That the rich farm lands of Iowa hold out excellent possibilities for success to the ambitious and industrious farmer is indicated by the record of Fred Conrad who, starting out in life as a farm hand, has, by the intelligent use of his opportunities, become one of the substantial and well-to-do residents of the community. He is numbered among those whose well directed efforts in former years now make it possible for them to live retired from active life and enjoy in well earned rest those comforts which a goodly competence can provide.
He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 19th of November, 1841, a son of Dietrick Conrad, also a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1850. After his arrival in this country the father resided for five years in Randolph county, Illinois, and then, in 1855, came to Cedar county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Springfield township. He was a poor man when he came to this country, and the first years in this frontier district were a struggle for existence. His indefatigable energy and unfaltering perseverance, however, stood him in good stead and with the passing years he acquired a most creditable degree of success. He followed farming all his life, and his death occurred in Springfield township when he had reached the age of eighty years. His wife, Mrs. Sophia Conrad, who was also born in Germany, passed away in this township when seventy years old. Of their family of three children one son, Henry, is now deceased. The sister of our subject is Mrs. Conrad Miller, who makes her home in Lowden.
The educational advantages enjoyed by Fred Conrad were acquired in the district schools of Germany, and he was a little lad of ten years when, in 1851, he left the fatherland and with his brother came to the United States. He was engaged for a number of years as a farm hand, working by the month, but during that period the thrift and frugality which were his German birthright, led him to carefully save his earnings so that he was at length able to invest in a farm of his own. He had cast in his lot with the early settlers of Cedar county, with whom he faced the privations which are always features of frontier life, and during the period of early development of this district his labors contributed in substantial measure to opening up and improving the lands of Cedar county. He had started out in life empty-handed, but he possessed an ambition and enthusiasm which would not permit of failure, and he steadily worked his way on through the years, his private fortune increasing with the development of the district. He became the owner of extensive property holdings which ranked him among the large landowners of Springfield township. He yet owns four hundred and forty-five acres of valuable Iowa land and has sold or given to his children three hundred and fifty acres. Although he has experienced many hardships and his life has been one of continuous activity, characterized by hard labor and earnest endeavor, his well directed efforts have found their reward in later years, for he is now able to enjoy all the comforts that wealth can provide without recourse to further labor. He makes his home in Lowden, where he occupies a prominent place among the men of influence.
It was on the8th of February, 1866, that Mr. Conrad was united in marriage, in Springfield township, to Miss Louise Rixe, a native of Germany and a daughter of Fred Rixe, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. They became the parents of ten children, nine of whom are yet living, as follows: D. W., a merchant of Lowden, whose sketch is also found elsewhere in this work; Louis and Henry, engaged in farming; Lena, the wife of Fred Butterbrodt; Herman, who resides in Lowden; Emil and Fred, both farming; Otto, who passed away at the age of twenty years; Paul, farming in connection with one of his brothers; and Julius, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad are prominent and influential members of the Evangelical church, in the work of which they are deeply interested, and they are well known in the social circles in which they move, the best homes of Lowden extending to them warm hospitality. Mr. Conrad votes with the democratic party, although he has never sought or desired public office. He is numbered among those pioneers of Cedar county who helped to blaze the way for others to follow, and he tells many interesting tales concerning the early life of this district and of the hardships which were endured by those who were brave enough to face the dangers of the frontier that they might there plant seeds of civilization. Preeminently a self-made man, he has won a prominent place among the substantial citizens of Springfield township, but his success in life cannot be measured by his material gain alone, for the confidence, respect and good-will of his fellowmen speak for honorable manhood and a life well spent.
