Ernest H. Struve

STRUVE, PETERS, SCHNOOR, KLINGE

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 11/19/2005 at 21:30:45

Book of Portraits and Biographical Album 1886, Clinton County, Iowa Ernest H. Struve, miller, proprietor of the Elk River Mills, located at Hauntown, was born in Holstein, Germany, April 27, 1826. His father, Ernest Struve, was also a native of Holstein, was of German ancestry, and was there married to Margaretha Peters. Mrs. Struve was also a native of the same place as her husband. Mr. Struve, the father of our subject, was a miller.
The subject of this personal history came to the United States in 1849, and in the following year his father, accompanied by another brother, Carl, joined him in America. He father located at Fort Jesup, La., where he was doubtless killed during the late Rebellion and in which place he lost his entire property. His wife died in Germany in the year in which the son attained his twenty-fourth birthday.
On coming to the United States, in 1849, Mr. Struve first settled in Iowa, and after laboring at the hardest work for some length of time, he settled five miles from Davenport, on a piece of land containing eighty acres. This he improved and cultivated and later, selling out, he went to Jackson County, Iowa, where he made a purchase of 200 acres. This large tract of land was gradually improved and cultivated, and eventually sold at a good advance on it original value. He next started a mill at Teeds Grove, in this township, and being a miller by trade, which branch of business he learned in Germany, he conducted his trade at Teeds Grove for one and a half years. Subsequently he came to Elk River Mills and purchased a share in them. Here he has since continued, and by his activity and perserverance has gained prosperity and the good opinion of the people. He owns 320 acres, on a portion of which the mills are located. In addition to this he is the possessor of eighty acres in another part of the county, and is highly esteemed by the public in general for his victory in a hand-to-hand struggle with fortune.
Mr. Struve was united in the bond of martimony in Jackson County, Iowa on February 21, 1855. His chosen companion for life was Catharina Schnoor, who was born in Germany in 1835, and who came to the United States, locating in Iowa with her parents on a farm, in 1852. So well do her parents love their adopted country and home that they have since lived in Jackson County up to the time of the father's death. On the occurence of this sad event the mother of Mrs. Struve, reluctantly enough, left the home which she and her husband had built up in a new country, and at the present time resides with her daughter. She has reached the mature age of seventy-six years, but is in the full and active possession of her faculties, and goes down the hill of life with a firm step and undaunted courage.
Mr. and Mrs. Struve are the parents of eight children, one of whom is deceased. Those living are as follows: Paul H., who married Anna Klinge and resides in Elk River Township, on Mrs. Struve's farm,; William operates his father's mill; Ferdinand, now a resident of Oregon; Edward, Amelia C.; and Margaretha, are all at present under the parental roof. The deceased was a son, Ernest F.
Mr. and Mrs. Struve were reared in the Lutheran faith and still support the church of their youth, financially and personally, living daily the principles of a pure and undefiled religion. They are sturdy and active workers in their own community, and are helpful in forwarding all enterprises for good; are kind neighbors an worthy friends. Mr. Struve has held minor offices in the neighborhood and is well thought of as a citizen and a man. In politics he is a strong Republican. His first vote for President was for Abraham Lincoln, and during the war he was a staunch Union man.