W. C. Kaesser

MYERS, KAUTZ, STAUFLFER, GARDNER

Posted By: Lisa G. for Becky Teubner
Date: 5/3/2004 at 05:04:39

1914 Buchanan Co., IA History Vol. 2 pgs. 475-476

, the period of whose residence in Buchanan county covers forty-five years, is a well known and prosperous agriculturist of Cono township, owning an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 20 and 21. His birth occurred in Germany on the 8th of January, 1856, his parents being Louis and Louisa (Myers) Kaesser, who were likewise natives of that country. The mother died in Germany in 1860, and the following year Louis Kaesser emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for eight years. On the expiration of that period he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and took up his abode on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 20 and 21, Cono township, which is now in possession of our subject. He began the improvement of the property and continued its operation throughout the remainder of his active business career, spending his last years in honorable retirement at Walker, where his demise occurred on the 27th of September, 1894. His death was deeply mourned, for he had won many friends in the community which had been his home throughout a quarter of a century.

W. C. Kaesser, who was but five years of age when brought to this country by his father, obtained his education in Illinois and in Buchanan county, Iowa. He remained on the home farm with his father and when the latter abandoned agricultural pursuits he rented the place from him, thus operating the same for about five years. On the expiration of that period he bought the property and later augmented his holdings by additional purchase, acquiring altogether two hundred and forty acres in Cono township, where he has carried on agricultural pursuits successfully to the present time. He also devotes considerable attention to the raising of shorthorn cattle and has long been numbered among the substantial and representative farmers of the community.

In April, 1881, Mr. Kaesser was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ann Kautz, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Stauflfer) Kautz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States at an early day and after residing for a time in Illinois took up their abode in Cono township, Buchanan county, Iowa, where Mr. Kautz purchased land and followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred February 20, 1888, while his wife was called to her final rest July 20, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Kaesser have two children, namely: Katie, who is the wife of W. H. Gardner, an agriculturist of Cono township; and William P., who assists his father in the operation of the home farm.

In his political views Mr. Kaesser is a democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. He is now serving as assessor of Cono township and has held the office for the past six years, making a most creditable record in that connection. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Walker, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is a man of high character, industrious and enterprising, and his honesty and uprightness have always merited him the confidence and respect of his neighbors.