OESTERREICHER, LEWIS

OESTERREICHER, WAGNER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/1/2003 at 15:10:56

Biography reproduced from page 517 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Among the citizens of Buffalo township who have figured prominently in forwarding the progress and development of the community must be mentioned Lewis Oesterreicher, who is now serving his fourth year as a member of the board of county supervisors. He is owner of a well improved farm of four hundred acres, in the cultivation of which he is meeting with a gratifying degree of success. His life record was begun in Johnson county, this state, his natal day being the 10th of August, 1862.

The son of a farmer, the boyhood and youth of Lewis Oesterreicher were passed similarly to those of other lads who are reared in the country. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education, and while engaged in the mastery of his lessons qualified himself for the career of an agriculturist by becoming familiar with the practical methods of farming. He developed early under the duties and responsibilities he thus assumed and while still in his youth was doing the work of a man. At the age of twenty-three years he was married and immediately thereafter he began farming for himself in Johnson county, where for five years he cultivated leased land. At the expiration of that time, in 1890, he came to Kossuth county and bought a hundred and sixty acres on section 21, which formed the nucleus of his present homestead. After erecting thereon the necessary buildings he began cultivating the soil, making such improvements in his property from year to year as his circumstances warranted. Subsequently he increased his holdings by the purchase of land across the road from his place, continuing to extend the boundaries of his farm until he held the title to four hundred acres. He has enlarged and remodeled the residence on the place opposite his original tract and has erected thereon a barn and other buildings. His fields are tiled where necessary and substantially fenced, while every implement or machine essential to their successful cultivation has been added to his equipment, as well as various labor-saving appliances. He raises Poland-China hogs and high-grade cattle and does dairying. His fields yield abundant crops, the quality of which is fully equal to the quantity, and he is meeting with success in all his endeavors. Practical ideas and thoroughly tested methods have been the salient factors in the success of Mr. Oesterreicher, who is a tireless worker and has diligently applied himself early and late in the achievement of his purpose.

In Johnson county, in October, 1885, Mr. Oesterreicher was married to Miss Elizabeth Wagner, a native of Iowa county, this state. They have three sons: Ray, Alfred and Ross, all of whom are living at home, assisting with the cultivation of the farm.

Mr. Oesterreicher is the type of man who is not only able to successfully direct his own affairs but finds time to meet the requirements of good citizenship by assuming his share of the duties in connection with the local government. He supports the democratic ticket and is now serving his fourth year on the board of county supervisors. For a long period he was a township committeeman and a member of the school board, having at one time been president of the latter body, and he has also represented his district at county conventions. Mr. Oesterreicher is very proud of his farm, and well he may be, as it is a tribute to his capably directed energies, its appearance evidencing the exercise of good judgment and intelligence in its management. It is a very attractive place and its value has been greatly increased by the planting of a large grove and orchard, in which is grown practically every variety of fruit raised in this section of the state. He is one of the stockholders of the Titonka Cooperative Creamery Association and actively assisted in promoting its organization. Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Oesterreicher would be an acquisition to any community, as he is sufficiently far-sighted to recognize the needs of its citizens, and aids in promoting their welfare.