LOUIS LEHRMAN

Louis Lehrman is one of the extensive landowners of Cedar county, his holdings embracing six hundred acres comprised within three different farms, all of which are under a high state of cultivation and to the further development and improvement of which Mr. Lehrman gives his personal supervision. On his home place he is busily engaged in raising and feeding stock as well as cultivating the fields and his success is attributable to his close application, persistent effort and careful management. One of Iowa’s native sons, he was born in Jackson county on the 23rd of February, 1858. He came to Cedar county with his father, who in 1865 located in Fremont township and there opened up a farm which he cultivated and developed and upon which he reared his family. For many years he was identified with general agricultural pursuits and was numbered among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the community, but at the present time is living practically retired, his home being in Stanwood.

Louis Lehrman was reared in this county and remained with his parents until he had attained his majority. During his youthful days he worked in the fields on the home farm through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he devoted his attention to mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was married in Lowden, Cedar county, September 19, 1884, to Miss Minnie Wenndt, who was born in this county and spent her girlhood days here. After his marriage Mr. Lehrman began farming on his own account by renting land which he cultivated for a time.

In 1885 he removed to Sioux county, Iowa, where he farmed for two years. His father afterward gave him a tract of land and some money with which to improve and operate it and thus gaining a start, he bought more land from time to time and is now the owner of six hundred acres, all of which is tillable and most of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has built a good residence and barns and outbuildings upon his place. He has three sets of buildings upon the farm and the home tract has been fenced and cross-fenced with woven wire, dividing the farm into fields of convenient size and protecting the crops from the inroads of the stock. He has considerable fine stock upon his place, breeding and fattening about one hundred and fifty head of hogs annually. He also engages to some extent in dairying, keeping from twelve to fifteen cows for the purpose. The various branches of his business are capably conducted and in all things he displays an aptitude for successful management. Realizing that industry and perseverance are the basis of all success, he has labored diligently and untiringly to accomplish his purposes and as the years have passed on has gained a creditable position among the leading agriculturists of the county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lehrman have been born four sons and six daughters, of whom three died in infancy, Freddie, Vina and one unnamed. Herman, Paul, Walter, Bertha, Emma, Freda and Rosa complete the family. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and its teachings constitute a guide to their actions and their relations with their fellowmen. In his political views Mr. Lehrman is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by independent argument. He does not seek office, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are capably managed. Splendid success has crowned his efforts and he is justly counted one of the active, prosperous and progressive farmers, whose labors may well constitute a standard of activity for others. Moreover, in his business dealings he is thoroughly reliable and his business integrity has ever been above question.