Baustian, Henry P.

BAUSTIAN, SCHMIDT, REHBERG, LIDKA, LIDTKA, HOWARD

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 11/29/2012 at 07:14:19

The activities of Henry P. Baustian have always been concentrated upon general farming and stock-raising, in both of which he has met with more than average success.
He was born in Joliet, Illinois, on the 29th of December, 1863, a son of George and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Baustian, natives of Germany, from which county they emigrated to the United States, locating upon a farm in the vicinity of Joliet. Later they migrated to Poweshiek county, settling upon a farm north of Grinnell, from which place they emigrated to Sheridan township, where Mr. Baustian rented eighty acres of land from his uncle, Charles Schultz. In 1880 he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 29 and 32, Sheridan township, later adding to this another eighty acres, upon which his son, Joseph W. Baustian is now residing.

The education of Henry P. Baustian was obtained in the district schools of Illinois and Iowa, which he attended until he had acquired such knowledge as he considered necessary to enable him to assume the heavier responsibilities of life, at which time he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He remained a member of the paternal household until he was twenty-five years of age and then left home in order to begin his career. His first independent venture was the renting of one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land in Malcom township, which he cultivated for two years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Jasper county, where he farmed on shares for two years. Returning to Poweshiek county in 1891 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 31, Sheridan township, upon which he has ever since continued to reside. Although he engages in general farming his fields are almost entirely devoted to the raising of corn and oats, as he is an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs for the market. He keeps all of his land, which is thoroughly drained, under cultivation, and is meeting with very satisfactory returns from his ventures. His homestead is well improved and thoroughly cared for, everything about the place suggesting a spirit of thrift and capable supervision of details which bespeaks success in any undertaking. Mr. Baustian has two brothers, George and Joseph W., who are also well known farmers of Sheridan township.

In 1890 Mr. Baustian was united in marriage to Miss Nettie May Rehberg, a daughter of John and Susan (Harmon) Rehberg, residents of Sheridan township, where Mr. Rehberg was a well known farmer at that time. Three children have been born until Mr. and Mrs. Baustian: Nora, who married Fred *Lidka, a farmer of Sheridan township; Edna, who is nineteen years of age and Sylvia, aged sixteen years. The two latter both reside with their sister, Mrs. Lidka. Mrs. Baustian passed away on the 19th of July, 1897, after a week's illness with the measles, and on the 12th of May, 1910, Mr. Baustian and Miss Avis Howard were married. Mrs. Baustian is a daughter of John Henry and Nettie (Mintle) Howard, who live on a farm adjoining that of Mr. Baustian. Mr. Howard was born in Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio on the 14th of May, 1853, being a son of John H. and Nancy (Baker) Howard, natives of Holland. Nettie B. Mintle, now Mrs. Howard, was a daughter of P. J. and Susan (Maxwell) Mintle, the father a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and the mother of Texas.

Mr. Baustian is a member of Grinnell Lodge, No. 358, I.O.O.F., and his wife of the Rebekah lodge and also of the Congregational church of Grinnell. Politically Mr. Baustian affiliates with the republican party, but not being an aspirant to public honors or the emoluments of office he does not prominently participate in civic affairs. He is well regarded in the community where the greater portion of his life has been spent, and both he and Mrs. Baustian have hosts of friends to whom they extend the hospitality of their home.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 454-455

Assistant County Coordinator Note: Other sources give this name as *Lidtka