William & Theodore Krueger

KRUEGER, SANDERMAN

Posted By: IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/23/2007 at 06:34:09

Krueger Brothers

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.

-The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 1248