Ishmael Haas

HAAS, FLAUGHER, BRICKMAN, SMITH, PELTY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 12:03:41

ISHMAEL HAAS, who carries on general farming on section 18, Melrose Township, Grundy County, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, January 28, 1832, and is of German descent, for his father, Jacob Haas, was a native of Germany. Crossing the broad Atlantic to America, he located in Pennsylvania, where he spent three years. He then removed to Mahoning County, Ohio, where he purchased land and carried on farming throughout the remainder of his life. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, and possessed many excellencies of character well worthy of emulation. He married Sallie Flaugher, a native of the Keystone State, and unto them were born four children, three of whom reached years of maturity and are still living. Levi, Sarah and Ishmael still survive, and John is now deceased.

Under the parental roof in the county of his nativity, our subject was reared to manhood, and in the public schools of the neighborhood received his education. October 3, 1853, he was married to Miss Caroline Brickman, who was also born and reared in Mahoning County. They there began their domestic life upon a farm, to the cultivation of which Mr. Haas devoted his time and attention until 1864. His possessions comprised one hundred acres, which he at length sold out preparatory to removing to Iowa. Going to Benton County, he engaged in the livery business for three years, when he again resumed farming, which he followed for one year. In 1868 he came to Grundy County and located upon the farm which is now his home. There was not a stick of timber or a building upon the place, but he at once erected a house, and with characteristic energy began the development of the land. The trees that now adorn the place were planted by him, and its neat and thrifty appearance is due to his arduous labors. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, and the greater part of it is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Haas also engages in stock-raising, making a specialty of thoroughbred Shropshire sheep. He has nine thoroughbred sheep, four of which are registered. He also raises a great many hogs.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haas have been born the following children: Lenora, widow of Milford Smith, and a resident of Eldora; Charles, a dry-goods merchant of Eldora; Henry, who is engaged in the dry-goods business in Boone; John, also a dry-goods merchant of Eldora; Addie, wife of C. E. Pelty, proprietor of a dry-goods store in Eldora; Frank and Edith, at home. The children have been provided with good advantages and are now occupying useful and responsible positions in society. On questions of national importance Mr. Haas supports the Democratic party, but at local elections he votes for the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office. He has never been an aspirant for official preferment himself, but gives his time and attention to his business, in which he has met with good success, and has thereby become one of the substantial farmers of the community.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894