HOECK, JOHN

HOECK, PARNMAN, VESPER, FABER, GEHRTZ, PETERSON, LEWIS, DANIELSON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/22/2004 at 15:06:39

Biography reproduced from page 355 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John Hoeck is one of those industrious sons of Germany who came to America in early life, laboring to good purpose, and is now a most respected and prosperous citizen. He lives on a fine two hundred acre farm on section 34, Swea township, and with the aid of his sons is operating other land in the neighborhood which he leases. He was born in southeastern Germany, October 7, 1857, a son of August and Mary (Parnman) Hoeck, both natives of the fatherland. The father was by trade a shoemaker but later in life took up farming. The parents passed their entire lives in Germany, the father dying in 1885 and his widow surviving until 1891. In their family were four children, all of whom are living, namely: John, of this review; Henry, a farmer of Seneca township, Kossuth county; Mary, the wife of John Vesper, of Germany, where he is engaged in the shoemaking business; and Katie, the wife of Henry Faber, a stone mason of the fatherland.

John Hoeck was reared and educated in Germany, emigrating to America in 1887. He settled near Bancroft, Kossuth county, Iowa, and for two years was employed as a farm laborer. He then for five years rented land, after which he purchased a quarter section in Seneca township, which he occupied until 1909. He then sold his original place and purchased his present farm of two hundred acres situated on section 34, Swea township, where he has since lived. His land is under a fine state of cultivation and is well improved, being carefully cultivated and kept in a splendid condition. With the assistance of his sons he not only farms the home place but leases land in the neighborhood which they cultivate. He is conducting a diversified system of farming and feeds all of the grain which he raises to his stock. He is keeping a good grade of cattle and hogs and sells large numbers annually to the local buyers.

Mr. Hoeck was married to Miss Amelia Gehrtz, a daughter of Peter and Annie (Peterson) Gehrtz, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a laborer, being employed on one farm for twenty-five years. He emigrated to the United States, settling in Wright county, Iowa, where for three years he was employed as a section hand on the railroad. He then for two years rented a farm, afterward removing to Kossuth county, where he again rented land, and afterward purchased the farm where Mr. Hoeck and his family now reside. He died on this farm in 1900 and after his death Mr. Hoeck purchased the farm from the heirs. The mother has also passed away, her death occurring on the same place in 1895. In their family were eight children, six of whom are now living, Mrs. Hoeck being the second in order of birth. The others are as follows: Alvina, the wife of L. J. Lewis, an implement dealer of McCarlsburg, Iowa; Gustave, residing at Little Rock, Iowa; August, of Elmore, Minnesota; Peter, living in Oregon; and Bertha, the wife of Emory Danielson, a farmer of Armstrong township, Emmet county, Iowa. John Gehrtz, another brother, made his home until recently in Chicago but is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoeck have been born six children, as follows: Peter, who was born July 23, 1897, and is at home, assisting his father; Bertha, a twin sister of Peter; August, whose birth occurred March 24, 1899, at home; Annie, who was born August 19, 1902; John, born March 2, 1905; and Minnie, born August 25, 1907. Politically Mr. Hoeck is a member of the democratic party but only gives the usual attention to political matters. He is one of the well known and successful farmers of Swea township, where he is greatly respected, the family standing well in the community.