J. Henry Jochimsen
Germany has probably contributed more citizens to the United States, who have been actively identified with the agricultural development of the country than any other nation in Europe. Among the worthy and enterprising farmers of Crawford county who are natives of the fatherland is J. Henry Jochimsen, whose birth occurred in the province of Schleswig-Holstein on the 30th of March, 1866.
He is a son of Claus and Anna (Ratje) Jochimsen, his paternal grandfather being Thomas Jochimsen. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1878, taking passage at Hamburg for New York, their destination being Davenport, Iowa, in which city they arrived on the 1st of June, 1878. They removed to Denison the next year but after residing there for three weeks rented a farm in East Boyer township, upon which they settled. Four years later they purchased it and for sixteen years it remained the family homestead, it being now owned by Jacob Hessman, however. Mr. Jochimsen engaged in its cultivation until 1887, at which time he rented the land to his sons but continued to reside there until his demise in 1903. He had survived his wife nine years, her death having occurred in 1894. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of Nishnabotny, where her husband is also interred.
J. Henry Jochimsen was a lad of twelve years when his parents emigrated to the United States, so his education was largely acquired in the common schools of his native land but was supplemented later by a course in the public schools of Davenport. He remained at home, assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm, until he had attained his majority, at which time he and his brother, who was six years his senior, rented the land from their father. This arrangement lasted for six years at the expiration of which period Mr. Jochimsen removed to Hayes township, where he rented land for three years, subsequently buying one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Nishnabotny township. He has made all of the improvements upon the place during his occupancy, having erected a fine residence and outbuildings as well as having planted groves.
In 1907 he purchased eighty acres adjoining him on the north and he also owns one hundred and twenty acres opposite on the south, making the aggregate of his holdings three hundred and sixty acres. He follows general farming and stock-raising and is also an extensive feeder. Capable supervision, keen judgment and untiring application have been the secret of the success which has attended the efforts of Mr. Jochimsen, who in every sense of the word is a self-made man, having attained the position he occupies today through his own unaided efforts.
On the 4th of March, 1893, he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Niemeier, a native of Germany, from which country she emigrated to the United States with her parents when a child of three years. In 1873, immediately following their arrival in this country, they located in Vitland, Scott county, Iowa, where they resided for a short time and then removed to Dixon, coming from there to Crawford county. They settled upon a farm on section 32, Otter Creek township, which they cultivated until they retired to Manilla, where they both passed away.
Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jochimsen: Freda Emma, Claus, Herman T., Louie H., Lillie C., John P. and Edwin.
The family hold membership in the Lutheran church, while politically Mr. Jochimsen now gives his support to the candidates of the republican party, but prior to Bryan's first campaign he voted the democratic ticket. Although he takes an active interest in public affairs he has never served in an official capacity but twice - once as school director and also as road supervisor for three years. By means of energy and determination Mr. Jochimsen has attained a position which classes him as one of the representative and substantial farmers of the county, whose success is wholly and justly merited.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.