GEORGE HABERKORN

HABERKORN, RENBENER, LANG

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 3/21/2006 at 08:16:47

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton County, Iowa

Page 510

GEORGE HABERKORN

George Haberkorn, prominent among the citizens of Dubuque County who have materially contributed to its prosperity and assisted in its agricultural development, is the subject of this sketch. He is one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Jefferson Township, and is the proprietor of a large and well equipped farm, being at the present time the owner of two hundred and forty acres. This valuable estate has been gained through industry, good management and perseverance on the part of himself and wife.

Like many of the best residents of Iowa, our subject is a native of Germany. He was born in Babaron August 13, 1827, and is the son of Adam and Eve (Renbener) Haberkorn, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. He passed the years of boyhood and youth in the place of his birth, where he was the recipient of fair educational advantages. When seventeen years of age he determined to try his fortune in the New World, of which he had often heard the most glowing accounts from those who had crossed the ocean. Leaving his native land on the sailing-vessel "Schiller," he was landed in Baltimore a few weeks later. After one night in that city he immediately proceeded westward and finally reached Dubuque County, where he secured employment as a farm laborer. For four years he was in the employ of a Mr. Steigers, after which he worked for Mr. Sherrill and later was with Mr. Leonard for three years.

While working for others Mr. Haberkorn was economical, and saving his earnings, was enabled to enter a quarter-section from the Government. This tract he improved and to it he added as he was able until he increased its boundaries to two hundred and forty acres. Here he has since made his home, engaged in general farm work. In all his labors he has had the efficient co-operation of his estimable wife, with whom he was united in marriage October 4, 1852. Mrs. Haberkorn bore the maiden name of Theresia Lang, and by her marriage has had ten children, namely: Mary, Adolph, Julia, Rose, George, Joseph, John, Aloys, Theresia and Frank.

The first brewery in Jefferson Township was built and operated by Mr. Haberkorn. With that exception he has devoted his entire time to the management of his estate and is considered one of the most enterprising agriculturists of the locality. He looks with pride on the old log cabin that marked his introduction into Iowa and declares he has been a Democrat and Catholic ever since that time. Although often petitioned to accept public office he has steadily refused to do so, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his personal affairs.