TIGGES, William F. - 1914

TIGGES, WALTERS, AMENDT, STROBACH, GOODRICH, SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 16:51:26

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

WILLIAM F. TIGGES.

William F. Tigges, one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Spring township, has since 1889 been prominently connected with agricultural interests here, making in the course of years many substantial and important contributions to general development. He was born in Wisconsin in April, 1866, and is a son of Frederick and Marie (Walters) Tigges, natives of Germany, who came to America when they were young and married near La Crosse, Wisconsin. In that state they resided for twentyeight years thereafter and then, in 1869, came to Iowa, settling in Marshall county, where the father purchased land. He engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1890 and then settled in Buena Vista county, on a farm which he had previously purchased. He had previously bought onehalf section in Spring township, Cherokee county. He engaged extensively in the raising of highgrade stock, building up a large business along this line and continuing active in it until his retirement in 1894, when he moved to Peterson, Iowa. He owned at that time eight hundred and fifty- five acres of well improved land, with seven hundred acres in a high state of cultivation. This he has since divided with his children. His wife passed away in 1866, leaving two children: Mary, the wife of Nicholas Amendt, of Cherokee county; and William F., of this review. After the death of his first wife Fred Tigges wedded Miss Rosine Strobach, a native of Germany, who passed away in 1893, leaving six children. Frederick Tigges makes his home in Peterson, Iowa, and reached the age of eighty years December 7, 1913.

William F. Tigges acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee and Marshall counties and throughout his childhood and youth assisted with the work of the homestead. In 1889, when he was twentythree years of age, he rented land from his father and he has since continued to reside upon this property, which he now owns. From time to time he has purchased more land and he and his wife now have four hundred and forty acres in Cherokee and Clay counties. Mr. Tigges operates one hundred and sixty acres and has rented the remainder, which brings him an excellent income.

On June 20, 1891, Mr. Tigges was united in marriage to Miss Esther E. Goodrich, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of W. B. and Rebecca (Smith) Goodrich, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tigges have become the parents of seven children: Eda R., who was born May 13, 1893, and who married December 6, 1910, Louis Brasch, of Cherokee county; Earl, whose birth occurred January 14, 1897; Pearl, born June 24, 1899; Eldon, born May 2, 1901; Chester, born May 25, 1904; Wilbur, born July 3, 1907; and Alvia, the second child born to her parents, who is deceased.

Mr. Tigges is a progressive republican in his political beliefs and for the past thirteen years has rendered the township excellent service as assessor. During the period of his residence here he has proved himself a capable and far- sighted public official and a reliable and progressive farmer, meriting and holding the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.