Herder, Claus

HERDER, HASS

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 12:15:02

HERDER, CLAUS

Claus Herder, whose pleasant and commodious farm home in section 9, Garfield Township, Lyon County, attests not only his industrious habits, but his business capacity as well, was born in North Schleswig, Germany, in 1849, where his father, Claus, sustained a numerous family upon his earnings as a day laborer.

Young Claus was a member of a family of ten children born to his parents, and early struck out in life for himself with no other capital than his own strong right arm, and no friends to aid him except his own good character and honest heart.

Coming early to this country, he was married February 18, 1886, in Iowa, to Mrs. Minnie F. Hass. She was then a widow, and lived in Scott County, where she was born, and whither her father, D.F. Hass, had come from Germany in 1839. To this marriage were born the following family, with their ages given in 1904: Annie, who is seventeen years old; Katie, sixteen; Mattie, thirteen; Claus, ten; Henry, eight; Lizzie, five; and Maggie, four.

Mr. Herder came to the United States in 1867, and for about thirty-three years worked on farms near Davenport, Iowa, renting several places and gradually becoming quite prosperous and well-to-do. In 1901 he came to Lyon County, where he bought a farm in section 9, Garfield Township, on which he has since made his home, and where he has met with much success. Although he had secured an improved farm, he has greatly added to its value since his coming, by the building of a house, 14 by 20 and 14 by 16, as well as a good barn and granary. Here there is a fine grove of trees and many apple trees as well. The fruit is such as experience has demonstrated withstands a hard winter. Mr. Herder is much devoted to his home, and devotes his entire time to his work as a farmer. He is widely known and respected.

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