HEESCH, CLAUS

HEESCH, RADER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/24/2004 at 15:08:39

Biography reproduced from page 711 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Claus Heesch has been a resident of Buffalo township for twenty-seven years, his energies until recently having been devoted to the cultivation of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, on the 9th of November, 1846.

Reared at home, Claus Heesch obtained a good general education in the schools of his native land, his knowledge of English, however, being acquired through his own efforts after he removed to America. He subsequently engaged in farming in Germany until 1872, when he resolved to become an American citizen and took passage for the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he first located in Cook county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm by the month for twelve years. At the expiration of that time, in 1885, he continued his journey westward to Iowa, becoming a resident of Kossuth county. Here he subsequently purchased eighty acres of prairie land in Buffalo township, which formed the nucleus of his present homestead. After making the necessary preliminary improvements he settled on his place, diligently applying himself to the development of his fields. As success came to him he replaced his early residence with a more pretentious house, and increased his holdings first by the purchase of an eighty acre tract and later by one of a hundred and twenty acres. Being progressive and enterprising in his methods, each year marked a further improvement in his place, on which he erected a large barn in 1910. He has also built a granary, cribs and other outbuildings, while the value of the property has been further enhanced by the introduction of various modern conveniences. In connection with general agricultural pursuits, Mr. Heesch engages in raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs and a good grade of horses. He also does dairying and is a stockholder in the Titonka Cooperative Creamery Company, which he helped to organize.

In Cook county, Illinois, in 1885, Mr. Heesch was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Rader and to them have been born the following children: John P., a farmer of Buffalo township, who passed away at the age of twenty-four years; Nathaniel, who is carrying on the farm work for his father; and Anna, Adeline, Amanda and Adelia, all of whom are living at home. The two last named are twins.

The family are members of the Lutheran church, and his political allegiance Mr. Heesch accords to the democratic party, but has never served in a public capacity save as a member of the school board. He has recently suffered a stroke of paralysis, and while still able to look after the details of his business is unable to work, although he has as many plans for the future and is as energetic as he was when he first located here. His life has been one of earnest effort and intelligently directed endeavor, such his struggle in America practically empty-handed, making his way alone success as has come to him being the result of his own labors, as he began and unaided.