Carl Hopp
The life of Carl Hopp is an illustration of success achieved in the face of difficulties that to an ordinary man would have appeared insurmountable. However, he courageously pressed forward and today he is the owner of a valuable and productive farm in Soldier township, which he acquired through his own perseverance and energy.
He was born in Germany, September 1, 1863, a son of John and Sophia (Peters) Hopp, both of whom were natives of the old country. The father died in 1904, but the mother is still living and is sixty nine years of age. There were six children in their family, namely: William, Sophia, Friedericki, Minnie, Hattie and Carl, all of whom are still living in Germany except the subject of this review.
Carl Hopp was reared and educated in his native land and continued there until twenty-five years of age. Believing that he could advance more rapidly under the favoring conditions of the new world he came to America in 1888 and for three years worked by the month in Crawford county, Iowa.
He then rented land for one year, after which he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Charter Oak township, which he greatly improved, increasing its value so that in 1907 he was able to trade his farm for land on section 27, Soldier township, thus acquiring three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has placed many improvements. He raises and feeds stock and as he gives careful attention to his work he has been highly successful and is regarded as one of the most prosperous farmers in this section.
On the 1st of September, 1890, Mr. Hopp was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Wittkopp, who was born in Germany and came to America with her father in 1888, the mother having previously died. Mr. Wittkopp settled in Crawford county, Iowa, and continued here until his death, which occurred in 1904.
Six children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopp, namely: Ella, who was born April 3, 1891, and is the wife of Theodore Mesick of Crawford county; Emil, who was born September 24, 1893; Leo, born June I, 1894; Martin, born July 24, 1898; Olga, born December 7, 1900; and Paul, born January 1, 1902.
The mother of these children passed away March 1, 1902, and Mr. Hopp was married to Mrs. Amelia (Lentz) Schreiber. She was a native of Germany and came to this country with her parents, who settled on a farm in Crawford county. After acquiring a competency they retired to Denison, where her father died in 1902, and the mother six years later, They reared a family of twelve children, all of whom are now living. Mrs. Hopp had two children by her former marriage, namely: Albert, who was born February 14, 1899; and William, born December 14, 1903.
Mr. Hopp gives his allegiance to the democratic party, and he and his wife are both identified with the Lutheran church. He came to America twenty-three years ago and under the friendly protection of the stars and stripes has accomplished what would have been practically impossible in his native land. He has met with deserved reward for his labors and is known as a patriotic and liberty-loving citizen, who has set a worthy example for his children, training them to become active and useful members of society. He has many friends who admire him because of his upright and manly character.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.