CHRIS S. MENSING

MENSING, HENRICHS, BLAAS, BROMM

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 7/15/2004 at 21:01:37

Chris S. Mensing owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 3, Prussia township, and the excellent condition in which everything about the place is kept testifies to his energy and good management. A native of Germany, he was born May 1, 1860, of the marriage of Chris and Dora (Henrichs) Mensing. Both parents were born in Germany and the mother passed away in that country in 1903 when seventy-two years of age. The father, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits is still living in Germany at the age of eighty-four years.
Chris S. Mensing grew to manhood in the fatherland and there received his education. In his youth he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed in his native land until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made his way to Rockwell City, Calhoun county, Iowa. There he worked at his trade for three or four years and during that period was also employed as a farm hand for some time. In the spring of 1895 he came to Adair county and operated a rented farm for five years, after which he purchased that place, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Prussia township, and he has since given his undivided attention to the cultivation of his land. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, specializing in breeding full blooded Chester White hogs. He formerly raised Red Polled cattle. He owns stock in the Farmers Lumber Company at Casey, Iowa, and is one of the well-to-do residents of his township.
Mr. Mensing was married in December, 1882, to Miss Emma Blaas, who is a daughter of Hans and Ann (Bromm) Blaas, natives of Germany. The father was a hotel keeper and passed his entire life in the fatherland. Both he and his wife are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mensing have been born eight children: August, Chris, Dora, Minnie, John, Elmer, Amanda, and Willie.
Mr. Mensing, who is a stalwart democrat, has taken an active part in political affairs and has served as justice of the peace, as school director and as school treasurer. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church, in whose faith he was reared. In all relations of life his conduct reasures up to high standards and he commands the unqualified respoect of all who have been brought into contact with him.
Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.