Ahrendt, Fred

AHRENDT, CRAMER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 2/21/2005 at 17:01:28

Fred Ahrendt

The Germans as a race are noted for their industry and frugality, and it is a well-known fact that wherever these people have settled in the United States there has sprung up a prosperous and successful community. Among the number of those who were born in the fatherland and came to Plymouth county, is Fred Ahrendt, who was born in Mecklenburg Schweiren, on March 31, 1859, and is the son of Fred and Sophia Ahrendt. The parents were also natives of that country and were there educated in the public schools, and there the father died. They were the parents of the following children: Masie, Fred, Recka and Carl. The father was a substantial farmer and the owner of forty acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Ahrendt were active members of the German Lutheran church and were well and favorably known in the community in which they lived. Masie is the wife of August Muecke and Recka married Herman Muecke.

Fred Ahrendt, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of his native land. After completing his education, he came to the United States with his mother, following the death of her husband. On their arrival in Le Mars, Plymouth county, Fred Ahrendt engaged as a farm hand at fifteen dollars per month and thus worked the first year. After being employed on the farm for four years, he purchased eighty acres in Grant township, for which he paid eight dollars per acre. He improved the place and broke the tough prairie sod and engaged in general farming for four years, when he sold the place and purchased two hundred acres of land in the township where he now lives. This place he has also improved, having spent several thousand dollars in good buildings and today has one of the ideal farm homes in the county. He engaged in general farming and stock raising in which he has been successful and is now the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of the best land, all of which is under cultivation and well improved. He keeps a fine lot of high-grade stock and is recognized as one of the well-to-do farmers and stockmen of the community. He still lives on the place, but in 1903 he retired from the active operation of the farm and lets others do the greater part of the work.

In 1893 Fred Ahrendt was united in marriage to Gesche Cramer, the daughter of B. Cramer and wife, and to this union the following children have been born: Amanda, Emil, Fred, Henry, Masie, Ricka, Carl and Bernhardt, all of whom are at home with the parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ahrendt are prominent members of the German Lutheran church: for a number of years Mr. Ahrendt has served as a trustee of the school district."

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917