SCHRAM, AUGUST

SCHRAM, YOST, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 8/4/2003 at 21:59:10

Biography reproduced from page 542 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

More than average success has attended the well directed efforts of August Schram, who engages in diversified farming, stock-raising and dairying on section 21, Buffalo township, where he owns four hundred acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. Although the greater part of his life has been passed in Iowa, he is a native of the city of Chicago, his birth having occurred November 13, 1864.

When a child of three years August Schram accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. They located in Webster county, where the father, who was a farmer, devoted the remainder of his active life to agricultural pursuits. In the acquirement of his education August Schram attended the local schools, and while engaged in the mastery of the common branches of English learning, was qualifying himself for an agricultural career by assisting his father about the farm. After his marriage he farmed in the vicinity of Dayton for four years, coming from there to Kossuth county. He took up his residence here in 1892, and immediately thereafter purchased a hundred and sixty acres of raw land, which formed the nucleus of his present farm. Having but limited means he did not make very extensive improvements on the place, erecting a small residence and such other buildings as were necessary. He is a practical man and a tireless worker and as he directed his undertakings in a highly capable and efficient manner prospered. As time passed he was able to extend the boundaries of his farm until he now holds title to four hundred acres of fertile land, on which he has placed two sets of improvements. The residences and barns as well as the outbuildings are substantially constructed and kept in good repair, and he manifests that close supervision and careful regard for details on his farm that invariably bespeaks prosperity. Since locating here Mr. Schram has set out a large grove of forest and evergreen trees and an orchard, and has brought the land under high cultivation. His fields are largely planted to such cereals as are best adapted to the feeding of stock, as he is one of the most extensive shippers of dealers in his community. He is interested in various local industries affecting agricultural interests and was one of the organizers of the Titonka Cooperative Creamery Association, one of the most successful enterprises of the kind in the county, and has been president of it ever since founded in 1909. His success has not been in any way remarkable but it is the result of honest effort and has been attained through intelligent concentration upon the achievement of a definite purpose

In Webster county on the 29th day of March, 1888, Mr. Schram was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Yost, a native of Butler county, this state, and to them have been born four children. In order of birth they are as follows: Henrietta, who died at the age of three years; Julia, the wife of Sam Reynolds, who is operating one of Mr. Schram’s farms, and the mother of one child; and William and Ferdinand, both of whom are at home and are assisting their father in the cultivation of the farm.

The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Titonka. In his political views Mr. Schram is a democrat and supports the candidates of that party in national elections, but locally he casts an independent ballot. He has very pronounced ideas on the liquor question and favors the attitude of the prohibition party in this regard, never failing to avail himself of an opportunity to advance the temperance cause. His influence is ever exerted in forwarding those movements which will tend to elevate the standards of the community or promote the welfare of its citizens, and he has for many years been actively identified with the educational interests of the township, having served with efficiency as president of the school board. Honorable motives, sound principles and unquestionable integrity are strongly marked characteristics of Mr. Schram, who enjoys the confidence and good-will of his fellow townsmen and neighbors, who during the long years of his residence here have had ample opportunity to prove his worth.