H. L. Grosskruger

GROSSKRUGER, WISWEDE, SOAK, BUSHMAN, SCHAPER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/9/2010 at 07:34:12

History of Jackson County, Iowa, James W. Ellis, 1910

H. L. GROSSKRUGER

H. L. Grosskruger, a farmer of Fairfield township, who resides on a tract of one hundred and eighty acres on sections 18 and 22, was born in Cook county, Illinois, November 15, 1869. His parents, John and Dora (Wiswede) Grosskruger were natives of Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1866. They located first in Cook county, Illinois, where they lived for about two years, and then came to Jackson county, Iowa, spending the rest of their lives in this section of the state. John Grosskruger died in December, 1893, but his widow survived him more than ten years, for she was called to her final rest in February, 1904. Unto them were born six children: Henry, who is living in Ida county, Iowa; Fred, a resident of Clay county, Iowa; Dora, who is the wife of Fred Soak, of Ida county; H. L., the subject of this review; and two who have passed away. The son of a farmer and as a boy initiated into the duties of the farm, H. L. Grosskruger chose agriculture as his occupation, when at the age of twenty-one he started to provide for his own support. He had attended the district school near his home and a German school for three winters, wherein he obtained a fair education, and the practical training on the farm completed his equipment for later responsibilities. For five years after he attained his majority he worked for his father for wages and then rented land, which he operated for ten years. In that time he saved enough to purchase a place and he bought one hundred and forty acres on section 22, Fairfield township, to which he later added forty acres, owning now a fine tract of one hundred and eighty acres. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and bends his energies toward raising the crops best adapted to soil and climate, so that he annually gathers and markets good crops.
It was in 1904 that Mr. Grosskruger was married to Miss Anna Bushman, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa. Her parents, John D. and Wilhelmina (Schaper) Bushman, were natives of Germany and came to Iowa in the early days of its settlement. Mr. Bushman was for a long period identified with farming interests in this county but has now passed away. His widow, however, is still living and makes her home in this township. She was the mother of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Grosskruger have one son, John L., who was born June 23, 1905. They affiliate with the Lutheran church and their lives exemplify the principles of Christianity.
Mr. Grosskruger gives his political support to the democratic party and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability called him to fill the office of township trustee. He is now serving his fourth year in this capacity and his record is one which may well bear inspection, for he never used his influence for selfish ends, but. as during the twelve years he was road boss, he ever raised his voice in support of measures which were calculated to promote the greatest general good. He is a man who has had no false standards of life, but is one who, knowing that individual success can come only from earnest and indefatigable labor and that a fair name only from uprightness and honorable dealings, has constantly sought to live up to a high ideal of manhood.

Grosskruger Grave
 

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