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John Kallenbach

KALLENBACH, GERGEN, HESSE, DERHING

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/25/2011 at 15:47:45

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1, Excerpt:

JOHN KALLENBACH.

Perhaps no class of foreign-born citizens have done so much in bringing Clinton county to the front as the Germans, and, indeed, we are very ready to admit that they have performed a great service for us throughout the Union, and while their labors have resulted in the general uplift of the country they have also resulted in incalculable good to those who performed it. Of this large class is John Kallenbach, of Olive township, Clinton county. He was born in Germany in 1849 and is the son of Anton and Margaret (Gergen) Kallenbach, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to America in 1854 and located at Muscatine, Iowa, the father buying forty acres in that vicinity. Later, in 1862, he came to Clinton county and settled in Olive township on a farm adjoining that on which the subject now lives, owning one hundred and forty acres, and there his death occurred. He put all the improvements on that place and had a very comfortable home. His wife also died there. They were the parents of seven children. The father was a Democrat, but he lived a quiet home life; he and his family were members of the Catholic church.

John Kallenbach was educated in the public schools of Muscatine, Iowa, and also went to school after coming to Clinton county. He grew to maturity on the home farm, which he worked when a boy. When twenty-five years old he began farming for himself on forty acres, which he bought in Olive township. He sold this and in 1891 bought the place where he lives at present, now owning one of the model farms of the township, consisting of three hundred and forty acres in one body, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and on which stands an attractive and substantial dwelling and large and convenient outbuildings. He also has thirty acres of timber. He carries on general farming in a manner that stamps him as being fully abreast of the times. He still resides on his farm, but merely oversees it, having practically retired from active work in 1903.

Mr. Kallenbach was married in 1875 to Louisa Hesse, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, and who had lived in Scott county until her marriage. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Maggie J., John J., Marcus C. Anton, Frank H., Mary' A., Henry L., Clara E. and Veronica C. Elizabeth and Lawrence died in infancy.

Conrad and Dora (Derhing) Hesse were both born in Germany and they came to America in 1853 and located in Davenport. Iowa, later farmed in Scott county. The father was a tailor by trade. The father of Mrs. Kallenbach was twice married and his family consisted of eleven children. They were members of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Hesse are both deceased, but her step-mother is living.

Mr. Kallenbach is a Democrat and he has long taken more or less interest in local affairs. He has very ably and acceptably held various local offices. Personally, he is a genial and pleasant man to meet and is deserving of the large success that he has achieved considering the fact that he has won in the battle of life without the aid of anyone, having to overcome many obstinate and discouraging obstacles. Mr. Kallenbach has bought a property in De Witt, to which he will move in the coming spring and take the rest from his labors he so much needs. He has sold one hundred and forty acres to his son Marcus and the balance of two hundred acres he has rented to his son Frank.


 

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