PETER P. GRUNDER

Among the responsible farmers of Farmington township, Cedar county, Peter P. Grunder occupies an honorable place, which he has gained by a life of industry and perseverance, traits inherited from a worthy parentage. He was born at Wilton, Iowa, April 24, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Hanneman) Grunder, the former of whom was born in Switzerland and the latter in Germany. The father was educated in the public schools of the old country and grew up there, but after some years of industry, finding that he was not making progress that an ambitious young man ought to expect, he decided to leave his old home and friends and seek his fortune in a distant land. Accordingly, at twenty-five years of age, he came to America, hoping that under the stars and stripes he might be able to attain financial independence. His dream has been in an important degree realized. When he arrived in this country he was seven dollars in debt, but he had strong arms and a resolute heart and these are half the victory. He began by working upon a farm by the month and through economy and good judgment he was able to save money, with which he bought forty acres of land in Muscatine county, Iowa, and became a farmer. In 1880 he sold his farm, which had greatly increased in value, and came to Farmington township, this county, which he believed to be one of the best locations in the state, and bought the farm upon which the subject of this review now lives. His wife departed this life in 1899 and Mr. Grunder, in the evening of an active career, is retired and is living with his son.

Peter P. Grunder received his education in the common schools and grew up amid the surroundings of the farm, to which from his early years he has always been attracted. After assisting his father upon the farm for number of years he bought from him eighty acres, which he has greatly improved, remodeling the house, building a new barn and crib and providing the place with all the accessories of a well managed establishment. He is a general farmer, but for some time has made a specialty of dairying, which has brought abundant financial returns. At one time he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land but recently disposed of eighty acres, leaving him now in possession of a farm of eighty acres. In 1886 Mr. Grunder was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Jipp, who was born in Germany, June 14, 1861, and is a daughter of Christ and Sophia Jipp, both of whom are deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grunder: Lena, the wife of John Sessler, who resides in Farmington township, owning a farm of one hundred and twenty acres; and Rosa, Lydia, Freda, Mary and Herman, all of whom are living at home.

Mr. Grunder has found in his wife a sympathetic companion and one who has been to him a constant encouragement and support. They are both members of the Lutheran church and consistent believers in its teachings. He is an advocate of the democratic party but has not devoted much time to politics, as his interest centers upon his farm. He is recognized as one of the stanch and progressive men of the county.