Fred Jeschke
Fred Jeschke. who owns one hundred and eighty-one acres of highly cultivated land on section 4, Hanover township, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 13th of July, 1871, and is a son of Gustave and Mary (Ebert) Jeschke.
The parents were born in Germany but emigrated to the United States with their respective parents when children and located in Chicago, where they met and were married. In 1878 they removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and settled on a farm, a portion of which is now included in the homestead of their son Fred. The father operated his land until his retirement in 1900. When he withdrew from active farming he removed to Ricketts, Iowa, where he continued to make his home until his demise in 1908. His widow is still living at the age of fifty-nine years and now resides in Chicago.
They were the parents of two children besides our subject. The eldest, Albert, died at the age of three years, and the whereabouts of the other son, R. C., are unknown.
Fred Jeschke was only seven years of age when his parents located in Crawford county and his education was acquired in the district schools of Iowa. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age and then began working for himself. He had already decided to follow the vocation of fanning, feeling that it offered better opportunities, while it was the occupation to which he was best adapted by training, so he rented land which he cultivated for two years. At the end of that period he took charge of the old homestead for his father and has ever since continued to reside there. During the period of his occupancy he has added to his original tract and improved it and his is now one of the valuable properties of the township. Besides his general farming Mr. Jeschke feeds stock, in fact he consumes all of the grain he raises in that manner.
In 1895 Mr. Jeschke and Miss Amelia John were united in marriage. Mrs. Jeschke is also a native of Chicago, having been born in that city in 1879, a daughter of Carl and Bertha (Kruse) John, who were also natives of Germany. They located in Chicago when they first came to the United States, and in 1878 they removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Charter Oak, where they lived until their retirement. In 1908 they took up their residence in Charter Oak, where they are still living, the father having passed the seventy-third milestone in life's journey. They are the parents of the following children: Amelia, the wife of Fred Jeschke; Lizzie, who married Carl Kutschinski, of Crawford county; Charles, who is a resident of the same county; Ida, the wife of George Fogle, also of the same county; Bertha, the wife of Fred Messenbrink, of Crawford county; Annie, who is at home; Lena, the wife of Albert Stressel, residing in this county; Otto, who lives in Charter Oak; and Minnie, Matilda and Bernhard, all three of whom are living at home.
Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jeschke, as follows: Gustave, who was born on the 27th of February, 1896; Bernhard, born on the 5th of August, 1898; Otto, born on the 20th of December, 1899; Carl, born on the 14th of May, 1902; Edna, born on the 20th of May, 1905; William, born on the 26th of August, 1906; and Herman, born on the 24th of August, 1908.
The family attend the Lutheran church, with which the parents are identified by membership. Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Jeschke has always supported the candidates of the democratic party. He takes an active interest in all local politics and has been elected to various offices, the duties of which he has faithfully and competently discharged. He was constable for four years and justice of the peace eight, and at the present time he is serving as township trustee. He is one of the progressive citizens of his community and has many friends by whom he is highly regarded.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.