Haegele, Fred

HAEGELE, WIESE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/21/2006 at 22:17:25

HAEGELE, FRED

Mr. Haegele is a notable representative of the German-American element of northwestern Iowa, and his commendable career in this country shows its wealth of opportunity to brawn and brain from older lands as well the rich success that still attends honest enterprise and laudable ambition.

Mr. Haegele was born in the southern part of Germany in the former kingdom of Wurtemberg, in 1867, where his father, also of German birth, lived and died an industrious and respected farmer. He had a family of fifteen children, of which the son whose name appears above is next to the youngest. This son came to the United States when he was fifteen years old, and landing at New York, made his way to Sioux county, Iowa, where he found a home with a married sister until he reached his majority. His parents had died when he was between seven and eight years of age, and from that time he made his own way in the world.

In Sioux county as well as in Lyon he was employed as a farm hand until 1888. In the spring of 1889 he bought a farm for himself in Sioux county, which he cultivated until 1891, in the meantime renting additional land, and proving himself industrious to the last degree. In that year he disposed of this property at a good profit, and bought him a quarter section of land, the southeast quarter of section 10, Logan township. This was all wild prairie, and called for improvements from the very beginning.

He was married to Miss Annie Wiese in the spring of 1892. She was born in Germany and removed to this country in 1889. They have a family of five children: Mary, Emma, Freddie, Willie and Otto.

Mr. Haegele has erected a house for his young and growing family 20 by 28, 14 feet high, to which he has since made an addition 16 by 22, with 8-foot posts. His barn is a structure 48 feet square. This was built in 1898; and the log house, constructed the previous year, was 24 by 48 feet. The granary, built in 1899, is 30 by 32 feet. There is also a chicken house, and sheds for all purposes. The farm now comprises a half section of land, and is under thorough cultivation. It is well fenced and is known as one of the model farms of Logan township. The grove is especially thrifty. One acre is devoted to orchard purposes. Here are found apple, cherry and plum trees, as well as other fruit found suitable to the climate.

Mr. Haegele is a man of domestic habits, and devotes his time very closely to his farm work. Others can do what they please, but if one would thrive, he must attend to things himself. He is however a man of public spirit, and is willing to take his share of responsibility for the public administration. For six years he has served as township trustee, and has been road supervisor for the last three years. He has filled various school offices from time to time, and generally has given close attention to local affairs.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson