ENGELBARTS, MARTIN

ENGELBARTS, RENKIN, KREIGER, POPPE, JOHNSON, LOGEMANN, OTTEN

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/28/2004 at 12:19:14

Biography reproduced from page 214 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Martin Engelbarts, one of the representative and successful agriculturists of Springfield township, owes his advancement and prosperity entirely to his unceasing diligence, close application and thrift. His life record was begun at Neustadt, Germany, on the 15th of September, 1867, his parents being Engelbart and Anna (Renkin) Engelbarts, who were born, reared and married in Neustadt. The family emigrated to the United States in 1882, first settling in Effingham county, Illinois, whence they removed about five years later to Jones county, Iowa. That continued to be their place of residence until 1901, when they came to Kossuth county, and here the father passed away about six years later. The mother’s death occurred some time previously. In Germany Mr. Engelbarts always worked as a teamster, but after locating in the United States he devoted his energies to farming. His family numbered nine children: Benjamin, who resides in Jones county, this state; Hannah, the wife of William Kreiger, of Effingham county, Illinois; Mary, who married William Poppe; Frederick, whose home is in Hamilton county; Martin, our subject; Ernest, a resident of Poweshiek county, Iowa; Anne, the wife of George Johnson, also of Poweshiek county; Emma, who married Fred Logemann, of Springfield township; and Lewis, who makes his home in Malcom, Iowa.

The first fifteen years in the life of Martin Engelbarts were passed in his native land, where he obtained his education. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and then began farming for himself in Jones county. From there he came to Kossuth county in 1902, locating on section 34, Springfield township, where he now owns two hundred and forty acres of land. He has expended much time and money in improving his property and has erected all of the buildings, including a large attractive residence. A man of practical ideas and progressive methods, he conducts his business in a systematic manner, and that he is prospering is evidenced by the general appearance and condition of the property. His fields are planted to such crops as are best adapted to the soil, in connection with which he is also raising stock, his efforts in both lines of business being well remunerated.

Mr. Engelbarts was married at the age of twenty-one years to Miss Anna Otten, who passed away several years ago in Jones county. Three children were born to them, as follows: Alvina, the wife of John Johnson, of Malcom, Iowa; and Otto and Hannah, both of whom are residing at home.

The father and children are members of the German Lutheran church, as was also the mother. Politically, Mr. Engelbarts is a democrat and has for four years been a member of the township board of trustees. He takes an active interest in the development of local industries. He served one year as president of the Cooperative Creamery Company, and was for nine years a director. He was also one of the organizers of the Springfield Rural Telephone Company, and is now its president. His fraternal connections are confined to his membership in Ledyard Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. In addition to his various other duties Mr. Engelbarts is also serving as secretary of the Ledyard Creamery Association. He has been active in community affairs during his residence here, and is accorded the esteem and respect of his fellow townsmen, who have found him to be thoroughly trustworthy and reliable in all of his transactions.