[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

FLINSPACH, Gustavus Adolph - 1912 Bio (1873-1942)

FLINSPACH, SCHMETSNIGLER, KANN, THOMPSON, DIERS, GORDON, COOP, SPENCER

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 2/5/2004 at 18:06:33

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 77-79

GUSTAVUS A. FLINSPACH

“A well improved and valuable farm of eighty acres in Buchanan township pays tribute to the care and attention bestowed upon it by Gustavus A. FLINSPACH who throughout his entire lifetime has made his home in this section of the county. He was born in this township on the 5th of May, 1873, a son of Lawrence and Caroline (SCHMETSNIGLER) FLINSPACH. His parents, who were born and reared in Germany, came to the United States at an early day and were married in Fairfield, Iowa, where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The father, who followed agriculture as an occupation, owned a good farm in Buchanan township, and to its cultivation and improvement he gave his attention until his death, on the 5th of September, 1879, when his son, G. A. FLINSPACH, was but six years of age. The mother came to America on the 1st of September, 1855, and after remaining in New York until the spring of 1856, came to Iowa and on the 14th of April of that year gave her hand in marriage to Lawrence FLINSPACH. “Grandma” FLINSPACH, as she was familiarly called, was well known in this section of the county, where she was held in the highest regard by all with whom she came in contact. She continued to reside on the old homestead until about two years prior to her demise, when she went to the home of her son Martin, where her death occurred. She long survived her husband, passing away on the 10th of January, 1908, at the age of seventy-three years, seven months and fourteen days. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence FLINSPACH there were fourteen children but the two eldest died in infancy. The others are as follows: Mary, the wife of John KANN, of Buchanan township; Hannah, who married Thomas THOMPSON, of Burlington, Iowa; Anna, who wedded John DIERS, of this township; Martin C. and Fred L., also residents of Buchanan township; Lucy, the wife of Alex GORDON, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Albert, deceased; Minnie, who married P. L. GORDON, of Spokane, Washington; G. A., of this review; Edward C., of Center township; Frank T., of Buchanan township; and Robert C., of Center township.

Reared amid the activities of rural life, Gustavus A. FLINSPACH spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of country lads, attending the district schools in the winter months and assisting in the work of the home farm during the summer seasons, early become familiar with the various phases of agriculture. Lessons concerning the value of industry, economy and determination were instilled into his mind and proved the foundation upon which his later prosperity was based. Upon attaining his majority he wisely chose the occupation to which he had been reared as a life work. He has since concentrated his time and energies upon agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of eighty acres located on section 10, Buchanan township, Jefferson county, and also forty acres of pasture land on section 17. The home place is well improved and through his close application and wise management he has been able to greatly enhance its value so that today it is one of the desirable properties of the locality.

Mr. FLINSPACH was married, on the 3d of October, 1906, to Miss Bertha R. COOP, who was born in Penn township, Jefferson county, on the 13th of March, 1877, a daughter of Lafayette and Cynthia (SPENCER) COOP. The parents are now residents of Penn township, making their home upon the farm on which the father was born. Mrs. FLINSPACH holds membership in the Christian church of Penn township, the teachings of which have ever formed the guiding influences of her life. Mr. FLINSPACH gives his political support to the democratic party but he has never sought nor desired public office. He early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, and as the years have gone by his record has been one of indefatigable effort, close application and intelligent direction. He is well known in Buchanan township, within whose borders his entire life has been spent, and the fact that he is held in high regard by all who know him is indicative of his many excellent qualities of heart and mind.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.


 

Jefferson Biographies maintained by Joey Stark.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]