Emil Pautsch
Emil Pautsch, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Hanover township, has been closely identified with the agricultural development of Crawford county for more than twenty-five years.
He was born in Germany, November 29, 1869, a son of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Nass) Pautsch, also natives of the fatherland, who emigrated to the United States in 1870 and located in Chicago, where they continued to reside for six years. In 1876 they removed to Crawford county, Iowa, and bought a farm which they cultivated until the father's death in 1896. Mrs. Pautsch is still living and makes her home with her children. They were the parents of twelve children, four of whom died in infancy, those who lived to maturity being as follows: Theresa, the wife of Louis Green, of Charter Oak, this county; Emil, our subject; Robert, who lives in Luverne, Minnesota; George, deceased; Ida, living in Hanover township; Emma, the wife of Otto Heabner, of Hanover township; Carl, who is living on the homestead; and Bernard, also living on the homestead.
Emil Pautsch acquired his education in the common schools of Crawford county, and when he had obtained such knowledge as he deemed essential to pursue his vocation, his textbook gave place to the work of the field and he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he began farming for himself on a portion of his father's land, which was later given to him and forms a part of his present holdings. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of feeding cattle for the market, and in all of his undertakings he met with most gratifying success and as a result he was able to add to his original tract until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land. In addition to his homestead he also owns a half section in Spink county, South Dakota, and one hundred and sixty acres in Rock county, Minnesota. He is devoting the greater part of his time to the feeding of cattle and now has five carloads of very fine stock which he is preparing for the market.
Mr. Pautsch was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lill in 1894, a daughter of August and Theresa (Reetz) Lilt. She was born in Chicago on the 8th of February, 1874, but is of German extraction, her parents being natives of the fatherland. Mr. and Mrs. Lill removed to Iowa in 1879 and settled on a farm in Crawford county, which they operated until their deaths. They were thrifty, hard-working people and owned two hundred and eight acres of well cultivated land at the time of their demise. Eight children were born unto them, two of whom died in infancy, those living being as follows: John, who lives in Sioux City, this state; Anna, the wife of Emil Pautsch; Laura, who married R. Weed, of Charter Oak township; Minnie, the wife of George Pautsch, of Luverne, Minnesota; Theresa, who is unmarried and lives at Charter Oak; and August, who resides on the homestead in Charter Oak township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pautsch have been born eight children, who are as follows: Adelheid, who was born on the 8th of October, 1895; Ferdinand, born on the 2d of February, 1897; August, born on the 19th of July, 1899; Elna, born on the 3d of March, 1900; Ernest, born on the 28th of February, 1903; Alfred, born on the 5th of April, 1908; and Laura and Martin, who died in infancy.
The family attend the Lutheran church, of which denomination the parents are members. Politically Mr. Pautsch has always been identified with the democratic party, and has been elected to the office of constable for several terms, while at the present time he is a member of the board of school directors. He is one of the progressive, public-spirited citizens of his district, who during his long residence here has won the regard and esteem of the community.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.