HANS KOLL, b 24 Apr 1858

KOLL, MOHR, REHR

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/15/2004 at 08:07:19

The industrious and enterprising German nationality has been of no small service in developing the rich resources of the Hawkeye State. They were among the first to venture out on the frontier with their hardy muscles and persevering wills, and their descendants are to-day among the most wealthy and prosperous citizens of Iowa. Mr. Koll occupies a first-class position among the sons of the Fatherland here, although himself American born, and is the owner of a fine farm of 146 acres, lying on sections 30 and 31 in Van Buren Township. He converted a portion of the primitive soil into one of the most productive farms of this region, and has reason to be proud of his achievements and his prosperity. He is regarded among his neighbors as an honest man and a good citizen, one who pays 100 cents on the dollar, and whose word is as good as his bond.

In noting the parental history of our subject we find that he is the son of John and Dora (Mohr) Koll, natives of Germany, where they were reared and married, and where were born to them two children before they emigrated to America. Upon crossing the Atlantic they made their way directly westward to this county, and the father took up a tract of land in Van Buren Township, where he constructed a good homestead, and where his death took place in June, 1886, when he was seventy-one years old; the mother is still living, and is now aged seventy-one years. After their arrival in Iowa there were added to the home circle three more children: Dora; Hans, our subject; and Henry, thus making five children in all. All of these are living and located in Iowa.

Hans Koll was born April 24, 1858, at the old homestead of his parents in Van Buren Township, and at an early age began to assist them in the various labors of the farm. He remained at home until his marriage with Miss Maggie Rehr, which occurred Oct. 10, 1884. Mrs. Koll was born in the Province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Dec. 5, 1866, and is now the mother of two sons, John and Fred. Mr. Koll, politically, affiliates with the Democratic party. He has been a hard worker, and has now sufficient of this world's goods to defend him against want in his old age. Each year adds something to the value of his farm and its improvements, which at present are fair, but which he will continue to amend as time goes on.

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