Jacob Tonsfeldt

TONSFELDT

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:36:00

Jacob Tonsfeldt, now deceased, was one of the early settlers of Boone county and as he was a reliable business man and a valued citizen his loss was deeply felt throughout the community when he was called to his final rest. His birth occurred in Germany March 13, 1838, and he was a son of Eggert Tonsfeldt, who always lived in the fatherland, working there as a laborer throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife died in Germany. There were only tow of the family that ever crossed the Atlantic tot eh new world, Jacob and his brother Hans, the latter now a retired farmer living in Davenport, Iowa.
These two brothers came to America in 1858, settling in Davenport. The subject of this review had attended the schools of his native country and thus had been fitted for life’s practical and responsible duties. He was a young man of twenty years when he sailed across the briny deep to the United states. For four and five years he worked on a farm in the vicinity of Davenport and then removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was employed in a brick yard for tow years. On the expiration of that period he came to Boone county and purchased a farm in Amaqua township, on which his widow is now living. From that time until his death he devoted his attention and energies to agricultural pursuits and soon his practical work was manifested in the improved condition of the land which came into his possession. As year after year went by he harvested good crops as the result of his capable and energetic labors and became the owner of 240 acres of rich farming land, constituting one of the best country homes in this portion of the state.
Mr Tonsfeldt was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Lohse, who was born in Germany, January 7, 1839, a daughter of John Lohse, a resident farmer who always lived in Germany and there died. Unto Mr and Mrs Tonseldt were born nine children: John who wedded Emma Dierks, and is farming near Terril, Clay county, Iowa, Henry, who wedded Emma Hagge and is a resident farmer of Amaqua township, Anna, who resides at home with her mother, Jacob, who married Lizzie Kuhl and follows farming in Grant township, Eggert, who died at the age of two years and five months, Lena, at home, Herman and Emil, twins, who manage the home farm for their mother, and Charlie, who is yet under the parental roof.
Mr Tonsfeldt served as a trustee in his township for two terms and for several years acceptably filled the office of road supervisor. He was a Democrat in his political views, strongly endorsing the principles of the party. Classed among the progressive farmers of the county, he deserved this position because of his untiring energy and the success which attended his efforts. He continued his farming operations until May 18, 1900, when he was called to his final rest, his death, being deeply mourned by many friends s well as his immediate family.
Mrs Tonsfeldt now owns the farm of 240 acres on Sec 12, Amaqua township, where she and her children are now living. This is one of the best improved farms in her part of the country, and her sons are successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil and in the raising of stock. The mother and her children are all members of the German Lutheran church of Ogden, and the family is one of prominence in the community, the members of the household occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they move.

1902 Boone County History Book