Carsten C. Holtorf (1838-1905)

HOLTORF

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 11:20:59

Carsten Claus Holtorf
(March 25, 1838 – November 6, 1905)

C. C. Holtorf is one of the extensive land owners and most progressive farmers of Calhoun County, and his life record is
creditable alike to the land of his birth and to the land of his adoption. He was born in Holstein, Germany, March 25, 1838, his
parents being Henry and Antje (Clausen) Holtorf, who were also natives of Holstein. The father died in that country at the age
of fifty-eight years, his wife passing away long previous, her death occurring when she was only thirty-two years of age. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest. Jergen, the second, is now deceased; Claus is living upon a farm near Hubbard, Minnesota; Henry is living in Holstein, Germany; and Margaret is the wife of John Rossman, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. In the schools of his native province C. C. Holtorf acquired a good education and then started out to make his own way in the
world, working as a farm hand for H. H. Aggers for forty-two dollars per year. He was employed in that capacity for eight years and then rented the land, which he operated for three years on his own account, but the reports he had heard concerning America and the opportunities here afforded for business advancement led him to desire to seek a home in "the land of the free" and accordingly he sailed for the new world in 1869. In the meantime — on the 22d of August, 1865, — Mr. Holtorf was married in Holstein to Miss Margaret Spies, and with his wife and three children he started for America, first locating at Belle Plaine, in Benton County. Iowa. There he remained for a short time and afterward came to Calhoun County, arriving in May, 1869. Here he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres on section 10, it being the north half of the west quarter. They were the first German family to settle in Butler Township, Calhoun County. The country was wild and unimproved. The land was in its primitive condition, just as it came from the hand of nature and was broken with sloughs, with characteristic energy, however, Mr. Holtorf began the development of a farm and as his financial resources increased he added to his property until he now has seven hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. It is on sections 4, 5, 8 and 9. Much of it has been tiled and all modern improvements have been added. Most of his children live near him and his own home was on the southeast quarter of section 4, Butler Township, but in the spring of 1902 he removed to Pomeroy, where he had built a handsome modern residence. In the spring of 1900 Mr. Holtorf and wife took a pleasure trip to the old country, visiting the old home. They remained four months, having a most enjoyable trip. He saw the first house put up in Pomeroy. In the early days of his residence here he had to get all his supplies from Fort Dodge, and for the first lumber which he bought he had to pay forty-four dollars per thousand feet. In pioneer times before a preacher had located here he would take his Bible to the homes of the different German families of the neighborhood and would read the scriptures and hold services, thus contributing to the moral development of the community. His home was and always has been noted for its generous hospitality and in the early days he entertained many of the German people seeking homes in this locality, giving to them such aid as he could in their selection of land. He aided in organizing the German Lutheran church, was one of its trustees for many years and
assisted in every way possible the work of the church and the upbuilding of the cause. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holtorf were born
ten children: Beartholt H.. who left home for Chicago with a train load of cattle, was suffocated by gas, his death occurring when
he was only twenty-five years of age and coming as a great blow to his parents; Henry, the second child, died in infancy; D. Amanda is the wife of Otto Beeker, of Butler Township, Calhoun County: John
Henry is a farmer of the same township; Millie died in infancy; Fred is living in Butler Township, engaged in farming; Anna M. is the wife of J. H. Wilts, a druggist of Pomeroy; Alma E. is the wife of Charles Moore, of Butler Township; August W. was married February 10, 1902, to Tilda Schultz, a daughter of William Schultz. of Pocahontas County: and Carson is with his brother, engaged in farmings. All the children have received good educational privileges, fitting them for life's responsible and practical duties. Mr. Holtorf was the organizer of the German Mutual Insurance Company, was its
president for a number of years and is now its treasurer. He has served in all the township offices and has been school director for
twenty years. Formerly he was identified with the Republican party, but in 1882 he severed his allegiance to that organization
and now endorses the Democracy. He has always been faithful to even- duty of public and private life, his course has ever been honorable and straightforward and he commands the respect of all. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.411]