Rockdaschel, John

KRUMENOUER, MILLER, ROBISH, BAUMGARTNER, HAAG, FINK

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/8/2009 at 09:45:59

John Rockdaschel, living retired in Sumner after many years of close connection with agricultural interests of Bremer county, was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, February 10, 1845. He is a son of John and Philipina (Krumenouer)Rockdaschel, the former a native of Bavaria and the latter of Prussia, Germany. The father came to the United States and settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1839, working at the shoemaker's trade for a short time and later turning his attention to farming. He afterward moved to Bremer county and followed his trade in Sumner until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-nine years of age. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred in Wisconsin. To their union were born six children: John, of this review; Annie, the wife of Anton Miller, a retired farmer living in Sumner; Elizabeth, who married Martin Robish, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Barbara, the widow of Georg Baumgartner, of Sumner; Phoebe, who married Gotfried Haag, of Sumner; and Caroline, the wife of Henry Fink, also of Sumner.

John Rockdaschel was reared in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and acquired his education in the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-nine years of age and then, in the spring of 1874, came to Bremer county, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 3, Sumner township. Eighty acres of this had been farmed and had a house and barn upon it. The other eighty was wild prairie land, but Mr. Rockdaschel improved the property, erecting good buildings and following only the most practical and progressive methods in the cultivation of his fields. Success rewarded his intelligently directed labor and his farm became a valuable property, reflecting everywhere his care and supervision. Mr. Rockdaschel has placed his land in charge of his sons and he and his wife and daughter make their home in Sumner, where they have an attractive and comfortable residence.

In Wisconsin, in 1872, Mr. Rockdaschel married Miss Minnie Miller, who was born in Jefferson county, a daughter of John and Barbara (Haag) Miller, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Rockdaschel became the parents of six children: Robert, who died at the age of eighteen; Lena, the wife of John Haag, of Minnesota; Ettie, who married Charles Haag, of Charles City, Iowa; George, who married Barbara Miller and is now operating eighty acres of his father's farm; Henry, who married Ida Miller and is also on the old homestead; and Linda, who lives at home.

Mr. Rockdaschel is a member of St. John's Lutheran church of Sumner and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has been school director but is not an active politician, preferring to perform his public service in other ways. His long period of residence in this part of the state has made him widely and favorably known and gained for him a high place among substantial and representaive citizens.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914