MECHLER, HERMAN

MECHLER, KEUER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/31/2003 at 10:06:44

Biography reproduced from page 538 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Herman Mechler engages in general farming, stock-raising and dairying in Buffalo township, where he owns a hundred and sixty acres of well improved land located on section 16. It is a well kept, attractive place and has been most appropriately named High View Farm, by reason of the beautiful and extensive view commanded from the knoll, on which he has erected his residence. He is one of Iowa’s enterprising native sons, having been born in Davenport on the 17th of November, 1859. His father, August Mechler, was born and reared in Germany, and there he also learned the carpenter’s trade and brick-making. In his early manhood he came to America seeking his fortune, with Iowa as his destination. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Davenport, where for several years he worked out as a farm hand. There he was married and passed the early period of his domestic life, that city being the birth place of his two eldest children. In 1860 he removed with his wife and family to Johnson county, this state, where he bought a piece of timber land and began farming for himself. He erected on his place a substantial house and barn, and then began clearing his land and preparing it for cultivation. The remainder of his life was devoted to the development of his farm on which he made fair improvements. The mother is still living but she now makes her home with a daughter at Atlantic, Iowa.

The early years of Herman Mechler were passed in very much the same manner as those of other pioneer lads. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education, and while still quite young began assisting about the farm. He helped to cut the timber and grub out the stumps on a portion of the old homestead, in the cultivation of which he aided his father and brothers until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he began farming for himself in Johnson county, where he bought eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and cultivated until 1896. In the latter year he disposed of this property to good advantage and coming to Kossuth county invested the proceeds in the place he now owns in Buffalo township. Here he has continued his agricultural pursuits with very good success, and is known as one of the prosperous citizens of his community. During the period of his ownership he had made many improvements in his place, including the erection of a comfortable residence and a large basement barn. He has also drilled a well a hundred and thirty-four feet deep and put in a wind pump, which provides him with an abundance of excellent water suitable for all purposes. A beautiful grove of forest trees planted by him not only serves the practical purpose for which it was designed but adds much to the general appearance of his farm, known as one of the show places of the township. Progressive ideas executed in a practical and systematic manner have been the dominant factors in the success of Mr. Mechler, who is one of the stockholders in the Titonka Creamery Association. He is industrious and exercises good judgment in whatever he undertakes, but generously attributes to the wise counsel of his wife—whose advice he always seeks in business matters—much of his success.

In Johnson county on the 20th of March, 1884, Mr. Mechler was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Keuer, who was born in Germany and came to America with her people when a child nine years of age. The family located in Johnson county and there she was reared to womanhood. Three children, two sons and a daughter, have been born to them, all of whom are living at home, Elmer, Clarence and Vera Estella.

The family holds membership in the German Lutheran church of Titonka, and politically Mr. Mechler stanchly supports the republican party. Although he is public-spirited and takes an active and helpful interest in forwarding the progress of the community, he has never been identified with local political affairs. He is one of the citizens who can be depended upon, however, to cooperate in promoting any movement inaugurated for the benefit of the county, and is known as an enterprising and progressive man.