Holthaus, Aloys 1862 -

HOLTHAUS, FERSHAUS, UNBREINER, FUNKE

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 10/23/2004 at 21:35:19

Taken from History of Winneshiek County Vol. II

Aloys Holthaus, one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Washington township, whose labors have been of material and substantial value to the community in the line of agricultural progress, makes his home on a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres, upon which he has resided continuously since 1885. Winneshiek county numbers him among her most progressive and successful native sons, his birth having occured in the township where he now lives, June 20, 1862. His parents were Theodore and Elizabeth (Fershaus) Holthaus, natives of Germany, the former of whom came to America in 1848 and after spending two years in Wisconsin came as a pioneer to Winneshiek county, Iowa. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 13, Washington township, and after developing it for a short time returned to Germany and married, bringing his wife immediately to his new home in Iowa. Upon his farm he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits for many years, dying upon his holdings May 29, 1880. His wife survived him only a few years, dying October 27, 1885. To their union were born nine children: Theodore, deceased; August, who lives in Washington township; Agatha, who is married and resides at Parkston, South Dakota; Dorothea, who married Emil Unbreiner, of the same city; Aloys, of this review; Laura, deceased; Julius, who has also passed away; Clemence, of Carroll, Iowa; and Christina, a Sister in a convent at La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Aloys Holthaus was reared upon his father's farm in Washington township and in his childhood divided his time between his studies at the district school and work in the cultivation of the homestead. In 1885, when the estate was divided, he received his share, which was one hundred and twenty-six acres, and with characteristic energy he turned his attention to its improvment and cultivation. Persistently and energetically he has continued the work year after year until he has now a well improved property, classed with the model farms of this vicinity. Upon it he has has erected a fine home, barns and outbuildings and has installed modern machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. In addition to general farming he raises stock, keeping a fine herd of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. His interests are carefully managed and capably conducted and he is justly accounted one of the most active farmers and progessive business men of this section of Iowa.

On the 13th of October, 1891, Mr. Holthaus was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Funke, a daughter of Clemens and Gertrude Funke, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Holthaus have become the parents of nine children, Rosie, Julius, Florian, Regina, Hildegarde, Bertie, Aloys, Elenora and Victor

Mr. Holthaus is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and gives his political allegaiance to the democratic party. He has rendered his township excellent service as trustee, an office which he filled with credit and distinction for two terms. In an analyzation of his life it will be seen the persistent and earnest work has constituted the foundation upon which has has built his prosperity and his record ia a credit to the community where his entire life has been passed..