CHRISTIAN FEHLING

Christian Fehling, an enterprising and successful agriculturist of Springfield township, was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 14th of December, 1853, his parents being William and Christina (Rohling) Fehling, likewise natives of that country. The father passed away when his son Christian was but nine months old and the mother afterward married again, becoming the wife of Ernst Broeking, who was also born in Germany. Mr. Broeking brought his family to the United States in 1867, first spending a few weeks in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the fall of 1867 he came to Cedar county, Iowa, and for several years devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land. He afterward purchased a farm of his own and, carrying on his agricultural interests in a practical and progressive manner, met with success in his undertakings. At the present time he is living retired in Lowden, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. The period of his residence in this county now covers forty-three years and he enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders. His wife was called to her final rest in 1904. Their children were as follows: Christina, the wife of Dick Twachtman, of Springfield township; Sophia, who gave her hand in marriage to John Sanders and resides in Lowden; Mrs. Henry Wiese, of Springfield township; Louise, the wife of R. Brower, of Lowden; Fred, who lives in Mitchell county, Iowa; and William, who died in infancy.

Christian Fehling, who is the only child of his mother’s first marriage, was a youth of fourteen when he accompanied his stepfather on the voyage to the new world. He remained under the parental roof for a year and then started out in life for himself, securing employment as a farm hand by the month. In 1882 he purchased eighty acres of his present farm from his stepfather and eleven years ago bought an eighty-acre tract adjoining. The many substantial improvements which now adorn the property stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise, and his careful supervision is manifest in the neat appearance of the farm. In addition to his home place he also owns an improved farm of eighty acres in Fairfield township, having purchased that property in the spring of 1910. Energetic and industrious, his well directed efforts and close application have been salient elements in the prosperity which he today enjoys and he is ranked among the substantial and representative agriculturists of the community.

On the 28th of September, 1882, in Cedar county, Mr. Fehling was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kahl, whose birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 9th of July, 1865, her parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Langpopp) Kahl, farming people of Fairfield township, this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fehling were born six children, namely: Ida, who died at the age of one year and nine months; Lydia, at home; Martha, the wife of John Klatt, of Fairfield township; and William, Walter and Elma, who are likewise yet at home.

Politically Mr. Fehling is a stanch republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon the right of franchise. He is a warm friend of the cause of education and has acted as a school director. Both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Lowden and are deeply interested in its work. They are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth and have gained many friends during their long residence here.