Gersonde, William

HAMMETTER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/4/2009 at 21:16:27

One of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Sumner township is William Gersonde, who is living on section 20. There he owns and cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is constantly increasing in value because of the care and labor he bestows upon it. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, March 8, 1873, and when he was twelve years of age began his independent career, working at herding sheep and cattle in his native country. When he was seventeen he accompanied his mother and brother to the United States and they settled in Fayette county, Iowa, where William Gersonde began working upon a farm. After moving to Bremer county he rented two hundred and forty acres of land on section 20, Sumner township, and at the end of six years purchased the property, which he has since owned. He has made excellent improvements upon it, carrying forward the work of its cultivation along progressive and modern lines and making his farm one of the attractive and valuable places in this locality.

Mr. Gersonde married Miss Katherine Hammetter, a daughter of George Hammetter, of whom further mention appears elsewhere in this work. They have become the parents of three children, Clarence Walter, Claretta and George. Mr. Gersonde is a member of the Zion Evangelical church. He is a republican in his political beliefs and for the past six years has been a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a staunch and loyal supporter. His career furnishes many excellent examples of the value of courage and perseverance, for he started out in life a poor boy and has won a degree of success which places him among the substantial and representative men of this locality.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914