire time to it for five years, after which he turned his attention to farming, purchasing ninety-seven acres of land, which he now owns. His farm is highly improved, being provided with a fine barn and the necessary outbuildings, together with adequate labor-saving machinery. In addition to tilling the fields he also pays considerable attention to stock-raising and keeps on hand a number of fine cattle and hogs, which he feeds for the market. His fields are very productive and the excellent condition and attractive appearance of the entire farm is an evidence of the careful supervision and practical labor he has expended upon it. He is a shareholder in the Farmers Mercantile Association at Postville and is well known in the city as a reliable and straightforward business man.

Mr. Stopperan was married on the 17th of March, 1910, to Miss Lena Brockmeyer, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, April 8, 1888, a daughter of Carl and Henrietta (Lampa) Brockmeyer, also natives of that part of Germany, the former born January 28, 1843 and the latter February 13, 1849. The father was a butcher, a farmer and a weaver in his native country but after he came to America in 1896 he gave his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, and later moving to Post township, Allamakee county, where he and his wife now reside. They are the parents of five children, of whom the wife of the subject of this review is the youngest.

Mr. Stopperan is a member of the German Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party, serving at present as school director. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodman of America and is well known in local fraternal circles. He inherited the industry and integrity of his German ancestry and aside from being numbered among the substantial farmers of the community he is also acknowledged to be one of the representative citizens of his township.


-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Dorothy Gosse

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