Buchenau, George

BUCHENAU, HOUMELL, SHULTZ SCHULTZ

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/23/2011 at 08:16:03

Portrait and Biographical Recoard of Johnson, Poweshiek, and Iowa Counties, Iowa (1893)
Page 388

GEORGE BUCHENAU, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Sheridan Township, Poweshiek County, his farm being situated on section 32, makes a specialty of breeding fine Oxford and Shropshire sheep. He was born near Boston, Mass., October 22, 1848, and when eight years of age removed with his parents to Hartford, a place near Milwaukee, Wis. His father, George Buchnau, was a native of Germany, where he was an extensive farmer, and in 1840 crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York City, where for some time he worked as a laboer. In New Jersey, near the town of Hampshire, he was united in marriage with Christina Houmell, and to them were born the following children, Elizabeth, who married John Robinson, and lives in Wisconsin; Ludwig, a farmer in Custer County, Neb., and also the owner of a hardware stock in Westerville, Neb.; Henry, engaged in farming in Chester Townshp; and Lewis farming in Nebraska.

After living in Hartford, Wis., for some years, Mr. Buchenau removed to Portage City, in the same State, near which point he engaged in farming in connection with his father. In November, 1859, he came to this county, and purchased land, paying $5 an acre for property which is now worth from $40 to $60 an acre, on account of the natural rise in prices, and largely owing to the many valuable improvements he has placed upon the farm. His place comprises four hundred and fifteen acres, upon which are a comfortable house and substantial farm buildings. As an agriculturist our subject has been very successful from the first, and is among the enterprising and progressive farmers of the county. He has literaly carved out his own fortune, by the exercise of his native characteristics of untiring energy and well-directed industry. For over three decades he has been prominently connected with the best interests of the community, and ranks among the honored early settlers who have done so much to place this county among the best in the State.

April 5, 1871, Mr. Buchenau married Miss Mary *Shultz, and to them have been born three sons and two daughters, who have received the best of school advantages, thus fitting them for the active duties of life. They are Henry, Theodore, Lewis, Caroline and Annie. Mrs. Buchenau's father, Christian Shultz, who was a native of Germany, had a family of four children, three sons and a daughter. Two of the sons, Ludwig and Carl, are well-known farmers in Iowa, the former in Jasper County, and the latter residing in Malcom Township.

In his political belief Mr. Buchenau is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and is much interested in its success. He has always supported all measures which have for their aim the welfare and advancement of his fellow-men, and the best interests of this section of the country. He is a representative citizen, and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who hold him in the highest regard.

Transcriber Note: *Schultz