C. J. Bohnsack
Agricultural pursuits have always claimed the attention of C. J. Bohnsack, who is residing upon a highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Iowa township.
He was born in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 19th of August, 1864, and is a son of William and Minnie (Lingfeldt) Bohnsack. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1881, first locating in Walcott, Scott county, Iowa, where they remained for two years. Later they removed to Manning in Carroll county, where they made their home for six or seven years and then purchased a farm in Audubon county. Mr. Bohnsack engaged in the cultivation of the latter place for about nine years, subsequently returning to Manning, where he passed away in 1905 and was laid to rest in the village cemetery. Mrs. Bohnsack is still living. Two children were born unto them, a son and a daughter. The latter, Dora, became the wife of John G. Clausen, of Chicago.
Being a youth of seventeen years when his parents emigrated to the United States, C. J. Bohnsack had already acquired his education, in the pursuit of which he attended the common schools of his native land. He remained a member of the paternal household until he attained his majority. Farm work engaged his activities for the first four years after leaving home, during which time he saved enough of his wages to enable him to rent eighty acres of land on section 27, Iowa township, which he cultivated for three years.
At the expiration of that period he rented the place he now owns on section 13, to which he acquired the title by right of purchase in 1902. During the nine years of his ownership Mr. Bohnsack has wrought many improvements in the place, having erected one of the finest residences on any form in the county. Although he owns but one hundred and sixty acres he operates four hundred, in addition to which he is a very heavy feeder of stock. His interests are extensive but he is a man who is capable of handling things upon a large scale, and he is meeting with most gratifying returns from his various undertakings.
In 1887 Mr. Bohnsack completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Anna Mason. Seven children have been born of this union: William, Henry, Dora, Augusta, Louis, Emma and John, all of whom are still at home.
In their religious faith the views of the family conform to the tenets of the Lutheran denomination with which they affiliate, while fraternally Mr. Bohnsack is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of the camp at Manning. The democratic party has claimed the allegiance of Mr. Bohnsack ever since being granted the right of franchise. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in public affairs and has served as assessor for four terms and as road supervisor for four years, while for twelve years he was a member of the school board, during all but two of which he was also secretary. He is one of the men who possesses the ability to win when the necessary assets are energy and perseverance, to which qualities he owes such success as has been meted to him.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.