Biographies

~ Kling, Philip ~

It is always an inspiring thing to learn something of a good man's history. Life is so checkered and uncertain a thing that when we find an individual who has at all times been clean and steadfast of purpose, and loyal and true to the best that was by nature his, it is a pure delight to tell of him. Such a man is Philip Kling, who resides as a retired farmer in Newton.

Philip Kling was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, January l, 1859 and came with his father to America in October 1870, settling in St. Clair County, Illinois. Here the family remained for three months, after which they removed to Jasper County, Iowa, where they have since remained. Two hundred acres of land were purchased in Elk Creek Township in Jasper County, and with this holding they began farming and stock raising. Mr. Kling's father, John Kling, and his mother, Elizabeth (Rodth) Kling, were both natives of Germany and were splendid examples of the fine, hardy stock of that great empire. The father died in June 1889, at the age of eighty-five, the mother in November 1875 at the age of fifty-two.

Ten children in all came to America, all of whom are still living and all of whom own their own homes. Seven of them, including the subject of this sketch, reside in Jasper County. They are: Adam J., who resides in Sully, this County, is a retired farmer; George, residing in Hickman, Nebraska, is a shoe merchant; Catherine Reinheimer, wife of George Reinheimer, a farmer residing in New Athens, Illinois; Margaret Hendricks, wife of Fred Hendricks, a farmer residing near Galesburg, Jasper County; Henry resides in this County, near Kellogg, and is a prosperous farmer; John, residing in Jasper County, is a farmer; Philip, the subject of this review, is a retired farmer living in Newton; Mary Sheen, wife of Daniel Sheen, resides on a farm near Shemington, Wisconsin; William J. resides on a farm in Jasper County; Frederick, who resides in St. Louis, is employed in a wholesale house.

On April 4, 1889, Mr. Kling was united in marriage to Lena W. Castrof, a native of Jasper County. She is the daughter of Frederick Castrof, of Jasper County, who was born in Pommern, Germany, March 1, 1846, and who died in Jasper County, December 13, 1902. Her mother, Augusta (Andress) Castrof, was a native of the same place. She came to America when about seven years of age and is still living near Killduff, Jasper County, making her home with her two sons, Frederick and Edward Castrof.

Mrs. Kling is one of four living children, namely: William, the first born, first saw the light August 26, 1870; Margaret Snell, wife of J. W. Snell, a farmer residing near Killduff, was born March 1, 1872; Frederick Castrof, whose wife was Effie Snell, resides on a farm in Jasper County. He was born July 14, 1876; Edward Castrof, unmarried, residing with his brother, was born July 18, 1878.

When Mrs. Kling's parents came here they could not speak a word of English, but two days after landing at New York began work, and shortly came to Jasper County, Iowa, in the year 1855. Here her grandfather entered land from the government, later purchasing more until he owned four hundred acres before he died, this being the farm upon which Mrs. Kling's mother now lives.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Kling are members of the English Lutheran Church of Newton. Mr. Kling is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar and Shriner. He is affiliated with the lodge at Newton. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 73, at Newton. Mrs. Kling is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 100, of Newton. She is also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah lodge at Newton and is a woman of exceptional culture and refinement.

Mr. Kling owns three hundred and twenty acres, besides his elegant home in the city of Newton and other interests. Both he and his wife are affable, kindly people, beloved by the great circle so fortunate as to call them friends.

In politics Mr. Kling is a Democrat. Page 659

~ Kling, William G. ~

Among the substantial men whose labor and influence has given impetus to the general material improvements of Jasper County in years gone by and who today occupies no insignificant place in the esteem of the community in which he resides is the worthy gentleman whose name forms the introduction to this sketch. He has been content to spend his life right in his home locality, wisely deciding that this favored section of the great Hawkeye State was as well if not better suited for the pursuit of agriculture than any other. Then, too, he has the home atmosphere always about him and the advantages of the prestige established by his honored progenitors whose lives redounded in a general way to the production of much good to the people embraced in the scope of this biographical compendium.

Mr. Kling was born on the farm where he now resides in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on September 5, 1873, and, as already intimated, he grew to manhood here, assisted with the general work on the home place and spent his winters in the schools of his district, when he became of proper age. He is the son of Henry, Sr., and Marguerete (German) Kling, both natives of the town of Donstadt, Germany, the father born on September 16, 1816, and the mother on January 24, 1828. They grew up and were married in the fatherland and there began life on a farm. In 1853 they immigrated to the United States in an old-fashioned sailing vessel, the voyage requiring forty-two days. They located in Jasper County, Iowa, bought a farm of forty acres from the government and established a home. Prospering through hard work, Mr. Kling later purchased one hundred and twenty acres more where the subject of this sketch now resides, and he subsequently added forty-eight acres, owning two hundred and eight acres at the time of his death, on December 19, 1883. His wife died on March 20, 1874. They were both members of the Lutheran Church. Their family consisted of six children, namely: Henry, Adam (lives in Monroe, Iowa), Mrs. Eliza Peery, Mary, Mrs. Margaret Schnug and William G. (of this review), he being the youngest of the family.

The subject attended school at Galesburg and when ten years of age he was driving a team on the farm for his father and has ever since been engaged in farming the home place. In connection with general farming he raises Hereford cattle. He inherited thirty-five acres of the home place and farms it now for his brother Henry, who bought out the other heirs. He feeds a large number of hogs annually. Henry Kling, Jr., who makes his home with the subject, was born March 25, 1847, in Darmstadt, Germany. As stated, Henry bought out all the heirs of the home place except William G., of this sketch. He has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of six hundred and thirty-seven acres in Elk Creek and Fairview Townships. He is supposed to be retired from active work, but it seems hard for him to keep out of the harness and he still does a great deal of work, though the subject has the principal working of his land. Henry has remained unmarried. He knew Jasper County in its pioneer days and experienced the privations of that period. He has been very successful in a business way and is well known and well liked.

William G. Kling was married on December 10, 1902, to Mamie Stregle, who was born in Iowa on November 20, 1880, the daughter of John and Mena Stregle, early settlers of Jasper County. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Freeman, born September 20, 1903, and Hazel, born November 16,1905. Page 1250

~ Kling, William J. ~

The qualities which have made William J. Kling one of the prominent and most successful of agriculturists and stock men of Palo Alto Township, Jasper County, have also brought him the esteem of his fellow citizens, for his career has been one of well directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. He works under a superb system, keeps everything in its proper place and does not disregard small details. Such methods as he employs always insure a fair if not very large measure of success in all lines.

Mr. Kling was born December 25, 1863, in Germany, the ninth child in a family of ten children born to John and Elizabeth (Rotdh) Kling, both natives of Germany. John Kling in his later years followed farming for the most part and in this was very successful. He came to America with his family in 1870 and for a few months they stopped in St. Clair County, Illinois, where some of their relatives were residing, but early in the year 1871 they pushed on farther west and located in Jasper County, Iowa, Mr. Kling buying two hundred acres of land in Elk Creek Township. Here he prospered, becoming one of the township's most extensive landowners, and as a child married he gave each a certain amount of land. At the time of his death he owned three hundred acres, but had quit farming ten years previously. His death occurred on June 16, 1899, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1875 at the age of fifty-two years. Their ten children all grew to sturdy manhood and womanhood.

William J. Kling attended the public schools of Elk Creek Township and soon after coming of age his father gave him eighty acres of land. A few years later (1890) he purchased seventy acres more. He now has one of the choicest farms in the Township, comprising two hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres of which is in section 1 and one hundred and eighty acres in section 12, adjoining. He has brought his land up to a high state of improvement and cultivation. He has fine modern home and excellent buildings of all kinds. He keeps a good grade of livestock and is in every respect one of our most enterprising farmers.

On April 9, 1891, Mr. Kling was united in marriage with Wilhelmina Andreas, daughter of F. C. and Wilhelmina (Castorf) Andreas, both natives of Germany. She was born in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on January 15, 1870. Her parents were both children when they came to America; they became well established here, Mr. Andreas being one of the leading farmers of Elk Creek Township. Mr. Andreas died March 18, 1911. Of the ten children born in his family, all survive.

In 1901 Mr. Kling sold his farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Elk Creek Township and bought two hundred and sixty acres in Palo Alto Township, where he now lives.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kling four children have been born, namely: Elma, born October 25, 1892; Ada, born July 14, 1895; Leonard, born November 21, 1898; Lorene, born November 1, 1902.

Mr. and Mrs. Kling are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a man of high character and sterling worth, of an enterprising and progressive spirit and possessing excellent judgment, and he always stands for a square deal between man and man. It is to men of the character of Mr. Kling that this country owes so much. Page 1014

~ Klopping, William Henry ~

Of excellent German ancestry is Henry William Klopping, one of the most thrifty and up-to-date agriculturists of Mariposa Township, Jasper County, who is still residing on the farm on which he was born, being content to spend his life right here at home instead of seeking uncertain fortune in other fields. His birth occurred on December 27, 1865, and he is the son of Konrad and Louisa (Stuckmeier) Klopping, both born in Germany, the father in Lippe-Detmold, on January 13, 1830, and the mother on June 6, 1825. They both grew up in their native land and married and there devoted themselves to farming until they emigrated to Freeport, Illinois: where they lived a year and in the fall of 1856 they moved to Mariposa Township, Jasper County, Iowa, where the father traded a team of horses for forty acres of land and where the subject of this sketch now lives. The father prospered here through hard work and good management and added to his original purchase until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Church. The father died on November 8, 1910, the mother having preceded him to the grave on November 5, 1906. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, namely: Henry W., of this review, is the sixth in order of birth; the first two children, daughters, died in infancy: Mrs. Caroline Hirt; Konrad; Adolph, of Toledo, Ohio; Edward died when nine years old.

After leaving school No. 4, Mariposa Township, Henry W. Klopping rented the home farm one year when twenty years of age, later buying the entire two hundred and eighty acres of the homestead which he has kept under a high state of cultivation and improvement, rendering it one of the choice farms of the Township. He has remodeled the house and generally improved the place, all now denoting thrift and industry. He has been uniformly successful as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Politically, Mr. Klopping is a Republican and he has served on the local school board. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Klopping was married on March 19,1890, to Carrie Vieth, who was born in Missouri on August 25, 1868, the daughter of Henry and Louisa (Waggoner) Vieth, he a native of Germany and she of Missouri. He spent his early life in the fatherland, emigrating from there to the United States in 1856 and locating in Missouri.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Klopping, of this sketch, named as follows: William, born September 22, 1892: Mary, born May 31, 1894: Elmer, born December 7, 1897: Esther, born February 8, 1900: Louis, born May 9, 1902: Roy, born January 23, 1905: Edith May, born October 16, 1909.

In connection with his general farming. Mr. Klopping is a well known breeder of Percheron horses, which, being of excellent grade, are much admired and never fail to bring good prices. Page 871

~ Klyn, William ~

Among the prosperous and substantial farmers of Jasper County is William Klyn, who lives in section 14, Buena Vista Township, where he has one of the best-kept farms in the community. He was born February 25, 1876, and is the son of Ira and Hattie (Breuklander) Klyn, both natives of the Netherlands. The father came to America when a lad twelve years of age, accompanied by his parents, the family emigrating to Iowa, settling on a farm near Pella, Marion County. The subject's mother was four years of age when her parents brought her to America. They also settled near Pella, Iowa. For many years Ira Klyn farmed in Marion County, laying by a competency, and at the present time he and his wife are living retired in Sully, he being sixty-five and she fifty-five years of age. They are highly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Their family consisted of eight children, six boys and two girls, -William, of this review, being the second in order of birth. They are, Ira, who lives on a farm in Marion County, as do also John, Martin, Garrett and Henry, the last named and Martin being unmarried; Maggie married Cornelius VanGilst, a brother of the subject's wife, and they live in Sully; Nellie, the youngest child, lives with her parents in Sully.

After receiving a good education in the home schools, William Klyn, when twenty-one years of age, started out for himself and for a period of five years worked out as a hand on the farm. In February 1902, he was married to Minnie VanGilst, the daughter of Garrett VanGilst, a prosperous farmer whose home at that time was where the subject now lives, but who has since retired and is now making his home in Killduff, this County. There were eight children in this family, namely: Agnes married Frank Brand and lives near Killduff; Jennie married John Nyhouse and lives at Alexandria, South Dakota; Minnie, wife of the subject, was born on July 23, 1877; Peter lives in Chicago; Cornelius lives in Sully; Regina married Leroy Dennis and lives near Killduff; John is a carpenter and lives at home in Killduff; Marie also lives at home. Mrs. William Klyn was six years of age when she came to America. Garrett VanGilst, father of Mrs. William Klyn, was born in September 1845, and he is the son of Peter and Regina VanGilst. The wife of Garrett VanGilst was born June 3, 1849.

After his marriage William Klyn rented a farm in Mahaska County for two years, then bought his present place and has lived here ever since, carrying on general farming in a manner that has brought him a large measure of success, being regarded as one of the most efficient farmers in his community.

To Mr. and Mrs. Klyn four children have been born: Hattie Marie, born June 8,1903; Jennette Agnes, born October 28, 1905; Wilma Margaret, born January 5, 1909; Freda Irene, born August 1, 1910, and died June 21, 1911. Mrs. Klyn is affiliated with the Christian Church in Killduff. Page 1196

~ Kooistra, Herman W. ~

Another of the thrifty Hollanders who have honored Jasper County by their citizenship and have benefited alike themselves and the community in general is Herman W. Kooistra, of Linn Grove Township, where, in a scientific manner, he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and where he enjoys the friendship and good will of all his neighbors and acquaintances, for his record stands without blemish as a citizen in both public and private affairs, and he is in every way entitled to just consideration and representation in this biographical work.

Mr. Kooistra was born in Holland, January 16, 1885, and he is the son of Wytze and Baukje (Olivier) Kooistra, both born in Holland, the father in 1853 and the mother in 1855, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married and began life on a small farm. The family immigrated to America in 1889, when the subject was four years of age. They located at Pella, Iowa, but soon afterwards came to Jasper County, and during their first four years the father and sons worked out as farm hands until they could get a start; then the father rented land in this County for a period of nine years, principally in Elk Creek Township. In 1900 he bought one hundred and ninety-six acres in Lynn Grove Township. Here he prospered and added to his original holdings until he owned one of the best farms in the Township, consisting of two hundred and thirty-three acres and there he lived until his death in 1906. He was a quiet, hard-working, kindly gentleman who had the respect of all who knew him.

His family consisted of the following children: John, Mrs. Kate Elscott, Wytze, Herman W., of this sketch, and Dora. They all attended school in Elk Creek Township and they helped their father on the farm and since his death Herman W. and Wytze have operated the homestead in an able and successful manner, carrying forward the work inaugurated by the elder Kooistra. The subject has remained unmarried, but Wytze was married in February 1905, to Katie Brand, the daughter of Jacob Brand, a very early settler in Jasper County, whither he had come from Holland. To Wytze Kooistra and wife two children have been born, Lenora and Edna.

In connection with general farming the Kooistra brothers devote considerable attention to stock raising. They are both hustlers and very promising young farmers. The subject is independent in politics, always voting for the man and what he personally stands for, irrespective of party. Page 836

~ Kooistra, John ~

Jasper County, Iowa, can boast of no better class of citizens than those who have emigrated there from Holland. Thrifty, industrious and honest, they are fast forging to the front. The subject of this sketch is a fine example of this, the success he has achieved being proof of his energy, good judgment and management.

Born in Holland on October 20, 1874, John Kooistra came to the United States with his parents, William and Bankje Kooistra, about the year 1889, when he was about fifteen years of age, coming across the water on the ship "Rotterdam." There were four children in this family besides the subject of this sketch, namely: Kate, living near Sully, Iowa, the wife of Frank Ellscott; Richard, also living near Sully; Herman, living on a farm near Sully, this State, and Dora, the youngest daughter, who lives at home.

Soon after landing in this country the family came to Sully, Iowa, and settled on a farm near the latter place, the father buying two hundred and thirty-four acres; this land he farmed with the assistance of his sons until his death, which occurred about three years ago, when he was about sixty-one years of age. The mother still lives at Sully, Iowa, and is now fifty-four years of age.

When John Kooistra was twenty-two years old he began working for himself. He worked as a farm hand for a while, afterwards renting land, which he farmed, and by energy and industry he now is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land in Buena Vista Township. On March 12, 1900, he was united in marriage with Minnie Brand, daughter of Jacob and Jane Brand, both natives of Holland, the father coming to the United States with his parents when a child of seven. They settled on a farm in Wisconsin, where they carried on agricultural pursuits for many years. The mother was only a baby of two years when her parents immigrated to this country. Minnie Brand was born January 13, 1874, at Pella, Iowa, and was one of a family of eleven children, namely: Henry, Frank, John, Jacob, Ira, Charles, and Katie, who married Richard Kooistra, a brother of the subject of this sketch, and all live near Sully, Iowa; Eva married Will Rykhouk and lives near Taintor, Iowa; Mary and William are living at home with their parents, near Sully, this state.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kooistra have been born six children: Walter John, born October 29, 1902; Janette Marie, born January 21, 1904; Elmer Leroy, born October 31, 1905; Harold Raymond, born February 13, 1907; Lester Charles, born March 31, 1909; and Thelma Delene, born October 2, 1911. Page 1364.

~ Korf, H. C. ~

Among the earnest young men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle have gained for him the admiration of his contemporaries, H. C. Korf, well known attorney of Newton, Jasper County, is numbered, and in his professional career he has shown a tenacity of purpose, an indomitable energy and that self-reliant courage whose natural concomitant is definite success.

Mr. Korf is one of the native sons of this County of whom she should be justly proud. His birth occurred on April 25, 1876. He is the son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Weseman) Korf, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Freeport, Illinois. The former came to America in 1848 when eight years of age, accompanied by his parents, who located on a farm near Freeport. Illinois. Henry Korf grew to maturity in Illinois and was educated there, remaining on the home farm during his youth. He came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1867, locating on a farm in Malaka Township, where he became well established, developed a good farm and where he lived until 1906, when he retired and moved to Newton, where he now resides, spending his declining years in the midst of plenty and in comfort as a result of his long life of hard work and good management. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he and his wife have many friends throughout the county. They are the parents of seven children, namely: H. C., of this review; Mrs. Hermina Rourke, of Marion, Ohio; Mrs. Marie J. Babcock, of Des Moines, Iowa; Amanda is in the law office with her brother, H. C.; L. G. lives in Newton; E. T. is a civil engineer and lives at Ogden, Utah; E. O. is a student at the State University.

H. C. Korf grew to maturity on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work during the crop seasons during his early life, receiving in the meantime, his primary education in the country schools and at Hazel Dell Academy at Newton, later attended Highland Park College at Des Moines, also took a course at the State University, graduating from the law department in 1899, having made a very commendable record there, and in the same year he was admitted to the bar, soon afterwards beginning active practice at Newton, where he has since remained, building up a very satisfactory clientele and taking a very high rank among the men of this profession in central Iowa. He has kept well informed on all the important court decisions and revised codes, being at all times an assiduous student. He has been most successful in all his legal work and he stands second to none of his contemporaries in a locality noted for the high order of its legal talent. Owing to his marked ability and his public spirit, he was soon singled out for positions of public trust, and for a period of four years he was city attorney of Newton, the duties of which important office he discharged in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and proved the wisdom of his constituents in selecting him for the place. This was from 1903 to 1907.

Mr. Korf was married on August 9, 1905 to Patience E. Wormley, of this county, where she was born, reared and educated, being the representative of an excellent early family here. This union has been graced by the birth of one child, Wilimenia, born June 30, 1910.

Mr. Korf is a director in the First National Bank and the Newton Savings Bank; he is secretary and director of the Jasper County Telephone Company, and is also a stockholder in a number of local manufacturing concerns and he has an interest in several large farms, joint ownership in a number of large landed estates, in this state, and a large tract in Minnesota and Nevada.

Mr. Korf has been very successful in a business way, being a man of rare executive ability, soundness of judgment and able to foresee with remarkable accuracy the future result of a present transaction. Politically, he is loyal to Republican principles, and fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the trustees of the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Korf is also a member.

Mr. Korf has led an exemplary life and has the confidence and good will of all who know him, and he is regarded as one of the most substantial and representative citizens of his county, as well as a lawyer of unusual capability. He has been the artificer, very largely, of his own fortunes, and though he has encountered numerous obstacles, his courage has never flagged and he has shown himself to be one thoroughly appreciative of the dignity of honest toil and endeavor. He has done much to improve the agricultural prosperity of the County as well as encourage improvement along various lines, and, judging from his past honored and praiseworthy record, it is safe to predict that the future has much of good in store for him and his fellow men a still greater need of his services. Page. 536.

~ Krampe, August ~

As the name would indicate, August Krampe, one of the progressive and thrifty agriculturists and stock raisers of the northern part of Jasper County, is of German ancestry, in fact he is the son of German parents, the family having, however, been residents of our republic for over a half century, and since casting their lot with us have benefited alike themselves and the communities in which they have located in a material way.

August Krampe was born in Johnsonville, Wisconsin, October 20, 1859, but most of his life has been spent in Jasper County, Iowa, he having moved with his parents in March 1867, to the farm he now occupies in Malaka Township. He is the son of Hans Heinrich Krampe and Louisa (Suelwold) Krampe, both born in the village of Hohenhausen, Germany, the father on September 21, 1824, and the mother on March I7th, the same year; they grew up and were married in the fatherland, emigrating to America later in life and locating at Johnsonville, Wisconsin, when that country was new. The father's death occurred on October 28, 1905, the mother having passed away on June 19, 1897. The paternal grandparents and Fredericka Krampe were born in Hohenhausen, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the former on November 19, 1798, and the latter on April 9, 1800; his death occurred on April 27, 1886, and she passed away on March 29, 1872.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hans H. Krampe: Henry, who lives in Independence Township, Jasper County; Frederick W., born in Johnsonville, Wisconsin, September 24, 1856, died May 25, 1903; Simon lives in Baxter, this County; August, of this review; Minnie; Louisa Klemme, born April 1, 1865, died October 1, 1897. Those deceased are buried in the cemetery of the Bethany German Reformed Church in Independence Township.

August Krampe grew up at home and attended the common schools. On September 25, 1895, he was united in marriage with Louisa Kanne, who was born in Malaka Township, this county, December 27, 1872. Her parents, Henry and Louisa (Paul) Kanne, who were among the early settlers of Jasper County, were born in Germany. The father died in 1910; the mother's birth occurred in Germany and she died October 17, 1911, in Malaka Township. Their family consisted of nine children, namely: David, deceased; Minnie Alleman lives in Polk County, Iowa; Levi lives in Malaka Township; Fred also lives in this township; Louisa, wife of Mr. Krampe, of this sketch; Louis, Sophia Saak and Lydia Tinnemier all live in Malaka Township; Martha Saak lives in Marshall County. All these children but the eldest were born in Jasper County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Krampe have been born three children, named as follows: Esther R., who was born March 15, 1897, was graduated from the German school in 1911 and is living at home; Albert Leroy, born May 27, 1899; David H., born July 9, 1901; the two latter are attending the public schools near their home. They were all born on the homestead in Malaka Township.

Politically, Mr. Krampe is a Republican and he and his family belong to the Bethany German Reformed Church of Independence Township.

Mr. Krampe has been very successful in his life work and now owns a finely improved and very productive farm of two hundred acres in Malaka Township. As a general farmer and stock raiser he has been unusually successful, having accumulated a competency by his own efforts. He is also the owner of ten acres of timberland in Clear Creek Township. The home where the family now lives was built by his father forty-five years ago; it is a good, comfortable and attractive old home, having been re-shingled but once during that time, the care exercised leaving the main part of the building in an excellent state of preservation.

Mr. Krampe is regarded as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of this Township. Page 1153.

~ Kroh, Henry L. ~

A few years ago whenever mention was made of the prominent farmers of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, the name of Henry L. Kroh was one of the first, which came to mind. Now, after a long life of usefulness and service, in the army of his country during the war, in the ranks of her toilers in peace, he has gone to that land beyond from which no one returns, to a reward proportionate to the character, which he developed in this life.

Henry L. Kroh was born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 4, 1835, and lived in this city with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. Louis and Elizabeth Kroh, his parents, were among the early settlers of Ohio, and were of a very prominent family, the members of which took a leading part in the affairs of the time. When twenty-seven Henry L. Kroh came west to the comparatively new state of Iowa, seeking a better opportunity, and was in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, when the war broke out. He enlisted in the Tenth Iowa Infantry, Company I, commanded first by Captain Garrit, and later by Captain Pogue, and served for two and one-half years, at the close of which time he received an honorable discharge. He took part in the battle of Shiloh and many other battles of the Western Army, and established his record as an efficient and faithful soldier, who could be relied upon in any situation. When discharged from the army he returned to Iowa, and on August 4, 1864, was married to Harriett Snodgrass, of Jasper County. She was born in 1846, at New Bethel, Indiana, the daughter of Garrett and Letitia Snodgrass, who in 1864 were residing on a Jasper County farm. This union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Charles L., who is married and living in Adel, Iowa, and has two children, Evangeline and Lucile; Frank L., who is married and lives south of Galesburg, Iowa, and has one son, Allen; Rolla G. is married and is residing with his mother at East South Street in Newton; and Stella, who married L. B. Carpenter, of Galesburg, Iowa, and is the mother of three children, Lowell, Grace and Fay.

After marriage Henry L. Kroh located on a farm of two hundred and sixty-six acres in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, and later bought it. He was a careful and capable farmer, raised excellent crops and the best of stock, and prospered in, his affairs. At the time of his death, which occurred on the second day of December 1905, he was living in Newton, Iowa, in the handsome house where his widow now resides, having retired from active farming.

In politics he as a stanch Republican. The Grand Army post at Newton claimed Mr. Kroh as one of its loyal and enthusiastic members. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church at Newton, and he took a leading part in all church activities, and was in deed and thought a true Christian, whose excellent character had won for him the love and esteem of those who knew him, and made his place in the community one hard to fill. To every man he was a friend, to the unfortunate and needy he was especially kind, in his family he was at all times tender and devoted to their welfare, and loved the members of his family as passionately as he was loved by them in return. Truly he was one of nature's noblemen in character. Page 816.

~ Krueger, William and Theodore ~

All callings, whether humble or exalted, may be productive of some measure of success, if enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, form the motive force of the person directing the same, and in no case is this fact more apparent than in agricultural pursuits. It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance as well as the above enumerated qualities. When a course of action is once decided upon these attributes are essential. Success is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer and only those who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the prosperous and influential agriculturists whose names form the caption of this biographical review, the Krueger brothers, we find that the above named elements have entered very largely into their makeup and therefore we are not surprised at the large and ever-growing success which they have attained.

William Krueger was born in Allamakee County, Iowa, on November 16, 1859, and Theodore Krueger was born at the same place on October 12, 1863. They have spent practically all their lives in Jasper County, having come here with their parents forty-four years ago and have had their home here continuously to the present time, during which they have played well their parts in the development of the locality, doing much for the general good while advancing their own interests and they are thus deserving of the high esteem in which they are held by all who have known them, either in a business or social way.

They are the sons of Henry and Dora (Sanderman) Krueger, both natives of Germany, and it is no doubt true that their thrifty German ancestors have had a great deal to do with the shaping of the characters of the subjects. These parents grew up in the fatherland, and were educated there. Emigrating to the United States when young, they were married here and spent the balance of their lives, after establishing a good home, in the new world and giving their children every advantage, the father's death occurring on May 3, 1907, at the advanced age of eighty-six years and one month, and the mother lived to be six months older, dying on October 1, 1906. They were a grand old couple, honest, hospitable and neighborly, and were greatly esteemed by all who knew them.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Krueger, of whom three are living in Independence Township, Jasper County, namely: Charles died in this Township in 1879; Henry, born December 20, 1856, lives in this vicinity, and William and Theodore, the two latter being the youngest of the family.

The subjects grew to maturity on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place when but mere boys and the excellent training they received from their able father in agricultural and stock raising affairs has stood them well in hand in subsequent life. They obtained their education in the local common schools and have later in life supplemented the same by home reading in a general way and by actual contact with the business world, until today we find them well versed on all current topics.

By thrift and industry, good management and economy these gentlemen have accumulated valuable land aggregating eleven hundred and twenty acres of choice ground in Marshall and Jasper counties, with six sets of first class improvements, their buildings being kept in good repair and their land well fenced, tilled, fertilized and up-to-date in every respect, so that the maximum amount of products are secured with the minimum labor. Much modern farming machinery is to be found in their fertile fields and many varieties of excellent live stock; in fact, no small part of their, annual income is secured through the judicious raising, feeding and marketing of stock. They live on one of their farms east of Baxter and it is a model in every respect. They have every convenience about their farms and their home is well furnished. Neither of these brothers has ever assumed the responsibilities of the married state. Politically, they are Democrats, but have never sought to be public leaders or the emoluments of office, preferring to lead quiet lives and devote their attention exclusively to their large farming interests. Religiously, they are members of the German Reformed Church in Independence Township.

It is interesting to note that the Krueger family immigrated to this County in pioneer days in old-fashioned wagons, possessing little of this world's goods and without funds, and through industry and perseverance they have amassed a fortune. They are not of the niggardly sort, but liberal and genial in their relations with the world, very democratic in their ways, plain, straight forward and honorable, always inspiring confidence, the type of men that make model twentieth-century communities. Page 1248