FREDERICK H. DIRCKS

Frederick H. Dircks, who is busily engaged in the operation of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Springfield township, was born in the province of Westphalia, Germany, on the 17th of June, 1862. His parents, Frederick and Christina (Finke) Dircks, are likewise natives of that country, the former born on the 22d of September, 1832, and the latter on the 3d of June, 1832. In 1868 they emigrated to the United States, the father securing employment as a gardener in New York city, where he remained for nine months. On the expiration of that period he brought his family to Cedar county, Iowa, and here began work as a farm hand, being thus engaged for seven years. At the end of that time he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy one hundred and twenty acres of land, while subsequently, by an additional purchase of eighty acres, he extended the boundaries of his farm to include two hundred acres. With the assistance of his sons he successfully operated the place until 1900, when he sold the property and took up his abode in Holland, Iowa, there remaining for five years. In 1905 he purchased an attractive and commodious residence in Lowden and here he and his wife have since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of their former toil in well earned ease. Their marriage was celebrated in Germany in 1857 and their children are five in number, as follows: Frederick H., of this review; Christine, who is the wife of William C. Richmann; Henry, a resident of Clarence, Iowa; Louisa, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Reents, of Holland, Iowa; and William, who follows farming near Clarence, Iowa.

Frederick H. Dircks, who was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, obtained his education in the district schools of this county. When not busy with his text-books and until the time of his marriage he assisted his father in the work incident to the operation of the home farm, thus early gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On establishing a home of his own he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining his father’s farm, improved the place and has there carried on his agricultural interests continuously since. He has brought his land to a high state of cultivation and, bending his energies toward raising the best quality of cereals possible, annually gathers and markets good crops.

In 1885 Mr. Dircks was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Richmann, a daughter of William Richmann and a sister of William C. and Fred Richmann, who are mentioned on another page of this volume. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, five of whom still survive, namely: Carl, whose natal day was March 11, 1886; Emil, born September 11, 1887, who wedded Miss Freda Reinking and resides in Lowden; Lena, whose birth occurred on the 19th of August, 1889; Eliza, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 10th of February, 1894, and Luanna, whose birth occurred April 30, 1900. All are still under the parental roof with the exception of Emil. Frederick W., who was born December 16, 1891, met death by drowning on the 1st of August, 1909, when in his eighteenth year.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Dircks has supported the men and measures of the democracy and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He has served as constable, acted as assessor for a period of six years and now holds the office of township trustee. The cause of education likewise finds in him a stanch champion and he has done valuable service in its behalf as a school director. He acts as an elder in the Evangelical church, to which his wife and children also belong. Cedar county has remained his home for more than four decades and his record has ever been in harmony with those things which go to make up honorable and upright manhood.