Phelon J. Lentz

LENTZ, SCHROCK, MARTZ

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 19:01:59

PHELON J. LENTZ, who follows agricultural pursuits on section 34, Palermo Township, is one of the worthy citizens that Pennsylvania has furnished to Grundy County. He was born in Somerset County of the Keystone State February 15, 1846, and comes of a family of German origin. His father, Jacob Lentz, was born and reared in Pennsylvania and there married Miss Sallie Schrock, daughter of Joseph Schrock, who was also of German parentage. Mr. Lentz was a cooper by trade, and followed that business in Somerset County throughout his entire life. His death occurred in 1881, and his wife, who survived him ten years, passed away in 1891. Their family numbered twelve children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while ten are still living. The father served as Constable in Somerset County, and was a member of the Dunkard Church.

No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject, which were quietly passed in his parents’ home. He was educated in the public schools, and with his father learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed for about six years. He was then employed as a farm hand in Pennsylvania for about two years, after which he determined to seek a home in the west, believing that better opportunities were there afforded to ambitious young men who had their own way to make in the world. He was twenty years of age when, in 1866, he located in Carroll County, Ill. He there worked as a farm hand for eleven months, when he removed to Waterloo, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for five years, for three years carrying on the work in his own interest.

In the spring of 1872 Mr. Lentz came to Grundy County and purchased a farm on section 30, Palermo Township, an eighty-acre tract of unimproved land. With characteristic energy he began breaking the prairie and soon placed the tract under a high state of cultivation. He continued its development until 1883, when he sold out for $2,000 and purchased the farm on which he now resides. It was still in its primitive condition. All of the improvements have been placed there through the labors of Mr. Lentz, and stand as monuments to his handiwork. The necessary buildings are there found, the fields are well tilled and a good grade of stock is raised.

January 17, 1872, Mr. Lentz married Sarah E., daughter of Richard and Rebecca Martz, natives of Pennsylvania, where they are still living. One child has been born to them, Laura Frances, who is now fourteen years of age, whom they are educating in music. The cause of education finds in Mr. Lentz a warm friend, and he has served as a member of the School Board of Palermo Township for three years. He has also filled the office of Supervisor, and it is needless to say, discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. The Republican party finds in him a most stalwart supporter. An honorable and well spent life has won for him high regard and gained for him many warm friends throughout the community.

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

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