John Peter Wagner

WAGNER, DOSBERG, MANDERSCHEID, PINNELL, WEIS, CLAUSEN, PORTZ

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 14:55:05

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910. Biographical Sketches

J. P. WAGNER (John Peter)

A well improved property of Bellevue township is that known as Pleasant View Stock Farm, a tract of two hundred acres, lying on sections 30 and 31, about seven and a half miles southwest of the village of Bellevue. Everything about the place indicates that its owner, J. P. Wagner, is industrious and progressive and keeps in touch with the spirit of advancement which is manifest in agricultural lines. A native of this county he was born in Prairie Spring township, August 24, 1865, his parents being J. H. and Anna (Dosberg) Wagner. Both were of German birth and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1852. J. H. Wagner was about seventeen years of age when he reached this state, and throughout his active life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. About nine years ago he retired to Bellevue and there lived in the enjoyment of a well deserved rest until his death, which occurred on the 28th of December, 1905, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His widow still survives, and makes her home in the village. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Mary, the wife of John N. Manderscheid, of Bellevue, who is represented upon another page of this volume; J. P.; Katherine, the wife of Matt Pinnell, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work; Annie, who married John Weis, of Alton, Iowa; Henry, a resident of Perry township; and Michael, of Bellevue.

J. P. Wagner was two years of age when he was brought by his parents to Bellevue township where he has since resided with the exception of one year which he spent in Richland township. From the age of twelve years he has lived upon the farm which is now his home. His youth was passed in a manner similar to that of the majority of country boys, his time being divided between work in the fields, lessons at school and the pleasures of the playground. About nine years ago he bought the old homestead from his father and has since operated it successfully as a stock farm. He has raised polled Angus cattle in the past but now has changed to shorthorn cattle, believing that dairying will prove more profitable than stock feeding. He also raises hogs and a few horses, and as his business is conducted carefully and systematically he annually derives a large income from his labors. His farm is especially well improved, the buildings being large and substantial, and in every detail the place indicates that Mr. Wagner has spared no effort to secure the best results in his undertakings.

On the 27th of January, 1891, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Clausen, who was born in Bellevue township May 9, 1868, and is a daughter of John and Antoinette (Portz) C. Clausen. Her parents were natives of Germany, but were long numbered among the respected farming people of Jackson county and are now living in Bellevue. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have been born seven children, as follows: Earl H., Edward J., Genevieve L., Viola C.. Amanda Marie, Carl C. and Benjamin Peter.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Wagner has been a stanch champion of the principles of the democratic party, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability, have called him to several offices. He is now serving his second term as township trustee, was road supervisor for a number of years and for eight years was a school director. In these various capacities he evinced a commendable public spirit, which won the confidence and respect of his friends and neighbors. His religious faith is manifest in his membership in St. Joseph's Catholic church of Bellevue, and his life, which is in harmony with his professions and has been spent in useful endeavor, has m itself been a valuable service to the community and proves him worthy of the regard of those who know him.