MITTAG, FERDINAND O.

MITTAG, KLATT, MANNING, WIDDEL

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/11/2003 at 13:55:32

Biography reproduced from page 654 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Ferdinand O. Mittag is engaged in the general merchandise and drug business in Lotts Creek township. He was born March 28, 1884, and is a son of Ferdinand and Minnie (Klatt) Mittag, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. The father emigrated to America at an early day and first located in Wisconsin, where he was engaged for several years in working for the railroad. Later on account of failing health he removed to Colorado but did not succeed in finding that immediate relief he expected and in 1887 came to Kossuth county and took up the work of traveling and selling Catholic pictures. He gradually improved in health and continued that work until he had saved a sufficient amount of money with which to open a general store at Lotts Creek, which he conducted until 1909. He then sold out and engaged in the hardware business exclusively and has since continued therein with gratifying success.

Ferdinand O. Mittag was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of the district in which he lived. At the age of fourteen he entered the Algona high school and after a period of three and one-half years he was graduated with the class of 1901. Immediately following his graduation he went to Des Moines and pursued a course in pharmacy in the Highland Park College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1902. Going to Avoca, Iowa, he there took up work in a drug store, in which he remained for two years. He then returned to Algona and was employed as druggist in the drug business owned by Harry Moore. In that employment he continued for a period of six months and then came to Lotts Creek and opened a general store in February, 1905. In addition to his general stock of merchandise he also carries a complete stock of drugs. In that business he has since continued and enjoys the reputation of owning one of the most up-to-date establishments of its kind in Lotts Creek township.

Mr. Mittag finds recreation, pleasure and profit in another line of business, being extensively engaged in raising chickens of high-grade breeds. He handles the single-comb, white Leghorn, the Houdans and the Rosecomb Rhode Island Reds. His business extends all over the United States and he even ships chickens into British Columbia. He has become an authority on various standard breeds of chickens and his reputation in this connection is spreading far and wide.

Mr. Mittag was united in marriage to Miss Anna Manning, October 18, 1906. She is a daughter of Chris and Louisa (Widdel) Manning, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. The father emigrated to this country in 1867, at the age of twenty-two, and located first in Ohio, where he was engaged in work for a number of years. He later removed to Illinois and from that state to Minnesota and engaged in farming on rented land. He remained in Minnesota for several years and then removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and purchased and improved a farm, on which he remained until 1895. In that year he sold the property and came to Kossuth county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land located in Lotts Creek township. That place he greatly improved and later purchased one hundred and sixty acres, giving him a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he has since successfully cultivated. Mr. and Mrs. Mittag are the parents of one child, Edwin F., aged four years.

Mr. Mittag is independent in his political views. He and his family are affiliated with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Mittag is one of the most successful business men in Lotts Creek township and a man who enjoys the confidence and high esteem of all his acquaintances.