Christ Attig 1871-1894

ATTIG, SCHOMAN, SCHNEIDER, LOSHER, SALZMAN, BATRUM, BICKLE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/5/2007 at 20:19:15

Biographies from the 1914 "Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa"

CHRIST ATTIG.

One of the best farming regions of Osceola county, Iowa, is West Holman township. In that township one of the best and most productive farms is owned by Christ Attig. Though he has been a resident of the county but a few years, yet he has proven himself one of the most progressive farmers of his community, a man who always takes a deep interest in the public welfare. He is a descendant of German parentage, and this may account for his phenomenal success in agriculture. It is a well known fact that the German citizens of this county are among its best and most substantial farmers.

Christ Attig was born January 8, 1871, in Woodford county, Illinois, and is the son of Fred and Mary (Schoman) Attig. His parents were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and were the parents of ten children, Christ being the youngest of the family. Part of these children were born in Germany and part of them in this country, and are as follows: Catherine, the wife of John Schneider; Fred; John; William; George: Sarah, the wife of Frank Losher: Marguerite, the wife of William Salzman; Christ, whose life history is here recorded; an infant who died while the family was crossing the ocean, and Lena, who died in infancy. On the voyage to this country from their native land, the sailing vessel required fifty-six days to make the trip, consequently the little daughter who died on board the vessel had to be buried at sea.

Fred Attig was a good, substantial farmer, but was never an office seeker in any sense of the term. Upon coming to this country he settled with his family in Illinois, where he followed the vocation of a farmer until his death on May 15, 1894, while his wife passed away on November 19, 1901. He and his wife had been adherents of the Lutheran faith in the old country, but on coming to the new country they identified themselves with the Evangelical association. Mr. Attig was a very religious man and took a great deal of interest in church work.

Christ Attig lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age and then went to live with his brother, George, his father having retired from farming. The two brothers farmed together for four years, and upon the marriage of Christ Attig he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land in Livingston county, Illinois, and continued to rent land for sixteen years in that state, and was very successful as a farmer. He saved his money with the intention of eventually purchasing a farm of his own. In 1902 he came to Osceola county, Iowa, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres in West Holman township. In 1910 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Viola township, across the road from his first farm. In 1912 he built a large, twelve-room house, which is one of the most modern and up-to-date country homes in the county, and in this same year he brought his family to the new home, where they are now living.

Mr. Attig was married November 27, 1896, to Siniah Batrum, the daughter of John and Mary (Bickle) Batrum, and who was born in McLain county. Illinois, April 8, 1873. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, having come from that state to Indiana and from thence to Illinois, and they were the parents of four children, Oliver, Ray, Alta and Siniah, wife of Mr. Attig. Mr. and Mrs. Attig have four children living and one deceased: Harold D., Bernice M., Fred R. and Edith Leona; the other child having died, in infancy.

Mr. Attig carries on a system of general farming and raises fine crops of corn, oats and hay, particularly. He also devotes considerable attention to the breeding of live stock and never handles any but the best grade. He had twenty-one head of horses and colts at the time this biographical material was collected and no farmer in the county owned any more stock than he. He also makes a specialty of breeding full blooded Plymouth Rock chickens. His farm is one of the best developed in the county, while his home is a model of convenience and comfort. Thre are now three houses on the farm, the smallest house being the one built there when the land was homesteaded, about forty years ago. It is fourteen by eighteen feet and seven feet to the eaves. The second house is a little larger and has a little attic for an upstairs. The third house is the present large and beautiful home which is occupied by Mr. Attig and his family.

Mr. Attig has always been a Republican, but has never aspired to any public office. He and his family have been loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute liberally of their means to its support. Mr. and Mrs. Attig entertain their many friends and acquaintances in their handsome home, where they dispense genuine hospitality.

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