Gustave H. Lochmiller
Although Gustave H. Lochmiller is one of the younger representatives of agricultural interests in Crawford county, he is yet widely known, for his entire life has been passed in this locality and he represents one of the early and prominent families of this section of the state.
He was born on the home farm, located on section 3, East Boyer township, February 22, 1867. His parents, Phillip and Carolina (Nehoof) Lochmiller, were natives of Germany, where they were married, after which they emigrated to the United States. They at once made their way to Crawford county, Iowa, and, being pleased with this part of the country, made it their permanent location, purchasing a farm in East Boyer township, which the father cultivated for many years. He became a successful man and is now making his home in Denison, where he is living in honorable retirement. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, as follows: Antonia, the wife of W. E. Johnson, of Los Angeles, California; Clementina, the wife of E. E. Ransom, of Denison; Gustave H., of this review; Phillip, deceased; George, who makes his home in Garrison, North Dakota; Frank, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Rudolph, a resident of Denison.
Gustave H. Lochmiller pursued his early education in the district schools of East Boyer township and completed his studies in the Denison high school, which he attended for two years. He remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, having in the meantime been thoroughly trained in the work of the home farm. However, following his marriage, he clerked in a store in Denison for fifteen years, but at the end of that time decided to again take up farming and in 1901 located on a farm in Washington township.
After a year, however, he removed to the old home place in East Boyer township and today owns the property, composing two hundred and forty acres. He here engages in general farming and stock-raising, and that he thoroughly understands his work in both branches is indicated by the splendid success which has come to him.
It was on the 26th of May, 1895, that Mr. Lochmiller was united in marriage to Miss Alice Blackman, who was born in Denison township, Crawford county, a daughter of Jerome and Celia (Harper) Blackman. The father was born in the state of New York but his death occurred in Crawford county in 1909. The mother, however, still survives and makes her home in Denison. Their family numbers ten children, as follows: Frances, the wife of John Duff, a resident of Denison township; William, who makes his home in Paradise township, Crawford county; Edward, of Denison; Guy, also of this city; Alice, now Mrs. Lochmiller ; John, of Denison township; Claud, who tnakes his home in Dow City; Anna, the wife of Floyd Smith, of Washington, Iowa; Fred, of Denison; and Carl, at home.
Mrs. Lochmiller supplemented her early educational training by study in the college at Denison, after which she engaged in teaching for two terms. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and two daughters but the younger son and second in order of birth, Phillip, is deceased. The others are Gustave H., Jr., Alice and Abbie, all with their parents.
In his political views Mr. Lochmiller is a republican, and in his fraternal relations is a Woodman of the World. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lochmiller have spent their entire lives in Crawford county and are therefore widely and favorably known, the hospitality of their pleasant country home being greatly enjoyed by their numerous friends and acquaintances.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.