George Akinhouse, Jr., b. Aug 1848

SHRADER, ENNING

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 12:16:12

The sons of the pioneers are rapidly taking the places of their honored sires, the latter of whom are gradually passing away; and in most instances these sons are worthily bearing the mantle which has descended upon them. They were mostly trained to habits of industry and economy, and assisted in making the homesteads which in their full development form the picture of peace and plenty for which the Hawkeye State is especially noted.

The subject of this sketch, the owner of 320 acres of land on section 15 in Bellevue Township, was born in this township, in August, 1848, and is the son of George and Elizabeth Akinhouse, who were natives of Germany. The parents crossed the Atlantic in their younger years, and first located in Jo Daviess County, Ill., thence they came to this county when but a few white men had ventured thus far westward. The father was poor in purse, but had an abundance of energy, and had inherited from his excellent German ancestry the qualities of resolution and persistence which enabled him to overcome the hardships and difficulties confronting him. He converted a tract of wild land into a comfortable homestead which he occupied until about 1876. He then removed to the town of Bellevue, where he now resides. The mother is deceased. The stepmother is living.

To the parents of our subject there were born three children, of whom two are living - George and his sister, Mary, Mrs. August Shrader of Bellevue. Mr. Akinhouse has spent his entire life in Bellevue Township, and has made of farming his life occupation. Providence provided our subject with a strong and healthful frame, thus making him equal to the task set before him. He has effected, mostly unaided, all the improvements on his homestead, and has secured a competence for his old age.

On the 25th of November, 1873, Mr. Akinhouse was wedded to Miss Tillie Enning, a native of Tete des Morts Township. Of this union there were born seven children, viz.: John, Tillie, Mary, Albert, Frank, Katie and Laura. Tillie is deceased. The eldest is fourteen years of age and the youngest three months. Mr. Akinhouse will give to his children the educational advantages in keeping with their station in life as the offspring of an intelligent and well-to-do citizen. They have a comfortable home with everything to make life pleasant and desirable. Mr. Akinhouse, politically, votes with the Democratic party, and in religious matters, inclines to the doctrines of the Catholic Church, attending services at St. Joseph's Church, Bellevue.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)