WILLIAM C. RICHMANN

William C. Richmann, a respected and representative resident of Lowden, won a handsome competence through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years and is now living retired in well earned ease. Cedar county has remained his home from his birth to the present time, his natal day being November 29, 1857. His father, William Richmann, was born in Germany on the 4th of September, 1820, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, locating at St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a laborer for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm near Red Bud, Illinois, there carrying on agricultural pursuits until 1856, when he disposed of the property and came to Springfield township, Cedar county, Iowa. Here he first bought a ninety-acre tract and as his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he made additional purchases until his land holdings in this county aggregated more than six hundred acres. In 1868 he opened a general store in Lowden but at the end of ten years disposed of his mercantile interests and returned to his farm. Later, in 1885, he again embarked in merchandising at Lowden in partnership with a Mr. Baird, who retired, however, in 1887. He continued in business alone for about eight years and then sold out, returning to his farm, where his last days were spent in honorable retirement. His demise occurred on the 14th of August, 1902, and the community mourned the loss of one of its most substantial and esteemed citizens.

While still a resident of Illinois the father wedded Miss Christina Penningroth, by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom are yet living, namely: Sophia, who is the widow of Fred Penningroth and makes her home in Lowden; Louisa, the wife of Ernst Rixe, of Springfield township, who is mentioned on another page of this work; William C., of this review; Annie, the wife of Fred Dircks, of Springfield township; Fred, who is a resident of Lowden; Lena, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Rodenbeck, of Springfield township; Emil, who makes his home in California; Lizzie, the wife of Christian Schoff, of Springfield township; and Henry A., living in Oelwein, Iowa.

William C. Richmann obtained his education in the district schools and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-seven years of age. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land but later disposed of the place and removed to Red Oak township, where he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty acres. The further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his attention for a period of eighteen years, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Clarence, having also purchased property there. He later sold his holdings in Clarence and since 1904 has made his home in Lowden, here owning a modern and attractive residence. He leases his farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Red Oak township and is now living practically retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

On the 18th of March, 1885, at Lowden, Iowa, Mr. Richmann was united in marriage to Miss Christina Dircks, a daughter of Fred and Christina (Fink) Dircks, who are still living here. Our subject and his wife have one son, Emil Henry Richmann, who is conducting a furniture and undertaking establishment in Lowden. He wedded Miss Alvina Miller, a daughter of Conrad Miller, of Lowden, and has two children, Evelyn and Avete. In 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Richmann adopted Miss Minnie Kettler, who was then a child of five years and whose mother had died a few days previous, and since then she has been a member of the family.

Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Richmann supports the republican party but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. He has served as a school director and acted as road supervisor for fifteen years, ever proving a most able and trustworthy public official. Both he and his wife are valued and consistent members of the Evangelical church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. The fact that many of his closest friends are those who have known him from boyhood is an evidence that his life has been directed in accordance with high principles of manhood and citizenship.