Gust Brod

BROD

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/8/2010 at 17:22:51

For an extended period Gust rod was connected with general agricultural pursuits in Boone county, but on march 1, 1914, retired, taking up his abode at Boxholm, where he is now living. He is serving as one of the trustees of Grant township and is financially interested in business enterprises, the active management of which, however he leaves to others while he is enjoying a well earned and well merited rest. He was born in Germany, August 17, 1859, and is a son of August and Mary Brod, who were also natives of that country. The father learned and followed the weaver’s trade in Germany, and in 1872 crossed the Atlantic to America, making his way at once to Boone county, were he took up his abode in Grant township, purchasing 60 acres of land which as largely wild and undeveloped. This he improved, carrying on the farm work to the time of his death which occurred in February 1893. His wife passed away December 25, 1901. They had long been numbered among the worthy residents of Boone county, enjoying the war regard of all with whom they had been brought in contact.
Gust Brod was reared in the fatherland to the age of thirteen years and pursued his education in the schools of that country until the emigration to the new world, after which he continued his studies in public schools of Iowa. He remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age and then started out in life on his own account, purchasing 80 acres of land in Grant township, which he improved. Subsequently he purchased his father’s original tract of 60 acres, so that his farm then comprised 140 acres, lying on section 26 and 27, Grant township. Year by year he carefully cultivated the place, bringing the fields under a high state of development, and year by year he gathered good crops as the reward of his care and labor. The wise management of his business affairs and the practical progressive methods which he followed in developing and cultivating his farm brought him a most gratifying and substantial measure of success, enabling him to put aside further business cares, so that on March 1, 1914, he retired from farm life and removed to Boxholm, where he now resides, He is a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company.
On Christmas day, 1884, Mr Brod was married to Miss Cora D Muench, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Bubb) Muench, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a mason by trade and at an early day made his way to Illinois, where he remained until 1881, when he removed with his family to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing land in Grant township which he carefully tilled and developed for many years, winning success in his undertaking. He then retired from active business life and removed to Pilot Mound, where he made his home until his death, which occurred on December 23, 1907. His widow survives and is yet living at Pilot Mound. Unto Mr and Mrs Brod have been born six children: Alvin E, Lillian, Nellie, Ruby, Gladys, and Myrtle. Mrs Brod was born in Mount Morris township, Ogle county, Illinois December 5, 1866.
In his political views Mr Brod is a republican and is serving as one of the trustees of Grant township, a position which he has ably filled through the past ten years. His religious faith is that of the Evangelical Association. He belongs to that class of self made men whose success is the logical outcome of their unfaltering energy and close application.

1914 Boone County History Book