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

Although numbered among the younger farmers and stockmen of Kniest township Henry Vonnahme has, nevertheless, won a place for himself among the progressive and enterprising business men of this locality, and the prosperity which has already attended his efforts augers well for a successful future. He was born on the farm which yet remains his home, on the 13th of March, 1880, a son of Bernard and Gertrude (Ehrig) Vonnahme, both natives of Westphalia, Germany.

The father came to the United States about 1868, first locating in Delaware county, Iowa, where he was married and resided two or three years. He then came to Carroll county, and here spent his remaining days. He had been a farmer and sheep-raiser in his native country and after his arrival in this county again took up agricultural pursuits on a farm in section 16, Kniest township, which at the time it came into his possession was raw prairie land upon which not a furrow had been turned. He at once bent his energies toward its improvement and development and in this undertaking was eminently successful, and as he prospered he invested in more property, until at the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of well cultivated land. A democrat in politics he was a man of progressive ideas and a public-spirited citizen, at all times casting the weight of his influence upon the side of advancement and improvement. He was one of the founders of the Mutual Fire Association and served as the first president of that concern. He also assisted in building three Catholic churches in Carroll county, and was a man whose broad humanitarian spirit ever sought the good of the community before his own welfare. He passed away in 1905, his remains being interred at Mount Carmel, and at his death Carroll county lost one of its most valued and respected citizens. His wife, whose demise occurred in 1896, was also laid to rest at Mount Carmel. In their family were seven children, as follows: Joseph, a resident of Kniest township; Anton, a farmer in Kniest township; Mary, a sister of the La Crosse Order at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Frank, of this township; John, whose home is in Wheatland township; Henry, of this review; and Agatha, who resides with her brother Henry.

Henry Vonnahme acquired a good education in the parochial school of Mount Carmel, and on the home farm he passed through the usual experiences common to the country lad. He assisted in the cultivation of the fields as soon as old enough to handle the plow, and as his years and strength increased his duties became more numerous and important until he had thoroughly mastered the various branches of agriculture. He remained with his parents until their death, after which he purchased the old homestead and now owns two hundred and forty acres. He has carried on the work of development which his father began and has introduced many needed improvements, and the farm, which is one of the valuable properties of the township, is equipped with all the accessories that go to make up a model farm. In addition to tilling the soil he also engages in the live-stock business, making a specialty of raising high grade hogs and thoroughbred cattle, and he is the owner of much valuable registered stock.

Mr. Vonnahme was married, on the 22d of February, 1911, to Miss Sophia Odendohl of Carroll county, and both are well known throughout this locality in which they have resided for so long. They hold membership in Mount Carmel Catholic church and Mr. Vonnahme belongs to the Catholic Mutual Protective Association of Iowa and also to St. Joseph Men’s Society. He gives his political support to the democracy but the honors and emoluments office have held no attraction for him. He is prominent among the younger residents of Carroll county, where his entire life has been spent, for he has a genial, cordial nature which wins friendship and at the same time commands the respect, confidence and good will of all.

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