DOEGE, WILLIAM A.

DOEGE, WAHLLIRS, SCHWEPPE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/30/2004 at 07:48:48

Biography reproduced from page 537 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

William A. Doege has for twenty-one years been identified with farming, stock-raising and dairying interests of Buffalo township, where he owns a hundred and sixty acres of fertile and well improved land, his being one of the most attractive and valuable properties of the community. He is one of the excellent citizens Germany has furnished Kossuth county, his birth having occurred in the province of Pomerania, on the 16th of July, 1856. He was given the advantages of a good education, and in compliance with the laws of his country subsequently served for three years in the army. When his term of service expired he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, but the prospects in this vocation in the old country were not sufficiently promising to satisfy an ambitious young man, and therefore he resolved to come to America, where he had been assured there were unlimited opportunities for the diligent and enterprising. He took passage at Bremen for the United States in 1880, landing at Baltimore. Iowa was his destination, however, so he immediately continued his journey westward to Alton, Iowa, where he joined an uncle.

During the first two years of his residence in this country Mr. Doege worked out by the month as a farm hand. He subsequently obtained employment in a foundry at Webster City, where he worked at the turning lathe for two years, following which he operated a stationary engine in a grist mill until 1891. In the latter year he removed to Kossuth county with his family, and here he invested the capital he had accumulated in a hundred and sixty acres of land and began farming for himself. The first buildings erected on the place were very crude, but as his circumstances warranted he replaced these by more pretentious structures. His present residence is a comfortable, home-like farm house and in 1900 he built a large barn. He has planted a large grove of trees and an orchard on the place, while about the house are many evergreen trees and ornamental plants. Mr. Doege is progressive and has installed about his premises many modern conveniences, including a wind pump which supplies both his house and barn with an abundance of excellent water, and wherever necessary his fields have been tiled. Anything he undertakes is directed systematically, as is evidenced by the general appearance of his property, his work being directed in a well organized, methodical manner. It has never been his desire to become an extensive property owner, as he strongly advocates intensified farming, and the money which he would otherwise have expended in increasing his acreage has been used to advantage in improving his original tract, thereby greatly enhancing its value and making it one of the model farms of the community. In connection with diversified farming, Mr. Doege raises a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs and also does dairying. He is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Titonka Cooperative Creamery Company, of which he was one of the promoters.

At Webster City on the 14th of April, 1885, Mr. Doege was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wahllirs, who was born and reared in Hanover, Germany. To them have been born eight children: Lawrence A. H.; Annie, the wife of M. E. Schweppe, of Webster City; Nettie Louise, who is residing in Seattle, Washington; Martha Clara, who makes her home in Nevada, Iowa; and Minnie, Ida May and Grace Irene, all of whom are at home. One son, Frederick, died at the age of ten years.

The family are members of the German Lutheran church, and fraternally Mr. Doege is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He enjoys the full rights of citizenship, giving his support to the men and measures of the republican party. On several occasions he has been called to public office, having served as township trustee, school director and a member of the school board. Diligence and thrift intelligently directed have been the salient factors in the success of Mr. Doege, who is one of the substantial citizens and foremost agriculturists of his township. Both he and his family are held in high esteem as they are all self-reliant citizens and worthy members of society, possessing those sterling qualities which would make them an acquisition to any community.