LOOFT, JOHN N.

LOOFT, FOX, PINGEL, SCHUTTER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 1/18/2004 at 17:21:58

Biography reproduced from page 373 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John N. Looft is one of the well known business men of Wesley, Iowa, where he is engaged in the retail furniture and undertaking business. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 21, 1883, and is a son of John and Maggie (Fox) Looft, both of whom were natives of Germany and in that country celebrated their marriage. The father, with his wife and family, emigrated to the United States in 1882 and settled in Chicago, Illinois, where he remained until 1887. He then removed to Kossuth county, Iowa, and there located on a farm in Ledyard township which he has since greatly improved and where he and his wife continue to reside. He was a soldier in the German army for two years. To Mr. and Mrs. John Looft eleven children were born, all of whom are living: John N., who is the eldest and subject of this sketch; Mary, who is the wife of W. A. Pingel and resides near Ledyard, Iowa; William P., a resident of Saskatchewan, Canada; Edward G., an agriculturist of Kossuth County; Fred C.; and Walter D., Edith, Irene, George, Bernice and Albert Franklin, all at home.

John N. Looft was reared in his father’s home and received his elementary education in the public schools of Ledyard township, Iowa. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then started in business for himself as a farmer at which occupation he continued for five years. He then established himself in the furniture and undertaking business at Wesley, Iowa, and has since given his entire attention to that business. He carries a full and well selected stock of furniture and upholstery and is a regularly licensed embalmer. He owns his home in Wesley, and has met with gratifying success in the conduct of his business.

Mr. Looft was united in marriage in October, 1905, to Miss Albertha S. Schutter, and to this union three children have been born, Harry E., Margaret G. and Grace Irene. Mr. Looft is affiliated with the republican party and is serving as a member of the town council and also of the school board. He has his fraternal relations with the Modern Woodmen of American, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Neighbors of Wesley, Iowa. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church but both he and his wife are now communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church at Wesley. Mr. Looft is one of the esteemed and valued citizens of Wesley township and is a man who has the confidence of all his friends and associates. He is in every way entitled to be numbered among the successful and useful citizens of Kossuth county.