Chris Hochschwender (1840-1928)

HOCHSCHWENDER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/27/2022 at 12:48:38

Chris Hochschwender
(October 15, 1840 – 1928)

This well known resident of Williams Township is one of the leading German born citizens of Calhoun County, and in his successful business career he has shown the characteristic thrift and enterprise of his
race. Beginning with no capital save that acquired by his own industry, he has become one of the well-to-do and prosperous farmers of his community. Mr. Hochschwender was born in Germany on the 15th of October, 1840, and was reared and educated in his native land. There his parents spent their entire lives. At the age of twenty-six years he resolved to try his fortune in America, where he believed better opportunities were afforded ambitious and industrious young men than in the older countries of the east, and accordingly he crossed the broad Atlantic. He first located in Sac County, Iowa, where he worked on a farm one year, and then went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he engaged in railroad word for a time. He was also employed in a brickyard and followed various occupations during his three years sojourn at that place. He next went to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, but after spending two months in that city, proceeded to the copper mines in the Lake Superior region, where he worked one summer, and then returned to Sheboygan. The following spring he went to Duluth, Minnesota, where he worked on public and government works until fall, when he went back to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1872 we again find him in Sac County, Iowa, where he worked on the first court house and at farming upon rented land for about twelve years. In 1882 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Sac City, to which he afterward added a tract of fifty-six acres, and which he improved by the erection of good buildings. Selling his property there in the summer of 1888, he moved to Calhoun County the following spring, and bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Williams Township, where he now resides. He built a good modern dwelling upon the place, substantial barns and outbuildings, and now has a well improved and valuable farm, to the cultivation and development of which he devotes his entire time and attention.
On the 24th of January, 1870, Mr. Hochschwender was united in marriage with Miss Mary Rommalfeuger, who was also born in Germany, May 24, 1844, and came to the United States when ten years of age with her mother, her father having died in his native land. The mother first made her home with a son who came to America at the same time, but was living with our subject in Sac County, Iowa, at the time of her death. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hochschwender one died in infancy, and Lawrence died at the age of thirteen years and three months from the effects of a kick of a horse. Those living are as follows: Rose, born September 7, 1871, is now the wife of Frank Vancleve, of Buena Vista County, Iowa; Anna, born October 5, 1872, is the wife of Merton Campbell of Sac County, Iowa; Mary, born November 8, 1874, is the wife of James Lewin, who lives near Newell, Iowa; George, born March 21, 1877, married Nancy Riley and resides in Fonda, Iowa; Frederick, born August 21, 1878, and Effie, born March 29. 1887, are both at home. The parents held membership in St. Mary's Roman Catholic church of Fonda, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.
[Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.475]