Christ P. Vollersen
Another enterprising German, who, through his own well directed effort, is now numbered among the affluent citizens of Crawford county, is Christ P. Vollersen, engaged in the grain and livestock business in Dow City.
A native of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, he was born on the 10th of January, 1867, a son of Christ and Christina (Inguersen) Vollersen, who spent their entire lives in the land of their birth, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. In their family were the following children: Samuel, living in Germany; Mary, a resident of Duluth, Minnesota; Nicholas, of Ricketts, Iowa; Christ P., our subject; Ingburg, residing in Chicago; Paul, of Germany; and Christina, living in Mineola, this state.
Christ P. Vollersen lived at home and attended the common schools of his native land until the death of his parents, which occurred when he was fourteen years of age. For three years thereafter he resided with an uncle and then came to America to seek his fortune. He was only a youth of seventeen years when he arrived in the United States, unfamiliar with the language and customs but possessing a rich heritage of thrift. energy and determination, qualities which characterize his countrymen. Making his way westward to Iowa, he first located in Clinton, where he obtained employment in a sawmill and on the railroad until the following autumn, when he went to Dixon, Scott county.
In the latter place he secured work as a farm hand, continuing in that occupation for three years, when he removed to Crawford county, where he followed the same employment for a year. He then rented land in Soldier township, which he cultivated for three years, and at the expiration of that period his tireless energy, economy and capable management made it possible for him to become a property owner and he bought a place in Willow township, upon which he continued to reside for sixteen years.
Disposing of the latter place he bought land in Paradise township, which he cultivated for three years, and then came to Dow City and bought the grain and live-stock business of Joseph McCole, including the plants, elevator and yards. Mr. Vollersen has met with most gratifying success in all of his undertakings and as a result now owns two hundred and forty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land in Paradise township besides his business and residence in town.
Nineteen years ago was solemnized the union of Mr. Vollersen and Miss Eliza Peterson, also a native of the province of Schleswig-Holstein, and unto them have been born the following children: Christina, Emma, Minnie, Henry, and Mary, all of whom are at home.
The family attend the services of the German Lutheran church, with which denomination the parents are identified by membership. Ever since his naturalization Mr. Vollersen has given his political support to the democratic party. Although he has never been an aspirant to public honors or the emoluments of office, he at one time served as a school director. He is a quiet, unobtrusive. man, whose good judgment, sound principles and honorable business transactions have won the respect of all who come in contact with him.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.