Theodore Rouster
Prominent among the industrious, enterprising and successful
farmers of Iowa township is numbered Theodore Rouster, the owner
of two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land upon which
he has resided since 1903. His birth occurred in Luxemburg,
Germany, in 1860, and his parents both died there. In their
family were four children: Theodore, of this review; Michael,
whose death occurred in Germany; John, who is engaged in farming
in Iowa township; and Nicholas, a farmer in Jefferson township.
In 1888 Theodore Rouster left Germany and crossed the Atlantic to
America coming immediately to Iowa township, Allamakee county,
and turning his attention to farming. He rented a tract of land
located five miles west of New Albin and upon this he continued
to reside for fifteen years, becoming during that time thoroughly
familiar with the best agricultural methods and taking his place
among the progressive and able farmers of this vicinity. In 1908
he purchased land of his own, buying two hundred and forty acres
in the same township, and he has resided thereon continuously
since that time. Upon the property he has made substantial
improvements, erecting fine barns and outbuildings, and he makes
a specialty of dairying and stock-raising, giving also a great
deal of attention to raising chickens. Being a practical
agriculturist, his labors are at all times intelligently directed
and therefore productive of excellent results, all branches of
his activities being important and profitable. He is a
stockholder in the New Albin Creamery and in the Farmers Store of
New Albin, and in business affairs is always progressive, able
and discriminating, qualities which form the basis of all his
success.
In 1888 Mr. Rouster married Miss Catherine Boltz, a native of
Germany, who came to America in 1885, and after a short period of
residence in Wisconsin, where she made her home with her brother,
went to Minnesota, removing from that state to Iowa. Her marriage
occurred in Minnesota. She is a daughter of Michael and Mary
Boltz, both of whom died in Germany. In their family were twelve
children, four of whom came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Rouster
became the parents of ten children: John, who was born in 1889,
and who is at home; Celia, who has passed away; Nicholas, who was
born in 1892, and who is yet at home; Peter, who was born in
1896, and who also resides with his parents; a child who died in
infancy; Jacob, who was born in 1898; Charley, who died in
infancy; Mary, born 1902; Joseph, born in 1904; and Elizabeth,
born in 1911. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic
church.
Mr. Rouster gives his political allegiance to the democratic
party and is active and progressive in matters of citizenship,
although he neither seeks nor desires public office. He has
resided in Allamakee county for twenty-five years and is well
known as a progressive and able agriculturist and a reliable and
straighforward business man, full meriting the confidence and
good-will which are extended to him by his fellow-citizens.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index