FABER, JOHN H.

FABER, RANDOLPH, FERSTEL, SCHAEFFER, KERNON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/22/2004 at 12:00:27

Biography reproduced from page 532 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John H. Faber engages in general agricultural pursuits in Prairie township, Kossuth county, where he owns eighty acres of highly cultivated and well improved land. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 22d of April, 1858, and is a son of Marand and Barbara (Randolph) Faber. The father was a native of France, whence he emigrated to the United States in early life, where he thereafter made his home, although he subsequently visited Europe and the scenes of his childhood. For many years he engaged in the pork-packing business in Cincinnati, and while residing there he met and married Miss Barbara Randolph, a native of Germany. Later they removed to Iowa, locating in Winneshiek county, where for some years the father actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1881, they removed to Kossuth county, where Mr. Faber bought some government land, to the further improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies during the remainder of his active life. Here he passed away in 1905 at the venerable age of eighty-two years, while the mother was eighty-one at the time of her death, which occurred in 1906. They are buried in Wesley cemetery. Our subject is the eldest in a family of six, the other members being as follows: Mary, who is living with her brother Jacob, in this township; Caroline, the wife of Joseph Ferstel, of St. Benedict, Iowa; Jacob, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work; Barbara, the wife of George Schaeffer, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; and Leo, who passed away in 1904.

John H. Faber was educated in the common schools of Winneshiek county, and while engaged in the mastery of the common branches of English learning laid the foundation for an agricultural career by assisting his father with the work of the farm. He remained at home until he was thirty-three years of age, when he began farming for himself on his present place, located on section 4, of Prairie township. He also owns a quarter section of land located thirty miles from Denver, Colorado. Mr. Faber is diligent and practical in his methods as is evidenced by the general appearance of his farm and the abundant harvests his fields annually yield.

In 1893, Mr. Faber was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Kernon, of Wesley township, this county, and they have become the parents of four children: William, who is living with his maternal grandfather in Saratoga, California; and Cyril, Alice and Virgil, who are at home.

The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and the political support of Mr. Faber is accorded to the democratic party. He has served both as justice of the peace and school director, discharging the duties of these offices with efficiency. He is one of the highly esteemed residents of his community, where he is widely known and has a high reputation for uprightness and honorable dealing in his business transactions.