Herman W. Boeck
The agricultural interests of Crawford county find a worthy representative in Herman W. Boeck, who is operating a quarter section of rich and productive land in East Boyer township.
His birth occurred in Davenport, Iowa, on the 9th of October, 1875, his parents being Henry and Catherina (Kahler) Boeck, both of whom are natives of Holstein, Germany. The father, who was born January 24, 1839, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1859, locating in Davenport, Iowa, where in March, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Second Iowa Cavalry. He served with that command for four years and four months, and was mustered out with the rank of second sergeant. He made a creditable military record, never faltering in the performance of any task assigned him. On returning to Davenport he became identified with industrial interests as a contractor and builder, investing his earnings in Crawford county land. At the present time his holdings embrace twelve hundred acres of valuable land here. He retained his residence in Davenport and managed his estate in Crawford county from that point. A portion of the property is now being operated by our subject.
Henry Boeck has been twice married, his first union being with Elizabeth Peterson, by whom he had three children, namely: William F., who is a resident of Nishnabotny township, Crawford county; Laura, the widow of Otto J. Teegen, of Davenport, Iowa; Lizzie, the wife of Fritz Brandenburg, of East Boyer township, this county.
Unto Henry and Catherina (Kahler) Boeck, who celebrated their marriage in Davenport, were born five children, as follows: Herman W., of this review; Ferdinand and August H., both of whom are residents of Davenport, Iowa: George H., living in Nishnabotny township; and Louisa, the wife of August A. Schnoor, of Nishnabotny township.
Herman W. Boeck obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and also pursued a short course of study in the Iowa Commercial College. When a lad of eleven years he began spending his summers on his father's land in Crawford county, attending school in Davenport during the winter seasons. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career and have proved a gratifying source of remuneration to him. He now operates one hundred and sixty acres of land belonging to his father in East Boyer township and annually harvests good crops which find a ready sale on the market.
In 1897 Mr. Boeck was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Blunk, a native of Germany, who accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world when a little maiden of four or five years. Mr. and Mrs. Boeck now have three children: Oliver C., Benton H. and Alfred R.
Mr. Boeck is a republican in politics and is serving his second term as township clerk, while for three years he held the office of assessor. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans at Denison and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity at Manilla, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boeck are identified with the Eastern Star at Manilla and are also consistent members of the Lutheran church at that place. They are well known and highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth and the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is freely accorded them.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.