Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah September 20, 2020

Frank Vonnahme, a prosperous agriculturist and highly respected citizen of Kniest township, Carroll county, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising, was born in this township on the 29th of November, 1874, a son of Bernard and Gertrude (Ehrig) Vonnahme. The parents were both natives of Germany, but were married in eastern Iowa, to which state the father came in 1868. Later they took up their abode in Carroll county on a farm on section 16, Kniest township, upon which their son Henry now resides, and there the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1905. He was one of the prominent and influential residents of this community and was highly respected and esteemed for his sturdy manhood and sterling worth. He was one of the founders of the Mutual Fire Association and served as its first president and also helped to build three Catholic churches in Carroll county. His wife passed away in 1896, and both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Mount Carmel. Their family consisted of seven children, namely: Joseph, a resident of Kniest township; Anton, living on his own farm in Kniest township; Mary, a sister of the La Crosse Order, at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Frank, of this review; John, whose home is in Wheatland township; Henry, operating the old homestead, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and Agatha, residing with her brother Henry.

The period of his boyhood and youth was quietly passed by Frank Vonnahme on his father’s farm in Kniest township, and in the public schools of Mount Carmel he received a good education. Thorough practical training also came to him, for at an early age he began working about the farm, and therefore, when he attained his majority, his preparation well qualified him for entrance into the business world. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, and then took up agriculture on his own account, removing to the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of two hundred acres located in Kniest township. The soil of his farm is very fertile and his place is highly improved and provided with every convenience with which to successfully carry on his occupation, and aside from doing a general farm business he pays considerable attention to his live-stock interests, being widely known throughout this locality as a raiser of blooded stock. He has been successful in both undertakings and his industrious habits and good business ability have enabled him to attain a place of independence in this business world.

Mr. Vonnahme was married, in 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Stork, and unto them have been born five children: William, Edward, Mary, Leonard and Albert, all at home. The parents are both members of St. Mary’s church at Mount Carmel, while is politics Mr. Vonnahme gives stalwart allegiance to the democracy, having served for five terms as assessor of Kniest township. For four years he has held the position of secretary of the Mutual Protection Association, insuring against fire and lightning, and is himself insured in the New York Life Insurance Company. He is numbered among the progressive and wide-awake business men of Kniest township, always on the alert for and ready to incorporate modern methods in the conduct of his affairs, and his industry and enterprise have not only enabled him to attain prosperity but have won him a high place in the respect and confidence of his neighbors.

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