Gus Koester
One of the successful farmers which Schleswig-Holstein has contributed to Crawford county is Gus Koester, who is a resident of Iowa township, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising.
He was born on the 6th of February, 1871, and is a son of Jergen and Mary (Kohl) Koester, also natives of Schleswig-Holstein. The father, who followed the carpenter trade during his active career, emigrated to the United States in 1881, being followed one year later by the mother. He first located near Aspinwall, Crawford county, where he resided for a year, and then removed to Aspinwall, continuing to live there until two years ago, when he went to Carroll, Iowa, where he is now living retired. The mother makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Jergen Koester became the parents of seven children, as follows: Fred, who is a resident of Vail; Henry, living in South Dakota; John, residing in the same state; Gus. our subject; Conrad, also of South Dakota; George, who is living in Manning, Iowa; and Maggie, the wife of Hans Voss, of California.
The education of Gus Koester was acquired in the common schools of his native country, which he attended until he emigrated to the United States at the age of ten. He remained a member of the paternal household, with the exception of one year, until he attained his majority, at which time he left in order to begin his business career. For two years thereafter he worked as a farm hand, during which time he acquired the capital which enabled him to settle upon the place on section 10, Iowa township, where he continues to reside. He has made many improvements on the place during the period of his occupancy, having repaired the barn and erected substantial outbuildings and a pleasant residence, all of which are painted white, giving a most attractive appearance to the farm, while he has also constructed good fences about the entire property.
On December 1, 1897, Mr. Koester was united in marriage to Miss Mary Carstensen, and they have become the parents of five children: Louis, Ida, Herman, Hilda and Julius.
The family are identified with the Lutheran church and his political affiliation Mr. Koester accords the democratic party. He is a public-spirited man and takes a helpful interest in all local affairs and for the past four years has served as a member of the school board. Mr. Koester is meeting with success in his undertakings, which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent effort when sustained by thrift and industry.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.