Joseph Fink
Fortunate is that man whom
destiny leads into a sphere of endeavor in which he can
effectively exercise his talents and energy and through
the medium of which he can achieve a success that not
only makes for his individual independence but also tends
to conserve the communal welfare. Joseph Fink is one of
the sterling German citizens of Clayton county, and in
the land of his adoption he has found ample opportunity
for the gaining of the worthy properity which was the
mark set by his youthful ambition. He is one of the
substantial representatives of the sturdy yeomanry of
this county, and as an agriculturist and stock-grower his
success is best evidenced by the unmistakable thrift and
prosperity that his fine farm betokens.
He was born in Germany, on the 16th of February, 1858,
and is a son of Joseph and Sophia (Thilk) Fink, with whom
he came to America in 1884, when he was twenty-six years
of age and after he had availed himself of the advantages
of the excellent schools of his native land. The father
passed the closing years of his life in Fayette county
and his widow now resides in the home of the subject of
this review, who accords to her in her venerable age the
most loyal of filial care and solicitude.
Prior to coming to America Mr. Fink had gained practical
experience in the trade of mason, and at this trade he
was engaged in work in Buchanan county, Iowa, until 1889,
when he came to Clayton county and purchased the farm
upon which he has since maintained his home and upon
which he has made excellent improvements of a permanent
order, including the erection of substantial farm
buildings. His farm comprises one hundred and thirty-two
acres and is eligibly situated in Section 29, Cass
township, not far distant from the village of Strawberry
Point, which is his postoffice address. In connection
with his general agricultural operations Mr. Fink has
developed a prosperous dairy department of farm
enterprise and gives attention to the raising not only of
good cattle but also of other farm live stock. Political
activity and public office have had no lure to this
energetic and successful farmer, , who has won his
prosperity entirely by personal ability and effort, and
he shows his civic loyalty by supporting measures
advanced for the general good of the community and by
exercising his franchise as a representative of the
Democratic party. Both he and his wife are active
communicants of the Lutheran church.
In 1888 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Fink to Miss
Kume Schram, who was born in Germany and who was a young
woman when she came to America, in 1884. Of the children
of Mr. and Mrs. Fink, Emma and Edwin remain at the
parental home; Bertha is the wife of Earl Cummings and
they are now residents of the state of Minnesota; Ida is
the wife of Alfred Mikota, of Cedar Rapids, this state;
and Frederick and Minnie are the younger members of the
home circle.
source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to
the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; pg 120-121
-submitted by S. Ferrall
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