Hager, August

HAGER, STOCK, KRACHT, BEGEMANN, WINTERMEIER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/23/2009 at 16:33:07

Hager, August

It is almost unnecessary at this time to speak of the part played by European aliens, many of them exiles, in the up building of this nation. They thronged our shores on the Atlantic prior to the Revolution; the stream grew larger and more constant at its close, and they have continued to come in ever increasing numbers. We have always plenty of room for them and they pay us back manifold by their industrious and frugal lives and by their contributions to the prosperity of almost every section of the national union.

One of the worthy sons of the old fatherland who has become one of Jasper County's progressive citizens is August Hager, well-known mill operator of Baxter. He was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, September 5, 1875, and there he grew to maturity and received his education in the common schools. He is the son of Herman and Sophia (Stock) Hager, both natives of Germany, the father having died in that country several years ago, but the mother is still living in the old country. Five children were born to them, namely: Herman lives in Germany; Fred, who is president of the State Savings Bank of Baxter, was born November 29, 1863, and he is one of the leading business men of this vicinity; Lena Stocking lives in Germany; Lena Einsmeyer is also still a resident of her native land; August of this sketch is the youngest.

August Hager emigrated to America in 1894 and located at Baxter, Iowa, and entered the employ of his brother in the local flouring mill, and with the exception of six months spent in farm work he has continued in this business to the present time, having bought the mill from his brother in 1902, Henry Noah being an equal partner from July 1902. This is one of the best known and most popular mills in the County and has a wide and ever growing patronage, for high grade work is done here at all times and every caution is observed in order to please and give honest service. It is equipped with the most up-to-date and best approved machinery and is properly prepared in every respect to turn out the best material promptly. The products are eagerly sought for all over the country and the mill is usually run at its full capacity, seventy barrels daily, many carloads being shipped to various localities.

On April 6, 1904, August Hager was married to Carrie Kracht, who was born in Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa, August 9, 1878. She is the daughter of Adolph and Wilhelmina (Begemann) Kracht, both born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the father on June 29, 1841, and the mother on December 7, 1847. They grew up, were educated and married in the fatherland, and came to Iowa in early life and they now live retired in Baxter, having secured a competency. There were eleven children in their family. The two eldest, Henry and. Matilda, died in infancy; Fred, born in Wisconsin, December 19, 1873, lives in Baxter; William died when eight years old; Lydia, born December 5, 1879, lives in Baxter; Carrie, wife of Mr. Hager of this review; Elvina Wintermeier lives in Independence Township, this County; Adolph, born March 2, 1884, lives in Baxter; Emma, born December 13, 1884, lives in Baxter; Anna, born November 13, 1887, also lives in Baxter.

Politically, Mr. Hager is a Democrat. He is a member of the German Reformed Church of Independence Township. He has always been a student of the world's best literature and of the current topics of the times. He has led a commendable life since coming among us and has made a host of friends who admire him for his business ability, his progressiveness and honesty. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1124.