Otto B. Roenfeldt

ROENFELDT, SCHROEDER, VOGT

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/24/2011 at 22:33:17

1911 Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Iowa by P. B. Wolfe. An Excerpt of that book, pages 961-963

OTTO B. ROENFELDT

The name of Roenfeldt is one well known in Center township, Clinton county, where it has been borne by three generations of honorable and upright men and women, whose lives are here briefly recorded, and who have been influential and prominent in the annals of their community, where their presence was ever a force for good and for its best development.

Claus D. Roenfeldt, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Germany in 1806, and there married Christina (unk), who was born in 1804. They emigrated to the United States with three children, two sons and a daughter, in 1852, landing at New Orleans on June 2d of that year, and coming up the Mississippi in a steamboat, arriving at Davenport, Iowa on June 14th. On August 25th, of the same year, Mr. Roenfeldt brought his family to the farm which is now a part of the homestead of his grandson, Otto. He was one of the first Germans to settle in Center township and endured the privations incident to the lot of the early settler. Having borrowed considerable money, he advanced this to his kindred and friends in the old country to pay their passage to this land. He was generous even to a fault. Of his three children, Maggie died in 1854, Frederick in 1885, leaving a wife and six children; Mrs. Roenfeldt died in 1856, and Claus D. survived until July 21, 1886.

Hans D. Roenfeldt was reared on the farm and devoted his life to that calling. He was first married in November, 1858, to Caroline Schwanz, who died in 1864. On January 20, 1865, he was married a second time to Johanna Schroeder, who was born on May 20, 1845, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Schroeder. Joseph Schroeder was born on October 21, 1806, and died on April 11, 1884; his wife was born on October 30, 1816. The children of Hans D. Roenfeldt are, with the dates of their birth: August F., September 24, 1865; Emma F., July 13, 1868; William G., February 20, 1870, died on January 2, 1871; Margaret C., February 8, 1872; Caroline S. January 11, 1874; August C., January 2, 1876; Herman D., March 18, 1878; Otto B., September 11, 1880; Annie E., August 24, 1883, and Sophia, May 14, 1885, and died on September 21st of the same year. Hans D. Roenfeldt died on December 3, 1899, and was buried in Ingwersen cemetery. He was the owner of four hundred acres of land, on which he erected a handsome residence and a large and convenient barn. He and his wife were active workers in the Lutheran church, and Mr. Roenfeldt was prominent in the local activities of the Republican party. There were few farmers of his day who could equal him in the conduct of a farm in the most profitable manner.

Otto B. Roenfeldt was born and reared on the farm and attended the common schools, and for one year was a student at the Clinton high school. He was married on September 23, 1903, to Ella, the daughter of Henry and Dora Vogt, of Clinton county. Her father was American born and her mother a native of Germany. Her father was long a blacksmith, residing at Goose Lake, this county, and was well known for miles about. He died on November 21, 1900, of appendicitis, and was buried at Ingwersen cemetery. His wife still resides at Goose Lake. Dora was the eldest of four children. Mr. and Mrs. Otto Roenfeldt began married life on their present farm of two hundred acres, which was the homestead of his father and grandfather.

Mr. Roenfeldt is a hustler and follows general farming and stock raising, keeping a goodly number of all kinds of stock, including good grade Shorthorn cattle and draft horses ready for the market. The farm is well known for its extensive improvements and for the excellence of its soil. Its owner is a business-like young man, up-to-date and full of enterprise. In politics he is a Democrat. His stepmother resides with him. One child has been born to his marriage, a son, Vernon, born on December 16, 1904.

Note: Roenfeldt was spelled Roennfeldt in this sketch. I changed the spelling.