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HERMAN R. STUCKENBRUCK, who occupies a place among the representative farmers of Iowa township, Benton county, Iowa, was born in Iowa City, this state, September 5, 1860, a son of William and Catherine Stuckenbruck, pioneers of Benton county.
William Stuckenburk was born in Germany, November 14, 1814, and died on his farm in Benton county, Iowa, August 10, 1875. When a young man he came to the United States. In Pennsylvania he married, and shortly after his marriage moved to Richland county, Ohio, where he made his home until 1855. That year he brought his family to Iowa, making the journey across the country with ox team, and settled in Iowa City, where they lived for five years. In the autumn of 1860 they moved to Benton county, arriving in Iowa township on October 16. Here he purchased forty acres of land on section 25, erected a log house and made other improvements, and here he spent the rest of his life and died. His wife's maiden name was Bickel. She was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1824, and is still living, now making her home with her son, Herman R. She was twice married. Her first husband, Alexander Little, a native of Canada, died at the age of forty-five years, leaving her with one child, A. H. Little, who came with the family to Iowa and is now a resident of Iowa township, Benton county. By her marriage with Mr. Stuckenbruck she had ten children, of whom six are living, namely: William, of Kosta, Iowa; Mary J., wife of I. Berkheimer, of Iowa township; Emma, wife of Charles Scluchert, of Iowa township; Herman R., whose name introduces this sketch; Joseph C., of Sioux county, Iowa; and Daniel of Iowa township.
Herman R. was a babe in his mother's arms at the time the family settled on the farm above mentioned, and here he grew to manhood and received a common school education. On reaching his majority he began working out by the month on farms, and thus employed for three years. After his marriage he engaged in farming on his own account on rented land, which he cultivated for six years, until 1890, when he bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 27, Iowa township. He has since acquired by purchase eighty-five acres in Iowa county, this state. His home farm was covered with timber and undergrowth, and the work of grubbing and clearing was no small task, but in time he accomplished it, and is now the owner of a fine, well improved farm and modern home.
On February 17, 1884, Mr. Stuckenbruck married Miss Rachel L. Carter, a native of Athens county, Ohio, born June 23, 1863, daughter of Harrison and Catherine (Savers) Carter, both natives of the "Buckeye State," where they were married November 13, 1861. Harrison Carter was born April 13, 1840, and died February 25, 1894. He came with his family to Benton .county in the spring of 1865, and purchased a farm on section 35, Iowa township, where his widow is still living. To them were born eight children, of whom five are living at this writing, as follows: Mrs. Herman R. Stuckenbruck; Eva, wife of 0. C. Trueblood, of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Silas, of Minnesota; and John and Emma, at home with their mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Stuckenbruck have been given four children: Willian A., Harold C., Ella L. and Clifford M., all at home, the eldest employed as a school teacher.
Mr. Stuckenbruck has been a staunch Republican ever since he became a voter, and he has a number of times been honored with local office, such as road supervisor, school officer and township trustee. The last named office he has filled four years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 795, at Belle Plaine.
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