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

The family of which Joseph Vonnahme is a representative has long been established in Carroll county and is one of the honored and respected families of this district. The first of the name to locate within the border of this county was Bernard Vonnahme, the father of our subject, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, and about the year 1868 came to the United States. He first located in Illinois but later, in the early ‘70s came to Iowa, locating in Carroll county, purchasing a tract of unimproved land on section 16, Kniest township. There he established his home and for a number of years followed the occupation of farming. He was one of the earliest settlers of this township, and from the first took an active and helpful part in public affairs, being numbered among the most valued and respected citizens of the community. He was a strong advocate of advancement and progress in local affairs and was the first president of the Mutual Fire Association, of which he was one of the founders. He also possessed a deeply charitable nature and constantly sought the best interests of his fellowmen. He aided in building three Catholic churches in Carroll county, and was himself an exemplary member of the denomination, while his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. His death occurred in 1905, and his remains were interred by the side of his wife at Mount Carmel, who had passed away in 1896. Like her husband she was born and reared in Germany, and was a lady of excellent traits of character. Their family numbered seven children, namely: Joseph, of this review; Anton, a farmer of Kniest township; Mary, a sister of the La Crosse Order, at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Frank, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; John, a resident of Wheatland township; Henry, who operated the old homestead and is also mentioned on another page of this history; and Agatha, who makes her home with her brother Henry.

Joseph Vonnahme, whose name introduces this review, was born in Delaware county, Iowa, April 29, 1869, and during his infancy was brought to Carroll county. He received his education in the Catholic schools of this neighborhood and for several years during the period of his youth engaged in herding cattle. He remained at home until twenty-seven years of age, when he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account, and for two years operated his present farm as a renter. He then purchased the tract, consisting of one hundred and ninety-nine acres, and here he has since engaged in general farming. He has greatly enhanced the value of his property by introducing many modern improvements, and it is now one of the desirable farms of the township. Prosperity has attended his efforts throughout the intervening period and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his holding until he now is the owner of considerable real estate in Nebraska and South Dakota.

Mr. Vonnahme was married, in 1897, to Miss Mary Becker, and unto this union have been born eight children, as follows: Bernadine, John, Rose, Frank, Mary and Aloysius, all at home; Henry, deceased; and one who passed away in infancy. The parents hold membership in the Catholic church at Mount Carmel, and Mr. Vonnahme belongs to the Roman Catholic Protective Association. His political faith is that of the democracy and although he is not an active politician, he takes the deep interest in public affairs that all true Americans feel, keeping himself well informed regarding the paramount issues of the day and at all times stanchly supporting the candidates and principles of his party. He is a man who is in every way aggressive and his industry and high moral character merit the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.

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