WILLIAM STUHR

William Stuhr, who devotes his attention to the operation of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield township, is an agriculturist whose labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 15th of July, 1858, his parents being Marx and Catherine Stuhr, who were married in that country. In 1862 they emigrated to the United States, locating at Wheatland, Clinton county, Iowa, where the father worked as a day laborer until 1870. In that year he came to Cedar county and purchased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres which is now in possession of our subject. The property was but slightly improved at that time but he set resolutely to work and soon had a model farm. He carried on agricultural pursuits with excellent results until a few years prior to his death, when he took up his abode in Lowden, there living in honorable retirement until called to his final rest about 1903 at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife also passed away in Lowden about 1903, having attained the age of seventy-seven years. Unto them were born nine children, three of whom still survive.

William Stuhr remained with his parents until they retired, early gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops as he assisted his father in the work of the fields. When his father put aside active business cares he purchased the old homestead place and has since given his time and energies to its operation. The many substantial improvements which now adorn the property were placed there by himself and his father and stand as monuments to their thrift and enterprise. Mr. Stuhr cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Stuhr chose Miss Sophia Meyer, likewise a native of Germany. Their union was blessed with nine children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: William, Charles, Anna, Lena, Julius, Fritz, Emil and Hugo.

Mr. Stuhr is a stanch democrat in politics but has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church but is not a communicant thereof at the present time. The period of his residence in Cedar county covers four decades and he will merits the high regard and esteem which is so uniformly accorded him.