FRANZEN, HERMAN

FRANZEN, STOHR, KETTWICK, BRIX

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/8/2004 at 13:14:59

Biography reproduced from page 533 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Herman Franzen, who is living retired in Titonka, was for over twenty years actively identified with agricultural interests of Buffalo township. More than average success attended his efforts and he is the owner of three valuable farms in Kossuth county as well as of some property in Titonka, and is numbered among the substantial citizens of the town. He was born in Holland, on the 7th of July, 1840, and there he was likewise reared and educated, subsequently engaging in farming.

Ambitious to make more rapid progress than his native land promised, Mr. Franzen decided to locate in the United States, where he could make use of unlimited opportunities awaiting the diligent and enterprising. Therefore, together with his wife he sailed from Liverpool, England, for New York city, arriving on the 6th of July, 1869. The first few weeks of his residence in this country were passed in New York state, where Mrs. Franzen passed away soon after their arrival. He subsequently continued his journey westward to Iowa, locating first in Grundy county, where for several years he worked out by the month as a farm hand. At the expiration of that time he began farming for himself as a renter, continuing to cultivate leased land in Grundy county until 1884. In the latter year he removed to Kossuth county and bought a hundred and sixty acres of land in Buffalo township, which was slightly improved, although the greater part of the tract was uncultivated. With characteristic energy he industriously set about developing his holding, each year witnessing a marked improvement in the place. A comfortable residence, large barn, granary, hog house, machine shop and various substantial outbuildings were gradually erected, while his fields were fenced, tiled and brought to a high state of productivity. Thrift united with good judgment and intelligence in the management of his affairs brought him a good measure of success and he was later able to increase his realty interests by the purchase of two farms in German township, one of a hundred and sixty acres and the other comprising two hundred and forty. They are both substantially improved and as they have been well kept are attractive and valuable properties. Mr. Franzen was actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising until 1904, when he rented his place and removed to Titonka, purchasing two lots on Main street, on which he erected two residences. He devotes much attention to keeping up the grounds about his houses, one of which he rents, while he and his wife occupy the other.

In Grundy county in 1882, Mr. Franzen was united in marriage to Mrs. Wuppe Stohr, a native of Germany, and to them have been born four children: Frank, who is residing on one of his father’s farms in German township; Henry, also a farmer of German township, where he owns and cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of land; Lena, the wife of Frank Kettwick, a resident of Hancock county, this state; and Mary, the wife of Hans Brix, of New London, Minnesota.

In matters of religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Franzen are Lutherans, as also are their children. He is a man of many friends, his genial nature, thoughtful consideration for others and reliable business methods having been the means of winning him the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes into contact.