Benjamin F. Felderman

FELDERMAN, WICKIE, HUBER, WICKIE, LAMPE, BISHOP, HINKIE, NOTHDURF, BUSH

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 15:11:54

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

BENJAMIN F. FELDERMAN.

Benjamin F. Felderman is the owner of a valuable tract of three hundred and seventy acres of land on sections 27, 22 and 21, Bellevue township, and his time and energies are given to general farming and stock raising, his labors being attended with substantial and well merited success. A native of this county, he was born in Tete des Morts township, June 18, 1877, his parents being John L. and Addie (Wickie) Felderman. The former was also born in that township, his natal day having been June 21, 1851, and was a son of Herman and Regina (Huber) Felderman, both natives of Germany. Herman Felderman crossed the Atlantic when a young man and settling in Tete des Morts township, this county, engaged in farming. A large measure of success rewarded his labors, and as he was able he invested extensively in real estate, becoming one of the large landholders of his locality. He was said to be worth about one hundred thousand dollars at his death. Unto him and his wife were born six children, as follows: John L., who is deceased; William, George and Henry, of Tete des Morts township; Anna, who is the wife of Fred Wickie, of that township; and Minnie, who is the wife of Louis S. Lampe, of Bellevue. The parents were highly respected people of Tete des Morts township, which remained their home until their death.

John L. Felderman, the father of Benjamin F. Felderman, spent his entire life in Tete des Morts township, and there his death occurred September 15, 1896. In the years of his activity he was engaged in farming, from which ht derived a gratifying and well merited success. On the 25th of February, 1876, he wedded Miss Addie Wickie, who was born in Hanover, Germany, February 10, 1855, and was about two years of age when in the spring of 1857 she was brought to Jackson county, Iowa, by her parents, Diedrich and Bibkie (Bishop) Wickie. They joined the farming community of Bellevue township, which remained their home throughout the remainder of their lives. In their family were three children, as follows: John Henry who is deceased; Fred, a resident of Tete des Morts township; and Addie, who is the widow of John L. Felderman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Felderman were born four children, namely: Benjamin F., who is the subject of this sketch; George C, who is living upon the old homestead in Tete des Morts township; and August W. and William L., who are in business in Lamotte, this county. The parents were devout members of the German Lutheran church. Since her husband's death Mrs. Felderman has made her home in Bellevue.

Benjamin F. Felderman, whose name introduces this review, was reared as a farm boy, early becoming familiar with the duties of the agriculturist. He was educated in the district schools of Tete des Morts township, pursuing his studies during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until about eight years ago, when he bought the place whereon he now lives. It is a f1ne tract of three hundred and seventy acres, lying on sections 27, 22, and 21, Bellevue township, about four miles west of the village of Bellevue on the Andrew road. To its further cultivation and improvement Mr. Felderman has devoted himself diligently for the past eight years, and he has found his labors well rewarded by a generous income. In addition to raising the crops adapted to soil and climate he has engaged extensively in the live stock business and his interests have been so carefully managed that he well deserves to be numbered among the successful and representative citizens of this county.

On the 2d of April, 1902, Mr. Felderman wedded Miss May Hinkie, who was born in Bellevue township, September 10, 1877, and is a daughter of J. H. and Christina (Nothdurf) Hinkie. The former was a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Jackson county, Iowa, and both remained residents of this section of the state until their deaths. They were the parents of five children, as follows: John and Henry, who are living in Prairie Spring township; Charles, who is deceased; Anna, who is the wife of John Bush, of Dubuque; and May, who is the wife of Mr. Felderman.

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Felderman have one child, Harold, who was born upon the farm November 16, 1903. There have been no spectacular chapters in the personal history of Mr. Felderman, for as the years have passed he has quietly tilled his fields. Yet he is one of the representative citizens of this township, and his life of earnest endeavor, has won the respect of his fellowmen, while his success, which is the result of his own efforts, has gained for him their admiration. Frugal, industrious and progressive, he stands as the best type of the farmer of today.