TRABERT, Lewis - 1890 Bio (1852-1905)

TRABERT, HARDING, SCHMIDTLEIN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/2/2007 at 21:44:31

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 456 and 459

Lewis TRABERT still resides on the farm where he opened his eyes to the light of day, November 13, 1852. It is the TRABERT homestead, and is situated on section 15, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County. He is fifth in a family of six children born unto John T. and Mary B. (HARDING) TRABERT. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 12, 1810, and his people were devoted to agricultural pursuits. At the age of fifteen he began work as a farm hand, which he continued until his emigration to America in 1840. The four years preceding his arrival in this county he worked as a day laborer in Pennsylvania, and during that time married Miss HARDING, who was born in the same neighborhood with her husband. In 1844 they came to the Territory of Iowa, making a location in Lockridge Township, and after a few years purchased eighty acres of land constituting a portion of the farm where our subject now resides. It was entirely unimproved, but he built a log cabin and at once began clearing, preparatory to planting crops, which in the course of time would yield him a living. Overcoming the difficulties incident to frontier life, he at length acquired a comfortable competence, and at his death left his family in comfortable circumstances. His farm then comprised two hundred and thirty-six acres of arable land, upon which was a comfortable home, good barns and all other necessary improvements.

He died on the 11th of February, 1875, in the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which he was long a member. In connection with his property he left to his family a priceless heritage -- a good name. Mrs. TRABERT still survives her husband and makes her home with her children, five sons and one daughters (sic) -- George, the eldest, born December 31, 1842, is a miller, of Griswold, Iowa; Andrew, born October 2, 1844, is a farmer, residing near Stanton, Iowa; John, born December 31, 1845, is a resident farmer, of Milford, Neb.; Anna M. died August 21, 1852, when three years of age; Lewis is the next younger; and Henry, born September 13, 1854, died February 19, 1876.

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully, his time being taken up with the farm labor usually allotted to young lads and by attendance at the district schools of the neighborhood where he acquired his education. Soon after his father's death he married Miss Annas Sophia SCHMIDTLEIN, who is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Lockridge Township, He then purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead farm where they began their domestic life and have since continued to reside. Their union has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter -- Frank A., born March 30, 1878, and Mary Barbara, born August 29, 1880.

Mr. TRABERT is numbered among the intelligent young citizens of the county, and his progressive ideas have won him a foremost place in the ranks of its leading farmers. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Democrat, as was his father before him. He cast his first Presidential vote for Tilden and has never wavered in his allegiance to the party, but has given his support and influence for its welfare, and has frequently represented his township in the county conventions. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran Church. They are respected by all who know them, their friends are many throughout the community, and they are welcomed to the best homes where worth and ability are the passports.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.