CHARLES E. KROEMER

Charles E. Kroemer needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for during thirty-eight years he has made his home in Cedar county. This covers the entire period of his lifetime. He was born in Massillon township, May 8, 1872, was reared to farm life, and since attaining his majority has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. As the family name indicates, he is of German lineage. His father, Carl Kroemer, was born in Prussia, Germany, where his youthful days were spent and, having arrived at years of maturity, he married Sophia Binkmann, also born in Prussia. Following their emigration to the new world they became residents of Cedar county, Iowa, in 1869, settling in Massillon township, where Carl Kroemer opened up the farm upon which he reared his family. In 1908 he lost his wife and now makes his home with his son, Charles E.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Charles E. Kroemer in his boyhood and youth. His time was divided between the schoolroom and playground and the farm work, study and play alternating. He attended a German school in Lowden for a time and after putting aside his text-books devoted his entire attention to the work of the old homestead until he had attained his majority. Soon afterward he was married on the 17th of May, 1894, to Miss Dorothea Kruckenberg, who was born and reared here. After their marriage they located where they now reside, upon a tract adjacent to the old homestead, and as his financial resources have increased, Mr. Kroemer has increased his holdings until he is now the owner of two hundred and ten acres, situated on section 28, Massillon township. The equipment and accessories of a model farm are here to be found and the place constitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape. Mr. Kroemer has recently completed a commodious three-story residence, which is one of the fine country homes of the district, and he also has a large barn on the place. Everything is in keeping with the spirit of progress and enterprise which has dominated his life since he started out for himself. Annually he harvests good crops and also feeds cattle, which he sells off the pasture. He likewise makes a specialty of feeding and fattening Poland China hogs and sells a large number each year, his stock-raising interests constituting a profitable feature of his business.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kroemer have been born six children: Gerhardt and Gertrude, twins, Arthur, Alice and Herbert, all still living, but they lost an infant son, their first born. Mr. and Mrs. Kroemer hold membership in the German Lutheran church of Lowden and are interested in the moral progress of the community.

As a stalwart republican, Mr. Kroemer has given unfaltering support to the men and measures of the party and has held some local offices, serving for two years as assessor of Massillon township, while for eight years he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him an earnest champion. In all public affairs as in private life he is practical and progressive, accomplishing what he undertakes. His are the sterling qualities of honorable and upright manhood, and it is thus that he has come to be known as one of the representative and worthy citizens of the locality in which he makes his home.