Carstens, Hans

CARSTENS, PAULS, CRAIG, ISKE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 06:25:14

Hans Carstens, a well-known and representative citizen of Sherman Township, Jasper County, follows farming on section 11. The record of his life is as follows: A native of Schleswig, Germany, he was born on the 29th of September, 1840, unto Henry and Margaret Carstens, who were also natives of the same locality. The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. To his father he gave the benefit of his services upon the home farm until seventeen years of age, when, desiring to follow some other pursuit, he began learning the carpenter's and joiner's trade, at which he served a three years apprenticeship. He followed that business in Germany for several years before his emigration to America. He had acquired a good education in his native tongue, and was also well informed in the English language.

In the spring of 1869 Mr. Carstens set sail for the United States. He took passage on an ocean steamer at Hamburg, and after eleven days spent upon the briny deep first set foot on American soil in New York City. His destination was Jasper County, Iowa, and he at once made his way thither, locating in Newton, where he followed his trade for several years. At length, when he had acquired a sufficient capital, he purchased land and settled upon the farm, which has since been his home. He has materially improved it; making it what it is today, one of the finest farms of Sherman Township. It comprises one hundred and sixty-five acres of good land, which is under a high state of cultivation. The home is one of the most beautiful and commodious residences in tile community.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Carstens and presides over this home was in her maidenhood Miss Dora Pauls. She is a native of Schleswig, Germany. They became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living, as follows: Hans, Dora, wife of August Craig, Sophia, wife of Christian Iske, Henry, Lincoln, Mary, Emma, Ernest; Lincoln and Bertha are now deceased. Through the winter season Mr. Carstens engages in preaching the Gospel, although he is not a member of any religious organization. He has led an honorable and upright life, and the confidence and high regard of the entire community is his. In politics he is a supporter of the Prohibition Party, and he has served as School Director. Public-spirited and progressive, he takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and is ever found in the front ranks of those enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. He is charitable and benevolent, and the poor and needy have found in him a friend. In his business career he has met with signal success, and his diligence and good management have made him the owner of a good farm and the possessor of a comfortable competence. He loves his adopted country, and the community recognizes in him a valued citizen. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 316.