Charles Kolls
Through well directed energy Charles Kolls has become the owner of a productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Hanover township, which yields a handsome revenue each year. Everything about the place gives evidence of thoughtful attention and Mr. Kolls justly ranks as one of the most thorough farmers of the township.
He was born at Clinton, Iowa, January 1, 1875, a son of Rudolph and Elizabeth Kolls, both of whom were natives of Germany. The parents were married in their native land and came to America in the latter part of the '60s. The father worked in a sawmill in Clinton county, Iowa, for six years and then moved to Crawford county and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Goodrich township, later adding forty acres, which he cultivated thoroughly, developing it into one of the valuable properties of the township. In 1903 he retired to Denison and there continued until his death, which occurred November 28, 1908, his wife passing away May 17, 1893. There were nine children in their family, namely: Elizabeth, now the wife of John Brown, of Denison; Annie, the wife of Julius Jensen, of South Dakota; Henry, of Crawford county; Charles, the subject of this review; Edward, also of Crawford county; Rudolph, of South Dakota; and Anna, Margaret and Charley, all of whom are deceased.
Charles Kolls was reared upon the home farm and educated in the district schools, continuing under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he began farming on his own account by renting land and conducted his affairs so successfully that after six years he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Hanover township, which he has since owned. He raises the various cereals and also raises stock, using his entire crop in this way. His farm is highly improved and under his skillful care is each year becoming more valuable.
On the 29th of December, 1897, Mr. Kolls was united in marriage to Miss Anna Blunk, who was born in Germany, April 22, 1880, a daughter of John and Anna (Moeller) Blunk. Her parents came to America in 1882 and for five years the father worked out in Crawford county. He has since farmed upon rented land. The family consisted of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Minnie, the wife of Herman Berk, of Crawford county; Anna, now Mrs. Charles Kolls; Charley, also of Crawford county; John, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Dora, the wife of Max Quandt, of Crawford county; Mary, now Mrs. John Vogt, of this county; Emma, Huldah and Willie, who are living at home; and Elizabeth and George, both of whom are deceased.
Four children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. KolIs: Malinda, who was born July 30, 1898; Hattie, born September 6, 1900; Bennie, May 6, 1906; and Carl, November 16, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Kolls are valued members of the German Lutheran church and are active and efficient workers in all causes which seek to promote the welfare of this section. He gives his support to the democratic party but has never sought political honors, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests and to his family. He is still a young man and the gratifying success he has attained in a comparatively few years in his chosen calling may be regarded as a bright prophecy of further achievement in the years to come.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.