Kroh, Henry L.

KROH, SNODGRASS, CARPENTER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/10/2009 at 18:05:14

Kroh, Henry L.

A few years ago whenever mention was made of the prominent farmers of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, the name of Henry L. Kroh was one of the first, which came to mind. Now, after a long life of usefulness and service, in the army of his country during the war, in the ranks of her toilers in peace, he has gone to that land beyond from which no one returns, to a reward proportionate to the character, which he developed in this life.

Henry L. Kroh was born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 4, 1835, and lived in this city with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. Louis and Elizabeth Kroh, his parents, were among the early settlers of Ohio, and were of a very prominent family, the members of which took a leading part in the affairs of the time. When twenty-seven Henry L. Kroh came west to the comparatively new state of Iowa, seeking a better opportunity, and was in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, when the war broke out. He enlisted in the Tenth Iowa Infantry, Company I, commanded first by Captain Garrit, and later by Captain Pogue, and served for two and one-half years, at the close of which time he received an honorable discharge. He took part in the battle of Shiloh and many other battles of the Western Army, and established his record as an efficient and faithful soldier, who could be relied upon in any situation. When discharged from the army he returned to Iowa, and on August 4, 1864, was married to Harriett Snodgrass, of Jasper County. She was born in 1846, at New Bethel, Indiana, the daughter of Garrett and Letitia Snodgrass, who in 1864 were residing on a Jasper County farm. This union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Charles L., who is married and living in Adel, Iowa, and has two children, Evangeline and Lucile; Frank L., who is married and lives south of Galesburg, Iowa, and has one son, Allen; Rolla G. is married and is residing with his mother at East South Street in Newton; and Stella, who married L. B. Carpenter, of Galesburg, Iowa, and is the mother of three children, Lowell, Grace and Fay.

After marriage Henry L. Kroh located on a farm of two hundred and sixty-six acres in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, and later bought it. He was a careful and capable farmer, raised excellent crops and the best of stock, and prospered in, his affairs. At the time of his death, which occurred on the second day of December 1905, he was living in Newton, Iowa, in the handsome house where his widow now resides, having retired from active farming.

In politics he as a stanch Republican. The Grand Army post at Newton claimed Mr. Kroh as one of its loyal and enthusiastic members. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church at Newton, and he took a leading part in all church activities, and was in deed and thought a true Christian, whose excellent character had won for him the love and esteem of those who knew him, and made his place in the community one hard to fill. To every man he was a friend, to the unfortunate and needy he was especially kind, in his family he was at all times tender and devoted to their welfare, and loved the members of his family as passionately as he was loved by them in return. Truly he was one of nature's noblemen in character. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 816.