John Kock
Although he had many difficulties to overcome John Kock of Jackson township, bravely persevered and today he is the happy owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which gives evidence of his ability as a business man and practical farmer.
He is a native of Germany, born January 20, 1857, son of Claus and Sophie (Dean) Kock, The parents came to America and the mother died in Arcadia, Iowa, at the age of sixty-one years. The father is now living in Wyoming. There were five children in their family, namely: Henry, who joined the German navy and was killed in a collision at sea; John, of this review; William, who is now living in Texas; Herman, of Elk Point, South Dakota; and Sophie, who is the wife of W. C. Bolty, of Wyoming.
John Kock received his preliminary education in the public schools of Germany and continued a resident of his native land until after reaching manhood. In 1881, having arrived at the age of twenty-four years and being ambitious to accomplish something in life even though it should require his presence in a strange land and among strangers, he crossed the ocean and arrived in Carroll county, Iowa. Two years after coming to this country he was married and then began fanning upon his own account by renting eighty acres which he cultivated to good advantage for three years. He then went to Minnesota and bought eighty acres, upon which he lived for five years.
Not being entirely satisfied with conditions in that state, he sold his fann and returned to Carroll county, Iowa, where once more he rented eighty acres of land and engaged in general fanning. A few years later he came to Crawford county and for four years rented one hundred and sixty acres and prosecuted his work so ably that in 1902 he purchased two hundred acres of good land on section 15, Jackson township, upon which he established his home. To this he has since added eighty acres, which is on section 14 of the same township, and he now has one of the most desirable properties of the size in his part of the county. He carries on general fanning and stock-raising, and as he applies himself with energy and ability he is eminently successful in his labors.
On the 23d of February, 1883, Mr. Kock was united in marriage to Miss Mary Witt, a daughter of Reimer and Caroline (Holedorf) Witt. The parents were born in Gennany and. are now deceased. Seven children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kock, namely: Henry and William, both of whom are engaged in farming in Crawford county; and George, John, Rudolph, Mary and Caroline, all at home.
Mr. Kock through his own exertions has won his way to his present enviable position and, therefore, is entitled to high credit for what he has accomplished. He is a persistent worker and also possesses a goodly amount of sound judgment which is indispensable in the accomplishment of any important object. Since arriving at voting age he has given his support to the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen, in whose principles of brotherhood he is a sincere believer, and in religious belief he adheres to the Presbyterian church.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.