Knoblock, William
KNOBLOCK, NESTER
Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 16:28:07
KNOBLOCK, WILLIAM
William Knoblock holds an honored position among the brave and farsighted pioneers from the Old World whose industry and thrift have made the northwest blossom like a garden. From his lovely home on section 13, Logan Township, he looks out on the broad acres and well cultivated fields of his own farm, and feels that here he has wrought a good work, for he has made a home for his family and a place for himself.
Mr. Knoblock was born in Germany in 1853, and is a son of John D. Knoblock, of Wurtemburg, a well-known province of that empire. The father, who was a farmer, was born in 1823, and is still living in the Fatherland at an advanced age. William was his oldest born, in a family of three children; and he was reared to a life of honest industry, and was taught not to be afraid of hard work. When he reached the age of twenty-one years he reported for duty in the German army, and was in active service for two years, and a third year in the reserve. He received an honorable discharge and is justly proud of his record "with the colors" in his old home.
In 1879 occurred the wedding of William Knoblock and Miss Christine Fredrica Nester, daughter of Christopher Nester, a well-known and successful farmer. To this marriage have come the following children; Emelia, Paulina, Emma, Dietrich, Jacob, Ernst, Carolina, Gotlob, William, Marie, August, Jacob, Lydia and Amel. The first seven of these children were born in Germany, and the others in this country.
For ten years after his marriage Mr. Knoblock was engaged in farming in Germany, and in 1890 sought a home in this country, bringing with him his wife and seven children. They landed in the city of New York, but came directly west to Lyon County, where they lived for about ten years in Cleveland Township where he had bought a quarter section, and rented another, so that he had under operation some three hundred and twenty acres. This land was unimproved prairie at the time of his coming, but he soon brought it into a high state of cultivation, and in 1900 exchanged it for an improved farm in section 13, Logan Township. Since he has taken possession of this new farm he has greatly added to its desirability by extensive alterations and additions. The buildings on it now comprise principally a house, whose dimensions are 20 by 26 and 12 by 16, a barn 56 by 40, a granary 24 by 40, a cow barn 32 by 40, and a machine shed 16 by 40. There are other buildings, two wells and a windmill. The farm is provided with every requisite in the shape of modern and improved machinery for its successful operation and reflects great credit upon the business habits as well as the unremitting industry of its proprietor. It comprises 320 acres, and upon its successful operation Mr. Knoblock devotes all his time and thought. When he began in 1890 he had but a small start, and his small working capital might easily have been lost by a careless step. He has been careful, taken the best care of every dollar he has earned, and though he lost many hogs by the cholera, and at times his crops have not been the best, yet he has never lost heart, and has not been discouraged by trouble and misfortune. Holding on steadily, he has won out a good standing and enjoys among his friends and neighbors an enviable reputation.
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
Lyon Biographies maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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