LOUIS PAUSTIAN

Louis Paustian, who has accumulated four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Farmington township, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits with more than ordinary success, being a man of unfaltering industry, good business ability and keen discrimination. His birth occurred in Scott county, Iowa, on the 3d of April, 1859, his parents being Christian Frederick and Christini (Roehs) Paustian. The father, who was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 14th of January, 1822, learned the mason’s trade in that country and afterward participated in the war of 1848 as a soldier in the German army, acting as aide-de-camp to Prince Von Noer. After the war he became aide to the Prince’s eldest son and as such traveled all over Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North and South America, visiting practically every part of the world. In 1852 he came to the United States and in association with his father-in-law and brother-in-law purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Scott county, Iowa, from the government. In partnership with his father-in-law he broke the raw prairie with oxen and began the work of farming. Subsequently he bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott county, residing thereon until called to his final rest. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he took a deep and helpful interest in public affairs.

It was in 1852, in Scott county, that Christian F. Paustian wedded Miss Christini Roehs, by whom he had twelve children, as follows: Caroline, who first became the wife of Claus Gimm and after his death wedded Mathew Greenwalt, of Scott county; Fred, who makes his home in Minnesota; August, living in Scott county; Emma, the wife of Christian Paustian, of Scott county; Louis, of this review; Sophia, who is the wife of William Bumann and lives in O’Brien county, Iowa; James, Charlie and Minnie, the wife of Herman Minert, all of whom reside in Scott county; Bertha, who is the wife of Henry Paulsen, of Muscatine county; and Henry and George, who are deceased.

Louis Paustian obtained his education in the district schools of his native county and assisted his father in the work of the fields until the time of his marriage. Following that important event in his life he rented eighty acres of land and was busily engaged in its cultivation for three years. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present home place in Farmington township, Cedar county, and later bought a tract of eighty acres across the road. Subsequently he made an additional purchase of two hundred and forty acres, so that his land holdings in Farmington township now embrace four hundred and eighty acres. He farms half of the land himself and rents the other two hundred and forty acres to his son. The fields indicate his careful supervision and practical methods, bringing forth rich crops which are a merited reward for his labor. It is now his intention to retire from farming and he will probably remove to Durant in the near future.

On the 25thof April, 1883, in Davenport, Mr. Paustian was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Suhl, a daughter of Claus and Helena (Schieser) Suhl, who were natives of Germany and St. Petersburg, Russia, respectively, and are now deceased. They were married in Scott county, Iowa, and there established their home. Mr. and Mrs. Paustian are the parents of five children, namely: James J., who wedded Miss Maggie Wulf and lives on one of his father’s farms in Farmington township; Albert L., at home; Adolph C., who married Miss Malinda Burmeister and resides on another of his father’s farms; and Leonard L. and Charlie A, who are at home and assist their father in the conduct of the home place.

Mr. Paustian is a democrat in politics and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He served as assessor for ten years and has been trustee for six years, holding the latter office at the present time. He has likewise acted as a school director and is now serving in the capacity of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Sunbury, while religiously he is connected with the German Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. His entire life has been spent in this part of the state and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a prosperous and respected citizen.