LUEKEN, HERMAN

LUEKEN, SCHWIETERS

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/15/2004 at 13:08:57

Biography reproduced from page 511 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Among the well known, prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Greenwood township, Kossuth county, Iowa, is Herman Lueken, who is a prominent stock-raiser. He is proprietor of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farm land on section 36, Greenwood township. He was born in Hanover, Germany, September 28, 1867, where he was reared and where he received a thorough education. The father, Henry H. Lueken, passed away at the age of fifty-eight years, the mother surviving him and living until she attained the age of seventy years, her death occurring in Germany. After the death of the father Herman Lueken emigrated to the new world when he was twenty-four years of age and settled in Dyersville, Dubuque county, Iowa, where he was married. Shortly afterward he removed to Petersburg, Delaware county, Iowa, remaining for several years, and then came to Kossuth county, Iowa, October 14, 1899, settling on the present farm two miles south of Bancroft, which he purchased from the Rev. A. J. Schemmel, of Bancroft. The present buildings have all been erected by Mr. Lueken and he has put in a great deal of tiling, although he proposes an extension of his draining system and remodeling his residence. After settling on the farm which he now owns and operates he began raising stock and following a general diversified system of farming. He sold during the first years a considerable part of his grain but is now feeding practically all of it to stock which he raises on the farm. Besides the farm property which he owns he is a stockholder in the Bancroft Creamery and Bancroft Telephone Company, his residence being connected to the system.

Mr. Lueken was married in Dubuque county to Miss Mary Schwieters, who is a native of Hanover, Germany. She emigrated to America with her parents, Jacob and Margaret Schwieters, arriving in this country three years after her husband. Her father is still living but the mother passed away in 1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Lueken were born eight children, the first two, Herman and Margaret, who are still at home, having been born while the family lived in Petersburg. The other surviving members are on the home farm now occupied by the family. They are William, Leo, Rita, Raymond and Celia. The fourth in order of birth, Edward, died at the age of fourteen months.

Mr. Lueken is an adherent of the democratic party and takes a reasonable amount of interest in political matters. He is also interested in school affairs and was a director in his school district for two years, while living in Greenwood township. He is a member of the Roman Mutual Protective Society of Iowa, belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters and is a member of the American Life Insurance Company of Des Moines. He and his wife also are members of the Catholic church of Bancroft. Mr. Lueken is among the many prominent and respected farmers of Kossuth county who have lived in this state since pioneer days, and is a valuable citizen, to his county.