ZWIEFEL, JOHN

ZWIEFEL, CUNNINGHAM

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/1/2003 at 22:05:40

Biography from page 514 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County, Iowa, by B.F. Reed published in 1913:

High in the list of the progressive and prosperous citizens of Buffalo township stands the name of John Zwiefel, who owns and successfully operates a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, located on section 6. The greater part of his life has been passed in Kossuth county, although he is a native of Monroe county, Wisconsin, his birth having occurred on the 27th of April, 1874.

When John Zwiefel was a lad of nine years his parents removed from the state of his nativity to Iowa, where he has ever since made his home. They first located in Humboldt county, but later became residents of Kossuth county, settling on a farm in Fenton township. His education was begun in the district schools and completed in the high school at Charles City, which he attended for two years. In common with the majority of lads who are reared in the country his early energies were directed along agricultural lines, and by the time he had attained his maturity he was proficient in the practical methods of tilling the field and caring for the crops. After leaving home he came to Buffalo township, where he was subsequently married and thereafter located on the farm of his father-in-law, which he cultivated as a renter for ten years. In 1907, he purchased the property and three years later he further increased his holdings by acquiring the title to an adjoining tract of a hundred and sixty acres. He has been diligent and enterprising, directing his undertakings with the foresight and sagacity that invariably bring success. His energies have been directed with telling effect toward the development of his place, which shows a marked annual improvement. Wherever necessary his fields have been tiled and are under high cultivation, while his entire tract is fenced. In 1911, he added further to the value of his property by the erection of a large commodious barn, and at various times he has installed about his premises many conveniences which tend to lessen the labor and expedite the work. In connection with diversified farming he engages in stock raising and dairying and is one of the stockholders of the Titonka Cooperative Creamery Association, of which he was one of the founders.

In Buffalo township on the 18th day of August, 1897, Mr. Zwiefel was united in marriage to Miss Effie Cunningham, who was born and reared here, her father, Joseph Cunningham, having been one of the pioneer settlers of Kossuth county. Of this marriage there have been born two daughters, Vida and Doris.

Fraternally, Mr. Zwiefel is an Odd Fellow, being past grand of the lodge at Titonka, in which he has held all of the chairs. He votes the republican ticket, but has never actively participated in local affairs aside from his connection with the school board. In this capacity he has given most efficient service as he is deeply interested in educational matters. Mr. Zwiefel is widely known in this section, where he has won many stanch friends, as he is a man of high standards and excellent business principles, and such success as has come to him is the well merited reward of unremitting energy and intelligently expended effort.